Witness

Hello VHC, The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. Prov 4:18 We know this morning sun is Jesus, which before his appearance, causes knowledge to increase – until the fulfillment of the Kingdom. Matt 17:2 Rev 1:16; 2 Cor 4:6; Rev 22:16; Luke 1:78; Acts 3:20; Gal 3:27 1 Corinthians 13: 8 – 13 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 10 – or “that which is perfect” - God’s Kingdom. This speaks to individuals of the Body of Christ, and to all of us, not to an earthly fleshly organization. Rom 13:14 Has knowledge passed away? Has prophesy ceased? Not according to scripture. Acts 2:17; Rev 11:3 If one in Christ, a righteous one following the path of Christ, stays on course, “priests” will instructed in knowledge through Holy spirit. Mal 2:7 If we perceive a wavering of teachings that are truly off course, with false prophesy, changing doctrine, then priests who present false knowledge have left the path of Christ, as well as the laws written on their heart. Heb 10:16 It has been prophesied to happen, do we ignore prophesy? my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children. Hos 4:6 “The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land— not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. Amos 8:11 There is a time period before Jesus arrives where his people do not reflect the light of the Sun, but stumble in darkness. Joel 3:15; 2:10; Ezek 32:7; Mark 13:25; Rev 6:12,13; Ezek 7:27; Matt 24:29; 5:14,16 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. Isa 5:20 Organization’s old light has become bitter; rejected and replaced for something sweet and appealing. How long will that last? For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 2 Tim 4:3,4 Only by turning to Jesus who is Truth, clothing ourselves with him, which is identifying our self with him(Gal 3:27), and away from men who speak visions of their own, will the path of our own righteousness appear as the morning sun. Jer 23:16; Ps 4:2 Is it not true that previous generation teachings and previous set dates have come to nothing? Ps 119:118 The knowledge of God builds on a strong foundation and continues until that which is perfect arrives – God’s Kingdom Matt 7:24-27

How is it that with all the scriptures I provided in my comment to John that my claim to salvation is anything other than Christ and the Father? John 14:6; 6:44; 10:27-30; 6:40 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Rev 7:10 “So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; 17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Rev 7:14-17 In scripture, “mother” refers to covenants, promises. Gal 4:26,24 We choose either the mother covenant of Death (Rev 17:5, Isa 28:18) or the mother covenant of life, which is through the new creation with Christ that will bring life to the earth. 2 Cor 13:4; Heb 9:28; Acts 3:21; Heb 1:6 Jesus was the first of this new creation, followed by his Bride to represent the promise of life. John 20:27; Luke 24:39; 1 John 1:1; 4:2,3; John 1:14; Phil 2:5-7 To call an earthly organization full of corruption hidden under the surface as God’s promise of life, is blasphemy. Luke 4:5-8 One cannot fill the eye with loyalty to God and Christ by serving an organization placed in Satan’s realm. Matt 6:24 Two covenant come into perspective as to where our loyalty lies in Rom 6:16: Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? I totally agree with you that everlasting life is through God and Christ, this is why I do not belong to any organization claiming to be the path to salvation. You, though, are facing a dilemma. Although your words speak truth, actions take precedence over your choice of salvation. The organization requires your identity, not only literally through baptism, but through your support and obedience. 1 Cor 7:23 As true Christians, we must do more than simply say that we trust in Jehovah. Just as “faith without works is dead,” so too any claim that we trust in God is meaningless unless we back it up by our actions. (James 2:26) In the preceding article, we learned that our trust in Jehovah is manifested when we turn to him in prayer, when we seek direction from his Word, and when we look to his organization for guidance w 03/9/1 You would think the path to salvation – Jesus – would be mention here….at the least! Regardless of how long we have been in the truth, we must tell others about Jehovah’s organization. w15 7/15 pp. 7-11 Why wouldn’t the priority be to tell others about Christ? Are you transposing the glory of God and Christ into a manmade organization? Men have put parameters on you by telling you that your salvation and trust in God is determined by your trust in what men have built. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. Ps 118:8, Ps 146:3 The website I have placed is for any who may wish to go there; they are the words of an anointed one who, as any anointed one has experienced, have the “laws written on the heart” through Holy Spirit. Heb 10:16 Nowhere in scriptures does it say that a few men become “faithful and discreet” before Christ’s visible return are the primary source of Truth in Christ. Any slave of Christ can be deemed as such. Your GB has accepted a role of a corrupt steward, forgetting that a steward does not cook the meal, but gathers and provides sustenance from the complete group or Body of Christ. Ezek 34:23; Rev 11:3,4; John 16:13; Luke 12:37; Matt 10:27,40,20; John 21:17 This steward can be either faithful or wicked. Luke 12:37,45,47 If wicked, Jesus makes sure truth is still available. All anointed are to feed and nourish all, including each other. 1 Cor 10:17; 12:7,12,25,27,28; Rom 12:5; Col 1:18; Eph 4:11,12; 5:23,26,27,30-32; 1 Pet 4:10 Through this, the mother covenant, the source of spiritual life is nourished as well. Rev 12:6; 11:3; Isa 54:6; 49:14,21; 62:4; Hosea 2:19; Rev 12:1,2; Gal 4:26,24 On every kingdom hall, as well as on ties, shirts, bracelets, flags, lapel pins, cakes, watches, key rings…need I go on?...you will find your website that all JWs must direct others to, as if it is the living waters of life, when we know this is Jesus. John 7:38 In fact, I find it common on the internet for JWs to forego scripture but direct one to the organization’s website instead. As you say, everlasting life is through God and Christ, but the organization directs attention to itself. John 5:43 Regarding Matt 28:19,20 and how the organization has spuriously interpreted this command by Jesus, you can read my comment here to LloydSt, page 3 of the question “When a teaching changes after baptism” Lloyd’s comment: You cannot and at the same time fulfill Jesus command to, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you." I’m glad you brought out Luke 24:47. Notice it says, beginning at Jerusalem. “Jerusalem above” is the New Covenant in the Body of Christ and where the cleansing and refinement of God’s house takes priority. There is no supreme power over the Body of Christ. If the house “steward” within the Body fails, the rest are still stewards of their own assignment (1Cor.12:29) and are expected to be "faithful and discreet". The GB has determined on its own what is presented by the entire Body. Thus by identifying themselves as a “faithful and discreet” slave, they have revealed their true identity as an unfit steward, oppressing one’s brothers in Christ by expecting obedience and covetousness. Luke 12:42; Prov 27:2 Matt 24:45-51 Along with all others, they are expected to teach what is given them or cut off through disfellowshiping for questioning this wicked slave’s doctrine. Luke 14:8-10; Matt 23:12; John 7:18; Isa 47:8; Rev 18:7 This oppression has fulfillment in scripture. And the Lord said to me, “Next, take for yourself the implements of a foolish shepherd. For indeed I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will not care for those who are cut off, nor seek the young, nor heal those that are broken, nor feed those that still stand. But he will eat the flesh of the fat and tear their hooves in pieces. “Woe to the worthless shepherd, Who leaves the flock! A sword shall be against his arm And against his right eye; His arm shall completely wither, And his right eye shall be totally blinded.” Zech 11:15-17 …not care for those who are cut off… Once one is disfellowshiped they are considered spiritually “dead”. Rom 14:4 …nor seek the young…No regard for Jesus’ lambs as the GB “sits as queen” Rev 18:7 …nor heal those that are broken…Jer 8:11 …nor feed those that still stand….Matt 7:15-18 But he will eat the flesh of the fat…through oppression, the words of each “priest” are stolen. Mal 2:7; Heb 13:15; Ps 66:13-15 …and tear their hooves to pieces…no longer are the “feet” of God’s chosen ones able to proclaim salvation in Christ who is Truth. Ezek 34:4 (Isa 52:7; Micah 4:13; 1 Sam 2:9) The good news being preached can be seen in the scriptures you offered in 2 Thess 1:7,8. Those of God’s Temple, 1 Cor 3:16,17 afflicted, defiled and desolated under the direction of the GB, must recognize their oppression and heed Christ’s call to “come out”. Matt 24:15; Rev 18:4-8; Job 29:15; Jer 18:22 (2 Cor 4:3; Matt 24:22; 1 Pet 3:20) Can you not see that when one is disfellowshiped , marked spiritually “dead” for serving Christ and the Father with one’s whole soul, heart and mind, that they do follow in Christ’s footsteps and are persecuted in the same manner as he, by one’s own people? 1 Pet 2:21 Can you not see that it is one’s own brother who comes against his own? 1 John 3:10-15 ; Zech 7:10; Matt 10:21; 5:10,11 JW’s persecution is for being part of the Watchtower. Luke 21:12,17 - "But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison (Luke21:24; Rev.13:10,7;Col.2:8), and you will be brought before kings (Rev.9:7) and governors ("Governing Body" Mark10:42-45), and all on account of my name...Everyone will hate you because of me. (not for being a JW)" (1John4:20; 2:11) (John13:34-35; Matt.25:37-40,41-46) (Matt.24:11-13) Last year, the growth rate for the organization was under 2%, with a 2/3 turnover rate. As you compare the preaching with “other churches” who most like aren’t as vocal in their accomplishments as the organization, keep in mind what God accomplished through Gideon and his 300 men. Why all the comparison to other churches when the focus should be on our own accomplishment by following Christ? John 7:18; Matt 23:12; Luke 17:10; 1 Pet 5:6 The symbolic “two witnesses” who preach the authentic good news at the time of the end are able to do so by Holy Spirit, not by the hand of man. Zech 4:1-10. “One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man.” Elbert Hubbard

Thanks for bringing this to my attention, Jesus.defender. I looked up the NKJV and find that "protect them by the power of" has a footnote saying, "Father keep them faithful to which may be what you are referring to. Could you tell me your translation? I also looked at three interlinears and see a common thread that I don't see in yours, Newy word for word -" And no longer I am in the world and these in the world are, and I to the come. Father, Holy, keep them in my name whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we." Kingdom Interlinear word for word - "And not yet I am in the world, and they in the world ar, and I toward you am coming. Father, holy observe them in the name of you to which you have given to me, in order that they may be one according as we" Scriptures4all word for word - "And not still I am in the system and these in the system are and I toward you am coming Father! Holy! Keep them in the name of you whom you have given to me that they may be one according as we." KJV - And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. Thanks.

