Yeah, I think this explains who you are. Jesus does have true followers and there are false ones. Your explanation just muddies the waters and dilutes the true message. And, you are quite presumptuous to say what Jesus approves that has no scriptural backing. I already went through that with the GB and that is why we are to put people to the test.
Yes, but we do for the most important ones.
If Jesus knows who his true followers are, then what's the problem? Do we know? Does it matter? All we need to care about is to become better so we can be counted in with his true followers.
I understand. But what good is all of this knowledge if during the time of distress we don't treat Christ's brothers well because we might disagree with them on some new understanding and these other ones accept it? We shouldn't repeat the pattern of the Jews who rejected Jesus because they thought they were right but they missed the heart of the issue. The most important things for us are to become Christlike.
I don't really care about the Holy Spirit part, and I don't think most here will either. What I care is that the Father and Son are separate entities. My mother has friends and some are in the christendom as well and some sound very close in every other teaching but the fundamental ones.
Exactly any ignorant morons in christendom that treat the anointed better in the tribulation will be looked more favorably at than the portion of JW's that side with the organization against the sealed annointed in the future
Actually I believe it will play a part. Spiritually as well, because from a human perspective breaking out of the tri/binary state is important in even appreciating the relationship more. Because parents view the life of their child above their own. And it is Jehovah himself who gives us the knowledge. And he does not give all suddenly miraculously. It happens over time just like eating something. You cannot eat all, and you can only consume some food when you are very young.
This is my last comment to you.
Exactly. They are means to an end, a tool. So if an individual comes to get the true knowledge then good. But other than that individually those who are putting out the show has to come to the truth, whether they like it or not.
Of course it will, but it's not so black and white. Jehovah knows hearts and doesn't judge by our standards. We shouldn't be quick to judge who we perceive as being true. That's in Jehovah's jurisdiction.
2 Tim 3:5 "and from these turn away". And same chapter verses 13 thru 17 are fairly enlightening.
That's right. And don't take it personally, because it's against the show, not necessarily you. And they are wrong on the important facts.
I don't take it personally and thanks for your comments. As I mentioned earlier, those who are rightly disposed will get the meaning and push forward and dig deeper. Many will fall away because they might feel it's impossible to live up to the standard that Christ set, but those who truly believe will keep going. Even if they don't have a complete understanding at present, they might go and apply the teachings in their life. Jehovah is not so petty to reject people with good heart because they don't have a completely accurate knowledge. It's Catholic fake god who is like that. So rigid... When the hour of test comes that's where it will be determined who is approved. Until then wheat and weeds grow together.
I have a friend that I am close to and he's in Christendom, but due to the circumstances in his life I preach when I can, because I believe he is receptive enough.
I'm still on it, taking it slowly as he went really deep and there is a lot to read. But I agree about Baal worship.
I was surprised actually when I found out that there are many. And a lot of them preach on the internet. The thing is that we are currently in a period when a lot of people are waking up and realizing that organized religions are going contrary to how it should be, with all the rules and threats of punishmnet and whatnot... There are so many study groups and a lot of them don't believe in trinity and other such nonsense. It's akin to previous great awakenings during which The Bible Students formed. The ignorant will be ignorant, and I don't really take them into account. But there definitely is a big shift happening. And it's all according to prophecy, as Daniel 12 says that many will rove about and true knowledge will become abundant. If we know the truth we have no reason to be scared. Pretty soon everything will become clear. What we need now is faith.
Today I spoke with an elder who told me about the experience he had with a priest. This brother was just getting acquainted with JW at the time and as he was learning more, he shared it with the priest and as they talked the priest revealed to him that he didn't really believe much of what bible was saying... a priest! He said that a lot of it is just stories... Imagine how he saw that priest after that. Pharisees also had this appearance, as do a lot of JW as most others as well. Of course we need to turn away from those. But people whose faith is genuine should not be dismissed just like that. God will lead them to accurate knowledge. All I'm saying is that we tend to be judgmental and condemn people who might not be at the same level of understanding and that's wrong. If Jehovah was judging as we do then almost no one would be acceptable to him. I mean just look at how every time people from different denominations discuss there is always disagreements about whose knowledge is correct and who is true religion and yada yada. In the meantime no one realizes that they are not displaying any Christlike qualities while they are doing so... It's all about me, me, me, mine...
I get stuck with christmas every year, because my wife is unaware or the truth but at least coming to understand that all is not right with the world. There is though a strong pull for people to maintain “normality” (Whatever that ‘normality’ may be!) and that normality is a perception, rather than a reaction based upon anything true. Most people are aware that all is not right in life and its ceremony. Christmas for me as a child was always about sentiment - excitement, expectation, gifts and being together and generosity. I used to put my toys under the tree for my siblings. My sister kindly told me that was not the thing to do! The hiatus of my watchtower years was cold, distant and functional, loaded with guilt to go out on Christmas Day and interrupt the publics day of togetherness and peace and to tell them it’s all false and hollow. And to sit at home with children devoid of expectation and a scraping of joy in receiving gifts and attention was frankly divisive, sad and heartbreaking for me as a parent and even as a man, not to mention the conflict in conscience. Now though, I welcome the opportunity to have my family around me and to see them content and happy. Yes, there is a tree that my wife decorates and enjoys doing so in her ignorance of all but love for her children, and I relax and watch, knowing that when the hammer falls, should it fall in my lifetime, I will be there to steer them should they wish to be steered. Then is my time of value to the truth. Not that I am remiss in preparing the way now with them all.
Exactly. Thank you.