2017, August 21 – August 27, Our Christian Life and Ministry

Treasures from God’s Word – Gog of Magog will soon be destroyed.

The more we study the Bible without the influence of the teachings of the Organization, particularly with regard to types and antitypes, the more apparent it becomes that the prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures referred almost exclusively to the Nation of Israel/Judah. It is only the Greek Scriptures, and in particular, Revelation that touch on events beyond the 1^st Century CE.

Ezekiel 38:2 – The name Gog of Magog refers to a coalition of nations (w15 5/15 29-30)

Bearing the above in mind, we have another example of type/antitype with no basis in scripture. The reference links ‘Gog of Magog’ from Ezekiel to the ‘king of the North’ in Daniel and the attack by ‘the kings of the earth’ at Armageddon. Once again, supposition and speculation enters the literature, being portrayed as biblical fact and accepted by the majority of those reading the literature as biblical fact, rather than as the speculation that it is. The 1^st paragraph says “Do these represent separate attacks? Not likely. The Bible is no doubt referring to the same attack under different names.” is the answer (bold ours).  What is the purported scriptural basis? Revelation 16:14-16. Only because of taking the Ezekiel and Daniel passages as types requiring an antitype, only in this way can those scriptures be linked tenuously to Revelation. Without an antitypical fulfillment, this whole argument falls apart.

Historian scholars have determined that Magog was a literal area in middle-to-northern parts of modern-day Turkey, surrounded by Gomer, Tubal, Togmarah to the east and Meshech to the south west. The whole focus of the Book of Daniel is on the coming of the Messiah, the vast majority of it was clearly fulfilled in the centuries following its writing up to the aftermath of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 C.E. While we cannot say categorically that Daniel did not also write for the future beyond the end of the Jewish system of things, just because we do not clearly understand a small part of it, it does not give us license to transplant its fulfilment into the 20^th and 21^st century to suit our own agenda without clear evidence to support it. The same applies to the attack of Gog of Magog from Ezekiel 38.

The comments on Ezekiel 38:14-16 and Ezekiel 38:21-23 both perpetuate the antitypical fulfillment of these passages of Scripture.

Digging for Spiritual Gems

Ezekiel 36:20, 21 – What is the primary reason why we must maintain fine conduct?

The answer should be: “Because we love God and want to do his will to the best of our ability.”

However, that is not what the reference says. The reference says ‘The Jews’ misconduct reflected on Jehovah. You who take pride in the law, do you by your transgressing the law, dishonour God? ’. Now this is a very good question, so let us run with this line of questioning.

The Organization claims it is God’s spirit-directed Organization, although it doesn’t make clear how God’s spirit actually directs the leaders of the Organization any differently from any honest-hearted Christian. The Organization takes pride in its law that it makes and interprets from Jesus’ teachings and the Scriptures. However, in doing so sadly it transgresses not only God’s law but also man’s law and in doing so dishonours God.

How so? Just as Jesus warned the Pharisees against their actions, saying that they had ‘disregarded the weightier matters of the Law, namely justice and mercy and faithfulness’, so today the Organization is strict about little things such as 2 witnesses, but disregards giving those abused the justice they are looking for and deserve, allowing wicked ones the opportunity to flourish. It seems their pride and stubbornness in not changing their rules and in disobeying the secular authorities about reporting crimes, and alleged crimes, is becoming well publicised and in doing so brings dishonour to Jehovah God as the Organization bears his name. It would be good for the Governing Body to take a while to really meditate on the meaning of these verses and make necessary changes.

Ezekiel 36:33-36 – When have these words been fulfilled in modern times?

This was a prophecy about Israel. There is no clue in this passage or elsewhere in the Bible that indicates this is a type with a future antitype. So when does a type not have an anti-type? According to the Watchtower of w15 3/15 p. 10 par. 10: “greater caution when it comes to calling a Bible account a prophetic drama unless there is a clear Scriptural basis for doing so.”—i.e. only when the Bible indicates this. But, to this we have to add, ‘also when the Watchtower says so.’ Someone really didn’t think through that article giving an adjustment on types and antitypes because there are so many antitypes still being promulgated without any thought or basis.

Talk: What is the meaning of the Joining together of the two sticks? (w16.07 pg31-32)

Here we have another type and antitype being put forward without justification.

In the 6^th paragraph it states “Initially, the prophecy began to be fulfilled in 1919 when God’s people were gradually reorganized and reunited”. As it is said about the press and governments ‘don’t let the truth get in the way of a good story’. This is indeed a good story! ‘Unity coming about as Jehovah blessed his people.’ Such a shame that this good story is untrue, the period of 1919 through to the mid 1930’s was a traumatic one for the Organization as large numbers left, many joining Bible Students movements which had splintered away due to the actions and teachings introduced by Judge Rutherford.

