Tuesday, June 30th - Now as for the times and the seasons, brothers

[Watchman]

God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name by ministering and continuing to minister to the holy ones.—Heb. 6:10.

None of us should feel that we are entitled to receive Jehovah’s mercy even if we have spent many years in his service. Of course, Jehovah appreciates our record of faithfulness. He gave us his Son as a free gift, not as payment for services rendered. If we were to claim that we have earned mercy or that we are entitled to special consideration, we would, in effect, be saying that Christ died for nothing. (Compare Galatians 2:21.) The apostle Paul knew that he could not earn God’s favor. Why, then, did he work so hard in Jehovah’s service? Not to prove himself deserving, but to show appreciation for Jehovah’s undeserved kindness. (Eph. 3:7) Like Paul, we continue to serve zealously, not to earn Jehovah’s mercy, but to show appreciation for it. w25.01 27 ¶5-6

The problem is that the holy ones do not realize they are under an evil influence. That was certainly the case with the Corinthians. Paul expressed his concern that, as the serpent had seduced Eve by its cunning, their hearts might be corrupted away from Christ. How might that happen? Paul went on to expose the "superfine apostles" who were not apostles at all but false apostles and deceitful workers who had merely donned the guise of ministers of righteousness. That means they pretended to be sincere Christians. Apparently they were Greek orators. Or, as JW's might say, they gave good talks.

My ministry to the holy ones involves exposing the operation of Satan, as Paul called it. According to the inspired apostle, the Devil is allowed to fabricate a false parousia and delude even the holy ones into believing that Christ has already come and the Lord's day and parousia have already begun. The Watchtower is the sole source of the delusion. The delusion has also convinced trusting Christians that salvation can only come about by being loyal to the Watchtower organization. But that is a big problem since the Watchtower has not been loyal to Jehovah and in fact has become apostate. Salvation will involve leaving the organization when the disgusting thing appears.

This will not be as hard as you might imagine. God has provided a very clear signal that will inform Christians when Christ has come. The delusion will be shattered when Christ comes as unexpectedly as a thief in the night. And then sudden destruction will come in the form of WW3, a war the WT has assured Jehovah's Witnesses cannot happen: "Now as for the times and the seasons, brothers, you need nothing to be written to you. For you yourselves know very well that Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. Whenever it is that they are saying, “Peace and security!” then sudden destruction is to be instantly on them, just like birth pains on a pregnant woman, and they will by no means escape. But you, brothers, you are not in darkness, so that the day should overtake you as it would thieves, for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We belong neither to night nor to darkness."

Chapter 9 - PEACE & SECURITY - Jehovah Has Become King

Read Chapter 9 of the updated edition of Jehovah Has Become King. Brace for the sudden destruction of the Anglo-American system and the true day of the Lord.

jehovah-is-king.com

 

[Jerry&Phyllis]

The delusion has also convinced trusting Christians that salvation can only come about by being loyal to the Watchtower organization.

Loyal is a word describing someone that is firm, constant and unwavering in their support or allegiance to a person, organization or a cause. It implies steadfast dedication and a refusal to betray or desert, even during difficult times.

The question is, how should we prioritize our loyalties? For most JW's, this question has already been answered for us. It's the Governing Body, at least, if you read between the lines. Whom do they say to obey even if the instructions appear to be strange, impractical, illogical and even if the instructions appear "dangerous".
Not Jehovah; rather the directions of the G.B.

(Psalm 97:10b) . . .He is guarding the lives of his loyal ones; He rescues them from the hand of the wicked."

Prioritizing loyalties is a deeply personal process. Philosophers and theologians generally organize these five loyalties into a structured hierarchy based on the impact each relationship has on our life.
Notice who "even worldly sources" put at the top of the list. (It isn't the GB.)

The Standard Ethical Hierarchy

1. God / Core Values: This forms your moral foundation and dictates how you treat everyone else.
2. Spouse: This is your chosen life partner and the primary foundation of your immediate household.
3. Family: This includes children and parents, representing your biological and historical bonds.
4. Friends: These are your chosen support network, providing community outside the home.
5. Work: This is your economic engine, which serves to support the top four priorities.

---

 

[BARNABY THE DOG.]

Loyal is a word describing someone that is firm, constant and unwavering in their support or allegiance to a person, organization or a cause. It implies steadfast dedication and a refusal to betray or desert, even during difficult times.

The question is, how should we prioritize our loyalties? For most JW's, this question has already been answered for us. It's the Governing Body, at least, if you read between the lines. Whom do they say to obey even if the instructions appear to be strange, impractical, illogical and even if the instructions appear "dangerous".
Not Jehovah; rather the directions of the G.B.

(Psalm 97:10b) . . .He is guarding the lives of his loyal ones; He rescues them from the hand of the wicked."

