Posts by Caminante

6

New Simplified Watchtower Edition is up

by factfinder in

i don't know if anyone else noticed this yet but jw.org has the first issue of the simplified english w (july 15,2011) issue up in pdf.

a letter from the gb gives the reason for this trial edition.

the regular study edition is up also in pdf and has some anti- apostate comments, including a warning against looking at apostate websites and commenting on their blogs.

Caminante

"Is it just me, or is the wts really increasing the importance of the f&ds

No, Factfinder, I also believe that this is the saddening reality the Watchtower organization has sunk itself into: a filthy and dangerous cult of the "faithful and discreet slave." Evidently, the Governing Body themselves are not completely aware of the true impact of the "food" they are supposedly approving to be distributed to the "association of the brothers". Even though they realize that they are to be acting as a representative of the "faithful slave class," they view this class as something superior to them and they feel themselves submissive to it and bound to its principles. On the other hand, there is too much evidence against them and they are unable to acknowledge the truth without jeopardizing the public image of the organization among the members. This means that the only effective means of proceeding is to tighten the control and the cultishness of this religion. Sad but true.

5

Book releases at district conventions and book study?

by Philadelphia Ponos in

jw
friends

can anyone tell me what books were released at the 2010, 2008, and 2007 conventions.

also i need to know what book is currently being studied at the book study and which book is scheduled next.

thanks!.

Caminante

In 2007, at the "Follow the Christ" District Convention, they released "Come Be My Follower", that was just finished last week at the Congregation Bible Study.

17

Any explanation from WT about the missing tribe in Rev. chap. 7?

by heyfea in

i don't think i ever heard a reference from the wt about the fact that in chapter 7 of revelation, one of the tribes of israel, dan, is missing and replaced with the tribe of manasseh, who's joseph's son (jacob adopted joseph's son as his own).. since the wt insists that the 144,000 "jews" are not literal jews, then why jesus didn't simply mention all the original tribe names in revelation?

it really wouldn't have made a difference, right?.

ah, but what if these 144,000 jews, are really jews?

Caminante

In the articles on tribes in Insight on the Scriptures (volume 2, page 1125) there is the following explanation:

Tribes of Israel. The tribal arrangement in Israel was based on descent from the 12 sons of Jacob. (Ge 29:32–30:24; 35:16-18) These “twelve family heads [Gr., do′de?ka pa?tri?ar′khas]” produced “the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Ge 49:1-28; Ac 7:8) However, Jacob blessed Joseph’s two sons, Manasseh the older and Ephraim the younger, and said: “Ephraim and Manasseh will become mine like [his actual sons] Reuben and Simeon.” (Ge 48:5, 13-20) When the various tribes received their land inheritance in the Promised Land (Jos 13-19), there was no “tribe” of Joseph. Instead, “the sons of Joseph,” Manasseh and Ephraim, were counted as distinct tribes in Israel. (See BOUNDARY ; MAP , Vol. 1, p. 744.) As Jehovah had arranged, though, this did not increase the tribes of Israel receiving an inheritance to 13, because the Levites got no land inheritance. Jehovah had chosen “the tribe of Levi” (Nu 1:49) in place of the firstborn of the other tribes to minister at the sanctuary. (Ex 13:1, 2; Nu 3:6-13, 41; De 10:8, 9; 18:1; see LEVITES .) Consequently, there were 12 non-Levite tribes in Israel.—Jos 3:12, 13; Jg 19:29; 1Ki 11:30-32; Ac 26:7.

Towards the end of that page, and continued on the next, we find a section that talks about the tribes of the so-called "spiritual Israel":

Tribes of Spiritual Israel. Revelation 7:4-8 divides the 144,000 members of spiritual Israel into 12 ‘tribes’ of 12,000 each. (See ISRAEL OF GOD .) The list differs slightly from the lists of Jacob’s sons (including Levi) who were the tribal heads of natural Israel. (Ge 49:28) The following may be the reason for the difference:
Jacob’s firstborn son Reuben lost his right as firstborn by his misconduct. (Ge 49:3, 4; 1Ch 5:1, 2) Joseph (the firstborn son of Jacob through his second, but favorite, wife Rachel) gained the privileges of firstborn son, including the right to have two parts, or portions, in Israel. (Ge 48:21, 22) In the Revelation list “Joseph” evidently stands for Ephraim. And Manasseh represents Joseph’s second portion in spiritual Israel. The tribe of Levi is listed; to make room for Levi without increasing the number of tribes, no tribe of Dan is included in Revelation 7:4-8, but apparently not because of any unsuitability on Dan’s part. The inclusion of Levi would also serve to show that there is no special priestly tribe in spiritual Israel, the entire spiritual nation being “a royal priesthood.”—1Pe 2:9.

