Many visiting this site have been Jehovah witnesses, Scientologist, Bible Students or one of the denominations based on the writings or beliefs of one man or set of men.
How can we avoid these pitfalls again, now that we have managed to get free? One major scripture was misquoted to all Jehovah witnesses for a century: "Who versus Whom"
67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.
68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
This post is speaking directly to those still tied to an organization such as Watchtower!
Is it wrong to change your religion? I am attaching a short video from our brother Mark Martin who gives great insight directly from the pages of the Awake Magazine on this subject. As Christians our desire should be to follow the Scriptures and the teachings of our Lord Jesus! No where in Scripture are we to follow man or a man made organization, putting those teachings above God’s! We are commanded in Scripture to examine our beliefs, making sure they what we believe is truly Bible based! The Pharisee’s however based their beliefs on the Bible, yet they were condemned by Christ. Why? Because they went beyond Scripture, imposing extreme, man made customs on their fellow servants. Any time an organization goes beyond Scripture, imposing extreme beliefs and mandates then they must be questioned!
1 John 4:4 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2 Peter 2:2 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Matthew 7:15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!
Just because someone uses Bible proof texts does not mean the application of those text’s is accurate! We all need examine the Scriptures and prove to ourselves the will of our Lord and obey that Word, placing that word above any teachings of man or man made organization!
https://youtu.be/fZMV5Ypon7o
TedR, when I called watchtower in 2010 that sent me the articles to show my family with their letterhead. Although it was meant for others being allowed to leave their religion and become witnesses, they admitted it also applied to witnesses that left. Their families shouldn’t be affected if you leave the witnesses.
Some witnesses can have this brought to their attention but refuse to stop shunning and destroying their families. I have never seen the organization do anything to these families if they didn’t shun. So it makes me wonder what is wrong with individual witnesses sometimes. I had a reputation for greeting and talking to disfellowshipped ones if they were sitting on my row or I passed them. Elders never stopped me.
Have you ever heard of anyone being penalized for not shunning?
What does the Bible say about a Paradise Earth? The following video contains good Scriptural information regarding this subject from a non-JW source. Michael has never been a JW. He is a Christian! In this video he does a rebuttal of this weeks Watchtower Study article and helps us appreciate the Scriptural view of Paradise.
https://youtu.be/BfuY9qCT6cc
A discussion of Luke 12:22-48 Who really is the Faithful and Wise Servant
Please read the entire Chapter of Luke 12!
In my last post I discussed the Parousia of Christ and the Watchtowers teaching that Christ returned in 1874 (Bible Students) or 1914 (Jehovah\’s Witness organization). We found from plain Scripture That there would be nor has their been a return of Christ invisibly. How does that affect the teaching regarding the Faithful and Wise Servant mentioned in Matthew 24 and Luke 12?
That teaching is based on the belief that Christ returned invisibly and has taken up his throne in heaven as of 1914. Since we have found that according to Scripture that interpretation is wrong, then it is impossible to conclude Scripturally that there has been an appointment of that Servant as the organization teaches!
So who really is the Faithful and Wise Servant? Let\’s exam Luke 12 and find the answer from plain Scripture!
Jesus is here speaking to his disciples! He begins by giving a warning and encouragement. Then in verse 13 he is interrupted by someone in the crowd:
\”13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”\”
Jesus uses this as a teaching opportunity regarding material things which culminates
in this admonishment:
22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.
29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
So this point he has thus far given warning and encouragement to his disciples regarding persecution and being seduced by material possessions! He then tells his little flock of disciples:
32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
So he is speaking with his disciples, indeed a little flock compared with the majority of the majority of mankind. Just as then, those who are truly following Christ today are comparatively a little flock. Now we come to the meat of the argument.
He gives a parable:
35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
Peter asks for an explanation of that parable: 41 Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?”
42 The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43 It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions
We are all servants of the Master, Jesus. We have all been given a commission! (Matthew 28:19, 20) Those mature followers of Christ have an obligation obey the commands of the Master, to feed Christ\’s Sheep, teaching others about the Christ and the way of Salvation believing in him as the \”way the truth and the life\”! This commission of providing food for those sheep is to last until the Master returns! It began with the Apostles and disciples and continues to this day as an obligation for all who profess belief in Jesus and follow in his footsteps! That Servant was appointed by Christ himself in the first century!
The Master has left us and we await his return! We are ready to welcome him back! If we are faithful to him then we will be appointed over all his belongings! 1 Peter 2:9 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy!
What about those who fall short of fulfilling the commission, are they to be cut off?
7 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
Notice here that our judgment will not be a cutting off! We will be judged according to our compliance with the Masters commands but we do not lose his complete favor. We have Gods grace and mercy. He knows our imperfections!
But there is one who does lose favor!
45 But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.
Those who grow impatient and presumptuously take the Masters place by imposing Pharisaical laws, beating their fellow slaves, these are the ones he will cut to pieces!
