Witness

10 hours ago, Nana Fofana said:

So Jehovah's witnesses should have been like every other denomination in Nazi Germany who had no problem complying with Hitler?

I won’t touch on the Holocaust, but you can find revealing information here where the organization did try to comply with Hitler:

https://www.watchtowerlies.com/jehovah_s_witnesses_leaders_supported_hitler_and_the_nazi_regime.html

 Many times the organization will assure its members that the it is a “safe haven”, a “refuge” and a “protection”, that you must “stick close to the organization” to be safe;  but this has been proven a falsehood with the Russian ban.  There are also many comparisons made of the organization to the early Israelites under Moses, where we know that obedience to God brought safety from, and victory over, marauders.  Now, how do you balance the situation in Russia with the lack of protection that the organization provided JWs?  Who is our only source of protection?  God. Not a “mountain-like organization”; and If the organization can’t provide the protection it claims it can, then one must seriously question its true motives.

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my mountain where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Ps 18:2

https://www.theworldnewsmedia.org/forums/topic/47960-asa-and-the-watchtower/

10 hours ago, Nana Fofana said:

Jesus wouldn't have had any problems with all this tawdry execution business if he hadn't been up to something he shouldn't have been?

Shouldn’t the question be, why did God not protect his “people” as he did with the nation of Israel? Don't the leaders claim to be "faithful and discreet"?  So, what’s the problem?

 Jesus was put to death by his own people, at the hands of the Gentiles.  The Governing Body has no problem with the “tawdry execution business” – disfellowshipping those who turn solely to Christ and reject an idol that has proven to be a falsehood;  thus the GB has a mission – to wipe out God’s anointed ones – the “firstfruits”. James 1:18  If they remain in the organization, they remain trapped by its false “peace and security”, as do all JWs; and this is what Satan wants.  1 Thess 5:3; Rev 16:12-16   If they stand firm and are rejected on the basis of truth; they are refined and obtain life in Christ.   Rev 11:1-3; 12:11

“But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues (congregations) and prisons (Rev 13:10). You will be brought before kings and rulers (anointed GB/”kings” and elder body) for My name’s sake.  But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;  for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.  You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. (Rev’s symbolic “killing by the Beast Rev 13:15; 11:7)  And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But not a hair of your head shall be lost.  By your patience possess your souls.”  Luke 21:12-18

Notice, Jesus is speaking of the Jewish nation, his people? 

Rev 18:4-8

10 hours ago, TrueTomHarley said:

A snitch at Bethel told me 47 of those Helpers were caught shoplifting from boutiques last month and that was the reason for the article.

Also, CNBC has reported, or should have, that over 6000 boutiques went out of business last year due to customer theft. It is a crisis rivaling the one of opioids. A spokesman for the industry said: "If only more religious organizations would talk about how the flying scroll of Zechariah condemns stealing instead of trying to spin it in airheaded ways."

Apparently,  it takes an “airhead” to discern “the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness”, which can be ignored by the most intelligent ones.   Col 3:2; 1 Cor 1:26-29; 1 Cor 3:18-23

 

On 12/23/2017 at 9:10 AM, Nana Fofana said:

A recent book on religion in the United States notes: “Christian leaders have regularly revised their teachings to match the beliefs and opinions gaining support among their members and in the larger society.” If those of the Governing Body allow God’s Word rather than popular opinion to guide their decisions, who is really leading God’s people today?   W/17/2

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of the bones of the dead and every kind of impurity.  In the same way, on the outside you seem righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.  Matt 23:27,28

On 12/23/2017 at 8:04 AM, TrueTomHarley said:

Seemingly no. But within context, yes.

First of all, the scroll of Zechariah specifically condemns stealing - it is a full 50% of its message. You would think that a person who quotes more scriptures than every other commenter combined would have noted this.

This is too much - it really is. One wonders if Witness herself does not steal from boutiques, for she declares trivial and irrelevant the actual message of the scroll. Instead, she applies it to the theocratic organization that does not recognize her authority.

The context of the paragraph, which merely follows the lead of the Bible - offering a practical example of theft that young people especially will identify with - is the spiritual paradise that Jehovah's Witnesses enjoy. It does not take much to destroy a paradise. One sicko inserted one razor blade in one apple and the celebration of Halloween changed forever.

At the Regional Convention I can drop my wallet and be reasonably certain it will turn up at the lost and found. Can I do that outside of the spiritual paradise? There is a reasonable chance that the wallet will come back to me. But with the money within it? Unlikely. It may happen. But I will not hold my breath.

Teaching not to steal at a very mundane level is the very stuff of Christianity. It is what makes all the rest of it work. I both admire the GB (and also suspect they are naive) in that they teach what needs to be taught without regard for self-appointed experts who will invariably seize upon their material and try to beat them over the head with it. They need better PR. Or maybe they don't. Maybe it is just me who thinks they do. Jesus didn't seem too concerned about PR, either. 

 

I am no more a boutique thief than you are, Tom; but surely you know, where there are hidden pedophiles, there are also hidden thieves; and I am not speaking of the visitors at the conventions.  1 John 5:19   Yet, there are various types of thievery.  God’s laws were written on both sides of the tablets of ten commandments. Exod 32:15 The flying scroll, was written on both sides, signifying that the nation of Israel was breaking more laws that just thieving and lying. 

 ^“This message from the Lord came to Zechariah again:  “This is what the Lord of the Heavenly Armies says: ‘Administer true justice, and show gracious love and mercy toward each other.  You are not to wrong the widow, orphans, the foreigner, or the poor, and you are not to plan evil against each other.  Zech 7:8-10

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, and yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These things should have been done without neglecting the others.”  Matt 23:23

Hidden Pedophiles   Isa 1:17

Lawsuits and resistance to follow court orders Rom 13:2-5

Expectations of full obedience without question   Acts 5:29

Disfellowshipping - on the grounds of rejecting man’s doctrines, an organization/idol, and for speaking up in the name of Jesus.  All of these result from The GB’s “leaven”, corrupting the Word of God.  Matt 16:11,12  An “evil slave” uses its muscle to squelch the anointed ones.  Matt 24;48-51  I wish so much, that you and every JW cared to see this.  

“But they refused to pay attention, turned their backs, and stopped listening. They made their hearts hard like a diamond, to keep from obeying the Law and the messages that the Lord of the Heavenly Armies sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore, just as when I cried out and they would not listen, so also they will cry out, and I will not listen,’ says the Lord of the Heavenly Armies.  ‘I will scatter them to all of the nations, which they have not known.’”  Zech 7:11-13

Haggai, who was prophesying at the same time as Zechariah, addressed the rebuilding of the temple as did Zechariah, and can mirror the situation with God’s priesthood/Temple today. (1 Cor 3:16,17)  It lies in ruins. They are not used, but kept quiet by the elders and the GB. They are admonished not to gather together.  HOW can ANYONE make regulations such as these, against God’s appointed priests, unless they foster evil and autocratic intentions within their heart? Prov 6:12-15

Do you really think a pawn of Satan would appear evil?  2 Cor 4:4; 11:14,15; Rev 13:1,2,5-8,11,12,14,15

 Malachi declared that the priests of his day were guilty of “thieving”: 

“Ever since the time of your ancestors, you have turned away from my decrees and haven’t kept them. Return to me and I’ll return to you,” says the Lord of the Heavenly Armies. “But you ask, ‘How will we return?’  “Will a person rob God? Yet you are robbing me! But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “By the tithe and the offering. 

You are cursed under the curse—the entire nation—because you are robbing me!  Mal 3:7-9

You’ve seen me say this, the anointed priesthood has been usurped by
“Gentiles” – the elder body - causing the “daily sacrifices”/tithes and offerings of the priests to be nonexistent. Matt 24;14; Rev 11:1,2  This desecration, abomination standing in the Temple, is robbing God. (1 Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16,17; Eph 2:20-22; Heb 13:15 ) Anointed ones give praise regulated by the GB/unfit Steward; and it is to “Jehovah and his organization”. It is an undeniable fact that the Governing Body relies on “Helpers” and a writing department, to produce Wt’s unhealthy “spiritual food”, instead of those appointed by Christ.   Amos 8:11; Matt 24:7

The GB, the elder body, even the anointed priests who allow their backs to be bent under such regulations are all guilty of robbing God.  Not only are JWs who condone this, “thieves” by allowing sacrifices of praise to be given to an idol, but they are the victims of thieves who bury the spiritual gifts given to each anointed one, for the building up of the anointed Body of Christ, and for the distribution of spiritual food.  Luke 16:3; 10-13; 1 Cor 12:4-7

God’s “House” is taught to be almost every earthly building owned by the Watchtower, which is a great lie. His only “House” is the Temple built upon the Body of Christ.  Eph 2:20-22  Yet, this “house” robs God of the “daily sacrifice”, of worship due only to Him and not to be shared with an earthly organization. Isa 40:25  They “buy and sell” spiritual commerce strictly approved through the Harlot/GB.  John 2:14-17; Rev 13:14-17

“The Lord of Armies says this: These people say: The time has not come for the house of the Lord to be rebuilt.”  The word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: ⁴ “Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house (the Temple) lies in ruins?” Haggai 1:4

How many Wt. lies and acts of theft would you like me to whittle away at?  While JWs believe that the organization is a “spiritual paradise” it is the “ephah” where God’s curse lies.  It was set on its “base” close to a hundred years ago.  “Base” carries the meaning, “pedestal” and can imply idolatry.  The false prophet “gives breath” (spirit-directed) to the Beast in Revelation, which expects dedication and acknowledgement of reverence.  Rev 13:15 ‘Who is like the Beast?’ (a spiritual paradise/”Jehovah’s organization”/”the truth”)  ‘Who can wage war with it?’ Rev 13:3,4  This Wild Beast that has been put on a pedestal is the composite “man of lawlessness” (incorporated elder body) which has overrun the Temple/priesthood.  2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 11:1,2; Rev 13:18

Can an organization receive the breath of God’s spirit (spirit-directed) when its leaders admit they are not inspired by God? (1 Cor 2:12)  How would Christ “promise” ANY food if not through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit within the anointed one?  John 14:26  Or does this “spirit-directed” organization just exude knowledge and truth through its walls?

