What is Love?

BARNABY THE DOG.

Well-known member
I read Cristo’s excellent message about creating within ourselves the tolerance and wit to discuss issues at a harmonious gathering. (Excellent post Cristo!) Also someone else noted, truthfully, that some “need to be right” or see themselves as educating others, calling to atonement etc. That is not love if ego gets in the way. (Even if correct). That is also a very credible if not a critical understanding of the issue. Divesting one’s self of an opinion in favour of letting someone else‘s opinion come to the fore is not necessarily a compromise either. It let’s another stake their claim to knowledge and whether we like it or not, that is within us all, as Cristo rightly points out. Yet it can also provide for our own consideration a facet of thought on the matter that we hitherto-fore had not considered and allows another to have their say. If we don’t allow that, then we cease to learn. Learning is hindered if another’s opinion is ignored. Besides, an apology costs one nothing of note, as out of the mouths of babes and sages alike, comes a clear appraisal.
The scriptures, I understand, express three definitions of love. Filial, spiritual and the love between humans and all that such involves.
Insofar as Jehovah‘s love is expressed at this time, we can see the depth of meaning that love has in our current understanding. Therein are facets of justice, long-suffering, patience, concern, joy, endearment, reward, discipline, meaningful association, comfort, strength, endurance, humility, selflessness, righteous indignation, limitations, example, care, mercy, restitution, reward, peace of mind, and harmony to name but a few. However, the key to love, is faith for without faith, love is incomplete. ‘No greater love has a man, than to lay down his life for another. ‘ And that really does take faith.
That of course, is academic until and unless, we decide what love means to us in terms spiritual, in outcomes, in reward, in selflessness and in the self examination of our own lives when set against the standard. The standard being spiritual. It begs the question then that if we are to make headway in terms of tangible love, we are required to enlighten others into our personal view in the matter.
 

Watchman

Moderator
Staff member
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous. It does not brag, does not get puffed up, does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury. It does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." - 1 Cor 13:4-7
 

BARNABY THE DOG.

Well-known member
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous. It does not brag, does not get puffed up, does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury. It does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." - 1 Cor 13:4-7
I don’t know if you have the news today, but China has just joined Russia in support and set itself against NATO. I am just popping out now to get myself one of those cycling hard hats just in case something nuclear falls out. Keep yourself on line, I will let you know if and when something passes over head. We are used to keeping an eye out here for seagulls that like to deliver personally, so we are always looking up.
 

Ana

Well-known member
Ahora mismo en España está apareciendo en las noticias el despliegue de tropas y sus correspondientes prácticas. Rusia y China de la mano, que arte tan explosivo estos dos países juntos. ¡¡Vamos a ver un espectáculo de fuegos artificiales al más puro estilo japonés!! Veremos si intimidan a Europa y así comienza la esperada Paz y seguridad. Mientras miras al cielo, pide paciencia y amor, mucho amor hermano perro. Mi amor por ti me hizo querer charlar en privado. ¡¡Si te atreves, te ladro!!😊
 

MickHewitt

Well-known member
I read Cristo’s excellent message about creating within ourselves the tolerance and wit to discuss issues at a harmonious gathering. (Excellent post Cristo!) Also someone else noted, truthfully, that some “need to be right” or see themselves as educating others, calling to atonement etc. That is not love if ego gets in the way. (Even if correct). That is also a very credible if not a critical understanding of the issue. Divesting one’s self of an opinion in favour of letting someone else‘s opinion come to the fore is not necessarily a compromise either. It let’s another stake their claim to knowledge and whether we like it or not, that is within us all, as Cristo rightly points out. Yet it can also provide for our own consideration a facet of thought on the matter that we hitherto-fore had not considered and allows another to have their say. If we don’t allow that, then we cease to learn. Learning is hindered if another’s opinion is ignored. Besides, an apology costs one nothing of note, as out of the mouths of babes and sages alike, comes a clear appraisal.
The scriptures, I understand, express three definitions of love. Filial, spiritual and the love between humans and all that such involves.
Insofar as Jehovah‘s love is expressed at this time, we can see the depth of meaning that love has in our current understanding. Therein are facets of justice, long-suffering, patience, concern, joy, endearment, reward, discipline, meaningful association, comfort, strength, endurance, humility, selflessness, righteous indignation, limitations, example, care, mercy, restitution, reward, peace of mind, and harmony to name but a few. However, the key to love, is faith for without faith, love is incomplete. ‘No greater love has a man, than to lay down his life for another. ‘ And that really does take faith.
That of course, is academic until and unless, we decide what love means to us in terms spiritual, in outcomes, in reward, in selflessness and in the self examination of our own lives when set against the standard. The standard being spiritual. It begs the question then that if we are to make headway in terms of tangible love, we are required to enlighten others into our personal view in the matter.
Yes totally: If we keep on ignoring others views we have no love of understanding of thier position, thier wants, loves etc. No care for them. Glad Christ cares for us yo!
 

