What makes one think that Stephen or anyone else inthe first century knew anything to be considered right about such subjects?
Stephen was not an inspired prophet.
Stephen was just a guy who was not good at dodgeball.
Rattigan350
JoinedPosts by Rattigan350
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47
Did Stephen believe he would have to wait 2000 years for a resurrection?
by Socrateswannabe inin acts 7:59, the jews were casting stones at stephen and his last words were, "lord jesus, receive my spirit.".
the wts has contended that all of the ancients who died after jesus were in a sleep-like condition, awaiting a resurrection that eventually happened in 1918-1919 (depending upon which wt reference you are looking at).
and in fact, v. 60 says stephen "fell asleep in death".
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Arguments in favor of the destruction of Jerusalem in 607 BCE
by TJ Curioso ini received the following explanation in favor of the date of 607 bce.
accepted comments on the points at issue.. .
conclusion.
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Rattigan350
'"genile times' is an ultimately meaningless term rooted in allegory and folklore."
That may be true, but I was addressing how they are barking up the wrong tree on this oft argued and misconstrued issue.
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Arguments in favor of the destruction of Jerusalem in 607 BCE
by TJ Curioso ini received the following explanation in favor of the date of 607 bce.
accepted comments on the points at issue.. .
conclusion.
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Rattigan350
Why does it matter?
The beginning of the gentile times is not based on the destruction of Jerusalem. Only the WTS tradition is. Because the WTS is hard headed, they want to stick with Russell's reasoning (though they changed everything else). And everyone against the WTS goes against that.
The gentile times is based on when the promise to David got paused. Jehvoah told David that he seed That is not about the destruction of Jerusalem but when the kings in the line of David lost their sovereignty. Since they lost that before the destruction of Jerusalem, then it does not matter when Jerusalem was destroyed.
2 Sam 7:12 "I shall certainly raise up your seed after you, which will come out of your inward parts; and I shall indeed firmly establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one that will build a house for my name, and I shall certainly establish the throne of his kingdom firmly to time indefinite. 14 I myself shall become his father, and he himself will become my son. When he does wrong, I will also reprove him with the rod of men and with the strokes of the sons of Adam. 15 As for my loving-kindness, it will not depart from him the way I removed it from Saul, whom I removed on account of you. 16 And your house and your kingdom will certainly be steadfast to time indefinite before you; your very throne will become one firmly established to time indefinite.”’”
That is for David, then Solomon then on to be kings in Jerusalem on down to Jesus. Well, Jesus never became king. So what happened. The Gentile times.
"your very throne will become one firmly established ". Prior to Jerusalem's destruction the throne was lost when they were invaded and were subject to other nations and that started the gentile times when then ended in 1914.
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Pets are false gods
by Rattigan350 ini"m listening to the 2013 dc green bay saturday talk on false gods.. the speaker says no one would knowingly worship false deities.
but could we inadvertantly give jehovah less than exclusive devotion he deserves.. he said:you have not allowed this deception power of sin to sensual desires, material comforts, pets, technology, entertainment or food to become objects of devotion to you.. anything that interferes with our spiriutal routine has the power of eroding or weaking our relationship with jehovah.. .
my dogs can erode my relationship with jehovah.
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Rattigan350
I"m listening to the 2013 DC Green Bay Saturday talk on False Gods.
The speaker says no one would knowingly worship false deities. But could we inadvertantly give Jehovah less than exclusive devotion he deserves.
He said:You have not allowed this deception power of sin to sensual desires, material comforts, PETS, technology, entertainment or food to become objects of devotion to you.
Anything that interferes with our spiriutal routine has the power of eroding or weaking our relationship with Jehovah.
Really?
My dogs can erode my relationship with Jehovah. Maybe because I would rather spend time with then then the people at the Hall because my dogs
have unconditional love and are not judgmental. Dogs need food, water, instruction and caring and teaching just like children.
What may hurt my relationship with Jehovah is realizing that humans that make things upgrade them.
Jehovah created dogs but why not make dog 2.0 that can talk.
They grow and mature and learn faster than humans, but never were given that part of the brain that can form language.
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Why do they keep doing this?
by TTATT in"even many who claim to be religious feel that they are at liberty to do what they think is right, without any obligation to obey god and his commandments.
(ps.
14:1) this attitude may pose a real threat to true christians.
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Rattigan350
" Biblebased counsel on entertainment, use of the Internet, and the pursuit of higher education"
It is all about it being based on the Bible. But the Bible was about history of a nation thousands of years ago, or some letters narrowly written to others based on that history.
The writer here is just trying to keep a grip on the people by making those things about obedience to God.
Do what they say to obey God. That is the definition of a cult.
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When You Were A JW---What "Motivated" You To "Do More"?
by minimus inmost witnesses that i knew of were spurred on by hearing a talk designed to make them feel guilty over their not doing enough.
co's visits, assemblies and conventions motivated a few to pioneer, "reach out", etc......soon after the talks, usually, in less than a month, everyone went right back to slacking again.. did you feel "motivated" due to guilt when you were an active witness?.
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Rattigan350
So the cute sisters would like me.
Thus when I got married, what's the point of doing more?
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New buzz phrase
by Rattigan350 init seems the new buzz phrase at the dc that they have been saying more and more lately is that jehovah protects one's spiritual health and that is what is more important that physical or financial health.. spiritual health.
as if that is something that is really quantifiable.
he protects it but we have no proof or evidence.. what is spiritual health?
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Rattigan350
It seems the new buzz phrase at the DC that they have been saying more and more lately is that Jehovah protects one's spiritual health and that is what is more important that physical or financial health.
Spiritual health. As if that is something that is really quantifiable. He protects it but we have no proof or evidence.
What is spiritual health? We love the meetings, FS and everything else. He protects that. Like lame.
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Rattigan350
Since the high priest can only marry a virgin. the 144,000 being the bride of Christ. Jesus as the high priest can only marry a virgin, so the 144, 000 as the bride would be a virgin.
Remember that you don't have to question everything doctrinally. The problem with the WTS is not the doctrines, it is the organizational control.
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Subtle wording in today's study article (3/15/13 WT)
by leaving_quietly inw13 3/15 p. 28 par.
"first, we must proclaim that name to others, recognizing that only those who 'call on the name of jehovah will be saved.
' (rom.
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Rattigan350
Why does it even matter what Paul wrote? As if he is some kind of authority on salvation and religion?
Paul was not a prophet. He taught nothing new. He was a historian of Israel.
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Why WT translates Parousia as "Presence" and not "Coming" (Matt. 24:3)?
by ProfCNJ inwt had translated "parousia" as presence instead of "coming".
it has explained time and again that in 1914, jesus came invisibly and since then, we are living in the last days under his invisible presence.. now i was a bit puzzled if that would really be the appropriate translation after reading matthew 28:19, 20.. 19 "therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit,20and teaching them to obey everything i have commanded you.
and surely i am with you always, to the very end of the age.".
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Rattigan350
Because the Greek word means presence and not coming.
And they would not ask Jesus what would be the sign of his coming as they would not need to if he was coming visibly. They could just see him.
They knew that Jesus does not come back to earth. No reason to. But people think that they are so important that they want Jesus to come here with them. That is about as arrogant as their believing that they go to heaven to be with Jesus.
"after reading Matthew 28:19, 20." Are you sure that Matt 28:19 is proper considering that 1 John 5:7 added the trinitarian formula. How can one know that Matt 28:19 is correct in that manner?