The “restoration” of the Temple is occurring, by each anointed “living stone” who listens to Christ’s call to buy “refined gold” and leave the woman covenant/promise of death.  Rev 18:4-8; Rev 3:17-21; Dan 8:11-14

Do a search on the Wt. website for Matt 17:11 and see what you find.  The GB teaches nothing about the reason “Elijah” comes, and who arrives in the form of the symbolic “two witnesses”/anointed ones of Revelation - “killed” by the Beast/organization. Rev 13:15; 11:3-5,7,8  They have lost everything to follow Christ and submit to refinement and purging of Wt’s sins.  Matt 16:24  By responding to this cleansing, these “living stones” of the Temple are “restored”.   Matt 17:1-3; Zech 4:11-14; 6-10; Dan 9:24  And they are the ones Christ uses through the “breath of his mouth” to expose the deep, spiritual sins hidden within Watchtower’s walls.  Luke 8:17,18 

“But who will survive the day when he comes? Or who can stand when he appears? Because he’s like a refiner’s fire and a launderer’s soap, ³ he will sit refining and purifying silver, purifying the descendants of Levi, refining them like gold and silver. Then they’ll bring a righteous offering to the Lord.  Then the offering to the Lord by Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable as it was in the past, even as in former years.  Mal 3:2-4

The GB is not naïve.  They have entered this covenant of death by buying into Satan’s offer of riches and prominence.  You label me as a “self-appointed expert”, indicating I have no authority to challenge their prominence.  1 Cor 4:8  Christ presents each anointed one with the obligation to uphold his truth and he expects each one to listen to his direction; even more so, if the appointed ‘house steward’ fails to serve “proper food at the proper time”.  1 Cor 4:1,2; 1 Pet 4:10;    No, the GB is the ringleader of a band of thieves. 

Why are you not asking, what authority do they have to judge their fellow servants? Because they have absolutely none, only self-appointed superiority.  Luke 22:24-27; Rom 14:4; Isa 65:5; 66:5; John 16:2; Mark 13:9 

How many acts of theft and lies would you like me to list coming from the “spiritual paradise”?  I have yet to touch on the false prophetic lies that have lead God’s people astray.  2 Thess 2:1-12; Micah 3:5-7 

Then he said to me, “This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole land. For everyone who steals shall be cleaned out according to what is on one side, and everyone who swears falsely shall be cleaned out according to what is on the other side.  Zech 5:3

On 12/21/2017 at 6:29 PM, tromboneck said:

who the heck are you? that was explained in last week's Watchtower and we have no need of your lengthy comment. Our WT study conductor would have cut you off after 30 seconds of non-sensical hogwash! Right TTH?

I truly didn’t know there was a Watchtower on this subject.

The article states:  “Usually, only one side of a scroll was used, so this scroll clearly contains a weighty and serious message.”

Is literal “stealing” from a clothing boutique weighty enough for such a vision? 

“Therefore behold, I am against the prophets,” says the Lord, “who steal My words every one from his neighbor. ¹ Behold, I am against the prophets,” says the Lord, “who use their tongues and say, ‘He says.’ ³² Behold, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” says the Lord, “and tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies and by their recklessness. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all,” says the Lord.  Jer 23:30-32

The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible. Therefore, it can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction. In fact, the Watch Tower Publications Index includes the heading “Beliefs Clarified,” which lists adjustments in our Scriptural understanding since 1870. Of course, Jesus did not tell us that his faithful slave would produce perfect spiritual food. W/17/2

From the article:

However, the vision also reminded the Jews of their responsibility to maintain the purity of their worship. Wickedness cannot and will not be allowed to creep into and dwell among Jehovah’s people. After we have been brought into the protective and loving care of God’s clean organization, we have the responsibility to help maintain it.  Are we moved to keep our “house” clean? Wickedness in any form does not belong in our spiritual paradise.

I do hope you can see the whitewash.

Russian Ban   2 Chron 16:7-9

Hidden Pedophiles   Isa 1:17

Lawsuits   Rom 13:2-5

Expectations of full obedience without question   Acts 5:29

Disfellowshipping anointed and all who cannot accept the reckless lies, and “killed” for turning to Christ.    John 16:2; Rev 13:15; Rom 14:4; 1 John 2:3-6

This is what the Lord Almighty says:

“Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you;
    they fill you with false hopes.
They speak visions from their own minds,
    not from the mouth of the Lord.
¹⁷ They keep saying to those who despise me,
    ‘The Lord says: You will have peace.’
And to all who follow the stubbornness of their hearts
    they say, ‘No harm will come to you.’
¹⁸ But which of them has stood in the council of the Lord
    to see or to hear his word?
    Who has listened and heard his word?

See, the storm of the Lord
    will burst out in wrath,
a whirlwind swirling down
    on the heads of the wicked.
²⁰ The anger of the Lord will not turn back
    until he fully accomplishes
    the purposes of his heart.
In days to come
    you will understand it clearly.
²¹ I did not send these prophets,
    yet they have run with their message;
I did not speak to them,
    yet they have prophesied.
²² But if they had stood in my council,
    they would have proclaimed my words to my people
and would have turned them from their evil ways
    and from their evil deeds. Jer 23:16-22

On 12/18/2017 at 6:46 PM, into the light said:

Thanks for the answer. Some good points, but what you wrote is mostly confusing. According to what you wrote am I to conclude that the great tribulation is also symbolic? And that the holy ones won't be literally killed by the beast? 

I am not really convinced by your answer, even though you use many scriptures to support your opinion. You see, the MOL is described with the same adverb as Judas — the son of destruction, which means it's apostle-like figure which operates within the temple until it is revealed. It's a mystery which according to Paul was already operating in his time. As for the disgusting thing, that is a foreign entity that imposes blasphemy forcefully. The holy ones will be recognized by it because they won't bend their knee to it. And they will be conquered. MOL is revealed as operating in the temple, whereas disgusting thing is installed. 

I know this is long, with many scriptures; but it is the scriptures that speak truth.  If it appears I’ve made an error when writing them down, please let me know.

Wouldn’t you agree that it would be a far stretch to say Judas was an “apostle-like figure”? Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” John 6:70

He was not chosen to be an apostle – “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’”  John 13:18

His role of the betrayer was known by the Father and Jesus well in advance.  (Ps 41:9)  By the time the apostles were anointed at Pentecost, Judas was dead. 

^“ While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”

Judas was solely the tool for the Scribes and Pharisees to get to Jesus, and in that way the man of lawlessness can be defined. 

The elder body is solely the means that the Governing Body uses to keep his “fellow servants”, in submission. Matt 24:48-51; Rev 13:11,12,7 

 Love for the elders, coupled with respect for their work, will help us to be obedient and submissive to their direction. w12 5/15 pp. 23-27

The elders in our congregation use their personal time to work hard for us. When we think about all that they do, our love and appreciation for them grows. We would never want them to lose their joy or become frustrated because of something we do. Instead, we want to obey willingly. This way we “give them extraordinary consideration in love because of their work.” ws16 January pp. 3-8

The GB has authorized this; they have authorized “foreigners” – spiritual “Gentiles” to “stand” (to place, make firm, establish)/”sit”(set, appoint)  in place of the holy priesthood, which is God’s Temple. 1 Cor 3:16,17 (“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?  If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”)

Mal 2:7-9  “For the lips of a priest (1 Pet 2:5,9; Rev 5:10) should keep knowledge,
And people should seek the law from his mouth; (Heb 8:10)
For he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.
^8 But you have departed from the way;
You have caused many to stumble at the law.
You have corrupted the covenant of Levi,”
Says the Lord of hosts.
^9 “Therefore I also have made you contemptible and base
Before all the people,
Because you have not kept My ways
But have shown partiality in the law.”

