Well ya can be so called free from the fleshly things as you describe, voting, politicians, war, celebrations.........but as for me and my household............we are free from hell......YeeeeeeeeeeeeHaaaaaaaaaaaakjw47 said:
Does the Word of God teach tolerance towards deceivers?
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In Rom.5:18 we can see that it was/is the righteous act of one man by which we are given the free gift of life. The next verse confirms that it was the obedience of this one man by which many will be made righteous. In verse 17 we see that we are given the GIFT of righteousness. All these confirm that His righteousness that we are to seek is not our own righteousness. So if anyone wished to seek HIS righteousness, he must seek it as a gift from God rather than to prove himself righteous by his own obedience.kjw47 said:
On the other hand, you are consistently suggesting in so many words that many and most on this site and around the world do not deserve (the free gift) of life, even though your religion instead of using the word "grace", renders it "undeserved kindness". This exclusivity is an unfortunate misrepresentation of the promise God made to Abraham that his seed would be innumerable and is also a misrepresentation of the fulfillment of this that was observed by John as he saw a great multitude around the throne that no man could number. No one in this kingdom scene deserved what they got. How come you think you do?
I suspect there is a difference between people that set out to deliberately deceive believers to follow another version of the gospel and people who just don't know.Secondhand Lion said:
Paul was pretty scathing towards those who would come into his churches and try and get people to convert to Judaism.
John was pretty scathing towards people who took people away from the faith.
williemac said:
Ones choice of religion is important--God called false religions--mother of whores( Babylon the great)( called a whore because she fornicates with the satan ruled govts on earth.--does it sound like they will get grace? No in fact God warned all--GET OUT OF HER--or they will be held responsible for all of her sins which has amassed to the heavens--not to mention the bloodguilt in the wars of hatred.
This whore--riding on the back of the beast--untaxed religions.
One seeks Jehovahs righteousness by living 24/7 to do his will.
You need to listen to Jesus--Matt 7:21-23--- a worker of iniquity= a practicer of sin. -- just one is all it takes-1 John 3
Do I deserve grace--I would say no. That is why it is grace-- 0 deserve it.
. It is important to understand what grace is. Grace is not the thing which is given. It is the way that the thing is given. If something is given freely, without merit, this is grace. Grace is the giving. Faith is the receiving. But the qualification for grace is humility. God gives grace to the humble. The gift of life is given to those who receive it freely as opposed to thinking one deserves it by merit of actions, deeds, works, or personal righteousness.kjw47 said:
There are passages that indicate forgiveness is available to the deceived ("forgive them for they know not what they do"). Falling into a false religion is not alone what will disqualify one for life. The requirement for salvation was never said to be getting one's doctrine right or belonging to the right religion or sect.
These things can falsely indoctrinate a person, true enough. But the real test is a matter of the heart. Our God Jehovah is not unreasonable nor is He ignorant of a person's inner thoughts and intentions. He gives grace to the humble. Those who know they are sinners in need of mercy and forgiveness, and who confess these to God, and who believe and confess Jesus as Lord and savior, and believe and confess He is raised from the dead (Rom.10:9,10) and are interested in relationship with God, and are willing to accept their God-given place and role...qualify for life....regardless of race, religion, doctrine, understanding, or intelligence. The success in carrying out God's will varies from one to the next. Therefore this is not the determining factor for one's fate.
You have been indoctrinated to believe that the requirement for life is to be in the right religion and then to work for salvation. These are evident by your own words and claims.
Did it ever occur to you that there may actually be a good reason why there are so many different organizations that name Jesus as Lord?
williemac said:
The only way this becomes a reality is by learning from Jesus' teachers in the one single religion that teaches Jesus' truths.
The Father is searching for suchlike ones to worship him in spirit and TRUTH. A JW doesn't work for salvation, Works build a strong alive faith.
The main reason there are 32,999 religions claiming to be Christian, all saying they have HS-- THIS is a disunified mass of confusion in reality. 1 cor 1:10= no divisions.
Mr.Bride said:
Yes the HS does that through Jesus' teachers--the problem is that 33,000 different religions claiming Christianity--33,000 different truths--only one is correct. The HS is not a mass of confusion as represented by trinity based religions-1 cor 1:10)
But there is no disunity from a core belief of 'Jesus Christ is deity and our Saviour'. The denominational differences are all explainable / understandable.kjw47 said:
KingJ said:
It is understandable--the world sees exactly what it is--a disunified mass of confusion.
