You must circumcise the forskin of YOUR heart. Part II

Being Jehovah's Witnesses, we have had much instruction in God's Word. We have come to know who the true God Jehovah is and his son Jesus Christ. We have learned about God's personality, his main traits or attributes consisting of power, love, justice and wisdom. We have learned so much about the type of God he is by the example of his son Christ Jesus. Yet no matter how much we have learned or how much we know, the learning process is eternal. (Ecc 3:10-11, Job 11:7, Rom 11:33) What is the key to preparing your heart or getting your heart circumcised? Referring back to Jeremiah chapter four again, take a look at verses one and three: 4 "If you would return, O Israel," is the utterance of Jehovah, "you may return even to me. And if you will take away your disgusting things on my account, then you will not go as a fugitive. 2 And [if] you will certainly swear, As Jehovah is alive in truth, in justice and in righteousness! then in him the nations will actually bless themselves, and in him they will boast about themselves." 3 For this is what Jehovah has said to the men of Judah and to Jerusalem: "Plow for yourselves arable land, and do not keep sowing among thorns. 4 Get yourselves circumcised to Jehovah, and take away the foreskins of YOUR hearts, YOU men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; that my rage may not go forth just like a fire, and it certainly burn with no one to do the extinguishing, on account of the badness of YOUR dealings." We see three steps here, one is to return to Jehovah. To return is to now focus your attention on him. Two is to take away your disgusting things. This would indicate a repentant action to stop doing what is bad in Jehovah's eyes. Three is to plow for yourselves arable land and not sow among thorns. What does this mean? An arable land or ground is fit for cultivation. Plowing is the action that makes the ground arable or fit for cultivation. Jesus used similar illustrations. Luke 9:62 Jesus said to him: "No man that has put his hand to a plow and looks at the things behind is well fitted for the kingdom of God." (Compare Ecc 11:4) Matt 13 On that day Jesus, having left the house, was sitting by the sea; 2 and great crowds gathered to him, so that he went aboard a boat and sat down, and all the crowd was standing on the beach. 3 Then he told them many things by illustrations, saying: "Look! A sower went out to sow; 4 and as he was sowing, some [seeds] fell alongside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Others fell upon the rocky places where they did not have much soil, and at once they sprang up because of not having depth of soil. 6 But when the sun rose they were scorched, and because of not having root they withered. 7 Others, too, fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them. 8 Still others fell upon the fine soil and they began to yield fruit, this one a hundredfold, that one sixty, the other thirty. 9 Let him that has ears listen." How we plow or cultivate our heart will determine how the seed that is sown will grow. What does plowing involve? Jesus said that no man plowing that looks at the things behind is fit for the Kingdom. So we need to keep our eyes on the future with a spiritual view. Looking at the things behind is to dwell in the past with a fleshly view. Nothing this world has to offer is worth looking back on. After plowing is done, sowing seed and watering must take place in order for it to grow. As Christ is said to sow seed, so are we ourselves said to sow seed. We sow seed in our own hearts and in the hearts of others. (Gal 3:6-9, Ecc 11:6) Galatians chapter six brings out the point of what we are sowing we shall reap. Gal 6:7 Do not be misled: God is not one to be mocked. For whatever a man is sowing, this he will also reap; 8 because he who is sowing with a view to his flesh will reap corruption from his flesh, but he who is sowing with a view to the spirit will reap everlasting life from the spirit. Prov 11:18 The wicked one is making false wages, but the one sowing righteousness, true earnings. Plowing and sowing go hand in hand. Notice how in Hosea chapter ten we are given good admonition: Hosea 10:12 Sow seed for yourselves in righteousness; reap in accord with loving-kindness. Till for yourselves arable land, when there is time for searching for Jehovah until he comes and gives instruction in righteousness to YOU. (Isaiah 55:6) Search for Jehovah, YOU people, while he may be found. Call to him while he proves to be near. (Amos 5:4) "For this is what Jehovah has said to the house of Israel, Search for me, and keep living. Zeph 2:2 Before [the] statute gives birth to [anything], [before the] day has passed by just like chaff, before there comes upon YOU people the burning anger of Jehovah, before there comes upon YOU the day of Jehovah"s anger, 3 seek Jehovah, all YOU meek ones of the earth, who have practiced His own judicial decision. Seek righteousness, seek meekness. Probably YOU may be concealed in the day of Jehovah's anger. To keep searching and seeking Jehovah is to plow and sow good seed. By doing so in meekness, righteousness and with all humility, we will prepare and circumcise our hearts. Ultimately though Jehovah will have to completely circumcise our hearts. But for now we can work on tearing off that foreskin as much as we can. Deut 30:6 And Jehovah your God will have to circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, that you may love Jehovah your God with all your heart and all your soul for the sake of your life.

You must circumcise the foreskin of YOUR hearts.

