Sunday, March 24 - Until the Kingdom of God comes

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Keep doing this in remembrance of me.—Luke 22:19.

Each year during the Memorial season, we show our appreciation for what Jesus has done by taking time to meditate prayerfully on the meaning of his death. We also encourage as many as possible to join us for this special occasion. And we are determined not to allow anything to prevent us from attending the Memorial. At the Memorial, we learn why mankind needs a ransom and how the death of one man can atone for the sins of many. We are reminded of what the bread and the wine represent and who should partake of them. (Luke 22:19, 20) And we meditate on the blessings that are in store for those who cherish the earthly hope. (Isa. 35:5, 6; 65:17, 21-23) We should not take these truths for granted. w23.01 20 ¶2; 21 ¶4
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As the apostles reclined at the table to observe what they imagined was the annual Passover, a celebration that they all no doubt observed from childhood, Jesus instituted what Jehovah's Witnesses know as the Memorial. “I have greatly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.” And accepting a cup, he gave thanks and said: “Take this and pass it from one to the other among yourselves, for I tell you, from now on, I will not drink again from the product of the vine until the Kingdom of God comes.” - Luke 22:15-18

In the next verse, Jesus commands his disciples to keep doing this in remembrance of me. And so Jehovah's Witnesses gather each year to recall Jesus' suffering and sacrifice and what it means. In the verses cited above, Jesus twice speaks of the Kingdom of God, saying he would not eat the Passover meal again until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God and then stating likewise that he would not drink the wine again until the Kingdom of God comes.

What does it mean that Jesus will not partake of what we call the "emblems" until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God?

Jesus was alluding to his second coming. After the Passover was concluded, while Judas was off to do his dastardly deed, Jesus spoke further about his going away and then returning: "In the house of my Father are many dwelling places. Otherwise, I would have told you, for I am going my way to prepare a place for you. Also, if I go my way and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will receive you home to myself, so that where I am you also may be. And where I am going, you know the way.” - John 14:2-4

All during the time of Jesus' absence, the covenant that Jesus validated with his own blood has not accomplished what God intended. It is true that many tens of thousands have been called and chosen and died faithfully, but they are still dead. That is because Jesus has not "come again."

Although the Watchtower has fabricated an artfully contrived tale of Jesus' ethereal return and the Kingdom coming to power more than a century ago, the simple truth is that as long as the Memorial is observed, the Kingdom of God has not come. Surely, when Jesus comes again to receive his spiritual family home to himself, they will know when he arrives. They will not need to resort to arcane chronological calculations to determine when the Kingdom of God comes. Jesus said that he would come alongside each one who proves themself to be ready and waiting with their lamps lit. And what will Christ do when he comes alongside the chosen? He will share the evening meal with them, just as he did on that last Passover.

Speaking to his little flock in the 12th chapter of Luke, Jesus explained the object and manner of his coming, saying: “Be dressed and ready and have your lamps burning, and you should be like men waiting for their master to return from the marriage, so when he comes and knocks, they may at once open to him. Happy are those slaves whom the master on coming finds watching! Truly I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at the table and will come alongside and minister to them." - Luke 12:35-37

After the original evening meal, Jesus girded himself as a house servant and literally washed the feet of his apostles. So, Christ will again "dress himself for service" and minister to those who open the door when they hear him knock. Jesus said he would have them recline at the table, just as the apostles did on that Passover. What does it mean, though, that the Lord will come alongside and minister to them? His coming alongside them is the parousia. As all of Jehovah's Witnesses know, that is what the Greek word means - being alongside. Surely, if Jesus comes alongside someone and ministers to them, they will know it.

So, when Jesus said he would not eat the Passover or drink the product of the vine until the Kingdom of God comes, he was referring to that. Christ's parousia will initiate the first resurrection. But Paul explained that "we the living who survive to the presence of the Lord" will remain on earth during the presence until we are changed in the twinkling of an eye.

During the presence, when Christ is alongside his chosen ones, the Kingdom of God will have come to power. Jesus foretold that the chosen ones will be made to stand before governors and kings and give them a witness and no one will be able to argue against them because the holy spirit will be speaking for them.

