Doug

To help others understand that quote, we used to think that the creation days were each 7,000 years long. Hence, the six days of creation were a total of 42,000 years. On the seventh day, following the creation of Eve, God rested. The calculation that 1975 was 6,000 years since Adam left us with the question "How long was Adam alone before Eve was created"? Because God's rest started following his last act of creation, Eve. We don't know how long Adam was alone. He was doing what Jehovah had instructed, naming the animals. At the time, my guess was that Adam named the animals in 6 months. I mean, what else did he have to do? Nothing. And that was the reasoning ~ In order for Christ's rule of 1,000 years to fit into God's day of rest period (7,000 years, same as the other days) and by 1975 it had already been 6,000 years, there wasn't much time remaining. In fact, it was that gap between the creation of Adam and then Eve. The question was "How long was Adam alone in the garden before Eve was introduced"? Unknown.

"This means trying to motivate people to make the truth their own by applying what they learn, dedicating their life to Jehovah, and getting baptized. Only then will they survive Jehovah's day". Par 14. With our new understanding, it remains possible for someone to make a dedication after the GT has started, maybe get baptized, assuming they would still need to qualify for baptism. But one thing we know for sure, everyone who hopes to survive Jehovah's day will face the attack of Gog, baptized or not.

Good encouragement, although some statements are no longer our understanding. Par. 6, 9 and 14. After I sold my flooring business, the new owner asked me to help him to bid on a carpet replacement for a church. Although I would have only been a consultant, I declined. Par. 17 and 18. I think it was his church.

It was a remarkable error when you consider the process of drafting such information, analyzing it, supporting with scriptures, proofreading and revising etc, etc. "OUR own understanding", as highlighted above, came from Jehovah's channel. We accept what the GB publish as OUR current understanding. It's a pity some were stumbled, but they didn't have to be. I wasn't. Baptized in 1975 (Just in time . . lol)

Not dogmatic at all. But very courageous to announce it years in advance. Back in the 1890's, such things were not done. It was a more thoughtful and gentle society. That's how I imagine it, anyway.

Yeah . . It don't work that way. .

The Olympic games are supposed to bring the world together in sportsmanship and goodwill. The reality is that Russian athletes have been banned since 2017 for doping. Furthermore, the IOC said in December that Russian and Belarusian athletes who have qualified for Paris 2024 will be eligible to compete as neutral athletes. No Russian or Belarusian government officials will be included in opening ceremonies. The UN may try to put lipstick on the pig ~ but the Olympics may be the world's stage for nationalism rather than peace, as usual. The world is broken and cannot be patched-up, not even temporarily, imho.

It's a powder keg, for sure. News reports that Russia is offering Iran fighter jets and missiles. Biden has repeatedly said the US will help defend Israel. His assurances sound almost unconditional as far as defense is concerned. As if that pushing weren't enough, reports say that North Korea are developing virus and biological weapons, anthrax and smallpox. "The United States assesses that the DPRK has a dedicated, national level offensive biological weapons program".

Isn't that because the information is written with the public in mind?

The Slave has brought back the headline on jw.org "Will Armageddon Begin in Israel"?

The ayatollah must have been under extreme pressure from the hardliners to respond to Israel's attack on their facility in Damascus. Knowing that Israel is a nuclear actor. And now, what will Israel do? This back-and-forth has to end somehow. Last man standing???

Yes, and let's remember human leaders can set the bar very low. They can declare a success if nuclear is avoided and only conventional war is happening.

In the old days, an attack by one state actor against another was a declaration of war. But these days, with the prospect of a nuclear armageddon, a proportional response seems to be the sensible tactic. This crisis could evolve into P&S because if it isn't contained it could go nuclear.

USA, UK (KOTS) Russia (KOTN), China, India, Pakistan, France, Israel and North Korea.

Thank you. I share your feelings to some extent. I have actually thought that I could sit down and start making a list of all my mistakes and not overlook a single one. Why are we so hard on ourselves? Is it pride? Do we see our mistakes as a betrayal of our imperfect nature? As Paul said "When I wish to do what is right, what is bad is present with me. I really delight in the law of God according to the man I am within, but I see in my body another law warring against the law of my mind and leading me captive to sin's law that is in my body (especially the heart). Miserable man that I am! So, then, with my mind I myself am a slave to God's law, but with my flesh to sin's law." How does Jehovah see us? I have given that question a lot of thought as well. When a dog has a litter of puppies, there's probably a runt. One inferior in some way. But doesn't our heart go out to that one especially? Poor baby! When people come to select a puppy, sometimes it will be the runt that's picked. Why? Because we know it has a disadvantage and we have sympathy for it. We wish all the puppies a healthy and happy life, but we make it our business to make sure that runt is cared for. Isn't that how Jehovah sees us? We are born with a horrible burden to bare, imperfection and under sin's law. But Jehovah makes it his business to make sure we are cared for. The ransom is a good reminder. Why would Jehovah allow his precious Son to go through that, and Himself to go through that, if he didn't love us very much? The ransom should convince us that God sees us, knows us, understands our inherent weaknesses and treacherous hearts, and makes it his business to help us overcome those disadvantages. Thanks Tim

I had the privilege of the Bible reading a couple of weeks ago. Psalm 22:1-19. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Powerful material. And, it was my first assignment n my new congregation!

From Al Jazeera re: Kim Jong Un rhetoric / saber rattling: "Now is the time to be more thoroughly prepared for war than ever before", citing "the uncertain and unstable military and political situation around the DPRK". "North Korea should be more firmly and perfectly prepared for a war, which should be won without fail, not just for a possible war". Meanwhile, Biden said "I welcome the opportunity of our allies to initiate dialogue with the Democratic Republic of Korea. As I've said many times, we're open to dialogue ourselves anytime without preconditions". Kim Jong Un rejected the offer.

We will always have some who are better off materially and are eager to share. Perhaps they chose to work secularly instead of pioneering, but that's between them and Jehovah. I understand because being a productive person in the workplace can be very satisfying. Yes, when the time comes, we will be thankful to have an "inner room" provided by a generous host to take refuge in.

And I've always thought it was "Cold art the orb that rules the night". I saw them live at Lake Tahoe . . . 1994 ish

Until it happens and we know exactly what the message is and how it will be delivered, all we can say about it now is it will be A Hard-Hitting Message of GOOD NEWS

True. But we just had the explanation that the good news would continue to be our message until the end. No explicit "judgement" message. A judgement is implied. Can good news take the form of a hard-hitting message? Or, to put it another way; Can a "hailstone" message (Rev. 16:21 is cited) be considered "good news" ? Seems counter intuitive. Is there a precedent? The message to Nineveh had a good effect, but it wasn't a message of good news. It was repent, or else.

I'm back from the "Enter Into God's Rest" Circuit Assembly with Branch Representative at Mira Loma Assembly Hall. I can report that the branch representative said that according to Rev. 16:21 we will deliver a hard-hitting message. He didn't use the word "hailstone", but that is used at Rev 16:21, nor "judgement". He didn't give any clue as to the timing of the hard-hitting message. A hard-hitting message, hmmm . . . Special campaign?

Right? And don't we agree it's their feminine / maternal qualities that will be put to good use in their heavenly assignment?

Song 27 "Fear Them Not" Fear them not, my faithful warriors Fight! Let not your heart grow faint. Never fear you are forgotten; I am still your strength and shield Though you die upon the field, Even death to me will yield. Fight!

I worry for the friends who have had a comfortable life in this system. How will they handle the GT?