Examining the WT daily text, 5/23/26: 2 Cor.12:14, …”Children are not expected to save up for their parents, but the parents for their children.”

The WT first applies this second part of 2 Cor.12:14 to children arranging to give “practical help” to their parent as they grow old.  They say, “Parents may need to receive some practical help as they grow old, and many children are happy to arrange for that.”  Then they say that Christian parents’ greatest joy is not from the viewpoint of raising children for later financial support, but helping their children become servants of WT’s God, Jehovah. But then they go back to physical application of scripture by directing parents to be an example, trust in Jehovah as they help their children prepare to support themselves and from the time their children are young, show them the value of hard work.  They then throw in, as “they” [the children] grow, help them do their best in school.  This is spiritual food?  Something is seriously amiss if people who are seeking spiritual understanding of scripture are being fed parenting 101 tips. Is the Bible a book about giving human parents advice on helping their children to do their best in school and prepare them for adulthood so as to support themselves?  Of course, the WT’s closing statement in their 5/23/26 “examining the scriptures” commentary on scripture is: Christian parents do well to research and apply Bible principles to help their children decide how to use education wisely. This will equip their children to support themselves and to have a full share in the Christian ministry.

Here is the examined scripture, but the whole verse:  2 Cor.12:14, “Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.” [NKJV]

The Corinth “church” is an assembled group of Christians (2 Cor.2:1-2; 12:13-14; Col.1:24-29; Heb.2:10-13). Paul was an apostle of the Gentiles, sent by Jesus Christ himself (Acts 13:42-47; 26:12-13; John 8:12; Acts 26:14-18; 22:17-21; Rom.9:6-7; 2:28-29).  The Spirit-anointed Gentiles were not of Jewish physical lineage, but were spiritual Jews, part of the body of Christ, spiritual priests, each a “living stone” in the spiritual temple, God’s dwelling place of Spirit (Acts 26:1,12-18; 22:18,21; 13:44-47; Rom.9:6; 2:28-29; Eph.1:1-14; Gal.4:6-7; Rom.8:14-17; 1 Cor.12:11-14; Eph.2:20; 1 Pet.2:5; Eph.2:21-22; 1 Cor.3:16; 1 Pet.2:9-10,4-5; Mal.2:7; Rev.5:10; Psalm 74:2; Rev.21:9-11). To these Paul was sent (along with those who accompanied him) into ministry preaching, warning, and teaching in all wisdom from God so as to present “every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Col.1:26-29; John 10:16; Ezek.34:31; Psalm 100:3; 1 Pet.2:9-10,5).

The letters Paul sent to the Corinth congregation helps us to understand the spiritual condition of that congregation of brethren.  In 1 Cor.2, Paul explained to the Corinths that what he was speaking to them was not of his own human wisdom (1 Cor.2:1,4-7), but what the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things (1 Cor.2:10,12-13).  Paul said to them that the “things of God,” God reveals through His Holy Spirit (1 Cor.2:7,10,12), “But the natural man (carnal/thinking related to physical life only) does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor.2:14).

Yet there was a problem with the Corinth congregation.  Notice 1 Cor.3:1, “Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly (carnal). For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?”

The Corinth brethren were acting like carnal men, babes in Christ, being envious of one another (1 Cor.3:3; Rom.12:3-5; 1 Cor.12:4-6,11-12,18,27) and quarreling, not keeping the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (1 Cor.3:3; Eph.4:3-4; 1 Cor.12:4; Titus 3:8; Col.1:10; Titus 3:9-10; James 3:16-17).  They were even divided, some claiming to be of Paul or Apollos, as if Paul or Apollos as men were to be boasted over for their wisdom (1 Cor.3:1; 1 Cor.1:10-13,26-31; 3:1,18-23; Rom.16:17-18). Paul stressed that he and Apollos were not “anything” themselves, that what they received was from the Lord and that they were ministers through whom they believed but it is God who “gave the increase” (1 Cor.3:5).  Paul poses a question to them, as if to shake them to remember who they are, and the consequences of not respecting God’s spiritual household arrangement, “16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and *that* the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles/corrupts/destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which *temple* you are (1 Cor.3; Ezek.43:10-12; 44:4-9).

