Greetings and peace to you, dear Nibs! So am I to understand that in spite of your misgivings you would like to continue? I am certainly open to that; however, I must ask one thing of you and that is that you leave yourself open to perhaps learn, as well? As you stated above, "iron sharpens iron." And so, in the spirit that I perceive from you as wanting to continue (else, why respond/comment??), I am directed to start with the verses you posted last (I had actually addressed this at the end but was directed to start with it and address the rest after, so I am doing so). Please also note that where you see caps... do not perceive shouting? I don't shout, technically or literally, dear one. Never have (well, except when my puppies run into the street and disobey when I call them back, little hard-headed things they are sometimes!). No, it's just that I type REALLY fast and so it just takes too many strokes to try and emphasize using italics, bolding, highlighting, etc. I just type... and hope those who read will do so in the mild and quiet spirit I am actually hearing and "speaking." Now, then...
Galatians 3:26-28 ISR98 - "For you are all sons of Elohim through belief in Messiah ?????. For as many of you as were immersed into Messiah have put on Messiah. There is not Yehu?ite nor Greek, there is not slave nor free, there is not male and female, for you are all one in Messiah ?????."
Now, see, I read that a little differently: "Elohim" is stated in the Greek (which tongue Paul, an apostle to the nations, which primarily spoke Greek, not Hebrew (Aramaic) wrote his letters to such ones in)... as "God." And "messiah" is not a name, but a title. It means the "chosen one"... but NOT just a chosen one, but the chosen one of JAH. Maybe you can seet that in it's pronunciation: "messi yah". I know it by a different word, "MischaJah"... but that's another topic. Even so, the Greek has this verse stating it as "Jesus Christ", which I have come to learn would be, in Hebrew, "Jah eShua MischaJah". So, for some reason, you've chosen a version that translates the Greek back into... Hebrew? Given the many Bible versions out there, how are we to know which is ACCURATE? I personally have only One Source... and so I asked him about it.
And his explanation actually contrasts with yours (that there is NOT to be a NEW Israel (Jerusalem)... but Israel and the nations... if I understood you correctly - I might not have, so please correct me if I've misstated you). Indeed, this verse actually corroborates that the NEW Jerusalel (the Israel of God... and not the Israel of Moses) is made up of sons of God, by means of an adoption, Israel by flesh AND spirit... and the nations by spirit. Israel by flesh and spirit... because they hale from Abraham... who haled from Adham... who haled... from God Himself. I understand that some have issues with the written geneology of my Lord's lineage... but THIS is the purpose that such was included in the writings: NOT just to show that he came from Israel... but from Adham... and so, by DIRECT line, was also a son of God... in the flesh (and not just the spirit).
So, that is what I was given and directed to share with you as to those verses. I hope they help, if not you perhaps someone else who was "asking"... but may not yet have faith enough to hear directly for themselves.
And it's actually a great segue into what I want to share with you, next:
It seems to ME that you assume that my task is to ones beyond Israel. I am not sure why you do, but it really isn't. I have not been sent to the nations (as maybe YOU have been - which might be why there are not only differences in our understanding - because I am not "of the nations", but of Israel, by means of my forefather, BenJahmin... and thus, a Yehudi by association (1 Kings 12:20, 21)... but Israel... those of all 12 tribes... although I would not withhold anything from one who was NOT of Israel who asked me (as my Lord did not as to the Phoenecian woman who asked of him). And so what I share will largely and primarily come from that perspective of... and be directed TO... those of that House. Including the name I have been given to call my Lord and my Father (JAHESHUA and JAHVEH, respectively). My understanding is that many of that House are here in this "city," JWN... having been "exiled" from the previous "city" they had been allowed to be "conquered" and "enslaved" by, the WTBTS.
