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While preparing for the Watchtower study this week, I looked at a question from readers in this issue of the Watchtower (for February), and the last paragraph caught my attention here: In the meantime, what matters most is, not the timing of the future proclamation of “peace and security,” but our standing before God. We must “stay awake and keep our senses,” so that we may be fully prepared no matter how events unfold.—1 Thess. 5:6.

Some things to consider: We are not just called to be neutral, we are called to show respect and honor. If the comments you make in real life or online were told to the President, would it hinder your ability to preach to him? Would it cast a bad light on Witnesses? Would they say we only pretend to be neutral?

I agree that the imagery is not worth sharing. However, they do seem to illustrate the speedy and barely imaginable descent into madness and destruction this system is headed. Who could even think of these things ten years ago? Not favoring anyone... but I cannot recall this level of gleeful public (at least) degradation, cruelty, and ignorance depicted in words or pictures by any other president or his administration; and I can remember back to Nixon. Yes - they are all bad, absolutely. The madness displayed every. single. day. of the current administration is one for the books, however. 😕 These are very good points and definitely something for us all to constantly keep in mind. It *is* the news of the day and some do pay attention to the news. I know it's challenging for me because I like to be informed... and this circus of world politics lately is dangerously entertaining. It's like watching a car wreck. I am so grateful to know where all this is heading and I do pray and work hard to keep my eyes off the newsfeeds. It's tough sometimes - because I can barely believe what I'm seeing. But, I have no doubt that among other things, Satan is delighting in making this system die embarrassed and humiliated. Future generations will hardly be able to believe the inanity we will tell them about these Last Days..

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/13/japan/crime-legal/jehovahs-witnesses-sue-japan-government/ About 20 followers of Jehovah’s Witnesses, along with the organization’s Japan branch and several believing parents, have sued the Japanese government to overturn child-abuse guidelines they say violate religious freedom, equality under the law, and the Constitution; the government says the guidelines are simply technical advice for local authorities and are meant to help identify abuse objectively, including cases involving corporal punishment or refusal of medically necessary blood transfusions for children.

I guess I just feel differently. This doesn't even register for me, so it's not affecting my neutrality, but I understand others are in different places right now. 💜

I’m afraid that no other president in history has been like Trump… and I think that it’s perfectly ok to say that you dislike the guy, he is a cringeworthy raging narcissist!! Does that mean that I’m not remaining neutral? Personally I don’t think so… I don’t even know the name of the party he represents… I’m that interested in it Lol As a person I don’t like him I find myself laughing and cringing at him in equal measure I do feel that he will possibly be in power during the GT and how that will go down is interesting in itself!

Someone sent me this in a PM on Facebook. I replied: As disgusting as this is, I need you to please not send me these. This administration makes it difficult for me to remain neutral and images like this push me past that line. I would never have thought about mocking previous presidents like this, so treating this one differently than the others is, by definition, no longer neutral. Thanks for helping a brother out We had a km school back during the first time he was elected. The instructor said that the then current administration made it difficult to remain neutral. If we think anything other than that Trump is no better or worse than the others, then we might be struggling with neutrality. That was then. It's only gotten worse now.

I decided to stockpile 🍿🍿🍿 because we’ve got front row at this world craziness. Watching conflict between POTUS and Pope: fascinating 🖖

Jesucristo taught a crucial distinction that every true Christian must guard in both heart and speech: rejecting what is wrong is not the same as despising the person. The biblical principles make this very clear: * In Matthew 5:22, Jesus warns that contempt expressed through words (“You worthless…”) is not something minor, but an attitude of the heart that God takes seriously. * In Colossians 4:6, we are taught that our words should always be gracious and respectful, even when we disagree. * In 1 Peter 3:9, we are reminded not to repay evil with insult, even when others act wrongly. * And in Matthew 5:44, we are commanded to love even our enemies, which leaves no room for mockery, contempt, or a closed heart toward others. Therefore, the issue is not having a negative opinion or recognizing wrongdoing. The real danger lies in this subtle shift: From “I don’t like what he does” to “this person is repugnant” Once that line is crossed, the focus is no longer on judging actions, but on despising the person. And that kind of contempt—though common in the world—does not reflect the spirit of Christ. A true follower of Christ can be firm about what is wrong, but will always strive to speak and feel without losing the respect, dignity, and love that God expects.