Here are just two examples of those killed for idolatry: For idolatry: Ezek 32:25-29 – 3,000 died for worshiping a golden calf. For idolatry: 2 Kings 17:1-23 - Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them out of his sight. None was left but the tribe of Judah only.19 Judah also did not keep the commandments of the Lord their God, but walked in the customs that Israel had introduced. 20 And the Lord rejected all the descendants of Israel and afflicted them and gave them into the hand of plunderers, until he had cast them out of his sight. Thousands of Israelites died, for profanity, idolatry, rebelliousness. Only a repentant remnant came out of Babylon. It would be naivety on our part to think God will overlook our transgressions against his laws fulfilled by Christ. From Babylon the Great, again only a remnant are to survive by his undeserved mercy. John, what is truth in your eyes? Is it Jesus or an organization? Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Do your words align with Jesus’ words? John 14:6 But he also said, No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. John 6:44 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. John 6:37 These verses sound contradictory to John 14:6, but I believe this shows their oneness. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:27-30 (John 5:19,21) If Jesus is Truth and the Bread of Life, and one with the Father; why would the organization teach that IT is the truth? John 6:35 Is it the Bread of Life? “Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” John 6:32,33 Jesus said,” I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” If the organization has stolen the title of Truth from Christ and receives its own glory, how is it then, that one could securely seek the glory from God, as well as believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life? Jehovah God’s glory directly lights up this organization, just as the Shechinah cloud illuminated the Most Holy. W 05/8/15 p. 31 Would God really give glory to man’s creation over his own Son who is God’s glory? You are right, there is only one door, and that is Christ. Should we transpose this door into an earthly organization? John 10:7,8 Your words above are centered around an organization supposedly running at the will of God. Acts 7:49; John 4:21-24 Yet Jesus said, “For this is the will of my Father that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:40 If we are looking at, beholding, perceiving, viewing attentively, and discerning the Son (Greek definitions), would there be room in our spiritual vision for an earthly organization? “I and the Father are one”. Anything else within our spiritual eyesight that we desire to give glory to is idolatry, and another golden calf. “They say to wood, ‘You are my father,’ and to stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ They have turned their backs to me and not their faces; yet when they are in trouble, they say, ‘Come and save us!’” Jer 2:27 “We cannot hope to be saved at Armageddon unless we continue to take in regular spiritual food and keep in close contact with ‘Mother.’”... He was referring to remaining in touch with the earthly part of Jehovah’s organization. Yb06 p 66 Rev 9:20; Hab 2:19; Ezek 20:32 http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2013/02/jehovahs-genuine-mountain.html

How so, Queen Esther? The rules would apply either on earth or in heaven. The same spirit is given to all anointed. "You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him." Rom 8:9 "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." Eph 2:4-7 Do you see that this occurs while on earth? An anointed sealed one can be in "heaven" while still on earth. Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”[a] Eph 4:8 [a] - The Greek word anthropoi can refer to both men and women ESV

Lloyd, in retrospect, I believe it was someone else, somewhere else that used this term. Sorry for the misquote; perhaps, though it becomes clear just who are the "scum of the earth".

Hi Lloyd, I do appreciate your concern, very much. You have sincere fervor to be a spiritual person, but Jesus gave us warning after warning of deception in our day before his return that we cannot ignore. I know the following is long, but please bear with me. At one time the organization’s baptism questions reflected this scripture. Thanks to jwfacts, the sly change in questions over the years is all on one page that you can reference, but I will present part here: WT 1944, 2/1 p. 44: “Have you recognized yourself as a sinner and needing salvation from Jehovah God and have you acknowledged that this salvation proceeds from Him and through his Ransomer Christ Jesus? On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for redemption, have you consecrated yourself unreservedly to do the will of God henceforth as that will is revealed to you through Christ Jesus and through God’s Word as His holy spirit makes it plain?” Notice how, in 1955, being baptized was NOT in the name of an organization as the above question also relates: "A Christian, therefore, cannot be baptized in the name of the one actually doing the immersing or in the name of any man, nor in the name of any organization, but in the name of the Father, the Son and the holy spirit." Watchtower 1955 Jul 1 p.411 Baptism questions from 1956: “Have you recognized yourself before Jehovah God as a sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him the Father through his Son Jesus Christ? “ “On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation, have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightenment of the holy spirit?" So far, these question are still in line with Matt 28:19 Wt 1966 10/1 pp 603-4 "We do not dedicate ourselves to a religion, nor to a man, nor to an organization. No, we dedicate ourselves to the Supreme Sovereign of the Universe, our Creator, Jehovah God himself. This makes dedication a very personal relationship between us and Jehovah." Where did our necessary relationship with Jesus go in this quote? But still, no dedication to an organization is considered acceptable. As the years have gone by, false doctrine regarding one’s dedication subtly appeared as you will see. 1973 baptism questions: “Have you repented of your sins and turned around, recognizing yourself before Jehovah God as a condemned sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him, the Father, through his Son Jesus Christ? "On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation, have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightening power of the holy spirit?” Please Lloyd, take note of your baptism questions today: Wt 1985/6/1 p. 30: “On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?” “Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization?” Looking over the changes of the source of salvation and dedication, what do you conclude is the basis of my own salvation, is it an organization or is it Christ? Can you see from the baptism questions that as you now “preach” to lead one to baptism, the words of Matt 28:19,20 are a far cry from the recent baptism questions and lead one to “membership” into the organization? These questions are now short and to the point, lacking spiritual substance, with emphasis on the organization. I not only have dedicated myself to God and Jesus, but I identify myself to them in my continual efforts to imitate them. Compare this quote from above… Wt 1966 10/1 pp 603-4 "We do not dedicate ourselves to a religion, nor to a man, nor to an organization. No, we dedicate ourselves to the Supreme Sovereign of the Universe, our Creator, Jehovah God himself. This makes dedication a very personal relationship between us and Jehovah." To this quote from 1990: "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." KM 11/’90 p 1 Matt 28:20 – “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Has the organization observed all the things Jesus commanded in Matt 28:19? No, since discreetly the organizational requirement has snaked its way in covertly as “salvation”! Can I say that Jesus is with the organization if his clear, precise commandments are not followed to baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit? No! “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.” 2 Pet 2:1-3 Our greatest test in the time of the end is discerning “fine fruit” from the lips of anointed ones. “And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many.” Mark 13:5,6 We know the meaning of the name “Jesus” is “YHWH is Salvation”. What does the organization say? “Come to Jehovah’s organization for salvation” WT ‘81/11/15 p 212 “For many will come in My name, saying ‘I am He’” – “Jehovah”/organization is Salvation. Jesus is salvation leading to God! “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. Mark 13:22,23 Have you stopped watching, being on guard, now that you reside in the organization – a “spiritual paradise”? 1 Pet 5:8; Matt 10:34 “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” Matt 24:24 “Christ” means anointed; the GB are anointed and support false prophesies. “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” Gal 1:8 Can you see that “another gospel” is supported by the “faithful and discreet slave” to have all preach that the organization is one’s salvation, and dedication to it is necessary to receive salvation? 2 Cor 11:4 "How can you say, "We are wise, for we have the law of the Lord," when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely? The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped, Since they have rejected the word of the Lord, what kind of wisdom to they have?" Jer 8:8,9 “He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.” John 7:18 “It is a great privilege to get baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” w16 March pp. 3-7 Lloyd, I have broken free from the oppression by men who believe they can rule over another. While the GB declares themselves as “faithful”, they willingly “trample” their own in Christ, along with all believers so subtly, using the word “love” to support their own “godliness”, but instead “denying its power”. 2 Tim 3:1-9; Mark 13:14 Somewhere here, you mentioned Jehovah’s Witnesses are the “scum of the earth”, when in reality it is those who declare salvation in the Father and Christ alone who are indeed viewed as the scum of the earth in the eyes of JWs, as a result of disfellowshiping; this is a sign of the end times. “They will put you out of the synagogues (Greek-“congregations) . Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you (“figuratively to destroy”) will think he is offering service to God.” John 16:2 (Rev 20:4) Have JWs been put out of any congregation in the world? One’s own brother consistently transgresses against another. Matt 10:35-39; Mark 13:12,13; Heb 13:13; John 15:20; Please read Luke 12:49-53 The GB is successful in doing this by shutting up their fellow anointed ones, in the same manner as Diotrephes: “I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.” 3 John 1:9-11 This is a time of the sifting of hearts, Lloyd, not to be swayed by a false "peace and security". God allows it, in order for those seriously seeking God whole souled will find him, through turning to Christ for pure truth. Luke 22:31; 2 Thess 2:1-12; John 14:6; Rev 3:18; 3:20; Luke 17:22-37 http://pearl-sign.blogspot.com/

I just thought of another scripture for you. "And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy." Acts 2:17,18

Hi Philip, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:28 If all in Christ are one with him and not their own (1 Cor 6:19,20), whether male or female, Holy Spirit blesses them as his messengers to teach. "you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ....But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." 1 Pet 2:5,9 "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." Mal 2:7 This article explains well the role of women in the Body of Christ. http://pearl-womenteach.blogspot.com/

