WT Study: Do You Appreciate What You Have Received?

Comment by life2come on 2015-02-23 08:49:49

Other than your comment "I was raised as a Jehovah's Witness.", I could have written this article of yours. I feel your sentiments right down to the "dominoes" analogy.

Comment by miken on 2015-02-23 10:58:06

"If I may presume to address the young ones myself, part of “our rich spiritual heritage” is the belief that the window of opportunity to become one of God’s sons and “inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world” was shut in the mid-1930s. (Mt 25:34 NWT) True, it was re-opened a crack in 2007, but the extreme negative peer pressure any young baptized JW Christian would experience should he or she exhibit the courage to partake of the emblems at the memorial of Christ’s death all but ensures that the old injunction will remain in force. (w07 5/1 p. 30)"
Despite the questioning and such phrases as "Truly anointed" as they are often referred to, the number has steadily risen since 2007 to currently 14,121. As the governing body no longer represent this group of anointed I suspect they will not be particularly disturbed by the continually rising numbers. The days when the falling numbers of the anointed were regarded as evidence of how close we were to the great tribulation and Armaggedon have long gone. The redefining of the generation has bought about 40 more years before the predicted end. Some of the younger members of the generation will definitely be alive when the great tribulation begins or so our prophetic speculation leads us to believe.

• Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-02-23 11:24:59

  Actually, the most recent "refinement" to the understanding limits the time left significantly. The second part, the generation that will see the end, must overlap with the first part, the 1914 generation, based on the anointed overlap. It's not enough that their lives overlap. The time when they were anointed must also overlap. So if we start with Bible Students who were baptized (i.e., anointed) in or before 1914, we should consider that the generation was in their early 20s at the most. Give them 80 years as a term and we end up in 1974. Now the second part had to be anointed, NOT JUST ALIVE, before 1974 to count. Let's stretch things and give them a five-year overlap. Ten or twenty would be more realistic, but we want to squeeze all the time we can out of it. Brother Losch began to partake in 1969 so we have a good candidate in him. Brother Anthony Morris III wasn't even baptized yet in that year. Mark Sanderson was only a child then. So basically, we can look at Losch as the poster child for the second half of the generation. The average lifespan for men in America is 80, so we've got about ten years left.
  Of course, this entire exercise makes a mockery of Jesus' words at Acts 1:6,7. But we've been ignoring that injunction for over a century to our ongoing embarassment. They say that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

  • Reply by InNeedOfGrace on 2015-02-25 16:36:43

    You can stretch it further to about 2060 as I have calculated before. Fred Franz was first generation. He died in 1992. Someone who is born in 1972 could conceivably be anointed before his passing. Such persons (outer limit) would now be in their mid fifties. In other words, Sanderson and Morris are the second group of this generation who will not pass away. If these guys grow to 90 we have a good 35 year to go ;)

Comment by Bornalive on 2015-02-23 12:01:16

I simply can't agree with your article , but I wonder if someone asked Mary or Joseph one had to be a Jew to be saved in front of young Jesus what their answer would be ? Also you make the claim that other Christians groups preach, and worship god and jesus i find that you are stretching the facts a lot , not in my entire life has any christian teach me that the kingdom of god is in the heavens , where I live they believe in is in your heart and most would say that all go to heaven when they die good or bad .so what good news have you heard from the churches , I watch there programs and what I see is creature worship they all claim to be christian but they all follow different leads . Daniel 11 speaks about a people who would be made to stumble until the end Jehovah's Witness may not have the truth in the absolute sense ,even thou some may believe they do ,that time will only come when Jesus opens the new scrolls .until then I think you are being critical of humans .

• Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-02-23 13:38:41

  Hi Bornalive,
  I too believed the WT propaganda that Christendom teaches the Kingdom of God is a quality of the heart, not a real Kingdom. I was told and I believed that only Jehovah's Witnesses teach that God's kingdom is an actual government over the earth. All that was before the internet made it possible to check the truthfulness of anyone's statement in mere seconds. Try this for yourself. Google: what is the good news of the kingdom of god?
  The first link I found was from the United Church of God.
  "One of the great misunderstandings about the Kingdom, not made clear until revealed by Jesus Christ, was that thousands of years would separate His first coming as the sacrificial Lamb of God (John:1:29) from His return as the conquering King of the Kingdom (Revelation:19:11-16). His first coming fulfilled a vital part of the gospel of the Kingdom—His sacrifice to make possible our forgiveness, justification and ultimate entry into the Kingdom. His second coming will bring the establishment of that incredible Kingdom. The Bible proclaims a consistent message from beginning to end concerning the Kingdom of God, a message delivered throughout the ages by God's servants. But, paradoxically, the part of the revelation about the Kingdom of God that was most fully and clearly described in prophecy after prophecy in the Old Testament—a literal kingdom ruled over by a prophesied Messiah—seems to be the least understood aspect of the gospel today.
  Many believe that the fantastic truth that followers of Jesus Christ will enjoy eternal life in an eternal Kingdom renders any need of a literal earthly reign over physical human beings totally unnecessary.
  But what does the Bible say? Let's put aside all preconceived ideas and believe the plain teachings of God's Word."
  As for creature worship, I do agree. The churches of Christendom are rife with it. There was a time when I would have excluded Jehovah's Witnesses from Christendom because we did not practice creature worship. (At least, that is how I saw it then.) However, that is no longer the case. Just yesterday at the close of the Watchtower the speaker in his prayer praised the Governing Body, not once but five times. Yet there was no mention of Jesus save for the obligatory closing phrase; no expression of thanks for him, no praise of him. 5 to 0. This is no anomaly. It has become commonplace. The brothers speaking in the monthly JW.ORG broadcast frequently praise the Governing Body members and speak of the privilege it is to work with them. Yet in the hour-long broadcast, how often do they praise our Lord and King. How often do they speak of the privilege we have of working with and serving under Jesus? In the videos on JW.ORG directed at our most impressionable ones, our children, count the number of mentions given to the Governing Body and the number of times they appear and are identified. Now compare that with references to our redeemer.
  It is not I who criticize them, but they themselves. For the standard established in the magazines since the days of Rutherford down to the present is to hold the other churches publicly accountable for their actions. It would be hypocritical of us were we not to hold ourselves to the same standard.

  • Reply by menrov on 2015-02-25 05:36:42

    Fully agree that there are far more religious churches / organisations / institutions that understand that the kingdom of God means a government over the people. And in all fairness the definition provided by the JW's regarding the kingdom of God is rather limited. If you look up all the comparisons Jesus makes regarding the Kingdom of Heaven or Kingdom of God, it means a bit more than just a government in heaven
    It is true that various churches do some type of creature worship but to generalize that all do, is absolutely wrong. In live in an area which is dominated by Reformists (from heavy to light). They do not do creature worship, nor use of icons or whatsoever.
    And as Meleti said, the creature worship in the WBTS has grown significantly. The fact that the GB is written in capitals, present themselves as a special, privileged group of people, above the rest of the so-called anointed class and rank file and making use of a special religious ORDER to distinguish further from the rank&file.

Comment by Dorcas on 2015-02-23 12:37:00

Wonderful expressions, Meleti. I feel your betrayal and I feel your pain. I am a third generation Witness although some in my family ceased being Witnesses during the Rutherford "age."
Although I had doubts about certain things for years, it has only been in the past few years that I too, have been shaken to the core. It pains me more than I can say to have some in my family fully indoctrinated only because they have chosen to accept every word printed and every word spoken by the organization above the very plain teachings of the Scriptures.
Thanks to you and Apollos and all who contribute here for helping to keep me from turning my back on God and his Christ. I am a better Bible student now. I'm still struggling, but then, aren't we all?

Comment by on 2015-02-23 13:10:26

What spiritual heritage, Meleti? If one is of the "other sheep", as defined by the FDS, there is none. No covenant was made with them and no advantage is offered, other than the materialistic benefits of surviving Armageddon. It's still going to take them 1,000 years to reach perfection along with all the resurrected ones who didn't have to "turn in time" to gain a reward. 1 out of 999 surviving the GT really cheapens the value of Christs' ransom sacrifice, in my humble opinion.

