Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 09-11-10 WT Study (OUGHT)

In the WTS who judges whether their members are the type of persons they ought to be? The DO, CO, elders, their wives, MS, their wives, the pioneers, the “mature” jws? Who can decide who is not repentant and should be df’d, who is not good association and should be marked and give a talk to the congregation, the rank and file and judge individuals worthy of being bad association?

START OF ARTICLE

1. Why was Peter’s second letter a timely exhortation

to Christians in his day?

WHEN the apostle Peter wrote his second

inspired letter, the Christian congregation had

already endured much persecution, but this

had not dampened its zeal or slowed its growth.

So the Devil employed another tactic,

one that had succeeded many times before.

As revealed by Peter, Satan tried to corrupt God’s

people by means of false teachers who had “eyes full

of adultery” and “a heart trained in covetousness.”

(2 Pet. 2:1-3, 14; Jude 4) Accordingly,

Peter’s second letter is a heartfelt exhortation

to faithfulness.

COMMENTS

The “Christian congregation” mentioned here are only “anointed” jws. While the WTS has tried to show that it means the “other sheep,” there were no other sheep at the time this phrase was coined.

Notice how the WTS takes the scriptures above “false teachers” “eyes full of adultery” and “a heart trained in covetousness” to apply to people who put the bible ahead of WTS teachings.

Remember Jesus was called a “son of fornication” by the religious leaders to discount his words. Was Peter a “false teacher” when he joined Jewish Christians in shunning Gentile Christians? Was it wrong for Paul to correct one of the twelve apostles, one of the older men that has testified how God had accepted the Gentiles?

(Galatians 2:11-14) 11 However, when Ce′phas came to Antioch, I resisted him face to face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before the arrival of certain men from James, he used to eat with people of the nations; but when they arrived, he went withdrawing and separating himself, in fear of those of the circumcised class. 13 The rest of the Jews also joined him in putting on this pretense, so that even Bar′na·bas was led along with them in their pretense. 14 But when I saw they were not walking straight according to the truth of the good news, I said to Ce′phas before them all: “If you, though you are a Jew, live as the nations do, and not as Jews do, how is it that you are compelling people of the nations to live according to Jewish practice?”

2. What is the focus of 2 Peter chapter 3, and what

questions should we ask ourselves?

2 Peter wrote: “I consider it right, as long

as I am in this tabernacle, to rouse you up by

way of reminding you, knowing as I do that

the putting off of my tabernacle is soon to

be . . . So I will do my utmost also at every

time that, after my departure, you may be

able to make mention of these things for

yourselves.” (2 Pet. 1:13-15) Yes, Peter knew

that his death was near, but he desired that

his timely reminders would live on. And, indeed,

they became part of the Bible and can

be read by all of us today. Chapter 3 of Peter’s

second letter is of particular interest

to us, for it focuses on “the last days” of the

present system of things and on the destruction

of the figurative heavens and earth.

(2 Pet. 3:3, 7, 10) What counsel does Peter

have for us? How will applying his counsel

help us to merit Jehovah’s approval?

COMMENTS

Why did Peter feel his death was near? Notice the WTS says “perhaps” and “evidently.”

(John 21:18-19) 18 Most truly I say to you, When you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk about where you wanted. But when you grow old you will stretch out your hands and another [man] will gird you and bear you where you do not wish.” 19 This he said to signify by what sort of death he would glorify God. So, when he had said this, he said to him: “Continue following me.”

***w71 12/15 p. 768 Questions From Readers ***

Viewing the words of John 21:18, 19 apart from tradition, we would come to the following conclusion: In his younger years Peter was able to gird himself at will for whatever duty he wanted to perform. He had the liberty to go where he wanted to go. But in later life this would change. He would have to stretch out his hands, perhaps in submission to someone else. Another man would take control of him, girding Peter (either binding him or preparing him for what was to come) and bearing him to a place where he did not want to go, evidently the place of execution. Thus Jesus’ prophecy regarding Peter indeed indicated that the apostle would die a martyr’s death; but the manner of this death is not necessarily implied.

-----------------------------------

Did the early Christians believe that “the end” was yet more than 2,000 years in the future?