Moses told Israel: "You must circumcise the foreskin of your hearts and not harden your necks any longer." What is circumcision of the heart? What does it involve? How can one circumcise their heart? To circumcise your heart is to let it become sensitive to Jehovah's commands, guidance, direction, and ways. To love Jehovah your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind. To be led by his spirit in truth. "Circumcision of the heart means getting rid of anything in one's thinking, affections, or motives that is displeasing and unclean in Jehovah's eyes and that makes the heart unresponsive" ( Insight book I, circumcision) Many times the Israelites let their hearts become unresponsive to Jehovah's loving commands and direction. Thus becoming uncircumcised in their hearts. Over and over again, he sent them prophets to motivate them, to return to him. Jeremiah chapter 4 brings out this point: 4 "If you would return, O Israel," is the utterance of Jehovah, "you may return even to me. And if you will take away your disgusting things on my account, then you will not go as a fugitive. 2 And [if] you will certainly swear, As Jehovah is alive in truth, in justice and in righteousness! then in him the nations will actually bless themselves, and in him they will boast about themselves." 3 For this is what Jehovah has said to the men of Judah and to Jerusalem: "Plow for yourselves arable land, and do not keep sowing among thorns. 4 Get yourselves circumcised to Jehovah, and take away the foreskins of YOUR hearts, YOU men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; that my rage may not go forth just like a fire, and it certainly burn with no one to do the extinguishing, on account of the badness of YOUR dealings." The apostle Paul also appealed to the Jewish religious leaders of his day in Acts chapter seven: 51 "Obstinate men and uncircumcised in hearts and ears, YOU are always resisting the holy spirit; as YOUR forefathers did, so YOU do. Because of the stubborness of the Israelites and their uncircumcised hearts Jehovah twice had to discipline the nation. In 607bce and 70ce. Jehovah said he would do this in: (Leviticus 26:41) "Yet I, for my part, proceeded to walk in opposition to them, and I had to bring them into the land of their enemies. Perhaps at that time their uncircumcised heart will be humbled, and at that time they will pay off their error." Discipline was brought from Jehovah in order to humble their hearts and put them back on a course of true worship. After the discipline, Jehovah promises to have mercy and personally circumcise the heart of those who return to him. Deuteronomy 30 "And it must occur that when all these words will come upon you, the blessing and the malediction, which I have put before you, and you have brought them back to your heart among all the nations where Jehovah your God has dispersed you, 2 and you have returned to Jehovah your God and listened to his voice according to all that I am commanding you today, you and your sons, with all your heart and all your soul, 3 Jehovah your God must also bring back your captives and show you mercy and collect you again from all the peoples where Jehovah your God has scattered you. 4 If your dispersed people should be at the end of the heavens, from there Jehovah your God will collect you and from there he will take you. 5 Jehovah your God will indeed bring you into the land of which your fathers took possession, and you will certainly take possession of it; and he will indeed do you good and multiply you more than your fathers. 6 And Jehovah your God will have to circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, that you may love Jehovah your God with all your heart and all your soul for the sake of your life. As with the nation of Israel, the spiritual Israelites (144,000 spiritual Jews) needed to have a circumcised heart. The apostle Paul explains in (Romans 2:29) But he is a Jew who is one on the inside, and [his] circumcision is that of the heart by spirit, and not by a written code. The praise of that one comes, not from men, but from God. Even more so were the spiritual Jews to have a circumcised heart because they have been adopted by God being born again by his spirit and no longer under a written code. (Philippians 3:3) For we are those with the real circumcision, who are rendering sacred service by God's spirit and have our boasting in Christ Jesus and do not have our confidence in the flesh. (2 Cor 1:21) But he who guarantees that YOU and we belong to Christ and he who has anointed us is God. 22 He has also put his seal upon us and has given us the token of what is to come, that is, the spirit, in our hearts. Sad to say some of the spiritual Jews also needed to have their hearts circumcised still. The words of the prophets not only apply to the nation of Israel but also to spiritual Israel as the grander fufillment. Going back to the 4th chapter of Jeremiah "If you would return, O Israel," is the utterance of Jehovah, "you may return even to me. And if you will take away your disgusting things on my account, then you will not go as a fugitive. 2 And [if] you will certainly swear, As Jehovah is alive in truth, in justice and in righteousness." 3 For this is what Jehovah has said to the men of Judah and to Jerusalem: "Plow for yourselves arable land, and do not keep sowing among thorns. 4 Get yourselves circumcised to Jehovah, and take away the foreskins of YOUR hearts, YOU men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; that my rage may not go forth just like a fire, and it certainly burn with no one to do the extinguishing, on account of the badness of YOUR dealings." 5 Tell [it] in Judah, YOU men, and publish [it] even in Jerusalem, and say [it] out, and blow a horn throughout the land. Call out loudly and say: "Gather yourselves together, and let us enter into the fortified cities. 6 Raise a signal toward Zion. Make provision for shelter. Do not stand still." For there is a calamity that I am bringing in from the north, even a great crash. 7 He has gone up as a lion out of his thicket, and the one who is bringing the nations to ruin has pulled away; he has gone forth from his place in order to render your land as an object of astonishment. Your own cities will fall in ruins so that there will be no inhabitant. 8 On this account gird on sackcloth, YOU people. Beat YOUR breasts and howl, because the burning anger of Jehovah has not turned back from us. 9 "And it must occur in that day," is the utterance of Jehovah, "that the heart of the king will perish, also the heart of the princes; and the priests will certainly be driven to astonishment, and the prophets themselves will be amazed." As Watchman has brought out in many of his essays, the King of the north aka the King of fierce countenance, the scarlet colored wild beast, the eighth king will bring a calamity upon God's holy ones because of transgression. ( Dan 8:9-12, 23-25) Because of the uncircumcised heart of many of these spiritual Jews, Jehovah again will bring calamity. This punishment he promises will be the final and last one. After this those who return or look to Jehovah during the calamity will have their heart permanently circumcised thus will occur the grand fulfillment of Deut 30:6: 6 And Jehovah your God will have to circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, that you may love Jehovah your God with all your heart and all your soul for the sake of your life. 7 And Jehovah your God will certainly put all these oaths upon your enemies and those who hate you, who have persecuted you. Jer 32:36 "And now, therefore, this is what Jehovah the God of Israel has said concerning this city which YOU persons are saying will certainly be given into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword and by the famine and by the pestilence, 37 ‘Here I am collecting them together out of all the lands to which I shall have dispersed them in my anger and in my rage and in great indignation; and I will bring them back to this place and make them dwell in security. 38 And they will certainly become my people, and I myself shall become their God. 39 And I will give them one heart and one way in order to fear me always, for good to them and to their sons after them. 40 And I will conclude with them an indefinitely lasting covenant, that I shall not turn back from behind them, for me to do them good; and the fear of me I shall put in their heart in order not to turn aside from me. 41 And I will exult over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land in trueness with all my heart and with all my soul." (Isaiah 55:3) Incline YOUR ear and come to me. Listen, and YOUR soul will keep alive, and I shall readily conclude with YOU people an indefinitely lasting covenant respecting the loving-kindnesses to David that are faithful. (Isaiah 61:8) For I, Jehovah, am loving justice, hating robbery along with unrighteousness. And I will give their wages in trueness, and an indefinitely lasting covenant I shall conclude toward them. (Hebrews 13:20) Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an everlasting covenant, our Lord Jesus, (Ezekiel 37:26) ""And I will conclude with them a covenant of peace; an indefinitely lasting covenant is what there will come to be with them. And I will place them and multiply them and place my sanctuary in the midst of them to time indefinite. This covenant will also be good for their offspring ,the other sheep, who will benefit from this everlasting covenant and enjoy the blessings that this covenant will bring to the earth. How can one circumcise their heart or prepare it? This will be discussed in part two.

