Witness

I thought again of Isa 9:6,7 where Jesus is described as Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. His kingdom is sustained with "justice and righteousness". People walk away from this organization, unjustly wounded and bleeding, even bled to "death", physically and spiritually. Rev 13:15 If Jesus Christ is our Counselor and Prince of Peace, why would he have any hand in such unrighteousness? Matt 23:37; Rom 3:10-18; Rev 16:4-6; 18:20,24

You have deflected to the Boy Scouts. In your mind, you are desperately trying to preserve a corrupt leadership/organization that claims to represent the Almighty God. Is it not more important to preserve our relationship with God, rather than with men who fail deliberately and repeatedly, to protect their "sheep"? I am more "vested" in the prophetic outcome of this organization, of which this matter only contributes to. When it is in your power, don’t withhold good from the one it belongs to. 28 Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go away! Come back later. I’ll give it tomorrow”—when it is there with you. 29 Don’t plan any harm against your neighbor, for he trusts you and lives near you. 30 Don’t accuse anyone without cause, when he has done you no harm. 31 Don’t envy a violent man or choose any of his ways; 32 for the devious are detestable to the Lord, but He is a friend to the upright. 33 The Lord’s curse is on the household of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous; 34 He mocks those who mock, but gives grace to the humble. 35 The wise will inherit honor, but He holds up fools to dishonor. Prov 3:27-35

I do hope you will get your questions answered as this develops.

With Anna's help I believe you are now aware that John Redwood wrote this. He is the same man who, with his wife, told their story in the Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2019/03/the-secret-jehovahs-witness-database-of-child-molesters/584311/

From John Redwood... A preview of upcoming news: Jehovah's Witnesses are appealing to the Supreme Court of the United States, but this time it has nothing to do with preaching or saluting the flag. It's all about child abuse. Specifically, the protection (or cover-up) of information, documents, and testimony of persons involved in cases of child abuse. I will be covering this story in the coming weeks and months, but I thought I would share some of this news and try to distill it down as simply as I can. I'd like to point out first that Watchtower has appealed to the Supreme Court in connection with their loss of yet another California child abuse case. The chance that Watchtower's appeal being will be heard by the Supreme Court is slim, but anything is possible. What brought this about? There are many ongoing civil child abuse cases in California. One such case is J.W. versus Watchtower. J.W. happens to be the initials for the victim of former JW elder Gilbert Simental, who went on a spree of molestation which touched the lives of numerous victims. As with other cases, the plaintiff demanded that Watchtower turn over to the court a database of child abuse cases known to be maintained by Watchtower of New York. In this particular case, because Watchtower failed to turn over the documents in a timely manner, attorneys asked for a default judgment of just over 4 million dollars. The court agreed with the plaintiff and entered a default judgment in that amount. Watchtower was required to post a bond of more than 6 million dollars while their appeal was pending. Watchtower lost their appeal, and the decision of the court was upheld. This decision is final- with one exception. Watchtower has decided to appeal to the United States Supreme court on the basis that their judicial hearings related to child abuse matters are "confidential intra-faith communications" and that they do not, and should not, reveal those communications or documents to anyone, including civil courts. I'd like to make it very clear what Watchtower is doing here. They are fighting for their right NOT to allow civil authorities to dictate what is confidential, and what is not confidential. All of this is in relation to their claim that elders do not have the right or duty to report child abuse to the authorities. Watchtower overtly lies to their members by claiming that they obey secular laws, except when they conflict with God's laws. Yet they break the law every single time by advising elders NOT to report child abuse to the authorities. It does NOT matter whether child abuse occurs in a mandatory reporting state- elders STILL do not report to the police because Watchtower has told them that ALL of their communications are protected by clergy-penitent privilege. This is false- and it is exactly why they are losing tens of millions of dollars in child abuse civil cases. Watchtower advises elders to break the law. And now they want the Supreme Court of the United States to agree with them. The claim that the state of California has unfairly targeted Jehovah's Witnesses and "intruded upon matters of church governance." Why??? How does compliance with mandatory child abuse reporting laws conflict with God's laws? It doesn't. This is a fabrication of Watchtower attorneys working for the Governing Body, and it's become quite clear that they feel that compliance with these civil laws will spell disaster for their religion. And they might be right. If Jehovah's Witnesses did the right thing and complied with the law, they would lose the tight grip of control over their elder bodies in ways which frighten the hell out of them. There is a whole lot more to this story as well as the underlying cases involved, but I wanted to let you know what's going on. Attorneys for J.W. (the abuse victim) will be filing an opposition to Watchtower's appeal in August, and we should have a decision from the Supreme Court by October on whether they will accept Jehovah's Witnesses appeal for review. Stay tuned!! https://www.reddit.com/r/exjw/comments/chtj2j/watchtower_appeals_to_supreme_court/