Of course, logical progression makes sense, if one is guided by the Holy Spirit’s direction. But as has been brought out, the progression on doctrine has not followed logic. Lloyd, The term “wait on Jehovah” or as you have said, “wait on Jehovah’s organization” (notice how God and the organization are as one – a duplicity Isa 46:5) in the scriptures, does not mean waiting for God to make us do what is right. He gave us two choices, placed before us. He doesn’t serve a spiritual plate, then later remove it by saying wait on me, because I may want you to toss out that previous spiritual gift that was flawed, and I will provide you with a new one. Deut 30:15,19 Truly, he is waiting for us to choose life or death, through the use of our free will by obeying all of HIS direction and warnings set out in the bible. The lie is a “spiritual paradise” where one believes safety exists(1 Thess 5:3; Jer 6:13-15); that any and all corruption that may occur within – either from wayward teaching, the wrongs done to individuals - will be fixed by God in order to keep ourselves alive while in it! As individuals, we take action for our own sake just as Noah did. Matt 24:37; 1 Cor 10:11; Rom 12:1; Ps 146:3 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” Luke 13:24 There is only one gate, Jesus Christ; any other one that we may enter can rob us of life. John 10:7-10 "So when we obey elders, we show respect for Jehovah and Jesus, the two greatest Shepherds" WT 11/2013 By signing your identity over to an organization, you willingly put yourself in men’s hands as a servant to obey, following their direction, when God says to us as he said in Moses’ day, “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, 16 in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. “ Deut 30:15-18; Heb 12:25 When do we wait on the Lord? Scriptures refer to this when we, personally, are suffering from persecution from an adversary, or when we are weak – But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isa 40:31 Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. 12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence. 13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! Ps 27:11-14 He will be as a sanctuary, But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense To both the houses of Israel, As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15 And many among them shall stumble; They shall fall and be broken, Be snared and taken.” 16 Bind up the testimony, Seal the law among my disciples. 17 And I will wait on the Lord, Who hides His face from the house of Jacob; And I will hope in Him. Isa 8:14-17 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth.” Ps 37:9 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! Ps 27:14 The organization has taken this term and has convinced the sheep that by remembering to "wait on Jehovah" God will correct their own flawed teachings, that God will fix them, as if saying it is talisman, a charm. God or Jesus have never told us to listen to false prophesy or to or serve anyone but them. Matt 16:6 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; They speak a vision of their own heart, Not from the mouth of the Lord.” Jer 23:16 “Behold, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” says the Lord, “and tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies and by their recklessness. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all,” says the Lord.” Jer 23:32 The teaching that the organization is “Jehovah’s organization” is an operation of error prophesied for the time of the end. Brushing aside the New Covenant as a new way to worship, the organization has developed its own “laws” of burden as did the Pharisees, with an elder “priesthood” displacing God’s chosen priesthood; the GB supporting false prophesy and continued visions of their own minds, as well as shunning their own brothers in Christ based on a present doctrine at hand. 1 Pet 2:5,9,10; Dan 8:11,24; 1 John 3:15; 2:9-11 Those outside the organization might not serve God based on a date, but in the organization you will be disfellowshiped if you choose to make known that you will NOT serve God based on any date accepted as present doctrine by the organization. 4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2014/06/operation-of-error.html

That is something to consider. Jesus’ words: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matt 22:37-40 Now, this first commandment is something that I strive to do every day of my life. Lloyd, there is no organization, and no man, that stands in my way of serving both God and Christ with my whole soul, strength and mind. This is worshiping in “spirit and truth” as Christ directed. John 4:23,24 The organizational setup is contrary to every teaching by Jesus and the apostles. Only the Body of Christ is an “organization” sanctioned by God. 1 Pet 2:4,5 Your dedication and service toward the organization robs you of giving whole souled devotion to the Father and Jesus. Matt 6:24 I can serve the Father in Heaven without the need of an earthly organization, and it is acceptable to Jesus also. James 1:27; Acts 17:24,25 “Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.” Col 2:20-23 The second commandment is also much easier to follow, since I don’t disfellowship my brother or sister for various reasons, but use good judgment in my association. I also would not disfellowship you for your belief as different from mine, which the organization does continually. This places a mark on one’s fellow sheep as “spiritually dead”. By judging someone in this manner, love for one’s neighbor is wiped out. How can you love someone that you have “killed”? Who has been given the authority to judge? Rom 14:4 "There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?" James 4:12 The ever changing doctrines of the organization may well be called “laws”, since refusing to follow these unique doctrines results in disfellowshiping; yet, we see the scriptures say there is only one lawgiver. Rom 14:10 - "But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ."

Hello Lloyd, I grew up in a farming community, and in 1975 I remember my father saying JW farmers he knew were selling their land, home, everything in anticipation of Armageddon. Are you saying that because it didn't affect you, that it didn't affect anyone of a worthy amount in God's eyes? Surely you have heard of the talk given in 1967 at District Convention by DO Charles Sunutko, "Serving with Everlasting Life in View". "Well now, as Jehovah's Witnesses, as runners, even though some of us have become a little weary, it almost seems as though Jehovah has provided meat in due season. Because he's held up before all of us, a new goal. A new year. Something to reach out for and it just seems it has given all of us so much more energy and power in this final burst of speed to the finish line. And that's the year 1975. Well, we don't have to guess what the year 1975 means if we read the Watchtower. And don't wait 'till 1975. The door is going to be shut before then. As one brother put it, "Stay alive to Seventy-Five"" The growth rate of publishers in 1974 was 14%, 1975 - 10%, 1976 - 4%, 1977 - -1%, 1978 -1%, 1979 - 0%. (jwfacts) I will attempt to comment more later.

The WT holds fast to the term “food at the proper time”, which also would be considered “new light”. As you have brought out Holly, James 1:17 says there is no variation or shifting shadows if we keep in God’s light. Can we not all agree that adaptation is expected when changes are enforced by the organization? If one looks over the entire span of its history and its changes, we also must consider how these changes affected thousands of lives who held fast to the teaching of the moment. There is a WT entitled, “Rejoice in the knowledge of Jehovah”. (2001) Would those who embraced either an early generation teaching or the 1914/1925 date of Armageddon, the suggested 1975 date also of Armageddon, rejoice in the knowledge of “Jehovah” if their lives were turned upside down by such anticipation? Would Jesus rejoice in such changes if he sees the heartbreak of those who put trust in a present teaching? It is easy to narrow our focus down to ourselves and our ability to adjust to present teachings, shutting our eyes to those who stumbled through years of big change. When thinking of Rutherford sending brothers and sisters away as outcasts because they questioned his leadership role; and then, in the 70’s a theocratic “governing body” was formed, does this not make one wonder what our Father thinks of such oppressive man rule in any form, yesterday or today? And those that were cast out, what happened to them? Does God view them as the unrighteous ones, or Rutherford, since his desire as sole ruler was later changed by the introduction of a governing body? Jer 23:1 Are such changes enforced at the loss of sheep really a “safeguard” provided by God? “Jehovah provides something else to safeguard us: spiritual food at the proper time”. W 02/12/15 p 13-18 Requirement to believe past teachings appears to be only a requirement if it stays the same. Once “new light” is introduced, this is considered truth! Which leads one to believe that truth in the organization wears many faces. “For a number of years, we thought that the great tribulation began in 1914 with World War I and that “those days were cut short” by Jehovah in 1918 when the war ended so that the remnant would have the opportunity to preach the good news to all nations…Thus, the great tribulation was thought to have three phases: There would be a beginning (1914-1918), the tribulation would be interrupted (from 1918 onward), and it would conclude at Armageddon.” “Previously, we thought that the judging of people as sheep or goats would take place during the entire period of the last days from 1914 onward. We concluded that those who rejected the Kingdom message and who died before the start of the great tribulation would die as goats—without the hope of a resurrection.” “In the past, we have stated in our publications that these last four references apply to Jesus’ arriving, or coming, in 1918. As an example, take Jesus’ statement about “the faithful and discreet slave.” (Read Matthew 24:45-47.) We understood that the “arriving” mentioned in verse 46 was linked to the time when Jesus came to inspect the spiritual condition of the anointed in 1918 and that the appointment of the slave over all the Master’s belongings occurred in 1919. (Mal. 3:1) However, a further consideration of Jesus’ prophecy indicates that an adjustment in our understanding of the timing of certain aspects of Jesus’ prophecy is needed. “ “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" “So we needed to change the way we understood some parts of the prophecy.” All the above quotes are from WT 13/7/15 pp 3-8 David Splane, when introducing the new teaching of the generation alluded to liking the “idea”. Doesn't this sound like it is destined to change, simply because it is an idea? Jer 23:26-32 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” 2 Tim 4:3,4 If one is expected to assimilate and idea set forward by a group of men who admit that they “thought” their teachings were right in the past, by listening and embracing such new ideas, isn’t this slaving for men and not Christ? 1 Cor 7:23 Jesus promised that each one us that approaches him directly with our earnest desire will know the truth. John 8:32,36; John 5:39-44; Prov 2:1-9 If we consider how often the WT uses terms such as “likely”, “evidently”, “seems so”, “must be”, we must realize that assumptions and personal speculations made by such anointed ones are not in the likeness of Christ’s teachings, who spoke with authority. John 16:13,14 Why are these speculations still being made, if not because of a snowball effect? “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 In order for any of us to rejoice in the knowledge of God, shouldn’t we question any teaching from an anointed one, not gulping it down and expecting God to forgive the misleading of thousands with thoughts and ideas? Is this truly how the Helper brings to remembrance all things from Christ? Matt 12:33 Would not past failed teachings in need of an overhaul, be considered “thorns” and stumbling blocks, to those who wholeheartedly had accepted them as truth? Luke 6:43-45 “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Num 23:19 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. Matt 5:37 (Eph 4:25) “As we receive teachings from Jehovah, it should be our desire to gain “accurate knowledge.” Without it, how could we apply God’s Word properly in our own lives or explain it correctly to others? (Colossians 3:10; 2 Timothy 2:15) Gaining accurate knowledge requires that we read carefully, and if a portion is deep, we may need to read it more than once in order to grasp the sense of it.” Keep a firm grip on the word of God Wt chapt 3 pp 23-31 http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2014/06/operation-of-error.html