JTK

Well-known member
the Love that Jehovah and His Son have for their creation is something that as a mortal being i cannot truly comprehend.
yes i can read about it where John has wrote things such as 1John 4:10 John 3:16 etc
but it takes some meditation on the subject to really get a taste of the enormity of what it means.
So when we as mere mortals have conflict of opinion about the word of God we would do well to remember that Love covers all things.
we must forgive if we expect forgiveness for ourselves, and we must recognise that being right is not the primary goal of bible knowledge, such thinking can puff us up and cause self elevation.
Love is the central theme of the scriptures everything that Jehovah and His Christ have done and indeed will do is because of love for mankind
And so without love scriptural knowledge is only heady and showy, however love AND scriptural knowlege is beautiful, it is kind , understanding and patient, always allowing for our mortal imperfections and most importantly recognising that without Love from Jehovah and His Christ then not a single human being deserves life and that we are all under the sentence of death, without Love.
Love conquered death for mankind in the Man Jesus the Christ
John3:16
 

BARNABY THE DOG.

Well-known member
Ahora mismo en España está apareciendo en las noticias el despliegue de tropas y sus correspondientes prácticas. Rusia y China de la mano, que arte tan explosivo estos dos países juntos. ¡¡Vamos a ver un espectáculo de fuegos artificiales al más puro estilo japonés!! Veremos si intimidan a Europa y así comienza la esperada Paz y seguridad. Mientras miras al cielo, pide paciencia y amor, mucho amor hermano perro. Mi amor por ti me hizo querer charlar en privado. ¡¡Si te atreves, te ladro!!😊
Hello Ana, Thank you for your kind note. Feel free to bark at me if you wish. Always nice to chat about scripture. 😊
 

JTK

Well-known member
So, if God's servants are used by him to speak the truth, shoud we go against God and remain silent because it might offend those who are not in harmony with God's word?
absolutley not but it must be done out of love until God decides that the time is ended and then it is done out of impending judgment as per the 2
witnesess.
i think Jonah is a good example of how a person can be self elevated and judgmental, he did not want to go to the ninevites to preach repentance, to Jonah they were abhorrant beings, not worthy of Gods love and he was an Israelite!
Jonah did not understand the love of God, he even felt anger toward God and wished death upon himself, because he waited forty days for the destruction of Ninevah only see that it did not happen.
And God gives Jonah a lesson in love and understanding
Jonah 4: 9,10,11
 

BARNABY THE DOG.

Well-known member
absolutley not but it must be done out of love until God decides that the time is ended and then it is done out of impending judgment as per the 2
witnesess.
i think Jonah is a good example of how a person can be self elevated and judgmental, he did not want to go to the ninevites to preach repentance, to Jonah they were abhorrant beings, not worthy of Gods love and he was an Israelite!
Jonah did not understand the love of God, he even felt anger toward God and wished death upon himself, because he waited forty days for the destruction of Ninevah only see that it did not happen.
And God gives Jonah a lesson in love and understanding
Jonah 4: 9,10,11
That is a sound point. Can we assume upon ourselves to be servants of Jehovah? We are not servants but “slaves” I thought, ”doing what is asked of us“…so much so that there is even an evil slave amongst us. At least that is what watchtower taught me. Regardless though we have a duty to not stumble people in our preaching and as the bible assures us, we must be careful in how we treat others in this matter. Cautious as serpents, innocent as doves. That does not suggest black and white, I’m right you are wrong. Like anything of worth, it must be gently tended like a young shoot at the dawn of spring. Fed on milk.
That of course involves speaking truth, but in many capacities, the very title that the bible speaks of, applies to such one’s is “teacher”. Teaching in biblical terms requires skills and mental dexterity that is born of love and insight into the spiritual needs of the recipient. Speaking out in defence of the truth is pointless if it turns away an otherwise interested person. Approach from the ground that they are familiar with. The one case where I can think directness in blunt speech is totally beneficial in the matter, is when we do so to defend OUR faith, not another’s. We treat another’s sensitivities with warmth, patience and love, just as you say. That does not mean in the slightest that we water truth down or compromise, only that we do not use a sledge hammer to make our point. Though as Christ pointed out, it has its place and time. Yet he was not speaking of the same issues raised here.
Poor, unyielding teaching is the expertise of many who are always assuming that they are correct, but true teaching is the word spoken at the right time. Sometimes, as in my case for instance, that was over forty years after the event that stumbled me out of the watchtower…and that from someone I met through the iPad I am holding in my hand now, typing to me his thoughts from California some 7,000 miles away! It made me pause, think, digest and realise. From therein, learning to make it one’s own comes in to play and when established, bear fruit of its own.
 

