Comments You Will Not Hear at the 02-11-07 WT Study (January 1, 2007, pages 20-25)(MUST BECOME JOYFUL)
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
w = Watchtower
g = Awake
jv = Proclaimers book
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WT pubs/quotes www.reexamine.org
WT child abuse www.silentlambs.org
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United Nations
http://www.randytv.com/secret/unitednations.htm***see w80 2/15 p. 8 Joyful Festivals with theme scripture: "You must become nothing but joyful."—Deut. 16:15.
"YOU MUST BECOME NOTHING BUT JOYFUL"
"You will celebrate the festival to Jehovah . . . , and you must become nothing but joyful. "-DEUTERONOMY 16:15.
Opening Comments
I thought when I read this article that I had had this hammered into me before. Almost 27 years ago, "faithful" JWs were studying this same material. It does illustrate how long the WTS has been using OT scriptures to supposedly educate people on how to live a Christian life. While early on some Jewish Christians might have continued celebrating Jewish festivals, it was not required of the Gentile Christians or any Christians for that matter. But staying with those festivals was viewed as not progressing.
Notice again the large of amount of snippets rather than whole scriptures and statements of doctrine without development or support in the paragraph. Is this lack of development a clue to why so many JWs today cannot explain their beliefs using the Bible? Do we who have left the WTS, use other people’s words and opinions to base our beliefs on or can we explain them either using the Bible or logic personally developed through examination or primary or at least secondary sources of information? Will strings of scriptures convince anyone?
START OF ARTICLE
Q1) (a) What issues did Satan raise? (b) What did Jehovah foretell following the rebellion of Adam and Eve?
1) When Satan led Adam and Eve into rebellion against their Creator, he raised two issues of vital importance. First, he challenged Jehovah's truthfulness and the rightness of his way of ruling. Second, Satan implied that humans would serve God only out of self-interest. The latter issue was stated explicitly in the time of Job. (Genesis 3:1-6; Job 1:9, 10; 2:4, 5) Nevertheless, Jehovah acted quickly to handle the situation. Even while Adam and Eve were still in the garden of Eden, Jehovah foretold how He would resolve the issues. He foretold the coming of a "seed" who, after having his heel bruised, would fatally bruise Satan in the head.-Genesis 3:15.
OT account
— Adam and Eve and SatanActed quickly to handle the situation
— according to WTS chronology it has been 6,033 years; quickly?Notice how very complicated statements of belief/doctrine are made with very little development. Even the scriptures are merely cited not quoted.
Q2) What light did Jehovah shed on how he would fulfill the prophecy recorded at Genesis 3:15?
2) As time went by, Jehovah shed increasing light on that prophecy, thus demonstrating the certainty of its eventual fulfillment. For example, God told Abraham that the "seed" would appear among his descendants. (Genesis 22:15-18) Abraham's grandson Jacob became father to the 12 tribes of Israel. In 1513 B.C.E., when those tribes became a nation, Jehovah gave them a system of laws that included various annual festivals. The apostle Paul said that those festivals were "a shadow of the things to come." (Colossians 2:16, 17; Hebrews 10:1) They contained foregleams of the outworking of Jehovah's purpose for the Seed. Observing those festivals caused great joy in Israel. A brief consideration of them will strengthen our faith in the reliability of Jehovah's promises.
OT—Abraham
OT—Jacob
OT---Jewish festivals
Shed increasing light on that prophecy
— an allusion to Proverbs 4:18 the scripture the WTS trots out to explain why their previous explanation of some prophecy in the Bible did not turn out as they expected.Foregleams
— ever heard that word used in conversation or non-JW publications?Another reference to Proverbs 4:18
Fore"gleam` n.An antecedent or premonitory gleam; a dawning light. |
The Seed Appears
Q3) Who was the promised Seed, and how was his heel bruised?
3) More than 4,000 years after Jehovah's original prophecy, the promised Seed appeared. It was Jesus. (Galatians 3:16) As a perfect man, Jesus kept his integrity to the death and thus proved that Satan's accusations were lies. In addition, since Jesus was sinless, his death was a sacrifice of great value. By means of it, Jesus provided deliverance from sin and death for faithful descendants of Adam and Eve. Jesus' death on the torture stake was the `bruising in the heel' of the promised Seed.-Hebrews 9:11-14.
