Hi all,
Thanks for your responses.
Without a "structure," "framework" or "skeleton of truth" that we can visualize or conceptualize in our reading/studying of the bible, there would be no way to identify "mystery" Israel of bible prophecy today. It would be impossible to do so.
Now, we know they [Jehovah's Witnesses] do not have all of the truth, but only basic, fundamentals of truth and that's it. The "Spirit of Truth," is supposed to guide mankind into "all truth," as stated at
John 16:13. And Jesus taught that "Elijah" would "restore all things." All of this would happen in the time of the end. -- Matthew 17:11.
Still, in the "Report" book, we cite
Romans 2:20 which speaks of a "framework" of truth presently taught by Jehovah's Witnesses, that we can use today to identify mystery Israel of bible prophecy. The bible makes clear that this particular "Israel" or "Jerusalem" is going to go "apostate," and later would be restored to God's Favor...after they repent, which prophecy says they eventually will do. -- See subtitle on the
"Report" book on the front cover, in red letters.
The bible teaches this in many, many prophecies. Its found at
Isaiah 30:26, Jeremiah 23:18-22; Ezekiel 16:58-63, Ezekiel 20:35-38, Micah 4:6, 7 and many other verses.
For example, let's take
Micah 4:6, 7. It states:
- English Standard Version -- Micah 4:6, 7
- 6 In that day, declares the LORD,
I will assemble the lame
and gather those who have been driven away
and those whom I have afflicted;
- 7 and the lame I will make the remnant,
and those who were cast off, a strong nation;
and the LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion
from this time forth and forevermore.
Clearly, it is God's Own People, that have been "afflicted" by Him, and deliberately made "lame" by Him. These also are the ones that God "cast off" from Himself, but later makes into a "remnant" and later into a "strong nation." Yes, it is God's Own Name People that are later "assembled" and regathered by Him. But only after they, Israel have received a powerful blow, from Jehovah God Himself. Is that what is being said above, in the prophecy?
So the prophecy above shows, it is only after the Godly Discipline has been received by "Israel," then and only then, will Jehovah Himself, take action to "restore" them, and "regather" them and make them into a "strong nation." Only then, can "Israel," become a "strong nation" before God, only after they have been severely disciplined by God Almighty Himself. -- See
Isaiah 30:26
And when you look, analyze and compare those other verses cited above, other prophecies, you see the
same message being given in them also.
And this is the point that Jehovah's Witnesses, consistently refuse to see. Because they insist the churches of christendom are the ones who are wicked, and will be destroyed completely, by Jehovah. However, these prophecies all show, the wicked one in this instance, Israel, is quite wicked, but eventually some of them, or a "remnant" of them, will be restored to God's Favor.
Case in point,
Jeremiah 33:6-9 which says:
- New International Version -- Jeremiah 33:6-9
- 6 Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security.
- 7 I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel, and rebuild them as they were at first.
- 8 I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive ALL THE GUILT OF THEIR SIN AND REBELLION AGAINST ME.
- 9 And this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it.
After reading the above, ask yourself?
- Is not "Israel" being disciplined and shamed above, because of all the outright "guilt," "sin," and "rebellion against God, as the prophecy says?
- But after this Godly Discipline, is it not "Israel," disciplined "Israel" that must in the end, be finally recognized and given great respect by "all the nations of the earth"?
- Isn't it true, that after the Godly Discipline upon themselves, that all "nations" must "fear and tremble" before "Israel," because of the way Jehovah provides "good," and "prosperity" for "Israel," His Name People? -- Acts 15:14
- Isn't this what this particular prophecy is clearly saying?
Think about it.
Don