Ezek 44:6-9  ^ “Now say to the rebellious, to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “O house of Israel, let Us have no more of all your abominations. (Bible usage: “a disgusting thing, abomination, abominable)  ^ When you brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in My sanctuary to defile it—My house—and when you offered My food, the fat and the blood, then they broke My covenant because of all your abominations. ^ And you have not kept charge of My holy things, but you have set others to keep charge of My sanctuary for you.” ^ Thus says the Lord God: “No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart or uncircumcised in flesh, (Rom 2:28,29; 2 Cor 3:3) shall enter My sanctuary, including any foreigner who is among the children of Israel.

Surely you see that the foreigners taking charge of the daily sacrifices in God’s Sanctuary offered by the priesthood, is a “disgusting thing”. Both today’s man of lawlessness and the “disgusting thing” are the same point of identity.  The anointed priesthood, spiritual “Israel”, has received the “circumcision of the heart”; thus they are the only avenue for the offering of the “daily sacrifice”, and teaching, required by God.   

 “Have you not cast out the priests of the Lord, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and made for yourselves priests, like the peoples of other lands, so that whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams may be a priest of things that are not gods?” 2 Chron 13:9; (2 Thess 2: 3,4; Rom 8:14,16,17; 9:26)

The Wild Beast from the Sea (of spiritual “Gentiles”/not of the “earth” which He made, Ps 132:7-9, Acts 7:49; Rev 13:11 ) has the number of a man, 666; indicating it is the man of lawlessness, a composite “son of destruction”.  It has the same characteristics of the 4^th beast of Daniel 9:27; 8:11; 11:31.  It has been given authority by a false prophet/fallen “star”, anointed/Wormwood/Harlot – all features of the same identity – “to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation”  (Rev 13:7)  Wormwood releases a “locust army” that “stings”/torments for a symbolic “5 months”, those who do not have the “seal of God on their foreheads” – anointed ones dominated by the man of lawlessness. Rev 9:4,5  

When an anointed one “won’t bend their knee to it” as you say, they are “killed”/disfellowshipped, and there are many of them. Rev 13:14,15  Is it the great tribulation symbolic?  It certainly is not found in Satan’s world, but in the hearts and minds of those who are under subjection to the beast.  Trust me, I’ve been through it. It fulfills all of Jesus’ prophetic words about persecution, loss of family, etc., all for giving testimony to Jesus.  John 16:2; Rev 11:7-10  The Tribulation/Armageddon (fought in the low plain of “decision”) is a war of truth against lies, between anointed and the Beast, the faithful and unfaithful anointed ones. Gen 3:15; Rev 12:7; 16:14-16; 17:14; 19:11,14,19

The Great Tribulation, Armageddon, as well as the Kingdom does not come with “striking observation” – Luke 17:20,21; Matt 16:3,4; 13:10,11,13-16; Isa 44:18; Hos 14:9; Dan 12:10  Yet, the Watchtower focuses on Satan’s dominion for the literal signs leading up to the coming of the Kingdom.  Since the man of lawlessness is evident as the organization/elder body, it is to be expected that a diversion must be made.  Satan is making sure his “signs” can be seen. 1 Cor 2:14,13

The man of lawless/disgusting thing has been revealed by the “breath” of Jesus’ mouth – Holy spirit -  granted to his servants, the symbolic “two witnesses” of Revelation.  Rev 1:1; 11:1-3;6:9;19:10

All  of this most likely sounds like hogwash, but there is no other identity that fits the man of lawlessness/disgusting thing/Wild Beasts of Rev 13:1 as does the organization. Here is further evidence; see 1918,1919 in the attachment.     

On 12/18/2017 at 7:13 AM, TrueTomHarley said:

What do you do when you spy the woman of wickedness trying to climb out of the ephah jar? (Zech 5:7)

You grab the brazen hussy by the scruff the neck and boot her back down into the jar from where she came. (taking care in these volatile times that you do not get accused of harassment) Then you summon the two with wings to ship her back to Babylon.

Ahhh, the “woman of wickedness” is not one person as you would like to believe, or is someone I think you believe I may intimately know.   I can tell you (but know you don’t want to hear from me) that the “woman of wickedness” is a promise just as all covenants are represented by a “woman” in the Bible. There is the “mother” covenant of death and the “mother” covenant of life.  Isa 28:15; Gal 4:22-28  These promises formulate within the heart of an individual.  It is the residing spirit of the heart and not well detected on the outside.  Matt 23:27,28; Rev 18:2; Isa 34:15  This covenant is the result of the curse written on the flying scroll.

“I will send out the curse,” says the Lord of hosts;
“It shall enter the house of the thief (John 10:1,9,10)
And the house of the one who swears falsely by My name. (“Jehovah’s organization”/Isa 43:10)
It shall remain in the midst of his house
And consume it, with its timber and stones.” Zech 5:4 (Prov 2:10-22)

The “ephah” that the woman sits in is a measurement of grain.  Grain symbolizes spiritual “food”.  John 6:51,57; 12:23,24  Interestingly, an ephah is “a dry measure of quantity, equal to 3 seahs”  - “a measure of flour or grain”.  Three “measurements” of spiritual food – a full ephah – are found coming from “out of the mouth of the dragon (1) out of the mouth of the beast (2) and out of the mouth of the false prophet (3).  For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty”.  Rev 13:14

These are not kings found in the political system of the world, but anointed ones.  Rev 1:5,6; 1 Cor 4:8; Rev 5:10; 10:11  These are whom God has a case against.  Isa 41:21-29

KJV  - “And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance (as “seen”) through all the earth.  (“the truth”)

w13 11/15 pp. 21-25   “Through his organization, Jehovah provides an abundance of spiritual food to the whole association of brothers worldwide.”

 ^“And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.  And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof.”  Zech 5:7,8

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me,^[a] “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot (false prophet Rev 13:11) who sits on many waters, ² with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”

 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.  The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.  And on her forehead a name was written:

MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT,
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS
AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS
OF THE EARTH.

 I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.  Rev 17:3-6

 ^“Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison  and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. ⁹ They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.  The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast (organization) and the false prophet (harlot) are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”  Rev 19:7-10

“Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah?  And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.” Zech 5:10,11 

Rev 22:3 - And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 

Rev 18:4-8

5 hours ago, into the light said:

I think you are confusing the MOL with the disgusting thing. How is it that the constant feature is removed by "royal priesthood"?

You may be misunderstanding me.  The constant feature/”daily sacrifice” of Dan 12:11 is removed, because the priesthood, which is God’s dwelling/Temple is replaced by the elder body. 

5 hours ago, into the light said:

Disgusting thing is supposed to forcefully take away the freedom and enforce the worship of itself instead.

Watchtower 02/8/1 “REPRESENTING the royal priesthood are appointed elders, who serve in positions of responsibility in congregations of Jehovah’s people around the earth. These men deserve our respect and wholehearted support, whether they are of the anointed or not.” “Rather than CHALLENGE their authority, we truly appreciate our hardworking elders!”

The disgusting thing is the man of lawlessness. 

 ^“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. ⁴ He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” 2 Thess 2:3,4

“It acted arrogantly even against the Prince of the heavenly army; it revoked his regular sacrifice and overthrew the place of his sanctuary.” Dan 8:11

The anointed ones are “spiritual Israel/Jews”. Rom 9:6-9; Isa 43:10; 1 Pet 2:5,9,10 Spiritual “Gentiles” act in place of, or stand in, God’s Temple priesthood.  It has “fully taken away the freedom” of the priesthood by expectations of obedience to be given to “Gentiles”.  Their hands are tied, not able to connect with other members of the anointed Body of Christ.

“In addition, anointed Christians do not view themselves as being part of an elite club. They do not seek out others who claim to have the same calling, hoping to bond with them or endeavoring to form private groups for Bible study.”  Wt 16/1

“Love for the elders, coupled with respect for their work, will help us to be obedient and submissive to their direction.”  Wt 12/5/15

 Would you not agree this is taking away their freedom as anointed ones?  This entire article sarcastically degrades the anointed priesthood, calling them arrogant if they desire to act upon Paul’s words and care for and learn from one another.  The Wt. teaches that the anointed should remain silent; un-noticed, and not used for the purpose they were meant to as God’s priesthood/Temple.  If they were to speak up on behalf of Christ, the Head of the Body, they are disfellowshipped. Luke 16:13; Rom 14:4

 “But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, ²⁵ that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.  And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” 1 Cor 12:24b-26

The anointed ones must follow rules and guidelines of “Gentiles”, even though within each heart, a token of Holy Spirit is there – the “laws” of God are written on their hearts.  This isn’t the case with the elder body/man of lawlessness.  Can you see that it is the priesthood who should guide others?  Heb 8:10; Mal 2:7

The man of lawlessness is also found in Revelation, the last revealing book of the Bible. 

