Do You REALLY Have the Facts?

[Witness]

 

 The cartoon sketch below earlier posted by Jack Ryan, prompted me to pull up an old comment I had posted here.  In light of one of the latest Watchtower study articles, “Do You Have the Facts”, I have added a few more thoughts.  Well, probably more than a few.

Watchtower’s governing body member, Anthony Morris, stated that the “theocratic organization” receives its decisions or “decrees” from God.  He comments,

“When that direction comes out to Branch committee members, or when it comes out to the congregations; If YOU WANT JEHOVAH’S BLESSING  ON YOU as an individual or family, certainly as an elder or congregation, it’d be best to ask Jehovah to help you understand it, BUT OBEY THE DECISION.

In clashing contrast, Watchtower’s  “Winning the Battle For Your Mind” states:

Keep in mind that Satan does not want you to think clearly or reason things out well. Why? Because propaganda “is likely to be most effective,” says one source, “if people . . . are discouraged from thinking critically.” (Media and Society in the Twentieth Century) So never be content passively or blindly to accept what you hear. (Prov. 14:15) Use your God-given thinking abilities and power of reason to make the truth your own. —Prov. 2:10-15;Rom. 12:1, 2.  

Please DO read their choice of scriptures -  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Prov+14%3A5%3B+Prov.+2%3A10-15%3BRom.+12%3A1%2C+2&version=CSB

The pendulum has swung the other way with this statement.  Ah, but something important was omitted from the source’s quote, provided by someone on another forum:

"Therefore, it (propaganda) is likely to be most effective if people do not have access to multiple sources of information, and if they are discouraged from thinking critically.”

Satan’s ploy to keep us from thinking clearly or reasoning on another’s teachings or findings, is exactly Morris’ intentions when saying, OBEY, NO MATTER WHAT YOU FEEL.  I think it’s clear to every JW why the magazine intentionally left out part of the quote. 

Watchtower’s recent study article, “Do You Have the Facts?” states –

“AS TRUE Christians, we need to develop the ability to evaluate information and reach accurate conclusions. (Prov. 3:21-23; 8:4, 5) If we do not cultivate this ability, we will be far more vulnerable to the efforts of Satan and his world to distort our thinking. (Eph. 5:6; Col. 2:8) Of course, only if we have the facts can we reach right conclusions. As Proverbs 18:13 says, “when anyone replies to a matter before he hears the facts, it is foolish and humiliating.”  August, 2018    https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Prov.+3%3A21-23%3B+8%3A4%2C+5%3BEph.+5%3A6%3B+Col.+2%3A8%3B&version=CSB

JWs, where would you find facts to refute the obvious “propaganda” coming from the mouth of Anthony Morris?  The Bible can help us discern what is true and false.

^ Jesus said to them, “Be careful! Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!” The disciples had been discussing among themselves that they had not taken any bread along. ^7 The disciples had been discussing among themselves that they had not taken any bread along.

^12 THEN they understood that he didn’t say to watch out for the yeast in bread, but to watch out for the TEACHINGS of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Matt 16:6,7,12

In this sense, leaven is used in a negative format.  “Metaphor of inveterate mental and moral corruption, viewed in its tendency to infect others.” 

Morris’ mixed messages that he and seven other men approved to be written in the above WT quotes, show them up as corrupt teachers, speaking “out of both sides of the mouth” and leaving JWs vulnerable to Satan’s lies.  Jer 23:16   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jer+23%3A16&version=CSB

Morris continues, “This is a theocracy ruled by God, not a collection of man-made decisions.  This is governed from heaven.”

This is utterly impossible, since the Governing Body admitted they are not  inspired.  (Wt. 2017/2 pp. 20-26, par. 12 

Anthony Morris commented, “the decisions that are made by the faithful slave today, are made collectively.  Not one MAN is making these decisions, these decisions are MADE COLLECTIVELY”. 

