Below is an Email---just another example in a long history of having Bethel speakers speculate on issues and matters that will never be put into print- yet for the poor listeners they leave with a feeling of NEW LIGHT
we have all seen this type of info from the boys from bethel only to be told that IT WAS THE BRO OPINION and not the Org- WHEN THE SH!T hit s the fan
the Org is fully aware that they have men with 20-50 yrs of bethel service out there giving Goof Balls talks and building up the Hope of the Rank and file KNOWING full well it will never happen or be true
how sad indeed
James
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> > Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2001 6:44 PM
> > 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
> > > nature. Many of our brothers will lose their material
> > > 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.
> > >
> > > 6. The bible does not tell us how far things will go-
> > > only that we will wait on God to take action.
> > >
> > > 7. 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.
> > >
> > > 9. 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
> > > asked us if we could imagine our enemies seeing Jesus
> > > 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:
> > >
> > > 1. 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.
> > >
> > > 2. 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.
> > >
> > > 5. 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.
> > >
> > > Love to all,
> > >
> > > Kim