Comments You Will Not Hear at the 3-21-04 WT Study Review comments will be in black and parentheses ()
WT quotes
will be in red and quotes ""Quotes from other sources
will be in blue"THE SCENE OF THIS WORLD IS CHANGING"
"This I say, brothers, the time left is reduced."?1 CORINTHIANS 7:29
Now let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short, so husbands should not let marriage be their major concern
. ?1 Corinthians 7:29 (NLT) www.biblegateway.com /cgi-bin/bibleOpening Comments
(for those with the magazine, look at the pictures on the first page. Can you identify the people?only one woman?)
Points in this article have discussed at this thread.
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/10/68504/1.ashx
There is nothing new about the 607-1914 doctrine discussed in this article. What is new is that it is brought up in a study article. Most JWs today could not explain this teaching at the door to a householder. The WTS in recent years has relied heavily on the "signs of the times" at Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21.
Investigate this WTS statement, "The Bible itself indicates that Jerusalem fell 70 years before the return of the exiled Jews in 537 B.C.E. (Jeremiah 25:11,12; Daniel 9:1-3). Could this be explained scripturally to be 50 years?
Consider these points at this site:
http://www.geocities.com/osarsif/index2.htmNotes on the Gentile Times and 1914
*Once again a closer look at the theme scripture shows it is a snippet. What was left out? Does it affect the meaning of the snippet seeing it in context?
1 Corinthians 7:29 (NWT)
Moreover, this I say, brothers, the time left is reduced . Henceforth let those who have wives be as though they had none,Is the title found in the theme scripture?
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Corinthians 7:31 (NWT)and those making use of the world as those not using it to the full; for the scene of this world is changing.
And is it being used in context? What was Paul talking about?the "time of the end"? Or the difficulties of marriage?
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Corinthians 7:25-35 (NWT) Now concerning virgins I have no command from the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who had mercy shown him by the Lord to be faithful. 26 Therefore I think this to be well in view of the necessity here with us, that it is well for a man to continue as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Stop seeking a release. Are you loosed from a wife? Stop seeking a wife. 28 But even if you did marry, you would commit no sin. And if a virgin [person] married, such one would commit no sin. However, those who do will have tribulation in their flesh. But I am sparing YOU.29 Moreover, this I say, brothers, the time left is reduced. Henceforth let those who have wives be as though they had none, 30 and also those who weep be as those who do not weep, and those who rejoice as those who do not rejoice, and those who buy as those not possessing, 31 and those making use of the world as those not using it to the full; for the scene of this world is changing. 32 Indeed, I want YOU to be free from anxiety. The unmarried man is anxious for the things of the Lord, how he may gain the Lord?s approval. 33 But the married man is anxious for the things of the world, how he may gain the approval of his wife, 34 and he is divided. Further, the unmarried woman, and the virgin, is anxious for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in her body and in her spirit. However, the married woman is anxious for the things of the world, how she may gain the approval of her husband. 35 But this I am saying for YOUR personal advantage, not that I may cast a noose upon YOU, but to move YOU to that which is becoming and that which means constant attendance upon the Lord without distraction.START OF ARTICLEWhat changes have you seen in your lifetime? Can you recount some of them? There is, for example, the progress that has been made in medical science. Thanks to research in that field, the average life expectancy in some lands has increased from under 50 years at the beginning of the 20 th century to well over 70 years today! Think, too of the ways in which we have benefited from the proper use of radio, television, cell phones, and fax machines (internet??). Not to be overlooked are the forward steps that have been taken in education, in transportation, and in human rights, all of which have improved life for millions. I wonder what the WTS considers the improper use of these things? Why was the Internet left out? For once the WTS is not being negative about our era?? 2 Of course, not all changes have been for the better. Yes, the world is better but?. It is impossible to ignore the devastating effects of soaring crime rates, plummeting moral values, mounting drug abuse, skyrocketing divorce rates, spiraling inflation, and the rising threat of terrorism. In any case, you will likely agree with what the apostle Paul wrote long ago: "The scene of this world is changing."?1 Corinthians 7:31 (taken out of context, see above) 3 When Paul made that statement, he was comparing the world to a stage. The performers on that stage?political, religious, and cultural icons?make their appearance, play their respective roles, and then leave the stage to others. This has gone on for centuries. In times past, a dynasty might rule for decades?even centuries?and changes were slow. Not so today, when the course of history can shift in the time it takes for an assassin?s bullet to find its mark! Yes, in these turbulent times, we do not know what tomorrow will bring.4 If the world is a stage and its leaders are the performers, then Christians (not just JWs?) are the spectators.