Comments You Will Not Hear at the 11-25-2012 WT Study (SEPTEMBER 15, 2012, pages 28-31)(JOYFUL PEOPLE)
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JEHOVAH
CONGREGATES
HIS JOYFUL
PEOPLE
“Congregate the people,
the men and the women
and the little ones
and your alien resident.”—
DEUT. 31:12.
OPENING COMMENTS
How often the WTS uses OT examples to explain or give authority to something not mentioned in the NT.
No conventions for Christians in the NT so the WTS must reach back in history.
HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER?
Why can it be said that conventions
have been landmarks in
the history of Jehovah’s people?
What efforts did many ancient
Israelites have to make to attend
the festivals in Jerusalem?
Why should you not miss a
convention?
START OF ARTICLE
1, 2. What aspects of theocratic conventions merit our attention?
INTERNATIONAL and district conventions have
been a feature of the modern-day history of Jehovah’s
Witnesses for as long almost of us can
remember. Many of us have attended a number of
these joyful events, perhaps scores of them over the
decades.
COMMENTS
Remember jws have only existed since 1931 renamed that by Rutherford. He himself had been a Bible Student until then. Although Jesus’ followers were called Christians “by divine providence” per the Bible; but that was not good enough, Rutherford renamed those few Bible Students who remained after the fiasco of the prophecy of the end coming in 1925 failed.
Conventions—Early ones last 7 to 8 days and people traveled to one location on earth. This ended in 1958 with the convention in NYC.
Remember that the natural Israelites (all of them) were identified as Jehovah’s Witnesses in Isaiah 43:10-12. They would correspond to “spiritual” Israelites, only anointed jws per the WTS. How is it that the other sheep are included, were they always?
2 Thousands of years ago, God’s people also held
holy conventions. We will review some Scriptural
precedents for modern-day conventions, note similarities
between ancient and modern features of
such gatherings, and focus on benefits received
from attending them.—Ps. 44:1; Rom. 15:4.
COMMENTS
God’s people = Israelites
Israelites were commanded in the Bible to congregate in conventions 3 times a year, men that is.
Where is the scripture(s) in the NT commanding Christians to have conventions?
The similarities are there because the WTS has copied the Jewish way of life making it a “command” for Christians although the NWT says:
(Colossians 2:13, 14) Furthermore, though YOU were dead in YOUR trespasses and in the uncircumcised state of YOUR flesh, [God] made YOU alive together with him. He kindly forgave us all our trespasses 14 and blotted out the handwritten document against us, which consisted of decrees and which was in opposition to us; and He has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the torture stake.
LANDMARK CONVENTIONS, ANCIENT AND MODERN
3. (a) What characterized the first convention of Jehovah’s
people that we have on record? (b) How were the Israelites
called to assemble together?
3 The assembly at the base of Mount Sinai was the
first large gathering of God’s people for spiritual instruction
on record. It truly was a landmark event in
the history of pure worship. On that thrilling occasion,
which participants no doubt never forgot, Jehovah
gave the Israelites a demonstration of his power
when he gave them his Law. (Ex. 19:2-9, 16-19;
read Exodus 20:18; Deuteronomy 4:9, 10.) That event
was key to God’s subsequent dealings with Israel.
Not long thereafter, Jehovah established a means by
which to summon his people. He ordered Moses to
make two silver trumpets that would be used to call
“the whole assembly” to meet “at the entrance of the
tent of meeting.” (Num. 10:1-4) Try to imagine the
excitement on such occasions!
COMMENTS
So has there been such a display at any convention, Bible Student or jw? Did is make them see that God was real? Why only months later the formed a golden calf and worshipped it?
At conventions of jws today, there are the constant reminders to the talking, walking jws that the convention is about to start, take your seat, as they ignore it, the worst offenders the so-called “mature” jws, elders, their wives, etc. They signal with “kingdom” music and they still ignore the “request.”
4, 5. Why were conventions that were held by
Moses and Joshua particularly significant?
4 Toward the end of Israel’s 40-year
sojourn in the wilderness, at a critical
moment in that relatively new nation’s
history, Moses assembled his fellow Israelites.
