Melinda Mills

Dear sister, but think again. Is the WT's explanation really true?
JW Online Library says about Revelation 13:5
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101988028#h=18:0-24:817
"The 42 months mentioned here appear to be the same as the three and a half years during which the holy ones are harassed by a horn arising from one of the beasts in Daniel’s prophecy. (Daniel 7:23-25; see also Revelation 11:1-4.) Thus, from the end of 1914 on into 1918, while the warring nations were literally tearing at one another like wild beasts, citizens of those nations were pressured to worship the wild beast, to indulge in the religion of nationalism, even to be ready to die for their country." (End of quote)
Unfortunately the prophecied things in Revelation 13 are much more dire and extreme than what happened to the WT organization during 1914-1918. So it can not be the fulfillment prophecied in Revelation 13.
Because the WT organization was not conquered or paralized during 1914-1918. 8 leading brothers were sent to prision, but other brothers took charge of the WT organization and continued printing WT and delivering to subscribers.
Worship of the state was not at all at the level as predicted in Revelation 13. And the mark of the beast is a litteral thing without which it is stated in Revelation 13 that nobody will be able to buy anything. We have not either yet seen anything like that.
And the image of the beast has neither appeared. UN does not fit the description, because it does not cause any death to anyone refusing to worship it.
It is all future things. 
But what is serious is that we will soon face all this. 
But Revelation 12 presents the escape talking about the "woman" that flees to a place in a wilderness.
 

I was expecting a black swan event to break the economy of the world. I did not know what it would be..... but it came.  Corona may have happened accidentally, and how, I am not sure.....there are many viable conspiracies out there......  but I do know that evil experimentation with nano-technology, viruses and much more has been going on for longer than we (naive ordinary folk)  think.
Although I do not agree with you on literally fleeing to the wilderness and your quirky vision of the bible, I agree with you on this:
These words I am writing now will destroy my credibility with everyone here, but I really have a strong inclination that the wicked will use technology to take over the rulership of the world and do satan's ultimate bidding........ to put everyone in a position ( by oppression)  to choose between jehovah or human rulership (the beast). We will be forced to obey their version of religion of the state which is ultimate immorality, without conscience, and worship of the state (beast).  ...... 
This is satan's ultimate goal: to get everyone to reject jehovahs principles so he can rob you of eternal life. To compromise yourself.  Satan wants everyone to lose everlasting life - like he has. He wants all and everything to be destroyed.  Jehovah knew this: that is why he foresaw that he would have to step into humankind's affairs to save some loyal flesh.
How far it will go, I cannot tell..... but it will be pretty bad because it will have to be proven beyond reasonable doubt that humans cannot rule themselves. The human condition at the height of human discovery will be worse than before the industrial revolution...... because our flaw (sin) brings out the worst form of domination, torture, oppression and degradation.
THULM in Arabic thulaam means total darkness and  injustice.  I think that life will be terrible in future due to the oppression and injustice. The suppression of ALL religion will bring total darkness to peoples lives. The only religion allowed will be worship of the state and its rules. People will search for information about God but it will be suppressed.
Now you know why I have been looking at the king of the north and its philosophy of atheism (spiritistic origins)  and worship of the state.  In Russia it is tolerating orthodoxy for now because orthodoxy is a totally hollow religion of rituals only and a religion of the state. (nationalism)
The super capitalists of the world are all atheists and have been pushing NWO agenda for many years.... they believe it will bring peace and security........   They support the UN's agenda which promotes the Chinese model of oppression of religion and worship of the state. The UN knows it cannot get power if it does not follow the Chinese model....... and all the richest people in the world know this as well. They are working together.
Many small businesses have been permanently broken by this Corona. This means that people's independence from the state is lost........ the UN banks may take over the world problems when the nations give over their autonomy to it......China will also have financial problems after this Corona.
The future will tell........... but what I am thinking is in line with bible teachings - albeit controversial.
 

