What about the Tribulation?

by Retrovirus 9 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • Retrovirus
    Retrovirus

    The tribulation was not specifically covered in my "Bible studies". But the main "teacher" several times said how she prayed for strength that she would remain true to Jehovah when she was tested "in the persecutions".

    So, I understand that there has to be some sort of tribulation and persecution of the faithful before Armageddon. Have I got that right?

    Why I'm confused is that every stock market dip, new virus or extreme weather event is hailed as the beginning. But didn't the Bible say not to be alarmed at such things? Seems to me that the only trustworthy sign would be this tribulation.

    So would it need to be global? Take any particular form? Any information would be appreciated.

    thanks, Retro

  • bigmouth
    bigmouth

    I'll give you a quick rundown... The tribulation is a synonym for the battle of Armageddon. JW's expect that, being the only true servants of God, when the end of the system is imminent Satan will cause the world and its leaders to persecute, harrass and imprison them alone.Then Jehovah does his thing.

    JW's worry if they're not being picked on. Persecution, real or imagined, is considered a proof that they are God's people.

    When bad things happen in the world, JW's get a morbid thrill as each disaster could signal the start of Armageddon.

    Share market crash......"this could be it!". Tsunami in Japan....."Hooray! natural disasters!" Earthquake deaths in New Zealand...."Fantastic! 'Earthquakes in one place after another'".

    Get the idea? They will be wallowing in this masochism for another hundred years in my opinion.

  • wobble
    wobble

    Just be clear in your own mind that all of JW's teaching on this and other matters is totally without foundation. It is a fiction.

    They perceive a " time of trouble" that will precede the Big A, and individual JW's dramatise this in their own addled minds,therefore every crisis is seen as the prelude to this time.

    There is no foretold "Tribulation" to come, and Armageddon is a total myth.

    Live in the real world, live your life to the full, get as far away from JW Fantasy/La La land as you can.

  • Vanderhoven7
    Vanderhoven7

    The Tribulation and Armageddon came and went in century uno.

  • mindseye
    mindseye

    bigmouth summarized it well...Tribulation is the epic battle befo' the big A goes down. It accounts for much of the 'crisis porn'.

  • blondie
    blondie

    The WTS teaches that

    1) There will be a call that "peace and security" has been acheived (1 Th 5:3)

    *** w04 2/1 p. 21 par. 11 "The Scene of This World Is Changing" ***The apostle Paul foretold that just before this system of things is destroyed, there will be a notable expression of satanic propaganda. He wrote: "Whenever it is that they are saying: ‘Peace and security!’ then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them just as the pang of distress upon a pregnant woman."—1 Thessalonians 5:3; Revelation 16:13.

    2) The GT starts when elements of the UN will attack and destroy all religions except jws

    *** w97 5/1 pp. 17-18 par. 17 No Peace for the False Messengers! ***Shortly, "crazed" members of the UN will be maneuvered by Jehovah to turn on false religion, as described at Revelation 17:16: "These will hate the harlot and will make her devastated and naked, and will eat up her fleshy parts and will completely burn her with fire." This will mark the start of the great tribulation that is referred to at Matthew 24:21 and that will climax at Armageddon, the war of the great day of God the Almighty.

    3) Satan or Gog of Magog will attack jws with the view to destroying them

    *** w07 8/15 p. 26 pars. 17-18 Jehovah Is a Lover of Justice ***Satan and his followers will soon come against Jehovah’s worshippers in an attempt to stamp them out. (Ezekiel 38:14-23) That will be part of what Jesus called the "great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again." (Matthew 24:21) Will Satan’s attack succeed? No. God’s Word assures us: "Jehovah is a lover of justice, and he will not leave his loyal ones. To time indefinite they will certainly be guarded; but as for the offspring of the wicked ones, they will indeed be cut off. The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it."—Psalm 37:28, 29. The attack by Satan and his horde on Jehovah’s servants will be the final insult. Jehovah foretold through Zechariah: "He that is touching you is touching my eyeball." (Zechariah 2:8) It is as if someone were thrusting a finger in Jehovah’s eyeball. He will respond immediately and eliminate the perpetrators.

    4) God will step in to protect jws which starts Armageddon where all non-jws on earth will be destroyed forever and Satan and his angels/demons will be abyssed for a 1,000 years.

  • transhuman68
    transhuman68

    Supposedly when the Witnesses are the only religion left, they will be so annoying that they will be persecuted. But they have always been really annoying, and nuthin has ever happened...

  • TheyCantDoATing Man
    TheyCantDoATing Man

    Remember after Jesus had described all the bad stuff (earthquakes, famine, war etc) he outright said "DO NOT BE ALARMED THE END IS NOT YET"

    Repeat, The End is NOT YET.

  • clarity
    clarity

    When I was in dub land, those 'warning' scriptures kept me stuck to "mother", looking for the answers and the way out.

    Now when I read them I chuckle and think ....wow they must love printing those words ... knowing full well how their slaves will react!!

    bastards!

    clarity

  • Retrovirus
    Retrovirus

    Thank you all for your replies and helpful information.

    @Bigmouth - so the tribulation is the start of Armageddon? And yes, I'd noticed the masochism. Once I asked my "study conductor" a bit skeptically "so the bird flu could be the beginning? . . and GFC could?" and she replied eagerly, "yes, any of them could!"

    @Wobble Thanks. I realised the wt "literature" was nonsense because I have a science degree, but I know very little about the Bible and interpretations

    @Vanderhoven7 I'm sure you are right, that they happened in the first century.

    @Blondie Thanks, that is very clear! So, a call that 'peace and security' have been achieved; then a UN-lead attack on all religions other than jws, then Satan or Gog attacks jws and finally, just in time, Armageddon. Then there's no reason to suppose that any natural or man-made crisis signals Armageddon since no-one is claiming that peace and security have been achieved, nor is there a world-wide attack on religion. It must be hard for jws to really believe it's all about to happen. . .

    @transuman68

    @TheyCantDoATingMan Thanks, that's what I was trying to say in the OP, agree entirely!

    @clarity - Bastards indeed! It's sad to see people so convinced by something so illogical!

    Retro

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