Ana

Well-known member
Hola Ana, gracias por tu amable nota. Siéntete libre de ladrarme si lo deseas. Siempre es agradable conversar sobre las Escrituras.😊
Siempre me gustó tu cara de perro. La he visto durante años y me dio confianza. Perros, tan fieles!! Encontraré el tiempo y hablaremos. Gracias por su disposición.😊
 

BARNABY THE DOG.

Well-known member
I know what love is not. While some on this forum have acted like loving brothers and sisters, others have shown the exact opposite spirit. It is like night and day. It's quite clear who are still serving Jehovah and who are not serving Jehovah. Berean Study Bible Malachi 3:18 "So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”

And by the way, isn't a servant and a slave basically the same thing? Are we going to split hairs and quibble about words? Really Brother? Perhaps I should exit the conversation if that's the case. Yes, I know you wear the pants. So, I'm still a servant ov Jehovah.😛 It's not presumtuous to consider myself Jehovah's servant. 🤗⚘

"A servant is not greater than his Master. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also." John 15:20

Some translations say servant, NWT says slave. I guess that's why they're called Watchtower slaves, Watchtower translates servant as slave.

Romans 14:4 "Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand"

Wikpedia
Servant:
The expression "servant of God" appears nine times in the Bible, the first five in the Old Testament, the last four in the New. The Hebrew Bible refers to "Moses the servant of Elohim" (עֶֽבֶד הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים ‘eḇeḏ-hā’ĕlōhîm; 1 Chronicles 6:49, 2 Chronicles 24:9, Nehemiah 10:29, and Daniel 9:11). Judges 2:8, 2 Timothy 2:15). refers to Joshua as ‘eḇeḏ Yahweh (עֶ֣בֶד יְהוָ֑ה).

The New Testament also describes Moses in this way in Revelation 15:3 (τοῦ δούλου τοῦ Θεοῦ, tou doulou tou Theou). Paul calls himself "a servant of God" in Titus 1:1(δοῦλος Θεοῦ, doulos Theou), while James calls himself "a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ" (θεοῦ καὶ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ χριστοῦ δοῦλος, Theou kai Kyriou Iēsou Christou doulos) in James 1:1. 1 Peter 2:16 describes "servants of God" (Θεοῦ δοῦλοι, Theou douloi) being free to act within the bounds of God's will. Following usage conventions established in the King James Bible, the word "servant" is never capitalized or used as a title of nobility. ("The servant is not greater than his lord.")[1]
I know I’m going to get my head bitten off but yes, there is a difference between a slave and a servant. A slave signifies obedience. That is the critical issue. A servant is free to work within the parameters of the master. Also, a servant is paid, a slave is not but is given the means of living. It is up to the reader to use their discernment In context of the inferred/implied meaning. A servant is aware of his masters need, wishes and motive. A slave does as he is told. This meaning is implied within the watchtower to this very day. There is also context to take into account in term and issue surrounding the subject. In scripture, the meaning also has the inflection of terms of labour. The same is so in the use of the word ‘virgin’ meaning pure, untouched, or clean or new and even holy. Context needs to be concerned to refer to the depth in meaning. And this is the crux of the matter in what the reader gains from insight. One learned in scripture is able to draw far more from a scripture than one who is not.
Of course, one can turn the whole issue and meaning of slave/servant around and apply it to one’s self in terms context scriptural. There are willing and unwilling slaves.
There is another application of slave and servant, and that is found in knowledge. The slave is unaware of his masters wishes, and needs to be instructed. Yet the servant is in possession not only of his masters wishes, but also his belongings as illustrated in the scripture. This extends even as far as blood-guilt and selflessness in service. So in answer to your question, yes, we should be aware and critical in our reading and application of what is written. Also, don’t rely on Wikipedia. The OED is far more analytical in severing bone from marrow and few read Greek or Latin, so your referring to cut and paste helps no one. It does not make it correct or reliable, not only because the terms of reference in in both those languages have an inference of their own, especially Latin, but because the bible is integral in its meaning with prophesy.
 

