Weekend

I hope everyone has had a great weekend. Last week I asked the question if Judas Iscariot was hand picked to betray Jesus? If he was hand picked how does that work with free will. Remember this is the same God who gave Adam free will. Did God and Jesus pick Judas to betray Jesus? Many are convinced that God does predetermine a person’s fate. And they feel sure that the Bible proves this to be true.For example, some may point to the case of Esau and Jacob. They were still in the womb when God foretold: “The older will serve the younger " Found at Genesis chapter 25:23

Similarly, God knew in advance that Samson, Jeremiah and John the Baptizer would perform mighty works in his service. Again, Judas Iscariot? Long before he was born, Scriptural prophecies spoke of the Messiah’s betrayal this is true. The Bible even says that “from the beginning” Jesus Christ knew who would betray him.In the light of the foregoing points, what would you say? Does the Bible teach that God has predestinated some to eternal salvation and others to condemnation? Has God decided your fate?

Before answering these questions, consider the implications of predestination. If this doctrine were true, it would mean that God foreknew all that would result from his creating man—the deflection of Adam and Eve, the wars, the crime, the immorality, the oppression, the lying, the hypocrisy, the disease. By speaking the words, “Let us make man,” then, God deliberately would have been setting all this wickedness in motion! God’s placing before Adam and Eve the prospect of everlasting life would, therefore, have been a sham. So would the Bible’s invitation, “Let anyone that wishes take life’s water free.”

Predestination, therefore, runs counter to what the Bible actually teaches about God. ‘But would not limiting God’s knowledge of the future undermine his almightiness?’ you might ask. Not at all. At Titus 1:2, for example, we learn that “God . . . cannot lie.” But does this undermine God’s almightiness? No, rather, it highlights God’s truthfulness.The apostle Paul counseled Christians endowed with the gift of prophecy: “Gifts of the spirit of the prophets are to be controlled by the prophets. For God is a God, not of disorder, but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:32, 33) Such prophets would not speak out indiscriminately but would share their prophetic messages in an orderly way. To do this, self-control was needed. Certainly, then, God is also able to use his foreknowledge selectively, using it only when there is a reason or a purpose for doing so.—Compare Genesis 22:1, 12.

Just 40 years after the organizing of the Israelites as a nation, God foretold that they would break his covenant with them. Nevertheless, this foreknowledge was not without basis, as national insubordination and rebellion already had occurred. Hence, God said: “For I well know their inclination that they are developing today before I bring them into the land about which I have sworn.” (Deuteronomy 31:20, 21) Just as a competent builder might predict the collapse of a structure built with inferior materials, so Jehovah could see the direction in which the nation was heading. Individuals, however, could and did respond to and thus benefit from counsel given by God’s prophets.—Jeremiah 21:8, 9; Ezekiel 33:1-20.

Jesus Christ likewise foretold doom for the religious leaders known as scribes and Pharisees. (Matthew 23:15, 33) Nevertheless, this did not mean that each and every Pharisee or scribe was headed for Gehenna. The apostle Paul himself was formerly a zealous Pharisee!—Acts 26:4, 5. True, God did predict the course of certain individuals, such as Jacob and Esau. But this was not predestination. In the case of Esau and Jacob, God simply foreknew which of the national groups descending from them would gain dominance over the other. (Genesis 25:23-26) However, there is no indication that God had fixed their eternal destinies. Much of a child’s general disposition and temperament appear to be shaped by genetic factors. Jehovah may have considered the genetic makeup of unborn Esau and Jacob in determining which son would dominate.—Compare Psalm 139:14-16.

Similarly, Jehovah used his foreknowledge regarding Samson, Jeremiah and John the Baptizer. This foreknowledge, however, did not guarantee that they would remain faithful until death. God also foretold that one of David’s sons would be named Solomon and that Solomon would be used to build the temple. (1 Chronicles 22:9, 10) Solomon, nevertheless, fell into apostasy in his later years.—1 Kings 11:4, 9-13.

But what of Judas Iscariot? Was not the traitorous course of one of Jesus’ disciples clearly prophesied in advance? Yes, but the prophecies did not specify which disciple would be the betrayer. Indeed, what if Jesus had known that Judas would be the betrayer? Then Jesus’ appointing Judas as an apostle would have made Him a “sharer” in that betrayer’s sins. (Compare 1 Timothy 5:22.) God himself would also be an accomplice, since Jesus preceded his selection of Judas with fervent prayer to Jehovah.—Luke 6:12-16.

God’s exercise of foreknowledge is, therefore, never due to some whim. The apostle Paul told fellow anointed Christians: “We were foreordained according to the purpose of him [Jehovah God] who operates all things according to the way his will counsels.” (Ephesians 1:11) Since man’s fall into sin, it has been God’s purpose to vindicate His name by means of His Kingdom. To that end, God has at times used his ability to foresee the future. For instance, he foreordained that there would be a class of joint heirs with Jesus Christ in the Kingdom, although individuals must prove faithful to be part of it.—2 Peter 1:10, 11.

Knowing the Bible’s clear teaching on this matter can help you to have a healthy view of the future. God does not predetermine your fate. Instead, you can exercise the free will that Jehovah God has given to creatures made “in his image.” (Genesis 1:27) You can make the wise choice and wholeheartedly respond to Jehovah God’s offer of everlasting life.—John 17:3.