More than 4,000 years after…original prophecy
— quickly?!Jesus provided deliverance from sin death for faithful descendants of Adam and Eve
— does that mean that the "unrighteous" will not be resurrected? Who will not be resurrected—people who died in the flood, Sodom and Gomorrah (depends on which WTS publication you are reading), destruction of Jerusalem in 587 (607) BCE or 70 CE?Torture stake
— until 1931 the cross appeared on the cover of the WTS and was totally eliminated from their doctrinal slate until 1936.*** yb75 p. 148 Part 2—United States of America ***
Some three years thereafter, beginning with its issue of October 15, 1931, TheWatchtower no longer bore the cross and crown symbol on its cover.
*** jv chap. 14 p. 200 "They Are No Part of the World" ***
In 1936 (Riches book) it was pointed out that the evidence indicates that Christ died on a stake, not a two-beamed cross
Q4) How was Jesus' sacrifice foreshadowed?
4) Jesus died on Nisan 14, 33 C.E.* (Footnote: * Nisan corresponds to March/April on our present calendar.) In Israel, Nisan 14 was the joyous day of the Passover celebration. Each year on that day, families shared a meal that included a young, unblemished lamb. In this way, they remembered the role that the blood of a lamb played in the deliverance of the Israelite firstborn when the angel of death slew the firstborn of the Egyptians on Nisan 14, 1513 B.C.E. (Exodus 12:1-14) The Passover lamb foreshadowed Jesus, of whom the apostle Paul said: "Christ our passover has been sacrificed." (1 Corinthians 5:7) Like the blood of the Passover lamb, Jesus' shed blood provides salvation for many.-John 3:16, 36.
Nisan 14 was the joyous day of the Passover celebration
— is the Memorial celebrated by the WTS on Nisan 14 a joyous day in your memory?Jesus’ shed blood provides salvation for many
— not those who died in the Flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or Armageddon; what about those who died in 607 (587) BCE or 70 CE?`The Firstfruits of the Dead'
Q5, 6) (a) When was Jesus resurrected, and how was that event foreshadowed in the Law? (b) How did the resurrection of Jesus make the fulfillment of Genesis 3:15 possible?
5) On the third day, Jesus was raised back to life in order to present the value of his sacrifice to his Father. (Hebrews 9:24) His resurrection was foreshadowed during another festival. The day after Nisan 14 saw the beginning of the Festival of Unfermented Cakes. On the next day, Nisan 16, Israelites brought a sheaf of the firstfruits of the barley harvest, the earliest harvest in Israel, for the priest to wave before Jehovah. (Leviticus 23:6-14) How appropriate that in the year 33 C.E., on that very day, Jehovah thwarted Satan's vicious efforts to silence forever his "faithful and true witness"! On Nisan 16, 33 C.E., Jehovah resurrected Jesus from the dead to immortal spirit life.-Revelation 3:14; 1 Peter 3:18.
His resurrection was foreshadowed during another festival---unfermented cakes
Resurrected—firstfruits—immortal life
6) Jesus became "the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep in death." (1 Corinthians 15:20) Unlike those who had been resurrected before, Jesus did not die again. Rather, he ascended to heaven to Jehovah's right hand, where he waited until he would be installed as King of Jehovah's heavenly Kingdom. (Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:32, 33; Hebrews 10: 12, 13) Since his installment as King, Jesus is now in a position to bruise the great enemy, Satan, in the head permanently and to destroy his seed.-Revelation 11:15, 18; 20: 1-3,10.
Since his installation as king
—33 CE or 1878 CE or 1914 CE?33 CE
— Jesus wasn’t king?…the WTS differentiates that the heavenly kingdom did not begin till long after 33 CE.1878 CE
*** jv chap. 28 p. 632 Testing and Sifting From Within ***
Based 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 CE paralleled the beginning of an invisible presence in 1874, then his riding into Jerusalem as King in the spring of 33 CE would point to the spring of 1878 as the time when he would assume his power as heavenly King.