Then the article claims the ‘anointed’ with hopes of becoming kings and priests are symbolically like the stick for Judah. However, it gives no scriptural basis for this symbolism; nor for assigning the ‘great crowd’ to the stick for Joseph. In the final paragraph, they even admit that ‘the 10-tribe kingdom does not usually picture those with an earthly hope’ but the unification of the two sticks in ‘this prophecy does remind us of the unity that exists between those with an earthly hope and those with a heavenly hope.’—i.e. they want it to fit, so they will find an excuse however flimsy and make it fit.

Also they don’t bother to read the passages and the context of the passages they quote. They claim that Jesus came in 1919 and appointed a faithful and discreet slave according to Matthew 24:45-47, however in the next passage of Scripture Matthew 25:1-30 they cite, when we read particularly verses 19-30 we find there are 3 slaves, 2 of whom are faithful and one unfaithful. Maybe the 2^nd faithful slave who did not make as many talents as the first faithful slave is the one being referred to by Governing Body member Geoffrey Jackson when he testified in court to the Australian Royal High Commission on Child Abuse. When he was asked:

‘Q.   And do you see yourselves as Jehovah God’s spokespeople on earth?’

His answer was:

‘A.   That I think would seem to be quite presumptuous to say that we are the only spokesperson that God is using. (bold ours) The scriptures clearly show that someone can act in harmony with God’s spirit in giving comfort and help in the congregations, but if I could just clarify a little, going back to Matthew 24, clearly, Jesus said that in the last days—and Jehovah’s Witnesses believe these are the last days—there would be a slave, a group of persons who would have responsibility to care for the spiritual food.  So in that respect, we view ourselves as trying to fulfill that role.[1]’

It would be amusing if that possibility becomes ‘new light’ to cover up the faux pas of Geoffrey Jackson!, but then anything is possible. The official line seems to be that he made a mistake. In that case it means he lied to the court while under oath, and could be found guilty of perjury unless he apologizes to the court and ‘corrects’ his statement. You will also notice that the lawyer did not ask ‘do you see yourselves as Jehovah God’s only spokespeople on earth?’, yet that is the question that Geoffrey Jackson ‘heard’ and answered.

Video – Pursue what builds loyalty – Faith

The question we should ask straight away is loyalty to whom? The Organization or Jehovah God and his son, Christ Jesus? Who should we put faith in? A Scripture oft-quoted in the literature is Jeremiah 10:23 “It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.” 1 John 5:13 says “I write YOU these things that YOU may know that YOU have life everlasting, YOU who put YOUR faith in the name of the Son of God.” (bold ours).

In the video, faith in the Organization appears to lead to a bunker where they are trapped by armed police. Yet, putting our faith in Jehovah and his Messiah Jesus Christ and the good news of salvation will be much superior to putting faith in a human Organization, as Hebrews 11:1 says ‘Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld’. Has the Organization given us any demonstration of being reliable on past teachings so that we can have faith in it? NO.

Has Jehovah? Yes, of course he has. The Holy Bible is full of prophecy and fulfillments of prophecy so that we can have faith in Jehovah and his Son. We just need to separate God’s word from man’s interpretation, so we can clearly see the unadulterated truthful message contained in his word the Holy Bible.

Congregation Book Study (kr chap. 16 para 18-24)

The main thrust of this portion is to indicate that if we don’t desire to meet together as prescribed by the Governing Body then we do not view God’s Kingdom as real to us as individuals. Yes, Jesus and Paul both encouraged us to meet and build up our fellow believers, but they did not encourage us to sit listening to the same paltry fare each week, ‘be loyal to the Organization, ‘use only our literature’, ‘obey our instructions’, ‘go knocking on doors’.

We can show our love for Jehovah and Jesus Christ by imitating them in showing love to others, and study God’s Word rather than man-made literature, and talking to others we know personally with enthusiasm about the things we have found in the Holy Bible. The statement that ‘one of the most important activities being carried out by Gods kingdom today—the making and training of Disciples of Christ’, which is the only activity given prominence in the literature. To the contrary however, the most important thing according to the Scriptures in John 13:34-35 is ‘By this all will know that you are my disciples is you have love among yourselves’, and by taking time to show love to others, then right-hearted ones will be drawn to us and hence our leader Jesus Christ. By acting thus, we will fulfill both commissions.

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[1] Page 9\15937 Transcript, Day 155.pdf –  https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/