3, 4. (a) What exclamation did Peter make, and

what warning did he give? (b) What three points

will we consider?

3 After mentioning the dissolution of Satan’s

world, Peter stated: “What sort of persons

ought you to be in holy acts of conduct

and deeds of godly devotion!” (2 Pet. 3:11,

12) Evidently, he was not posing a question

but making a rousing statement, an exclamation.

Peter knew that only those who do

Jehovah’s will and exhibit godly traits will

be preserved through the coming “day of

vengeance.” (Isa. 61:2) Thus, the apostle

added: “You, therefore, beloved ones, having

this advance knowledge, be on your

guard that you may not be led away with

them[false teachers] by the error of the law defying

people and fall from your own

steadfastness.”—2 Pet. 3:17.

COMMENTS

Satan’s world = all non-jws = death of all non-jws

Evidently……………….

Only those who do Jehovah’s will = only jws = preserved through “the coming day of vengeance”

A bracketed entry…something that is not in the bible text but added by the WTS

“led away with them [false teachers]”

Notice no brackets in the general copy of the NWT, no mention of “false teachers”

(2 Peter 3:17) YOU, therefore, beloved ones, having this advance knowledge, be on YOUR guard that YOU may not be led away with them by the error of the law-defying people and fall from YOUR own steadfastness.

4 Being among those who had “advance

knowledge,” Peter knew that in the last days,

Christians would have to be especially on

guard in order to maintain their integrity.

Later, the apostle John clearly explained

why. He foresaw Satan’s eviction from heaven

and his “great anger” against those “who

observe the commandments of God and

have the work of bearing witness to Jesus.”

(Rev. 12:9, 12, 17) God’s loyal anointed

servants along with their faithful “other

sheep” companions will come off victorious.

(John 10:16) But what about us individually?

Will we maintain our integrity? We

will be helped to do so if we strive to (1) cultivate

godly qualities, (2) remain morally

and spiritually spotless and unblemished,

and (3) have the right view of trials. Let us

consider these points.

COMMENTS

“advanced knowledge” = what did they know? Not the day or the hour or the year as some jws have “joked” about.

Was it any more necessary to maintain integrity in their time than in Abraham’s or Lot’s or Jeremiah’s?

Notice that Christians had the work of “bearing witness to Jesus” not Jehovah.

A two-tiered arrangement for Christians—only anointed jws are servants, the other sheep are only companions of anointed jws.

Can an individual jw maintain spiritual spotlessness by being a member of an organization that has changed its doctrines many times over since 1879?

Can an individual jw maintain a moral standing before God by being a member of an organization that only reports sexual abuse of children to the secular authorities if there is a secular law? Is not God’s law above man’s?

Cultivate Godly Qualities

5, 6. What qualities should we strive to cultivate,

and why does this take “earnest effort”?

5 Early in his second letter, Peter wrote:

“By your contributing in response all earnest

effort, supply to your faith virtue, to

your virtue knowledge, to your knowledge

self-control, to your self-control endurance,

to your endurance godly devotion, to your

godly devotion brotherly affection, to your

brotherly affection love. For if these things

exist in you and overflow, they will prevent

you from being either inactive or unfruitful

regarding the accurate knowledge of our

Lord Jesus Christ.”—2 Pet.1:5-8.

COMMENTS

Is Peter referring to being active by turning in a monthly time slip and having at least the “national average” of ten hours?

Is being unfruitful mean not being able to “report” on the slip, magazines placed, books placed, return visits made, bible studies conducted?

6 True, it takes “earnest effort” to share in

activities that help us cultivate godly qualities.

For example, it takes effort to attend all

Christian meetings, to read the Bible daily,

and to maintain a good personal study program.

And it may require hard work along

with good planning to have a regular, enjoyable,

and meaningful Family Worship evening.

But once we get into a good routine,

wholesome habits become easier—especially

when we taste the benefits.

COMMENTS

Christian meetings = only meetings with jws

Can a jw study not using the WTS publications?

Family Worship evening = a newly named thing for jws = used to be called the Weekly Family Study

Are married couples without children at home required to do this?

What about single people who live together; are they required?

