Jehovah says what He means and means what he says. He can't lie or deceive.
All perspectives hold some truth. None of them contain the complete truth.
So we get unsure of anything we conclude or see the Bible clearly stating, saying he really meant this because the sea is always restless people and mountains are governments always, etc.. We were taught to allegorize any scripture that we can’t explain.
Ephesians 4:11-13 New Life Version (NLV)
11 Christ gave gifts to men. He gave to some the gift to be missionaries, some to be preachers, others to be preachers who go from town to town. He gave others the gift to be church leaders and teachers. 12 These gifts help His people work well for Him. And then the church which is the body of Christ will be made strong. 13 All of us are to be as one in the faith and in knowing the Son of God. We are to be full-grown Christians standing as high and complete as Christ is Himself.
But there are other people that God helps to understand the Bible also. Bible Students call them “Nominal Christianity” Jehovah Witnesses call them “Christendom”. You even hear regularly, some ex-JWs saying they are listening to Christendom Ministers. These are put down statements to stop you from thinking on what others see and what the Spirit can reveal to you as an individual.
So you are afraid to discuss it with anyone openly because someone will jump on and call you names. Well, we all have only one enemy that does that and he is Satan the devil and those he uses.
2Cor. 4:4 “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
Some tell you not to be so sure, be careful. Well, sorry, the Bible does clearly say a lot of things! And you can be sure, put faith and trust in what you can reason out because you have Help from the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus took leave of His disciples, He said that He would pray that the Father would send them the Holy Spirit. “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” John 14:25-26. So the disciples needed the Holy Spirit to be reminded of what Jesus had said to them when He was on earth.
Now the role of the Holy Spirit is to speak to us through the Bible – the Word of God – in exactly the same way. That’s why it is so important to read the Bible. The Holy Spirit helps us to understand what we read. And later, in many situations, the Holy Spirit will teach us and give us light, especially by reminding us of those very words from the Bible.
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Relying on a narrow set of thinking tools is like wearing a mental straight jacket. Your cognitive range of motion is limited. When you limit the places you can look to get help solving a problem, you also limit your potential for finding a solution. In order to unleash your full thinking potential, you have to collect a range of voices you listen to or at least search out. You have to build out your toolbox. Thus, the secret to gaining knowledge about the Bible’s hidden gems is to learn to listen carefully and read the Bible carefully without being sloppy in considering each word.
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Matt. 24:45 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Strange! How do I reconcile this clear statement of heaven and earth passing away?
Peter now knows about elements because the firmament barrier is gone after the flood.
Now watch and listen carefully to Peter as he talks about using heat to melt or condense the elements back to it’s original.
2Peter 3:10
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.” ( I am sort of sure he has maybe heard this from Jesus, just my mind thinking)
So now I understand Jehovah here without allegorizing the entire texts mentioned.
Rev, 21:5 “And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also, he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”New Heavens and a New Earth from the same elements mean it is the same materials.
Isa, 65:17
17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.
Elements are what our universe is made up of.
Like lego blocks, torn down the elements can be put back together and make everything new with the same Lego blocks.
All of the scriptures about a new heaven and earth was always allegorized but now I know more than one scriptures supports “Everything being made New”.
Revelation 21:5 New International Version (NIV)
“5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
God is very precise in what he says, He can’t lie period.
This is just an example of an exercise I have done to wake up my mind to think. It has and raises other questions but I don’t have to have the answer, everybody can look in the Bible for himself. So don’t be afraid to state something you see because you don’t know where people will be when Jehovah creates everything new. Let it be something all can think on.
A shutdown of speaking openly about the Bible is from the Devil. If we saw some lions next to us we would get away from them because they are a danger to everything alive if they are hungry. They are the top of the animal food chain.
1Peter 5:8 ” New Living Translation
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”
That’s why your enemies call you names to weaken you so you take your eyes off the devil, be vigilant!
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Daniel 12:4 New International Version (NIV)
4 But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”
Each time you allow yourself to use scriptures and thinking on each word, the process is like improving your vision.
Each eye can see something on its own. But if you cover one of them, you lose part of the scene. It’s impossible to see the full picture when you’re only looking through one eye.
We should continuously upgrade and improve the quality of this picture. This means reading widely from good books, studying the fundamentals of seemingly unrelated fields, and learning from people who aren’t trying to preserve Doctrines of a man or men that they hold very dear.
The mind’s eye needs a variety of mental models to piece together a complete picture of how the Bible works. The more sources you have to draw upon, the clearer your thinking becomes. The enemy of good decisions is a lack of sufficient perspectives on a problem.”
Ephesians 4:11-13 New Life Version (NLV)
11 Christ gave gifts to men. He gave to some the gift to be missionaries, some to be preachers, others to be preachers who go from town to town. He gave others the gift to be church leaders and teachers. 12 These gifts help His people work well for Him. And then the church which is the body of Christ will be made strong. 13 All of us are to be as one in the faith and in knowing the Son of God. We are to be full-grown Christians standing as high and complete as Christ is Himself.
1Cor. 12:4
“4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.”
