The End of a Delusion is at Hand
Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 5:13AM 
de·lu·sion (d-lzhn) n 1: (psychology) an erroneous belief that is held in the face of evidence to the contrary 2: a mistaken or unfounded opinion or idea 3: the act of deluding; deception by creating illusory ideas
If you are one of Jehovah’s Witnesses you no doubt believe that Jesus Christ arrived in the glory of his kingdom in 1914. You also believe that Jesus judged all religions in 1918 and bestowed his blessing upon the Watchtower Society; irrevocably appointing them “over all of his belongings.” Among other things, Jehovah’s Witnesses also believe that the organization is now a spiritual paradise – as foretold in prophecy.
There is no question that Jehovah’s Witnesses are thoroughly convinced that what they have been taught is the truth – in large measure because of the very authority the Watchtower has gained for itself through its teaching that Christ has already appointed them “over all his belongings.” But is it possible that the Watchtower has deluded Jehovah’s Witnesses on these issues – similar to the way in which the typical churchgoer has been deluded on various vital doctrinal matters?
Having raised the question of the reliability of the Watchtower Society’s interpretations, rest assured that being mistaken or having erroneous opinions on prophetic matters does not necessarily nullify the faith and work of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It does not mean that Jehovah does not exist; nor does it imply that his kingdom is not going to put an end to this system and usher in a righteous new world, even soon. However, it does mean that at some point all of Jehovah’s Witnesses will be squarely confronted with a massive dilemma that will require them to shake off the Watchtower-induced delusion that Christ became king in 1914; along with a whole range of other deeply entrenched false notions regarding the coming of Christ.
The situation now facing Jehovah’s Witnesses was foretold in the book of Ezekiel. In the 13th chapter of Ezekiel Jehovah issued his judicial decree concerning those whom he determined were false visionaries; notifying them through his prophet: “In the intimate group of my people they will not continue on, and in the register of the house of Israel they will not be written, and to the soil of Israel they will not come; and you people will have to know that I am the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, for the reason, yes, for the reason that they have led my people astray, saying, “There is peace!” when there is no peace, and there is one that is building a partition wall, but in vain there are those plastering it with whitewash.”
Since the prophecy locates the false visionaries “in the intimate group of my people,” and Jehovah’s Witnesses claim to be God’s people, it must be that they who are being led astray into believing “there is peace, when there is no peace” are Jehovah’s Witnesses. Up a few verses, in the 12th chapter, Jehovah commanded his prophet to speak to them these words: “The days have drawn near, and the matter of every vision.”
What days have drawn near? The days for Jehovah to put himself in judgment with his people and the world, as is revealed in virtually every prophetic vision recorded in the Sacred Scriptures – “the matter of every vision.”
Jehovah went on to state: “For there will no more prove to be any valueless vision nor double-faced divination in the midst of the house of Israel. For I myself, Jehovah, shall speak what word I shall speak, and it will be done. There will be no postponement anymore, for in your days, O rebellious house, I shall speak a word and certainly do it.”
The Watchtower’s 1914 doctrine has certainly proven to be a “valueless vision.” And there are countless examples in Watchtower literature that can be cited as instances of the practice of “double-faced divination.” A few examples will be presented here in order to demonstrate the fraud that has been perpetrated against Jehovah’s Witnesses by their institutional visionaries.
Consider what the Society teaches concerning Jesus’ illustration about the bridegroom and the wise and foolish virgins. In an article entitled “Keep on the Watch” in the January 15th, 2000, Watchtower, we read:
“In emphasizing the need to be watchful, Jesus compared his disciples to slaves awaiting their master’s return from his marriage. They knew that he would return on a certain night—but at what hour? During the first watch of the night? The second? The third? They did not know… What if the master arrived during the second watch of the night, which extended from about nine o’clock till midnight? Would all the slaves, including those who had worked hard since early morning, be poised to greet him, or would some be asleep? What if the master returned during the third watch of the night—the period from midnight till about three in the morning? Would some of the slaves have become discouraged, even disgruntled at their master’s seeming delay? Only those who were found watching when the master arrived would be pronounced happy.”
