So I have been texting with an inactive friend all day. She sent a text this morning asking me if I had had second thoughts and decided to go to memorial after all. I told her 'no, did you have second thoughts and decide not to go?'
She went. So then I told her that it occurred to me recently that the memorial is really just for the anointed so I didn't need to be there. Her response was that she has always gone to memorial and feels she should show her appreciation for Jesus sacrifice. Then she tells me that Jesus spoke about the 'other sheep' during the Lord's evening meal. (what?)
So I asked her when Jesus spoke about the other sheep. Her response? Matthew 20:28 where it says Jesus gave his soul a ransom in exchange for many. (?!) So I texted, "That scripture doesn't apply only to the other sheep and it wasn't said during the last supper. The only scripture that uses the term other sheep is at John 10:16 and it is long before JC death. Then I mentioned John 6:53-59 where jc says no one can gain everlasting life without partaking of his blood and flesh.
Her response? But the anointed didn't really eat his flesh or drink his blood either. It was symbolic. I have the same doubts as you. I just know the answers that I've been told my whole life. Rev 7:14, 15 says the other sheep washed their robes in the blood of the lamb.
My response? Thats the problem, isn't it? When a person has doubts they need to carefully examine things for themselves, like the Beroeans. Revelation doesn't say other sheep either.
Her response? It doesn't hurt to examine. Just don't be misled by your own reasoning.
Okay, I have heard that saying many times and never realized how stupid it sounded until today. Yeah! Don't let your mind tell you anything contrary to the Watchtower organization because that will mislead you. God forbid we use our own minds!!
And as for my friend, we have known each other our whole lives and grown up in the same cong. She left school to pioneer and has never gotten her diploma. She has never read the bible all the way through (which is obvious by her clearly uneducated responses) I love her as my oldest friend but cannot believe her obtuseness.
OMG! She just messaged me her response and now I am angry. "I can't argue with your reasoning. But I hate to see you throw away a lifetime of service to Jehovah because your just not sure anymore. what if your mom and dad are resurrected and you're not there?"
Wow! Nothing like piling it on. Now I am actually afraid of answering for fear my anger will come through. I don't want to alienate her. I think I will wait on this one...