“But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot forforty-two months. ³ And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”  Rev 11:1,2

“Then I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river. He raised both his hands toward heaven and swore by Him who lives eternally that it would be for a time, times, and half a time. When the power of the holy people is shattered, all these things will be completed.”  Dan 12:7 

5 hours ago, into the light said:

The false prophet that compels the nations to worship the beast. Kind of like what happened when Nebuchadnezzar compelled people to worship his image. 

What is the compelling force behind the organization?  The elder body which has been given the power to judge another – both anointed and brethren. Yet, it is the image of the spirit-directed organization that must be “worshipped” – glorified, adored, exalted – as the path to salvation.  If one rejects this “path” and chooses Christ solely as the only Way, speaking up against falsehoods and sins as he did among his own people, that person is disfellowshipped – spiritually deemed as dead.  Revelation is symbolic, as is the "death" by the Beast.  Rev 13:15

Rev 13:7  ^“It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. (the “international brotherhood”)

Tell me, would any political entity recognize who the anointed ones are in order to overcome them, since not even JWs know who they are?

Rev 13:15 - “He (the false prophet) was granted power to give breath (inspired/spirit-directed) to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.”

Just as Nebuchadnezzar’s image affected God’s holy people, so too does the last power of Daniel’s image, which is the Wild Beast working with the false prophet of Revelation.  God allows this delusion to come upon the remaining ones as Satan’s demand to “sift” them as wheat.  Luke 22:31

The High Priest of this “royal priesthood” is their only Head whom they are to obey, just as the early priesthood answered to Aaron.  In the organization, a “wicked slave” has come against their fellow servants to “beat” them into submission.  Matt 24:48-51  Their choice to remain within this destructive situation, or listen and respond to Christ’s revealment of the “disgusting thing”/”man of lawlessness” and his discipline/refinement means life, or death. Rev 13:9; Isa 48:10; Ezek 16:39;Rev 3:17-19   Not only for them, but all JWs.  Matt 24:15

Rev 11:1-3; 2 Thess 2:8-12; (John 20:22); Dan 8:25; Rev 3:20; Luke 12:37; Rev 2:7; Isa 29:18; Rev 22:10,14; Eph 5:14

From the quote referenced by Gone Fishing, it states: “In the first fulfillment, the “standing in a holy place” occurred in 66 C.E. when the Roman army (“the disgusting thing”) attacked Jerusalem and its temple (a place holy in the eyes of the Jews).”

The early temples had become holy since it was “God’s house”; where His Spirit dwelled. (Matt 21:12,13)  

“Thus Solomon finished the house of the Lord and the king’s house; and Solomon successfully accomplished all that came into his heart to make in the house of the Lord and in his own house. Then the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice.” 2 Chron 7:11,12

“When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. ² And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house.” 2 Chron 7:1,2

Only his appointed priesthood was allowed to serve within it.  The history of abominations “in the holy place” always referred to the desecration of God’s “house”, as well as the acts of his own people – not from nations who were not under covenant with Him. Deut. 29:17,18; 1 Kings 11:4-6; Ezek 8:10; Jer 44:4; 7:30,34; 2:4,7,11,12; 6:15; 4:1,4;8:12

So, why would the Watchtower deflect attention away from the spiritual Temple within their own midst; that being, the anointed ones? 1 Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16,17; Eph 2:20-22 Because the “disgusting thing”/”abomination” is found in the organization in the form of the elder body “representing the royal priesthood”.

@into the light”  said, “So it only makes sense that holy place today is something that is considered holy by Jehovah, which is certainly not the Christendom. And since we don't have the physical temple today, it is logical to conclude that the holy place is the spiritual temple.”

That is totally correct.  The spiritual temple is found among, and in, the anointed ones.

1 Cor 3:16,17 –  ^“Do you not know that temple you are the of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?   If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”

“And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.”

Matt 24:15 - “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand—”

Dan 12:11 -  “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days.

The “abomination” eliminates the “daily sacrifice” made by God’s appointed priests. ( 1 Pet 2:5,9 )  No one has successfully usurped God’s priesthood and not paid the consequences.   Num 16:3-11,18,20,21,35,40  

 https://www.theworldnewsmedia.org/topic/50063-the-role-of-the-anointed-ones-in-the-last-days/

 https://www.theworldnewsmedia.org/topic/48218-gods-house/

https://www.theworldnewsmedia.org/topic/32169-anointed-ones-and-jworg/?tab=comments#comment-68682

I married an “unbaptized publisher”.  I was told in 6 months he would leave the organization and both of us would stumble many, but in 6 months he was baptized.  He was told he would never serve in the congregation because he wore a beard for medical reasons, but within 5 years he was made a servant and a few years later, an elder. At that time, one new elder said the entire congregation had become “apostate” by allowing him to hold a position. Our congregation split, the same elders who expected him to give talks previously, banned him from doing so in the other congregation.  His life as an elder was hell, since elders used him to cover their parts while they “served” at conventions. He was locked out of elder school after traveling the distance, having to go through rigorous questioning to prove who he was.  In front of our children, he was approached by other elders that never would he give a talk in their hall.  We were denied “new releases” in lines at conventions.   He was not allowed to be a “practicing” elder at conventions.  He saw the hypocrisy of putting on a good show for C.O. visits, lack of shepherding, and his shouldering responsibilities that others rejected.  Finally, he dropped his books down on the table during an elongated last minute preparatory meeting for an upcoming C.O. visit, and walked out at 11:00 p.m.; where my young son waited for him alone in the main part of the hall.  The rest of the family was home with illness that evening.  It was the best thing he could have done, but sadly, as is the case for many who leave the organization, he finds it a struggle to retain faith in God. 

Do these ones who are leaving “Jehovah’s organization”, leave God or hypocrisy?  Sometimes it is both.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.” Matt 23:25

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men; for you don’t enter in yourselves, neither do you allow those who are entering in to enter.   Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel around by sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much of a son of Gehenna as yourselves.”  Matt 23:14,15

 ^“For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.

 If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.  At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it.  For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.  See, I have told you ahead of time.

 “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.  For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.  Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.”  Matt 24:21-28

“In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back.  Remember Lot’s wife.  Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.  I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left.  Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left.  Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.”

 And they answered and said to Him, “Where, Lord?”  So He said to them, “Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.”  Luke 17:31-37

Many have “lost” the life they’ve known by leaving or being disfellowshipped from the organization, and  many of these have found the path to eternal life in Christ.  The “carcass”/”body” are those part of the anointed Body of Christ that have joined with their true Master, Christ –“slained” (disfellowshipped) by an approved army under “false christs” who do not tolerate any dissension to their teachings. Matt 24:31; Rev 11:7,8; Rev 13:11,12,15  The testimony given to those who judge them as worthy of “death”, (Rom 14:4) is “true”. Rev 11:3,7-10; John 8:17 They are the surviving remnant of the “woman” covenant, well nourished in truth. Joel 2:32; Rev 12:6,14  Christ does not abandon any who yearn for spiritual discernment. All the perceptive “eagles”/“elect” who leave the apostate “city” are nourished at this “marriage feast”; feeding on the “slain” who speak the true teachings of Christ.  Rev 12:11; Matt 22:8-10

 ^“If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances,  “Don’t handle, nor taste, nor touch”  (all of which perish with use), according to the precepts and doctrines of men?  Which things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but aren’t of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.”  Col 2:20-23

23 hours ago, Srecko Sostar said:

Many of JW members who read the topics in this forum can not accept the fact that the main church body aka Gb violates both laws - divine and human.

GB asks of every member to report any fact and person that violates the JW Code in the assembly. But the GB does not want to report and give facts, evidence, documents, statements that would allow a justice, even "imperfect, worldly" justice. hehe

Very succinctly put;  "both laws - divine and human"  

 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.  Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."  Matt 5:17-20

22 hours ago, Brother Rando said:

Jesus Christ is a stepping stone for me, but for the unbelievers and persecutors, he is a stumbling block........and you are falling on this stone.... Jesus words are true, As for anyone on whom it falls, it will crush him.

 

Brother, 

If Jesus is truly a stepping stone for you, then put him before the organization.

Acts 6:2,3 is always used to support the Watchtower organization; that, and the circumcision issue.  Somehow these acts by anointed and their brethren coming together to solve two issues, gives credence that a corporation existing in Satan’s world can be considered  “Jehovah’s spirit-directed organization”.  Rev 13:15

Have you read CT Russel’s words concerning “organization”, who is written in Watchtower’s annals as its founder?

