Milk is a wholesome food, easily digested (assuming you are not lactose-intolerant) and is the food Jehovah designed to feed newborns. Paul uses milk metaphorically to show how newborn Christians are fed—those still fleshly in their outlook.[i] However, that is a temporary food. The infant soon needs “solid food such as belongs to mature people…who through use have their perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right and wrong.”[ii] In short, we need the meat of the word.
This week’s study article is an object lesson in what has become standard practice in our teaching, especially with the release of the study addition of The Watchtower. Since the Governing Body is now “preaching to the converted”, they seem to feel little need to provide scriptural support for any of the statements made. Like young sucklings, we are expected to just drink in the word unquestioningly; and for the most part we oblige them.
As we review highlights from this week’s study, ask yourself, “Where’s the beef?”
Par. 4 – “What a difficult thing it is to endure the ridicule and opposition of family members who do not share our faith!”
The unstated assumption is that all this ridicule and opposition from family members comes because people outside of our organization simply do not understand the truth. They are part of Satan’s world. However, this door swings both ways. There have been thousands of true Christians who have pointed out errors in our teaching and been willing to back their findings up with sound scriptural reasoning. These have encountered ridicule and opposition, even to the point of being completely cut off from family and friends. Truly, “a man’s enemies will be persons of his own household.”
Par. 6 – “Come, you people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah.”
Par. 7 – “despite having come from rival nations, these worshipers have beaten “their swords into plowshares,” and they refuse to “learn war anymore.”
Again, the unstated assumption we are expected to swallow down is that this mountain of Jehovah has appeared only in our time; that the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses is the “mountain” to which the nations are streaming.
“Where’s the beef?”
No proof is provided for this statement. We are simply expected to accept it as gospel. Yet our own version of the Bible gives a cross reference for the phrase “in the final part of the days” taken from Micah 4:1 which points to Acts 2:17. There, Peter refers to his day as fulfilling the prophecy of the “last days” or the “final part of the days”. When Jesus came and established the Christian congregation, can anyone deny that the mountain of Jehovah was established then? Was it not from that point onward that ‘people from all nations came to worship at the mountain of Jehovah’? True, unlike the majority of Christendom, we have beaten our swords into plowshares. But this process hardly started with us, nor is it exclusive to us nowadays. It has been ongoing among true Christians for the past 2,000 years.
Par. 8 – “God is giving all sorts of people the opportunity to gain “an accurate knowledge of truth”…and to be saved.” (Read 1 Timothy 2:3,4)
Here again, the unspoken assumption is that such “accurate knowledge of truth” can only be obtained through the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Salvation is made possible through the acquisition of this “accurate knowledge”. Jesus repeatedly taught that the hope of salvation for his disciples was the kingdom of the heavens; to be with him there. This is “the good news about Jesus.”[iii] However, we are taught a different good news.[iv] We are taught that this hope is denied to 99.9% of all “true Christians” today. So are we teaching accurate knowledge or inaccurate knowledge? Only one leads to life.
Par. 9 – In the near future, the nations will say “Peace and security!”
Where’s the proof? All the Bible says is, “Whenever it is that they are saying…” No mention is made of this being a proclamation at a multinational level, as paragraph 12 teaches. A small thing, you might say. But the matter is, why are we being expected to simply accept the unfounded interpretation of men?
Par. 14 – “Following the proclamation of “Peace and security!” political elements of Satan’s system will suddenly turn on false religion and wipe it out.”
Paul links the saying of “Peace and security!” as preceding the Lord’s day. Does the Lord’s day begin with the destruction of Babylon the great? It’s hard to say categorically, but the weight of evidence seems to point to a period of time following the end of Babylon after which Armageddon, the Lord’s day or Jehovah’s day, occurs. Yet we simply teach that this saying, “Peace and security!”, precedes Babylon’s destruction. Again, no evidence, not substance…just believe.
Par. 17 – “Soon, Jehovah’s day will come. Now is the time to return to our heavenly Father’s loving arms and to the congregation—the only safe haven in these last days.
