@cinnabon I also dont c how ppl think it's a cult....esp when we INVITE ppl to come! Being a jw is a protection from lots of things & I'm sure u can agree.i jusy wish ppl wld visit before they assume!
And no disrespect to other witness's... in all honestly the hardest thing is that the actually religion itself.. always made sense to me. I always believed the teachings.. but just like with anything I think the people in our congregation weren't good people. I have talked to witness's from other areas and they don't seem as awful as it used to be.
@robinlinlee83 I'm sorry you had a bad experience. As you know, the teachings are bible based. However, we are not perfect individuals and unfortunately some actions of others can cause sore feelings. That said, we are there to serve Jehovah first and foremost. So if the teachings made sense to you, maybe that is Jehovah drawing you to him. You do what's right for YOU and JEHOVAH just like in any congregation and never let a human's actions discourage you
@stevkam0911 we most certainly to not fit the definition of a cult. We are not secretive, our doors are always open, and we welcome with open arms. There is no initiation process. All are welcome. Oh well...that will always be said as long as this system exists. It only brings us closer to Jehovah as fulfilled prophecy "you will be objects of hatred"
@cinnabon I appreciate it... I actually had some witness's come to my door last week... and they didn't CRINGE like most when I told them I was an ex witness. They left me a watchtower to read... I didn't read it, but the funny thing is... my husband did. Which I thought was very hilarious.. considering he throws such a fit about religion in our household.
@babygirl716 one comes disfellowshipped when he/she is baptized and repeatedly commits a sin without repentence. For example: "suzy" has premarital sex and feels awful. she admits she is spiritually weak and needs some help. she prays to God and asks for forgiveness and tells the congregation elders this and they believe her heart is sincere. she does not commmit this sin again. she is NOT disfellowshipped and is offered a bible study to strenghthen herself. on the other hand, "kelly" has premarital sex and doesn't care. she has a boyfriend living with her and she openly talks about their sexual relationship. she refuses to acknowledge the bibles viewpoint on fornication and has a very unrepentent attitude. she IS disfellowshipped. this means that she is no longer part of the congregation. she cannot socialize with anyone, but CAN attend the Kingdom Hall services and is encouraged to repent and come back to be reinstated. some people who are not witnesses feel as though this is harsh, but look at it this way: you are a parent and your child has befriended a drug addict who is NOT in search of help, and feels his lifestyle is fun. what do you do? most parents would agree that you would immediately stop association with this "friend" for fear that his actions will rub off on your child. disfellowhipping is the same idea. if we allow these unrepentent people to continue to associate with us, their attitude can rub off on us, thus causing us to lose God's favor as well. 1 corinthians 15:33 states that "bad association spoils useful habits." disfellowshipping is backed by this idea. and the christians in bible who sinned without repentence were asked to leave the congregation as well...until they decided to repent. *sorry so long, but you asked!!*
@Nebraskamommytobe sorry I wasn't on to asnwer ur question I fell asleep but @cinnabon couldn't have said it better! I hope u understood why
@cinnabon and @Stevkam0911 I deffintly didn't feel as the jw witnesses were a cult when I started studying I had been through so many churches and throughout my life I never met a jehovas witness I'm so glad I met my now husband I had so many questions then and actually listened (but asked soo many questions) in little time everything made sence and that was that I went to my first "conmemoracion" as we say it in spanish in 2009 and it was so beautiful I felt like a family. Then after that I loved the assemblys..
I have a question.....I do not know any jw so I'm sure u ladies would answer this for me. If the belief is that only 144,000 will enter heaven and there are def more than that now, does that mean not all jw will entet heaven??? Just a question, not trying to start drama!
We believe that only 144.000 will enter heaven to rule with jesus christ
And the others will live on earth.
I have a spanish bible only but I can give you the scriptures. Unless you speak spanish?? I'm really sorry I will get a english bible next time I attend a meeting.
They will rule in heaven.
Rev or apocalipsis 20:6
and daniel 7:27
1 corinthians 6:2
Rev 5:10
Jehovah picks these people
2tes 2:13,14
romans 9:6,16
How many will go to heaven
Rev 14:1_3
Are the 144,00 only jews?
Rev7:4-8
Romans 2:28, 29
Gal 3:26-29
I'm so sorry its just the scriptures I'm sure tthat @cinnabon and @Stevk0911 go to a english meeting and they should have a english bible if not u can always go to
Www.watchtower.org and search who goes to heaven? Or 144,000.