"Beware of ‘organization.’  It is wholly unnecessary. The Bible rules will be the only rules you will need. Do not seek to bind others' consciences, and do not permit others to bind yours." Zion’s Watchtower, 9/15 1895 p. 216

I am an anointed one who was disfellowshipped for my testimony of Jesus. Rev 12:17  I am not the only one.  Anointed ones are “living stones” of God’s Temple and the Body of Christ. 1 Pet 2:5,9 They must only listen to Christ, which is impossible under the thumb of the GB and elder body.   You will not truly know what it means to “bear witness” to Jesus until you stand up for him as your only Master.  Then, you will be emotionally scourged, rejected, persecuted, lose family members and hated by your own people; just as Jesus was. John 16:2; Luke 21:12,17; Mark 10:42-45;  Mark 13:11-13; John 15:18-20; Matt 23:34-36; 5:11; Rev 11:1-3,7,10; Matt 10:22,34-39

Can you see that Jesus is a stumbling stone for the leaders of the organization?  They easily disfellowship, judge another slave of Christ as spiritually “dead” for rejecting man’s doctrine – not the words of Christ.  Rom 14:4; James 4:12; Matt 7:1,2; 24:48-51

I encourage you to continue in your zeal for Jesus, but direct it in the right way  - not against those who already love Christ and the Father with their whole heart, soul and mind. Matt 22:37  Worshiping in this way, leaves no room to serve, or love and idol. Matt 6:24; Rev 13:4,7

“The Bible rules will be the only rules you will need.”

 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.  But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.  God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”  John 4:21-24

Imagine a large room, where genuine anointed ones from the organization have gathered together. I say “genuine” because it is becoming a discreet trend for many to partake during the memorial, who are not anointed. In my mind, I see this as another attempt by Satan to seduce individuals into thinking that all are part of the anointed Body of Christ, under the New Covenant; and which is another step in concealing who the “holy ones” are.

Imagine that these anointed ones in the room are robed in the holy garments that clearly identify them in like manner as the early holy priesthood, awaiting sanctification to serve in God’s Temple. Exod 28:39-43; 39:22-31; 1 Cor 6:11; 2 Cor 7:1; Heb 8:5  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exod+28%3A39-43%3B+39%3A22-31%3B+1+Cor+6%3A11%3B+2+Cor+7%3A1%3B+Heb+8%3A5&version=NKJV

From a door located on one side of this large room, another group arrives; men who are not wearing the holy priestly garb. They are not “circumcised” priests, but are “Gentiles” that have unofficially entered the courts of God’s Temple. Each man approaches and stands before an anointed priest, removes their holy garments, and dons the stolen robes, masking the true intentions of the heart. Rom 2:28,29; 9:6; Heb 8:10; 1 Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16,17; Joel 2:1-2; Rev.9:3-10; Matt.24:21; Luke21:20,24; Rev.13:10,7 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom+2%3A28%2C29%3B+9%3A6%3B+Heb+8%3A10%3B+1+Pet+2%3A5%2C9%3B+1+Cor+3%3A16%2C17%3B+Joel+2%3A1-2%3B+Rev.9%3A3-10%3B+Matt.24%3A21%3B+Luke21%3A20%2C24%3B+Rev.13%3A10%2C7+&version=NKJV

They tell the anointed ones to exit by the other door; which they do, with no questions asked. The result obliterates any “daily sacrifice” that only the authentic priests are able, and are obligated to perform. With the new fraudulent priesthood come new “sacrifices of praise” that support - not God - but an idol. 1 Chron 23:30-32; 2 Chron 20:11,12; Ezek 8:6; 2 Cor 11:20; Matt 24:15; 1 Pet 2:5; Rom 12:1; Heb 13:15; Rev 2:20 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Chron+23%3A30-32%3B+2+Chron+20%3A11%2C12%3B+Ezek+8%3A6%3B+2+Cor+11%3A20%3B+Matt+24%3A15%3B+1+Pet+2%3A5%3B+Rom+12%3A1%3B+Heb+13%3A15%3B+Rev+2%3A20+&version=NKJV

These “uncircumcised” “Gentiles” have been given free access by powerful, rebellious traitors against Christ, to enter God’s Temple…and defile it. No longer does God hear the praises from His holy ones, and no longer can His “living stones” be called, Holy. God’s genuine priesthood has been “defrocked” and a false priesthood now demands their obedience. Ezek 5:11; 1 Cor 3:17; Luke 16:3; Ezek 44:6-8; Rev 13:11,12,15; Ps 79:1  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=+Ezek+5%3A11%3B+1+Cor+3%3A17%3B+Luke+16%3A3%3B+Ezek+44%3A6-8%3B+Rev+13%3A11%2C12%2C15%3B+Ps+79%3A1&version=NKJV

es 17, pp 57-67 - “Modestly, anointed ones acknowledge that they do not necessarily have more holy spirit than those with an earthly hope.”

Mal 2:7 - “For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge,
And people should seek the law from his mouth;
For he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.

“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”  Heb 8:10

^ “And we have such trust through Christ toward God. ^ Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”  1 Cor 3:4-6

“You are My witnesses,” says the Lord,
“And My servant whom I have chosen,
That you may know and believe Me,
And understand that I am He.
Before Me there was no God formed,
Nor shall there be after Me.  Isa 43:10

“Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, ^ you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”  1 Pet 2:4,5,9

These are the true “Witnesses” God has chosen to bear His name.

In reality, we do not see the anointed priesthood wearing holy garments. Within the Watchtower, we cannot distinguish how they are set apart for a special work under the New Covenant. Mark 14:22-24 We may only notice them partaking of emblems at the memorial each year; but please, JWs, picture them as each one being part of God’s Temple as a “living”, Temple “stone”. John 2:19-21;1 Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16,17 Should these stones be replaced with those ‘carved’ by men? Deut 27:5-8; 1 Kings 6:7; Matt 16:18   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+14%3A22-24%3B+John+2%3A19-21%3B1+Pet+2%3A5%2C9%3B+1+Cor+3%3A16%2C17%3BDeut+27%3A5-8%3B+1+Kings+6%3A7%3B+Matt+16%3A18+&version=NKJV

Because it takes spiritual discernment to see this, the Watchtower relies on their ability to cover over these spiritual insights of scripture; and by doing so, have successfully “defrocked” God’s priesthood, replacing them with “uncircumcised” “Gentiles” – the Body of Elders. Ezek 44:23,24; Mal 2:7-9 The "sacrifices of praise" by this false priesthood do not ascend to God, since those have been abolished. They are praises supporting the Watchtower Idol - "Jehovah's organization". Rev 13:4,7,8 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezek+44%3A23%2C24%3B+Mal+2%3A7-9%3BRev+13%3A4%2C7%2C8&version=NKJV

Watchtower 02/8/1 “REPRESENTING the royal priesthood are appointed elders, who serve in positions of responsibility in congregations of Jehovah’s people around the earth. These men deserve our respect and wholehearted support, whether they are of the anointed or not.” “Rather than CHALLENGE their authority, we truly appreciate our hardworking elders!”

To enforce this blasphemous authorization of replacing GodÂ’s Temple priests, the article boldly states:
“Jehovah’s spirit is upon them; they have his approval.”

Is this true? God’s Word verifies that it has never been acceptable for his temple priesthood to be replaced. 2 Chron 23:6;13:9  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chron+23%3A6%3B13%3A9&version=NKJV

Matthew 24:15 – “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ (the “disgusting thing”) spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand)”

How can we relate this scripture to the elder body having authority over the anointed priesthood in the organization?  Rev 11:1,2, shows “Gentiles” overtaking the sanctuary/"holy place" of God, and robbing the anointed priesthood of their ‘holy garments’; thus desolating the sanctuary. 
Also, Daniel reveals the intentions of Watchtower’s leaders to destroy God’s “sanctuary”:

“He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down.  Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered. “ Dan 8:11,12

The last powerful and “unusual” force of Daniel’s image expresses two contrasting elements – one of clay and one of iron, found together. The entirety of this image describes powers that have affected God’s people during their individual historic reigns, but please consider Pearl Doxsey’s comment on the last power and fourth beast that the anointed ones face today in the Watchtower organization.

“The feet of the image shows that the reign over the anointed in the time of the end, is dual.
Not only is the metallic element still there (as it was in the previous powers- All "Gentiles"-not God's people) (Gentiles-Iron); for the first time, the statue contains "clay" of the earth..."the offspring of MANKIND". (Dan.2:41,42,43)

This clay represents those who belong to the "Potter" (Isa.29:16; 45:9; Jer.18:6; Rom.9:21), and they SHOULD be molded by Him alone. But instead, they mold themselves to the Iron (Gentiles) by conforming themselves to the iron, allowing the iron to mold them, rather than God.

Unknowingly, these "clay" actually conform to Satan's will, becoming a part of Satan's dominion over God's people (Rev.9:1; 17:12). In a short time, that clay hardens to this form (as baked clay), and is no longer useful to its original owner. It is now suited only for destruction as an extension of Satan's "body".

This has come to pass, in that the anointed today are DOMINATED within the Organization, not only by spiritual "Gentiles" alone; but by their own brothers who have joined in with the Gentiles to dominate their brothers in Christ....the wicked steward with "confirmed drunkards" from outside the master's household (Matt.24:45,48,49,50,51).

When Christ, through the final capstone, "smashes" the feet of the image of Daniel (Dan.2:34,45; Heb.11:10; Eze.3:8,9; Isa.50:7; 45:17; 49:8; 54:4; Micah.1:2); it is not smashing all of Satan's world, but only the Image Satan has used to dominate God's people, which is NOT Satan's entire world-wide dominion.