Par. 18 – Loyally support those taking the lead. [Italics and boldface from the article]
Par. 19 – “…display confidence in Jehovah’s leadership”
Par. 20 – “…let us accept direction from those appointed to take the lead in Jehovah’s organization.”
Here is the crux of the study. Armageddon is coming and the only safe place to be is inside the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses, but to do that we have to “display confidence in Jehovah’s leadership. What scripture is provided to support this statement? None. So what do they mean? According to Matthew 23:10, humans are not to be leaders. Our leader is one, the Christ. So Jehovah’s leadership is manifested in the Christ, the head of the congregation we are being urged to return to. Does the article mention Jesus in a leadership role? No. The leadership being referred to are men in positions of responsibility in the organization, the Governing Body, and its representatives.
Imagine you’re the CEO of a large, multinational organization and you learn of a memo going out to all employees urging them to follow the lead of middle management, loyally support their managers and accept whatever direction comes from them, because that’s what the owner of the corporation wants. Yet there is no mention whatsoever of your position or authority? They have just cut you out of the equation altogether. How would you feel? What would you do?
It’s easy to lap up milk. We don’t have to exert ourselves, just drink in what is feed to us. But solid food takes some work. Why are so many of us willing to drink the milk where there is far more nutritious food at hand? Food for mature people, food for adults.
Why aren’t more of us asking, “Where’s the beef?”
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Comment by on 2014-01-12 08:09:50
Par. 18: "Elders in more than 100,000 congregations shepherd God’s sheep on a personal level. (Acts 20:28) When we loyally support those appointed to take the lead, we express our appreciation to Jehovah and Jesus for all that they have done for us."
So who will we follow? God's word and spirit as we know it? The explicit instructions of Jesus? The Governing Body? The elders? Our God-trained conscience?
Thank you Meleti once again for laying out the logical dilemma posed for those hungary to chew on some spiritual meat.
About July of 1974, the Daily News came out with a "Gerald Ford" proclamation and headline, "Peace and Security" in response to some UN-related crisis. That was good enough for us 1975-ers.
Here we are 40 years later, after a long trek in the wilderness, still waiting for that proclamation. Perhaps our basic understanding is wrong.Reply by Anonymous Too on 2014-01-12 12:21:33
Speaking of 40 years ago, if you remember the excitement with which we received this information at Yankee Stadium in 1973 and studied it in our Book Study meeting in 1974, it makes today's WT a little hard to accept:
*** tp73 chap. 7 p. 73 par. 4 When Will the Foretold World Destruction Come? ***
4 Among the information contained in the Bible regarding our day is the following:
(1) Identification of a specific year as the time when God would give rulership over the “kingdom of mankind” to “the one whom he wants to.”
(2) Listing of significant events that would take place during the period known as “the conclusion of the system of things.”
(3) Indication as to the length of time from the beginning of “the conclusion of the system of things” until the foretold world destruction arrives.
(4) Mention of a striking development in world affairs as a final signal that world destruction is about to begin.Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2014-01-13 11:27:15
I remember we used to have special Awake! issues in October. I think twice a year actually, April? and October. (Correct me if I'm wrong.) In any case, there was one about the time the U.S. got out of Vietnam that featured the Peace and Security prophecy. Then of course, there was the book you mentioned. This coincided with the 1975 build up. Our expectations were at a fever pitch. The "disconfirmation" of those apocalyptic expectations caused many to leave the organization, but others just ramped up the proselytizing campaign, which is commonly how this process works. But there is a limit to how many failed prophecies a people can cope with before they leave.
I believe we are starting to repeat the 50-year pattern that begin with Russell in the 1870s. Those who put their trust in men may not recover from this one. I think this will be the proverbial last straw.
Comment by GodsWordisTruth on 2014-01-12 10:31:19
Excellent breakdown of the watchtower Meleti. If I didn't have this article I have no idea how I would have endured the Watchtower today. Your comments about the paragraphs are spot on.