Divination and Teraphim (idolatry) Part II

As talked about in part I, divination and teraphim (idolatry) equal rebelliousness and pushing ahead presumptuously. The definition of divination by the Society in the Insight book is: Divination embraces generally the whole scope of gaining secret knowledge, especially about future events, through the aid of spiritistic occult powers. Definition of Rebelliousness: Disobedience or resistance to and defiance of a superior authority. Pride, selfishness, outside pressures, disagreement with the judgment of a superior, and a desire to get out from under subjection or oppression, either real or imagined, have been among the leading causes for rebellion. It is easy to see how divination and teraphim are lumped together, you cannot really have one without the other. Rebelliousness and presumptuousness are also seen hand in hand. But how do the first two compare with the last? How can they become one and the same? One speaking in falsehood or giving a false vision is said to be practicing divination. (Jeremiah 14:14) And Jehovah went on to say to me: "Falsehood is what the prophets are prophesying in my name. I have not sent them, nor have I commanded them or spoken to them. A false vision and divination and a valueless thing and the trickiness of their heart they are speaking prophetically to YOU people." To speak falsely and not in accord with the truth would constitute rebelliousness and to push ahead presumptuously. The Devil was the first one to speak falsely. Divination and lying are connected to the Devil the father of the lie. (John 8:44)" YOU are from YOUR father the Devil, and YOU wish to do the desires of YOUR father. That one was a manslayer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaks the lie, he speaks according to his own disposition, because he is a liar and the father of [the lie]. " Anyone who speaks of his own disposition and does not stand fast in the truth is praticing divination and idolatry which is equal to rebelliousness and presumptuousness. Just as King Saul was rejected as king so will be any who practice such things. 22 In turn Samuel said: "Does Jehovah have as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Look! To obey is better than a sacrifice, to pay attention than the fat of rams; 23 for rebelliousness is the same as the sin of divination, and pushing ahead presumptuously the same as [using] uncanny power and teraphim. Since you have rejected the word of Jehovah, he accordingly rejects you from being king." Rev 22:15 Outside are the dogs and those who practice spiritism and the fornicators and the murderers and the idolaters and everyone liking and carrying on a lie. (Revelation 21:8) But as for the cowards and those without faith and those who are disgusting in their filth and murderers and fornicators and those practicing spiritism and idolaters and all the liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur. This means the second death." (2 Peter 3:17) YOU, therefore, beloved ones, having this advance knowledge, be on YOUR guard that YOU may not be led away with them by the error of the law-defying people and fall from YOUR own steadfastness. Zech 10 "Make YOUR requests of Jehovah for rain in the time of the spring rain, even of Jehovah who is making the storm clouds, and [who] gives a downpour of rain to them, to each one vegetation in the field. 2 For the teraphim themselves have spoken what is uncanny; and the practicers of divination, for their part, have visioned falsehood, and valueless dreams are what they keep speaking, and in vain they try to comfort. That is why they will certainly depart like a flock; they will become afflicted, because there is no shepherd." Anything that is fruitful needs to have rain. We also need to have insight from Jehovah in order to be fruitful. Let us pray for the insightful rain that Jehovah can give so we don't become a victim of falsehood and valueless visions that are of no comfort.

Marriage of the Lamb and the Evening Meal.