In the article from which the quote above was taken the Society was exhorting Jehovah’s Witnesses to stay on the watch for Christ’s return; that is why they appropriately cited Jesus’ illustration to make the point. So, the Watchtower is implying that the bridegroom has not yet arrived and the symbolic virgins have not yet gone out to meet him.
Has the Watchtower subtly altered their previously-held view that the bridegroom arrived back in 1919? Not at all. Four years later the March 1st, 2004, Watchtower stated:
“Then in 1919 something unexpected happened. We read: “Right in the middle of the night there arose a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Be on your way out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and put their lamps in order.” Just when things seemed darkest, there was a call to get active! In 1918, Jesus, “the messenger of the covenant,” had come to Jehovah’s spiritual temple to inspect and cleanse God’s congregation.”
In view of this sort of contradiction, honest-reasoning Christians should ask which view is correct: Did the messianic bridegroom arrive in 1919 or is his arrival still in the future? Apparently, according to the Watchtower, both teachings are correct! The bridegroom came in 1919 and he is coming again!
Does that mean, then, that there is still another group of wise and foolish virgins that will part ways? No, in an article entitled “A Faithful Slave Passes the Test,” the Society stated that “it would not be reasonable” to believe that. Ever trying to support their “valueless vision,” the Watchtower asserts that Christ came in 1914 and again in 1918 and he is coming again. Hence, we read:
“In Matthew chapters 24 and 25, Jesus is said to “come” in different senses. He does not need to move physically in order to “come.” Rather, he “comes” in the sense of turning his attention to mankind or to his followers, often for judgment. Thus, in 1914 he “came” to begin his presence as enthroned King. In 1918 he “came” as messenger of the covenant and began judging those claiming to serve Jehovah. At Armageddon, he will “come” to execute judgment on Jehovah’s enemies. The coming (or, arriving) referred to a number of times at Matthew 24:29-44 and 25:31-46 is at “the great tribulation.” On the other hand, the coming referred to a number of times at Matthew 24:45 to 25:30 has to do with his judging professed disciples from 1918 onward. It would not be reasonable to say, for example, that the rewarding of the faithful slave, the judgment of the foolish virgins, and the judgment of the sluggish slave, who hid the Master’s talent, will take place when Jesus “comes” at the great tribulation. That would imply that many of the anointed will be found unfaithful at that time and will thus have to be replaced. However, Revelation 7:3 indicates that all of Christ’s anointed slaves will have been permanently “sealed” by that time.” – March 1st, 2004, Watchtower
In spite of what the Watchtower Society stated above, in reality it is reasonable to say that the rewarding of the faithful slaves and the judgment of the sluggish slaves takes place at Christ’s coming, during the tribulation. As has already been shown, Bethel itself even says so elsewhere in their literature. In an effort to motivate publishers in the ministry the Society has written many articles that apply the parable of the master’s talents to a future day of accounting for Jehovah’s Witnesses; eventhough, simultaneously, the Watchtower insists the master has already came and settled accounts. Obviously, though, both views cannot be correct. Either the master has already arrived – his reward being with him – or he has not.
The Watchtower’s teaching on the great tribulation opens up a whole other aspect of the Society’s insidious “double-faced divination,” in that, even though Jehovah’s Witnesses believe the great tribulation has not begun yet, the Watchtower Society actually interprets specific prophecies regarding the tribulation as if they have already been fulfilled. Confusing? Indeed, trying to resolve the Watchtower’s teachings regarding the coming of Christ can be excruciatingly difficult.
In the article above the Watchtower cites Revelation 7:3, which says in context: “After this I saw four angels standing upon the four corners of the earth, holding tight the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow upon the earth or upon the sea or upon any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the sunrising, having a seal of the living God; and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying: “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until after we have sealed the slaves of our God in their foreheads.”
