Comments You Will Not Hear at the 12-21-08 WT Study (October 15, 2008, pages (12-16)(HEARTFELT)Review comments will be in red
WT material from today's WT will be in black
Quotes from other sources will be in quotes boxes
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WT child abuse www.silentlambs.org
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"That people may know that you, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth."-Ps. 83:18.
OPENING COMMENTS
Yes come to the KH and the elders will give you the comfort and knowledge you seek at least until you get baptized and are dropped like a hot potato because they can no longer count your time....or until you stop your study and attending the meetings and become "bad association.'
Did you get much from this article about prayer?
Once again the WTS concentrates on the OT and OT scriptures. Where is Jesus in this article? First God, then jw anointed , then Jesus?
START OF ARTICLE
Q 1, 2. What experience have many had, and what questions could be asked?
SOME years ago, a woman was deeply disturbed by a tragedy that occurred in her neighborhood. Born into a Roman Catholic family, she went to the local priest for help, but he was unwilling even to speak with her. So she prayed to God: "I don't know who you are... , but I know you're there. Please let me know you!" A short while later, Jehovah's Witnesses visited her and gave her the comfort and knowledge she had sought. Among many other things, they taught her that God has a personal name, Jehovah. Learning that was a very emotional experience for her. "Imagine," she said, "this was the God I had longed to know since I was a child!"
The assumption here is that no priests listen...only jws do...but only to non-jws who are possible converts. My husband had all the attention possible from the elders until he was baptized, then they didn't have the time of day for him.
So what is God's personal name? Is it really Jehovah? Who selected that version? Why not Yahweh?
jws have personal names but the WTS wants its members to call each other Brother or Sister Last Name--said to be more caring
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*** km 4/96 p. 7 Question Box ***
Because of our close spiritual ties within God’s household, we address one another as “Brother” and “Sister,” particularly at congregation meetings. During these spiritual occasions, the one presiding over the meeting recognizes baptized individuals by using the expression “brother” or “sister” followed by the last name of the person being addressed...Using the expressions “brother” and “sister” at our congregation meetings indicates a bond that is far closer and more precious than any indicated by the use of first names. It reminds us of the very blessed relationship we enjoy as a spiritual family under the one Father, Jehovah God. We are also reminded of the deep love and affection we have for one another.—Eph. 2:19; 1 Pet. 3:8.
Is it respectful to call your father by his first name, why then God?
2. Many have had a similar experience. Often, they first saw Jehovah' s name when they read Psalm 83:18 in the Bible. In the New World Translation, that verse reads: "That people may know that you, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth." Have you ever wondered, though, why Psalm 83 was written? What events would force everyone to acknowledge that Jehovah is the only true God? What message does this psalm have for us today? We will consider those questions in this article.
The demons know God's name...does it move them to follow him? (James 2:19)
So what about everyone who is contacted by jws and told what they think God's name is? Doesn't the WTS teach that all of those people will die forever, men, women, and children?
A Conspiracy Against Jehovah's People
Q 3, 4. By whom was Psalm 83 composed, and what threat does he describe?
3. According to the superscription, Psalm 83 is “a melody of Asaph." The composer of the psalm was likely a descendant of the Levite Asaph, a prominent musician during the reign of King David. In the psalm, the psalmist begs Jehovah to take action so as to uphold His sovereignty and make His name known. The psalm must have been composed some time after Solomon's death. Why? Because during the reigns of David and Solomon, Tyre's king was friendly toward Israel. By the time Psalm 83 was composed, the inhabitants of Tyre had turned against Israel and had sided with its enemies.
OT--Asaph...."likely" "prominent" are jws allowed to be prominent? "must have been" Why does the WTS make guesses?
Why "His" and not "his"?
4. The psalmist names ten nations that were conspiring to destroy God's people. Those enemies were situated all around Israel and are listed as follows: "The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites, Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, Philistia together with the inhabitants of Tyre. Also, Assyria itself has become joined with them. (Ps. 83:6-8) To what historical event does the psalm refer? Some suggest
that the psalm refers to the attack on Israel by the coalition of Ammon, Moab, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir in the days of Jehoshaphat. (2 Chron. 20:1-26) Others believe that it speaks of the general hostility Israel experienced from its neighbors throughout its history.
