What Does it Mean…..?

[Hiddenthings]

”Now I urge you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you should all speak in agreement and that there should be no divisions among you, but that you may be completely united in the same mind and in the same line of thought.”

There is a knowledge of truth in the world, where those who have diligently studied the Word of God have gained understanding of the Scriptures and the events yet to unfold. Though this group is small, perhaps numbering in the tens of thousands, I believe there is a remnant poised to be revealed in the final days before Christ’s return to the Earth. However, I would suggest that the Jehovah’s Witnesses are not part of this remnant for reasons we have thoroughly explored.

Not a comprehensive list but demonstrates the point rather well.

• The Times of Noah – Noah's Remnant
  • Genesis 6:8-9: “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.”
• The Remnant Who Crossed Over – Exodus from Egypt
  • Exodus 12:37-41: “And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle... And it came to pass the selfsame day that the Lord did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.”
• Elijah’s Remnant – The 7,000 Who Had Not Bowed to Baal
  • 1 Kings 19:18: “Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.”
• The Remnant After the Babylonian Exile
  • Jeremiah 23:3: “And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.”
  • Ezra 9:8-9: “And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.”
• The Remnant After the Invasion of the Northern Kingdom (Israel by Assyria)
  • Isaiah 10:20-22: “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God... For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.”
• The Remnant After the Battle of Gog and Magog
  • Ezekiel 39:28: “Then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there.”
• The Remnant After Two-Thirds Are Destroyed
  • Zechariah 13:8-9: “And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.”

I could add NT examples as well, but you can see the point. Divided Christendom is not the remnant.

You Jane should focus intently on the last point! Rather topical given the truth revealed about Psalm 118.

 

[Aunty Jane]

I could add NT examples as well, but you can see the point. Divided Christendom is not the remnant.

A lot of us know that…..but the examples you gave predate Jesus. Does it speak of a more obedient nation?

NT Scripture concentrates on spiritual Israel, (Gal 6:16) ”the Israel of God” were not just natural Jews but included gentiles in their number…..these came into existence when natural Israel rejected their Messiah, and had him executed……and a “remnant” of natural Israel became Christ’s disciples, forming the ‘skeleton’ of his body which has been ‘fleshed out’ over time. There is “neither Jew nor Greek” in their number.

You Jane should focus intently on the last point! Rather topical given the truth revealed about Psalm 118.

You have already been shown so many scriptures that demonstrate that natural Israel is not “the Israel of God”….this is a new Israel, chosen by God because of their faithful obedience to the teachings of his son ….something natural Israel could never get right….and who, to this day reject their Messiah.

The political nation of today is up to its neck in bloodshed and political turmoil…..but individuals from that nation are welcomed by Jehovah……but the Israel of today, is as lost as the nations they are fighting.

Perhaps it is you who are blind to the truth.…and “until” might be NEVER, because Israel are not reformable, and earthly Jerusalem is no longer the seat of God’s worship…..as Jesus told the Samaritan woman.

A global faith requires a global administration…..”Heavenly Jerusalem” will bring God’s rulership to redeemed mankind found in every nation on earth, but Jesus and his elect will not walk the earth in human form again. They will rule from their central location where the grand spiritual Temple is located.
The Temple is the body of Christ. (1 Pet 2:5)

 

[Hiddenthings]

A lot of us know that…..but the examples you gave predate Jesus. Does it speak of a more obedient nation?

Yes it does!

NT Scripture concentrates on spiritual Israel, (Gal 6:16) ”the Israel of God” were not just natural Jews but included gentiles in their number…..these came into existence when natural Israel rejected their Messiah, and had him executed……and a “remnant” of natural Israel became Christ’s disciples, forming the ‘skeleton’ of his body which has been ‘fleshed out’ over time. There is “neither Jew nor Greek” in their number.

Jeremiah 31 speaks to the same truth, yet your eyes remain blind to its message, so deep is your avoidance of the true Israel of God that you won't even engage with the text.

You have already been shown so many scriptures that demonstrate that natural Israel is not “the Israel of God”….this is a new Israel, chosen by God because of their faithful obedience to the teachings of his son ….something natural Israel could never get right….and who, to this day reject their Messiah.

You know this isn’t true, and what you do know to be true is that there are countless passages and prophecies you overlook, including many Old Testament scriptures that clearly speak of the New Covenant. It’s as if you’ve torn out entire books of the Bible just to preserve your definition of the 'Israel of God,' even if it means sacrificing a proper understanding of how and when the Kingdom of God on Earth will truly begin.

