Monday, May 12, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Books To Be Released at the 2008 District Convention
I just received information on the books to be released this year at the District Convention.
Fri Afternoon:
YOUNG PEOPLE ASK, ANSWERS THAT WORK, Volume 2. This is not a replacement but a sequel to Volume 1.
Sat Afternoon:
KEEP YOURSELVES IN GOD'S LOVE. 224 Page Book that focuses on Christian conduct, and the need to live in harmony with Jehovah's (the organization's) standards.
I will let you know if any New Light is being unveiled at the assembly as soon as I read over the talk outlines.
Fri Afternoon:
YOUNG PEOPLE ASK, ANSWERS THAT WORK, Volume 2. This is not a replacement but a sequel to Volume 1.
Sat Afternoon:
KEEP YOURSELVES IN GOD'S LOVE. 224 Page Book that focuses on Christian conduct, and the need to live in harmony with Jehovah's (the organization's) standards.
I will let you know if any New Light is being unveiled at the assembly as soon as I read over the talk outlines.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Was The Recent Generation Change Really A Case Of New Light"
Was the recent generation change really a case of New Light or did the organization simply revert back to and old meaning? Read the following and see for yourselves.
The following information is from the book "Life" by Joseph Franklin Rutherford, 1929, Page 330.
Jesus indicated that the true followers of Christ who would compose the remnant on earth at the end of the world would observe these things, and that, if continuing faithful to the end, they would see the kingdom of God established in complete glory: "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." (Matt. 24: 34) And then for the further encouragement of the faithful remnant he said: "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." — Luke 21:28."
Rutherford altered this teaching in 1927 (Remember! "New Creation" = "Anointed"):
W 15. Feb. 1927, p. 62:
Question: In Matthew 24:34 Jesus said: "Verily Isay unto you, This generation shall not pass, till allthese things be fulfilled." What did he mean by "this generation"?
Answer: It could hardly be said that he meant any human being living on the earth at that time. He was giving testimony concerning things that were to transspire at the end of the world. That was a long way off. No generation of the human race has ever existed as long as a thousand years. It follows then that Jesus must have meant something else. What could he have meant? At the Jordan Jehovah started a new generation,a new creation, of which Christ Jesus is the Head .Jesus selected twelve disciples, who were with him for three and one-half years. Eleven of these we haveevery reason to believe constitute a part of that new creation. In 1 Peter 2:9 the apostle, speaking to the church of course, referred to those who are faithful. The irresistible conclusion therefore is that Jesus referred to the new creation when he said: "This generation shall not pass until all these things be fulfilled." This then would be a strong indication that some members of the new creation will be on the earth at the time of Armageddon.
The following information is from the book "Life" by Joseph Franklin Rutherford, 1929, Page 330.
Jesus indicated that the true followers of Christ who would compose the remnant on earth at the end of the world would observe these things, and that, if continuing faithful to the end, they would see the kingdom of God established in complete glory: "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." (Matt. 24: 34) And then for the further encouragement of the faithful remnant he said: "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." — Luke 21:28."
Rutherford altered this teaching in 1927 (Remember! "New Creation" = "Anointed"):
W 15. Feb. 1927, p. 62:
Question: In Matthew 24:34 Jesus said: "Verily Isay unto you, This generation shall not pass, till allthese things be fulfilled." What did he mean by "this generation"?