By saying the Master has already returned they have applied to themselves the title of Faithful and Discreet Slave! Thus they have become like that evil servant, abusing the flock of Christ! They set up a counterfeit Kingdom placing themselves as mediator between God and men, blasphemously taken the place of the Master!
So are we awake? Are we doing the Masters will? That is a question all of us need to ask ourselves! Are we going to be like that faithful servant? Do we patiently wait for the Master to return?
Did Jesus return invisibly in 1874 or 1914? The Watchtower Society from its beginning has held that Jesus returned invisibly. They back this up by the Greek word Parousia. According to their theology the word has a connotation of presence and since Jesus is referred to as coming in the clouds and at his resurrection he was taken up and disappeared into the clouds, and the fact that Jesus said he would return in a like manner, indicates that his presence would initially be invisible.
There are several problems with this.
What is the definition of Parousia? Notice what Strongs Concordance has to say:
Strong\’s Concordance
parousia: a presence, a coming
Original Word: παρουσία, ας, ἡ
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: parousia
Phonetic Spelling: (par-oo-see\’-ah)
Definition: a presence, a coming
Usage: (a) presence, (b) a coming, an arrival, advent, especially of the second coming of Christ.
HELPS Word-studies
3952 parousía (from parōn, \”be present, arrive to enter into a situation\”) – properly, coming, especially the arrival of the owner who alone can deal with a situation (cf. LS). 3952 (parousía) is a \”technical term with reference to the visit of a king or some other official, \’a royal visit\’ \” (Souter) – \”hence, in the NT, specifically of the Advent or Parousia of Christ\” (A-S).
[3952 (parousía) is \”used in the east as a technical expression for the royal visit of a king, or emperor. The word means literally \’the being beside,\’ thus, \’the personal presence\’ \” (K. Wuest, 3, Bypaths, 33).]
So Parousia involves a personal presence of a Royal official. This would indicate an actual physical presence.
What does the Bible say however?
First notice Matthew 28: 19, 20
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Jesus has been invisibly present with us from his ascension into heaven. He has already taken up his authority, ALL AUTHORITY! He did not have to wait for his kingship! His enemies were placed under his feet when he established his Kingship by his death and resurrection. He had no need for an invisible return in 1874 or 1914 since he has been with us from the time of his ascension!
The following short video addresses his return as mentioned in Revelation:
https://youtu.be/3-JaY9itoc4
Notice Jesus own words!
Matthew 24:26 “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.
Jesus here tells us plainly that his return will be seen from east to west as lightening is visible for all to see. He distinctly warns against anyone indicating special knowledge of where Christ is! When he returns everyone will see it!
Matthew 24:30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth[c] will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.[d] 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
Notice what it says in Mark
Mark 13:21 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.
24 “But in those days, following that distress,
“‘the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
25 the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’[c]
26 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.
And Mark 14:62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Now Luke:
Luke 21:25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
What more proof do we need than Jesus own words? Jesus no where says he is coming twice after his resurrection!
Notice too what Paul has to say:
Ephesians 1: 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
So in summary it is evident in plain Scripture that:
Christ has been invisibly present with us since his resurrection.
His Kingship and authority began at his resurrection to Gods right hand!
His return will be visible to all, not to a select few! In fact Jesus warned us against anyone who tries to say otherwise!
See also the following video discussing Jesus coming as revealed in Revelation Part 2!
https://youtu.be/DZo4PNQp9rA
TedR, Thanks for your excellent scripture text on the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ.
I have thrown the baby out with the bathwater from the teachings of Charles Taze Russell and his many little and one big group. Now I can work straight from the Scriptures and take my time. Feels good.
I love the “Last Days Detective”. Jehovah’s Witnesses do get it right, the fact that there will be a rule by Christ Jesus on earth for a thousand years. They haven’t figured it out that Jesus will actually “Come AGAIN” here on the earth and that the sleeping saints and those that will be changed (1Thessalonians)will not go into heaven, but meet him in the air as he is coming down.
He only comes again once. Charles Taze Russell made up the 1874 invisible coming or presence to save face, clear and simple over his failed prediction of the world ending in 1914.
His followers are still trying to predict the day of his coming. I just say let them alone. The Bible is clear and those studying it can feel content with Yahweh & Jesus.
I see announcements of some of his followers dying and they say they have gone to the reward in heaven, that they are ruling now and that we are already over 100 years in the rule of Christ.
None of this bothers me, I just wish they would leave those alone that don’t accept this, but some of them are persistent. Patience has to be offered to them and fellowship but not let them hi-jack the discussion. They are our brothers as Jehovah’s Witnesses are also. The Witnesses have learned they better back off in persecution, as they are in violation of many of the laws of the free world. Attacking their purses has saned them up.
