Witness

Hi Arauna, I enjoyed your post, as it is good to hear such words. I am very, very glad you are “sold” on the “ideology” that Christ taught. Isa 64 holds information as to why the prophet said what he did in verse 6. He goes on to say: “When You did awesome things for which we did not look, You came down, The mountains shook at Your presence.” Isa 64:3 “You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness, Who remembers You in Your ways. You are indeed angry, for we have sinned— In these ways we continue; And we need to be saved”. Isa 64:5 “But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand. Do not be furious, O Lord, Nor remember iniquity forever; Indeed, please look—we all are Your people! Your holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation. Our holy and beautiful temple, Where our fathers praised You, Is burned up with fire; And all our pleasant things are laid waste. Will You restrain Yourself because of these things, O Lord? Will You hold Your peace, and afflict us very severely?” Isa 64:8-12 The reason behind the filthiness of God’s people at the time was their fall into idolatry and the desecration of His temple. Isa 65:1-5, “ I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in a way that is not good, According to their own thoughts; A people who provoke Me to anger continually to My face; Who sacrifice in gardens, And burn incense (prayers) on altars of brick (idols made with hands); Who sit among the graves, (1 John 3:14; Jude 1:23) And spend the night in the tombs; Who eat swine’s flesh, And the broth of abominable things is in their vessels; Who say, ‘Keep to yourself, Do not come near me, For I am holier than you!’ These are smoke in My nostrils, A fire that burns all the day.” The sins were the result of God’s own people diverting from the true God; following their own suggestions and thoughts, which is false prophesy. By doing this, the spiritual food, (“broth”), offered by God’s chosen ones (vessels – Acts 9:15) was considered swine’s flesh in the sight of God – impure and an abomination to indulge in. Their eyes turned toward the work of their own hands as salvation. Do we see this with God’s people today? “Come to Jehovah’s organization for salvation”. Wt ‘81/11/15 p. 212 Is this not a hand crafted organization, the work of man’s own hands? The anointed ones are God’s Temple – the Body of Christ. While they have God’s laws written on their heart, they have become unable to understand them, as the avenue to their mediator, Christ,(who is everyone’s mediator) has been cut off, revoked, for fear of disobeying the GB. Do you see this? John 16:30; 1 John 2:20; Heb 8:10; 1 Cor 7:23 If we truly want to understand the ideology of Christ’s words, we learn that all that Christ taught is based on love, pure teachings and pure worship, as I see you are becoming aware of. The apostle Paul, Christ’s chosen one, taught that each member of the Body must uphold the other, the least is the greatest among them, they serve one another, and each one in faith cannot live without the other. 1 Cor 12:14-26; Matt 23:5-12; 1 Cor 6:15-17; Rev 3:12; Eph 2:20-22; Matt 25:40 This is the arrangement of the Temple, of which these anointed ones are - Mt. Zion - and the formation of New Jerusalem. Heb 12:22; Gal 4:26 Do you think it would be right for the organization to disfellowship those in Christ when disagreeing with the GB who follow their own suggestions, with a proven record of failing and are replacing suggestions with new ones as time goes by? Could this be a sign of desensitization? “In the past, we thought that the great tribulation began in 1914 when World War I started. We thought that Jehovah “cut short” those days in 1918 when the war ended so that the remaining anointed ones on earth could preach the good news to all nations. (Matthew 24:21, 22) After that preaching work would be completed, we EXPECTED that Satan’s world would be destroyed. So we thought that there were three parts to the great tribulation. It would begin in 1914, it would be interrupted in 1918, and it would finish at Armageddon.” “Tell Us, When Will These Things Be” ws13 7/15 pp. 3-8 Christ is everyone’s judge, not man. Rom 14:4; James 2:4; 4:12; 5:9 Should men decide they are holier than any disfellowshipped one? Do you see how the words, ‘Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’ describes shunning and disfellowshipping by the organization? Would you not consider this as desensitization? The philosophy of self-sacrificing love is not practiced by the anointed GB when they deem their brother in Christ as “spiritually dead” for rejection, not of Jesus’ words, but for the ideology of men, which is called doctrine. “For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.” 1 John 3;11,12 “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brotherabides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” 1 John 3:14,15 I certainly do believe God is a great forgiver, if we are repentant for our actions, but he does bring reproach upon those who stubbornly follow their own thoughts and ways and refuse to listen to His Son, even though it appears on the surface to be otherwise. 2 Cor 11:3,4; Matt 24:24; 2 Thess 2:1-4 Rev 18:4-8 I do hope you keep your focus on Christ’s teachings, even by starting with Matthew and reading through Revelation. Holy Spirit is available to all of us who are searching for that hid treasure within Christ’s own words. Who Is the Faithful Slave? - http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2013/04/who-is-slave.html

The picture below is found here, under the Examining the Scriptures Daily for August 30th; its inscription requires consideration. “Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea” 1 Cor 10:1,2 Moses was assigned directly by God to set free His people from the captivity of men, as well as bring them to repentance. Ex.6:6-8,12; 12:21,24,28,42. Today, the GB will not say they are inspired, although they claim to be the “channel” used by the Lord and guided by Holy Spirit. That faithful slave is the channel through which Jesus is feeding his true followers in this time of the end. It is vital that we recognize the faithful slave. Our spiritual health and our relationship with God depend on this channel.—W 13 7/15 In the wilderness with Moses, “all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.” 1 Cor 10:3,4 The Watchtower is making the proclamation that it’s feeding program is an identical situation as with Moses directing the Israelites. Comparisons: 1. While Moses was a prophet sent by God in which scripture clearly has defined for us, the Governing Body, uninspired, and presently not claiming to be prophets, announces it is the channel God uses as a “faithful and discreet slave” by referring to Matt 24:45-51, which speaks also of an evil slave who “beats his brothers” in Christ. Superiority should not exist within the Body of Christ, yet the GB thrives on it. Rom 12:3,6; Matt 23:12; 1 Cor 12:24-26; Matt 20:26,27; 1 Cor 4:7 2. God’s people in the wilderness were baptized into Moses; he became their mediator between God and the Israelites. Without this inspired, meek man to lead them out, they would have died in Egypt. Newcomers to the organization are baptized into the organization. (“Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization?”) By entering it, identifying with it, it is viewed as one’s salvation; thus, it has become the mediator between God and man, taking the place of Christ, our true mediator. Acts 4:12 From the es, 8/30: If we are to have Jehovah’s favor and blessing as individuals, we must support his organization and accept adjustments in our understanding of the Scriptures. Jesus, the Rock (unchanging, solid, firm, unmoving and like God, “his work is perfect”) blessed the Israelites through Moses with the same spiritual food to all in the wilderness; food that reflected God’s righteousness and truth. Deut 32:4 Jesus, who is truth, is taught as feeding those within the organization under continual changing teachings which is tradition, and welcomed; dispensed by the Governing Body, seven men who have aligned themselves with Moses leading the Israelites. Matt 23:1,2 While the Israelites received the food of perfection, the organization stumbles on blunders requiring adjustments in teachings. Jer 7:28; Rom 1:24,25 In regard to the comments on the picture below, can the fulfillment of the law by the arrival of Christ be used as an example of adjusting to necessary changes in the organization? On what level is there any resemblance when Watchtower teaching needing adjustment obviously was not truth to begin with? And is there really any comparison between what God provided the Israelites and what the organization provides today’s sheep? It wasn’t the spiritual nourishing food that fell short in Moses’ day, BUT THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES, by turning their back on God’s sustenance provided by the Rock through Moses. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” WT ‘90 11/1 p. 26 "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." An idol is an image, a representation of anything, or a symbol that is an object of passionate devotion.. (“All who remain loyal to Jehovah and his organization will have his continued blessing.” W14/5/15) ...whether material or imagined. Generally speaking, idolatry is the veneration, love, worship, or adoration of an idol. It is usually practiced toward a real or supposed higher power, whether such power is believed to have animate existence [as a human, an animal, or an organization) or is inanimate (as a force or lifeless object of nature –(the Watchtower exists as both animate and inanimate, as a “spirit directed organization”) ]. Idolatry generally involves some form, ceremony, or ritual. Insight Vol 1 “Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” Exod 32:1 How is the organization a “god” going before all? For such Scriptural promises to become realities for us as individuals, we must continue to make spiritual progress, moving ahead with God’s organization, always keeping pace with it. W 14/5/15 It is interesting how man has continually created a counterfeit mediator with its own tangible entity. Idolatry seeps in slowly, agreeably accepted in soothing comfort, while faith and loyalty to God becomes indistinct, unclear, and the idol (organization) and God are integrated into a new type of worship. This new mediator replaces the perfect truth, Christ, originally and directly from God, into man’s version of truth, a shifting format of new light (whitewash). The early apostle Paul spoke of finishing his race with joy, in Christ Jesus – not keeping pace alongside any other man made presence, but determined to faithfully serve his Master fully. Does the organization promote this? No, one MUST keep pace with IT. 2 Tim 4:7; Acts 20:24 Moses was replaced by a golden calf, Jesus is replaced by a worldly-wise organization and 7 men who, out of presumed righteousness and devoid of meekness, have designated themselves as “faithful and discreet”. “Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers (Strong’s G1703 - “false teachers”) will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts (“desire, craving, longing”) and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 2 Pet 3:1-4 "Our Lord, the appointed King, is now present since October 1874, A.D., according to the testimony of the prophets, to those who have ears to hear it: and the formal inauguration of his kingly office dates from Apr 1878, A.D." Studies in Scriptures Series IV (1897) p.621 "The Watchtower has consistently presented evidence to honest hearted students of Bible prophecy that Jesus’ presence in heavenly Kingdom power began in 1914. Events since that year testify to Jesus' invisible presence."Watchtower 1993 Jan 15 p.5 Does the evidence above show that Watchtower teaching has consistently presented the truth of Christ, when his proposed promised coming has been dissected, whitewashed (new light) and patched for the last 100 plus years? Ezek 13:10-15; James 1:17; John 14:6;2 Thess 2:2 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” Matt 19:21 Should we strike the word “me” and insert “the Watchtower organization”, thus blaspheme scripture? “ Nor let us commit sexual immorality,(“to act the harlot, to permit one's self to be drawn away by another into idolatry” Rev 17:1-5) as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, (“to put to proof God's character and power” Matt 4:7) as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. ” 1 Cor 10:8-10 “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. “1 Cor 10:11-13 The way of escape – Matt 11:28-30; John 14:5,6; Luke 17:31-37; Rev 3:18-22; Rev 18:4-8