The line in paragraph 16 rubbed me the wrong way..."Really, he has always done good toward us. Even if we are not living up to our dedication to him, he allows us to enjoy the good things he provides. " It reminded me of your article "Membership has it's privileges". Why does being inactive with the organization mean that your relationship with Jehovah is in jeopardy? Why has the GB inserted themselves in our personal dedication to Jehovah ? Instead , we are not living up to our dedication to the organization if we do not get a least one hour a month in service and attend all of our meetings. This requirement is not from Jehovah.
Also, I was surprised that there was so much emphasis on 100 years of Kingdom rule in the comments today.Reply by Joel on 2014-01-12 19:18:43
That part of the paragraph leaped out at me also. Jesus said quite simply "I am the WAY and the TRUTH and the LIFE, no one comes to the father except through ME".
Reply by GodsWordIsTruth on 2014-01-13 09:24:44
You are absolutely right Joel. They are substituting themselves for Christ. The problem is that the GB is above counsel. Who checks their hand? Iron sharpens Iron. If they are all on the same page …where is the sharpening ? I’m not sure how they come up with the final draft of interpretation of scripture… is it put to a vote ? I cannot believe it is possible that all eight of them are really buying into the information that they are putting out in the publications. Then again it is their organization I guess they can do what they very well please under the guise that their dealings are spirit directed.
Reply by anderestimme on 2014-01-13 09:53:53
This has been a pet peeve with me for some time. Now that all the elders have an inbox on jw.org, it would be very easy for the GB to consult at least a small cross-section of the elders before printing a new understanding or policy. They also could invite the elders to express themselves on anything that concerns them. Yet, this 'multitude of counselors' is a resource never tapped. Why? Is it disdain for the opinions of the rank and file, or is it fear that, if they're seen to consult the masses, their halo will disappear?
Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2014-01-13 10:52:22
Good point. I looked for some scriptural reference to support their statement that the 'congregation is the only safe haven today', but could find nothing. Since the majority of the tests of faith we all have faced have originated from within the congregation, one can see why the Bible never refers to it as a safe haven. Jesus and his Father are our only consistently safe havens. We do get support and help from brothers and sisters, but not as a collective. The spirit works through individuals not multinational corporations, institutions or organizations.
Reply by smolderingwick1 on 2014-01-13 11:13:12
A good reminder, Meleti. That the congregation is the only safe haven today, it is quite the opposite from a Biblical view. What were the epistles of Paul and others about but the greater dangers and troubles within? In fact the entire Bible is about the dangers within the families and congregation as expressed in Micah:
(Micah 2:3-5) . . .“Therefore this is what Jehovah has said, ‘Here I am thinking up against this family a calamity from which you people will not remove your necks, so that you will not walk haughtily; because it is a time of calamity. 4 In that day one will raise up concerning you people a proverbial saying and will certainly lament a lamentation, even a lamentation. One will have to say: 'We have positively been despoiled! The very portion of my people he alters. How he removes [it] from me! To the unfaithful one he apportions out our own fields.' 5 Therefore you will come to have no one casting out the cord, by lot, in the congregation of Jehovah."
Reply by Joel on 2014-01-13 16:53:13
I'm increasingly skeptical of scriptural backup for a lot of the teachings we digest. I often see a point in a paragraph and think to myself " oh really? I wonder what the cited scripture says?" and then I look it up and find that if there is any link at all to the point being made, it is so abstracted that reconciling it would require another study, or the reason is completely lost on me.
To your point though about the congregation of Jehovahs Witnesses being the only safe haven, the "Noahs Ark" simile, not only is there no scriptural basis for such a statement, I can think of several scriptural and logical reasons this could not be the case.
Mark 9:38-40 being one.
"38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name,[a] and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us."
Jesus reply to the disciples query could not be clearer.
So how can we continue to say that only Jehovahs Witnesses are practicing righteousness? How can we say that, when Jesus said nothing of the kind having the perfect opportunity to do so?