The Corinth’s carnality was dangerous (1 Cor.3:3; James 3:16). If they did not take heed that Paul and Apollos’ wisdom in laying the foundational teachings of Christ was not of human wisdom, but by God through Holy Spirit, they would not take be careful how they then built upon the foundation laid (1 Cor.3:9-17; John 4:23-24; Matt.15:7-9; 1 John 2:20,24-27).  Indeed, the Corinth church was not yet complete/mature, yet Paul extended his love, comfort, encouragement, completely spending/exerting himself on their behalf, even sending Titus and Timothy to them (1 Cor.3:1-3; 4:16-17; 2 Cor.4:5; 1 Cor.16:13; 2 Cor.12:14-15; 2 Cor.13:11; Col.1:24-28).  Paul was fervent in presenting them a “pure virgin in Christ” (2 Cor.11:2-4; 13:5; 1 Cor.14:20; 2:13-14; 3:9-17). They are Christ’s and must submit to him as they can do nothing without Jesus who gives them Spirit to produce good works/good fruit/truthful teachings that last (Luke 6:43-49; 8:10-15; John 6:63; 4:24; 14:6; 15:1-10; 1 Cor.3:23; Col.1:9-18).

Let’s look again at 2 Cor.12:14, Now *for* the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.” [NKJV]

Paul said he will not be burdensome to the Corinth “church,” and so Paul is indicating when he arrives to them a third time, he will be weightless, not demanding (2 Cor.12:14).  Paul said, “for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up [treasure up] for the parents, but the parents for the children” (2 Cor.12:14).  Paul was not seeking/inquiring the children of the Corinth church, but “you,” the assembled brethren, who are the parents.  Is Paul talking about practical advice to human parents and their children?  No.  The Corinth church, Spirit-anointed body members of Christ, are spiritual parents because they are the “church,” Christ’s “wife”/bride (Eph.5:25-27,30,32; Rev.21:9-11).  Paul is talking about spiritual parents who lay up/store up spiritual treasures from “heaven” within their heart (1 Pet.2:9; 2 Cor.4:5-7; 1 Cor.4:20; Col.1:29; Rom.1:16; Hab.2:14; Isa.40:5; 2 Cor.4:18; Luke 12:15; Luke 17:20-21; Matt.6:21).  The children of spiritual parents do not do that.  Why?  Because the children are not the bride. The bride of Christ is the holy city, New Jerusalem who are representatives of a mother covenant of life whose good fruit is produced from Jesus’ words of Spirit, the teachings/knowledge of Holy Spirit that gives life to children (Gal.4:26-28; Eph.5:25-27,30,32; Rev.21:9-11,2-3; 22:1-2).  Christ and his wife/bride is a union better than human parents, because as spiritual parents’, the life their union gives their children is eternal (John 6:63; Job 33:4; Rom.8:14-19; John 15:16; 1 Cor.2:12; James 3:17; 1 Cor.2:13-14; John 3:3; 1 Pet.1:23; Prov.18:21; 11:30; Rev.21:2-6; John 4:14; Rev.22:17,1-2; Rom.8:20-21).

CONSIDER:  
WT writes: “know that Jehovah does not necessarily give anointed ones more holy spirit than he gives his other servants. They do not feel that they have a deeper understanding of Bible truths than anyone else [w20 January Study, p.28, para.5\].  
This is FALSE
The August 1, 2002 Watchtower (page 13, para.18) flatly states that the royal priesthood are represented by appointed elders in their congregations.  
This is FALSE and a disgusting thing

Please consider this scriptural writing from my anointed partner:
https://pearl-disgustingthing.blogspot.com

Apostasy seen, perceived - another who sees the GB as the APOSTATE

 Dear friends,

I know you feel the same as I do about just the mere mention of the word “apostate”…a strong feeling of revulsion wells up.  That is a good thing!  Who wouldn’t fear rebelling against the Most High.  We are incredibly thankful that through preservation of God’s word the Bible, we can clearly identify an apostate.  Since we are unable to meet in person at the moment due to safety precautions, I am writing you, and perhaps in your personal study, you, too, researched this subject of apostasy.  Did you realize that an apostasy was prophetically foretold to occur?  You may have, but it is still shocking to read about it in the scriptures.