That is what is symbolized by the two witnesses of Revelation. They are said to be standing before the Lord of the whole earth. The NWT provides a handy little asterisk cross reference to Zechariah, which states: “These are the two anointed ones who are standing alongside the Lord of the whole earth.” There is that expression again: "standing alongside." If the two anointed witnesses are standing alongside the Lord, then conversely, the Lord is standing alongside them. That is, in fact, why they are called the "two witnesses." Just as the disciples were called upon to be witnesses of Christ's resurrection, those who experience the parousia will give witness that they have seen Jesus and that he remains standing next to them. In that sense, the parousia will be invisible to everyone but the chosen.

As Paul directed, by drinking the cup, anointed Christians keep proclaiming the death of the Lord until he comes. Once he comes, the evening meal will be concluded, and the new covenant will, too. Christ's blood will have purchased all of the 144,000, and the Kingdom of God will then have come.

e-watchman.com

Until He Comes

Thursday, September 8 Keep doing this in remembrance of me.—1 Cor. 11:24. Night has fallen, but a full moon bathes Jerusalem in soft light. It is the evening of Nisan 14, 33 C.E. Jesus and his apostles have celebrated the Passover, commemorating Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage
e-watchman.com e-watchman.com
e-watchman.com

Future Parousia of Christ and Its Impact

Friday, June 10 You will not leave me in the Grave.—Ps. 16:10. One reason why we know that Jesus’ resurrection occurred is the zeal that his disciples showed in proclaiming it. Zealously bearing witness to the resurrection of the Christ exposed
e-watchman.com e-watchman.com
e-watchman.com

Maintaining the Devil’s Invisible Parousia Hoax

This is a continuation of commentary on the God’s Kingdom Rules! Bible study material for the week of October 10th, 2016. Jehovah’s Witnesses well know the power that lies can have over people. Anyone who has ever taken up the Bible and gone out
e-watchman.com e-watchman.com
 
Watchman said:
Although the Watchtower has fabricated an artfully contrived tale of Jesus' ethereal return and the Kingdom coming to power more than a century ago, the simple truth is that as long as the Memorial is observed, the Kingdom of God has not come. Surely, when Jesus comes again to receive his spiritual family home to himself, they will know when he arrives. They will not need to resort to arcane chronological calculations to determine when the Kingdom of God comes. Jesus said that he would come alongside each one who proves themself to be ready and waiting with their lamps lit. And what will Christ do when he comes alongside the chosen? He will share the evening meal with them, just as he did on that last Passover.
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According to WT and the apostle Paul stated: “For as often as YOU eat this loaf and drink this cup, YOU keep proclaiming the death of the Lord, until he arrives.”

If Jesus “arrived” in 1914 why do witnesses continue to celebrate the Memorial? Has anyone ever thought to ask them that question? By the way I just heard that some of the many other ”changes” that will be taking place in the organization within the next 10 years will be that they’ll drop 1914 and adjust or transition it to 1934.

If that happens, then no one wakes up I really pity them. This is unbelievable!
 
Ms_ladyblue said:
According to WT and the apostle Paul stated: “For as often as YOU eat this loaf and drink this cup, YOU keep proclaiming the death of the Lord, until he arrives.”

If Jesus “arrived” in 1914 why do witnesses continue to celebrate the Memorial? Has anyone ever thought to ask them that question? By the way I just heard that some of the many other ”changes” that will be taking place in the organization within the next 10 years will be that they’ll drop 1914 and adjust or transition it to 1934.

If that happens, then no one wakes up I really pity them. This is unbelievable!
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That light just keeps getting brighter , or maybe it is just Jehovah`s witnesses are like dears caught in the headlights of a truck , and it is hurtling towards them , and their end .
 
Watchman said:
As the apostles reclined at the table to observe what they imagined was the annual Passover, a celebration that they all no doubt observed from childhood, Jesus instituted what Jehovah's Witnesses know as the Memorial. “I have greatly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.” And accepting a cup, he gave thanks and said: “Take this and pass it from one to the other among yourselves, for I tell you, from now on, I will not drink again from the product of the vine until the Kingdom of God comes.” - Luke 22:15-18

In the next verse, Jesus commands his disciples to keep doing this in remembrance of me. And so Jehovah's Witnesses gather each year to recall Jesus' suffering and sacrifice and what it means. In the verses cited above, Jesus twice speaks of the Kingdom of God, saying he would not eat the Passover meal again until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God and then stating likewise that he would not drink the wine again until the Kingdom of God comes.

