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This is the cover and related news article planned for the International Newsweek magazine for 1st June. It's supposed to be issued in the U.S. as well... but the Magazine will have a different cover not the one shown below.

What a wonderful prospect to be a part of Jehovah's organization?! Thank you Jehovah!!

Incredible. Wow ! Will they speak about destroying religion already? We really are in the end. Can't wait to meet you all on the other side guys

I made a pdf using the subtitles so I can read it on my iPad. Here's the pdf file for anyone who would like it. What impressed us was the delivery of the talk. Robert Luccioni was talking about increasingly tough times and persecution, yet his manner was one of confidence and not one of gloom and despondency. Principles for Persecution.pdf

Well, everyone already knows my opinion on this....

https://tv.jw.org/#en/mediaitems/LatestVideos/pub-jwb_201805_12_VIDEO

The guy who posted it is the global creative director of Newsweek... it won't be visible until tomorrow I think

jw-russia.org: Statement of the European Union on the situation of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia

He probably got busted, lol. Rather, it's a leak and it's copyrighted, and we're all screen capping it. I'm sure he had to hide it, at least temporarily. But if you're reading this Michael, I will pay to have this international edition mailed to me.

Actually -- I read that "Bible Thumpers" as sort of a play on the expression... but that Russia was doing the "thumping" or oppressing. I don't necessarily think they're referring to *us* as the Bible thumpers...

I wasn't sure whether to view it this way or to view it as publicity. Like now everyone who does not know about this can see that we are being attacked.. Many people who know us do not agree with our beliefs, but know enough about us to know that we are peaceable people who don't deserve this. Example: I was act my doctor's office the other day (where half my congregation goes). As he was finishing up, he informed me that one of the sisters was in the next room. He followed up with a comment about how the congregation members were some of the sweetest people he has ever dealt with. I can imagine that there are plenty more people around who feel this way and would be surprised about what's going on in other parts of the world.

Leaving Thursday morning for Green Bay Wisconsin for our convention. I have to pack around Sophie because she’s finally putting 2 and 2 together. She’d either be scared I’m leaving her or go happily spastic thinking she’s coming with me right that second. which means at the moment I’m really behind. Tomorrow is going to be a long day. So, early tomorrow morning I’m bringing her to Ganna’s (grandma’s) so she can play with her sissies. She’ll pout a bit but the other 2 will keep her busy running in and out barking. ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

This Newsweek cover is indeed quite telling! When was the last time an internationally recognized magazine focused on Jehovah's Witnesses regarding any matter? This is very interesting.

We had a large influx of Nepali people about 10 years ago, and we quickly formed a group that in recent times has become an official congregation.

Screen cap at your service:

Newsweek has been running several articles about us in Russia, and they are all favorable, imo

Quote from Mandi “Remember the letter campaign hasn't been highlighted internationally yet ... will be interesting what comes out. (You will find there will be sympathizers once they realize they could be next)” I thought about those letters, plus them comparing us to Isis. Terriosts. Nevermind the family that got that award. Russia may not come out of this smelling like a rose! .

But it's Russia doing the poking. Until I read the article I'll reserve judgement on Newsweek. But I suspect the article is favorable. But not waterproof

I second this!! Lol

On the Instagram account... In the future when the magazine is released the comments could turn ugly. Plus I linked to a worldly account. ..you never know what you may read

A handful of older ones still are just as aggressive as ever, though these are in the extreme minority today. Regardless of our current approach, the fact remains that we were full fledged "Bible Thumpers" for nearly a century, and that reputation isn't going to disappear overnight.

This is an encouraging thread to keep open! Ref: https://www.jw.org/download/?fileformat=PDF&output=html&pub=nwt&option=TRGCHlZRQVNYVrXF NWT recently released in three new languages: Ecuadorian Sign Language Nepali Peruvian Sign Language Praise Jah!

