He brings out some interesting points worthy of reflection but I am in no way saying he is totally correct...hopefully I can find some more view points on this interesting scripture
for when one feels so unredeemable...this preacher Watson gives such a brilliantly encouraging talk...and hope...
another brilliant talk by Watson..but just a correction...Jehovah does not send us afflictions...but he allows them
Hey wallflower...so good to see you...hope you are keeping safe and well...at least we are having some brilliant autumn weather during this period
Yeah it seems the best description of that scripture I’ve found but I’m open to listen and ponder more...
“O LORD, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name,” ( Isa 25: 1a ) Well, how can modern day man say that they will praise His name, when they edit it out, and replace it with LORD. LORD is not a name, it is a title! God is also not a name, but a title. lord (n.) mid-13c., laverd, loverd, from Old English hlaford "master of a household, ruler, feudal lord, superior; husband," also "God," translating Latin dominus, Greek kyrios in the New Testament, Hebrew yahweh in the Old (though Old English dryhten was more frequent). Old English hlaford is a contraction of earlier hlafweard, literally "one who guards the loaves," from hlaf "bread, loaf" (see loaf (n.)) + weard "keeper, guardian" (from PIE root *wer- (3) "perceive, watch out for"). lord (v.) c. 1300, “to exercise lordship, rule as a lord,” from lord (n.). Intransitive meaning “to play the lord, domineer” is late 14c. Related: Lorded; lording. To lord it is from 1570s. lordy (interj.) 1832, in imitation of African-American vernacular; extended form of Lord (n.) as an interjection. Lawdy Miss Clawdy by Lloyd Price 1952
Jehovah’s witnesses as well as other faiths being held and tortured in China https://bitterwinter.org/believers-tortured-to-renounce-their-faith-in-xinjiangs-camps/
Good Day Thinking, While looking for some scriptures dealing with persecution, I found this portion of Paul’s letter to the Romans. As I read it, I recognized that He was writing to ME, because I have been wanting to do the wrong things. I guess it’s my human nature. “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.’” “On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” ( Rom 12:14-21 NIV ) For ME, that is almost impossible!
Good morning Bro T..I smiled at your honest words because I see me,,,,always thinking and doing the wrong thing...once someone give me a compliment...and I felt like a fraud....and said if you got into my heart and read my mind you would instantly disfellowship me...a 100 times over.... That’s why I love all the bible characters that did so much wrong...they give me a little hope... I think the older we get Bro T...and our youthful brashness..dies away..we see what Jehovah puts up with in us... and it’s heavy to carry...but also makes it easy not to judge others ...for we then condemn ourselves. I cannot fulfill that scripture you quoted...and anyone that says they can are living under a delusion...but it’s just a guideline for us to aim at...well that’s what I keep telling myself I think how the Israelites could never ever keep the law....how depressing that must have been....and now we are under Christ’s law....and still we can not keep that .... how depressing that is.....if you read one of Joshs post he wrote where there is more sin there Grace overflows....or something like that. Is that a scripture???...because I really liked that...I found it soothing...because I NEED that.... But we keep trying ...and that’s gotta count with Jehovah because he’s a loving Father....and I hold onto that too....
Hi Thinking, I believe that is one of Josh’s wonderful thoughts. I searched the scriptures and could not find it there.
I hope some find this talk a little encouraging in this time of trouble and when pressure is put on ones to join human forces to gain justice. He makes a good point how Satan appeals to our passions...and can trap us that way...we are living in highly charged times full of emotions..and it’s hard to stand apart. Keep in mind these sermons were given by men who were still on Their way out of BTG...they still didn’t understand what hell was..nor understand the trinity belief. But their understandings were very deep on these scriptures EPHESIANS 6:12 because we have a struggle not against Flesh and blood but against the governments of, against the authorities against the rulers of this darkness against the wicked spirit forces.
Taken from Charles Taze Russell’s Biblical Comments. Everyone can work out what to take or leave. EPHESIANS 6:12 WE: ( Russell,),,Gods people The saints The Lords people need to be on the alert more than do others New creatures whose earthen vessels are subject to like passions and storms as those which assail the world in general. WRESTLE: (Russell) Contend Struggle Battle We war God forbid that we should fight against our own kindred the family of God Evil spirits aroused the riot that Paul and Silas found themselves in ( Acts 16:16-24) Only those who exercise faith have been enabled to endure as seeing the invisible and believing in a grace not yet made manifest in full measure. The brains and nerves of the civilized world are being trained by hypnotism from an onslaught from wicked spirits NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD : (Russell) not merely against human beings Not only with the weakness of the flesh we have inherited Not merely with our own mortal flesh and it’s blemishes or with imperfect neighbors and friends Not merely against the visible tools of the adversary. BUT: (Russell) our chief conflict is We must also wrestle We fight Our warfare is As new creatures we must contend The apostle instructs who our foes are We contend against something worse With a demon host With the cunning of the adversary himself and his many agents Against evil spirit beings Our Lord who shed to show an abnormal condition that the rare seed was specially sown for the very purpose of choking the wheat. Remember the apostles words.
AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES: (Russell) princely powers of darkness Princedoms Never think the victory is won nor once at ease sit down AGAINST POWERS (Russell) Unseen spiritual powers Occult powers Mighty invisible powers plotting to stumble the feet of the Body of Christ Satan himself and the demons and his associations in evil, are really the great power working in and thru mankind in opposition to God and his plan. Satan exercise powerful influence in the world Power of the fallen angels in mans affairs In the present time their are two great opposing forces in conflict ..Christ and the soldiers of his cross and Satan and the Owners of darkness. We are surrounded by many subtle and powerful foes Have nothing whatever to do with occult powers Satan is the prince of power of the air and is malevolent enough to exercise his power to the e tent of divine permission. This might account for the great floods cyclones and tornadoes in recent years Powers of the world , the flesh and the devil are closely allied God is testing his people by permitting these conditions so that only the faithful will walk perseveringly to the very end God has all along been master of the situation it has permitted sTan and his legions to exercise power over the rebellious race, ultimately teaching lessons to both man and angels. The nations are now subject to the spiritual Powers and rulers of the darkness of this world. Evil spirits not allowed to materialize since the deluge continue their deception by using human beings as their mediums. AGAINST THE RULERS: ( Russell) who fight against God Satan the arch enemy of God the great deceiver Satan is now permitted to rule and he works In The hearts of the children of disobedience Satan the first conspirator against righteousness the father of lies and deception Satan and his deluded subjects will not meekly renounce their claims to earthly dominion and submit to the King of Kings Satan has planted seeds of errors and blasphemy against God mis representing God and his plan the adversary is very alert to find snares for Gods people Possesses of great intelligence and Wiley Fallen angels who wish to corrupt the whole world by idolatry and sin Our enemy is a giant in whose presence we are feeble We realize the the secret subtle and persevering effort of the prince of this world to overcome the saints Fallen man is incompetent to defend himself against the adversary except by being thoughly loyal to the Lord and attentive to his word. We need divine assistance Satan who puts evil for good and darkness for light Has general control, first of the masses through ignorance and secondly of the more intelligent thru pride and selfishness Satan toward the end of this age will be granted special license to deceive by peculiar all who have been highly favored with the word of God have failed to appreciate and use it. we realize the co test is a very unequal one unless we lay hold of the strength of Christ God is able to and willing to over rule the wrath of men and devils and to restrain whatever will hinder his great plan
OF THE DARKNESS: (Russell) the prince of darkness now works in oppressing and opposing justice and truth to the affliction of men Our adversary is the prince of darkness and his work of deception upon the human family is favored by ignorance Satan presents himself as an angel of light and not as a messenger of darkness Darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people Every effort to obscure the truth is the device of our unseen adversary to retard our progress In the way Any attempt to investigate any works of darkness tells our lack of faith in the divine word Satans favorite method of operating is putting darkness for light by making good appear evil and right appear wrong Satans methods and mediums are to deceive to blind the minds of mankind. Lest the glorious light and goodness of God as it shines in the face of Jesus Christ should shine unto them The adversary misleads putting darkness in the guise of light and endeavoring tomale the light of the dawning New Day appear as darkness OF THIS WORLD (Russell) of this age World rulers of this darkness Jesus said my kingdom is not of this world The kingdoms of this world are now subject to Satan Gods people must go in the opposite direction of this world SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS (Russell) of whom Satan is chief Satan and his angels are very desirous of invading our minds hearts and bodies with evil suggestions These wicked spirits are on the alert to oppose the Lord the truth and all who are faithful to him The fallen angels seek to break down the human rule These seek to enslave us and make the our battle with our old self constant Wicked spirits have been plotting against the divine plan trying to that it all thru this age The deceitful less of these wicked spirits is far to deep for humanity and he who seeks communion wit them in any manner does so in violation of scriptural command Lev 20:6 is 8:9 Unwillingly and unwittingly we are wrestling with wicked spirits Evil spirits would do injury to the truth if permitted. Evidently they are under restraint as respects the Lords people. Later on they may be permitted to operate thru others as Satan entered Judas before the betrayal IN HIGH PLACES (Russell) public influence of the fallen angels No wonder then it is the hour of temptation Paul warns the church that her warfare is with the wicked spirits of the heavenlies
So Did Russell know who the locusts In Joel were over 100 years ago ...he certainly did...our new understanding on Joel is not new at all... Russell May have gotten some things wrong...but credit where it belongs... EXPANDED BIBLICAL COMMENTS 1870-1916 JOEL 2:5 Tops of mountains (Russell,,)Kingdoms 2:6 Gather blackness (Russell) As a result of Anarchy 2:8 Shall one thrust (Russell) Press And when they fall (Russell) and they pass through Upon the sword (Russell) between warlike weapons Not be wounded (Russell) not change their purpose 2:9 Run to and fro (Russell) hasten forward IN to lawlessness verses 9-16 and Isaiah 13;1-11 are in striking harmony with the battle of the wine press figures of Revelation Upon the houses. (Russell) into the houses 2:10 the earth (Russell) the present social order The heavens (Russell) the ecclesiastical powers The lords army is boldly arrayed Against the conservative forces of Christendom both civil and Ecclesiastical and hope even to cope with its present strength Sun and moon (Russell) the Illuminating influences of the Gospel and mosaic law Shall be dark ( Russell) Infidelity having become wildly prevalent And the stars (Russell) the apostolic lights Withdraw their shining 2:11 Utter his voice (Russell) using the hope fears follies and selfishness of his great army according to his divine wisdom, to workout his own grand purposes in the overthrow of present institutions and for the preparation of man for the kingdom of righteousness Before his army (Russell) a great army of discontents patriots reformers socialists moralists anachrists ignorants and hopeless . Not realizing that they have been used as the Lords Great Army to overthrow oppression to bring down the proud and the thresh the mountains ( kingdoms) they shall boast themselves the victory of Liberism. The trained soldiers of Christendom in rebellion against the authorities Now in preparation by the transfer Of the loyalty of the soldiers from the crown to the people The living saints and many of the world are now being used as the lords soldiers in over throwing errors and evils His regular army are few ..a little flock...but there is a immense army of irregulars in every kind of uniform , communists infidels socialism Anachrists and nihilists