Sigh...and they see the JW's as part of it...you don't get a pass from it from the world. It is not like the world see's JW's as something other than Christian...they just see them as the most annoying part of it....maybe after the mormons.kjw47 said:
Secondhand Lion said:
They got pretty annoyed with Jesus, apostles and Christians knocking on doors to.
The JW,s are unified in love and peace worldwide.
Right. And they get annoyed for those same reasons with Christians also. Do you understand...there is no difference to the world between JW's and Christians? They think you are part of the "dis-unified mess".kjw47 said:
Secondhand Lion said:
That's because like most--refuse to listen to Jesus. Only those who listen to Jesus reside in light--the rest reside in darkness.
Wormwood
Chaps
Yes, and the JW's and Mormons are two of these fragments from the 33,000 denominational groups. Their leaders started in denominations and broke off because of their own ideas (like individuals who formed the denominations they belonged to did before them). The only difference is that they have splintered off so far that they are not recognized by other Christians. Your argument makes no sense. There is nothing unique about the formation of the JW's from other denominations before or after them....other than the fact that they reject core truths of historic Christianity.kjw47 said:
Actually in these last days--true knowledge has become abundant( Daniel 12:4) Mr Russell sought truth--he found some and through the years more has been found by careful study of old writings, and Gods word, prayer, learning languages, it takes years to undo 1750 years of false teachings, especially since there is proof--trinity translations are filled with misleading errors from centuries ago--Wormwood said:
The JW translators had enough love for God to put his name back where he inspired it to be because he wants it there, and corrected errors--the NWT is in harmony with Jesus' truths--trinity translations are not.
This has cult written all over it.....tell me...why on earth would you believe what these men had to say.....They are mere men....
Just plain old common sense tells ya..............this is wrong...terribly wrong. Actually.... on the threshold of INSANE!!!
Jehovah's Witnesses
Background (1870–1916)[edit]
Charles Taze Russell (1852–1916)
In 1870, Charles Taze Russell and others formed an independent group in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to study the Bible.[26] During the course of his ministry, Russell disputed many beliefs of mainstream Christianity including immortality of the soul, hellfire, predestination, the fleshly return of Jesus Christ, the Trinity, and the burning up of the world.[27] In 1876 Russell met Nelson H. Barbour; later that year they jointly produced the book Three Worlds, which combined restitutionist views with end time prophecy. The book taught that God's dealings with humanity were divided dispensationally, each ending with a "harvest," that Christ had returned as an invisible spirit being in 1874[27] inaugurating the "harvest of the Gospel age," and that 1914 would mark the end of a 2520-year period called "the Gentile Times,"[28] at which time world society would be replaced by the full establishment of God's kingdom on earth.[29][30][31] Beginning in 1878 they jointly edited a religious journal, Herald of the Morning.[32] In June 1879 the two split over doctrinal differences, and in July, Russell began publishing the magazine Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence,[33] stating that its purpose was to demonstrate the world was in "the last days," and that a new age of earthly and human restitution under the reign of Christ was imminent.[34]
From 1879, Watch Tower supporters gathered as autonomous congregations to study the Bible topically. Thirty congregations were founded, and during 1879 and 1880 Russell visited each to provide the format he recommended for conducting meetings.[35] As congregations continued to form during Russell's ministry, they each remained self-administrative, functioning under the congregationalist style of church governance.[36][37] In 1881 Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society was presided over by William Henry Conley, and in 1884 Charles Taze Russell incorporated the society as a non-profit business to distribute tracts and Bibles.[38][39][40] By about 1900 Russell had organized thousands of part- and full-time colporteurs,[33] and was appointing foreign missionaries and establishing branch offices. By the 1910s, Russell's organization maintained nearly a hundred "pilgrims," or traveling preachers.[41] Russell engaged in significant global publishing efforts during his ministry,[42][43][44] and by 1912 he was the most distributed Christian author in the United States.[43][45]
