Wt Study For July 5,2009

[James]

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[James]

I enjoyed todays' meeting....for the most part.

couple of comments...
chapter 16-the comparison of the building work of Solomon, Jesus' start of the the true kingdom foundation and the building work yet to be carried out. It was re-iterated again in a comment, how Bethel and the kingdom halls were going to be preserved, so as to congregate to spearhead the re-building work.


chapter 18-once again,mass hypnosis- repeat after me-"we are living in a spiritual paradise", "we are living in a spiritual paradise"...

Final comment on the article...the pics. Kinda reminds me of the saying-WWJD-, or in this case, WWJW.
What Would Jesus Wear? A beard! of course! A symbol of maturity, stature, wisdom? Maybe, but in any case, it does not weigh negatively against him or solomon, does it?

Had a wonderful talk with a sister after the meeting who's a nonagenarian. She is very alert, bright-eyed and feisty! She wants to stay in her home and be independent, until she can no longer think for herself. Her eyes almost welled up with tears, as she talked about living to see Jehovahs' kingdom. I didn't know if she was referring to our 'spiritual paradise' now, or that she would walk though the GT into paradise. I didn't push it.

James

[SWORDOFJAH]

Good morning. Just here drinking my coffee and thanking Jehovah for this study.

Point to remember.
We have the hope of everlasting life in the peaceful Paradise at hand. May we, then, imitate the Greater David, Christ Jesus, whose zeal for Jehovah motivated him to serve faithfully to the end. (1 Peter 2:21) By doing so, we will continue to be happy, praising the one in whom we take exquisite delight, our God, Jehovah.

We today can show deep appreciation for the Greater Solomon, Jesus Christ. How? One way is by following his directive to “make disciples of people of all the nations.” (Matthew 28:19) Another way is to consider closely Jesus’ example and his mental attitude and then imitate these.—Philippians 2:5; Hebrews 12:2, 3.

Jehovah’s Witnesses look to no man but to Jesus Christ, the Greater Solomon, as their King. The answers they are given from God’s Word satisfy their minds and hearts, and they feel moved to join their voices in blessing Jehovah.—Compare Luke 11:31.

So much we are learning. Meditate and be thankful.

[shikinah]

I didnt study this magazine, but could you tell me why Jesus is refered to as the "greater Soloman"? I know Soloman was extremely wise, wealthy, and loved Jehovah, but he also had hundreds of foreign wives, concubines and at one stage worshiped many false gods, so i find it hard to find the comparrison. I would read it but its very blurry on my pc.

p.s I was able to read it and understand now why he was compared as the greater Soloman, thank you.

Elizabeth

[noname]

The latter of Paragraph 16 was viewed as a revelation from the F&DS in my congregation.

Paragraph 18 "we have peaceful conditions", "we are enjoying a true spiritual paradise".
I think it would be more honest to say , "some have peaceful conditions" , "some are enjoying a type of spiritual paradise"
What type of True Paradise has sick ones within it, spiritually or physically?
It seems that we have taken up Pretending to have a True Spiritual Paradise.
Its like a father telling an unhappy family that "We have a happy family!".

It seems like it would be reasonable to ask the family if they are happy. Or for the Watchtower to have asked the entire association "Do you feel like were in a spiritual paradise?" in a personal letter to the congregations, with a honest reply going back to them.

[TheMdC]

I didnt study this magazine, but could you tell me why Jesus is refered to as the "greater Soloman"? I know Soloman was extremely wise, wealthy, and loved Jehovah, but he also had hundreds of foreign wives, concubines and at one stage worshiped many false gods, so i find it hard to find the comparrison. I would read it but its very blurry on my pc.

p.s I was able to read it and understand now why he was compared as the greater Soloman, thank you.

Elizabeth[/b]
Basically this week and last week's articles were simple and quick to put together and could have been done with any Bible character(s). After all, isn't Jesus greater than any of them/us?

I can even do a paragraph on myself:
"The MdC was born as a male child to a poor human couple. His parents did their best to teach him about Jehovah while he grew up, and he loved reading the scriptures whenever he had the opportunity. Jesus, likewise was born as a male child to a poor human couple. His parents taught him about Jehovah, too, but as a perfect Son of God, Jesus surpassed The MdC in his love and understanding of the scriptures, even as a child. (Luke 2:41-49)"

See? Easy. These articles could have been thrown together in just a few hours. That they chose Moses, David, and Solomon this time is just coincidence.