I wonder how many jws are doing this? About as many as had Weekly Family Studies.

7, 8. (a) What have some said about the Family

Worship evening? (b) How are you benefiting from

your family worship?

7 Concerning the family worship arrangement,

a sister writes: “It allows us to learn

about so many subjects.” Another says: “To

be honest, I did not want the book study to

end. It was my favorite meeting. But now, as

we have our Family Worship night, I realize

that Jehovah knows what we need and when

we need it.” A family head states: “Family

worship helps us tremendously. Having a

meeting tailored to our specific needs as a

couple is great! We both feel that we are improving

in displaying the fruitage of the

holy spirit, and we are finding more joy than

ever in our ministry.” Another family head

says: “The children are doing their own research

and are learning much—and they enjoy

it. The arrangement just makes us more

confident that Jehovah knows our concerns

and answers our prayers.” Do these sentiments

reflect your view of this wonderful

spiritual provision?

COMMENTS

So why does the WTS capitalize “family worship” is some places and not others?

It seems that they are trying hard to push the “arrangement.”

How is it any different than the old “weekly family study” arrangement?

I’m sure that the “new” arrangement is not followed any more than the old.

I knew many elders who never had a family study if there were no longer any children at home. One sister envied me because my husband had a “family” study with me; her husband never did, they studied separately.

Who “knows what we need and when we need it”?

How many couples study together?

How many jw children do their own research? How many adult jws do their own research and rather run to the elders to tell them what to do?

So “family worship” is an answer to jw prayers; although it is no different than the original family study arrangement?

Who would admit it if they did not like this “new” arrangement?

8 Do not allow minor things to interfere

with family worship. A married couple

said, “Every Thursday night for the last four

weeks, something happened in our family

that almost stopped us from having our

study, but we did not let it interfere.” Of

course, at times you may have to adjust your

schedule. Still, be determined not to cancel

your Family Worship evening—not even for

one week!

COMMENTS

What is a minor thing? What interfered with the family study arrangement before?

A big football game—many elders let this interfere with meetings at the KH and assemblies.

A favorite tv show

Hunting—ditto

Secular employment

Elder stuff

Too tired—I can remember an elder that fell asleep every time

Can jws spread it out over the week like below?

***w08 9/15 pp. 14-15 Increase in Accurate Knowledge With “Eagerness of Mind” ***

While the above suggestions can help us on an individual level, what can a busy family do? Why not sit down together for a relaxed discussion of the potential benefits of family study? Out of that discussion may come practical ideas, such as getting up a few minutes earlier each day or on certain days in order to consider a portion of the Bible. Or perhaps your discussion will reveal the need to adjust the family schedule. For example, some families have found it practical to discuss the text for the day or to read a portion of the Bible at the conclusion of a family meal. Before anyone starts to clear the table or leaves for another activity, the family spends 10 or 15 minutes discussing the Scriptures or doing the scheduled Bible reading. At first, this might seem a bit challenging, but soon it could become normal for the family and very pleasurable.

9. How did Jehovah sustain Jeremiah, and what can

we learn from his example?

9 The prophet Jeremiah serves as a fine example

for us. He needed the spiritual sustenance

he received from Jehovah and deeply

appreciated it. That nourishment enabled

him to preach with endurance to an unresponsive

people. “The word of Jehovah . . .

proved to be like a burning fire shut up in my

bones,” he said. (Jer. 20:8, 9) It also helped

him to endure the hard times that climaxed

with the destruction of Jerusalem. Today, we

have the complete written Word of God.

When we study it diligently and make God’s

thoughts our thoughts, we, like Jeremiah,

will be able to endure joyfully in the ministry,

stay faithful through trials, and remain

morally and spiritually clean.—Jas. 5:10.

COMMENTS

OT example—Jeremiah

So did Jeremiah have a family study? He wasn’t even married and had no children.

Jeremiah lived in a time where the religious system was corrupt and condemned to destruction; he himself was preaching that message.

Are they suggesting that Jeremiah had access to a deficient portion of God’s Word? Were Jesus and his followers wronged because all they had was the Hebrew Scriptures?

Make God’s Word our thoughts or the publications of the WTS and their unwritten directives?

