THE WATCHTOWER—STUDY July 2023

[Dhanyel]

https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/watchtower-study-july-2023/

 

Sensational magazine, what caught the most attention? 😅

[Sheep]

The GT is very close now! Almost every issue of the magazine these days is something warning us of the its nearness and the need to prepare ourselves for it. The first article...

[Sheep]

The "Life Story" article is about a brother I remember when he served as our District Overseer. I think it was sometime in the 1990s. We were the "host congregation" at one point, and he visited us. Very "down-to-earth" and humble.

[Doug]

3 hours ago, Sheep said:

The GT is very close now! Almost every issue of the magazine these days is something warning us of the its nearness and the need to prepare ourselves for it. The first article...

 

Truly.  And the first article will be studied halfway into September, concurrent with our Kingdom campaign.

 

Par. 2  - "How will we respond if we are asked to preach a hard-hitting judgment message and unbelievers oppose us"? 

 Could such a message follow our "Last Call" Kingdom campaign?   It's a logical sequence.

 

Par. 3  - "How will we react if, as a result of the attack by a coalition of nations, we have to live in close quarters with our brothers and sisters for awhile"?

 

Par. 12  -  "The Bible indicates that those who will not give their allegiance to the political system will face challenges - both now and during the great tribulation.

 

Par. 16  -  "We must work hard now not just to tolerate our brothers and sisters but also to love them."

 

These bullet points are the essential things to keep in mind and prepare for.

[Dages]

What a great first article, perfect way to start the new year  

[halfspanishlee]

Wow when i first saw the article i  spat out my cornflakes 😂What a time to be Alive Boy it's time to Wake up. I especially loved the study article 31 Be Steadfast immovable and Paragraph 4 especially hit home where it says - Therefore, we do not worship religious idols. We also do not idolize humans—whether they are religious leaders, political rulers, or stars in the world of sports and entertainment—treating them like gods. We take our stand on Jehovah’s side and worship only the one who “created all things. What i took from this WT is Playtime IS OVER😂

[Osprey]

Very interesting article, a lot to think about. It seems we are getting really close, its fascinating.

 

I find the following interesting:

 

Quote

When that tribulation begins, where will we find protection? Consider what Jehovah instructed his people to do when ancient Babylon was attacked: “Go, my people, enter your inner rooms, and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourself for a brief moment until the wrath has passed by.” (Isa. 26:20) It seems that those words also apply to us who will face the great tribulation. The “inner rooms” may refer to our congregations.

 

It is interesting to think about that. That seems somewhat logical during the last part of GT and Armaggedon. However during the great tribulation when we are under attack by Gog, it does not seem so logical to me. Wouldn't that be the first place where they would be searching for us? On the other hand, instructions that we get will maybe not be logical  So we should be ready to obey in any case. But how do you understand this?

[Osprey]

Well, maybe it is not meant kingdom halls, but only that we are together as a congregation.

[Sofia]

1 hour ago, Osprey said:

Well, maybe it is not meant kingdom halls, but only that we are together as a congregation.

My feelings are that KH wont work. We wont use them, perhaps not even internet..(?) or zoom or... 

Maybe the GB has a plan for that.

I strong believe during GT we will gather in small groups together. The spiritual food will be surely provided! That Im positive! and will be provided to all of us in the World.

But the meetings will be in small groups I think. That´s why GB says we must keep united and love one an other very much, we must forget all differences between us. We will need eachother so much 

[Dages]

Yes. Small groups. Spend time with your service group and with your group overseer, friends. Maybe you'll be with them at that time.

[Dustparticle]

Interesting article. The world lack godlike qualities and they display this to the full during the GT. We need to display godlike qualities now especially during the GT.

[Eejay]

3 hours ago, Osprey said:

But how do you understand this?

Not here: 

 

But here: 

[BLEmom]

1 hour ago, Dages said:

Yes. Small groups. Spend time with your service group and with your group overseer, friends. Maybe you'll be with them at that time.

I know I will since he’s my husband. Unless he’s in jail 😂😜

[Dages]

1 hour ago, BLEmom said:

I know I will since he’s my husband. Unless he’s in jail 😂😜

 

I know I do too. 

 

[cricket246]

It reminds me of the basement videos. Been re-watching them. In a sense they weren't really hiding, they knew the inevitable, they were just using as much time as possible to strengthen their faith in Jehovah for when the final attack came. 

[Jothob]

Great article, I got really excited when I saw it! 
Yes we are very close now so getting these reminders to prepare now is very timely…

Time to continue getting close to our brothers and sisters…

[jwhess]

Basement, Attic or other gathering place?

 

 

[Sofia]

 

 

Edited April 20, 2023 by trottigy

[Thomas Walker]

I'm starting to feel bad that my house has neither basement nor attic.

 

What I'm noticing from the first article is that the articles are beginning to say plainly that the 'interior rooms' is the way it will go. A few years ago, it was 'follow the directions', without any idea what those instructions would be. The only question now is: which 'rooms' will we end up in, and who with?

[Sofia]

1 minute ago, Thomas Walker said:

I'm starting to feel bad that my house has neither basement nor attic

Us neither 😅

 

some will have to share their space with us “basementless” or “atticless”

😉

[jwhess]

can anyone read the titles of the Bibles being passed out in the "attic" scene?  They look German.  Some one "prepared by boxing up literature in advance.

[Dustparticle]

4 hours ago, jwhess said:

Basement, Attic or other gathering place?

 

 

Where is the chocolate???

[Sofia]

4 hours ago, Dustparticle said:

Where is the chocolate???

In their stomachs brother Glen 😋

[Thomas Walker]

I remember a talk once, where the brother said: "Make friends in your Cong now, because you'll probably have to wait it out with your least favorite brothers and sisters."

 

The line got a laugh, but it'll happen.

 

Purely by coincidence, we're watching the drama about the destruction of Jerusalem tonight for Family Worship. The crux of it was that it took 4 years for Rome to return and destroy. Time enough to doubt. Those 'interior rooms' might be home for weeks. Even months. But back in Jerusalem, it wasn't 'business as usual'. However we wait it out, it'll be safer than 'outside'.

Edited April 20, 2023 by Thomas Walker

[jwhess]

9 hours ago, Dustparticle said:

Where is the chocolate???

Remember:  It is called the "GREAT Tribulation".  Suffering is part of the scenario.  The sister in Siberia ate tree bark...sorry....❤️