This is becoming an increasingly noticeable issue, one that you will eventually need to address, and not with the dismissive remarks you’ve been relying on

The political nation of today is up to its neck in bloodshed and political turmoil…..but individuals from that nation are welcomed by Jehovah……but the Israel of today, is as lost as the nations they are fighting.

As of today yes, but you're viewing these matters through fleshly eyes rather than through the lens of prophetic Scripture, how ironic, considering you often boast of doing just that in other discussions

Perhaps it is you who are blind to the truth.…and “until” might be NEVER, because Israel are not reformable, and earthly Jerusalem is no longer the seat of God’s worship…..as Jesus told the Samaritan woman.

No Jane, you know you are wrong on this - majorly wrong!

I mean you can't even discern Psalm 118 and apply to the Lords Prophetical Words and that's a simple prophecy to understand!

A global faith requires a global administration…..”Heavenly Jerusalem”

Which comes "down" out of Heaven!

will bring God’s rulership to redeemed mankind found in every nation on earth, but Jesus and his elect will not walk the earth in human form again. They will rule from their central location where the grand spiritual Temple is located.
The Temple is the body of Christ. (1 Pet 2:5)

“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”

This Temple of Christ is on earth Jane!

1 Peter 1:5: "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

Revealed how Jane?

“This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11

It's elementary teaching that all the Apostles understood.

 

[Aunty Jane]

I mean you can't even discern Psalm 118 and apply to the Lords Prophetical Words and that's a simple prophecy to understand!

You keep missing that all important point…..that all the prophesies fulfilled on “Israel” pertain to the true “Israel of God”….who are NOT just Jews in the Middle East. Spiritual Israel is the only Israel that God accepts…..are you blind yourself? And Jesus told us that literal Jerusalem would not be the seat of God’s worship any more. Rehashing is not getting us anywhere. I don’t believe that you have the truth, and you yourself are ignoring a lot of plainly stated scripture.

It's elementary teaching that all the Apostles understood.

Not the way you teach it….

But I am not riding this merry-go-round with you anymore…..you a can ride it on your own….
And we will all know soon enough who was telling the truth as the Bible tells it….not forcing it to say what it doesn’t.

 

[Hiddenthings]

You keep missing that all important point…..that all the prophesies fulfilled on “Israel” pertain to the true “Israel of God”….who are NOT just Jews in the Middle East. Spiritual Israel is the only Israel that God accepts…..are you blind yourself? And Jesus told us that literal Jerusalem would not be the seat of God’s worship any more. Rehashing is not getting us anywhere. I don’t believe that you have the truth, and you yourself are ignoring a lot of plainly stated scripture.

Jane, is this fulfilled in Israel today, let alone Jerusalem?

“People will no longer need to teach their neighbors and relatives to know me. For all of them, from the least important to the most important, will know me,” says the Lord. “For I will forgive their sin and will no longer call to mind the wrong they have done.” Je 31:34.

Don't smudge the text out with your imported doctrine!

I always know when you are struggling with non-JW beliefs...you stop using Scripture - its telling Jane

Not the way you teach it….

But I am not riding this merry-go-round with you anymore…..you a can ride it on your own….
And we will all know soon enough who was telling the truth as the Bible tells it….not forcing it to say what it doesn’t.

So let Jeremiah 31 speak for itself...what exactly does it say, Jane?


Can you point to any time in recent history when the New Covenant has actually been written on the hearts of the Jewish people? A time when, collectively, they have truly known God?

Honestly, it’s starting to seem like you either pick and choose which prophecies to acknowledge, or perhaps you’re not really considering them at all.

What’s especially puzzling is that you do recognise that Israel has been regathered to the land by God, and you understand the current spiritual condition they’re in. Yet, you won’t allow yourself to see their prophetic future.

Why is that?

Could it be that doing so would require stepping outside the doctrinal boundaries of your religious community? And perhaps that’s something you feel you just can’t do?

Let me ask you directly:

If you came to realise that the JW teachings about the end times weren’t aligned with Scripture, would you try to teach the truth to those around you or would you be willing to walk away from that body altogether?

 

[ScottA]

Yes…I have studied them for years…

Those books do not replace the Bible……who are you? Or should I say…”who do YOU think you are?

Apparently you too have “your own ideas” and an exaggerated view of their importance. I have no answer for that.