Russell moved the Watch Tower Society's headquarters to Brooklyn, New York, in 1909, combining printing and corporate offices with a house of worship; volunteers were housed in a nearby residence he named Bethel. He identified the religious movement as "Bible Students," and more formally as the International Bible Students Association.[46] By 1910, about 50,000 people worldwide were associated with the movement[47] and congregations re-elected him annually as their "pastor."[48] Russell died October 31, 1916, at the age of 64 while returning from a ministerial speaking tour.[49]
Reorganization (1917–1942)[edit]
Joseph F. Rutherford (1869–1942)
In January 1917, the Watch Tower Society's legal representative, Joseph Franklin Rutherford, was elected as its next president. His election was disputed, and members of the Board of Directors accused him of acting in an autocratic and secretive manner.[50][51] The divisions between his supporters and opponents triggered a major turnover of members over the next decade.[52][53] In June 1917 he released The Finished Mystery as a seventh volume of Russell's Studies in the Scriptures series. The book, published as the posthumous work of Russell, was a compilation of his commentaries on the Bible books of Ezekiel and Revelation, plus numerous additions by Bible Students Clayton Woodworth and George Fisher.[54][55][56][57] It strongly criticized Catholic and Protestant clergy and Christian involvement in the Great War.[58] As a result, Watch Tower Society directors were jailed for sedition under the Espionage Act in 1918 and members were subjected to mob violence; charges against the directors were dropped in 1920.[59]
Rutherford centralized organizational control of the Watch Tower Society. In 1919 he instituted the appointment of a director in each congregation, and a year later all members were instructed to report their weekly preaching activity to the Brooklyn headquarters.[60] At an international convention held at Cedar Point, Ohio, in September 1922, a new emphasis was made on house-to-house preaching.[61] Significant changes in doctrine and administration were regularly introduced during Rutherford's twenty-five years as president, including the 1920 announcement that the Jewish patriarchs (such as Abraham and Isaac) would be resurrected in 1925, marking the beginning of Christ's thousand-year Kingdom.[62][63][64] Disappointed by the changes, tens of thousands of defections occurred during the first half of Rutherford's tenure, leading to the formation of several Bible Student organizations independent of the Watch Tower Society,[65][66] most of which still exist.[67] By mid-1919 as many as one in seven of Russell-era Bible Students had ceased their association with the Society, and as many as two-thirds by the end of the 1920s.[68][69][70][71][72]
On July 26, 1931, at a convention in Columbus, Ohio, Rutherford introduced the new name—Jehovah's witnesses—based on Isaiah 43:10: "Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and my servant whom I have chosen"—which was adopted by resolution. The name was chosen to distinguish his group of Bible Students from other independent groups that had severed ties with the Society, as well as symbolize the instigation of new outlooks and the promotion of fresh evangelizing methods.[73][74][75] In 1932, Rutherford eliminated the system of locally elected elders and in 1938 introduced what he called a "theocratic" (literally, God-ruled) organizational system, under which appointments in congregations worldwide were made from the Brooklyn headquarters.[60]
From 1932 it was taught that the "little flock" of 144,000 would not be the only people to survive Armageddon. Rutherford explained that in addition to the 144,000 "anointed" who would be resurrected—or transferred at death—to live in heaven to rule over earth with Christ, a separate class of members, the "great multitude," would live in a paradise restored on earth; from 1935, new converts to the movement were considered part of that class.[76][77] By the mid-1930s, the timing of the beginning of Christ's presence (Greek: parousía), his enthronement as king, and the start of the "last days" were each moved to 1914.[78]
As their interpretations of scripture developed, Witness publications decreed that saluting national flags is a form of idolatry, which led to a new outbreak of mob violence and government opposition in the United States, Canada, Germany, and other countries.[79][80]
Worldwide membership of Jehovah's Witnesses reached 113,624 in 5,323 congregations by the time of Rutherford's death in January 1942.[81][82]
Just plain old common sense tells ya..............this is wrong...terribly wrong. Actually.... on the threshold of INSANE!!!