If the organisation is akin to Noahs Ark in modern times. It is a strange thing that "inspiration" is denied for the things printed, but "direction" is a key word claimed by our organisation. Surely they should amount to the same thing? To illustrate - I need to give my car express direction. If I do not it will fishtail. Its a simple truth and consequence. Noah was given direction to build an ark, that is, he was told "exactly" what was going to happen and "exactly" how to build the required vessel. If no one is claiming to have received such a message in modern times, then in what way can the organisation claim ark-like status? It baffles me.
I was also distressed, as were many others, at how in the now infamous July 15 study, (which I don't doubt you covered thoroughly already), the "faithful slave" is "definitely" a prophecy, but the "wicked slave" is "definitely" a parable, when it is clear that Jesus was stating it would not be a certainty who this faithful slave was, which perfectly parallels the thought in Matt 7:22 "many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not....?"
Making it abundantly clear that many who profess to be doing his will would not in fact be approved by him, which brings me to 1 Cor 10:12 - "Let he who thinks he is standing, beware...."
Hence the exhortation in 2 Cor 13:5 “Keep testing whether you are in the faith, keep proving what you yourselves are.”Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2014-01-13 17:43:06
Very nicely put, Joel. We are in complete agreement.
I also like the way Jesus phrased that. 'He who isn't against us is for us.' So much more positive and inclusive than George W. Bush's infamous, "You're either with us, or against us."
Reply by on 2014-01-13 05:22:20
Plus "dedication" is not mentioned in the Bible anyway... I am always annoyed when Wt uses that term and connects it with baptism.
Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2014-01-13 11:48:06
Thank you for that. I never thought about that pairing before. This is how bias creeps in. We accept as a given something taught to us a children and then it colors all our understanding on that topic. We don't even think to question the premise, until one day someone draws it to our attention and boom! We have to go back and reevaluate everything built up on that mistaken premise.
Reply by on 2014-01-13 13:54:05
Yes. Here is a good article about this subject: http://perimeno.ca/Dedication.htm
Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2014-01-13 10:10:55
Good point. If we have already had 100 years of kingdom rule and the kingdom rules for 1,000 years, then we only have 900 left. How would we rate the first 100 years of Jesus' rule? What has he accomplished during the first 10% of his rulership period? What a sad commentary our misinterpretation forces upon Jesus. We say that the hellfire doctrine is a god-dishonoring teaching, and it is. But are we not dishonoring the rulership of our king by claiming he's already been ruling for 100 years and yet we've had 100 years of the wars, pestilences and human ruination. Not a particularly auspicious start to anyone's reign, wouldn't you say?
Comment by Sargon on 2014-01-12 15:05:31
Are we to expect a literal cry of peace and security? Not necessarily. In 1 Thesalonians 5:1 we are told that we do not need anything written to us concerning times and seasons. Why? Because as verse 2 shows we already know that Jesus is coming as a thief in the night. We are not in darkness (verse 4) and we should not be sleeping as the rest do (verse 6).
So who cries peace and security? It's possible that this cry is used to illustrate the spiritually asleep condition of the nations. If there is peace and security, does a watchman need to remain vigilant? No. Because there is no longer any threat. The coast is clear. Thus those who assume the coast is clear and sleep spiritually will be caught off guard.
We are being warned against adopting a similar attitude. The coast is not clear. Now is the time to keep on the watch so that we are not found asleep when the Lord arrives.
Once again we are being taught speculation of men as doctrine. Were I to suggest this passage could mean something different I am to be shunned.Reply by Come Lord Jesus on 2014-01-12 16:39:45
One of the last great moments of prophetic insight attributed to the governing body has been held to be "Peace, Can it Last?" This was the public talk title of the 1942 Convention, after the United States had declared War against the axis powers.
"When they are saying peace and security" is at one and the same time the denial of fulfillment of Knorr's vision and the condition we will eventually remember as prevailing before the day of Jehovah.