More Members of Abraham's Seed
Q7) What was the Festival of Weeks?
7) Jesus was the Seed who was promised in Eden and by means of whom Jehovah would "break up the works of the Devil." (1 John 3:8) However, when Jehovah spoke to Abraham, He indicated that Abraham's "seed" would be more than just one person. It would be "like the stars of the heavens and like the grains of sand that are on the seashore." (Genesis 22:17) The appearance of other members of the "seed" was foreshadowed by yet another joyful festival. Fifty days after Nisan 16, Israel celebrated the Festival of Weeks. The Law about this states: "To the day after the seventh Sabbath you should count, fifty days, and you must present a new grain offering to Jehovah. Out of your dwelling places you should bring two loaves as a wave offering. Of two tenths of an ephah of fine flour they should prove to be. They should be baked leavened, as first ripe fruits to Jehovah." * (Footnote: *In this wave offering of the two leavened loaves, often the priest held the loaves in the palms of his hands, raised his arms, and moved the loaves from side to side. This motion symbolized the presenting of the sacrificial things to Jehovah.-See Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 2, page 528, published by Jehovah's Witnesses.) -Leviticus 23:16,17, 20.
Other members of the "seed" was foreshadowed by…Festival of Weeks
What did the two loaves picture per the WTS—groups with different "hopes"?
See Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 2, page 528, published by Jehovah's Witnesses. (I pulled my copy of this and it says on the inside leaf "Publishers WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK, INC. AND INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.
[Picture on page 21] Like the blood of the Passover lamb, Jesus' shed blood provides salvationfor many
Q8) What outstanding event took place at Pentecost 33 C.E.?
8) When Jesus was on earth, the Festival of Weeks was known as Pentecost (from a Greek word meaning "fiftieth"). At Pentecost 33 C.E., the greater High Priest, the resurrected Jesus Christ, poured out holy spirit upon the small group of 120 disciples gathered in Jerusalem. Thus those disciples became anointed sons of God and brothers of Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:15-17) They became a new nation, "the Israel of God." (Galatians 6:16) From small beginnings, that nation would finally number 144,000.-Revelation 7:1-4.
Pentecost…120 disciples— were there any women there?
Why does the WTS usually avoid stating a round number about the number attending?
(Acts 1:15-16) Now during these days Peter rose up in the midst of the brothers and said (the crowd of persons was all together about one hundred and twenty): 16 "Men, brothers. . .
Yet it is known that Philip’s daughters had the gift of the holy spirit…prophecy.
And Joel 2:28,29 is quoted by Peter which mentions women receiving spirit.
What happened to the other 380 that were present to see the resurrected Jesus?
(1 Corinthians 15:6-8) 6 After that he appeared to upward of five hundred brothers at one time, the most of whom remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep [in death]. 7 After that he appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8 but last of all he appeared also to me as if to one born prematurely.
Became anointed sons of God and brothers of Jesus Christ—did you know that the WTS teaches that only the anointed have this designation, that the other sheep don’t gain this distinction until after they pass the final test at the end of the 1,000 reign of Christ?
***w0411/1p.13par.17HappyServantsofJehovah***The peaceable "other sheep" serve Jehovah under the Fine Shepherd, Christ Jesus, who becomes their "Eternal Father." (John 10:14, 16; Isaiah 9:6) Those who successfully pass the final test after the Millennial Reign of Christ will be adopted as Jehovah’s earthly sons and "have the glorious freedom of the children of God."
Q9, 10) How was the congregation of anointed Christians foreshadowed during Pentecost?
9) The congregation of anointed Christians was foreshadowed by the two leavened loaves waved before Jehovah each Pentecost. The loaves' being leavened showed that anointed Christians would still have the leaven of inherited sin. Nevertheless, they could approach Jehovah on the basis of Jesus' ransom sacrifice. (Romans 5:1, 2) Why two loaves? That may have pointed to the fact that the anointed sons of God would eventually be drawn from two groups-first from natural Jews and later from Gentiles.-Galatians 3: 26-29; Ephesians 2:13-18.