Thanks for article..... but there is  no balance!
The investigations into child marriage led them to tabling this bill to try to stop child marriages. There are a few legislators who do care (mostly women) but the majority do not. The rape gangs in UK are still operating and still swept under the carpet.
Most people who try to expose the gangs (report about it) are targeted by police and the establishment because one may not say anything about "the religion of peace" who are the major perpetrators of this crime because it is ok to rape "kufaar" (unbelievers). It is now against the law (hate-speech, even if they are perpetrators) in UK and one could face a prison sentence of up to 6 years for hate-speech (if I remember correctly - it changed from 2 to 6 years).
What they do NOT say in the article you cite, is that the religion of peace does not marry in UK courts. (It is rare- because the wife has more rights under UK law and can inherit more from her husband, should he die, than under Sharia law). Sharia favours men.
So they do religious marriage or take them to Pakistan to get married at young age  .....and then wait until she is of age for the man to immigrate legally to Britain on marriage Visa.  This was a major industry before..... I do not know which immigration laws have been changed in the past few years because I know they have been trying to curb this by immigration legislation. I have not taken the time of late to look at it.
Yes, the more I learn about the top echelons of society and the sexual antics they get up to with children ( and the level of suppression), the more I realize how wicked the world has become. I have listened to a few hair raising stories of retired police who were told to "stop" investigating" in UK........ coming from higher up in the hierarchy who get pressure from even higher up in government. This was, and is  happening in USA too. One investigator from Florida has fled to Russia because his life was in danger. Journalists and police have turned up dead in USA. Shot or convenient suicide.
The Epstein debacle has also been covered up with his very 'convenient' suicide of which the circumstances have just been accepted by the public at large. No lingering questions asked. No-one has been brought to justice which proves the system is  covering up. There is no longer justice for the poor and underpriviledged..... just like in Israel before the exile.
 The prosecutors who covered up for Epstein and colluded to cover up the 37 cases of child trafficking in 2007, have DA positions at present - their "clean" standing is not tarnished because the press do not write about it. Epstein turned out to be an CIA asset. 
The new trafficking cases were closed at his ''suicide' and the "madam" who pulled in all the young kids for his operations, is still living in luxury and free.  All the porn material with high society men ( videos) which the Federal police raided from his home after his death, is in their fed possession.  NO INDICTMENTS up till now. I am waiting...... most probably some lowly person will be made an example of....... but the news is not asking what has happened to the videos.  
My sense of justice is outraged by this but I leave it in the hands of Jehovah...... their fall will be great.
One piece of good news.... it seems that some of the supply chains were broken by Corona lock down.....due to transport restrictions...... but this crime will grow even faster when a lot of people do not have work. The criminally inclined will have a ' job'. ..... and money.

https://sputniknews.com/uk/202005221079386943-uk-ministry-of-justice-has-open-mind-on-raising-minimum-age-to-18-to-stop-child-marriages/
I thought this article was interesting, particularly as @Arauna seems to say that the world and all it's governments are totally immoral and that all schools and colleges teach immorality etc .........
Here in the UK a politician is trying to have the legal age of marraige raised from 16 to 18, to stop child marraiges. 
Conservative MP Pauline Latham is seeking to pass a bill which would “revoke parental…consent which permits the marriage…of a child and to criminalise child marriage…under the age of 18.”
I just thought it gives a bit of balance to the usual JW cry of 'the world is wicked' 'all non JWs are wicked' etc....  I do like a bit of balance. 
The article is dated 22nd May and I have no idea of the outcome, but it's nice to read about a politician that is trying to do something positive to held young people. 

Communism is alive and well and all the corruption and gag orders with it. May jehovah bless his integrity.

A Russian-controlled ‘court’ in occupied Crimea has rejected the appeal brought by Serhiy Filatov, a 47-year-old Jehovah’s Witness from Dzhankoy, against his six-year prison sentence for practising his faith.  Russia has now not only reinstated Soviet persecution of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, but is breaching international law by applying such repressive measures on illegally occupied territory.
The hearing before ‘judge’ Edward Belousov, of the Crimean High Court, was held on 26 May behind closed doors.  This was due to restrictions over the pandemic but did mean that Filatov, who took part by video link from the SIZO [remand prison] was deprived of the chance to see his family and all those who would have wished to show their support.  
The closed hearing also makes it unclear whether Belousov made any pretence of examining the appeal.  This seems unlikely since he upheld the manifestly wrongful six-year sentence in a medium security prison colony handed down on 5 March 2020 by ‘judge’ Maria Yermakova, from the Dzhankoy District Court.  The sentence also includes a five-year ban on engaging in educational work involving public addresses or publications in the media or posting information in the media or Internet, as well as a one-year term of restricted liberty after the prison term.  
Filatov was found to have prayed, together with others, in his own home, which the Russian-controlled prosecutor and court chose to view as “undermining constitutional order and state security”.  He was charged under Article 282.2 § 1 of Russia’s criminal code which punishes for something termed ‘organization of the activities of an extremist organization.”   Russia treats the presumption of innocence with the same contempt it shows religious freedom, and Filatov was swiftly added to Russia’s notorious ‘list of extremists and terrorists’, with this bringing serious economic restrictions.  He was not, however, held in detention, and was taken into custody after the sentence was announced on 5 March.  He has been held at the Simferopol SIZO [remand prison], where the overcrowding, filth and unsanitary conditions are a danger to life and health.  Now that the appeal has failed, he may be moved, in violation this time also of the European Court of Human Rights, to Russia.
http://khpg.org/en/index.php?id=1590495374

Well well well. A 22lbs produce pack from the USDA. Apparantly all non-profits received a large supply to distribute. I’m very grateful. Elders distributed to the congregation members. But will this become a—gasp!— ‘Go to Donald’ type of thing?
Now I really miss JTR! I would love to hear his input here. But he is doing penance for “chattering about us with wicked words.” He’ll get that cleaned up, and be back soon, perhaps.

