Pegg
Jehovah our God is One
Where did I say that?
James2 believes in the literal fulfillment on the existing state of Jewish Israel, not us.
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Watchtower Governing Body: Are They The Exclusive Channel For God??
- Thread starter katiemygirl
- Start date
Where did I say that?
James2 believes in the literal fulfillment on the existing state of Jewish Israel, not us.
psychoslice
Veteran Member
Its far beyond signifying union , it is union, as I said we are all one in God, there is nothing outside of God, the man Jesus realized this and that is what he preached, he didn't just come out and say we are all one, he alluded to it through parables and metaphors. Those who are not ready to hear such things will take what he said the wrong way if he just came out and said we are all one with God, but those who are mature spiritually would ignite at the words of Jesus, they would also as Jesus realize their true divinity, where other would trample over the words like pigs. Its because many don't truly understand is why we have so many arguing over scripture, they are caught up in the words and never seeing where the words point to, and hence we have so many religions, and JW's are one of those religions.
I know why. They really believe Jesus has appointed the gb to "feed" them and scripture says they all must speak in agreement.
james2ko
Well-Known Member
To understand where you are coming from, just place the words occurred, future, literal, symbolic on the bottom of each passage. I realize some may have more than one. On the symbolic, provide a brief explanation:
Zec 2:10 "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst," says the LORD.
Zec 2:11 "Many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.
Zec 2:12 And the LORD will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem.
Zec 14:4. 9 And in that day His [Christ] feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south. "9 And the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be "The LORD is one," And His name one.
Jer 3:17 "At that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the LORD,and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem. No more shall they follow the dictates of their evil hearts.
Psa 2:6-8 "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion." " 7 I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
Amo 1:2 And he said: "The LORD roars from Zion, And utters His voice from Jerusalem; The pastures of the shepherds mourn, And the top of Carmel withers."
]Psa 102:15-16 So the nations shall fear the name of the LORD, And all the kings of the earth Your glory. 16 For the LORD shall build up Zion; He shall appear in His glory.
Psa 110:2 The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies!
Isa 27:13 So it shall be in that day: The great trumpet will be blown; They will come, who are about to perish in the land of Assyria, And they who are outcasts in the land of Egypt, And shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.
Isa 2:3 Many people shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Joe 3:16-18 The LORD also will roar from Zion, And utter His voice from Jerusalem; The heavens and earth will shake; But the LORD will be a shelter for His people, And the strength of the children of Israel. 17 "So you shall know that I am the LORD your God, Dwelling in Zion My holy mountain. Then Jerusalem shall be holy, And no aliens shall ever pass through her again." 18 And it will come to pass in that day That the mountains shall drip with new wine, The hills shall flow with milk, And all the brooks of Judah shall be flooded with water; A fountain shall flow from the house of the LORD And water the Valley of Acacias.
Zec 8:20 "Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Peoples shall yet come, Inhabitants of many cities; 21 The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, "Let us continue to go and pray before the LORD, And seek the LORD of hosts. I myself will go also." 22 Yes, many peoples and strong nations Shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, And to pray before the LORD.'
Mic 4:1-2 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD's house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And peoples shall flow to it. 2 Many nations shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion the law shall go forth, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Zec 14:16-17 And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain.
Psa 72:11 Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; All nations shall serve Him.
Zec 2:11 "Many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.
Zec 2:12 And the LORD will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem.
Zec 14:4. 9 And in that day His [Christ] feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south. "9 And the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be "The LORD is one," And His name one.
Jer 3:17 "At that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the LORD,and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem. No more shall they follow the dictates of their evil hearts.
Psa 2:6-8 "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion." " 7 I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
Amo 1:2 And he said: "The LORD roars from Zion, And utters His voice from Jerusalem; The pastures of the shepherds mourn, And the top of Carmel withers."
]Psa 102:15-16 So the nations shall fear the name of the LORD, And all the kings of the earth Your glory. 16 For the LORD shall build up Zion; He shall appear in His glory.
Psa 110:2 The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies!
Isa 27:13 So it shall be in that day: The great trumpet will be blown; They will come, who are about to perish in the land of Assyria, And they who are outcasts in the land of Egypt, And shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.
Isa 2:3 Many people shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Joe 3:16-18 The LORD also will roar from Zion, And utter His voice from Jerusalem; The heavens and earth will shake; But the LORD will be a shelter for His people, And the strength of the children of Israel. 17 "So you shall know that I am the LORD your God, Dwelling in Zion My holy mountain. Then Jerusalem shall be holy, And no aliens shall ever pass through her again." 18 And it will come to pass in that day That the mountains shall drip with new wine, The hills shall flow with milk, And all the brooks of Judah shall be flooded with water; A fountain shall flow from the house of the LORD And water the Valley of Acacias.
Zec 8:20 "Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Peoples shall yet come, Inhabitants of many cities; 21 The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, "Let us continue to go and pray before the LORD, And seek the LORD of hosts. I myself will go also." 22 Yes, many peoples and strong nations Shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, And to pray before the LORD.'
Mic 4:1-2 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD's house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And peoples shall flow to it. 2 Many nations shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion the law shall go forth, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Zec 14:16-17 And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain.
Psa 72:11 Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; All nations shall serve Him.
Psa 86:9 All nations whom You have made Shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And shall glorify Your name.
Question: "What are some of the biblical arguments for the divinity of Christ?"
Answer: That the New Testament is full of references to the divinity of Christ is difficult to deny. From the four canonical Gospels through the book of Acts and the Pauline Epistles, Jesus is not only seen as the Messiah (or Christ), but also equated with God Himself. The apostle Paul refers to the divinity of Christ when he calls Jesus our "great God and Savior" (Titus 2:13) and even says that Jesus existed in the "form of God" prior to His incarnation (Philippians 2:5-8). God the Father says regarding Jesus: "Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever" (Hebrews 1:8). Jesus is directly referred to as the Creator Himself (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17). Other biblical passages teach Christ's deity (Revelation 1:7; 2:8; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Peter 5:4).
