COMMENTS YOU WILL NOT HEAR AT THE 7-13-03 WT STUDY
Reviewer comments will be in black or parentheses
WT quotes will be in
red or quotations
"DO NOT BE AFRAID OR BE TERRIFIED" "Do not be afraid or be terrified. . . . Jehovah will be with you. "-2 CHRONICLES 20:17. (snippet)or from the Message Bible
2 Chronicles 20 (MSG)
17 You won't have to lift a hand in this battle; just stand firm, Judah and Jerusalem, and watch GOD's saving work for you take shape. Don't be afraid, don't waver. March out boldly tomorrow--GOD is with you."
Introduction
The WTS starts out with the topic of terrorism. Certainly there is much to fear in the world and terrorism is on the minds of many. Besides 9-11, Al-Quaeda, the bombings in Morocco and Saudia Arabia, there is the ongoing situation with Israel and Palestine, the years’ long battle between the Catholics and the Protestants in Northern Ireland and the bombings in the UK and Ireland, and recent bombings in Russia allegedly by Chechens.
But the world has reason to hope according to the WTS and why?
Nevertheless, there is genuine reason for hope. Jehovah's Witnesses, who are actively preaching in 234 lands and territories of the earth, are remarkably optimistic. Instead of fearing that terrorism will never be eliminated, they are confident that it will be-and
soon.Yet the "remarkably optimistic" WTS goes on to enumerate even more fears.
Think of the multitudes who are no longer able to care for themselves because of advanced age, of individuals wasting away with incurable diseases, and of families struggling economically to make ends meet. In fact, think of the uncertainty of life itself! Sudden death by accident or disaster may seem to lurk around every corner, ready to put an end to everything we hold dear.
Now isn’t your optimism heightened by this positive outlook? And we know that every JW that faces these things can depend on fellow JWs to take care of them physically and materially, NOT.
2 Timothy 3:1-3 (1)
(SNIPPET) (earlier on JWD I mentioned 50 scripture citations that the WTS uses over and over, this is one)And why is this bleakness encouraging?
Although this scripture paints a bleak picture, it nonetheless points to hope. Notice that the critical times are to exist "in the last days" of Satan's present wicked system of things. This means that relief is
near and that the wicked world system is soon to be replaced by the rule of the perfect Kingdom of God, for which Jesus taught his followers to pray.Matthew 6:9, 10 (CITATION)(2)
Daniel 2:44 (SNIPPET)(3)
Christian Neutrality Versus Terrorism
Now 9-11 is invoked.
For decades, terrorism has taken thousands of lives. Worldwide awareness of this danger increased considerably after the attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., on September 11, 2001. In view of the magnitude and global scope of terrorism, nations around the earth quickly banded together to combat it
But optimistically, the WTS says:
How successful such efforts will be remains to be seen. The repercussions of such a war against terror, however, have evoked feelings of fear and apprehension in many, but not in those trusting in Jehovah.
Yes, JWs are not afraid….is that true. What comments have your family and friends made? Are they confident or fearful?
Yes, now the WTS presents a "real" fear for JWs.
Jehovah's Witnesses are well-known for their political neutrality. While most people may be willing to accept this position in times of peace, they become less tolerant when extraordinary circumstances arise. Often, fear and uncertainty brought on by war arouse strong sentiments of nationalism.
Yes, JWs are being prepared for….persecution. There has not been any real violent persecution against JWs in the US, for example, since the 1940’s. I have heard stories from my grandparents about those days. My grandmother used to go out in field service with her toothbrush in her bag because she had been arrested so often. Most JWs in many countries haven’t even visited a jail, let alone had to share a cell with the "riffraff."
John 15:19 (4); 17:14-16 (5); 18:36 (6); James 4:4(7)(CITATION)
This requires that they maintain neutrality in political or social matters
I wonder what they mean by "maintain neutrality in…social matters."
Does that mean not saying, "If I weren’t a JW, I would vote for…." Or saying, "in my country." I can remember some nitpickers saying, "JWs don’t have a country."