* (*In a different context, Paul spoke of anointed Christians as being "a theatrical spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men."?1 Corinthians 4:9) Being "no part of the world," however, they do not overly concern themselves with the performance or even the identity of the players.The WTS is not interested in identifying who Babylon the Great is, or the scarlet-colored beast, or the other beasts of Revelation, or the kings of the north/south?(John 17:16) Rather, they are eagerly looking for indications that the drama is reaching its climax?a catastrophic finish?for they know that this system must end (ending the lives of over 6 billion people including children) before Jehovah ushers in the long-awaited new world of righteousness.# (#For example, regarding the identity of "the king of the north," mentioned at Daniel 11:40, 44, 45, see the book Pay Attention to Daniel?s Prophecy, pages 280-1) (see at end of this review) Let us therefore examine two lines of evidence that demonstrate that we are living in the time of the end and that the new world is at hand. These are (1) Bible chronology and (2) deteriorating world conditions.?Matthew 24:21; 2 Peter 3:13.**Earthquakes a sign? http://www.geocities.com/osarsif/earth.htm A Mystery Solved at Last! 5 Chronology is a study of the relationship between time and events. Jesus spoke of a time during which the leaders of the world would occupy center stage without interference from God?s Kingdom. Jesus called that period "the appointed times of the nations." (Luke 21:24) But when did those times start? Did Jesus say? At the end of those "appointed times," God?s heavenly Kingdom would come to power, with Jesus as its rightful Ruler. Was that in 1874 or 1914?The Watchtower, September 15, 1922, p. 278 [Note: not available on 1993/1995/1999 CD-ROM]
No one can properly understand the work of God at this present time who does not realize that since 1874, the time of the Lord?s return in power, there has been a complete change in God?s operations. http://quotes.watchtower.ca/1874.htmAt first, Jesus would rule "in the midst of [his] enemies." (Psalm 110:2) Then, according to Daniel 2:44, the Kingdom would "crush and put an end" to all human governments, and it would stand forever.6 When would "the appointed times of the nations" end and God?s Kingdom rule begin? The answer, which was "sealed up until the time of the end," involves Bible chronology. (Daniel 12:9) As that "time" approached, Jehovah too steps to reveal the answer to a group of humble Bible students. With the help of God?s spirit they discerned thatOr was that in 1914, 1915, 1920?"We see no reason for changing the figures nor could we change them if we would. They are, we believe, Gods dates, not ours. But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble." (Watchtower, July 15, 1894, Reprints p. 1677) The Gentile Times prove that the present governments must all be overturned about the close of A.D. 1915; and Parallelism above shows that this period corresponds exactly with the year A.D. 70, which witnessed the completion of the downfall of the Jewish polity . (The Time Is At Hand, 1915 edition, p. 242) "And the mountains were not found. Even the republics will disappear in the fall of 1920. And the mountains were not found. Every kingdom of earth will pass away, be swallowed up in anarchy." (The Finished Mystery, 1917 edition, p. 258) Also, in the year 1918, when God destroys the churches wholesale and the church members by million, it shall be that any that escape shall come to the works of Pastor Russell to learn the meaning of the downfall of Christianity. (The Finished Mystery, 1917 edition, p. 485) Or"the appointed times of the nations" began with the destruction of Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. and that those "times" were 2,520 years in length. From this, they deduced (with the help of the holy spirit? 1914, 1915, 1920) that 1914 marked the end of "the appointed times of the nations." They also came to realize that 1914 was the beginning of the end of this system of things."We see no reason for changing the figures nor could we change them if we would. They are, we believe, Gods dates, not ours. But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble." (Watchtower, July 15, 1894, Reprints p. 1677) As a Bible student, can you explain the Scriptures how the date 1914 is calculated?* *(The Bible itself indicates that Jerusalem fell 60 years before the return of exiled Jews in 537 B.C.E. (Jeremiah 25:11,12; Daniel 9:1-3) For a detailed discussion of the "appointed times of the nations," see pages 95-7 of Reasoning From the Scriptures, published by Jehovah?s Witnesses (I didn?t know JWs published anything, I thought that was the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society?) The average JW would cringe at this question. They expect the elders and pioneers to be able to answer this question but not themselves. Since the fiasco of 1975, JWs are not encouraged to discuss time calculations, not even this one. Some it becomes a rote exercise in memory without understanding.Imagine yourself at the door, someone asks how you know it is 1914. How would you explain it? No cheating by looking at the next paragraph.I don?t plan on going into a discussion of the validity of the WTS 607-1914 prophecy. Too many more qualified have done that. I invite you to look at the other side, remembering that that WTS has stated different dates ("God?s dates) in the past. This is not a comprehensive list.
