Friday, August 5 2022

PJ54

Well-known member

Friday, August 5 2022​

I will certainly sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the nations.—Ezek. 36:23.

Jehovah handled Satan’s challenge with wisdom, patience, and justice. He has also shown his almighty power in countless ways. Above all, his love shines through in all that he does. (1 John 4:8) Jehovah has worked unceasingly to sanctify his name. Satan is still slandering God’s name today. He fools people into doubting that God is powerful, just, wise, and loving. For example, Satan tries to convince people that Jehovah is not the Creator. And if people do accept that God exists, Satan attempts to make them believe that God and His standards are restrictive and unfair. He even teaches people that Jehovah is a heartless and cruel God who burns people in a fiery hell. When they believe such slander, they are more likely to take the next step—rejecting Jehovah’s righteous rule. Until Satan is completely defeated, he will target you as well. Will he succeed? w20.06 5 ¶13-15
Examining the Scriptures Daily—2022

How could God's will be done in heaven if he allowed the Devil to reside there?

From the October, 2003, Mailbag

I would like to ask you another question that I have even asked some elders in my local congregation and I have yet to receive a satisfactory answer. In the model prayer, Matthew 6:9-10, it reads, to let your will be done in heaven as on earth, well in Revelation 12:10 when Satan and his demons are finally thrown out of heaven, then that is the time when heaven rejoices, so I don't understand why Jesus was saying to let your will be done in heaven as on earth if his Satan was "accusing them day and night before God".

That is a very good question. We can discern the Bible's answer if we appreciate the fact that Jehovah's will has always been done—in heaven and on earth. Consider what Paul said at Romans 8:20-21, which reads in the NIV as follows: "For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God."

We know that it was not God's will for Adam and Eve to have eaten the forbidden fruit and bring ruination upon themselves and their unborn offspring. But, according to Paul, it was the will of Jehovah that the human creation be subjected to the consequences of our first parents' wrong choice. So, in that respect at least, God's will has been done on the earth.

The same thing can be said about Jehovah's will being done in heaven. Consider the account in the book of Job: The book relates how Satan was present among an assembly of God's sons because he had an issue with the way Jehovah runs the universe. But, please notice how Satan did not initiate the encounter. God called Satan forward and challenged him to say exactly what was on his mind. In fact, God apparently read the Devil's mind because he asked him straight out: "Have you set your heart upon my servant Job?"

God has never shied away from confronting evil. But, in his wisdom, Jehovah has allowed the rebellion against him to fully develop, which has required that God not immediately impose his righteous will upon creation. The predicament arises when men and angels go contrary to the express will of God. It has never been God's will for either his heavenly sons or earthly sons and daughters to rebel against him; however, because God endowed his intelligent creation with the gift of free will, the potential will always exist for God's creation to go contrary to him. But, it is evident by God's response that he is more than up to the task of permanently resolving the controversy raised by the misuse of free will. In order for the issues to be completely settled though, God has allowed rebellion to exist for a time, both in heaven and on earth. So, in that sense God's will has always been done.


Posted 6th November 2011 by Unknown
 

Watchman

Moderator
Staff member
The Watchtower only quoted part of the scripture, the next phrase says something very pertinent: "I will certainly sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the nations, which you profaned among them..."

Who is "you" that has profaned God's great name? Since the prophecy segues into Gog's attack during the final part of the days the "you" cannot possibly be the literal nation of Israel. It can only be Christians. And since there is only one recognizable group associated with God's great name those who have profaned the name of Jehovah must be Jehovah's Witnesses, the leadership especially.
 

PJ54

Well-known member
The Watchtower only quoted part of the scripture, the next phrase says something very pertinent: "I will certainly sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the nations, which you profaned among them..."

Who is "you" that has profaned God's great name? Since the prophecy segues into Gog's attack during the final part of the days the "you" cannot possibly be the literal nation of Israel. It can only be Christians. And since there is only one recognizable group associated with God's great name those who have profaned the name of Jehovah must be Jehovah's Witnesses, the leadership especially.
It's astounding how that is. I used to not question how some scriptures were partially quoted & not taken into full context. Once in awhile I'd look it up & it was truly odd that the scripture had a different scenario being played out compared to what the article says. It really can throw a wrench in the gears since you eventually come across things that are never mentioned in the publications. I remember also when I used to read the Bible I'd come across things that went contrary to the Orgs & Christendom's teachings & I could only speculate what it meant. I'm glad I found the Watchman's Post since it helped clarify many things!
 

kirmmy

Well-known member
It's astounding how that is. I used to not question how some scriptures were partially quoted & not taken into full context. Once in awhile I'd look it up & it was truly odd that the scripture had a different scenario being played out compared to what the article says. It really can throw a wrench in the gears since you eventually come across things that are never mentioned in the publications. I remember also when I used to read the Bible I'd come across things that went contrary to the Orgs & Christendom's teachings & I could only speculate what it meant. I'm glad I found the Watchman's Post since it helped clarify many things!
You can say that again! It's like they take a mirror, look into it and recoil. Then they cut off the parts of the scripture that point to them and everything is alright. Jehovah will clean up that image for them real soon.

ETA: If I haven't said it enough, thanks PJ for putting up these articles daily. It's gotta be a lot of work.
 
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