Remain “Spotless and Unblemished”

10, 11. Why must we do our utmost to remain

“spotless and unblemished,” and what does that require

of us?

10 As Christians, we know we are living in

the time of the end. Therefore, we are not

surprised that the world has become obsessed

with things that Jehovah detests, such

as greed, sexual depravity, and violence. Satan’s

strategy might be summed up in this

way: ‘If God’s servants cannot be frightened,

perhaps they can be corrupted.’ (Rev. 2:13,

14) Hence, we must take to heart Peter’s loving

admonition: “Do your utmost to be

found finally by [God] spotless and unblemished

and in peace.”—2 Pet. 3:14.

COMMENTS

Christians—only jws

Other religions teach this is the time of the end

All but jws are greedy, sexually depraved, and violent?

11 The expression “do your utmost” is similar

to Peter’s earlier exhortation to contribute

“all earnest effort.” Clearly, Jehovah

—the one who inspired Peter to express

those sentiments—knows that we need to

exert ourselves to remain “spotless and unblemished,”

untainted by the filth of Satan’s

world. Exerting ourselves includes protecting

our heart from being overtaken by

wrong desires. (Read Proverbs 4:23; James 1:

14,15.) It also includes standing firm against

those who are puzzled about our Christian

way of life and who “go on speaking abusively

of [us].”—1 Pet. 4:4.

COMMENTS

Utmost—DO MORE

Filth of Satan’s world—all non-jws

Christian way of life—only jws

Picture: What will help you husbands to cultivate

godly qualities in you and your family?

12. What assurance do we find at Luke 11:13?

12 Because of our imperfection, it is a

struggle to do what is right. (Rom. 7:21-25)

We can hope to succeed only if we turn to Jehovah,

who generously gives holy spirit to

those sincerely asking him. (Luke 11:13)

That spirit, in turn, nurtures within us qualities

That merit God’s approval and that help

us to cope not only with life’s temptations

but also with its trials, which may well increase

as Jehovah’s day draws near.

COMMENTS

Turn to Jehovah—where’s Jesus

Does he give holy spirit to non-jws? No.

Jehovah’s day draws NEAR—announced by jws for over 100 years—near?

Let Trials Strengthen You

13. When trials arise in our life, what will help us to

endure?

13 As long as we live in this old system of

things, trials of one form or another are inevitable.

But instead of becoming downhearted,

why not view trials as an opportunity to

confirm your love for God and to refine

your faith in him and his Word? The disciple

James wrote: “Consider it all joy, my

brothers, when you meet with various trials,

knowing as you do that this tested quality of

your faith works out endurance.” (Jas. 1:

2-4) Remember, too, that “Jehovah knows

how to deliver people of godly devotion

out of trial.”—2 Pet. 2:9.

COMMENTS

Trials—downhearted—God’s happy people?

Love for God—where’s Jesus?

Deliver people—only jws

14. How does Joseph’s example encourage you?

14 Consider the example of Jacob’s

son Joseph, who was sold into slavery

by his own brothers. (Gen. 37:23-28;

42:21) Did Joseph’s faith crumble as

a result of that act of cruelty? Did he

become embittered against God for

allowing evil to befall him? God’s

Word clearly answers no! Moreover,

that was not the end of Joseph’s

trials. Later, he was falsely accused of

attempted rape and was imprisoned.

Once again, though, he never wavered

in his godly devotion. (Gen. 39:9-21)

Rather, he let trials strengthen

him, and for this he was richly rewarded.

COMMENTS

OT—Joseph

His brothers tried to murder him

15. What can we learn from the example of Naomi?

15 Granted, trials can sadden or

even depress us. Perhaps Joseph felt that way

at times. Other faithful servants of God certainly

did. Consider Naomi, who lost both

her husband and her two sons. “Do not call

me Naomi,” she said. “Call me Mara [meaning

“Bitter”], for the Almighty has made it

very bitter for me.” (Ruth 1:20, 21, ftn.)

Naomi’s reaction was natural and understandable.

Like Joseph, though, she neither

stumbled spiritually nor wavered in her integrity.

