You have encountered what I call the "talking from both sides of their mouth" syndrome. Or you could call it their CYA tactic.
Blondie
Hmmm..So they claimed to be a prophet..yet this SCAN says they DON'T??
by Lady Liberty 17 Replies latest watchtower bible
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Lady Liberty
Do as I say and not as I do..
Sincerely,
Lady Liberty
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Mary
Good post LL. Here's another lovely little scan I found (in my grandmother's supply of old literature). Check out the top of the second scanned page:
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2112
I believe it was Freud that said "If you teach a dog a trick, and the first time he does it you reward him and the next time you beat him, and keep alternating this, he will eventually go mad". Or something to that effect. Could this type of double-speak not have the same effect on the JW's? They read one "truth" from an unchanging God, then they hear a contradictory "truth" from that same unchanging God. It has to make the a bit unstable.
In their subconsious they must have a battle, at least I know I did when I was in. I would hate myself for not understanding and worry that I was a failure to God. I remember one year we got two books at the convention, The Revelation book and the Insite book I believe. I pointed out to two Elders, one being my dad, that the two books contradicted each other on the resurection of the Sodomites. One said they would be and the other said they wouldn't be. This bothered me but their answers, really bothered me more. One said "I don't know why you would look for thing like this, obvously you need to study more and reach out more". Of course he said nothing about the contradiction. But what my dad said was really strange. You must realise my dad was ex-secrete service, so he is/was very intelligent. His responce was, he closed the books and said "I don't see any contradiction now"
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Lady Liberty
His responce was, he closed the books and said "I don't see any contradiction now"
Dear 2112,
Absolutely AMAZING, but somehow not shocking to me anymore! I think there are a HUGE number of those, especially older ones who have been in long enough to see the changes and contradictions, that just want to pretend nothing is strange. They would rather live a lie then get to the bottom of whats going on. It is true brainwashing. We are glad you are out!! How about your dad now?? Is he still in??
Sincerely,
Lady Liberty
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Lady Liberty
Thanks to Alan Feuerbacher once again...we can see even more claims NOT to be a prophet....
See his link: http://corior.blogspot.com/2006/02/part-4-wts-says-it-is-prophet-and.html#uninspired
Or, go to Google, type in Watchtower Research, its under part 4, The WTS Says It Is A Prophet And Inspired.
Here is what the Reasoning book says:
Reasoning Book page 136
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notJehovah’sWitnessesmadeerrorsintheirteachings?Jehovah’s Witnesses do not claim to be inspired prophets. They have made mistakes. Like the apostles of Jesus Christ, they have at times had some wrong expectations.—Luke 19:11; Acts 1:6.
…….It is true that the Witnesses have made mistakes in their understanding of what would occur at the end of certain time periods, but they have not made the mistake of losing faith or ceasing to be watchful as to fulfillment of Jehovah’s purposes.
…….Matters on which corrections of viewpoint have been needed have been relatively minor when compared with the vital Bible truths that they have discerned and publicized.
Realatively minor changes?? WHATEVER!! How about all those who refused fractions or organ transplants and died because of it! Then later the "policy" changes, to then be a "conscience" matter!! It is heartbreaking to know there are families who have had to live the rest of their lives without their parents, children, mates, friends all because they were loyal to a changing policy. Unfortunately the policy didn't change in time for them...I hardly think this is MINOR!!
Jehovah and Jesus DONOTCHANGE!
Sincerely,
Lady Liberty
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moomanchu
fjtoth,
Good illustration.
This is what is so difficult when faced with the the facts about jws.
You come to the realization that they are diametrically opposed to god.
They are actually helping Satan.
It's hard for me to write this and think about this right now, even after all these years.
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AuldSoul
Insight On the Scriptures—Volume 2, pp. 696-697, "Prophet"
Distinguishing the True From the False. In some cases, such as that of Moses, Elijah, Elisha, and Jesus, God’s prophets performed miraculous works that attested to the genuineness of their message and office. Not all, however, are recorded as performing such powerful works. The three essentials for establishing the credentials of a true prophet, as given through Moses, were: The true prophet would speak in Jehovah’s name; the things foretold would come to pass (De 18:20-22); and his prophesying must promote true worship, being in harmony with God’s revealed word and commandments (De 13:1-4). The last requirement was probably the most vital and decisive, for an individual might hypocritically use God’s name, and by coincidence, his prediction might see fulfillment. But the true prophet was not solely or even primarily a prognosticator, as has been shown. Rather, he was an advocate of righteousness, and his message dealt primarily with moral standards and their application. He expressed God’s mind on matters. (Isa 1:10-20; Mic 6:1-12) Hence, it was not necessary to wait perhaps for years or generations to determine whether the prophet was true or false by fulfillment of a prediction. If his message contradicted God’s revealed will and standards, he was false. Thus, a prophet who foretold peace for Israel or Judah, at a time when the people were engaging in disobedience to God’s Word and Law, of necessity was false.—Jer 6:13, 14; 14:11-16.
Jesus’ later warning concerning false prophets paralleled that of Moses. Though using his name, and giving "signs and wonders to lead astray," their fruits would prove them "workers of lawlessness."—Mt 7:15-23; Mr 13:21-23; compare 2Pe 2:1-3; 1Jo 4:1-3.
The true prophet never foretold simply to satisfy human curiosity. Every prediction related to God’s will, purpose, standards, or judgment. (1Ki 11:29-39; Isa 7:3-9) Often the future events foretold were the consequence of existing conditions; as the people sowed, so they would reap. The false prophets lulled the people and their leaders with soothing assurances that, despite their unrighteous course, God was still with them to protect and prosper them. (Jer 23:16-20; 28:1-14; Eze 13:1-16; compare Lu 6:26.) They imitated the true prophets, employing symbolic language and actions. (1Ki 22:11; Jer 28:10-14) While some were outright frauds, many were evidently prophets who became delinquent or apostate. (Compare 1Ki 18:19; 22:5-7; Isa 28:7; Jer 23:11-15.) Some were women, false prophetesses. (Eze 13:17-23; compare Re 2:20.) A "spirit of uncleanness" replaced God’s spirit. All such false prophets were to be put to death.—Zec 13:2, 3; De 13:5.
As to those measuring up to the divine standards, the fulfillment of certain "short-range" prophecies, some being accomplished in just a day or a year, gave basis for confidence that their prophecies relating to a more distant future would also see fulfillment.—1Ki 13:1-5; 14:12, 17; 2Ki 4:16, 17; 7:1, 2, 16-20.Again, by their own words they stand condemned, and they are "inexcusable" because they condemn others for what they do. (Romans 2:1, 2)
Respectfully,
AuldSoul