While these direct citations are sufficient to establish that the Bible claims Jesus is divine, a more indirect approach may prove to be more powerful. Jesus repeatedly placed Himself in the place of Yahweh by assuming the Father’s divine prerogatives. He was often doing and saying things that only God has a right to do and say. Jesus also referred to Himself in ways that hinted at His deity. Some of these instances provide us with the strongest proof of Jesus' divine self-understanding.
In Mark 14, Jesus stands accused at His trial before the High Priest. “Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" And Jesus said, "I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:61-62). Here, Jesus is harking back to the Old Testament book of Daniel where the prophet Daniel states, “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed" (Daniel 7:13-14).
In this reference to Daniel's vision, Jesus is identifying Himself as the Son of Man, a person who was given “dominion, glory, and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and men of every language might serve Him.” The Son of Man has a dominion that is everlasting and will not pass away. One immediately wonders what kind of person has a dominion that is everlasting. What kind of a person is given a kingdom and will have all men serve Him? The High Priest, who immediately recognized Jesus’ claim to divinity, tore his robe and declared Jesus guilty of blasphemy.
Jesus' use of the title "Son of Man" has surprisingly strong apologetic value. For a skeptic of Christ's deity cannot simply dismiss this particular self-designation of Jesus very easily. That Christ referred to Himself in this manner enjoys multiple attestations as it is found in all of the Gospel sources. The phrase "Son of Man" is used of Jesus only a few times outside of the Gospels themselves (Acts 7:56; Revelation 1:13; 14:14). Given its scarce usage by the early apostolic church, it is unlikely that this title would have been read back into the lips of Jesus if, in fact, He had not used this particular self-designation. And yet, if it is established that Jesus really did use this title of Himself, it becomes apparent that Jesus considered Himself to have everlasting power and a unique authority beyond that of a mere human being.
Sometimes, it was Jesus’ actions that revealed His identity. Jesus’ healing of the paralytic in Mark 2 was done to demonstrate His authority and ability to forgive sins (Mark 2:3-12). In the minds of His Jewish audience, such abilities were reserved for God alone. Jesus also receives worship several times in the Gospels (Matthew 2:11; 28:9, 17; Luke 24:52; John 9:38; 20:28). Never did Jesus reject such adoration. Rather, He regarded their worship as well placed. Elsewhere, Jesus taught that the Son of Man will ultimately judge humanity (Matthew 25:31-46) and taught that our eternal destinies depend on our response to Him (Mark 8:34-38). Such behavior is further indication of Jesus' divine self-understanding.
Jesus also stated that His forthcoming resurrection from the dead would vindicate the very special claims that He made for Himself (Matthew 12:38-40). After having been crucified and buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, Jesus did, in fact, rise from the dead, establishing His claims to diety.
Answer: That the New Testament is full of references to the divinity of Christ is difficult to deny. From the four canonical Gospels through the book of Acts and the Pauline Epistles, Jesus is not only seen as the Messiah (or Christ), but also equated with God Himself. The apostle Paul refers to the divinity of Christ when he calls Jesus our "great God and Savior" (Titus 2:13) and even says that Jesus existed in the "form of God" prior to His incarnation (Philippians 2:5-8). God the Father says regarding Jesus: "Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever" (Hebrews 1:8). Jesus is directly referred to as the Creator Himself (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17). Other biblical passages teach Christ's deity (Revelation 1:7; 2:8; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Peter 5:4).
While these direct citations are sufficient to establish that the Bible claims Jesus is divine, a more indirect approach may prove to be more powerful. Jesus repeatedly placed Himself in the place of Yahweh by assuming the Father’s divine prerogatives. He was often doing and saying things that only God has a right to do and say. Jesus also referred to Himself in ways that hinted at His deity. Some of these instances provide us with the strongest proof of Jesus' divine self-understanding.
In Mark 14, Jesus stands accused at His trial before the High Priest. “Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" And Jesus said, "I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:61-62). Here, Jesus is harking back to the Old Testament book of Daniel where the prophet Daniel states, “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed" (Daniel 7:13-14).
In this reference to Daniel's vision, Jesus is identifying Himself as the Son of Man, a person who was given “dominion, glory, and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and men of every language might serve Him.” The Son of Man has a dominion that is everlasting and will not pass away. One immediately wonders what kind of person has a dominion that is everlasting. What kind of a person is given a kingdom and will have all men serve Him? The High Priest, who immediately recognized Jesus’ claim to divinity, tore his robe and declared Jesus guilty of blasphemy.
Jesus' use of the title "Son of Man" has surprisingly strong apologetic value. For a skeptic of Christ's deity cannot simply dismiss this particular self-designation of Jesus very easily. That Christ referred to Himself in this manner enjoys multiple attestations as it is found in all of the Gospel sources. The phrase "Son of Man" is used of Jesus only a few times outside of the Gospels themselves (Acts 7:56; Revelation 1:13; 14:14). Given its scarce usage by the early apostolic church, it is unlikely that this title would have been read back into the lips of Jesus if, in fact, He had not used this particular self-designation. And yet, if it is established that Jesus really did use this title of Himself, it becomes apparent that Jesus considered Himself to have everlasting power and a unique authority beyond that of a mere human being.