And its getting closer.. with the fuel crisis and its impact . In our midweek meeting last week, we were told to store water, fuel and food.. I can feel that things are getting worse.

Its super corrupt.. billions of corruption of the govt.. the have and the have nots has wider gap.

(1 Peter 2:17) 17 Honor men of all sorts, have love for the whole association of brothers, be in fear of God, honor the king. https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&pub=nwtsty&srctype=wol&bible=60002017&srcid=share Honor men of all sorts. Including the icky ones. Honor the king. Including the bad ones. Where does the Bible say we can pick and choose? Please show me.

Seriously!! I’m saying I don’t like the man I didn’t once say that I don’t respect him, I don’t need to show this man honour.. I honour Jehovah. i am also not American, I live in Ireland… maybe we just have a very different outlook here and I suspect that’s the case and as Tortuga said I would love him to come into the truth, do I think he will? As Richard said it would be a modern day miracle. Sorry if I offended you.

I feel the same way Aine does, I dislike Mr Trump as a person, but I would control those feelings if I was able to witness to him. I would love to see him come into the truth, it would be a modern day miracle....

I agree with the premise completely. But I also agree that talking about him — whether good or bad — is still not right. I know you expanded on this and said it’s about neutrality, but it still doesn’t make sense to be sharing links or feeding into content about him — or any government official — or what governments are doing. We have a job to do. Trying to figure out what is or isn’t fulfillment of prophecy — that’s not our assignment.

Truly nauseating..

We were told the same here in Portugal

The jw.org banner is "No More Corrupt Politicians!" That wraps it up nicely without being specific.

I'm not the one who posted it. I acknowledged that other people may be affected, but I literally did nothing to contribute to this. This kind of thing does not interest me, but clearly it interests others or they wouldn't be sharing it.

If the president himself posted racist imagery, would you choose to share it with your brothers and sisters? I would not and I doubt you would, too. If the president himself posts pornographic imagery, would you choose to share it with your brothers and sisters? I would not and I doubt you would, too. Just because the president created and posted propaganda does not mean we need to share it. I don't want to see propaganda and I don't think my brothers and sisters want to, either. Trump did this. Trump did thst. I can't believe he dud this and that. Look how disgusting. Did you see the disgusting things? Here, let me show you the disgusting things. Did our brothers and sisters share the disgusting things Obama did? Or do we, in our hearts, feel Trump is so much worse than Obama? Were we as obsessed with Biden, Obama, Bush the 2nd, or Clinton as we seem to be with Trump and sharing every disgusting move made? If not, then maybe our neutrality is affected. If we treat or view this president any differently than previous presidents, then maybe our neutrality is affected. If this president affects our emotions (positive or negative) more than a previous president, then maybe our neutrality is affected. Sorry, I don't understand. Why is that any reason for Christians to spread propaganda generated by the King of the South? Are we it's mouthpiece? I know, it's just the news of the day. How does it affect others around you? If it doesn't register, good for you. It must be registering for others, though, because here we are discussing it on a forum dedicated to Christians. It graced my inbox on Facebook first thing this morning.

He's part of the King of the South. That's reason enough.

No doubt that the US is the false prophet of Revelation ha !

But I still wouldn't invite Trump to my house for dinner...

I wasn't calling you out - they were just rhetorical questions for reflection. The topic of neutrality gets brought up frequently and we should remind ourselves of the edges. “Render to all their dues… to him who calls for honor, such honor.”

