This dear brothers is in continuation with my previous post regarding Baptism.
As my post watchtower sojourn I have to say that as far as I am concerned the people of watchtower starting from C.T.Russel to the present ones are at best confused and at worst wicked imposters.
They are not the anointed ones but deceive themselves and others. Whenever, as a JW I tried to probe the elders on this issue as to what evidence there was to the anointhood of these ones.
I was never given an answer. In fact the question was avoided as if I was doubting the existence of God Almighty. When these so called anointed ones came a visiting I found absolutely no evidence whatsoever as if they were of the heavenly class.
Now dont get me wrong I do not claim I have special qualifications which enable me to discern the Holy Spirit in men. No but I have read the Bible, and can see if the teachings of the scriptures are reflected from the inidividuals or not.
In fact, I never ever found any of the Jehovah's Witnesses talk about Jesus Jehovah the Bible after the meetings. These people I have found to be bereft of any spirituality whatsoever.What ever spiritual discussion I had it was with a family who were like me converts from Islam.
After leaving the witnesses I began to read the Bible especially the prophecies about the end and I began to understand that neither 1879, 1914, 1925, or any of the other erroneous dates boasted by these false christians had any importance. The tribulations that was visited upon Jerusalem and the subsquent world events are a type which will be repeated when the end of this system comes.
The situation will arise when like the Roman empire like world government will again take over the affairs of men and then will real christians be faced with the situation of whether to support their God given faith or take side of that World government.
This was the exact challenge before the Jews of the first century. That time is still in the future. And all of us who are alive have the opportunity to be loyal to Christ and be members of the Bride class. The door is still open, and let no man close it until the Lord himself does it.
Your brother
Farhat Zubair
Greetings, Farhat!
I was never given an answer. In fact the question was avoided as if I was doubting the existence of God Almighty. When these so called anointed ones came a visiting I found absolutely no evidence whatsoever as if they were of the heavenly class.
And your not likely to receive any evidence either - for "the calling," as it were, is an individual thing. It's reality is entirely personal. I think it's fascinating that a group could possibly think that their "calling" - if they're called - would be associated in any form or fashion with group identity. If enough people believe it, suddenly it's true? I'm from Missouri...show me.
After leaving the witnesses I began to read the Bible especially the prophecies about the end and I began to understand that neither 1879, 1914, 1925, or any of the other erroneous dates boasted by these false christians had any importance. The tribulations that was visited upon Jerusalem and the subsquent world events are a type which will be repeated when the end of this system comes.
Date-based religions are in the business of stumbling people. Complicated formulas determining this date or that one are little more than numerology. You may as well read it off your astrological chart. And focusing on dates distracts people from the task at hand and are notoriously poor motivators for change.
History tends to repeat, so I have no argument with you on the world's eventuality...but it didn't matter that much to those who left Jerusalem on queue in 66CE. The thing to do is to begin the separation process ASAP so that you're not second-guessing yourself when the poop hits the fan. Nothing wrong with some healthy emotional separation just as soon as one is able.
gus
Dear brothers Gus & Beau,
Thanks for your inputs,
Beau you got urself a smart kid there man!
Reminds me of my nephew when he was young, How fast kids grow up!
And Tahiti is just fine brother, and Gus you'r definitely in it with us!
God Be with you guys
FZ
I always thought I would love to live on Gilligan's Island. From all those grass huts it looks like I'm not the only one.
Why the desperation to come back to the rat race?
Jesh
Farhat, I think that many people are being "called" today, and you can find them all over the place. They're coming out from every corner of Babylon. The "waters" are "drying up", if you will. The internet really changes everything, and the Witnesses are forbidden from looking at it. Quite Koresh-like, if you ask me.
Interestingly, after Jesus' gave his parable of the wedding (Matthew 22:1-13), in the 14th verse he says: "For many are called, but few are chosen" (KJV) If you look at the New World [Order] Translation, it says: "For there are many invited, but few chosen." A little bit of a different flavor to that, I would say. Now over at Matthew 20:16, we see in the KJV that after Jesus' parable of the 11th hour workers (vs. 1-15), he says: "So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen." The NWT completely omits the latter half of the verse that allows us to draw the parallel to the other parable. JW's will never see this, because they are taught that the Bride is already selected. They are also blinded to the fact that the 11th hour workers are referring to the 7,000 remaining ones in Revelation who have "not bent the knee to Baal". (Romans 11:4) So they have no clue who the Two Witnesses will be. They have no idea that an "anointing" is not a "chosen one", it's only a calling. They don't know that no one is being "chosen" until the sealing at the beginning of the Trib. In essence, they know nothing, and they are primed for the Watchtower's Mother of All Lies when they say that the New World Order is God's Kingdom on earth.
On the other hand, Christians from all sects who are out there on the internet are getting an education for themselves. Each one of them probably knows more about the upcoming end time events than all the blind Witnesses put together. That's what their Golden Calf has done for them. The thought of this makes 2 Thessalonians 2 rattle around my brain.
