EMAILS FROM VISITOR
2015 October to December
December 29, 2015
WOW! AMAZING! I just discovered the new website this morning when I got on the internet and what a joyful and exciting discovery I found! What a blessing! You two wonderful people are certainly allowing the Father thru His precious son, Christ Jesus to use you both to the fullest extent humanly possible at this time. I am so thankful to Them that I have been blessed to come in contact with you both at this time in my life. I still want to continue getting familiarized with the new format throughout the day and week, but I wanted to let you know how exciting this has been for me. I LOVE YOU BOTH, dear Brother and Sister!”
December 17, 2015
Dear Friends, thank you so much for your kind response [Question and Response 12/10/15]. You answered my question beautifully and I hoped my enquiry helps others in their rebirth. We are all in Christ and so happy to be safe and loved and it is such an honour. Funny thing is that being truly free means one does not have to be reminded to preach or stay on the road. It is just what we want to do and where we want to be. No coercion, no guilt, just peace. I really never knew we could have such deep joy and true faith. Thank you once again for the ministry you conduct. God's rich and many blessings to you.
November 30, 2015
[From a former Elder] Dear brother and sister, All my years of growing up as a Witness we used the expression of "being in the truth." It is common to equate being one of Jehovah's Witnesses as "being in the truth." However as I keep recounting through meditation the commentaries on the January 2016 study articles "The Spirit Bears Witness With Our Spirit" & "We Want to Go With You" that expression of "being in the truth" has lost all value and meaning. The thorough exposure of the fallacy of limiting only 144,000 faith sons of ever having the possibility to stand before our heavenly Father has forever destroyed the validity of the claim of our Witness brothers of "being in the truth." Until this horrible Father dishonoring doctrine is purged from the Watchtower organization the only claim that can legitimately be made is "being in the darkness!" To the great honor of our First Father and the Eternal Father, many brothers and sisters are only now coming to be "in the truth" through acceptance of sonship through adoption confirmed by the Spirit of Truth. It is a fascinating joy to behold!
November 21, 2015 - Arlington, Texas
Hi dear brothers and sisters, I'm new to the whole emailing process but let me just say we love the plain and open teachings here in Arlington where the spirit has found a home it seems. I was a [Jehovah’s Witness] for 37 years and now I finally have a relationship with Jehovah and Our Lord Jesus Christ. So I am now a 56 year old babe but I'm loving this learning process so much more than ever before because I’m "free" this time and it makes a difference. So from all of us to all you, may Jah keep you and continue blessing your efforts.
November 20, 2015 - Australia
[Regarding The Unexpected Witness of the Spirit] Beautiful!! The experience of these brothers and sisters moved us too. We both recalled when the Spirit of Truth enlightened us as we were awakened to the marvelous words of Our Master, Jesus. It was a Hallelujah moment!! When we first came across AnointedJW.Org, every night [my wife] would read out loud each article long into the evening. Sometimes we would stop and just look at each other amazed at the insight, writership, the common sense and the honesty of the scriptures used. How glad to hear of this happening in one place after another. Bless these dear ones as they strive forward on an eternal journey.
November 16, 2015 - Chicago, Illinois
[From a former Circuit Overseer] Hello dear friends, it's approximately 1:00 am and a group of brothers and sister just concluded the entire reading of the Spirit Bearing Witness article and the information caused such a spiritual eruption that what was supposed to be a two hour discussion turned into a 6 hour anointing revelation of the spirit in action. You see friends, some of those in attendance were active Witnesses, and if you could have seen the look in their eyes, you would have been a witness to a truly supernatural, yes supernatural, event to the point where they couldn't even speak they were so filled with enlightenment. Dear friends, it all came rushing in on these once prideful brothers and sisters that they could only agree with every single scriptural reference and all of the commentary. It was as if they had been with the plain and open teachings for years. These 10 "lost" friends all looked at each other as if they had just been "found." Since there was among the group of Witnesses 2 elders and 2 pioneers all from the same congregation, I'm pretty sure nothing there will ever be the same. We've read in many articles about "expect the unexpected." Well we all believe this qualifies as totally unexpected. Our hearts are filled this night and morning with joy, but we also share your sentiments on the senseless violence that occurred over the weekend in Paris and also what occurs daily in some cruel way in other pockets all over this planet, so our prayers are with all for comfort and courage in your time of need. We will keep you hard working friends updated as time goes on, so for now let God's glorious Kingdom fill every corner of every room of the heart.
FROM THE AUTHORS: Thank you for sharing this outstanding experience. We want to publish a brief article of what we learned from this experience, hopefully within the next day or so. So please check back with us soon.
November 15, 2015
[Regarding Understanding the Increase in Violence]
Dear Brothers in Faith, Thank you for this timely and hopeful message. I can't help but agree with you in your assessment of the situation. Yes, evil is dying - it is a painful, ugly death, taking many innocents along in the mayhem. But die it must. I pray that the world is truly becoming weary of this unending march of death and destruction, and that soon, this weariness will be reflected in better, stronger, fearless moral leadership in our governments. So much darkness is being brought to light, and with the light, its power is dissipated and dissolved. Our unseen benefactors are waiting for us to decide - each of us - is it light we want, or darkness? Is it progress we seek or a retrograde slide into chaos? Are we part of the problem, or part of the solution?
