Below is a paragraph from March 1st, 2001 Watchtower. As has been well said by Homer Simpson, "it works on so many levels." Comments anybody?
Today, the "interior rooms" have to do with the tens of thousands of congregations of Jehovah's people around the world. Such congregations are a protection even now, a place where Christians find safety among their brothers, under the loving care of the elders. (Isa 32:1,2; Heb 10:24,25) This is especially true in view of the nearness of the end of this system of things when survival will depend on obedience. Zeph 2:3.
This is especially true in view of the nearness of the end of this system of things when survival will depend on obedience. Zeph 2:3.
I thought good people who loved God were supposed to survive? Obedience is finer than love. Obedience is fine than goodness. Obedience is fine than acts of love.
Zeph 2:3 NWT "seek Jehovah, all you meek ones of the earth, who have practiced His own judicial decision. Seek righteousness, seek meekness. Probably you may be concealed in the day of Jehovah's anger."
Obedience is not said here. "Seek righteousness, seek meekness" are what we're supposed to be doing.
The WTBTS writers are reaching - and it's obvious. But I'll bet that the R&F commenters said that "those who practiced his own judicial decisions are the ones who are obeying." And promptly forgot about the meekness and righteousness.
Zeph 2:3 NWT "seek Jehovah, all you meek ones of the earth, who have practiced His own judicial decision. Seek righteousness, seek meekness. Probably you may be concealed in the day of Jehovah's anger."
Probably! Bah!
One of the WT's favorite passages to scare Witnesses into line, and one that shows that they have not understood anything about the Bible. I think the message of the New Testament is pretty clear, that "concealment from Jehoavah's anger" cannot be achieved simply by seeking righteousness and meekness, but only by believing in Jesus.
And yet they apply the "probably" to everyone's relationship with God- it's always such a conditional, you-could-lose-it-all-at-any-moment-especially-if-you-say-bless-you-after-someone-sneezes type relationship.
Fear, uncertainty, doubt. Maybe they should join forces with Microsoft [8>]
Well, of course umm, obedience is ummm, better than ummmmm, hmmmm ah! I know, I know! Obedience is better than undeserved loving kindness from the elders? No? OK, obedience is er.. er.., better than sex, no that can't be right or I'd be obedient all the time, Hmmm, Ah, yes, that's it, obedience is better than a barbecued chicken!
Now whereabouts in Revelation can I find something about barbecued chicken?
Such congregations are a protection even now, a place where Christians find safety among their brothers, under the loving care of the elders
A place of safety???? I've heard people say that "if you lock a bunch of JWs together in a room for indefinite, it won't be long before they kill each other".
That used to really bother me when I was a member. How scary a thought is that!
What the hell does that mean? That's not what I'd call a really clear definition of relationship. "Have to do with..."?? That could mean anything.
Y'know, I've been around the witnesses since way back in the mid-fifties, and if I've heard once about how rapidly we're approaching the big enchillada - where the God of Universes is going to swoop down and murder off 99.9998% of his erring, but ignorant, children on this planet because they don't hold with the bullshit of the Jay-Dubs, I've heard it a zillion billion times. These people are masters at constantly finding new people who've never heard them cry wolf.
Obey? They want obedience?
Note to JWs: Turn with me to Deut. 18:20-22, and read along as I describe false prophet. Obey? You people can get a 100 yard head start and take a flying leap right up my ass.
