Shiwiii

Is this not after the NEW Heaven and New Earth? Where in the temple of God will be among His people and they will be with Him? 

Why should there be two different destinies in the first place - especially for Christian believers?
What is the scriptural support that there are two different destinies for Christian believers? 
(These questions are for anyone.)
 

Does 1 Peter 3:15 mean nothing to you then?. It says "everyone who asks you" 

So you are saying that I should pray to God so that he will help you explain how you come to a conclusion that really isn't obvious nor found in the Bible? lol
I believe this is your escape phrase for when you cannot defend a position you have, I've seen it before from you.  You have not provided any scriptural support for your belief. Its ok, you can believe whatever you want, but don't claim it is from God's word if you cannot support it. 

The term of offspring is used as similarity, meaning of the same family/group/ like mindedness.  This is the reason why all belong to Christ who have the same faith as Abraham. Heirs of the promise is described in detail in Galatians chapter 4:21-31 and how the faith that Abraham had distinguishes the difference between those  who try and uphold the law vs the faithful ones. 
then you DO realize that there is not something prestigious about the resurrection of both the righteous and unrighteous as if it were something different for Abraham vs the 1st century Christians. 
 
Again, I have yet to see any scriptural support for there being a different destiny for Abraham vs the 1st century Christians. I want to know how you support this idea. 

what exactly do they publish? 

Who is the cornerstone in Isaiah 28:16 and Psalm 118:22?
What does it mean to be the cornerstone? 
 
 

what exactly do they publish? 

Yes, I have heard Stephen Lett use this scripture in his rather long presentation on the woes of the organization needing contributions in May, 2015.  
“We in no way want to be categorized with other organization, religious or otherwise that coerce their supporters to donate.“
Song 50 is proof that coercion can be quite subtle. 
The entire chapter of Proverbs 3 is about wisdom – the remembrance of God’s laws, writing them on the tablet of the heart and not trusting in our own understanding, which takes the power and discernment of the mind. (Deut 6:5)
Our intellect is our strength in perceiving, understanding, and reasoning on God’s laws when we set our minds on the spirit of Christ, walking in truth. Ps 86:11; 3 John 1:4 In order to serve God fully, we adopt the mind of Christ, placing his laws before us. 1 Cor 2:16; Heb 10:16; 1 Pet 4:1
 If Prov 3:9 was referring to literal possessions, firstfruits out of our own pocket, when the entire chapter speaks of obtaining wisdom that brings life, how do we discern the words following Prov 3:9, that say:
Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
 She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.   Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her. Prov 3:13-18
I doubt you believe that by offering monetary and material possessions to the organization, that your literal storehouse on this earth will be filled and your literal vat with new wine. Joel 2:24; 3:13
“Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?”  Luke 12:24
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  Matt 6:33
Matt 6:20,21 - “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
If one’s treasure is the organization, where one’s heart lies; then yes, one will give materially to it.  Rev 9:20; James 5:3  Storing up treasures in heaven is the taking in of wisdom from the tree of life, Jesus Christ.  Rev 3:17,18 ; Prov 25:11
As the words in Prov 3:9 are spiritual, signifying the blessings of the Kingdom, (Isa 55:1-5) so is the term “firstfruits”. 
Jer 2:3 - Israel was holiness to the Lord, The firstfruits of His increase. All that devour him will offend;
Disaster will come upon them,” says the Lord.’”
James 1:18 -  Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
1 Cor 15:20-26 -  “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.  For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.  But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.  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.25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.  The last enemy that will be destroyed is death”
John 1:13 - who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
These are the anointed ones, who follow Christ closely by offering up their lives in the same way as Christ.
Rev 14:4,5 -  “ These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.” 
This offering to God of firstfruits under the New Covenant produces both seed and the bread of “wisdom” to others.  John 12:24,25; Rom 6:5,3,4; 1 Cor 15:36-38; 2 Cor 9:10 Hos 10:12  
They are the first of the harvest, with more “children” of God to follow.  1 Tim 2:3,4; 4:10; John 5:24; 4:36; Matt 10:40,41; 1 John 2:2; John 3:16; Acts 26:18; 20:32; Col 1:6,10; Rom 8:17 
Since Christ came to the earth, and our worship made to God is through our whole spiritual heart, spiritual soul, and spiritual mind, material contributions specified as “firstfruits”, to an earthly organization are contradictory to Christ’s teachings.
2 Cor 2:17 - Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.
1 Cor 2:6 - We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
Godliness cannot be bought with material possessions in any form. 
Rom 8:5-7 - For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.  For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
It may seem a little thing, Eoin Joyce, by picking away at this discrepancy, but by eliminating the phrase in the song, “take my mind that I may serve, Fully, Lord, without reserve” and inserting “take my silver and my gold, Nothing, Lord, would I withhold”, the carnal mind takes precedence over the spiritual, as your teachers, the GB, have proven.  The spiritual food we receive from an anointed one should reflect whole souled, the words of Christ. Matt 12:33
1 Tim 6:3-5 - “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Matt 22:37) and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.”
If one serves Christ and sees his neighbor in need, we give directly to them; our possessions are not lost within a hierarchy that chooses where it goes.  The organization is materially rich, while thousands of its members live at or below the poverty line. 
 