The religion of Jesus is the only cure for the world and its ills - the ONLY cure. It is the job of the enlightened to lift the Master at every opportunity and speak the truth to falsehood. The Spirit of Truth is alive and well and working diligently but it needs the raw material to work with. It is up to us to plant the seeds wherever we can...his message is as clear and as relevant today as it ever was - now more than ever, a new generation of believers must reveal the Master in their very lives. I feel certain that our unseen friends are prepared to fully leverage anything we can do to promote Jesus, whether large or small.
And PRAY...PRAY most sincerely and with trust in God that he will take this old world and shake it free of the chains that bind us. PRAY that he give each of us strength - the strength of our convictions and strength to hold fast to the true, the good and the beautiful in a world gone mad...
Thanks again...may God bless us, every one! And in spite of all evidence to the contrary, we must be of good cheer, knowing and trusting that the best is yet to be!
Love and Prayers for the world.
November 12, 2015 - Los Angeles, California
[From a former Circuit Overseer] Dear Sons and Brothers in Christ, my mind is officially blown because the explanation of the Cross in the Q&R spoke directly to me and my wife's spirit. For such a short article, the reasonings you offer, along with the illustration, sets the matter straight and puts a nice little bow on the subject of the Cross confusion. We've emailed several brothers at Bethel and branches to look at the evidence provided in this article and pray that 1 or 2 at the bare minimum opens their heart to the information. Just one other thing if I may I'd like to speak on and it's the whole spirit bearing witness difference for those who accept the invitation and for those who do not. In my own experience in now being lead by the spirit, you do read the scriptures and view life differently than those without the witness of the spirit. So for my family, it's so clear the reasons why the Christians separated themselves from those who had not received with joy the "new wine" of Salvation. God is blessing you brothers so don't make the same folly as those we know so well. Remain humble and be a faithful steward.
FROM THE AUTHORS: Thank you, dear brother. We hope our brothers at Bethel open their hearts to Jesus’ plain and open teachings. Their job could be so much easier and much more productive. And we will certainly take your advice. We hope all who have been blessed by God to receive insight and understanding likewise share what they have been given and also be faithful stewards. Being faithful and discreet is an obligation of everyone who is a follower of Christ.
November 12, 2015 - United Kingdom
Dear Brother and Sister, thank you so much for your reply and I hope that posting the answer [about whether Jesus died on the cross?] helps other dear ones who wanted an answer. I think you are so right that people become so divisive over unknowns and then form pious opinions that become their own gospel. I felt much better with your reasoned out conclusions. To me it is such a universally recognized symbol of Christianity rather than a pagan symbol of worship. And I must applaud you on your illustration of [Jehovah’s Witnesses] having the little blue square logo and displaying this with pride. If they must do so, so be it. It is very neutral in it's appearance and has no religious connotation whatsoever. So this implies that the wearer supports a purely secular organisation with no Biblically sound premise. Otherwise the general population would immediately recognise it as a Christian symbol, and flock to the people wearing such a symbol for comfort and protection. And of course I have yet to see that happen. So closing today, thank you so much for answering my questions, it meant a great deal to me. With love from your sister.
November 11, 2015 - Boston, Massachusetts
The reply to the question regarding the cross was superb in every way. Incorporating the Tissot painting was lovely. Wonderful job!
November 11, 2015 - United Kingdom
My dear Brother and Sister and all friends. Thank you so much for your lovely reply to my questions. I am satisfied with the answers and so grateful that you would answer my questions. It made perfect sense what you said and I look forward to your future articles. May I say your articles on the Jan 16 Watchtower are excellent. You explain the erroneous interpretations so well and with clear logical progression. Many thanks, these articles were very heartening. The problem some of us have is knowing we are free in Christ but trying to wash away decades of wrong teaching so our perspective is skewed. I truly appreciate your ministry and genuine care for us that we don't flounder or feel silly in asking questions. I continue to read your older articles and found them very interesting and honest. So thanks once again. May you be blessed in what you do. Warmest love your sister in our Lord.
November 5, 2015 - Atlanta, Georgia
[From a former Elder] Hello dear friends and brothers in Christ, I've been under the weather but feeling a little better and just wanted to tell you bravo on both articles!! [The Spirit Bears Witness and We Want to Go With You.] It's meant such a gift that keeps on giving with all the interest its generated. So thank you for being available for the Father’s purpose. Love, and so many others say thank you as well.
November 1, 2015 - Santa Cruz, California
[From a former Elder’s wife] Good Morning Friends, the information on [The Spirit Bears Witness and We Want to Go With You] is having wonderful results around our area, and from what I hear, also up in San Francisco. People are waking up quicker than we can keep up with, but since this is the Father’s will, I'm sure he will provide a way. My husband says to say hello to everyone and we pray for you friends all the time. May the spirit of truth keep you advancing in the kingdom with strength and blessings.