No…..but I’m beginning to think you have….? Where will I find evidence for that?
Your own authority on these things does not ring true to me, even though your sincerity does…..one can be sincerely deceived. No one is beyond the devil’s ability to deceive….he is an expert at it.

There is good reason to believe that all such things ended when the last apostle died, which was to make way for the crop of “weeds” that the devil was to plant, engulfing the human race with a counterfeit “Christianity” that we see has taken over the whole world.

This is why Jesus said that no one can come to the son unless they are personally “drawn” by his Father and who are then invited into his spiritual family. (John 6:44; 65) These are united in their worship in one global brotherhood, who are obedient to the Christ in all things. They are “no part of the world” (John 17:16; 18:36) and they are a hated minority as Jesus said they would be. (John 15:18-21; Matt 7:13-14)

I perceive that what Jesus started would continue….and what he started, drew faithful Jews out of a corrupted religious system that God had not corrected for centuries, because his prophets were ignored and murdered. (Matt 23:37-30)
When Jesus arrived as Messiah, he spoke to the crowds of “lost sheep” who followed him, and he exposed the religious leaders of the Jewish people as hypocritical frauds….bound for Gehenna. (Matt 23:33)

How did the first Christians operate? As their numbers increased, they formed local congregations which were always kept small because the “shepherds” assigned to care for them had to know them individually and treat them as loved family members. As the word spread, so did the congregations of Christ’s disciples, so this is the model. It does not ever mention Christians in isolation….those who have their own ideas and who promote a truth that only they believe. If you have no visible brotherhood, who hold the same beliefs and meet together regularly, (Heb 10:24-25) you cannot be a Christian.

True to Jesus warning, the devil was going to sow “weeds among the wheat” and he corrupted Christianity just as he had done with Judaism…he introduced corruptible leadership.
Men began to introduce ideas of their own and to graft pagan concepts over scriptural truths….to the point today, where “Christendom” masquerades as “Christianity” and has the whole “Christian” world worshipping a god who does not exist in Scripture. Their entire foundation rests on false beliefs. If the foundation is faulty, “built on sand”, then the whole building will collapse as the “storm” is coming….soon.

You asked, "What does it mean?"

I told you...and I have answered all your questions (even if you do not know it).

And that thing that has been a problem between us--it's because you do not consider all scripture, but only parts.

 

[Aunty Jane]

You asked, "What does it mean?"

I told you...and I have answered all your questions (even if you do not know it).

And that thing that has been a problem between us--it's because you do not consider all scripture, but only parts.

You know…it always comes to this…..as soon as mention is made of a brotherhood who must all believe one truth (1 Cor 1:10) and who meet together regularly to “incite to love and fine works” (Hebrews 10:24-25)….and who are out there preaching in unity about God’s Kingdom, (Matt 28:19-20) the discussion goes belly up….because there usually isn’t such a brotherhood attached to those who believe that the Holy Spirit speaks only to them, and all must subscribe to their view of things, as if they cannot be wrong.
Conviction is a good thing, provided you have the right foundation and that you are not building on it all by yourself.

I study all of scripture which is why I disagree with so many who only concentrate on the NT.
Without the OT laying the groundwork, we would never understand a thing about the Kingdom of God and why people need to know about it. (Matt 24:14)

What is God’s Kingdom?

 

[Hiddenthings]

You know…it always comes to this…..as soon as mention is made of a brotherhood who must all believe one truth (1 Cor 1:10) and who meet together regularly to “incite to love and fine works” (Hebrews 10:24-25)….and who are out there preaching in unity about God’s Kingdom, (Matt 28:19-20) the discussion goes belly up….because there usually isn’t such a brotherhood attached to those who believe that the Holy Spirit speaks only to them, and all must subscribe to their view of things, as if they cannot be wrong.
Conviction is a good thing, provided you have the right foundation and that you are not building on it all by yourself.

I study all of scripture which is why I disagree with so many who only concentrate on the NT.
Without the OT laying the groundwork, we would never understand a thing about the Kingdom of God and why people need to know about it. (Matt 24:14)

What is God’s Kingdom?

Then they gathered around him (Jesus) and asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
He said to them, "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. Acts 1:6-8

Kingdom of Israel is synonymous with the Kingdom of God

You noticed Jane how the Master did not correct his disciples concerning its future establishment - just advise the timing is only known by his Father.