http://www.geocities.com/osarsif/index2.htmhttp://www.freeminds.org/doctrine/cojonsson.htm
7 One clue is concealed in the book of Daniel. Since Jehovah used King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to destroy Jerusalem at the beginning of "the appointed times," in 607 B.C.E.Ask yourself, was any PROOF provided to support this statement in this article. Does the WTS assume that the readers have read the above-cited WTS publication?
He revealed through that ruler that the nations would continue without divine interference for a total of seven symbolic times. (Ezekiel 21:26,27; Daniel 4:16, 23-25)Do you think you could convince someone at the door with this proof?
How long are those seven times? According to Revelation 11:2,3 and 12:6,14, three and half times are 1,260 days long. Thus, seven times must be twice that long, or 2,520 days.Was the WTS the first to come up with this formula in 1873 with the publication of "Three Worlds" by Barbour and Russell?
Is that the end of it? No, for Jehovah gave a contemporary of Daniel, the prophet Ezekiel, the rule for interpreting the symbolism: "A day for a year, a day for a year, is what I have given you."" (Ezekiel 4:6) Therefore, the seven times would actually be 2,520 years long. Using 607 B.C.E. as the starting point and 2,520 years as the length, we can conclude that the appointed times were to end in 1914. Did the WTS discern day for a year rule "with the help of God?s spirit"?http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Olympus/5257/1914.htmThe idea of applying years to days can be traced back to Jewish rabbis in the first century CE In the ninth century more rabbis applied it to Daniel?s prophecy in connection with the time periods of 1,290, 1335, and 2300 days in reference to when the Messiah would appear. Among Christians it first appears in the twelfth century by a Roman Catholic abbot named Joachim of Floris. As time passed, an incredible amount of dates were arrived at by different interpreters. Dates were regularly changed as one date after another passed without the predicted event taking place.In the early 1800?s a man named John Aquila Brown published an explanation of the 2,300 days of Daniel in chapter 12, showing these as ending in 1844. This view was also adopted by William Miller, the pioneer of the Second Advent movement.John A. Brown also developed another explanation that is intimately related to the year 1914 as that date figures in the teachings of JW. Brown was the real interpreter of the "seven times" of Daniel chapter four, the interpretation that produces the 2,520 years by means of the day-year formula. Brown first published this interpretation in 1823 and his method converted the "seven times" into 2,520 years in exactly the same way found today in Watch Tower publications. This was twenty-nine years before Charles Russell was born, more than half a century before the book "The Three Worlds" (co-authored by Russell, which is where most JW think that this teaching originated) appeared.The only place this is mentioned in a WTS publication is never in conjunction with a chronology article. Notice how the WTS downgrades other attempts that point to 1914: Proclaimers book chap. 10 p. 134 Growing in Accurate Knowledge of the Truth/End of the Gentile Times (meaning until 1993 most JWs had no knowledge of this)As early as 1823, John A. Brown, whose work was published in London, England, calculated the "seven times" of Daniel chapter 4 to be 2,520 years in length. But he did not clearly discern the date with which the prophetic time period began or when it would end. He did, however, connect these "seven times" with the Gentile Times of Luke 21:24. In 1844, E. B. Elliott, a British clergyman, drew attention to 1914 as a possible date for the end of the "seven times" of Daniel, but he also set out an alternate view that pointed to the time of the French Revolution. Robert Seeley, of London, in 1849, handled the matter in a similar manner. At least by 1870, a publication edited by Joseph Seiss and associates and printed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was setting out calculations that pointed to 1914 as a significant date, even though the reasoning it contained was based on chronology that C. T. Russell later rejected."The Time of the End" Confirmed8 World events from 1914 onward confirm that the above understanding based on Bible chronology is correct.Is that true, except for JWs, who else would accept this confirmation? Has enough proof been provided in this article?