• Reply by Imgonaburn on 2015-03-05 07:50:03

  I agree with you. I remember when I was having my initial bible study which prompted me to leave worldly ways and put on the new personality and dedicate my life to Jehovah. The sister that conducted my bible study was horrified when another sister 'sitting in' on the study expressed a similar thought. She explained that she didn't think it was fair that members of the great crowd have to struggle and fight the good fight to remain in 'the truth' when people who have lived a life of sin and debauchery can get a resurrection and be on an equal footing to a jw who has survived Armageddon. She was shot down for being heartless- after all those who are resurrected have had to experience death whereas we, now living, will NEVER die. How could she deny the unfortunate resurrected ones the opportunity to learn about Jehovah and bring their lives in line with bible truth?? Etc etc
  That was back in 1982. I was baptised in 1983. Those 2 sisters are still active Jws. I have been regarded as having fallen away as of 2 years ago. I accept that I've probably been considered as bad assoc for most of the 30 years that I was a jw, as I had kids in the autistic spectrum and as a result struggled more than most with meetings and ministry etc
  Now that I've spent some time away from the organisation I am able to clearly see the inconsistencies. Sadly, the whole experience has caused me to lose faith in any form of organised religion. My family is completely split in half. My husband and 2 of my adult married children still attend meetings. I'm the proverbial black sheep of the family. I am now worse than our extended family members that pay lip service to the jw beliefs and say how lovely it all sounds but then choose to do nothing about it because they 'don't know any better'. A bit like the millions who will be resurrected eh? The sister that dared to question the logic of resurrected ones being on an equal footing to Armageddon survivors had a valid point imo. If I say that I have lost my faith and don't believe like I used to do how does that make me worse than a person that says they do believe it's the truth but then chose to do nothing about it??
  In fact, why would we be told repeatedly that Jehovah doesn't want anybody to die at all but wants us all to come to an accurate knowledge of him if he's still going to destroy 99% of people at Armageddon regardless of how sincerely they believe they have searched for him???

  • Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-03-05 08:05:39

    A good point, imgonaburn. I cannot find the Scriptural support for the JW idea that everyone who dies at Armageddon will never be resurrected, nor can I find the support for the idea that everyone who is not a JW will die. It is inconsistent with the nature of God as revealed in Jesus Christ to believe that billions will die because they never had a chance to know and accept Jesus. Yet, if we were to teach that, it would kill the idea of JWs as being engaged in a life-saving work, another idea for which there is no Bible support.

    • Reply by on 2015-03-05 12:05:23

      That's interesting! When I ask my jw family members what will happen at Armageddon to my 19 year old Aspergers son who is homosexual, their response is usually 'nobody knows who will survive Armageddon ( they even say that they dk if they themselves will survive!) or its up to jehovah to read hearts and decide who survives' if that's the case then why are they regular pioneering?? I asked my daughter if she ever thinks about how it will affect her when/ if I am destroyed at Armageddon. She told me that she's decided that come the great tribulation she is going to come and get me! Presumably that's the ONLY way that I'm going to survive.
      What's more if it's ok for millions of people to receive a resurrection because they didn't know jehovah so get a second chance and 1000 years to learn how come those that get a nominal 70 years then die at Armageddon don't get a second shot?? My son is gay but he's young and disabled etc why can't he have a second chance but a dead murderer rapist whatever gets out of jail free card??? It's so so wrong! A loving God would not expect so much of the living and so little of the dead!

Comment by kev c on 2015-02-23 14:08:51

This geners been a bad lad fancy playing billiards and comin home late. Im sorry i just cant take it seriously anymore. Next thing they will be singing songs about a cart with wheels and tracts and stuff.

