Watchtower Study Article For Last Week

[watchman]

It has been suggested that the forum consider each week's study article. So, here is the article that was studied this past Sunday. I'll post this week's article in a few days.

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[SlaveForJah]

Thanks for posting the article, Robert. I hope to be able to comment as soon as I&#39;ve finished reading it. I hope that this will be a positive new feature here.


Thankful

SlaveForJah

[ano.nymous62]

It has been suggested that the forum consider each week&#39;s study article. So, here is the article that was studied this past Sunday. I&#39;ll post this week&#39;s article in a few days.

This is a wonderful dea. Thank you so much. It makes it easy to glance at the study article during the week without having to rumage around trying to find our personal copy of the magazine...
Much appreciated.
Ano.nymous62

[Peter]

Haven’t got much time to post but Just two quotes I found of interest. B)

“Today, we may not clearly see why some organizational matters are handled in a certain way, but we have every reason to trust in Jehovah&#39;s guidance through his faithful channel of communication. At times, our enemies may seem to be getting the upper hand”

Who are the enemies referred to here?

“As we get nearer to the outbreak of the great tribulation, we may well receive some detailed instructions?

[Alex]

We wonder why certain organizational matters are handled in a certain way because at times the scriptural reason is lacking. It is more of &#39;Society policy&#39; rather than what the Bible clearly states. For this reason, such causes of &#39;stumbling&#39; has to be rooted out.

Further, while we can trust what Jehovah says, what channel of communication is being referred to here? The Bible? Sure, we can trust what the Bible says.

However, if it is the usual summons, to trust completely the &#39;faithful and discreet slave&#39;, now that&#39;s a different matter. An imperfect body of Christians, representing Christ&#39;s brothers on earth deserve a measure of respect and trust. Yet, they too have their limitations, even in understanding the outworking of God&#39;s purpose. Jehovah does see a whole bigger picture, much more so than the Watchtower could ever discern. The demand for trust by any member of the &#39;faithful slave&#39; has to be measured therefore, not fully given, just because the Watchtower has demanded it for so many years.

We need to reconsider carefully the implications of embracing any direction from the so-called &#39;slave class&#39;. Their directions have not always proved beneficial for individuals, families or congregations, hence we seek the wisdom of God through the Bible.
The influence of the &#39;evil slave&#39; remains at work within God&#39;s household!

Just my thoughts, Alex.

[Berean]

Good choice of quotes, Peter.


"Today, we may not clearly see why some organizational matters are handled in a certain way, but we have every reason to trust in Jehovah&#39;s guidance through his faithful channel of communication. At times, our enemies may seem to be getting the upper hand"

Who are the enemies referred to here?[/b]
Modern-day Egyptians? I don&#39;t know... they probably mean people who are spreading &#39;false&#39; information about them. Like, "The expression &#39;channel of communication&#39; isn&#39;t found anywhere in the Bible!" You know, outright lies like that. Um... yeah...


"As we get nearer to the outbreak of the great tribulation, we may well receive some detailed instructions?[/b]
There was quite some excitement about this in our hall. Imagine that, the officially approved Channel of Communication® announces that the end is near, and proceeds to give us specific instructions. "Give us all your money, so we can redistribute it to our brothers and sisters elsewhere, who are suffering from NWO oppression." Maybe I&#39;m too suspicious, but I don&#39;t like all this exalting of the Communication Channel® I&#39;m seeing.

[Shibboleth]

thanks watchman. I didn&#39;t go to the meeting or do my study in the watchtower. so I missed this one.

I like how they say the Egyptians received 9 plagues and were about to receive the tenth one. But what about the first part of the plagues. those were shared by the egyptians and Israelites. Was Jehovah testing the Israelites as well? testing their mettle and demeanor?

Like I have been posting in the past and now, something is afoot. It&#39;s sad to say and even think about, but I fear we will lose some great spiritual brothers and sisters in the Great Tribulation. But even if these ones don&#39;t make it as part of the great crowd they are still part of the other sheep and Jehovah will remember these ones.

We need to keep spiritually strong and have a sound mind. The winds are about to be unleashed, thats for certain. The sea of mankind is about to be tested. We are still part of that sea of mankind.

Since here in the U.S. we are about to go through an election it is so easy to get caught up in the voices of change.

[billy]

It&#39;s hard to trust false prophets

I think Jehovah is going to make it very clear who to follow - just as he used Moses and AAron - maybe they could be compared to the "two witnesses" in Revelation - Moses came out from the wilderness and worked with Aaron who came out from the brotherhood - and together they showed their credentials by God&#39;s power of holy spiirt - and even the egyptians left serving their gods and joined with the Isrealites in getting out of Egypt - could that be compared to getting out of Babylon the Great?