I have appreciated your thoughts, Holly. Just as Hymenaeus and Philetus preached that the “resurrection has already occurred” the warning given in 2 Thess. 2:1-4tells us to equally be on be on guard… Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. Again, those who prophesy such words influence “brothers and sisters” in faith. Yet these are ones who “have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge” Rom 10:2 By subjecting oneself to the comfort and securitysuch a false belief may provide, Christ warns, “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.” Rev 16:15 It seems apparent that by accepting official doctrine that goes beyond scripture is accepting man's philosophy over the inspired scripture, which is sufficient enough for our spiritual heath. 2 Tim 3:16 "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, ("unique to Jehovah's Witness"), which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ." Col 2:6-8 http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2013/05/mark-of-beast.html

With all the warnings by God to avoid admiring the work of one’s own hands, why would any dedication to man’s work be considered a righteous act? Rev 9:20; Jer 25:12-14; Isa 2:8 And why dedicate a building to God when he says, “‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be?” Acts 7:49 Strong’s Concordance defines this “place of rest” as kat-ap'-ow-sis; from G2664; reposing down, i.e. (by Hebraism) abode:—rest. Thayer’s Greek lexicon mentions it as being viewed metaphorically as “the heavenly blessedness in which God dwells” Stephen was quoting from Isaiah 66, where God continued to say, “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word. Isa 66:2 Why would Stephen bring this out to the disbelieving Pharisees? He told them, “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands” Acts 7:48 He’s trying to get the same point across that Jesus did with the woman at the well: “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.” “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:21:23,24 When Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days,” did he mean that in the end times, man would again devise a system of worship built around a corporate entity with roots in failed prophesies, pyramidology where 1914 originated from; and where meanings of end times must continually be changed to support an iconic date? Acts 1:6,7 The Pharisies replied, “‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?’ But the temple he had spoken of was his body.” Obviously, their hearts were hardened to the understanding that the new “Temple” arrangement would be those in Christ, his chosen ones. Because of their lack of spiritual insight regarding this New Covenant, Stephen said, “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!” John 2:19-21 God resides in spirit in his Temple, the Body of Christ. 1 Cor 3:16,17; 2 Cor 13:5 “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Cor 6:19 For those anointed who are redeemed as pure and blameless, they ultimately become one with the Father and the Son, together making up the Temple of God. John 17:11,22; Phil 2:15; Rev 3:18; Mal 3:2 “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” Rom 8:9 This truly puts a hole in the doctrine that the organization is an “earthly Zion”. The anointed Body is where God is worshiped, “in the Spirit and the truth”, as one in Christ. 1 Tim 3:15; 1 Pet 2:5; 1 Cor 6:19 “And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:“I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” 2 Cor 6:16 Looking back to the meaning of God’s place of rest, it is clear it is not found within man’s interpretation of Zion, but within his own spiritual Temple – within Christ and within his faithful anointed ones. They are the representatives of “true religion”. 2 Cor 5:20; 1 Cor 4:1; Mal 2:7; John 7:18,38; Rev 21:6; 22:17; 14:3,5; and not an arrangement made by man as an established corporation. Acts 17:24; Heb 9:11; Eph 2:10 Because the organization overrides the Body of Christ, God’s true Temple, there is no unity of this Body within it. Thus, Holy Spirit is absent in such a state. A greater “Gentile” power has received dominance over Christ’s anointed ones – the elder body. For those anointed who continue to allow it, they will permanently lose their connection with their Head, and “lawlessness” will continue to overwhelm and oppress them. Isa 52:2; Rev 13:10; Isa 42:7; Isa 61:1 “He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.” 2 Thess 1:8-10 There is only one Zion, which is God’s heavenly spiritual Temple. Rev 3:12; 21:22; Isa 33:20; 52:1 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth” Exod 20:4 "You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me” Exod 20:5 'But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.' Deut 18:20 “Come to Jehovah’s organization for salvation” WT ‘81/11/15 “Righteous flee to God’s Mountain-like Organization” Make Sure of All Things, pg 323 “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. Phil 3:18,19 Earthly things = a perceived earthly Zion Again, the WT, speaks out of both sides of the mouth. There is a little truth in the following statement, although the redeemed, repentant, chosen ones will “come down out of heaven” with Christ to be with faithful mankind. Rev 3:12; 5:10; John 1:51; Rev 3:18 “Today, Zion is represented on earth by the remaining ones of “the Israel of God,” the international congregation of spirit-anointed Christians, who have the hope of ruling with Christ in heaven.” W 02/7/1 Through WT eyes, Zion mutates into an earthly organization and thus, becomes a full-fledged lie: “God purposes to punish Edom for what has maliciously been done to His earthly organization, called Zion.” ip-1 chap. 27 pp. 356-368 “The wonders about Jehovah’s organization, or “Zion,” and the truth about the spiritual paradise must be joyfully passed on “to future generations.” w15 7/15 pp. 7-11 An idol subsequently has taken form. We should ask ourselves, if this Temple of God goes unheeded and unnoticed within the organization as the source of spiritual nourishment, and since God’s laws are written on the hearts of such ones, how does the Father in heaven view this neglect for his laws? Rom 2:29; 2 Cor 3:3; Mal 2:7; Deut 6:24,25 “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”1 Cor 3:16,17 These words are referring to each anointed one, not just a handful who tout their own glory - "to their shame", as they are primarily responsible for suppressing the decrees of God fulfilled through his Son, Jesus Christ. Isa 3:16-26; Rev 13:11-18 http://pearl-disgustingthing.blogspot.com/

Janice, I’ll try to be short to make it easier on you. I admire your sense of obligation to answer everything I’ve written. It wasn't expected. Once we break the mindset that an earthly organization, church or otherwise is not needed to worship, serve, praise our God, the Father and the Son, anything earthly becomes nonexistent in the mind and heart, and has nothing to do with developing a relationship with God and Jesus. "For Abraham was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." (Heb.11:10) God’s new Temple in Christ is represented by chosen anointed ones, as well as God and Christ. (Rev 21:22; Acts 17:24; Heb 9:11; 1 Pet 2:5; 1 Cor 3:16; The power of Holy Spirit is beyond most people’s comprehension. This power is working now in those leaving the WT who cleanse themselves of earthly defilement, moving on to serve God and Christ with their “whole heart, whole soul and whole mind” ( Matt 22:37) – with no, and I stress, no intervention from assumed authority by men. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Deut 6:4,5 The organization consistently says, "Jehovah and the organization", "Jehovah with the organization", "Jehovah and his organization", "Jehovah along with his organization". If the Lord is one, why is he grouped with an organization, and seldom with his own Son? “It is the Lord your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear. “ Deut 6:13 The organization swears by itself and its broadcasting station, and by doing so, those inside are following other gods. God's laws are continuously broken by the organization and those who support it. Will he be forgiving towards such actions? “You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you— for the Lord your God in your midst is a jealous God—lest the anger of the Lord your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth.” Deut 6:14 Also, check your baptism question #2 if you haven’t yet done so. (Deut 6:13) Chosen ones who have left (anointed) will merge as prophesied to become the refined capstone of the Body of Christ as long as they remain faithful to their Head, Christ. Their hearts must be sealed in their dedication to purity and truth. ALL who realize this and have left the organization, will join with this capstone (“two witnesses”Rev 11:1-3) in praising God and declaring his name in righteousness. (Dan 9:18; Jer 33:16) In order to see this fulfillment one must: Stop following and obeying what is seen. Rev 13:8 “Set the mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” Col 3:2 Look directly at Christ as the Way, Truth, and Life to lead us to “refreshment for your soul”, in more knowledge, more understanding and an extremely close relationship with him. “Buy” from him refined “gold” that he offers in the time of the end, and accept his discipline and refinement. Rev 3:18-20 Even if you feel you are a non-participant in WT’s unrepentant follies, when one tolerates dissension, abuse, lies, hypocrisy, that one partakes in it as well. “This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. They say continually to those who despise the word of the Lord, ‘It shall be well with you’; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, ‘No disaster shall come upon you.’” Jer 23:16,17 Obviously, God warns his people when error is made by his wayward priests and prophets. He does so in the end through his Son, Jesus Christ. “But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.” Rev 2:20 “And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations.” Rev 17:5 “ And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings (Rev 5:10; 1:6) of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. (“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”)” “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” Rev 18:15-17 Christ says, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues” Rev 18:4 We cannot enter the Kingdom carrying with us the baggage of the Watchtower’s sins. God will not take us full of the desire of the flesh, the desire of eyes, the pride of life – all richly found within the organization. This is “not from the Father, but from the world” 1 John 2:16 There is no exception! There is no earthly Zion! “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” 1 Cor 2:14 Natural - sensitive, i.e. animate (in distinction on the one hand from G4152 (spiritual), which is the higher or renovated nature; and on the other from G5446,(physical) which is the lower or bestial nature):—natural, sensual. This struggle that we both see as what really is truth “tribulates” the heart; it, alone is a sign of the end times. We choose our heart's desire, be it solely in the Father and Christ or in the world. We all must search out what true worship means to God. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:27 The world encompasses anything contrary to the Spirit of God; animate, sensual, natural. If we don’t make our minds over to the Spirit of God, we will continue to look to the world for a source of salvation thinking it is something acceptable to God. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Rom 12:2 Don’t feel it necessary to respond, Janice. I think you've had your fill. This is here also for any who may have eyes that see. Luke 10:23,24 http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-greatest-tribulation-why.html

Hello Shayla, I am deeply touched by your post, and I am so sorry for what you have suffered. A loving God would not represent an organization that has historically hidden such atrocities, all to keep its polished look gleaming. Luke 11:39 I am encouraged that you still keep your faith in the Father who sees all and hears all. We can be assured that although the organization teaches it is God’s representative, he himself says, “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord.” ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isa 55:8,9 Concerning those whom he loves and who are under such oppression as you were, God says, “Israel’s watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep. They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, they seek their own gain.” Isa 56:10,11 We do pray that all will listen to God’s Son and open the door he presents in front of us. Behind that door is a nourishing spiritual feast that he has prepared for us. ‘Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matt 7:7,8 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Rev 3:20 I pray you continue in your faith in God, leaning on his Son to help you through what lies in front of you. Thank you for bringing this to everyone's attention.