What irony!
Reply by on 2014-01-13 05:24:33
Good point. I think they put way much emphasis on this one verse (1The 5:3).
Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2014-01-13 10:23:39
An excellent analysis of the verse, Sargon. Thanks for breaking it down for us. Your explanation fits and is completely consistent with the rest of the inspired record with regard to the end of times.
I'm sure the GB would reject it however, because it doesn't provide yet another means for them to incite us to look for signs, which makes us dependent on them as the one and only interpreter of the signs. The Lord's clear warning not to fall asleep but remain awake and vigilant because no one knows when the hour will arrive just won't cut it. We need to look for signs in the sun, moon and stars.
If a special sign consisting of a international proclamation of Peace and Security is to immediately precede Armageddon, then Jesus' words that he is coming at a time we think it not to be, would prove false. How could that happen? (Mat. 24:44) Too many failed cries of "Wolf!" will inevitably do great harm and cause us to lose our vigilance and sense of urgency when we will most need it.Reply by on 2014-01-13 12:36:01
Also the bible does not say that there is a "cry" or proclamation of peace and security. We made that up to enhance the scripture to fit our views. The verse actually says, "Whenever they are saying," or "When they say (Byington)." To me this scripture seems to be talking not about a proclamation, but a viewpoint. Just as when Jesus asked "who are they saying I am?" Also it seems like Paul is alluding to God's prophets who denounced those saying there is peace, when there is no peace.
Comment by Dorcas on 2014-01-12 15:14:32
Thank you again for your words of wisdom. Your comments mirrored my thoughts as I studied the article. There is very little scriptural support for any of the statements made in our study.
I think you hit the nail on the head when you said it's easy to lap up the milk. We're all so bogged down with "stuff" going on in our lives and the congregations that at times it seems too much effort is required to get to the true meat. I know I have found myself in that situation recently. That's why your site is so refreshing. Maybe I'm guilty again (lol!) of letting you and Apollos do the difficult work of research but nevertheless, I'm thankful to you both for giving us real food to chew.
Over the years I've found it difficult to accept that the scriptures teach a bold proclamation of Peace and Security will be sounded before the demise of false religion. Why is it mentioned only once in passing by Paul? Surely, something so important deserves greater attention in scripture. Just my thoughts.Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2014-01-13 10:27:55
Too true, Dorcas. It is dismaying who we can take a simple phrase like "they are saying" and extrapolate a world wide proclamation of nations. With no other scriptural cross-references, this is just the widest of speculation, yet we lap it up.
Thanks for sharing.Reply by imjustasking on 2014-01-17 18:19:43
Something to consider about the Peace and Security is what Paul wrote in 2 Thess 2: 1-3
2Th 2:1 However, brothers, respecting the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we request of YOU
2Th 2:2 not to be quickly shaken from YOUR reason nor to be excited either through an inspired expression or through a verbal message or through a letter as though from us, to the effect that the day of Jehovah is here.
2Th 2:3 Let no one seduce YOU in any manner, because it will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction.
So taking into account what Paul wrote at 1 Thess 5:3, then the P&S is not to be taken in isolation, that is, the MOL must also be present.
If the Society says the MOL appeared after the death of the Apostles, then there must have also been a cry of P&S since the two events are not independent of each other.
On the other hand if they say the P&S is to happen soon, then the MOL must put in an appearance. Since they are confident that a cry of P&S will happen soon, where is the MOL?
Just a thought...Reply by apollos0fAlexandria on 2014-01-18 14:14:56
Hi IJA
It's an interesting thought. How do you link the two things so directly though? You said "the two events are not independent of one another". What is it that makes them dependent on each other?
In one letter Paul links P&S with destruction. In the other he links the MOL with Christ's presence and the day of the Lord. What is it that links the MOL with P&S?
