Saturday, May 16th - Here is the bridegroom! Go out to meet him

[Watchman]

Keep on the watch.—Matt. 25:13.

With each passing day, our ministry becomes more urgent. Why? Because time is running out. Consider what Jesus foretold about the preaching work in the last days, as recorded at Mark 13:10. According to Matthew’s parallel account, Jesus said that the good news would be preached in all the inhabited earth before “the end” comes. (Matt. 24:14) That expression refers to the complete end of Satan’s wicked system of things. Jehovah has set the “day and hour” for the events that will soon unfold. (Matt. 24:36; Acts 1:7) Each day brings us one day closer to that time. (Rom. 13:11) Meanwhile, we must keep preaching until the end comes. As we reflect on our ministry, we do well to consider a soul-searching question: Why do we preach the good news? Put simply, love motivates us to preach. What we do in the preaching work reflects our love—our love for the good news, our love for people and, above all, our love for Jehovah and his name. w24.05 14-15 ¶2-3

For what are we to keep on the watch? Armageddon? No. The verse cited at Matthew 25:13 has to do with the wise and foolish virgins. After relating the brief story, Jesus concluded, saying: “Keep on the watch, therefore, because you know neither the day nor the hour." The day and hour of what? Armageddon? Again, no. Simply read the parable. The unknowable day and hour has to do with the sudden arrival of the bridegroom. Jesus told of five wise and five foolish virgins who all fell asleep waiting for the bridegroom. Then, right in the middle of the night, there is a shout: ‘Here is the bridegroom! Go out to meet him.’ The 10 virgins, not knowing the day nor hour, all fell asleep because the groom was delaying.

In the same discussion with his apostles, Jesus made clear that he is the groom in the parable: "Two women will be grinding at the hand mill; one will be taken along and the other abandoned. Keep on the watch, therefore, because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." - Matthew 24:41,42 In the very next verse, Jesus compared his second coming to a thief coming in the night. “But know one thing: If the householder had known in what watch* the thief was coming, he would have kept awake and not allowed his house to be broken into. On this account, you too prove yourselves ready, because the Son of man is coming at an hour that you do not think to be it."

In each of Jesus' illustrations, there is a separation of persons. The wise and foolish virgins went their separate ways, as did the two women at the mill and the faithful slave and the not-so-faithful and discreet slave. The fact that the Watchtower asserts that we must remain on the watch, not for the coming of Christ, but for Armageddon, will no doubt be a primary contributing factor in some not being prepared for the sudden, thief-like arrival of Christ in the middle of the night.

Returning to the parable of the 10 virgins, how might the arrival of the bridegroom be announced in reality? Taking into account that Jesus likened the unknowable day and hour of his coming to the unexpected visitation of a thief in the night, and Paul explained to the Thessalonians that Jesus' thief-like coming would coincide with their saying "peace and security," it is apparent that their saying "peace and security" is the shout in the night.

So, whenever it is, they are saying peace and security will signal that Christ has come, that he is in proximity. However, that does not mean the parousia will begin immediately. In the parable, the virgins had to go out to meet him, and after walking with the lamps lit with their extra oil, the wise virgins were admitted into the marriage feast, and the door was shut. How far did the virgins travel to rendezvous with the bridegroom? Jesus did not say. But in reality, the called will have to endure the tribulation until it is cut short on their account. Then the Lord will come alongside them, symbolized in the parable by their entering the marriage feast.

Are you heeding the warnings? (Part One)

This is the first article considering the September 2024 Watchtower study article, "Are You Heeding the Warnings?"1) WE LIVE in a climactic time! Soon, Jesus will judge every living person. Jesus described the time leading up

e-watchman.com

“Here is the bridegroom! Go out to meet him.” (Part two)

This is part two of the consideration of the Watchtower article: Are you heeding the warning? Then the Kingdom of the heavens may be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of

e-watchman.com

Secrets You Have Not Known

Part Three: This is a continuation of the consideration of the Watchtower article entitled: What Do We Know About Jehovah’s Future Judgments? There is a subheading in the article that states: WHAT WE DO

e-watchman.com

 

[BARNABY THE DOG.]

For what are we to keep on the watch? Armageddon? No. The verse cited at Matthew 25:13 has to do with the wise and foolish virgins. After relating the brief story, Jesus concluded, saying: “Keep on the watch, therefore, because you know neither the day nor the hour." The day and hour of what? Armageddon? Again, no. Simply read the parable. The unknowable day and hour has to do with the sudden arrival of the bridegroom. Jesus told of five wise and five foolish virgins who all fell asleep waiting for the bridegroom. Then, right in the middle of the night, there is a shout: ‘Here is the bridegroom! Go out to meet him.’ The 10 virgins, not knowing the day nor hour, all fell asleep because the groom was delaying.

In the same discussion with his apostles, Jesus made clear that he is the groom in the parable: "Two women will be grinding at the hand mill; one will be taken along and the other abandoned. Keep on the watch, therefore, because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." - Matthew 24:41,42 In the very next verse, Jesus compared his second coming to a thief coming in the night. “But know one thing: If the householder had known in what watch* the thief was coming, he would have kept awake and not allowed his house to be broken into. On this account, you too prove yourselves ready, because the Son of man is coming at an hour that you do not think to be it."

