The suggested answers provided to all questions below are based on and in harmony with the views of the original Watchtower Bible and Tract Society when under the guidance of Pastor Charles Taze Russell. Comments will often include a link to Pastor Russell’s own explanation. However, in any case, we leave your conclusions to your own personal study, prayer, conscience and the influence of the Holy Spirit.
- Who are the Friends of Jehovah’s Witnesses who have created this website?
- Why have the Friends of Jehovah’s Witnesses set up this site? What is your purpose?
- Should we really want to be on earth rather than heaven? Does the Bible give us that option?
- Are the Great Crowd the same as all the people in Paradise Earth?
- What is the role of the Great Crowd on Paradise Earth?
- Is the Great Crowd to be in heaven or on earth?
- Who are the “other sheep” of John 10:16?
- What happens to Anointed who do not make the 144,000
- As the Path Shines Brighter, does the Truth Change?
- Why does God Permit Evil and Human Suffering?
- What is the future mission of the Anointed for which they are now being prepared?
- Will Present Unbelievers Serve and Worship Jehovah on Paradise Earth?
- Will Everyone Be Resurrected from the Dead?
- Have People Received Final Judgment for the Past 6,000 or will they have an Opportunity for Judgment and Restitution on Paradise Earth?
- Will the wicked get an opportunity to repent in Paradise earth?
- Who will occupy the land of Israel in Paradise earth?
- Who does Jehovah make the New Covenant with?
- What prophecies regarding Israel’s regathering have already been or are being fulfilled?
To LDS;
JW,s believe in the 66 books that make up the Bibles. Genesis through Revelation.
Here is what might help you. John 17:3, “And eternal life means to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, whom you sent.” Good news Bible
So we have a true and only God, and a man that was known as Jesus Christ, who we should get to know.
This man Jesus Christ said the following, “If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.” John 13:35 Good news Bible
This can cause a real problem though. Why? Well this same man when asked about the end, said this, “Watch out, and do not let anyone fool you.” Matthew 24:4 Good News Bible
So with thousands of different religions out there, how can a person know which one is right?
That same man Jesus said this, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him to me.” John 6:44 So a sincere person will beg the One Jesus said does the drawing. For Jesus said what the Father is looking for. “when by the power of God’s Spirit people will worship the Father as he really is, offering him true worship that he wants.” John 4:23
So one must ask themselves the question, am I willing to keep begging this One true God to help me find the path to salvation? Do I believe Jeremiah 33:3? “Call to me, and I will answer you.”
How many times shall I call a person may ask? Everyday, morning, noon and night. How will I know when it happens? When your room is pitch dark and you turn on the light, can you tell the difference? It will be that easy to know.
Hank
Hi Hank and thanks for the advice. However, I don’t see how this helps. To go into the Bible without having first established what it consists of would seem to be leap. The issue here is who decided what should be in the Bible in the first place. For Catholics, that is an easy question to answer. It was decided by inspired men in leadership position within the church. But, if you deny the authority of the Catholic Church, as Jehovah’s Witnesses do, then the Catholic decision has no merit. In addition, the Catholic Bible contains more than 66 Books and longer editions of Daniel and Ester. The Watchtower book, All Scripture is Inspired of God and Beneficial, 1963 pg.299 says, “Just as Jehovah inspired men to write down his divine communications for their instruction, upbuilding, and encouragement in his worship and service, so it logically follows that Jehovah would direct and guide the collating of the inspired writings and the establishing of the Bible canon. . .” A list of these inspired men is given on page 302 of this book. All of them were Catholics and one cite of authority in the gathering together of the books that was to become the Bible, The Third Council of Carthage, was an official function of the Catholic Church itself. So far as I know, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not accept the authority of the Catholic Church. So, what that church says the Bible should consist of should be disregarded by Jehovah’s Witnesses. So, the question comes back to “What makes up the Bible?” Who decided it? Was it the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses? That would make sense but, does not seem to be supported.