“After this” is in reference to the opening of the sixth seal, which initiates a tremendous earthquake; the sun turning black; the moon turning to blood; the stars of heaven falling like figs blown from their stem, and every mountain and island being “removed from their places.” Certainly, the opening of the sixth seal signifies unique and awe-inspiring apocalyptic events initiating the collapse of the present system, during the great tribulation. But according to the Watchtower, the sixth seal has already been opened! And when was that?
Why, back in 1914, of course!
In fact, from 1925 all the way up until 1970, the Watchtower maintained the belief that the great tribulation actually began in 1914 and was “cut short” by divine intervention in 1918. Here is one of the more recently published examples:
“The days of tribulation commenced on Satan’s organization in 1914 and, with justification, could have continued without letup, culminating in the Biblical battle of Armageddon. But, as Jesus said, “those days will be cut short,” else “no flesh would be saved.” This precious interval of time, commencing in 1918 and ending with Armageddon, is still with us, continuing far longer than we had once expected.” – 8/15/65 WT
Although the Society has since adjusted their view of when the tribulation begins, they have retained the notion that the sixth seal was opened in 1914, for reasons that will become apparent.
In the “Revelation Climax” book the Society’s oracle reasons that all of the seven seals are unsealed in rapid succession. This is reasonable. In regards to the opening of the sixth seal it states:
“This must fall within the same time frame as the opening of the other seals. Just when in the Lord’s day does this earthquake occur, and what kind of quake is it?..from the mid-1870’s, Jehovah’s people had been anticipating that catastrophic events would start in 1914.”
Although claiming that the sixth seal was opened in 1914, the Society goes on to state that the events betokened by the climactic unsealing have not actually taken place yet. But how can that be? The Society teaches, absolutely, that the opening of the first five seals resulted in the sudden outbreak of war, famine and pestilence, and other events; but with regards to the sixth seal, after citing the disruption of the First World War and the Bolshevik revolution, the “Climax” book goes on to say:
“But such advance tremors are only preliminary to a climactic governmental upheaval.”
But if the unsealing of the other seals resulted in the immediate outbreak of war and pestilence, etc., why has the opening of the sixth seal not similarly initiated the beginning of the tribulation? Why has there been a period of nearly 100 years of relative calm since the “advance tremors” supposedly shook the world?
It is apparent that the reason the Watchtower insists the sixth seal was opened in 1914, even though the events that mark the unsealing have undeniably still not occurred, is because to teach otherwise would call into question whether any of the symbolic seals have been opened yet – including the first seal symbolizing the coming of Christ.
Another example of “double-faced divination” has to do with the Watchtower teaching regarding the organization being a spiritual paradise.
As is well known, the Watchtower teaches that Christ came in 1914 and that the foretold harvest began shortly thereafter – in 1919 – a harvest in fulfillment of Jesus’ parable of the wheat and the weeds. In connection with Jesus’ harvest illustration, the Watchtower teaches that the angels have already separated the wheat-like sons of the kingdom out from Christendom. Of necessity, then, that would mean that the angels have already been dispatched to “collect out from his kingdom all things that cause stumbling and persons who are doing lawlessness.” (See essay: The Harvest)
However, the Watchtower claims that the harvest involves gathering the wheat-like sons of the kingdom out of Christendom, meaning that Christendom is “his kingdom.” Does the Watchtower actually teach that Christendom is Christ’s kingdom? Incredibly, yes! Here is a rather large excerpt from the October 1st, 1975, Watchtower explaining their view:
14 It is plainly evident that Jesus Christ is implicated with the formation of Christendom, which has professed till now to be his true Church. Furthermore, Jehovah God takes Christendom at her word and according to her own claims. For this reason Jehovah calls upon her to live up to her claims and holds her responsible for failure to live up to his requirements. For this he will bring upon her a due punishment. In this “conclusion of the system of things” he judges her as unfaithful to her religious professions. She is the modern-day counterpart of unfaithful Israel of ancient times.