Nevertheless, Jehovah was ‘not ignorant of Satan’s designs.’ (Compare 2 Corinthians 2:11.) He knew that Satan the Devil had previously used a man’s close friend as a betrayer, as he had done in the case of David’s friend Ahithophel. Therefore, it was Satan, not God, who “put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray” Jesus Christ. (John 13:2; 2 Samuel 15:31) Rather than resisting satanic influence, Judas allowed sin to gain the mastery over him. And at some point Jesus was able to read Judas’ heart and therefore foretell his betrayal. (John 13:10, 11) Thus Jesus knew of Judas’ betrayal “from the beginning”—not of his acquaintance with Judas, but from the “beginning” of that one’s acting treacherously.—John 6:64.

So again If Judas were already divinely foreordained to be a traitor, this would result in inconsistency in God’s direction and guidance and, according to the rule, would make him a sharer in the sins that one committed. Thus, it seems evident that at the time of his being selected as an apostle, Judas’ heart presented no definite evidence of a treasonous attitude. He allowed a ‘poisonous root to spring up’ and defile him, resulting in his deviation and in his accepting, not God’s direction, but the Devil’s leading in a course of thievery and treachery.

Hope that answered that question. The last few weeks really have been about religion and I should throw some other topics in as well. At times I really feel I have to defend myself and what I believe in. It was mentioned to me that the Watch-Tower is full of lies and while you have every right to think so I would like to ask you a question. Have you ever read a watch-tower? Imagine when you go to your church or should I say place of worship. Most Likely someone goes up and give a talk and then quote scriptures. Most if not all places of worship do this. You can compare the watch-tower to someone who goes up and gives a talk since the watch-tower really is speech written and scriptures quoted. Difference is our watch-tower is world wide. So to say that it's lies simply because it's a magazine and not a live person on stage giving a talk is beyond me since many religions have their priest or person go up on stage and give a talk and quote scripture. Our Watch-Tower is just a tool used to study scripture. It's also has experiences from those who go through issues in life who found comfort in the scriptures. These experiences in turn give us encouragement and strength. I once gave a talk based on counsel and at times the watch-tower will give us needed counsel or give us reminders. Many will not understand unless they themselves go through this bible based training. Instead of knocking something you haven't tried, why not take a 6 month study and then speak to me after 6 months and tell me what you thought.

Tell me if we are a cult. Tell me if we have some hidden agenda. Tell me if you think we are evil. Tell me if then the watch-tower is full of lies. Until then you really have no idea and are looking to the net to find your answers. Anyone can do that. Come see for yourself and then judge for yourself. Yes there have been people who left our organization but really who hasn't left any religious organization? Someone I know has been to many churches switching from Catholic to Christianity and then going back and then leaving all together. Was that his religion or him that made the choice to leave? He left and yes it's possible that maybe someone in his church caused it who knows. Nobody is immune to this. Every religion has it's bad apples but that doesn't mean the entire religion is bad?

You need to decide which religion is following God and which isn't.Because not all religions do. It's the reason why Jesus himself said the road to life is narrow and few are the ones finding it. Not all religions please God. If you think we are lying then try it and if you don't like it move on. I will promise you that you will see the difference between us and all religions of the world. If you think the watch-tower is based on lies then you pick it up and read it yourself. You might reason and say well why don't you try our religion and see if it's the truth. Well simple, all I need to see is your conduct and that tells me if you are serving God or not. Like I said, you can't just serve God on Weekends. It's a 24hr thing to serve God and since God is always watching and if you believe that he is then there should be things in your life that you should not do. Simple Question you can ask yourself. Can I do this in front of Jesus. Can I say this in front of Jesus, Can I listen to this music in front of Jesus and if you find that you are doing it anyway and Jesus wouldn't approve then really are you serving God? Anyway....

Why do the Witnesses call on people who have their own religion?

In doing this they follow Jesus' example. He went to the Jews. The Jews had their own religion, but in many ways it had turned away from the Word of God. (Matthew 15:1-9) All nations have religions of some kind, whether so-called Christian or non-Christian. It is vitally important for people to hold beliefs that conform to God's own Word, and the efforts of the Witnesses to assist them in doing this constitute a showing of neighbor love.

Do the Witnesses believe that their religion is the only right one?

Anyone who is serious about his religion should think that it is the right one. Otherwise, why would he or she be involved in it? Christians are admonished: "Make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine." (1 Thessalonians 5:21) A person should make sure that his beliefs can be supported by the Scriptures, for there is only one true faith. Ephesians 4:5 confirms this, mentioning "one Lord, one faith, one baptism." Jesus did not agree with the modern, relaxed view that there are many roads, many religions, all leading to salvation. Instead, he said: "Narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it." Jehovah's Witnesses believe that they have found it. Otherwise, they would look for another religion.—Matthew 7:14.

Do they believe that they are the only ones who will be saved?

No. Millions that have lived in centuries past and who were not Jehovah's Witnesses will come back in a resurrection and have an opportunity for life. Many now living may yet take a stand for truth and righteousness before the "great tribulation," and they will gain salvation. Moreover, Jesus said that we should not be judging one another. We look at the outward appearance; God looks at the heart. He sees accurately and judges mercifully. He has committed judgment into Jesus' hands, not ours.—Matthew 7:1-5; 24:21; 25:31.

What I say is what I believe in. I doubt that what I post reaches your hearts. For some of you it might thus I keep posting and the emails I received so far have been very encouraging. But just why do well-educated clergymen fail to understand and teach these plain Bible truths? Because they prefer the traditions and philosophies of men to the written Word of God. And when a person rejects the Word of Jehovah, what wisdom does he have? Surely not Godly wisdom, because he does not have the spirit of Jehovah God. Rather, Satan the Devil, the “god of this system of things,” blinds his mind, that “the glorious good news about the Christ, who is [not God, but] the image of God, might not shine through which is found at 2nd Corinthians 4:4.

The question for tomorrow is " What tells us that the end is near "