What does it mean that Jesus will not partake of what we call the "emblems" until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God?

Jesus was alluding to his second coming. After the Passover was concluded, while Judas was off to do his dastardly deed, Jesus spoke further about his going away and then returning: "In the house of my Father are many dwelling places. Otherwise, I would have told you, for I am going my way to prepare a place for you. Also, if I go my way and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will receive you home to myself, so that where I am you also may be. And where I am going, you know the way.” - John 14:2-4

All during the time of Jesus' absence, the covenant that Jesus validated with his own blood has not accomplished what God intended. It is true that many tens of thousands have been called and chosen and died faithfully, but they are still dead. That is because Jesus has not "come again."

Although the Watchtower has fabricated an artfully contrived tale of Jesus' ethereal return and the Kingdom coming to power more than a century ago, the simple truth is that as long as the Memorial is observed, the Kingdom of God has not come. Surely, when Jesus comes again to receive his spiritual family home to himself, they will know when he arrives. They will not need to resort to arcane chronological calculations to determine when the Kingdom of God comes. Jesus said that he would come alongside each one who proves themself to be ready and waiting with their lamps lit. And what will Christ do when he comes alongside the chosen? He will share the evening meal with them, just as he did on that last Passover.

Speaking to his little flock in the 12th chapter of Luke, Jesus explained the object and manner of his coming, saying: “Be dressed and ready and have your lamps burning, and you should be like men waiting for their master to return from the marriage, so when he comes and knocks, they may at once open to him. Happy are those slaves whom the master on coming finds watching! Truly I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at the table and will come alongside and minister to them." - Luke 12:35-37

After the original evening meal, Jesus girded himself as a house servant and literally washed the feet of his apostles. So, Christ will again "dress himself for service" and minister to those who open the door when they hear him knock. Jesus said he would have them recline at the table, just as the apostles did on that Passover. What does it mean, though, that the Lord will come alongside and minister to them? His coming alongside them is the parousia. As all of Jehovah's Witnesses know, that is what the Greek word means - being alongside. Surely, if Jesus comes alongside someone and ministers to them, they will know it.

So, when Jesus said he would not eat the Passover or drink the product of the vine until the Kingdom of God comes, he was referring to that. Christ's parousia will initiate the first resurrection. But Paul explained that "we the living who survive to the presence of the Lord" will remain on earth during the presence until we are changed in the twinkling of an eye.

During the presence, when Christ is alongside his chosen ones, the Kingdom of God will have come to power. Jesus foretold that the chosen ones will be made to stand before governors and kings and give them a witness and no one will be able to argue against them because the holy spirit will be speaking for them.

That is what is symbolized by the two witnesses of Revelation. They are said to be standing before the Lord of the whole earth. The NWT provides a handy little asterisk cross reference to Zechariah, which states: “These are the two anointed ones who are standing alongside the Lord of the whole earth.” There is that expression again: "standing alongside." If the two anointed witnesses are standing alongside the Lord, then conversely, the Lord is standing alongside them. That is, in fact, why they are called the "two witnesses." Just as the disciples were called upon to be witnesses of Christ's resurrection, those who experience the parousia will give witness that they have seen Jesus and that he remains standing next to them. In that sense, the parousia will be invisible to everyone but the chosen.

As Paul directed, by drinking the cup, anointed Christians keep proclaiming the death of the Lord until he comes. Once he comes, the evening meal will be concluded, and the new covenant will, too. Christ's blood will have purchased all of the 144,000, and the Kingdom of God will then have come.

e-watchman.com

Until He Comes

Thursday, September 8 Keep doing this in remembrance of me.—1 Cor. 11:24. Night has fallen, but a full moon bathes Jerusalem in soft light. It is the evening of Nisan 14, 33 C.E. Jesus and his apostles have celebrated the Passover, commemorating Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage
e-watchman.com e-watchman.com
e-watchman.com