It is well known that the Image of Daniel does not contain all the political identities which have ever existed in Satan's world; But only ones which have dominated God's chosen people.”

Pearl Doxsey  - 4womaninthewilderness

Please, JWs, educate yourselves of the vital importance of this priesthood dominated by the fourth Beast of DanielÂ’s visions. Dan 7:7 Not only are the anointed ones affected by such a crushing duel power, but also are all, who reside in the organization. We are to FLEE AWAY from this abomination and come to the true Mountain that will destroy the last power to afflict GodÂ’s people. Matt 24:16

 

12 hours ago, Brother Rando said:

Jesus is very organized, matter of fact, the Organization in the first century that baptised in water were members of the "Body of Christ'. They were called, 'the Way".    

Yes, they were the foundation of God's Temple.  1 Cor 3:10,11  Each anointed one is a "living stone" of that Temple.  1 Pet 2:5,9  Jesus gave only them the authority to perform water baptism.   Matt 28:18-20

There was no organization in the first century, but the anointed Body of Christ under the New Covenant and led by Holy Spirit.   Mark 14:22-25  Of course, they were called “The Way”, being one with Christ.  John 17:22  There were congregations of both believers in Christ and anointed ones who are the Body of Christ; yet, it was entirely contradictory to an earthly organization in Satan’s world.  Acts 24:14; Rom 12:4-8

This Body was told not be “conformed to this world”.  This is an impossible feat for an earthly organization to do.  The Watchtower is totally immersed in all aspects of Satan’s world.    Rom 12:2  What the New Covenant under Christ accomplishes for mankind, the organization has spuriously taught IT will accomplish.  All focus has been shifted from God’s spiritual “administration”, to man’s earthly administration.  Zion is the Temple/Holy City of God and found within the hearts of the anointed ones.  It is not the organization.  The anointed are God’s dwelling, priestly “conduits” of life giving, life-sustaining Spirit from God, providing knowledge to all mankind.   The “law” is written on their hearts.   1 Pet 2:5; 1 Cor 3:16,17; Eph 2:20-22,10; Rev 14:1; 21:2,3; 3:12; Isa 49:6,8,9,12; Isa 2:1-5; Heb 8:10  This will be fully realized in the Kingdom.  Rev 22:2; John 7:38

“God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.”  Acts 17:24

I see none of my words are making sense to you. I do not advocate the trinity, but I believe you think I do.  There is a baptism of water and a baptism of Holy Spirit and fire.  What truly washes our sins away that is symbolized by water baptism, is our desire to be obedient to spirit and Truth. 1 Cor 6:11 You speak of Jesus as this Truth, yet you have been sidetracked by false teachers who call the organization “the truth”.   Jesus stressed how important it is to analyze the “fruit” from the mouth of an anointed one. Matt 7:15-20  Keep in mind that Satan desires as many of Christ’s brothers as possible, to be misled and killed. This is magnified during the last days.   He doesn’t create his traps lightly, does he?  He is highly organized.  God’s “organization” is spiritual; the Body of Christ.  Satan is in control of the earthly and quite adept at “organizing”, making it exceedingly pleasing to the eye.  He uses this downfall of men to build his last successful trap against the anointed ones. Rev 13:1,5-8   Learn who they are; learn how important it is that this holy priesthood listen to only one Master, Jesus. Matt 6:24; 1 Cor 2:13,14  Consider why the anointed ones are found only in the Watchtower. 2 Thess 2:1-12; Rev 16:14-16

On 12/10/2017 at 5:45 PM, Brother Rando said:

You haven't changed from your forefathers who persecuted Jesus Christ have you?  Only Jesus baptizes with Holy Spirit and Fire or did you miss that scripture?  “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  Matt 8:11

I have already pointed out that this is referring to the anointing, the pouring out of Holy Spirit into the heart of an individual – and yes, it comes from Jesus. Matt 3:11; Acts 1:5, 2:3,4; John 16:7; 14:16,17

I am speaking of the spurious water baptism ritual by the Watchtower organization.  Water baptism holds symbolic meaning that should not include one’s dedication to an organization.  1 Pet 3:21  Those in the scriptures who baptized “in the name of Jesus” were apostles and part of the holy priesthood – the anointed Body of Christ.  Today, those not anointed by Holy Spirit and are not part of the holy priesthood (1 Pet 2:5,9),  baptize.  Interestingly, Jesus told his anointed ones, including those today, who are to perform this water baptism

“teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  Matt 18:20

This is another great transgression by the Watchtower having nothing to do with the trinity, yet it magnifies further the blasphemous baptism by the organization.  The anointed ones are invisible, unable to teach Jesus’ commands as his holy priesthood; unable to baptize others with water.   Mal 2:7; Matt 24:48-51

On 12/10/2017 at 5:45 PM, Brother Rando said:

"This undeserved kindness he caused to abound toward us in all wisdom and understanding  by making known to us the sacred secret of his will. It is according to his good pleasure that he himself purposed  for an administration at the full limit of the appointed times, to gather all things together in the Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth. Yes, in him." (Ephesians 1:8-10) 

The “administration” that this is referring to is the Body of Christ/Temple/Zion – not the organization. Eph 1:1-3,11; 2 Cor 9:10-15  They are the “firstfruits”, sacrificing their lives in imitation of Christ.  Why? To bring life to the rest of mankind.  They become his Bride when further “fruits”/Abraham’s seed will be blessed with eternal life.  Rev 22:17;21:2-4

This “gathering” of “living stones” of God’s Temple (1 Cor 3:16,17) is being accomplished outside of the Watchtower.

 My faith is in the Father, the Son, and the power of Holy Spirit, not man’s twisted concept of how to worship God through an earthly organization.  I am sorry that you cannot see these things.  An earthly, “mountain” stands in your way. Matt 7:3-5; Mark 11:23; Zech 4:1-10; Rev 11:1-5; 8:8

 

@Brother Rando, 

I do not doubt the information you and others have presented here concerning Matt 28:19.  In fact, I find it helpful and I appreciate what has been presented.   I am pointing out that there are errors within Watchtower doctrine and their own basis of baptizing.  While the trinity error has become well established over the centuries, within a brief 100 years, the baptism questions have radically changed to the necessity of identifying with an organization; and baptizing in the name of Jesus is not part of the Watchtower ritual.   You believe you are part of an organization that comes “in Jesus’ name”, but this is a lie.  There is only one “mark” we can bear – that of God and Christ, yet JWs must identify or be “marked” by the organization. Deut 11:18; Rev.13:11,16-18

 Not only is this made clear at baptism and your active support, but also by various Wt. words such as:

"Come to Jehovah's organization for salvation" - Watchtower 1981 Nov 15 p.212. 

Your personal witnessing work must be very different from that outlined by the organization if you feel you are “preaching Jesus”.  As you point out, all authority has been given to him, which means authority is not given to an earthly organization that requires your servitude.

“Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?”  Rom 6:16

We cannot slave for God and Jesus, as well as an organization.  You will love one, and hate the other.  Matt 6:24

 So, I ask, are you leading people to Christ when going to the door, or to an organization within Satan’s world?

“Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. ⁶ And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. ⁷ Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”

⁸ And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”  Luke 4:5-8

The earthly systems in place today that build any organization – politics, stocks, investments, goods, labor – are the same systems that facilitate the operation called the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.  Can people get rich using these systems?  Yes, and the Watchtower has.  Do people “serve” in these various organizations?  Yes, in many ways; the only difference is the Watchtower uses free labor to serve its needs. James 5:1-6   Search Jesus’ teachings; do you see any case in the scriptures where Jesus said, ‘go ahead; step into Satan’s world and build God an organization.’ No!  John 18:36  God and Christ are building his Temple, the true “organization” that is Zion, with “living stones” – the anointed ones.  Isa 43:10; 1 Pet 2:5,9; Eph 2:20-22; Rev 3:12 

 He warned against the love of money and all earthly attachments, yet Warwick is touted as beautiful, as well as branch offices, assembly halls, etc.  Matt 6:24; 19-21; Matt 19:21 He said there was no physical location where we are to worship. John 4:21-24 Yet, the “mountain-like organization” defies Jesus' words.   His apostle told us to keep our eyes on the “things above” and not on things on the earth. Col 3:2; Rom 8:5-8 

We cannot serve God through or with an organization, since Jesus told Satan, “Him only you shall serve”. Isa 45:21,22; 46:5 Attaching God to Satan’s earthly belongings is blasphemy and idolatry. It is no different than the Catholic church building its iconic structures and teaching lies, such as the trinity. Rom 12:2; Phil 2:6 This is Satan’s realm, the Kingdom has yet to come after all deception, idolatry, and Satan’s systems are conquered by Christ. Satan’s last grand deception deceives the anointed ones.  That idolatrous deception is the Watchtower.   Rev 19:11,14; 13:2-4

Even the Watchtower, in one of its truthful moments concerning pure worship has said,

As Christians, we face up to similar challenges today. We cannot take part in any modern version of idolatry—be it worshipful gestures toward an image or symbol or the imputing of salvation to a person or an organization. Wt 90/11/1

Yet, in the same month and year, they expose their true intentions with this Kingdom Ministry 11/1990 p. 1, that targets baptized JWs:

 Directing Bible Students to Jehovah’s Organization 
Bible students need to get acquainted with the organization of the “one flock” Jesus spoke about at John 10:16. They must appreciate that identifying themselves with Jehovah’s organization is essential to their salvation. (Rev 7:9,10,15) Therefore, we should start directing our Bible students to the organization as soon as a Bible study is established.  Matt 12:37; John 9:41; Luke 12;1
 

Let’s turn 360 degrees for another Watchtower twist.  The new book you are studying, “Jesus-The Way, The Truth, the Life” says this:

“Jesus-The Way, the Truth, the Life will help you to appreciate how Jesus definitely is “the way.”  Only through him is it possible to approach Jehovah God in prayer.  Morever, Jesus is the way for us to be reconciled to God.  John 16:23, Romans 5:8  Hence, only through Jesus can we have an approved relationship with God.”