Daniel's Prophesy of 1999 and Watchtower 2000 make reference to NATO at a time when there were 19 member nations. The King of the South has always been understood to be primarily the United States and the UK along with their associate allies. That would be allies who are members of NATO and allies who are not. Today, there are 32 member nations of NATO. When Finland joined in 2023, it doubled NATO's direct border with Russia. The expansion of NATO from 19 to 32 has not received any attention in our publications that I can see. I cannot recall any speaker even using the acronym NATO in a talk. So, yes, it came as a surprise to me when the local brother at the Circuit Assembly with Branch Representative said "while the King of the South is NATO and its allies". Apparently, no one else here heard that at their assembly. As I already said, he could have skipped a line of his manuscript. I don't believe he leaked anything that the FDS may share in the near future. I'm happy to wait for whatever the FDS has to say. But the expansion of NATO is a serious topic between the two kings. As of today, 6 NATO members share a direct border with Russia when you factor-in the enclave Kaliningrad. The "pushing" continues.

Brothers and sisters, sometimes we carry something inside us that no one else can see. On the outside we smile... we greet others... we attend the meetings... but deep inside, we may be struggling with worries, with disappointment, with hurt, with loneliness. And at some point we notice: My joy is gone. We still serve Jehovah... we still keep doing what is right... but our heart feels heavy. Why does that sometimes happen? One reason may be that although we go to Jehovah... we do not stay with him long enough. Imagine this: You are thirsty and pour yourself a glass of water. But when you are about to drink it, you realize: It is warm. So you place the glass in the refrigerator. You close the door. But only one second later you take it back out. Is it cold now? No. Why not? It was in the refrigerator. Yes... but not long enough. If you leave it there longer, it slowly becomes cool. And if afterward you place it in the freezer and leave it there long enough, its whole form changes. It becomes ice. And that is exactly how it is with our heart. When worries “heat us up” inside... when problems drain us... when pain steals our joy... then we need Jehovah’s presence just as that water needs the cold. But brothers and sisters, sometimes this is what we do: We say a quick prayer... maybe 20 seconds... maybe one minute... and then we go on again, back to the stress, back to the worries, back to the battle. And then we wonder: “Why do I still feel so heavy?” Because some things only heal when we stay long enough in Jehovah’s presence. Psalm 62:8 says so beautifully: “Pour out your hearts before him. God is a refuge for us.” Jehovah does not say: “Quickly mention your problem to me.” No. He says: “Pour out your heart.” Pour out everything. Not just the pain— but the tears behind it. Not just the worry— but the fear behind it. Not just the problem— but what it does to you at night. Jehovah does not just want to hear what happened. He wants to hear how it feels to you. Perhaps we can compare it to a little child. When a child is afraid at night, it runs to its father. But what would happen if the father held the child for only one second and immediately put it back down? The child would hardly calm down. But if the father holds it close... if the child remains against his chest... if it hears his heartbeat... if it feels his warmth... then slowly it becomes calm. Not immediately. But little by little. And that is how it is with Jehovah. Sometimes he does not heal our heart in the first 10 seconds of prayer. Sometimes he lovingly waits for us simply to stay. To remain seated. To keep talking. To keep crying. To take our time. And while we remain in his presence, something beautiful happens: Our heart slowly becomes calmer. Our thoughts become clearer. Our burden becomes lighter. And sometimes Jehovah changes not only our feelings... but our entire inner self. Brothers and sisters, if your heart is heavy... if you are tired inside... if you no longer feel joy... then do not pray only briefly. Stay. Stay in Jehovah’s presence. Stay until you feel peace. Stay until your thoughts become calmer. Stay until your heart feels warmth again. Because perhaps Jehovah has been waiting a long time for you not just to knock on his door... but to come inside... sit down... and simply stay with him. Because the one who stays long enough in Jehovah’s presence rarely leaves the same way he came.

We will know next month in the first convention 😉

I told my suitcase we’re not going on vacation this year. Now it’s emotional baggage.

NATO is an alliance between the King of the South and other members. Both those Watchtowers refer to NATO as an alliance led by the King of the South.