Jesus himself said that "the conclusion of the system of things" would be marked by wars, famines, and pestilences. (Matthew 24:3-8; Revelation 6:2-8) That has certainly been the case since 1914. The apostle Paul added to the picture, saying that there would be a marked difference in attitudes of people toward one another. His description of the changes that we have all witnessed was right on target.?2 Timothy 3:1-5.Pretty arrogant: "world events?confirm?understanding?correct," "certainly been case," "right on target." Where is the proof? Could you "prove" it with the evidence in this article?What about earthquakes? (see opening comments) Have they increased in number and intensity?What about pestilence? Black plague in the mid-1300?s (25 million died in Europe alone)You might find this book interesting:"The Sign Of The Last Days-When?" by Carl Olof Jonsson
9 Has "the scene of this world" really changed so much since 1914: In the book The Generation of 1914, Professor Robert Wohl observes: "Those who lived through the war could never rid themselves of the belief that one world had ended and another begun in August 1914." Confirming this, Dr. Jorge A. Costa e Silva, as the mental-health director for the World Health Organization, wrote: "We live in a time of extremely fast changes, which end up causing anxiety and stress at levels never before seen in mankind?s history." Has that been your personal experience?Finally sources are named, so the WTS can do it when it wants to. Makes you wondering what it be hiding when it does not reveal the names/sources of other quotes. But is this proof we are living in the "time of the end" or merely that times are hard. Had one world ended and another begun or had they finally perceived what the world had really been, the world that provided the foundation for WWI?
10 Who is the villain behind the worsening world conditions? Revelation 12:7-9 unmasks the culprit: "War broke out in heaven: Michael [Jesus Christ](now a whole article/argument could start over that automatic correlation) and his angels battled with the dragon [Satan the Devil], and the dragon and it s angels battled but it did not prevail, neither was a place found for them any longer in heaven. So down the great dragon was hurled, ?( the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan,) who is misleading the entire inhabited earth." So Satan the Devil is the guilty troublemaker, and his ouster from heaven in 1914 (PROOF?) has meant "woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time."?Revelation 12:10,12Was Satan really ousted in 1914 or does/did the WTS teach that this took several years and that is why the anointed who had died could not be resurrected until 1918? Since Satan was once angel and probably had lived for millions of years before the earth was created, what would be a short period of time for him?w73 10/15 p. 617 Divine Victory?Its Meaning for Distressed HumanityHow long that "war . . . in heaven" between holy angels and devilish demons lasted is not stated in the record; but it is hardly likely that it lasted longer than World War I, which ended on November 11, 1918 How the Final Act Will Play Out11 Aware that his end is approaching, Satan since 1914 has been stepping up his efforts to mislead "the entire inhabited earth." Always the master deceiver, Satan works behind the scenes, putting on the stage the world?s leaders and trendsetters. (2 Timothy 3:13: 1 John 5:19)I wonder if Bush, Blair, Putin, etc., know that they are the devil?s puppets?
