WT Study: Live in Harmony with the Model Prayer—Part II

Comment by father jack on 2015-08-24 13:50:07

Paragraph 6 gets me meleti in response to give us this day our daily bread refering to asking for help to feed our poor brothers and sisters and then acting on that prayer by contributing to the worldwide work knowing that such funds will be used wisely . Does the watchtower really do that provide funds to feed our poor brothers and sisters on a daily basis? Perhaps at bethel, but what about in the territory ? Its really upsetting though to hear how the funds are being used ( wisely ) in dealing with these court cases they have been dragged before .

Comment by MarthaMartha on 2015-08-24 14:19:09

Haha. Beroean Skeptic. Thank you, I wondered where the name came from!
? I love anagrams.
Although I sometimes worry that my skepticism is becoming a bad habit, I do feel reassured that someone else sees the subtle influences that stick out like a sore thumb to me these days.

Comment by Anonymous on 2015-08-24 15:42:15

WT does lip service to shunning the idea of creature worship, which on the surface is not a bad idea; our worship belongs to God, not to any human. However, in practice, WT has tolerated creature worship, and then fostered it, in the very name of trying to oppose it.
Charles Taze Russell surely knew that individual Bible Students were idolizing him. That trend got a strong push when his wife promoted the idea that he was the faithful and wise servant - a thing that he himself didn't promote, but didn't speak out against, either. It is unclear whether he actually approved of being viewed that way, but whether he did or not, he had to have known what was going on, and it was incumbent upon him to put a stop to it; and yet he did not.
Rutherford comes along and initially lavishes praise on Russell, evidently to gain as much support as he could from Bible Students loyal to Russell, and then he dropped the boom on them, by saying anyone following, or loyal to, Russell, was engaging in "creature worship". It seems as though the only real reason Rutherford did this was to weed out anyone that wasn't going to be 100% behind his control of the WT. At that point, Rutherford made the organization itself the creation that was worshipped.
Today, JWs are still worshipping the organization, but now in the last decade and even in the last five years or so, the focus has narrowed to the Governing Body. Consider how much the GB has taken upon itself:
- JWs are baptized, not in the name of the Holy Spirit, but in the name of the so-called spirit-directed organization
- The GB says that the Bible belongs to their organization, not to any man
- The GB says that the Bible cannot be understood without them
- The GB says that it alone is the channel for divine insight to mankind (although Geoffrey Jackson backtracked a little on this in Australia)
- The GB declares that only members of its organization have any scriptural hope of surviving Armageddon, and thus those expelled from the organization have received a figurative death sentence
- The GB says that its members should do whatever it says, even if their requests are unreasonable and make no sense.
- The GB says that we should agree with their doctrinal interpretations, even if they appear to be contrary to the Bible, under the assumption that we must be at fault for failing to understand. If we don't agree, or at least keep our mouth shut about our disagreement (regardless of our reasons) we can be expelled.
- The GB sets policy on disfellowshipping and disassociation, such that a person only needs to privately disagree to be expelled, and thus be "spiritually executed" for disobedience, disloyalty or simple non-compliance.
- The GB sets policy on the blood issue, even though their doctrines and rationale are illogical, contrary to scriptures and to reason. Those who adhere to their rules may needlessly die or suffer as a result.
- The GB defines the procedures for following through (or NOT doing so) on child abuse, placing needless, unscriptural barriers that thwart justice for those harmed
- Thus in these cases, the GB holds the power of life and death - literally, figuratively, spiritually and emotionally - on those it has in its control
All told, what does this mean to JWs? They must obey the GB in all things, under penalty of "death", and any hope of life rests with compliance and loyalty to the GB.
In short, the GB has gone way, WAY beyond merely being "creatures" that are worshipped. They have made themselves into a god.
Think of it, and tell me this is not true: A Witness in good standing would do anything the GB asked, no matter what. They would sacrifice their time, money, strength, personal preferences and opportunities to help themselves and their families, risk their lives and even die to support the GB. The GB has total control over their minds, bodies and souls (their future hopes and prospects for life, if you like).
Tell me I am wrong, if you can.
The truth is, Jehovah's Witnesses have allowed the GB to become their god, and they worship this god unreservedly and whole-heartedly. They are doing this in place of God and in place of Christ, while perhaps not realizing that is what they are in fact doing. In doing so, the GB and all who follow them have made themselves into blasphemers and idolaters.