Okay.  They are man-made decisions, made collectively.  Since the word, “decisions” is plural, we can safely say that under the lack of inspiration from Holy Spirit, ALL decisions made by the governing body, and that must be obeyed by JWs, MOST CERTAINLY ARE “A COLLECTION OF MAN-MADE DECISIONS”.  This means the organization is NOT a theocracy ruled by God.  Dan 11:27; Rev 13:11  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dan+11%3A27%3B+Rev+13%3A11&version=CSB

 “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him. ^ But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. ^7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, ^ being double-minded and unstable in all his ways.“  James 1:5-8

Faith.  Does the GB have faith in the Father?  In Jesus?  Or, do they have faith in themselves and their material assets?  Uninspired men are proclaiming they are the channel used by God who governs the organization from heaven; and yet, it is through the inspiration of Holy Spirit that God would grant the understanding of His will, if our faith was in both the Father and Christ.  Instead, the governing body fully put their faith in what they have built on this earth.  John 14:15-17; Acts 17:29; 1 Pet 1:18,19; Col 2:8   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A15-17%3B+Acts+17%3A29%3B+1+Pet+1%3A18%2C19%3B+Col+2%3A8++&version=CSB

Is there really another “channel” aside from Holy Spirit? Yes, there is.  

“For if a person comes and preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or you receive a DIFFERENT SPIRIT, which you had not received, or a different gospel, which you had not accepted, you put up with it splendidly!”  2 Cor 11:4

“A good person produces good out of the good stored up in his heart. An EVIL person produces evil out of the evil stored up in his heart, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.”  Luke 6:45

“As a face is reflected in water,
    so a person is reflected by his heart.” Prov 27:19

Why are you given conflicting messages by “Jehovah’s organization”? Simply, evil takes the crooked path of confusion. Prov 2:12-15; Isa 19:14,15  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Prov+2%3A12-15%3B+Isa+19%3A14%2C15&version=CSB

There are two “vines” that produce a “wine” from their fruit. 

Pearl Doxsey:  From, “The "Garden of Eden" / New Creation / Seven Spirits / Tree of Life / The True Vine”

Jesus is the true "vine"...those anointed in union with him, are the "branches" (John15:4,5). 
What they receive from Jesus the "nourishing sap" -Rom.11:17; Rev.22:16), is holy spirit (Rom.5:5). 
The branches are to express that spirit (Luke6:45), as God (the "vine's cultivator -John15:1) has determined and distributed 
(1Cor.12:4,11,18,28; 7:7; Eph.4:7; Heb.2:4). 

Those branches are then expected to produce fruit (John15:2,6; Matt.7:19; Gal.5:22,25; Eph.4:29,12,16; Luke6:45,44)...which include sayings of life... fruit which is filled with that living water/holy spirit sourced in Christ, the true vine (Rev.22:17). Those who eat the fruit of the true vine and it's true branches, will live!
This is why, not only is Christ the Tree of Life,
his 144000 also are (Rev.22:1,2; John13:20). 

The wicked slave produce “wine” made with bad “fruit” from a corrupted, wild vine. Under Satan’s influence, this evil slave is the only access for spiritual food; the GB members who “eat and drink with DRUNKARDS”.  Matt 24:48-51; Rev 13:17

It is the “helpers” and elder body members who imbibe in, and distribute the Harlot’s wine to all JWs.  Like the Pharisees’ yeast, The Harlot’s wine infects and corrupts the hearts of those who relish it. Jer 2:21; Ps 80:8; Isa 5:2,4; Deut 32:32-34; Rev 17:1-6      https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+24%3A48-51%3B+Rev+13%3A17%3BJer.2%3A21%3B++Psalm+80%3A8%3B+Isa.5%3A2%2C4%3B+Deut32%3A32%2C33%2C34%3B+Rev+17%3A1-6&version=CSB

 “Inspiration” means inhalation; a drawing in of breath.  The antonym is “exhalation” – the breath that leaves via the mouth.  Since the governing body admit to not receiving “inspiration” from Holy Spirit , their gospel, the teachings they impart are s,ourced in another spirit and another type of “inspiration”.  It fills the heart and overflows it, and sustains “Jehovah’s spirit-directed organization”.   Jer 11:17; Isa 46:1,2,5-7; Acts 17:29; Rev 13:1,4,11,14-17   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jer+11%3A17%3B+Isa+46%3A1%2C2%2C5-7%3B+Acts+17%3A29%3B+Rev+13%3A1%2C4%2C11%2C14-17&version=CSB

“He (composite false prophet/Beast with two horns) was permitted to give a spirit (or give breath) to the image of the beast (organization), so that the image of the beast could both speak and cause whoever would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.”  Rev 13:15 (John 20:22 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+20:22&version=CSB )