*** dp chap. 16 pp. 276-277 par. 15 The Contending Kings Near Their End *** 15 “In the time of the end the king of the south will engage with him in a pushing,” the angel told Daniel. (Daniel 11:40a) Has the king of the south ‘pushed’ the king of the north during “the time of the end”? (Daniel 12:4, 9) Yes, indeed. After the first world war, the punitive peace treaty imposed upon the then king of the north—Germany—was surely “a pushing,” an incitement to retaliation. After his victory in the second world war, the king of the south targeted fearsome nuclear weapons on his rival and organized against him a powerful military alliance, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Concerning NATO’s function, a British historian says: “It was the prime instrument for the ‘containment’ of the USSR, which was now perceived as the principal threat to European peace. Its mission lasted for 40 years, and was carried out with indisputable success.” As the years of the Cold War went by, the “pushing” by the king of the south included high-tech espionage as well as diplomatic and military offensives. https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=1101999036&srctype=wol&srcid=share&par=21 *** w20 May p. 13 par. 6 Who Is “the King of the North” Today? *** 6 The king of the north and the king of the south continue to compete for world domination. For example, consider what happened after World War II when the Soviet Union and its allies gained influence over much of Europe. The actions of the king of the north forced the king of the south to form an international military alliance, known as NATO. The king of the north continues to compete with the king of the south in an expensive arms race. The king of the north fought his rival in proxy wars and insurgencies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In recent years, Russia and its allies have spread their influence across the globe. They have also engaged with the king of the south in cyber warfare. The kings have accused each other of using destructive computer programs in an effort to damage their economies and political systems. And as foretold by Daniel, the king of the north continues his attack on God’s people.—Dan. 11:41. https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=2020401&srctype=wol&srcid=share&par=13

Timely!

It’s not just Trump. If you really want to stay neutral, it’s better not to post anything about Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, or Kim Jong Un—especially sarcastic comments. I’ve seen many brothers here speak against, for example, Vladimir Putin as the “King of the North.” That can show that, in your heart, you’re taking a position against him. But I’ve read many times that the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses has said there’s no such thing as a good or bad president—all of them belong to Satan. So when you speak against Putin, Donald Trump, or anyone else, it can come across as defending human governments. If Donald Trump or Vladimir Putin are in power, it’s because Jehovah allows it in order to fulfill prophecies.

It is worse. The president himself posted that meme... no one is mocking him in this instance but he himself. 😕

Yes. I don't understand why any of our brothers and sisters are choosing to share this. I know I don't want to see this on my socials. I doubt anyone else does either. Trump is no better or worse than any other current or former world leader. They all stand in opposition to Jehovah.

Lu 13:32 And he said to them: “Go and tell that fox, ‘Look! I am casting out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will be finished.’ Some of the suggestions in the Study Note for the meaning of this are not really complimentary. But Jesus had the perfect measure of the man.

I heard this when Bush Jr and Obama were in power sis. Do not be in shock if Trump is not. We need to remind ourselves that Jesus is in power. Revelation 11:15

What do I think .. I think.😎 I’ve always appreciated how clearly the Scriptures describe the hope of the 144,000. Their home, identity, and assignment remain heavenly forever. But at the same time, Jehovah has always been able to bridge the gap between the heavenly and earthly families whenever he chooses. Nothing limits him. And whatever Jehovah arranges for eternity will leave no one, heavenly or earthly, feeling distant, deprived, or wishing for something different. I often think of how Adam spoke with Jehovah “in the breezy part of the day” (Gen. 3:8). That shows how close the heavenly and earthly families were meant to be. There’s also the precedent of angels visiting numerous Bible characters in fully human form ..Abraham, Lot, Gideon, Manoah, and others. Those were temporary materializations, not a return to human life, but they show that such interaction is completely within Jehovah’s power. And look at Jesus. Even though he is now at Jehovah’s right hand, he is deeply connected to this earth and to the people he loved …including close friends like John the Baptist. His affection didn’t disappear when he returned to heaven. So will the heavenly and earthly families be deeply connected forever? Absolutely …. more than we can ever imagine. We are one family. A scripture that really captures this is 1 Corinthians 15:28: “But when all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him, that God may be all things to everyone.” That’s the moment when the entire universe ..heaven and earth…. is perfectly united under Jehovah’s sovereignty. I can imagine a family reunion where every relationship is healed, every misunderstanding is gone, and every member feels completely connected, understood, and loved. Now magnify that to a cosmic universal scale. Mind blowing. As a side point, a close friend of mine Chris Tyler was of the anointed. She once told me that when the resurrection comes, she was going to ask Jehovah to be present when her daughter is raised. To me, that was a pretty good ask. .. it simply reflected the depth of love and connection that will always exist in Jehovah’s family. Just as Jehovah was involved with his sons resurrection .. a special time.

