Melinda Mills

Sample Awake! Presentation 1 (December)

Last Sunday for us. I am not sure what congregation you attend if that is not happening for you.
Really, the contributions for the Worldwide work are managed by Jehovah's organisation with due attention given to relief measures where needed. And I read many reports regarding specific JW relief measures taking place in many parts of the world, in the international press, on jw.org, and even on this forum. The web page linked below is a good place to start if you want some detail.
https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/assist-with-disaster-relief/

@Diakonos
I visited the Warwick property in the early summer, and I visited (and stayed at) the Patterson facilities two years ago. Warwick was still in a kind of torn up mess, and it was rainy/muddy, so it was hard to call it luxury at the time. Patterson, however, is gorgeous! I love the property, and I think it leaves a pretty good impression in the surrounding neighborhood. It both blends with and improves on the landscape. 
If all of it had been for the purpose of building up new buildings to live and work in "luxury" this might have been more questionable, but I think the point was to make a beautiful and comfortable environment for the working brothers and sisters, and also visitors and those who stay for training or temporary assignments. I believe that the basic idea is to create something that is practical but also gives "homage" to the goals of the earthly hope. It was rather incongruous to run a worldwide religious organization from an upscale urban neighborhood when that organization emphasizes the idealized pastoral setting as an eternal goal. A setting that emphasizes the beauties of Jehovah's earthly creation is more appropriate than factories in the shadow of the Manhattan skyline. (Although I think that can be beautiful in its own way, too, and I loved my 10th floor corner apartment in the Towers Hotel.)
So I have no complaint about the appearance of "luxury," as long as the costs were kept down as low as possible by volunteer labor and volunteer donations. Quality workmanship, quality design, and constant maintenance and cleaning sometimes gives the appearance of luxury when that isn't the real goal. Also, a lot of the cost and expenditures of these new buildings was based on the anticipated sell-off of prime Brooklyn real estate, and could have been, in effect, zero cost.
I can defend it in another way, too, where I see the Organization as a practical business that operates efficiently in the world through its ability to gain economies of scale in purchasing power, and gaining respectability from governments as a legal and business entity through its size and appearance and "clout." In the world, this kind of respect is gained through sheer size, expenditures, purchasing arrangements, lawyers, property, etc.
(Luke 16:8,9) And his master commended the steward, though unrighteous, because he acted with practical wisdom; for the sons of this system of things are wiser in a practical way toward their own generation than the sons of the light are . . . 9 “Also, I say to you: Make friends for yourselves by means of the unrighteous riches. . . ."
So, it's not that I think any of this building activity is "necessary" in a Christian sense (the stones could cry out) but it is sometimes "wiser in a practical way" to use unrighteous riches in ways that will not always get all of these funds out to the poor.
(Matthew 26:8-11) 8 On seeing this, the disciples became indignant and said: “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a great deal of money and given to the poor.” 10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them: “Why do you try to make trouble for the woman? She did a fine deed toward me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.
I'm not one of those people who confuses the Governing Body with Jesus himself, although I've met and conversed with some who apparently do make that mistake, and you might even meet one or two of them here on this forum. The reason I bring up the verse just quoted isn't to tie it to Matthew 25:40 (‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’) It's to point out that "voluntary" giving can go to whatever projects we "volunteer" to give it to. If we volunteer it to a building project during the time that we are aware of what's going on in Warwick, we know that's where it's going. Not even Ananias would have been judged for how he contributed his money, or how much he held back from contributing:
(Acts 5:4) 4 As long as it remained with you, did it not remain yours? And after it was sold, was it not in your control?. . .
Most who are giving at this time actually want to see it used for something "almost luxurious" or jewel-like in Warwick or at various other current Branch projects in the UK, etc.
Beyond these points just made however, I have also been disappointed that there have not been more opportunities for voluntary giving to specific areas where there is hardship that needs to be alleviated. There are places where Witnesses are undergoing extreme hardship, suffering, hunger, relocation, exile, etc., and I don't like to learn how bad it was a year later in the Yearbook. There are many things we can do locally with our funds and resources, or when we travel to "third world" lands and donate directly, but we also know that an international religious society could organize this more efficiently and find ways to directly provide what's needed to the right people. (The WTS often does this, too.) If too much is given for one relief project, then what's remaining can go to the next, and less is wasted. Rather than 1,000 haphazard donations which can be hit and miss and overlapping, each relief effort can be turned into a project that efficiently cares for everyone in need (and especially those related to us in the faith, so I don't think there is anything wrong with a focus on just JWs first, if the money came from JW donations).
(Galatians 6:10) 10 So, then, as long as we have the opportunity, let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith.
I agree with the sentiment that the primary "good works" that most early Christians were involved in referred to charitable works not spriitual work. It was fine and appropriate for a specific small group to be more concerned with "doctrine" than the work of "waiting on tables."
(Acts 6:2-4) 2 So the Twelve called the multitude of the disciples together and said: “It is not right for us to leave the word of God to distribute food to tables. 3 So, brothers, select for yourselves seven reputable men from among you, full of spirit and wisdom, that we may appoint them over this necessary matter; 4 but we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
The work of the ministerial servants here was the physical distribution of charity, and therefore the reason we do not forsake meetings is so that we can all know where to participate in the needed "good works" of charity.
(Hebrews 10:24, 25) 24 And let us consider one another so as to incite to love and fine works, 25 not forsaking our meeting together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you see the day drawing near.
Those taking the lead in the congregational context, the ones we "obey," are the ones who help us to prioritize and coordinate charitable relief efforts helping us to make the most of our "gifts" and our "ministry." We do better when we work together and encourage one another in this way. Our spirituality, our very religion, should be defined by love and fine works. Those "fine works" include ministering to the sick, the hungry, those who lack sufficient clothing. Naturally, not all the ministries are about charitable relief, but these are the most important ones for most of us:
(James 1:27) The form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself without spot from the world.
 