I am in a good place now because all I ever wanted was to be allowed to leave the teachings of Charles Taze Russell groups without persecution or telling my family not to be my family because I don’t follow a man or men.
The second coming means exactly that as you have presented scriptural proof. This Third Coming presented is not taught in Scripture.
I once did a study on the faithful slave, wise servant, steward, and so on. It is mentioned more often than by Yeshua in matt and Luke, perhaps an entire article or page for those looking into this matter with some scriptural perspectives? Just a thought as this was one Major issue I always had before, during and after the Witnesses. I finally took up the idea and found that being a faithful servant of the master applies to ALL that make the claim of being a servant of God and of Messiah. The Lord makes no group distinction but speaks to the individual, Paul speaks more than once on the issue both for those in positions of Apostles and teachers and of the individual to whom “each will have his praise to him from God”. Each are responsible for self and for what each does with his talent or place in the body.
1 Cor 4:1-5
Rev 2:23
This idea is a good example of one of the worst, heaviest weights placed on the shoulders of those who believe it that I have found. Taking away and adding too the words of God in order to create a temple out of a religious group or ideal in order to play lord over unsuspecting victims.
Lee Anthony, this is what I call a “doctrine of Arrogance”. To label one man then later a small body of men as “The Faithful Slave” twisting the words our Lord Jesus to push this heretical doctrine is shameful.
No Christians have this doctrine, it is unique to cultlike organizations.
It is about control, fear and money.
Recently the watchtower society told it’s members where to go to get food, help etc in the communities. Most of these food distribution centers are at the Churches, on their lots. These are the same people that they say will be destroyed at armageddon
The watchtower society is reported to be worth 30 billion dollars, yet they put this burden on our governments instead of helping. They locked the fences around their kingdom halls and had no food distribution. They own huge semi-trailer trucks that could have dropped all sorts of supplies at the assembly halls or one kingdom hall to help out but instead.
This “so-called faithful and discreet slave” locked itself up in that Warwick New york compound. They reported over 800 deaths among their members worldwide but the word is they were allegedly hiding that nearly 300 were right up there.
They claimed they would be the only religion standing but a little virus bug closed them down and they had deaths like the entire world of mankind.
I agree with you that we as individuals can be faithful and true. It is an obligation to help free the minds of our friends so they can go directly to God through our ONLY Saviour, Jesus Christ.
If there are any on here that are afraid just try praying directly to God, begging HIM, HE isn’t far off at all.
He answers prayers for understanding if you ask him.
One suggestion is to ask him to help you understand Jesus’ only personal writings to mankind, that his secretary John wrote what he saw. The book of Revelation!
It is a personal writing given from God, John wrote what he saw not how he understood it. Today we know what most of the things are that he saw.
They will feel the Spirit at work as this is a revealing that isn’t difficult to understand in our day.
Hi Jacqueline
We have seen this before. Anytime there is a major event people start running back. They don’t realize that unless they are serving God with the right motive of love, no organization will protect them. They will go back until this crisis ends and leave again. Look at 1975! Look at what happened after 911! They look to the organization as an Ark of protection but they don’t realize they are on a sinking ship! Jesus told us :”I am they way the truth and the life, no one goes to the Father accept through me.”
Nothing in the parable of the Faithful Slave indicates that that slave is a way of salvation! The only action the Slave was committed to was feeding the household. He is not given control of all the masters belongings until after his return! In fact nothing in the parable indicates a special heavenly class of Christians. I feel sorry for my good friends who are brain washed and deceived by these modern Pharisee’s!
Matthew 7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
This Scripture has been taken out of context and misapplied by many. The Watchtower organization and other similar cults try to use this to justify that their organization and way of thinking is the only way for salvation. Lets look at the context:
Jesus begins his discourse back in Chapter 5 with the Sermon on the mount.
He begins with the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-11)
He then goes on with a set of commands for us.
He starts out by letting us know that we are to let our light shine. (vs 13-16)
Next he talks about the Law: 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
He now makes an interesting point: 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
The Pharisees were extreme in their interpretation of not only the Torah but also the oral law which added a set of extreme legalistic rules. Jesus was obviously not impressed!
He next goes on to talk about murder, adultery,divorce, oaths, dealing with injustice and love for enemies. He goes on in Chapter 6 to talk about giving to the needy, prayer, fasting, and materialism.
Chapter 7 continues with council on judging others. He then talks about the need to rely on God and how God will answer our prayers. He finishes this with the Golden Rule: 2 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
This Golden Rule sums up everything he just spoke about in the preceding verses and what is required for us to follow in Christ\’s footsteps.
It is now that Jesus continues his summary:
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
He thus describes what we must do to enter that narrow gate! Entering the narrow gate is dependent, not on belonging to an organization, but on following the commands of our Lord!
Now he goes on to talk about how to identify false teachers.
