ever make you want to research? Does it make you pray to Jehovah to help you to know if you are worshiping him in the right way? I know I am setting myself up here for some disturbing answers..but, I just want you all to know..that I personally have only intense love for you..I have pain in my heart for you, my family..because I have been where you are..and now I am in a better place in my life..with a true beautiful free relationship with God..I put answers on here and sometimes questions about JW's in order to try and help you to see things in a different way..to research...That is all I am trying to do..But, if it is not doing any good..I am not going to post answers nor questions any longer..I am going to spend my time more wisely..Reading the Bible and helping others to gain a relationship with Jesus and God.
I have great love for you all,I really do..I pray everynight that ones will hear the true message of Jesus.
I know you think you have the truth..but please just be sure..
2007-07-11 09:12:11 · 17 answers · asked by angel 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You know, I pray often asking God if this is how he is using me to help others right now..I know planting the seed is so important..I have watched many of seeds grow so beautiful..Ones that I never thought would..But, I think for now, I will take a break from here..I feel sadden when I see how the JW's treat former ones..They have no love at all in their hearts for us..They treat us as if we were evil people...Their eyes are so blinded right now, and I understand that..At one time, I would have been right there with them..doing the same things..defending the same beliefs..I know how hard it is to question their beliefs...I understand how hard it is..
Time for me to take a break from this area..
2007-07-11 11:20:45 · update #1
May C..I appreciate what you are saying. But, do not do as JW's do and pick out one or two scriptures to make them seems as they are the only sheep like people. Read the entire Chapter of Matthew 7..the entire Chapter...
LP..I am sorry that I don't allow contact. I did at one time ..Its just something that I prefer not to do right now. You keep on telling your story..We all have one , don't we..and they all seem to be very sad..I just want to tell you that, its very important to forgive those who hurt us...as hard as it is. You may have already did that..I don't know..But, I do know that we cannot have true peace inside until we forgive those who has done us so wrong..God Bless you.
The answers that I am receiving are truely blessings that make my heart glad , ones that make me see how true Chritain love is so real and wonderful.
2007-07-12 01:23:59 · update #2
John, please don't stop (in my opinion). Personally, in my own experience it is people like you that pushes me more to study about the Jehovah's Witnesses. See, i am not one. When a question arises whether negative or positive about the beliefs of the JWs, i look it up myself and yes, sometimes i need to study it over and over again to understand...and the search for the truth is surely is worth it.
We will know who the true Christians are by their fruitage...and Jesus said in John 13:35 that "you are my disciples if you have love among yourselves..."
...inspite of imperfection, i've seen it with my own eyes that they have unity; brotherly love that i have never thought possible in a world full of hate and discrimination. I didn't even see this in my own church.
Ok, so some may say "you have not seen nothing yet..." well, maybe that true too. You may find faults in the members of their Kingdom Hall or congregation. Well, if I look at the religion's faults then i will never find answers to my questions in any religion because I would be finding faults in every religion. Why just the JWs?
Each religion will say they have the truth.... which is understandable. But again, Jesus said, "you are my disciples if you have love amongst yourselves...." and you will know the true Chriastians by their fruitage.
2007-07-11 16:13:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I honestly think they were trying to show that they care but they might have had and awkward approach. "Like the last meeting, one of the brothers came up to me saying....oh, it seems like u haven't been here for a while (in a condescending tone)." What your cousin said was true but on the same token we also get literature advising us to overlook out brothers imperfections. Always remember that we are all imperfect and the imperfections of one brother should never come between your relationship with Jehovah God. I even see it sometimes when a sister or a brother makes a comment to someone who hasn't been at the meeting in a while. A comment that would have turned out better if they had seriously thought about what they were saying. The thing is that there is a fine line between geniunely caring about someone and being pushy. If you really feel that you under alot of pressure and that you are always being counseled first take it to Jehovah in heartfelt prayer and then maybe the next time someone makes a condescending comment, TACTFULLY respond in a way that will help them to realized their wrong. I want you to know that no matter what happens in a congregation what ultimately matters is your relationship with Jehovah. There have been so many good brothers and sisters who have fallen away from the truth because of this and its just not worth it. What matters is that you get to be a part of God's kingdom don't EVER let anyone take that away from you!
