From another forum on JW teaching
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I have found something that stopped JWs in their tracks the two times I’ve used it when they’ve come to my home
Was this your own experience?
We do understand that our ministry is not conducted to convert or to convince the world of things that they don’t want to believe......there are those here who are determined to make JW’s appear to be some kind of blight on the "Christianity" that they want to practice, but have no idea that it isnt the "Christianity" that was started by Jesus and his apostles. That "Christianity" all but died when the devil sowed his "weeds" and they almost choked genuine Christianity out of existence, which is what "weeds" do best in any garden. If only the plants you want to grow, did as well as the weeds always do....
Do you know when Jesus said that the weeds were sown? (Matthew 13:24-30)
Remember back to Jesus’ day and understand how he and his disciples were considered by the majority back then.....that they were a blight on Judaism.......history repeats right under people’s noses because they can’t see past the end of them....or don’t want to.
Remember also "the days of Noah".....no one believed him either, but rather they chose to ridicule him and ignore his warning.
Jesus said that the time of his return would be just like those days. (Matthew 24:37-39)
We are not there to force anyone to believe a thing we say.....we are just messengers, and if we receive a hostile or indifferent response.....we are to "shake the dust off" and move on.....(Matthew 10:11-14)
We have no need to be "stopped in our tracks"....you see, we at least are out there doing what Christ commanded, (Matthew 28:19-20; Matthew 24:14) and have been for over 100 years. The kingdom preaching work was to continue until "the end".
Can you tell me what it is "the end" of?
(If there is a way to refute this from their point of view, I’d like to know what it is.) In both conversations, I asked them what they believe happens to us when we die, since only 144,000 people will be in Heaven. They believe that there will be some sort of kingdom on earth that will be a wonderful place to live, but they can’t be sure that they will be there.
It is
“the one who endures to the end who will be saved” (Matthew 24:13)....so only at the end will we know if Jesus counts us worthy of salvation. “Many” are going to assume that they have conducted themselves as Christ’s disciples, and yet he will reject them outright because they were only fooling themselves, not the one who judges all of us by God’s standards, not theirs. (Matthew 7:21-23) This explains why Jesus said that “few” are on the 'cramped and narrow' road to life. (Matthew 7:13-14) It is 'cramped and narrow' for a reason.
We hope to be among the “few”.
I guess you don’t find that out until you die. But, I asked, “What if I don’t believe in God or the Bible or anything you’re telling me?” I’ve heard two responses: The first lady said, “You’re annihilated.” So I asked, “If you can’t promise I’ll make it into the kingdom, but you can promise there’s no Hell, then, why bother?” She had no answer and was off my porch in a flash.
What a joke....please don’t confuse an inability to answer with no desire to argue or to have fruitless conversations. A person’s response will indicate whether we continue, or just leave the conversation and move on. You don't have to be a genius to detect when someone just wants an argument.....that is not why we call.....nor was it the reason why the first Christians called on people in their homes. (Matthew 10:11-14; Acts 20:20) They wanted to tell people "the good news of the kingdom"....it wasn't to have fruitless arguments as to who is right and who is wrong....Jesus will decide that. But we have to be found "doing the will of the Father" in all things. (Matthew 7:21-23)
When we die, we return to the dust just as God’s word says. Those who have died have had their sins forgiven because they have have 'paid sin's wages', which is the penalty for being born as a sinful descendant of Adam. (Romans 5:12)
A resurrection is assured for them. John 5:28-29 says that all the dead will come out of their graves, not out of heaven. They are all "sleeping", like Lazarus was. (John 11:11-14)
Some who died faithful will be considered "righteous" and granted life, whereas those "who did vile things" will be resurrected to a period of judgment. The majority would have lived and died without knowing God or his son....these will be educated and given that opportunity.
The incorrigibly wicked however, are in "gehenna", not "hades".....these will not be given life ever again. Eternal separation from God means that they have returned to where they were before their parents conceived them......they will simply not exist. Unlike “sheol” or “hades”, the “lake of fire” is the same as “gehenna”...a place where, what goes in, never comes out. It is not a place of eternal torture, but of eternal death.
The second JW who came, answered, “You’re separated from God forever.” Then I asked, “So, what’s wrong with that?” And she reacted like she was horrified, put her hand on her chest, and said, “I can’t imagine anything worse than being separated from God forever!” I said, “Well, I can. It would be KNOWING you’re separated from God forever. If you’re annihilated, you no longer exist. You don’t know anything.” She and her partner looked at each other and left without another word, not even good-bye. I hope in both cases, I gave them something to think about.
As I mentioned.....you gave them something to think about all right...but not what you imagined. The victory was all in your own mind.....and God will allow you your smugness, just as he allowed those in Noah’s day and in Jesus day to enjoy their seeming victory......I assure you, it has nothing to do with not being able to answer....we just know when the conversation will be fruitless.....in a one-on-one situation, we would not waste time arguing, but in this online setting, when many more are readers rather than posters, it is sometimes good to have a debate so that these ones can see both sides of the story. That way they have something to evaluate....only God can make the seed of truth grow in a receptive heart. (1 Cor 3:5-7; Luke 8:11-15)