Page 31, paragraphs 15 and 16.

"In his detailed prophecy about the conclusion of this system of things, Jesus said: "This generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen." We understand that in mentioning "this generation," Jesus was referring to two groups of anointed Christians. The first group was on hand in 1914, and they readily discerned the sign of Christ's presence in that year. Those who made up this group were not merely alive in 1914, but they were spirit-anointed as sons of God in or before that year.

The second group included in "this generation" are anointed contemporaries of the first group. They were not simply alive during the lifetime of those in the first group, but they were anointed with holy spirit during the time that those of the first group were still on earth. Thus, not every anointed person today is included in "this generation" of whom Jesus spoke. Today, those in this second group are themselves advancing in years. Yet, Jesus' words at Matthew 24:34 give us confidence that at least some of "this generation will by no means pass away" before seeing the start of the great tribulation. This should add to our conviction that little time remains before the King of God's Kingdom acts to destroy the wicked and usher in a righteous new world."
(Underscoring is mine to identify sentence.)

I've got a question regarding the Watchtower study from last week. (I had my nose in some aviation material until the study got to paragraph 14. Then I tuned in.)

So according to the Society, there are 2 "generations." They seem to be saying here that "not every anointed person today is included in "this generation" - the "overlapping generation." Are they trying to say that there is a third group?


Wallflower

 

Hi Wallflower,

I personally have not been to a meeting since sometime in 2006 but have noticed the comments of those of you who still attend and are affected by the teachings of the governing body of the watchtower organization.

So forgive me if seems I am coming into this thread in a ignorant way.

It seems to me that the Bride of Christ has been being formed since the first century right up until now and will not be complete until the last one is sealed.

Revelation 7:
 After this I saw four angels standing upon the four corners of the earth, holding tight the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow upon the earth or upon the sea or upon any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the sunrising, having a seal of [the] living God; and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, 3 saying: “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until after we have sealed the slaves of our God in their foreheads.â€

When the last one is sealed then the four winds of destruction can be released.

Since the Bride is not complete until the last one is sealed it seems to me that she is not completly generated until that time.

Is it possible that the generation that is spoken of in Matt 24 is the generation of this bride that has been going on until now.

Notice the comment at Matthew 24:
19 Woe to the pregnant women and those suckling a baby in those days! 20 Keep praying that YOUR flight may not occur in wintertime, nor on the sabbath day; 21 for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again. 22 In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short.
23 “Then if anyone says to YOU, ‘Look! Here is the Christ,’ or, ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will give great signs and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones.

It seems to me that the "Jerusalem above" is the mother that is pregnant with the Bride.

Galatians 4:
26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.

The watchtower organization makes the claim of being "mother" but this is not a true claim.

Since the gestation period of the Bride has been going on since the first century until the last one is sealed it is impossible for the watchtower organization to be the mother of the bride.

Once the last one is sealed then Matthew 24:
29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 And then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in lamentation, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send forth his angels with a great trumpet sound, and they will gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from one extremity of the heavens to their other extremity.

I am thinking that there is only one group of anointed ones that make up the Bride of Christ and that group has been being formed since the first century until the last one is sealed. Just a Jesus does not exist divided so his Bride is not divided into groups but will be a complete Bride when the last one is sealed.

Just some thoughts on this subject of when the Kingdom will begin.

Joe

 

Basically WF, the WT is clueless about this

Nice insights BTJ, I concur.. but as an aside, I do think there will be a revealing of 'human' anointed sons during the time of the end, who will be put to death and then join their brothers at Christ's side in heaven.

As per-usual in the way Jehovah operates, these people will come from unlikely places.

One of those places, I believe, will be out of the JW organization (which from the world's perspective, is akin to Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman at the well)

We JW and ex-JWs have this WT centric view that blinds us from the way we're actually perceived: as the worst anti-Christs on the planet.

My thoughts are WW3 -> JW persecution -> WTBS destroyed -> the actual 'Israel of God' akin to the 1st century is revealed out of those who survive the persecution period.