2016-05-19 21:56:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hear you, brother! I have been in the same place you have been and also now minister to persons trying to escape cults.
The thing is that the Watch Tower has them convinced that they should turn a deaf ear to us "apostates" and Christians who "don't have the truth". As far as reading just the Bible without the WT influence, they are discouraged from doing that as well. They are told that doing so has led people "right back to the apostate doctrines of Christendom". Well, YUH!!!! Because those doctrines are so clearly expressed in Scripture that they are inescapable to a person reading the Bible without outside influences or prejudice.
Listen, the only thing that we can do is pray that the Holy Spirit will lead them into all truth. As for us, we plant the seed whenever and wherever we can, as you have been trying to do.
You know how teenagers never seem to listen to their parents, yet when those who have been raised with good principles are faced with a moral dilemma, the first thing that pops into their heads is what their parents would say about the matter? It is the same principle: while they may scoff and ridicule us and our doctrines, later on down the line, if the HS decides to call them out, as He did with us, those seeds we planted long ago, will begin to sprout.
Please don't feel that you are wasting your time because, even if you don't see the results of your efforts, God does, and you will be blessed for following His will. And, later on, even if you aren't around to see it, your efforts will pay off for those you witness to.
Be blessed and keep up the good work!
2007-07-11 10:31:50 · answer #3 · answered by Simon Peter 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
First, did Yahweh/Jehovah God tell you "O.K. enough is enough; time to take a time out." I don't think God would tell anyone to give up on saving another. Don't you know that Jesus said if you save even 1 person that you will gain eternal life. But if you draw away even 1 person from Him then you face destruction. So, if you want to keep on telling the good news of God and Son; keep on keeping on. You sound disheartened and I think the devil is taking your spirit down. Be careful.
To IMListening: Don't state false accusation that the JW's does not love the "Lamb". Of course they do. They love the Lamb and respects the Lamb. I once said something about Jesus haters and I was so absolutely wrong. I felt ashamed after that and I know God did not approve of it. We all have differences and so many interpret the Bible or has differ revelations on scriptures, but WE all have the LOVE for Christ Jesus. Anyone that strongly seeks the truth of the Holy Bible and spends hours upon hours studying the scriptures definitely have the love and belief of Christ Jesus! I can and truly respect a person that devotes majority of their time to Yahweh/Jehovah God. Someday to I will spend more and more time focusing on my Heavenly Father. I look up to people that have more knowledge than me because that is how I learn, and learn, and learn. For those that deeply love God; He brings them closer to Him by using the ones that are blessed by Him. The ones that He finds to be worthy to do His will on earth. God knows at this time of the peak of world hatred, greediness, and corruption we do need God's Holy ones on this earth. Those (chosen ones) will be the ones to save us and bring us to pass Armageddon. I want to pass and that is why I got the need to learn.
May God help us all.
2007-07-11 13:20:26 · answer #4 · answered by Debs 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
John, Please understand that we are obligated to tell others about Jesus. We do not save others, God saves. All the denominations that we have here on earth have one thing in common, They believe in Jesus; if they all came together with their strengths we would have an incredible church of God. JW have a strong wittiness belief, Holiness/Pentecostal have a incredible spiritual belief, Baptist have a strong faith, and Presbyterians are more family oriented. These are only a few denominations that I am acquainted with that have a lot to offer if they all came together to use these strengths to build God's kingdom. Wouldn't this be wonderful instead of all the division we have?
2007-07-11 13:34:12 · answer #5 · answered by † White-Eagle Prayer Warrior † 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
one way to look at this is: the JWs who answer posts from us former JWs are -reading- and taking in the opposite view, no matter how they answer, they are getting the message. maybe , just maybe, they'll come around by virtue of repetition.
it is tiring hearing the same responses over and over. You know, I haven't talked to a JW in about.. uhmm.... 5 years. Talking to them here is like transporting myself back to the hall and back in front of the elders. Some things do not change and brings back all those old emotions and frustrations. I'll probably stop doing this when I need a break from those emotions, but until then, I'll continue telling my story.
