Posts by TimothyT

40

The parable of the sheep and the goats!

by TimothyT in

i was reading again the parapble jesus spoke to his disciples about the sheep and goats.

when i read it, it was plain and simple in my eyes.. 34 then the king will say to those on his right, come, you who have been blessed by my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world.

35 for i became hungry and you gave me something to eat; i got thirsty and you gave me something to drink.

TimothyT

The last 3 posts realy confused me!

77

DC 2011 Strange omission from the releases

by JWFreak in

jw
friends

there are 3 really basic releases for the dc this year.

revised vol 1 of young people ask.................hmmm lot of work in that one.

new brochure.

TimothyT

Someone PDFise it already! Lol!

40

The parable of the sheep and the goats!

by TimothyT in

i was reading again the parapble jesus spoke to his disciples about the sheep and goats.

when i read it, it was plain and simple in my eyes.. 34 then the king will say to those on his right, come, you who have been blessed by my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world.

35 for i became hungry and you gave me something to eat; i got thirsty and you gave me something to drink.

TimothyT

Wow... great posts people! This is a highly interesting part of the bible in my opinion, and is also within the few chapters which the JW's take HEAVILY out of context.

I think too, it reminds me of the scriptures in Matthew 7:21-23.

21 “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. 22 Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ 23 And yet then I will confess to them: I never knew YOU! Get away from me, YOU workers of lawlessness.

What i find fascinating about this scripture is that although many did good works in Jesus name, he proclaimed that only those doing the will of God would be saved.

I did some research on what the will of God is. Here are my findings (This list is obviously not complete):

1 Thessalonians 5:12 Now we request YOU, brothers, to have regard for those who are working hard among YOU and presiding over YOU in [the] Lord and admonishing YOU; 13 and to give them more than extraordinary consideration in love because of their work. Be peaceable with one another. 14 On the other hand, we exhort YOU, brothers, admonish the disorderly, speak consolingly to the depressed souls, support the weak, be long-suffering toward all. 15 See that no one renders injury for injury to anyone else, but always pursue what is good toward one another and to all others.
16 Always be rejoicing. 17 Pray incessantly. 18 In connection with everything give thanks. For this is the will of God in union with Christ Jesus respecting YOU. 19 Do not put out the fire of the spirit. 20 Do not treat prophesyings with contempt. 21 Make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine. 22 Abstain from every form of wickedness.

1 Timothy 2:2 I therefore exhort, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, offerings of thanks, be made concerning all sorts of men, 2 concerning kings and all those who are in high station; in order that we may go on leading a calm and quiet life with full godly devotion and seriousness. 3 This is fine and acceptable in the sight of our Savior, God, 4 whose will is that all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth.

1 Peter 2:13 For the Lord’s sake subject yourselves to every human creation: whether to a king as being superior 14 or to governors as being sent by him to inflict punishment on evildoers but to praise doers of good. 15 For so the will of God is, that by doing good YOU may muzzle the ignorant talk of the unreasonable men. 16 Be as free people, and yet holding YOUR freedom, not as a blind for badness, but as slaves of God. 17 Honor [men] of all sorts, have love for the whole association of brothers, be in fear of God, have honor for the king.

Interestingly, i pulled an article from the Watchtower, 1 March 1994, and it spoke SOLELY about the second point here quoting 1 Timothy 2:2. True, helping others to learn about the knowledge of truth may be the will of God, but it isnt the only one. From what i read in the bible, the will of God involves things such as being peaceable, kind, supportive, good towards others, happy, prayerful, thankful, thoughtfull, subjective, honourable, fearful of God, and in my opinion MOST IMPORTANTLY, have love for your brothers. It appears to me, there is more emphasis on the qualities that Jesus spoke about in his parable of the sheep and goats than on ANYTHING else.

Its clear that the will of God is to be a good, LOVING person and to treat each kindly and helpfully. If you do this to the least of Christs brothers, you are doing it to Christ and will inherit his kingdom.

Thanks for your contribution prodigal son. Some good scriptures there. The bible is full of them.

Timmy x

40

The parable of the sheep and the goats!

by TimothyT in

i was reading again the parapble jesus spoke to his disciples about the sheep and goats.

when i read it, it was plain and simple in my eyes.. 34 then the king will say to those on his right, come, you who have been blessed by my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world.

35 for i became hungry and you gave me something to eat; i got thirsty and you gave me something to drink.