 

“Be on the watch for the false prophets who come to you in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will recognize them.†(Mt. 7:15-16) “Really, then, by their fruits you will recognize those men.†(Mt. 7:20) “The hired man, who is not a shepherd and to whom the sheep do not belong, sees the wolf coming and abandons the sheep and flees—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them—because he is a hired man and does not care for the sheep.†(Joh. 10:12-13)

“I know that after my going away oppressive wolves will enter in among you and will not treat the flock with tenderness, and from among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves.†(Ac. 20:29-30)

“For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will perform great signs and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones. Look! I have forewarned you.†(Mt. 24:24-25)

How far off from the truth can a statement be, before it is a lie? There is a saying, “Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenadesâ€. The same holds true with lies. “Did God really say that you must not eat from every tree of the garden?†(Ge. 3:1b) “Close, but no cigar!†He said, “From every tree of the garden you may eat to satisfaction. But as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad, you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will certainly die.†(Ge. 2:16-17) There was an exception given in the instructions.

I’m sure most of you have heard the term “water boarding†because it’s been all over the news lately. How many are familiar with the term “water holingâ€? That refers to a watering place where many animals come to drink. Predatory animals will hide near a water hole and wait for their prey to come to drink. While the prey bends down and is drinking, the predator attacks and kills the prey. That’s water holing. Hmmm. Sound familiar? That’s pretty much how the wolves in sheep’s clothing act. They can also be called “confidence menâ€.

So, the old scam of 1914 (caught with their pants down), needs an explanation. “Then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a great trumpet sound, and they will gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from one extremity of the heavens to their other extremity.â€What part of that scripture don't they understand? (Mt. 24:30-31)

Does that sound like an “invisible presence� The only “invisible presence†is the wolves hiding in the bushes near the watering hole. I don’t need to tell you where the watering holes are located.

 

Hey brother T

Yeah but those wolves don't take over the whole place, as they rise up AMONGST the good ones....hence we need to use our discernment to recognize them....as you pointed out ...by their fruits you will recognize them.......after all those little old sheep still need water from that water hole....and if that water hole is too polluted for their tastes...they still need those other sheep to snuggle into so as not too get to cold on the outer.......they just gotta be REEEAAALLLL careful that's all......I have no doubt those wolves wouldn't stand a chance against you Bro T...you'd bounce them on their head quick smart

( I just couldn't help myself)
sis thinking

 

BTJ - No, you didn't come across as being ignorant. I was glad that you brought out the Scriptural points.

I often have moments when I shake my head at the Writing Department and I think to myself "Where did they get that idea from? Did they pluck it out of thin air?"


Thinking - Nice to hear from you again, sister.

And thank you to everyone else for your responses, too.

Wallflower

 

Hey Wallflower,
No, they didn't pluck it out of thin air! It was somewhere else that is "where the sun don't shine". After all that is why the call it .... You know what I mean.

 

Well, I'm quite familiar with REEEAAALLL sheep, and these had baa-ter pppaaaaayy attention. It is interesting but Jesus understood the characteristics of sheep. There are certain sheep in the flock who always stayed close to the REEAAALLL shepherd. All kidding aside, some false shepherds will lead the flock to the slaughter house without them knowing it. They do not recognize that it is really the hired hand. When they have been with the hired hand a very looooonnnnggg time, it becomes a habit. They think he is the shepherd and will protect them. That is, until the air hammer delivers the death blow.

I have known some Basque shepherds in Northern Nevada and Southern Idaho. I watched as one would attempt to call the others sheep, without much success. It became a game with them and they would bet with each other to see how many of the others sheep they would come to them, and follow. That is why it is so important to become familiar with the real shepherd's voice. These Basque shepherds used different whistling sounds, along with chirping, and vocal hi hi hi. No matter whether the other shepherd mimicked the other, the majority of the sheep knew their shepherd. Of course, the older sheep would take the lead and the rest of the flock would follow. But, there were always a few young lambs who were fooled.

Time to go. This system is really getting particular. And, my provider's service is not a real service. I call it Forrest's "Box of Chocolates", 'cause ya never know what yer gonna get.

 

...yeah but those poor young sheep.....it's not their fault......that's why they need a wise old ram like you in amongst them......much love to you Brother T....your kind of special.....special enough for me to poke my nose back in here

your sis...thinking

 

LOL! I know what you mean....I "catch your drift," Brother Tsaphah.