[watchman]

My people will certainly be silenced, because there is no knowledge." (Hosea 4:5-6) </span></span></div>
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[panda]

Sorry brothers I put this on another board without seeing this here first....


The WT study article last Sunday (DEC 15, gives the example of Jehovah&#39;s saving power for the Israelites against Pharaoh.) Stand Firm....para&#39; 15 @ 16, concludes

Today, it is so important that we follow the guidance that comes to us through the FDS! (Matt 24:45) We have to listen very carefully to Gods word BEHIND US, saying "This is the way. Walk in it, you people,&#39; in case you people should go to the right or in case you should go to the left." (Isaiah 30:21) As we get nearer to the outbreak of the great tribulation, we may well receive some detailed instructions. Our safe journey through those troublesome days will depend on or keeping in step with other loyal servants of Jehovah.

Today we may not clearly see the why some organizational matters are handled in a certain way, but we have every reason to trust in Jehovah&#39;s guidance through his faithful channel of communication. At times, our enemies may seem to be getting the upper hand. From our limited perspective, we may not be able to see the whole picture. Still, Jehovah is capable of maneuvering matters at the right moment just as he did back there for the sons of Israel. (Prov 3:5)

OK, so we know that there is an evil slave within the tower, what can we make of this then, why Jehovah is still using the org, would any information come in a positive way to help us at the beginning say of the GT, or would it be trickery by Satan&#39;s hand.

I do have confidence in Jehovah, but how can I trust the org, when it has failed so many times with prophecy and disloyalty. I think as we get closer to the end there will be a lot of trickery and lies to trap as many as Jehovah&#39;s people as possible.

Panda

[SlaveForJah]

Hello Brothers and Sisters,

Christian Greetings.

I&#39;d like to offer some comments about the article from yesterday&#39;s study. First I&#39;d like to say that this was overall a good article. Some of the things i found interesting and encouraging:


If we remain loyal to Jehovah and if we stand firm for his sovereignty, we shall have the opportunity of sharing in the sanctification of Jehovah&#39;s name and the fulfillment of his purpose. What an inestimable joy that will be![/b]


I agree, what a privelege, to be able to provide testimony for all eternity to the grandeur of our Creator and His wonderful works. I pray that my name will be included among those to whom Jehovah can point as faithful servants.


Are we prepared for those momentous events? Do we have faith in Jehovah&#39;s saving power? Are we confident that he will come to our aid at the right time and in the best way?[/b]

These are definitely the appropriate questions to be asking ourselves. Not necessarily because of the nearness of the end, but because it is integral to the kind of person Jehovah wants us to be. We are to be those who are faithful to Him, irrespective of how near or far we perceive the end of the systems of things to be. Regardless of WHEN the Great Tribulation comes upon the whole world, it is JEHOVAH&#39;S saving power in which we should rest our faith.

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Jehovah Rescues His People[/b]


"See the Salvation of Jehovah"[/b]


I thought these two subheadings were well presented and highlighted the POWER and DESIRE of Jehovah to save His children from the clutches of sin and Adamic death. The entire ordeal with the Exodus was prophetic in nature, pointing to the value of Christ&#39;s Ransom in the form of his shed blood, as the Great Passover Lamb. This was Jehovah&#39;s provision for the salvation of all mankind. What a position to be in in our day, having both the Passover and subsequent Exodus as well as the Ministry and Ransom of Christ Jesus to reflect on and bolster our faith in Jehovah God and His promises!

It is in pargraph 15 that the problems really show up.


Today, it is so important that we follow the guidance that comes to us through "the faithful and discreet slave"! (Matthew 24:45) We have to listen very carefully to God&#39;s word behind us, saying: "&#39;This is the way. Walk in it, you people,&#39; in case you people should go to the right or in case you should go to the left." (Isaiah 30:21)[/b]

The Society slyly interjects itself into the position of "God&#39;s word behind us". First it self-appoints itself as the "faithful and discreet slave" prematurely, without allowing Jesus to make that determination, and then subtlely implies that it&#39;s words are those of Jehovah God Himself.



As we get nearer to the outbreak of the great tribulation, we may well receive some detailed instructions. Our safe journey through those troublesome days will depend on our keeping in step with other loyal servants of Jehovah.[/b]

Next, we are told something that goes directly against the words of our Shepherd and TRUE HEAD of the Body, Jesus. We are advised that "we may well" get instructions from the FDS as to the "safe journey through those troublesome days". Our salvation is then said to be dependent upon "keeping in step" with the "loyal servants of Jehovah", no doubt a reference to the "Organization" as Mother. Let&#39;s see what those words of our Master were, in this regard.