And those pictures concerning Armageddon and how they are viewed in the eyes of a child? The book of Revelation is a symbolic book (Rev 1:1, Greek); Jesus destroys falsehoods with the "breath of his mouth" 2 Thess 2:8; Isa 11:4; Jer 5:14; Heb 1:7; 12:29 (Heb 4:12) “Is not My word like a fire?” says the Lord, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? Jer 23:29 I hope you had no part in creating these, JWI.

Thank you for your thoughts, JWInsider. My point is, however the Watchtower portrays Jesus, that is how the sheep imagine him. In the two varying quotes I used, Christ wearing the crown “served to highlight the issue at stake”; while in the other, Christendom is responsible for portraying Jesus with his face distorted in agony under a crown of thorns. Personally, I believe that the view of agony serves to highlight the issue. Considering all that he suffered, I doubt that even the present pictures of Jesus that you attached can be viewed as a valid depiction of the incident. Rightly though, we can only project by using scripture, what it may have been. You said, “There is nothing wrong with such a conjecture, because one should be careful about adding anything that might not be there.” Notice what you said in your initial post: There were a few things you could never do with Jesus. You couldn't give him even a hint of a hooked nose, and he always had straight hair, never curly (dark brown or black). You should make him "handsome" and with slightly above average muscles. We don't do this any more, but we used to avoid any pictures of blood and wounds after he was whipped or while on the stake. (See the picture in the Knowledge book for an example.) By 1978, we settled on a Bethelite as a "model" for Jesus' face and used that same general likeness for every picture for several years. Just a few years before, artists weren't allowed (for about 30 years) to give Jesus a beard . And that fact alone probably explains the problem with the crown of thorns, too. It makes Jesus look too much like the pictures that "Christendom" produces. Could leaving out a beard, or leaving out blood, be considered “adding” an opinion to the scene? Or showing barely a trickle of blood coming down from a crown of thorns pushed tightly onto Christ’s head, “adding” an opinion in the picture you show? Why is it that the Watchtower pictures of Armageddon sway to the other side of the pendulum, but showing the blood shed by Christ for us, is hidden? What about the visible statue of Jesus as solid and muscular? I have been acquainted with the father of that Bethelite model, in fact this news was spread many hundreds of miles, at the least. t was always said how handsome his son is, such a perfect choice to represent Jesus. Jesus’ glory while on earth was not reflected in his physical appearance, but in the spiritual. While you point out that great care is given to all accounts of his arrest and death; Isaiah gives a very clear picture of how he appeared and how he was judged: For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isa 53:2-6 With all of his wounds he suffered, the physical, emotional and spiritual, we must look upon, for by them we are healed. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Are these scriptures of Christ's humility and lowly appearance evident in the pictures you have attached? “I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting.” Isa 50:6 “ What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?” Matt 26:66-68 True, there is more than meets the physical eye in all that Christ suffered, yet the symbolism of the crown of thorns and all of his torture and persecution, led to to the glory he has received in the eyes of his Father, and should be evident in ours. We need to see the whole picture; we can obtain it from Christ himself. Should the Watchtower have such authority to sway the sheep by their own contrasting opinions in anything they teach and call it the proper food at the proper time? “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? “1 Cor 10:21,22 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor 10:31 (Mark 12:10,11; Ps 118:23) The Glory of Christ

Isn’t this called the “accounts report” in the kingdom hall, but on a monthly basis? I don’t believe the definition of tithing is limited to one individual, but can be projected to the entire congregation as a whole. On the May 2014 broadcast, Stephen Lett said, “We also have heard from Circuit Overseers and others that some of the brothers and sisters may have a misconception about some of the recent policy changes that have been instituted. For example, all congregations that had a Kingdom Hall or Assembly Hall loan to pay off were informed that their mortgages were cancelled. Now if you think about that it’s amazing, isn’t it? All their loans were cancelled. Can you imagine a bank telling homeowners that all their loans were cancelled and that they should merely send into the bank each month whatever they can afford? Only in Jehovah’s organization could such a thing happen!” Were they truly canceled? In the letter to the March 29, 2014 Letter to the congregations, it is said: Congregations and Assembly Halls will no longer be asked to repay a loan, and use of the separate contribution box labeled “Kingdom Hall Construction Worldwide” has been discontinued. Instead, all congregations will have the opportunity to support Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall construction worldwide by resolving to make a monthly donation from congregation funds. If individual publishers wish to donate specifically to support Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall construction worldwide, such donations will be accepted gladly and used wisely by the branch office. From now on, all funding for approved projects will be provided by the branch office from the funds that have been donated by you dear brothers and sisters. This resolve to make a monthly donation (tithe) takes on a different light from the quote above, as well as Stephen Lett’s words. The loans underwent a transformation. They are now called “resolved donations”, which continues long after a loan of the same amount would be paid off. Within the postscript of the letter directed to the elder body, it is said: This postscript should not be read to the congregation, and this letter should not be posted on the information board. After the reading of the letter, either a resolution should be presented to the congregation or the survey described below should be taken. The December 7, 2009, letter to all congregations should be removed from the congregation permanent file of policy letters and be destroyed. Updated congregation accounting instructions and forms will begin to be provided in May 2014. What amount should be used for this new resolved monthly donation? The elders in congregations currently making loan repayments would likely propose a resolution that is at least the same amount as the current monthly loan repayment, keeping in mind that donations will no longer be received from the “Kingdom Hall Construction Worldwide” contribution box. The elders in congregations without loans or those having standing resolutions to support Kingdom Hall construction worldwide should take a confidential survey of all publishers to determine the amount of the new resolution. For those who haven't seen the letter in its entirety, go here What about those congregations that had owned the kingdom hall outright under this new resolution? We have the Menlo Park, CA incident to see the struggle of elders bravely protecting their rights of property ownership, against such a demanding tithe; making these words, If individual publishers wish to donate specifically to support Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall construction worldwide, such donations will be accepted gladly", of no value. Menlo Park