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Pride and the need to control others, imposing legalistic rules that go beyond what Jesus here taught is prevalent among many Christian denominations. Many professed Christians claim belief in the Lord but their hearts and actions prove otherwise. These are the ones who go off on the broad way to their judgement.
Jesus illustrates this by his closing parable:
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
So if we are to enter the narrow gate we follow Jesus commands to the best of our ability. Jesus is our rock, our foundation! Following any man or organization or the overly permissive attitudes this world puts forth is like building on sand. Sand is not solid, it shifts with every wind. Doctrines of men change! Paul warned about this in his letter to Timothy:
1 Timothy 1:3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.
So let us enter into the narrow gate, following the commands of our Lord Jesus! Stop trying to add to the plain teaching of Christ with legalistic rules that go beyond Scripture. Stop the endless speculation on controversial matters, insisting on our own idea\’s! We know what we need to do to gain life! We must believe in our Lord Jesus! Belief is more than just saying we believe. Even Satan believes in God, that he exists and has power! If we truly believe in our heart, we will do our best to follow his teaching despite persecution and peer pressure. We worship in Spirit and Truth! Truth is not following a set of doctrine! Truth has to do with our deep down love for Christ. We follow him not because of legalistic rules, fear of punishment, or for material gain. We have true faith in Jesus and a firm desire to serve him as our Master even to the point of martyrdom if necessary! This is the narrow way that leads to life! The narrow road here is not pointing to a special class of Christians or an organization! All of us should be striving to be on that narrow road by putting our faith in Jesus: John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Ted, very well put. I am beginning to notice that some younger ones are going back into the organization. The trend I see is they were disfellowshipped for conduct unbecoming a Christian. They didn’t leave because of doctrinal error or refusal to worship the governing body.
The governing body is making the claim that this is Great tribulation or alluding to it. So that is causing the influx of below 50 years old because their parents are afraid and they have not gone to the Bible or Christ while out.
Sadly some will get disfellowshipped again or dull their conscience by living one way yet processing to be obey the organization rules.
But it is an organization that they are joining and it has nothing to do with salvation.
Just thought I would mention that because like you I have gotten some calls. I don’t pretend to be in the organization or in the case of the Bible Students, I am very open and direct in telling them I don’t agree with any of their doctrines.
Since both religions are organizations and comes from the same source they behave the same with shock and awe. Strange behaviour to me to constantly push their leaders teachings. The thought is that if they keep explaining it over and over that will make it true.
Sometimes I feel sorry that they can’t be satisfied with it themselves and not push it on you.
Regarding Discipline in the Church I came across a video regarding a Judicial appeal hearing and a follow up video that contains information I forwarded to Brother Winston. This video contains excerpts from the previous Judicial Appeal video. To see the full appeal video go to Watchtower Examination You Tube Channel.
This follow up ties in very well with our discussion.
https://youtu.be/pJlxpXfYkag
One other point brought out in this video. In my last post I referred to a new book entitled My Beloved Religion and Winston has also commented on it in his video. While the book contains a great deal of information refuting Scripturaly many of the false doctrines and practices of the organization, he still believes that The Watchtower is the true religion. I see this with many who are in the process of opening their eyes, they see the falsehoods but still want to cling to certain beliefs and it may take time for their eyes to be opened fully. Christianity is not dependent on any organized denomination. It is a personal relationship with Christ based on core teaching specified in the Apostles Creed and plain teaching of Holy Scripture. We follow Christ, not men! We are guided by Holy Spirit as revealed in the Bible, not the Watchtower or any magazine, book or video produced by man. We must be like the Boreons and examine the Scriptures daily to make sure of ALL things.
TedR, “My Beloved Religion” writer doesn’t realize he really has mentally rejected them. His physically leaving will be hastened by them disfellowshipping him.
I hope he is mature enough to just walk away. Hopefully, he won’t give those men power over him like he is a slave.
I removed myself from fellowship with them. Many don’t seem to realize they can walk away from a religion without asking permission or writing a letter, just stop going or dealing with them.
Any attempt to start dialogue should be avoided by walking away and not answering phone calls or emails.
It will take him some time but he is way ahead of the curve, he will help the young generation like Raymond Franz helped us and we helped the next generation.
I didn’t read his book yet but did see some parts are things we all have realized for decades now, but it will help the new ones on the internet just beginning their search.
He is brave and will be okay especially when he experiences the freedom in Christ with the Holy Spirit guiding him as you say. No volumes of books, magazines, heretical doctrines, or elders dogging him, trying to make him feel inferior. I feel good for him already, hopefully he stays free and doesn’t join himself to another group without preserving his freedom.
You bring a lot to the site by having the time to go out and see what is going on. I sent a copy of the insights to everyone.
We each work together and it is refreshing.
Last night we really had a soul searching, and uplifting study of Revelation 20:10. We stayed on one verse but brought in other verses that explained it. No rushing, no having to move on to the study of a book, just the one verse for almost 2 hours.