Comment by BeenMislead on 2015-02-23 14:57:57

Thanks Meleti !!
I can relate to your story.
It was the “overlapping generation” teaching of Matt. 24:34 that was the turning point for me also. As you said it has no scriptural backing, so it is presumptuous speculation.
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1969 Version: (All Persons old enough to remember)
“After drawing attention to the many things that mark the period from 1914 onward as the “time of the end,” Jesus said: “This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.” (Matt. 24:34) Which generation did he mean?
Jesus had just referred to persons who would “see all these things.” “These things” are the events that have taken place since 1914 and those yet to occur down to the end of this wicked system. (Matt. 24:33) Persons born even as much as fifty years ago could not see “all these things.” They came on the scene after the foretold events were already under way.
However, there are people still living who were alive in 1914 and saw what was happening then and who were old enough that they still remember those events. This generation is getting up in years now. A great number of them have already passed away in death. Yet Jesus very pointedly said: “This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.” Some of them will still be alive to see the end of this wicked system. This means that only a short time is left before the end comes! (Ps. 90:10) So now is the time to take urgent action if you do not want to be swept away with this wicked system.” – (Watchtower 1969, Feb. 15 p. 101, The Last Days of This Wicked System of Things)
2014 Version: (Two groups of anointed Christians but not all)
“In his detailed prophecy about the conclusion of this system of things, Jesus said: “This generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen.” (Read Matthew 24:33-35.) We understand that in mentioning “this generation,” Jesus was referring to two groups of anointed Christians. The first group was on hand in 1914, and they readily discerned the sign of Christ’s presence in that year. Those who made up this group were not merely alive in 1914, but they were spirit-anointed as sons of God in or before that year.—Rom. 8:14-17.
16. The second group included in “this generation” are anointed contemporaries of the first group. They were not simply alive during the lifetime of those in the first group, but they were anointed with holy spirit during the time that those of the first group were still on earth. Thus, not every anointed person today is included in “this generation” of whom Jesus spoke. Today, those in this second group are themselves advancing in years. Yet, Jesus’ words at Matthew 24:34 give us confidence that at least some of “this generation will by no means pass away” before seeing the start of the great tribulation. This should add to our conviction that little time remains before the King of God’s Kingdom acts to destroy the wicked and usher in a righteous new world.—2 Pet. 3:13.” - (Watchtower 2014, January 15 p.30-31, “Let Your Kingdom Come”—But When?)
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Wow!! Talk about deja vu!! (French, literally means "already seen").
The rhetoric that “little time remains” based on Matt. 24:34 returns after 45 years!!
This is exactly what they said in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Notice the similarities between the 1969 Watchtower version and the 2014 Watchtower version.
1969 version: they said “this generation is getting up in years now,” and “only a short time is left before the end comes!”
2014 version: they are saying that “this second group are themselves advancing in years,” and “little time remains before the ushering in of the new world!”
Notice when they say: “We understand that in mentioning “this generation,” Jesus was referring to two groups of anointed Christians.”, that they don’t provide any scriptural support for that. Because there is None!
So if there is no scriptural support, then this is an unscriptural teaching! And their own words apply:
“Still, when exposed to unscriptural teachings, regardless of the source, we must decisively reject them.” – (Watchtower 2014, 7/15, Pg. 14, Par. 10, Jehovah’s People “Renounce Unrighteousness”)
There is a Chinese Proverb that comes to mind:
“Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.”

• Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-02-23 15:30:00

  What does that proverb say when they fool you over and over?