Sometimes, it was Jesus’ actions that revealed His identity. Jesus’ healing of the paralytic in Mark 2 was done to demonstrate His authority and ability to forgive sins (Mark 2:3-12). In the minds of His Jewish audience, such abilities were reserved for God alone. Jesus also receives worship several times in the Gospels (Matthew 2:11; 28:9, 17; Luke 24:52; John 9:38; 20:28). Never did Jesus reject such adoration. Rather, He regarded their worship as well placed. Elsewhere, Jesus taught that the Son of Man will ultimately judge humanity (Matthew 25:31-46) and taught that our eternal destinies depend on our response to Him (Mark 8:34-38). Such behavior is further indication of Jesus' divine self-understanding.
Jesus also stated that His forthcoming resurrection from the dead would vindicate the very special claims that He made for Himself (Matthew 12:38-40). After having been crucified and buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, Jesus did, in fact, rise from the dead, establishing His claims to diety.
Mountain_Climber
Active Member
Proverbs 29:2 "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn."
Matthew 7:29 "For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."
Matthew 21:23 "And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?"
Matthew 8:9 "For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it."
2 Peter 1:3-4 "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."
That which is born of the divine One is divine. Where is the mystery?
Not sure I understand your question ...
Is the Watchtower Christian?
The answer to the question is, "No. It is not Christian." Like all non-Christian cults, the Jehovah's Witness' organization distorts the essential doctrines of Christianity. It denies the deity of Christ, His physical resurrection, and salvation by grace. These make it non-Christian. In addition, to support its erring doctrines, the Watchtower organization (which is the author and teacher of all official Jehovah's Witness' theology) has altered the Bible to make it agree with its changing and non-Christian teachings.
Typical with cults that use the Bible to support its position is a host of interpretive errors:
Taking verses out of their immediate context.
Refusing to read verses in the entire Biblical context.
Inserting their theological presuppositions into the text.
Altering the Biblical text to suit their needs.
Latching onto one verse to interpret a host of others.
Changing the meanings of words.
Proclaiming some passages to be figurative when they contradict their doctrines.
Adding to the Word of God.
Additionally, the Jehovah's Witness' organization requires of its members regular weekly attendance at their "Bible Study" meetings where they are repeatedly indoctrinated with anti-Christian teachings. This is done by reading the Watchtower magazine, following along with what it says, reading the questions it asks, and reciting the answers it gives. In other words, the Watchtower Organization carefully trains its members to let the Organization do their thinking for them. For confirmation of this, please read Does the Watchtower organization control the JW's thinking?
The Witnesses are told they will be persecuted when they go door-to-door teaching their doctrines. They are further told that this is simply the enemy fighting against God's organization because they are in "the truth." So, when someone disagrees with them, they are conditioned to reflect on what the Watchtower has told them. They then feel confirmed in being in God's true organization on earth (like all cults claim). They are strongly encouraged to have friends and acquaintances that are only JW's, thereby keeping outside examination to a minimum. They are told to shun those who leave their group, for in this way there is no way to see why someone has left and no way to find out that they are in error from those who have found the truth in Christ. They are conditioned to shy away from any real Biblically knowledgeable person. An example of this is frequently found on the Internet. I was once banned from a Jehovah's Witness' chat room after I not only answered their objections to the Trinity and deity of Christ but also challenged them in return. Subsequently, my name was passed around to all other Jehovah's Witness' rooms where I was banned from them as well. This is a frequent occurrence on the Internet where the Jehovah's Witnesses are alive and well. It is obvious that critical examination of their doctrines is not encouraged by the Watchtower Organization.
The Jehovah's Witnesses consider themselves to be Christians because they believe they are serving the true and living God. Like many cults, they think they are the only true church on earth. Yet, they deny the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the personhood of the Holy Spirit, Jesus' physical resurrection, and salvation by grace through faith.
The Jehovah's Witnesses are discouraged from looking into Jehovah's Witness' history or old Watchtower literature which is replete with contradictions, altered doctrines, and false prophecies. Instead, they are indoctrinated repeatedly against basic Christian doctrines (Trinity, deity of Christ, etc.,) and into the notion that they alone are the true servants of God and that all others are either in "Christendom" or simply unbelievers.
Primarily, the Jehovah's Witness' organization is a mind-control organization that uses its people to pass out literature and send in "donations" to the headquarters in Brooklyn, New York.
"Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization and not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible."1
The Watchtower organization of the Jehovah's Witnesses is a non-Christian organization that uses its people to promulgate false doctrines, collects "contributions" for distribution of a multitudinous amount of literature, and expands its grip into the lives of its members and their families.
It is a non Christian cult.
By CARM.org
The answer to the question is, "No. It is not Christian." Like all non-Christian cults, the Jehovah's Witness' organization distorts the essential doctrines of Christianity. It denies the deity of Christ, His physical resurrection, and salvation by grace. These make it non-Christian. In addition, to support its erring doctrines, the Watchtower organization (which is the author and teacher of all official Jehovah's Witness' theology) has altered the Bible to make it agree with its changing and non-Christian teachings.
Typical with cults that use the Bible to support its position is a host of interpretive errors:
Taking verses out of their immediate context.
Refusing to read verses in the entire Biblical context.
Inserting their theological presuppositions into the text.
Altering the Biblical text to suit their needs.
Latching onto one verse to interpret a host of others.
Changing the meanings of words.
Proclaiming some passages to be figurative when they contradict their doctrines.
Adding to the Word of God.
Additionally, the Jehovah's Witness' organization requires of its members regular weekly attendance at their "Bible Study" meetings where they are repeatedly indoctrinated with anti-Christian teachings. This is done by reading the Watchtower magazine, following along with what it says, reading the questions it asks, and reciting the answers it gives. In other words, the Watchtower Organization carefully trains its members to let the Organization do their thinking for them. For confirmation of this, please read Does the Watchtower organization control the JW's thinking?