It explains everything there in over 300 languages
@Stevkam0911 ohh I see how it looks like that I put that question only to answer at the bottom..I tried to make it like what each scriptures talk about
@Stevkam0911 yes I try to make it to all of them and get a good rest because they really are encouraging and I want to squeeze out all the juice I can get from the topics and discussions
@cinnabon yes! Thank you and that helps me understand I like learning about religions, it just helps me to be more understanding and open to others. Thanks again!
@blessedmommyof3 like Stevens mom said, 144,000 go to heaven to rule over the earth with Christ. But the rest of us will live on earth after armageddon. Earth will be restored to paradise (like garden of Eden) and we will be restored to perfection. But this is not just current Jehovahs witnesses. there will be a resurrection of those who have died and they will have the chance to live again and forever in this paradise. So, as I usually do, let me contrast:
Think of yourself personally. Now kill yourself and go to heaven! What do you see? Feel? Is it vague or realistic? Can you really truly imagine it? Do you crave for this day? My guess is no. There are 144000 people (some already in heaven and some still on earth who haven't passed yet who crave this hope. Who visualize it realistically and can vividly tell you about it) NOW think of yourself personally again. Now picture yourself alive in perfect health on Earth. Your family is not sick and will never get sick. You can dance and play with your kids. Do everything you do now, but without a care in the world! Can you see it? Can you explain what It's like? What would you do? Is it realistic? More realistic to your heart than being in Heaven?
Sorry so long...lol...I'm long winded on a regular day and then you ask me about the Bible, I don't shut up! Anywayz...God knows what's in our heart and 144000 have it in their heart to rule over the Earth in heaven. He doesn't need anymore people up there. His original purpose was for earth to be a paradise (hence the garden of Eden) he will restore his paradise and this is where the rest of us will go
p.s. If you want scriptures that back this, I can give them to you, but I have to look up the exact verse and chapter. I have the quotes in my head such as "the meek will possess the Earth and reside forever upon it" its in psalms but I'm not near a bible
Comments
@stevkam0911 we most certainly to not fit the definition of a cult. We are not secretive, our doors are always open, and we welcome with open arms. There is no initiation process. All are welcome. Oh well...that will always be said as long as this system exists. It only brings us closer to Jehovah as fulfilled prophecy "you will be objects of hatred"
@cinnabon and @Stevkam0911 I deffintly didn't feel as the jw witnesses were a cult when I started studying I had been through so many churches and throughout my life I never met a jehovas witness I'm so glad I met my now husband I had so many questions then and actually listened (but asked soo many questions) in little time everything made sence and that was that I went to my first "conmemoracion" as we say it in spanish in 2009 and it was so beautiful I felt like a family. Then after that I loved the assemblys..
And the others will live on earth.
I have a spanish bible only but I can give you the scriptures. Unless you speak spanish?? I'm really sorry I will get a english bible next time I attend a meeting.
They will rule in heaven.
Rev or apocalipsis 20:6
and daniel 7:27
1 corinthians 6:2
Rev 5:10
Jehovah picks these people
2tes 2:13,14
romans 9:6,16
How many will go to heaven
Rev 14:1_3
Are the 144,00 only jews?
Rev7:4-8
Romans 2:28, 29
Gal 3:26-29
I'm so sorry its just the scriptures I'm sure tthat @cinnabon and @Stevk0911 go to a english meeting and they should have a english bible if not u can always go to
Www.watchtower.org and search who goes to heaven? Or 144,000.
It explains everything there in over 300 languages
Sorry I wasn't much help
I agree it feels like a big family. The conventions & assemblies are a huge source of encouragement & refreshmsnt
@Stevkam0911 ohh I see how it looks like that I put that question only to answer at the bottom..I tried to make it like what each scriptures talk about
I like learning about religions, it just helps me to be more understanding and open to others.
Thanks again!
Think of yourself personally. Now kill yourself and go to heaven! What do you see? Feel? Is it vague or realistic? Can you really truly imagine it? Do you crave for this day? My guess is no. There are 144000 people (some already in heaven and some still on earth who haven't passed yet who crave this hope. Who visualize it realistically and can vividly tell you about it) NOW think of yourself personally again. Now picture yourself alive in perfect health on Earth. Your family is not sick and will never get sick. You can dance and play with your kids. Do everything you do now, but without a care in the world! Can you see it? Can you explain what It's like? What would you do? Is it realistic? More realistic to your heart than being in Heaven?
Sorry so long...lol...I'm long winded on a regular day and then you ask me about the Bible, I don't shut up! Anywayz...God knows what's in our heart and 144000 have it in their heart to rule over the Earth in heaven. He doesn't need anymore people up there. His original purpose was for earth to be a paradise (hence the garden of Eden) he will restore his paradise and this is where the rest of us will go
@cinnabon salmos 37:11 or psalms
Los mansos mismos poseeran la tierra