The Greek word for “image” can be interpreted as, “an image of the things (the heavenly things)”, and comes from the root, “eiko”, meaning to “to resemble – be like”.  An image is a reflection of the real thing.  God’s anointed priesthood reflect Heavenly Zion, where God and Christ dwell within the anointed heart. Gen 1:26; Rom 8:29; 2 Cor 3:18; Matt 5:48; 1 John 3:2; John 14:23; John 12:15; Heb 12:22; Rev 14:1    https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen+1%3A26%3B+Rom+8%3A29%3B+2+Cor+3%3A18%3B+Matt+5%3A48%3B+1+John+3%3A2%3B+John+14%3A23%3B+John+12%3A15%3B+Heb+12%3A22%3B+Rev+14%3A1++&version=CSB

It is His only “organization” built on the Body of Christ. John 2:19-21; Mal 2:7; 1 Pet 2:5,9; 2 Cor 6:16; 1 Cor 3:16,17; Eph 2:20-22   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+2%3A19-21%3B+Mal+2%3A7%3B+1+Pet+2%3A5%2C9%3B+2+Cor+6%3A16%3B+1+Cor+3%3A16%2C17%3B+Eph+2%3A20-22&version=CSB

In contrast, the image of the Beast is the elder body, which reflects “Jehovah’s mountainlike organization”, and is

A FALSE ZION - AN IDOL.  Deut 5:8; Rom 1:25  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deut+5%3A8%3B+Rom+1%3A25&version=CSB

 As the Man of Lawlessness, it publicizes “that he himself is God”. Hab 2:18; Isa 14:13,14; Zech 4:7; Rev 8:8   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hab+2%3A18%3B+Isa+14%3A13%2C14%3B+Zech+4%3A7%3B+Rev+8%3A8&version=CSB

“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy (rebellion) comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction. ^4 He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in God’s sanctuary,(Temple) publicizing that he himself is God.” 2 Thess 2:3,4   

(Ps 82:6; John 10:34,36; Gal 3:25,26)  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps+82%3A6%3B+John+10%3A34%2C36%3B+Gal+3%3A25%2C26&version=CSB

WHO has been given authority to disfellowship those who reject the organization?  WHAT IDENTITY “sits in God’s Temple”, ruling over the Temple anointed priests? Undoubtedly, it is the GB’s army, the elders “drunk” on the false prophet/Harlot’s wine.  Matt 24:48-51; Joel 1:5-7; Rev 14:8  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+24%3A48-51%3B+Joel+1%3A5-7%3B+Rev+14%3A8++&version=CSB

I hope you can see that the elder body has supplanted God’s Temple, becoming the blasphemous image of an IDOL – a counterfeit ZION.

 “A mouth was given to him to speak boasts and blasphemies. He was also given authority to act (wage war/to rule)  for 42 months. ^6 He began to speak blasphemies against God: to blaspheme His name and His dwelling—those who dwell in heaven.”  Rev 13:5,6

God’s faithful messengers/witnesses receive inspiration from Holy Spirit. Within the anointed Body, it is what teaches faithful priests. Mal 2:7; 1 John 2:20,27; John 14:26  There is no intermediator; no consulting in an interior room, behind closed doors, or voting on a “decree”. John 16:12-14; Matt 10:20; Luke 12:12; Matt 24:23-27   Instead, members of one anointed Body, built on the apostles and prophets work under one Spirit to “build each other up” in Truth. 1 Cor 6:17; 12:7,11,13; 1 Thess 5:11  They are like the “multiple sources” that the wicked slave encourages you to avoid. 2 Chron 15:3; Mal 2:7; John 13:20 They are “thrown out of the congregation”, spiritually “killed” for speaking the truth that resides in their heart. Luke 12:11,12; John 16:2; Rev 11:1-3,7    https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mal+2%3A7%3B+1+John+2%3A20%2C27%3B+John+14%3A26%3B++John+16%3A12-14%3B+Matt+10%3A20%3B+Luke+12%3A12%3B+Matt+24%3A23-27%3B+1+Cor+6%3A17%3B+12%3A7%2C11%2C13%3B+2+Chron+15%3A3%3B+Mal+2%3A7%3B+John+13%3A20%3B+Luke+12%3A11%2C12%3B+John+16%3A2%3B+Rev+11%3A1-3%2C7++&version=CSB

The uninspired GB must rely on voting to pass their decrees, which all JWs must obey, even if their decrees are later considered errors in direction. Joel 1:18;   The bottom line is, there is no leeway for JWs to cultivate their God-given thinking ability to “know the facts”.  But you already know this, JWs. No matter what facts that YOU may arrive at, they mean nothing if they are not the governing body’s “facts”.  All other facts, as well as all other teachings by anointed ones are considered “poor quality”.  Your well-regulated spiritual commerce was predicted to occur in these last days.  Ezek 4:10-13;Amos 8:11; Rev.6:5,6; 13:16,17    https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezek+4%3A10-13%3BAmos+8%3A11%3B+Rev.6%3A5%2C6%3B+13%3A16%2C17+&version=CSB