I know this is a long article but it is hitting a couple of points others are telling me.
No, we, me our little group are not the only ones studying the Bible. No, we aren’t saying this is the only or exact answer. But we should be able to talk about what we too see and respect each other without fear. And not have a commenter come on to constantly try to put us down and refer us to Russell's writings.
We have the Bible, and Holy Spirit from Jehovah and our savior Jesus!
Men and women are not gender-neutral, if you are addressing a male or a female don't use “strange language” from a gender-neutral society when addressing each other, we are brothers, sisters, and friends. We do know what sex we are. "Sweetie" is not an acceptable term when replying to a male brother.
If there is anger toward Jehovah maybe we can help by listening and we invite any to come on Thursday night or Saturday night live calls to speak audibly with one another.
I hope this article is received in the spirit it is written and that I covered all the concerns that I have been made aware of and put your thoughts out there. May God Bless us all.
Freedom can be a powerful word, signifying hope for the immediate or long-term future.
Recovery from the bondage situation must come first otherwise freedom would only mean you went into another lateral holding place.
When exiting an organization that has held your mind soul and spirit for so long you must first put a support group in place.
There is lots of help on the internet now especially youtube for encouragement but having a close personal human support group is necessary also.
Your group does not have to be big. Jesus gave the formula of where there are two or three gathering to learn and talk about his father, he is there.
So small groups are encouraged until you can get on your feet. You can also visit a place of worship, there is no problem with that but have a small group that is your intimate setting.
Jesus had many that traveled with him and thousands at times would gather to speak with him but his intimate group consisted of 12. Loyal men who dearly loved him.
He also had women that traveled with him, in fact, it was women that he first appeared to after his resurrection.
So small groups, more than one is the way to recovery.
Organizations and huge Megachurches are about money not healing.
2Cor. 4:4… “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
Matt. 24:45… Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Well, since by now most must have acquainted themselves with the realization that the use of \”he\” when speaking of the holy spirit is simply a misconception by the lay, or a lack of education among followers that leaders of mainstream doctrines have tried to put to rest, it seems that going into it here might be counter productive.
However, going into some basics might be just the ticket for those it seems you\’re trying to reach. Of course \”constant as the northern star\” was a missed slight, let\’s hope that constant as the \”Heaven and earth” isn\’t construed as a possibility of destrucion, or the weight of the statement below would be greatly reduced.
\”Matt. 24:45 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Strange! \”How do I reconcile this clear statement of heaven and earth passing away?\”
Having an overview that really works step by step is the only \”way\” to make \”sense\”.
Heavens in order, heavens out of order, earth in order, earth out of order.
Heavens put back in order, new heavens with Jesus the new god of the air, again new frame of mind influencing heaven and earth as the old god of the air, Satan, had been.
Earth put back in order, new earth, with a Jerusalem, city of 144,000 rulers made up as collective mind over the earth ruling with the god of the air.
Think of it like \”tent\”, \”house\”, \”mansion\”, \”temple\”, \”city\”, \”house of God\”. Starting from all who pass from death to life, we live for the first time as a \”new creation\” because we are the first humans to \”exist\” in the lasting reality of God. We are approaching immortality for the first time since Adam and Eve. We had a tent , we crossed and have a house now, a tent made new. \”From dust you are\” (God understanding you are made of clay) \”earth\” made new. Oh, you saw that one coming, right.
I\’ll leave you with these thoughts from the consideration.
\”quoted\”
2Peter 3:10
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.” ( I am sort of sure he has maybe heard this from Jesus, just my mind thinking)
So now I understand Jehovah here without allegorizing the entire texts mentioned.
Rev, 21:5 “And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also, he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”New Heavens and a New Earth from the same elements mean it is the same materials.
Isa, 65:17
17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.
Elements are what our universe is made up of.
Like lego blocks, torn down the elements can be put back together and make everything new with the same Lego blocks.
All of the scriptures about a new heaven and earth was always allegorized but now I know more than one scriptures supports “Everything being made New”.
May your house be in order and peace be with you brother, thank you for the stimulating thought.
Think of it like ”tent”, ”house”, ”mansion”, ”temple”, ”city”, ”house of God”. Starting from all who pass from death to life, we live for the first time as a ”new creation” because we are the first humans to ”exist” in the lasting reality of God. We are approaching immortality for the first time since Adam and Eve. We had a tent , we crossed and have a house now, a tent made new. ”From dust you are” (God understanding you are made of clay) ”earth” made new. Oh, you saw that one coming, right.
I’ll leave you with these thoughts for the consideration.
If you exist in a temporary structure, “tent”, clay/ earth, dead, then you are given a house of your own, crossing from death to life, what do you think “inhabited earth” really means? Satan roved about in the earth while on the earth. Jesus was transferred to “earth” by his father, unlike the demons/angels who took form retaining their heavenly awareness. This is called “incarnate”. Jesus FOUND (not incarnate) himself in slave’s form, a reverence to his being much smaller in size than a perfect man bred by perfect parents.
