A "MODERN DAY VERSION OF IDOLATRY" (wt 90/11/1 p. 26)

[Witness]

 

Psalm 19 below, has been on my mind lately. The identity of God’s heavenly “handiwork” (Psalm 19:1) is explained in Eph 2:4-10; 1 Cor 3:9; Luke 10:20; Matt 26:64; Heb 12:1; Rev 12:12. 

His handiwork encompasses the Temple/House of God, found in 1 Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16; Eph 2:19-20. 

These priests are to carry God’s laws eternally in their heart and on their mind. (Deut 6:6; Heb 10:16; Mal 2:7) Their loyalty is not to men and their decrees, but only to the Father, the Son and His laws in Christ. (Gal 1:10; James 1:25; Rev 5:13; Matt 5:17-20; Isa 2:1-3)

Yet, the testimony being given now throughout the whole “earth”, is for God’s handiwork, his anointed priesthood, to turn back to His laws in Christ, and preserve their covenant with Him. (Mal 3:1-3; Heb 9:14,15; Rev 5:9,10) 

They are to reject human decrees, authority, and dominance of the “man of lawlessness”/elder body, which presently they are subservient to in the organization. (Isa 58:1; 1 Tim 4:16; 2 Cor 10:4,5; Eph 6:17; Rev 2:14; 8:6; 14:6,7) (Matt 24:4,5,24,15,16; Mark 13:14; 2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 11:1-4) 

The anointed “saints” are held captive to a Harlot/false prophet, her elder army, and their factitious teachings. They are “marked” with the laws of an idol covered with blasphemous names – the Wild Beast from the Sea of Revelation 13. (Isa 57:20; Jer 17:5; Col 2:8; Rev 13:1,2,5-7, 10-12,16,17) 

Although “God” is on their lips, the spirit-directed “image” projected by the organization, is worshiped. (Rev 13:4,15) 

Besides this exalted image emanating an apparent divine power and authority (Rev 13:5), the Beast/organization is also visible, a substitute for the invisible God. (Isa 40:18) The nation of Israel was likewise guilty of committing a similar sort of idolatry. 

“After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, ‘It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’” 1 Kings 12:28

Did Israel forget that YHWH brought His people out of Egypt? Did they forget the covenant that God had made with them?

“The Lord made a covenant with Jacob’s descendants and commanded them, ‘Do not fear other gods; do not bow in worship to them; do not serve them; do not sacrifice to them. 36 Instead fear the Lord, who brought you up from the land of Egypt with great power and an outstretched arm. You are to bow down to Him, and you are to sacrifice to Him. 37 You are to be careful always to observe the statutes, the ordinances, the law, and the commandments He wrote for you; do not fear other gods. 38 Do not forget the covenant that I have made with you. Do not fear other gods, 39 but fear the Lord your God, and he will rescue you from all your enemies.”

40 However, these nations would not listen but continued observing their former practices. 41 They feared the Lord but also served their idols. Still today, their children and grandchildren continue doing as their ancestors did.” 2 King 17:35-41

It was a common practice to place one’s idol statue on the back of a pedestal depicting various animals - beasts, as in the case of the Semitic goddess Asherah. The golden calves that King Jeroboam stationed at Dan and Bethel, may have been pedestals for YHWH, imitating the practice of other idolatrous worship. (1 Kings 12:29,30) The calves became the visible symbol for God, representing the invisible YHWH. Thus, the calves and YHWH merged together as the “gods” who brought Israel out of Egypt. 

JWs will not segregate the organization from God. They believe salvation cannot be found in the Father and Christ alone. (2 Sam 22:47; Ps 27:1; Luke 1:76,77; Matt 19:25,26; John 14:6) Although exalted of its own accord, this idolatrous Beast also seems to be the visible symbol, the pedestal that represents the invisible God. 

Just as the calves Jeroboam set in place diverted attention away from Jerusalem and the center of worship, the organization has diverted attention away from “New Jerusalem”, where worship is in “spirit and truth”. (John 14:6; John 4:14,23,24; Acts 4:11,12; Gal 4:23-26,28; Rev 21:9,2; Eph 5:23; Rev 21:22) 

Once again, God’s people have broken their covenant with Him through the powerful and wicked influence of the Beasts of Revelation. (Eph 2:12,13; Heb 8:6,7) (Dan 11:31,32; Mark 13:14; Rev 2:4,14,16,17; Rev 12:1,2,13,15-17;16:13-16) 

It is much easier to give worship and have faith in what one sees and witnesses through its literal works, rather than what we cannot see; or to have faith in the “works” God and Jesus accomplish within our hearts. (1 Cor 2:14; Phil 3:18,19; Rom 1:25) (Matt 7:7,8; John 11:25; 14:1) 