They were poised to enter the
Promised Land. This was the right time
for Moses to remind his brothers of all
that Jehovah had done for them and all
that he would still do for them.—Deut.
29:1-15; 30:15-20; 31:30.
COMMENTS
These ones were not the original Israelites who reached the Promised Land just months after leaving Egypt. These were the children of the ones who died during the next 40 years for failing to trust God. Even Moses himself would not pass over to this land due to God’s displeasure. Is the WTS going to suggest that conventions since 1882 (WTS) are significant. Rutherford said the ones starting in 1922 Cedar Point did, fulfilling bible scriptures.
5 Perhaps at that same convention,
Moses referred to the regular provision
for the assembly and education of God’s
people. In Sabbath years during the Festival
of Booths, the men, women, children,
and alien residents of Israel were
to congregate in the place Jehovah chose
‘in order for them to listen and in order
for them to learn to fear Jehovah and
take care to carry out all the words of
the law.’ (Read Deuteronomy 31:1, 10-
12.) So at this early stage in the history
of God’s people, it was clear that they
were to gather frequently to consider Jehovah’s
word and purposes. When the
Israelites had completed the conquest of
the Promised Land but were still surrounded
by pagan nations, Joshua assembled
all Israel with the aim of fortifying
their resolve to remain loyal to
Jehovah. In response, the people made
an oath to serve God.—Josh. 23:1, 2; 24:
1, 15, 21-24.
COMMENTS
PERHAPS…The WTS adds to the scriptures to match their description of conventions today.
Rather what did Moses say?
(Deuteronomy 12:32) Every word that I am commanding YOU is what YOU should be careful to do. YOU must not add to it nor take away from it.
IT WAS CLEAR – but no clear enough, the WTS had to add to it…perhaps
Did Israeli complete the conquest of the Promised Land, they why did Canaanites remain long after?
*** w04 12/1 p.12***
Though the sons of Israel failed to drive the Canaanites away from among them completely, the survivors were no real threat to Israel’s security. (Joshua 16:10; 17:12)
6, 7. How can it be said that modern conventions
of Jehovah’s people have been important
milestones?
6 In the modern history of Jehovah’s
people, there have also been landmark
conventions—events that marked major
developments in theocratic activities or
Scriptural understanding. (Prov. 4:18)
The first major convention that the Bible
Students held after World War I was
in 1919 in Cedar Point, Ohio, U.S.A.
That gathering, attended by some 7,000,
was marked by the launching of a global
preaching campaign. In 1922, during
a nine-day convention at the same location,
dramatic impetus was given to
this activity by Joseph F. Rutherford,
who urged his attentive audience: “Be
faithful and true witnesses for the Lord.
Go forward in the fight until every vestige
of Babylon lies desolate. Herald the
message far and wide. The world must
know that Jehovah is God and that Jesus
Christ is King of kings and Lord
of lords. This is the day of all days.
Behold, the King reigns! You are his
publicity agents. Therefore advertise, advertise,
advertise, the King and his kingdom.”
Attendees, and indeed God’s people
worldwide, joyfully embraced that
exhortation.
COMMENTS
Imagine a 9-day convention………..
Why did Rutherford give this “advertise” talk. Just shortly after 1918 when the Board of Directors were imprisoned, the publishing of the WT slowed to almost non-existence. Except for a few colporteurs, few jws ever went door to door. The Bible Students failed to see the end come in 1914 or their going to heaven to be with Christ as “promised” by those in charge. Rutherford had maneuvered legally to take over the WTS in 1918 or so and he had to give the rank and file something else to think about.
7 In Columbus, Ohio, in 1931, the Bible
Students were absolutely thrilled
to accept the name Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Then in 1935, in Washington, D.C.,
Brother Rutherford identified the “great
crowd,” described in Revelation as
“standing before the throne and before
the Lamb.” (Rev. 7:9-17) In 1942, in the
midst of World War II, Nathan H. Knorr
delivered the thrilling discourse “Peace
—Can It Last?” In it, he identified the
“scarlet-colored wild beast” of Revelation
17 and indicated that there would
still be much preaching to do after the
war.