The Witnesses are told they will be persecuted when they go door-to-door teaching their doctrines. They are further told that this is simply the enemy fighting against God's organization because they are in "the truth." So, when someone disagrees with them, they are conditioned to reflect on what the Watchtower has told them. They then feel confirmed in being in God's true organization on earth (like all cults claim). They are strongly encouraged to have friends and acquaintances that are only JW's, thereby keeping outside examination to a minimum. They are told to shun those who leave their group, for in this way there is no way to see why someone has left and no way to find out that they are in error from those who have found the truth in Christ. They are conditioned to shy away from any real Biblically knowledgeable person. An example of this is frequently found on the Internet. I was once banned from a Jehovah's Witness' chat room after I not only answered their objections to the Trinity and deity of Christ but also challenged them in return. Subsequently, my name was passed around to all other Jehovah's Witness' rooms where I was banned from them as well. This is a frequent occurrence on the Internet where the Jehovah's Witnesses are alive and well. It is obvious that critical examination of their doctrines is not encouraged by the Watchtower Organization.
The Jehovah's Witnesses consider themselves to be Christians because they believe they are serving the true and living God. Like many cults, they think they are the only true church on earth. Yet, they deny the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the personhood of the Holy Spirit, Jesus' physical resurrection, and salvation by grace through faith.
The Jehovah's Witnesses are discouraged from looking into Jehovah's Witness' history or old Watchtower literature which is replete with contradictions, altered doctrines, and false prophecies. Instead, they are indoctrinated repeatedly against basic Christian doctrines (Trinity, deity of Christ, etc.,) and into the notion that they alone are the true servants of God and that all others are either in "Christendom" or simply unbelievers.
Primarily, the Jehovah's Witness' organization is a mind-control organization that uses its people to pass out literature and send in "donations" to the headquarters in Brooklyn, New York.
"Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization and not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible."1
The Watchtower organization of the Jehovah's Witnesses is a non-Christian organization that uses its people to promulgate false doctrines, collects "contributions" for distribution of a multitudinous amount of literature, and expands its grip into the lives of its members and their families.
It is a non Christian cult.
By CARM.org
Pegg
Jehovah our God is One
Ok, i shall do my best....
Initially fulfilled when Jehovah restored the jews to Jerusalem after he freed them from Babylon.
2nd fulfillment when God sent Jesus in the 1st century. It reminds us of the prophetic name given to the Messiah, 'Emmanuel' meaning 'with us is God' .
Fulfilled by the establishment of the Christian congregation filled with people from all the nations, and fulfilled in the 'last days' with a growing great crowd from all the nations who have become a people for the name of Jehovah by means of Jesus.
Initially fulfilled when Jehovah restored the jews to Jerusalem after he freed them from Babylon and the the temple was restored.
This prophecy begins its second fulfillment in the 'Lords Day' as Zechariah says its a vision of: '“... a day belonging to Jehovah,...' This 'day of Jehovah' we believe is the 'day' mentioned by John that he saw in vision at Rev 1:10 'By inspiration I came to be in the Lord’s day',
Initially fulfilled in 1st century when Christ was physically present.
The final fulfillment is in the 'last days' The mountains are figurative and represents Jehovah’s universal sovereignty and his supreme rulership. That rulerhsip 'splits in two' when Jehovah establishes a secondary rulership...the Messianic Kingdom under Christ. When God establishes Christs kingdom, the nations are agitated as foretold in Psalm2: 2 The kings of the earth take their stand And high officials gather together* as one+ Against Jehovah and against his anointed one.*+
But the faithful of Gods people take a stand on the figurative mountains by loyally supporting Jehovah and his appointed King.
initially fulfilled when Jehovah restored a repentant remnant from Babylon
Messianic prophecy about Jesus being given the kingship
This message had an ancient fulfillment. Amos issued a judgement message to several nations including Isreal as judgement of their badness.
This is a messianic prophecy and applies to Jesus. Jesus applied the prophecy to himself in Matt 22:41-45
Initial fulfillment was when King Cyrus issued a decree freeing all the Jews in his empire, including Assyria and Egypt. (Ezra 1:1-4)
There is also a spiritual fulfilment in the last days when Gods people (Christians) are freed from the spiritual darkness of Satans world.
This is an 'end times' or 'last days' prophecy. Isaiah begins by saying "“The thing that Isaiah the son of Amoz visioned concerning Judah and Jerusalem: And it must occur in the final part of the days ..."
It is the restoration of true worship of Jehovah in the earth during these last days. It is fulfilled.
Joels prophecy was a message from Jehovah to Judah when they were being hounded by enemy nations. Jehovah assured them of his protection back then.
The final fulfillement is similar today for God people who live in a wicked world with deteriorting conditions. Jehovah assures us that he will protect his people.
Initially fulfilled in ancient Isreal when the Jews were being restored to their home land in the sixth century B.C.E.,
All of them have either been fulfilled since shortly after Christ was enthroned in heaven, or are now in the course of fulfillment on spiritual Isreal.
initially when Jerusalem was being restored after the babylonian destruction.
Finally with the establishment of true worship in the last days after Jesus was enthroned in heaven and began gathering christians into the congregations.
Psalm 72 is prophetic of King Solomon's rulership over Israel which was so marvelous that kings of foreign nations came and bowed down before Solomon. Solomons rulership prefigures that of Jesus Christ and how the Messianic kingdom will relieve mankind of all distress.
Ps 86 likewise foretells the time when all mankind are unitedly serving Jehovah the universal sovereign.
Initially fulfilled when Jehovah restored the jews to Jerusalem after he freed them from Babylon.
2nd fulfillment when God sent Jesus in the 1st century. It reminds us of the prophetic name given to the Messiah, 'Emmanuel' meaning 'with us is God' .
Fulfilled by the establishment of the Christian congregation filled with people from all the nations, and fulfilled in the 'last days' with a growing great crowd from all the nations who have become a people for the name of Jehovah by means of Jesus.
Initially fulfilled when Jehovah restored the jews to Jerusalem after he freed them from Babylon and the the temple was restored.