Our potted pups, Chip & Bruno, toy poodles

Pot, meet kettle.

I believe what's most important is to consider what we have to offer a mate. They not just for us; we're for them. Will we - our personality, spirituality, maturity, circumstances - be beneficial to someone else? Especially for a brother - are you ready to head a household and be responsible for all who live with you? If we can unselfishly say, "yes", that's when we should go looking for a mate. It's much beyond what our bodies can tell us.. 🤨

Why would we look at the structure and inequalities of Satan's world to determine how Jehovah feels about us?

There are 10 kinds of people in the world. Those that know binary and those that don't.

Many people look at global inequality migration struggles, economic gaps, and the fact that some nations seem to “shine” more than others and they start to wonder whether God favours certain races or countries. But the Bible gives a completely different picture. Does history support the idea that Jehovah favours one race? Does Jehovah lie? Absolutely not. Acts 10:34, 35 says: “God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.” So the real question isn’t whether Jehovah accepts certain nations. The question is whether we are acceptable to Jehovah. So let’s take a look at the issue.. When people migrate, it’s not because God has abandoned their homeland. It’s because of human systems, not divine favoritism. People move because of, Economic inequality, Political instability, Corruption or mismanagement, Unequal access to education and technology, War, famine, or lack of opportunity These are man‑made conditions, not spiritual rankings. Even in Bible times, faithful people migrated constantly for example Abraham, Jacob, Naomi, Jesus’ own parents, early Christians fleeing persecution . Migration has always been part of human survival, not a sign of divine disapproval. If Wealth Meant God’s Approval… Then Ancient Egypt, Babylon, Greece, Rome …would have been Jehovah’s favourites. But the Bible shows the opposite. And at Pentecost, the thousands who accepted the good news came from every corner of the world. Jehovah’s blessing was not tied to nationality, race, or geography. So Where Does the “Partiality” Idea Come From? Not from Jehovah. The only one who ever suggested that Jehovah “holds out” on people was Satan. He told Eve that God was keeping something good from her. That lie has simply taken new forms throughout history… many people swallow it whole. Jehovah has never been partial. Humans have been. Satan has been. But Jehovah? Never.

Agreed. Images and information like this about people in authority can easily stay in our hearts and minds and challenge our neutrality.

Source

The Slave will never share new light or a clarification of beliefs in such a way that only a very small number of Witnesses hear the adjustment first. Even if a speaker knows there is an adjustment, he will deliver current information and allow the Slave to introduce the adjustment at the time they choose. The Slave is the channel. We all hear adjustments at the same time. In years past it was in the Watchtower or a convention release. In recent times it's been at the Annual Meeting. On the other hand, that is what allies do. They follow the leader.

Curious statement made at the Circuit Assembly with Branch Representative today. BTW - Was anyone else there? Mira Loma Assembly Hall. We had Joel and Ivy Taylor from Patterson. The statement was made during the second talk of the symposium, "Become Watchful, and Strengthen the Things Remaining". The local brother was reviewing "the things remaining", such as 1 Thess 5:3 etc. Then he said "And Russia has been identified as the King of the North, while the King of the South is NATO and its allies". It's hard to imagine that he misspoke to that degree. Although it's possible he meant to say "While the King of the South is the Anglo-American world power and their NATO allies". Maybe he skipped an entire line of his manuscript. The last talk was the Branch Representative and he reviewed all the talks. I was literally waiting for him to clarify what the brother intended to say. But, no.