No, and no.

No, I didn't slip up. The "Great Crowd" are found serving in the Temple of God. The only people allowed in God's Temple in the early temples, were the priests. (1 Cor 3:16,17) 2 Chron 23:6 - No one is to enter the temple of the Lord except the priests and Levites on duty; they may enter because they are consecrated, but all the others are to observe the Lord’s command not to enter. Num 3:10 - Appoint Aaron and his sons to serve as priests; anyone else who approaches the sanctuary is to be put to death.” Heb 3:5 - Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. 4 If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. 5 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” God's decrees about His Temple have not changed for Mount "Zion". Heb 12:22 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language,standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” 13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” 14 I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 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 shelter them with his presence." Rev 7:9-15

Jer 31:31-34 are the scriptures he posted: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” God's "people" are the anointed ones, His appointed priests and "special possession". 1 Pet 2:5,9 The priests who served God in the ancient temple arrangement were to teach God's Word to all of the nation of Israel. Mal 2:7 - “For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, And people should seek the law from his mouth; For he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. Those who receive the law in their heart and minds are God's appointed priests since Christ, who is our High Priest. Heb 3:1 - "Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest." Heb 8:11 - "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. " Isaiah 2:3 says, "For out of Zion shall go forth the law". How can this be, but through the sealed kings and priests in the Kingdom who have the law written on their hearts and minds? They are God's dwelling/His Temple and the authentic Zion. 1 Cor 3:16,17; 2 Cor 6:16 "In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it." In order to teach all of God's children, His required laws in the Kingdom, The Bride/priesthood/"kings"/dwelling of God in Spirit,/"New Jerusalem", "comes down out of heaven" to be with all of God's children. Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. Rev 21:1-3 Rev 5:9,10: And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” "Heaven" is a state, not a place past some star in the universe. God's "dwelling"/Temple are the "new creation", able to appear in the flesh and in the spirit, just as Jesus showed us when he was resurrected. Gen 28:10-14; John 1:51; 21:14 "Angel" in Greek, means "messenger". (Mal 2:7)

All true faithful believers in Christ will receive eternal life. 2 Cor 9:12-14 The anointed remnant who face their enemy, Satan,during the last days, will provide "life" as the Bride, if they are sealed into the "heaven". The rest of the children to come in the Kingdom are through the fulfilled New Covenant/promise of LIFE through the union of the Bride and Christ. ("Eternal Father") Rev 22:17 In the line of God's future children, the anointed priesthood sealed in the heavens, are the first to benefit from the promise of the New Covenant. They are the "firstfruits". Rev 14:4; James 1:18 This fulfilled promise is a promise of life to come to all mankind in the Kingdom. The anointed since Christ, have been subjected to Satan's deceit and earthly promises. They must conquer all that he may throw at them, in order to be acceptable to serve God's children in the Kingdom. They must be found pure and blameless. 2 Pet 3:14 Just as Jesus told Paul, "why are you persecuting me?" when he was coming against his disciples, (Acts 26:14), when his priests face their enemies and are victorious over them, it is Jesus placing his enemies as his "footstool". Ps 110:1,2 Some wayward anointed will combat truth with their lies and cause other anointed to stumble. Matt 24:48-51 These "kings of the earth" battle during the last days. Rev 1:5; 19:16; 16:13,14 Satan comes against those remaining "firstfruits" under the New Covenant, by using a great deception to veer them away from their Head, Jesus Christ. 2 Thess 2:9-12 If they can perceive the deception, leave it, and obey only Christ; which includes all of God's potential children, they are victorious over Satan's attack on the "woman" - the New Covenant/promise of eternal life. Gal 4:26; Rev 12:1-11