Sister V, that's not unusual. I've heard of people (in the past) referring to us as "Bible thumpers", even disrespectful terms as "Jesus freaks" and "those crazy JW's", and a couple of other names I won't mention here. In these "last minutes" of STD's system, people's hearts are showing now, more than ever where they ultimately stand: (1) either with Jehovah and His reigning Son Jesus or, (2) the world controlled by God's staunch adversary. The time of Judgement is rapidly approaching!

This is about to come out as as the international version. According to the creative director, the US cover will be different, but the story will be in there. I feel shocked at seeing this, but don't know what to think.

Evidently it will be online tomorrow

This is a link to the Instagram account... please be aware of any comments on there... just use your discretion please.

A sister with two teenage sons in Poland during the Soviet days, feared for her sons, who were nearing military age. So she sought to leave her country. Her boys were being used in the congregation, they were strong. She made it somehow to the US and her boys entered the school system went to college and left the truth. The mother said she wished she never left Poland. The Apostle Paul said at Philippians 2:12 "Keep working out your own salvation with fear and trembling." How do we do this? Our primary work is to preach the good news of the kingdom and endure to the end. Every effort of that deviant and disgusting enemy of Jehovah, is to stop us from this work and to get us to give up (never may that happen). His methods may be by direct means or they may be by indirect subtleties, the goal is the same. Stop preaching. It is interesting that when the direct means has not worked the indirect means have scored for him and visa versa. He will try everything. I am sadden to tears reading about what my brothers in Russia are dealing with. Also our dear brothers in Eritrea (two who had died) who have been locked up, some for 20 years, I pray that I may endure such a trial. In lands with more freedom we are losing so many young people and some not so young. Some of us are distracting and amusing ourselves to our spiritual peril. And some of us are fighting, I mean struggling daily to endure. I am amazed at what some of our brothers and sisters are enduring, I pray for them and for our brothers in Russia, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, South Korea and there are so many more places (1Pet. 2:17), the whole association. Satan is not going to make it easy for any of us. What I know about Satan is that intellectually I am an ant and I am no match for his schemes, I catch myself in his traps too often and I will never with without the love and power of my God Jehovah, win against him. None of us will escape out of this system untried to the limit, Satan will see to that. Even now he is maneuvering men and governments in lands where we have more freedom, he is changing them, I am sure for the purpose of attacking us more directly. We must in whatever situation we find ourselves, trust in Jehovah, his Christ and yes in the Faithful Slave (which I see he is working hard to erode that trust today). I remember a Gilead lecture by brother Milton Henschel, he said, if you are arrested, keep preaching, preach to everyone you come in contact with, don't focus on yourself, pray and preach. Do not suffer shock as Moses warned the nation of Israel in his final speeches to them. I hope that I will do that when they come for me. Remember, we must work out "own salvation with fear and trembling." Our Regional Convention will aid us in this personal struggle. Please keep preaching and enduring for you are an example for me.

We are being prepared!

jw-russia.org: Details of the round-up on believers in the Orenburg region In Orenburg, two citizens were sent for their faith in the SIZO, one for house arrest All these brothers in my thoughts and prayers.

The comments section on RT.com makes for an interesting read. Everybody hates the USA because the are hypocrites, speaking of peace yet spilling blood everywhere. Kinda makes sense that the book of Revelation describes the USA/UK as having horns like a lamb yet speaks like a dragon and it called the False Prophet. 😉

jw-russia.org: May 16, 2018. A hearing on the case of a Danish believer in Orel continues today Monday, May 21, 2018

Yeah, I really like the advice given about being like Nehemiah, and not get baited by opposers.