• Reply by The Way on 2015-02-24 05:51:53

  1 + 1 = 1, and from this follows:
  1 + 1 + 1 = 1, and so forth.
  That is the math lecture the GB has given us and expects us all to agree on.
  When they keep redefining the one (!) "generation", they will of course be "right" at one time. Even a broken clock is right twice a day...
  What a cynical game they are playing! Only this is not a game. This is about real humans, with real lives. This is about truth, and righteousness, and faithfulness and all beautiful things we hold dear.
  How can you inherit the inheritance if you're not truly and lawfully children, sons, of your father, biblically speaking? The WT may have experts in secular law, but their understanding of divine law clearly leaves much desired.
  Faithfulness is in the first place faithfulness to the covenant / testament of your father. It's about respecting and honouring the wishes, the will of the one making the covenant / testament. It reveals a lot about one's character.
  Should we really be surprised though? J.F. Rutherford ignored the expressed will of C.T. Russell, who was as a spiritual father to him, using shrewd lawyerism. Years later he gradually introduced what would become the two classes doctrine, by teaching that persons should be baptized outside of the New Covenant and outside Christ, trampling the Will and Covenant of God underfoot and disrespecting the blood of Christ and divine law and divine and human rights.
  (Hebrews 10:29) How much greater punishment do you think a person will deserve who has trampled on the Son of God and who has regarded as of ordinary value the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and who has outraged the spirit of undeserved kindness with contempt?
  (Isaiah 24:5) The land has been polluted by its inhabitants, For they have bypassed the laws, Changed the regulation, And broken the lasting covenant.
  The spirit of Rutherford is still present in the organization, wandering around (excuse me for this creepy phrasing).
  The Covenant, meant to unite God's people and bring forth God's people in the first place, was now used to create a stone-walled division, that will even last into all eternity!!! Just think about it, "anointed" and "non-anointed" ones will be separated from each other: former friends, spouses, parents from their children, children from their parents, physical brothers and sisters from each other, families ripped apart, and this forever! They will never see, speak, or touch each other again! (It will actually be worse than disfellowshipping, there will be no allowance for attending to a 'necessary family business.')
  Would a loving God, the One we call our dear loving heavenly Father, really do this?
  So we have to face the question, which of the two contradicting teachings will you accept? The extra-biblical revelation of Joseph Rutherford and his legacy, or the teaching of Jesus Christ and the first-century apostles? Which spiritual inheritance do you prefer? To be with Christ or to be without Christ - in this world and also in the next?

Comment by javan2233 on 2015-02-23 16:02:03

Thanks for the reply , but still I can't help but wonder if this is not supposed to happen.

Comment by on 2015-02-23 20:00:16

I am a born in 50 year old ex elder. I have a 15 year old daughter. I have no heritage to pass on to her. When I was 15, I was convinced that "this generation" will by no means pass away until all these things occur. I based my life's decisions on this very clear scriptural teaching. How can I pass that on to my daughter?

• Reply by search4truth on 2015-02-24 19:59:42

  Same here anonymous. I've got two teenagers myself and I too have no heritage to pass on them. They are still attending meetings because of my wife insistence, knowing that most of it is a false. I personally do work hard to lead them to Christ.

• Reply by Wild Olive on 2015-03-05 08:59:54

  Ime the same as you anonymous,I don't have anything to pass on either.
  Hang on yes I do,face the challenges of this life not knowing if you make the cut for the new system,then if I do make it face another round of judgement and testing,during the1000 yrs,if I get through that then face another round of judgement and testing when Satan is released.
  It takes a long time to get saved if your a JW,not much of an inheritance!

Comment by on 2015-02-24 03:03:36

Do i appreciate what i have recieved .. NO .!! i do not appreciate being indoctrinated with distorted views of scripture or mens rules or false predictions . I do not appreciate elders trying to control my life .being bullied and living in fear .or being emotionally blackmailed . I did not appreciate the extreme pressure put on me as an elder which made me ill . I do not appreciate being slandered now because i stood up for what is right .i hope they understand that . Kev

• Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-02-24 08:18:31

  They don't, but we do.

  • Reply by on 2015-02-24 12:11:16

    It's nauseating, Meleti, to hear the comments the friends make about obedience to the Elders, even if what they tell us to do doesn't make sense!

• Reply by Imgonaburn on 2015-03-05 08:11:51

  You were taken advantage of Kev. But look at what you have achieved, you are happier now and free. You have the love and respect of your family and support from your friends on here and at home meetings. You've done really well. I understand what you went through. It made me ill too. It's likely that at some point in the near future I will have to walk away from my jw family. The hold it (the GB) has on them is too strong. I wish I could take them with me as we've been through so much together! The GB is a sword not Jesus. I cannot in good conscience abandon my autistic unbaptised children because their lifestyle doesn't fit with what is acceptable to my jw family. I could say the same as you and say I hope that they understand THAT!
  Stay happy Kev.