Hi Janice, It is the Watchtower that has hit a raw nerve, misleading thousands in impure teachings. If you find my own statements are contradictory, please point them out as I would appreciate correcting them, if what I’ve written here doesn’t cover them. You are welcome to post your writing of 5/19 still if you feel the need. You must realize I am not stopping you from doing so. Yes, perhaps moving on is best, although I will always feel the need to defend the Father and Christ in truth. If my comments “echo” many of those on the internet, keep in mind many do have the literal “facts” about the organization and its hypocritical history. Combine that with prophesy being fulfilled it could and should lead one onto the path of truth. So, in defense of this truth I will respond to many of your comments. It is confusing when you switch from supporting anointed ones or a priestly class and then denouncing the same you feel are lording it over. However, I don't know specifically which ones you find egregious, whether it's ones of the governing body or a certain body of elders, or all of them, or if you feel you are anointed by God chosen and capable. The specific ones are those of the GB as well as those who support the role in obedience. There are two promised covenants that play out in the end, one of life in Christ, one of death in Satan. Anointed ones can fall away from Christ as I have earlier stated. Jerusalem Above is life, while Babylon the Great is death. The testing of each one is allowed by God. 2 Cor 11:3,13,14,4,20 If they fail this testing, (Matt 4:8,9; Rev 13:4,1,2;17:3; Isa 31:1; Rev 9:7,9; 19:18-20; 17:14) they become Satan’s seed. Ezek 16:23-25; Jer 2:20,19,21; Hos 13:6; Rev 13:11,14,15,8,7 “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.” Heb 3:12 The “lording it over” other anointed ones is through the granting of it by the GB, enforced by an unanointed elder body. It is not only the “operation of error”, “man of lawlessness”, but the two Beasts of Revelation working in unison – a dual power, to destroy Christ’s seed – accomplished through the immoral covenant accepted, the covenant in death. 2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 13:14,15; 19:20; Dan 11:36,37; 8:11,24; Mark 13:14 By means of the final beast pictured by fallen anointed ones, Satan wars with the “remaining ones of the woman’s seed. Rev 12:17,15; Dan 11:10,33; Rev 13:10; Col 2:8. It is against the “camp of the Holy Ones” captive under the expected obedience to an elder body, subsequently also to a fallen anointed GB. Rev 20:7-9; 11:5; Jer 23:29; 5:14; Isa 24:6 This is a lot to throw at you, but there is nowhere else to look for fulfillment of prophesy but among God’s own anointed people. Two seeds at enmity with one another. Gen 3:15 In regards to prophecy, Jesus did say many would prophesy in his name in the last days but many would not be rejected. To have disregard for those whose lives were ruined by following such cold and calculated failed dates is misleading God’s sheep. Does he care? Yes, much more than the Watchtower does. “I did not send the prophets, yet they ran; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my council, then they would have proclaimed my words to my people, and they would have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their deeds.” Jer 23:21,22 The scriptures you bring out in rebuttal to my stating that no organization is needed, are concerning the Body of Christ and congregations. Nothing is said in the scripture that there was an organized and set governing body in Jerusalem or organization. This is a fabrication of the WT. Paul and the apostles worked through the blessing and guidance of holy spirit. Acts 18:5; 19:5; 20 No group of men told them where to go and what to do unless by a rare unanimous agreement. Their goal was to work in harmony as a Body in Christ along with all believers. Centralized hierarchical authority developed after the apostles were gone and to the detriment of the sheep. This is where Satan fully employed his tactic of prideful lording over another to deviate anointed ones from the Body of Christ. It is also the establishment of the early Catholic Church. Have you had a chance to compare the hierarchy found in both the Catholic church and the organization – on paper? During a court case, a Watchtower lawyer made the comment, “We are a hierarchical religion structured just like the Catholic Church. And when the order from the Pope comes down in the church defrocking a priest and kicking him out, he no longer has any say in any matter in the local parish” Now tell me, doesn’t it seem that Satan surely knows what he’s doing with his use of similar schemes? His success with the Catholic Church spans centuries, but in this case his ploy against the last of the anointed ones will be short-lived. In reference to idol worship, God explained in detail how the temple was to be built. You say, “ People admired, prayed and bowed down to the temple on a daily basis.which was full of images.” Those particular images you speak of did not detract from salvation acknowledged coming from God. The organization, on the other hand, IS salvation to JWs – a confusing mix of salvation stemming from “wood and stone” as well as from God. This is idolatry, not whether the early temple was decorated in pomegranates. "People and ORGANIZATIONS making up the antichrist still OPPOSE Christ and his teachings. They deliberately spread lies and deceptions with the intent of CONFUSING THE IDENTITY of the Father, Jehovah God, and of His Son, Jesus Christ. WT 6/2015 "Who is the Anti-Christ?" I believe I must have brought out 1 Kings 18 somewhere in this string of conversations, where God’s people “limped on two different opinions”, sacrificing to the work of one’s hands, as well as to God. The similarity of worship within the organization is uncanny. By not accepting the Temple in God’s chosen ones, where the early temple was a copy and a shadow of this heavenly one, the organization ridicules God and his arrangement in Christ. Heb Chapter 8 Again, you mention Matt 28:19 as if the organization is following that command in righteousness. This couldn’t be farther from truth. It commands that to earn salvation one must identify itself - bear the mark - of an organization. This is not observing Christ’s commandments. Rev 19:20 If you were asked by an elder if you uphold 1914, what would you say? If you did not become a Witness based upon a timeline then you must not support the GB and their teaching. God’s strength is not in numbers, but in Holy Spirit. Remember Gideon and his chosen 300 men, how the number diminished from 32,000 to a mere handful? This was to clarify in the minds of Israelites how God works. It was to instill in them his exceeding power to do his will based on his way and not man’s. Isa 46:9 Over the time period that God continually disciplined his people how many died for worshiping idols? We know it was in the hundreds of thousands – wasn't it a thousand alone for worshiping the golden calf made by Aaron? And THAT account alone should bring wide eyes to the sheep “worshiping and bowing down” symbolically to an organization professed as representing salvation in the same way that the calf became the path of salvation. Only a few would will survive or find the cramped road to life, as Jesus said. Many seeds are planted but will not take root or grow to maturity. This can be expected. Yes, so few of the anointed remnant are to come out of captivity to the Beast, refined and purified, that God says of these symbolic trees, The glory of his forest and of his fruitful land the Lord will destroy, both soul and body, and it will be as when a sick man wastes away. The remnant of the trees of his forest will be so few that a child can write them down. Isa 10:18,19 I'm not fully understanding your question. Most religious organizations have head ones that oversee their flock or church/congregation members and/or responsibilities. God and Christ do not expect an anointed Body to obey elders that are not anointed. You also are stuck on man’s“organization” built to thrive in Satan’s world. Anointed who remain in Christ have truth written on their hearts, which I have mentioned previously. Heb 10:16 Holy Spirit would work for the benefit of all if the Body was unified in the manner Christ outlines. Eph 4:4 But this whole picture of the organization’s denial of the Body of Christ is one of prophesy as I had mentioned earlier. Revelation speaks of “two witnesses” a symbolic term alluding to the remnant escaping captivity in the organization who will preach through the power of Holy Spirit – not through any manmade organization. Rev 11:1-4; Zech 4:11-14 Surely I have brought this out earlier. Their message is in the same vein as Elijah and Moses, leading the people into righteousness and refinement with Christ directing. Do you see? How amazing it is to think that God can accomplish such a feat as to use mere men to proclaim the iniquities of his people; all without the pomp and circumstance of an organization. Sarcasm aside, because the organization preaches it can’t be done any other way, it shows how dependent it is on its own “mountainlike” power. “And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” Zech 4:4-7 You mentioned that God has appointed Jesus to judge using 1 Cor 15:12. May I ask then, why would an elder body have the ability to judge another’s spiritual standing before God? John 5:22 An identical scenario is given in Acts 15 “But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Acts 15:1 The WT states, "To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it." Watchtower 1983 Feb 15 p.12 “But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” Acts 15:5 These men refused to accept the new salvation in Christ extended to the Gentiles. Today, the WT is still stuck in a Pharisee-like mode refusing to accept this same salvation possible only through Christ. “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isa 43:18,19 With the refusal to accept salvation coming to the Gentiles, Peter stood up and asked, “Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” A self-proposed faithful and discreet slave endorses a yoke to be placed on the anointed ones since they are blind in seeing the Temple of God in Christ as God’s “new way”. And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, 16 “‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, 17 that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things 18 known from of old.’ Acts 15;12-17 You support an organization that destroys God’s Temple arrangement where it presently lays in ruins. The remnant to come out to Christ’s call, are they who will then symbolically be called by God’s name. Rom 9:27; Micah 7:18; Rev 7:14; Rev 3:12; Rev 18:4-8 Your last words were, “I do hope you find your way back and forgiveness.” I doubt that you will get back to me on this, but how is this comment based on scripture? Truly, it cements my understanding that you also feel an organization can bring one to salvation, even if you do not support the fluctuating timeline it is based on. If I worship the Father and uphold his Son in truth, where is forgiveness needed for doing this? The Last Harlot and Her Beast: http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/12/here-is-earlier-post-with-updates.html

In light of Gianis' comment, would the spiritual food being served now be from God…or Satan? I do believe Jesus.Defender nailed it: “Conclusion: False prophecies lead us to conclude that the Watchtower is receiving its information from demons, rather than from God.” Are these anointed leaders who have consistently desired to set dates of Christ's arrival hearing what the spirit says? “ That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” Eph 4:20-25 There are no excuses for the leaders of the Watchtower. They have mislead thousands of lives who have hung on to every changing doctrine coming through their scheming mouth. “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. “ Eph 4:14-16 It's seems hard to believe that such beauty and rhythm in the organization could be anything other than blessed by God, even though all know each prophesy has failed! Who is able to blind us from the TRUTH that is Christ, but the Lord of the darkness? "Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of the age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ." 2 Cor 4:1-6 ....and not through any organization. The organization preaches of itself and its glory, with the "faithful and discreet slave" preaching of itself as well.