In each of Jesus' illustrations, there is a separation of persons. The wise and foolish virgins went their separate ways, as did the two women at the mill and the faithful slave and the not-so-faithful and discreet slave. The fact that the Watchtower asserts that we must remain on the watch, not for the coming of Christ, but for Armageddon, will no doubt be a primary contributing factor in some not being prepared for the sudden, thief-like arrival of Christ in the middle of the night.

Returning to the parable of the 10 virgins, how might the arrival of the bridegroom be announced in reality? Taking into account that Jesus likened the unknowable day and hour of his coming to the unexpected visitation of a thief in the night, and Paul explained to the Thessalonians that Jesus' thief-like coming would coincide with their saying "peace and security," it is apparent that their saying "peace and security" is the shout in the night.

So, whenever it is, they are saying peace and security will signal that Christ has come, that he is in proximity. However, that does not mean the parousia will begin immediately. In the parable, the virgins had to go out to meet him, and after walking with the lamps lit with their extra oil, the wise virgins were admitted into the marriage feast, and the door was shut. How far did the virgins travel to rendezvous with the bridegroom? Jesus did not say. But in reality, the called will have to endure the tribulation until it is cut short on their account. Then the Lord will come alongside them, symbolized in the parable by their entering the marriage feast.

Are you heeding the warnings? (Part One)

This is the first article considering the September 2024 Watchtower study article, "Are You Heeding the Warnings?"1) WE LIVE in a climactic time! Soon, Jesus will judge every living person. Jesus described the time leading up

e-watchman.com

“Here is the bridegroom! Go out to meet him.” (Part two)

This is part two of the consideration of the Watchtower article: Are you heeding the warning? Then the Kingdom of the heavens may be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of

e-watchman.com

Secrets You Have Not Known

Part Three: This is a continuation of the consideration of the Watchtower article entitled: What Do We Know About Jehovah’s Future Judgments? There is a subheading in the article that states: WHAT WE DO

e-watchman.com

Thanks! That is really helpful to have that clarified. I had not looked at it that way before.

 

[SusanB]

Jeremiah 31:6-10: “For the day will come when the watchmen in the mountains of Eʹphra·im will call out: ‘Rise up, let us go up to Zion, to Jehovah our God.’ For this is what Jehovah says: ‘Cry out to Jacob with rejoicing. Shout for joy because you are over the nations. Proclaim it; offer praise and say, “O Jehovah, save your people, the remnant of Israel.” I am bringing them back from the land of the north. I will gather them together from the remotest parts of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, The pregnant woman and the one giving birth, all together. As a great congregation they will return here. They will come weeping. I will lead them as they beg for favor. I will guide them to streams of water, On a level path that will not make them stumble. For I am a Father to Israel, and Eʹphra·im is my firstborn.’ Hear the word of Jehovah, you nations, And proclaim it among the islands far away: ‘The One who scattered Israel will gather him together. He will watch over him as a shepherd does his flock.’”

 

[Ana]

For what are we to keep on the watch? Armageddon? No. The verse cited at Matthew 25:13 has to do with the wise and foolish virgins. After relating the brief story, Jesus concluded, saying: “Keep on the watch, therefore, because you know neither the day nor the hour." The day and hour of what? Armageddon? Again, no. Simply read the parable. The unknowable day and hour has to do with the sudden arrival of the bridegroom. Jesus told of five wise and five foolish virgins who all fell asleep waiting for the bridegroom. Then, right in the middle of the night, there is a shout: ‘Here is the bridegroom! Go out to meet him.’ The 10 virgins, not knowing the day nor hour, all fell asleep because the groom was delaying.

In the same discussion with his apostles, Jesus made clear that he is the groom in the parable: "Two women will be grinding at the hand mill; one will be taken along and the other abandoned. Keep on the watch, therefore, because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." - Matthew 24:41,42 In the very next verse, Jesus compared his second coming to a thief coming in the night. “But know one thing: If the householder had known in what watch* the thief was coming, he would have kept awake and not allowed his house to be broken into. On this account, you too prove yourselves ready, because the Son of man is coming at an hour that you do not think to be it."

In each of Jesus' illustrations, there is a separation of persons. The wise and foolish virgins went their separate ways, as did the two women at the mill and the faithful slave and the not-so-faithful and discreet slave. The fact that the Watchtower asserts that we must remain on the watch, not for the coming of Christ, but for Armageddon, will no doubt be a primary contributing factor in some not being prepared for the sudden, thief-like arrival of Christ in the middle of the night.

Returning to the parable of the 10 virgins, how might the arrival of the bridegroom be announced in reality? Taking into account that Jesus likened the unknowable day and hour of his coming to the unexpected visitation of a thief in the night, and Paul explained to the Thessalonians that Jesus' thief-like coming would coincide with their saying "peace and security," it is apparent that their saying "peace and security" is the shout in the night.