This prophecy begins its second fulfillment in the 'Lords Day' as Zechariah says its a vision of: '“... a day belonging to Jehovah,...' This 'day of Jehovah' we believe is the 'day' mentioned by John that he saw in vision at Rev 1:10 'By inspiration I came to be in the Lord’s day',
Initially fulfilled in 1st century when Christ was physically present.
The final fulfillment is in the 'last days' The mountains are figurative and represents Jehovah’s universal sovereignty and his supreme rulership. That rulerhsip 'splits in two' when Jehovah establishes a secondary rulership...the Messianic Kingdom under Christ. When God establishes Christs kingdom, the nations are agitated as foretold in Psalm2: 2 The kings of the earth take their stand And high officials gather together* as one+ Against Jehovah and against his anointed one.*+
But the faithful of Gods people take a stand on the figurative mountains by loyally supporting Jehovah and his appointed King.
initially fulfilled when Jehovah restored a repentant remnant from Babylon
Messianic prophecy about Jesus being given the kingship
This message had an ancient fulfillment. Amos issued a judgement message to several nations including Isreal as judgement of their badness.
This is a prayer. It was written by a servant of God in Israel who was being oppressed and felt that God had left him. His prayer is very moving and in it he expresses his faith that God will act and he does not leave his loyal subjects.
This is a messianic prophecy and applies to Jesus. Jesus applied the prophecy to himself in Matt 22:41-45
Initial fulfillment was when King Cyrus issued a decree freeing all the Jews in his empire, including Assyria and Egypt. (Ezra 1:1-4)
There is also a spiritual fulfilment in the last days when Gods people (Christians) are freed from the spiritual darkness of Satans world.
This is an 'end times' or 'last days' prophecy. Isaiah begins by saying "“The thing that Isaiah the son of Amoz visioned concerning Judah and Jerusalem: And it must occur in the final part of the days ..."
It is the restoration of true worship of Jehovah in the earth during these last days. It is fulfilled.
Joels prophecy was a message from Jehovah to Judah when they were being hounded by enemy nations. Jehovah assured them of his protection back then.
The final fulfillement is similar today for God people who live in a wicked world with deteriorting conditions. Jehovah assures us that he will protect his people.
Initially fulfilled in ancient Isreal when the Jews were being restored to their home land in the sixth century B.C.E.,
All of them have either been fulfilled since shortly after Christ was enthroned in heaven, or are now in the course of fulfillment on spiritual Isreal.
initially when Jerusalem was being restored after the babylonian destruction.
Finally with the establishment of true worship in the last days after Jesus was enthroned in heaven and began gathering christians into the congregations.
Psalm 72 is prophetic of King Solomon's rulership over Israel which was so marvelous that kings of foreign nations came and bowed down before Solomon. Solomons rulership prefigures that of Jesus Christ and how the Messianic kingdom will relieve mankind of all distress.
Ps 86 likewise foretells the time when all mankind are unitedly serving Jehovah the universal sovereign.
Christian sect the Jehovah's Witnesses - with 64,000 active 'disciples' in Australia - are a cruel religion with no soul, according to Melbourne cultbuster Raphael Aron.
His warning comes as the federal government considers tightening the definition of a charity to prevent some cults and quasi-religions keeping their tax free status. Independent senator Nick Xenophon has renewed calls for a national cult-busting agency.
Mr Aron, a psychologist, counsellor and director of Melbourne's Cult Counselling Australia, said the Jehovah's Witnesses had a policy of "shunning" members who left or wanted to leave by cutting them off from family members who remained.
"I am still waiting for a justification for someone to be able to rip away a five or six year old child from their extended family because Mum or Dad have decided to leave the Jehovah's Witnesses," he said.
Former members say shunning can involve bullying, threats, harassment and stalking to lure the 'apostate', or lapsed member, back. The religion's scripture magazine The Watchtower describes 'apostates' as "mentally diseased" outcasts who "seek to infect others."
Mr Aron says shunning is "draconian, cruel and callous." Religion and faith were supposed to provide support, comfort and warmth but shunning could crush self-esteem and give feelings of guilt, especially in children.
Mr Aron, who has written two books on cults and has investigated them for thirty years, said the Jehovah's Witnesses were an outwardly benign group but they withheld information from potential recruits. Jehovah's Witnesses cannot celebrate Christmas, Easter or birthdays. They are not allowed to have blood transfusions, sing the natiuonal anthem or salute the national flag.
"They come to your door on a Sunday morning and you have a wonderful discussion about God but they never tell you that once entrenched in the religion you may never be able to say happy birthday to your children again."
They don't celebrate birthdays because they say there are no birthdays in the Bible, which Aron, an observant Jew, maintains is not true. "There's no Moomba in the Bible either," he says. "And no football. Does that mean we shouldn't do those things either?"
Jehovah's Witnesses believe they have God's messages to themselves, that all other religions are wrong, that the end of the world will come and only those in 'The Truth' will survive. They have predicted the end of the world five times.
psychoslice
Veteran Member
Yes they can be arrogant that's for sure, just as the Seven Day Adventist that I once belonged to.
Pegg
Jehovah our God is One
Im curious....how do you shun (which means to completely avoid/ignore) someone, but at the same time bully, threaten, harass and stalk (all involve consideable contact and communication)????
That is an oxymoron if ever i heard one.
Why I Left the Jehovah's Witnesses
A personal testimony by a person born into the Jehovah's Witnesses.
A Personal Testimony by Jean Eason
I was a third generation Jehovah's Witness (JW). When I recall the days of my youth, it seems that what I heard most often was how wrong the "religionists" were in comparison to the JWs who were right about everything.