TimothyT

I was reading again the parapble Jesus spoke to his disciples about the sheep and goats. When i read it, it was plain and simple in my eyes.

34 “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, YOU who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for YOU from the founding of the world. 35 For I became hungry and YOU gave me something to eat; I got thirsty and YOU gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and YOU received me hospitably; 36 naked, and YOU clothed me. I fell sick and YOU looked after me. I was in prison and YOU came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous ones will answer him with the words, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty, and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and receive you hospitably, or naked, and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to you?’ 40 And in reply the king will say to them, ‘Truly I say to YOU, To the extent that YOU did it to one of the least of these my brothers, YOU did it to me.’ (Matthew 25:34-40)

If you want to enter into the kingdom, you must show unconditional, practical love and care for Jesus brothers, irrespective of who they are.

But, then i did some research on how the JW's view this scripture. The following quotes are from the Watchtower, 15 Oct, 1995, pages 24-26:

8 Obviously, the sheep judged worthy of being on Jesus’ right side of honor and favor represent a class of humans. (Ephesians 1:20; Hebrews 1:3) What did they do and when? Jesus says that they kindly, respectfully, and generously gave him food, drink, and clothing, aiding him when he was sick or in prison. When the sheep say that they had not done this to Jesus personally, he points out that they did support his spiritual brothers, the remnant of anointed Christians, so in that sense they did it to him.

10 Is Jesus saying that everyone doing a small kindness to one of his brothers, such as offering a piece of bread or a glass of water, qualifies as one of these sheep? Granted, rendering such kindnesses may reflect human kindness, but really, it seems that much more is involved with the sheep of this parable. Jesus was hardly referring, for example, to atheists or clergymen who happen to do a kind act to one of his brothers. On the contrary, Jesus twice called the sheep “righteous ones.” (Matthew 25:37, 46) So the sheep must be ones who over a period of time have come to the aid of—actively supporting—Christ’s brothers and have exercised faith to the extent of receiving a righteous standing before God.

14 However, Jesus’ judgment will not be based on desperate claims from former churchgoers, atheists, or others. (2 Thessalonians 1:8) Instead, the judge will review the heart condition and past actions of people toward even “one of these least ones [of his brothers].” Admittedly, the number of anointed Christians left on earth is declining. However, as long as the anointed, making up “the faithful and discreet slave,” continue to provide spiritual food and direction, prospective sheep have an opportunity to do good to the slave class, just as the ‘great crowd out of all nations and tribes and peoples’ have done.—Revelation 7:9, 14.

So, it appears to me that JW's view 'Jesus brothers' as the annointed, and the sheep are those who aid them in fulfilling their spiritual objectives.

Trying to analyse the JW view on these scriptures, i cant see how they make their claims, as they are not supported with evidence or even logical reasoning. They just make assumptions and then expect everyone to fall in line. Also, i believe these scriptures, and this article have been used to manipulate JW's into feeling obligated to serve the FDS class.

Have the given a valid interpretation or are they just twisting the scripture to secure their power?

Timmy x

10

Wake up CALL! It's time to shake off the JW's attitude/personality!

by StephanieH in

this weekend i found myself again working on my day off, not because i had to i just didn't want to sit at home alone.

when i told my mom on our daily phone call that i was working again over the weekend she told me that she was worried because over the past few months i have been "over working" myself.. when i got home i sat in my apartment alone, tired, and depressed.

i phoned my mother once more and we talked for a long while, and cried together.

TimothyT

Amen!

Go Stephanie!

Enjoy yourself!

216

Religious Reform

by Maze in

as a bible based organization, how do feel jehovah's organization should be reformed?

the answer is quite simple in christendoms churches:.

1. reject false doctrines like the trinity and 'all christians go to heaven' and use of images in worship.. .

