Just a few loose ends and random thoughts for a select group of readers who have not been completely defrauded of your faith.
On the topic of stumbling: Stumbling typically involves the mistakes of others whether real or perceived. The reason Jehovah does not consider any stumbling block as a valid reason for abandoning one’s faith is because a person’s faith should be in Jehovah and Christ in the first place. And since God most assuredly did not let his worshipper down, what a fellow believer does or does not do should have no bearing upon our personal relationship with our heavenly Father. The problem lies in the feebleness of faith in the one stumbled. That’s why Paul, in discussing the issue of stumbling, said that: “the weak man eats vegetables.” (Out of fear that the meat might have been offered to some phony deity)
Another problem seems to be human naivety; that is: the unrealistic assumption that if an organization claims to be God’s people then they must be perfect or nearly so. Many apparently are burdened with the task of pretending that the Society can do no wrong, and when presented with evidence to the contrary either flatly deny the facts or exhibit in some other way that their faith is unable to cope with an unpleasant reality. This is the test of true faith that apparently, sooner rather than later, that all of Jehovah’s Witnesses will be confronted with.
It is unfortunate that stumbling blocks exist in the first place, but that’s just the kind of world we live in for now. Jesus said very plainly that, “causes for stumbling are inevitable.” We are also left with Christ’s words found in prophecy, which foretold that during his parousia, “many will be stumbled.” It’s been my observation though over the years that people chose their stumbling blocks. If that is not the case, then why are some stumbled and others are not over the very same issues? For example: Jesus told all his disciples that they had to eat his flesh and drink his blood. Yet some were stumbled and left off following him and others weren’t. If you recall the instance, Jesus made no attempt to reclaim by clarification those who feigned shock and disgust, but instead turned to his handful of faithful apostles and said: “You do not want to go away also do you?” No apostate can offer any genuine spiritual alternative today either.
On the occasion when Jesus said that causes for stumbling were inevitable, he also pronounced woe upon those through whom the stumbling blocks come. That means that God holds his own people accountable. Ezekiel 36:15 should be of no small interest to those who would like a reason to remain as Jehovah Witnesses in the face of the deep things of Satan’s accusations that readers of this board have been exposed to. First, let it be realized that the Accuser’s accusations are not necessarily all false. Yet, it is Jehovah’s judgments that ultimately determine how our case will be resolved. Anyway, the verse in Ezekiel says something to the effect that God will no more allow humiliating talk concerning his people. The charges against us are that “Israel” is a ‘devourer of humankind and a nation that bereaves of children.’ That pretty much encapsulates the accusations of Satan’s apostate mouthpiece that we are a blood guilty cult that breaks up families and causes children to die by brainwashing their parents into not allowing blood transfusions. Interestingly, that verse concludes with Jehovah saying to his servant class: “And no more will you stumble your nations.”
So, God acknowledges that his organization is guilty of setting stumbling blocks before the nations that they are seeking to enlighten. The context of the prophecy is that Jehovah chastises and cleanses his people. That this prophecy would likely have a future fulfillment is indicated by the fact that Jehovah says that no more will God’s people be the object of humiliating talk on the part of the nations. Obviously, we are just beginning the initial phase of a public denunciation of Jehovah’s Witnesses and God has yet to intervene and set things straight.
As regards the recent revelations about the Watchtower relationship with the UN as an NGO: From my standpoint, this is one of the most significant events as far as the fulfillment of Bible prophecy is concerned. I seriously doubt if the brothers involved even have any idea of the trap that they have stepped in. That’s the nature of traps and stumbling blocks. On the other hand, it may well be the work of plants, who, by their smooth words, have deliberately sabotaged the Society without anyone being quite aware of the extent. At any rate, there is more reason now than ever before for Jehovah's loyal ones to anticipate a total house cleaning. That, of course, is exactly what Christ promises to do when he arrives for his final inspection. / You Know