2007-07-11 16:40:38 · answer #6 · answered by PediC 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I dont know about you, but my lifelong spiritual search has revealed the Scriptures to me and thats why I use Scriptures in my posts here at Y!A
I have found that when you show people Scriptures, the Word of God is powerful and they will either see clearly what the Scripture is meant to convey, or their minds will be blinded by the traditions of men.
For instance, when I have shown people who think that Yhshua/Jesus is equal to his Father YHWH/Jehovah this Scripture; Jesus said "Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I." and they still hold to the teaching that he is somehow equal to his Father, it just doesn't make any sense. Is he equal or is the Father greater?
Is Christ equal to his Father or does he worship God?
John 20:17 "Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God."
and then again the spirit person of Christ, from heaven in a vision to John says he worships God at Revelation 3:12 "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name."
so I guess there are those who are simply blinded to the truth about who exactly is the One Jesus worships as "the only true God" at John 17:3 and they want to cling to "traditions of men" instead of believing Christ's own words about his relationship to his Father.
no matter what you say, if people are blinded, then they simply will not see
and of course, if they do see, then they will not be blinded
well, unless they choose to follow their own selfish desires instead of the Scriptures; then perhaps they can be blinded after having seen.
oh well
agape!
.
2007-07-11 11:30:25 · answer #7 · answered by seeker 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
John... don't stop. You have been spreading the real good news in your Qs & As... and you should keep in mind that the ones that you are really helping may be ones that don't even reply. You may make a profound point that someone will research and never tell you. Don't limit yourself to only what you see in writing as responses... the Holy Spirit is using you as a vessel of truth... and that truth needs to be heard. I know it's hard sometimes to deal with the blind eyes and ears that don't want to hear... but that is when we are to dust off our feet and keep on truckin'. :o)
2007-07-11 10:41:24 · answer #8 · answered by ~♥Anna♥~ 5 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Building on the ideas and philosophies of men is like building on sand. (Matthew 7:26; 1 Corinthians 1:19, 20) On what, then, can you confidently base your beliefs? Since God has given you intellectual capacity to investigate the world around you and to ask questions concerning spiritual matters, does it not make sense that he would also provide the means to get accurate answers to your questions? (1 John 5:20) Yes, of course he would! How, though, can you establish what is true, genuine, or real in matters of worship? We have no hesitation in saying that God's Word, the Bible, provides the only basis for doing this.—John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17.
WHAT JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES BELIEVE
Belief+ Scriptural Reason
Bible is God's Word and is truth 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21; John 17:17
Bible is more reliable than tradition Matt. 15:3; Col. 2:8
God's name is Jehovah Ps. 83:18; Isa. 26:4; 42:8, AS; Ex. 6:3
Christ is God's Son and is inferior to Him Matt. 3:17; John 8:42; 14:28; 20:17; 1 Cor. 11:3; 15:28
Christ was first of God's creations Col. 1:15; Rev. 3:14
Christ died on a stake, not a cross Gal. 3:13; Acts 5:30
Christ's human life was paid as a ransom for obedient humans Matt. 20:28; 1 Tim. 2:5, 6; 1 Pet. 2:24