One of his goals is to deceive mankind into thinking that his way of governing can bring them true peace. By and large, his propaganda has succeeded, for people remain optimistic in spite of mounting evidence (???) that conditions are going from bad to worse.Crime is down, what does mean?The apostle Paul foretold that just before this system of things is destroyed there will be a notable expression of satanic propaganda. He wrote: "Whenever it is that they are saying: ? Peace and security!? then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them just as the pang of distress upon a pregnant woman."?1 Thessalonians 5:3; Revelation 16:13.12 In recent years, politicians have often used the phrase "peace and security" to describe various human schemes. They even dubbed 1986 the International Year of Peace, although that year did not live up to its name. Do such efforts by would leaders constitute the complete fulfillment of 1 Thessalonians 5:3, or was Paul referring to a specific event of such dramatic proportions as to claim world attention?Were you a JW in 1986? Didn?t many JWs think this might be the call of "peace and security"? Did you?
13 Since Bible prophecies are often fully understood after they are fulfilled or in the process of fulfillment, we will have to wait and see.This is an important rule of prophecy the WTS uses. It enables them to "adjust" or "clarify" their prophecies so they appear to be true.
It is of interest, though, that Paul compared the sudden destruction following the cry of "Peace and security!" to the birth pang of a pregnant woman. Over a period of about nine months, an expectant mother becomes increasingly aware of the baby that is growing within her. She may be able to hear her baby?s heartbeat or feel its movements in the womb. It may even kick her. The signs often become more and more pronounced until, one day, she feels a sharp pain, a pang, indicating that the hoped-for event?the baby?s birth?has arrived. Hence, however, the prophesied cry of "Peace and security!" may be fulfilled, it will lead to a sudden, painful, but ultimately blessed event?the destruction of wickedness (yes, all 6 billion plus nonJWs and their little children) and the beginning of a new world system.http://www.macgregorministries.org/jehovahs_witnesses/armagsurv.html14 The coming destruction will be fear-inspiring for faith Christians (only JWs), watching from the sidelines. First, the kings of the earth (the political part of Satan?s organization?including the US) will turn on the supporters of Babylon the Great (the religious part, except for the WTS) and will destroy them. (Revelation 17:1, 15-18) Thus, in a stunning plot twist, Satan?s kingdom will become divided against itself, with one part attacking the other, and Satan will be powerless to prevent it. (Matthew 12:25,26) Jehovah will put it into the hearts of the kings of the earth "to carry out his thought," namely to rid the earth of his religious adversaries (everyone except the WTS/JWs).Notice how the WTS does not mention that the UN or its components will do this as the WTS has said in the past. w97 9/15 p. 19 Who Will Survive "the Day of Jehovah"? ***The ten horns" depict the militarized political powers holding sway on earth. Though they now have a spiritually adulterous relationship with Babylon the Great, her time is short. This world?s political element will destroy false religion, and "the wild beast"?the United Nations?will have a principal role with "the ten horns" in devastating her. What an occasion for praising Jehovah!?Revelation 19:1-6.w94 3/1 p. 20 Jehovah?s Controversy With the Nations ***As foretold at Revelation 17:12-17, the time will come when Jehovah starts his strange act by putting it into the hearts of "the ten horns"?militarized members of the United Nations?"to carry out his thought" of devastating the world empire of false religion. How will this come about? There are numerous ways that "the ten horns" of Revelation chapter 17 may, in the words of verse 16, come to "hate the harlot and . . . completely burn her with fire." True, nuclear arms have proliferated and are still proliferating in many danger spots on earth. But we must wait and see how Jehovah will put it into the hearts of political rulers to execute his vengeance.w89 4/15 pp. 14-15 The Infamous Harlot?Her Destruction ***In due course, the "scarlet-colored wild beast" itself must go off into destruction. But before this happens, and even before its final beastly attack on God?s people, that UN beast has a special service to perform. Jehovah puts ?his thought into the hearts of the wild beast and its militarized horns.? With what result? God?s angel answers: "And the ten horns that you saw, and the wild beast, these will hate the harlot and will make her devastated and naked, and will eat up her fleshy parts and will completely burn her with fire." "She glorified herself and lived in shameless luxury," but now all of this is reversed. Her imposing religious edifices and vast property holdings will not save her. As the angel declares: "That is why in one day her plagues will come, death and mourning and famine, and she will be completely burned with fire, because Jehovah God, who judged her, is strong."