Here's a few more, Holly “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Matt 5:11 "And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved." Matt 10:22 "Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also." John 15:20 "Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord,for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ. " Phil 3:8 "and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together" Rom 8:17 "For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh." 2 Cor 4:11

Thank you everyone – Holly, JWInsider, Melinda, and Eoin for your comments and for setting me aright as to the history of how Jesus is portrayed in the publications over the years. There is no indication that Jesus tried to remove that crown of thorns. It remained on his head, and that served to highlight the issue at stake. No one was to be left in doubt. w91 1/1 p. 9 “Look! The Man! Today the misrepresentation of Jesus continues. Most people picture Jesus as a babe in a manger or as a tragic figure nailed to a cross, with his face distorted in agony under a crown of thorns. Christendom’s clergy have encouraged such views. ip-2 chap. 14 p. 198 par. 11 What contrasting comments, leaving a reader who does any research, somewhat confused, I would think. So I ask, has the Watchtower now forgotten just how Christ was persecuted on our behalf? Would it not be the priority to make known ALL that he suffered in bringing us the gift of life? The chief priests balked at Pilate’s choice of words to be written and placed above the dying Jesus: And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center.19 Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.”’” Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” John 19:17-22 NKJV What else should be removed? We know the symbolic meaning of this crown is a major sign of persecution put upon Christ, mentally, emotionally and spiritually - an oppression forced down onto him; and through such, we see his resulting reliance on the Father. We can also see this through Paul’s words who suffered from a “thorn in the flesh”. Interestingly, it is Christ who is speaking to him, “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Cor 12:7-10 When looking at Christ’s example under such painful humiliation, we have a lesson to heed, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4 It is the thorn in the flesh that can makes us weak, if we allow it. When learning to walk by spirit, and not by the sight of which we can behold with our eye (as one’s supposed salvation), we become unmovable when attacked by the prideful ridicule of others. The blessing of grace is sufficient for us. Gal 5:16; Rom 8:14; Matt 26:41 “above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Eph 6:16 “But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.” 1 Thess 5:8 The persecution that Christ painfully bore in his weakness displayed the power of God upon his Son, and the crowning of his resulting glory. “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.” Heb 2:9 Each one us, in particular God’s anointed ones, must bear their own thorn in the flesh to magnify the power of Christ during the persecution the remnant experiences. Rev 9 speaks of a swarm of stinging locust that comes upon God’s anointed ones prior to their being “sealed”. Rev 9:1-11; 7:4 Although the Watchtower will say this locust swarm correlates with those in the “preaching work”, indeed it is a result of captivity to lies and the testing of one’s exclusive faith in God and Christ. The “star” that releases these scorpion locusts is not Christ, since Christ would never “fall” from his heavenly position; but those anointed in Christ, very well could. 2 Pet 1:10 “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Rev 2:10 (Luke 21:24; Col 2:8; Eph 6:12; Rev 13:10) "Tails" "Stingers" "Scorpions"

Corrections on scriptures: Isa 51:1-3 should be Isa 55:1-3; Rev 3:10 should be Rev 3:20; Matt 6:14 should be Matt 6:24. I hope that's all of them. So sorry.