There is yet another problem with the New World Translation published by the Watchtower Society. It omits some texts considered to be uninspired someone in the Watchtower Society. There are many omitions but, here are a couple of examples: The story of the Woman taken in adultery, John chapter 8, has been omitted and said to be uninspired (by whom? we don’t know). Chapter 8 in the New World Bible starts at verse 12. Romans 16:24 has been omitted for the same reason. Again, we do not know who decided that. There is however, a version of the New Testament outside of the Watchtower publications that would support many of these changes. It is the translation of the New Testament Johannes Greber. This translation was at one time highly praised by the Watchtower Society. However, it has problems with other Jehovah’s Witness teachings. According to Jehovah’s Witnesses, when a person is dead they are dead until the resurrection. Thus, there is no spirit afterlife at this time. So, the practice of divining spirits from the spirit world for communication is rejected because the only spirits that are alive and can be contacted are demons. There is a note in the front of the Greber Bible that explains the unique methods by which the Greber version of the Bible was translated. Here is an interesting quotation from that note: “The task (translating the Bible) was not simple. Many contradictions between what appears in the ancient scrolls and the New Testament, as we have grown to know it, arose and were the subject of his (Greber’s) constant prayers for guidance–prayers that were answered, and the discrepancies clarified to him, by God’s Spirit World,.
At times he was given the correct answers in large illuminated letters and words passing before his eyes. Other times he was given the correct answers during prayer meetings. His wife, a medium of God’s Spiritworld, was often instrumental in conveying the correct answers from God’s Messengers to Pastor Greber.”
If we believe the Jehovah’s Witness teaching that the only spirits who can be contacted are demons, we must come to the conclusion that this edition of the Bible was, at least in part, translated by demons. I questioned the trustworthiness of such a translation. However, the Witnesses with whom I am currently studying, have assured me that demon Bible translations are trustworthy.
LDS
I have been interested in Jehovah’s Witnesses for many years. But because I truly study the Bible, I have been labeled Everything from a Mormon to an apostate. The truth is that I have never joined either the Jehovah’s Witnesses or the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints. However, I have studied both religions. As for the Jehovah’s Witnesses, I got interested at the age of ten when my father insisted that his Baptist teachings from the Bible would prove the Jehovah’s Witnesses wrong. So, he insisted that I sit in on a discussion of Bible topics presented by Jehovah’s Witnesses in our home. He was sure that he could use the Bible to prove their teachings false. Well, they proved him wrong and I got interested. By-the-way, although under much pressure from my father, I refused to join the Baptist church even when he threatened to break my arm if I refused. I was only ten years old but, I would not join a false religion. I would not offend God with false worship!
As for the Mormons, that is an interesting story. When I started college, the Mormons were active on the campus. They would come up to me and ask if I was LDS. I would say “yes” and ask if I could help them. They would just wish me a good day and go on. After a while, I began to wonder why so many people whom I didn’t know, seemed to know who I was but, didn’t want anything except to wish me a good day. In time, I found out that they called themselves Later Day Saints and used the letters LDS to refer to that organization. It happens that my initials are LDS. So, when they asked if I was LDS, I thought they were referring to my name.
I have been trying to have a Bible study with the Jehovah’s Witnesses. They keep wanting to get into the Bible with their teachings but, before I will study the Bible with them, I want to know what the Bible consists of. They tell me that the Governing Body has decided the content. So, I asked them to bring a list of the books contained in the Bible and the reasons why the Governing Body decided that these should be included in the Bible. But, they don’t seem to be able to do that or have no interest in determining the content of the Book before using it as an infallible guide in religious matters. I did a little research on my own in the book All Scripture is Inspired and Beneficial and found that the Governing Body was not responsible for determining the content of the Bible. Who is right here; the Witnesses who tell me that the Governing Body compiled the list or the book which says that God inspired people to determine the Bible content long before Charles Russell organized the Bible Students, later known as Jehovah’s Witnesses?
LDS
LDS, love the story of the Mormons, they probably thought you were kidding, thanks for sharing.