?Revelation 17:16, 17; 18:7, 8.Revelation book chap. 35 p. 258 Executing Babylon the Great ***Yes, the nations will use the scarlet-colored wild beast, the United Nations, in destroying Babylon the Great. After false religion is destroyed (every religion but JWs/WTS), Jesus Christ will lead his heavenly armies in a complete rout of what is left of Satan?s organization?the commercial and political elements. Finally, Satan himself will be put out of action. With that, the curtain will fall, and the long-running drama will come to an end.?Revelation 16:14-16; 19:11-21; 20:1-3).15 When will all these things occur? We do not know the day or the hour. (Matthew 24:36)But they have known the year, 1914, 1925, 1975.http://quotes.watchtower.ca/1925.htmhttp://quotes.watchtower.ca/1975.htm
We do know, however, that "the time left is reduced." (1 Corinthians 7:29, used in context?) It is vital, then, that we make wise use of the time that remains. How? As the apostle Paul explains, we must ?buy out the opportune time? for the more important things at the expense of what is nonessential and make every day count. The reason? "Because the days are wicked." And ?perceiving what Jehovah?s will is? for us, we will not waste the precious little time that is left.?Ephesians 5:15-17; 1 Peter 4:1-4.Notice how the WTS strings snippets in this paragraph. "Wise use" as interpreted by the WTS. What is "nonessential" as interpreted by the WTS. w00 10/1 p. 19 Buying Out Time for Reading and Study ***By and large, most of us can buy out time for study at the expense of nonessential activities. We might ask ourselves, ?How much time do I spend reading secular magazines or newspapers, watching television programs, listening to music, or playing video games? Do I spend more time in front of the computer than I do reading the Bible?w89 12/1 p. 17 Do You Seek Hidden Treasures? ***If we analyze our nonessential activities of each day, how do we find that much of our free time is spent? Is it in front of the television set? That hypnotic apparatus can steal anything from two to five hours each evening from our life! How many hours per day do you personally spend watching television? Often, what is presented is, by its emphasis on violence and sex, degrading. And frequently it is designed to appeal to "the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one?s means of life." (1 John 2:15-17) Yet, many lack the willpower to turn the television off. Yes, this modern invention can consume our most precious asset, time.16 Knowing that dissolution awaits the entirely worldly system of things (all 6 billion plus people and their little children), how should we be affected personally? The apostle Peter wrote for our benefit: "Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought you to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion!? (2 Peter 3:11) What sort of persons, indeed! In harmony with Peter?s wise advice, we need to (1) to keep close watch on our conduct in order to make sure that it is holy (the elders and gossipers in the congregation will help you with that) and (2) to make sure that our zealous deeds in Jehovah?s service (only those we can put on a time slip) always reflect our deep love for him (and impress the elders with our spirituality).17 Love for God will prevent us from becoming attached to this world (including spending any time with nonJW relatives) because of its allurements. In view of what is in store for the present system of things (all 6 billion plus people and their little children), it is dangerous for us to become enamored by the glitter and glamour (Prince are you listening?) of the wordily hedonistic way of life. Although living and working in the world, we should heed the wise counsel not to use the world to the full. (1 Corinthians 7:31) In fact, we must do our best to guard against being misled by the world?s propaganda. This world will not succeed in working out solutions to its problems. It will not keep on sustaining itself indefinitely (79 years since 1925, and 29 years since 1975). Why can we be so sure (they were sure in 1925 and 1975)? Because the inspired Word of God says so: "The world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever." (said by a man whose hope was to live forever in heaven. What world was passing away?)