Going along with Watchman's essay, I always thought that the anointed would NOT be on earth after Har–Ma·ged´on. For the fact that they would have to be in Heaven for the marriage of the Lamb & the great evening meal of God which is Har–Ma·ged´on. “Praise Jah, YOU people, because Jehovah our God, the Almighty, has begun to rule as king. 7 Let us rejoice and be overjoyed, and let us give him the glory, because the marriage of the Lamb has arrived and his wife has prepared herself. 8 Yes, it has been granted to her to be arrayed in bright, clean, fine linen, for the fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the holy ones.” 9 And he tells me: “Write: Happy are those invited to the evening meal of the Lamb’s marriage.” Also, he tells me: “These are the true sayings of God.” 10 At that I fell down before his feet to worship him. But he tells me: “Be careful! Do not do that! All I am is a fellow slave of you and of your brothers who have the work of witnessing to Jesus. Worship God; for the bearing witness to Jesus is what inspires prophesying.” 11 And I saw the heaven opened, and, look! a white horse. And the one seated upon it is called Faithful and True, and he judges and carries on war in righteousness. 12 His eyes are a fiery flame, and upon his head are many diadems. He has a name written that no one knows but he himself, 13 and he is arrayed with an outer garment sprinkled with blood, and the name he is called is The Word of God. 14 Also, the armies that were in heaven were following him on white horses, and they were clothed in white, clean, fine linen. 15 And out of his mouth there protrudes a sharp long sword, that he may strike the nations with it, and he will shepherd them with a rod of iron. He treads too the winepress of the anger of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 And upon his outer garment, even upon his thigh, he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. 17 I saw also an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice and said to all the birds that fly in midheaven: “Come here, be gathered together to the great evening meal of God, 18 that YOU may eat the fleshy parts of kings and the fleshy parts of military commanders and the fleshy parts of strong men and the fleshy parts of horses and of those seated upon them, and the fleshy parts of all, of freemen as well as of slaves and of small ones and great.” You must be at the wedding to get married and to eat the meal. This meal takes place before and during Har–Ma·ged´on. The fact that they are shown having bright, clean, fine, linen shows they are the ones having insight and will shine like the brightness of the expanse; and those who are bringing the many to righteousness, like the stars to time indefinite, even forever. 43 At that time the righteous ones will shine as brightly as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let him that has ears listen.

The Man of Lawlessness' connection with Babylon the Great.

Babylon the Great Christ said the evil slave would be lumped in with the confirmed drunkards. Who are the confirmed drunkards? They are none other than Christendom. Who is the main part of BTG? When BTG is punished the evil slave is assigned to be punished with the hypocrites, the confirmed drunkards, Christendom, BTG. Thus they become part of BTG. This evil slave is the man of lawlessness, the son of destruction who betrays the true sons of God. 3 Let no one seduce YOU in any manner, because it will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction. 4 He is set in opposition and lifts himself up over everyone who is called “god” or an object of reverence, so that he sits down in the temple of The God, publicly showing himself to be a god. 48 “But if ever that evil slave should say in his heart, ‘My master is delaying,’ 49 and should start to beat his fellow slaves and should eat and drink with the confirmed drunkards, 50 the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and in an hour that he does not know, 51 and will punish him with the greatest severity and will assign him his part with the hypocrites. There is where [his] weeping and the gnashing of [his] teeth will be. The Man of Lawlessness lifts himself up over EVERYONE who is called a god and is set in opposition to God's true sons and his Kingdom. He PUBLICLY shows himself (Baal worship BTW) to be a god thereby showing that this Man of Lawlessness gains quite a bit of power. He becomes part of BTG. He beats his former fellow slaves and eats with the drunkards. I believe the thing that acts as a restraint is mainly Jesus and could possibly be the true sons of God also. The fact is that he was the one that told Judas to go do what he was going to do more quickly at the Passover. So once Jesus released Judas, he accomplished his betrayal. Likewise in the future when Christ's presence starts, he will release the Man of Lawlessness to go do what he is going to do more quickly. "And so, having dipped the morsel, he took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Is·car´i·ot. 27 And after the morsel then Satan entered into the latter. Jesus, therefore, said to him: “What you are doing get done more quickly. 6And so now YOU know the thing that acts as a restraint, with a view to his being revealed in his own due time. 7 True, the mystery of this lawlessness is already at work; but only till he who is right now acting as a restraint gets to be out of the way. 8 Then, indeed, the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will do away with by the spirit of his mouth and bring to nothing by the manifestation of his presence. 9 But the lawless one’s presence is according to the operation of Satan with every powerful work and lying signs and portents 10 and with every unrighteous deception for those who are perishing, as a retribution because they did not accept the love of the truth that they might be saved. 11 So that is why God lets an operation of error go to them, that they may get to believing the lie, 12 in order that they all may be judged because they did not believe the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness." Just as Judas was overtaken by Satan so the Man of Lawlessness is also. Even though Judas had just spent three and a half years with the Lord, he betrayed him because he did not have the love of the truth in him. In the same way the Man of Lawlessness will betray the true sons of God and his master Jesus Christ.

Divination and Teraphim (idolatry)