The recent events have hurt my heart and praying for peace in our nation.
Discipline in the Church Part 4
So far we have discussed Christ\’s council on handling sin in the congregation and the admonishment of the Apostle Paul regarding the issue in Corinth. I am going to deviate from my personal observances at this point and suggest you read the following information given by a former Circuit Overseer in his book My Beloved Religion. The link has been posted elsewhere in this forum but I will post it again here for simplicity.
https://we.tl/t-lDfWBufT8G
A very thorough discussion of disfellowshipping can be found beginning on page 171 Chapter 5 in the book. This gives detailed explanations of the Pharisaical rules that go beyond Scripture when dealing with matters of sin in the Church. My next article will deal with my own observances. The bottom line is that Church discipline as utilized by the Watchtower Society is extreme and unscriptural.
Church Discipline Part 3
Previously we discussed Jesus council regarding those who sin. We then went to Paul\’s first letter to the Corinthian Church. In that letter Paul gave strong council on a man who had relations with the wife of his father. Paul\’s council was to remove that man from fellowship. The Church was allowing such conduct to infiltrate the Church and thus creating an atmosphere of permissiveness. Paul goes on throughout this letter giving strong council regarding Christian conduct. In Chapter 10 he points to the example of the nation of Israel. (Read 1 Corinthians 10).
Why does he so strongly chastise the Church? A familiar Scripture to all Watchtower members: 1 Corinthians 15:33,34 33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.
Why would any Christian want to have close association with someone actively abusing the freedom of Christ?
But does this mean we are to completely shun those who sin? What about those who no longer engage in improper conduct? For example, a young person caught up in the desires of youth. Is that person to be shunned by family and friends for the rest of their lives, even though they are now married and no longer engage in wrong conduct? What is repentance? Is it not a turning away from bad conduct? Are we to continually shun someone whose only crime is that he does not return to the Church? We will get into more of this topic in a later discussion.
In his Second Letter to the Corinthians Paul gives further council regarding the man mentioned in his first letter!
2 Corinthians 2:5 If anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure (not to exaggerate) to all of you. 6 This punishment by the majority is enough for such a person, 7 so that on the contrary you should forgive and encourage him instead, or else the person may be overwhelmed by excessive pain. 8 Therefore, I urge you to reaffirm your love for him. 9 For this is why I wrote, to know your proven character, whether you were obedient in everything.
Notice a couple points here:
1 The punishment was give by the majority. Evidently not everyone!
2 You should forgive and encourage the wrongdoer. If a person stops doing the wrong, then he should be provided help so that he can regain his faith. To continually
cut someone off from fellowship can cause someone to be overwhelmed by excessive pain. We see this so often today among those who have suffered the extreme discipline of the Watchtower. James helps us to appreciate how we should view these who have strayed:
James 5:19 My brothers, if anyone among you should stray from the truth and someone bring him back, 20 he should know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
So rather than completely shun those who have strayed, we should be merciful, help that person overcome their issue.
Galatians 6:Brothers and sisters, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too. 2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Let each one examine his own work. Then he can take pride in himself and not compare himself with someone else. 5 For each one will carry his own load.
The New World translation adds the words \”before he is aware of it\”, however I have not found this in other translations. We all sin! Sometimes we need help at times readjusting our thinking. It is our responsibility to help that person. We cannot do so if we completely shun that person!
The bottom line is that, if a person is actively engaging in serious wrong conduct, then we need to limit our association with that person to providing spiritual help. There may be times when the wrong has reached a point where we need to exercise strong caution in dealing with wrong doers. A child who brings drugs into a home and is a danger to other family members may need to be removed from the house. This is referred to as \”tough love\”! But when that child earnestly requests our help overcoming their problem, as loving parents we need to do everything we can to help that child. At the same time we need to be cautious that we are not enabling that conduct. Complete shunning, especially of a family member, should only be used as an extreme last resort.
Jesus taught us to forgive each other. To be merciful and loving even to our enemies! We all sin, we all need help at times, we all need forgiveness. Paul only used the discipline recommended in his letter in extreme cases and even then, it was not a complete shunning.
So what sins may require removal from fellowship? Should we be disfellowshipped because we disagree with an organizations viewpoint! What about the Scripture at 2 John regarding not even saying a greeting? We will discuss these points in our next article!
Discipline in the Church Part 2
In Part 1 we discussed the council of our Lord regarding Church discipline. Now we will consider 1 Corinthians 5. The Watchtower Society uses this Scripture as a whip, to use any act of sin or disobedience as an excuse to disfellowship and in their words “keep the congregation clean”! What is the balanced viewpoint in light of Jesus council in Matthew 18. Lets examine Paul’s words in context.
