Hi Jay,
What is the connection with the Hebrew scripture and the writings with the JW organization? How do you connect and reconcile it?
Then it is clearly emphasized a judgment at the end of the age to separate the unsaved from the saved since this is concerning the kingdom. From this parable until the current settings, what will be the effect of apostasy here? How do you reconcile this parable to the JW org.?
Well it is clear that—if the wheat and tares parables does not convey to start a new church, those verses proves that apostasy is not a reason for a church to re-establish; to form a group investigation and start a new organization. Jesus and Paul warned about the coming of false prophets, and how the man of lawlessness will influence the early church.
1 Peter 5:10-11
10. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
11. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Jesus and Paul warned us, and told us to do the following:
a. Stand firm (Matt.24;13; 2 Thess. 2:15)
b. The gospel shall be preached in the whole world (Matt. 24:14)
c. We testify to all nations (Matt 24:14)
d. Be on Guard ( Acts 20:31)
e. Command and teach these things. (1 Tim. 4:11)
I encouraged you to do a biblical study.
Why should I will be in shame if there is a Reformation transpired from Roman Catholicism? This only proves that the Scripture is alive and penetrates the heart of everyone. JW, Mormons, Church of Christ/INC, and 7th Day Adv. claimed that there is apostasy to produce a new church, and a need of cleansing by a certain person
(a prophet, man sent by God, a Bible student, a preacher etc.) Did you know about this?
People are born different, and that is healthy to know that we are not a puppet or robot. Those churches always shouted the word “Unity,” but in reality they are only united physically as an organization with one Man behind the church. Protestants may have a denomination, but united in spirit. We are not forced by an organized body to be a puppet. Kindly check our Statement of Faith, we are truly united in spirit and truth in Christ Jesus, and not by the Reformers.
Dan. 12:9-13
9. And he said, "Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time.
10. "Many will be purged, purified and refined; but the wicked will act wickedly, and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.
11. "And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.
12. "How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1,335 days!
13. "But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age."
If there is no foretelling of a new church, then why prophesy, calculate, and have faith to Russell and company? If you believe Jesus clean up Jewish religion, then why JW should be dependent and have faith to what Russell and company did? Russell is not Jesus.
Did the Mormons, and Iglesia Ni kristo(Church of Christ) and other churches claimed there is apostasy and should not be divided? How about them? Who among you stand for the truth of “No division church”?
Oh. Come on. Where did you get that idea? It seems you are saying after Paul died, no other Christians left to propagate the gospel?? Do you think an Apologist cannot preach the gospel? He cannot be an apologist if he does not know the basic of the gospel. How he will defend his faith if he is not capable of knowing the gospel and heretic teachings during their time? Please think about it.
You are also saying that Christ suffered for nothing and that is discarding Christ sufferings for our salvation by shedding His blood. What’s the use of Jesus and Paul’s preaching if at the end there will be an apostasy that needs cleansing and refining (by JW interpretation), and resulted to a new church or teachings. Therefore, it will come out that Jesus and Paul served only as--least important in Christianity, thus, Russell and company served as the priority ( very important) in Christianity.
Your question “Were you there to read his body language and tone of voice?” backfired your reasoning because you also did that. How come you also read his body language and tone of voice by telling us that Thomas was “Surprised” and by that surprising reaction, he confessed “My Lord and My God”??
You chose and believed more on the JW org. interpretation of “surprise” than reading it “My Lord and My God”, a very self understandable phrase—even a young kid may understand this phrase. Why keep turning away from the phrase?
What I’m explaining to you is the deeper understanding of studying biblical text. Kindly look at this:
John 20:17
18. Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
19. On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."
(there is no mention that Thomas was there)
20. When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you."
22. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
23. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
24. Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.
(Now, it is clear that Thomas is not with them when Jesus appeared to them)
25. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe."
(The other disciples [not named] told Thomas that they saw the Lord. Thomas answered in doubt that should see first the print of the nails and place his finger in the mark of the nails, and place his hand on the side of Jesus—to believe what the other disciples are saying.)
Now, do you think Thomas will be in surprise act or manner when he is on the following situation:
1.) Informed already
2.) Unsure of the information of Jesus appearance to the other disciples
3.) Eight days after
If we put ourselves to be Thomas, will you be in the surprise act or manner?
Additionally as you have said that “he doubted that it could be true, stating that he would not believe it unless he saw the proof.”
Thomas is already about 70% believing that it could be true, the 30% is the only thing that he must prove—by seeing Jesus personally. Do you think he will be in surprising act or emotional state??
Ok. If my explanation is not enough, why not try and test the “surprise” act? If we say that Thomas is really surprised in Jesus appearance; why should Thomas need to utter “My Lord and my God.”?
What is the connection of being a surprised person to utter “My Lord and My God”?
26. Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, "Peace be with you."
27. Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing."
28. Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"
29. Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."
Lev. 24:16
16. `Moreover, the one who blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him. The alien as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.
Did you remember when Jesus used the personal name of Israel’s God (Exodus 3:14), the name given to Moses–to refer to Himself. He even used the Torah for that context,“Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58).
Let us understand the context on what you’re saying at John 20:17
10. So the disciples went away again to their own homes.
(the disciples went away, so that means Mary was left weeping)
11. But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb;
12. and she beheld two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying.
13. And they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him."
14. When she had said this, she turned around, and beheld Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.
15. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away."
16. Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means, Teacher).
17. Jesus said to her, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren, and say to them, `I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'"
(Thomas is not here, only Mary; what Mary announced to the disciples is "I have seen the Lord,")
There is no connection on what Jesus had said about ‘My God and your God.’ Why should Thomas used the word of Jesus’ words ‘My God’ when he is not there and Mary did not told him about ‘My God and your God’? Logical.
18. Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and that He had said these things to her.
Why it would be contradicting in John 20:30-31? There will be a contradiction if the understanding of the doctrine is wrong.
Which will you choose? the word of Jesus or John in the gospel, or both?
John 20: 29. Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed."
31. but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
Your question and reasoning “Can God have a God?” backfired again to the JW theology. This is again a contradiction on your side. JW believed the Father God-Almighty and Jesus-Mighty. I would bring back to you your question “Can God have a God”?
How can God begets God for JW? There will be two Gods in totality. 1-Almighty God + 1-Mighty God= 2 Gods. That will be considered already—a polytheistic belief.
For Trinitarian, we are consistent and reconciled with your question “Can God have a God”? because we believed in one God exists in three persons –only one God.
Now lets get back to Archangel, if Jesus is the only begotten Son; JW believed Jesus is Archangel Michael, Jesus = Archangel Michael (Jesus is Archangel Michael). Therefore, Archangel Michael is the only begotten Son who saved us from sins. I think it sounds a big contradiction here.
For Colossians 1:15, 16, about Jesus, says
15. And He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation. 16. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities all things have been created by Him and for Him.
..All things have been created through him and For HIM". If Jesus was Michael the Archangel at the time of creation, would an angel have created all things for himself?
Why does it is translated John 1:1 as "a god", when in John 1:6, 12, 13 18 where "theos" also has no definite article, they translate it as "God" every time?
6.There came a man who was sent as a representative of God; his name was John.
12. However, to all who did receive him, he gave authority to become God’s children, because they were exercising faith in his name.13. And they were born, not from blood or from a fleshly will or from man’s will, but from God. 18. No man has seen God at any time; the only-begotten god who is at the Father’s side is the one who has explained Him.(NWT)
Jesus Christ is referred to as "Mighty God" in Isa 9:6. Jehovah is referred to as "Mighty God" in Isa 10:20-21. How can this be if there is only one God?
Thanks