?1 John 2:17.The Best is Yet to Come!18 Jehovah will soon ring down the curtain on Satan and his supporters. Thereafter, with God?s blessing, faithful survivors of the ends of this system (only JWs, not the 6 billion plus people and their little children) will begin to work on "scene" changes that will endure forever (yes, toss every book and artwork into the fire, except for WTS publications and artwork). War will no longer mar the scene (except for the battles in the congregations); God will make "wars to cease to the extremity of the earth." (Psalm 46:9) In place of food shortages, "there will come to be plenty of grain on the earth;?there will be an overflow." (all controlled by the loving elders) (Psalm 72:16) Gone will be prisons (because the WTS will be able to execute the apostates), police stations (but not judicial committees), sexually transmitted diseases (because people with STDs will be executed) drug czars (only elders), divorce courts (no divorce needed because adulterers will be executed), bankruptcy proceedings (no businesses, profits), and terrorism (just "encouragement" from the elders).?Psalm 37:29; Isaiah 33:24; Revelation 21:3-5.19 The memorial tombs will be emptied and billions of resurrected ones (not the 6 billion plus and their little children, or those who died at the flood or at Sodom or Gomorrah (although that could be reversed at a later date))?more players?will come into view. What joy there will be as one generation is reunited with another and when long-separated loved ones hug one another in a warm, heartfelt embrace! (Like you get at the KH every time you go)(Wait till them find out that they cannot be married, have sex, or beget children; if they missed out on that in their first life, too bad, they aren?t going to have that desire fulfilled in their second). Eventually, everyone living will worship Jehovah. (Revelation 5:13) (Do you think he finally tell us how to really say his name?) When the changes are complete, the curtain will rise upon an earth-wide paradise. How will you feel as you survey the scene? No doubt you will be moved to exclaim, "I waited a long time for this, but it has been well worth the wait!"THE END (Bad conclusion. Bad writing even not considering the content. Makes me look good)
Concluding CommentsGod?s spirit speaks to us.
We are right because we say so.
The end is near, soon, time is short. (see 1914, 1925, 1975)
Only JWs will survive.
Serve God (really the WTS) to be in paradise, the main reason JWs serve God.
Blondie
Picture identification:Starting at the far left and circling up and to the right, down, and to the left.
Charles Lindbergh
Gandhi
Mao Tse-tung
Kaiser Wilhelm (?)
Hirohito
Stalin
Hitler
Einstein
Golda Meier
Churchill
FDR
*Pay Attention to Daniel?s Prophecy chap. 16 pp. 275-281 The Contending Kings Near Their End
THE KING MAGNIFIES HIMSELF
11 Regarding the king of the north, the angel added: "The king will actually do according to his own will, and he will exalt himself and magnify himself above every god; and [refusing to acknowledge Jehovah?s sovereignty] against the God of gods he will speak marvelous things. And he will certainly prove successful until the denunciation will have come to a finish; because the thing decided upon must be done. And to the God of his fathers he will give no consideration; and to the desire of women and to every other god he will give no consideration, but over everyone he will magnify himself."?Daniel 11:36, 37.
12 Fulfilling these prophetic words, the king of the north rejected "the God of his fathers," such as the Trinitarian divinity of Christendom. The Communist bloc promoted outright atheism. Thus the king of the north made a god of himself, ?magnifying himself over everyone.? Giving no consideration "to the desire of women"?subservient lands, such as North Vietnam, that served as handmaids of his regime?the king acted "according to his own will."
13 Continuing with the prophecy, the angel said: "To the god of fortresses, in his position he will give glory; and to a god that his fathers did not know he will give glory by means of gold and by means of silver and by means of precious stone and by means of desirable things." (Daniel 11:38) In fact, the king of the north placed his trust in modern scientific militarism, "the god of fortresses." He sought salvation through this "god," sacrificing enormous wealth on its altar.
14 "He will act effectively against the most fortified strongholds, along with a foreign god. Whoever has given him recognition he will make abound with glory, and he will actually make them rule among many; and the ground he will apportion out for a price." (Daniel 11:39) Trusting in his militaristic "foreign god," the king of the north acted most "effectively," proving to be a formidable military power in "the last days." (2 Timothy 3:1) Those who supported his ideology were rewarded with political, financial, and sometimes military support.
