Jehovah's Witnesses Straight Talk - Forum/Blog

1Thess.5:20 Don't despise prophesies.

We must understand two things here that Paul address under Holy Spirit, 1.) human nature, and 2.) prophesies. Human nature is to label something good or evil compiling information against or for something. In this chapter and in others place Paul lets these brothers and sister know not to be quickly shaken over some prophesy.

Psalms 46:2 Therefore we won't be afraid, though the earth changes, though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas;

Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can't be shaken, let us have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe,

It easy to run to the point that “all” prophecy is evil and wrong, but that simply not true. Moreover, Christian's should not despise prophecy, because there are many false prophet in the world. First and foremost each Christian must understand basic truth those promoting false prophecy mainly with end days prediction, they forget that Christ is now, and will be God one true prophet he speaks though for mankind.

Heb.1:1 God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 1:2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds. 1:3 His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself made purification for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

In other words, prophesy towards us will come from the head of the congregation if we are actually in Christ, not through a legal corporation or a group calling itself Christian's. Christ can use a body member to speak prophesy, but something many Christian's fail to understand prophesy is not “just” about end times prediction. It can be direction in our lives something very simple. It can be counsel regarding forgiveness at the right time lead by a Spirit directed brother or sister.

Ephesians 4:8 Therefore he says, "When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men."{Psalm 68:18}

1 Corinthians 12:28 God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages.

In other words, if you had lived at Paul's time there were not bibles being past around, and literature handed out by the billions, there was brothers and sisters belonging to one body the Christ, and Christ working in them, and through them giving direction and support to his congregation. Most all communication was not reference through bible verses it was spoken to you by those placed as gifts within the congregation of God, that is, in Christ Jesus the truth.

1 Corinthians 4:7 For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn't receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

Romans 12:5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, isn't it a sharing of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, isn't it a sharing of the body of Christ?

1 Corinthians 11:3 But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God.

Now in this context we find why Paul said not to despise prophesies, he not saying: “You must believe end time prophecy being promoted to day by people calling themselves Christian's, or you are evil, or that you will not be saved.

Matthew 24:24 For there will arise false christs, and false prophets, and they will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.

This context is important because those constantly promoting end time prophecy use it to make people feel guilty and evil for testing and not being quickly shaken by their prophecy. We must be reasonable and fair, few Christian's today are even directed by Holy Spirit, they are taught by a group, which research bible chronology, finding the lastest conspiracy theory than they wrap bible teachings around them calling those God's prophecy.

2 Peter 1:20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation.

In other words, the Holy Spirit did not direct the prophecy through the head of the congregation and give it to the members of Christ body. Furthermore, a truth none of us can get around is if we seek truth and not fiction. The restraint that was taken away at the apostles times, so the field of weed took over God's planting of wheat it has not been restored by mankind and their religion efforts. If this is true than what we should find in the history of Christianity since the restraint was removed is many false prophecy that failed, and no new prophecy by Christ through his body members.

2Thess.2:1 Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to him, we ask you 2:2 not to be quickly shaken in your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by letter as from us, saying that the day of Christ had come.
2:3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For it will not be, unless the departure comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction, 2:4 he who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshiped; so that he sits as God in the temple of God, setting himself up as God. 2:5 Don't you remember that, when I was still with you, I told you these things? 2:6 Now you know what is restraining him, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season. 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness already works. Only there is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way.

Matt.13:37 He answered them, "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, 13:38 the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the children of the Kingdom; and the darnel weeds are the children of the evil one. 13:39 The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.
13:40 As therefore the darnel weeds are gathered up and burned with fire; so will it be at the end of this age. 13:41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and those who do iniquity,
13:42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and the gnashing of teeth. 13:43 Then the righteous will shine forth like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Some two thousand's years have past now, not one prophesy regarding the end of our world and the Lords coming has been utter correctly, all have failed and proven false since Christ apostles died off the earth and the restraint removed. But do we have what we need for salvation? Yes! However, do you understand as a Christian's that every word written in your bible was not done by personal will, or a person originality, but instead by God's own will through the power of Holy Spirit? Do you understand than that each word spoken in your bibles came through a prophet of God, who was chosen to speak it and write it down for us?

2 Peter 1:21 For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.

Yes! You hold in your hand a book written by prophets, all of them, they did not compile the latest theory of mankind creating a prophecy they were instead were given the words and thoughts as a prophet from God through Christ Jesus once he was resurrected, not the other way around. The bible is not mundane or should the lesser teaching be despised, they are prophesies of great prophets and found within their words are the saying of life and death.

Revelation 22:18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book.

Revelation 22:19 If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.

God has put his stamp of approval upon each word of those used to write our bibles none of them have failed or proven false, a perfect track record, can anyone today, or for two thousand's years claim the same about their predictions?

Deuteronomy 18:20 But the prophet, who shall speak a word presumptuously in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who shall speak in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.

www.nu-truth.com

Test All Things Abstain From Evil:

1Thess,5:21 Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good.
5:22 Abstain from every form of evil.