I feel nothing but sadness over this...I actually feel sick....I don’t know his past as most of you all do here..but I could see that obviously he had been hurt and badly disappointed in things he had witnessed and experienced or heard..that goes on InThe Org.
I hope sincerely  he does not become brother watchtower ....Because we don’t follow watchtower...no matter what others say....or try to infer on many of us here.
I believe he had a genuine heart.
I also hope he has left to do as you think he has ...and he isn’t dying !!!.
I would also like to point out what  Bro. David Splane  from the GB said at our Melbourne assembly
I can only paraphrase it from memory.
(There  are brothers and sisters who have been hurt with in the org....and we may have to allow them and put up with ...WILD TALK....from them...it’s part of their healing..).
He was mocked a lot and some down right cruel comments thrown his way ....I actually was surprised at how well he took it......I hope he comes back for selfish reasons...but for his sake....he would probably be safer and more content And remain faithful by going into his interior room until the denunciation has passed over.
 
 
 

Actually, the head of the Church is still the Christ, therefore, Christ is still the leader of the Church despite not being on earth. The Bible tells us that he provided the keys to his followers and gave instruction on how to handle things, in turn, the church congregation of Christians were built up, as to be seen with the majority of 1st Century Christians after being given the gift to do the work, but the latter statement is indeed true.
Jesus was never gone for good, he is at the right hand of The Most High, Elohim, Yahweh. Although he has been made superior, as we read in Hebrews, that does not necessarily mean he is down for the count, especially the fact his command and instruction is to be done before God gives him the "OK" to make his return to gather his people.
The commission of the gospel is to be done without fail, and so thereafter, we know what is to come.
 

Rook has done it before. He's part of the family pretty much.

He made it all public previously.
These are your words, not mine. I am not casting him anywhere. I am very glad to see he re-evaluating some choices he has made so that Nobody Else does.
I do. He doesn’t buy into your claptrap that you can remain close to Jehovah while being at serious odds with his earthly organization. Thinking hit the nail on the head—he is REAL. If you are bringing your gift to the altar and you recall that your brother has something against you due to the outrageous things you have said, first make peace with your brother, and then offer up your gift. I imagine that this is what he is doing now.
 

@TrueTomHarley Likewise, in the debating community of which I am from, everyone (and their mother) will know if you left and or return, and whatever you say and or have done, is always in memory, be it something positive, negative, silly, thought provoking, etc. Granted said community, even me, we are as such and for good reason we remember these things, even mistakes that we've made, but a mistake doesn't result in a person to remain on the ground. For me case, an absurdly flabbergasted based response, I usually make a comment to, often times if I am too quick and or forgetful, I to can make a mistake.
That being said, all the things Rook said, I do not forget, I still recall the comments we made about "Unicorns" in the Bible and The Second Amendment.

Well, he certainly was that.
Offhand, I think you guys are nuts (not you specifically, Thinking) He lost all his kids—none will speak with him. And for what? So as to spread every opposition taunt and insult about the earthly organization that Witness and 4Jah and Srecko and Shiwiiiiiiiiiiiiiii and Matthew4 5784 are perfectly content and capable to spread? That is worth losing your family for?
I, for one, am delighted if he is recalibrating, because by doing so he may reasonably hope to reconcile himself to his family again, not to mention the greater brotherhood. Fear not, there is no danger of his becoming “Brother Watchtower,” as he put it. And, to be sure, I would prefer it if he continued with a modified parousia here rather than vanishing completely, for I will miss the guy. But sometimes in changing course one must make a complete break. I say that I am going to cease interacting with any of the villains, but then I come across that GIF of Kirk and the Gorn and it is curtains for me. Sometimes you just have to turn things off.
I both like and admire when someone is willing to call a spade a spade. But calling a heart, a diamond, and a club a spade as well is too much. Is he readjusting his life to become not so breathtakingly disrespectful of those struggling with their own imperfections to take the lead in the Christian work? Good. It is not such a horrible thing to allow oneself to be molded by discipline, particularly when it comes of his own accord, which it obviously did. 
ObiWan seemed to have disappeared. So did Gandalf. But they both came back much improved for their disappearance. Maybe the same here someday.