COMMENTS
He battled the other Bible Students, leaders among them, and did not want the confusion of being identified with them—new name. The number of jws was growing close to 144,000 and beyond, a second group then of jws, earth bound.
It was prophecy to know that the United Nations would form, it formed in January 1942, months before Knorr’s talk.
Rutherford had said that the US and the UK would lose in WW2, but he died in 1942, and Knorr took a different tack.
Receiving the gift, the marching children clasped it to them, not a toy or plaything for idle pleasure, but the Lord's provided instrument for most effective work in the remaining months before Armageddon." Watchtower 1941 September 15 p.288
8, 9. Why have certain conventions proved to
be particularly moving?
8 Especially notable at the 1946 “Glad
Nations” Theocratic Assembly in Cleveland,
Ohio, was Brother Knorr’s discourse
“The Problems of Reconstruction
and Expansion.” Capturing the
excitement generated by that talk, one
attendee wrote: “I had the privilege of
being behind him on the platform that
evening, and as he outlined the work
and then told about the plans for enlarging
the Brooklyn Bethel home and factory,
the applause from the vast audience
surged in renewed outbursts. While one
could see no distinct face from the platform,
it was easy to sense their joy.”
At an international convention in New
York City in 1950, the audience was delighted
to receive the New World Translation
of the Christian Greek Scriptures, the
first installment of a modern-language
Bible that restored God’s name to its
rightful place in his Word.—Jer. 16:21.
COMMENTS
A privilege = like being behind Jesus!
NWT = new words to shape the doctrinal teachings of the WTS that other bibles were not adequate for evidently.
Remember don’t buy the statement that the WTS only puts Jehovah where it is quoted from the OT, they take liberties and put it elsewhere.
9 Conventions at which Jehovah gathered
his faithful Witnesses after periods
of persecution or ban were also intensely
moving. Adolf Hitler had vowed
to destroy Jehovah’s Witnesses in Germany,
but 107,000 of them filled his former
parade grounds in Nuremberg during
a convention in 1955. Many of
those present could not hold back their
tears of joy! Among the 166,518 delegates
at three “Godly Devotion” conventions
held in Poland in 1989 were large
numbers of delegates from what were
then the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia,
and from other Eastern European
countries. For some, it was the
first time they had attended a gathering
of more than 15 or 20 of God’s people.
And imagine the joy at the 1993
“Divine Teaching” International Convention
in Kiev, Ukraine, where 7,402
were immersed—the largest baptism of
Jehovah’s Witnesses on record.—Isa. 60:
22; Hag. 2:7.
COMMENTS
Remember that relatively few jws died during that time but 6 million Jews, and 6 million non-Jews did.
That many other religions have survived persecution in Europe and elsewhere. www.forum18.org
Was God their protector or only the jws?
Do numbers prove God supports that religion?
10. Which conventions have been especially
memorable for you, and why?
10 Perhaps there are district conventions
or international conventions that
stand out in your mind. Do you remember
your first convention or perhaps the
one at which you were baptized? These
were landmark spiritual events for you.
Treasure those memories!—Ps. 42:4.
COMMENTS
Do you remember? Hopefully no one else remembers so they cannot prove you were baptized; and the service overseer did not put it on the publisher card. No one took any pictures or was present. Large conventions are good for disappearing. Well, it worked for some.
REGULAR OCCASIONS FOR REJOICING
11. What arrangement for regular seasonal festivals
did God institute in ancient Israel?
11 Jehovah required that the Israelites
assemble in Jerusalem for three seasonal
festivals each year—the Festival of Unfermented
Cakes, the Festival of Weeks
(later called Pentecost), and the Festival
of Booths. Concerning these, God commanded:
“On three occasions in the year
every male of yours will appear before
the face of the true Lord, Jehovah.” (Ex.
23:14-17) Recognizing the great spiritual
value of these festivals, many family
heads attended with their entire family.
—1 Sam. 1:1-7; Luke 2:41, 42.
COMMENTS
Did God require that the “Israelites” assemble or “every male of yours will appear”?