15 Adding to the Scriptural proof that Jesus Christ is implicated with the growth of Christendom, there is the parable of the wheat and the weeds (tares). True, Jesus Christ, “the Son of man,” did not sow those weeds in his own field. His enemy, Satan the Devil, did so. In the parable, the slaves of the Sower quickly discovered the presence of the weeds in the wheat field. They wanted to uproot the weed sprouts. But the Sower, the owner of the wheat field, would not let them do so. In his patience and long-suffering he ordered the slaves to let both the weeds and the wheat grow together until the harvest around Pentecost time. First then would he have the weeds, now fully grown, separated from the wheat.
16 In fulfillment of this feature of Jesus’ parable, he did not have Christendom destroyed as soon as it manifested itself. He permitted it to expand. In that sense he is involved with Christendom’s growth to its present proportions, the greatest in its history. Even up till this writing, Jesus Christ has not destroyed Christendom. She is still, by his permission, occupying space in the Sower’s field, “his field,” his religious “field under cultivation.”—Matt. 13:24-27; compare 1 Corinthians 3:9.
17 Further illustrating Jesus’ tie-in with Christendom is the parable of the dragnet. (Matt. 13:47-50) The fishermen who handle the dragnet picture the heavenly angels under the direction of the glorified Jesus Christ. But what does the dragnet itself picture? Because the parable says that “the kingdom of the heavens is like a dragnet,” does the dragnet picture the 144,001 members of the “kingdom of the heavens” class? No, it could not do so, when we take all the features of the parable together.”
Reasoning on the Watchtower’s interpretation of the parable, if Christendom is represented in the parable of the wheat and weeds and the parable of the dragnet as “his kingdom” then that means that God’s holy angels clear out from Christendom (“his kingdom”) the many stumbling blocks and multitudes of persons practicing lawlessness from those various institutions associated with Christendom. That, of course, is absurd, which is why elsewhere in their literature the Society teaches that the angels have removed all the stumbling blocks and lawless individuals from the Watchtower Society – in fulfillment of the parable. For example, here is what Bethel published in the August 1st, 1981, Watchtower:
“The “storehouse” into which they have been gathered since 1919 can be said to be “the kingdom of their Father,” inasmuch as the Christian congregation is a theocratic organization, recognizing Jehovah’s universal sovereignty. It is a clean organization, for out of it the angels collect “all things that cause stumbling and persons who are doing lawlessness.”
Did you catch the interpretive trickery the Watchtower employed? On the one hand the Watchtower claims that Christendom is “his kingdom.” But Jehovah’s Witnesses are also led to believe that the Watchtower Society is the “storehouse” for the harvested wheat. So, the wheat is presumably gathered out of his kingdom (Christendom) and into his storehouse (the Watchtower Society). But, please carefully note that Jesus’ parable does not say that the angels cleaned the “storehouse” of all things causing stumbling and lawless persons – as the article implies. No, Jesus’ illustration is very clear in saying that the angels remove such things from “his kingdom,” which the Watchtower claims is Christendom!
In any case, Bethel makes the outrageous claim that the Watchtower Society is free of any stumbling blocks and all lawlessness, shamelessly boasting –“it is a clean organization.”
But how can the Society make the claim that the angels have already removed all stumbling blocks from their “theocratic organization” when it is common knowledge that the Watchtower’s numerous doctrinal changes and false proclamations have stumbled literally hundreds of thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses and millions of interested persons?
For example, although Bethel takes no responsibility for it, in the late 1960’s the Watchtower began to foster the expectation that the system would come to an end in 1975. Many prominent circuit and district overseers publicly promoted that expectation. As a result of that debacle many thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses were up-ended – stumbled in the faith. That stumbling block came as a direct result of the chronology the Watchtower vigorously promoted. How can Bethel honestly claim that the angels have removed all such stumbling blocks from the “theocratic organization”?
