# *Matthew 5:15-20

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Posted by dproper [dproper] on November 26, 1999 at 15:14:22 {2lTH7z2znEAda/WZ92yUP1C36qMA2w}:

In Reply to: Matthew 5:15-20 posted by Camryn on November 26, 1999 at 14:40:07:

Dear Camrey,

In conjunction to you research of Matthew, I found this information of intrest.

Use the WTS literature. Their own literature proves the WTS is guilty of false teachings.
The “world” now represents in a spiritual sense these 10 main religions. I personally
believe that the JW’s are the “temple class” while the
“10 tribe Israel nation” represent spiritually the 10 main religions of the world.

*** it-2 511 Number, Numeral ***
Bible Usage Not Numerology. Since the Bible is a book of both history and prophecy, the
numbers given therein may be either literal or symbolic. The context usually reveals in which
sense a number is used. Certain numbers appear often in the Bible in an illustrative, figurative,
or symbolic sense, and in such cases an understanding of their significance is vital to an
understanding of the text

Twelve. The patriarch Jacob had 12 sons, who became the foundations of the 12 tribes of Israel.
Their offspring were organized by God under the Law covenant as God’s nation. Twelve
therefore seems to represent a complete, balanced, divinely constituted arrangement. (Ge 35:22;

*** it-1 947 Divided Kingdom ***
Ten-Tribe Kingdom of Israel- represents 10 main religions of the world in a spiritual sense.

Two-Tribe Kingdom of Judah (includes the spirtual “temple class” JW but also includes the
physical nation of Israel, the Jews themselves.)

*** it-1 1177 Illustrations ***
The illustrations mentioned here are only a few of the many illustrations of the Hebrew
Scriptures. Virtually every Bible writer and prophet used illustrations, some being given to them
directly by God himself in the form of visions, some in words, and some by means of actual
realities, as, for instance, the tabernacle, which is called “an illustration.”—Heb 9:8-10.

*** Rbi8 Hebrews 9:8-10 ***
8 Thus the holy spirit makes it plain that the way into the holy place had not yet been made
manifest while the first tent was standing. 9 This very [tent] is an illustration for the appointed
time that is now here, and in keeping with it both gifts and sacrifices are offered. However, these
are not able to make the [man] doing sacred service perfect as respects his conscience, 10 but
have to do only with foods and drinks and various baptisms. They were legal requirements
pertaining to the flesh and were imposed until the appointed time to set things straight.

*** rs 322 Religion ***
Why are there so many religions?
A recent tabulation concluded that there are 10 main religions and some 10,000 sects. Of these,
some 6,000 exist in Africa, 1,200 in the United States, and hundreds in other lands.
Many factors have contributed to the development of new religious groups. Some have said that
the various religions all represent different ways of presenting religious truth. But a comparison
of their teachings and practices with the Bible indicates, rather, that the diversity of religions is
because people have become followers of men instead of listening to God. It is noteworthy that,
to a large extent, teachings they hold in common, but that differ from the Bible, originated in
ancient Babylon. (See pages 50, 51, under the heading “Babylon the Great.”)

The WTS teaches falsely here. I think the twelve tribes represent the whole world,
physical and spiritual.

To Whom Written. James wrote the letter to “the twelve tribes that are scattered about,” literally,
“the (ones) in the dispersion.” (Jas 1:1, ftn) He here addresses his spiritual “brothers,” those who
hold to “the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ,” primarily those living beyond Palestine. (1:2; 2:1, 7;
5:7) James bases much of his argument on the Hebrew Scriptures, but this does not prove that
his letter was only for Jewish Christians, even as one’s acquaintance with the Hebrew Scriptures
in modern times does not prove that one is of Jewish descent. His reference to Abraham as “our
father” (2:21) is in harmony with Paul’s words at Galatians 3:28, 29, where he shows that one’s
being of the true seed of Abraham is not determined by whether one is a Jew or a Greek.
Therefore, “the twelve tribes” addressed must be the spiritual “Israel of God.”—Ga 6:15, 16.

*** rs 323 Religion ***
Mark 7:6, 7: “He [Jesus] said to them [the Jewish Pharisees and scribes]: ‘Isaiah aptly prophesied
about you hypocrites, as it is written, “This people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far
removed from me. It is in vain that they keep worshiping me, because they teach as doctrines
commands of men.”’” (Regardless of whom a group profess to worship, if they hold to doctrines
of men instead of the inspired Word of God, their worship is in vain.)

Do we not see the WTS holding to doctrines of men ?

*** rs 323 Religion ***
Rom. 10:2, 3: “I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God; but not according to accurate
knowledge; for, because of not knowing the righteousness of God but seeking to establish their
own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.” (People may have God’s
written Word but lack accurate knowledge of what it contains, because they have not been
taught properly. They may feel that they are zealous for God, but they may not be doing what he
requires. Their worship is not going to please God, is it?)

*** rs 323-4 Religion ***
2 Cor. 11:14, 15: “Satan himself keeps transforming himself into an angel of light. It is therefore
nothing great if his ministers also keep transforming themselves into ministers of righteousness.”
(Here we are cautioned that not everything that originates with Satan may appear hideous. One
of his chief methods of deceiving mankind has been false religion of all kinds, to some of which
he gives a righteous appearance.)
2 Tim. 3:2, 5: “Men will be . . . having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power; and
from these turn away.” (Regardless of their outward professions of love for God, if those with
whom you worship do not sincerely apply his Word in their own lives, the Bible urges you to
break off such association.)

Does not shunning produce bad fruitage ?
*** rs 326 Religion ***
Most religious organizations have produced bad fruitage. It is not the fact that groups are
organized that is bad. But many have promoted forms of worship that are based on false
teachings and are largely ritualistic instead of providing genuine spiritual guidance; they have
been misused to control the lives of people for selfish objectives; they have been overly
concerned with money collections and ornate houses of worship instead of spiritual values; their
members are often hypocritical. Obviously no one who loves righteousness would want to belong
to such an organization. But true religion is a refreshing contrast to all of that. Nevertheless, to
fulfill the Bible’s requirements, it must be organized.

I think H2O is very well organized, yet we here are free to say what we feel is true. H2O is an excellent place to learn Bible truths.
Always pondering,
dproper

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