We are not Jehovah witnesses, I personally was for 61 years but 95% or more have never been Jehovah witnesses.
The governing body’s got nothing to do with the Bible’s complilation, I am shocked that one would say that. This is a link to the path of how the bible got to us and there are lots of video on youtube about the history of the bible.
https://www.friendsofjehovahswitnesses.com/2012/01/07/the-historic-journey-of-jehovahs-written-word/
Wow at ten being threatened to join must have been disturbing to you and your presence of mind at such a young age says a lot about you.
Jehovah witnesses are a new religion formed by Br. Rutherford circa 1927-1931 when he adopted the name JW to distinquish himself from the many other Bible Student groups. He changed most of what he believed as a Bible Student and added some new doctrines.
I like the fact you read and study the bible yourself. I believe one has to have a personal relationship with God and it can be achieved through Jesus Christ now. Only the JW bible mentions governingbody and teaches that it is God’s mouthpiece or earthly manifestation of his kingdom now.
I believe Holy Spirit, the helper can help you understand the bible along with discussions, associations etc with others with a serious interest in learning the truth about God.
The Bible however does not say it is what identifies you as a Christian however but having as full a knowledge of God, Jesus and the Bible helps to keep us aware of where we are in the stream of time.
This is a holiday weekend and most are with their families and Br. Peter will be back on Monday.
As you see I don’t have family. LOL. Not true. I will go to my family Sunday for 5 days and babysit also while the parents enjoy the festivities of the missionaries as their convention city has an international convention.
I enjoyed responding to you and enjoyed your story. Thanks so much for sharing.
History of the BS and JW split: https://www.friendsofjehovahswitnesses.com/category/jehovahs-witnesses/
Good Morning Jacqueline
Thank you for responding. Your post was most enlightening. I had noticed the problem with Judge Rutherford early on. As I recall, he and Br. Russell had debates over such things as the Stone Witness and 1874 date for the return of Christ. I was a bit surprised that Rutherford managed to take over the Bible Students after the death of Br. Russell. As I recall, Rutherford was in no way the humble and gentle man the Russell was.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses whom I am studying with referred me to their web site to settle this issue of the canon. However, there seems to be nothing there about it. It is as if they are willing to accept the Bible as the almost total authority on religious matters without even being interested in what books are to be contained in it. Many books presented themselves as scripture in the early days of Christianity. The Gnostics, for one, had written or rewritten Gospels and other writings to suit their beliefs that salvation came through knowledge of secret things of God which Jesus Christ revealed to a select few. The apocryphal books, “apocryphal” in the original meaning of secret, were reserved for those who had accepted the general teachings of Jesus. However, these books were considered scripture by them. None of these books are in any canon today. The Gospel of Thomas, the one with all the sayings of Jesus not, the infancy Gospel by the same name, came close, however. Still there were many others. So, it would seem important to have a definitive list of what should be in the Bible before studying it. As it is, the Jehovah’s Witnesses seem content to accept the official canon of a church that they denounce and modify it somewhat based on other people whom they likewise reject as authoritative. It would seem important that the basis of authority in their religion should come from their own church rather than from a patchwork of canons from churches they reject.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses, however, like to claim a linage back to Br. Russell. I don’t know why. It is obvious that the religion of today is nothing like the one Br. Russell taught. After engaging a Jehovah’s Witness in a study of Russell’s Studies in Scripture, I asked him if Br. Russell would be disfellowshipped for his beliefs in todays Jehovah’s Witness church. The answer was “yes.” How could any organization that rejects its founder continue?
I don’t know if you were in the Jehovah’s Witnesses at the time of the 1966 convention but, I attended. At that time, the important teachings were about the upcoming 1975 prophecy regarding the dissolving of all world governments and the new rule that Christ would put into effect in 1975. I asked how they could be so sure of the date when the Bible says that “no man knows the date or the time.” I was informed that the Watchtower Society had figured it out from a timetable of generations in the Bible. Leave it to the Watchtower Society to one-upmanship the Bible. I didn’t believe their date. At the time, I was interested in joining the Jehovah’s Witnesses because I was scared to death of being drafted into a War. Although I agreed with their position on not participating in war, I disagreed on many other things, like the 1975 prophecy. So, as I could not join just to get a draft deferment, I ended up in the military and the Vietnam War. That event has cost me much over the years. But, Jesus never taught that following him would be easy.