Then, Jesus is not Michael, or the Word/Logos, or Savior; or, "Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." All of these names of Christ, signify his work/action in connection with preserving life and giving life. Satan as the Destroyer, signifies his work of destruction - of killing, of wiping out whatever is in his path. To believe Jesus would fulfill that role shows exactly how skillful the Destroyer is, at deception.

Please, provide me an example when I have ever support spiritual "Israel" as the physical nation of Israel or those of physical Jewish descent. Why would I support the anointed priesthood found in the organization, if that were so? How easy it appears for you, to formulate a lie. The core doctrine is based on knowing who spiritual "Israel" is, as the Temple of God, and the true Mount Zion. He doesn't understand this "core" doctrine. You should. 1 Pet 2:5,9; 2 Cor 6:16; 1 Cor 3:16,17; 2 Eph 20-22; Rev 3:12; Rev 14:1-5

Ezek 44:23; Mal 2:7; 2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 11:1,2

@Space Merchant : Another point is, you claim that there is no biblical and or scriptural support concerning the New Covenant, and yet it is there in the Bible, mentioned in the Old Testament, and mentioned again as well as set in motion in the New Testament, which shows here, you truly do not know 100% what the New Covenant even is, resulting in what I stated to you earlier before you deviated from the question at hand. I am done with your rambling and lies.

Agree! So, who is it that doesn’t understand? It isn’t me. This is a spiritual priesthood, not a fleshly one, according to the natural Jewish ancestry. Is this what you are thinking? I have NEVER said it was based on a literal Jewish ancestry. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." 1 Pet 2:9,10 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too. Rom 3:29 It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Rom 9:6 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all!Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches. Rom 11:11,15,16 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.James 1:18 They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” Rev 17:14 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” Rev 5:10 Spiritual "Israel" as the royal anointed priesthood, are people from all physical nations of the world. edit: I should say - from various nations and nationalities throughout the world.

@Shiwiii was right when he said, "That's quite a stretch for Romans 6 to apply to smoking, don't you think?" And..."It is NOT buy the direction of men who sit in WT headquarters." The entire Rom 6:16: "Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?" "You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men." 1 Cor 7:23 If we are to love our neighbor as our-self, would we expect them to follow commandments of men that go beyond Christ's teachings? Extra rules and regulations that are not in the Bible? It is true that our body should be cared for, as the marvelous gift it is. But, a person smoking or not smoking doesn't give claim to being a "Christian". What is more important is identifying false Christians who easily judge another as unworthy, because they choose to become a slave of Christ, and not of men and their organization. Luke 6:42; Rom 3:23; Prov 16:2 Disfellowshipping another because of a smoking habit that they struggle with, is not an act of love, but an act of arrogance and coldness; and a judgment made by "human standards". Rom 3:8; John 8:15; 1 Sam 16:7 They, who do this, are the guilty ones, who hold back any spiritual compassion and sustenance, that could be given them. "Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished." Prov 17:5

Does wearing a badge determine if one is on the path of righteousness? Do you remember the cross and crown on the early Watchtower magazines? It is a Masonic symbol that can be worn as a pin. Would wearing it show you were on the path of righteousness when it was used by the Watchtower; and, would you wear it today, or is it not acceptable jewelry for those who desire to remain on the path of righteousness? If not, who is the apostate? Wouldn't the apostates be your brothers and sisters from years past, who treasured this symbol as representing their "organization"? You say, "those who leave Jehovah's organization..." Is God and the organization inseparably linked? Isa 46:5

