I was talking to an online friend a while ago and we were discussing God and Faith. She is on the fence. Her big thing that she doesn't understand is why all the need for mystery. In her words, she wondered why she couldn't sit down and have a figurative cup of tea with God and He could explain everything in straightforward terms.
That conversation really stuck with me. Indeed, why the mystery? Why is religion/faith so infinitely complicated? Why the obscure riddles found in the Bible? In my years growing up as a Witness I would often ask about this. Why doesn't Jehovah just explain everything in crystal clear terms and then let people decide with full knowledge if they want to serve him. The Bible surely seems to indicate that billions will be massacred who are ignorant. The Society tries to explain this away with the concept of 'community responsibility'. I find that to be very lame and certainly not something a loving God would judge someone's eternal salvation on.
This also conflicts with the concept of other billions getting a free ticket in through a resurrection and being able to learn the full truth under perfect conditions. The dichotomy present between these two groups doesn't make sense to me.
Prophecy is the extreme example of biblical text that is open to almost endless interpretation. Even leaving prophecy out of the equation, there are still many texts that are at least seemingly contradictory. For instance, the whole idea of believing and putting faith in Jesus as being enough for salvation compared to scriptures that talk about even the righteous being saved with difficulty. Other scriptures talk about the apparent enormous struggle to meet God's requirements (pick up your torture stake). Compare this to 'my load is light'. Very, very confusing.
Sorry for the rant. As I have dissected Watchtower dogma, it's become very apparent to me that there really are no crystal clear answers out there. It has left me frustrated and very confused as to the real nature of God.
Just a thought.. maybe it is crystal clear.....
and we are so conditioned by our inheritance and some spiritual forces to totally blow things out of proportion and think it is a mystery..
This also conflicts with the concept of other billions getting a free ticket in through a resurrection and being able to learn the full truth under perfect conditions.  The dichotomy present between these two groups doesn't make sense to me.
Prophecy is the extreme example of biblical text that is open to almost endless interpretation.  Even leaving prophecy out of the equation, there are still many texts that are at least seemingly contradictory.  For instance, the whole idea of believing and putting faith in Jesus as being enough for salvation compared to scriptures that talk about even the righteous being saved with difficulty.  Other scriptures talk about the apparent enormous struggle to meet God's requirements (pick up your torture stake).  Compare this to 'my load is light'.  Very, very confusing.
Sorry for the rant.  As I have dissected Watchtower dogma, it's become very apparent to me that there really are no crystal clear answers out there.  It has left me frustrated and very confused as to the real nature of God.
Well said, very valid questions. Not so much the sitting down with God.
But ask yourself; what advantage does the person trying to do and be good have over the person that is basically a SOB? It’s a puzzlement!
Hi N,
To my opinion, the central theme of the bible can infact be reduced to a single verse.
" But God recommends his own love to us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." -Romans 5:8-
This to my understanding is the message of the bible. It is very easy to understand. Only this knowledge is sufficient to move one to love God and his Son, and to follow in the footsteps of the Son.
Right at this time, you may not know everything as you wish. But ask what you lack, and the things you need now will be given to you. Jesus told his followers they can not handle it if he tells them all things.
We may not be able to handle it, if more than what we need right now is given to us.
It is most definately to our benefit that things are hold back from us right now.
Just random thoughts.
Love,
AR
AR,, Very true very true indeed. Patience and asking seems to be a big key..
Hello nana ... :hibye:yep manhu was right :D ... you will probably be getting lots of nicknames or shortened versions of your name ... :shocked: hope ya don't mind ... :whistle:
Perhaps it isn't a matter of 'complicated' so much as that Jehovah wants us to show a wee bit of effort to get to know him and what he is all about?
For instance, if you work hard for something ... perhaps it was a bike when you were a kid and you had to do all sorts of odd jobs to save up the money to get it ... ohhh how satisfying it is to know that you really worked hard to get the thing you most desired ...:thumbsup:
Now I am NOT saying that we 'work' or 'earn' ... salvation ... that is a WHOLE DIFFERENT kettle of fish ... :fishsmilie:
However, we have Scriptures that show us that Jehovah want to us to DIG ... SEEK ... SEARCH ... QUESTION ... KNOCK ... and the like ...
For doesn't that show a sincerity on our part? When Jesus spoke with illustrations ... wasn't it those who wanted to know what he MEANT by them that he was pleased with ... and that he EXPLAINED them to?