Jehovah, in turn, rewarded that precious

woman. (Ruth 4:13-17, 22) What is

more, in the earthly Paradise to come, he

will undo all the harm caused by Satan and

his wicked world. “The former things will

not be called to mind, neither will they

come up into the heart.”—Isa. 65:17.

COMMENTS

Do you think having your brothers try to murder you might make you “depressed”?

OT—Naomi

Today jws would say that Naomi brought her problems on herself moving to Moab, people not allowed to become Jews by conversion, letting her sons marry Moab women…saying that she earned her trials, that they were from God.

Picture: What can we learn

from how Joseph dealt

with trials?

16. What should be our attitude toward prayer, and

why so?

16 No matter what trials may befall us,

God’s love is there to sustain us. (Read Romans

8:35-39.) Though Satan will not stop

trying to discourage us, he will fail if we remain

“sound in mind” and “vigilant with a

View to prayers.” (1 Pet. 4:7) Jesus said: “Keep

awake, then, all the time making supplication

that you may succeed in escaping all

these things that are destined to occur, and

in standing before the Son of man.” (Luke

21:36)Note Jesus’ use of the word “supplication,”

which is a very earnest form of prayer.

By admonishing us to make supplication, Jesus

emphasized that this is no time to be casual

about standing before him and his Father.

Only those standing in an approved

Condition will have the prospect of surviving

Jehovah’s day.

COMMENTS

Trials—from Satan or due to our own bad choices?

Those standing in an approved condition—only jws—will survive Jehovah’s day

Keep Active in Jehovah’s Service

17. If your witnessing territory is a challenge, how

can you benefit from the good example of the

prophets of old?

17 Sharing in spiritual activities refreshes

us. This calls to mind Peter’s words: “What

sort of persons ought you to be in holy acts

of conduct and deeds of godly devotion!”

(2 Pet. 3:11) Foremost among those deeds is

the proclaiming of the good news. (Matt. 24:

14) True, in some territories the preaching

Work may be a challenge, perhaps because of

apathy or opposition or simply because people

are preoccupied with the everyday concerns

of life. Jehovah’s servants of old had to

contend with similar attitudes. Yet, they

never gave up but kept going back “again

and again” with their God-given message.

(Read 2 Chronicles 36:15, 16; Jer. 7:24-26)

What helped them to endure? They viewed

their assignment from Jehovah’s point of

view, not from that of the world. Also, they

considered it the greatest honor to bear

God’s name.—Jer.15:16.

COMMENTS

Do jws find door to door refreshing? How much time do they spend in it compared to the hours they spend watching tv, movies, listening to music cds,etc?

Territories that are seen as “challenging” are ones where even 30 years hence, people in the community have no idea that jws preach that soon God’s kingdom is coming to wipe all non-jws off the face of the earth, men, women, children, babies.

Is it better to keep going back again and again and fail to be effective in communicating the message?

18. What bearing will the Kingdom-preaching

work have on the future magnifying of God’s

name?

18 We too have the privilege of announcing

Jehovah’s name and purpose. Think of

this: As a direct result of our preaching work,

God’s enemies will not be able to plead ignorance

When they come face-to-face with him

during his great day. Indeed, like Pharaoh of

old, they will know that it is Jehovah who is

acting against them. (Ex. 8:1, 20; 14:25) At

the same time, Jehovah will honor his faithful

servants by making it abundantly clear

that they were, indeed, his representatives.

—Read Ezekiel 2:5; 33:33.

COMMENTS

Announcing God’s name—what about Jesus’ name?****

Plead ignorance

(Acts 4:10-12) 10 let it be known to all of YOU and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom YOU impaled but whom God raised up from the dead, by this one does this man stand here sound in front of YOU. 11 This is ‘the stone that was treated by YOU builders as of no account that has become the head of the corner.’ 12 Furthermore, there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is not another name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved.”

Does the WTS teach that each individual will get a witness?

*** w00 1/15 p. 13 par. 17 “Keep on the Watch”***

Nevertheless, the Bible does not state that Jehovah will wait until every individual on earth has received a personal witness. Rather, the good news must be preached to Jehovah’s satisfaction. Then the end will come.—Compare Matthew 10:23.