 

[Aunty Jane]

Then they gathered around him (Jesus) and asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
He said to them, "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. Acts 1:6-8

Kingdom of Israel is synonymous with the Kingdom of God

You noticed Jane how the Master did not correct his disciples concerning its future establishment - just advise the timing is only known by his Father.

At that point, did the disciples know about the heavenly nature of the Kingdom? Their question betrays the old Jewish understanding of what the Kingdom was, and where it would be set up….

Isn't this why Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem for the promised holy spirit, which would grant them insight and understanding into all things related to the Kingdom, that they were to become a part of in its administration.
John’s Revelation added dimension for us as to their role as “kings and priests” (Rev 20:6) in a “New Jerusalem”, the seat of which is on a heavenly Mt Zion. (Hebrews 12:22-23)

You can believe whatever you wish about natural Israel suddenly repenting and turning to Jesus as Messiah….they have had almost 2000 years to do that, and to this day they vehemently deny him.

I won’t hold my breath…..satan has everyone concentrating on the wrong “Israel”.

 

[Hiddenthings]

At that point, did the disciples know about the heavenly nature of the Kingdom? Their question betrays the old Jewish understanding of what the Kingdom was, and where it would be set up….

Yes they did!

All God's true children understand the prophecies concerning the establishment of the Kingdom of Israel - that's a no-brainer

Isn't this why Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem for the promised holy spirit, which would grant them insight and understanding into all things related to the Kingdom, that they were to become a part of in its administration.

No because later as you know Peter further teaches about the rebuilding of David's Tents which you already know about but deny.

If I could show you more evidence from Act's would you accept it?

John’s Revelation added dimension for us as to their role as “kings and priests” (Rev 20:6) in a “New Jerusalem”, the seat of which is on a heavenly Mt Zion. (Hebrews 12:22-23)

Correct - the innumerable Saints whose hope is in Christ coming down from Heaven! NOT going up!

You can believe whatever you wish about natural Israel suddenly repenting and turning to Jesus as Messiah….they have had almost 2000 years to do that, and to this day they vehemently deny him.

I won’t hold my breath…..satan has everyone concentrating on the wrong “Israel”.

LOL - its the same Israel you understand just you wont accept the Bibles teaching on how the KoG will start.

You will God willing.

 

[Hiddenthings]

@Aunty Jane

How do you interpret Acts 1:3? In light of the disciple's question?

To the same apostles also, after his suffering, he presented himself alive with many convincing proofs. He was seen by them over a forty-day period and spoke about matters concerning the kingdom of God.

Later they call it the Kingdom of Israel!

Allow me to show you...

Yahweh selected Israel to manifest His dominion on earth and this will be accomplished through the restoration of the nation to a faithfulness
never before achieved (Ezek 11:19-20).

19 I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. 20 Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.

How is it that your Lord knows this, the disciples know this and a lot of people in this forum know this, but you don't?

How is it even possible to call yourselves God's Witnesses and you not know this?

 

[doctrox]

You keep missing that all important point…..that all the prophesies fulfilled on “Israel” pertain to the true “Israel of God”….who are NOT just Jews in the Middle East. Spiritual Israel is the only Israel that God accepts…..are you blind yourself? And Jesus told us that literal Jerusalem would not be the seat of God’s worship any more. Rehashing is not getting us anywhere. I don’t believe that you have the truth, and you yourself are ignoring a lot of plainly stated scripture.

The enormous problem with every worldview (including “Pre” and “Post-Tribulationists)” is a rudimentary misunderstanding of the Gospel itself. Jesus Christ repeatedly stated he came to save Israel – even as other verses state God loved the entire world enough to send his Son to redeem all who will respond to his call:

“I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel…the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world” (I John 4:14).

When we say that “Israel” rejected Christ, but those who did respond became members of the so called “Church” (a word associated with a generic group of people), we make Christ’s efforts to save Israel either a failure, or at the very least, an unfulfilled promise. The truth is, as Zecharias the father of John the Baptist proclaimed, Christ redeemed Israel in every way he promised:

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people” (Luke 1:68).

As Jesus prayed the Father, looking throughout eternity, he flatly stated he had completed the work he was given, and had lost none of those the Father gave him:

“That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none” (John 18:9).

There is no “Church” apart from Israel, and there never was. There is no “Israel” apart from Christ, and there never was.