The Hebrew and Greek scriptures give us a complete blueprint for identifying apostasy.  In the Greek scriptures, “apostasia,” translated “apostasy” (2 Thess.2:3) means a rebellion, a falling away, a defection from truth – “Jesus said to him [Thomas]: “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  Apostasy, a defection from truth, is a departing from Jesus, rebelling against his instruction, and not imitating his example (1 Tim.6:3; 1 Tim.1:3; 2 Tim.4:4; 1 Cor.11:3; Luke 21:8; Rom.16:17; Matt.7:15; Heb.3:12; 1 John 2:6; 2 Thess.2:3).  The scriptures recorded the history God’s chosen ancient nation of Israel’s actions, both good and wayward, “examples…written for our admonition” (1 Cor.10:6-11; Heb.3:5; 9:1,6,9; 10:1,11,3,5-8).  In the Hebrew scriptures, we find God’s people, his nation of Israel, repeatedly became rebellious.  A Hebrew word was used for their disobedience: “meshubah,” defined, “apostasy,” “turning back/away,” “backsliding,” “waywardness,” and “unfaithful” (Prov.1:32; Jer.3:6,8,11,12,22; 5:6; 8:5; 14:7; Hos.11:7).  Time and again we read scriptural accounts of Israel’s unfaithfulness/apostasy due to their “abominations,” which described various kinds of wickedness they were warned against and described as “detestable things/images” and “disgusting thing/idols/god/practices” (Deut.12:31; 18:9-12; 20:18; 1 Kings 14:24; 2 Kings 16:3; 21:2; 23:24; 2 Chron.28:3; Jer.4:1; 16:18; 32:34; Ezek.5:11; 7:20; 11:18).  Ancient Israel was God’s “treasured possession,” a “holy people,” and where He dwelled, but their abominable idolatrous practices were considered adultery/prostitution/“acts of harlotry,” and resulted in God describing them as a “prostitute”/“harlot” (Deut.7:6; 26:18; 14:2; Exod.34:14-16; Num.35:34; Jer.2:11,20; 5:7; 13:27; 16:18; Hos.3:1; 4:15; 9:1; Psalm 106:39; Isa.1:21; Ezek.16:15,22,25,34,36).  Did you ever take note of the pattern of ancient Israel’s priesthood?  The priesthood were the only consecrated persons to permitted to carry out “daily sacrifices,” or offerings in God’s tabernacle and Temple…all others/”foreigners uncircumcised”/Gentiles/non-consecrated persons were forbidden from duties in the Temple, at the penalty of death (Jer.33:18; Deut.17:14,15; Lev.3:16; 17:5,6; 2 Chron.23:6,7; 1 Chron.9:33; Exod.29:38-40,42-44; 40:45,46; Num.18:7; 28:6; Lev.6:9-12; Ezek.44:9).  Despite being repeatedly told that that no one “except the priests and Levites” were permitted to serve in the Temple, the Israelites even departed from that divine command and appointed uncircumcised foreigners to “keep charge” of God’s sanctuary (Ezek.44:6-8,10,12,15; 20:30,31; Num.18:7).

We recall that “all the things that were written beforehand were written to instruct us” (Rom.15:4).  What a constellation of apostate acts have been recorded and described in the scriptures!  Both the Hebrew and Greek scriptures come together perfectly to present a complete picture that perfectly guides us on how what apostate acts are, and how to identify apostasy, according to God and Jesus.  Let’s first start with the Hebrew scriptures, which describe God’s chosen people, the nation of Israel, and the divine commands regarding worship they were not to depart from: 

·         God referred to the nation of Israel as “My people,” “a holy nation,” “holy people,” and His “dwelling place” (Deut.7:6; 26:19; 28:9; Exod.19:6; 22:31; 25:8; Lev.21:15; 2 Chron.7:14; 1 Kings 8:16; Isa.51:4; Ezek.21:12; 37:27).

·         God established a covenant with His people whom He chose, and gave them divine commandments and instruction for building the Temple and sanctuary (Deut.14:2; Gen.17:4; Exod.25:8,9; Exod.19:5; 24:8; Deut.4:13; see Exod.24-26).

·         Temple duties were limited to a consecrated priesthood, anointed to carry out the daily sacrifices/offerings/sacred service (Exod.29:1,9,29,44; Lev.6:9-12; Num.18:7; Jer.33:18; 1 Chron.9:33; 23:24; 2 Chron.23:6,7; 26:16-18; 13:10,11; 35:3; Neh.12:44-47; 13:10,11; Ezek.44:6-8).

·         Uncircumcised foreigners/Gentiles were forbidden from sacred service duties in God’s Temple and forbidden to be appointed as king over Israel (Deut.17:14,15; 2 Chron.23:6; Ezek.44:6-9; Lam.1:10; 5:2).