As a JW, I was concerned with works — not only doing such things as preaching from house to house, but with the things I must not do, such as celebrate holidays and birthdays. Every word written by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (WBTS) was considered "truth" that must be followed to the letter, whether it was rejecting a blood transfusion, refraining from voting, or refusing to serve in the military. To do otherwise was considered sinning against Jehovah, resulting in the possibility of losing the hope of eternal life.
Developing Doubts
I was married and had three children before I began having serious doubts about the WBTS being God's only channel of communication. These doubts began to emerge when I had to make some very important decisions that simply went against the grain of my personality. I have in mind decisions like signing papers to let a baby die rather than take blood. You see, I had an RH factor blood condition, and in those days they transfused the baby at birth should a problem occur. I refused the procedure. Fortunately, I was spared — but I was ready and willing to let my child die! Why? Because I was convinced that the WBTS had the "truth" and should I do differently, I would lose the hope of eternal life, and so would my child, should death occur.
I developed further doubts when the WBTS got "new light" (additions or changes to what had been previously taught). On one occasion, the "new light" revealed that if you see a JW sinning and do not report the person, then you are guilty of that sin yourself. Shortly after this "new light" came, a sister in our congregation took blood when she hemorrhaged at childbirth. My options were either to report her or have the sin fall on me. Both options bothered me. But, you see, when you have no personal relationship with Jesus, you follow people blindly, trusting them to be in God's will. Like a good JW, I reported her, and she had to appear before a disciplinary committee of elders.
This, along with other "new light," caused me to start thinking about where and how they get their new light. I inherited a WBTS library from one of my relatives, and I began reading the older publications. I learned they had changed their interpretations of Scripture many times. I took note that the modern literature quoted often from the older publications. Now I was able to pick up the very book they quoted from — and guess what? I discovered that they often misquoted their own writings, or else took them out of context or misapplied them! After two years of research I realized I was following a supposedly infallible organization that was based upon the constantly changing opinions of men.
Experiencing the Holy Spirit
I stopped attending all JW meetings and activities, and I entered into a state of spiritual loneliness. Where could I go? I had been taught that all other religions were false. Where could I find real truth?
After a great deal of searching, I decided to try out a Christian church. My husband and I attended for a while, but we did not come to know the true person of Christ. I remained convinced that churches were of the devil. After all, I reasoned to myself, churches believe in the concepts of the Trinity, Hell fire, and the soul leaving the body at death. I didn't believe any of those doctrines.
While I was trying desperately to sort out all these doctrines, the WBTS got "new light." They issued a new edict that said if any JW attended a Christian church, they would be disfellowshipped. Not knowing whether I was following Satan or Jesus, I submitted to the elders when I was called to a disciplinary meeting. I agreed to stop attending church. I was just not yet ready to be disfellowshipped for something I was not sure of.
Fifteen years later, my Catholic sister-in-law shared that she was "born again." I'd never heard of a born again Catholic! But I knew something had happened to her because I saw change in her life. She began giving up bad habits such as smoking. She was aglow with something — I didn't know what. She spoke of prayer meetings in the Catholic Church, and she challenged me to attend one of the meetings.
I went out of curiosity. Right away, I realized this was not a typical Catholic meeting. The speaker shared the love of Jesus in such a way that I'd never heard before. It was obvious that his focus was on the personage of Jesus Christ. Oh, how I needed that message! When he finished, he asked that we stand, join hands, and sing the Lord's Prayer.
When we did so, something very unexpected happened. Suddenly, I felt God's liquid love pour over me from the top of my head to the tip of my toes! Without knowing what had happened, I instantly realized I had been searching for the "truth" in all the wrong places.
In John 14:6 Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father except by Me." Yes, Jesus is The Truth, and He "was there all the time!" No wonder a song was written by that title. The song, "He Touched Me," came to mind. Now, I understood that also. I felt such a joy in my heart. I just wanted to rejoice, but I restrained myself, thinking people would notice a strange look on my face.
When we left, my friend said, "How did you like it?" I just started laughing. I couldn't restrain the joy any longer!
She said, "Something happened to you, didn't it?"
I replied, "Yes. I can't explain it, but I feel as though I've been cleansed from head to toe!" I realize now that I was touched by the power of the Holy Spirit. God knew I could never find the "truth" by searching through definitions of words. I had my Watchtower blinders on. I couldn't believe the simple gospel — I had to experience it!
Now, I understood why Paul had to be knocked from his horse to become a believer — some of us are just like that! I thought for sure my new-found joy would be gone the next morning, but it wasn't. I woke up anxious to read the Bible and pray! As I read through the book of John, I wondered when the word, Jesus, was added to so many pages. I had never before noticed how the Scriptures focus on Him.
Making a Dangerous Promise
I got on my knees, and in the privacy of my living room, I asked Jesus to come into my life. I promised I would do anything He asked of me. Well, don't pray that prayer if you're not willing to be obedient. I had no idea what He had in store for me.
My husband liked the change in me, so he was willing to visit prayer meetings and, finally, even church. We were subsequently visited by two JW elders who told us we were going to be disfellowshipped. Think of that — disfellowshipped after 15 years of non-attendance! We were okay as non-attenders, until we started attending a Christian church!
My husband decided to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior. The next year was spent in deprogramming ourselves. We had to learn everything over. Meanwhile, we were completely ostracized by family and friends.
Then the Lord put it in my heart to write a book about my spiritual pilgrimage. After it was published, I was invited to appear on national television along with three other former JWs. Soon, all of us began receiving a ton of mail! I had not expected to go into ministry any more than I had expected to write a book — but here I was, living out the promise: "I'll do anything!" Before I knew it, I was sharing my research and my newly learned orthodox views with hundreds of JWs and Christians who needed to help loved ones in the JWs. I became a Christian discipler over night, and discovered that my JW discipling skills came in handy.
I feel so very privileged to be called of the Lord to share Jesus with JWs who have been deceived into believing in a false Jesus whom they identify as the archangel Michael.