Jehovah's Witnesses
Background (1870–1916)[edit]
Charles Taze Russell (1852–1916)
In 1870, Charles Taze Russell and others formed an independent group in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to study the Bible.[26] During the course of his ministry, Russell disputed many beliefs of mainstream Christianity including immortality of the soul, hellfire, predestination, the fleshly return of Jesus Christ, the Trinity, and the burning up of the world.[27] In 1876 Russell met Nelson H. Barbour; later that year they jointly produced the book Three Worlds, which combined restitutionist views with end time prophecy. The book taught that God's dealings with humanity were divided dispensationally, each ending with a "harvest," that Christ had returned as an invisible spirit being in 1874[27] inaugurating the "harvest of the Gospel age," and that 1914 would mark the end of a 2520-year period called "the Gentile Times,"[28] at which time world society would be replaced by the full establishment of God's kingdom on earth.[29][30][31] Beginning in 1878 they jointly edited a religious journal, Herald of the Morning.[32] In June 1879 the two split over doctrinal differences, and in July, Russell began publishing the magazine Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence,[33] stating that its purpose was to demonstrate the world was in "the last days," and that a new age of earthly and human restitution under the reign of Christ was imminent.[34]
From 1879, Watch Tower supporters gathered as autonomous congregations to study the Bible topically. Thirty congregations were founded, and during 1879 and 1880 Russell visited each to provide the format he recommended for conducting meetings.[35] As congregations continued to form during Russell's ministry, they each remained self-administrative, functioning under the congregationalist style of church governance.[36][37] In 1881 Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society was presided over by William Henry Conley, and in 1884 Charles Taze Russell incorporated the society as a non-profit business to distribute tracts and Bibles.[38][39][40] By about 1900 Russell had organized thousands of part- and full-time colporteurs,[33] and was appointing foreign missionaries and establishing branch offices. By the 1910s, Russell's organization maintained nearly a hundred "pilgrims," or traveling preachers.[41] Russell engaged in significant global publishing efforts during his ministry,[42][43][44] and by 1912 he was the most distributed Christian author in the United States.[43][45]
Russell moved the Watch Tower Society's headquarters to Brooklyn, New York, in 1909, combining printing and corporate offices with a house of worship; volunteers were housed in a nearby residence he named Bethel. He identified the religious movement as "Bible Students," and more formally as the International Bible Students Association.[46] By 1910, about 50,000 people worldwide were associated with the movement[47] and congregations re-elected him annually as their "pastor."[48] Russell died October 31, 1916, at the age of 64 while returning from a ministerial speaking tour.[49]
Reorganization (1917–1942)[edit]
Joseph F. Rutherford (1869–1942)
In January 1917, the Watch Tower Society's legal representative, Joseph Franklin Rutherford, was elected as its next president. His election was disputed, and members of the Board of Directors accused him of acting in an autocratic and secretive manner.[50][51] The divisions between his supporters and opponents triggered a major turnover of members over the next decade.[52][53] In June 1917 he released The Finished Mystery as a seventh volume of Russell's Studies in the Scriptures series. The book, published as the posthumous work of Russell, was a compilation of his commentaries on the Bible books of Ezekiel and Revelation, plus numerous additions by Bible Students Clayton Woodworth and George Fisher.[54][55][56][57] It strongly criticized Catholic and Protestant clergy and Christian involvement in the Great War.[58] As a result, Watch Tower Society directors were jailed for sedition under the Espionage Act in 1918 and members were subjected to mob violence; charges against the directors were dropped in 1920.[59]
Rutherford centralized organizational control of the Watch Tower Society. In 1919 he instituted the appointment of a director in each congregation, and a year later all members were instructed to report their weekly preaching activity to the Brooklyn headquarters.[60] At an international convention held at Cedar Point, Ohio, in September 1922, a new emphasis was made on house-to-house preaching.[61] Significant changes in doctrine and administration were regularly introduced during Rutherford's twenty-five years as president, including the 1920 announcement that the Jewish patriarchs (such as Abraham and Isaac) would be resurrected in 1925, marking the beginning of Christ's thousand-year Kingdom.[62][63][64] Disappointed by the changes, tens of thousands of defections occurred during the first half of Rutherford's tenure, leading to the formation of several Bible Student organizations independent of the Watch Tower Society,[65][66] most of which still exist.[67] By mid-1919 as many as one in seven of Russell-era Bible Students had ceased their association with the Society, and as many as two-thirds by the end of the 1920s.[68][69][70][71][72]
On July 26, 1931, at a convention in Columbus, Ohio, Rutherford introduced the new name—Jehovah's witnesses—based on Isaiah 43:10: "Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and my servant whom I have chosen"—which was adopted by resolution. The name was chosen to distinguish his group of Bible Students from other independent groups that had severed ties with the Society, as well as symbolize the instigation of new outlooks and the promotion of fresh evangelizing methods.[73][74][75] In 1932, Rutherford eliminated the system of locally elected elders and in 1938 introduced what he called a "theocratic" (literally, God-ruled) organizational system, under which appointments in congregations worldwide were made from the Brooklyn headquarters.[60]
From 1932 it was taught that the "little flock" of 144,000 would not be the only people to survive Armageddon. Rutherford explained that in addition to the 144,000 "anointed" who would be resurrected—or transferred at death—to live in heaven to rule over earth with Christ, a separate class of members, the "great multitude," would live in a paradise restored on earth; from 1935, new converts to the movement were considered part of that class.[76][77] By the mid-1930s, the timing of the beginning of Christ's presence (Greek: parousía), his enthronement as king, and the start of the "last days" were each moved to 1914.[78]
As their interpretations of scripture developed, Witness publications decreed that saluting national flags is a form of idolatry, which led to a new outbreak of mob violence and government opposition in the United States, Canada, Germany, and other countries.[79][80]
Worldwide membership of Jehovah's Witnesses reached 113,624 in 5,323 congregations by the time of Rutherford's death in January 1942.[81][82]
That is completely untrue (highlighted in red above)kjw47 said:
The Authorized King James Bible used "Jehovah" 8 times
The 1599 Geneva Bible did too
Others used YHWH or YAWEH
And that was before Charles Russel was even born .... Charles did not restore the name "Jehovah" to the bible .... it has always been there
What Charles Russel did was lie to his followers .... most of whom were uneducated peasants who did not know anything different ... today there is no excuse
Stop repeating Russels lies.
