Hi Thinking, At the meeting they read a letter and I remember it said that we can posses a flag, even raise it on a flagpole if we do not worship it. It was explained that different products have sometimes pictures of flags and you don't have to avoid all products that contain a picture of a flag. So because of that you can also have a real flag and because we don't worship the flag it is ok to be obedient to superior authorities and hoist the flag those days the government requires that. That was in essence the WT society's explanation. When we heard this it seemed quite logic, but anyway awkward. But everyone thought if governing body says it is ok, then it is ok. Now I cannot agree with GB's reasoning. For me it is completely different things to possess a real flag, than getting a picture of a flag on for example a milk package or in a news paper. Also the act of hoisting the flag is for me an act of placing an idol. And idols are disgusting, no wonder that WT correctly explained that the Roman standards that were placed in the temple, the holy place in 66 CE were the disgusting thing. I think the WT society should try to take a fight in the court to get this law changed. And Refuse to obey that Latvian law. And help to pay the fines for brothers that could be caught disobeying that law. I was in Latvia preaching 16 years ago, now I don't know for certain how they are doing. But I will try to check it up. This summer I just met with worldly relatives and the said the law is still in use.
Interesting who are those who act wickedly against the covenant? And it is those who will be lead to apostasy. To understand that, we have to understand which covenant is in question. There are now 2 covenants for christians, a covenant for a kingdom and the new covenant. I regard that the GB, even Br Russell acted wickedly against the covenant for a kingdom. And they still do. Br Russell already preached that the 144000 are almost completely gathered and if I remember right, was not especially encouraging people to reach out for that goal. The GB displays the same attitude today. And they do everything to distance new anointed from themselves, with false explanations of parabels and prophecies. For example: 1.They dismantled all the anointed except GB from who could be included to the discreet and faithful slave. 2. GB says helping Jesus' brothers does not mean to look after and physically help other anointed, except themselves and only in a spiritual sense by proclaiming what GB has sanctioned. 3. GB says the annointed have no special insights and have not more holy spirit and its guidance than those of the other sheep. 4. Basically GB says ignore all other anointed than GB. Who else acts wickedly against the covenant? Well they are those who enforce these GB policies. I wonder how it will go with all the elders? Will they continue to act wickedly against the members of the covenant for a kingdom? And will they be lured into outright apostasy by the superior authorities? Time will tell.
Actually, I've been wrong so many times (and I'm married) that I've become less dumb Humble is something I would like to attain though! One thought occurs to keep this whole discussion in perspective, and keep us all on a better path: None of us are "right", we're all wrong! And none of it matters, because through Christ's kingdom, all of this is going to work out for the glory of Jehovah. HOW it happens is somewhat irrelevant. [though extremely interesting] Carry on brother! Your preaching in that part of the world is amazing, thank you for staying strong and sharing part of your story and faith!
You did not mean the literal Jerusalem, did you? I am still open for that. But first we have to understand events closer on the time table. l think Jehovah wishes we understand first the prophecies that must take place first. And if we do not understand those, how could we understand things that are later in the timetable?
No, Jerusalem in prophecy become all those who worship Jehovah around the world the day Cornelius was baptized. Dan 9:27 "And he will keep the covenant in force for the many for one week; and at the half of the week, he will cause sacrifice and gift offering to cease." The "70th week/7 years" began the moment Jesus was baptized. Three and a half years later he was cut off. Three and a half years after that Cornelius was baptized. The "many" were the Jews. The covenant was to the Jews for the promised Messiah. Therefore Jerusalem after Cornelius became mankind around the world who follow Christ in truth. The next prophecy to occur is the hurling of denunciations. Dan 11:29 “He will go back and hurl denunciations against the holy covenant" Dan 7:25 "He will speak words against the Most High, and he will continually harass the holy ones of the Supreme One." Rev 8:7 7 "The first one blew his trumpet. And there was hail and fire mingled with blood, and it was hurled to the earth;"