Mailbag

QUESTION: I again appeal to you for help in clarifying a paramount aspect of Christ’s parousia, which, according to our brothers in Bethel, supposedly is invisible. To support their doctrine of an invisible parousia, they say clouds in scripture generally represent invisibility.

Although on certain occasions that may be true, when in reference to Jehovah’s day, clouds are more often than not associated with darkness, terror, unrest etc. What is your opinion on this topic? I would also ask you to consider the vision of Daniel in chapter 7 about the Son of man coming on the clouds.

 

QUESTION: Do you think comet ISON anagram sion = Zion = Antichrist rule is Pagan celestial event marking the eighth kings rule and the great tribulation with a blood moon and dark sun?     ANSWER: No. You ought not listen to empty-headed talkers who pretend to know Bible prophecy. This kind of stuff comes from the same clueless wanna-be preachers and con men that don’t know a father [...]

Comment: You make mention of the Society covering up child abuse, the fact is, in
Corinth the congregation was in a poor state spiritually, including sexual
immorality. It is likely the elders in that congregation were part of a cover up. In
Revelation it mentions 7 letters & seven lampstands meaning the world wide
congregation. Not all of the words in the seven letters were complimentary.

When we leave after our meeting to go home, it is fair to say that many come home to broken homes, but it is also fair to say many come home to happy families.
The arrangement is perfect but the people are not.. King David realized this when he
regretted cutting the sleeve of King Saul, God's anointed one. David could not
respect the bad things Saul did but David nonetheless respected God's arrangement.

 

QUESTION: Is it possible that the UN is not actually the wild beast? Is it possible that Anonymous could fulfill its role? If not, is Anonymous to play any significant role in the time of the end?

QUESTION: Jesus did say that we would be judged on how we treat “his” brothers: Those anointed sons of the kingdom. I presume that means after the “revealing” which has not occurred as of yet. At present the faithful, along with the unfaithful, slaves are serving in the organization and depend on donations for their sustenance. And even though most of that money is ill spent, some does make its way to helping the ones who may prove to be the “faithful” slave. Jesus even showed approval toward the widow giving coins of little value to the Temple which likely was not used properly. I realize it is a matter of conscience, but my conscience leans towards giving to a local organization that helps the poor in their immediate needs. Should I be concerned with where I should direct “gifts” now? And also, when it comes to gifts of mercy and not letting your left hand know what your right is doing, wouldn’t it be inappropriate to report such gifts to the IRS since it is not illegal not to report it?

QUESTION: How can the Moabites become a concealment place for the dispersed ones of Gods people in the time of the end? Isn't that saying somehow Babylon or Christendom will somehow help us…perhaps....just individuals? But how can they do this when we are being disciplined by Jah as his people? I'm not sure I understand this point. ANSWER: Here is a passage in the 16th chapter of Isaiah upon which the [...]

Question from a reader in Romania: Jehovah’s Witnesses base their 1914 doctrine on the prophecy found in Daniel 4:10-17.  Could you please give me the correct meaning of this prophecy according to your understanding? ANSWER: The prophecy centers on King Nebuchadnezzar. In fact, he was the one whom God caused to have the dream, which Daniel was inspired to interpret and record for us. The dream involved an gigantic tree that Nebuchadnezzar [...]

QUESTION: If 1914 is not valid, what accounts for the preaching work of Jehovah's Witnesses? ANSWER: When Jesus was on earth he personally undertook and also organized and directed an extensive preaching campaign. His message was simple: ‘Repent, you people, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn near!’ That was the message Jesus instructed his disciples to preach. But in what sense had the kingdom drawn near 2,000 years [...]

QUESTION: My question is in relation to Jesus' parables about keeping on the watch (faithful slave, talents, virgins, etc) The WTS has been insisting for more than a century on the important role of the GB as fulfilling the parable of the FDS. Upon a careful analysis of all these parables I came to the conclusion that they most likely DO NOT HAVE PROPHETIC SIGNIFICANCE, but were [...]