 Dishonest Gain
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Melinda, you had indicated that Jesus would have had in mind both believers and unbelievers in "this generation".  In view of what you're studying this week in the book, "God's Kingdom Rules", would you care to revise your answer to now exclude unbelievers?
 16. "This generation." Did Jesus have in mind unbelievers? No. Consider his audience. Jesus related this prophecy to a few apostles who had "approached him privately." (Matt. 243) The apostles would soon be anointed with holy spirit. Note also the context. Before he spoke about "this generation," Jesus said: "Now learn this illustration from the fig tree: Just as soon as its young branch grows tender and sprouts its leaves, you know that summer is near. Likewise also you, when you see all these things, know that he is near at the doors." Jesus' anointed followers-not unbelievers-would see the things he foretold and would discern their significance, namely, that Jesus "is near at the doors." Therefore, when Jesus spoke of "this generation," he had in mind his anointed followers.

 

In view of what you are studying in "God's Kingdom Rules" this week.........
 
2 What about the greatest event ever to occur in the history of the world? That event has touched millions of lives. Yet, it took place out of human view. We refer, of course, to the birth in heaven of God's Kingdom, the long promised Messianic government that will soon bring this whole world system to its end.  
......you can see why I was pleasantly surprised by your replies.
Do either of you feel you should revise your initial reply?

If you noticed the WT publications and THEIR interpretation, then you can clearly see what I am talking about. I don't need to convince you of anything. You can bury your head in the sand and ignore it, but the fact of the matter is that the society is doing exactly what they have preached is wrong. It is not a matter of which cross, or who's meaning of it is. It is the fact that the logo has been plastered not only on buildings, but shirts, pins and the like to the point that it is a symbol that is an object of intense devotion.

it is worship of the ORG.  plain and simple. even under the Organizations own definition. 

I see that you'd rather discuss this portion of my comment than the context of my statement.
 
Reasoning book:
"Cross

Definition: The device on which Jesus Christ was executed is referred to by most of Christendom as a cross. The expression is drawn from the Latin crux.
What were the historical origins of Christendom’s cross?"
 
God's Kindgom Rules! Page 103:
Should Christians Use the Cross?
12 For many years, the Bible Students viewed the cross
as an acceptable symbol of Christianity.
Further in the God's Kingdom Rules! book on page 104, 
"Yet, at first, the Bible
Students saw no objection to what they thought were appropriate
uses of the cross. For example, they proudly wore
a cross-and-crown pin as an identifying badge."
Is this not going on today with the new logo? I see it displayed and up for sale on pins and socks, bags and shirts. 

This logo is tied to the organization as a cross is to Christians? 
Interesting subject really, i mean when one sees a person wearing a cross around their neck, it is assumed that they "worship" it. Isn't that true? But now with this logo the same is not applied? 
------Reasoning from the scriptures------
Is veneration of the cross a Scriptural practice?

1 Cor. 10:14: “My beloved ones, flee from idolatry.” (An idol is an image or symbol that is an object of intense devotion, veneration, or worship.)