Should I spell it out for you? According to you, I am ignorant, foolish and stupid; very unchristian-like. Should I call you ignorant, foolish and stupid because you cannot see that I have indeed, told you who the Destroyer is, using the scriptures to prove it? Those who are spiritual "Israel" are outlined in scripture: Gal.6:15,16: "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God." Rom 2:28,29: "For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God." Rom 4:13: "For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith." Gal 3:7: "Therefore know that only those who are of faith of Abraham, are sons of Abraham." John 8:39: "Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham." Rom 4: 11: "And Abraham received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also" Those who are "Israel" share the faith of righteous Abraham, receiving the circumcision of the heart, by Jesus Christ. Col 2:11: "In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ". This comes upon a person, through an anointing. With that circumcision of the heart, God's laws are written upon it. Heb 8:10: "This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people." 1 Pet 2:9,10 - "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; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." They are the anointed priesthood. They are "Israel". 1 Pet 2:5 - "Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 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." As I said and which you have successfully twisted, the Great Crowd are the anointed, "called, chosen and faithful" remnant - a segment of the total "144,000" who come out of the Tribulation, upholding Truth. If you would like to know any more (although you appear to be exceedingly confident in knowing the scriptures backwards and forward; the invitation is to all) go here: http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2013/07/who-are-144000.html (Thank you, Librarian, for allowing me to post the link)

Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are.And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. Exod 12:13 For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you. Exod 12:23 The Lord (His Spirit) passes over Israel and passes through the Egyptians. He allows Satan the Destroyer, to strike. Obviously, you desire the destroyer to be God or Jesus Christ...regardless of what the scriptures say. By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. Heb 11:28