Comment by MarthaMartha on 2015-02-24 04:54:06

It's very sad. The rubber band has been stretched so far it's snapped around their fingers. If there was a simple, " Well, do you know what, we seem to have made a colossal boo boo "... I could have sympathy enough to retain some trust. Your comments, Meleti, are moving, honest, and echo right through my heart.
MM

Comment by katrina on 2015-02-24 08:09:24

Excellent post thank you.
Just to quote this " The article’s conclusion is that to achieve this one must remain in the Organization, or as Jehovah’s Witnesses put it, “in the truth”.
12 We must seek to be genuine Christians in every sense of the word. Does that mean we have to join a church organization in Christendom? Ask yourself now, Did Christ Jesus, who set our example and told us to follow his example to gain life, join any church organization in his day? No, God does not require us to do that; but he requires us to worship him, to preach the good news of the Kingdom, to be Christians, to follow the example Jesus set, living in unalterable devotion to Jehovah God; to praise God and respect his supremacy, to resist all efforts to turn us from decency and to endure in faith. We have the Bible to show us the right way. Certainly it is not necessary for a person to become a member of a church to gain everlasting life.—John 3:16-18; 17:3.
WT 1953 March 1 page 143 para 12
My how things have changed.

• Reply by donotforgetus on 2015-02-24 19:46:57

  Katrina, Jesus was raised a Jew and lived as a Jew all his life. He attended the Temple and Synagogue. He lived within an organized religion, the Jewish religion. The Bible reveals the true God and how to worship him- true religion organized by Jehovah God himself. Ancient Israel's way of worship was highly organized. Later the Christian congregations received instructions on conducting orderly meetings, how to celebrate the Lord's supper, how to dress, who merited financial help, standards for the appointment of elders and many other instructions that would only have application within an organized congregational way of worship.
  I agree that attending a church is not a requirement for life but it is also true that the letters in the NT are addressed to Christians who worshiped God within the congregational arrangement, or association, of their day. The writers of those letters were also themselves very much involved in the forming of, and association within, the congregational arrangement of their day.
  They set the congregational pattern which unfortunately has been abused by many church leaders but that does not mean the congregational pattern itself is wrong. It means those taking the lead in those congregations (churches) are going the wrong way, nothing more.
  Fine congregations and sincere leaders of congregations can still be found in organized Christianity.
  With respect,
  Laura

  • Reply by menrov on 2015-02-25 05:56:30

    I guess the difference is between a congregation and globally organized and ruled religion. I agree that i is good to gather as believers (where 2 or more a gathered together in my name [Jesus], I will be among them). Yes. But that does not provide any support to setup a religious organisation that controls and mandates congregations how and what to worship.If you read the letters to the congregations in Revelations, these letters were sent directly to the congregation, not via GB or whatsoever and the letters came directly from Jesus, not from a GB or whatsoever.

Comment by on 2015-02-24 12:50:10

Just a note on 1 corinthians 2 v 12 what we have recieved is not the spirit of the world but the spirit from god that we may understand what god has freely given us . What paul is saying here is that spiritual truth is revealed by gods spirit .and cannot be fully comprehended by relying on the human mind alone .also at verse 14 and 15 notice that people without gods spirit are contrasted to those with the spirit . At verse 7 paul speaks of a mystery that has been hidden and that god destined for our glory before time began . I ask any JW what is this mystery .? I would also like to know how is that the vast majority of witnesses could understand the scriptures when they are not anionted by the holy spirit and not even baptised in the spirit either . I know that the brothers would answer thats why we need the GB to tell us . But is that the point paul is making here ? I do not believe so i think the point being made is that each of us need gods spirit to be able to understand his word properly .see also john 14 v26 . 2 corinthians 3 v 16 and 17 .hebrews 10 v 15 and 16 kev c

Comment by yobec on 2015-02-24 16:17:42

As far as what I have received from them: There is one thing I must give them credit for.
I used to be a staunch atheist some decades ago. They did convince me that there was a God and that Christ was a true historical person and to be sure the Messiah.
Whether other religions would have been successful in doing that for me or not, I am not sure but the witnesses did and for that, I will be forever grateful,but that is it.