• Reply by Walter Finlay on 2015-08-24 16:59:36

  Try an interesting experiment: substitute the word "organization" for the word "Jehovah." This includes written materials, talks at the KH, preaching work and even public prayer. The results are shocking. The only place it fails to fit is in Hebrew scripture where the clear context is actually God, referred to by his personal name.
  Other than that, it becomes clear that Jehovah's Witnesses have transformed themselves into Organization Witnesses. Their personal knowledge of God and relationship to him is blocked by their failure to make him "our Father" by coming to him through the Christ. The "Imitate Jesus" regional conventions failed to highlight that "No ones comes to the Father except through me", even though that was the theme scripture.
  The process of redemption, salvation by faith in Christ, and brotherhood with Christ is lost - especially in the case of those born after 1975.

  • Reply by Anonymous on 2015-08-24 17:28:45

    It is instructive that the narrative in Isaiah where "you are my witnesses says Jehovah" is found is primarily a call to the nation of Israel to abandon its tendency towards idolatry and to give exclusive devotion to God. Today, the GB wants exclusive devotion to itself. They imagine and fashion themselves as if "Christian", and yet Christ did not tell his followers to be witnesses of his Father, but of himself (Jesus). As noted elsewhere, neither God nor Christ asked anyone to uphold or defend the "sovereignty" of God. If in fact this ever question needed to be resolved by anyone, Christ through his life of integrity and death without wavering, totally answered this question for all time, far better than any imperfect follower of his ever could. Yet the WT circumvents Christ's clear, straight-forward command to be HIS witnesses. In truth, "Jehovah's" witnesses have become witnesses for the GB. They preach, not what the Bible says, but what is published by the GB. Talks are based, not on the Bible, but on "outlines" from the GB. Hardly any of them really know the Bible well, but they know where to find the highlighted answer in their copy of the Watchtower. They are, in fact, witnesses to what happens when men, and the commands of men, are worshipped instead of God.

• Reply by peely on 2015-08-29 10:06:30

  
  Quote: “JWs are baptized, not in the name of the Holy Spirit, but in the name of the so-called spirit-directed organization” –
  “He was permitted to give a spirit to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast could both speak and cause whoever would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.” Rev 13:15
  “To whom would you liken Me
  And make Me equal and compare Me,
  That we would be alike?
  “Those who lavish gold from the purse
  And weigh silver on the scale
  Hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god;
  They bow down, indeed they worship it.” Isa 46:5,6
  You have chosen to worship
  idols made of stone;
  you have given them offerings
  of wine and grain.
  Should I be pleased?
  You have spread out your beds
  on the tops of high mountains,
  where you sacrifice to idols.
  Even in your homes
  you have placed pagan symbols
  all around your huge beds.
  Yes, you have rejected me,
  sold yourselves to your lovers,
  and gone to bed with them Isa 57:6-8
  Quote: “The GB says that it alone is the channel for divine insight to mankind (although Geoffrey Jackson backtracked a little on this in Australia)” –
  “But if that wicked slave says in his heart, ‘My master is delayed,’ and starts to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, that slave’s master will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not know.” Matt 24:48-50
  “Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the saying: “Nothing beyond what is written.” The purpose is that none of you will be inflated with pride in favor of one person over another. For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you didn’t receive? If, in fact, you did receive it, why do you boast as if you hadn’t received it? You are already full! You are already rich! You have begun to reign as kings without us—and I wish you did reign, so that we could also reign with you!” 1 Cor 4:6-8
  Quote: "The GB declares that only members of its organization have any scriptural hope of surviving Armageddon, and thus those expelled from the organization have received a figurative death sentence” -
  “They will ban you from the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering service to God.” John 16:2
  “ For I think God has displayed us, the apostles, in last place, like men condemned to die: We have become a spectacle to the world and to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong!” 1 Cor 4:9,10
  They conquered him
  by the blood of the Lamb
  and by the word of their testimony,
  for they did not love their lives
  in the face of death. Rev 12:11
  Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the gate, so that He might sanctify the people by His own blood. Let us then go to Him outside the camp, bearing His disgrace. For we do not have an enduring city here; instead, we seek the one to come. Heb 13:12-14
  Quote: "The GB says that its members should do whatever it says, even if their requests are unreasonable and make no sense. -
  “He deceives those who live on the earth because of the signs that he is permitted to perform on behalf of the beast, telling those who live on the earth to make an image of the beast who had the sword wound and yet lived. “He was permitted to give a spirit to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast could both speak and cause whoever would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.” Rev 13:14,15
  Quote: "Think of it, and tell me this is not true: A Witness in good standing would do anything the GB asked, no matter what. They would sacrifice their time, money, strength, personal preferences and opportunities to help themselves and their families, risk their lives and even die to support the GB. The GB has total control over their minds, bodies and souls (their future hopes and prospects for life, if you like). -
  “Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,
  his upper rooms by injustice,
  making his own people work for nothing,
  not paying them for their labor. Jer 22:13
  “People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?” The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. Rev 13:4-7
  Quote: "The truth is, Jehovah’s Witnesses have allowed the GB to become their god, and they worship this god unreservedly and whole-heartedly. They are doing this in place of God and in place of Christ, while perhaps not realizing that is what they are in fact doing. In doing so, the GB and all who follow them have made themselves into blasphemers and idolaters. -
  “ It made itself great, even up to the Prince of the host; it removed His daily sacrifice and overthrew the place of His sanctuary.” Because of rebellion, a host, together with the daily sacrifice, will be given over. The horn will throw truth to the ground and will be successful in whatever it does. Dan 8:11,12
  “He will cause deceit to prosper through his cunning and by his influence, and in his own mind he will make himself great. He will destroy many in a time of peace; he will even stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be shattered—not by human hands.” Dan 8:25
  But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives My slaves to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols. Rev 2:20
  The rest of the people, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands to stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which are not able to see, hear, or walk. Rev 9:20
  http://pearl-sign.blogspot.com/
  