My husband and I continue ministering to those ensnared in the cults. We also feel a call to educate Christians about the dangers of the cults. Additionally, Christians need in-depth instruction as to why they believe what they believe. Keep in mind that Christians convert unbelievers whereas the cults convert Christians.
A personal testimony by a person born into the Jehovah's Witnesses.
A Personal Testimony by Jean Eason
I was a third generation Jehovah's Witness (JW). When I recall the days of my youth, it seems that what I heard most often was how wrong the "religionists" were in comparison to the JWs who were right about everything.
As a JW, I was concerned with works — not only doing such things as preaching from house to house, but with the things I must not do, such as celebrate holidays and birthdays. Every word written by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (WBTS) was considered "truth" that must be followed to the letter, whether it was rejecting a blood transfusion, refraining from voting, or refusing to serve in the military. To do otherwise was considered sinning against Jehovah, resulting in the possibility of losing the hope of eternal life.
Developing Doubts
I was married and had three children before I began having serious doubts about the WBTS being God's only channel of communication. These doubts began to emerge when I had to make some very important decisions that simply went against the grain of my personality. I have in mind decisions like signing papers to let a baby die rather than take blood. You see, I had an RH factor blood condition, and in those days they transfused the baby at birth should a problem occur. I refused the procedure. Fortunately, I was spared — but I was ready and willing to let my child die! Why? Because I was convinced that the WBTS had the "truth" and should I do differently, I would lose the hope of eternal life, and so would my child, should death occur.
I developed further doubts when the WBTS got "new light" (additions or changes to what had been previously taught). On one occasion, the "new light" revealed that if you see a JW sinning and do not report the person, then you are guilty of that sin yourself. Shortly after this "new light" came, a sister in our congregation took blood when she hemorrhaged at childbirth. My options were either to report her or have the sin fall on me. Both options bothered me. But, you see, when you have no personal relationship with Jesus, you follow people blindly, trusting them to be in God's will. Like a good JW, I reported her, and she had to appear before a disciplinary committee of elders.
This, along with other "new light," caused me to start thinking about where and how they get their new light. I inherited a WBTS library from one of my relatives, and I began reading the older publications. I learned they had changed their interpretations of Scripture many times. I took note that the modern literature quoted often from the older publications. Now I was able to pick up the very book they quoted from — and guess what? I discovered that they often misquoted their own writings, or else took them out of context or misapplied them! After two years of research I realized I was following a supposedly infallible organization that was based upon the constantly changing opinions of men.
Experiencing the Holy Spirit
I stopped attending all JW meetings and activities, and I entered into a state of spiritual loneliness. Where could I go? I had been taught that all other religions were false. Where could I find real truth?
After a great deal of searching, I decided to try out a Christian church. My husband and I attended for a while, but we did not come to know the true person of Christ. I remained convinced that churches were of the devil. After all, I reasoned to myself, churches believe in the concepts of the Trinity, Hell fire, and the soul leaving the body at death. I didn't believe any of those doctrines.
While I was trying desperately to sort out all these doctrines, the WBTS got "new light." They issued a new edict that said if any JW attended a Christian church, they would be disfellowshipped. Not knowing whether I was following Satan or Jesus, I submitted to the elders when I was called to a disciplinary meeting. I agreed to stop attending church. I was just not yet ready to be disfellowshipped for something I was not sure of.
Fifteen years later, my Catholic sister-in-law shared that she was "born again." I'd never heard of a born again Catholic! But I knew something had happened to her because I saw change in her life. She began giving up bad habits such as smoking. She was aglow with something — I didn't know what. She spoke of prayer meetings in the Catholic Church, and she challenged me to attend one of the meetings.
I went out of curiosity. Right away, I realized this was not a typical Catholic meeting. The speaker shared the love of Jesus in such a way that I'd never heard before. It was obvious that his focus was on the personage of Jesus Christ. Oh, how I needed that message! When he finished, he asked that we stand, join hands, and sing the Lord's Prayer.
When we did so, something very unexpected happened. Suddenly, I felt God's liquid love pour over me from the top of my head to the tip of my toes! Without knowing what had happened, I instantly realized I had been searching for the "truth" in all the wrong places.
In John 14:6 Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father except by Me." Yes, Jesus is The Truth, and He "was there all the time!" No wonder a song was written by that title. The song, "He Touched Me," came to mind. Now, I understood that also. I felt such a joy in my heart. I just wanted to rejoice, but I restrained myself, thinking people would notice a strange look on my face.
When we left, my friend said, "How did you like it?" I just started laughing. I couldn't restrain the joy any longer!
She said, "Something happened to you, didn't it?"
I replied, "Yes. I can't explain it, but I feel as though I've been cleansed from head to toe!" I realize now that I was touched by the power of the Holy Spirit. God knew I could never find the "truth" by searching through definitions of words. I had my Watchtower blinders on. I couldn't believe the simple gospel — I had to experience it!
Now, I understood why Paul had to be knocked from his horse to become a believer — some of us are just like that! I thought for sure my new-found joy would be gone the next morning, but it wasn't. I woke up anxious to read the Bible and pray! As I read through the book of John, I wondered when the word, Jesus, was added to so many pages. I had never before noticed how the Scriptures focus on Him.
Making a Dangerous Promise
I got on my knees, and in the privacy of my living room, I asked Jesus to come into my life. I promised I would do anything He asked of me. Well, don't pray that prayer if you're not willing to be obedient. I had no idea what He had in store for me.
My husband liked the change in me, so he was willing to visit prayer meetings and, finally, even church. We were subsequently visited by two JW elders who told us we were going to be disfellowshipped. Think of that — disfellowshipped after 15 years of non-attendance! We were okay as non-attenders, until we started attending a Christian church!