In his letter to the Corinthians Paul is forced to give strong council. There were strong divisions, looking to the opinions of some Church leaders rather than sticking to the plain Gospel of Christ. (This is a subject for another discussion.) They had become arrogant. (See Chapter 4 vs 18-21).
He now gives an example of just how far off this congregation had strayed!
1 Corinthians 5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this?
This was an extreme case of immorality that was obviously well know within the Church! Yet his actions were tolerated! Notice Paul’s council:
4 So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5 hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh,[a][b] so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.
What did he mean by this? In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit. The works of the flesh was obviously prevalent within this man. Let him go on with the works of the flesh to his own destruction. Sin brings consequences! Sometimes when we suffer such consequences we realize the wrongness and repent thus saving the Spirit!
But is this to be tolerated within the Church? Paul continues:
6 Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? 7 Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Notice here that Paul is alluding to the communion! The early Church held communion often when the assembled together in fellowship. By tolerating this wickedness they were allowing leaven into the love feast, thus bringing condemnation on the whole Church.
What should they do about it?
9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister[c] but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. 12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”[d]
Those who do these things were not to be included as part of this association, participating in this communion and in the love feasts. They were, as Jesus counciled, to be treated as outsiders! Just as Jesus did not shun outsiders, but provided spiritual help, we too should be willing to offer spiritual help to those who sin. In our next discussion we will go into more Scriptural detail on how we are to treat those who have been disciplined by the Church. Are they to be completely shunned to the point of losing association with their family? What does the Bible say?
TedR, I am so glad to see you address these issues. When our Memorial for 2020 was picked up by the internet because it’s words were identical to the witness organization and gave up second place under their huge paid Ad, I received visit from the local elders.
One of the things he was using was scriptures showing where my relatives should not be dealing with me and wanted to know 4 times if I was disfellowshiped. I told him to point too which one of the things I am guilty of in those scriptures you just posted, as he referred to them. I informed him that I was not calling him nor any weitnesses my brothers in Christ although I feel they are.
His point was to cause more harm during this pandemic to those that have left. Their goal is to force more to come back under their authority and not Jesus.
So even if there are some guilty of these practices that have left the witnesses should they be shunned? Even to the point of causing the death of an aged parent or sick teenage or adult child that might need their help during this pandemic. Even these aged witness parents might need their adult children’s help as isolation is a recipe for suicide.
This religion is dangerous in many of its organizational rules and laws. They not only are violated the laws of the Bible but the governmental laws to help older ones isolated. Delivering food, giving some money, calling even going by to make sure the furnace or gutters are not calling a problem. These kindnesses can be accomplished without touching their aged parent.
It was a joy to see these so-called “worldly” people standing on the sidewalks, at the nursing home windows looking at their loved ones. While the witness organization was sending men out to older ones that have left the organization to threaten and intimidate saying we can find a reason in the Bible to make your children not come near them.
This will be an issue I will bring up with some of my colleagues when we meet with government officials.
I know I was not the only one to have had these visits as an older adult with adult children and grandchildren.
I will wait to see how you further develop this. Take Care.
Dealing with Discipline in the Church Part 1
Matthew 18 (READ) Jesus here provides a basis on how we should view sinners. Lets examine this together.
The conversation starts with the disciples arguing regarding who will be the greatest in the Kingdom. Notice Jesus answer:
2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
Pride and desire for prominence affected even the Apostles. Is it any wonder that the Church throughout history has had religious leaders, whose only job is to help those new in the faith to mature and to provide comfort and help for those who sin and repent, become puffed up and act as did that evil servant of Matthew and Luke beating there fellow slaves. They try to bring their fellow sheep under law! They go beyond Scripture enforcing rules that are extreme. Look at the Pharisee\’s. Their oral Law and Talmud, while based on the Law, went well beyond Law and as a result were condemned by Jesus. Any religious leader or organization who places himself in an exalted position risks the judgement of that evil slave.
6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!
So how should we view those who sin? After all, don\’t we all sin?
The Parable of the Wandering Sheep
10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. [11] [a]
12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
So we do not despise those who may wander from Jesus and his teachings. We seek out that person and try to be of help. Notice the pattern Jesus told us to follow:
15 “If your brother or sister[b] sins,[c] go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’[d] 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
So did the Jews of Jesus time completely shun tax collectors and pagans(Gentiles)?
Matthew 9
9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
While it is true that Gentiles and Tax collectors we not liked or trusted by the Jews, they still had dealings with them. They did not generally have open association with them but they were not shunned. Jesus sets the example here. He fed them spiritually by teaching them and encouraging them from Gods Word. He even ate with them.
12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Jesus emphatically says here: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’! Mercy and love should be shown to our brothers and sisters who sin, not shunning!
To completely shun someone, even family members, is obviously against what Jesus words here communicate! We should be trying to help that person overcome his fault and repent. We should be willing to forgive a repentant one without requiring a legalistic procedure that goes well beyond Scripture.