October 30, 2015
Absolutely superb!!! The information in this 5th segment has torn apart the 144,000 doctrine completely. Again you have laid bare the truth of Jesus plain teachings. It reminds us of the story "The Emperor's New Clothes.” Everybody saw it but him. And like you said they have shot themselves in the foot again. May they have the mercy of Christ and His Father on them for what they have done.
October 30, 2015
Excellent article. [“We Want to God With You” - Part 5.] Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!
October 28, 2015 - Britain
Dear Friends, I am truly grateful and thankful to Our Lord that things are moving on apace. I have started to read the recommended articles which show wonderful insight and Jehovah's word so clearly. Thank you. For a while, I genuinely thought about leaving the religion wholesale but have come to the conclusion there is much work to do in finding The Sons within and they are going to need help. So thank you so much again for this amazing website. I have many, many questions but need to read all the articles and ponder all the points discussed, truly the light of Truth is shining in a very very dark place. Please pass my sincere love and joyful peace to all my brothers and sisters. Yours truly in Christ (1 Peter 5:14)
October 28, 2015 - Boston, Massachusetts
After having read the five commentaries you provided on the upcoming January 2016 Watchtower study articles regarding the anointing process [“The Spirit Bears Witness With Our Spirit”], it made me wonder: How could the writing department at Bethel, which was regarded as "scholarly" and Biblically knowledgeable at one time, publish such scripturally uninformed and conspicuously irrational statements. Their bible encyclopedia Insight on the Scriptures Vol. I may hold the answer since it describes Bethel as “an idolatrous sanctuary” and center of religious corruption.’ (See link.) One is left to ponder: Is there much difference between the Watchtower Bethel and the Bethel of ancient times from which they draw their name?
FROM THE AUTHORS: We wonder that, too. Why not a Christian name like “Philadelphia.” (Revelation 3:7)
October 27, 2015 - Australia
[Regarding We Want to Go With You - Part 3] Oh Well Done!! You have socked it to them once again with the beautiful, plain and clear words of our Master, Jesus Christ. How ridiculous these men must feel after reading this commentary of wisdom and spirit. May the wickedness of the Watchtower Society come further to light and free our brothers and sisters who mindlessly follow a man made organization. How we pray for these little ones knocked mercilessly about as skinned sheep and hope that the Spirit of Truth urges them to stand up and take the light load of Jesus. These 7 men and their predecessors have burdened and are continuing to burden the future sons of God who need to awaken to their rightful hope, the heavenly hope that is promised all mankind. This is one of the worst crimes to humanity.
October 26, 2015
The ridiculousness of these Watchtower articles is shown brazenly bare with these installments of The Spirit Bears Witness and We Go With You. Well done!
October 25, 2015
[From a former elder] [Regarding “The Spirit Bears Witness With Our Spirit”] Brothers and sisters at AnointedJW, I wanted thank you for being so fearless in your presentation and delivery of this information because the way you do it by going one paragraph at a time helps me to focus and concentrate on every sentence and every word. And frankly it's a shame that men supposedly taking the lead, the [Governing Body], would sign off on such a terrible explanation of first: anointing, and secondly: turning the scriptures upside down when they say don't talk about the only hope mentioned in the Jesus influenced writers’ portion of the bible. The hope of Heaven is the Christian hope. I pray that God the Father help any from that group of people in need of a spiritual flashlight to wake up and eat fresh food from the table of the living God. God bless you people for doing the Lord’s work!!
October 25, 2015
My dear brother and sister, I pray that you both are doing well physically and taking good care of each other. I sens that you both are very healthy in a spiritual way by the wonderful articles I’ve been reading on the website. I am completely blown away by the last five articles [“The Spirit Bears Witness With Our Spirit”] you gave us in response to the January 2016 Watchtower articles. I can only see you giving us that much sane information so quickly only with your being completely immersed in the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Truth and your inborn spirit. I pray that our Father through his Son, Christ Jesus, continue to fill you with good things. I am so thankful for you both at this time in our lives. I love you both and my prayers are continually in your behalf. Your sister in Jesus,
October 23, 2015 - Arlington, Texas
Hello family, we need your prayers so that more workers are sent out into the field because we are drowning in God’s goodness with the resent surge of Witnesses asking questions about the ‘Faithful and Discreet Slave’ being authentic, the increase in partakers, and the lists goes on and on. We are having the time of our lives doing this type of ministry instead of the misleading garbage we once so intensely proclaimed. And let me explain why I used the term "garbage." It is not to be mean, it's just calling it what it is. It doesn't have staying power because of its constant changes so it spoils very quickly, thus the word garbage. One thing that's sure is the love the Faith Sons of God have in wanting to help each and everyone who desires take life's water free. So pray for us and also because of the rains we are receiving because of the Hurricane down in Mexico. Love you all!!
FROM THE AUTHORS: It is so good to hear from you all. We have been hearing great things about what’s going on with your ministry. Know that your brothers in others parts of the world are having similar success, especially in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Mexico, India, China, to name a few. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Have faith that nothing, natural or unnatural, can separate you from the love of Christ. And know that your angels are present and keeping watch. We love you dearly.
