Anna

We are using Zoom, with those who have parts being on camera, including a few designated to comment, and the rest watching...

JW Insider pretty much answered your questions on what the CCJW believe. The only problem I see with the anointed already being in heaven is that they are supposed to rule with Christ, which they are not yet, because that is not supposed to happen until the full number of 144 000 is there. They can't rule with some being in heaven and some being still on earth, or dead. So I don't know what they are doing in heaven, sitting and waiting I guess...? So it would seem more logical that they are still in the grave and will be resurrected when ALL the anointed die. The problem with that is the timing. If there is just one anointed, lets say in their 30's, and they die a "natural old age death" then this would mean that it could be another 50 years before the "end" comes. Of course the Bible talks about a "rapture" where those who are alieve on earth will be taken up to heaven no matter their age. This is what the CCJW believe will happen in the Great Tribulation. So I suppose it solves that problem. I guess according to @JW Insider the other anointed who are in the grave will then also be resurrected to heaven. You asked about my viewpoint on those questions. I honestly don't know. And I really don't think it matters too much. It should not matter in view of what it means to be a true Christian. JW Insider pointed that out. A lot of the attitude now is "let's wait and see". The important thing is being found to be on God's side when it all goes down.

To be honest until a few days ago I had no idea I was also moderating THIS club. I have been a moderator in the JW Only club, but recently I noticed THIS club, that used to be OPEN, has now also become closed. So it has become a little confusing. While the JW Only club had much stricter rules, (one of them being no ex- JW and only baptized practicing JWs), this club (the Jehovahs Witnesses) allowed anyone to become a member and comment. I guess the @The Librarian automatically made me moderator here also....? I don't know what the rules are here, but I would say common courtesy should apply across the board of course, so @4Jah2me please control yourself. Thank you.

Oh no, but they will be so wrong! It's the toilet paper manufacturers.

Yes I heard that too. It was not so much a rumor but wishful thinking on the part of the ex-JWs i think, as they were hoping this would eventually lead to the disintegration of the org. However, I just read a leaked letter to the BOE urging elders to find ways for the members of the cong to interact via some type of conference calling and/or to stream a meeting with only those who have talks etc. like you already described, and make it possible for everyone to be tied in and even comment. They were saying that the JW streaming should not be used indefinitely because we need to interact with each other, even if only by video conference etc. So the ex-jws had to admit that the idea that congregations meetings could eventually be phased out does not sound realistic at all in view of this letter.... Oh and also group meetings, if permissible, have been suggested, or just families, even if these consist of women only. I am assuming this is in countries with lockdown....

Ummmm.......no. The congregations are only following the recommendations or orders from secular authorities who have good reasons for giving these orders for the health and safety of its citizens. I can't understand why anyone would think that JWs are somehow going to think it does not apply to them?? As soon as the authorities say it's ok to gather again, we will resume the meetings. It's not rocket science....

"Breaking news": All spiritual events in the United States branch territory that are larger than a congregation meeting have been cancelled until further notice. There goes our assembly....

All our meetings and fs has been canceled until further notice. And were having the CO this week....

I am sure this is common knowledge already, but for "kicks and giggles" I entered into google earth the location of the Wuhan Institute Of Virology and of course it falls right where the outbreak was identified, in Hubei. I have not really been doing a lot of reading about the virus but the little that I did read seemed to pinpoint it, or blame it on, the outdoor animal markets. I don't know, to me it seems too much of a coincidence that this institute is right there. It sounds more like something got out where it shouldn't have. Why else all the panic? An interesting short article from the institute here:

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"By analyzing the new viruses’ complete genetic makeup, Shi and her colleagues retraced the steps that might have given rise to the original SARS virus. A few spots in the viruses’ DNA seem particularly prone to rearrangement, so remixing happens often. The study suggests that recombination between viruses has shaped the evolution of SARS, says Baric". Perhaps they did a little re-mixing in a test tube and forgot to put the cork back.....

True, and this is why it can be said that those who leave the Christian congregation, or those who become Christians in name only, generally stop producing the fruitage of the spirit because Jehovah no longer gives it to them.....they "receive" a rebelious spirit instead. I see this plainly whenever I visit the ex-JW website and read their banter with each other. For the most part there is no mildness, patience, faith or self control. More like selfishness, sarcasm, haughtiness, and of course no faith....

That's what my hubby is thinking

I tend to agree with you there. What I find curious though is that China went into overdrive about this virus as if there is something more to it.....every year there are new flu strains and yet no one makes a fuss about them although these flu strains also kill. Not sure about the percentage compared to the Covid-19. I suppose it's difficult to get accurate morbidity statistics because you would have to compare apples to apples, i.e. all patients being of similar health and age, and receiving the same treatment.....

I thought it was funny when he kept repeating "this is HUGE!" Personally, I did not see anything amazing about this although the guy used every facial expression, emotive tone and dramatic pausing he could to convince. There is no hard evidence showing how many Christians there were in the 1st Century, and applying 1986 to 2019 calculations of exponential growth on the growth rate in the 1st Century just cannot be accurate (with or without miracles). Besides that, after the death of the apostles, the Christian congregation apostatized, which means that not every so called "Christian" would have been of the anointed.

Thanks for drawing my attention to that. I must remember to use the word evidence rather than proof. "Evidence" is a lot more forgiving 😃

We are getting tied up in semantics here. There is always going to be someone "put in charge" of a group who have some assignment to do. Did you never get put in groups at school, perhaps a sports team, with a "captain" ? There is nothing sinister about that, just makes practical sense. Also, in the JW arrangement, someone taking the lead is to lead mainly by example. JW 'leadership" roles are modeled on the first century Christian "leadership" roles. The apostle Paul designated brothers to take the lead in various assignments.....and of course the elder arrangement is Biblical also. Hebrews 13:7, Acts 6:3, Acts 14:12, Romans 12:8...etc..