In Isaiah chapter one we read about Jehovah's disgust with his people comparing them to Sodom and Gomorrah. 10 Hear the word of Jehovah, YOU dictators of Sod´om. Give ear to the law of our God, YOU people of Go·mor´rah. 11 “Of what benefit to me is the multitude of YOUR sacrifices?” says Jehovah. “I have had enough of whole burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed animals; and in the blood of young bulls and male lambs and he-goats I have taken no delight. 12 When YOU people keep coming in to see my face, who is it that has required this from YOUR hand, to trample my courtyards? 13 Stop bringing in any more valueless grain offerings. Incense—it is something detestable to me. New moon and sabbath, the calling of a convention—I cannot put up with the [use of] uncanny power along with the solemn assembly. 14 YOUR new moons and YOUR festal seasons my soul has hated. To me they have become a burden; I have become tired of bearing [them]. 15 And when YOU spread out YOUR palms, I hide my eyes from YOU. Even though YOU make many prayers, I am not listening; with bloodshed YOUR very hands have become filled. 16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the badness of YOUR dealings from in front of my eyes; cease to do bad. 17 Learn to do good; search for justice; set right the oppressor; render judgment for the fatherless boy; plead the cause of the widow.” This uncanny power crossreferences to 1 Samuel 15:23 which reads: 22 In turn Samuel said: “Does Jehovah have as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Look! To obey is better than a sacrifice, to pay attention than the fat of rams; 23 for rebelliousness is the same as the sin of divination, and pushing ahead presumptuously the same as uncanny power and teraphim. Since you have rejected the word of Jehovah, he accordingly rejects you from being king.” So Jehovah compares rebelliousness with divination and uncanny power to teraphim which is idolatry. How could one become an idolator and pratice divination? Insight book I Divination "Nowhere in the Bible is any form of divination given a good connotation. Many times in the same condemnatory texts spiritistic practices of divination are spoken of together with adultery and fornication. (2Ki 9:22; Na 3:4; Mal 3:5; Ga 5:19, 20; Re 9:21; 21:8; 22:15) In God’s eyes divination is comparable to the sin of rebellion. (1Sa 15:23) It is, therefore, unscriptural to speak of Jehovah’s communication with his servants as a manifestation of “good” divination. insight book I idol, idolatry Then there are the more subtle forms of idolatry. Covetousness is idolatry (Col 3:5), since the object of an individual’s cravings diverts affection from the Creator and thus, in effect, becomes an idol. Instead of serving Jehovah God in faithfulness, a person can become a slave to his belly, that is, to fleshly desire or appetite, and make this his god. (Ro 16:18; Php 3:18, 19) Since love for the Creator is demonstrated by obedience (1Jo 5:3), rebellion and pushing ahead presumptuously are comparable to acts of idolatry.—1Sa 15:22, 23. Insight Book II obedience There is no substitute for obedience, no gaining of God’s favor without it. As Samuel told King Saul: “Does Jehovah have as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying [form of sha·ma`´] the voice of Jehovah? Look! To obey [literally, to listen] is better than a sacrifice, to pay attention than the fat of rams.” (1Sa 15:22) To fail to obey is to reject the word of Jehovah, to demonstrate that one really does not believe, trust, or have faith in that word and its Source. Hence the one failing to obey is no different from the one practicing divination or using idols. (1Sa 15:23; compare Ro 6:16.) Verbal expressions of assent mean nothing if the required action does not follow; the lack of response proves a lack of belief or respect for the source of instructions. (Mt 21:28-32) Those satisfying themselves with only hearing and giving mental acceptance to God’s truth, but not doing what it calls for, are deceiving themselves with false reasoning and receive no blessing. (Jas 1:22-25) God’s Son made clear that even those doing things similar to those commanded, but evidently in a wrong way or with a wrong motive, would never gain entrance into the Kingdom but would be completely rejected.—Mt 7:15-23. Insight book II teraphim In Israel the idolatrous use of teraphim existed in the days of the Judges as well as the kings. (Jg 17:5; 18:14, 17, 20; Ho 3:4) It is not likely, though, that the teraphim served for purposes of inheritance in Israel, in view of God’s express command against the making of images. (Ex 20:4) Also, the prophet Samuel spoke of teraphim in parallel with uncanny power, comparing the use of both to pushing ahead presumptuously (1Sa 15:23), and the teraphim were among the appendages of idolatry cleared out of Judah and Jerusalem by faithful King Josiah. (2Ki 23:24) " Has the Watchtower pushed ahead presumptuously using uncanny power? Does having an immoral relationship with the UN and calling themselves clean and having "passed the test" amount to uncanny power? It sure does. Not only that but they are rebellious because they do not admit to any wrongdoing in any issue. They do not repent. They are God's channel of truth therefore they can do no wrong. Thus they have created their own idol or teraphim or Baal. Yes, Baal, which is another topic I will get into later. John 9:40 Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and they said to him: “We are not blind also, are we?” 41 Jesus said to them: “If YOU were blind, YOU would have no sin. But now YOU say, ‘We see.’ YOUR sin remains.” The society keeps saying "we see" but really they are blind. (Proverbs 26:12) Have you seen a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for the stupid one than for him. (Romans 12:16) Be minded the same way toward others as to yourselves; do not be minding lofty things, but be led along with the lowly things. Do not become discreet in YOUR own eyes. (Job 37:24) Therefore let men fear him. He does not regard any who are wise in [their own] heart.” (James 3:13) Who is wise and understanding among YOU? Let him show out of his fine conduct his works with a mildness that belongs to wisdom.

In the Face of Death

Throughout the Bible many of Jehovah's people have faced death because of their faith. Three examples come to mind, Sha´drach, Me´shach and A·bed´ne·go. Their example of faith is outstanding! Why? Their answer to King Neb·u·chad·nez´zar shows the depth of their faith. 17 If it is to be, our God whom we are serving is able to rescue us. Out of the burning fiery furnace and out of your hand, O king, he will rescue [us]. 18 But if not, let it become known to you, O king, that your gods are not the ones we are serving, and the image of gold that you have set up we will not worship.” This statement by them shows that they knew Jehovah would rescue them even if they had to die. They obviously had a strong faith in the resurrection of the dead! They knew they had to stay faithful even to death and Jehovah would reward them with life. Christ said this was important at.... (Luke 17:33) Whoever seeks to keep his soul safe for himself will lose it, but whoever loses it will preserve it alive. (John 12:25) He that is fond of his soul destroys it, but he that hates his soul in this world will safeguard it for everlasting life. This is a VERY important lesson for us who will experience this same circumstance during the time of the end. Just like King Neb·u·chad·nez´zar's image of gold was set up and demanded worship, so will the image of the beast be set up and it will demand worship. 11 And I saw another wild beast ascending out of the earth, and it had two horns like a lamb, but it began speaking as a dragon. 12 And it exercises all the authority of the first wild beast in its sight. And it makes the earth and those who dwell in it worship the first wild beast, whose death-stroke got healed. 13 And it performs great signs, so that it should even make fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the sight of mankind. 14 And it misleads those who dwell on the earth, because of the signs that were granted it to perform in the sight of the wild beast, while it tells those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the wild beast that had the sword-stroke and yet revived. 15 And there was granted it to give breath to the image of the wild beast, so that the image of the wild beast should both speak and cause to be killed all those who would not in any way worship the image of the wild beast. 16 And it puts under compulsion all persons, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free and the slaves, that they should give these a mark in their right hand or upon their forehead, 17 and that nobody might be able to buy or sell except a person having the mark, the name of the wild beast or the number of its name. 18 Here is where wisdom comes in: Let the one that has intelligence calculate the number of the wild beast, for it is a man’s number; and its number is six hundred and sixty-six. When this image is set up ALL PERSONS will be required to worship it or face death. Neb·u·chad·nez´zar's image and the faith of the three Hebrews is a prophetic drama for all of us to learn from. We must have the faith that Jehovah can save us even if it means we have to die. Many of our brothers and sisters experienced this kind of threats before during the Nazi regime. Many died under severe tests of faith. Their faith in Jehovah was strong and they will be back in the resurrection. These words proved true for them........ (Psalm 27:1) Jehovah is my light and my salvation. Of whom shall I be in fear? Jehovah is the stronghold of my life. Of whom shall I be in dread? (Isaiah 12:2) Look! God is my salvation. I shall trust and be in no dread; for Jah Jehovah is my strength and [my] might, and he came to be the salvation of me.” (2 Corinthians 1:10) From such a great thing as death he did rescue us and will rescue us; and our hope is in him that he will also rescue us further. 10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower. Into it the righteous runs and is given protection. Saved from harm