October 21, 2015 - Brooklyn, New York
[From a former District Overseer] Hello and great afternoon to you all, the [Spirit Bearing Witness article] has the friends running toward Jesus Christ and has them asking questions that actually makes sense. The way in which you made clear the simplistic nature of being "born again" has opened a floodgate of opportunities for sonship growth. Some of the friends have called me crying tears of joy and others tears of regret and shame. But whatever and however they come, we've just been praying let them keep coming!! This article deserves [nothing less], still it needs a great follow up to encourage, comfort and enlighten so that the friends don't get overwhelmed because their minds our racing with spirit energies that they are not familiar with. Of course, I'm only suggesting. I'm sure the spirit of truth shall continue to guide you and your team to do the will of the Father. God bless you friends for stirring the pot and giving us a ministry and field territory greater than we've ever had!
FROM THE AUTHORS: We are so glad to hear of the awakening of so many of our brothers and sisters among Jehovah’s Witnesses. We are in the process of writing our commentaries to the next study article in the January 2016 Watchtower, “We Want to Go With You” which we hope will continue to awaken the faith sons of God. In the meantime, we encourage the new faith sons to consider the information in these articles: Comfort For Those Spiritually Grieving, Observing the Oneness of the Faith, and Am I A Son? – Conquering Doubt.
October 21, 2015 – Rennes, France
Hello [brother and sister], I'm reading "The Spirit Bears Witness” - Part 5. At some point, you mentioned on paragraph 16, John the Baptist. This according to the [Watchtower] is not in heaven, so not in the kingdom. Yet in Luke 1:28 p.m., Jesus mentions Abraham, Isaac and Jacob would be at the table IN THE KINGDOM, with the Prophets. John the Baptist, was he not a prophet? Yours and good thinking!
October 21, 2015
Dear Sons and Daughters in Christ: I am rejoicing with you, over the brother, for 60+ years, who wrote in about his confusion over choosing which hope. I agree with you, that his margin notes reveal his deepest yearnings. He seems to have come to the conclusion, most of God's children have, that life's greatest gift is a spiritual one, the "love" and goodness, that comes at you, from so many directions, realizing that the original source of all love, the very best, comes from our heavenly father, who is love. The attraction to his presence is, after all, what we were foreordained to do, it is our created purpose.
There is a 16-page Awake size publication, entitled "Return to Jehovah," with an artist's picture of a shepherd with a young lamb securely wrapped into the shepherd's arms. I would think that the shepherd's love would also reach out to an older physically weak sheep, like me as well, since Jesus took pity for the crowds, viewing them as older and abused sheep that were skinned and thrown about like sheep without a shepherd. I am told that parents love for their children is much much more than children can feel for their parents, initially, it being a high dependency situation, for the child, until the child grows up and becomes nearly self sufficient, then a more real love and appreciation can build for ones parents, and then the scales can return to be more balanced, of love, between parents and children.
This brother's letter reminds me of the angel's words to feeble, old Daniel, " Oh you desirable man.” This brother, could come to a better place in his appreciation for his dear father, actually because of such a wasted and misspent past, like Paul, as it has come for me. Yes, I still carry a certain self disgust, when I read John 6:53, where I said, for so many years after reading it, you don't have to do that, I was calling Jesus a liar. John 3:36. But, I repented and I now know that it is not too late for me, for he has mercifully, given me the witness of the spirit. I pray for him that he continues to feel the yearning to go home to Jesus and Papa Jehovah, to feel he is being carried on his shoulders to the place and very purpose he was created for. I think I can use this man's letter and your reply to it to read it to or let some of my former Congregation members read it, it is so good. Thanks.
October 17, 2015
Hello, While reading for the fourth time the commentary on the first study article you provided [The Spirit Bears Witness With Our Spirit], an often read scripture provided some insight regarding the Watchtower view that the majority of Jehovah's Witnesses are declared righteous as "friends of God" with the hope of living forever on a Paradise earth as was Abraham's conjectured hope.
Galatians 3:26-29 indicates that if one is baptized through their faith in Jesus Christ as all JW's would admit to, then in fact they become "Abraham's offspring, heirs with reference to a promise." How can millions of our brothers and sisters who exercised faith and have been baptized in "the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy spirit" allow themselves to be excluded from this relationship with Christ as a result of these actions?
Even the baptism talk soundly supports that the reason they are candidates for baptism is because of their faith and that they will shortly be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Matt.28:19,20) The two actions of baptism and faith, Paul says in and of itself puts one in union with Christ Jesus, we become Abraham's offspring, we become sons of God. Where has Jesus or any other Christian bible writer provided for a relationship with Jesus that differed from what Paul described at Gal.3:26-29?
I would recommend our brothers and sisters contemplatively read Galatians 3:36-29 and suspend any preconceived ideas or settled opinions and allow the plain clear words to penetration their hearts and minds. There is no other conclusion to draw than that "you are all in fact sons of God" and "heirs with reference to a promise." Keep up the good work dear brother and sister,
October 16, 2015 - Boston, Massachusetts
[From a former Elder] Dear friends,
The series of articles that deconstructed the WT study article on “The Spirit Bears Witness With Our Spirit” was so clear and concise I am still marveling at how the doctrine of a limited 144,000 called to the heavenly hope ever got enough traction to have lasted this long with the Watchtower Organization.