Some...suggest...others believe? Who are "some" and "others"?
Q 5. What benefit do Christians today gain from Psalm 83?
5. Whatever the case, it is evident that Jehovah God inspired the writing of this prayerful song at a time when his nation was in danger. The psalm also provides encouragement for God's servants today, who throughout their history have faced one attack after another by enemies determined to destroy them. And it will surely strengthen us in the near future when Gog of Magog marshals his forces in one final attempt to destroy all who worship God in spirit and truth.-Read Ezekiel 38:2, 8, 9, 16.
Christians--God's servants--only jws
Gog of Magog = Satan = only targets jws? Ezekiel 38: 2,8,9,16 per WTS chronology is in the "near" future.
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*** w07 8/15 p. 26 Jehovah Is a Lover of Justice ***
Satan’s Attack to Fail
17 Satan and his followers will soon come against Jehovah’s worshippers in an attempt to stamp them out. (Ezekiel 38:14-23) That will be part of what Jesus called the “great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again.” (Matthew 24:21) Will Satan’s attack succeed? No. God’s Word assures us: “Jehovah is a lover of justice, and he will not leave his loyal ones. To time indefinite they will certainly be guarded; but as for the offspring of the wicked ones, they will indeed be cut off. The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.”—Psalm 37:28, 29.
18 The attack by Satan and his horde on Jehovah’s servants will be the final insult. Jehovah foretold through Zechariah: “He that is touching you is touching my eyeball.” (Zechariah 2:
A Matter of Primary Concern
Q 6, 7. (a) What does the psalmist pray for in the opening words of Psalm 83? (b) What was the psalmist's foremost concern?
6. Listen as the psalmist pours out his feelings in prayer: “O God, let there be no silence on your part; do not keep speechless, and do not stay quiet, O Divine One. For, look! your very enemies are in an uproar; and the very ones intensely hating you have raised their head. Against your people they cunningly carry on their confidential talk . . . For with the heart they have unitedly exchanged counsel; against you they proceeded to conclude even a covenant. “ -Ps. 83:1-3,5.
OT--Psalm 83--only jws.
www.forum18.org
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a Baptist is facing threats by the authorities to confiscate his means to support himself and his family because he led worship without state permission, the country's only Hare Krishna commune is still being pressured to accept a rubbish dump in exchange for their land,
As the temperature in Moscow dips below zero, one of the city's largest Pentecostal churches meets for worship in a marquee on a rough patch of land in an outlying suburb. "We've nowhere else to go," Bakur Azaryan, Emmanuel Church's assistant pastor, explained to Forum 18 News Service. The land is tied to a former workers' club bought by Emmanuel seven years ago. But as the local authorities have still not drawn up the Church's land rights, it cannot use or reconstruct the building, gutted in a suspected arson attack in 2007. In April 2008, Emmanuel lost access to rented premises apparently due to state pressure – a familiar complaint by Moscow Protestant communities.
7. What was the psalmist's foremost concern? Of course, he must have been very worried about his own personal safety and that of his family.
Yet, the subject of his prayer was the reproach being brought on Jehovah's name and the threats against the nation that bore that name. May we all keep a similar, balanced viewpoint as we endure the difficult final days of this old world.-Read Matthew 6:9, 10.
"must have been"?
so we mustn't worry about our personal or family safety?
final days of 7 billion non-jws, men women and children, eternal destruction
Q 8. What was the objective of the nations in conspiring against Israel?
8. The psalmist quotes Israel’s enemies as saying: "Come and let us efface them from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.” (Ps. 83:4) What hatred those nations had for God's chosen people! But they had another motive for their conspiracy. They coveted Israel's land and boasted: "Let us take possession of the abiding places of God for ourselves." (Ps. 83: 12) Has something similar been true in our day? Yes!
God's chosen people--only spiritual Israelites per the WTS, only the 144,000 anointed.