Así pues, cuando llegue ese momento, dicen que la paz y la seguridad indicarán que Cristo ha venido, que está cerca. Sin embargo, eso no significa que la parusía comience de inmediato. En la parábola, las vírgenes tuvieron que salir a su encuentro, y después de caminar con las lámparas encendidas con el aceite que les sobraba, las vírgenes prudentes fueron admitidas en el banquete nupcial, y la puerta se cerró. ¿Hasta dónde viajaron las vírgenes para encontrarse con el novio? Jesús no lo especificó. Pero en realidad, los llamados tendrán que soportar la tribulación hasta que esta sea acortada por su causa. Entonces el Señor vendrá junto a ellos, simbolizado en la parábola por su entrada en el banquete nupcial.

Are you heeding the warnings? (Part One)

This is the first article considering the September 2024 Watchtower study article, "Are You Heeding the Warnings?"1) WE LIVE in a climactic time! Soon, Jesus will judge every living person. Jesus described the time leading up

e-watchman.com

“Here is the bridegroom! Go out to meet him.” (Part two)

This is part two of the consideration of the Watchtower article: Are you heeding the warning? Then the Kingdom of the heavens may be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of

e-watchman.com

Secrets You Have Not Known

Part Three: This is a continuation of the consideration of the Watchtower article entitled: What Do We Know About Jehovah’s Future Judgments? There is a subheading in the article that states: WHAT WE DO

e-watchman.com

Recuerdo mi brazo levantado en la reunión esperando para que me escojiese el director de La atalaya para hacer mi comentario.
- ¿Cuándo empezó a reinar Jesús? Era la pregunta. Desde niños todos sabíamos la respuesta, o eso creíamos.
Hoy en cambio, no entiendo cómo teniendo el texto citado, nadie sabe el día ni la hora, alguien podría sugerir ni siquiera el año clave de la doctrina de Los Testigos de Jehová para ese acontecimiento, 1914.
Es increíble que esa fecha pueda generar tanto caos en el pensamiento.
Me pregunto cuantas cosas más tendremos que cambiar cuando el conocimiento sea abundante y si sabremos reconocerla para poder agradar a nuestro Padre.
¡Qué contenta estoy con estos comentarios de nuevo! Tanto como cuando era niña.
A veces me imagino lanzando la explicación del porqué esa fecha es incorrecta en la reunión y el procesamiento facial que podríamos ver en todos los asistentes. También me ilusiono pensando que algún atrevido captador de la verdad quisiera ofrecerme su apoyo con un guiño cómplice tras haberme atrevido a desvelar tal engaño en público.
De momento lo he hecho de manera personal y en conversaciones informales, como las llaman, pero si asisto a alguna reunión en francés en nuestro nuevo destino, la tentación será difícil de soportar.

 

[MickHewitt]

Recuerdo mi brazo levantado en la reunión esperando para que me escojiese el director de La atalaya para hacer mi comentario.
- ¿Cuándo empezó a reinar Jesús? Era la pregunta. Desde niños todos sabíamos la respuesta, o eso creíamos.
Hoy en cambio, no entiendo cómo teniendo el texto citado, nadie sabe el día ni la hora, alguien podría sugerir ni siquiera el año clave de la doctrina de Los Testigos de Jehová para ese acontecimiento, 1914.
Es increíble que esa fecha pueda generar tanto caos en el pensamiento.
Me pregunto cuantas cosas más tendremos que cambiar cuando el conocimiento sea abundante y si sabremos reconocerla para poder agradar a nuestro Padre.
¡Qué contenta estoy con estos comentarios de nuevo! Tanto como cuando era niña.
A veces me imagino lanzando la explicación del porqué esa fecha es incorrecta en la reunión y el procesamiento facial que podríamos ver en todos los asistentes. También me ilusiono pensando que algún atrevido captador de la verdad quisiera ofrecerme su apoyo con un guiño cómplice tras haberme atrevido a desvelar tal engaño en público.
De momento lo he hecho de manera personal y en conversaciones informales, como las llaman, pero si asisto a alguna reunión en francés en nuestro nuevo destino, la tentación será difícil de soportar.

Así como aquel hombre al que Cristo curó de la ceguera regresó y le dio las gracias, tú, Ana, y los demás aquí presentes demuestran su constante gratitud.

 

[Ana]

Así como aquel hombre al que Cristo curó de la ceguera regresó y le dio las gracias, tú, Ana, y los demás aquí presentes demuestran su constante gratitud.

Defendiamos es fecha como una verdad innegable y la dábamos a conocer en la predicación, pero en realidad se nos llenó la boca de grandilocuencia. Entiendo el impulso del Rey Josias a rasgarse sus ropas al descubrir que había ignorado la verdad.
Dentro del hecho de que siento un gran agradecimiento por tener el conocimiento sobre la realidad de 1914 es bondad inmerecida que Jehová derrocha con nosotros, mi querido Mick.
Muchas veces me acerco a Jehová por consuelo en oración y según empiezo a decir las primeras palabras tengo que cambiar toda petición por puro agradecimiento. Y me calma sentirme inmensamente agradecida a todo el amor que nos tiene.