Future Parousia of Christ and Its Impact

Friday, June 10 You will not leave me in the Grave.—Ps. 16:10. One reason why we know that Jesus’ resurrection occurred is the zeal that his disciples showed in proclaiming it. Zealously bearing witness to the resurrection of the Christ exposed
e-watchman.com e-watchman.com
e-watchman.com

Maintaining the Devil’s Invisible Parousia Hoax

This is a continuation of commentary on the God’s Kingdom Rules! Bible study material for the week of October 10th, 2016. Jehovah’s Witnesses well know the power that lies can have over people. Anyone who has ever taken up the Bible and gone out
e-watchman.com e-watchman.com
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I never heard the Memorial explained in this way! It is a perfect fit and makes perfect sense. Something else I have been considering regarding the Memorial is how Jesus dealt with Judas. He didn’t directly confront him but he did make a statement that greatly disturbed his apostles.

Matthew 26:20-25: “When evening came, he was reclining at the table with the 12 disciples. While they were eating, he said: ‘Truly I say to you, one of you will betray me.’ Being very much grieved at this, each and every one began to say to him: ‘Lord, it is not I, is it?’ In reply he said: ‘The one who dips his hand with me into the bowl is the one who will betray me. True, the Son of man is going away, just as it is written about him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.’ Judas, who was about to betray him, replied: ‘It is not I, is it, Rabbi?’ Jesus said to him: ‘You yourself said it.’”

It’s interesting that both Judas and Peter sinned. Judas‘ sin was premeditated and planned but Peter gave in to fear and weakness. One sin was forgivable and one sin was not forgivable. When Jesus replied to Judas that he himself said it, I have to wonder if that infuriated Judas to the point that he felt justified in betraying Jesus.
 
Happy Memorial everyone.

John17:​

17 Jesus spoke these things, and, raising his eyes to heaven,+ he said: “Father, the hour has come; glorify your son, that your son may glorify you,+ 2 according as you have given him authority over all flesh,+ that, as regards the whole [number] whom you have given him,+ he may give them everlasting life.+ 3 This means everlasting life,+ their taking in knowledge+ of you,* the only true God,+ and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.+ 4 I have glorified+ you on the earth, having finished the work you have given me to do.+ 5 So now you, Father, glorify me alongside yourself with the glory that I had alongside you before the world was.+
 
Something I find interesting is that the link to Friday’s Memorial Reading didn’t include Mark Chapter 12. It only opened a link to Mark Chapter 11. But on reading Mark Chapter 12 it really reminds me of how Brother Robert King reveals the scriptural errors of the “Society” and they perfectly react in the same way that the Pharisees of Jesus’ day reacted. It also shows that relatively few responded to Jesus’ message, which also seems to parallel what we see on the forum and in general today. Ultimately when faced with tough scriptural questions, they have no answer for them. And, yet Christianity was not even instituted until after Jesus‘ death. Then the real growth began and it wasn’t a matter of being a religion you were born into but being a matter of conviction.

Mark 12:34: “At this Jesus, discerning that he had answered intelligently, said to him: “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” But no one had the courage to question him anymore.”

Revelation 11:13: “In that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell; and 7,000 persons were killed by the earthquake, and the rest became frightened and gave glory to the God of heaven.”
 
Bk Kevin said:
Happy Memorial everyone.

John17:​

17 Jesus spoke these things, and, raising his eyes to heaven,+ he said: “Father, the hour has come; glorify your son, that your son may glorify you,+ 2 according as you have given him authority over all flesh,+ that, as regards the whole [number] whom you have given him,+ he may give them everlasting life.+ 3 This means everlasting life,+ their taking in knowledge+ of you,* the only true God,+ and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.+ 4 I have glorified+ you on the earth, having finished the work you have given me to do.+ 5 So now you, Father, glorify me alongside yourself with the glory that I had alongside you before the world was.+
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Ms Ladyblue , and myself were commenting that it would be nice to have a memorial talk done by Robert . Thank you so very much .
 
Here is an excerpt from the article, “Future Parousia of Christ and Its Impact”:

“The parousia of Christ will take place similarly. Jesus will appear to the insignificant ones first, as Jesus indicated “many first will be last and the last first.” No doubt the testimony of those who see Christ first will be disbelieved by others still under the invisible parousia delusion. Ultimately, though, Christ will reveal himself to all of the chosen ones.

