Comments You Will Not Hear at the August 29, 2004 WT Study (July 15, 2004 issue) Abbreviated 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 DECREE OF JEHOVAH" CANNOT FAIL
"Let me refer to the decree of Jehovah; he has said to me: ?You are my son?Ask of me, that I may give nations as your inheritance?"?Psalm 2:7,8
www.biblegateway.com /cgi-bin/bible
Opening Comments
How many oldtimers remember the quibbling over the difference between "plan" (Russell) and "purpose" in the WTS lexicon. God has a purpose for the earth and the nations have a purpose.
I am going to do a short review this week. Work is demanding, hubby is still recovering, summer is coming to a close, and vacation is coming in just a few weeks. I have been undisciplined too, reading two books simultaneously, 30 Years a WT Slave and Diane Wilson?s book. Both much more interesting than this week?s study article. I was perusing the 9/1/04 WT and noticed that "apostate" is tossed about a bit too.
The death of someone close to me and a realization that the more you avoid JWs, there they are has sapped me.
START OF ARTICLE
Paragraphs 1-3
King David was divinely inspired to write Psalm 2
. I wonder if that was before or after he had Uriah killed and took his wife?What does "the decree of Jehovah"?mean for all God-fearing readers of the second psalm?
Nations in Tumult
Paragraphs 4-6
Verses 1,2
Empty thing?instead of accepting God?s Anointed One?the Messiah, or Christ?the nations have "kept muttering," or meditating on, the perpetuation of their own authority.How many reading this think that the WT conductor will apply this to current affairs, between the US and Iraq?
Application in the first century C.E., when Jewish and Roman authorities worked together to kill God?s King-Designate, Jesus Christ. However, the major fulfillment began in 1914 when Jesus was installed as heavenly King (no proof for the 1914 date given; 1878 previous date for when Jesus took kingly power). Proclaimers book chap. 28 p. 632 Testing and Sifting From WithinBased on the premise that events of the first century might find parallels in related events later, they also concluded that if Jesus? baptism and anointing in the autumn of 29 C.E. paralleled the beginning of an invisible presence in 1874, then his riding into Jerusalem as King in the spring of 33 C.E. would point to the spring of 1878 as the time when he would assume his power as heavenly King.Footnote That 1878 was a year of significance seemed to be fortified by reference to Jeremiah 16:18 (?Jacob?s double,? KJ) along with calculations indicating that 1,845 years had apparently elapsed from Jacob?s death down till 33 C.E., when natural Israel was cast off, and that the double, or duplicate, of this would extend from 33 C.E. down to 1878.Has the WTS stayed separate from the nations?
http://www.randytv.com/secret/unitednations.htm
Jehovah?s Triumphant KingParagraphs 7-8
Verse 3
Present-day nations do not want to comply with the requirements of Jehovah and the Messiah.
Yet, the WTS associated itself as an NGO (non-governmental organization) which requires they support the UN?s interests. Part of the Preamble reads:
to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, and
to ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that
armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, andhttp://www.un.org/aboutun/charter/preamble.htm
Jehovah Holds Them in DerisionParagraphs 9-11
Verses 4,5
Jehovah is not concerned about any efforts of national rulers to establish their own sovereignty.What about political leaders who think God speaks through them?
He always accomplishes his will and never forsakes his loyal servants.Who consider themselves only to be God?s "loyal servants"?
God?s King InstalledParagraphs 12-15
Verses 6-8
In fact, Jehovah has already installed Jesus Christ as his chosen Messianic King on heavenly Mount Zion.Proclaimers Book chap. 10 p. 141 Growing in Accurate Knowledge of the TruthThe Bible Students were well aware of the many prophecies of restoration that were delivered to ancient Israel by God?s prophets. (Jer. 30:18; 31:8-10; Amos 9:14, 15; Rom. 11:25, 26) Down till 1932, they understood these to apply specifically to the natural Jews. Thus, they believed that God would show Israel favor again, gradually restoring the Jews to Palestine, opening their eyes to the truth regarding Jesus as Ransomer and Messianic King, and using them as an agency for extending blessings to all nations.It was taught that Abraham, David, Elijah, the "ancient worthies" would be resurrected to rule in earthly Jerusalem.
Christ referred to the Kingdom covenant when he told his apostles: "You are the ones that have stuck with me in my trials; and I make a covenant with you, just as my Father has made a covenant with me, for a kingdom."?Luke 22:28,29.According to the WTS, this covenant is only made with the 144,000, and is the basis of their reasoning why Jesus is only the mediator for the 144,000.
Jehovah?s Decree Against the NationsParagraphs 16-19
Verses 9-11
Since the second psalm is undergoing fulfillment now (no proof provided), during Jesus Christ?s invisible presence, what is in store for the nations?Christ?s presence was once taught by the WTS as starting in 1874?
Proclaimers Book chap. 28 p. 632 Testing and Sifting From WithinBased on the premise that events of the first century might find parallels in related events later, they also concluded that if Jesus? baptism and anointing in the autumn of 29 C.E. paralleled the beginning of an invisible presence in 1874, then his riding into Jerusalem as King in the spring of 33 C.E. would point to the spring of 1878 as the time when he would assume his power as heavenly King.Christ the King will destroy the nations.I wonder if Robertson and Falwell know that?
"Kiss the Son"Paragraphs 20-25
Verses 12a, 12b
The rulers of the earth?should have acknowledged the King immediately and rendered him full obedience.In 1874, 1878 or 1914?
There is still time for individuals to find safety?true even of individual rulers.If we diligently study the Scriptures (WT publications) and apply their counsel in life, we can live a more satisfying life even now in this troubled workd.Applying Scriptural counsel (as explained in WT publications) results in happier family relations and freed from many of the worries.
Following Bible guidelines (as interpreted in WT publications) imparts confidence that we are pleasing the Creator (and his earthly representatives the WTS).
After he clears the earth of those who oppose what is right by rejecting Kingdom rule (WT rule).Concluding Comments
Well, we can?t kiss the Son, but the WTS expects us to kiss them as Christ?s representatives. I think many of us kissed their rears for too long and missed the point of what it means to be Christ?s followers.
There is truly a battle as to rulership in place after place. It is all vanity.
Blondie (who does not speak for God)