Jeroboam introduced calf worship for selfish reasons, to secure his northern kingdom of Israel, and its population to stay in place. (1 Kings 12:25-27) The governing leaders have done the same. They have “secured” their kingdom, and allow no other member of “Israel” to renounce the leadership or their idol. (Matt 24:48-51) All must bow down to the Beast and its leadership, or face certain “death”. (John 16:2; Rev 13:15) 

So the Almighty God has a competing rival created by Satan, with the purpose to tear down and crush His handiwork, by leading them into idolatry. (Matt 7:15,20; 1 Tim 4:1; 2 Thess 2:3,4;9-12; Rev 11:1-3; 1 Cor 3:16,17; 2 Cor 6:16; 1 John 5:21) 

Is there any other organization “like” the Wt. that promotes salvation, and claims to have the breath/spirit of God directing it? (Rev 13:15; notice John 20:22) 

“People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?” Rev 13:4

There is no doubt that it is perceived by JWs as a necessary awe-inspiring “way” to receive eternal life. It is a form of idolatry that has its roots in ancient times, yet modernized and disguised so brilliantly, that only with the help of God and Christ can any of us who thirst for truth, “see” it for what it is. The Beast is the idol of the most devious, crafty development planned, to mislead God’s holy people and those with them…to their destruction. (Joel 2:12; John 8:12; Rev 3:18) (Rev 13:8; 14:9-12) 

Who among the gods

is like You, Lord?

Who is like You—

majestic in holiness,

awesome in glory,

working wonders? Exod 15:11

“You shall not make anything to be with Me (“alongside Me”/”gods to share with Me”)—gods of silver or gods of gold you shall not make for yourselves.” Exod 20:23

The organization boasts that it follows the laws of God through Jesus Christ, while slyly slipping in men’s laws and decisions. It declares that “God’s organization” has established these decrees through its governing leaders. (Mark 7:7,8; John 12:48,49) Truly, this is only to ensure the operating efficiency of an earthly organization; and for its captives to continue bearing the mark of the beast. (Matt 6:19; Rev 3:17,18; Prov 10:2) (Rom 6:16-18; Rev 13:16-18) 

 

We must make certain that our service, obedience, and worship is to God alone. This is just as Jesus kept admonishing us (Matt 4:10; 22:36-38; Deut 10:12)...

(2 Cor 13:5; 1 John 4:1; 1 Thess 5:21,22; 1 Tim 4:1; Rev 16:13-15; 13:15,8; 2 Thess 2:1-15)

We must make certain, that everything we believe, obey, and practice, is sourced in God's word of Truth.

Our minds, hearts, and deeds must be directed by and obedient to, God's Laws of Divine Truth.

Only then are we marked as His slaves (1 John 2:17; Rom 6:18,22).  Pearl Doxsey

 

 

Psalm 19

"The heavens declare the glory of God;

And the firmament shows His handiwork.

2 Day unto day utters speech,

And night unto night reveals knowledge.

3 There is no speech nor language

Where their voice is not heard.

4 Their line (“sound, business”) has gone out through all the earth,

And their words to the end of the world.

In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,

5 Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,

And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.

6 Its rising is from one end of heaven,

And its circuit to the other end;

And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting (“restoring”) the soul;

The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;

The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;

9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;

The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold,

Yea, than much fine gold;

Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned,

And in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can understand his errors?

Cleanse me from secret faults.

13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;

Let them not have dominion over me.

Then I shall be blameless,

And I shall be innocent of great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in Your sight,

O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. "

 

https://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/

Symbolic Earth

The Mark of Slavery

"666/144,000"

 

 

 

[Srecko Sostar]

On 2/10/2021 at 6:43 PM, Witness said:

The organization boasts that it follows the laws of God through Jesus Christ, while slyly slipping in men’s laws and decisions. It declares that “God’s organization” has established these decrees through its governing leaders. (Mark 7:7,8; John 12:48,49) Truly, this is only to ensure the operating efficiency of an earthly organization; and for its captives to continue bearing the mark of the beast. (Matt 6:19; Rev 3:17,18; Prov 10:2) (Rom 6:16-18; Rev 13:16-18) 

 

For example; the preaching service divided into categories of preachers, hourly norms, giving a monthly report.

[Witness]

4 hours ago, Srecko Sostar said:

For example; the preaching service divided into categories of preachers, hourly norms, giving a monthly report.

And that's only what the rank and file sees.  What happens beyond that level. 

Jesus and the apostles are our example in the "preaching work".    Everything that the organization expects is so foreign to their example.  But as we know, JWs accept it as necessary to get the work done.  Where is the faith in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit?  They accomplish some goal they may have set; organize it, gather the money and the people to go for it, to build it, and then when finished it is proclaimed that God made it happen. 

What? 

When the golden calf was created at the desire of men, God wasn't involved.  There is no difference with the organization's 'marvelous' accomplishments.