That was so sweet James!   Will send you this video a brother from New Zealand just sent.  But remember this scripture:
(Ephesians 4:23, 24) And you should continue to be made new in your dominant mental attitude, 24 and should put on the new personality that was created according to God’s will in true righteousness and loyalty.
You make changes daily and gradually.  It is not hard. You probably had to change your thinking in some way in order to write a nice post like that.  I endorse the two other posts above also.
I think you said things like that before.  But you are still here.  I am not saying 'Bye.  Listen to this lovely video.  Hope it plays!
 
 
IMG_25941.MOV

I am truly saddened by this....I hope you are okay brother and you have been a great encouragement...because even tho you were obviously hurt with in the truth....you never lost your genuine love for your God Jehovah...and you underestimate your faith...faith is easy when it has not been beaten,,,,but to still have faith when you have been beaten and lay wounded.....that’s real faith...and it would be a honour to have served shoulder to shoulder with you.
I don’t know what’s going on..but I sincerely hope you are reasonably well....and a huge thank you from me....for being REAL !!!!!!

I sincerely hope he doesn't change.
I've enjoyed his brutal truth throughout the years. 
Courage is not something that needs changing.
I hope you are ok @James Thomas Rook Jr.
 
 

I suspect he just took the wrong medication that night. ;-)

In good times, and bad times, in times easy and times hard, I have relied on the JW-Archive as a sounding board for many things, and appreciate the forbearance when I have ranted and raved about all sorts of things, even from the Librarian, who often deleted my posts, with cause.
I have come to the conclusion that logic and reason is not the end-all that I had aspired to, and that all things being considered, it would have been better for me to be "Brother Watchtower", than the man I have become.
I am 73 years old, and I probably do not have time to change .... realistically, but for 14 billion years I did not exist, and I don't remember it bothering me any.
My Wife Susan, and my sons and daughter will fulfill whatever unfulfilled dreams I had, as the stars I could reach ... were just starfish on the beach.
With whatever time I have left, it is going to be my life's challenge, so I bid each of you so long, and hope you stay closer to Jehovah than I did. 
....and like Forest Gump said "... and that's all I am going to say about that."
Goodby.
 

That was so sweet James!   Will send you this video a brother from New Zealand just sent.  But remember this scripture:
(Ephesians 4:23, 24) And you should continue to be made new in your dominant mental attitude, 24 and should put on the new personality that was created according to God’s will in true righteousness and loyalty.
You make changes daily and gradually.  It is not hard. You probably had to change your thinking in some way in order to write a nice post like that.  I endorse the two other posts above also.
I think you said things like that before.  But you are still here.  I am not saying 'Bye.  Listen to this lovely video.  Hope it plays!
 
 
IMG_25941.MOV

That was so sweet James!   Will send you this video a brother from New Zealand just sent.  But remember this scripture:
(Ephesians 4:23, 24) And you should continue to be made new in your dominant mental attitude, 24 and should put on the new personality that was created according to God’s will in true righteousness and loyalty.
You make changes daily and gradually.  It is not hard. You probably had to change your thinking in some way in order to write a nice post like that.  I endorse the two other posts above also.
I think you said things like that before.  But you are still here.  I am not saying 'Bye.  Listen to this lovely video.  Hope it plays!
 
 
IMG_25941.MOV

Tu nous manqueras, mon ami.
We have a saying, "Pa bliye yon bon moun" meaning an individual whom you know and speak to, in this case, comment to, to and fro won't be forgotten.

Am I on Candid Camera?
Of course you do. Patch up with those kids first. Send them your above post as a letter of introduction, if you must. If you have all your children serving Jehovah, you have a better track record than me.
You likened yourself to Mickey once. Based on my limited knowledge of both, I can easily see a likeness.
“We made Miller Lite the #2 selling brand in the country, and everyone said ‘Nobody will drink that stuff.” Sometimes an actor switches roles.

Where are you going?

I will truly miss you, James.  
Psalm 26

That was so sweet James!   Will send you this video a brother from New Zealand just sent.  But remember this scripture:
(Ephesians 4:23, 24) And you should continue to be made new in your dominant mental attitude, 24 and should put on the new personality that was created according to God’s will in true righteousness and loyalty.
You make changes daily and gradually.  It is not hard. You probably had to change your thinking in some way in order to write a nice post like that.  I endorse the two other posts above also.
I think you said things like that before.  But you are still here.  I am not saying 'Bye.  Listen to this lovely video.  Hope it plays!
 
 
IMG_25941.MOV