So tell me, which type of “preaching” do you think Jesus approves of, that which is centered around bringing people into an organization that has a shaky foundation of failed prophesies and changing doctrine -  and declares it as necessary for salvation; or one based on helping people understand Christ’s authority as the only Truth, and the only Way to obtain eternal life as you are passionate about. 

No one can “hinder” you from preaching the way you choose, but just know that there are two opposing camps of anointed ones preaching Jesus as the Way during the last days. These camps have developed through disfellowshipping those who believe Jesus truly is the only Way, Truth and Life, as the Watchtower study book clearly brings out.   They believe they are “slaves” to one Master, Christ – not to an “evil slave” and his elder army that spiritually “kills” his fellow servants for preaching in the name of Jesus. Matt 24:48-51; Rev 12:17; 13:15 They follow scripture implicitly, and are “inspired”. Matt 10:16,20; Luke 21:15; 12:12; John 17:18; 1 John 2:27 

On the other hand, the prominent group (GB and those “fed” their lies Rev 13:16,17) preaches “another Jesus”, admits to not being “inspired”, and expects servitude and obedience to men. 2 Cor 11:4;Rom 8:9; 1 Tim 4:1,2

When Jesus washed the disciple’s feet, what was he teaching them?  Was it to seek the prominent position and lord it over the other members of the anointed body?  Should anointed ones be in submission to elders who have not been anointed by God?  Should anyone be a “slave” to men?  John 13:12-17; 1 Pet 5:3,4 I hope you think about these things, because this is exactly what is happening to Christ’s brothers in the organization.   Matt 24:15; 1 Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16,17; 2 Cor 6:16

The truth is being revealed. 2 Thess 2:1-12; Rev 13:1,5-7,11,12,15-18 There is no more “roaming about” as Gerritt Losch remarked.  Those anointed who are “in Christ” are being blessed with abundant spiritual food.  Matt 24:27,28; Matt 22:8-10; James 1:5; Luke 11:13  Those that recognize who they are, also are blessed with eternal “riches”; not found in Satan’s systems.  Matt 6:21; 25:40; 13:20; 7:15-20

Should we be worried about the trinity, or the lies about Jesus preached in the organization?

“I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name,

“in his own name”/authority – the Governing Body, and "Watchtower organization”

him you will receive.  How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?”  John 5:43,44

2 hours ago, Brother Rando said:

“Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.”  Matt 28:18

He never stated (All authority has been given to the three of us in heaven and on earth.) because the trinity is unbiblical and a sham.

Notice the authority was GIVEN to him....  he become better than the angels simply because of the NAME he inherited. 

"So he has become better than the angels to the extent that he has inherited a name more excellent than theirs." (Hebrews 1:4)

 

 

 

I never said that I support the trinity.  Perhaps you can read again, what I did say.?  An organization is taught as having more authority than Jesus Christ.    Can you see this?

On 12/5/2017 at 3:50 PM, Brother Rando said:

Learn what Scripture trinitarians falsified by Removing the Name of Jesus Christ

Well, sir, considering Watchtower’s teachings, I think it is important to do what Jesus said:

“Why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the beam of wood in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ and look, there’s a beam of wood in your own eye?  Hypocrite! First take the beam of wood out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye”.  Matt 7:3-5

 Does the Watchtower baptize in Jesus’ name, or in the name of the organization? 

Notice the two questions:

“On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?”

“Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization?

Having answered yes to these questions, candidates are in a right heart condition to undergo Christian baptism."

On 12/5/2017 at 3:50 PM, Brother Rando said:

and inserting a Pagan Generic Formula which Exposes the Great Apostasy of the Anti-Christs! 

Here is Watchtower’s formula:

“On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus (“due to, on account of”) –  dedication to “Jehovah”  - vow to a “spirit-directed organization”

Apostasy exposed.  Jesus is given no acknowledgement of his authority, which is referred to by saying  “in the name of”. 

“Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.”  Matt 28:18

 The "authority" of Jesus is undermined by the "authority" of an organization.  How?  Are you taught that salvation can be obtained outside the organization?  Nope.  Although, the apostle Paul tells us:

"There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name (authority) under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

And what about the Holy Spirit?

 “While he was with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about;  for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.”  Acts 1:4,5

When an individual is baptized with Holy Spirit, it is the anointing.   

“When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place.  Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying.  They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. ⁴ Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:1-4

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  Matt 8:11

“Is not my word (John 1:1) like fire”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“and like a hammer that pulverizes rock?  Therefore, take note! I am against the prophets”—the Lord’s declaration—“who steal my words from each other.  I am against the prophets”—the Lord’s declaration—“who use their own tongues to make a declaration.  (I consider this partly to apply to the insertion of dedication to an organization)

 I am against those who prophesy false dreams”—the Lord’s declaration—“telling them and leading my people astray with their reckless lies. It was not I who sent or commanded them, and they are of no benefit at all to these people”—this is the Lord’s declaration.  Jer 23:29-32

"His winnowing shovel is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn. But the chaff he will burn with fire (the Word of Truth about the Christ and the Father) that never goes out.”  Matt 3:12

1 hour ago, TrueTomHarley said:

We learned not to do it again. Have you noticed any other years since ballyhooed as the big one?

How does it usually begin?   With calculations.   Before you know it, a date emerges.  Read between the lines in the December 15, 2003 Watchtower, pp. 14-19.  Of course, the understanding of “this generation” has changed since then; so, stay tuned.  Or not. I would rather you not. "Leave them alone! They are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.”  Matt 15:14

They can’t help themselves, since their focus is on the earthly, contrary to all of Christ’s warnings.  They have concerned themselves with the “times and the seasons” since the beginning, all the while promising peace and security within “Jehovah’s organization”.

“But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.  For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. ³ For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.” 1 Thess 5:1-3

 He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’  and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret (Bible calculations) the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.  A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.  Matt 16:2-4

2 Thess 2:9,10; Rev 13:13,14

“But the person without the Spirit does not receive what comes from God's Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually.”

“Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God.  We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people.”

“For who knows a person's thoughts except his spirit within him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”

1 Cor 2:14,12,13,11

Surely, it is clear that human wisdom, the spirit of the world, was used to calculate 1975 and all previous failed dates.  One date, 1914, requires human wisdom to keep the date alive; thus, the “overlapping generation” was invented.  When an anointed one is guided by God’s Holy Spirit, human wisdom does not come into play.  That is Satan’s field.  James 3:13-16; 2 Cor 11:4

“Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says:

You will listen and listen,
but never understand;
you will look and look,
but never perceive.
 For this people’s heart has grown callous;
their ears are hard of hearing,
and they have shut their eyes;
otherwise they might see with their eyes,
and hear with their ears, and
understand with their hearts,
and turn back—
and I would heal them.  Matt 13:14,15

1 hour ago, Nana Fofana said:

flimsy partition

Iron [steel]  and miry [limey] clay

Which is the iron and which is the clay?  Scripture, or Watchtower quotes?  Shouldn't all doctrine be supported by scripture?

If you trust the men who support Watchtower history, you certainly will not perceive what the following scripture is telling us.  If you trust God's Word and his clear-cut definition outlined in Deut 18:20 concerning false prophesy, and compare it to Wt's history,  you may then comprehend what this scripture is revealing.  I certainly hope so.

"Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you,  not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.  (1914)  Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,  who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God."   

"In 1914—certainly a long time after 33 C.E.—Christ Jesus began his royal presence."  Wt 04/3/1

1914 is a Wt lie, along with all their failed prophesies.  The "son of perdition", the man of lawlessness is the elder body who rules over/sits in God's Temple.  That Temple consists of the anointed ones; and it has been defiled.   1 Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16,17  

On 12/4/2017 at 6:00 AM, Gone Fishing said:

Watchtower March 2016 p26-28

"New World Translation in its “Glossary of Bible Terms” gives this definition of a prophet: “One through whom divine purposes are made known. Prophets acted as spokesmen for God, conveying not only predictions but also Jehovah’s teachings, commands, and judgments.” 
 