*** w95 10/15 p. 26 par. 15 What Future for the Sheep and the Goats?***

Preferring the wicked world, goatlike ones reject the Kingdom message, whether hearing it directly or indirectly.

19. How can we show that we desire to make good

use of Jehovah’s patience?

19 Near the end of his second letter, Peter

wrote to his fellow believers: “Consider the

patience of our Lord as salvation.” (2 Pet. 3:

15) Yes, let us continue to make good use

of Jehovah’s patience. How? By developing

qualities that please him, by remaining

“spotless and unblemished,” by having the

right attitude toward trials, and by keeping

busy in Kingdom service. In so doing, we put

ourselves in line for the endless blessings associated

with the ‘new heavens and new

earth.’—2 Pet. 3:13.

COMMENTS

Right attitude—according to WTS

Busy in Kingdom service==more hours watching tv or?

Do You Recall?

? How can we cultivate godly qualities?

? How can we remain “spotless and

unblemished”?

? What can we learn from Joseph and

Naomi?

? Why is sharing in the preaching work

a great privilege

CONCLUDING COMMENTS

Sorry, this is so late….I’m having a very bad time with my health; it has been very tiring and depressing.

Next week, HAVE A FULL SHARE IN THE GREAT SPIRITUAL HARVEST.

What does “full share” mean; who decides?

What are the wheat and weeds (previous article this year)?

When are they identified and “harvested”; according to the WTS the sheep and goats aren’t identified and separated until the great tribulation starts.

Who does the harvesting?

How much time is spent on television and movies as compared to “preaching”?

Love, Blondie

peacedog

Paragraph 18 says:

Think of this: As a direct result of our preaching work, God’s enemies will not be able to plead ignorance when they come face-to-face with him during his great day.

Does God read hearts or not? To seriously suggest that "pleading ignorance" is a viable option when standing face to face with the omnipotent Creator just reeks of ignorance and simple-mindedness...

Secondly, and more importantly, why should a jw care whether or not "God's enemies...plead ignorance...during his great day"? Why is this noteworthy? For what reason does the WT$ tell jws to "think of this"?

Isn't the insinuation that by participating in the "preaching work", the JW has the opportunity to CONTRIBUTE TO THE DESTRUCTION of "God's enemies" (which of course is ANYONE who rejects the WT$ or its teachings) by taking away his ability to "plead ignorance"?

The WT$ goes on to say:

...they will know that it is Jehovah who is acting against them. At the same time, Jehovah will honor his faithful servants by making it abundantly clear that they were, indeed, his representatives.

So when "Jehovah" is destroying his enemies on his "great day", he'll see to it that they know that the individual JW was indeed God's representative.

This is textbook appeal to emotion (logical fallacy where the position or claim is accepted because of the emotion of approval the individual feels in regard to the position or claim). Sadly, the emotion the WT$ appeals to is less than flattering and says something indeed about the WT$ and (unfortunately) JWs in general.

Peace.

WingCommander

Hi Blondie!

Thanks for this weeks commentary, which must have been especially hard with your health issues plus the sheer boredom of this article to begin with.

The real "meat & potatoes" article should be next week, and I for one can't wait for the spiritual beat-down and guilt trip the flock will yet again receive for watching even the least little bit of TV, or seeing a movie, or having a hobby VS. door-knocking 24/7. My, what a spiritual FEAST next week's article is sure to be!!! Why, I can almost hear the teenagers "sighing and groaning" in their seats already!!

I swear, do the JW's print ANYTHING that resembles TRUE HELP and uplifting of spirits in order to serve their flock, or is this IT?

Next week's WT article title should read, "The Beatings Will Continue Until Field Service Averages Improve."

- Wing Commander

no more kool aid

Thanks Blondie and hope you feel better soon, I really look forward to your weekly WT. NMKA

clarity

Blondie - thanks so much for taking on this mind taxing job, sorry your'e not well! -c

"Next week's WT article title should read, "The Beatings Will Continue Until Field Service Averages Improve." -Wing Commander, .... lol

-

Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 09-11-10 WT Study (OUGHT)

blondie

peacedog

WingCommander

no more kool aid

clarity

Share this