And so, perhaps my message doesn't "ring" true as to and for YOU... but you must allow yourself to consider that it might not be FOR you... as I have considered that perhaps yours... and others... is not for ME. Now, you might find that... ummmm... difficult to receive but I offer that Abraham didn't know the MOST Holy One of Israel by the same "name" as did Moses. Yet, both were His servants. Also, I absolutely understand the aversion to a name of ANY manner, given "Jehovah" and what all's attached to that. I, too, found a name a hard thing to deal with early on. But I have learned that, while perhaps one might call the MOST Holy One of Israel "Father"... which is absolutely appropriate, even HE has a name... and it is important to know it, because it serves to identify the one that COMES in His name. If one doesn't know HIS name... how can anyone say "Bless IS he that COMES in the name of [God]?" What IS the name of God that he would come IN? I did not ask to know either's name - it was given to me along with why I needed to know them: when every knee bends to the name of my Lord they will, in essence, also be bending to the name of JAH.
So, as Paul wrote, perhaps you can consider not judging anything before its time, but simply take in information. You don't HAVE to agree with it... just as no one HAS to agree with what YOU share (and you really must learn to not take it personally - it isn't a rejection of YOU, per se, but simply what you BELIEVE... and perhaps the basis). As JAH Himself taught dear Samuel.
I will say that I have been where you are NOW... and that was close to 20 years ago. Since I am about 20 years older than you (not that age has anything to do with this), perhaps I've "journeyed" just a bit further at this point. Perhaps not. But contrary to popular belief Paul did not receive "all truth" at the very moment he saw the light that is my Lord. NONE of the disciples "got it" right away, even the Apostles - those were literally with my Lord in the flesh and STILL couldn't grasp a lot of what he told them face to face. Again, if you read Paul's writings in the order written, you might "see" a different Paul than you do now. Than most do.
Paul often went beyond the bounds in teachings, though... which can be easy to do, given the hard-headed, hard-hearted, and stiff-necked-ness of Israel. He was zealous for those he felt were under his care and so, like almost any "guardian", did his best to present the congregation "a chaste virgin." I don't perceive you have children, but that you are an aunt, so perhaps you can consider this from the POV of an older brother who tries to "preserve" his little sister's "chastity"... by controlling her outlook, conduct, and association. Unlike Christ, who always led in love, though, big brother Paul sometimes led in "law". But the sons of God are a FREE people... with only one law: love. Paul knew this but often let his ZEAL overshadow his love. As with Moses, who finallly got SO frustrated that he was provoked at Meribah, so much so he lost his privilege of actually entering into the land to which he led Israel, personally, for 40 years!
I am a mom so I understand this, wanting to protect someone you love SO much from the "harm" of the world. But doing so can also be harmful, as we can see just by looking at the results of some raised by JW parents. The emotional stunting, if nothing else, is overwhelming among such ones, indeed, MOST children raised until similar cult circumstances!
I am also a "belonging" of Christ, however, who has NOT been left [bereaved] but have experienced his presence literally ("Look! I am WITH you... ALL the days..." Matthew 28:20b). And so I have learned from him... and as a result know to use HIM to "test" the inspired expression. Regardless of whom it comes from, even Paul. And so, no matter who it is outside of him, I have been taught BY him how to "choose the good and reject the bad." (Isaiah 7:13-16) As HE was taught by One who chose HIM - the Father (John 5:19, 30; 8:28; Hebrews 5:8). I learn from HIM... which ANY who wish to can do (which is MY message: listen to HIM... NOT to me!... and so be led into ALL truth!)... and having put faith in this TRUTH... I let HIM tell me what is "good" and what is "bad"... including in the Bible (Proverbs 8:4-10; John 5:39, 40)
If you are truly joined to Christ, then, then you know there really is nothing to worry about or get frustrated over, at least not because you believe someone is not "hearing" YOU. That they might not be hearing HIM can be a concern... because (1) his voice is the one folks should be listening to and following, not yours OR mine; and (2) lives COULD be involved. But we do HIM a disservice when we get frustrated that (certain) ones aren't listening to US - who are WE? Nothing but vessels of mercy... instruments for God's will through Christ, yes? HE, though, is the One who chooses who DOES hear... as well as who SEES... and not you or I, right? I mean WE don't choose HIM... you, I, or anyone. So, if someone isn't "getting" what you're sharing... perhaps they aren't MEANT to... yet. Perhaps they must go through some more "refining" (and cleansing on the INSIDE) before they CAN.