There are many subtle ways to coerce money from the sheep in religions, and many forms of brainwashing. No, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not enforce a literal consistent monthly tithe, at least it isn’t called this. They do not pass a collection basket, but they do provide their own baskets in various forms. In order to promote donations, there are many options that the organization uses. Stephen Lett produced a very lengthy broadcast last year presenting the shortfalls and projections where donations were needed. Since that broadcast, changes have occurred in the organization making his projections somewhat false. Yet, I remember reading a comment where a member, whom had heard this broadcast, felt in her heart that she had to cut back even further in her budget to give, eliminating the families few recreational activities and cutting back further on the food budget. Is this not underhanded coercion? A brochure has been produced outlining how one can sign over inheritances, real estate, put the Watchtower in one’s will, etc. This has far greater ramifications than passing a basket. Credit card machines have become handy to make one’s donation, and through this, a record of the donator is made; no longer is an anonymous giving the main possibility. One can donate through their website, and another universal record becomes apparent, especially with the option to “create a recurring donation”. How is this any different than tithing, then filling out an envelope with one’s name on it? Yet it is no different as it can give access to one’s bank account. There is no possibility of knowing the breakdown of where one’s money is used by the organization, whereas if we were to feed the needy at our own will, we would have complete control over the use of our money, and surely God would love that cheerful giver. Matt 6:3,4 – “ But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly” In the November 11, 2016 Wt, a full page reminder has once again been placed before the eyes of the sheep showing the plentiful ways to donate, plentifully. Many today “set something aside,” or budget an amount of money, and place it in the congregation contribution box labeled “Worldwide Work.” (1 Cor. 16:2) Each month, congregations forward these contributions to the office of Jehovah’s Witnesses that serves their country. It is also possible for you to send donations directly to a legal entity that is used by Jehovah’s Witnesses in your country. To learn the name of the primary legal entity used by Jehovah’s Witnesses in your country, please contact the branch office. The address can be found on www.jw.org. The types of donations that you can send directly are the following: OUTRIGHT DONATIONS ˙ Donations via electronic bank transfer, debit card, credit card, or mobile money transfer. In some branches this is also possible using jw.org or another designated website. ˙ Donations of cash, jewelry, or other valuable personal property. Include a letter indicating that the cash or the item is an outright donation. CONDITIONAL DONATION ARRANGEMENT ˙ Donations of cash with the condition that it can be returned if needed by the donor. ˙ Include a letter stating that the donation is conditional. CHARITABLE PLANNING In addition to gifts of money and valuable personal property, there are other methods of giving to bene- fit Kingdom service worldwide. These are listed below. Regardless of the method or methods you would like to use, please first contact the branch office that serves your country to see which methods are available. Since legal requirements and tax laws vary, it is important to consult qualified tax and legal advisers before choosing the best way to donate. Insurance: A donation made by specifying an entity used by Jehovah’s Witnesses as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy or a retirement/pension plan. Bank Accounts: Bank accounts, certificates of deposit, or individual retirement accounts set up as a trust or made payable on death to an entity used by Jehovah’s Witnesses in accord with local bank requirements. Stocks and Bonds: Stocks and bonds donated to an entity used by Jehovah’s Witnesses as an outright gift or by means of a written agreement to transfer on death. Real Estate: Salable real estate donated to an entity used by Jehovah’s Witnesses, either by making an outright gift or, in the case of residential property, by reserving a life estate to the donor, who can continue to live in the residence during his or her lifetime. Gift Annuity: Money or securities donated to an entity used by Jehovah’s Witnesses under an arrangement where the donor receives a specified annuity payment every year for life. The donor may receive an income-tax deduction for the year in which the gift annuity is established. Wills and Trusts: Property or money may be bequeathed to an entity used by Jehovah’s Witnesses by means of a legally executed will or by specifying the entity as the beneficiary of a trust agreement. This arrangement may provide certain tax advantages. As the term “charitable planning” implies, these types of donations typically require some planning on the part of the donor. To assist individuals desiring to benefit the worldwide work of Jehovah’s Witnesses through some form of charitable giving, a brochure entitled Charitable Planning to Benefit Kingdom Service Worldwide has been prepared. The brochure, available in English and Spanish, was written to provide information on a variety of ways that gifts may be made now or later, such as through a bequest at death. The information covered in this brochure may not apply fully to your situation because of tax laws or other laws in your country. By using such methods of charitable giving, many have helped to support our religious and humanitarian activities worldwide and maximize tax benefits. If available in your country, the brochure may be obtained by requesting a copy from the secretary of the local congregation. For more information, select the link “Make a Donation to Our Worldwide Work” at the bottom of the home page on jw.org, or contact the branch office. HOW SOME CHOOSE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE WORLDWIDE WORK Have they missed any opportunity to collect money - to “set something aside”, which is a tithe? These suggestions to give are far greater in value than a “tenth of one’s belongings” required under the law covenant and arranged by God. The organization operates on money, and lots of it. I use to say while in the organization, we receive free, we give free. It has become blatantly apparent that the organization cannot say this; instead, one bequeaths the larger chunk of the monetary value a person owns in exchange for being known as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Believing in Jesus Christ is taking in life’s water free, and freely giving it to the hearer. Anything, any religion that requires money to operate in Satan’s world is not of God. Matt 6:14 - “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Mammon means money. One’s loyalty in the organization comes apparent when following the donation arrangement outlined above. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matt 6:19-21 Christ did warn us of oppressive wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing. Would these wolves always be visible through their outlandish actions, or could they appear as an “angel of light”; as humble, speaking smooth words and lulling one into a peaceful state? 1 Thess 5:3; Jer 8:11; Ezek 13:1-23 Could they create an open door by saying it is salvation, using both God and Jesus’ words to win over the unsusceptible one? Jesus explained that this would happen. “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” John 10:1-5 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. John 10:7 How much clearer can this be understood? Does this leave any room for man to sculpt a “door”, and call it salvation; which is alternatively, calling it “Christ” who is our salvation? Not only is the organization considered salvation, but every word heard from the “faithful and discreet slave” is necessary to “obey” and heed for the sake of our salvation from anointed ones standing in for Christ; not as ambassadors, but as Christ himself, who is our true mediator between God and man. 2 Cor 5:20 But we are acting against Jehovah’s purpose if we do not obey the faithful and discreet slave or if we choose to obey only what we think is important. W 11/7/15 On the other hand, if we minimized the Bible-based counsel that we receive through the faithful and discreet slave class, choosing to follow an independent course, we would be placing ourselves at odds with God’s unfolding purpose. W 11/7/15 “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconcilingthe world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” (not to be the reconciliation, or the mediator) 2 Cor 5:18,19 Acts 4:12 - And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Would it be considered an independent course to willingly follow Jesus? Do we follow what we see physically, or do we follow the scriptural words leading to Christ? “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Col 3:1,2 “All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. “ Are we to be condemned if we follow Christ explicitly and not follow an earthly run corporation needing our money to survive – our livelihood? Isn’t it incredible to think that the extensive outlining of options to give, makes the organization run? If Holy Spirit were truly spearheading the “preaching work”, what need would there be to bring financial woes to the table as Stephen Lett did, or produces ingenious ways to donate? “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. Jesus can give life abundantly to any who follow him. It isn’t a requirement to become another identity, other than the identity of being Christ’s sheep; subsequently a true witness of our Father in heaven. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” John 10:11-13 The “hired hands” are false shepherds, and in the organization there are many known as the elder body. Would they protect anyone who desires to enter the true “door”, being Christ, completely? No, they would allow the “wolf” to devour them with written decrees of oppression experienced while under false shepherds, and disfellowshipping, when one desires to exit the false door claiming salvation. Jer 8:8 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Acts 20:29 Paul was speaking of those within the anointed Body of Christ, those “among” them, who have fabricated this alternative door to salvation, and posing as the Christ. Jesus called them “false prophets”, wearing sheep’s clothing with a belly hungry to destroy. Matt 7:15 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand.” “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.” Matt 24:23-28 A desert can be a wasteland where one finds miles of sand, good soil for producing a crop is not there, and life is scant. Matt 7:26,27 Water is sparse in this environment; symbolically, Jesus is showing that the living water and bread from Christ cannot be found in such an environment, but only through him. John 7:38; 6:35; Amos 8:11; Matt 24:7 The “inner rooms”: Strong’s - αμεῖον tameîon, tam-i'-on; neuter contraction of a presumed derivative of ταμίας tamías (a dispenser or distributor; akin to τέμνω témnō, to cut); a dispensary or magazine, i.e. a chamber on the ground-floor or interior of an Oriental house (generally used for storage or privacy, a spot for retirement):—secret chamber, closet, storehouse. Additionally, the Bible-based publications of the faithful and discreet slave class provide spiritual food in the spiritual paradise. W 04/10/15 He has made it possible for honest hearted ones to move out of the wicked world, figuratively speaking, and into the spiritual paradise that he has created. W 11/1/15 “So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:7-10 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14,15 “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.” Isa 51:1-3 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Rev 3:10 Daily Bread