"A PUSHING" IN THE TIME OF THE END15 "In the time of the end the king of the south will engage with him in a pushing," the angel told Daniel. (Daniel 11:40a) Has the king of the south ?pushed? the king of the north during "the time of the end"? (Daniel 12:4, 9) Yes, indeed. After the first world war, the punitive peace treaty imposed upon the then king of the north?Germany?was surely "a pushing," an incitement to retaliation. After his victory in the second world war, the king of the south targeted fearsome nuclear weapons on his rival and organized against him a powerful military alliance, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Concerning NATO?s function, a British historian says: "It was the prime instrument for the ?containment? of the USSR, which was now perceived as the principal threat to European peace. Its mission lasted for 40 years, and was carried out with indisputable success." As the years of the Cold War went by, the "pushing" by the king of the south included high-tech espionage as well as diplomatic and military offensives.
16 How did the king of the north react? "Against him the king of the north will storm with chariots and with horsemen and with many ships; and he will certainly enter into the lands and flood over and pass through." (Daniel 11:40b) The history of the last days has featured the expansionism of the king of the north. During the second world war, the Nazi "king" flooded over his borders into the surrounding lands. At the end of that war, the successor "king" built a powerful empire. During the Cold War, the king of the north fought his rival in proxy wars and insurgencies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. He persecuted genuine Christians, hindering?but by no means stopping?their activity. And his military and political offensives brought a number of lands under his control. This is exactly what the angel had prophesied: "He will also actually enter into the land of the Decoration [the spiritual estate of Jehovah?s people], and there will be many lands that will be made to stumble."?Daniel 11:41a.
17 Nevertheless, the king of the north did not achieve world conquest. The angel foretold: "These are the ones that will escape out of his hand, Edom and Moab and the main part of the sons of Ammon." (Daniel 11:41b) In ancient times, Edom, Moab, and Ammon were situated between the domains of the Egyptian king of the south and the Syrian king of the north. In modern times they represent nations and organizations that the king of the north targeted but was unable to bring under his influence.
EGYPT DOES NOT ESCAPE18 Jehovah?s angel continued: "He [the king of the north] will keep thrusting out his hand against the lands; and as regards the land of Egypt, she will not prove to be an escapee. And he will actually rule over the hidden treasures of the gold and the silver and over all the desirable things of Egypt. And the Libyans and the Ethiopians will be at his steps." (Daniel 11:42, 43) Even the king of the south, "Egypt," did not escape the effects of the expansionist policies of the king of the north. For example, the king of the south suffered a notable defeat in Vietnam. And what of "the Libyans and the Ethiopians"? These neighbors of ancient Egypt might well foreshadow nations that are, geographically speaking, neighbors of modern "Egypt" (the king of the south). At times, they have been followers of??at the steps of??the king of the north.
19 Has the king of the north ruled over ?the hidden treasures of Egypt?? He has indeed had a powerful influence on the way that the king of the south has used his financial resources. Because of fear of his rival, the king of the south has devoted huge sums to maintaining a formidable army, navy, and air force. To this extent, the king of the north ?ruled over,? or controlled, the disposition of the wealth of the king of the south.
THE FINAL CAMPAIGN20 The rivalry between the king of the north and the king of the south?whether by military, economic, or other means?is nearing its end. Revealing the details of a conflict yet to come, Jehovah?s angel said: "There will be reports that will disturb him [the king of the north], out of the sunrising and out of the north, and he will certainly go forth in a great rage in order to annihilate and to devote many to destruction. And he will plant his palatial tents between the grand sea and the holy mountain of Decoration; and he will have to come all the way to his end, and there will be no helper for him."?Daniel 11:44, 45.
21 With the disbanding of the Soviet Union in December 1991, the king of the north suffered a serious setback. Who will be this king when Daniel 11:44, 45 is fulfilled? Will he be identified with one of the countries that were part of the former Soviet Union? Or will he change identity completely, as he has done a number of times before? Will the development of nuclear weapons by additional nations result in a new arms race and have a bearing on the identity of that king? Only time will provide answers to these questions. We are wise not to speculate. When the king of the north embarks on his final campaign, the fulfillment of prophecy will be clearly discerned by all who have Bible-based insight.?See "Kings in Daniel Chapter 11," on page 284.
22 However, we do know what action the king of the north will soon take. Moved by the reports "out of the sunrising and out of the north," he will conduct a campaign ?in order to annihilate many.? Against whom is this campaign directed? And what "reports" trigger such an attack?