The congregation of anointed Christians was foreshadowed by the two leavened loaves waved before Jehovah each Pentecost.
Why two loaves? That may have pointed to the fact that the anointed sons of God would eventually be drawn from two groups-first from natural Jews and later from Gentiles
Where do the Samaritans fit in there? The WTS had a bright light moment years back and said there were 3 keys of the kingdom used by Peter, Jews, Samaritans, Gentiles…why not 3 loaves?
Notice 2 groups yet both are identified as anointed Christians why then are the 2 flocks identified by the WTS as anointed and non-anointed? And later in this article 2 goats are identified as anointed and non-anointed?
10) The two loaves offered at Pentecost came from the firstfruits of the wheat harvest. Correspondingly, those spirit-begotten Christians are called "certain firstfruits of his creatures." (James 1:18) They are the first to have their sins forgiven on the basis of Jesus' shed blood, and that makes it possible for them to be granted immortal life in the heavens, where they rule with Jesus in his Kingdom. (1 Corinthians 15:53; Philippians 3:20, 21; Revelation 20:6) In that position, one day soon they will "shepherd the [nations] with Jesus resurrected an iron rod" and see `Satan crushed under their feet.' (Revelation 2:26, 27; Romans 16: 20) The apostle John said: "These are the ones that keep following the Lamb no matter where he goes. These were bought from among mankind as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb."-Revelation 14:4.
They are the first to have their sins forgiven on the basis of Jesus' shed blood, and that makes it possible for them to be granted immortal life in the heavens, where they rule with Jesus in his Kingdom.
According to the WTS those not going to heaven also have their sins forgiven…does that make them eligible for immortal life in heaven?
One day soon they will "shepherd the [nations] with Jesus"— did you know that the WTS teaches that the anointed JWs will be fighting in heaven?SOON…SOON…SOON
But remember WTS, you are not ruling as kings on earth now.
Are they following Christ wherever he goes or are they telling Christ where he is going?
[Picture on page 22] The firstfruits of the barley harvest offered on Nisan 16 foreshadowed Jesus' resurrection
A Day Emphasizing Deliverance
Q11, 12) (a) What happened on Atonement Day? (b) What benefits did Israel receive from the sacrifices of the bull and the goats?
11) On the tenth day of Ethanim (later called Tishri),* (Footnote: * Ethanim, or Tishri, corresponds to September/October on our present calendar.) Israel celebrated a festival that foreshadowed how the benefits of Jesus' ransom sacrifice would be applied. On that day the whole nation came together for the Day of Atonement to have sacrifices offered in their behalf for the covering of their sins.-Leviticus 16:29, 30.
Did you notice that Atonement Day is about the same time as the WTS schedules the Annual Meeting, times the beginning of prophetic periods, starts the service year?
Whole nation— remember they are Israelites and supposedly picture "spiritual" Israelites12) On Atonement Day, the high priest slaughtered a young bull, and in the Most Holy, he spattered some of its blood seven times before the cover of the Ark, thus representatively offering the blood before Jehovah. That offering was for the sins of the high priest and "his house," the underpriests and the Levites. Then the high priest took two goats. One he slaughtered as a sin offering "for the people." Some of its blood too was sprinkled before the cover of the Ark in the Most Holy. Afterward, the high priest laid his hands on the head of the second goat and confessed the errors of the sons of Israel. Then he had the goat led off into the wilderness to carry away the nation's sins in a symbolic way.-Leviticus 16:3-16, 21, 22.
Bull…high priest and "his house," the underpriests and the Levites
Goat…"for the people"— the Israelite peopleQ13) How did events on Atonement Day foreshadow the role that Jesus plays?