Charles Russel was a liar who bedazzled people into thinking the world would end in the 1800's
Charles Russel was a liar who bedazzled people into thinking the world would end in the 1800's
Charles Russel was a liar who bedazzled people into thinking the world would end in the 1800's
Charles Russel was a liar who bedazzled people into thinking the world would end in the 1800's
Charles Russel was a liar who bedazzled people into thinking the world would end in the 1800's
Charles Russel was a liar who bedazzled people into thinking the world would end in the 1800's
Charles Russel was a liar who bedazzled people into thinking the world would end in the 1800's
Remember the scripture where Jesus sayz...Mathew 10:33 If you deny me before men I will deny you before my Father.kjw47 said:
Do ya think this woman knew that?
Would you let yourself be hung for Jesus?
This woman knew Jesus personally.....That's why. And the tempter would of gave her life back if she denounced Christ.
This is what truly being a Christian is.........
Bless her heart.........my sister in Christ †
Sudanese Judge to Pregnant Woman: 'I Sentence You to Hang' for Becoming a Christian
Rejecting appeals for clemency by Western human rights activists, a judge in Sudan sentenced a 27-year old pregnant Christian mother to death “for apostasy.”
DanielGarneau
Member
Hello kjw47,
My mother left my dad and I when I was 18 months old to become a photographer with the Canadian Air Forces. She later left the Military and become a Jehovah's witness. It was not until I was 21 years old that I found out where she lived. So I called her and we decided that she would meet in Calgary Alberta, where I lived, and that we would travel from there to Indio California, where she lived.
At the time, I had rejected the Roman Catholicism form of Christianity in which I had been raised, and although I had heard the Gospel from Evangelical Christians, I was living by the world's standards.
One thing however stood out for me from the couple of weeks spent travelling with my mother around 1972. She told me that the end of the world was to take place in 1974.
In 1974, I happened to be in Cyprus, serving with a peace keeping contingent of the Canadian Armed Forces. A war broke out between the Turkish and the Greek living on the island. Two Canadians soldiers died in that conflic, several were hurt. I honestly thought I would not survive the experience. In fact, I was thinking that the Jehovah's Witnesses prophecy about the end of the world in 1974 was happening right around me. So, it was not only in the 19th century that the Jehovah's witnesses predicted ends of the world. I am a living witness to it.
Later, in 1977, I decided to repent from my sin, to ask Christ's forgiveness, and to turn my life over to Him, to serve Him, to obey Him, and to live as best I could for Him, keeping away from that which the Word of God forbid, while obeying what it commanded... Which I did, quite imperfectly, of course, and I still do.
It was not until some 20 years later that I met my mother again, as she had travelled from California, where she still lived, to Quebec City, where I now had moved back and was living. She came for her mother's funeral. She did not know I had become a Christian, so at first she tried to convince me that God existed, which I readily agreed to of course. But when it came to define who Christ was, we could not come to any form of agreement whatsoever.
Now, I happen to have before my eyes, a paper edition of the New World Translation of the Holy Scritures, rendered from the Original Languages by the New World Bible Translation Comittee, revised 1970 C.E. You see, kjw47, after I became a Christian, I figured that if I ever met my mother again, I had better be ready to share my faith with her from her own Bible translation so she would believe what I had to say, especially about who Jesus Christ really was.
So, allow me to quote a passage from the New World Translation, John 20:26-31: «Well, eight days later his disciples were again indoors, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and he stood in their midst and said: "May you have peace." Next he said to Thomas: "Put your finger here, and see my hands, and take your hand and stick it into my side, and stop being unbelieving but become believing." In answer, Thomas said to him: "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him: "Because you have seen me have you believed? Happy are those who do not see and yet believe"».