When we put things in perspective, we realize that hundreds of millions have already been martyred for being Christians. Only 144,000 are being "chosen", so who in their right mind would think that Brother "Anointed" who is going on 90 would be "chosen" for spending his life hawking Watchtower rags? That's not to lessen his Godly devotion, but was he beheaded for believing in Jesus? Or burned at the stake? Or hung upside down? Or burned to death while being locked inside a church with your whole congregation? The Witnesses have no clue what's coming, thanks to their Golden Calf and their Revised Bible.
You've got it down Brother, and I loved your post.
Jesh
They are also blinded to the fact that the 11th hour
workers
are referring to the 7,000 remaining ones in Revelation who have "not
bent the knee to Baal". (Romans 11:4) So they have no clue who the
Two Witnesses will be. They have no idea that an "anointing" is not a
"chosen one", it's only a calling. They don't know that no one is being
"chosen" until the sealing at the beginning of the Trib. In essence, they
know nothing, and they are primed for the Watchtower's Mother of All
Lies when they say that the New World Order is God's Kingdom on earth.
On the other hand, Christians from all sects who are out there on the
internet are getting an education for themselves. Each one of them
probably knows more about the upcoming end time events than all the
blind Witnesses put together. That's what their Golden Calf has done for
them. The thought of this makes 2 Thessalonians 2 rattle around my
brain.
When we put things in perspective, we realize that hundreds of millions
have already been martyred for being Christians. Only 144,000 are being
"chosen", so who in their right mind would think that Brother "Anointed"
who is going on 90 would be "chosen" for spending his life hawking
Watchtower rags? That's not to lessen his Godly devotion, but was he
beheaded for believing in Jesus? Or burned at the stake? Or hung upside
down? Or burned to death while being locked inside a church with your
whole congregation? The Witnesses have no clue what's coming, thanks
to their Golden Calf and their Revised Bible.
You've got it down Brother, and I loved your post.
Jesh
And I loved yours. You have a lot of things spot on. Don't worry about
numbers though, the number is finite but might not be 144,000.
vicky
The Watchtower encourages "spiritual" discussion, but they discourage getting together in a group to discuss the Bible outside their meetings. This is Orwellian, 1984, double-speak language.
In one congregation I was in, there were many teenagers/ young adults who on a Friday or Saturday evening, would go to one brother's house and just have a great time, male and female, preparing for the Sunday Watchtower meeting together. The Watchtower discouraged doing this, and the well intentioned group, disbanded.
I constantly meet witnesses who have no spiritual interests. Before and after the meetings they talk of sports, instead of what is written in God's word. Sports talk has its place, but, when you associate with the same people for a year+, you do learn about their interests, and discussing the Bible is not one of them, because they don't want to fall into the "snare" of "independent thinking".
I have had the most enlightening discussions about the Bible with witnesses, who think for themselves. I love Jehovah's people, but I do take issue with the people who 'lord over' the faith of my spiritual family, to manipulate them for their own agenda.
The WT tries to make cookie cutter type factory 'Christians', who go along to get along. They don't question authority, and are afraid of discussing Christ with one other because of fear for breaking one of the "societies" rules/ man-made policies.
Revelation 2:2 (Today's New International Version)
". . .I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles. . ."
Dear SW,
I left the organization as a ministerial servant in 1997. I had just one family in the whole of the congregation an ex muslim one with whom I had till that time spent like 17 18 years in the truth. When I stopped going to the meetings my friends who were just one couple and their daughter left Karachi and went back to their native town Lahore a 1000KM away from me.
Shortly afterwards, I went to see them in Lahore, I was inactive, they met me and made me stay with them, but I knew then it was over. They never telephoned me or wrote to me afterwards, we had known each other for almost 30 years, none of the others ever tried to contact me.
In 2004 this dear friend died and his widow and unmarried daughter are still living in Lahore but whenever I try to phone or contact them I am told very curtly I am not welcome.
The witnesses are strange people.When I was a witness there was one disfellowshipped girl.Whenever she came to the Kingdom Hall with her small children I would welcome her arrange for her to sit comfortably she would even speak non stop with me with all the congregation looking on.
Later on when I stopped going to the meetings she was reinstated. we talked on the phone. Came the year 2006 and I found Robert's site and as a good will gesture sent her an email about it. You know what that good and upright witness did to me she first tried to tell me to stop it when I refused she reported it to the hawks. Who paid visits to me and upon my refusal not to stop going on Robert's site they declared me as a person who has dissassociated from the organization(good riddance).
So many so called firends I had in the Kingdom Hall, people who attended meetings, preached ate and drink with me. And I began to build my life around them, since there is no spirituality in it anyway you bank on human relations.
