Set Free

Jn 8:32

144,000 – Literal Or Symbolic ?

Within one century there were five major Watchtower publications attempting to interpret Revelation, each one substantially different than the one before. In 1917 The Finished Mystery was released. Then came Light (1930), followed by Babylon the Great Has Fallen! God’s Kingdom Rules (1963), Then Is Finished the Mystery of God (1969) and most recently Revelation, Its Grand Climax At Hand! (1988). The September 2006 Kingdom Ministry (I still have it), listed 70 changes to the Revelation Climax book.

In view that there is an increase in memorial partakers, and the teaching of “generation” in Matthew 24 has been changed to an “overlapping” generation. Now is the time to overhaul this teaching that only 144,000 will be in heaven.

In the description of the 144,000 in Revelation 7:4 and 14:1, this number is believed to be literal but the statement that they are virgins, all Jewish male, from 12 tribes and standing on heavenly Mount Zion are all interpreted as figurative??! (Revelation, Its Grand Climax At Hand! pp.116, 117, 198, 199). Soon, Watchtower will soon declared as part of their New Light that 144,000 is no longer a literal number! 144,000 will be interpreted as symbolic! This “New Light” will be warmly welcomed by the masses with enthusiastic applauses. Does that mean that Christendom has been right all these while?

This method of interpretation makes it possible to have new interpretation created every few decades. It usually goes like this. 1.Read any relevant scripture. 2. In conjunction with scriptural precedent or, upon close examination of the scriptures, we gather that 144,000 is view as a symbolic figure. Same manner goes to recent change of CO being given the “privilege” of appointment E and MS.

Five books had been dedicated to the meaning of Revelation, each one overthrowing the understanding of the previous one. To say Jehovah gave these contradictory interpretations is blasphemy. If the understanding of prophecy changes dramatically over time, can it be said that these interpretations comes from Jehovah or is it Bible students fumbling around with their own doctrines?

A brother research and published his thorough findings at http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/revelation-daniel-prophetic-interpretation.php. These are great for reading before bedtime, as these facts will prick your Bible trained conscience and keep you wild awake the whole night. At least, that’s what happen to me.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem…

I did some research on the date of Jerusalem Destruction during my awakening process. I wonder why does WT teaches 607 BC while all other sources states differently. There is absolutely no support to believe this date. 607 BC is plain wrong and if you research further, CT Russell took this date from Adventist teaching. Error passes on from one to another. Click link below to see what major encyclopaedias says about this momentous event.

http://www.jehovahswitnessblog.com/faqs/was-jerusalem-destroyed-in-607/

607 BC teaching is important to calculate 1914 as date of Christ’s return teaching. If 607BC is not the date of Jerusalem Destruction, then 1914 is not the date of Christ return. As I mention prior, last days had actually began much earlier (Acts 2:17). It begins when Jehovah pours out his Spirit at Pentecost, 33CE. The scripture is that simple and clear in its teaching. Don’t be fool by complex calculation methodology that was inherited from the Adventist religion.Search the name “Barbour”.
Below is the time ruler that I formulate while during one of my Bible Study session in Oct 2013. Upon close examination, I know that something is seriously wrong with the Watchtower teaching.

TIME BAR

Something that I learn recently is about 1914. This doctrine was slowly adopted in the 1930s after death of Rutherford. Previously, CT Russell and Rutherford believes and taught that 1874 is the year of Christ return and 1914 is the year of End of the Gentiles times and Armageddon. Do some research on Watchtower history, brothers. Be like the Boreans and you will learn that WT is not directed by the Holy Spirit, not now, not ever in past history.

The original society’s books are available in actual scanned docs. Research it. These quotes are not fake!

“Our Lord, the appointed King, is now present since October 1874, A.D., according to the testimony of the prophets, to those who have ears to hear it: and the formal inauguration of his kingly office dates from April 1878, A.D.” Studies in Scriptures Series IV (1897) p.621

“The Scriptural proof is that the second presence of the Lord Jesus Christ began in 1874 A.D.” Prophecy (1929) p.65

“From 1874 onward is the time of the Lord’s second presence, as above stated his circumstantial evidence fulfilling prophecy is what constitutes the physical facts, and is proof corroborative of the Lord’s presence since 1874. … His presence beginning in 1874, he has carried on his harvest work from 1874 forward” Our Lord’s Return (1929) pp.27, 33, 37
“HARVEST” is a term which gives a general idea as to what work should be expected to transpire between the dates 1874 and 1914.” Studies In the Scriptures – Thy Kingdom Come p.135

In 1914, the Bible Students are totally clueless of Christ return!

You may quote Acts 1:6 to justify that Jesus’s apostles has wrong expectation. Read the verse!
The apostles merely ask Jesus in private if he is restoring the Kingdom to Israel at that time.
That is a vast contrast of one who publicly preach and broadcast their “wrong expectation” via countless speeches and millions of printed pages. If this is not deception, what is?