TimothyT

What! Do you not know that unrighteous persons will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be misled.Neither fornicators,
nor idolaters,
nor adulterers,
nor men kept for unnatural purposes,
nor men who lie with men,
nor thieves,
nor greedy persons,
nor drunkards,
nor revilers,
nor extortioners
…will inherit God’s kingdom. And yet that is what some of you were. But you have been washed clean, but you have been sanctified, but you have been declared righteous in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Serious question for all:

I am a man who lies with a man and allthough there are certain practices that i WONT do... i cant help but realise that men who lie with men will not inherit Gods Kingdom. Ok... i was brought up a JW and im in the process of fading /leaving, but when i read the gospels which i LOVE, I get a VERY different picture as to what one needs to do to inherit Gods Kingdom. So my question is this:

Which bible writer do I agree with as they seem to be in contradiction? Do i side with Jesus in the gospels who taught that Gods Kingdom was available to the types of people mentioned in Matthew 5, John 17:3, John 13:34-35, John 8:12, 1 John 2:17. I have tried to understand if i still qualify in these areas.. and i seriously believe that im trying my UTMOST and am still a good person. So, will I enter into the Kingdom of God for trying my best to uphold MANY of these standards spoken by Jesus, or will i be condemned because i fail to uphold just one law written by one of Jesus' imperfect apostles?

Timmy xxx

22

Funniest Thing to happen during a meeting?

by truthseeker1969 in

i am sure all of us have laughed at something that happened at the kingdom hall or assembly.. the first one i can think of is a brother giving a talk on voting and saying " why is it that men sit iin pubs and discuss how bad the economy is and the cost of everything and yet when the 'erection" (election) comes up they never do anything about it.. my brother in his best beavis n butthead voioce said " huh huh he said erection".

we sat for the next 45 mins trying hard not to laugh.. of course, i got the look from the elders and the talk about not laughing.. .

TimothyT

I can top all of those...

One day in the special 3 day convention, we were sitting with a young brother in our hall who would always come up with some WHACKY ideas. For some reason he decided it would be a good idea if he brought his laptop to the convention. My brother turned to him and said: "What the hell are you doing with your laptop here?" The young brother said: "Im taking notes!" So... he took a few notes, and then, being the bright spark he is... said to my brother: "I KNOW! I'll record the talk using the microphone on the laptop!" So... he sets it all up as quiet as a mouse, so as not to disturb any of the other 14,000 delegates in attendance... and then... he hits the record button.

SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For the next 15 seconds as the high pitched screetching sound continues, he fumbles franticaly and starts shouting, "Shut up shut up you stupid computer!" After trying to turn down the volume control on the laptop and using the volume knob on the laptop unsuccessfully, he decided to RIP OUT the battery! Lol! My brother and I were peeing ourselves laughing! He went red in the face and didnt say anything for a long time! HAHAHAHA!!!

I also have some more. Maybe ill post them soon!

Timmy :D

15

Celebrating my sons 11th birthday on Sunday

by Pams girl in

jw
friends

i cant wait!

ive bought him lots of pressies, we collect his cake on saturday, and are having a big family gathering.. i havent actively celebrated his birthday for the 6 years i was studying.

i need to make it up to him.

TimothyT

Enjoy Paula!

I hope he is THRILLED! Im sure you will be too!

Timmy xxx hugs xxx

216

Religious Reform

by Maze in

as a bible based organization, how do feel jehovah's organization should be reformed?

the answer is quite simple in christendoms churches:.

1. reject false doctrines like the trinity and 'all christians go to heaven' and use of images in worship.. .

TimothyT

Lol Cantleave!

S/he cant explain or prove it because its a false concept. I used be similar - trying to defend the organisation, etc. But when we realise that it is complete contradiction to the bible and we are bringing reproach upon Jehovahs name, it should be time to reconsider our motives and our beliefs.

The majority dont bother though! It is my experience that i saw 99% of my congregation being blindly led along. They should wake up and research the REAL truth about Jesus and Gods arrangement for this earth.

Timmy x

216

Religious Reform

by Maze in

as a bible based organization, how do feel jehovah's organization should be reformed?

the answer is quite simple in christendoms churches:.

1. reject false doctrines like the trinity and 'all christians go to heaven' and use of images in worship.. .

TimothyT

Haha to Cantleave's post!

Personaly, I feel it would be impossible to reform JW's! They'd need to dump their core teachings which would demolish the entire religion.

When Russel began The Bible Students, he was ashamed and appaled by the way main stream Christianity had lost its roots. It started well but became too dogmatic and doctrinal instead of focusing on the more important aspects of Christianity. Unfortunately, his own religious group has slipped into what he was originaly appaled with.

Maze, I do believe God has an 'organisation' today as he has always had one through history. He has 'organised' for his son to be our king, saviour, redeemer and mediator (John 3:16, 1 Tim 2:5-6). This is what the bible REALY teaches about Gods 'organisation'. Read 1 Corinthians 3 and understand the TRUTH!

Timmy xxx