I've had this same problem on iOS each and everytime I have reinstalled the app. It takes a very long time for the publication database to download, install, and refresh, on first run. I have waited up to 20 mins with the app open, and what is most frustrating is that there is no indication of progress. I also believe that the 'waiting indicator' only animates during download, not the installation of the latest database. Meaning you have to leave the app open (don't let the screen turn off) even after the loading indicator has turned off and wait until who knows when for the database to take hold. 😥 Part of the reason the database is so massive is that it not only includes every publication available but it includes this for every language. Also, when I say publication, I am including every video available on both websites (jw.org and tv.jw); so that's every video, every broadcast, every book, brochure, etc. multiplied by over a hundred languages.

Hope its positive. May also encourage other countries with the goading of religion (as with Russia) try the same thing - who knows until its released.

Agreed, it could go positively ... but I'm in doubt that the publications intention is positive. (Going by the term Bible Thumpers) but yes indeed Jehovah can turn it into positive very easily.

Remember the letter campaign hasn't been highlighted internationally yet ... will be interesting what comes out. (You will find there will be sympathizers once they realize they could be next).

I see this as another poke at Jehovah's eyeball.

Things are heading one way. I saw that cover earlier, and it hurt. Yes, international attention is being drawn to our situation in Russia. And that situation in Russia is happening to our dear friends. To see our bible with that bears claw... When things start tumbling, get out of the way, and be on the right side. It’s going to happen fast. Now, what were the three principles brother Luccioni listed? You’d better! Run and duck! Yes, quickly!

There was a Polish sister in my old cong, many years ago, who would rap on peoples' doors with a 50c piece. I used to want the ground to open up and swallow me.

I read it as a play on words. Russia thumping our Bible etc rather than directly calling us Bible thumpers.

Bible Thumpers? Is that what people think we are? My eye was so drawn to the picture that reminds me of satan clawing at our Bible that I didn't pay attention to that part.

So tune in tomorrow for official confirmation

Feel free to delete, mods. I just noticed that someone posted this a few minutes before me. 😁

I have to do the same.. I listened, but JWB was glitchy. Listened again, then again this morning with my daughter. Repetition works beautifully. I have listed to some things so often that I have the talks nearly memorized. This may come in handy in the future.

I usually start out my day with prayers for our friends in Venezuela to have enough to eat today, our friends in Russia to be steadfast and loyal. The list goes on. But, I was thinking about this video. Yes, I watched it. Now, what were those three point? Some glimpses of memory, but, not what I would like when persecution does hit. I think I should listen good to this talk, and take notes. And then, listen again. And again.

well blow me down with a feather! it is working as it should. I might drop a line via the JW.org site. might be useful in the FAQs? So grateful... Thanks Brandon PS.. what is a discord 

yes... and i LOVE history...

I sent a letter of encouragement to Brother Christiansen and, with the elders permission, I handed out his 'temporary' address and instructions on what and how to write to him to others at our "Just Around the Corner" get together last Saturday. I wish I had more addresses to write letters of encouragement to. Our persecuted brothers and sisters can't all be members of this supportive message board. Our prayers to Jehovah don't require any postage. So, in the meantime, we pray that they can remain loyal under trial, and trust that they will do the same for us, when our feet are held to the fire.

Thank you for this link to the packet! I am so happy to have this information be more easily available to our brothers, sisters and honest hearted ones.

Tuesday, May 22 Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh.—Rom. 8:5. It was fitting for Christians in Rome to analyze what their focus in life really was. Could it be that their lives were dominated by or centered on “things of the flesh”? And it is fitting for us to consider the same about our lives. What is of greatest interest to us, and to what does our speech gravitate? What do we really pursue day in and day out? Some may find that they are focusing on trying different types of wine, decorating the home, finding new clothing styles, making investments, planning vacation trips, and the like. Such matters are not bad in themselves; they can be normal aspects of life. For example, Jesus once made wine, and Paul told Timothy to take “a little wine.” (1 Tim. 5:23;John 2:3-11) But did Jesus and Paul make wine a prominent aspect of their lives? Was it their passion, what they constantly talked about? No. What about us? What is our key interest in life? w16.12 2:5, 10, 11