Just like the use of "Lord," the word "Ba'al"... and the names "Jehovah" and "Jesus" don't evoke "bad" feelings in me; I wish that all others DID know... and use... the names revealed to me... and called my Lord their Lord. But I don't judge them... or get frustrated if they DON'T. I can't use those names now... but I once did. How, then, can I take negative issue with anyone who doesn't yet know any different? They are where I once was... and to judge them would be hypocritical. All I can do is put what I know out there... so that they can at least look into it... or better... ASK for themselves... and not rely on me OR you as to what is "accurate"... so as to CHOOSE, if they wish to. If they don't... look into it... ask... choose... I have no fear of or frustration as to them... or of their use of either name. I just have... sorrow... because, again, I've been there... and now know they don't have to be.
Like MANY here feel about having once been a JW - they know what their loved ones believed because at some point THEY believed it, too. To have disdain for anyone who doesn't YET believe what you do... and to take such lack of understanding, knowledge, etc., as a personal affront... or to consider it their "vocation" to stamp out, eradicate, take issue with, harrass/harangue... or deem inferior, unworthy, and/or "mentally diseased/sick" anyone who DOESN'T "see" as you do... is, IMHO, the epitome of hypocrisy. You know something knew? Put it out there. And if you are sure about it, put it out there with confidence. But don't turn around and "beat" your fellows... simply because YOU have become "free", even if only in your OWN mind.
And that is kind of how I feel with you. Again, I can agree to disagree - I am not sure you're able to do that, though. And I've concluded that part of my life that says I have to keep "associating" with people who I don't agree with. This place, JWN, is "home" to a plethora of people with a plethora of beliefs. So, if one or more can't hear/receive my message... no worries. That's their CHOICE - I do not take it personally. I just continue putting it out there and if someone hears... GREAT! Even if only ONE does so... I don't take that as an indication of anything. Because I am not putting it out there to garner followers. Again, I am just sharing what I have been given... whether others hear or refrain.
And so, that's it, for now. I did not see much else to respond to in your previous comments - they didn't seem to be asking anything of me but simply relaying your understanding of things, which is totally fine. And so I won't waste your preciousl time and additional board space on dicta but simply say I did and DO hear you - I just don't agree with all that you share. My apologies if that doesn't sit well with you... but it is the truth.
Oh! Before I end here, I just want to say that, if you can, try to overlook the "opposition" you might have experienced here? It really is a very few in contrast to the full number of posters. They are pretty "loud," in their opposition, however, and so it may SEEM like they are a large number... but they're not. If you can, try to consider them as yet another (truly) "foolish" woman, as shared by my Lord, Wisdom, in his words to the "inexperienced." While he offers them truth, SHE offers nothing more than "stolen waters" and "bread eaten in secrecy." They are merely products of THEIR "mother," the WTBTS... the "harlot" whose members "birthed" them... and so don't really know anything different but than to oppose whomever and whatever is not "like" them. They learned her ways well... and, unfortunately, have remnants of her umbilical still attached to them (she obviously didn't gnaw it completely off... and they apparently don't know how).
So... that's it. If my use of my Father's and Lord's names... and my calling my Lord such... doesn't "upset" you too much... I would be more than happy to continue. Indeed, I exchange with others who use the names "Jehovah" and "Jesus" all the time. Again, it's what THEY know, right now. If so, though, such that you aren't able to continue... with me... as well as/or aren't able to continue here at all... then Godspeed... may JAH bless.. and peace to you!
YOUR servant and a doulos of Christ,
SA