JTK

Well-known member
And by the way, isn't a servant and a slave basically the same thing? Are we going to split hairs and quibble about words? Really Brother? Perhaps I should exit the conversation if that's the case. Yes, I know you wear the pants. So, I'm still a servant ov Jehovah.😛 It's not presumtuous to consider myself Jehovah's servant. 🤗⚘
i am not sure why you are reacting in such a way as to what i have said BibleStudent, all that i have been trying to do is express my understanding of what love is
that is the topic title is it not?
i have used the example of Jehovah and His Christ and what The apostle John identified as love
and i have used the example of the hebrew Jonah who was lacking love by viewing his position of being a Hebrew as one to judge the ninevites as unworthy of hearing Gods word and even showed anger because God had not done what he a mortal man judged he should.

however, if as you say of course relating this to the preaching work, he did try to run away from delivering the message and that in itself is lack of love as you rightly allude to ,and for sure that aspect the story of Jonah does he reminds me of myself as having never became a JW
i absolutley have no right to lecture any of you people here about preaching, i would never do such a thing.

But i will say this if any Jws think that anyone who does not spread the good news of the kingdom in the exact manner of Jws systematically do is lacking love for his fellow human being then i strongly disagree, and further i suggest that they have adopted the mindset of Jonah . they have judged their fellow man by their standards and only Jehovah can appoint his judge in Christ to do such things.
further Robert has shown from his works that the real gathering of the GC is future, at a critical time in mankinds existence., and I have hope Sister BibleStuent that many many people who have never even believed in Christ will be woken from their worldly sleep, and enter into the earthly kingdom of God.
Throughout my life i have encoutered numerouse who put many christians to shame whem it comes to love of their fellow human being.
"God is Love" procalims the disciple John and that is my only hope for all mankind
Your brother in pants john
 

Ana

Well-known member
I know I’m going to get my head bitten off but yes, there is a difference between a slave and a servant. A slave signifies obedience. That is the critical issue. A servant is free to work within the parameters of the master. Also, a servant is paid, a slave is not but is given the means of living. It is up to the reader to use their discernment In context of the inferred/implied meaning. A servant is aware of his masters need, wishes and motive. A slave does as he is told. This meaning is implied within the watchtower to this very day. There is also context to take into account in term and issue surrounding the subject. In scripture, the meaning also has the inflection of terms of labour. The same is so in the use of the word ‘virgin’ meaning pure, untouched, or clean or new and even holy. Context needs to be concerned to refer to the depth in meaning. And this is the crux of the matter in what the reader gains from insight. One learned in scripture is able to draw far more from a scripture than one who is not.
Of course, one can turn the whole issue and meaning of slave/servant around and apply it to one’s self in terms context scriptural. There are willing and unwilling slaves.
Hay otra aplicación de esclavo y sirviente, y se encuentra en el conocimiento. El esclavo no es consciente de los deseos de su amo y necesita ser instruido. Sin embargo, el sirviente está en posesión no solo de los deseos de su amo, sino también de sus pertenencias, como se ilustra en la escritura. Esto se extiende incluso hasta la culpa de sangre y el desinterés en el servicio. Entonces, en respuesta a su pregunta, sí, debemos ser conscientes y críticos en nuestra lectura y aplicación de lo que está escrito. Además, no confíes en Wikipedia. El OED es mucho más analítico al separar el hueso de la médula y pocos leen griego o latín, por lo que su referencia a cortar y pegar no ayuda a nadie. No lo hace correcto o confiable, no solo porque los términos de referencia en ambos idiomas tienen una inferencia propia, especialmente el latín, sino porque la Biblia es integral en su significado con la profecía.
Exactly. The servant is free, the slave is not. the servant is to serve and the slave to obey. It's pretty simple. It reminds me of that saying: complex minds with simple pleasures. It seems difficult to understand the difference between slave and servant, but in reality it is seen with a simple eye, the one that the scriptures speak of.😊
 

BARNABY THE DOG.