Matthew 4:8-10 (8)(SNIPPET)
And just in case any non-JW government officials are reading the WT:
The neutral stand taken by Jehovah's Witnesses should not be misunderstood to mean that they support or condone acts of violence.
They refrain from all such activity. The Witnesses faithfully obey the injunction of
Romans 13:1, 2 (9): "Let every soul be in subjection to the superior authorities (governmental rulers)…" (WTS added words in the parentheses)Governmental rulers since 1962 at least. From 1879 to 1929, Bible Students (later JFR dropped this name in favor of JWs in 1931) it was taught that this refers to the governments. In 1929, holy spirit moved JFR to say the superior authorities were God and Jesus. Although later changed, the WTS says the error proved to be a protection during the war years.
Since terrorism is so evil, however, should not Jehovah's Witnesses be doing something to help combat it? Yes they should, and they are.
And what could that be?!
First of all, they refrain from any such activity themselves.
Well, I don’t know about that. Many people feel like JWs are terrorizing them by coming to their doors uninvited often. That is why so many would like laws preventing it. JWs terrorize each other at their meetings, scaring them into serving God, holding death at Armageddon over their heads. Can you think of more ways?
Second, they teach people Christian principles that when followed eliminate violence in all its forms.
Does that include the verbal violence and blackmail from the platform 5 hours a week, and countless hours off the platform?
Last year, the Witnesses spent 1,202,381,302 hours (can’t leave off those 2 hours now) helping people to learn this Christian way.
And how many of those hours were actually spent in Bible study? Rather in driving around, knocking on doors of people who aren’t home and will never be home that time of day, taking coffee breaks, going to garage sales in the territory, waiting in the car, etc. That doesn’t count all the "fake" hours.
And how do people show they reject violence?
265,469 persons were baptized as Witnesses of Jehovah, thus showing publicly their categorical rejection of violence.
Psalm 83:18 CITATION (9); 2 Timothy 3:1, 13 SNIPPET (10); Psalm 37:1, 2, 9-11 (11) CITATION
Fearless in the Face of Imminent Attack
He has already caused Satan to suffer a humiliating defeat at the hands of the archangel Michael-God's newly enthroned King, Christ Jesus.
The WTS tries to slide by that Jesus is Michael the Archangel without any proof. Have you ever tried to prove that to anyone? After researching it for young couple, I had an epiphany.
Revelation 12:7-9 QUOTATION (12)
Bible chronology and world events coincide in pinpointing the year 1914 as the time when that war in heaven took place.
But again no proof is provided. Just "we say it, you believe it."
The Devil's anger has been directed primarily against God's anointed worshipers
and their "other sheep" companions.John 10:16 SNIPPET (13)
But who has been protecting JWs?
God's people have sometimes been protected from Satan's attacks by the efforts of certain political elements.
But soon even no "human agencies" will be protecting JWs…
Yes, even in the face of enemy attack, the people continued actively praising Jehovah.
They will continue to find strength and protection in association with the more than 94,600 congregations around the world.
(Isaiah 26:20) CITATION (14)Isaiah 26 (NIV)
20 Go, my people, enter your rooms
and shut the doors behind you;
hide yourselves for a little while
until his wrath has passed by.
This is why some JWs think that if the run to the KH they will be safe. There was a mudslide some years ago in a South American country. JWs there ran to the KH and died. They would have lived if they had run for the hills.
And how do young ones show their positive attitude about the future?
This positive attitude is nicely demonstrated by thousands of young ones all over the world who have taken up the fulltime ministry. To highlight the superiority of choosing such a life course, the tract Youths -What Will You Do With Your Life? was released at the 2002 district conventions.
No "young one" who wants to be a good JW will be going to college. Not unless they can regular pioneer at the same time.
Christians need not be afraid or terrified. They know that
soon Jehovah's Kingdom will once and for all wipe out violence in all its forms.But if some should die because of violence.
They also find comfort in knowing that the resurrection will restore to life many who have lost their lives through violence.
Conclusion
The end is soon…near. You need not worry. Good JWs are not afraid. God is on your side because the WTS says so. Even if you die, you will be resurrected.
Blondie (and that's the truth)