My husband decided to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior. The next year was spent in deprogramming ourselves. We had to learn everything over. Meanwhile, we were completely ostracized by family and friends.
Then the Lord put it in my heart to write a book about my spiritual pilgrimage. After it was published, I was invited to appear on national television along with three other former JWs. Soon, all of us began receiving a ton of mail! I had not expected to go into ministry any more than I had expected to write a book — but here I was, living out the promise: "I'll do anything!" Before I knew it, I was sharing my research and my newly learned orthodox views with hundreds of JWs and Christians who needed to help loved ones in the JWs. I became a Christian discipler over night, and discovered that my JW discipling skills came in handy.
I feel so very privileged to be called of the Lord to share Jesus with JWs who have been deceived into believing in a false Jesus whom they identify as the archangel Michael.
My husband and I continue ministering to those ensnared in the cults. We also feel a call to educate Christians about the dangers of the cults. Additionally, Christians need in-depth instruction as to why they believe what they believe. Keep in mind that Christians convert unbelievers whereas the cults convert Christians.
JayJayDee
Avid JW Bible Student
@JFish123 You seem rather bent on attacking JW's...why? What are you afraid of? If we don't have the truth, your vendetta is a little surprising. Me thinks you protest too much. Perhaps a little word from Gamaliel is in order? (Acts 5:35-30)
Posting the one sided stories of defectors is akin to asking Judas how he felt about being a betrayer of Jesus Christ.
You can believe them if you wish, but don't forget that the same kinds of tactics must have been used to scare people away from becoming disciples of Christ in the first century. False witnesses were in abundance. Whatever the Pharisees and their false witnesses said about Jesus was enough for the whole nation to turn against him. Not only that, but they even cursed themselves with his blood. (Matt 27:25) Must have been pretty convincing eh? They got what they asked for. Will you? (2 Pet 3:3, 4)
If the son of God can be made to look like a colossal fraud, what hope do imperfect humans have against the devil's propaganda? We will all be allowed to believe whatever we like. (2 Thess 2:9-12)
Be careful....in a world ruled by the devil, nothing is as it appears. Black is white and good is bad......
Posting the one sided stories of defectors is akin to asking Judas how he felt about being a betrayer of Jesus Christ.
You can believe them if you wish, but don't forget that the same kinds of tactics must have been used to scare people away from becoming disciples of Christ in the first century. False witnesses were in abundance. Whatever the Pharisees and their false witnesses said about Jesus was enough for the whole nation to turn against him. Not only that, but they even cursed themselves with his blood. (Matt 27:25) Must have been pretty convincing eh? They got what they asked for. Will you? (2 Pet 3:3, 4)
If the son of God can be made to look like a colossal fraud, what hope do imperfect humans have against the devil's propaganda? We will all be allowed to believe whatever we like. (2 Thess 2:9-12)
Be careful....in a world ruled by the devil, nothing is as it appears. Black is white and good is bad......
Pegg
Jehovah our God is One
pssst, i have a feeling jfish is one of them
james2ko
Well-Known Member
I always thought you guys were strict literalists? Now I see why you can't be, as that would require a massive change in doctrine. Which usually equates to less "$". It's almost impossible to argue against symbolism. As you have aptly demonstrated, any prophecy, or passage for that matter, in the bible can be symbolized and butchered into initial and later fulfillment pieces to fit the organization's theology. I have noticed over the years, when organizations do not like what a passage says or it doesn't quite fit their theological bent, they do exactly what you've done.
Pegg
Jehovah our God is One
have you ever considered that God had the bible written this way because he does not think in material terms the way we do. If the bible was a book of men, it would be as phyisical and literal as the many myths and other written words of men. But the bible is written in a way that only God can describe and im pretty sure that is why it requires help from the holy spirit to grasp the meaning of many of its passages.
I mean just look at the book of Revelation... are you going to claim that its all to be taken literally??? locust plagues with the heads of lions breathing fire???? No one in the their right mind would assume that its to be taken literally. And what of Ezekiel's vision of the Chariot of God... many have concluded that Ezekiel was seeing an alien space craft because they too think of it in literal terms.
The most amazing thing about Gods Word is that he actually gave us a literal examples of many future events by means of the Isrealite nation. The christians called many of the accounts in there 'prophetic dramas'
Abrahams test to offer up his son was a prophetic drama showing us what God himself would do when he would offer his own son as a sacrifice for mankind.
Sending Ishmael and Hagar away into the wilderness was a prophetic drama of the people born under two covenants...the slave woman corresponded to earthly Jerusalem who's people failed to accept the Messiah and thus remained in slavery to the Law. Whereas, Sarah, the free woman, corresponded to “the Jerusalem above,” who produces sons in accord with what was foretold in the Abrahamic covenant....these ones are free of the law because sin is no more in them, they have been forgiven under the new covenant arrangement put in place by Christ through his Ransom.
Incredible fore thought went into the bible.... not the sort of fore thought that any man is capable of.
Like I've always said, I admire the Jehovahs Witness passion for Living a Godly life, for feeding in His word
it's just that their word is a distortion and thereby their beliefs are as well. If we find someone in error, we are to correct In a spirit of Love. Now mind you, I can be not so gentle at times (which I do need to work on) and if anyone took offense I do sincerely apologize again. But to see errors in someone's view on Christ and have them not only believe such errors but teach others the same- no apostle, no follower of Jesus would stand by to let that happen. They wouldn't walk on the other side of the road like a Pharisee. That would be not caring about someone. That's not Love. Now as for Judas, he actually killed himself in regret over his decision. These people were and are the opposite, who felt a Joy and found Jesus by doing so.
The people who accused Jesus lied about another person, Jesus, in there hatred. These people are telling of their own experiences, that they sadly had to go through in hopes of warning other people, so they can know Christ better (that is Love).