So, you are telling me that you do know spiritual "Israel" applies only to the anointed ones, according to the first link provided. (SM does not believe this) These include, the "great crowd" also, the anointed remnant to come out of the great tribulation, serving God "day and night" before His Temple. (Only priests are able to serve God in his Temple), Matt 24:24,25,21,22; Jer 23:3; Mar 13:26,27; 1 Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16,17) Rev 7:15,17; 1 Cor 3:16,17 They, along with the rest of the sealed “144,000” are the firstfruits of the children of God, and as the Bride united with her husband, will bring life to the rest of the Father's children in the Kingdom – they, who obey Christ's teachings and all who are written in the book of life. James 1:18; Rev 14:4; 21:2,3; 22:17 It sounds like you may be wondering if Jesus or one of God’s faithful angels was the Angel of Death that killed the Assyrian Soldiers in 2 Kings 19:35 Angel of Death: (Wikipedia) The angel (malak) is referred to under various terms, including Mashḥit, meaning "destroyer" (pron. mash-heet(h) or -kheet(h)) (Mashchit(h), מַשְׁחִית and Ha-Mashchit(h)/Ha-Mashḥit, הַמַשְׁחִית), "destroying angel" (מַלְאָך הַמַשְׁחִית, malak ha-mashḥit or in the plural מַשְׁחִיתִים, mashchitim/mashchithim/mashḥitim—"spoilers, ravagers"), Angel of the Lord, (מְמִיתִים, memitim—"executioners", "slayers") is found in Job 33:22 and in Proverbs 16:14 in the plural, "Messengers of death". In Greek, angel means “messenger”. Would Jesus be a messenger of death, or a messenger of life? John 14:6; John 10:10 1 John 1:5 - This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. Death is darkness. Light is life. Luke 1:79 It’s very simple. There is a boundary between both that cannot be crossed. 2 Cor 6:14 Who has complete control over what Satan is allowed to do? Who can protect us from the “evil one”. Luke 11:4 Also, who was allowed to bring “fire” down on Job? Job 1:12, 2:6 Comparing your concern over Satan “protecting the Israelites”, how do you feel about God allowing Satan to test Job, a righteous man who suffered so greatly? Satan doesn’t look at it as protecting the Israelites, but only as bringing about the destruction of a human being. He is darkness and DEATH. 1 Pet 5:8,9 God allowed Satan to test faithful Job’s loyalty, within limits. Satan’s accusations against him were found false. Job remained loyal to God. Satan has asked that each anointed one be tested – sifted “as wheat”; again, challenging their faithfulness. Luke 22:31 Many do not pass the test. Matt 25:1,6-10 His actions are controlled by God as we see with Job, which means He would allow the Destroyer to step in and cause the death of the Assyrian soldiers. (Rev 20:1-3) Remember though, God said, "Woe, you destroyer never destroyed, you traitor never betrayed! When you have finished destroying, you will be destroyed. When you have finished betraying, they will betray you." Isa 33:1 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 1 Cor 15:26 If Christ was the Angel of Death, would he also destroy death? If he is that angel, does he posses both darkness and light? John 1:4 - In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. SM looks at Armageddon literally, as do your leaders who portray Jesus as swooping down on a white horse bearing a literal sword, as the Destroyer. Look up “sword” and see that it is symbolic. Heb 4:12; Eph 6:17; Rev 1:16; 2:16 “Fire” also is symbolic as meaning God’s Word. Jer 23:29 In 1 Cor 10:1-13, was Jesus the destroyer that Paul is speaking about? SM is saying that Jesus Christ is Apollyon in Revelation 9:11 In Hebrew “Abaddon” means “destroyer”. Job 28:22 - Abaddon and Death say, "We have heard news of it with our ears." Job 31:12 - For it is a fire that consumes down to Abaddon; it would destroy my entire harvest. Job 26:6 – “Sheol is naked before God, and Abaddon has no covering.” Prov 15:5 – “Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD -- how much more, human hearts.” Prov 27:20 – “Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and people's eyes are never satisfied” Can Jesus be compared to Sheol? “Apollyon” in Greek means, “destroyer” 1 Cor 10:10 - Nor should we complain as some of them did, and were killed by the destroyer. Heb 11:28 - By faith he instituted the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch the Israelites. Rev 9:11 – “They had as their king the angel of the abyss; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he has the name Apollyon.” This is speaking about the locust-scorpion army which cause harm to the anointed ones who are yet to be sealed. Rev 9:4 (Rev 7:4) Do you believe Jesus would harm his own people? Abaddon and Apollyon refer to Satan, and only Satan. One more thought. God told David that the temple David longed to build would not be built by him, but by his son. Why? 1 Chron 28:3 - But God said to me, 'You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood.' David assumed God meant Solomon would build his house, but we know God had other plans regarding His begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who would build His house/Temple. 1 Chron 17:10-14; John 2:19; Eph 2:20-22; Acts 7:47,48 Would God change His mind and allow His Son to shed blood as your leaders and SM believe he would? He brings us life as our Savior; not death, not as one who destroys life. “You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood”. Jesus is the Head of the “house of God”/Temple. The anointed “living stones” of the Temple of God are its bodily members. Eph 4:11,12; 2:20-22 If they overcome Satan’s end time deceit… Rev 3:12 - He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. This is the fulfilled New Covenant as the Bride, “coming down from heaven” Rev 21:1-4 During the time of the end God “sends” a delusion upon His people, which means He allows Satan to again “sift as wheat” the anointed remnant during this time period. Luke 22:31 The delusion is described by Daniel as the fourth beast, (Dan 7:7) and it is the two Beasts in Revelation chapter 13. They are of Satan’s making, and as the Father of the Lie, these two beasts promulgate their lies which stumble and capture the anointed ones. 2 Thess 2:1-4,9-12; Col 2:8; Rev 13:7,10 Armageddon is fought in the “valley of decision”, the heart, not on a physical plane where literal blood is shed by Christ, as the Destroyer. It is the battle of truth against lies. Joel 3:14 What Satan accomplishes before death is destroyed, remains to be seen.