 “If you died with Christ to the elements of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations: “Don’t handle, don’t taste, don’t touch”? ^ All these regulations refer to what is destined to perish by being used up; they are human commands and doctrines. ^ Although these have a reputation for wisdom by promoting self-made religion, false humility, and severe treatment of the body, they are not of any value in curbing self-indulgence.”  Col 2:20-23  

Could the scriptures be any clearer?  JWs are part of the world by engaging in the deceptive teachings and fleshly rules of men.  Their “wisdom” is sourced in another spirit, another vine than Christ.  They have “gone out” to pursue all that Satan’s world offers, including power and dominance over God’s people.  Isa 51:23; James 3:15  On the other hand, the faithful anointed who have “died” at the hands of the wicked slave’s drunkards, are receiving “rain in due season”.  I implore JWs, speak out bravely against the double-tongued teachings, and FLEE!  Lev 26:3,4; Isa 55:10,11; James 5:7; Ps 26:4,5; Matt 24:14-16; Isa 2:2,3    https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa+51%3A23%3B+James+3%3A15%3B+Lev+26%3A3%2C4%3B+Isa+55%3A10%2C11%3B+James+5%3A7%3B+Ps+26%3A4%2C5%3B+Matt+24%3A14-16%3B+Isa+2%3A2%2C3&version=CSB

 “Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, since the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. ^ For who knows a person’s thoughts except his spirit within him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 

Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God. 

^ We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people.

But the person without the Spirit (the uninspired governing body) does not receive what comes from the GodÂ’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually.

The spiritual person, (one individual) however, can evaluate everything, and yet he himself cannot be evaluated by anyone. 1 Cor 2:10-15

 Following and obeying men and their teachings who pass decrees devoid of Holy Spirit, yet hypocritically say these decrees are “governed from heaven”, are blinded by the true source of the deceiving spirit that guides them.  John 8:44; Matt 15:14  By accepting these hypocritical teachings, the hearer is also receiving a “different spirit”, the fruit of a rogue vine filled with “wormwood’s waters”.  Heb 12:15;Rev 8:11  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8%3A44%3B+Matt+15%3A14%3B++Heb+12%3A15%3BRev+8%3A11&version=CSB

Yet, JWs put up with it – “splendidly”.  2 Cor 11:4   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8%3A44%3B+Matt+15%3A14%3B++Rev+8%3A11%3B+2+Cor+11%3A4&version=CSB

It isn’t easy standing up for Truth as Christ did, but many leaving the organization are in pursuit of “living water”.  It is contingent on our personal desire and motivation to serve God with a clear mind and a clean heart. Matt 5:10; John 12:25; John 4:10; Ps 26:5; 119:9-11; Jer 17:9,10

Please, apply Jesus’ words to help you discern good “fruit” spoken by those whom Jesus sends.  He wouldn’t send anyone that provides you with fruit/teachings filled with obvious contradictions, already rotting on the vine and soon to be replaced.      Matt 7:15-20; Luke 6:43-45; 1 Pet 3:10; 3 John 11   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+5%3A10%3B+John+12%3A25%3B+John+4%3A10%3B+Ps+26%3A5%3B+119%3A9-11%3B+Jer+17%3A9%2C10%3B+Matt+7%3A15-20%3B+Luke+6%3A43-45%3B+1+Pet+3%3A10%3B+3+John+11+++&version=CSB

Anthony Morris has made internet headlines with this one deceiving statement:

"STICK WITH WHAT WE AUTHORIZE, AND YOU WILL BE SAFE."   

 See Jer 23:17; 1 Thess 5:3; Prov 29:25     https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=+Jer+23%3A17%3B+1+Thess+5%3A3%3B+Prov+29%3A25&version=CSB

He went into all the vicinity of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, ^4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:

A voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
Prepare the way for the Lord;
make his paths straight!
^5 Every valley will be filled,
and every mountain and hill will be made low;
the crooked will become straight,
the rough ways smooth,
^6 and everyone will see the salvation of God.

^7 He then said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? ^8 Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. And don’t start saying to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. ^9 The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”  Luke 3:3-9

 Pearl Doxsey, 4 womaninthewilderness:

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