Indeed, how can Bethel honestly claim “it is a clean organization” when tens of thousands of persons are reproved and disfellowshipped every year for engaging in all sorts of unclean and lawless behavior? On what grounds does the Watchtower Society claim to be holy and clean in view of the fact there are also thousands of pedophiles lurking within the organization that have never been disfellowshipped or marked? (See article: Spiritual Paradise?)
In view of all of the foregoing, it is apparent that Jehovah’s Witnesses are laboring under a deeply entrenched delusion – a delusion that is soon to be shattered by the actual coming of Christ!
Contrary to the Watchtower’s “valueless vision,” supported by the practice of “double-faced divination,” the actual opening of the symbolic seven seals of the scroll containing the judgments of God will not stretch out over decades of time. Once the actual day of Jehovah commences events will move swiftly to a conclusion. In effect, the Society’s 1914 doctrine has caused the seeming postponement of Jehovah’s judgments. The time for that is coming to an end. That is why Jehovah commanded his prophet to tell his people: “‘For there will no more prove to be any valueless vision nor double-faced divination in the midst of the house of Israel. For I myself, Jehovah, shall speak what word I shall speak, and it will be done. There will be no postponement anymore, for in your days, O rebellious house, I shall speak a word and certainly do it,’ is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah.” Ezekiel 12:24-25
Reader Comments (18)
Robert,
Enjoyed the article. I found the fact that you started it with the definition of the word “delusion” funny. (see my last post under comments in your article “A Watchman Is What I Have Made You”)
Anyway, I do have a question for you that I have previously asked, but yet to get a reply.
You said:
Quote- Certainly, the opening of the sixth seal signifies unique and awe-inspiring apocalyptic events initiating the collapse of the present system, during the great tribulation. But according to the Watchtower, the sixth seal has already been opened! And when was that? End quote
You equivalate the opening of the 6th seal with the collapse of the present system, which that in it self I am not disputing. Rather that is what the opening of the 6th seal is or isn’t, I don’t know.
What I would like to know from you is, because you say that this present system can collapse at any moment, (A topic of which we often speak and hear about from LaRouche and others.) and if it is indeed the opening of the 6th seal, then should we not be able to say that the opening of seals 1-5 have opened? How can this system collapse suddenly upon us, marking the opening of the 6th seal, without seals 1-5 opening?
I also wanted to ask about the number of times Jesus is said to come/arrive, but I will start a thread on the DB in regards to that.
I agree verse 5 squarely places this prophecy of the stupid prophets in “the day Jehovah”
Verse 9 compliments the identity stating that they are in the intimate group of HIS PEPOLE.
It’s interesting that in chapter14 verse 9-11 Jehovah makes a distinction between the inquirer of the prophet and the prophet but they are both equally guilty. It appears this divine judgment sets a pattern for the future, that all men (prophet or not) will have responsibility to worship Jehovah exclusively despite the fact he uses incarnate men as prophets – he will not except excuses like (he told me this so I believed) that sounds like Adams alibi.
True worshipers are expected to worship the true God with spirit and truth.
With study of the 16th chapter after months I get the impression that Israel having a father that is Amorite and a mother that is Hittite has significant symbolic overtones in identifying – Ammon, Edom and Moab during the final part of the days. I believe they A.E.M. are much more that just named dominate sections of Christendom.
Outstanding article Robert; thanks for sharing.
Watchman,
guess what - the WT is right in saying that Jesus is responsible for Christendom, which evolved, after all, over the centuries out of what He started in 30 C.E. but failed to keep spiritually clean, the way He did in the early days of Christianity, before the turn of the first century.
Initially, He vigorously enforced His Headship, even executing people on the spot for the mere whiff of hypocrisy - as illustrated in the case of Ananias and Saphira - thus keeping the congregations healthy in doctrine and upright in character.
Soon, however, Jesus let all congregations apostatise without doing anything about it - suffering His true disciples to be expelled and martyred for their love of truth.