"8 He said: "Look out that YOU are not misled; for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, &#39;I am he,&#39; and, &#39;The due time has approached.&#39; Do not go after them." - Luke 21:8

What does Peter tell us in regards to safe passage? Does he tell us to be in lockstep with an "Organization"? Let&#39;s see.

"18 Why, even Christ died once for all time concerning sins, a righteous [person] for unrighteous ones, that he might lead YOU to God, he being put to death in the flesh, but being made alive in the spirit. 19 In this [state] also he went his way and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who had once been disobedient when the patience of God was waiting in Noah&#39;s days, while the ark was being constructed, in which a few people, that is, eight souls, were carried safely through the water. 21 That which corresponds to this is also now saving YOU, namely, baptism, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the request made to God for a good conscience,) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." - 1Peter 3:18-21


So, what was it that is responsible for our safe passage? Certainly not membership rolls or time cards. Rather, it is our clean conscience and standing before Jehovah, NOT the amassing of works, not our "good standing" status in the Kingdom Halls.


While there are a few self-aggrandizing spots in this article...I found it mostly upbuilding. Especially this next quote.

</span><div class=\'quotetop\'>QUOTE</div><div class=\'quotemain\'>Still, Jehovah is capable of maneuvering matters at the right moment, just as he did back there for the sons of Israel.<span style="color:#0000ff"> [/b][/quote]

and this one as well...


Jesus said to his followers: "By endurance on your part you will acquire your souls." (Luke 21:19) May we be among those who faithfully endure any hardships that they may encounter and so be privileged by God&#39;s undeserved kindness to "stand firm and see the salvation of Jehovah."[/b]

Thanks again, Watchman for posting the Study. I&#39;d like to thank everyone else for all their comments as well, and I look forward to the rest of the comments that are still forthcoming. Hopefully mine were upbuilding and scripturally sound.


Agape

SlaveForJah</div>

[TheCook]

I agree, great idea to have a topic for comments on the Watchtower study articles. Great comments too, thanks all!

[James]

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Thanks SlaveForJah for being the catalyst for this thread and thanks to Watchman for delivering.(are you also soliciting voluntary donations to cover costs? lol)

How apropos to start the series of threads with the yeartext theme.

While at the meeting, a couple of sentences stood out for me and I can see these subtle hints becoming more pronounced as the year progresses.

In the coming calendar year, it would be well for each one to take stock of himself to make sure that every part of that armor is in place and fits well.

As we get nearer to the outbreak of the great tribulation, we may well receive some detailed instructions

we have every reason to trust in Jehovah&#39;s guidance through his faithful channel of communication

<span style="font-family:Arial">agape,
James

[Jinnvisible]

Maybe I&#39;m too suspicious, but I don&#39;t like all this exalting of the Communication Channel® I&#39;m seeing.[/b]

As much as I hate to agree with people, I get that feeling in my bones also. At the moment a prophet is relating an inspired expression then, in that moment you might say &#39;direct channel&#39;. Yet the fact is they never did say that. Holy spirit is the only direct channel.

The sad facct of the matter is the society has esteemed itself above Holy Spirit. This has been made evident in a number of ways that I won&#39;t go into here. Proberbly listening to Solomon&#39;s inspired wisdom as he was speaking it, would have been as listening to a direct channel to God, however great Solomon eventually changed the channel didn&#39;t he ? An he was actually inspired.

This talk of &#39;direct&#39; yet &#39;uninspired&#39; channels to God is contradictory and good for nothing at all but arranging a stumbling.

[dgibson]

I&#39;m sorry brothers and sisters, but it enrages me to see my family being deceived in these sleight of hand tricks.

They are putting their complete faith in the WTS as being their Moses like Organization to carry them through the end of the system of things.

They continue to use all of their precious belongings, at the expense of many conviences for their own health, & family, in support of meeting attendance, assemblies, kingdom halls, and field service. No one that has been raised or active in this Organization can deny, that this is a drain on a persons resources.

Also considering how many times in the past, talks from the platform, openly decouraged an education beyond a high school education.

Many youth don&#39;t want to move forward on education beyond high school, and its now wonder. Let&#39;s consider why.

After home studying, meeting preparation, 5 hours of meeting attendance, field service, hall maintance, out of town travel for talks, it would seem that ones school homework would suffer, due top a lack of time and interest. Plus all the constant negative talk, being heard, about the soon distruction of this system of things.

It&#39;s no wonder many of the youth, have left the WTS in pursuit of a career, instead of going around the same corners over and over again in the WTS Organization.

[Jinnvisible]

We can learn that the ancient Israelites perhaps did not stringently arrange themselves before jumping for joy</span>.