It’s Time To Wake Up

We share the sentiments of this sister who had faded. I hear so many similar stories from those who had left the Watchtower. Here it goes…

“I wasted 15 years of my life as a JW, there were often teachings I couldn’t fully accept of make sense of but the answer was always “trust in Jehovah, attend meetings, do more field service etc”. Eventually I just gave up and drifted away and tried to pick up the pieces of my normal life. Recently I have been studying up on different aspects of the bible and also the watchtower society and its history. The internet as a great tool with so much information available out there. The more I dig into sites like this one, Silentlambs, freeminds, JWfacts, Jwsurvey, Barbera Anderson etc, the more facts I discover and the closer I get to the real Truth about the Watchtower. The people who run these sites are not apostates, just decent , sincere people who woke up and dared to look for the real truth and not just blindly swallow everything the Governing Body said.

In a court case, both sides of an argument are presented, and then a fair judgment is made. The reason Watchtower wants to keep curious ones away from these websites is that once we see all the facts, you will realize you have been conned.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters ( we are all Christians, are we not?), be fair, do your own research and see both side of the coin. The real Truth will stand the test. Sometimes, you just need to identify the lie to find the truth.

I believe that some of you will slowly wake up like what we just did. It is a slow tedious process. But it is worth it. Till then, please whatsapp us when you wake up. We will welcome you with open arms. There are so many things to catch up. We miss you all and take care till the day comes. Cheers!

Jerusalem Destruction 607 BC?

Jerusalem fell in 587 B.C. This is stated in virtually All encyclopedias and supported by a vast volume of historical artifacts. However, Watchtower claims that Jerusalem was destroyed in 607 B.C.E.
This is highly significant for Jehovah’s Witnesses, as if Jerusalem was not destroyed in 607 B.C., then Jesus rulership did not commence in 1914!
I have attached a chart to shows what actually occurred that is in perfect harmony with Biblical history vs. Watchtower erroneous interpretation.
The date 607 B.C. is plain wrong. Research and find out what you are taught is true? (Acts 17:11). Even Siri knows the Truth.

Knocking On Empty Doors

Dear Bros and Sis,

There are so many things that has happen in the past few months.
We are so busy that I did not have time to update our blog. 

Jiani is doing fine. She still miss you on a daily basis, Lai Chun, Kelly, Yan San, Olive, Kathryn…..and many others.
She is taking her last papers for her insurance exams as part of basic education.

As for me, there are so many things on my mind. Foremost things I want to let you know is that I have meet up with many brothers who had left prior to me. Some are elders and MS, some faded and some DF.

They left for various reasons and I will summarize below:
· Doctrinal changes and flip flop, indicating it is not Jah’s Holy Spirit behind this
· Hypocrisy and double standard among certain prominent members, such as elders, branch coordinators
· Tired and burn out, so much different from Mt 11:28

You be surprise to hear from those who have first hand account of what happen within the cong as brothers shared with me their first hand personal experiences. Many hold privilege position in the Organization and they can see deep into how things are done behind the scene. Trust me, their experiences are not pretty and some are downright disgusting. Stumbled and concluded that Jah is not behind this organization, these are the real reasons they decided to fade away quietly.

So, is there an organization that has the True God backing now? The answers is a resounding NO.
As long as it is run by humans, there is no way. Thus, Jesus mentions that he is the Only WAY to Jehovah.
There is no need for man-made organization to approach Jehovah, except for thorough Christ (Jn 14:6).
It is that simple.

It is extremely hard to believe that the Creator of the vast universe would select a books publishing firm to represent him on earth.

Here are the events that prompted my awakening:
1. Constant warning on dangers of higher education despite so few of us are taking higher education
2. Constant fear mongering that other websites are spreading lies while Society’s jw.org are the only website or organization dispensing truth. Do some independent research at jwfacts.com or jwsurvey.com and judge for yourself. If it is the TRUTH, it will stand up to all criticism. You need to be like the Boreans (Acts 17:11)
3. Lack of true happiness in the meetings as brothers and sisters are all visibly tired and worn out
4. Catechistic way of worship. Andy’s way of asking in WT studies “What is your Answerrrrs?”, “Any new hands?”
5. Usage of the term “true Christians”. I felt uneasy using this term as Jesus did not even feel comfortable to be called “good Teacher”(Lu 18:18) and how much more so we dare to call ourselves “true” Christians???
6. July 15th 2013 WT articles, that is the last straw and it clearly shows that holy spirit is not directing this Organization
7. Judgmental attitude among those congregation due to over emphasis in outward works of faith. Eg. underlining the WT, meeting attendance, field service (FS)…etc.

Let me elaborate on last point. FS is not wrong. But, it has been overemphasized and overtaken all precedent among any other good works for Christians. FS is banking on the interpretation that last days began in 1914. Yet, how the date comes about is dubious. Please do independent research on year of Jerusalem destruction, it is not 607BC. Last days did not began in 1914 but much earlier. See Acts 2:17,33.

Apostle James talked about faith and works, he use the example of assisting materially the poor and hungry (Jas 2:15-17).
What did Jesus tell the rich young ruler to do? He had to give all to the poor. See also Gal 2:10.
The first century Christians took up a collection and distributed food to widows.