The World News forum you originally placed your post in is for secular (non-religious) posts. 
I am not saying your post does not have worldwide importance.  It just wasn't in the proper category for this forum.  

I understand Ph.2:9-11 to indicate that every intelligent creation will be subject to Christ. 
As Ps 37:29 speaks of righteous ones living forever on earth, so this constitutes one destiny.
Obviously, a heavenly hope is held out in the Scripture also (Heb.3:1), so this relates to the other destiny. 

See some islands and countries already being affected by climate change: http://www.businessinsider.com/islands-threatened-by-climate-change-2012-10/#kiribati-1
 

As I'm sure you are aware, the 144,000 are never spoken of as serving in the inner chambers. Only the "great crowd" are ever spoken of as serving in the inner chambers.
This should not make us confused about the fact that all of us may have different destinies as to how and where we will serve, if we are privileged to be counted among those who will gain life. Clearly, there is both a new heavens and a new earth. Yet, the New Jerusalem (per Revelation 21 & 22) appears to be a heavenly city that comes down to earth, and by that we take it to mean that the earth is blessed by the "work" and "power" of the new holy city. But who enters New Jerusalem?
(Revelation 22:14) 14 Happy are those who wash their robes, so that they may have authority to go to the trees of life and that they may gain entrance into the city through its gates.
The meaning is clear from the same verse that the NWT cross-references, here:
(1 John 1:7-10) 7 However, if we are walking in the light as he himself is in the light, we do have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we make the statement, “We have no sin,” we are misleading ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous so as to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we make the statement, “We have not sinned,” we are making him a liar, and his word is not in us.
But who are the ones who "wash their robes"? Revelation 7 says it is the "great crowd" who are, of course, the only ones spoken of as rendering their service in the inner sanctuary, the inner chambers.
(Revelation 7:9, 13-15) 9 After this I saw, and look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes; . . . 13 In response one of the elders said to me: “These who are dressed in the white robes, who are they and where did they come from?” 14 So right away I said to him: “My lord, you are the one who knows.” And he said to me: “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 That is why they are before the throne of God, and they are rendering him sacred service day and night in his temple; [inner chambers, Gk: naos]
This doesn't mean that the 144,000 are not also there, of course, but to me it highlights that we need to be more humble and less dogmatic about our supposed "knowledge" of these things. I therefore agree whole-heartedly with your statements:
 
 

You know from a few years now the thoughts which we entertained about these things.  As I mentioned in the opening part of the submission, Paul said we will know these things accurately as time passes. Once our motives are right and we love Jehovah he will assign us to serve where he wishes and we will be happy with our assignment. Love is the virtue which will remain for all eternity.
Good to hear from you.