Comment by Skye on 2015-08-24 18:51:06

A scripture that WT uses to keep everyone in line: 1 Corinthians 1:10 "I appeal to you brothers and sisters, in the name of our lord Jesus Christ that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought."
At the time Paul wrote these words, although there were problems of course, the situation is different today as we have so many different established doctrines and religious organisations. And if the Church had adopted that attitude we would still be under the Catholic Church believing all their false doctrines under pain of death. Absent the threat of violence and death, we do see similarities in cults such as the Jehovah's Witness Organisation where no individual variance of opinion is tolerated.
If we genuinely believe that a teaching of an individual or institution is wrong, then we should be allowed to express that variance and do so using scripture, always remembering of course, that even when a person has the truth there are ways to present it.

• Reply by father jack on 2015-08-25 15:19:43

  Its just incredible again how the watchtower has used 1 corinthians 1 v 10 to reinforce obedience to its own doctrines . Even a casual look at the context shows the real concern that paul was highlighting it was the problem of following mere men instead of the christ . Yet the scripture has been used to do just that .

Comment by Menrov on 2015-08-25 10:59:10

Interesting review again. When reading paragraphs 1 and 2, I noticed that it was a so-called non-believer (non-jW) who showed true hospitality.
It would have been a benefit to the reader if it was emphasized in par. 4 that those pleas have to be made via Jesus.
Par. 5 sounds very selfish. Yes, the circuit overseer is supported by all the congregations but who is supporting the poor in those congregations? Paul did work to support himself. He was concerned about the poor (Gal 2:10 They requested only that we remember the poor, the very thing I also was eager to do.)
Not only those in the congregations but those he would meet or see on his travels. That is what is meant by loving your neighbor like yourself.
I often wonder how the organisation (as an institute) lives in harmony with the counsel they give in par. 6 and that can be read in 1 John 3:17.
The opening sentence sounds a bit strange to me: if we have sufficient food for many days.....
Should this not be: if we have sufficient food for today or the day??
Already good comments given on par. 8. Just to add: Luk 11:13 If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
which means we do not need to pray that an organisation receives it first and then distributes it to others.
Par. 9 has: Over 60 years ago, this journal nicely explained....
Very peculiar (but familiar for the WT) to say this. A journal can have an article that contains an explanation but it is the writers and/or editor who provided the explanation.
If we sin we can be forgiven Mat 12:31 For this reason I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
The explanation in the WT generates guilt which is not the objective of the words in the prayer as the sentence in the prayer includes the fact that people can sin against us and that would mean they generate a debt with us. following the reasoning of the WT. The lesson Jesus gives is that the Father can forgive anything as long as we ourselves act in the same way towards those who have some debt or sin against us.
Par 10 is a common way of the WT to promote JW theology.
Par. 11 has: Our Father (hmmm....not yet in the fullest sense...) will cease to apply to us (who is us here? the so-called anointed class or others?) the value of His Son's (why not say Jesus's ?) sacrifice if .... Where can you find this in the bible?? Not in the text provided in the par. (Matt. 18:35).
Then it has: Finally, to benefit from God's forgiveness, we must strive .....
This is not a scriptural view.When one sins, it will be forgiven. Period. Unless we do not want to forgive others who sin against us. In that case, one runs the risk (in the end, Jesus is judge, not us) not to be forgiven.
Par. 15: Because one has children (2) and cannot spend all his time in serving the organisation because one needs to raise his children, that one is now praying not fall into temptation????
Does that mean that all the time spent in serving the organisation and swallowing the material and education is not enough to change your personality and build up self control?? Just because that one is now looking after his children.......pfffff.
Par. 16 mentions pornography. I wonder why often this topic is mentioned and not sins like smoking, gambling, pagan festivals etc. Is it because JW's have a stronger than average weakness for pornography? If so, why would that be?