I am glad that you enjoyed my Mormon story. As you can see, I tend to talk too much
I visited both of the web sites. The last one was very informative. Thanks for sharing.
LDS
LSD, yes I was at the 1966 convention. I openly refused to teach 1975. I was reproved by CO and the committee for not teaching studies, they took 8 from me. Br. Freddie Franz came up with this and I always viewed him as slightly off. They said not to have children as non were in the ark. I had 4, 1970, 73, 74, 75. I understood the ark to represent Christ and even then believed in Ransom for including flood victims as they died in Adam and Adam was fanzines.
I read other writings, book of Enoch, book of Thomas and lots of biblical literature.
Many became a witness to escape the draft. My brothers pioneered and became missionaries etc. Vietnam was rough and I have patients suffering PTS syndrome as a result.
Did they say Br Russell would be DF? That should have made them stop to think. Witnesses don’t seem to think anymore like we did in the sixties. I don’t understand this fear they all have. I stood up to my elders face to face as they are bullies with no real power. If more did this they would stop the threats at least but most witnesses like decisions being made for them.
Did you read the truth about Armageddon on this site? It makes sense and leaves judgment day of individuals in the thousand year reign. Armageddon is judging of the systems, as in Noah day when Angels rules the world and made a mess of it. The people had to wait on Christ to be redeemed even as the eight will live again also only because of Christ. Noah suffered Asimov death like those who perished in the waters.. And no you don’t talk a lot, this is where you come to talk it out.
Jacqueline, please realize that when I say that the Jehovah’s Witnesses have said something to me, I am referring to the ones who come door to door, not an official statement from the Watchtower Society. Yes, after talking at some length with a Jehovah’s Witness, he did say that Br. Russell would be disfellowshiped today. Yes, he used the word!
I agree that Jehovah’s Witnesses today seem to be unable to think for themselves. Perhaps the Watchtower Society prefers to do the thinking for them.
It is great that you have expanded your reading. The First book of Enoch, which contains the tour of the heavens where the four winds are kept, I think, would be most helpful in understanding the book of Revelation as there are many ancient traditions and ideas expressed in it. It is my hope to someday read the book of Revelation with those ideas in mind. Both of the Thomas Gospels are interesting too. The one that contains the sayings of Jesus contains many of the sayings recorded in the Bible and a few that are not. I am so glad that the Shepard of Hermus (not sure of the spelling) was not long lived as part of the canon. I have not read the truth about Armageddon on this site yet but, I am looking forward to reading it.
As for the war, I am so ashamed to have yielded to the draft. Even though I was not Jehovah’s Witness, I believe that war is against Jehovah’s law. It is not like me to break God’s law but, I guess I was weak and feared going to prison. I should have taken prison. At least I wouldn’t have been disabled in the war and going into the military did nothing to protect me from prison. I ordered a high ranking officer, who would not do his duty to protect his men, over the radio where he couldn’t see who I was, to do his duty. He couldn’t get me on anything without exposing the fact that he was putting the lives of the men at risk. So, he set me up later for a crime that never happened. When the papers I needed for my defense were de-classified, I was able to prove my innocence. However, I needed to file the paperwork in order to free myself. I couldn’t do that until he died because to do so would have exposed him to crimes for which he could receive the death penalty. I am pro-life and cannot be party to a death penalty case. He was no longer in a position to harm anyone else. So, it would have just been revenge on my part. So, I paid well for my sin and learned some things about the importance of keeping God’s law too.