Keeping and renewing our confidence in our God Jehovah and his son Jesus Christ

There are many examples of people displaying faith and confidence in Jehovah in the Bible. Some of the most faithful servants of Jehovah had at times lost their confidence in God, either because of sin, fear or even feeling not worthy. Let us take a look at some of these people and how we can learn from their example and also learn how Jehovah lovingly dealt with them. The prophet Elijah showed great confidence in Jehovah! He performed many miracles with the power of God. He made a firm stand for true worship challenging the Baal worshipers to out-perform Jehovah in a display of power! We all know the outcome of that event! What is interesting though is how Elijah afterward grew afraid of Jezebel after her threat to kill him. 1 Kings 19:1 "Then Áhab told Jeźebel all that Elíjah had done and all about how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 At that Jeźebel sent a messenger to Elíjah, saying: “So may the gods do, and so may they add to it, if at this time tomorrow I shall not make your soul like the soul of each one of them!” 3 And he became afraid. Consequently he rose up and began to go for his soul and came to Béer-shéba, which belongs to Judah. " Why did Elijah grow afraid? Did he not just show Jehovah was more powerful than the Baal gods? 1Kings 18:36 "And it came about at the time that the grain offering goes up that Elíjah the prophet began to approach and say: “O Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, today let it be known that you are God in Israel and I am your servant and it is by your word that I have done all these things. 37 Answer me, O Jehovah, answer me, that this people may know that you, Jehovah, are the [true] God and you yourself have turned their heart back.” 1 Kings 18:38 At that the fire of Jehovah came falling and went eating up the burnt offering and the pieces of wood and the stones and the dust, and the water that was in the trench it licked up. 39 When all the people saw it, they immediately fell upon their faces and said: “Jehovah is the [true] God! Jehovah is the [true] God!” 40 Then Elíjah said to them: “Seize the prophets of Báal! Do not let a single one of them escape!” At once they seized them, and Elíjah then brought them down to the torrent valley of Kíshon and slaughtered them there. " What did Elijah say after fleeing? 1 Kings19:4 "And he himself went into the wilderness a day’s journey, and at length came and sat down under a certain broom tree. And he began to ask that his soul might die and to say: “It is enough! Now, O Jehovah, take my soul away, for I am no better than my forefathers.” It seems that Elijah not only grew afraid but then felt guilt over it saying “for I am no better than my forefathers.” He also seems to be just plain frustrated over the whole situation saying “It is enough!” After finally getting rid of all the Baal prophets, here was Jezebel still in the house of the King breathing threats! She had already had some of the prophets killed and Obadiah had hid a hundred others in caves. Elijah had thought that all the other prophets had been killed already. He thought he was the sole survivor. 1Kings 19:9 "There he finally entered into a cave, that he might spend the night there; and, look! there was Jehovah’s word for him, and it went on to say to him: “What is your business here, Elíjah?” 10 To this he said: “I have been absolutely jealous for Jehovah the God of armies; for the sons of Israel have left your covenant, your altars they have torn down, and your prophets they have killed with the sword, so that I only am left; and they begin looking for my soul to take it away.” How did Jehovah react to Elijah’s momentary fear of man? 1 Kings 19:11 "But it said: “Go out, and you must stand on the mountain before Jehovah.” And, look! Jehovah was passing by, and a great and strong wind was rending mountains and breaking crags before Jehovah. (Jehovah was not in the wind.) And after the wind there was a quaking. (Jehovah was not in the quaking.) 12 And after the quaking there was a fire. (Jehovah was not in the fire.) And after the fire there was a calm, low voice. 15 Jehovah now said to him: “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; and you must come in and anoint Haźael as king over Syria. 16 And Jéhu the grandson of Niḿshi you should anoint as king over Israel; and Elísha the son of Sháphat from Ábel-mehólah you should anoint as prophet in place of you. 17 And it must occur that the one escaping from Haźael’s sword, Jéhu will put to death; and the one escaping from Jéhu’s sword, Elísha will put to death. 18 And I have let seven thousand remain in Israel, all the knees that have not bent down to Báal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” Jehovah renews Elijah’s confidence with a personal fear-inspiring display of power! Not only that but he reassures him that he is not the only one left but there are 7000 others. He also reassures Elijah that whoever is left of the Baal worshipers would be taken care of by either Hazael, Jehu or Elisha. Even thought Elijah gave into a momentary fear of man, Jehovah lovingly renewed his confidence. King David is another good example of having confidence in Jehovah. Consider that he conquered the giant Goliath with a mere stone, becoming a mighty warrior in battle and serving Jehovah with a complete heart. But after sinning with Bathsheba and killing Uriah to cover up his adulterous relationship, we could definitely say David’s confidence was down. Many problems arose for David after his sin as foretold by Jehovah. Did David give up putting faith and trust in Jehovah? No. Psalm 51 shows how David had confidence in Jehovah’s mercy and forgiveness and that he would renew him. "51 Show me favor, O God, according to your loving-kindness. According to the abundance of your mercies wipe out my transgressions. 2 Thoroughly wash me from my error, And cleanse me even from my sin. 3 For my transgressions I myself know, And my sin is in front of me constantly. 4 Against you, you alone, I have sinned, And what is bad in your eyes I have done, In order that you may prove to be righteous when you speak, That you may be in the clear when you judge. Even after receiving forgiveness from Jehovah David in his days of trouble afterward still put his trust in God. Psalm 3 is a good example. A melody of David when he was running away on account of Absalom his son. 3 O Jehovah, why have my adversaries become many? Why are many rising up against me? 2 Many are saying of my soul: “There is no salvation for him by God.” Sélah. 3 And yet you, O Jehovah, are a shield about me, My glory and the One lifting up my head. 4 With my voice I shall call to Jehovah himself, And he will answer me from his holy mountain. Sélah. 5 As for me, I will lie down that I may sleep; I shall certainly awake, for Jehovah himself keeps supporting me. 6 I shall not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves in array against me round about. 7 Do arise, O Jehovah! Save me, O my God! For you will have to strike all my enemies on the jaw. The teeth of wicked ones you will have to break. 8 Salvation belongs to Jehovah. Your blessing is upon your people. " Consider also the example of Peter and the apostles. After spending three and a half years with the Lord the apostles seemed very confident in their ability to stand firm with full faith. The night of the Passover Jesus told them that they would all be stumbled but afterwards he would renew their faith. All the apostles said that they would not be stumbled even saying they would be willing to die for him. "27 And Jesus said to them: “YOU will all be stumbled, because it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered about.’ 28 But after I have been raised up I will go ahead of YOU into Gaĺilee.” 29 But Peter said to him: “Even if all the others are stumbled, yet I will not be.” 30 At that Jesus said to him: “Truly I say to you, You today, yes, this night, before a cock crows twice, even you will disown me three times.” 31 But he began to say profusely: “If I have to die with you, I will by no means disown you.” Also, all the others began saying the same thing. " It was inconceivable to them that any one of them could be stumbled but, as Christ said, they did all stumble. Knowing ahead of time that they were going to be stumbled Jesus said a prayer on their behalf in the 17th chapter of John. This prayer was not only for the apostles but all that would exercise faith in him in the future. Once Jesus was resurrected he did indeed renew the confidence of his disciples explaining the reason he had to suffer and die and explaining the scriptures to them. We live in a unique time period with the world plunging ever deeper into depravity. Many of us have suffered, are suffering and yet will suffer whether due to our own imperfections, unfavorable circumstances, feeling unworthy, having fear, or whatever else. May we never give up in having confidence in our God Jehovah and his son Christ Jesus. They will bring us through even the most violent storm. May we also stay humble and pray with all our heart that we may finally be found by him spotless, unblemished and in peace.