[TheMdC]

The latter of Paragraph 16 was viewed as a revelation from the F&DS in my congregation.[/b]
What part? That Jesus will be overseeing the building work in the new system? He's going to be King. He'll be overseeing everything. This isn't new. :icon_rolleyes:

[noname]

Yeah I know thats why it was strange.

[TheMdC]

I think sometimes the people who follow the FDS doctrine feel the need to grant the org these superpowers in order to fulfill their own expectations and justify their unquestioning acceptance of every utterance.

[James]

I wonder just how much building will take place.

I think most of the population is going to die during the ride of the four horsemen but that most buildings will not be destroyed. I think that most likely, the 1000yrs will start by a tearing down of what man has built.

Me, I have modest aspirations.

A garden for vegetables, herbs. Some fruit trees. Some livestock, horses, sheep, chickens, pigs, cows.

A stream running through the land. I'm gonna be modest, 100 acres will do me nicely.


James

[noname]

I think sometimes the people who follow the FDS doctrine feel the need to grant the org these superpowers in order to fulfill their own expectations and justify their unquestioning acceptance of every utterance.[/b]

Well Put.
Even though I thought it to be innocent itself, it also seemed to be just plain stupid to be gasping over something they had to already know.

Watchtower Wine.

[FutureMan]

Jehovah's Witnesses look to no man but to Jesus Christ, the Greater Solomon, as their King. The answers they are given from God's Word satisfy their minds and hearts, and they feel moved to join their voices in blessing Jehovah.—Compare Luke 11:31.

So much we are learning. Meditate and be thankful.[/b]

Hello SWORDOFJAH, you have either got blinkers on or you are trying to deliberately mislead all of us here to the fact that the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses are putting their complete trust in Christ as head, rather than man.

In their own literature they are telling all their members to put their complete trust in the "faithful and discreet slave" and you cannot get around that indisputable fact no matter what you think or say.

They are telling us to put our trust and faith in man, whom they say has been appointed already over Christ's belongings.

Wake up Man!

From FutureMan

[SWORDOFJAH]

We encourage anyone to trust Jehovah not men.Example:

*** be p. 28 par. 2 Study Is Rewarding ***

Such receptiveness differentiates Jehovah’s people from other students. Among those who lack godly devotion, it is fashionable to doubt and challenge what is written. But that is not our attitude. We trust Jehovah. (Prov. 3:5-7) If we do not understand something, we do not presumptuously conclude that it must be in error. While searching and digging for the answers, we wait on Jehovah. (Mic. 7:7)

Now there is nothing wrong to trust your brothers and sisters.Example:

The video Jehovah’s Witnesses—The Organization Behind the Name has been a powerful instrument in developing people’s appreciation for the organization that Jehovah is using.


*** w83 5/1 p. 20 par. 12 Christians Meet Persecution With Endurance ***

And we can endure it if we trust Jehovah completely and maintain our confidence in the fulfillment of his promise of unparalleled blessings in the foretold New Order.—Revelation 21:1-4; compare 2*Corinthians 1:19, 20.

[TheMdC]

So much we are learning. Meditate and be thankful.[/b]
This isn't directed only at you, SWORDOFJAH, so please don't take this personally.

I hear phrases like the above often from the brothers and sisters and I wonder exactly what they just learned that they didn't know before studying a particular article? Did you really not know that Jesus was greater than Moses, David and Solomon? Did you really not know that parallels could be drawn between each of their lives? That Moses performed miracles and so did Jesus, only better? That David and Solomon were kings and so is Jesus, only better?

Are we really "learning" anything?

Obviously new people learn some things at the meeting. To me, the K.H. serves the same milk we've been drinking for decades. To get meat, one has to dig on his/her own, and pray a lot. (Hebrews 5:11-14)

This isn't to diminish the value of meetings. Meetings are to make public declaration of our hope, to incite to love and fine works, and to encourage one another. (Heb.10:23-25) To that end, they often achieve their purpose well, depending on the congregation you're in.

It's just one of my pet peeves that people rave on about how much we learn at meetings and conventions. If you've been in the org for any significant amount of time you should already know everything they're saying and your purpose there should be in line with Hebrews chapter 10.