*** w75 4/1p.220***
Mary was devoted to true worship. Though, being a woman, she was not obligated by the Mosaic law to be present for the festival of the passover, yet she customarily attended that festival at Jerusalem along with her husband Joseph. (Luke 2:41; Ex. 23:17; 34:23)
Notice how the WTS avoids that by saying “many family heads attended with their entire family.”
Thus women and children were not required to attend? Who would watch the homesteads too while the Israelites were gone, non-Jewish slaves?
12, 13. Attendance at the annual festivals
meant what for many Israelites?
12 Think about what it meant for an
Israelite family to make that journey. Joseph
and Mary, for example, would travel
about 60 miles (100 km) one way from
Nazareth to Jerusalem. How long do
you think it would take you to complete
such a trip, walking with small children?
The account of Jesus’ visit to Jerusalem
as a boy reveals that relatives and acquaintances
might make such trips as a group. It must
have been quite an experience for
them to travel and prepare meals
together and to organize suitable
sleeping arrangements in unfamiliar
locations. Yet, conditions were safe
enough for a 12-year-old like Jesus to be
allowed a certain amount of freedom.
Think how unforgettable that would
have been, especially for the youngsters!
—Luke 2:44-46.
COMMENTS
So what jws would walk 60 miles to a convention today? With small children? Would they stay home if that were the only choice?
*** w98 5/1 p.32***
NDJAUKUA ULIMBA is 73 years old, and last year he went on a journey of some 280 miles [450km]. He walked the entire distance, and it took him 16 days.
This elderly gentleman made his long journey in order to attend one of the annual conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses. After the convention, overjoyed and spiritually strengthened, he walked home again—another 16 days.
13 When the Israelites were widely
dispersed outside the borders of their
homeland, those attending the festivals
came from many nations. At Pentecost
of the year 33 C.E., appreciative Jews
and proselytes traveled to Jerusalem
from such places as Italy, Libya, Crete,
Asia Minor, and Mesopotamia.—Acts 2:
5-11; 20:16.
COMMENTS
How many jws today would go to the 1958 convention for 8 days…who had that much vacation, money?
14. How did the Israelites benefit from attending
the annual festivals?
14 For faithful Israelites, the high
point and focus of such trips was the
spiritual aspect—their eagerly worshipping
Jehovah alongside thousands of appreciative
celebrants. What would be the
effect on those who attended? An answer
can be found in Jehovah’s directions
to his people regarding the Festival
of Booths: “You must rejoice during
your festival, you and your son and your
daughter and your man slave and your
slave girl and the Levite and the alien
resident and the fatherless boy and the
widow, who are inside your gates. Seven
days you will celebrate the festival to
Jehovah your God in the place that Jehovah
will choose, because Jehovah your
God will bless you in all your produce
and in every deed of your hand, and you
must become nothing but joyful.”—Deut.
16:14, 15; read Matthew 5:3.
COMMENTS
I would go and see people eat, talk, sleep during the convention. Some taped it perhaps to listen to later, but more likely just put away or tape over and get someone else’s notes.
Fatherless jw children….I was one, no one offered transportation, a place to stay, food. We even had to scrape up money for the new publications. We weren’t worthy, missed too many meetings due to my non-jw father’s schedule.
WHY APPRECIATE
MODERN CONVENTIONS?
15, 16. What sacrifices have you had to make
in order to attend conventions? Why is the effort
worthwhile?
15 What excellent examples these ancient
gatherings provide for God’s people
today! Although many things have
changed over the centuries, the essential
aspects of conventions have not. In Bible
times, conventioners had to make sacrifices
to attend. So do many today. Yet,
the benefits are well worth the effort.
These events were—and still are—important
spiritual occasions. They provide
us with information and understanding
that are critical to our maintaining
a close relationship with God. Conventions motivate
us to apply what we learn,
help us to avoid problems, and encourage
us to stay focused on pursuits and
interests that will refresh us rather than
weigh us down.—Ps. 122:1-4.
COMMENTS
So the elders and their families at the hotels who have booze/beer parties as their children are downstairs making a bad name for God as they take over the swimming pool and use the elevators for toys and mouth off to the management…
Information and understanding that evidently can’t be understood with just the bible and God’s spirit…all the Christians had were the OT, which did not start to be written until 41 CE and not canonized till years later.