Reading God's word the bible can be like a person stepping off of a curb forgetting they have, than hitting the bottom, stunning them that they had forgot they'd step down! If we are to abstain from evil, how can we be in a constant state of testing everything as evil?

Romans 1:17 For in it is revealed God's righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, "But the righteous shall live by faith."{Habakkuk 2:4}

Matthew 6:23 But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

Such is shocking thought for most! But have we step down and not even realized it by thinking evil and testing against evil? Abstaining is a strong word, it certainly does not imply “sometimes”, or once in a while, nor even when I am not testing prophesy? You see, we are speaking about the subject of prophesy here, that is Paul point in writing this that prophecy was a foot about the last days a constant theme for Christian's back than, and today!

Matthew 6:34 Therefore don't be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day's own evil is sufficient.

Psalms 62:6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. I will not be shaken.

Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can't be shaken, let us have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe.

So one must do what? Test it, test it against what, evil? If one is testing the prophesy as evil that is their state of mind than are they abstaining from evil? No! Let us not forget and step off the curb being shocked here! We test all things against faith in Christ, is that evil? No! It certainly is not! But those with suspicious minds, that is, lets call it what it is a legal mind whom look for evil to build a case they find no power or comfort in testing prophecy against faith in Christ.

Luke 17:5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."
Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them quickly. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

Romans 3:3 For what if some were without faith? Will their lack of faith nullify the faithfulness of God?

Romans 4:5 But to him who doesn't work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.

The Spirit of God comforts us in our spirit, it does not promote fears in our flesh, when a Christian's test prophesy against faith, that is, trusting in God, his word, and his promises, nothing shakes them in their flesh. If prophesy promotes fear in our flesh, a lack of trust in God's words to us, requiring us to have some special intellectual knowledge, and without it we are caught off guard losing our hope in Christ and our eternal life than its not building our trust, love and faith in Christ, and promises too us.

Hebrews 13:6 So that with good courage we say, "The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?"{Psalm 118:6-7}

Romans 12:6 Having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, if prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith;

1 Corinthians 2:5 that your faith wouldn't stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

1 Corinthians 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don't have love, I am nothing.

Timothy 1:7 For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

When people run to prophesy away from faith in Christ our salvation they are going out into the wilderness for another type of salvation, away from the body of Christ. Christ does not promote works of flesh at all in his body members, he instead builds them up in Spirit and truth, freely, without fear of death in this life! Many have flocked to humans, to organizations out of fear over prophesy. Many become fixated on promoting prophesy replacing the Christ and faith with intellectualizing wisdom of this world in secret events, not abstaining from evil at all, but going deep into evils of society to unlock the next big event for mankind.

1 Corinthians 13:13 But now faith, hope, and love remain--these three. The greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong!

2 Corinthians 13:5 Test your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don't you know as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified.

The question is, is faith weak in Christ? In other words, is it not enough? Many of fine brothers and sisters have been executed for their faith in Christ in two thousand's years. When faced with death, as are all true Christian's each day, there is but one point we must be strong in? How is our trust in Christ? We must believe that he will save us out of death believing the truth of Christ own words that if we believe in the Son of God we have eternal life.

Matthew 24:26 If therefore they tell you, 'Behold, he is in the wilderness,' don't go out; 'Behold, he is in the inner chambers,' don't believe it.

Hebrews 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.

John 17:3 This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.

John 10:28 I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

John 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies.

Greetings my kind friend Daniel...

You have devoted some christian perspectives on prophey..
I'am concened regarding the prolific prophecy Christ shares in the gosepel about His return in Matt chapters 24 - 25..

I think you must know that these words of our master teacher has been the spring board that for over two thousand years well intentioned christian men and woman have used as the spark. They have desperatly endevord to be ready for His coming.. Personaly I dont dwell on the subject anymore but I was curious if you have any spiritual derection/perspective involving this spacific section of Christ prophecy..

As allways resectfully your Brother Brian

Greetings by dear friend,

You bring up an interesting subject that of being prepared for the master return? First, to start with let us begin with a fresh look at what Christ spoke of in Matthew the twenty forth chapter, I would suggest a simple point we all need to ask ourselves in searching the scriptures?

Am I looking for an answer for greater merit in gaining favor from God by prophecy, or I am living in faith? Not such an easy thing to distinguish at times? If it is by merit, that is, to know some information so God won't destroy us, or that we are trying to protect ourselves, than we've taking a wrong step in our understanding the scriptures.

In the Hebrew writings men often had to act in their flesh to save their flesh temporarily, than only to die later because of sin, for the wages sin pays is death. We should note when Christ spoke he spoke about having eternal life “now”, not future, this talk was unheard of by the Jews at Christ time they were waiting a reward of eternal life under God's Kingdom in the flesh. However, when Christ came for a person to gain eternal life one must put faith in Christ, not in works of law, or by self-merit (self-righteousness).

