Very often the Watchtower Society along with convinced supportive Elders, Ministerial Servants, Pioneers, and even the ‘average’ publisher cites Hebrews 10:24, 25 for reason as to why members of the organization need to be at the Watchtower Society’s weekly arranged meetings. Quoting from that scripture – direct from The New World Translation – it states:
"And let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as YOU behold the day drawing near."
The verses are extremely familiar to many Jehovah’s Witnesses. What may not be as familiar is the actual meaning and intent.
If one was to do the research, including understanding the context of the verses, it has nothing to do with formal meetings of worship.
What the verses are relaying is Paul’s encouragement to Jewish Christians who were still very zealous for and still felt the need to follow the Old Covenant. They consequently were withdrawing socially from other Christians who came to the realization that they were not under such Law. Paul is simply admonishing adherers of the Old Covenant not to avoid such social gatherings because doing so would result in “forsaking the gathering of ourselves together”.
Conclusively then, the verses are absolutely void of any proof text to support attending and being a part of the Watchtower Society's formal organized sessions of instruction and indoctrination, including their weekly meetings, along with conventions and assemblies of Jehovah's Witnesses.
If anything, the verses are indirectly suggesting something Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught through the Watchtower to be strongly against and avoid; that is to fellowship with Christians who do not believe the same as they do.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Monday, August 13, 2012
Daniel Flip-Flop Belief
This past Sunday at conventions and Kingdom Halls, Jehovah's Witnesses were instructed through the June 15, 2012, Watchtower. Interestingly, the Watchtower Society went back to an old favorite regarding the statue described in the Bible book of Daniel. Here is what the Watchtower stated as "truth" on page 14, paragraph 11:
"When describing the image, Daniel does not mention the number of toes. Therefore, the number seems no more significant than the fact that the image had multiple arms, hands, fingers, legs, and feet."
So the toes of the statue have no significance or at least that is what Jehovah's Witnesses are taught to believe now. Historically, they have been told:
Watchtower, May 15, 1959, page 313:
"The number ten being a Biblical number symbolizing earthly completeness, the ten toes picture all such coexisting powers and governments."
Watchtower, June 15, 1978, page 13 "Human Governments Crushed by God’s Kingdom":
"There does not appear to be any prophetic significance to the image’s having ten toes. This is a natural human feature, just as the image has two arms, two legs, and so forth."
Watchtower, July 1, 1985 page 31 "Questions From Readers":
"Various views have been expressed about the ten “toes.” But since “ten” is often used in the Bible to signify completeness as to things on earth, the ten “toes” appear logically to represent the entire global system of rulership at the culmination of the days"
To summarize, "ten toes" have:
1959 - Meaning
1978 - No Meaning
1985 - Meaning
2012 - No Meaning
That's clear flip-flopping direction, instruction, and Bible truths coming from the only true organization that God is using to direct His people. Too bad, it seems we have another example of God being confused, because it couldn't possible mean the Watchtower Society running and controlling Jehovah's Witnesses doctrine and teachings just makes this stuff up or haphazardly guesses.
"When describing the image, Daniel does not mention the number of toes. Therefore, the number seems no more significant than the fact that the image had multiple arms, hands, fingers, legs, and feet."
So the toes of the statue have no significance or at least that is what Jehovah's Witnesses are taught to believe now. Historically, they have been told:
Watchtower, May 15, 1959, page 313:
"The number ten being a Biblical number symbolizing earthly completeness, the ten toes picture all such coexisting powers and governments."
Watchtower, June 15, 1978, page 13 "Human Governments Crushed by God’s Kingdom":
"There does not appear to be any prophetic significance to the image’s having ten toes. This is a natural human feature, just as the image has two arms, two legs, and so forth."
Watchtower, July 1, 1985 page 31 "Questions From Readers":
"Various views have been expressed about the ten “toes.” But since “ten” is often used in the Bible to signify completeness as to things on earth, the ten “toes” appear logically to represent the entire global system of rulership at the culmination of the days"
To summarize, "ten toes" have:
1959 - Meaning
1978 - No Meaning
1985 - Meaning
2012 - No Meaning
That's clear flip-flopping direction, instruction, and Bible truths coming from the only true organization that God is using to direct His people. Too bad, it seems we have another example of God being confused, because it couldn't possible mean the Watchtower Society running and controlling Jehovah's Witnesses doctrine and teachings just makes this stuff up or haphazardly guesses.
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