If He had kept one sect, or 'denomination,' uncontaminated and branded it in some special way, we would not have the mess of Christendom today - so how is Jesus not responsible for relinquishing His Headship and letting apostasy flourish down to our very own day?
The problem with the WT is that it is blind to the obvious fact that it itself is merely a tiny branch of apostate Christendom - talk about the pot calling the kettle black - and out of which all weeds and persons doing lawlessness will be removed by the end of the great tribulation on Christianity.
The WT has indeed build a partition wall between itself and the rest of Christendom by declaring itself righteous before men and already favourably judged and appointed over all Christ's belongings - in true Pharisee fashion - even fooling you into thinking that it is the only nominal Christian outfit under obligation to God.
But any neutral and honest observer can easily see through this flimsy screen of doctrinal correctness and moral superiority which the WT has erected between itself and all other sects of Christendom, as being merely self-serving and wholly artificial and contrived.
Moreover, by your blinkered interpretation of the WT constituting the sum total of God's nominal people, you are proving yourself to be the most prolific plasterer of their white-washed wall of separation from the rest of Christendom,
without even noticing the devastating irony that detracts from your otherwise impeccably accurate and valid criticism of those who have long ceased to be intimately acquainted with the Most High and His true Christian Congregation, the Body of Christ.
Why is it that people get so close to the truth, but no further - rejecting the Body of Christ, while remaining at heart members of God's nominal people!?
nicely put proxy!
"Initially, He vigorously enforced His Headship, even executing people on the spot for the mere whiff of hypocrisy - as illustrated in the case of Ananias and Saphira - thus keeping the congregations healthy in doctrine and upright in character."
"For a mere whiff of hypocrisy" I have to agree,, even though they seen great signs, their sin is very small compared to that of the WT idol The WTBTS is for a fact the ones who cry out with loudest voice they are the only way, or as I have heard the platform several times when I was mind controled, how much poison would you have to put in a pure glass of water to make it poison, when they spoke of christendom. They also have put MANY drops of poison in fresh pure water!
To Prox y,
It seems you are truly honing in on the e-watchmans defense of certain realities pertaining to the entire history of the
WTB&TS, when most of their "lies + false prophecies" have been exposed already.
Do you have any pertinent comments regarding the "7 seals" to be opened by Christ Jesus, if so, go ahead & explain;
You let "Stone" ravel on with his less than humble opinions eg. the 7th seal opened at the end of the 1000 yrs, etc
Can you be honest with less vitriol and give the examples where e-watchman continues to upset the balance of your
peaceful existence...??
Victorius, are you referring to the comments during last year, because the 'Prox' has tamed his 'honesty' somewhat
during the past months, sounding kinder & less frustrated at the very least...arent you, dear.
We need & appreciate thoughtful and helpful comments as opposed to the blatent, somewhat selfish rambling of those
who cant stay on subject, but want to 'big note' perhaps.. it must give e-watchman plenty of reasons to chuckle eh what...?
It would be great if there were more bible scholars who have been called to the glorius Kingdom of God as His sons & daughters who could join these forums & share with us.....How about it, all YOU who are just "looking on" in secret.
Elena maree,
The time is almost here. Then those of us that are more than man, will speak and act as told to do so by the most high.
Victorius,
since the 7 seals deal with events that are to happen no sooner than the actual outbreak of the great tribulation - and I am led to believe that we are nowhere even near that time yet -
the Holy Spirit seems to focus me more on how to warn people from being sucked into mistaking incoming upheavals of whatever description or extent in the world - including the JW-world - as implying that the Day of Jehovah is here -
because it will not come until there is a global falling away from Christian profession to a theo-political beast, which as of yet can only be apprehended as a theoretical construct - a mystery of spiritual lawlessness -
that will one day make faith in God obsolete and bring about the uniting of mankind into 'kingdom paradise' without the need for 'inflexible absolutes' like truth, as required by Him.
