Tuesday, June 2nd - The wrath of Jehovah I will bear

[Watchman]

A kind man benefits himself, but the cruel person brings trouble on himself.—Prov. 11:17.

We cannot control what others say or do to us, but we can try to control our response. And often the best response is to forgive. Why? Because we love Jehovah, and he wants us to be forgiving. If we remain angry and do not forgive, we are likely to act foolishly and perhaps suffer physically. (Prov. 14:17, 29, 30) When we let go of resentment, we prevent our heart from becoming damaged by bitterness. We also give ourselves a gift—we can start to move on and enjoy our life once again. How can you overcome hurt feelings? One way is by giving yourself time to heal. After receiving medical care, a person who has been severely injured needs time to heal physically. In a similar way, we may need time to heal emotionally before we are ready to forgive someone from the heart. (Eccl. 3:3; 1 Pet. 1:22) Pray, asking Jehovah to help you to be forgiving. w25.02 16-17 ¶8-11

The Watchtower talks a lot about kindness, forgiveness, and letting go of resentment. I wonder if that is because a growing number of JWs are becoming resentful of the leadership of the Watchtower.

Our being made in the image of God means these are all qualities — kindness, resentment, forgiveness — are traits that God possesses. For example, not only is God kind, but he also extends undeserved kindness to us. But Jehovah can also become resentful. During his 1,500 years dealing with Israel, God often became resentful, even furious with his people. His anger was only appeased when he vented it by punishing those who constantly offened Him.

It is a sobering reality, or it ought to be, that in the entire Christian era, at least since the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE, God has not directly expressed his anger. And if that doesn't concern you, the coming day of God's wrath begins first with the House of God. Of course, God is good and ready to forgive, as yesterday's daily text noted, but His forgiveness comes only after punishment. Speaking for the anointed remnant during the tribulation, the prophet says: "Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Although I have fallen, I will rise up; although I dwell in the darkness, Jehovah will be my light. The wrath of Jehovah I will bear —For I have sinned against him—Until he pleads my legal case and brings about justice for me. He will bring me out to the light; I will look upon his righteousness." - Micah 7:8-9
How will the downtrodden be brought into the light of God? By the visible parousia, the epic manifestation of Christ. Then God's wrath will have accomplished its purpose, and the Kingdom will be born.

Chapter 26 - MICAH - Jehovah Has Become King

Dive into Chapter 26 of Jehovah Has Become King. See how the unmasking of secret databases and corporate shunning fulfills ancient prophetic patterns.

jehovah-is-king.com

 

[Jerry&Phyllis]

Chapter 26: "Micah"8 m9
The following quote from your book is probably not a new thought but it is for us. We did not realize that Babylon represents the 8th king and not false religion. It certainly is more logical since mankind will be in subjection to a king and not religion. Just shows how deep and far-reaching the tenacles of WT brainwashing reach in our thinking.

"So, the spiritual daughter of Zion being taken to Babylon does not represent god’s people being subjugated by false religion. Because of its opposition to God, Babylon foreshadows the last king, the eighth king, who will conquer the holy ones until such time as God intervenes. True, the scarlet-colored beast known as the eighth king will have the great harlot on its back, but without the eighth king, Babylon the Great would have no power."

 

[Watchman]

Chapter 26: "Micah"
The following quote from your book is probably not a new thought but it is for us. We did not realize that Babylon represents the 8th king and not false religion. It certainly is more logical since mankind will be in subjection to a king and not religion. Just shows has deep and far-reaching the tenacles of deep and far reaching the tenacles of WT. brainwashing reach in our thinking.

It is both. Demonic religion has always been inseparable from the ruling power. The conquerors always attributed their conquests to their gods. That is why Nebuchadnezzar had the Hebrew princes, including Daniel, renamed to honor the Babylonian gods.

 

[SusanB]

I really loved reading this chapter in Brother King’s book this morning and reading the 5th Chapter of Micah from the scriptures. I like to look at other translations, which sometimes provide a more “flavorful” translation. It made me consider that Jesus came out of Bethlehem, described as the “runt of the litter”. I would guess that those who will experience the Parousia and become sealed will also come from “the runt of the litter” as well and likely not Bethel. This is from “The Message” bible:

Micah Chapter 5:
“But for now, prepare for the worst, victim daughter!
The siege is set against us.
They humiliate Israel’s king,
slapping him around like a rag doll.
But you, Bethlehem, David’s country,
the runt of the litter—
From you will come the leader
who will shepherd-rule Israel.
He’ll be no upstart, no pretender.
His family tree is ancient and distinguished.
Meanwhile, Israel will be in foster homes
until the birth pangs are over and the child is born,
And the scattered brothers come back
home to the family of Israel.
He will stand tall in his shepherd-rule by God’s strength,
centered in the majesty of God-Revealed.
And the people will have a good and safe home,
for the whole world will hold him in respect—
Peacemaker of the world!
And if some bullying Assyrian shows up,
invades and violates our land, don’t worry.
We’ll put him in his place, send him packing,
and watch his every move.
Shepherd-rule will extend as far as needed,
to Assyria and all other Nimrod-bullies.
Our shepherd-ruler will save us from old or new enemies,
from anyone who invades or violates our land.
The purged and select company of Jacob will be
like an island in the sea of peoples.
They’ll be like dew from God,
like summer showers
Not mentioned in the weather forecast,
not subject to calculation or control.
Yes, the purged and select company of Jacob will be
like an island in the sea of peoples,
Like the king of beasts among wild beasts,
like a young lion loose in a flock of sheep,
Killing and devouring the lambs
and no one able to stop him.
With your arms raised in triumph over your foes,
your enemies will be no more!
The day is coming
—God’s Decree—
When there will be no more war. None.
I’ll slaughter your war horses and demolish your chariots.
I’ll dismantle military posts
and level your fortifications.
I’ll abolish your religious black markets,
your underworld traffic in black magic.
I will smash your carved and cast gods
and chop down your phallic posts.
No more taking control of the world,
worshiping what you do or make.
I’ll root out your sacred sex-and-power centers
and destroy the God-defiant.
In raging anger, I’ll make a clean sweep
of godless nations who haven’t listened.”

 

[BARNABY THE DOG.]

I really loved reading this chapter in Brother King’s book this morning and reading the 5th Chapter of Micah from the scriptures. I like to look at other translations, which sometimes provide a more “flavorful” translation. It made me consider that Jesus came out of Bethlehem, described as the “runt of the litter”. I would guess that those who will experience the Parousia and become sealed will also come from “the runt of the litter” as well and likely not Bethel. This is from “The Message” bible:

Micah Chapter 5:
“But for now, prepare for the worst, victim daughter!
The siege is set against us.
They humiliate Israel’s king,
slapping him around like a rag doll.
But you, Bethlehem, David’s country,
the runt of the litter—
From you will come the leader
who will shepherd-rule Israel.
He’ll be no upstart, no pretender.
His family tree is ancient and distinguished.
Meanwhile, Israel will be in foster homes
until the birth pangs are over and the child is born,
And the scattered brothers come back
home to the family of Israel.
He will stand tall in his shepherd-rule by God’s strength,
centered in the majesty of God-Revealed.
And the people will have a good and safe home,
for the whole world will hold him in respect—
Peacemaker of the world!
And if some bullying Assyrian shows up,
invades and violates our land, don’t worry.
We’ll put him in his place, send him packing,
and watch his every move.
Shepherd-rule will extend as far as needed,
to Assyria and all other Nimrod-bullies.
Our shepherd-ruler will save us from old or new enemies,
from anyone who invades or violates our land.
The purged and select company of Jacob will be
like an island in the sea of peoples.
They’ll be like dew from God,
like summer showers
Not mentioned in the weather forecast,
not subject to calculation or control.
Yes, the purged and select company of Jacob will be
like an island in the sea of peoples,
Like the king of beasts among wild beasts,
like a young lion loose in a flock of sheep,
Killing and devouring the lambs
and no one able to stop him.
With your arms raised in triumph over your foes,
your enemies will be no more!
The day is coming
—God’s Decree—
When there will be no more war. None.
I’ll slaughter your war horses and demolish your chariots.
I’ll dismantle military posts
and level your fortifications.
I’ll abolish your religious black markets,
your underworld traffic in black magic.
I will smash your carved and cast gods
and chop down your phallic posts.
No more taking control of the world,
worshiping what you do or make.
I’ll root out your sacred sex-and-power centers
and destroy the God-defiant.
In raging anger, I’ll make a clean sweep
of godless nations who haven’t listened.”

Well that puts a perspective on the writings of the Bible I never even imagined. The translation lacks a certain je ne sais quoi but certainly would be relevant to today’s religious perspective. Clearly Bethlehem was not what we might call a holiday destination!

 

[Paula]

Well that puts a perspective on the writings of the Bible I never even imagined. The translation lacks a certain je ne sais quoi but certainly would be relevant to today’s religious perspective. Clearly Bethlehem was not what we might call a holiday destination!

Thats quite a punch. " Chopping Down phallic posts"

 

[BARNABY THE DOG.]

Thats quite a punch. " Chopping Down phallic posts"

I must say I prefer the King James Version for its prose. Yes, it’s more difficult to read, but its sense of meaning is so much more refined without having to be blunt. The KJ text requires thought, provokes nuances that draw in further meaning and application, allowing for a greater holistic and spiritual picture without diverting the mind to the gutter reality of this world through modern parlance.