Answer: It could hardly be said that he meant any human being living on the earth at that time. He was giving testimony concerning things that were to transspire at the end of the world. That was a long way off. No generation of the human race has ever existed as long as a thousand years. It follows then that Jesus must have meant something else. What could he have meant? At the Jordan Jehovah started a new generation,a new creation, of which Christ Jesus is the Head .Jesus selected twelve disciples, who were with him for three and one-half years. Eleven of these we haveevery reason to believe constitute a part of that new creation. In 1 Peter 2:9 the apostle, speaking to the church of course, referred to those who are faithful. The irresistible conclusion therefore is that Jesus referred to the new creation when he said: "This generation shall not pass until all these things be fulfilled." This then would be a strong indication that some members of the new creation will be on the earth at the time of Armageddon.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
Watchtower Organization Sells Bossert Hotel for 100 Million Dollars
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080505/FREE/215086780/1059/toc
Bklyn's once famous Bossert sells for $100M
May 05. 2008 3:43PMBy: Kira Bindrim
Brooklyn Heights’ famed Bossert Hotel, on the auction block since January, has reportedly snagged a buyer. Robert Levine, the same developer behind One Brooklyn Bridge Park, has reportedly made a deal to buy the Bossert for upwards of $100 million, according to real estate blog Brownstoner. That answers questions of whether a softening real estate market might keep the famed building from commanding a price tag over $100 million. The 224-unit building at 98 Montague Street has 20,000 square feet of space. With some renovation, the Bossert could make up to $1,000 per square foot, according to Brownstoner. The Bossert was one of seven major Brooklyn Heights properties put on the market by The Watchtower Group in January. The organization did not provide an asking price, but gave a “request for best offer” to interested parties. The Bossert has been making headlines for years—but most recently has had a more humble role as the newest stop on the Brooklyn Heights Association’s neighborhood tour. In 1955, the Brooklyn Dodgers celebrated their lone World Series win there, and author Francis Morrone called the building the “Waldorf-Astoria of Brooklyn” in his An Architectural Guidebook to Brooklyn. The space was once famous for its Marine Roof, a two-level rooftop restaurant with a nautical theme and impressive view of lower Manhattan. In 1983 the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York began leasing the space, and bought it outright in 1988. Watchtower, a Jehovah’s witness organization, undertook a massive renovation and restoration of the building to comply with Landmarks Preservation Commission standards for the historic district. Since then, the Jehovah’s witnesses have transferred their printing and shipping operations to a new location and consolidated Brooklyn operations, leaving diminished need for the residential space.
Bklyn's once famous Bossert sells for $100M
May 05. 2008 3:43PMBy: Kira Bindrim
Brooklyn Heights’ famed Bossert Hotel, on the auction block since January, has reportedly snagged a buyer. Robert Levine, the same developer behind One Brooklyn Bridge Park, has reportedly made a deal to buy the Bossert for upwards of $100 million, according to real estate blog Brownstoner. That answers questions of whether a softening real estate market might keep the famed building from commanding a price tag over $100 million. The 224-unit building at 98 Montague Street has 20,000 square feet of space. With some renovation, the Bossert could make up to $1,000 per square foot, according to Brownstoner. The Bossert was one of seven major Brooklyn Heights properties put on the market by The Watchtower Group in January. The organization did not provide an asking price, but gave a “request for best offer” to interested parties. The Bossert has been making headlines for years—but most recently has had a more humble role as the newest stop on the Brooklyn Heights Association’s neighborhood tour. In 1955, the Brooklyn Dodgers celebrated their lone World Series win there, and author Francis Morrone called the building the “Waldorf-Astoria of Brooklyn” in his An Architectural Guidebook to Brooklyn. The space was once famous for its Marine Roof, a two-level rooftop restaurant with a nautical theme and impressive view of lower Manhattan. In 1983 the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York began leasing the space, and bought it outright in 1988. Watchtower, a Jehovah’s witness organization, undertook a massive renovation and restoration of the building to comply with Landmarks Preservation Commission standards for the historic district. Since then, the Jehovah’s witnesses have transferred their printing and shipping operations to a new location and consolidated Brooklyn operations, leaving diminished need for the residential space.
Richard Wheelock Committed Suicide At Bethel by Jumping to His Death
CLICK ON ARTICLE TO ENLARGE
Richard Wheelocks committed suicide at Bethel, The Happiest Place on Earth, by jumping to his death from 3rd floor window.
Richard Wheelocks committed suicide at Bethel, The Happiest Place on Earth, by jumping to his death from 3rd floor window.Thursday, May 1, 2008
A Bethelite's Viewpoint on the Recent Organization Changes
To me the most obvious reason has nothing to do with control, or money. It has everything to do with the serious shortage of qualified brothers who can (or who are willing to) be used. I have been involved in the organzation for 40 yrs and I have never seen the level of apathy and disillusionment among those serving in some capacity in this organization. There are three main reasons for this: 1) burnout, 2) lack of urgency/belief that the GT or armaggedon is near, and 3) steady erosion of faith in the organization.
Burnout is rampant within the ranks of the servant bodies worldwide as fewer and fewer brothers are willing to serve and make the extraordinary sacrifices asked of them by the organization. Elders and servants are "stepping down" at an unprecedented rate. Finding a willing replacement has become next to impossible leaving those few loyal brothers completely overwhelmed as they struggle to handle all the congregation responsibilities which, of course, include conducting bookstudies and giving public talks. This has been a growing trend within the organization for some time, but it has all of the sudden become especially pronounced and is nearing crisis proportions.