I guess that by inquiring deeply into the details of Revelation - other than being prompted by The Spirit - one can get caught up in details that seemingly fit into present or upcoming developments, but that hinder rather than help in seeing the bigger picture.
This is so easily done and seen in the early Adventist movements - and from which ultimately the WT sprang - as Russell and Barbour kept on interpreting away at the world situation they found themselves in without regard to some key scriptural markers - and as to what SEQUENCE of events they were to look out for.
So too, Watchman at times gets caught up in biblical fine print and detail, which, since magnified out of context, serves no purpose other than further obscuring the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
As for my supposed vitriol, well, it is rather determined by the subject matter - namely truth, and how badly it gets twisted between the imperative and indicative - and is directed against the perpetrating of lies as such -
while those persisting in their perpetuation are merely collateral damage of the spiritual warfare we are engaged in, until their final fate is announced, at the return of Christ.
A fresh case in point would be the 'daily text' from May 6, 2011, where the GB, that 'Pennsylvanian representative of Christ on earth' today, arrogates to itself the authority of no less than the Almighty Himself,
while excusing as mere 'human imperfections' their covering the truth of God with lies, as they plot to murder those trying to move them to repentance, that they may escape God's righteous judgment.
That other - and Catholic - 'representative of Christ on earth,' has already more than enough prophets bearing witness against him - but if noticing and pointing out the irony of decrying the Pope's claim to Divine authority by the WT-anointed -
while arrogating to themselves the same presumption - be deemed 'vitriolic,' then the implied iconoclasticism is situationally inherent rather than personal and malicious.
Anthony,
on an unrelated, but interesting topic,
your observations made - and conclusions drawn - about the Parousia, in the thread 'The presence of the Son of man' on the 'e-jw' forum, are nicely thought through and scripturally spot on.
Since presence - and hence, Parousia - means the opposite of bodily absence, Christ cannot come or arrive, at - or during - the great tribulation, as Watchman claims, without becoming absent AGAIN, in order to fulfil His coming on the clouds of Heaven, immediately after the end of the great tribulation.
The term Parousia does not mean 'turning one's attention to something,' as the WT-anointed falsely claim!
Such silly notion makes a mockery of the return of Christ, by perverting its purpose into the 'invisible' farce that their 1914 prediction has given rise to.
I have struggled long and hard, but so far failed to get through to Watchman with this basic concept of logic - now it is your turn to try and get some common sense into him - talk about strongly entrenched delusions, lol.
Quote: “Christ cannot come or arrive, at - or during - the great tribulation,…..without becoming absent AGAIN, in order to fulfil His coming on the clouds of Heaven, immediately after the end of the great tribulation.’ End quote
Obviously we hold that same notion. And yes, others as well hold strongly entrenched delusions. It’s not just you. LOL
But while you are good at pointing out what's wrong with something said and believed by one, you fail to fill the void with the right understandings.
If I attempted to feed off of what you like to refer to as the true body of Christ, I would starve to death. It’s like you claim to be a co-owner in a restaurant with the most wonderful food but yet you won’t show your menu or tell any how to get there.
So while you may be aware of the foolishness of the WTS and that of even where Robert may still be hindered by the entrenchment of them, at least they are accessible.
And I was just wondering, when you said:
quote “the Holy Spirit seems to focus me more on how to warn people from being sucked into mistaking incoming upheavals of whatever description or extent in the world - including the JW-world - as implying that the Day of Jehovah is here”- end quote
Where can I find evidence of you “WARNING” “PEOPLE”? Is it merely by writing in the comment section of Robert’s website?
I have a method I use of Holy Spirit warning people…
23 “Then if anyone says to YOU, ‘Look! Here is the Christ,’ or, ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will give great signs and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones.25 Look! I have forewarned YOU. 26 Therefore, if people say to YOU, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; ‘Look! He is in the inner chambers,’ do not believe it.