Note what Jesus tells Peter:
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[g]
Jesus next goes on with the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
(READ vs 23 thru 35)
We read in these verses how a servant borrowed money from another servant. When he couldn\’t pay it back notice what happened:
30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
Notice the response of the Master:
32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
This is an important lesson! Jesus gave his life to be the final sacrificial lamb! No longer would sin offerings be required. We have been forgiven our debt of sin to our Lord. If he was so merciful to cancel out our debts of sin, even suffering a terrible death on the cross, should we not be merciful to our brothers and sisters who may fall into sin?
Part 2 will continue this discussion of Church Discipline
Jacqueline,
It is sad to hear someone say “I dont think Gods spirit operates like that” If that was a bible student even more sad as they themselves came from a small group exactly like ours only led by their special leader. Why then and not now? Oh and why is it God has always called out and set apart his people from all the rest, dividing the chosen and always directing and working through smaller obedient men or groups of men. Moses, Noah, Kings, judges, large groups and small. It is a lack of humility and an abundance of pride that will lead to the fall of all those in opposition to God.
Lee, I was surprised to hear a Bible Student say that also but figured perhaps they just weren’t thinking.
Then it dawned on me it is an organization and the members believe they can only get help from the Holy Spirit if you belong to a group, not individually. Not even two or three like Jesus said. It helped me to understand I had moved laterally, in the exact same religion. I asked myself how is this possible?
To get that answer you have to go to the source, the source is the writings and teachings of Charles Russell. Both religions are the same just at odds with each other over a will and money from Rutherford over 100 years ago.
It reminds me of the Hatfields and the McCoys. But that’s okay. We are all in this together and we should be able to get along and not feel that everyone has to be with one man’s teachings but rather only the teachings of Christ.
Perhaps the discussions will free even them to rethink Russell. His thoughts were before the telephone and the airplane and definitely before the internet and all the new findings.
Who really is the Faithful and Discreet Slave (Wise Servant). Our Brother Eric Wilson presents one of the best explanations of this PARABLE (not prophecy) I have come across. (READ Luke 12:42-48)
https://youtu.be/UPYtqUjeqOQ
Some major points I gleaned:
Who is the Master?–Jesus
When did he appoint the slave?–before he left
Who did he appoint and what was their assignment?–ALL of his followers (Matthew 28:19-20)
When is the slave rewarded or punished?–At his return!
It is obvious both from Scripture and World events that Christ has not yet returned. We are told in those same Scriptures at Matthew 24:26
“So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.
29 “Immediately after the distress of those days
“‘the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’[b] (see Isaiah 13)
30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth[c] will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.[d] 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
What was their punishment or reward? See Luke 12:45-48
Notice it is only the servant who beats his fellow slaves that is condemned. Others who may have been neglectful in that commission (and unfortunately there are many who fail at this) will receive beatings but they are not condemned and dismissed by the Master.
As we fulfill our divine commission we must be careful not to think to highly of ourselves and our understanding. Christ is the judge, not US! We must be careful not to lord it over and condemn others who disagree with us as long as they are not rejecting the Master. Otherwise we may become like that evil slave and suffer his judgement!
Ted thank you, your last paragraph is good counsel indeed.
Again following the text wins out.
Jesus is the only leader we need. All Christians are servants.
I was recently asked if we were a part of a bigger group?
I answered no, Jesus said two or three. The elder acted shocked and in utter disbelief.
Another BS told me they dont think jehovah Spirit operates like that, meaning helping a small group to understand the Bible. I didn’t really know how to respond to that one. Yes I was soeechless.
If you are a Watchtower member you should watch this video! Are you being educated or subject to propaganda. Notice what the Watchtower itself has to say!
https://youtu.be/FhRvlFJNL38
With this Corona virus we see many former Watchtower members being scared into returning to that organization. The following video by a former Bethelite gives us encouraging information in this regard. If you are contemplating returning because you think Armegeddon is close, take a few minutes to watch this!
https://youtu.be/cHZ9_RNVWc0
Ted interesting that this is happening. Some that were disfellowshipped or left did so to explore life not because of freedom in Christ. They didn’t go to the Bible directly to test if God really has a way to individually help them.
They have what is called a herd mentality.
This works when dealing with immunization to a disease like Covid but you lose a lot of people to death while the herd all get the virus.
With God, you lose getting to know him deeply as you take your chances. They must decide and frankly some that have left are like an earlier comment by you, worse than they were in.
Hopefully however their leaving gave them courage and power to view the corporation more critically now.
Even speak up and question openly. I did this about 6 years before I just walked away.
They might be able to help their famoly.
Post Covid will see a different organization as they will sell off the kingdom halls and attempt in home. These persons can help in such a setting.
Now I will go look at the video. I like to comment before I see it.
