I've made some comments that I might retract, partially. Regarding whether it's wise to direct someone to Watchtower, that is. I really don't know now. I used to hold the Live Forever book in high esteem. I think I read somewhere on here that it's no longer used because of flaws? What they have now is unusable to me. Where could you direct someone, anyone to dig up bible truth?
If a person had no foundation at all. None or maybe little knowledge, I think I would still try to steer them toward the Live Forever book but with a caution.
I feel that once the actual witness kicks off, everything will appear much more clear as to truth. My brother used to say that all the churches have a little bit of truth. Catholics and Mormons falling far down on that list. I see a lot of debates on Youtube about the trinity and a few other topics which lead people down the wrong path. I see a lot of people who believe in the rapture and they are in for a shock. The eternal hellfire people are relying on hearsay and not bible knowledge. That one in particular annoys me because of the power it held over me for years.
I think no matter what we do right now teachingwise, as Jehovah speeds up and kicks the door open, people will have two choices. Doctrine and beliefs will come down to either Satan represented by the beast or Jehovah.
What you say here Bill is the very issue of faith it’s self. Can we believe what we read or hear? Susan makes a vey concise point in whether or not we know who is speaking truth and the need we have listen to the chosen ones when they appear. However, the Bible speaks for itself and is an exacting instructor in the truth in that it says “by their fruits you will know them”, referring essentially to whom is speaking truth. Therefore there is a touch stone in that it is not so much what is said, but what its outcome is to the listener. Therefore “fruit” of the word refers intrinsically to its outcomes, not simply innocuous ingestion of it. The parable goes on to describe what happens to trees that are barren in this way in that they do not develop the Spirit offered them. (The parable of the talents - pay attention to the value of what is given them).
Throughout history, people have been instructed by Jehovah. The Bible itself precedes the chosen. The chosen ones are a class apart in instruction and their role is one of speaking truth and revealing truth to the “opposition” for a witness and they are killed for it. But the very fact of the witnessing work that goes on before hand to those searching for salvation I.e., to survive the coming judgement shows that truth is available right now and indeed, has been throughout history.
Yet surely there is a difference today in that if some are to be preserved alive beforehand for a witness to go through the tribulation actually alive and without having to pay the penalty of death to cleanse their sin, then it is equally clear that they possess something that demonstrates contrition for their sin; faith in what is true, and have made changes in their life to demonstrate that they can appreciate
and have become what is required of them - in other words, that they have made critical changes in their life that reflect this change, choose to prefer it above all else, and are able to demonstrate such in their daily life against all opposition, even death itself. If this truly is the case, then something else is required other than being instructed, and that must require action on our behalf from us.
Therefor we must “become” it, and that is within our grasp now, if we choose to “
understand” what is said to us plainly in truth. In other words, that we put into action what we have learnt and test it ourselves as to whether it is true. If it is true, we
know it’s true because we
understand its value and recognise the “
voice “ behind it. Thus we come to understand the scripture, “
my sheep know me, they hear my voice and come out”. (Scripture please Kevin)
Surely there must be evidence if this is the case. Well there is because those ones with understanding are often anointed and the test of anointing must be that their teaching is digestible so that it can be made manifest in faith not only to themselves, but to others. Therein is its substance for us all who listen to the Word, in that it gives us understanding and the ability to become “holy” or righteous before Jehovah. And if we have understanding of the Word, then we have, as Christ said in the scripture
the knowledge of the voice in our hearts, in that we are able to become one with the Voice, because we know it to be true and can put faith in it. We “understand” what is required of us and critically agree with it.
Therefore if we critically examine the truth and become in ourselves the product of truth through being able to understand its values, that makes changes in our lives that make us acceptable for salvation because we become part of that truth, rather than bystanders listening to it and agreeing with it, but not becoming it because we lack the inspiration to become part of it. Is that not what being “who is so blind and deaf as my people?” is referring to in the scripture……inactivity? Not taking the Word to heart? Not putting it into action in our daily life? Is it not the picture that watchtower are so fond of showing - a bunch of witnesses climbing up a hill out of destruction simply because they are part of watchtower and have “listened” to the “Channel”?
Thus there is a difference, a responsibility that comes with knowledge, and that difference is the understanding of what is required. It’s not teaching, but listening, the responsibility is upon the listener to action the Word in their life. The Word has that effect upon the heart and if understood there is a physical response within the mind and body that can be measured. Love, leading to confidence and reassurance that offers belief, faith and the realisation of truth. In turn this inspires the “doing” of the Word and the development of the senses that drive it - positive action from understanding what is required of us. It’s not so much the understanding of what is right or wrong - that is inbuilt into us - but of loving what is good and right because we ourselves have become part of it in our spirit. The imperfection of sin is understood for what it is and rejected because the understanding of active holiness is preferred from within for its values, its essence in its achievement and a longing for the peace of perfection that flows with it. We feel and become aware of values beyond our own thinking. It is a different form of existence that describes spirituality in its human form. Can we not sense and feel “spirituality” and follow its lead and translate it into our human lives and expend it to others in understanding if it?
Neither is it exclusive to the anointed. How so? Perfection is attainable because it is a standard set by the creator that defines its existence and measure. Within perfection there are many mansions of purpose though. We can fill our allotted place if we grasp its understanding and give birth to it within our heart.
I suppose there must be a little something though 
they'll wake up soon and hopefully we can be friends again 
Now, make a nice cuppa, open another pack of mince pies, put your feet up and watch a good ol' classic film. BBC iPlayer has some great ones on at the moment. We just watched Strangers on a Train, Hitchcock, brilliant 
just about to start Rear Window 