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*** w06 7/1 p. 25 par. 14 They Were Born Into God’s Chosen Nation ***
Writing to anointed Christians, the apostle Peter declared: “You are ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession, that you should declare abroad the excellencies’ of the one that called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. For you were once not a people, but are now God’s people.” (1 Peter 2:9, 10) The special relationship between Jehovah and fleshly Israel had ended. In
33 C.E., Jehovah’s favor had been transferred from earthly Israel to spiritual Israel, the Christian congregation, ‘a nation producing the fruits’ of the Messianic Kingdom.—Matthew 21:43.
“Your Holy Abiding Place”
Q 9, 10. (a) In ancient times, what was God's holy abiding place? (b) What blessings are enjoyed today by the anointed remnant and the "other sheep"?
9. In ancient times, the Promised Land was referred to as God's holy abiding place. Recall the victory song that the Israelites sang after being delivered from Egypt: "You in your loving-kindness have led the people whom you have recovered; you in your strength will certainly conduct them to your holy abiding place." (Ex. 15:13) Later, that "abiding place' contained a temple with its priesthood and a capital city, Jerusalem, with a line of kings who descended from David and sat on Jehovah's throne. (1 Chron. 29:23) Not without reason, Jesus called Jerusalem "the city of the great King.” -Matt. 5:35.
Promised Land--where is that today per the WTS? If the promised is the Paradise earth, what place will the anointed have who are in heaven?
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*** w01 9/15 p. 10 par. 3 Will Jehovah’s Blessing Overtake You? ***
Today, we stand on the threshold of a vastly superior Promised Land—a paradise earth in which blessings far richer than those of Joshua’s day await all who have God’s approval.
10. What about in our day? In 33 C.E., a new nation, "the Israel of God/' was born. (Gal. 6: 16) That nation, made up of anointed brothers of Jesus Christ, fulfilled the task that fleshly Israel ultimately failed in, that of being witnesses to God's name. (Isa. 43:10; 1 Pet. 2:9) To them, Jehovah made the same promise that he made to ancient Israel: "I shall be their God, and they will be my people." (2 Cor. 6:16; Lev. 26:12) In 1919, Jehovah brought the remaining ones of "the Israel of God" into a favored position, and at that time, they took possession of a "land," a spiritual
realm of activity wherein they have enjoyed a spiritual paradise. (Isa. 66:
Only anointed brothers (sisters too?) of Jesus Christ in 33 CE........what about "our day"?
Are the great crowd/other sheep considered the brothers of Christ? Where in the WTS publications does it say they are?
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*** w07 4/1 p. 25 par. 16 Loyal to Christ and His Faithful Slave ***
Out of sheer gratitude and loyalty, the other sheep lovingly support Christ’s anointed “brothers” on the earth during this time of the end.
So were the "remaining" ones of the WTS favored....even though they still used the "pagan" cross, celebrated birthdays and Christmas, used pyramidology to determine bible chronology, still believed that Christ's presence begain in 1874..........
Christians--only jws
What about the WTS involvement in the UN as a non-governmental organization....was that powerful evidence of the rightness of God's sovereignty?
Q 11. What continues to be the main goal of God's enemies?
11. Throughout the time of the end, Satan has incited his earthly agents to oppose the anointed remnant and their other sheep companions. That happened in Western Europe under the Nazis and in Eastern Europe under the Communist government of the Soviet Union. It also happened in many other lands, and it will happen again, especially during the final attack of Gog of Magog. In that attack, opposers may greedily seize the property and possessions of Jehovah's people, as enemies have done in the past. Satan's main goal, however, has always been to break us up as a people so that our God-given name will be remembered no more. How does Jehovah react to such defiance of his sovereignty? Look back at the words of the psalmist.
So was the WTS the only religion the Nazis and Communists opposed?
Notice that the WTS has not identified who Gog of Magog is and when the final attack is and what the attack is.
Jehovah's people--only jws
A Pattern for Jehovah's Victory
Q 12-14. What two historic victories near the city of Megiddo does the psalmist call to mind?