My personal opinion is based on the fact that there is no ancient manuscript of the NT that contains the name Jehovah or YHWH. This is admitted by your organization, but you call it my opinion....

So you cannot give your account of the gospel, instead you create a new topic of discussion.....nope, not going to follow you there. If you cannot have a discussion, only diversion, then I guess we are done here. 

How disgraceful and childish. Instead of relying on content in your message, you choose to try and belittle. 

I gave you your history and you don't want it. It come from their own publications! how can you continue to deny what they themselves wrote? 

by all means, please correct my thinking on this one statement made by the WT :
 
"Come to Jehovah's organization for salvation" - Watchtower 1981 Nov 15 p.212
 
I believe it means that they have claimed the title of God, as He is the only one who can save. 

What difference does bound vs CDROM have to do with apostasy? Is there a new teaching out now, that if you have bound volumes you are now an apostate? Do tell....

very different, the apostles did not draw people to themselves, like this statement we're talking about has, but instead pointed to Jesus! So there is a big difference between the WT and the apostles. 

by all means, please correct my thinking on this one statement made by the WT :
 
"Come to Jehovah's organization for salvation" - Watchtower 1981 Nov 15 p.212
 
I believe it means that they have claimed the title of God, as He is the only one who can save. 

None of the Greek mss of the NT have YHWH in them.  The WTS knows this and has even acknowledged it.  But then they round up the J Docs (from what? the 1500's and later) and use them to put "Jehovah" where they want to and ignore the other places the J Docs have Jehovah.
 

Allen, how can one misinterpret those statements? They are pretty plain. It seems that you do know, but choose to bury those thoughts because the society tells you to. If I have misinterpreted those statements, please explain them to me one by one. I'll list them again for your convenience:
"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
"These overseers faithfully seek to apply instructions received from JehovahGod and Jesus Christ by means of the faithful and discreet slave and its Governing Body." Watchtower 1990 Mar 15 p.20
 
"Come to Jehovah's organization for salvation" - Watchtower 1981 Nov 15 p.212
Who is the one who brings salvation? Not some organization!!!!! JESUS is the answer!
 
The Watchtower 1975 Sep 1 p.531 asks "Where could we turn if we would leave God's organization today? There is nowhere else! 
This is a play on Simon Peter's words in John 6:68 "  Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." Not an organization, but rather Jesus! 
 
"But if we were to draw away from Jehovah's organization, there would be no place else to go for salvation and true joy." Watchtower 1993 Sep 15 p.22
"They must appreciate that identifying themselves with Jehovah's organization is essential to their salvation." Kingdom Ministry 1990 Nov p.1
"And while now the witness yet includes the invitation to come to Jehovah's organization for salvation, the time no doubt will come when the message takes on a harder tone, like a "great war cry."" Watchtower 1981 Nov 15 p.21
 

Fair enough, as the word used is hēgeomai, but is that with the implication of administering punishment? While you may hand that sort of application over to these men, I do not see it that way. Is there an instance when we should accept correction from those taking lead? Sure, but to what extent? To rule and reign over my conscience and my relationship with God? Never. My relationship does not depend on the ideas or "rules" of men. Just like many other religions of the world who impose punishment over their followers above and beyond what is written, the Bible tells us that is wrong. Going beyond what is written is forbidden. There is a big difference between being encouraged by council and imposing punishment for breaking "their rules". A perfect example is that of military or police service for a member of the WT. If you were to choose that course for your life,  Would you not be punished, or rather shunned because you are going against the "rules" established by the WT? Of course you would be. But did anyone in the Bible tell a Roman soldier he must quit being a soldier if he is to become a believer? 
 
Your first statement I agree with to an extent , but can anyone adhere to these principles fully?  Hardly. So that makes each one of us sinners, not able to live up to the law. Hence the reason why Jesus came and died for our sins. Ephesians 1 tells us that we are made holy and blameless by the blood of Jesus and yet we are still sinners. We are only clean by means of Jesus and our belief in Him. 
To clarify my point, we are in a relationship with Jesus and it is this relationship that sets us apart, as a congregation. There is no man who can tell me I am not a part of the congregation in which Jesus followers are in, regardless of my sin. This is because my heart belongs to Jesus, and fail I will, I still strive to seek after Him.