Oh how I wish that the Governing body and the entire writing department at Bethel would sit down in conference and examine this critique of their study article. Their supposed stance as God’s spokesman would skyrocket if they could provide a credible response to the errors and deception exposed in these articles.
Will our brothers in local congregations take the time to see the absence of support for many statements which are not found in the cited scriptures? Your labor in providing this level of detailed analysis is appreciated beyond my ability to express.
I love the cogent way you openly exposed their falling back into the elementary method of applying types and anti-types to the outpouring of the spirit in 33 c.e. You recalled in detail their own writers who just recently wrote of the handicaps and confusion this methodology imposes on accounts which are simple, clear and understandable. Bravo dear friends!
Our celestial family must be buzzing with excitement not only with the articles but the potential it has for bringing many more faith sons out of the halls of darkness into the wonderful light of the Kingdom of Heaven.
I particularly liked the part 5 installment where you listed all the scriptures which credibly support that pre-Christians had a clear expectation of going to heaven. Without the added layers of WT goobly-gop it all came together as a beautiful picture in my mind. You vaporized the WT teaching that John the Baptist was destined to be resurrected to earthly life. How our dear brother John must be letting out a shout of jubilation that someone has enough spiritual insight to make known he is not sleeping in a dusty grave waiting to receive the “synagogue hope.” We know you are alive and well John where Jesus intended you to be!
Hopefully among the worldwide brotherhood of Jehovah’s Witnesses many will wake up before it is too late and have to realize all the faithful pre-Christians will be going ahead of them into the Kingdom of the Heavens whereas their “synagogue hope” only turned out to be a deceptive dream with no basis in reality.
Once again, I commend you for a stellar accomplishment.
October 16, 2015
There is an important point made clear in your articles [“The Spirit Bears Witness”] which seems simple on the surface but has enormous implications in understanding. That the spirit bears witness "with" the individuals own spirit. Not "to" their spirit. This misunderstanding has delayed the spirit to bear witness among many of our brothers and sisters.
The true nature of the unified effort of both God and individual must work as one dedicated and consecrated "Will" which cannot be harmonized outside of the Kingdom. So each God-seeker must be willing to submit to the realities of the actual nature of an unseen Kingdom, accepting it as well as the many celestial host that truly exist for our encouragement.
This requires the thing that people lack the most FAITH, the ability to be led by spirit and not by men.
October 15, 2015
[“The Spirit Bears Witness - Part 5"] is a clear explanation of the [Watchtower] teaching and the "Synagogue Hope". Nicely rounded off for the whole article and the Scriptures used are excellent. People must see that this writing is spirit driven and only for their benefit and the glory of Jesus and his Father for it is so clear, not misleading, just open and pure. Unlike the insidiousness of the Watchtower for their own needs.
October 13, 2015 - California
[From a former Elder] Hello brothers and sisters, wonderful articles on the Spirit Bearing Witness. How you break it down should open eyes, minds and hearts to the absolutely simplistic nature of becoming a son of the Father and to be apart of the body of Christ and the Congregation of God. So I pray along with another 150 sons that more be added to the ranks of believers! The Synagogue hope or the Christian Hope, does it get any more in your face than that? Choose people!! We look forward to the rest of the article dear friends.
October 13, 2015
[From a former District Overseer] Dear Faithful, I'm going to be brief because of my schedule and obligations, but I just want to say the articles on "The Spirit Bearing Witness” are all awesome and such enlightening food for thought for all so called "friends" of God to become "sons" to a Father. Please wake up you hard working publishers of the WB&TS and slave for God the Father and seek his glorious Kingdom of the Heavens. One last request if I may. I'd like all readers who still devote attention to the [Governing Body] to weigh these articles on the Spirit in contrast to the article by the [Governing Body]. You will be amazed at the lack of understanding of those who should be taking the lead. Anyway, God be with you all and keep them coming dear friends.
October 7, 2015
Good afternoon Anointed brothers, a recent minister that's a Jehovah's Witness gave me your site address and me and my family love it and love your story and the emails from visitors really have helped with a lot of questions I've had over the years. So thank you for being there for all of those searching for truth.
October 2, 2015
[From a former Elder] Hello dear faith sons, I just wanted to say hello and appreciate so much the latest articles because they continue to strengthen the Faith of no only myself but so many here in Atlanta. We will be having a grand baptism at a YMCA tomorrow of 18 men from the ages of 12-34, & 9 being former witnesses and of the 9, 3 were elders and 1 ministerial servant so we are so very blessed dear friends. And we are making good inroads at various churches with the plain and open teachings of Jesus that folks wouldn't believe because you would figure that they already are believers in the hope of heaven. But deepening the understanding of the hope is what we have found to be Eye opening so we thank the Father in Heaven along with the Angels and of course the entire brotherhood on earth. So keep pressing on you young ones and you not so young ones like myself. Love you all and [another young brother] says he prays constantly for you both!!