Just had a moment have a cup of coffee. And to reflect on the nature of this great adventure, happening “now”.
Our love to you all.
When the devil reminds you of your past. remind him of his future.
Holiness can be terrifying if not tempered with grace and love.
So as we thrive to be like Jehovah and Jesus we have to forgive, not give back to another as they deserve because you are right, but temper it with kindness. like God
Te woman at the well and the women that was to be stoned were treated so kindly by Jesus, never calling attention to their sin in harshness but said go in peace sin no more.
We all need the grace of God in these trying times.
Please be safe! And PRAY, he hears listens and answers even if the answer is no.
Rowena, this is how I understand. John seeing things in heaven but they will happen on earth.
The meteorologists look in the sky and tell us what she sees. She writes tomorrow forecast for what will happen on the earth however not where she saw it in outer space.
Rev. 5: 10 clearly says the kings and priests will rule on earth. The great crowd, meaning a lot of people, professes faith during the tribulations on the earth and will be on the earth when the dead in Christ plus those alive at his coming meet in the air and are changed. Nothing says they met him in heaven. And we see them coming down as he arrives in kingly power in Jerusalem after Michael has stood up.
His sword is out of his mouth, he doesn’t lift a hand and none of his heavenly host fight at all. He speaks stuff and it happens. He is God. Born of the Great Almighty God. See Proverbs. Gods have Gods at birth like humans have humans
The teaching of an invisible presence was made up to cover failed prophecies of the end of the world by Russell, Rutherford, and the present-day governing body. Jesus only comes once and I can’t find one scripture to prove an invisible presence. We can try to use numbers and calculations but numbers lie, turbo tax proves how you can crunch numbers to arrive at a favorable figure all day. Lol, Jesus gave signs.
The great crowd voices heard in other places while John looked at what must shortly take place on the earth aren’t said to be that great multitude coming out of tribulation.
When did they die? And when were they resurrected?
Christ is ruling over somebody and shepherding nations with an iron rod.
Are these nations in heaven or earth?
We had a poster here named Traveler and he tried to tell us about this but he wasn’t concise enough for us to grasp it on his intellectual level.
Simply read and carefully considered with God’s Holy Spirit helps. You can read it and not add to or subtract and it is clearer.
Revelation is what John saw that would shortly take place on the earth. Matt 6, we are asking for earth to be like heaven not go up there.
After Jesus turns it all over Jehovah along with his lambs book of life. sits down and does the great white throne judgment resurrection of the dead. After that, we see the House of the bride and in Rev. 21 we see God coming down to the earth.
Not allegorizing, which would be adding and taking away helps to understand the 20 and 21st chapters to me.
This is just an overview of what I see.
PS: Some asked about the ark in Kentucky you told me about. Can you tell us more, please?
When asked how we can believe in a God we can’t see:
Ask what is energy? What is consciousness? What is gravity? Then ask if they believe each exists. All will say yes. We can’t explain them, but accept that theses exists.
Generally, it is because of the effect we see and feel. The manifestations of each of these are immutable.
So that is one reason we can believe in God.
When asked who created God? Why would you assume God is created. The Bible says, in the beginning, the Word WAS (doesn’t say created) and the Word was with God and the Word was God. So He WAS, nowhere do you see where he was created, He was just there with the Word. He begot a son. God’s son would be a God just like human sons would be human and dogs beget dogs so dogs produce dogs.
Everyone else is created by the God Jesus. Gods have Gods.
That is how I see it. Some questions don’t apply to God who is outside of time such as who created Him.?
Simply from this scripture, I see that immediately after the tribulation we can expect Jesus to Come. There is no such thing as a presence or invisible coming but like we see lightning in the sky, everyone will see Jesus. It is a shame that because of the failed prophecy of Russell of 1914, 1925, 1975 caused them to fabricate an invisible presence. Jesus wasn’t speaking in parables here, he was telling his disciples or apostles what to expect in the order of events. It also reveals that we will see some celestial events as well. So glad the tribulation will be short.
Matt 24:22And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short.
Mat. 24:27,29,30 English Standard Version
27“For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
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Parousia (/pəˈruːziə/; Greek: παρουσία) is an ancient Greek word meaning presence, arrival, or official visit.
The word is used 24 times in the New Testament.[13] Of these, six uses refer to the coming of individuals: Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus (1Co.16:17), Titus (2Co.7:6 & 7) the physical “presence” of Paul himself (2Co.10:10, Php.1:26, 2:12), and a 7th use to the “coming of the lawless one” (2Thess.2:9). The other seventeen uses refer to the Second Coming of Christ, except the one case in which it refers to the coming of the “Day of God” (2Pe.3:12, see also The Day of the Lord).
The word parousia is found in the following verses: Matthew 24:3, 27, 37, 39; 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 8, 9; James 5:7, 8; 2 Peter 1:16; 3:4, 12; 1 John 2:28.
30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth[c] will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.[d] 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
I realize this is a long article but it expresses the thoughts and concerns of others also.
We have nearly 2,000 visitors this month alone. So we want them to feel free to express what they see without fear of an attack.