Prioritizing loyalties is a deeply personal process. Philosophers and theologians generally organize these five loyalties into a structured hierarchy based on the impact each relationship has on our life.
Notice who "even worldly sources" put at the top of the list. (It isn't the GB.)

The Standard Ethical Hierarchy

1. God / Core Values: This forms your moral foundation and dictates how you treat everyone else.
2. Spouse: This is your chosen life partner and the primary foundation of your immediate household.
3. Family: This includes children and parents, representing your biological and historical bonds.
4. Friends: These are your chosen support network, providing community outside the home.
5. Work: This is your economic engine, which serves to support the top four priorities.

---

Exactly so. The spiritual entanglement with the gb posing as Jehovah’s spokesman in the place of Christ has usurped the loyalty of the brethren. They present their teachings and presence (as seen in the convention video here) as saviours of the brethren, demanding their loyalty, and are happy to be applauded for such. Looking at that video of the convention, I do believe that if the brethren had palm tree fronds to throw at their feet they would have done so…..and the gb would have walked upon them too.

This is where the methodology of presenting the truth is critical for those whom choose to do it. It’s similar in my mind to carrying the ark of the covenant between two poles upon the shoulders. Carry it for the people by all means. Display it, treat it with profound care. Do not lay a finger upon it, and to make its content known only as it is written. It’s the methodology used here on site. As for watchtower, they prefer to hang the ‘Ark’ the Truth, about their neck as part of their collection of rings and watches and present its content as their own. As they do not teach the truth, no one can be loyal to them within the expression of truth, and as will be seen eventually. Those that follow after them will be condemned along with them. Those loyal to Jehovah will have their eyes opened.

 

[Jerry&Phyllis]

I do believe that if the brethren had palm tree fronds to throw at their feet they would have done so…..and the gb would have walked upon them too.

Well, Barnaby, you're probably right......"If the brethren had palm tree fronds to throw at their feet they would have done so…..and the GB would have walked upon them too". However, we're going to go out on a limb and say that the analogy would end there. Can you image seeing any governing body member agreeable to riding on a donkey's colt or "ass colt" as was the case with Jesus. That would be a step too far because it actually calls for humility not adulation.

(John 12:12-15) . . .The following day the big crowd that had come to the feast, hearing that Jesus was coming into Jerusalem, 13 took the fronds of the palm trees and went out to meet him and shouted “Hosanna! blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, and the king of Israel!” 14 And Jesus, having found a little donkey, mounted it, as it says 15 “Do not be afraid, daughter of Sion: here is your King coming to you, riding on an ass colt.. . ."

This act, on Jesus' part was deliberate and symbolic. Instead of arriving on a warhorse as a mighty King and Conqueror, he chose a donkey to declare his identity as a peaceful, "humble" King.

It was a direct fulfillment of the prophecy found in Zechariah 9:9: "Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! ... Behold, your king is coming to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

 

[Nomex]

The question is, how should we prioritize our loyalties? For most JW's, this question has already been answered for us. It's the Governing Body

This is an interesting point. It reminded me of something in my family. Without giving too much away regarding personal information, my brother puts a great deal of emphasis on loyalty especially regarding when making your "yes mean yes." He basically applies this principle in a perverted way in some sense. He had a guy working for him who broke his contract with him, and he was convinced, and probably still is, that that brother's "spirituality" OK, let me say what they refuse to say, he's going to die at Armageddon if he does repent of his disloyalty to his contract. However, there is a glaring problem with this outlook they NEVER consider. The Bible does in fact give you a way out of a contract for the most important "contract" any human being enters into with another human being, and that is in the case of a marriage contract. If your partner breaks that contract then the person who did NOT break the contract can choose NOT to continue the contract. If you are paying attention and you use good discernment the Bible provides all kinds of solutions to all kinds of problems.

But this is why we need to use our discernment. Because if we are not using our own powers of reason, and our Bible trained mental abilities, but rather let someone else tells us instead what these things mean, then we are not really choosing Jehovah's side. I have pointed out many many times, we each answer individually to Jehovah. It is the ultimate question of, "If your friends jump off a cliff are you going to do it just because your friends are doing it?" Yes, this is the level of spiritual "maturity" from even the most "mature" JW's! If they are loyal to the GB, but ignore obvious breaches of said contract they made with Jehovah, but still think somehow you are pleasing God by obeying these traitors to Jehovah, you are deluding yourself!

Blind loyalty is NO virtue no matter how they try to justify it, like deluding themselves into thinking Laban's abuse of Isaac some how is an endorsement from Jehovah that we should just take said abuse! Possibly what the GB are actually eluding to that is "dangerous" is this kind of thinking that they are demanding from the brothers! No, not possibly, EXACTLY! Their only power over anyone is to influence their thinking. It's the same power Satan had over Eve!

And they are telling everyone that is what they are doing. You just have to pay attention.

 

[BARNABY THE DOG.]