October 2, 2015
Hello and thank you so much for giving me your words of hope and understanding. I am forever grateful to God for sending me to your website. It has really made a big difference in waking me up to what spirituality and faith really is. I get so excited when I see an email from you with new articles, responses to emails and everything. Whenever I have a question, I always query your website to find answers that are based on Jesus teaching. Thank you for continuing to pray for me and my family, especially my son. With warm regards,
On March 25, 2012, we received the following comment:
“I have read your writings on a hope for all Christians. but I think you're wrong. reason for this is that the Christian Greek Scriptures are written to the church of the anointed Christians, and before the defection was in full swing, so the letters are written to the 144,000 that are redeemed from the earth. the anointed ones did not understand at the time that it would emerge a large crowd with an earthly hope, but in the 1930s realized that it would appear such a group of Christians. and today there are over 7 million people living with an earthly hope, and think of all those who have died throughout history that has not been anointed, they also have an earthly hope.
“[T]o be anointed with a heavenly hope, you have to be chosen by God. You can not choose for themselves the hope of heaven. It is God who chooses the one he gives a heavenly hope.
“So when you have been anointed with the Spirit, then you have the event in your heart, spirit as collateral in the heart, it's something you remember. Then there are 2 options, 1 you must die and be instantly transformed into a spirit. 2 is transformed into a spirit when God wants.
“To have an earthly hope is not a second rate hope, there is a great hope, think of eternal life on earth in paradise. So it is God who chooses the one he gives a heavenly hope. in heaven they shall be 144,000, rule with the King Jesus Christ.”
To the author, we thank you for taking the time to not only express your disagreement, but also to explain the basis for it. We know that many of our brothers share your views. That is why this website was developed – to provide an alternative view based on more than human reason or opinion, but solidly and soundly founded on scripture. We will, therefore, take this opportunity to share with you scriptures and reasoning based on those scriptures, to perhaps lead you to consider a different conclusion. Let’s take your comments in sections:
First, you state: “I have read your writings on a hope for all Christians. but I think you're wrong. reason for this is that the Christian Greek Scriptures are written to the church of the anointed Christians, and before the defection was in full swing, so the letters are written to the 144,000 that are redeemed from the earth.”
We wonder what you base this conclusion on. Why is it that you believe the Christian writings from Matthew through Revelation was only meant for 144,000 people to the exclusion of the 7 billion who now dwell on the earth? What is the scriptural basis for that belief? For if you are correct, that means the Father and the Christ left the remaining ones on their own, so to speak, to fend for themselves without a hope of any kind until some time in the far distant future. They did not even have the earthly hope – certainly not an everlasting one! Think of all the Christians who sacrificed their lives from the first century onward believing that they were a part of the group that would inherit the Kingdom and reside in heavenly abodes with the Christ. Does that not sound like a cruel joke?
Surely, if you are correct, Jesus knew of this great crowd of permanent earthly dwellers, yet nowhere does he ever let on that most of his disciples would not be with him. And nowhere does he encourage any of his disciples to even consider living on earth forever. We find that strange if, indeed, there is an earthly hope.
And if the Christian Greek Scriptures were only written to the 144,000 anointed believers, once that number was filled, the Bible then becomes nothing more than a historical record of ancient letters that could just as well find their place in a museum. Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to mull over these writing if they are not meant for them? Are they just being good secretaries for the anointed? Aren’t they really just on the outside of God’s purpose, looking in.
And finally, why would Jesus instruct his anointed followers to go to all the nations, “teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20) Was not the pursuit of the heavenly hope part of the things Jesus taught them to believe? If the number was so small, isn’t that, too, a unfair tease? I doubt the Christ would engage in that type of behavior.
Then you add: “[T]he anointed ones did not understand at the time that it would emerge a large crowd with an earthly hope, but in the 1930s realized that it would appear such a group of Christians. and today there are over 7 million people living with an earthly hope, and think of all those who have died throughout history that has not been anointed, they also have an earthly hope.“
Are you implying that Jesus and the Apostles withheld this very important piece of information, namely that in about 1900 years, the anointed would be joined by a numberless crowd of believers before the anointed could receive their heavenly reward? And what about the hard work of the Apostles and early disciples? Don’t you think they could have made at least 144,000 anointed disciples within 2000 years? Jehovah’s Witnesses have made over 7 million disciples in less than 100 years. And if not, why wouldn’t Jesus give them some instructions on how to deal with this great crowd, or how to explain to them that they were not sons of God and not going to heaven, and that the Bible was not written to them? We don’t see anywhere in the scriptures where Jesus prepared them for such a contingency. Even as we read the scriptures pertaining to a future time when the Son of Man arrives, we still do not see any indication that there would be a secondary class who would live forever on earth. Notice the parable of the Sheep and the Goats:
“When the Son of man arrives in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne. And all the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will put the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world. . . And these [goats] will depart into everlasting cutting-off, but the [sheep] into everlasting life.”
– Matthew 25:31-33, 46
So, you see the two destinies when the Son of man arrives in the future, presumably after the 1930s – either inheriting the Kingdom (heavenly life) and death. No mention of everlasting life on earth. Think, too, if righteousness leads to everlasting life in the heavens, what is the requirement for life on earth? Semi-righteousness? Half-heartedness? Or, again, is it just a cruel tease such that no matter what they do, they will never attain to the heavenly hope.