When the speakers said to talk to the people around you after the convention that you did not know, did they talk to you or run off to have dinner with their “friends”?
A close relationship with God – no close relationship with Jesus?
16 Joy is a recurring experience among
conventioners. A report on a large convention
in 1946 noted: “It was a thrilling
sight to observe the many thousands
of witnesses comfortably accommodated,
and even more joyous to listen as
a large orchestra joined with the voices
of the multitudes to make the stands
ring with gladsome Kingdom songs of
praise to Jehovah.” The report added:
“The Volunteer Service Department registered
workers from among the delegates
to man all [the] departments, purely
out of the joy of serving their fellow
witnesses.” Have you too felt such excitement
at district conventions or international
conventions?—Ps. 110:3; Isa. 42:
10-12.
COMMENTS
No more orchestras, live music
Have jws today mastered the new songbook…except for the painful meeting experiences, do any practice at home.
17. How has the organization of conventions
been modified in recent times?
17 Certain things have changed in the
way conventions are organized. For example,
some of God’s people remember
when conventions might last eight
days! There were morning, afternoon,
and evening sessions. Field service was
a regular part of the program. A few
parts began at nine in the morning, and
there were often sessions until nine at
night. Volunteers worked long and hard
to prepare breakfast, lunch, and supper
for attendees. Now the schedule provides
for shorter convention days, and
food preparation done by families and
individuals ahead of time allows them to
give more attention to the spiritual feeding
program.
COMMENTS
No rooming
No cafeterias
No fast food area
No more free food
Lasted nine days
Lasted eight days
Then 5
Then 4
Then 3
*** km2/06 p.3par.32007***
It has been observed that the Friday attendance is considerably lower than that on other days.
So if you have traveled some distance from home to the convention and it is 3 days long, how do you prepare food in your hotel room for a family of 4 or more?
*** km 5/00 p.4 par.5***
Some of the hotels offering a complimentary breakfast have complained that our brothers are abusing the arrangement by taking large amounts of food items with them even after they have eaten at the hotel. When a hotel provides food in the morning for its guests, it is to be regarded as what it is—a complimentary breakfast for those who are staying there. It is not intended that we take these food items with us to eat later or to share with friends at the convention.
18, 19. What aspects of conventions do you
look forward to, and why?
18 Convention features that have long
been part of the program are widely anticipated.
spiritual “food at the proper time,” giving
us a better understanding
of Bible prophecies and teachings,
has come not only from discourses but
also through new publications released
at conventions. (Matt. 24:45) Such releases
are often tools that help sincere
individuals appreciate Scriptural truths.
Stimulating Bible-based dramas encourage
both young and old to examine their
motives and guard against the pressures
exerted by the world’s ungodly thinking.
The baptism talk likewise offers all of us
an opportunity to review our priorities
in life and to experience the joy of seeing
others symbolize their dedication to
Jehovah.
COMMENTS
So do jws understand the disappearance of the 1914 generation, the overlapping generation, the choosing of the FDS is now future, do they care? As long as they get everlasting life in Paradise SOON, before they die.
19 Yes, long a part of pure worship,
conventions equip Jehovah’s joyful people
to serve him appropriately in challenging
times. Such gatherings provide
spiritual stimulus, offer opportunities to
meet new friends, help us to appreciate
our worldwide association of brothers,
and are a key means by which Jehovah
blesses and cares for his people.
Surely, each one of us will want to organize
his affairs so as to attend and benefit
from every session of each convention.
—Prov. 10:22.
COMMENTS
So are jws joyful because of the “new understanding” or it’s a social occasion to see jw friends from other congregations? A time for young jws to scope out possible marriage mates? A time for younger jws to be alone in their hotel room and play video games? Do they sit around with mom and dad or are they off having a big party with alcohol/beer and be groggy the next morning?
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
Next Week, Meeting Today’s Adversities With Courage
Message today, you are an Israelite and go to the conventions God ordered his people to attend. Well, the men at least.
Love, Blondie