[SWORDOFJAH]

Hello. Humans forget easily things they once knew.
That is why in the Bible we have reminders of Jehovah's
teachings and counsel.The things that are discussed at the meetings are upbuilding,
ranging from matters dealing with everyday problems of life to studies
of fascinating Bible prophecies.
Practical instruction is presented that teaches you how to live the best way
of life and to meet*the challenges that come your way.
The companions found at the meetings are the best anywhere, and the spiritual atmosphere
is pleasant and safe. (Ps. 133:1)

[panda]

they are reminders upon reminders, we should be grateful, that FDS doesn't come up with anymore false predictions or how many more articles on the GB and their right to rule already. :icon_rolleyes:

the only spiritual steak we get is from studying the bible ourselves, personal bible study, along with prayer and help from Gods holy spirit, thats the beef. :188:

[Hester]

I wonder just how much building will take place.

I think most of the population is going to die during the ride of the four horsemen but that most buildings will not be destroyed. I think that most likely, the 1000yrs will start by a tearing down of what man has built.

Me, I have modest aspirations.

A garden for vegetables, herbs. Some fruit trees. Some livestock, horses, sheep, chickens, pigs, cows.

A stream running through the land. I'm gonna be modest, 100 acres will do me nicely.


James[/b]


why are you so willing to globally dismiss this "most of the population" of people you don't even know? Do you have a scripture to support this assumption?
just curious.

[Hester]

They are telling us to put our trust and faith in man, whom they say has been appointed already over Christ's belongings.

That is exactly what they are doing, and doing so by constantly repeating the brief, highly reductive thought-terminating cliche, "faithful and discreet slave". (i.e., the governing body) The message is clear: Faith in God = Faith in FDS/GB (men)
Why is it this concept is not questioned? What evidence do you really have to presume that this one group of men is the only group qualified to be the sole interpreter of the Bible?

[shikinah]

<div class='quotemain'>I wonder just how much building will take place.

I think most of the population is going to die during the ride of the four horsemen but that most buildings will not be destroyed. I think that most likely, the 1000yrs will start by a tearing down of what man has built.

Me, I have modest aspirations.

A garden for vegetables, herbs. Some fruit trees. Some livestock, horses, sheep, chickens, pigs, cows.

A stream running through the land. I&#39;m gonna be modest, 100 acres will do me nicely.


James[/b]


why are you so willing to globally dismiss this "most of the population" of people you don&#39;t even know? Do you have a scripture to support this assumption?
just curious.
[/b][/quote]


"Go in through the narrow gate; because broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it; whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it.”—Matt. 7:13, 14.

Mathew 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen"

If we assume that eight thousand people were living on the earth, then calculate that only eight people were saved, how many people perished? The answer is 99.9 percent! That gives us some idea of what Jesus meant when he said, "Few will find the narrow road." Few will enter through the narrow gate.In 1 Peter 3:20, in reference to this flood, Peter said that only a few were saved, and then he further specified how few there were: "eight in all." I don’t think that calculus changed. It is still the same: few are saved, but seen as a great crowd that no man could number in the book of Revelations.

[James]

<div class='quotemain'><div class='quotemain'>I wonder just how much building will take place.

I think most of the population is going to die during the ride of the four horsemen but that most buildings will not be destroyed. I think that most likely, the 1000yrs will start by a tearing down of what man has built.

Me, I have modest aspirations.

A garden for vegetables, herbs. Some fruit trees. Some livestock, horses, sheep, chickens, pigs, cows.

A stream running through the land. I&#39;m gonna be modest, 100 acres will do me nicely.


James[/b]


why are you so willing to globally dismiss this "most of the population" of people you don&#39;t even know? Do you have a scripture to support this assumption?
just curious.
[/b][/quote]


"Go in through the narrow gate; because broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it; whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it."—Matt. 7:13, 14.

Mathew 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen"

If we assume that eight thousand people were living on the earth, then calculate that only eight people were saved, how many people perished? The answer is 99.9 percent! That gives us some idea of what Jesus meant when he said, "Few will find the narrow road." Few will enter through the narrow gate.In 1 Peter 3:20, in reference to this flood, Peter said that only a few were saved, and then he further specified how few there were: "eight in all." I don&#39;t think that calculus changed. It is still the same: few are saved, but seen as a great crowd that no man could number in the book of Revelations.






[/b][/quote]

Good thoughts shikinah...

Welcome Hester.

Here is another scripture that gives the impression that during the GT, the human population is being decimated almost to the point of extinction.