As far as the millions of people who have died not knowing they were sons of the God, we do not necessarily agree with that conclusion. We believe that most Christians who have died since the first century surely expected to be with the Christ in heaven. It is only the few Jehovah’s Witnesses who died since 1930 who may have been confused. Yet, they have lost nothing. Whether we believe in the promises of God or not, the promises will be fulfilled. When those asleep in death awaken, they will awaken exactly where the Father intended. If they were faithful, they will inherit the Kingdom. Notice in the scripture we just considered that those gaining the heavenly inheritance were surprised. They didn’t expect it. Nevertheless, they were granted it. It is as Jesus said:
“My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give them everlasting life, and they will by no means ever be destroyed, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is something greater than all other things, and no one can snatch them out of the hand of the Father.”
– John 10:27-29
Do you agreed that the so-called “other sheep” listen to the Christ’s voice? Do you agree that they “follow” him? If so, there is nothing that can be done to snatch away their heavenly hope, not even their supreme humility.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
– Romans 8:38-39
Next you say: “[T]o be anointed with a heavenly hope, you have to be chosen by God. You can not choose for themselves the hope of heaven. It is God who chooses the one he gives a heavenly hope.”
“For a certainty I perceive that God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.”
– Acts 10:34-35
This scripture puts the heavenly hope in the hands of the individual free will creatures. And if we fear God and work righteousness, he accepts us. And accepts us to what? To what? To the only hope held out in the Christian Greek Scriptures – the heavenly hope. Paul offered counsel on this matter, in the event we become confused:
“Not that I have already received it or am already made perfect, but I am pursuing to see if I may also lay hold on that for which I have also been laid hold on by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not yet consider myself as having laid hold on [it]; but there is one thing about it: Forgetting the things behind and stretching forward to the things ahead, I am pursuing down toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God by means of Christ Jesus. Let us, then, as many of us as are mature, be of this mental attitude; and if you are mentally inclined otherwise in any respect, God will reveal the above [attitude] to you.”
– Philippians 3:12-15
Yes, Paul was telling us if we are unclear about the need to pursue down toward the upward call, we should pray about it and God will readjust our thinking.
You also say: “So when you have been anointed with the Spirit, then you have the event in your heart, spirit as collateral in the heart, it's something you remember. Then there are 2 options, 1 you must die and be instantly transformed into a spirit. 2 is transformed into a spirit when God wants.”
We do not disagree with you here. But you may be getting the cart before the horse. Jesus came to reveal that we are ALL faith sons of God, we just don’t know about it. It is not until we become aware and accept that position that our anointing occurs. We are not anointed first and then become sons. Notice how this is stressed in Galatians:
“Now I say that as long as the heir is a babe he does not differ at all from a slave, lord of all things though he is, but he is under men in charge and under stewards until the day his father appointed beforehand. Likewise we also, when we were babes, continued enslaved by the elementary things belonging to the world. But when the full limit of the time arrived, God sent forth his Son, who came to be out of a woman and who came to be under law, that he might release by purchase those under law, that we, in turn, might receive the adoption as sons. Now because you are sons, God has sent forth the spirit of his Son into our hearts and it cries out: “Abba, Father!” So, then, you are no longer a slave but a son; and if a son, also an heir through God.”
– Galatians 4:1-7
The anointing is not always associated with some outward manifestation. (Please see our Questions and Responses, February 25, 2012 which discusses in more detail the anointing.) And it is because some misled, but well-intentioned individuals stress that there must be some tremendous spiritual manifestation of the anointing that causes many humble and unassuming brothers and sisters to wrongly conclude that they must not be anointed. Therefore, the only other option is that perhaps there is some other provision for survival such as everlasting life on earth. This is a travesty. And there will be an accounting for stumbling these little ones. (Mark 9:42)
Finally, you tell us: “To have an earthly hope is not a second rate hope, there is a great hope, think of eternal life on earth in paradise. So it is God who chooses the one he gives a heavenly hope. in heaven they shall be 144,000, rule with the King Jesus Christ.”
We have NEVER referred to an earthly hope as a second rate hope. We have stated that there is no such hope of everlasting life on earth. The scriptures tell us that God’s plan for us is to inherit the heavens. Not us, but Paul said that to keep your minds on earthly things was error and shameful.
“For there are many, I used to mention them often but now I mention them also with weeping, who are walking as the enemies of the torture stake of the Christ, and their finish is destruction, and their god is their belly, and their glory consists in their shame, and they have their minds upon things of the earth. As for us, our citizenship exists in the heavens, from which place also we are eagerly waiting for a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will refashion our humiliated body to be conformed to his glorious body according to the operation of the power that he has, even to subject all things to himself.”
– Philippians 3:18-21
“If, however, you were raised up with the Christ, go on seeking the things above, where the Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Keep your minds fixed on the things above not on the things upon the earth.”