I think this information explains perfectly the position held by the Watchtower Society.

26

2011 Yearbook (2010 Grand Totals) Stats

by Inside Man in

jw
friends

here is a recap of last years service year.. 116 branches down from 118.

236 lands reporting same as last year.

107,210 total congregations up from last year total of 105,298.

Caminante

At conventions there is a meeting with those who consider applying for Bethel service. I never took part at such meetings, so I can't go into further detail. But apparently that's when one finds out basic details about the road to this process :P

26

2011 Yearbook (2010 Grand Totals) Stats

by Inside Man in

jw
friends

here is a recap of last years service year.. 116 branches down from 118.

236 lands reporting same as last year.

107,210 total congregations up from last year total of 105,298.

Caminante

Seems I was a bit late with that previous answer of mine :P

26

2011 Yearbook (2010 Grand Totals) Stats

by Inside Man in

jw
friends

here is a recap of last years service year.. 116 branches down from 118.

236 lands reporting same as last year.

107,210 total congregations up from last year total of 105,298.

Caminante

InterestedOne, you must have been confused by Inside Man's choice of words. Let me make it into plain English. At conventions and assemblies there is the baptismal talk, where the baptismal candidates stand and answer a big "YES" to the two baptismal questions. Then the speaker tells them that by their affirmative answer they are eligible for baptism as "ordained ministers of Jehovah God". Most protestant denominations agree to this so-called "universal priesthood of all believers".

In the Watchtower organization there are publishers (unbaptized and baptized), pioneers (auxiliary, regular, and special), ministerial servants, elders, traveling overseers (circuit and district overseers), branch personnel (a."Bethel family" members). In the 2011 Yearbook, on the bottom of page 31, there is the following text printed: "Worldwide, a total of 20,062 ordained ministers staff the branch facilities. All are members of the Worldwide Order of Special Full-Time Servants of Jehovah’s Witnesses." This expression implies two things: (1) all these 20,062 Bethel family members are baptized as Witnesses of Jehovah, and (2) they are members of this order (terms & conditions apply to membership and appointments are invitation-only). Requirements for different tasks within Bethel service are varying. Basic requirements are exemplary status in the congregation (which applies for all the privileges), and a certain amount of time in regular pioneer service.

26

2011 Yearbook (2010 Grand Totals) Stats

by Inside Man in

jw
friends

here is a recap of last years service year.. 116 branches down from 118.

236 lands reporting same as last year.

107,210 total congregations up from last year total of 105,298.

Caminante

Yes, InterestedOne, there is no laity/clergy distinction in the Watchtower organization indeed, at least not in the same way there is in the Catholic Church, for example, but, of course, some individuals have more privileges than others and there is a very solid hierarchical structure, similar to the corporate organizational chart of a multinational business entity. So that's a different type of distinction. Nevertheless, it has the same function of the classic laity/clergy division.

26

2011 Yearbook (2010 Grand Totals) Stats

by Inside Man in

jw
friends

here is a recap of last years service year.. 116 branches down from 118.

236 lands reporting same as last year.

107,210 total congregations up from last year total of 105,298.

Caminante

I think that count includes branch office staff, special pioneers and traveling overseers (and their wives). Correct me if I'm wrong.

26

2011 Yearbook (2010 Grand Totals) Stats

by Inside Man in

jw
friends

here is a recap of last years service year.. 116 branches down from 118.

236 lands reporting same as last year.

107,210 total congregations up from last year total of 105,298.

Caminante

Yes, all baptized Witnesses are ordained ministers, but 20K brothers and sisters are members of the Religious Order of Special Full Time Ministers ... I don't remember how it is called exactly.

6

New Books and Brochures available on Media Website

by Caminante in

a brother brought to my attention that there are certain publications (books and brochures) available on jw media in pdf format, both english and russian, on the "banned publications" list.

(pdf, 1.35 mb).

a book for all people (pdf, 7.83 mb, not searchable).

Caminante

All of these. Reportedly there's an official list of 34 publications. But recently the European Court of Human Right stated their final decision in favor of the Witnesses, saying that the ban was completely illegal. So the Russian government will have to implement the measures needed to reassure the Witnesses' freedom to organize Christian meetings and perform the public ministry without any hindrance.