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You Aren't What You Were

  None of you are what you were but what you were makes you what you are.    The truth about Truth is that it is, and has always been, a stumbling block. Even for many who believe, it is, according to Christ, intended to be so. 1  Truth gives us the reason and opportunity to change. Without it, it is impossible to repent and the chains of ignorance which hold us captive are maintained. It, truth, is the conveyance of accurate knowledge which, in a gospel sense, is dispensed by heaven as revelation. Truth drives, if not forces, the use of agency which in turn renders us accountable before God and is the warrant for him to dispense just judgments. 2,3   Jehovah’s appointing a servant as a “a  light  to the gentiles, that you may be my salvation unto the end of the earth” 4 make ready the conditions which impose upon Jehovah’s people, indeed all people, a choice.    Choose what is bitter—the darkness of spiritual blindness 5  or, pay attention to what he is doing and choose that which is
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I've Had It Up To Here!

I’ve Had It Up To Here!   Of all the scenes and images you can conjure in your mind as you think about Christ’s life, driving money changers from the temple is one that seems to provide contrast to the archetype of his ministry.     “And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables. And he said unto them who sold doves, Take these things from here. Make not my Father’s house a house of merchandise. And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of your house has eaten me up.”  (NC John 1:9)   When we read it in scripture, what we see is Christ’s righteous indignation, anger that is driven by contempt and not sinful.  But surely, the money changers there must have looked at him and thought, “what a jerk” or “this guy is nuts” or “what got into him” or “holy moly, (short for ‘Holy Moses’) this guy’s raging.” They clearly didn’t share Christ’s view of cu
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Runaway Bride

  How sad it must be for Jehovah to see his bride, or at least his fiancé, engaging in relationship with someone or something, Babylon, in contravention to previous commitments to him -- now disloyal, treacherous, insincere.   In ancient times, when defining Israel's relationship to its God, Hebrew prophets commonly characterize Israel as a woman and Jehovah as her husband within the marriage covenant. Movement, in scripture, of a few people from a land in apostasy to a "promised land" was most generally an effort, led by God through a prophet, to preserve or reestablish some covenant people to continue within that "marriage" covenant.  In ancient times, as reported in scripture, and now in end times as is clear to see, at some point in apostasy covenant blessings, by decree of divine law, turn to covenant curses. "The wickedness of men does not prevent God's will but only keeps them from what they might have received." (T&C 157:40)  Sadly tho
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Sick in the Head, Sick in the Heart

 Sick in the Head, Sick in the Heart "… They have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they have gone away backward. Why should you be stricken anymore? You will revolt more and more. The whole head is sick and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it, but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores — they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment. …" (RE Isaiah 1:1)  Illness and disease become rampant reflecting a society sick in mind and body.  Allegorically, the people's "head" or leadership, and their "heart" or core institutions--in short, their entire establishment, political and religious (Isa 7:8-9 : 14-16)--has degenerated to a pathological state.   Like the wounds, bruises, and sores of an enemy slave—one who receives no chance of being ministered to—Jehovah’s alienated people find themselves in pitiful circumstances. When so
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Less Nuns, More Nones

Less Nuns, More Nones   As  the Wall Street Journal reported  recently, Americans continue to leave religion behind in large numbers.  According to Pew Research , the percentage of American Christians has fallen about 12 percent over the last ten years, from 75 percent in 2011 to around 63 percent today. The number who pray every day is even lower, at 45 percent. The demographic rising in its place are the so-called “nones,” those who identify religiously as “nothing in particular.” This group grew to about 20 percent of the US population in 2021, up from 16 percent in 2017.    The surprising thing here  isn’t  that Americans are leaving organized religion behind. That’s been happening at about the same rate for a while now  (In U.S., Decline of Christianity Continues at Rapid Pace) . However, it is newsworthy that this trend continued unabated in the face of a global pandemic.  Historically, catastrophic events that bring uncertainty, stress, or political chaos tend to draw people to
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God who gave us life gave us liberty

Thomas Jefferson, third U.S. President and drafter and signer of the Declaration of Independence, understood as well as anybody the critical need in society for God and His laws to always have standing; status in society, a position and good reputation among humanity from which rights and duties of citizens may be affirmed and guided.     He avowed , “God who gave us life gave us liberty.”  He further questioned,  “And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their  only  firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the Gift of God?  That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever…”   [1]  If that was Jefferson’s thought in the early 1800’s, he lived from 1743 to 1826, then imagine his reaction if he could observe us today.  He did not say, “I  would  tremble,” he said “I tremble,” implying that he could see the current
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Woe Unto the Wise

“Woe unto the wise in their own eyes  and prudent in their own sight.” [1]   Nailed it! Because a “woe,” a warning of condemnation in this life, is being pronounced here, it is clear that Jehovah is not commending but condemning those who think they are full of wisdom. In addressing those who are excessively proud, vain and full of conceit who consider themselves wise, clever or knowledgeable, Isaiah makes their inability to notice that, next to Jehovah they know nothing, the focal point of his thought. These are they who use their skill to gain acclaim or convert others to their opinion. In a much kinder, gentler way, by just saying “woe,” Isaiah points out to these people that they’re in deep trouble if they don’t repent. But, what do they care; their own vainglory provides suitable affirmation for them of their standing.  Later in Isaiah, a perfect scriptural description of them and where the road they’re on leads is provided –  “Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yours
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