·         God’s holy people were commanded not to imitate the customs of worship of the surrounding nations, and their abominable idolatrous and detestable practices (Deut.12:30; 18:9; 20:18; 2 Kings 9:9, 17:7-15).

·         Warnings against idolatry included setting up physical idols and setting up “idols in their heart” (Deut.4:16,23; Exod.20:1-5; 23:13; 34:17; Lev.19:4; 26:1; Ezek.44:12; 14:1-5).

·         Israel had a choice:  Obey God’s commandments, be blessed and looked upon with favor, or do not obey God’s commandments and lose blessings and favor, and bear the consequences of their sin/unfaithfulness (Deut.7:12; 11:13-17; 28:1,15; Lev.26:3-13,14-39; 1 Chron.9:1; 2 Chron.7:19-22; Hosea 10:15; 11:7; Ezek.15:8; 39:23,26; 44:10-12; Joh.22:20; Dan.9:7).  

·         Israel’s record reveals they often became wayward/apostate/unfaithful, and their rebellious acts likened to adultery, prostitution, and the “sin of divination” (1 Sam.15:23; Lev.17:7; Jer.3:6,8; Zeph.1:3-5; Hosea 6:7; 9:1; Ezra 9:1,2; Josh.7:1; 1 Chron.5:25; 2 Chron.28:22; 29:6; 30:7; Ezek.20:27).

·         Israel’s acts of unfaithfulness included “detestable practices of the nations,” idolatry/trusting in idols, and breaking the divine commands of who may perform sacred service in the Temple (2 Kings 17:7-11,15,41; 9:22; 21:21; Exod.32:4,8; Judges 18:31; 2 Chron.26:16-18; 36:14; Jer.48:7; Isa.44:17; Ezek.23:49; Hosea 4:12; 10:5,13; Psalm 52:7; 135:15-18).

·         Detestable and idolatrous acts were likened to sexual immorality; God described His people’s “acts of harlotry” and adultery as sexual immorality and called them a “prostitute”/”harlot.” (Isa.1:21; Lev.17:7; Jer. 2:17,19-22; 3:6-9; 9:2; Isa.1:21; Ezekiel 16:1,2,14-17,20-26,32,33,35,36; Micah 1:7; Hosea 4:12; 9:1).

·         When Israel was unfaithful, God “kept warning them by means of his messengers, warning them again and again, because he felt compassion for his people and for his dwelling place,” and good news that a repentant remnant of Israel, at times, only a few refugees, would be saved (2 Kings 17:12,13; 2 Chron.36:14,15; Isa.1:9;19,27,28; 10:20-22; 28:5; 41:8,9,27; Jer.23:3; 44:14; Ezra 9:8; Nahum 1:14,15; Micah 2:12; Hos.1:10; Joel 2:32).

The apostles drew attention to the first covenant Temple arrangement as it foreshadowed, illustrated, and served as a pattern for the spiritual Temple arrangement under the new covenant established by Jesus’ sacrificial death (1 Cor.10:6,7,11; Heb.7:19; 8:5; 9:1,8-10; 10:1; Col.2:17; Rom.4:18,22-25).  

·         All anointed “have an anointing from the Holy Spirit” by God, and become part of “Christ’s body.”  Christ’s body is “not of one member but of many” with each part given different gifts according to the Holy Spirit given them from God (Matt.16:18; 2 Cor.1:21; Col.2:9; 1 John 2:20; Heb.12:23; Acts 1:4; Rom.8:15,28; 12:4,5; 1 Cor.2:11-13; 10:17; 12:12-18,27-29; 14:33; John 2:19,21; Mark 14:58; Jude 1:13; Rev.1:5,2).

·         All anointed are “living stones,” a “spiritual house” in which “the whole building,” “God’s household,” is built together into “a holy Temple.” Christ is the “foundation cornerstone,” a “chief cornerstone,” and “Son over God’s house,” in which “there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved” (1 Pet.2:4,5; Heb.3:6; Acts 4:11,12; 1 Tim.3:15; Eph.2:19-22; Matt.21:42; Isa.28:16; 1 Pet 2:4,5,9,10; 1 John 2:27 John 14:26). 