And sooner or later, one day you know brother and sister so and so's immigration papers have arrived. "Yes hurrah! we are leaving for Canada/USA blah blah"
And you are standing there with a gaping mouth asking yourself why did you blow away your youth, potential, career, life, relatives, association, comforts, acceptance in the society???? and what for??
What were these people, social climbers???
I live with my brother and his family (yes in Pakistan we still have the joint family system). His children are grown up and sometimes ask me why are you so critical and bitter!!! To them surely I must appear as an idiot, a fool.
I still am convinced I am right I made the correct decision. But the going is tough very tough. I live from day to day.
SW, Sorry for such a lot of unsolicited personal information.
Jesh thank you for your support and comforting words I am really touched thank you brother.
Farhat Zubair
Farhat
You haven't made a wrong decision by leaving.
You stood up for truth and what you know to be right.
Yes, it is hard, for all of us on the outside looking in, isn't it? We have come so far, and learned so much, and I sincerely believe we are better Christians for it.Try not to be too bitter, and enjoy your newfound freedom and joy in what you have now come to understand. You will be rewarded for your faithfullness and love for God's word over man's and for what is right and just over what is so wrong and unjust in the organization. Take heart brother, you are not alone!
Christian love to you and all,
Sis Grateful
I know it is so heart crushing to wake up one day and realize that we have been lied to all these years. We should count it as a blessing though, because Jehovah searched our hearts deeply and called us to his rest, to be taught personally by him .
We should all think of all organized religions and different sects as a trap from satan and as forbidden fleshly fruit. This is a work of the flesh, as it says so in Galations 5:19. We are to worship God in Spirit, through his fruitages. All these fleshly works are all in vain. Many believe they have "TheTruth" because they can make mention of God's most sacred name through their lips, but not with their hearts incorporated into it. This is being done and abused by many ones working through a fleshly sense of what they believe to be sacred service to God, to bear His Name worthily, but instead have put it on as a Mantle to hide their Witchcrafts, and Spiritual Sorceries, which is one of the greatest grievances this day to our Father.
To receive, and bear His Name worthily, we should be giving Him first place in our life and looking to Him to be invited and having the priveledge of being hidden in Him, in his rest. There should not be anything else found with in our hearts but His name purifying us and perfecting us, through the only door, his Son. We must work on establishing the fruitages of His Spirit and trust in Him that He will whiten us so that nothing dirty will be left in us, washed in the blood of His Son.
He can reside NOW in our hearts having it be re-written all over , not only from with-in, but also upon our foreheads, being all over cloathed and establishing the New Covenant with Him, being His children of the resurrection, now living in His Kingdom while still in the flesh. He will make good His promise, that He will be our God, and we can be to Him, His People, having no need to say, know the Lord, because he will make himself known to us, and restored us to this simplified nature, as it was in the old time. Pray for the Spirit of Wisom, to make known to you all the truth there is, and he will send the Holy Spirit to all who really seek Him and desire to draw close to HIM, not a religion.
We must never keep looking back at the things left behind when he calls us out , REMEMBER THE WIFE OF LOT, we all must, as one alive from the dead, forget all those morsels of mortality, which maintained the sensitive properties, and which are for those living with a view to the flesh. May we never be Martha like, constantly worrying about the things in this world,
We should allow our minds to rest from this fleshly thought life, at rest from the fleshly labors of this life,
LUKE 10:41,42 "you are worried and upset about many things, but ONLY ONE THING IS NEEDED. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Loving the Lord thy God with all our Heart, and believing in the sacrifice of His Son in complete Faith, and resting upon Jehovah's Omnipotency, to bring everything into our hand, with no need to wander out from the Tabernacle which He Himself has pitched. He will gather our provisions, if we continue in this holy rest of Believing, everything we ask will be given us. Never stop believing this. Too many miracles have happened in my life to doubt this at all .
With much love to all my brothers and sisters,
In Christ,
NewHeart
Farhat,
Pity the masses. Share the hope.
36Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."
"You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
Very simply, those who are not "on the side of truth" do not listen to Jesus' voice.
If you are outcast because of Jesus' voice, you are doing something right.
No worries.
gus
Dear New heart,
Thank you so much for your uplifting thoughts my dear. One of your beautiful thoughts my sister, I appreciate it very very much. Your input has always encouraged me and warmed my heart.
AR
To them surely I must appear as an idiot, a fool.
I still am convinced I am right I made the correct decision. But the going is tough very tough. I live from day to day.
SW, Sorry for such a lot of unsolicited personal information.
My dear brother, That was just a snapshot of where you are at present. The hearts we bare are all just that ... a picture in the stream of time. Our lives are constantly moving and as each day dawns, there releases new endearing reasons to love and care. I've been where you are. I will likely be there again. I was equally naive, even more so! But endurance has its own agenda if we let it. So please hang in there with us. We are all gradually unshackling our prison bonds through Christ. He walked alone with his Father and so shall we until that new day dawns and we will all see each other as ones who endured.
Love to you Farhat,
sw