LDS
LDS, think of your experience as training for what really lies ahead. Great Tribulations will befall those called to Christ. You showed undeserved kindness to this man. But trust that your experience has made you a more understanding person to the phight of others. I have heard a lot of untellable stories from the Vietnam vets. Most are scarred for life. Our BS general convention is this month,a six day. This is the year for international and should be uplifting. I don’t know yet if the link for adobe will be posted. I am on a small tablet until Thursday when I return home so I am limited.Quite a few of my closest relatives are still witnesses but we have learned to respect each others rights to worship. But at home I have access to more files etc. I can’t check until Thursday for your info in contact. My DROID probably can but I am not that savvy. Also when you read the armageddon articles, let me know what you think. Take care.
Jacqueline, “I can’t check until Thursday for your info in contact.” I don’t understand. What info are you talking about? I will certainly let you know what I think about the Armageddon articles when I read them.
I too, have heard these awful stories from Vietnam Vets. I am so glad that I don’t have any really bad stories from that war. I was in a maintenance squadron. Our base was away from the front lines. So, nothing much happened unless you consider my losing the hearing in one ear because of loud aircraft engines and being arrested because of that officer something extraordinary. Thank God, I never had to kill anyone.
The prison is another matter. I do have some awful stories from there. A couple of writers have wanted to write about my life in there. However, some dogs are better when sleeping. Prison life was much worse before they installed closed circuit television cameras so that Control can see everything that is going on everywhere. Before that, both the prisoners and the guards would take advantage certain inmates. Christian inmates were considered weak and, therefore, picked on by both sides. Crucifixion was a common torcher put on Christian inmates. They didn’t do it unto death (too much paper work) nor, did they use nails or anything that would leave evidence of their deeds. The cameras seem to have just about ended that practice. I can tell you that one would have to have love beyond belief to volunteer to be crucified for someone else. The inmates had no choice but, Jesus did and he went through with it of his own free will for us. When I think about it, it just blows me away!
Anyway, back to books. I think that most organizations have some degree of corruption in them; even religious ones. Exposing that corruption can be a dangerous game. Even letting the people in the organization know how much you know about the corruption can be just as dangerous a game for then you are a threat. You will be hunted and hounded, if not killed, just because you know too much. So, it is not likely that I will say much about prison life that isn’t fairly common knowledge. In short, no books! But, you are right. It has been a good training program for me and a help in bad times to follow Christ.
LDS
LSD, I meant that for another poster. I am not at a real computer so I can’t see far back on this Droid, I meant it for another poster. One thing I was discussing with a conventional last night when asked when the BS convention began and what do we do, was how we use the Bible so much and discuss, pull apart the text. The watchtower tells you which to read and there is on a repeat of the paragraph. So I agree the Bible is powerful with the help of the spirit and discussions with others of like mind it can be understood. Two or there is what Jesus said, that way we don’t lean on our own understandings. I also believe we have been given gifts in men to help us with written books pamphlets etc and the internet is one of the latest tools. I think Daniel was talking about the age of the printing press, internet and possibly somethings else that will make knowledge readily available.
Today is a travel day for me and tonight I will have a decent computer.
Could anyone tell me about cross and crown pins that BS wear ? How could I obtain one or two??
I think those are collector items now. I see many of them at the conventions on the various friends attire but I think they are from older deceased ones.
hello friends, peace for all, actually I was unaware that Christian unity among brothers dawn, herald, here in Brazil these parallels to the teachings of Russell Christian groups are not well disseminated to and I wish there were more groups like this, but I thank available to you to answer me, I have only one question: group meetings are extamente so, as stated in the magazine dawn? in homes of the brothers? I found it interesting, it seems that people absorb more knowledge and can even expose your point of view, very good wishes to all.
Hi Eddie Morgan nice to hear from you again from beautiful Brazil. Meeting in the homes allows for fellowship and slowed down personal learning and association. It also keeps cost down so gathering money doesn’t become a prime thing. Some cities however provide adobe connect for those isolated and this is a fine blessing from Jehovah and Christ in our age. It is so refreshing to feel like you are there as you see the brothers at the conventions and the larger congregations.