Correction: 2 Thess 2:1-4

According to the video, “Jehovah’s Witnesses, Cult or Ministers of God?” shunning can happen because of “anti-Christ” teaching. What would the teaching of “Anti-Christ” include? The “man of lawlessness” would be this Anti-Christ, who “sets himself up in the Temple of God”. “Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 1 Thess 2:1-4 Summarizing this, 1. A spoken “decree, mandate, order” and written “epistle” is preached that Christ has returned 2. Let no man deceive another with this mandate 3. A falling away – “defection from truth” appears before the Day of the Lord 4. Man of lawless, “sin” is revealed 5. Exaltation of man over God’s choice 6. Found sitting (to be set, appoint) in God’s Temple To find the identity of each of the above points - 1. The spoken and written decree: - “Enthroned in 1914, Jesus Christ is a powerful, just, wise, and merciful King who is humble before Jehovah God. kr chap. 2 pp. 13-29 Rev 12:10 – “Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.” While the organization teaches that the reigning Christ in God’s Kingdom is to cast Satan down, Satan still continues to accuse his brothers – all faithful chosen ones are not sealed as yet. Each individual anointed one must conquer Satan, and Christ is still waiting for this to be completed. 1 Cor 15:24 – “Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.” God has been gathering his administration since Christ began to rule in the heavens upon his resurrection. Ps 110:1; Heb 1:13; Eph 1:9,10,14,18; Matt 13:37-39; John 4:35,36 Matt 24:3,8 – As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.” God’s Kingdom does not arrive before birth pangs; instead, all the signs lead to the birth of the Kingdom which is the completed number of chosen and sealed heirs. Once Christ’s Bride is complete, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” Rev 11:15 And the proclamation will be made, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.” Rev 12:10 2. The deceitful mandate is spread: “Today we often hear our brothers say, “Jehovah’s celestial chariot is on the move!” and that is true. However, the fact is that since 1914, the celestial chariot, depicting the invisible part of Jehovah’s organization, has been moving at an extremely brisk pace, as a careful reading of this publication will demonstrate. With a view to getting the good news preached worldwide, Kingdom publishers have used a variety of innovative methods, including newspapers, information marches, picture presentations, testimony cards, phonographs, radio, and even the Internet.” A Letter from the Governing Body (God’s Kingdom Rules!) The organization has a continuous history of setting dates. This one holds fast and has gone through many upheavals. It is the foundation of its teachings which is proven false through scriptures simply by digging into the Greek meaning of “pangs of distress”, the WT’s version of Matt 24:8. Although scriptures teach us of such deception, millions still listen to the utterances made by man and not by Christ. Since Christ, the Head of the Anointed congregation has clearly set the parameters, what causes men not to adhere to them? “But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully” 2 Cor 11:3,4 Christ gave us warning of such deceit in Luke 21:8: “And He said, “See to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not go after them.” The organization prides itself as the congregation of Christ – “I am He” – as well as calling it “Jehovah’s organization”. In 2 Thess 2:2, the apostles are warning that this announcement of “the day of Christ has come” is, “as if from us” – as if from the apostles, who were anointed into the Body of Christ. Rev 2:2; 2 Cor 11:13 By the orders of the anointed GB, this message that (1) the organization is spirit-direct by God, (2) his kingdom now reigns, (3) Christ is the Head of the elder body, is enforced to be preached through the direction of the elder arrangement. “And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the ‘Christ,’ and will mislead many. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you in advance.” Matt 24:4,5,24,25 “Christ” means “anointed one”; for false “anointed ones” who also act as prophets and show signs of a day set for the Kingdom to have arrived (great signs and wonders) the “elect” in Christ are deceived. Only in the organization do we find anointed ones, showing this deceit is initiated by such ones. “So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority “ Acts 1:6,7 He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. Dan 7:25 If the Father has fixed his own time period for the Kingdom to be born, and how it is born, where does the authority of mere man originate to alter GOD’S ESTABLISHED DATE? The Watchtower has spoken against the Most High God by setting a date first arrived through the study of pyramidology, which is sourced in Spiritism. 3. Defection from truth, the falling away: “Regardless of how long we have been in the truth, we must tell others about Jehovah’s organization. The existence of a spiritual paradise in the midst of a wicked, corrupt, and loveless world is a modern-day miracle! The wonders about Jehovah’s organization, or “Zion,” and the truth about the spiritual paradise must be joyfully passed on “to future generations.” W 15/7/15 pp 7-11 “Come to Jehovah’s organization for salvation” Wt ‘81/11/15 What is “in the truth”? WHO is truth, but Jesus Christ? “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6 By asserting itself as “Jehovah’s organization”, the path directly to salvation and the light in Christ is diverted to one of darkness and stumbling through false visions. “Your prophets have seen for you False and foolish visions; And they have not exposed your iniquity So as to restore you from captivity, But they have seen for you false and misleading oracles.” Lam 2:14 “Her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord has not spoken.” Ezek 22:28 Each change in teaching is called “new light”. What is whitewash but a brightening or whitening of something in ill-repair? The misleading lie continues to expose itself no matter how many applications of whitewash it receives. Where do we find the “simplicity and purity” of truth in Christ, but in Christ himself? Matt 11:29 - “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Where is salvation to be found according to scripture? 1 Thess 5:9 - “For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” “and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Rev 12:10 Where is pure, untainted, chaste light found, but only in God and Christ? 1 John 1:5; John 8:12 4. Man of lawlessness - “Our obedience to the appointed elders also gives evidence of our submission to Christ, the Head of the congregation.—Colossians 2:19.” W 07/4/1 pp 26-30 Col 2:18,19 – “Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. These scriptures are in reference to the Body of Christ – the Temple of God and do not refer to an elder body that “sets itself up in God’s Temple”. 1 Cor 3:16,17 The anointed are to remain as one in Christ; but as seen, the organization tramples this thought by raising up its own “body” of men not appointed by God. Interestingly, the previous verse speaks of anointed ones “not holding fast” to their Head, Christ by taking a stand on “visions” that are “inflated” by the fleshly mind. 1914 is a prophesy made on shifting sand that has never been proven to be true. Dan 11:36,37 - “Then the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will speak monstrous things against the God of gods; and he will prosper until the indignation is finished, for that which is decreed will be done. He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the desire of women, nor will he show regard for any other god; for he will magnify himself above them all.” 5.Exaltation of man over God’s choice – “What a privilege it is for us not only to know God’s personal name but also to bear it as “a people for his name.” w15 6/15 pp. 20-24 “As part of the King’s belongings, they are happy to cooperate fully with the arrangements made by the Governing Body, which represents “the faithful and discreet slave.”” W 09/6/15 pp 20-24 The true witnesses of the Father in Heaven are his Chosen, faithful anointed ones. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Pet 2:2,10 The existence of God’s genuine Temple must be recognized as the source of salvation and reconciliation with God. Luke 10:16; Hab 2:3; Amos 3:7; Rev 11:3; 22:6-7 “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.” Eph 2:20-22 John 13:20 – “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” John 17:18 – “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” This Temple is the dwelling place of God’s spirit, truth and the cultivation of it. 1 Cor 3:16,8-9; John 4:22; Rom:28,29. God’s laws of light are written within the hearts and minds of his sons – his priesthood. 1 Pet 2:9,10; Heb 8:10 6. Found “sitting” in God’s Temple – “Although anointed ones feel that it is an honor to be invited to go to heaven, they do not expect others to treat them in a special way…Anointed Christians do not feel that they should spend time only with other anointed ones, as if they were members of a club. They do not try to find other anointed ones so that they can talk about being anointed or meet in groups to study the Bible.” ws16 January pp. 20-26 These words blatantly “trample” God’s Temple, the Body of Christ. Matt 5:13; Luke 21:24 When praying to the Father, Jesus said about those chosen as part of his body, “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.” John 17:6,12 As we see, the “son of perdition”, the “man of lawlessness”, is also found in the scriptures under consideration, 2 Thess 2:3 God's people are His priests/Temple (1 Pet 2:9-10,5; Gal 3:26,27,29). Their High Priest, Jesus, oversees the welfare of God's priesthood, and protects it from spiritual dangers. Will he not defend his own when they are being trampled by the “son of perdition”? What will he do when this “Commander of the Lord's army" ( the "Prince of princes"), is being robbed of his sanctuary and it's sacrifices (Dan 8:11,25)? The organizational arrangement through the elder body is the “disgusting thing standing in the holy place” – God’s Temple. Mark 13:14 By replacing the Temple of God made up of “spiritual Jews” with a “Gentile” Body of elders, an Anti-Christ is established. The Body of Christ, God’s sanctuary is not only required to lay quiet, not even to get to know their brothers in Christ; subjugated under a false priesthood, a blasphemy against the Most High God has been committed. Through it all, his own Son, as High Priest of his Temple has been replaced as the Head of the anointed congregation. He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. Dan 8:11 God’s chosen priesthood are unable to offer up sacrifices of praise to their God, but kowtow to the expected authority of the Anti-Christ, the organizational arrangement of the Body of Elders. Mal 2:7 http://pearl-disgustingthing.blogspot.com/