Why is zealous preaching not included in the requirements to be an Elder or MS in the Bible? Yet we had made it a requirement. Why is going FS and building KHs considered to be more important than other charitable good works? How would elders view you if you skipped service to visit sick, elderly ones or make meals for them?

There is nothing in the Bible to support that FS is superior to kind charitable deeds. Yet, such kind acts is hardly or never emphasized in the pages of the Watchtower. Also everyone deep in their hearts knows very well that most time spent in the ministry is wasted knocking on doors of not homes, walking on streets, long rest, lunch/ coffee breaks.
The Watchtower places great emphasis on the ‘house to house’ ministry, yet Mark 13:10 simply says ” in all the nations the good news has to be preached first.” It does not dictate how this is to be done. Though the house to house work is an acceptable way to preach, it is never indicated scripturally as a sign of who God’s followers would be.
In fact, house to house is not even prescribed as the way to preach. Now, take a close look at the scriptures.
In the New World Translation there are over 30 references to Jesus disciples preaching in the synagogues, marketplace and temple and only 3 that use the term ‘house to house’. For example:
Mark 1:39 “And he did go, preaching in their synagogues throughout the whole of Gal´i·lee and expelling the demons.”

Acts 9:19-20 “He got to be for some days with the disciples in Damascus, 20 and immediately in the synagogues he began to preach Jesus, that this One is the Son of God.”
The only time that the term ‘house to house’ is used in regards to preaching to unbelievers was when Jesus sent out the 70 disciples. On this occasion Jesus plainly stated do not go house to house.

Luke 10:1-7 “After these things the Lord designated seventy others and sent them forth by twos in advance of him into every city and place to which he himself was going to come. “Wherever YOU enter into a house say first, ‘May this house have peace.’ And if a friend of peace is there, YOUR peace will rest upon him. But if there is not, it will turn back to YOU. So stay in that house, eating and drinking the things they provide, for the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not be transferring from house to house. (Ek oikia eis oikia)””
The Watchtower quotes two scriptures from Acts to indicate a person should preach ‘house to house’.
“The principal way in which that work would be done became evident immediately after the day of Pentecost 33 C.E. “Every day in the temple and from house to house they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus.” (Acts 5:42) Some 20 years later, the apostle Paul was engaging in the house-to-house ministry, for he reminded Christian elders from the city of Ephesus: “I did not hold back from telling you any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching you publicly and from house to house.”-Acts 20:20.” Watchtower 1991 Jan 15 p.11

The Greek used at Acts 5:42 and Acts 20:20 is not Ek oikia eis oikia, but rather Kata oikos. For this reason, many and most Bible translations render this “in every house”, “at home” or “in their homes”. The New World Translation uses the phrase “house to house” at Acts 20:20, though the footnote acknowledges that the Greek word means “in private houses”.
In Acts 20:17-20, Paul is not discussing preaching to unbelievers but rather teaching those who are already believers.
“However, from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the older men of the congregation….I did not hold back from telling YOU any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching YOU publicly and from house to house.”
A more accurate way to understand these scriptures in Acts is “we were teaching you at your homes” similar to the way we hold our congregation book studies. You can refer to how other bible translation render this verse to get the full import of this verse.Guidance on how to preach was given by Jesus at Matthew 10:5-12:
“These twelve Jesus sent forth, giving them these orders: “Do not go off into the road of the nations, and do not enter into a Sa·mar’i·tan city; but, instead, go continually to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As YOU go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.’ Cure sick people, raise up dead persons, make lepers clean, expel demons. YOU received free, give free. Do not procure gold or silver or copper for YOUR girdle purses, or a food pouch for the trip, or two undergarments, or sandals or a staff; for the worker deserves his food. “Into whatever city or village YOU enter, search out who in it is deserving, and stay there until YOU leave. 12 When YOU are entering into the house, greet the household;”

The Watchtower message focuses largely on the earthly organization and paradise hope. Rather than giving free, donations are requested to cover the cost of the literature and prior to the change of tax status the money raised for selling literature is what developed the Watchtower Society into a billion dollar business. Finally, the disciples did not go house to house, they searched out a single house to stay.
The focus on the preaching work is self-serving. It is used to propagated unique Watchtower interpretations as doctrines and departed greatly from the original Good News proclaimed by Jesus and his apostles. It is used to guilt people into slaving for the Watchtower organization and to discredit other religions. This is a real shocker and causes us great despair.

If we accept what the bible plainly says, the Watchtower is plain wrong. It hurts us badly to admit that what we had believe is wrong for the past 20 years. We should have read the bible and listen to God’s word more closely instead of being deceived by voices of strangers.

 

Tossed to and fro by doctrines of the Watchtower

Circuit Assembly Symposium Talks:

Reject Strange Teachings – aka reject truth being exposed about the Watchtower society and their teachings.

You must hate your enemy – aka you must hate the Governing Body’s enemy of family and friends who have awaken to their lies and left.

Work hard to remain in Jehovah’s teaching – aka keep the blinders on and keep working real hard to ignore logic and reason and keep blindly accepting the teachings of the Governing Body as from Jehovah himself, even if you are figuring out they are only man’s teachings and not God’s.