But as for you, communicate the behavior that goes with sound teaching. Titus 2:1 For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things. (NET) Hold to the standard of sound words that you heard from me and do so with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim 1:13 Believe what the Bible says. Be like a Berean, "examining the scriptures carefully every day to see if these things were so." ("when we are instructed to do/go something that is not practical in our eyes") Acts 17:11

You must be kidding.

I am so sorry. My bearded husband suffered similar; persuaded by the elder body to become a ministerial servant and then an elder; as they recognized his abilities to “lead”, and their dire need for someone who could. Then, beat up by other elders for having one…for a good many years. He was even accused of turning a congregation “apostate”. It is no wonder our children refuse to search out truth, since they saw only distress and suffering put upon their parents by the treacherous acts of “Jehovah’s organization”. Isa 28:5-13

You were proposing a theory without knowing the facts; the primary one being the definition of God's Temple. Tell you what, the next time I feel obligated to comment on a post you may start or address one of your comments, I won't address you directly, but will say something like "TTH said,....." Oh, and I'll try to remember to add, "I believe it is this way." I may forget; I am reaching 63 years. "good anointed" If you were at the door in your preaching work, and you engaged in a conversation about the trinity, would you feel you were a "good JW" by presenting them with truth from the Bible? Perhaps you would, but you knew there were pertinent scriptures to present, and felt the need to show the person where he erred. I have no feeling of being "good", but anxious about doing God's will properly, by speaking truth. When Christ judges each one of us, then we will know who is "good". "In the same way, when you have done all that you were commanded, you should say, ‘We are worthless servants; we’ve only done our duty.’” Luke 17:10 You might want to check on the GB though. They are re-emphasizing they will soon be going to "heaven", leaving all of you behind with the elders. Notice, only they will be going. They must be good anointed ones The rest of the anointed...well, the GB could care less.

If @Jeff Danby is a JW, you have thoroughly confused him, since he believes that “Israel” is comprised of the anointed ones, as do I. That may soon change with shocking “new light” when “Jehovah’s spiritual temple”/organization/idol becomes known as “Israel”. Will you be ready for baptism then? Exod 12:23 - "When the Lord passes through to strike Egypt and sees the blood on the lintel and the two doorposts, he will pass over the door and not let the destroyer enter your houses to strike you." Heb 11:28 - "By faith he instituted the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch the Israelites." Isa 14:12 - "Shining morning star, how you have fallen from the heavens! You destroyer of nations, you have been cut down to the ground." Isa 33:1 - "Woe, you destroyer never destroyed, you traitor never betrayed! When you have finished destroying, you will be destroyed. When you have finished betraying, they will betray you." God, and Christ are our judge, not our executioner.

You began at verse 3. Before this, the NWT says, However, brothers, concerning the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you 2 not to be quickly shaken from your reason nor to be alarmed either by an inspired statement or by a spoken message or by a letter appearing to be from us, to the effect that the day of Jehovah is here. Here, the translators took the liberty of changing the coming presence of “our Lord Jesus Christ” to the “day of Jehovah”. “Now we beg you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to him, 2 that ye be not soon shaken in mind, nor troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter, as [if it were] by us, as that the day of the Lord is present. (Darby) “This day began in 1914 when Jesus was installed as King of God’s Kingdom. And it will continue right through to the end of the Thousand Year Reign, when Christ will ‘hand over the kingdom to his God and Father.’ (1 Corinthians 15:24) Faithful Christians have looked forward to the Lord’s day for many centuries. Now, it is finally here! Wt 88/10/15 pp. 10-15 ….”either by an inspired statement or a spoken message or by a letter appearing to be from us”… If the letter appeared to be from true anointed ones, but really is not, then it comes from the pen of false “christs” – fallen anointed leaders, who have “gathered together”, the anointed to hear and be stumbled by, their false claim. Matt 24:24; Rev 13:11,14-18,7 This is part of the sign of the "man of lawlessness". Today, the anointed (TEMPLE ) submit to a "Gentile" rule - elder body - supplanted over them. 2 Thess 2:4; Rev 11:1,2 (1 Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16,17; Eph 2:20-22)