Hello Queen Esther, You may have misunderstood my comment (of which I believe is an option under the daily text) as just that, and not a question. These words, “They were to sound forth the praises of the One they represented and publicly glorify his name. They were to be courageous witnesses for Jehovah, the Universal Sovereign, “to the most distant part of the earth” are misleading. If we are to glorify the name of God, we do so by glorifying his Son. God’s priesthood is unable to fulfill this assignment given them, which is, as pointed out in the above text, – “that you should declare abroad the excellencies’ of the One who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” The “One” who called us out of darkness is Jesus Christ, under direction from the Father! Is there any mention of this in the daily text? No, but the scriptures clarify it prior to 1 Pet 2:9,10 “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. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame”] Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone, and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. 1 Pet 2:4-8 “He is precious” – “valued (figuratively):—dear, more honourable, precious, in reputation.” If the organization acknowledges this, why is he not even given an “honorable mention”? They were to be courageous witnesses for Jehovah, the Universal Sovereign, “to the most distant part of the earth.Acts 1:8 What does Acts 1:8 really say? Acts 1:8 - But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me (Jesus) in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 2:32 – “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses”. John 5:32 - There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true. Could Jesus be a “stone of stumbling” in the organization? If his name is not mentioned, then yes, he is. God’s priesthood stumbles through their own disobedience to God’s word, a stumbling through their choice to follow men and not Christ. These actions despise God’s name, nor do they give praise to His Son by following man’s precepts. “A son honors his father, And a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honor? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the Lord of hosts To you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’ “You offer defiled food on My altar, But say, ‘In what way have we defiled You?’ By saying, ‘The table of the Lord is contemptible.’ It is not good enough to accept God’s guidance – his precepts; instead men have elbowed in to demand obedience to their precepts, of which change continually. And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, Is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, Is it not evil? By closing the spiritual eyes of those who are to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise in truth through Christ, through the suppression of the Body by the continual demand for obedience, what is offered is unacceptable to the Father. Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?” Says the Lord of hosts. The fruit to come from the lips representing Christ is to be pure, not moldy or blemished. Heb 13:15,16; Col 1:10; Eph 5:9; James 3:17 But as we can see through the Watchtower quote above, it certainly is blemished. If an apple is wormy, blighted or bruised, can we change it to be perfect and edible? No, we toss it out before eating it. Matt 7:15-20 To force one into eating blemished teachings is men placing a burden on the shoulders of the listeners. Matt 23:4 Christ never taught in this way; but admonished each one of us to search for the pure and good fruit. His burden is light, never changing and by it, what we learn from him we consistently build upon. Matt 11:27-30 God’s name will be sanctified, but not through the organization. For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered to My name, And a pure offering; For My name shall be great among the nations,” Says the Lord of hosts. “But you profane it, In that you say, ‘The table of the Lord is defiled; And its fruit, its food, is contemptible.’ 13 You also say, ‘Oh, what a weariness!’ And you sneer at it,” Says the Lord of hosts. The organization has set in place their own precepts to be followed instead of God’s – such a weariness it seems, to follow Christ as the source of good fruit. It has become too difficult for his “priests” to exert themselves for their Master, but so easy to follow men and to continually gulp down unacceptable fruit from a handful who claim to be uninspired one year, then inspired the next. “And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick; Thus you bring an offering! Should I accept this from your hand?” Says the Lord. “But cursed be the deceiver Who has in his flock a male, And takes a vow, ( a vow through baptismal questions,including dedicating oneself to the organization in name and actions, thus....) But sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished— For I am a great King,” Says the Lord of hosts, “And My name is to be feared among the nations.” All scriptures above are from Malachi 1. Those in the organization are kept busy serving up blemished dishes to others. Although it truly is a busy work, the real direction of exerting oneself through the narrow gate has been removed. Matt 7:13,14 This gate is Christ (John 10:9); to get through it, one’s reliance must be focused solidly on Christ and the Father only. This is when the authentic and valuable work begins. Mal 3:2,3 “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. 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. “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.” Mal 2:7-9 John 14:6; Rom 8:1,2; 1 Pet 2:8 Each priest and all sheep will be judged for their individual actions toward Christ, not toward a group of men who have exalted themselves before Christ has arrived. Mal 3:13-15; 2:17 “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” 1 John 3:3 Where do those in the organization put their hope - in men and the organization, or in Jesus Christ? We also love the organization that Jehovah uses to teach us wonderful truths.... It was Jehovah’s organization that taught us about Jehovah’s name and what it means, his purpose for the earth, what happens to us when we die, and the hope of the resurrection. W 11/7/15 It makes me want to share our hope with them, for I’m sure it’s only because of Jehovah and his organization that we’ve come through this dark time as well as we have, knowing that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. G 8/10 “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire And like launderers’ soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the Lord An offering in righteousness. 4 “Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem Will be pleasant to the Lord, As in the days of old, As in former years. 5 And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness Against sorcerers, Against adulterers, Against perjurers, Against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, And against those who turn away an alien— Because they do not fear Me,” Says the Lord of hosts. 6 “For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. 7 Yet from the days of your fathers You have gone away from My ordinances And have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” Says the Lord of hosts. “But you said, ‘In what way shall we return?’ Mal 3:2-7 The way is through Christ, who is the refiner. “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” Rev 3:18-21 http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2014/04/keep-awake.html?m=1

This holy priesthood is, of course, the Body of Christ made up of all anointed ones. Both Acts 1:8 and Col. 1:23 show how each one is to use the power of Holy Spirit given them to preach the message of Jesus Christ, continuing in the faith of Jesus Christ, thus being “grounded and steadfast, not moved away from the gospel which you heard”, said the apostle Paul. Is this true in the organization? Are they able to use their availability to the Holy Spirit and at the same time obey the GB? “They (the anointed ones) know that Jehovah does not necessarily give anointed ones more holy spirit than he gives his other servants. And they do not feel that they can understand Bible truths more deeply than anyone else.” Wt 1/2016 I would like to know what an anointed one thinks of this statement – a chosen one by God who received an anointing of Holy Spirit at a particular time; a physical and spiritual event unlike any other that this one has experienced. The apostles felt it, all that were anointed at the time felt the power of Holy Spirit, and down through the ages. Is it any different today? No! 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. “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” John 14:25,26 “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” Col 1:9,10 What is different, is that an evil slave has decided to “beat” his fellow slaves, God’s chosen ones in Christ, by demanding silence through teaching only what is written, and demanding that changed doctrine be swallowed down without complaint. Why does this evil slave turn on his brothers? Because he says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ What other group of anointed ones but the GB has continually changed the date of Christ’s coming? He “begins to eat with drunkards”. God explains: But they also have erred through wine, And through intoxicating drink are out of the way; The priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink, They are swallowed up by wine, They are out of the way through intoxicating drink; They err in vision, they stumble in judgment. For all tables are full of vomit and filth; No place is clean. Isa 28:7,8 “In the past, we thought that the great tribulation began in 1914 when World War I started. We thought that Jehovah “cut short” those days in 1918 when the war ended so that the remaining anointed ones on earth could preach the good news to all nations. (Matthew 24:21, 22) After that preaching work would be completed, we expected that Satan’s world would be destroyed. So we thought that there were three parts to the great tribulation. It would begin in 1914, it would be interrupted in 1918, and it would finish at Armageddon.” “Tell Us, When Will These Things Be” ws13 7/15 pp. 3-8 Yet still, God’s chosen ones and all sheep must obey what is taught - what is thought as right in the space of time. “Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts? For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little, That they might go and fall backward, and be broken And snared and caught.” Isa 28:9,10 What are we to obey, but God’s laws as outlined by Christ? In the NKJV, this word for precept means - “command, ordinance, oracle (meaning dubious)”, while the Hebrew word translated precept in Ps 119:4 means “properly, appointed, i.e. a mandate (of God; plural only, collectively, for the Law):—commandment, precept, statute.” Clearly, the GB burden the sheep with their own precepts instead of those from God’s, as erring ones of the past did also. Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, Because he willingly walked by human precept. Hos 5:11 Are such changed teachings evidence of the power of Holy Spirit within these men? Are they grounded and steadfast in the gospel? If they were, would there be any reason to rethink set dates surrounding a set belief in 1914, the supposed arrival of Christ? “Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you scornful men, Who rule this people who are in Jerusalem, (New Jerusalem, spiritual “Jews”) Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol we are in agreement. When the overflowing scourge passes through, It will not come to us, For we have made lies our refuge, And under falsehood we have hidden ourselves.”

JWInsider, do you have a comment? I have read some of your reasoning and find it "perceptive". Artists usually have this quality.

Thank you for your answer, Melinda. Not to be contentious, but there has to be an underlying reason. They only stripped Christ of his cloak. Does JWInsider have perceptive powers?

This was a brief speculation made on another forum, but got me thinking about why it must be so. In all pictures of Christ when dying, he is depicted in the Watchtower magazines without the crown of thorns. I believe I have not run across this in any other such drawn description of the time of Jesus' dying and death. There appears to be no scriptural reason behind its removal. What is the reason?