Please note that Jesus did not rebuke Thomas for calling Him "My Lord and my God", but commended Him for having at last believed.
Now, please allow me to quote Esaiah 40:3, again from the same New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures: «Listen! Someone is calling out in the wilderness: "Clear up the way of Jehovah, you people! Make the highway for our God through the desert plain straight"». Now compare this with John 1:23, still quoting from the New World Translation: «He [John the Baptist] said: "I am the voice of someone crying out in the wilderness, 'Make the way of Jehovah straight,' just as Isaih the prophet said"».
John the Baptist was preparing the way for Jehovah. John the Baptist was preparing the way for Jesus Christ.
Now, please, try to open yourself up to the fact that even if you read only the New World Translation of the Bible, there are many verses that come in conflict with what your JW teachers have led you to believe.
I must run now, because my wife whom I love and who loves me wants me to spend a little time with her.
My heart goes to you as the one of other forum members who have also expressed the same.
God bless...
My mother left my dad and I when I was 18 months old to become a photographer with the Canadian Air Forces. She later left the Military and become a Jehovah's witness. It was not until I was 21 years old that I found out where she lived. So I called her and we decided that she would meet in Calgary Alberta, where I lived, and that we would travel from there to Indio California, where she lived.
At the time, I had rejected the Roman Catholicism form of Christianity in which I had been raised, and although I had heard the Gospel from Evangelical Christians, I was living by the world's standards.
One thing however stood out for me from the couple of weeks spent travelling with my mother around 1972. She told me that the end of the world was to take place in 1974.
In 1974, I happened to be in Cyprus, serving with a peace keeping contingent of the Canadian Armed Forces. A war broke out between the Turkish and the Greek living on the island. Two Canadians soldiers died in that conflic, several were hurt. I honestly thought I would not survive the experience. In fact, I was thinking that the Jehovah's Witnesses prophecy about the end of the world in 1974 was happening right around me. So, it was not only in the 19th century that the Jehovah's witnesses predicted ends of the world. I am a living witness to it.
Later, in 1977, I decided to repent from my sin, to ask Christ's forgiveness, and to turn my life over to Him, to serve Him, to obey Him, and to live as best I could for Him, keeping away from that which the Word of God forbid, while obeying what it commanded... Which I did, quite imperfectly, of course, and I still do.
It was not until some 20 years later that I met my mother again, as she had travelled from California, where she still lived, to Quebec City, where I now had moved back and was living. She came for her mother's funeral. She did not know I had become a Christian, so at first she tried to convince me that God existed, which I readily agreed to of course. But when it came to define who Christ was, we could not come to any form of agreement whatsoever.
Now, I happen to have before my eyes, a paper edition of the New World Translation of the Holy Scritures, rendered from the Original Languages by the New World Bible Translation Comittee, revised 1970 C.E. You see, kjw47, after I became a Christian, I figured that if I ever met my mother again, I had better be ready to share my faith with her from her own Bible translation so she would believe what I had to say, especially about who Jesus Christ really was.
So, allow me to quote a passage from the New World Translation, John 20:26-31: «Well, eight days later his disciples were again indoors, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and he stood in their midst and said: "May you have peace." Next he said to Thomas: "Put your finger here, and see my hands, and take your hand and stick it into my side, and stop being unbelieving but become believing." In answer, Thomas said to him: "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him: "Because you have seen me have you believed? Happy are those who do not see and yet believe"».
Please note that Jesus did not rebuke Thomas for calling Him "My Lord and my God", but commended Him for having at last believed.
Now, please allow me to quote Esaiah 40:3, again from the same New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures: «Listen! Someone is calling out in the wilderness: "Clear up the way of Jehovah, you people! Make the highway for our God through the desert plain straight"». Now compare this with John 1:23, still quoting from the New World Translation: «He [John the Baptist] said: "I am the voice of someone crying out in the wilderness, 'Make the way of Jehovah straight,' just as Isaih the prophet said"».
John the Baptist was preparing the way for Jehovah. John the Baptist was preparing the way for Jesus Christ.
Now, please, try to open yourself up to the fact that even if you read only the New World Translation of the Bible, there are many verses that come in conflict with what your JW teachers have led you to believe.
I must run now, because my wife whom I love and who loves me wants me to spend a little time with her.
My heart goes to you as the one of other forum members who have also expressed the same.
God bless...
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