13) As those acts foreshadowed, the great High Priest, Jesus, uses the merit of his own lifeblood to provide forgiveness of sins. First, the value of his blood is applied to the "spiritual house" of 144,000 anointed Christians, enabling these to be declared righteous and enjoy a clean standing before Jehovah. (1 Peter 2:5; 1 Corinthians 6:11) This is foreshadowed by the sacrifice of the bull. Thus the way is opened for them to receive their heavenly inheritance. Second, the value of Jesus' blood is applied in behalf of millions of others who exercise faith in Christ, as shown by the sacrifice of the goat. These will be blessed with everlasting life here on earth, the inheritance that Adam and Eve lost. (Psalm 37:10, 11) On the basis of his shed blood, Jesus carries away the sins of mankind, just as the live goat in a token way carried the sins of Israel off into the wilderness.-Isaiah 53:4, 5.
"spiritual house" of 144,000 anointed Christians— did only the tribe of Levi picture the 144,000 or did the whole nation of Israel per the WTS doctrine? Millions of others who exercise faith in Christ— only JWs because there have been billions who have died that will be resurrected (per the WTS).CARROT —Everlasting life here on earthSins of mankind…sins of Israel— how is that possible if only the 144,000 are "spiritual" Israelites?
[Picture on page 23] The two loaves offered at Pentecost foreshadowed the congregation of anointed Christians
Rejoicing Before Jehovah
Q14, 15) What happened during the Festival of Booths, and of what did this remind the Israelites?
14) After the Atonement Day, the Israelites celebrated the Festival of Booths, the most joyful festival of the Jewish year. (Leviticus 23:34-43) That festival took place from the 15th to the 21st of Ethanim and concluded with a solemn assembly on the 22nd of the month. It marked the end of the ingathering of the harvest and was a time of thanksgiving for the abundant goodness of God. For that reason, Jehovah commanded the celebrants: "Jehovah your God will bless you in all your produce and in every deed of your hand, and you must become nothing but joyful." (Deuteronomy 16:15) What a happy time that must have been!
Festival of Booths (ingathering)—was God really commanding them to be happy? Can even God force anyone to be happy?
15) During that festival, the Israelites dwelled in booths for seven days. They were thus reminded that at one time they had dwelled in booths in the wilderness. The festival gave them ample opportunity to reflect on Jehovah's fatherly care. (Deuteronomy 8: 15, 16) And since all, wealthy and poor alike, dwelled in booths that were similar, the Israelites were reminded that in relation to the festival, they were all equal.-Nehemiah 8: 14-16.
Dwelled in booths that were similar, the Israelites were reminded…they were all equal
Perhaps this technique could be used at the conventions…it might humble a few who think they are "entitled" to free rooms while poor single mothers struggle to save their pennies to get to a convention 200 miles away.
[Picture on page 24] The Festival of Booths foreshadowed the joyous ingathering of anointed ones and of "a great crowd" from all nations
Q16). What was foreshadowed by the Festival of Booths?
16) The Festival of Booths was a harvest festival, a joyful celebration of ingathering, and it foreshadowed the joyous ingathering of those who exercise faith in Jesus Christ. The ingathering began at Pentecost 33 C.E., when Jesus' 120 disciples were anointed to become part of "a holy priesthood." As the Israelites lived in booths for a few days, anointed ones know that they are mere "temporary residents" in this ungodly world. Their hope is a heavenly one. (1 Peter 2:5, 11) That ingathering of anointed Christians reaches its conclusion during these "last days," when the final ones of the 144,000 are gathered.-2 Timothy 3:1.
Israelites lived in booths = anointed ones know that they are mere "temporary residents"
So does the nation of Israel represent only the anointed or the non-anointed other sheep?
Q17, 18) (a) What indicates that others besides anointed Christians benefit from Jesus' sacrifice? (b) Who today are benefiting from the antitypical Festival of Booths, and when will that joyful festival reach its climax?
17) It is noteworthy that during this ancient festival, 70 bulls were offered. (Numbers 29:12-34) The number 70 represents 7 multiplied by 10, numbers that in the Bible represent heavenly and earthly perfection. Hence, the sacrifice of Jesus will benefit faithful ones from all 70 families of mankind that descended from Noah. (Genesis 10:1-29) In harmony with that, in our time the ingathering has widened out to include individuals from all nations who exercise faith in Jesus and have the hope of living on a paradise earth.