 

I am reading the current threads , but me mind has been otherwise occupied .
so when I've come down from the pressing things I might or NOT be more
inclined to get involved . Liking the current threads , but like many here are
being diverted with the usual little technical problems of life (yeah not the
easy stuff) ...just wanted to let you know I am reading but my mindframe
is a little disconnected to interaction ...and just letting you all know I IS
trying somewhat to keep up ...because all of your input I consider a sorta
springboard for the things I want to consider ...hugs all around ...oooo's

 

"The only “invisible presenceâ€￾ is the wolves hiding in the bushes near the watering hole. I don’t need to tell you where the watering holes are located."

Well, it seems obvious to me these "watering holes" are the Kingdom Halls of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Now, since several months ago that I decided to rejoin my herd there, and by "taking the Bull by the Horns", I find that this is no match for me, these wolves. I am scared of these wolves, and rather facing up to them, I will turn tail and show them my rear-end, full of "hard-earned scars", scars that I earned with victories in the past.
So screw it, these wolves deserve their watering holes, let them choke on it. Now I've got the perfect excuse to ditch my herd. I'll just hide out somewhere in Tasmania and party out til the end! Let God sort them out.
Now I'm free to roam the Outback, Hoo-roo!!!,,,,

 

Firebird,
Don't run too far. You will still need the water. Just remember who provides the true water for you. Also remember, it's dangerous to be alone in the wilderness. Stay close to the true shepherd. He will never desert you as long as you call out to him for protection.

[video=youtube;ri5XocxGyT8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri5XocxGyT8[/video]

 

"Just remember",,,,",,,"also remember".
Umm, i dont remember, Because I have not EVEN FORGOTTEN about it bro t.
Do you think that you are speaking to little kids here?

I don't know who you are referring to, besides needing that "cool drink of water". Deserting brothers & sisters in their/THEE time of need is of most importance. Time is of the Essence now, we here, who are Thinking righteous thoughts as opposed to Helpful thoughts, are of what Christ (and of Paul) has warned us about,,,

 

well this little old ewe wandered the wilderness of Tasmania for a bit.....cause like that old wise ram just said....ya gotta stick next to that True Shepard ......he showed this no good for nothin ewe how to drink from that water hole in a special way so as not to get poisoned .....little ewe did just that and boy!!! Did she get strong.......those big stinkin wolves don't dare come sniffing around her no more.......soon as they take one sly peek at her...she gives them the dead eye.....mind you she stands real close to that True Shepard now.....sure does get lonley away from the herd...drinkin at her special spot......tying to help some poor little lost sheep that runaway from them black old wolves............she caught sight of two good quality rams one day and bbaaaaaddd away at them.....some big old wooly ram with his scarred old butt up in the air....and then there was this big old wise ram ....she's keeps a look out for them......cause they gotta know this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl5vi9ir49g&feature=kp

 

http://youtu.be/hmEzQHcASkQ
Our "New Light" or, "Spiritual Paradise" way of thinking?
*
*
(Who has an Ol' wooly butt,,,)

 

HAHAHA!! W here do you get these sites...so quick too....yeah we can all do it.....we just have to watch each other's back.......you know I wish I had ones like you firebird with your scarred butt and ones like brother T, ones like Josh, utuna, wallflower at my watering hole......the likes of you could have helped save me so much pain.....with the understanding you all have about the TATT...there is so much good we can do for others suffering at the waterhole.......

 

Excellent advice Tsaphah, thank you.

 

hey what can I say here? everybody that has studied with Jehovah's witnesses knows that Jesus wants us to carry out the disciple making job and you can tell who is Christian from who is not with that one single test. if your not doing what Jesus did your not Christian. that makes you what? goat wolf whatever but that's why their are so many kingdom halls because when you finally grow up you realise that its your job to preach and teach not hang out all week at the watering hole! you go their to get supplied and get the latest tools then you go out AND USE THEM here is the most sane advice you will ever hear friends! predators hang out at the watering hole so when you go for some time at the oasis be ready!

 

ok that made my whole morning ...better !!!!