THE TRANSFIGURATION: A TYPE OF THE PAROUSIA OF CHRIST​

That is, after all, the true meaning of the Transfiguration. As Peter explained it, the transplendent transfiguring of Christ that he was an eyewitness to was a demonstration of the power and parousia of Jesus. In other words, the Transfiguration was a type. The parousia is the antitype. Obviously, Peter, James and John were not eyewitnesses to a fore gleam of an invisible parousia. And if you want to believe it, Daniel’s experience with a glorious superhuman manifestation of an angel is a prophetic drama of what is to occur when Christ manifests himself.

Seeing the manifestation of Christ will have a transformative impact on the chosen ones as well, more profound than what the apostles experienced in connection with Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances to them. As a result of their close encounter they will shine as brightly as the sun, having been granted admittance into the Kingdom of their Father even while in the flesh.

Then, like the first century disciples after their seeing Jesus, the chosen ones will give the world a final witness. This is what is symbolized in the 10th chapter of Revelation. That is where the overawed John was given a little scroll and told to eat it. Then he was given the command: “You must prophesy again about peoples and nations and tongues and many kings.”
 
SusanB said:
I never heard the Memorial explained in this way! It is a perfect fit and makes perfect sense. Something else I have been considering regarding the Memorial is how Jesus dealt with Judas. He didn’t directly confront him but he did make a statement that greatly disturbed his apostles.

Matthew 26:20-25: “When evening came, he was reclining at the table with the 12 disciples. While they were eating, he said: ‘Truly I say to you, one of you will betray me.’ Being very much grieved at this, each and every one began to say to him: ‘Lord, it is not I, is it?’ In reply he said: ‘The one who dips his hand with me into the bowl is the one who will betray me. True, the Son of man is going away, just as it is written about him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.’ Judas, who was about to betray him, replied: ‘It is not I, is it, Rabbi?’ Jesus said to him: ‘You yourself said it.’”

It’s interesting that both Judas and Peter sinned. Judas‘ sin was premeditated and planned but Peter gave in to fear and weakness. One sin was forgivable and one sin was not forgivable. When Jesus replied to Judas that he himself said it, I have to wonder if that infuriated Judas to the point that he felt justified in betraying Jesus.
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Why is one sin forgivable but the other isn’t?
 
Shiloh said:
What pictorial? Please share.
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Happy Memorial everyone.

John17:​

17 Jesus spoke these things, and, raising his eyes to heaven,+ he said: “Father, the hour has come; glorify your son, that your son may glorify you,+ 2 according as you have given him authority over all flesh,+ that, as regards the whole [number] whom you have given him,+ he may give them everlasting life.+ 3 This means everlasting life,+ their taking in knowledge+ of you,* the only true God,+ and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.+ 4 I have glorified+ you on the earth, having finished the work you have given me to do.+ 5 So now you, Father, glorify me alongside yourself with the glory that I had alongside you before the world was.+
 
Pattie29 said:
Why is one sin forgivable but the other isn’t?
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Notice that Jesus said it would be woe for Judas and it would be better if he had never been born. Jesus could read hearts and no doubt Judas motive was as wicked as Satan’s motive in opposing Jehovah. The unforgivable sin is blasphemy against Jehovah’s holy spirit. If anyone is guilty of that, I am convinced that Judas is.

Matthew 12:31-32: “For this reason I say to you, every sort of sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the spirit will not be forgiven. For example, whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the holy spirit, it will not be forgiven him, no, not in this system of things nor in that to come.”
 
It’s probably a bit late for most of you to talk about this but if any have photos of themselves before, at or after the Memorial, I’d love to see all of you celebrating the day. MediTator and I will take a photo after we’ve dressed for the Memorial and I’ll post it tomorrow.
 
SusanB said:
It’s probably a bit late for most of you to talk about this but if any have photos of themselves before, at or after the Memorial, I’d love to see all of you celebrating the day. MediTator and I will take a photo after we’ve dressed for the Memorial and I’ll post it tomorrow.
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With my dear mom today. Hehe. :)
Greetings from Colombia! HE 😁😊☺️
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