Apollos
Comment by Sargon on 2014-01-12 15:17:08
Another comment on the article. Apparently Jesus has gone AWOL during the last days. I thought he had been given all authority. Why were we not once told to follow his direction and trust in him for salvation during today's WT? I love Jehovah. But shouldn't this be Jesus' organization? Is he not head of the congregation? Apparently not. We've undermined and minimized the authority and great honor the Father has given him.
Also a HUGE awkward moment when a sister corrected the WT conductor. There was confusion when someone commented about the sealing of the anointed. The conductor tried to clear things up by reading from an 07 WT. However he was promptly corrected by a brave sister who told him his info was out of date. Brave sister, but a humble WT conductor who admitted he was wrong. Sadly such exchanges only happen because of ever changing speculation being taught as doctrine. Any visitors would have thought we were nuts.Reply by GodsWordIsTruth on 2014-01-12 15:38:33
Sargon.... I hate to say this out loud.... but it as if they have replaced Jesus. In all of the paragraphs that Meleti referred to above these imperfect men (but godfearing men according to our song) are leading us. There's no mention of Jesus. They state constantly over and over that underJehovah's direction They And whomever they appoint (elders, MS) are in charge of the congregation.
Our prayer today went on and on about blessing the brothers taking the lead. Jesus'model prayer was limited to praise, thanksgiving, petition of our Father. Why are we always asking Jehovah to bless administrative matters and leaders? I appreciate the brother hard work and sacrifice. Why am I singing their praises (song 116) and reading over and over in the publications about being obedient to them? We need to focus more on Jesus!Reply by Joel on 2014-01-13 07:43:34
Your thought about “saying it out loud” strikes a chord with me. Isn't it a real problem after you have been trained to keep your mouth shut, because you fear of speaking against the chosen ones/anoited, working against Jesus brothers and Gods purpose, being classed a modern day Korah, Dathan and Abiram? These are exactly the things I expressed to an elder who was kind enough to talk to me about these things. None of us wants to overstep that mark at all!
Yet, as you said, on a basic level how many of our meetings are actually directing glory to the right person? I admit, I haven’t really done an objective analysis, because I can plainly see all the occasions on which that does not seem to be the case.
I just makes me think of Moses, standing over that Rock saying “O rebels, from this rock do we bring out to you water?
On the other hand, despite problems that seem obvious to me, I second that I have always “appreciate(d) the brothers hard work and sacrifice.” and I am also grateful that, for all the teachings and history of the organisation I am now forced to question, at the very least I do not celebrate Christmas, Easter, Birthdays, nor do I feel the need to do so. I have had a firm moral upbringing. I have had a better page-to-page bible education than most. I have been encouraged to try and maintain a personal relationship with God and for most of my life and so far as possible to work as hard as I can.
So, while there are things I now have a problem with and this has caused and will cause headaches in the future, a large part of what I believe and my values still holds. My perspective and loyalties have changed completely however.
I am glad you mentioned songs. People seem to think that change is “always” good, but I would much rather sing a beautiful song of praise like “Morning Has Broken” than most of the songs in the current songbook, that is for sure.Reply by GodsWordIsTruth on 2014-01-13 09:47:45
I really appreciated your comment Joel. Jehovah must have known I needed to hear that today. Previously, I thought that the only reason I have stayed in the organization thus far was because of my husband tearfully pleading with me not to leave.( he fears that I may become apostate) . However, I realize that it is more than just that. I do not know a community of people on earth who are dedicated to serving Jehovah …even if their loyalties are at the moment misplaced. I pray for the awakening of my brothers but I realize that I am in love with the spiritual routine. I am not sure at the moment that I will find another group of bible students who put so much emphasis on bible reading, personal study and examining bible topics via publications and talks. I would like to say that the diligent study habits that I have will continue if I left but I am not so sure. For now it is a vessel.