Hi Holly, I thought you might be interested in this article concerning new changes outlined in the 11/2016 Watchtower. here Jesus is barely mentioned throughout the magazine. There are quotes such as this one, which is particularly troubling: Love for God and neighbor and the urgency of the Kingdom-preaching work move God’s people “to come forward . . . with a gift in hand for Jehovah” by making voluntary donations. How thrilling it is to “honor Jehovah with [our] valuable things” and to see how such resources are used faithfully and discreetly to do the greatest work in human history!—Prov. 3:9 Besides guilting one into thinking we show love to our neighbor by supporting a corporation supposedly leading one to life, holding out one’s full palm of earthly valuable things toward the “faithful and discreet slave” contradicts the teachings of Christ. Didn’t he overturn the tables of the money changers? Money changers were basically bankers. Obviously, Jesus was not convinced they were faithful or discreet with the people’s money. “And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten[a] Me up.” John 2:14-17 Matt 21:12-13 - Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 3 And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves. ‘” The use of Prov 3:9 to promote the giving of one’s “valuable things” to the organization is ironic. The chapter goes on to say, Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her. Prov 3:13-18 Wisdom is found in the Word, Jesus Christ, and will further be found in his complete Bride in God’s Kingdom. This leads us back to where our faith should lie, and where we store our “treasure”, our “valuable things”. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matt 6:19-21 Jesus also said, “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” John 6:27 I hope this becomes clear to JWs. Our heart’s motivation can be either in the faith, in Christ; or we can have faith in an organization already filled with earthly treasures. We can’t have it both ways. Matt 6:24 By giving money to the organization, the “money changers” then “sell” their spiritual goods to the hearer. A spiritual corrupt commerce is evident. It is an alarming fact that the beasts of Revelation, work together to support such a spiritual fornication. Rev 13: 11,15,17 Testing whether we are in the faith, in Christ, can be determined by the source of our spiritual sustenance. Do we procure it free from Christ, or must it be purchased through the organization? “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see” Rev 3:18 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. Rev 21:6 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. Rev 22:17 “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. Isa 55:1,2 Christ is the bread of life given freely to those who listen. The Watchtower sells tainted teachings, otherwise known in the bible as wormwood. Amos 5:7; Jer 23:15; Rev 8:11 http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2014/12/wormwood-armageddon-false-prophet.html

Here is another WT quote: “The faith” is the body of Christian beliefs revealed in the Bible. If our words and actions match those beliefs, then we pass the test and show that we are“in the faith.” Of course, we must also compare our lives with the entire scope of Christian teaching. We cannot pick and choose which parts we will follow.—Jas. 2:10, 11. w/14/3/15 pp 12-16 I’m wondering why the NWT says, “that Jesus Christ is in union with you”. Up to 50 other translations that I’ve seen say, “that Jesus Christ is in you”. Have the translators added the word “union”? Yes, they did. I checked the Watchtower word for word Greek Interlinear and it isn’t there. So, why would this be, and does it matter? If I compare the NWT with the NKJV… "Keep testing whether you are in the faith; keep proving what you yourselves are. Or do you not recognize that Jesus Christ is in union with you? Unless you are disapproved". “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you are disqualified.” NKJV ...I do see a subtle yet suggestive connotation in the NWT. Jesus Christ our Savior is seen at more of an elementary, or eye level, and not necessarily the spiritual. The NKJV shows the spiritual power of Christ, by his choosing to reside within us, which is the submitting of ourselves to his authority. The outline of Christ’s authority in the NWT doesn’t appear as well marked as the NKJV, but this is just my opinion. Having the faith, or being in the faith, is focused on Jesus being within us. We can fail at being “qualified” to experience this, according to the scripture. Paul invited his listeners to find his own confidence of being in Christ, as sure (2 Cor 13:6) 2 Cor 13:3 explains why: “since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.” The bible does give us direction on how to pass this test, which is being “rooted and grounded in love”, accepting the power of Holy Spirit, and not “shifting” our understanding of what the bible hope is. “ if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.” Col 1:23 (Eph 3:17,19,20; 4:13; John 14:23; Rom 8:10,9) Paul went on to say, “For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.” 2 Cor 13:8 By keeping our focusing on Christ as truth, any of our actions against this truth would cause us to fail the test. John 14:6 “Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoicein hope of the glory of God.” Rom 5:2 If Christ is our focus, our total focus, which allows us to pass this test of being in the faith, and in Christ, where do the following words fit? Faith helps us to see Jehovah as the one directing his earthly organization. W 01/6/15 pp 18-23 To survive, we must keep our faith strong and loyally worship Jehovah with his organization. ws14 5/15 pp. 21-26 Their faith in and love for Jehovah and his organization were to be put to the test. yb09 pp. 142-255 How has reviewing the account of Korah strengthened your faith in Jehovah’s visible organization? w02 8/1 pp. 9-14 Is it even possible to see the importance of the test of being in the faith, and in Jesus Christ, in those quotes? How did our faith in Christ and ultimately in the Father broaden to include an organization, something devised by man? Where is Jesus in these three quotes? It is said, “to survive” one must keep faith in the organization. Did Jesus teach this? Luke 10:25-28; John 14:6; 6:35,51; 7:38 Does the gospel say this? John 1:4; 2 Pet 1:3; Col 3:3; Rom 5:21, etc. Has there been a shift in the “entire scope of Christian teaching” – words mentioned in the WT quote above? Has the WT picked through the gospel and chose its own parts to follow? Could this not be considered corroding the testing of one’s faith by bringing into view an organization that one must rely on, and have faith in, instead of the pure hope in Christ, which is what all the apostles needed? Is this how one gauges whether they are in the faith, by putting one’s hope in what men promise, and not Jesus Christ? And if someone in the organization desires to pass the test of whether they are in the faith, could they be expelled for solidly placing their faith in Christ, as Paul did, and not in any organization? Col 1:23 says in order to continue in the faith we cannot shift away from the “hope of the gospel which you had heard”. Col 1:23 If we do, we have failed the test and Christ is not in us. We must continue in the same hope that Paul spoke of so long ago. “For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” Gal 1:11,12 “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servantof Christ Gal 1:10 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” Gal 1:6,7 “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.” Gal 1:8 “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism” Eph 4:4,5 http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2014/12/it-is-marvelous-in-our-eyes.html

This is a good topic that seems to have gotten buried, but thought I’d give you a few thoughts on it. (sorry, they have come to be more than few) Joshua represented the remnant of God’s chosen people and priesthood who had fallen gravely into the sin, including idolatry. The use of the word, “log” in the NWT seems rather awkward; Strong’s defines it as, “from an unused root meaning to rake together; a poker (for turning or gathering embers):—(fire-) brand.” In the account, Satan accuses them; while Christ stands as the Angel of the Lord and their advocate. And the LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” Zech 3:2 Another reference where this analogy is used is in Amos 4:11 The account in Zech 3 shows the cleansing from sin directed toward the repentant remnant by their donning new garments, a new identity: “Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel.4 Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.”5 And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head. “So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the Lord stood by. The prophetic words following these, show that by walking completely in God’s laws, his people become “symbolic of things to come” with the coming of Christ, and is the present situation with God’s chosen priesthood. Zech 3:8-10 “Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, (Matt 24:42; Luke 12:37) Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,” Says the Lord of hosts. “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire And like launderers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the Lord An offering in righteousness. Mal 3:1-3 (4-7) The cleansing of the priesthood comes upon them because of conditions present among God’s people, as has always been the case. For the sake of God’s holy name, a remnant is purified and cleansed from all defilement. Ezek 36:22; Dan 12:1; Zech 3:2-4; (Rev 19:8) Zech 2:12; Rev 9:14 Walking into the WT organization does not signify the result of this cleansing, but rather, it represents a time of discipline God “sends” on his people. God’s priesthood is lulled into a sense of “peace and security” (Micah 3:5,11; Jer 8:11; 1 Thess 5:3; Rev 3:2,3), and readily allow others to rule over them. Dan 11:36; 2 Thess 2:4; Matt 24:24; Ezek 11:12; 8:10; Matt 24:15; Micah 6:16; 22;30; Dan 7:21,25; Rev 13:7; 9:4,5,10 It is from that state of stupor that a remnant awakes, becoming like a “brand” is snatched from the fire. “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Eph 5:8-14 (Jude 1:20-23) Any false doctrine that God’s chosen ones tolerate – false doctrine as either “new light” or interpretations based on man’s assumptions and rule, is spiritual fornication. Rev 17:2; 18:3; 1 Cor 6:15,16 Only for the sake of God’s name does he cut short this deception, otherwise “no flesh would be saved”. Matt 24:22; 2 Thess 2:4,9; Rev 12:9; 13:11,14; 14:8 Luke 13:23,24; 1 Pet 4:18; Rom 9:29; Isa 1:9; 10:21,22; Ezek 17:22; Psalm 72:16 “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” Eph 2:1-5 Our identity is signified by where our loyalty and devotion lies. The WT expects one at baptism to literally accept the identity of a “Jehovah’s Witness” with the WT organization, and that identity is seen through actions of service toward the organization and acceptance of all teachings. Matt 6:24 Could this be considered the same as donning white robes, clean of all defilement, since the WT teaches it is a “spiritual paradise”? It cannot be when the organization is established in the world belonging to Satan, and having access to all of Satan’s tools. Nothing in Satan’s world is clean and acceptable to our unchanging God. God’s priesthood of anointed ones must wake up and “buy” this refinement now from Christ, not on the presumed timetable of man. "So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see." (Rev.3:18) By following completely in the path of Christ, this refinement comes with a price, “death” for truth. Rev 6:9-11 If we boldly claim our stand for the truth in Christ, this “death” is at the hands of the elder body (Rev 11:7) who received authority to disfellowship from the false prophet/harot/wicked steward. Rev 13:15 Great Tribulation http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2013/02/still-editing-comment-which-was-left.html