Anthony::::
Thanks for your revealing comment, but have to disagree, that you would spiritually "starve to death" by residing on these forums, where scripture is discussed and revealed...with pure intent..
You could try a bit of gratitude, for such seekers of truth, and who are constantly praying for clarity in order to offer up
some insight...leading many hopefully to God's word and Holy Spirit.
After all the work that e-watchman has produced over the years, myself have only accessed for about 12 months, or less. But such a volume has never been offered to ex-J.Ws who can surely empathise with e-watchmans sometimes
dual personality, because that if the result of delving into the WT&BTS. It produces a form of schitzophrenia in personality.. after 30yrs of active/inactivity myself can relate to the "mental abhorrations" sorry bout the spelling.
Elena, You can agree or diagree, either way, from your reply I can see you don't know what your talking about, or rather you didn't understand my reply. I am not talking about straving to death by being on this forum. My reply was to Proxy, and he knows what I meant, so I don't need to clarify it for you.
Anthony,
I hear and believe what you are saying, but find it hard to account for your inability to comprehend what the Spirit is saying to the Congregation, because His word is making no progress in you.
And just as Jesus said to your forefathers: 'Why is it you do not know what I am speaking? Because you cannot listen to my word' - and there is only one reason for that.
Don't blame your opposition to His word on me - I am just a lowly servant of His - it is with Him you have to take up your quarrel, as well as justify your hatred of me for merely telling you the truth.
If you were just blind, you would have no sin, but now you say: "I have a method I use of Holy Spirit warning people," your sin remains.
Quote-“your observations made - and conclusions drawn - about the Parousia, in the thread 'The presence of the Son of man' on the 'e-jw' forum, are nicely thought through and scripturally spot on. “ end quote
Quote-“I hear and believe what you are saying, but find it hard to account for your inability to comprehend what the Spirit is saying to the Congregation, because His word is making no progress in you.” end quote
Quote- “Don't blame your opposition to His word on me - I am just a lowly servant of His - it is with Him you have to take up your quarrel, as well as justify your hatred of me for merely telling you the truth.” end quote
LIKE I SAID, “DELUSIONS”.
Anthony!
It is time for you to get off the computer and stop trying to fight with these nice people. It will be bedtime soon. You can get a snack and then your mom and me will check on you. Remember, bedtime is in 15 minutes!
Dad
"Dad" you're so right, its time for the "beasts" to pack up & return to their "lairs" , and taking their insults with them.
If disturbing the peace is what they're all about, in no time, it is usually revealed (motive)
How & why ignore the spiritual "feasts" ..of the Watchmans blogs, in order to placate their agitated 'spirits' they 'target'
the comments of those genuine 'believers' who constantly offer a high standard of enlightenment, out of their abundance....maybe its envy, or something vile, like jealousy....or some other works of the flesh maybe...??
Goodby, to anthony & co., please go back to your Kingdom halls & get yourself some "feel good" propaganda there.
i found your article very well researched as an ex jw that i am. i know when someones research is wel done.
i know this is slightly off tangent but does anyone want to pick up and run with this :
when the son of man comes in glory on the clouds of heaven - scripture says - he will send forth his angels to gather his saints from the 4 corners of the earth.
rev 5 and thes both say that the dead in christ rise first - this is the first resurrection.
Question ] if the rightteous dead are the first to be resurrected and see the son of man comming on the clouds of heaven. yet rev 5-20 says the rest of the dead did not come to life untill the 1000 years were over. they would obviously miss christs comming on the clouds of heaven.
where does this leave wt doctrine which teaches the dead in christ started to be raised from 1914 onwards if we are told in Johns gospel that christ tells the high priest Ciaphas you will see me comming on the clods of heaven. so if this event happened post 1914 where is ciapas. has anybody seen him. proof then that his comming on the clouds of heaven has not happened.
does the promise to ciaphas drive a wedge into the heart of the 1914 doctrine .
be grateful to both practicing JWs and Ex- Jws for their thoughts
regards will K Swansea