• Reply by father jack on 2015-08-28 13:58:48

  They just seem to keep mentioning that issue . Im not sure wether its that discreet to do so . Paul did say let fornication and uncleaness not even be memtioned among you . Why do they feel the need to try and police the brothers ? Why rake up this topic over and over again many must find it embarrasing . Especially in a study that includes really young children at the meeting . Any christian with a resonable knowledge of the bible should be able to make a personal evaluation of thier habits and realise how to use practical advise found inthe bible to overcome these habits if theres a problem 2 corinthians 13 v5 matthew 5 v 29 and 30 , 1 corinthians 7 v 3 to 5

Comment by AndereStimme on 2015-08-25 18:14:20

Here's something interesting: The Bible in the collage at the beginning of the article is opened to Psalm 146. Hmmmm.

Comment by Buster on 2015-08-25 20:03:36

Guardians of Doctrines, all you need to say, and that will answer the whole article, really, giving yourself that Title, I mean I guess Christ has Prince of Peace, and Son of Man already taken, it is amazing how this organization is going so so so so so out of control.

Comment by Buster on 2015-08-25 20:04:57

Great Review my brother, this new site is Awesome.

Comment by Pearl Doxsey on 2015-09-22 11:09:34

Should we be concerned about receiving accurate spiritual bread?
(Matt.6:11; 24:4-5,24-25)
“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. People will stagger from sea to sea And from the north even to the east; THEY WILL GO TO AND FRO to seek the word of the LORD, But they will not find it." (Amos 8:11-12)
"always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth." (2Tim.3:7)
This wandering for spiritual bread happens in the time of the end, when spiritual provisions are made available by God, but not accessible to the searching masses.
"But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. MANY SHALL GO TO AND FRO, and knowledge shall increase.”
"Jesus said, 'The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been GIVEN to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, "'though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.' " (Luke 8:10)
To be "given" this spiritual bread, it requires a spiritual victory from us...
"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the *HIDDEN* MANNA." (Rev.2:17 a)
What is the source of this "HIDDEN Manna"?
"This is the manna which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. "I AM THE LIVING BREAD that came down out of heaven" (John6:50-51a)
"Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and
SHOW MYSELF (the "living bread") TO THEM." (John 14:21)
"And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?... (The Lamb) went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne." (Rev.5:2,7)
"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I HAVE MADE KNOWN TO YOU." (John15:15)
Jesus is the source of living bread from heaven. Those who prove victorious, will be given that *hidden* bread. Jesus will show himself (the bread from heaven) to them. They will be given truthful understanding of the teachings of Christ, in the midst of a famine for that spiritual bread. That will occur in the time of the end, during which many will be searching for spiritual provisions, but because they are not among the "taken" (Luke13:23-24; Matt.7:14; John10:9) (Luke17:30-37; Rev.11:7,3), they will not find truth given by God to Christ, and from Christ, to his messenger...
"The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John" (Rev.1:1)
The angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place." (Rev.22:6)
Those not intentionally graced by Christ (2Thess.2:9-13; 1Thess.5:2-6), will find only the "confusion" of " 'Babylon' the Great"...
the "mother" "covenant of death" (Isa.28:15) over those not granted life (Rev.17:5) (Gal.4:26,24),
through the salvation of God, and His gift of hidden, living bread.
The question then arises...
Where can that manna be found... as Jesus himself asked;
"WHO REALLY IS the faithful and discreet slave, whom his master has set
*OVER HIS HOUSE*hold,
TO GIVE THEM THEIR FOOD at the proper time?" (Matt.24:45)
"Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and IT *GIVES LIGHT TO EVERYONE IN THE HOUSE*. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden." (Matt.5:15,14)
"And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.These are the two olive trees and the TWO LAMPSTANDS who stand before the God of the earth." (Rev.11:3-4)