This appears to be the case. The Charity Commission has legal right to inquire the WT's charity status on the grounds of safeguarding the public. This has been going on for a few years. How WT "rights" play against the legal rights of the Charity Commission and its greater concern will be interesting to see. https://jwvictims.org/the-uk-charity-commission-inquiry-into-jehovahs-witnesses-and-an-open-letter-to-victims/

Today's news from the guardian, UK: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/aug/12/jehovahs-witnesses-under-pressure-over-handling-of-sexual-abuse-claims Words to the Governing Body: "I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers!" 1 Cor 6:5-8

Here are few more, Ann. KINGDOM MINISTRY 11/90 p. 1 - 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." WT981/11/15 p. 212 “Come to Jehovah’s organization for salvation” MAKE SURE OF ALL THINGS, pg 323 – Righteous flee to God’s Mountain-like Organization” Isa 57:13 – “When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you! The wind will carry all of them off, a breath will take them away. But whoever takes refuge in Me will inherit the land and possess My holy mountain.”

Hi SonOfcaleb, I heard a Witness say once, that there was no truth to be found on the internet except jwdotorg. It is a concept and a symbol and very visual when seen on each kingdom hall. It suggests the idea that it is the source of truth, or truth. It has become a major avenue of the organization, which is considered "the truth". Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted-you may well put up with it! 2 Cor 11:3-4 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

"So, does Jehovah have a prophet to help them, to warn them of dangers and to declare things to come? These questions can be answered in the affirmative. Who is this prophet? . . . This "prophet" was not one man, but was a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah's Christian witnesses . . . Of course, it is easy to say that this group acts as a "prophet" of God. It is another thing to prove it," (Watchtower, Apr. 1, 1972, p. 197).

Your obscured ideology about salvation therefore is flawed by the misapplication of scripture My salvation is through Christ. The name, Watchtower Organization, claims this salvation is through them. Is this what you believe? And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 I guess that’s why, he didn’t consider himself as the wise servant, because he was learning alongside every other Bible Student Association Russel said, “The Lord at the time indicated would especially use one member of his church as the channel or instrument through which he would send the appropriate messages.” WT, April 15. 1904, p. 125. “the Watch Tower unhesitatingly proclaims brother Russell as the faithful and wise servant.” WT 3/1/1917 p.6049 I am sure Russel approved of this second remark, someone deemed as a faithful slave who taught misconceptions based on pyramidology and failed dates. If one is led by erring shepherds continually, and expected to change one’s perceived “truth” to fit a new understanding which is then later replaced with “truth”, the mouth that speaks in this way is held accountable. “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matt 12:36,37 Christ and the Body of Christ are the only “religion” that God approves. Col 2:18-23 In order for the God’s anointed ones to be accepted as pure and blameless and undefiled, do you think they can do this successfully in God’s eyes by tolerating lies? A lie is a lie, and the WT has said plenty of them. Today, the new generation teaching is taught as truth, in order to uphold the lie of 1914. Can one be considered pure and blameless, holy and righteous, found without fault, by: accepting the lie that salvation comes from something built by man as on the same par as salvation in God himself and his Son, then regurgitating these lies to unsuspecting ones, tolerating hidden child abuse cases resulting in sheep being shunned for witnessing against an “approved” elder, who denies such an act in order to protect an “image”, AND others support him, allowing an elder body to expect obedience to them and not one’s only Head who is Christ? If we try to calculate the excuses for the scriptural reasons the GB has for a disarrayed bunch of changed documents on child abuse and how to deal with it, or how the organization is run, we lose sight of the Bible principle of love and how to apply it. Bible principles become clear if we rely on Holy Spirit. (Ps 119:33-37 below) The false priesthood elder body have been convinced that they are guided by Holy Spirit and can confidently make wise choices. Their track record shows otherwise. Because God’s authentic priesthood is “trampled”, so too, is any source of spirit through Christ. Luke 9:35 There will never be success in protecting the sheep in the organization since love does not reside in darkness. Mark 12:30,31; John 8:12; 1 John 1:6 The organization teaches little knowledge of the Body of Christ; its purpose as a priesthood is obscured. These chosen ones’ servitude toward God is nonexistent through enforced silence by a wicked slave, thus the “Temple” lays in ruins as they allow those “uncircumcised” in heart to determine their actions, even judging their supposed spiritual outcome. Ezek 44:7,9; Rom 2:29; 1 Cor 12:12,18; Eph 4:4,16; 2:21; 1 Pet 2:5 God has allowed Satan to fabricate this captive affliction. Rev 13:10; Isa 51:14; John 8:32,36; Col 2:8; Rom 6:16 Each heart is sifted as either acceptable or unacceptable, and only a remnant will be saved. Amos 7:1-9 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31,32 This sifting “discloses the purpose of the heart”, the desires of the natural man versus the spiritual man. 1 Cor 4:5; Eph 2:3 Your convention this summer stressed loyalty, to both the organization that you serve and to God. And yes, the JWs serve the purpose of the organization. Is this acceptable to the Father? “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Matt 6:24 Mammon – money. Could the WT operate without money? No, and it is your money that it operates on. Its words to remain loyal to the organization by one’s servitude flies in the face of this scripture. Can you see the true bible principle here? Loyalty given the organization is idolatry. “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, (1 Cor 3:16,17) proclaiming himself to be God. (Dan 11:36,37; 8:11,24,25) Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. (Heb 4:12; Eph 6:17; Jer 23:29) The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. (Rev 16:13-15) Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thess 2:1-12 You are aware of the history of the organization. You are aware that in light of all the evidence of changed doctrine, failed dates for Armageddon, and the generation teaching constantly changing due to “a letter seemingly from us” (from anointed ones), “to the effect that the day of the Lord has come”, the organization is still preached as “the truth”. What a mockery this is to God. Ezek 12:25; Deut 18:22; Mal 3:6; Isa 40:25 This strong delusion can set concretely, unmovable in the heart, or make one absolutely delirious when realizing that TRUTH is found only through Jesus Christ. The organization is not THE TRUTH, but instead, is THE LIE that we can choose to take pleasure in…and serve. There is no leeway in God’s eyes concerning righteousness, unrighteousness, light and darkness. Rev 3:15,16 We can’t have both and be found acceptable to God. Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, And I shall keep it to the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way. Ps 119:33-37 This “sifting” begins when entering the organization and submitting oneself to a wicked slave who receives spirit from the Father of the Lie. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. Rev 16:13 A frog begins as an egg, turns into a tadpole, then to a frog. The WT can captivate with a bit of truth, but as time progresses, this “truth” changes steadily, eventually becoming solid in the lie, that is still accepted as truth. This can determined through “new light” doctrine; it can be determined by the assumption we have the "truth" when indeed it is the "lie". From Satan’s “breath” the power of deceit is given the GB and the beast/” spirit-directed organization” which is then freely mouthed as truth. Rev 13:15-17; Rev 12:15 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth (Rev 1:6) and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Rev 16:14 God sent a plague of frogs on Egypt; in the time of the end, he “sends” a spiritual plague on another “Egypt” where God’s people are held captive to a lying organization requiring one’s identity. Rev 11:7-10; 2 Chron 18:20-22; Ezek 14:9,10; 2 Thess 9:9-12 “For behold, I will command, and shake the house of Israel among all the nations as one shakes with a sieve, but no pebble shall fall to the earth. All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, who say, ‘Disaster shall not overtake or meet us.’ “In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old, that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by my name,” declares the Lord who does this. Amos 9:9-12 “The Lord will utterly destroy the tongue of the Sea of Egypt; With His mighty wind He will shake His fist over the River, And strike it in the seven streams, And make men cross over dry-shod.” Isa 11:15 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. Rev 16:2 “See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. (Rev 3:18-22) For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, (Luke 17:22-27) much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. (Rev 18:4-8) At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.” Heb 12:25-27 http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/05/where-is-true-religion.html Say what you will; I'll not respond.