Perhaps you can join us for one of those.
I remember as a JW that they said that meeting in the homes would be the way it would be during the wrap up of this system, but instead they abolished this loving arrangement in the congregations, we were all so sad. But it controlled the flow of information as some elders were allowing discussions after the book studies in the small groups in the homes. Now all information flow is controlled from the platform in the congregation. Just a side bar.
Take Care Eddie.
hello class …. I’m part of the aurora down here in Brazil based in rio de janeiro and find interesting this way of evangelization, my big question is referring to the existing parallel between TJs and dawn, both preach studies Russel, this division was necessary? by the way, is the common pursuit that Jehovah’s Witnesses suffering in some Russian cities Rostov type, and Meiter taganrog? peace of Jehovah and his Son Jesus Christ to all
Hello Eddie Morgan and thanks for commenting. Last time you commented in Spanish. This time we appreciate your effort to speak in English, you did okay. In Russia it is true the witnesses are being persecuted but the Baptist religion is more so. In fact the Russian government is equal in their persecution of Christian religions, not showing favor to any that are not sanctioned by the state. We do pray that these religions will get relief from this persecution soon. One should be able to worship God in peace without interference from government or outside sources.
It is interesting however in the “google alerts” for Jehovah witnesses that I subscribe to, the Witnesses are accused of breaking up families. This seems to be the major motivating factor in the persecution in Russia. Their shunning policy is unacceptable to the Russian government.
You mentioned dawn, Do you mean Dawn bible? You mentioned TJs, I couldn’t fiqure this one out. Maybe someone else reading this can.
You take care and maybe others will comment. Peace to you and your brothers in Brazil
Eddie Morgan – Keep in mind that just because the Bible Student congregations do not have any central governing body does not mean we are not unified. The various congregations and groups (Dawn, Herald, Divine Plan, Chicago Bible, etc.) all work together and meet with each other at convetnions. Perhaps you are thinking of the Layman’s Home Missionary movement. We are friendly with and have been in contact with these brehtren. The main difference is that they beleive that the door the the heavenly call was closed in 1950. However, Revelation 3:7 (NASV) says, ” He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut.” Among the Bible Students we have some dear brethren who have chosen not to pursue the heavenly call. However, this “one hope of our calling” (Eph 4:4) to develop the Christlike character to prepare for the work of the heavenly priesthood to bless mankind is our major focus. Hence, the Laymen’s brethren seem to have a different “one hope.” Also the Laymen’s group now called the “Bible Standard,” has had a succession of presidents leading the organization and Bible Students would never allow any president to lead our groups other than Jesus Christ Himself.
Thanks Dupin. I enjoyed your expression of faith and you are correct on your assessment and points rendered. It is written in Acts 2:8 How do we hear, everyone in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabians: we hear them speaking in our languages the mighty works of God!” Yes our heavenly Father enabled them to speak in these wonderful languages with was their native tongues. It is not interesting that although Paul was well versed in Hebrew, Aramaic and Koine Greek that the scripture reads Acts 26:14 When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the HEBREW language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ Jesus chooses to speak to Saul in the Hebrew language. Studying the Original languages can enable one to arrive at the correct interpretation of the biblical text and avoid bias that is frequently transparent with the translators. The prohibition by the Watchtower demonstrates how afraid they are of their members arriving at correct truth which reveals that some of their teachings are diametrically opposed to what the Biblical text indicates.
Place yourself in the scene. If you was around the Northwest shore of Galilee, then you would have heard Jesus teaching in the Hebrew Galilean dialect. According to F.F Bruce commentary Jesus had his sermons rhyme so as to aid his listener’s memory. If we fast-forward 70 years later you would be living around 100 A.D and would have the scrolls in Greek. You would only have whatever scrolls were available to you. If we fast-forward 1900 years later we come to a printed prohibition in the 2007 KM that Witnesses could not learn Hebrew or Greek. So if Jesus was a JW member he could not even study the very language he spoke from birth? Or Paul could not even do his letter writing in Koine Greek? What language did the holy spirit use ?