One of the criticisms of the Jews regarding Jesus as Messiah is that Jesus could not take the place of the priesthood because he was not of the tribe of Levi. Paul addresses this in his letter to the Hebrews chapter 7.
He begins by introducing Melchizedek as a pattern.
Starting with vs. 1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
Genesis 14:17 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).
18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying,
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth.
20 And praise be to God Most High,
who delivered your enemies into your hand.”
Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Notice the points Paul is expounding upon:
First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
And in verse 2 Abraham gave him a tenth of everything.
The wording here has led many Christian Scholars to believe that this was an appearance of Christ himself. Jewish tradition has this being Shem, son of Noah.
Bensons Bible commentary makes some good points regarding the Jewish viewpoint:
\” But as Shem’s genealogy and birth are recorded in Scripture, and were well known, it could, with no propriety, be said of him, as the apostle says of Melchizedek, that he was “without father (namely, mentioned in the sacred history) and without mother, without beginning of days or end of life:” nor is it at all probable that Moses should introduce Shem under the name of Melchizedek, without any apparent reason, or any the least intimation of his meaning.\”
As regards the Christian viewpoint:
\”But this is not consistent with what the same apostle affirms in the same place, Hebrews 7:3, who says, not that he was the Son of God, but that he was “made like him,” αφωμοιωμενος, that is, was made a type of him; nor is it consistent with his affirming that Christ was constituted “a priest after the order of Melchizedek.” Besides, it is said that Melchizedek was “king of Salem:” but we are sure Christ never reigned over any particular city as a temporal prince. It seems sufficiently evident that he was a mere man; but from whom he was descended, or who were his immediate parents or successors, God has not seen fit to inform us: nay, it is probable that God designedly concealed these things from us, that he might be the more perfect type of his eternal Son. He brought forth bread and wine — For the refreshment of Abram and his soldiers, and in congratulation of their victory. This he did as king. “As priest of the most high God he blessed Abram,” which, no doubt, was a greater refreshment to Abram’s soul than the bread and wine were to his body.\”
Who was Melchizedek? We will find out for sure after our resurrection when our Lord will make all things clear to us.
What Paul IS making clear is that Jesus did not have to come from a Levitical priesthood. That his priesthood is from a far more ancient and superior source. He was not tied as a promise only to the Jews! In fact, Abram was not yet given the name Abraham by the Father! Another Scripture where Melchizedeks name is mentioned is found at Psalms 110:4 quoted by Paul. Note also the reference to Melchizedek bringing out bread and wine!
More prophecies fulfilled by our Lord Jesus firmly establishing his rule as our King and High Priest, much greater than Melchizedek! Paul finishes:
23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely[c] those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
So Melchizedek plainly foreshadows our Lord Jesus whether he be an early manifestation of our Lord as some believe or not! He is our reigning King! As High Priest he gave the ultimate sacrifice for our sins eliminating the need for further sacrifices! He gave his own life!!! Soon he will return. He will restore all things and there will be a new heaven and a new earth. Those who follow him will reign with him in a Paradise beyond our human comprehension!
Hallelujah what a Savior!!!!
The current situation with the Corona Virus has caused many of us to speculate that we are entering into the period of the Great Tribulation. Such speculation is certainly understandable. But whether this is the case or not, as followers of Christ, we should be always keep awake. We do not follow Christ with a date in view or because we think he is coming soon. We should be ready when the Bridegroom arrives! He makes this clear in Matthew 25:
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
25:1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Yes we are to keep on the watch because we do not know the day nor the hour! Christ emphasis this consistently in the days shortly before his death! So regardless of when he returns, whether it be today, tomorrow, or 100 years or more from now, we should be doing our utmost to do the will of our Father and be ready for the day he arrives!
Eric Wilson continues with his commentary on Matthew 24. In this video he helps us understand the “generation” Jesus refers to and places in context Matthew chapter 24.
https://youtu.be/qbq9dbXW-sA
Psalms 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
Our Creator provided our body an immune system and the ability to heal itself. Unfortunately due to our diet and lifestyle we have weakened that immune system. We often work against that immune system and as a result, illness, both chronic and acute is aloud to develop!
I am a Graduate of the School of Natural Healing in Utah. The owner and director of the School is David Christopher. David is the son of Dr John Christopher and founder of the School. I have a great deal of respect in Davids philosophy and have seen it work on multiple occasions.
David has produce a video that I think will help us as we continue to fight this new virus. It is well worth a watch!
https://youtu.be/7dfl_8HuYIE
Some information regarding Dr Christopher
https://www.herballegacy.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Christopher_%28herbalist%29
I like these videos because they give a complete refutation of the teachings of Watchtower concerning the Blood issue. It helps those coming out of that organization realize that the doctrine is unscriptural. It addresses each argument presented and provides scriptural arguments and medical arguments that help us appreciate that God does not require us to sacrifice our lives or the lives of our children for this doctrine.