So did you miss the connection with the 70 families with the 70 bulls? Israel again equals the 144,000 but not others except through this confusin connection with Noah.
CARROT— Hope of living on a paradise earth18) The apostle John saw this modern-day ingathering in vision. First he heard the announcing of the sealing of the final ones of the 144,000. Then he saw "a great crowd, which no man was able to number," standing before Jehovah and Jesus, with "palm branches in their hands." These "come out of the great tribulation" into the new world. They too are now mere temporary residents in this old system of things, and they look forward with confidence to the time when "the Lamb ... will shepherd them, and will guide them to fountains of waters of life." At that time, "God will wipe out every tear from their eyes." (Revelation 7:1-10, 14-17) The antitypical Festival of Booths will reach its climax after the end of the Thousand Year Reign of Christ when they along with faithful resurrected ones are granted everlasting life.-Revelation 20:5.
And once again the WTS leaps to Revelation and makes the connection with the 144,000 and great crowd with no development.
Festival of Booths climaxes at the end of the 1000 reign of Christ and then and only then do the receive EVERLASTING LIFE.
Q19) How do we benefit from a consideration of the festivals celebrated in Israel?
19) We too can be "nothing but joyful" as we meditate on the meaning of the ancient Jewish festivals. It is thrilling to consider that Jehovah provided foregleams of how his prophecy given back in Eden would be fulfilled, and it is exciting to see its actual fulfillment taking place step-by-step. Today, we know that the Seed has appeared and that he has been bruised in the heel. Now he is a heavenly King. Further, most of the 144,000 have already proved their faithfulness to the death. What remains to be done? How soon will the prophecy be completely fulfilled? This will be discussed in the following article.
See its actual fulfillment step-by-step— in the case of the WTS it is 1 step forward and 2 steps back and sometimes a step to the side—sort of a do-si-do. Most of the 144,000…faithfulness to the death— yet 234 more signed on last year and the numbers have not decreased in the last 20 years. How soon will the prophecy be completely fulfilled— they just said not until the end of the 1,000 year reign of Christ. Now when did that start?
*** w68 8/15 p. 499 par. 30 Why Are You Looking Forward to 1975? ***
Are we to assume from this study that the battle of Armageddon will be all over by the autumn of 1975, and the long-looked-for thousand-year reign of Christ will begin by then? Possibly, but we wait to see how closely the seventh thousand-year period of man’s existence coincides with the sabbathlike thousand-year reign of Christ. If these two periods run parallel with each other as to the calendar year, it will not be by mere chance or accident but will be according to Jehovah’s loving and timely purposes.
*** w70 2/15 p. 120 The Days of Creation from God’s Viewpoint ***
Actually these six thousand years have been, as it were, man’s workweek, in which he labored by the sweat of his face. But he will get rest during the coming thousand-year reign of Christ, which Bible chronology and fulfillment of Bible prophecy show is to begin very soon.—Gen. 2:3.
*** w74 1/1 p. 8 A Thousand Years of Relief for Mankind ***
According to the Bible’s timetable, we are near the end of six thousand years of human history, and Christ’s royal reign for the relief and rehabilitation of mankind to perfection is at our doors.
Can You Explain?
- What was foreshadowed by the Passover lamb?
- What ingathering was foreshadowed by the Festival of Pentecost?
- What features of the Atonement Day pointed to the way that Jesus' ransom sacrifice is applied?
- In what way is the ingathering of Christians foreshadowed by the Festival of Booths?
Concluding Comments
Next week is the article on when the first resurrection took place. For years, we were told that it began in 1918 at which time the war in heaven was over and Satan and demons had been cast out and confined to the earth. Can’t be resurrecting people to heaven when a war is going on and the house is filthy (WTS reasoning). I wonder why they are moving this date? Well, next week, I plan on digging up statements on this. This article on the festivals was just as boring as it was in 1980.
I am still battling a bad, bad cold. First one in 5 years. It is still cold outside and we are just doing indoor chores. Irreverent has been holding my hand per Dansk’s orders. When I see how the US government spends my money, I figure I must be a wealthy woman.
Love, Blondie