To JWs Re: Christ's Presence

by IslandWoman 6 Replies latest jw friends

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  IslandWoman

  James 5:7 states, "Exercise patience, therefore, brothers, UNTIL the presence of the Lord. Look! The farmer keeps waiting for the precious fruit of the earth, exercising patience over it until he gets the early rain and the late rain. You too exercise patience; make your hearts firm, because the presence of the Lord has drawn close."

  How should the word "until" in this scripture be understood? "Until" can be defined as meaning: "up to a time or event but not afterward".

  If James said Christians should exercise patience "until" the presence of the Lord, wouldn't that mean that after the Lord's presence there would no longer be a need for patience?

  Yet, the Society teaches that Christ's Presence began in 1914! How can that be since you are still patiently waiting!

  IW
• 

  cyrano

  Excellent point.

  Jesus also said:
  "For as lightning that comes from the east is VISIBLE even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man."-Matt 24:27 NIV

  Of course the Dubs buy into the 1914 crap hook, line and sinker. Most don't even know the 607BCE date is as counterfiet as a 3 dollar bill.
• 

  RunningMan

  I love to hear JW's respond to the question "Has Jesus' second coming already happened?"

  You see, they believe that he has already "sat down" on this throne - but has not yet "stood up" in kingly power. He is "present" - but has not yet "come".

  Their whole take on the issue is a crock. They can't even explain it.
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  cyrano

  Makes one wonder how Jesus could be 'present' before he arrives LOL.
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  AlanF

  Good point, IslandWoman. The problem is with the Society's translation of parousia as "presence". This is simply wrong, as any good bible commentary will show. Given that, the translation "exercise patience until the coming of the Lord" makes complete sense, since you don't have to be patient about the anticipated coming of something after it has arrived.

  AlanF
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  Elsewhere

  Most don't even know the 607BCE date is as counterfiet as a 3 dollar bill.

  [Digs in wallet] Oh crap!!!

  "As every one knows, there are mistakes in the Bible" - The Watchtower, April 15, 1928, p. 126
  Believe in yourself, not mythology.
  <x ><
• 

  Elsewhere

  *** 1 Corinthians 11:26 ***
  For as often as YOU eat this loaf and drink this cup, YOU keep proclaiming the death of the Lord, until he arrives.

  This, of course, begs the question of why the JWs still celebrate the memorial. If he is present, then he has already arrived, if he has already arrived, then there is no need to celebrate the memorial.

  "As every one knows, there are mistakes in the Bible" - The Watchtower, April 15, 1928, p. 126
  Believe in yourself, not mythology.
  <x ><