(Matthew 24:21-22) for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again. 22 In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short.


Love to here your thoughts Hester, on how many names you think are written in the book of life.


James

[uglyandthin]

<div class='quotemain'><div class='quotemain'>I wonder just how much building will take place.

I think most of the population is going to die during the ride of the four horsemen but that most buildings will not be destroyed. I think that most likely, the 1000yrs will start by a tearing down of what man has built.

Me, I have modest aspirations.

A garden for vegetables, herbs. Some fruit trees. Some livestock, horses, sheep, chickens, pigs, cows.

A stream running through the land. I&#39;m gonna be modest, 100 acres will do me nicely.


James[/b]


why are you so willing to globally dismiss this "most of the population" of people you don&#39;t even know? Do you have a scripture to support this assumption?
just curious.
[/b][/quote]


"Go in through the narrow gate; because broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it; whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it."—Matt. 7:13, 14.

Mathew 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen"

If we assume that eight thousand people were living on the earth, then calculate that only eight people were saved, how many people perished? The answer is 99.9 percent! That gives us some idea of what Jesus meant when he said, "Few will find the narrow road." Few will enter through the narrow gate.In 1 Peter 3:20, in reference to this flood, Peter said that only a few were saved, and then he further specified how few there were: "eight in all." I don&#39;t think that calculus changed. It is still the same: few are saved, but seen as a great crowd that no man could number in the book of Revelations.






[/b][/quote]

[uglyandthin]

<div class='quotemain'><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotemain'>I wonder just how much building will take place.

I think most of the population is going to die during the ride of the four horsemen but that most buildings will not be destroyed. I think that most likely, the 1000yrs will start by a tearing down of what man has built.

Me, I have modest aspirations.

A garden for vegetables, herbs. Some fruit trees. Some livestock, horses, sheep, chickens, pigs, cows.

A stream running through the land. I&#39;m gonna be modest, 100 acres will do me nicely.


James[/b]


why are you so willing to globally dismiss this "most of the population" of people you don&#39;t even know? Do you have a scripture to support this assumption?
just curious.
[/b][/quote]


"Go in through the narrow gate; because broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it; whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it."—Matt. 7:13, 14.

Mathew 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen"

If we assume that eight thousand people were living on the earth, then calculate that only eight people were saved, how many people perished? The answer is 99.9 percent! That gives us some idea of what Jesus meant when he said, "Few will find the narrow road." Few will enter through the narrow gate.In 1 Peter 3:20, in reference to this flood, Peter said that only a few were saved, and then he further specified how few there were: "eight in all." I don&#39;t think that calculus changed. It is still the same: few are saved, but seen as a great crowd that no man could number in the book of Revelations.






[/b][/quote]
[/b][/quote]

Hi Shikinah:

Don&#39;t know what happened to my comment. It was there a minute ago, and now gone.

I think there will be many more who will respond to the preaching of the "two witnesses" than just 1/10th of 1% of mankind. Even in Israel God&#39;s farming percentage was 10%. I think perhaps Noah and his Wife along with the Sons and Daughters in law represent those that have found the gate that leads to "life". Not being alive physically, but spiritually. There will be more who are alive "spiritually" or "born again" than the 144,000 members of Christ&#39;s Bride. Remember, they (the 144,000) are the "firstfruits" which to me alludes to the fact that there will be more to follow.

Only a very small number of mankind may find "life", having been born "into" Christ, but many, many others will end up having faith enough for the "preserving alive of the soul". By that I mean they will end up alive physically in the Kingdom, but will not be alive "spiritually" until the end of the 1,000 year reign of Christ when they too are finally born "into" Christ. Just my opinion, nothing more...

uglyandthin

[FutureMan]

<div class='quotemain'>I wonder just how much building will take place.

I think most of the population is going to die during the ride of the four horsemen but that most buildings will not be destroyed. I think that most likely, the 1000yrs will start by a tearing down of what man has built.

Me, I have modest aspirations.

A garden for vegetables, herbs. Some fruit trees. Some livestock, horses, sheep, chickens, pigs, cows.

A stream running through the land. I&#39;m gonna be modest, 100 acres will do me nicely.


James[/b]


why are you so willing to globally dismiss this "most of the population" of people you don&#39;t even know? Do you have a scripture to support this assumption?
just curious.
[/b][/quote]

PS Scripture added