Collection of articles on various topics.
In the Revelation chapter of Jehovah Himself Has Become King the idea was put forward that the opening of the seventh seal and the blowing of the first four angelic trumpeters has to do with the judgment upon the house of God, after the final sealing has taken place. That all of the chosen ones have been sealed and the calling and choosing is over before the [...]
Although Jesus indicated that the desolation of Jerusalem in the 1st century would result in a great tribulation unlike any before, he also went on to say that the tribulation will be a time of unprecedented distress upon all the nations of the earth (not just Jerusalem), of such severity that the continued existence of humanity will hang in the balance. The great tribulation will necessitate divine intervention [...]
It is not uncommon for persons to suppose that living forever in paradise would be boring. This is an edited reprint of a previous Mailbag question from the week of April 20th, 2003, discussing the topic. I feel really depressed and mixed up because I have this feeling that maybe the New World after Armageddon will not live up to expectations. I know [...]
Jehovah’s Witnesses have been taught and whole-heartedly believe that the sign of Christ’s parousia has been evident since 1914. In fact, according to the Watchtower 1914 is the most important date in all human history. But in spite of the belief that Jesus Christ has been invisibly present in some fashion for over a century now, Jehovah’s Witnesses are nonetheless, contradictorily exhorted to keep on the watch. [...]
Whether or not you believe in the Second Coming of Christ, most people throughout the world at least know something of the concept—even those who do not even consider themselves to be Christians. Perhaps even more widespread than the various forms of Christian eschatology, though, is the knowledge of Noah’s Flood. Again, whether persons believe there really was a global deluge is not the point. [...]
When Jesus walked the earth during his brief three and a half year ministry he explained to his closest followers that although the Hebrew prophecies foretell that the Messiah would reign forever, and Jesus was indeed the appointed Messiah, or Christ, he must first 'go away.' But later he would return. The disciples did not immediately understand what Jesus was saying. But later they did. Jesus’ [...]
A consideration of a portion of the prophecy of Zechariah The temple of Jehovah in Jerusalem was one of the grandest structures of the ancient world. It also had the unique distinction of being the only edifice on earth (other than the portable tabernacle) where God maintained a visible manifestation of his presence. There, within the temple’s Most Holy chamber, God’s presence was manifest in [...]
A subliminal image is a picture within a picture – a graphic cleverly imbedded within another image that is intended to bypass the conscious mind undetected, but which is perceived on a subconscious level. How a person might be affected subconsciously is a matter of debate. I first became aware of subliminals back in the early 1970’s, having become acquainted with the prevalence of the techniques through [...]
Fear can be a good thing. Or it can be bad. It can motivate us in the right way, or it can be paralyzing or tempt us into a fatal compromise. Jesus spoke of both kinds of fear when he said the following: “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his lord. It is enough for the disciple to become as his [...]
An open letter entitled A Conspiracy of Silence, Soon to End is now (2006) being widely publicized on the Internet and mailed directly to hundreds of Kingdom Halls of Jehovah’s Witnesses, informing them the Watchtower Society’s attorneys are arguing before the court that Bethel-appointed elders have no fiduciary duty towards members of the congregation. But what does that mean? The word fiduciary comes from the Latin, meaning to [...]
