Did you feel the 5.8 earthquake yesterday? For many of you in the east this is a very rare event and probably your first time ever feeling an earthquake. Those of us in the west have felt many. I myself would fear a tornado much more by far. Tornado’s kill people in the US every year. Today is the first day after the earthquake. I would guess that many JW’s are out in service today. This weekend the Kingdom Halls will probably be full on the east coast. No doubt the GB has already assigned someone to write an article about this event and how close we are to the end.

The truth is, we may be vary close to the end or we may not be. Who really knows? I have been reading up on Preterism and they make some very valid points with their eschatological views of Bible prophecies. I am not going to go into all of that. There are so many view points that it can become mind boggling.

So what do we really know? I don’t know all that much but I know what I was taught as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses didn’t come true. I am tired of the boy who cries wolf. I reviewed, like many of you have, all of their failed predictions. What does it amount to? It amounts to “empty talk” as Isaiah puts it here:

Isaiah 44:25-26, “[I am] frustrating the signs of the empty talkers, and [I am] the One that makes diviners themselves act crazily; the One turning wise men backwards, and the One that turns even their knowledge into foolishness; the One making the word of his servant come true, and the One that carries out completely the counsel of his own messengers…”

Have the words of the “messengers” known as “Jehovah’s Witnesses” “come true” or been carried out “completely”? We all know the answer to that simple question. Over and over they have not came true. Yet people still follow them like chicken little proclaiming the sky is falling. What is hard to understand about Luke 21:8? “He said: “Look out that YOU are not misled; for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The due time has approached.’ Do not go after them.” The GB claim to be our savior do they not? They have claimed the due time has approached over and over have they not? They are proclaiming it down to this day are they not? Why do people follow them? Their record proves they are false prophets! (Matthew 12:36-37)

Now I may not know much but one thing I do know is the record of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Even though they have tried to hide most of it from their “flock”, thanks to the internet, they can’t. Every foolish word printed in the Watchtower and Awake over the last two decades are available online for all to see. So when an event like yesterdays earthquake hits, who am I going to rely on for accurate information? The Watchtower? The Watchtower has given much wrong information regarding earthquakes. For information on this please go here: http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/earthquakes.php

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 sums things up well, “The conclusion of the matter, everything having been heard, is: Fear the [true] God and keep his commandments. For this is the whole [obligation] of man. For the [true] God himself will bring every sort of work into the judgment in relation to every hidden thing, as to whether it is good or bad.” We do not know the day or hour but we do know Gods commandments and Jesus Christ’s teachings. It appears that is all God is going to let us know. He doesn’t want us to know the time of the end. He warned against those who claim to know it and proclaim it. What is wrong with people? Can’t they read? I know, I was mislead too by the JW’s. I was with my father yesterday who is a long time JW. He was all excited about the earthquake and placed a book with a person, the “Bible Teach” book. I got to tell you… I was very sad to see him so mislead and excited about this earthquake. I felt a lot of cognitive dissonance seeing him give his witness. It is very sad but what can I do? He will not listen to me for one minute. He is lost following this group of false prophets. I know in my heart Jehovah loves all of his children and he wants/desires none to be destroyed. With God all things are possible and that means he will get what he wants! He can change the heart and will! One of my favorite scripture of all time is Romans 11:32, I think it tells the entire story! “For God has locked ALL people in the prison of their own disobedience so that he may have mercy on them ALL.”

Your brother in Christ,
Greybeard

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8 Comments on Yesterdays 5.8 Earthquake…

  1. Wakeupwitness says:

    The moment the earthquake happened I thought to myself , “JW’s are going to have a field day with this.” The fact of the matter is that the east coast was due for a slight earthquake. I live in central Virginia about 30 minutes away from the epicenter. I was at home and the house shook violently. A couple of hours later I called my sister (an active witness), and without fail she had to bring up “the last days”. One point I stressed to her is that there have always been earthquakes. In fact, some of the greatest known on record happened before 1914.

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  2. serein says:

    i read there are hundreds of earth quakes everyday in america but they are very small and we only get to know about them when they either do damage or they big and what ever,im in uk iv even felt tremers and thats unusual for us,america is due a masive one from what iv read anytime,iv also been reading that theres things happening in space right now that are contributing to whats happening down here like a comet elenin and a astroidyu55 theres people out there who are watching em and saying its gona be the end on novermber 8th, and also solar flares are going to knock out power for months end of year so its not just jws saying the sky is falling,iv read so much stuff on the flipin comets and all iv scared myself,im reading all the storys of what may happen and recalling revelations and its all doing my head in,the prob is it dont matter whos crying wolf cos in the end the wolf did actualy come and no one was listening,

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  3. jacqueline says:

    Hi Gretbeard and all, I enjoyed our little conversation. I guess this is another reason for the GB to move to Warwick, NY. Their properties are being handled by a “worldly” realtor and because it has been zoned residential it is very expensive. Residents will pay taxes, so New York really wants it sold quickly to cover expenses. I hope the earthquake didn’t damage their investment. They will make hundres of millions, we only paid a few million for it. One “Bethelite” says there was reaction to the quake at Bethel.
    Talk to you later my brothers. Jacqueline

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  4. JWB says:

    Brother Greybeard, I enjoyed reading your article, and it makes me happy to see that you, like many of us, are continuing to do research to the end of building up Christian faith rather than allowing the bad example of the organization to damage it. Many, unfortunately, have experienced shipwreck of their faith. Some have completely “lost it” and are now pursuing a Godless way of life. The danger is that in escaping the arms of one group offering false promises, one may simply run into the welcoming arms of another group offering false promises.

