I was just fowarded this from a faithful Dub. It sounds fishy to me, like one of those e mail hoaxes that go around. What do you think?
Subject: Special Talk on September 30 2001
Hi, Everyone! We had a special talk today, and I just
wanted to share some of the key points. This may
ramble on a bit, because I am writing as I remember,
and my notes are never in order, either.
We had a talk given by a speaker from Brooklyn Bethel.
He has been at Bethel since the 1950's. Originally
slated to be given in August, this brother had to go
abroad for several weeks, and the talk was postponed.
Are we ever glad of that! A new talk was written, and
given, and words cannot express my gratitude to the
governing body for allowing him to come down to NC.
The talk was given in a public park in Greensboro,
outside (everyone brought chairs, lunch and
blankets)and six congregations were officially
invited, with others allowed to come, including the
public. 1067 people showed! I got there about five
minutes before it started, and there was a "sea" of
people already there. I was in the last row when it
started. By the time it ended, there were 5-10 rows
behind me!
Point discussed:
1. Islam is now larger than Christendom. According to
the mankind search for God book, the inside map shows
the amount of people in major religions. The numbers
for the Islamic religion is now much larger. So all
this time that we were looking at Christendom to be
this large factor, it could very well be the Islamic
groups instead. They are so large, and with all that
has happened in the past three weeks, the religion has
aggravated the King of the North and the Wild Beast.
They will be looking for a way to rid themselves of a
large group.
2. We were urged to read Ezekiel 38 and 39.
3. The end is rushing up to meet us. The signs are all
there. After a disaster, people have all these
feelings. When it reaches anger, that is when to watch
around us. This is when action is likely to be taken.
4. No neutrality or pacifism will be allowed by
governments. They will insist we take a side, and when
we don't, they can use this as an excuse to take
action against us. We could be termed a 'dangerous
sect.' We can look for all property owned by the
watchtower society to be seized. Branches, land,
farms, kingdom halls. They might use the excuse that
they need the land to fund wars or something of that
possessions. Money, property, things, will be
meaningless to us. Only our heavenly treasures will
have value. Some of us may have to find shelter with
other witnesses.
5. We will have no legal rights to speak of. Going to
court, the police, etc. Any rights gained by us to
date will not exist.
The bible does not tell us how far things will go-
only that we will wait on God to take action.
The Kings of the North and South prophesies are
coming true. They are very important to us, even
though we don't know who the king of the north is yet.
He also brought out that we don't understand
everything yet, and may not have complete
understanding before this all occurs. If I did not
interpret this comment correctly I apologize. This is
how I heard it. It does make sense. All through
history, many things were understood afterward.
Hindsight, so to speak.
8. Gog of Magog is also important. He will be spewing
his rage, because of the witnesses of Jehovah. He will
do anything he can to destroy us. Daniel 11:45.
. This will be worse than any war ever fought on
earth before.
Other scriptures mentioned in connection to these
points: Eze 38:10, 13, 16, 22; Isaih 30:15; Zachariah
14: 12, 13
10. No matter what happens to us during this time, we
can take comfort that God is with us. Romans 8:31.
There are more with us than are with them. Psalms
56:11, 118:16; 16:8. God will not save each and every
one of his witnesses from death, but we have too much
value to him for him to let us all be exterminated.
11. Apostates are rampant, (Matthew 24:24)waiting for
a time when they can publicly denounce God's people.
That doesn't mean they are not active now. They are
publishing materials and speaking loudly. But it will
get worse. And as Jesus and Paul pointed out, there
will be traitors in the congregation. Probably more
than we have thought there would be. Because of this
we need to be cautious- Never let the right hand
know...And as today's watchtower put it, cautious as
serpents and gentle as doves. There will be no need
for some to know everything, especially the
government.
12. Physical signs. Matthew 24:29. These will happen.
The celestial signs will occur( i.e. sun darkened,
moon not there), and in such a manner as to leave
people in no doubt as to who is causing them. These
will be in conjunction with his vengeance on those
persecuting his people. Zephaniah 1:17, 18. How can
they hurt us if they have no eyes to see us? How can
they pull a trigger if they have no arms? As Matthew
24 points out, (verses 30-31)there will also be an
angelic presence in the heavens- a visible one. He
in the heavens, sword drawn, with the angels behind
him. THESE SIGNS WILL TAKE PLACE.
13. There will probably be a time when the preaching
work will slow drastically. Our main focus may be on
keeping alive and enduring.
In regard to September 11, 2001:
This is the opportunity to comfort people. The
brothers in NY are using bibles and brochures, and
leaving book bags home. They have been asking people
how they feel, and listening to whatever they say.
Don't shy away from the vengeance issue. Even God
allows for Justice. Just listen to them. As Luke 4,
puts it, we are to bind up the broken hearted. The
society has provided tools, water and food to workers
an volunteers, and housed 50 victims after the
tragedy.
If people ask why we don't wear a symbol, we can
tell them what we have done. If asked why we aren't
publicizing this fact, we can tell them that God sees
our good works, and thats all the praise and
recognition we need.
3. 1 brother confirmed dead, 14 missing and presumed
dead, some elders from the Bronx.
4. Read experience "witnessing at ground zero". If you
have not received this, let me know and I will forward
it to you.
A brother was working in a NY restaurant. The
owners were going to have candlit vigil for all
patrons on a certain date. On the day, they asked the
brother to lead them in prayer. The brother prayed to
Jehovah, asking him to provide to comfort to all
effected by this tragedy, and endurance to those
suffering because of it. Afterwards, the owners
thanked him for his wonderful words, and the
restaurant patrons did as well.
Well, this is all I have. I am sure I will remember
more later, and that other people will have notes.
I feel so privileged to have been able to be there and
seen the great multitudes serving God. Oh yes, he also
urged all who were not yet baptized to do so
IMMEDIATELY, at once, and those who were visiting to
speak with a witness about a bible study, and all who
were disfellowshipped to take the steps needed to
return to the truth.
I hope these notes help and encourage you to do your
utmost, since the end is coming faster than we can
imagine.