Lessons from the book of Job

The book of Job is an excellent lesson for us in many ways. Most of us know the overall story and main points, such as Satan’s challenge, Jehovah’s permission to put Job to the test and how Job kept his integrity. But what other lessons can we learn from the book of Job? We all know about the hour of test that is before us. We also know that it is not only a test but a punishment for those who have transgressed against the covenant. For many this test will be a surprise because of the misconceptions and assumptions of the Watchtower. Most of Jehovah’s Witnesses will be blind to the coming judgment of the Watchtower believing it is Christendom that should be going down first in the tribulation. How does this compare with Job’s situation? Job was completely blind to the situation at hand. He did not know or understand why God had let this calamity befall him. Job 3:25,26 Because a dreadful thing I have dreaded, and it comes upon me; And what I have been scared of comes to me. I have not been carefree, nor have I been undisturbed, Nor been at rest, and yet agitation comes.” Job 6:8,9 O that my request would come And that God would grant even my hope! And that God would go ahead and crush me, That he would release his hand and cut me off! Job also states that he has done nothing to deserve this calamity even though his companions think that he did. Instruct me, and I, for my part, shall be silent; And what mistake I have committed make me understand. The sayings of uprightness have been—O not painful! But what does reproving on the part of YOU men reprove? Many of Jehovah’s Witnesses live clean moral lives and honestly do their best to serve Jehovah with their whole heart. They also believe they have a good idea of who Jehovah is and how to serve him. Thus for any calamity to come upon them would certainly be confusing just as Job was confused about his calamity. Yet they still have a advantage over Job. How? They at least know there is a tribulation coming. Job did not know. Just as Satan tested Job so all Jehovah’s servants will be tested. Though Job was blind to the source of his calamity and test he proved his integrity to God and did not ascribe anything bad to Jehovah. “For a fact I do know that it is so. But how can mortal man be in the right in a case with God? If he should find delight in contending with him, He cannot answer him once out of a thousand Job knew Jehovah was his maker and how could God be found in the wrong over man. Look! He snatches away. Who can resist him? Who will say to him, ‘What are you doing? Job knew he was a blameless man and could not understand why God had brought this calamity upon him. We know that it was Satan that brought the calamity not God. So when Job spoke he spoke without knowledge. And Jehovah proceeded to answer Job out of the windstorm and say: “Who is this that is obscuring counsel by words without knowledge? After being counseled by Jehovah, Job realized his error in speaking about God without knowledge. ‘Who is this that is obscuring counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I talked, but I was not understanding Things too wonderful for me, which I do not know. ‘ Hear, please, and I myself shall speak. I shall question you, and you inform me.’ In hearsay I have heard about you, But now my own eye does see you. That is why I make a retraction, And I do repent in dust and ashes.' Not only did Job speak without knowledge but admitted that he actually did not know God that well by saying, in hearsay I have heard about you. Knowing this Job repents and makes a retraction. In the coming hour of test and tribulation how will those who are without knowledge speak about their creator? Those who are blameless, live Godly lives, and have served Jehovah for many years faithfully, hopefully, can learn from Job and not speak without knowledge. Do they truly know Jehovah and understand him? According to Ezekiel they still need to know and understand their God. Jehovah’s Witnesses have already spoken without knowledge! Eze 13:8 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said: “‘For the reason that YOU men have spoken untruth and YOU have visioned a lie, therefore here I am against YOU,’ is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah.” 9 And my hand has come to be against the prophets that are visioning untruth and that are divining a lie. In the intimate group of my people they will not continue on, and in the register of the house of Israel they will not be written, and to the soil of Israel they will not come; and YOU people will have to know that I am the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, 10 for the reason, yes, for the reason that they have led my people astray, saying, “There is peace!” when there is no peace, and there is one that is building a partition wall, but in vain there are those plastering it with whitewash.’ We have all spoken the untruth of the Watchtower and all have become guilty to some extent of speaking without knowledge. As the Watchtower has taught us certain untruths so we have taught these to others, thus we bear guilt. Eze 14:9 ‘And as for the prophet, in case he gets fooled and actually speaks a word, I myself, Jehovah, have fooled that prophet; and I will stretch out my hand against him and annihilate him from the midst of my people Israel. 10 And they will have to bear their error. The error of the inquirer will prove to be just the same as the error of the prophet, 11 in order that those of the house of Israel may no more go wandering off from following me and may no more go defiling themselves with all their transgressions. And they must become my people and I myself shall become their God,’ is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah.” After the judgment of Jehovah he will inform his righteous ones of why the calamity has come and they will know and understand Jehovah better like Job did after being instructed by him. Eze 14:21 “For this is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said, ‘So, too, [it will be] when there will be my four injurious acts of judgment—sword and famine and injurious wild beast and pestilence—that I shall actually send upon Jerusalem in order to cut off from it earthling man and domestic animal. 22 But, look! there will certainly be left remaining in it an escaped company, those being brought forth. Sons and daughters, here they are! They are going forth to YOU people, and YOU will have to see their way and their dealings. And YOU will certainly be comforted over the calamity that I shall have brought upon Jerusalem, even all that I shall have brought upon her.’” 23 “‘And they will certainly comfort YOU people when YOU see their way and their dealings; and YOU will have to know that it was not without cause that I shall have done all that I must do against her,’ is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah.” Jehovah will explain why the calamity took place. In that day he will instruct his people in truth and they will come to know Jehovah and he will have mercy on them. They will receive true knowledge and the pure language. Isa 2:2 And it must occur in the final part of the days [that] the mountain of the house of Jehovah will become firmly established above the top of the mountains, and it will certainly be lifted up above the hills; and to it all the nations must stream. 3 And many peoples will certainly go and say: “Come, YOU people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For out of Zion law will go forth, and the word of Jehovah out of Jerusalem. 4 And he will certainly render judgment among the nations and set matters straight respecting many peoples. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore. Isa 54:7 “For a little moment I left you entirely, but with great mercies I shall collect you together. 8 With a flood of indignation I concealed my face from you for but a moment, but with loving-kindness to time indefinite I will have mercy upon you,” your Repurchaser, Jehovah, has said. Zec 3:8 “‘Therefore keep yourselves in expectation of me,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘till the day of my rising up to [the] booty, for my judicial decision is to gather nations, for me to collect together kingdoms, in order to pour out upon them my denunciation, all my burning anger; for by the fire of my zeal all the earth will be devoured. 9 For then I shall give to peoples the change to a pure language, in order for them all to call upon the name of Jehovah, in order to serve him shoulder to shoulder.’ 10 “From the region of the rivers of Ethiópia the ones entreating me, [namely,] the daughter of my scattered ones, will bring a gift to me. 11 In that day you will not be ashamed because of all your dealings with which you transgressed against me, for then I shall remove from the midst of you your haughtily exultant ones; and you will never again be haughty in my holy mountain. 12 And I shall certainly let remain in the midst of you a people humble and lowly, and they will actually take refuge in the name of Jehovah. 13 As regards the remaining ones of Israel, they will do no unrighteousness, nor speak a lie, nor will there be found in their mouths a tricky tongue; for they themselves will feed and actually lie stretched out, and there will be no one making [them] tremble.” All the prophets speak of how after the judgment from Jehovah a righteous remnant will be instructed by Jehovah and receive grand blessings. Just as Job spoke without knowledge but was corrected by Jehovah and then blessed for his integrity and endurance so will those who keep in expectation of Jehovah having faith that he will not let his righteous ones perish. Like Job our eye will then see Jehovah. In hearsay I have heard about you, But now my own eye does see you.