These words are all very true. Yet, I must ask JWs about this: “It is also sobering to know that Jehovah does not tolerate hypocritical worship.” Please note the contrasting statements from the publications: “As Christians, we face up to similar challenges today. We cannot take part in any modern version of idolatry—be it worshipful gestures toward an image or symbol or the imputing of salvation to a person or an organization. Wt ‘90/11/1/p.26 The words of Jesus clearly showed that true worship would not depend upon the presence or use of visible things and geographic locations. Instead of relying on sight or touch, the true worshiper exercises faith and, regardless of the place or things about him, maintains a worshipful attitude. Thus he worships, not with the aid of something that he can see or touch, but with spirit. it-2 pp. 1210-1212 Compare with these: “Come to Jehovah’s organization for salvation” WT ‘81/11/15 p. 212 “Righteous flee to God’s Mountain-like organization” Make Sure of All Things pg 323 “JEHOVAH’S people on earth today worship him in a way that pleases him… They became an organization that represented Jehovah.” ws14 5/15 pp. 21-26 Now read this first quote then those that follow: "Ask yourself now, Did Christ Jesus, who set our example and told us to follow his example to gain life, join any church organization in his day? No, God does not require us to do that; but he requires us to worship him... We have the Bible to show us the right way. Certainly it is not necessary for a person to become a member of a church to gain everlasting life." Watchtower 1953 Mar 1 p.143 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. w14 5/15 pp. 26-30 Jehovah wants us to support his organization and accept adjustments in the way we understand Bible truth and in the way we preach….ws14 5/15 pp. 21-26 Now contrast these two: No human organization will help Jehovah’s people.... They will need to trust in God for salvation. Wt 12/4/15 One valuable lesson we learn is that we need to trust God’s organization. bt chap. 13 pp. 101-107 Who do YOU trust? God, or organization, or a combination, which is idolatry? Can you worship without the organization as stated in the W ’90? Or must you worship only by supporting an organization as W ’14 states. "To whom, then, will you compare me, and to whom should I be equal?" asks the Holy One. Isa 40:25 Are you completely confused? From the daily text: "Although a devious person may skillfully deceive other humans for a while, Jehovah’s almightiness and righteousness guarantee that “the one covering over his transgressions will not succeed." The Watchtower tells you two sides of the coin, but of course you must comply to the lie - that the organization is God's earthly Zion. There is no scriptural evidence of an earthly Zion in the form of an organization built using Satan’s tools and placed in Satan's world. Touting a physical organization to represent God is not worshiping in spirit and truth, but instead relying on what is seen and made - and all centralized religions do the same thing. "When you say, 'Let us be like the nations, like the peoples of other countries, worshiping wood and stone', what you have in mind will never happen." Ezek 20:32 "As for you, house of Israel, this is what the Lord God says: Go and serve your idols, each of you. But afterward you will surely listen to Me, and you will no longer defile My holy name with your gifts and idols." Ezek 20:39 "I will act for My own sake, indeed, My own, for how can I be defiled? I will not give My glory to another." Isa 48:11 God’s true organization is the Body of Christ, thus the words from 1953 Watchtower above are true. John 17:22,23; Rom 12:1,2,4-8 "Jesus answered, "Destroy this sanctuary, and I will raise it up in three days." Therefore the Jews said, "This sanctuary took 46 years to build, and will you raise it up in three days?" But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body." John 2:19-21 Yes, it is "very sobering to know that God does not tolerate hypocritical worship". "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people!" James 4:8 "They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and deceptive hearts." Ps 12:2 http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2013/02/jehovahs-genuine-mountain.html

The Father’s name is lifted up through Jesus’ own name, which we know as “YHWH is Salvation”. “I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.” John 17:11 If the organization truly could see this there would not have been the presumptuous act of inserting “Jehovah” into the NT. Jesus bears God’s name within his personage and in spirit. What more do we need? Do we dare alter as the WT has, what has been handed down for centuries and still preserve its truth? Perhaps, perhaps not, but who is man to act so brazen in God's sight? “Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:11,12 “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. 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. As we have said before, so now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. “ Gal1:6-9 Jesus set forth God’s purpose and the mystery of his will; indeed, Jesus proclaimed “YHWH is Salvation”. God's name is quite clear as the scriptures stand through every act by his beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Eph 1:8,17

As if what I wrote is not long enough, I find I repeated a few paragraphs. So sorry.