Christ's one sacrifice was sufficient Rom. 6:10; Heb. 9:25-28
Christ was raised from the dead as an immortal spirit person 1 Pet. 3:18; Rom. 6:9; Rev. 1:17, 18
Christ's presence is in spirit John 14:19; Matt. 24:3; 2 Cor. 5:16; Ps. 110:1, 2
We are now in the 'time of the end' Matt. 24:3-14; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; Luke 17:26-30
Kingdom under Christ will rule earth in righteousness and peace Isa. 9:6, 7; 11:1-5; Dan. 7:13, 14; Matt. 6:10
Kingdom will bring ideal living conditions to earth Ps. 72:1-4; Rev. 7:9, 10, 13-17; 21:3, 4
Earth will never be destroyed or depopulated Eccl. 1:4; Isa. 45:18; Ps. 78:69
God will eliminate present system of things in the battle at Har-Magedon Rev. 16:14, 16; Zeph. 3:8; Dan. 2:44; Isa. 34:2; 55:10, 11
Wicked will be eternally destroyed Matt. 25:41-46; 2 Thess. 1:6-9
People God approves will receive everlasting life John 3:16; 10:27, 28; 17:3; Mark 10:29, 30
There is only one road to life Matt. 7:13, 14; Eph. 4:4, 5
Human death is due to Adam's sin Rom. 5:12; 6:23
The human soul ceases to exist at death Ezek. 18:4; Eccl. 9:10; Ps. 6:5; 146:4; John 11:11-14
Hell is mankind's common grave Job 14:13, Dy; Rev. 20:13, 14, AV (margin)
Hope for dead is resurrection 1 Cor. 15:20-22; John 5:28, 29; 11:25, 26
Adamic death will cease 1 Cor. 15:26, 54; Rev. 21:4; Isa. 25:8
Only a little flock of 144,000 go to heaven and rule with Christ Luke 12:32; Rev. 14:1, 3; 1 Cor. 15:40-53; Rev. 5:9, 10
The 144,000 are born again as spiritual sons of God 1 Pet. 1:23; John 3:3; Rev. 7:3, 4
New covenant is made with spiritual Israel Jer. 31:31; Heb. 8:10-13
Christ's congregation is built upon himself Eph. 2:20; Isa. 28:16; Matt. 21:42
Prayers are to be directed only to Jehovah through Christ John 14:6, 13, 14; 1 Tim. 2:5
Images should not be used in worship Ex. 20:4, 5; Lev. 26:1; 1 Cor. 10:14; Ps. 115:4-8
Spiritism must be shunned Deut. 18:10-12; Gal. 5:19-21; Lev. 19:31
Satan is invisible ruler of world 1 John 5:19; 2 Cor. 4:4; John 12:31
A Christian ought to have no part in interfaith movements 2 Cor. 6:14-17; 11:13-15; Gal. 5:9; Deut. 7:1-5
A Christian should keep separate from world Jas. 4:4; 1 John 2:15; John 15:19; 17:16
Obey human laws that do not conflict with God's laws Matt. 22:20, 21; 1 Pet. 2:12; 4:15
Taking blood into body through mouth or veins violates God's laws Gen. 9:3, 4; Lev. 17:14; Acts 15:28, 29
Bible's laws on morals must be obeyed 1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Heb. 13:4; 1 Tim. 3:2; Prov. 5:1-23
Sabbath observance was given only to Israel and ended with Mosaic Law Deut. 5:15; Ex. 31:13; Rom. 10:4; Gal. 4:9, 10; Col. 2:16, 17
A clergy class and special titles are improper Matt. 23:8-12; 20:25-27; Job 32:21, 22
Man did not evolve but was created Isa. 45:12; Gen. 1:27; Matt. 19:4
Christ set example that must be followed in serving God 1 Pet. 2:21; Heb. 10:7; John 4:34; 6:38
Baptism by complete immersion symbolizes dedication Mark 1:9, 10; John 3:23; Acts 19:4, 5
Christians gladly give public testimony to Scriptural truth Rom. 10:10; Heb. 13:15; Isa. 43:10-12
2007-07-11 10:01:26 · answer #9 · answered by imtori 3 · 3⤊ 4⤋
John, we know that what you do, you are compelled to do out of love. You can't save everybody, but you can be sure that you will be rewarded for your efforts.
I cannot help but point out the irony of a JW telling someone to "live and let live", while they obsessively try to shove their beliefs down other people's throats.
It's not their fault though. They do not know that they are being misled, and you can only hope that God will be merciful and reward them for their good intentions.
2007-07-11 09:53:38 · answer #10 · answered by Esmerelda 2 · 4⤊ 3⤋