12. Note the psalmist's strong faith in Jehovah's ability to frustrate the plans of enemy nations. He weaves together two decisive victories of Israel over its enemies near the ancient city of Megiddo, which dominated a valley plain of the same name. During the summer, the dry bed of the Kishon River can be seen winding through the valley plain. After a winter downpour, the river floods the plain. Perhaps for that reason, the river is
also called "the waters of Megiddo." -Judg. 4: 13; 5:19.
ancient city--plain--Megiddo but no mention of "mountain"
13. About 15 kilometers across the valley from Megiddo lies the hill of Moreh where in the days of Judge Gideon, the combined troops of Midianites, Amalekites, and Easterners gathered to wage war. (Judg. 7:1, 12) Gideon's small force finally numbered only 300 men, but with Jehovah's help, they routed the large enemy force. How? Following God's direction, they surrounded the enemy camp at night holding jars that
concealed flaming torches. When Gideon gave the signal, his men smashed the jars and the hidden torches were suddenly revealed. At the same time, they blew their horns and shouted: "Jehovah's sword and Gideon's!" The enemy were thrown into confusion, and they turned to killing one another; survivors fled across the Jordan River; Meanwhile, more Israelites joined in pursuit of the enemy. Altogether, 120,000 enemy soldiers were slaughtered.-Judg. 7:19-25; 8:10.
OT--Gideon--are jws then going to slaughter humans?
14. Some six kilometers beyond the hill of Moreh, across the valley from Megiddo, lies Mount Tabor. There, Judge Barak had earlier gathered 10,000 Israelite troops to confront the army of ]abin, the Canaanite king of Hazor, under the command of his military chief Sisera. This Canaanite army had 900 war chariots equipped with deadly long blades of iron that turned with the wheels. As Israel's poorly equipped troops assembled on Mount Tabor, Sisera's army was lured into the valley. Then, "Jehovah began to throw Sisera and all his war chariots and all the camp into confusion." Likely, a sudden downpour of rain caused the chariots to get bogged down because of the overflowing Kishon River. The entire army was slaughtered by the Israelites. -Judg. 4:13-16; 5:19-21.
OT--Judge Barak (what happened to Deborah?)
OT--Sisera (what happened to Jael?)
Q 15. (a) What does the psalmist pray that Jehovah will do? (b) Of what does the name of God's final battle remind us?
15. The psalmist begs Jehovah to do something similar to the nations who threaten Israel's existence in his day. He prays: "Do to them as to Midian, as to Sisera, as to Jabin at the torrent valley of Kishon. They were annihilated at Endor; they became manure for the ground." (Ps. 83:9, 10) Significantly, God's final war against Satan's world is called Har-Magedon (meaning "Mountain of Megiddo"), or Armageddon. That name reminds us of the dramatic battles that took place near Megiddo. Jehovah's victory in those ancient wars assures us of his certain triumph in the battle of Armageddon.-Rev. 16:13-16.
Satan's world--all non-jws
Where's Jesus?
Armageddon--literal place, if not, what?
Pray for Jehovah's Vindication
Q 16. How have the faces of opposers been 'filled with dishonour’ today?
16. Throughout these "last days," Jehovah has thwarted all efforts to eliminate his people. (2 Tim. 3:1) As a result, opposers have been shamed. Psalm 83:16 foreshadowed this when it said: "Fill their faces with dishonor, that people may search for your name, O Jehovah." In country after country, opponents have failed miserably in their effort to silence Jehovah's Witnesses. In those lands, the steadfastness and endurance of worshippers of the one true God have served as a witness to righthearted ones, and many have 'searched for Jehovah's name.' In a number of lands where Jehovah's Witnesses were once viciously persecuted, there are now tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands, of happy praisers of Jehovah. What a triumph for Jehovah! And how embarrassing for his enemies!-Read Jeremiah 1:19.
his people--only jws...yes "their effort to silence Jehovah's Witnesses" not any other religion. Of course, no other religion has been persecuted for their faith!
praisers of Jehovah or praisers of Christ, witnesses of Jesus (Acts 1:
Q 17. What critical situation faces mankind, and what words will we soon remember?