Well, Barnaby, you're probably right......"If the brethren had palm tree fronds to throw at their feet they would have done so…..and the GB would have walked upon them too". However, we're going to go out on a limb and say that the analogy would end there. Can you image seeing any governing body member agreeable to riding on a donkey's colt or "ass colt" as was the case with Jesus. That would be a step too far because it actually calls for humility not adulation.

(John 12:12-15) . . .The following day the big crowd that had come to the feast, hearing that Jesus was coming into Jerusalem, 13 took the fronds of the palm trees and went out to meet him and shouted “Hosanna! blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, and the king of Israel!” 14 And Jesus, having found a little donkey, mounted it, as it says 15 “Do not be afraid, daughter of Sion: here is your King coming to you, riding on an ass colt.. . ."

This act, on Jesus' part was deliberate and symbolic. Instead of arriving on a warhorse as a mighty King and Conqueror, he chose a donkey to declare his identity as a peaceful, "humble" King.

It was a direct fulfillment of the prophecy found in Zechariah 9:9: "Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! ... Behold, your king is coming to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

Absolutely!

 

[Jerry&Phyllis]

Blind loyalty is NO virtue no matter how they try to justify it,

Blind loyalty amounts to giving unquestioning allegiance to a person, group or an organization regardless of the evidence or consequences. Inevitably, one relinquishes critical thinking and exposes oneself to manipulation and exploitation.

As we've said before. It is a "trap" that one can easily fall into due to social pressure, fear of isolation and dependency on authoritative figures for direction. The WT organization is, no doubt, very aware of this technique and uses it effectively to subdue the R&F into submission. We recently became aware that governments have psychiatrist/psychologist on staff whose job is to "assess" leaders of foreign countries so they are able to control and manipulate the nation's leaders to their advantage. WT seems to be following a similar course, studying the psychology of people so as to use it to their advantage. It appears they have it "down to a fine art".

Now, we're the ones evaluating them, not the other way around; their tactics no longer have leverage over us.

Bottom line, the organizations has become a "corporation", first and foremost, rather than a religious organization whose primary interest and obligation should be to care for the sheep".

 

[BARNABY THE DOG.]

Blind loyalty amounts to giving unquestioning allegiance to a person, group or an organization regardless of the evidence or consequences. Inevitably, one relinquishes critical thinking and exposes oneself to manipulation and exploitation.

As we've said before. It is a "trap" that one can easily fall into due to social pressure, fear of isolation and dependency on authoritative figures for direction. The WT organization is, no doubt, very aware of this technique and uses it effectively to subdue the R&F into submission. We recently became aware that governments have psychiatrist/psychologist on staff whose job is to "assess" leaders of foreign countries so they are able to control and manipulate the nation's leaders to their advantage. WT seems to be following a similar course, studying the psychology of people so as to use it to their advantage. It appears they have it "down to a fine art".

Now, we're the ones evaluating them, not the other way around; their tactics no longer have leverage over us.

Bottom line, the organizations has become a "corporation", first and foremost, rather than a religious organization whose primary interest and obligation should be to care for the sheep".

I think what watchtower are trying to do is equate loyalty with faith, or in this case, to make a mental attachment between blind loyalty and strong unyielding faith. There appears to be a link made by watchtower to suggest that not fully understanding the meaning of what is asked of one’s self is a demonstration of putting full faith in Jehovah. The only reference I can think of is when satan suggested to Christ to throw himself off a cliff, knowing that Jehovah would send His angels to bare him up.

You are absolutely right in that such persuasion exists. It starts off as dares between children who are instantly labelled as cowards should they refuse a dare. The extreme of it is seen in communism and fascism and in old school Catholicism whereby the priest would claim that is “God’s will” to burn someone at the stake.

The problem for the brethren is they agree to it - as the bible says, that “they love it that way”, not out of a false sense pride, so much as they want to believe that they are faithful to Jehovah by following the gb. As you point out, their lack of knowledge of the bible allows them to believe that ‘faith’ is that easy to achieve. They do not have to develop their own faith, they simply need to rest that faith upon others to carry out. The gb have after all, assumed just such a ‘burden’. The gb often alludes to their working tirelessly as the faithful slave - though judging by their glorification at the assembly, they have to polish up being ‘discreet’ about it.

As for the gb employing psychologists - have no fear. Their problem is immaturity and covetousness. There is no cure for that. Their dependancy rests solely upon the agreements they have made between themselves as we have seen in the vast expense and coverups that they laid at Tony’s feet to be rid of him.

 

[MickHewitt]

Now, we're the ones evaluating them, not the other way around; their tactics no longer have leverage over us.

Nicely put J&P: It's the same hold organized crime has over an individual having loved ones and family dear to them who are held hostage if one does not comply to the crime boss's will. Most here have paid the high price for the truth and no longer under their threat! In that sense as painful the price, the truth has set us free!