Well-known member
No head biting, you've totally misjudged me all along so I expect no grace from you with regard to your evaluation of my character. Firstly thinking I was some kind of Jezebel out to corrupt Robert's site with Watchtower apostasy, then that I hadn't forgiven you and was somehow personally raking YOU over the coals, and also accusing ME of not being loving, and you errorneously concluded with your buddy there, who also had it in for me, that I'm bitter, which I think was just a projection from someone else who was shipwrecked. As it's not the case at all with me. I've never lost my faith in Jehovah and Jesus Christ as others who've experienced the complete shipwreck of their faith. The organization yes, Jehovah and Jesus Christ, no. This is not brought up because you're weren't forgiven, but to show that there is a pattern of behavior that I really don't understand and that has caused me pain, but I've toughend up with regards to you. So, I don't expect any kind of a fair shake from you, or any benefit of the doubt. Satan doesn't give us servants any either and if he can use someone's mouth or keypad in his accusations, he will. You've had it out for me for some reason, not sure why, and here again you diminish me. Perhaps you have some unconscious need to belittle, misrepresent and trash me on line. It's okay, trials make us better people, so thank you brother. So, trash away! In view of the foregoing, I find it quite ironic you'd even initiate this topic. Apparently you really don't know and are perhaps seeking an answer?

So, okay, thank you for your commentary. Even so, the fact remains, beyond all the smoke screen, my original point, which you seemed to view as presumptuous of me (another jab), the Bible refers to God's people, his ministers as servants, and the fact remains, the words servant and slave are words that are used interchangably in scripture, upon examining various English translations. So, it's not presumtuous to say that I, we, are servants of the most high God. Unless of course you don't agree with God's word.

I suppose that background taints one's view, in that in your realm, class distinctions are very much built in to your society, as well as some, typical British snobbery, among some, depending on the class, which is, I don't believe an exageration. Sterotypes often have some relevance. It's quite contagious in the English society as a whole though, from my observations. Noting mentally you comment about me being "American." Not that I don't like the English, as Brother Phill James is English, and one of the most humble spiritual men I've ever seen. But its not something that you can appreciate, which is fine too.

And Wikipedia was used because it had all of the scriptures there available and I didn't want to spend much time and research on this topic when the scriptures clearly show it's not presumptuous to call ourselves God's servants and in many English translations, the words slave and servant are used interchangably.
So, perhaps we cleared the air a bit here as well.
Have a nice day. And bless you.
Jehovah's Servant
No head biting, you've totally misjudged me all along so I expect no grace from you with regard to your evaluation of my character. Firstly thinking I was some kind of Jezebel out to corrupt Robert's site with Watchtower apostasy, then that I hadn't forgiven you and was somehow personally raking YOU over the coals, and also accusing ME of not being loving, and you errorneously concluded with your buddy there, who also had it in for me, that I'm bitter, which I think was just a projection from someone else who was shipwrecked. As it's not the case at all with me. I've never lost my faith in Jehovah and Jesus Christ as others who've experienced the complete shipwreck of their faith. The organization yes, Jehovah and Jesus Christ, no. This is not brought up because you're weren't forgiven, but to show that there is a pattern of behavior that I really don't understand and that has caused me pain, but I've toughend up with regards to you. So, I don't expect any kind of a fair shake from you, or any benefit of the doubt. Satan doesn't give us servants any either and if he can use someone's mouth or keypad in his accusations, he will. You've had it out for me for some reason, not sure why, and here again you diminish me. Perhaps you have some unconscious need to belittle, misrepresent and trash me on line. It's okay, trials make us better people, so thank you brother. So, trash away! In view of the foregoing, I find it quite ironic you'd even initiate this topic. Apparently you really don't know and are perhaps seeking an answer?

So, okay, thank you for your commentary. Even so, the fact remains, beyond all the smoke screen, my original point, which you seemed to view as presumptuous of me (another jab), the Bible refers to God's people, his ministers as servants, and the fact remains, the words servant and slave are words that are used interchangably in scripture, upon examining various English translations. So, it's not presumtuous to say that I, we, are servants of the most high God. Unless of course you don't agree with God's word.