After the cross, there is no physical Jew, and there is no physical Gentile – as EVERYTHING is delineated on a Spiritual plane. There are now Spiritual Jews (the same thing as a Spiritual Israelite), and there are Spiritual Gentiles – thus, all who are truly in Christ, who stand completely in him, with no reliance upon relationships based on flesh and blood, are the “All Israel” which is saved (Romans 11:26).

Those who claim the Jews are chosen in their flesh (whether they see themselves as members of the “Church,” or whether they profess themselves to be “Jews”) manifest the Spirit of Antichrist, for the Scriptures repeatedly show that God prophesied he was going to translate Israel into a Spiritual house (I Peter 2:5).

So called “Hebrew Roots” believers universally claim the Jews are chosen regardless of their belief (or lack thereof) in Christ – an abomination of the first magnitude. Every Rapturist (regardless of “Pre-Trib” or “Post-Trib” orientation) separates Israel from the fictional “Church” – so they are all preaching another Gospel.

When Jesus told the Disciples” I have chosen you” (John 15:19), he defined being “chosen” as one who is Spiritually regenerated in him – regardless of their physical lineage. Thus, the “Post-Tribulationists” are teaching the same apostasy as the “Pre-Tribulationists” when they profess Israel is still chosen on a physical basis – but God is not mocked, for he has revealed the truth to those he has chosen:

“But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the LORD, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth” (II Thessalonians 2:3).

Ironically, the same Spiritual Stronghold which has been repeatedly detected in the “Pre-Tribulation Rapture” Cult also exists in the “Post-Tribulationists” who fail to hear the voice of the LORD in this matter – and it is directly related to the Strong Delusion which everyone has heard so much about.

“But ye brethren are not in darkness…Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness…For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God” (I Thessalonians 5:4,5; Galatians 6:16).

 

[ScottA]

You know…it always comes to this…..as soon as mention is made of a brotherhood who must all believe one truth (1 Cor 1:10) and who meet together regularly to “incite to love and fine works” (Hebrews 10:24-25)….and who are out there preaching in unity about God’s Kingdom, (Matt 28:19-20) the discussion goes belly up….because there usually isn’t such a brotherhood attached to those who believe that the Holy Spirit speaks only to them, and all must subscribe to their view of things, as if they cannot be wrong.
Conviction is a good thing, provided you have the right foundation and that you are not building on it all by yourself.

I study all of scripture which is why I disagree with so many who only concentrate on the NT.
Without the OT laying the groundwork, we would never understand a thing about the Kingdom of God and why people need to know about it. (Matt 24:14)

What is God’s Kingdom?

In the above post you made two errors: 1) I gave you an answer regarding brotherhood, but you were so blinded by your suspicions you missed it; and 2) You claimed to consider all of scripture, but did not allow yourself to consider what I had already given you in validation.

You are missing more than you think. With an attitude.

 

[Hiddenthings]

When Jesus told the Disciples” I have chosen you” (John 15:19), he defined being “chosen” as one who is Spiritually regenerated in him – regardless of their physical lineage. Thus, the “Post-Tribulationists” are teaching the same apostasy as the “Pre-Tribulationists” when they profess Israel is still chosen on a physical basis – but God is not mocked, for he has revealed the truth to those he has chosen:

Correct, Jane refuses to acknowledge the God who is not mocked can regraft the Jews back into their own tree. she denies all of the New Covenant passages in the OT as not applying to Israel...but to her "Israel of God" position which oddly is precisely what the OT teaches!

What she is missing is an Israel focus and it all is starting from Jerusalem - to return to the scene of the crime! and to make her a praise in the Earth - This is God's Work!

 

[doctrox]

.
I don't have a dog in this fight. Also, I've read relatively few of Auntie Jane's posts and thus have not addressed any apparently JW sentiments.

From the OP:

If one is “born again”……how do they know? And how can they be found in the realm of Christendom, if they cannot agree on many things? (1 Cor 1:10) Does God’s spirit divide people? Or does it unite them…..?

I think we would agree that God's spirit does not divide believers.

If this “spiritual” experience is not uniform across all denominations then...

I submit that bringing any denomination into the convo relegates it to the trash bin; by their nature, denominations bring division.

So, getting back to the gist of Auntie Jane's OP:

can [a born again spiritual experience] be from God…..or can it more likely be from the trickster who wants you to believe in an “experience” that not all can quite explain the purpose of?

Why do Christians need to be “born again”? What does it result in?

How would you answer? With Scripture of course….