1924 "The year 1925 is a date definitely and clearly marked in Scriptures, even more clearly than that of 1914. (Watchtower 1924, p. 211)

1968 "True, there have been those in times past who predicted an "end" to the world, even announcing a specific date. Yet nothing happened. The 'end' did not come. They were guilty of false prophesying. Why? What was missing? Missing from such people were God's truths and the evidence that He was using and guiding them.'' (Awake, Oct. 8, 1968)

1971 -  "Shortly, within our twentieth century, the "battle in the day of Jehovah" will begin against the modern antitype of Jerusalem, Christendom." (The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah; 1971; 2nd ed.; p. 216)

“The true prophet never foretold simply to satisfy human curiosity. Every prediction related to God’s will, purpose, standards, or judgment. (1Ki 11:29-39; Isa 7:3-9) Often the future events foretold were the consequence of existing conditions; as the people sowed, so they would reap. The false prophets lulled the people and their leaders with soothing assurances that, despite their unrighteous course, God was still with them to protect and prosper them. (Jer 23:16-20; 28:1-14; Eze 13:1-16; compare Lu 6:26.) it-2 pp. 694-698

“When faced with far-reaching decisions, we do not trust in our own wisdom but look to Jehovah and his organization for guidance.  

And just as a child seeks his parents’ protection when a storm rages, we seek protection in Jehovah’s organization when, like a thunderstorm, the problems of this world strike us.”  Wt 11/4/15 pp. 3-5

It-2 continued:  But the true prophet was not solely or even primarily a prognosticator, as has been shown. Rather, he was an advocate of righteousness, and his message dealt primarily with moral standards and their application. He expressed God’s mind on matters. (Isa 1:10-20; Mic 6:1-12) Hence, it was not necessary to wait perhaps for years or generations to determine whether the prophet was true or false by fulfillment of a prediction. If his message contradicted God’s revealed will and standards, he was false. Thus, a prophet who foretold peace for Israel or Judah, at a time when the people were engaging in disobedience to God’s Word and Law, of necessity was false.

“Jehovah’s people enjoy a special environment of peace in the earthly part of his organization.”  Wt 15/7/15 

“For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.”  1 Thess 5:3

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”  Col 2:8

 ^“But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, is to be put to death.”  Deut 18:20 

On 12/4/2017 at 6:00 AM, Gone Fishing said:

Though you are not uttering predictions, you speak for God, proclaiming what is found in the Word of God.—Matt. 24:14.......................
Although we are not prophets in the absolute sense, by imitating the self-sacrificing spirit of such prophets as Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Hosea, we too can successfully accomplish Jehovah’s will for us today! "

 “‘Because they lead my people astray, saying, “Peace,” when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash,  therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall. Rain will come in torrents, and I will send hailstones hurtling down, and violent winds will burst forth.  When the wall collapses, will people not ask you, “Where is the whitewash you covered it with?”  Ezek 13:10-12

7 minutes ago, DespicableME said:

Ironic, considering the Watchtower specifically said the end would come in 1914 and then 1925. This section demonstrated over 20 "messages" promoted by the Watchtower for decades that turned out not to be "true." What does this prove about them as messengers and prophets ?

"And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;  knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 2 Pet 1:19-21

What does the list of "messages" prove? The source of the messages are not from holy men moved by the Holy Spirit.  

On 3/28/2016 at 7:22 PM, The Librarian said:

But Jehovah God has also provided his visible organization, his 'faithful and discreet slave,' made up of spirit anointed ones, to help Christians in all nations to understand and apply properly the Bible in their lives.

Old light.  No longer is the "slave" determined to be all anointed ones.  

@Srecko Sostar listed a few faithful and discreet slave teachings; here are a few more.  Still, they don't cover them all.

Russel was considered the “faithful slave”, even up to 1923.

At one point it was taught that Jesus AND/OR the anointed ones were the “faithful slave”.  (1927)

Wt 13/7/15 pp. 20-25 - “Jesus did not say that he would appoint an evil slave. His words here are actually a warning directed to the faithful and discreet slave.”

If these words are a warning, should the possibility be completely dismissed that an evil slave can indeed exist? Presently, the self-assuming governing body says there is no evil slave.    

With this parable, the purported “faithful slave” today has decided to erase a good deal of its application to suit their needs; and only accept Matt 24:45-47 as verifiable scripture – that they fulfill the term, “faithful and discreet”.  In fact, David Splane remarked that the “slave” is not 1900 years old. 

Srecko, I believe you can flush all those ‘old light’ teachings about a faithful slave, down the toilet.  (Matt 7:17-20; John 15:16)

The rest of the matter concerning the faithful slave, Matt 24:48-51, has been discarded.  The GB has proposed a straw man argument to refute Jesus’ warnings of their own debased tactics used against their “fellow servants”.  With one sweep of the hand, individuals, both anointed and those not anointed are disfellowshipped for rejecting “new light”; while the governing body is still considered “faithful and discreet” above and beyond any further established “new light” that they most assuredly will decree.  Matt 5:11,12; Isa 66:5; John 16:2; James 4:12

 “New light” is an actual rejection of their own doctrine. 

This implies that one’s faithfulness is gauged on accepting man’s changing doctrine.  That doctrine appears to carry more validity than God’s scriptures.  Man’s decrees can substitute what Jesus and the apostles have outlined for us. Watchtower doctrine, is a yoke placed on the shoulders of “fellow servants” that is never relieved, but only made heavier. It is the result of the "timeline of the light getting brighter".    Ezek 34:16

 ^“King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, “What counsel do you give me to return answer to this people?”

 They spoke to him, saying, “If you are kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.”

 But he abandoned the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.  He said to them, “What counsel do you give, that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Make the yoke that your father put on us lighter?’”

 The young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, “Thus you shall tell the people who spoke to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but make it lighter on us;’ thus you shall say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist.  Now whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.’”

 Is this not true with the Wt. changes of who is the “faithful slave”?  It has come to the point that the  anointed now must listen to seven men, not to Christ individually. They also must obey an army of elders. God’s anointed people are treated as imbeciles who are unable to discern truth on their own, contrary to every scripture that refers to their ability to do so. James 1:5; John 14:26; 1 John 2:20,21

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, -  not from men who blame Jesus for imperfect food; which in reality is faulty, uninspired doctrine.

for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  Matt 11:28-30

Scorpions; they are found in Revelation, combined with plaguing locusts, and who are released by the false prophet, “Wormwood”, to torment God’s anointed ones. Watchtower refers to the locust/scorpions as missionaries who bring a “stinging message” to the world.  Has any person contacted in the “preaching work” felt that the message presented by JWs, “stings”?  The locust/scorpions torment the anointed, who have not been sealed by God, (Rev 9:4,5) which indicates the source of this tormenting army comes from within the Watchtower.  (Rev 7:3,4)

Revelation “signifies” this torment (Rev 1:1); not as physical, but as an emotional turmoil; yet, the emotional can superimpose onto the physical, creating “significant” upheaval in the mind and heart of anointed ones, as well as their brethren. Rev 9:6; Matt 24:9,21; Luke 21:12,13; James 2:6; John 16:2; Rev 13:15  An “evil slave” uses the locust-scorpion/elder body to carry out this torment against the anointed ones; through teachings, rules of obedience, and subsequent disfellowshipping for speaking against doctrine. Isa 9:15,16; Matt 24:48,49; Rev 9:3-6;13:7  

JWs, if there is one doctrine that you may disagree with, are you ever soothed by Watchtower’s words to continue to obey without question, or does it always nag the conscience; that is, if we exercise our God-given conscience? 

If the Governing Body, whom we remember is not inspired, can call itself with determination that it is the “faithful and discreet slave”; then according to scripture, it is a valid claim that anointed who are actually inspired, and who have experienced the “beating” by the Governing Body and their henchmen, can confidently address them, as the “evil slave”. 

Which anointed ones have God’s blessing? They are those who listen to, and can hear ,Jesus Christ, their true and only Master, through the guidance of Holy Spirit.  They are not the showy ones, not “prominent”, and not highly esteemed; but neither was Jesus.  Matt 25:40; James 2:2-4; 1 Cor 1:26-29

This split among the anointed ones; the segregation of those who love only truth in Christ from those who prefer the “new light” from an evil slave, was prophesied to occur during the last days.  2 Thess 2:1-12.  When an anointed one upholds Christ, the evil slave cannot tolerate such dissension.  They are disfellowshipped – spiritually “killed”. They suffer for their testimony of Christ.   Luke 22:31; Rev 13:7,10,15; Rev 12:17,11; Mark 10:29-31; John 12:25

“Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you.  Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed.  If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler.  But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in having that name.  For the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s household, (1 Pet 2:5; Eph 2:20-22; Heb 10:21)  and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?” 1 Pet 4:12-17