In other words, the foundational truth of Christ is he earned us eternal life by his merit and not our own efforts. We have been freely given Christ merit because of God's love towards us, not because of ours works or worth, but only his! Subsequently, we cannot go beyond Christ, end of story, nor can we go beyond his merit which leaves us completely redeemed, and give us his life now, not at some future date when we earn it, or figure out some prophecy. Thus, his life is eternal, and we are given Christ life by faith, we have eternal life right now in Christ not later in some future prophecy.

The words spoken in Matthew 24 was before Christ was resurrected and had given them his eternal life indwelling them by Holy Spirit, that is, being born again. That Jewish system of things could not perfect a person or give a person eternal life that was not its purpose. Its purpose was to bring them to Christ by faith, and to declare all humans sinner in need of the finish works of God where God would remove sin and his judgement once for all time in Christ Jesus worthy life purchasing us from sin and death by Christ eternal life given us to freely by our faith.

Subsequently, Paul than spoke of not taking God's undeserved kindness as an excuse to sin. If undeserved kindness is by merit than Paul's words are pointless. If however it is free gift, not earned by us, we could take such a gift for granted easily enough.

Now from that point, what is the motiving factor of those making end time prophecy more important that faith? Is it fear of God catching them us off guard? Our not having enough merit built up for to gain eternal life, or is it faith in God's love towards us in already giving us eternal life in Christ? Those caught off guard in Jerusalem (70CE) were already judged for rejection of Christ, they would have been caught off guard no matter what their best scholars tried to figure about Christ prophecy, just like all Christian's still in their flesh trying to serve God from merit instead of faith will be caught unaware. It will not matter if they studied day and night prophecy, planned, and plotted to uncovered every conspiracy that will bring this world to end. The nations will be caught in a snare. Because they are fleshly trying to serve God by works in gain self-merit, that is, self-salvation by their own effort, be it in the bible or through being a surivialist, but they cannot escape that which is impossible!

Those without faith are fleshly and blinded to the truth of Spirit, which is required to worship God by faith. In other words, faith is believing God's promises, and resting in Christ each day. One cannot be overtaken if they are in Christ they have an assurance of his eternal life indwelling them by God's promise seal. But sufficient for each day is it own anxious care, and Christ pointedly told us we cannot live more than one day at a time - all prophecy is future waiting and predicting life, not present in faith, how can we live more than one day in the future if all such planning according God is wicked?

James 4:13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow let's go into this city, and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit." 4:14 Whereas you don't know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. 4:15 For you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that." 4:16 But now you glory in your boasting. All such boasting is evil.
4:17 To him therefore who knows to do good, and doesn't do it, to him it is sin.

Those prophecy Christ spoke, if a person is honest, reading the events around 70CE by historian alive at the time will find most if not all came true upon Jerusalem at its destruction in (70CE). Not once, did any of the apostles continue to look to those prophecy after Jerusalem destruction, throughout the rest of the Greek writings - not even in Revelations

The very things Christ warn us not to be mislead over, are the very things most religion are using to predict the end of our world. A number of years ago I wrote about this subject in a book called “a generation that deceives the world”. It is too long, but it does make some very good points about what generation, and the proper reading of a generation is, its worth a look. You will find a link to it on the front page of this forum to the right.

One last point when a person loves someone they wait each day to see them they do not have negative fearful thoughts about seeing them. When a person delays we may think something happen to them, and worry, but we don't impute evil to them. We might if we loose faith in their love for us thinking they were tricking us, or they found another. Christ has seemingly longed delayed, but has he become evil to us? Has he trick us, did he lie, when telling us we have eternal life if we believe in him?

Matt. 7:7 "Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. 7:8 For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. 7:9 Or who is there among you, who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?
7:10 Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent? 7:11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

No! The rest is our fears common to all mankind, the rest are people building on those fears with end time prophecy, so they can get control of our faith and love for trusting in Christ. This is why so much has been written on this forum regarding prophecy, those born into prophecy by a mother in this case false religion can think of nothing else let alone trusting God. The whole WTS is built on distrust and merit, people live in fear, wrangling in their minds diseased with not having perfect knowledge of some prophecy. Such fear of our flesh is some thing Christ has to put to death, our distrusting flesh, a wars we all must battle each day by God's love.

Let us ask, why are we so concern? Is it faith in love, hope, in waiting to see Christ, or is it fear of judgment? If its judgment, than all we have accomplished is death, because once the pressure off we are still the same person. Love, now that is what prefect our faith, love if we know God is love, he is in us.

1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God, and knows God.

1 John 4:17 In this love has been made perfect among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, even so are we in this world.

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love.

Your brother,

Daniel

Thank you.. it only took a few months for your thoughtful coment to settle into my heart..
Blessings to you Daniel..

Thanks Brain its always good to hear from you. Sometimes simple faith takes years to understand, it not faith in a book, a prophecy, a person, place or thing. But faith in God and his promises to us, which we are saved in.

Being saved does not mean working for something to be saved in, or to distrust God because there are subjects we don't understand, or know. It means trusting our Father, dispite our worst fears knowing that he is perfect, and has promised us he will not change, and that only good comes from him.

Now that is a real test of our faith, it is a life long, into eternity project that will continue to amaze all creation in God's faithtul love.

Your Brother,

Daniel