Comment by katrina on 2015-02-24 21:41:18

donotforgetus, the congregation is where ones meet and incite other to love and fine works, for fellowship, and also to be instructed the gathering is also included outside the congregation for fellowship, I don't deny that, the point of the post was what the WT themselves say that belonging to an org will not save you and that is what I agree with it can't, the emphasis on the WT of late is all about the organization and being part of that organization to be saved, that was the point.
The organization and the GB take preference over Christ, it is only our relationship with Christ and how we treat others that is of prime importance, not the orders of men the dictates and rules of men, using an organization for salvation is idolatry.

Comment by menrov on 2015-02-25 07:05:59

The expression spiritual inheritance does not exist in the bible, at least, I could not find it. Also a bit strange expression An inheritance is in principle given or is made available when someone or something dies and in principle to the relatives. The meek will inherit the earth when all that exists today that prevents that, has died (or removed).In order to inherit the kingdom of heaven, one must die (in the flesh) and be re-born or resurrected (1Cor. 15:50.).
The examples provided, like sons of Noah and 4 Hebrews did not actually inherit but received. They received information or lessons and, at least the 4 Hebrews, did respect those lessons an showed this in their loyalty.
Jesus did receive not only the lessons from HIs Father but above all, He received all authority and a name above all names and a role as judge to grant life. Typically only one element is mentioned.
But anyway, the whole idea is of course t hail the organisation for all you have received from them. This is in contrast to the attitude of Paul who said 1Co 9:16 For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason for boasting, because I am compelled to do this. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!.
Paul was grateful and humble at the same time that Jesus used him to preach the gospel. If we are to show gratitude, we should show it to Jesus. He made it possible. Jesus showed via various parables that the good news would grow, be spread. How? Via loyal Christians. Yes, that can be anyone who spent time and energy to tell someone else about the gospel. Indeed, it could be a JW but also anyone from a different Christian organisation. Devout Catholics, Reformist, Mormons, Baptists, Methodists etc have done a lot to spread the gospel. Yes, it often cam with wrong doctrines but this is equally true for the gospel which is brought by a JW.

Comment by smolderingwick1 on 2015-02-25 12:41:55

Having run the gauntlet already from my former life well over 4 decades ago, I can only say, hang in there!
My initial experience still sits in stark contrast to those raised in the faith. Am I about to run away? By no means! I raised my kids in it and they are raising their kids in it. So what am I to run away from......or to?
We are in a melting pot being refined. Can you see it happening? Christ is exposing our sectarian building, our denial, our flagrant disregard for the modesty we left behind as we arrogantly built our religion on exposing the errors of Christendom and the rest. I also said to me kids, "You are not in the truth....the truth must be in you. Prove it to yourselves!" Heritage means nothing to those humble enough to admit error.
These many years later, the truth of those words have reproved me over and over and I thank Jesus and my Father often for the constant reproof. We all need to be as children if we want the spirit to finish our training,if we wish to be refined in the hour of test whether it comes in our lifetime or not.
That is my short synopsis. Hang in there brothers and sisters. You have more friends than you know!
Christian love,
sw

• Reply by Christian on 2015-02-25 18:05:01

  A nice encouraging summation SW :)
  I remember the catch cry, and also the song, " Make the Truth your own" (which I always found quite moving at assemblies)
  Yet I have seen so many examples where this has been transformed into "we own the truth", either through spiritual bullying or class distinctions, especially by large families with inter-generational legacy "in the truth".
  I am sure we all have?
  As a people JW have become like the modern day Jews of Jesus day!
  So comfortable in their heritage and tradition and use of God's name that they miss the point entirely.
  As has been said of Christendom many times "If Jesus was to return tomorrow we would impale him all over again"
  JW are no different I would wager :(

Comment by Alex Rover on 2015-03-01 12:04:52

The title: do you value your spiritual inheritance?
The theme text: “We received . . . the spirit that is from God, so that we might know the things that have been kindly given us by God.”—1 COR. 2:12.
The question: What does the spirit teach us? Romans 8:16 (NKJV) "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God"
The answer: most JW reject their inheritance.