Bringing someone to righteousness does not make the bringer a mediator between the person and God. If you conduct a Bible study with an individual and that individual abandons an immoral lifestyle and subsequently lives their life by God's standards you can say that you have had a part in turning or leading that person towards righteousness. However, you have not become a mediator between that person and God.
The simple Biblical fact is stated at 1 Tim 2 : 5 there is only one mediator between God and men and that is God's son, Jesus Christ.

Just keep looking. Pray for God's spirit. He will help you if you are sincere.

Whilst illuminating, these discussions are disappointing as to the spirit they show existed both amongst certain witnesses in the past and those who inherit their legacy.
Jesus had no objection to submitting to water baptism by imperfect, unworthy John the Baptizer in order to "carry out all that is righteous". Matt.3:13-15. No clergy-laity hocus pocus existed there.
Why would anyone object to being brought to righteousness by someone else as described at Dan.12:3? 

*** w02 6/15 pp. 30-31 Questions From Readers *** Questions From Readers ... Any future prospect for the dead is in the hands of Jehovah, and no one is in a position to say whether the deceased will be resurrected or not.

*** w02 6/15 pp. 30-31 Questions From Readers *** Questions From Readers ... Any future prospect for the dead is in the hands of Jehovah, and no one is in a position to say whether the deceased will be resurrected or not.

The tryptophan in turkey doesn’t just make you sleepy – it can also give your mood a...
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See some islands and countries already being affected by climate change: http://www.businessinsider.com/islands-threatened-by-climate-change-2012-10/#kiribati-1
 

via TheWorldNewsOrg
World News

In fact the importance and purpose of song 138 don't change by whom it is sung. We don't adorate people. If Julio of who else is singing it we cannot give him special adorance. Kingdom songs were earlier sung by wordly stars. The GB never used officially kingdom songs to be sung by stars.
The choirs we have and arrangements are sung by high quilified musicians, and they don't go for fame.
The song 138 has been sung nice, but will not chnage the value if it when sung by a famous artist. We can and may enjoy it, but song 138 will not be used into the KH as important.
Have a nice time all.
Chedric
 
 

Understand from the newscast that they are not genuine Van Gogh drawings.

As Melinda indicated these are not genuine. The best evidence I saw was given directly by the Van Gogh Museum just a couple of days ago. They knew it was fake back it was first introduced to them in 2008, then again in 2012, and now again in 2016. See: https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en/news-and-press/press-releases/found-sketchbook-with-drawings-is-not-by-van-gogh-according-to-van-gogh-museum

Understand from the newscast that they are not genuine Van Gogh drawings.

via TheWorldNewsOrgWorld News

Why are you posting this every couple of months. Saw it more than once.  The heading is incorrect. It was not Pope Francis. 
This is what it said:  "The Catholic Church raised a "cry of alarm", according to La Repubblica, because every year ten thousand thousand Catholics  become Jehovah's Witnesses.
The Jesuit Giusseppe De Rosa said that "from a religious point of view the most dangerous are Jehovah's Witneses.  They come fully trained; they always have the Bible in their hand."
In an editorial dealing specifically with Jehovah's Witnesses, the Jesuit magazine La Civilta Cattolica of February 18, 1984, wrote:  "The first reason for the spread of the movement lies in the propaganda techniques [that is, in the preaching work]. The work on the one hand is painstaking, carried out from door to door by people who are scrupulously trained in this work and strongly convinced ... " etc etc
Why are we so hungry for the plaudits of worldly men?
 

Have you tried looking in the 2016 Yearbook on the website?
Edit: Melinda just beat me to it! 

You can look into the 2016 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, page 176,  for the figures based on year 2015, then in a couple of months you will get the figures year 2016 in the 2017 yearbook.  Last figure was 8.2 million.  Headquarters would have to up-to-date figures now almost ready for print.  But why would we need to get them before they are published?