– Colossians 3:1-2
The idea among Jehovah’s Witnesses of everlasting life on earth began as a teaching that they were a secondary heavenly class. Then over time, the teaching was changed such that the secondary heavenly class was now an earthly class. The development of this teaching is laid out for you in the Watchtower publication entitled “Revelation, Its Grand Climax at Hand,” Chapter 20. As you read that chapter, notice the authorities for the teaching – prior Watchtower publications, not scriptures. We believe the Society was acting in good faith and teaching to the best of its ability and understanding at that time. But the light has gotten brighter as we can clearly see in the in 2007 Questions from Readers. It appears to us, they were closer to the truth when they taught a “secondary heavenly class.”
As for us, we have stated in several articles that:
“The righteous themselves will possess the earth, And they will reside forever upon it.”
– Psalms 37:29
We just do not believe the Bible teaches that they will reside forever on earth as individuals. (See our article Bringing it All Together.) And for as long as the righteous ones continue on the earth during that time, they will have a happy and joyous life. However, they are still faith sons of God who will attain to the heavens either, as you say, at their mortal death, or at a time of God’s choosing.
It befuddles us as to why anyone would want to shut our fellow brothers and sisters out of the Kingdom of the Heavens. How are self-professed anointed Christians harmed by that reality? Remember the question in the parable of the Workers in the Vineyard:
“Fellow, I do you no wrong. You agreed with me for a denarius, did you not? Take what is yours and go. I want to give to this last one the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I want with my own things? Or is your eye wicked because I am good?"
– Matthew 20:13-15
Brothers, the Father is indeed good. And He welcomes all who exercise righteousness to “inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world.” (Matthew 25:34)
We hope we have at least given you some things to think about. And we encourage you to stand on truth, faith, hope and love, not just theology. Theology will not save you!
Your brothers in the faith_
On July 29, 2012, we received the following comment and inquiry:
“The Christian Greek Scriptures were written to various churches in the first century, and those who received the letters looked at them as special letters addressed to themself. So we must understand that when we say that the Christian Greek Scriptures are written to the 144,000 anointed Christians, we understand the letters in a different way. They were directed to the anointed Christians.
“Revelation has its fulfillment in the day to the lord Jesus Christ, which began in 1914, where we read of the great multitude who have an earthly hope. They also need the Christian Greek Scriptures.”
To the author, we thank you for posting your comments. It appears that you are new to the site and have not had an opportunity to read many of the articles. We believe if you do so, you will be enlightened and encouraged.
We do agree that the Christian Greek Scriptures are needed by those who have an “earthly hope.” They need to read those scriptures so they will know what their true hope is, namely everlasting life in the heavens, for they, too, are among the anointed – they just don’t know it yet.
But let’s be frank, and very clear. Isn’t it true that, aside from the gospels, the book of Acts and the book of Revelation, the Christians Greek Scriptures were written to the Christians in first century? Romans was written to the congregation in Rome, Galatians was written to the congregation in Galatia, Colossians was written to the congregation in Colossae, and so forth. So really, in the truest sense of the words, the Christian Greek Scriptures were NOT written to modern day Christians. But anyone who reads the writings are benefitted because they contain the most widely available record of Jesus and his teachings, and of how his audience understood him.
These same teachings were handed down from century to century, from generation to generation with the same hope being held out to all – the heavenly hope. As Paul wrote:
“I am pursuing down toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God by means of Christ Jesus. Let us, then, as many of us as are mature, be of this mental attitude; and if you are mentally inclined otherwise in any respect, God will reveal the above [attitude] to you.”
– Philippians 3:14-15
In fact, Jesus commissioned his first century apostles and disciples to preach the good news of the kingdom as he taught it and exemplified it. And that message was to continue, unchanged, “until the conclusion of the system of things.”
“And Jesus approached and spoke to them, saying: ‘All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth. Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And, look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.”
– Matthew 28:18-20
No authority has been given to change the message. In fact, the Christian Greek Scriptures contain a specific warning against changing the message of Jesus:
“However, even if we or an angel out of heaven were to declare to you as good news something beyond what we declared to you as good news, let him be accursed. As we have said above, I also now say again, Whoever it is that is declaring to you as good news something beyond what you accepted, let him be accursed.”
– Galatians 1:8-9
So isn’t it time to drop the self-appointed theories of superiority and favoritism of 144,000 people over the billions of mankind who have sought and served the God over the past millenniums? Isn’t it time to humble ourselves and accept all men as our brothers? Isn’t it time to admit that we have misunderstood the Revelation, rather than arrogantly challenge the clear and plain teachings of Jesus and the apostles that we are all brothers with a heavenly hope in view? (Matthew 23:8-9; Galatians 3:26; Colossians 3:14-15)
Rather than reiterate what we have already published, we direct your attention to the following articles on the Christian hope: “The Cherished Earthly Hope,” “Moving Forward in Faith,” “Who are Led by Spirit?” and “Foreordained from the Founding of the World.” These articles will address your comments far more fully than we can in this section.
If, after reading the articles, you still hold the view only 144,000 are sons of God, that only 144,000 have a special relationship to the Christian Greek Scriptures, and that only 144,000 have the hope of going to heaven, then please write us again letting us know where you believe we err. Thank you again for your posting.