The other issue is that more and more of those serving are realizing that the Armaggedon may not be as close as it was once thought and any sense of urgency has waned considerably. The "generation" definition change in 1995 was the first real "alert" that something was amiss. Then you add in that the number of memorial partakers has actually increased (9,105 in 2007 compared to 9,081 in 1984), plus the recent change in the understanding of the "sealing" of the annointed (thought to have been completed in the 1930's, but apparently is not yet completed). What has happened is that in the minds of many serving, the "end" is suddenly a ways off in the distance somewhere. Less and less of those serving believe that it will happen in their lifetime and they had better do something to prepare themselves for a longer stay in this system.
Finally, more and more of those serving are wising up to the cultish ways of organization and they are no longer just accepting things and "waiting on Jehovah." In the past, the organization could successfully overcome any credibility issues due to failed prophesies or waffeling doctrines by writing a WT article or Question from Readers and it was just accepted. There was no discussion, no forum to question or examine what was printed, and of course, who had the time or the resources anyway. This is not the case now, however. The internet has changed everything. Anything about the organization can and is being discussed and not just anonymously online. These discussions are being carried back to the congregations, in field service car groups, and as a result the organization has (and continues to suffer) a tremendous loss of credibility among even those serving. The pedophile coverup and the scandalous UN association is becoming more widely known everyday. The legal and money problems of the WTBS, the blood issue, disfellowshipping, and other non-scriptural mandates of the organization are being questioned and being discussed.
The powers-that-be know that without willing elders & servants this organization is truly doomed. So, don't read into the "high price of gas" or the "we know that families are struggling and we want to add no further burden" horsesh*t expanation for these changes. And it ain't about control or money per se. Make no mistake, it's all about trying to stop the mass exodus of servants who are either burnout, disillusioned, and/or have lost the faith. Why do you think they have invited all the elders to the "pump me up" sessions in Patterson?
Expect more changes to come and soon. This is just the beginning - trust me.
Burnout is rampant within the ranks of the servant bodies worldwide as fewer and fewer brothers are willing to serve and make the extraordinary sacrifices asked of them by the organization. Elders and servants are "stepping down" at an unprecedented rate. Finding a willing replacement has become next to impossible leaving those few loyal brothers completely overwhelmed as they struggle to handle all the congregation responsibilities which, of course, include conducting bookstudies and giving public talks. This has been a growing trend within the organization for some time, but it has all of the sudden become especially pronounced and is nearing crisis proportions.
The other issue is that more and more of those serving are realizing that the Armaggedon may not be as close as it was once thought and any sense of urgency has waned considerably. The "generation" definition change in 1995 was the first real "alert" that something was amiss. Then you add in that the number of memorial partakers has actually increased (9,105 in 2007 compared to 9,081 in 1984), plus the recent change in the understanding of the "sealing" of the annointed (thought to have been completed in the 1930's, but apparently is not yet completed). What has happened is that in the minds of many serving, the "end" is suddenly a ways off in the distance somewhere. Less and less of those serving believe that it will happen in their lifetime and they had better do something to prepare themselves for a longer stay in this system.
Finally, more and more of those serving are wising up to the cultish ways of organization and they are no longer just accepting things and "waiting on Jehovah." In the past, the organization could successfully overcome any credibility issues due to failed prophesies or waffeling doctrines by writing a WT article or Question from Readers and it was just accepted. There was no discussion, no forum to question or examine what was printed, and of course, who had the time or the resources anyway. This is not the case now, however. The internet has changed everything. Anything about the organization can and is being discussed and not just anonymously online. These discussions are being carried back to the congregations, in field service car groups, and as a result the organization has (and continues to suffer) a tremendous loss of credibility among even those serving. The pedophile coverup and the scandalous UN association is becoming more widely known everyday. The legal and money problems of the WTBS, the blood issue, disfellowshipping, and other non-scriptural mandates of the organization are being questioned and being discussed.
The powers-that-be know that without willing elders & servants this organization is truly doomed. So, don't read into the "high price of gas" or the "we know that families are struggling and we want to add no further burden" horsesh*t expanation for these changes. And it ain't about control or money per se. Make no mistake, it's all about trying to stop the mass exodus of servants who are either burnout, disillusioned, and/or have lost the faith. Why do you think they have invited all the elders to the "pump me up" sessions in Patterson?
Expect more changes to come and soon. This is just the beginning - trust me.
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