17. We know, of course, that the battle is not over. And we continue to preach the good news-even to opposers. (Matt. 24:14, 21) However, the opportunity now open to such opposers to repent and gain salvation will soon come to an end. The sanctification of Jehovah's name is far more important than human salvation. (Read Ezekiel 8:23.) When the nations combine in the foretold earth-wide effort to destroy God's people, we will remember these words of the psalmist's prayer: "O may they be ashamed and be disturbed for all times, and may they become abashed and perish." -Ps. 83: 17.
preach even to opposers--even "apostate" ex-jws?
salvation--only as baptized jw
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*** w06 4/1 p. 24 par. 11 ‘Go and Make Disciples, Baptizing Them’ ***The second question asks the candidate, first of all, if he understands that his baptism serves to identify him as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. After undergoing immersion, he becomes an ordained minister who bears Jehovah’s name. This is both a great privilege and a serious responsibility. It also puts the one baptized in line for eternal salvation, provided he remains faithful to Jehovah.
God's people--only jws
Q 18, 19. a) What awaits determined opposers ofJehovah's sovereignty? (b) How does the approaching final vindication of Jehovah's sovereignty affect you?
18. A humiliating end awaits determined opposers of Jehovah's sovereignty. God's Word reveals that those who" do not obey the good news" --and for this reason are executed at Armageddon--will suffer "everlasting destruction." (2 Thess. 1:7-9) Their destruction and the survival of those who worship Jehovah in truth will be convincing evidence that Jehovah is the only true God. In the new world, that great victory will not be forgotten. Those who come back in the "resurrection of ... the righteous and the unrighteous" will learn of Jehovah's great act. (Acts 24:15) In the new world, they will see convincing evidence of the wisdom of living under Jehovah's sovereignty. And meek ones among them will quickly be convinced that Jehovah is the only true God.
God's great act--where's any mention of Jesus?
everlasting destruction--even babies!
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*** w52 1/15 p. 43 par. 22 Training Children for Life in the New World ***
Therefore this proves that minor children of Christian parents are indirectly sanctified or counted worthy of protection in God’s sight until they reach the age of individual responsibility. Hence in this day of final judgment since 1918 parents are responsible for the final destiny of their minor children. When Armageddon strikes all minor children who are not under such “family merit” arrangement will meet annihilation with no hope of a resurrection. This is strongly indicated at Ezekiel 9:6 (AS), where it is written: “Slay utterly the old man, the young man and the virgin, and little children and women; but come not near any man upon whom is the mark.”
19. What a marvelous future our loving heavenly Father has prepared for his faithful worshippers! Are you not moved to pray that Jehovah will soon provide a final answer to the psalmist's prayer to Jehovah: "May [your enemies] become abashed and perish; that people may know that you, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth"?-Ps. 83:17, 18.
faithful worshippers--only jws
Where's Jesus?
Can You Explain?
What situation faced Israel when Psalm 83 was written?
What was the primary concern of the writer of Psalm 83?
Who have been the object of Satan's enmity today?
How will Jehovah finally answer the prayer expressed in Psalm 83:18?
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
Where is Jesus and what is his role according to the WTS in today's world?
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*** w05 12/1 p. 4 Armageddon—A Happy Beginning ***
Note, however, that at Revelation 16:16, Armageddon is called a “place.” In the Bible, “place” may signify a condition or a situation—in this case, that the entire world will be united in its opposition to Jehovah. (Revelation 12:6, 14) At Armageddon all earthly nations ally themselves against “the armies that were in heaven” under the military command of the “King of kings and Lord of lords,” Jesus Christ.—Revelation 19:14, 16.
Since 1969, the linking of Christ and Armageddon has dropped dramatically in the WTS publications per the WT-CD....hmmmm.
What proof has the WTS provided in this article that they alone are Satan's target?
As to the weather, we now have had more snow so far this winter than last, a record since they started keeping records.