I suppose that background taints one's view, in that in your realm, class distinctions are very much built in to your society, as well as some, typical British snobbery, among some, depending on the class, which is, I don't believe an exageration. Sterotypes often have some relevance. It's quite contagious in the English society as a whole though, from my observations. Noting mentally you comment about me being "American." Not that I don't like the English, as Brother Phill James is English, and one of the most humble spiritual men I've ever seen. But its not something that you can appreciate, which is fine too.

And Wikipedia was used because it had all of the scriptures there available and I didn't want to spend much time and research on this topic when the scriptures clearly show it's not presumptuous to call ourselves God's servants and in many English translations, the words slave and servant are used interchangably.
So, perhaps we cleared the air a bit here as well.
Have a nice day. And bless you.
Jehovah's Servant
I’m not going to respond to this sort of vitriol. All I ever said was that I did not come here to read or watch videos other than that which Robert supplies and indeed, as has his opinion been to date of others that wanted to post their views or beliefs as truth above the bible. Others said the same thing to you. And yes, the watchtower does preach chaff And I have had enough of it in my time. I may not have worded myself well enough to meet your clear sensitivity and I apologised for that, publically enough. That was insufficient for you. So be it. It was you that berated me for my wording and I can do no more that I have already have done. To keep picking over my conversations to meet your needs for self indignation and rebuttals when my comment was not even addressed to you is not acceptable. Most people can accept an apology. Clearly you cannot and wish to keep on rubbing salt into the wound and your ‘have a nice day, bless you (from) ”Jehovah’s servant” sums your attitude to peacemaking quite sufficiently. If you have nothing other than your ego to satiate about your spirituality, please do not involve me in it. I’m not interested. I will not reply to any future barrage of self righteous indignation from you. I will not turn this site into a childish battle ground, and I will not be put off again from posting here on a site that has brought me much joy and appreciation of the Word. Neither will I contend with you on any matter. Learn to appreciate that some may not hold your views and are at different stages in their life‘s journey and that you should take a leaf from the Japanese, and like bamboo, bend with the wind, not break out into a tsunami of hate speech because some one says something you do not appreciate or understand the context therein.
 

mreader

Well-known member
Love is emotional sacrifice. Love is unselfish sharing. It is courage to let humanity know that there is HOPE beyond the wild beast.
Love is an effort to search for all of those as we are here to bring them here to open their eyes....
 

The God Pill

Well-known member
Brief input since slaves and servants and contrast have been mentioned nothing really to do with the dispute. A few years ago I remember reading on a blog and I mentioned it once or twice on the e-watchman site that in some Christian circles there's a teaching that there's three levels of submission to god that of a slave fearing punishment a servant seeking reward and of a child desiring to please it's father essentially a contrast in motive submission is very important whatever it's root because it determines whether or not Jehovah can have use for us but the underlying motive fear, self interest or love certainly has an effect on how hard or light we perceive the yoke as.

It's also important to note that for the great crowd we are slaves of god and christ until after the final test and it doesn't matter that we volunteeted to be baptized voluntary in legalese is the doctrine of masters and slaves. However after the final test the completion of our restoration to Adam's original state grants us great freedom a similar status to his pre fall state as children of God but still subjects of Christ. While Jesus hands over the position of omni-versal monarch back to his father the scroll in revelation with the seals is thought by many to be a title deed to the earth this means that wherever humans spread out to in the cosmos and what territories the 144K will be assigned to individually Jesus will always be king over the planet earth he will also continue to have oversight and authority over his bride like Daniel was given over the satraps.
 

SusanB

Well-known member
The only thing that I can add to the discussion that I have always felt that the Society‘s push to count time seemed a bit arbitrary and really created class distinctions between ”pioneers” and “publishers”. But it also seemed like a small issue and I just accepted it (submit to those taking the lead). I always strived to increase the amount of time that I spent in the preaching work while trying to maintain balance in my life so that I didn’t become sick or burned out. But now that I am not a part of the “organized” ministry, I keep looking for ways to better follow Jesus example in preaching. I honestly believe that helping other believers strengthen their faith or keep progressing in their faith can be included as a part of the preaching work. So, while I do strive to find people who are interested in a bible discussion and hopefully a study. I don’t currently have a bible study but I do feel that by being on this site and hopefully encouraging my brothers and sisters on here is a part of my ministry too. Certainly we are exhorted to consider one another to incite to love and fine works as well as not forsaking the gathering together.
 
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