Jehovah provides us answers ... we just have to be paying attention to HOW we listen in order to understand perhaps?
Just a thought ... not even a pennies worth ... BR:happyheart::bouncyhearts:
It seems pretty simple to me!
RR
I maybe wrong on this, maybe very wrong as I do not come from a Christian background but here is my opinion.
It is really all very simple. The bible is for all mankind. We all belong to Jehovah. Yet we are not all the same. Some of us are intellectuals, others are pretty hands on. Some are direct, others like to think in allegories and metaphors.
God's inspired words are directed for everybody. One person might read the old testament stories and get a moral out of it. A moral that they understand and apply in their lives. Others see a prophecy and interconnect it with other stories in the bible. Through the bible, God is talking to All mankind, those who like to keeps things simple and others who like to analyze and think deep...
But whatever type a person is, we all get the main theme or message, of the bible. Even if that is all a person gets, he or she will be fine... actually more than fine.
I hope this helps you Nana.
Salam, Lou:hibye:
I was talking to an online friend a while ago and we were discussing God and Faith.  She is on the fence.  Her big thing that she doesn't understand is why all the need for mystery.  In her words, she wondered why she couldn't sit down and have a figurative cup of tea with God and He could explain everything in straightforward terms.
That conversation really stuck with me.  Indeed, why the mystery?  Why is religion/faith so infinitely complicated?  Why the obscure riddles found in the Bible?  In my years growing up as a Witness I would often ask about this.  Why doesn't Jehovah just explain everything in crystal clear terms and then let people decide with full knowledge if they want to serve him.  The Bible surely seems to indicate that billions will be massacred who are ignorant.  The Society tries to explain this away with the concept of 'community responsibility'.  I find that to be very lame and certainly not something a loving God would judge someone's eternal salvation on.
This also conflicts with the concept of other billions getting a free ticket in through a resurrection and being able to learn the full truth under perfect conditions.  The dichotomy present between these two groups doesn't make sense to me.
Prophecy is the extreme example of biblical text that is open to almost endless interpretation.  Even leaving prophecy out of the equation, there are still many texts that are at least seemingly contradictory.  For instance, the whole idea of believing and putting faith in Jesus as being enough for salvation compared to scriptures that talk about even the righteous being saved with difficulty.  Other scriptures talk about the apparent enormous struggle to meet God's requirements (pick up your torture stake).  Compare this to 'my load is light'.  Very, very confusing.
Sorry for the rant.  As I have dissected Watchtower dogma, it's become very apparent to me that there really are no crystal clear answers out there.  It has left me frustrated and very confused as to the real nature of God.
Hello Nanamocomuck, :)
Jehovah alone held the "key of knowledge" of his own inspired word, from Genesis to Malachi and most of Revelation. Jehovah had "hidden things" reserved in his word which he would "create, and reveal" at the time he himself would stand up to take action. (Isaiah 48:6-7). After showing Daniel the work Jehovah himself would reveal and do at the "time of the end" he told Daniel to "seal it up." (Daniel 12:4) This meant that even Jesus himself would not know what that "sealed secret" was until THE END.
The true END would be the time of the blowing of the "Seventh Trumpet." "Seven" means completion, and has spiritual meaning, a time of final announcement of spiritual events. A conclusion. Jehovah foretold that he would "reveal" what the "sacred secret" is in his "Little Scroll." --Revelation 10:1-(7)-11.
Note there in verse 1, the Angel has a "rainbow" on his head. The rainbow symbolizes Jehovah himself. (Ezekiel 1:28). Thus the Scroll's message is from Jehovah himself. The Scroll's message has a Trumpet Blast of spiritual meaning. A powerful announcement from God. Since its message is a pronouncement of judgment it is "bitter" news for those to whom it is directed. It was directed actually to the whole world, but especially upon God's Temple where Jesus sat ruling as king. (John 2:19-21) --Revelation 14:1; Isaiah 3:13.
Jehovah is now giving his "key of knowledge" to those who take the time to hear him in the "Little Scroll" and the five "Shepherd" magazines. They scripturally explain his "hidden things" and how he has brought them to completion in fulfillment. Every person in heaven and on earth are affected by Jehovah's now revealed works.
Having this "key of knowledge" you will be able to understand God's word with surprising ease. Also, he will make himself known to those who listen to him and hear him out.