    “While they are promising them freedom, they themselves are existing as slaves of corruption. For whoever is overcome by another is enslaved by this one. Certainly if, after having escaped from the defilements of the world by an accurate knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they get involved again with these very things and are overcome, the final conditions have become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them not to have accurately known the path of righteousness than after knowing it accurately to turn away from the holy commandment delivered to them. The saying of the true proverb has happened to them: ‘The dog has returned to its own vomit, and the sow that was bathed to rolling in the mire.'” [2 Peter 2:19-22]

    It’s interesting that you mention Preterism. I must confess, this word is new to me, although the arguments put forth are not. It is a subject I’ve given a lot of thought to and spent a lot of time studying. What I am convinced of, particularly after researching Adventism, is that the creation of second/greater fulfillments of Bible prophecy are simply man-made attempts to try to force the Bible to be relevant to the modern age (and sometimes to try to make them applicable only to a particular religious group). This is not only unnecessary, as the Bible’s message is always relevant to those who would wish to live a Godly life, it also has the potential to damage Christian faith when things don’t work out according to these interpretations.

    Let us just suppose that Jesus did really mean “this generation” when he spoke concerning “the last days” of the Jewish system of things. Would the fulfillment of all those events back in the first century mean the Scriptures have no relevance to us now? Let us even suppose that the truly selected heavenly class had been ‘sealed’ and glorified back in those early times (that John really did mean “the things that must shortly take place”). Is not Jesus still ruling “in the midst of” his enemies, and does that not mean we can be living earthly subjects of his kingdom? Now, just as in all the centuries that went before, there is opportunity for each one of us to live our lives in a way that shows whose subjects we really are. It really doesn’t matter when the Millenial reign comes. What is important is to live the Christian life NOW according to our current understanding and abilities. Charles Russell was, in my view, spot on when he said:

    “Beware of ‘organization.’ It is wholly unnecessary. THE BIBLE RULES WILL BE THE ONLY RULES YOU WILL NEED. Do not seek to bind others’ consciences, and do not permit others to bind yours. BELIEVE AND OBEY SO FAR AS YOU CAN UNDERSTAND GOD’S WORD TODAY, and so continue growing in grace and knowledge and love day by day.” [Watch. 1895 Sep 15, page 216 (“Concerning Profitable Meetings”)]

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  5. Amos says:

    Excellent thoughts concerning eschatology.

    I have given considerable thought to these views regarding the “end times viewpoint.” When we look into the scriptures without a religious doctrinal view, it’s amazing the different understanding we can arrive at.

    I have looked at Preterism myself & can see many points there that appear to be closer to the truth than conventional eschatology supplies. I think however that like any belief system is concerned, care needs to be taken not to be deceived by any false claims.

    Far too many well meaning people (myself included) have divided the events of the Olivet message into different fulfillment periods. I think that a discussion of these words of Christ would be beneficial for all at this time.

    I also agree with JWB & Greybeard that the most important things is to obey the wise counsel to be ready NOW, & don’t worry about tomorrow.

    As JWB said, “Let us even suppose that the truly selected heavenly class had been ‘sealed’ and glorified back in those early times (that John really did mean “the things that must shortly take place”). Is not Jesus still ruling “in the midst of” his enemies, and does that not mean we can be living earthly subjects of his kingdom?”

    For this reason, I have said many times, that I don’t mind where I serve our Heavenly Father, I just want to continue serving Him for eternity. If the was sealed & completed during the first century, this SHOULD NOT affect our love for, & worship of our Father.

    BTW, when did the “last days begin?” Acts chapter 2 gives the answer as being the day of Pentecost, at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

    Amos

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  6. JWB says:

    Brother Greybeard, I appreciate your kind remarks. It makes me feel so sad that many of our friends and family members are still beholden to the ‘spiritual authority’ of the GB. Christian freedom of course is not an excuse to just do whatever one pleases. I think there is a certain responsibility on all of us, according to our abilities (and, of course according to wisdom), to help our friends and family members see that true Christian discipleship means following in the footsteps of Jesus, not “the son of earthling man to whom no salvation belongs.”

    Amos, it seems we too see things very much alike when it comes to this subject. I think your reference to Acts chapter 2 is very important. What many of us are trying to do is not as the organization would have JWs believe, that we are trying to “lean on our own understanding”, but rather we are actually trying to allow the Scriptures to speak for themselves!

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  7. Amos says:

    Brother JWB, yes we are in agreement on most points. I also agree with your thoughts concerning “not leaning on our own understanding”. What we are actually doing (as you say) is searching God’s written word, & are learning by comparing verses & of course being enlightened by the Holy Spirit. The HS. will enlighten us whilever we are searching to find the truth, with a right heart. I see this as being a very great priviledge to be taught in this manner.
    There is much that I’d like to say on several topics, but will need to get it worded right before posting it here. Some of these thoughts may be controversial, as they are a departure from accepted beliefs, but are becoming very clear to four of us here in Australia. Without mentioning these new views to each other, we have individually arrived at the same understanding on the critical subject concerning the return of Christ, & the “brothers of Christ.”

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