In spite of their erroneous teachings and iron fist , I am grateful that the scales are falling off my eyes so that I can see clearly. I stay in prayer …when Jehovah wants me to move I believe there will be no doubt that I will move. Even if the angels have to carry me out like in the days of Lot.Reply by Joel on 2014-01-14 09:13:33
Thank you for saying so, I'm glad if anything I can say will offer some encouragement and to be honest your reply made my day. I am in the same boat as yourself and I'm certain that it is why many of us have come across this site. I was delighted to happen on this blog during my research and find others of like mind talking in a measured way about the exact types of things that have been on my mind. There are so so many that we could talk about them all year non-stop I am sure
For myself, I have decided that it cannot be about an organisation like ours and if it is, I simply cannot see it anymore. So, I continually pray to be corrected and until then, I am purely a Christian, I know where my loyalty lies and anything that follows I will deal with as best I can - on my own if it were necessary, but I trust that God and Jesus will want the best outcome for all of us.
Reply by El_Bear on 2014-01-14 19:41:10
GodsWordIsTruth,
You will find that the Christian community is not as un-biblical as the organization would like you to believe. In fact, I have found that many churches choose only to use the bible as their basis of information. Imagine my surprise when the entire sermon came directly and only from the scriptures, with a firm emphasis on allowing God's word to speak to you. They even put the word up on screens so that there is no way one in attendance will miss what is being said. Granted there are churches that are not so soundly rooted in the word, but I have to assure you that they do exist.
I have to admit that I could no longer study any man made publications concerning the Bible such as the Watchtower. Unfortunately, as spiritual food it leaves me feeling as satisfied as if I was eating a Mcdonald's Big Mac. Tasty for a little while, but ultimately leaving me unsatisfied and with a stomach ache. And no wonder, it is processed in a factory, put in fancy packaging, then passed off as "food". Rather, I prefer the "organic" spiritual food taken right from the source, The Bible. How could one go back to the processed stuff? For me, indulging in this sort of food, while not seemingly damaging to my health, isn't good for me in the long run.
Just a thought.
Reply by GodsWordisTruth on 2014-01-21 20:55:52
Speaking to the songs we sing... Song 125 is another song my list of "Singing praises about the organization and the GB"
"God provides his steward and his active force.
These will ever guide us in our Christian course.
So may we be steadfast, seeking God to please,
Loyally proclaiming all his wise decrees! "
Again... where is the praise and worship to our Father in this song?
Comment by smolderingwick1 on 2014-01-12 22:02:21
Of course we all know where this is leading to. Absolute obedience. It's the whole point of this succession of five studies giving ultimate power to the elders in obedience to the eight dukes (subliminally the new vicars of Christ). How will we ever say that we didn't make the same wicked presumption as the church of Rome? Does history repeat itself? Most assuredly!
Now my greatest fear is realized! By holding out the enticing office of organizational 'shepherd' in pretense of the kindly, caring one Jesus asked of Peter, this is in reality a position to be aggressively pursued by the ambitious whose deepest desire is to control the already beaten, pacified and obedient sheep who have been subliminally and psychologically conditioned to an abuse known only to those who would choose obedience to men out of fear than to Christ out of faith and love.
Listen to what the words are really saying!
OBEY JEHOVAH’S SHEPHERDS
Par. 5, Listening to the Fine Shepherd’s voice means following his guidance in all things. This includes cooperating with the spiritual under shepherds whom he has appointed.
Par 6, Paul pointed out that holy spirit had appointed them overseers “to shepherd the congregation of God.” (Acts 20:28) The same is true of Christian overseers today . . . obeying Christian overseers shows our respect for Jehovah and Jesus, the two greatest Shepherds. (Luke10:16) Surely this should be the foremost reason why we desire to be submissive to the elders.
Par. 7, They will thus be quick to offer assistance if they perceive that a brother or a sister is about to take, or has already taken, a “false step.” (Gal. 6:1, 2;Jude 22) Are these not good reasons for being “obedient to those who are taking the lead”?—Read Hebrews 13:17.