In Jehovah's loving care, dproper. :)
Hi dproper,
Re: "Jehovah is now giving his "key of knowledge" to those who take the time to hear him in the "Little Scroll" and the five "Shepherd" magazines."
All scripture is inspired dproper.
Your reference to anything other than Gods word the Bible, to offer "key of knowledge" is not encouraging to those that are putting complete faith in our Lord Jesus Christ in offering our exclusive devotion to YHWH.
gogh
Hi dproper,
Re:Â Â "Jehovah is now giving his "key of knowledge" to those who take the time to hear him in the "Little Scroll" and the five "Shepherd" magazines."
All scripture is inspired dproper. Â
Your reference to anything other than Gods word the Bible, to offer "key of knowledge" is not encouraging to those that are putting complete faith in our Lord Jesus Christ in offering our exclusive devotion to YHWH.
gogh
Hello gogh, :)
I know you will not believe this but I am doing what Jehovah asked me to do.  Jehovah is calling his sheep.  I truly mean no offense to you or any on the board.  I know this information is shocking.  I know how this all sounds.  The Scroll and the 5 Shepherd Magazines are from Jehovah himself just like the Hebrew Bible Genesis through Malachi. Â
2 Tim. 3:16 All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, 17.  that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.
You do realize gogh that the letter of 2 Tim. was written about 65 CE.  The Christian Bible did not even exist then...  Paul being the author of 2 Tim was referring STRICKLY to the Hebrew Bible.
Foremost, all should read the “entire bibleâ€. They must also be informed that the “FIRST TESTAMENTâ€--GENESIS to MALACHI--is inspired by JEHOVAH. The so-called “NEW TESTAMENT†of Christianity--MATTHEW to JUDE--was inspired by JESUS through HIS prophets. --1Cor. 14:37, as well as other witnesses of the events.
“All things†were subjected to Jesus at resurrection. --Matt. 28:18; Php. 3:20-21. Thus, Jehovah was not the writer, nor inspired the writing of the new testament. To do so would DISHONOR Jesus’ “all authorityâ€.
With the above information in mind, ALL can read the bible “open mindedly†and gain true understanding of its contents.
With all due respect, dproper :siskiss:
I don't think God can carry out his purpose for us if we know everything. That's why he keeps us in the dark. And I believe that the Bible writers were searching for answers just like us. We learn from their experiences, but they didn't provide all the answers.
Hi droppler,
Like others, I am very confident you are in error. But, possibly unlike some others, I know you will be resurrected later and taught the truth under favorable circumstances, after you possibly take a few stripes. I am thinking you probably want to know God, and that is a good sign. Be kind to others and remember, one day you will be perfect, and perfect means you will love God first, and your brothers second.
You don't have enough knowledge to be judged, and this is apparent from your misinformation about Lord Jesus.
You may want to lay off the attacks of my brother and master for your own good. Attacking anybody is not in good taste, and I know from experience. Jesus never verbally attacked Satan, and has not attacked you, either. Jehovah does not appreciate such attacks to any.
While there is no burning hell, there is punishment in the general resurrection, depending on how much light one had.
Luk 12:48 but he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. And to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom they commit much, of him will they ask the more.
Heb 10:30 For we know him that said, Vengeance belongs to me, I will recompense. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
God bless.
Hi droppler,
Like others, I am very confident you are in error.  But, possibly unlike some others, I know you will be resurrected later and taught the truth under favorable circumstances, after you possibly take a few stripes. I am thinking you probably want to know God, and that is a good sign.  Be kind to others and remember, one day you will be perfect, and perfect means you will love God first, and your brothers second.
You don't have enough knowledge to be judged, and this is apparent from your misinformation about Lord Jesus.
You may want to lay off the attacks of my brother and master for your own good.  Attacking anybody is not in good taste, and I know from experience.  Jesus never verbally attacked Satan, and has not attacked you, either.  Jehovah does not appreciate such attacks to any.
While there is no burning hell, there is punishment in the general resurrection, depending on how much light one had.
Luk 12:48Â Â but he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. And to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom they commit much, of him will they ask the more.
Heb 10:30Â Â For we know him that said, Vengeance belongs to me, I will recompense. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
God bless.
Hello watcher, I am not bad mouthing Jesus. Jehovah is... I do appreciate your concern and thoughts. :read::D