Posted by Bibleman [Bibleman] on November 01, 1999 at 16:44:59 {2gTL9dbN6kMSSTtTA17sslyACFuF8c}:
In Reply to: **WTS History posted by Antique on November 01, 1999 at 16:02:39:
You make a good point. But remember WHY the organization was allowed to remain? It was become some sheep like ones were already associated and they might have been scattered had the organization not continued.
As far as a strong spirtiual base, the WTS has that Biblical base. They certainly have a clearer understanding of the FUNDAMENTAL truth than anyone in Christendom.
As I've said, I find it incredible that they have realized that Jesus is Michael the Archangel with so much heated and forceful opposition to that idea and such a devoted focus on the trinity doctrine. That's amazing to me and inspired.
Also they understand about the Paradise Earth. That was their main commission to preach the "good news". That is, that a Paradise Earth would be restored. That appealed to a lot of people and made sense that Jehovah would reestablish his original purpose for the earth. You don't find this focus at all in Christendom.
They also understand the 144,000 as a heavenly class and the "great crowd" as an earthly class. That's something unique, certainly. But that's basically accurate.
They also have a strong focus on understanding the RANSOM SACRIFICE, which I think also many churches of Christendom do as well, but it gets confused with their pagan trinity doctrine beliefs.
And I think their man commission was to focus on the fact that the "last days" or "time of the end" had begun in 1914. And even though the "end of the gentile times" is wrong for 1914, it still is a valid date for the "last generation" and so that message remains true. So, in general they have pointed to 1914 as a turning point and focussed on proclaiming that Armageddon would soon come.
Thus, alsong with these fundamental truths, some false teachings went along as well. But now that the false teachings are being cleared up, their preaching hasn't been in vein and witnesses' fundamental beliefs usually don't change, even if they get fed up with the WTS and leave. I still consider by belief system to be fundamentall Jehovah's Witness. In fact, I consider myself "anointed" in the same context as anointed remnant Jehovah's witnesses do.
So after hearing the fundamental truths, those witnesses who were really focussed, went on to discover in their Bibles deeper truths and began to trust the Society less. So they don't lose their faith in Scripture even though it's clear the WTS cannot give them advanced spiritual food anymore.
It's ridiculous if you read the Bible! The Watchtower right now is saying the "great tribulation" is yet to come and is Armageddon, when in fact the Bible says the tribulation happens before the Messiah even arrives and there is a period of "darkness of the sun and moon" between the end of the tribulation and the actual Second Coming of the Messiah. So you can't listen to them. They don't have the truth. Not about this.
Furthermore, here's a twist. In order to label the GB as the "evil slave", it must become the apostate leaders in "the temple of THE God" as 2 Thess. 2:4 says. So wherever the evil slave is, that's where the 'temple" organization will be too. But ultimately, and hopefully, those "wheat" among the witnesses would have the firm foundation in scripture and in Jesus you speak of. And that would distinguish them from those who do not.
Those who have the proper foundation will be gathered into the true vine. Those who lack that firm foundation become the "grapes of wrath."
Cheers,
Bibleman