Which way is this to go? Do we suss out "born again," or do we muck with the messenger?
.

 

[Berean]

If one is “born again”……how do they know?

Romans 8:16 tells us; "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." The Spirit's "witness" is crucial for every disciple of Christ, as it confirms that we are "the children of God." There's nothing more important than being assured of our sonship; that God has accepted us and made us part of his family through his Word, making us one of his reigning sons or daughters, an heir, and a joint-heir with Christ. Ironically, many who love the Lord and genuinely wish to serve and please him often find themselves uncertain about whether they have divine approval.

There's no reason for these doubts to come up in the mind of someone who is completely devoted to the Lord. The doubts that do come up are likely due to a misunderstanding of how the Holy Spirit confirms to the Lord's people about their sonship. The Spirit's confirmation is not based on feelings. Every dedicated child of God will experience both joyful days and sorrowful days. One's physical state, along with life's circumstances, greatly influences "feelings," making them an unreliable measure of our relationship with the Heavenly Father.

The witness of the Holy Spirit comes to us through the Word of Truth, that Spirit-inspired message which details every aspect of the "narrow way" of sacrifice, and shows the kinds of experiences that true followers of Jesus can anticipate. If we discover that we're having the experiences that the Holy Spirit, through the written Word, has confirmed will occur for all of God's children in this current age, then we can be confident in our position before the Lord and understand that we are his children.

And how can they be found in the realm of Christendom, if they cannot agree on many things? (1 Cor 1:10) Does God’s spirit divide people? Or does it unite them…..?

Let me ask you Jane, does EVERY JW in the organization believe EXACTLY alike? Now, I'm not asking if every JW is taught exactly alike, because we know the organization is unformed in that way. Everyone is taught the same thing on any given day with the same material. But does everyone agree with everything taught?

And when you think about how often your beliefs and practices change, is it fair to say that "Christendom ... cannot agree on many things?" You see, the difference is, within the churches of Christendom, they can agree to disagree ... within the JW organization, you can't. If I'm a JW and have differences with what is taught, no matter how minute. I have to keep it to myself or face certain consequences.

 

[TazzJazz]

Jane, is this fulfilled in Israel today, let alone Jerusalem?

“People will no longer need to teach their neighbors and relatives to know me. For all of them, from the least important to the most important, will know me,” says the Lord. “For I will forgive their sin and will no longer call to mind the wrong they have done.” Je 31:34.

Don't smudge the text out with your imported doctrine!

I always know when you are struggling with non-JW beliefs...you stop using Scripture - its telling Jane


So let Jeremiah 31 speak for itself...what exactly does it say, Jane?


Can you point to any time in recent history when the New Covenant has actually been written on the hearts of the Jewish people? A time when, collectively, they have truly known God?

Honestly, it’s starting to seem like you either pick and choose which prophecies to acknowledge, or perhaps you’re not really considering them at all.

What’s especially puzzling is that you do recognise that Israel has been regathered to the land by God, and you understand the current spiritual condition they’re in. Yet, you won’t allow yourself to see their prophetic future.

Why is that?

Could it be that doing so would require stepping outside the doctrinal boundaries of your religious community? And perhaps that’s something you feel you just can’t do?

Let me ask you directly:

If you came to realise that the JW teachings about the end times weren’t aligned with Scripture, would you try to teach the truth to those around you or would you be willing to walk away from that body altogether?

I'd laugh at this explanation if it wasn't so sad.

What do you think Jesus meant when He addressed Jerusalem and said @ Matthew 23:37-38, "Your house is abandoned to you"?

Why would God choose some to rule w/ His Son Jesus in Heaven, only to come back down to Earth to rule from earthly Jerusalem? That makes no sense.

Really, what does "abandoned" mean to you?

 

[Hiddenthings]

I'd laugh at this explanation if it wasn't so sad.

What do you think Jesus meant when He addressed Jerusalem and said @ Matthew 23:37-38, "Your house is abandoned to you"?

Precisely that!

Why would God choose some to rule w/ His Son Jesus in Heaven, only to come back down to Earth to rule from earthly Jerusalem? That makes no sense.

Really, what does "abandoned" mean to you?

I can tell you may not be familiar with prophecies, or how to read them.

Why did you leave out the remainder of Jesus' words? Did you not like them?

If you can't speak to the whole, how can you speak at all?

If you come back, try again - include the prophecy of Psalm 118 and explain how it is yet to be fulfilled.

Then we can talk!