These are not my words, and because they aren’t, you might want to retract the following comment you have made referring to the person who has kept her word. I see also you are trying to make a point in your large use of letters. My comment was, that the scriptures in Deuteronomy should be considered. It was with confusion that Jackson answered the lawyer when being pressured, which proves those scriptures had not been given any consideration by the GB. Holy Spirit would have moved them to do so and abolish their dogmatic stance of “two witnesses” in all situations by acting on compassion and guidance by Christ. What you have to say is your opinion, and that is fine with me. It still does not negate the quandary that the organization, which has built its foundation on lies, (think pyramidology and 1914, etc) now deals with, when facing the governments for their failed misrepresentation of victims. They freely use the government for their own needs to reach an end that favors the running of the instrument, but fail greatly in accepting its authority for those who need representation for offenses made against them by their own leaders. This fact will not go away, and these facts are sins against God, who will expose them in the manner he prefers. My application may appear off mark only because it is by love that one can recognize how God’s sheep have suffered. You care for logistics; I care for the sheep. You care for an earthly corporation viewed as belonging to God, I care for Jesus’ words which say, “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 4:22-24 What obligation does Psalm 48:12-14 place on us? Regardless of how long we have been in the truth, we must tell others about Jehovah’s organization. W 15/7/15 Do you see the conflict between man's words and God's? Worshiping in spirit is through Christ, presenting ourselves “holy and acceptable”. Rom 12:1 Worshiping in truth is through Christ. John 14:6 Worshiping through the organization is through men and their failed ability to judge in righteousness. There is no earthly Zion. Read all of Ps 48 to see the truth about Heavenly Zion. Heb 12:22 “I will scatter you like chaff driven by the wind from the desert. This is your lot, the portion I have measured out to you, declares the Lord, because you have forgotten me and trusted in lies. I myself will lift up your skirts over your face, and your shame will be seen. I have seen your abominations, your adulteries and neighings, your lewd whorings, on the hills in the field. Woe to you, O Jerusalem! How long will it be before you are made clean?” Jer 13:24-27

We might consider just who is hiding behind a façade. Some of your words: It is up to the body of Elders to use their “BEST” judgment on how to proceed with a sensitive matter. Even the ARC was blinded by ignorant opposers. Ex-witnesses that called and emailed them, by thinking…this would be the end of the WTS, they attempted to sensationalize a situation that ultimately the ARC found out it was full of “Lies” and “distortions” just like you are deceptively portraying now. So unless you have personal knowledge on what goes on behind a judicial committee, STOP speculating. You are clueless, on what an Elders responsibility is toward the flock with such matters that require wisdom and discernment. The Governing Body can’t be everywhere. The flock book, is a general guideline book, for Elders to understand or have a basic concept on how to proceed with matters. It seems more important to defend the GB and the elder body than to come to aid of, or feel remorse for, victims in over 1000 alleged cases not reported in one country alone. Would there be a reason to defend such failed attention to the flock if Holy Spirit was guiding the leaders? John 16:30; 2 Pet 1:3 "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." James 1:5 Whatever GB Jackson said in his deposition to his defense makes no difference in rectifying the damage already done, and still being committed. If policy must continually be changed, what is the underlying cause if not because of a lack of Holy Spirit? Would Jackson need any help from a government to make “mandatory reporting” if one truly followed Christ’s teachings? “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 5:20 Rom 13:1 – “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” “Then Pilate said to Him, ‘Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?’ Jesus answered, ‘You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.’ John 19:10,11 The WT uses 1 Cor 6:1 as one of their reasons for not reporting such a crime. By checking the Greek word for “dispute” used here and in other scriptures, “pragma”, it’s use is concerning smaller affairs, transactions, business matters, things, deeds, and NOT something as serious as child abuse. The GB willingly adheres to the scripture Deut 19:15, but GB Jackson refused to recognize Deut 22:25,26 as a vital one to consider. Stewart - “Is it not the case that had Jesus been asked about a case of sexual abuse, he may have referred back to this part of Deuteronomy and said that it’s not required to have two witnesses?” Jackson - “I certainly would like to ask Jesus that, and I can’t at the moment, I hope to in the future. But that’s a hypothetical question which, if we had an answer, then we could support what you said.” If the words spoken in Deuteronomy are from God, why the hesitancy to consider them? Why chose one verse in this book, but not consider another? Jackson’s own stumbling over Stewart’s question shows the lack of God’s blessing in wisdom that a genuine anointed in Christ would be aware of, if they are truly still one in Christ. 1 Cor 10:6-12 To allow such evils to be committed, time and time again, shows a huge glitch in the system, and that glitch is the absence of Holy Spirit. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:26 Whenever God’s people worked in harmony with his will, blessings were rich in all matters of their life. The flock was protected by the knowledge God gave his priesthood and their leaders. Deut 24:8; Mal 2:7; 2 Chron 35:3 “Does any one of you who has a dispute with another dare to go to court before unrighteous men, and not before the holy ones?” 1 Cor 6:1 While this scripture is given credence to the elder body in decision making, is the elder body comprised of God’s holy anointed ones – his chosen priesthood? 2 Chron 23:6; 1 Pet 2:5,9; Heb 8:5 “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.” Rom 13:1-7 It appears, that the GB’s refusal to consider all scripture shows that the primary concern of the organization is its own worldly outward appearance and their struggle to keep up a frontage of cleanliness; caring not for what happens to God’s sheep. Jer 23:2; Isa 1:17; Eccl 4:1 “Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, Who write misfortune, Which they have prescribed To rob the needy of justice, And to take what is right from the poor of My people, That widows may be their prey, And that they may rob the fatherless. Isa 10:1,2 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord. Prov 17:15 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight! Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink, Who justify the wicked for a bribe, And take away justice from the righteous man! Isa 5:20-23 Christ’s commandments are based on love, love expressed toward his sheep. 1 Thess 4:9; 1 Pet 4:8; John 13:35 Through the blessing of Holy Spirit, love is made manifest in one’s heart. If the leaders of the organization worked in harmony with Christ and his love, there would be no question on how to deal with such offenses. Did Jesus ever hesitate? “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” 1 John 3:17 http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2014/08/who-really-is-matt2445.html