the society have taught for many years that only 144,000 individuals will have embraced true worship from the time when jesus (and presumably john the baptist six months before him) began his ministry in about 30 c.e.
when the great crowd began to be drawn in.. however, even a casual reading of the book of acts shows the phenomenal growth of christianity during the time of the apostles.
in colossians ch1 paul even makes the comment that the good news had at that point been preached to all creation that was under heaven.. in 64 c.e, there were so many christians in rome already that nero felt he could easily blame them for the destructive fire which had swept through the city.
Eric,
The official teaching of the witnesses I believe goes this way.
The number 144,000 was filled by 1935 thus opening up the earthly hope.
Any one after 1935 who claims to be anointed is just a replacement for an anointed one who proved themselves unfaithful, or one falsly making that claim, or a nut.
Ranchette
sorry for duplicating this post.
i made a mistake and posted on the wrong forum.. my question is, can we rely on the observer to give us accurate information on the jws.
i ask this question because i have read many disturbing things about the society in its early beginnings.
I reposted on this thread because the other one will probably fall off the page.
Much much more reliable than what you get from WT
Seriously though,
The info on the WT observer gives the sources for most of the info contained there.
You can check it out.
That site contains lots of real news stories from around the world concerning JWs.
Ranchette
Ranchette
i met a bunch of witnesses from my old congregation on a ferry to seattle a month ago.
i tried avoiding them but they spotted me and their was no escape.
they all seemed to be very jovial and asked me if i was going to the meetings.
richard,
I understand what your saying.
We got email from a witness that seemed to be so excited about what was happening.They just knew the end was almost here!
No feeling for those lost.
It turned my stomach especially when I realized I used to reason that way.
Our natural human feeling and love of man was truly hardened as witnesses.
Ranchette
the society have taught for many years that only 144,000 individuals will have embraced true worship from the time when jesus (and presumably john the baptist six months before him) began his ministry in about 30 c.e.
when the great crowd began to be drawn in.. however, even a casual reading of the book of acts shows the phenomenal growth of christianity during the time of the apostles.
in colossians ch1 paul even makes the comment that the good news had at that point been preached to all creation that was under heaven.. in 64 c.e, there were so many christians in rome already that nero felt he could easily blame them for the destructive fire which had swept through the city.
Most are not thinking beyond what they are told.
I had been in the org all my life and never questioned this teaching till I took their advice and started reading the Bible myself.
I had always been so overwelmed by what was expected of me and was paralyzed mentally so to speak till I got so fed up with some of the stunts they were pulling.
I decided to put WT literature on the back burner and read what I believed to be Gods word.
I quickly saw that the 144,000 would have been filled way before 1935!
I was so discusted that I trusted them so much.
Ranchette
the society, in defence of their stand against birthday celebrations, often state that the only two birthdays mentioned in the bible were of ungodly people and that harm resulted both times.. however, depending on which translation you use, there are at least five birthdays mentioned in the bible and, interestingly, these additional ones are all of jehovah's servants!.
even the new world translation has a third birthday celebration that jw's rarely, if ever, speak about.. .
please note that not all translations are accepted as 100% accurate by jw's and that i myself am not completely sure that these extra birthdays are truly what they seem - i simply state that they they are recorded there as birthday celebrations.. .
What about when gifts were brought right after Jesus was born?
I don't believe those gifts were rejected.
They were in honor of his birth.
I'm eating supper now and can't look it up now.
Ranchette
the society, in defence of their stand against birthday celebrations, often state that the only two birthdays mentioned in the bible were of ungodly people and that harm resulted both times.. however, depending on which translation you use, there are at least five birthdays mentioned in the bible and, interestingly, these additional ones are all of jehovah's servants!.
even the new world translation has a third birthday celebration that jw's rarely, if ever, speak about.. .
please note that not all translations are accepted as 100% accurate by jw's and that i myself am not completely sure that these extra birthdays are truly what they seem - i simply state that they they are recorded there as birthday celebrations.. .
Job 1:4
Every year when Job's sons had birthdays,they invited their brothers and sisters to join them for a celebration.On these occasions they would get together and eat and drink.
New Living Translation
Ranchette
well i guess wt is getting tired of waiting me out.
two elders showed up at my door on halloween.
they were not trick or treating, at least i think they were notat least they did not have candy bags.
Bill,
Thanks for updating everyone.
Keep us posted!
Ranchette
can anyone please tell me the latest official position of the wbts on family members who are disfellowshiped or disassociated.
(please quote wbts literature or boe letters as i don't have the latest).. why all of this?
this week i met a wonderful couple who are being shunned by their own 28 year old daughter.
Nelly,
I'm glad you posted what they say to the public.I should have worded my post differently.I was concentrating on what lurkers may think instead of considering you too.Sorry.
When you put it all together it makes an interesting picture doesn't it.
Ranchette
i have been away from the organization for about 3yrs now.. what did it for me was that verse in psalms/proverbs, where it says: do not put your trust in nobles or the son of earthling man.. the watchtower officials are like nobles.
they expect trust from you, with their multitude of rules for christian living.
something they say is down to your conscience; yet punish you for exercising your conscience.they infact want you to exercise their conscience.. yes, i have doubts about these people!.
Billy,
You got exactly what you deserved!
You come across as imature and juvinile.
Your name should be Bully instead of Billy.
You were acting like a brat that cames into a room full of children playing a board game, starts calling everyone names and kicks the game across the room.
Then when all the kids turn on you angry and calling names back you wine and cry that no one wants to play with you!
Streighten up and act right and you will be treated accordingly!
Ranchette
if anyone care to post some of their own pets, here is one of my cats, mona.
thanks seven for the recent pics!.
I have two huge long haired yellow tabbies that look something like this.
This photo reminds me of them when my husband first brought them home to me.
I whish I had their real photos.
This will have to do for now.Hope they work!
Ranchette