I could go on and on except that this entire craft of words is insidiously designed to validate the power conjured by the Governing Body and given such ones. Yes, 2 Cor.1:24 is quoted in SHEPHERDS, IMITATE THE GREATEST SHEPHERDS, but sufficiently to only barely deny what is actually taking place; that just in case your morale begins to falter, beatings will continue until your faith is in tidily in unity with the rest of these men.
swReply by Joel on 2014-01-13 08:30:09
I've pretty much always principally objected to the "reaching out" philosophy. The problem being the default type of person it is going to attract.
It is aptly illustrated in politics. A political office is supposedly one of public service. A politician is supposed to be one of those people who steps up to help address the problems people face. Yet, rarely, if ever do you get that type of helpful person in politics. It attracts extrovert, selfish, ambitious, corrupt, narcissists with a god complex. The system is built around grandstanding, scratching backs and stabbing them, plus of course placating the plebs at large as you funnel their money into your bank account and those of your friends.
In contrast, for an introvert, passive, humble person to become a politician requires so much effort that they must believe it is the right thing to do and will cost them a lot of effort.
It is the same in the organisation. For a humble brother, the only appeal of the "office of overseer" is that it is the right thing to do and many brothers have indeed worked tirelessly for a lifetime. I have nothing but respect and admiration for those brothers.
This is not the default type of person who will be attracted to it however and the problems that result are obvious.
Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2014-01-13 11:11:42
Sargon, you've found points I missed. This is why the comments section is so valuable. It is all the more clear that this article, in fact the whole issue, is all about getting us to put our complete trust in men.
Comment by BeenMislead on 2014-01-13 10:27:15
“Soon, Jehovah’s day will come. Now is the time to return to our heavenly Father’s loving arms and to the congregation—the only safe haven in these last days.—Deut. 33:27; Heb. 10:24, 25.” – (w13 11/15, p. 14, par. 17, How Can We Maintain “a Waiting Attitude”?)
So ... if you are not a Jehovah’s Witness in the organization, then you are going to die. (What I refer to as the JW hellfire teaching)
Of course this article is just the introduction leading up to next week’s article that will tell us:
“All of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not.”
This is a shameful use of fear to goad the people into unquestioning obedience!!
To make us afraid to disregard the authority of the Governing Body!
Ps. 146:3 says:
“Do not put YOUR trust in nobles, Nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs.”
Titus 2:11-12 says:
“For the undeserved kindness of God which brings salvation to all sorts of men has been manifested, 12 instructing us to repudiate ungodliness and worldly desires and to live with soundness of mind and righteousness and godly devotion amid this present system of things,”Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2014-01-13 11:09:21
Thanks. Excellent points. I will use them in next weekend's post.
Meleti
Comment by smolderingwick1 on 2014-01-13 17:50:36
Just another point on Par. 6 – “Come, you people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah,”
Where it says "God is giving all sorts of people the opportunity to gain “an accurate knowledge of truth,” to act on that knowledge, and to be saved. Precious lives are at stake." We are then to read 1 Timothy 2:3, 4, after which the paragraph goes on to say "Soon—even suddenly—time will run out. When it does, how glad we will be that we kept busy in the Kingdom preaching work!"
The only problem with 1 Timothy 2:3, 4 is the context. Paul begins with, "I therefore exhort, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, offerings of thanks, be made concerning all sorts of men, 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." He then follows verses 3 & 4 by saying, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all." And who might be all? Do we even know how the spirit grows in the hearts of "all sorts of men?" How many times need we read 1 Corinthians 3:6? "I planted, Apollos watered, but God kept making it grow," without any peculiarly "accurate" organizational teaching?
Comment by on 2014-01-14 00:39:06
All I can say is a big thanks for the beef ! Although I like beef I'm getting bit worry about what this "beef feast" will do to my digestion. Mama says drink only milk and she gets angry if you disobey.
Comment by seo Hatfield on 2014-09-28 14:37:46
I was wondering if you ever considered changing the page layout of you website?
Its very well written;I love what youve got to say. But maybe you
could a little more in the way of contet
so eople could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1
or 2 pictures. Maybe you could sspace it out better?