Keepha I like your reasoning on this. Will you be in a position to come on tonight and let us meet you. Everyone is an xjw or some connection. Our conductor is a BS elder, I think you have a lot to add. You will burst wide open if not allowed to share your info with others. But these comments in a kh or to other witnesses will land you in an apostasy meeting. Take Care and feel free to comment on other post as well. We have 2626 viewers as of yesterday.
Hello there Keepha!
It was nice meeting you last night in the study. That is an interesting comment you make from F.F. Bruce’s commentary. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was correct in his thoughts as much of his sayings have a poetic quality about them, mush as the Beatitudes carry such over into Greek and most any other language they end up in. However, since the Holy Spirit inspired the writers of the NT to either directly write or, in several cases, translate what they wrote into Koine Greek the question of what the Holy Spirit “Spoke” in is rather mute.
In Acts we have it recorded for us that the Holy Spirit inspired Christians in whatever language was needed at the time for hearers of upwards of ten listed languages on one occasion (Acts chapter 2). So we find that the Holy spirit is not bound to one language. What that tells me is that as far as language was concerned when the Spirit inspired what got said it did it in whatever language was needed or God intended.
Not knowing whatever conversation you and Sis, Jacqueline had which led to the rest of your comment I’ll just simply give an opinion on the issue. One thing history teaches us is that those not in the light try their best to suppress the light. Hence from ancient times the apostate church suppressed access to the Bible by the masses and since the advent of the printing press have tried to filter it through keeping access to the languages in academia until very recently.
In 1993, when I decided to do something about my desire to learn Koine Greek I only found one book listed in the reference book on books in print as available, though I knew there had to be others simply because the language was being taught in universities which did not use the method used by the multi-volume work I finally bought. Now, of course, the situation is very different and text books are easily available on places like Amazon.
So now those who don’t walk in the light have to choose other routes to restrict access to the text from those who would wish or force them to go through books which will teach them to filter their understanding through a theological framework. The Watchtower simply chooses to ban the study of the Bible languages by its member, thus formalizing the discouragement which was already in place when I chose to study Greek on my own. Boy did I ever come under pressure when fellow Witnesses found out I was studying it back then!
I’m not where I want to be as far as ability with Greek and a number of other biblically associated languages go yet. However I’m working on it at my pace and find my life enriched by it.
Thanks Jacqueline!
Does anyone know if there’s a difference between the DAWN SITS and others?
The Dawn is the largest Bible Student publisher. We aren’t different religious groups. Bible Students from various congregations support and participate in the Dawn activities. We have no central authority. We are independent groups that believe the same early Watchtower doctrines and we all work together in Christian love. Some brethren associated with the Dawn may have a few differences with SITS. However, Bible Students allow the liberty to disagree.
Thank you Peter K. I’m reading one of their books entitled: “The Creators Grand Design”….It’s very well written and I could easily read it again and again!
K. Christian Spar lock was addressing you in one of his comments. I think I answered by mistake. Look down comment list to right to find it. Take care.
k, there are several editions of the SITS volumes published by various groups. Currently there are 4 sets
The Dawn Bible Students Association
New Brunswick Congregation of Bible Students
Fort Worth Bible Students
Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement
The Laymen publish 2 different sets an early Study Edition with notes by Paul Johnson, and a regular edition.
The Fort Worth publish a large one volume edition which includes all 6 volumes plus Tabernacle Shadows
Volumes 1-5 publish by the Dawn are pretty much the same as the others, their Volume 6 however differs in that they do not accept what the Pastor called “Tentative Justification”. So their Volume Six (The New Creation) omits “Tentative Justification” from the text.
Hope this helps!
RR
Thank you RR!
The Jw’s teach that Jehu represents the anointed class(themselves)but I was thinking maybe he would better represent Jesus….what do you guys think?
Nevermind. I don’t Jehu represents any official “class” in the Bible because he later became an idol worshipper!