Hi Janice, I wasn’t expecting a response, but I appreciate your getting back to me. This has become a dissertation. Certainly long, but full of vital scriptures pertaining to truth. I do hope you have patience in reading it, as I know you will find similar statements to my past ones. Your previous comments are in green. If now, God has tolerated the ruining of his creation by sinful man, and devastating wickedness, I would consider that to be dealing with a major problem. Surely, if God has put up with these conditions for thousands of years so that we might be saved, the least we can do is try to get along while voicing our concerns. Yes, only by his mercy does he once again look upon a wayward nation. I agree, it is through his tolerance that it is even possible that we have the gift of everlasting life but getting along under false pretenses is worthless; getting along in truth is righteousness. OUR concerns should reflect God’s concerns, which is the wickedness found among his own people. Within the organization “our concerns” are, again, dealt with by a false priesthood and a wicked slave. The result of this organization running itself has met havoc in child abuse court cases throughout the world, concerning one’s brother or sister. God’s law cannot be practiced by a self-appointed elder body and anointed ones who have an absolute complete failure rate at prophesy. Deut 18:22 “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? I say this to your shame” 1 Cor 6:1-5a [consider “righteous acts of the saints” Rev 19:8 (1 John 3:10)] And how does the GB even read the following scriptures without blushing? (Jer 8:12) “Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers! Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? 8 No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! 1 Cor 6:5b-8 “I have held My peace a long time, I have been still and restrained Myself. Now I will cry like a woman in labor (see Matt 24:8, Rev 12:1,2; 1 Thess 5:3) I will pant and gasp at once. I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. (Eph 5:8-14; Luke 3:4) These things I will do for them, And not forsake them. 17 They shall be turned back, They shall be greatly ashamed, Who trust in carved images, Who say to the molded images, ‘You are our gods.’ Isa 42:14,16,17 Although we may be dealing with what can seem to be insurmountable problems, shameful injustices, issues mishandled or not properly addressed, whether past, present, or future, the same could be said of the first century congregation and of Christendom as a whole; except not all have truth. A team of wild horses could not drag me back as this would be the dog returning to its vomit. I appreciate what we do have even if it's not perfect. This is the thing, Janice, there is no reason to be ‘dragged’ back to any “church” or organization. You are looking at worshiping through an earthly presence. Col 3:1,2; 2 Cor 5:7 Relying solely on God and Christ is what worshiping in the spirit and the truth is all about, with no man intervention or under any physical canopy. I will resubmit this quote from the Watchtower: As Christians, we face up to similar challenges today. We cannot take part in any modern version of idolatry—be it worshipful gestures toward an image or symbol or the imputing of salvation to a person or an organization. Wt ‘90/11/1/p.26 Here is another that conflicts with contemporary doctrine: "Ask yourself now, Did Christ Jesus, who set our example and told us to follow his example to gain life, join any church organization in his day? No, God does not require us to do that; but he requires us to worship him... We have the Bible to show us the right way. Certainly it is not necessary for a person to become a member of a church to gain everlasting life." Watchtower 1953 Mar 1 p.143 What is greatly admired, worn and displayed in various forms? Where are all people directed by your preaching work, but to the words on the blue emblem that now graces each kingdom hall? Where else are people led through your preaching work if not to an organization? If we are directed by men whose words “limp on two different opinions”, it is our obligation before God to ask why we aren’t searching our heart for pure understanding aside from an organization that declares the only way to salvation. Prov chapter 2 Thank you for the scriptures declaring your faith in preaching Jesus’s words. As far as preaching from house to house, have you noticed Luke 10:4-8? Preaching TRUTH can be done with God’s spirit as it works through an individual. Zech 4:6 If we doubt this, we shorten the arm of God. If we think MEN must organize it their way, there is no faith in what God can do. John 12:38; Isa 52:10; Hos 7:13; Prov 14:12 If for example, Hannah took offense at a priest accusing her of being drunk and decided never to go back to the temple, she would not have had the opportunity to have a child such as Samuel that grew up as a faithful servant of God and to the nation of Israel. Hannah could have taken the position that a priest being the anointed of God, should have known she was not drunk, but instead added to all the hurt she had experienced from a rival wife. Are you equating the temple with the Watchtower organization. Would she have gone to the temple it if she had questioned whether the temple represented God’s spirit? She was praying to God in his temple, her faith remained loyal to God. As far as the opinionated priest, each one of us must answer to God; 2 Cor 5:10; Rom 14:12 This goes for the anointed ones inside and outside of the organization. Inside, for their tolerance to submitting to lies and supporting an idol; once outside if they continue to teach lies and isolate themselves from the rest of the Body. Ezek 44:10; Mal 2:8; Isa 53:6; As I’ve said before, the anointed ones today are not only part of the Temple, which is the Body of Christ, but ARE the Temple. 1 Cor 3:16; 6:17,19,20; Eph 2:22; 1 Pet 2:5,9,10 Should we listen to those anointed ones ones who speak from both sides of the mouth? No. James 4:8; Matt 23:25-28; Matt 7:17 Is this this how anointed ones are to teach others, through doctrines pointing to another failed prophesy over the history of many, and causing nothing but confusion? This is by no means the correct pure good news that Christ preached. WT preaching is based on 1914, causing doublespeak to keep occurring. 2 Pet 3:3,4; 2 Thess 2:2 The teaching of “this generation” continues to revolve around 1914. (If you’re interested in the correct Greek translation for Matt 24:8, it is brought out in a comment I made on this forum under the question, “Has the 1000 years of Kingdom Rule started?”) Many who are leaving realize the obvious lack of holy spirit among the anointed leaders. 2 Tim 3:8 The world still lies in turmoil as the ‘good news’ of the kingdom as established in 1914 and preached by the organization continues. What confusion, which is the Greek meaning for “Babylon”. In 2015, 260,273 were baptized, 156,260+ left or faded from the organization, and not all are accounted for. Was this the case when God directed his ancient people? When numbers dropped it was because of their destruction through disobedience to God’s laws and worshiping “the work of their own hands”. Acts 7:41; Exod 32:35,27,28; 1 Cor 10:6,7-11 Haughtiness, arrogance, rebellion and a prideful will caused them to be destroyed. “God has removed and devastated nations and kings. He too has the power to correct his people or congregations” This is exactly what will happen in the end times, and where we must look to see prophesy fulfillment. The anointed ones are “conquered” by a false prophet and her Gentile Wild Beast not found in Satan’s world but among God’s people. Matt 24:24,25; Rev 13:7,11; Dan 8:24; Rev 19:20 We have the composite false prophet – compare Rev 19:20 and Rev 13:11-16; 1 Cor 6:15-17 It performs signs on behalf of the first beast (Gentile Wild Beast) to deceive those of the earth that had received the mark of the first beast and worshiped its “image” ( 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.) According to this WT comment, it can be established that the organization is actually an image that expects obedience from those who are in charge – yes, rulers. Rulers are to be obeyed. When a person is baptized in the organization, they “present” themselves to this established obedience through their identification as a JW. Rom 6:16 – “Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?” "So when we obey elders, we show respect for Jehovah and Jesus, the two greatest Shepherds" "It is extremely important for us to obey the elders. Why? Think of how Jehovah gave instructions to his people so that they could survive difficult times in the past." WT 11/2013 In Romans 2, Paul is addressing those who “suppress the truth” in ungodliness. (Dan 8:12) “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Rom 2:1-4 The Wild Beast image – the organization – is referred to as “mother” This means it has replaced “Jerusalem above”, the mother covenant of those anointed looking toward being “sealed” Gal 4:26; Rev 12:1,2,5; 2:26,27. As Paul said, “Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.” Rom 1:22,23 This is the operation of error, along with the 1914 doctrine, and the lie that this beast image is God breathed (spirit-directed), when in fact it breathes a different spirit given it by the false prophet/harlot/beast. Rev 13:15 Relating that the organization is our life-giving “mother” is a blasphemous act replacing the true Kingdom and all its glory as well as the true “mother” covenant. Can you see this? “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” 2 Thess 2:3,4 Dan 8:11 Where else do we find God’s chosen “Temple” but in the organization? Who are JWs expected to obey if not the elder body, a spiritual Gentile Body and a counterfeit to the Body of Christ which is made up of his chosen spiritual “Jews”. Who has the power to judge God’s Chosen ones? “The second beast (false prophet) was given power to give breath (spirit-directed) to the image of the first beast (organizational image) so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.” Rev 13:15-18 This organizational image or false priesthood is also the “disgusting thing standing in the Holy Place”, an “abomination” and has erased God’s chosen Temple priesthood. Ezek 8:5,6; 44;6-9; 2 Chron 13:9 Symbolically, they are "scattered among the Nations/Gentiles", a locust army that even the Watchtower identifies itself with. Lev 26:33; Rev 13:10; Dan 8:11,24; 12:7; Rev 13:7; Ezek 34:12; Joel 2:1,2,4; Rev 9:7 By submitting to man’s corporate expectations, they are NOT acceptable to the Lord; their spiritual sacrifice of the lips has been removed. Dan 8:11-13; 12:21; Mal 2:7-9; Hos 14:2; Heb 13:15 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Rom 12:1,2 (1 Pet 2:5; Heb 13:15; John 15:16) “Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.” 1 Cor 7:17 In rebuttal, the priests of Israel did not just congregate among themselves. They were scattered throughout the twelve tribes of Israel and they cooperated with the prophets, older men and kings. I also see where the kings, older men/elders and prophets provided more instruction than the priests. Numbers 11:25 Then Jehovah came down in a cloud and spoke to him and took away some of the spirit that was upon him and put it upon each of the seventy older men. And it came about that as soon as the spirit settled down upon them, then they proceeded to act as prophets; . . . 29 However, Moses said to him: “Are you feeling jealous for me? No, I wish that all of Jehovah’s people were prophets, because Jehovah would put his spirit upon them!” 30 Later Moses withdrew to the camp, he and the older men of Israel. In this case, Holy Spirit came directly from God, whereas an elder body is appointed based on “scriptural qualifications” by other men. Are your local elders part of the anointed Temple of God? 1 Cor 3:16; 1 Pet 2:5; Eph 2:20-22 Because the Body of Christ is God’s Temple, anointed are to be as one in Christ and ‘not their own’. 1 Cor 6:19,20 If Christ is the Head Shepherd of the congregation, those who are his would follow also as shepherds in the congregation, which would bring glory to God. John 21:17 Christ, as well as the early apostles taught, admonished, how this Body is to stay complete and cherish each member, which does not exist in a setting where spiritual food offered by another priest is tossed out, as well as the priest. Matt 24:48-51 "In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. John 14:20 “For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. 1 Cor 12:1 “that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.” 1 Cor 12:25 “you yourselves, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Pet 2:5 By submitting to man’s earthly corporate expectations, they cannot be found acceptable to the Lord. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Rom 12:1,2 The anointed were happy to be ridiculed, humiliated and face all sort of persecution and death, but yet now at this time of the end, how can they be silent, oppressed and voiceless of their lowly status and servitude? Surely, God's spirit has not failed them: "The newly created Temple, Christ's Body" or "anointed ones" No, God’s spirit has not failed them, as we see by these words: I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. God’s spirit is calling them out of an oppressed situation in order to be refined, cleansed and found worthy to be sealed, yet only a few will listen. Rom 11:7-10; Isa 1:9; Rev 18:4-8; 3:18; Mal 3:2,3; Rev 18:4-8; “I will bring the one–third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; And each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” Zech 13:9 Because of his tolerance through grace, He has allowed this operation of error for exactly the purpose of refinement of each heart. Luke 22:31 Once disfellowshiped for their testimony of Jesus, ridicule, persecution and a spiritual “death” occurs; thus, disfellowshiping fulfills prophesy. Rev 12:14;11:8 As you will notice with this summer's conventions, shunning is taking on a more severe form. The underlying reason is to instill further fear in the anointed ones, Satan’s primary target, as well as all who listen to the lies. Matt 16:25; Luke 17:26-32; Rev 11:8; Gen 3:15; Eph 6:12 “Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.” John 15:20 Who are “they”? His own people! Who cause persecution on those who choose to serve God and Christ completely? Their own people, anointed brothers and all sheep from the organization. How true are Paul’s words when directed to the GB: “We are fools for Christ, but you [GB] are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.” 1 Cor 4:10-13 Jehovah’s Witnesses, on the other hand, are never persecuted for their witness of Jesus, but only in the name of an organization. Look at the word, “mediator” in 1 Tim 2:5. Strong’s indicates the word as meaning a “go-between”, “arbitrator”. If obedience is required to an elder body, and immediate “go-between”, our mediator in Christ has lost first place in our lives. Subtly, the organization ‘shuts up the kingdom’ through this arrangement. Matt 23:13 It is God’s own people that treat God’s Chosen ones and all who realize salvation is found only in God and Christ and not the organization, as scum of the earth through the disfellowshiping decree. By refusing to bear the “mark” or identity of “Jehovah’s Witnesses”, a cutting off from family, friends ensues. John 16:2 – “They will put you out of (meaning of Greek is “excommunicate”) the synagogue (“congregation”); in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills (“figuratively or literally”) you will think they are offering a service to God.” (to keep the congregation clean) The only spiritual “currency” allowed in Rev 13:17 is supplied by the false prophet and among those who bear the name “Jehovah’s Witnesses”. Actions as well as agreeing to the baptism questions are the “mark” of the Beast. Now, you most likely are thinking I’m daft. Keep in mind, always God has disciplined his own Chosen ones by allowing captivity, cleansing, and repentance to bring his people to their senses. And only a remnant are keen enough to take heed and turn directly to God for salvation. If anointed remain under this power, they will not be sealed in Christ. Rev 14:1; 7:3 The only spirit-directed ‘organization’ is the Body of Christ – God’s Temple, anything else is counterfeit. Rev 13:1,5,6; 2 Thess 2:4 I have deviated from a few of your comments; and really, I believe you are set in the organization, although I truly hope your eyes open to the true “good news” of the kingdom being preached now, which is the restoration of “Jacob”. Isa 2:2-5; 56:7; 2 Pet 1:18; Zech 8:2,3; Joel 3:17; Rev 14:1 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge [“to flog, literally or figuratively, chastise”] you in their synagogues [“congregation”]. You will be brought before governors [“a leader of any kind, a guide, ruler”] and kings [anointed GB] for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. 21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death [“literally or figuratively”]. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. Matt 10:16-23 Can you see that the “cities of Israel” concerns those anointed ones within the organization who must listen to their Master and “come out”, repent and be sealed? Satan, on the other hand, wants you to believe the source of this persecution is found within his world. John 18:36 “And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed “ Rev 7:4 However, if you feel a need to bring up all these other issues or they continue to disturb your conscience, maybe you should pray fervently to Jehovah to help you do what's right in this regard. Thank you for your suggestion of which I daily do – that is, approach the Father in prayer. The only “issue” I have is that those in the WT remain in captivity and refuse to “come out”. Isa 48:20; 2 Tim 2:25,26; 2 Tim 3:1-9 For many years I was in the organization, then disfellowshiped for realizing and stating God and Christ are our salvation as scriptures dictate. Upon leaving, I have found where the “eagles have gathered” and have been richly blessed. Luke 17:37; Rev 12:6 I hope all JWs do also, before it’s too late. Perhaps, if you are willing to consider it, this article will give more insight. http://pearl-anillustration.blogspot.com