·         All anointed are “God’s Temple” and “dwelling place.”  Ancient Israel and their Temple worship served as a “copy and shadow of heavenly things.  When the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus’ disciples, they grasped that the physical city of Jerusalem was no longer God’s Temple for worship, and expressed that as “living stones,” they are God’s Temple and dwelling place and that He dwells in them.  Yes, the early Christians had fellowship and congregated in homes, and the apostle Paul drove the point home to them that God does not dwell in man-made Temples.  Jesus, as high priest, and “mediator of a better covenant,” is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God, and is a minister of God’s sanctuary and true tabernacle erected not by man, but by God (1 Cor.3:16,17; Matt.12:6; Acts 7:48,49; 17:24; Heb.8:1-6; Heb.9:11,24; Heb.10:19-21; John 4:21-24; Isa.66:1; 2 Cor.5:1).

·         All anointed are a “holy priesthood” with Jesus as “high priest.”  Jesus “has become surety of a better covenant,” making obsolete the old covenant with his death.  Jesus has a “permanent priesthood,” those who God considers to be “My people,” just was ancient Israel, but now ordaining a spiritual priesthood for acts of divine service, a sacred service without the limitations of physical burnt offerings, but “spiritual sacrifices” (Heb.3:1; Heb.7:22,24,26-28; Heb.8:1,9,10; Heb.9:1,6-10; Heb.10:5-10; Rom.12:1; 1 Pet.2:5,9).

·         All anointed, Christ’s body, are Jesus’ “congregation.”  Jesus Christ is the “firstborn” and “the Ruler of the kings of the earth” -  Jesus is not the ruler of the world, but he is the “head” and the ruler over his “body,” his “congregation” of all anointed (John 12:31; 14:30; 1 Cor.2:12; 12:12-18,27-29; Rev.1:5,6; 2:11; 5:10; 3:21; 12:9; 20:4,6). 

·         All anointed are taught directly by the Spirit.  Spirit teaches all anointed, and together, as a “holy priesthood,” they must carry out their priestly duties by offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  These “sacrifices” are not literal burnt offerings as was carried out by ancient Israel’s priesthood who served in God’s Temple.  All anointed, as God’s Temple, are to offer themselves as a “living sacrifice,” and through a perpetual “sacrifice of praise,” which is a bearing of “much fruit,” “the fruit of the lips”; sharing with others what the Spirit has taught them (John 14:26; Heb.13:15,16; Psalm 119:108; Rom.12:1; 1 John 2:20,27; 1 Cor.1:21; 2:10; 12:7,11-13; Matt.7:17; 13:23; Mark 4:20; John 2:27; 14:16; 15:4,5,16,18,26; 12:24; 16:3,7,13; Acts 2:33; Jer.33:18; Rev.22:3-5). 

·         All anointed are ”branches” that must remain attached to the “vine”/Jesus.  All anointed must remain faithful to Christ’s teachings, lest they stray, become unfaithful, and be “cut off” from the vine/Jesus, discarded/”thrown into the fire.” Yes, it is possible for anointed to stop following Jesus, become apostate, and lose their “light.”  Without “light” in darkness and become false teachers, producing “fruit”/teachings that “rot”/expire and are thus, lies (Heb.3:12-15; 4:7,11; 6:4-6,18; John 3:19; 8:12; 15:5-7,16; 2 Cor.2:11; 4:6; 11:13,14; Rom.11:17-22; Acts 26:18,23; Matt.22:14; 7:15-23; 15:8,9; Mark 13:22; 1 John 2:11; John 8:44; Num.23:19).

We now have the keys, the scriptures, to identify an apostate!  Carefully examine the example of ancient Israel, God’s people, and take note of the divine laws regarding the Temple/tabernacle arrangement….THIS is a pattern and foreshadow of God’s spiritual Temple (Eph.2:14-16; 1 Cor.10:6,7,11; Rom.4:23; Num.18:1,5-7; 2 Chron.23:5,6,18,19; Heb.8:5; 10:1; Col.2:17).  According to scripture, here is what we are shown: 

·         Jesus’ faithful death fulfilled the old covenant, making it obsolete, and established a new covenant, one where God’s Temple is made up of spirit-anointed persons that include Gentiles, who are spiritual Jews, a “holy priesthood”/Jesus’ congregation. All anointed are God’s Temple, “living stones” that build His “house” (1 Pet.2:5; 1 Cor.3:10; 12:27,28; Rom.12:4-8; Eph.2:19-22; Rom.2:25-29; Col.2:11; 3:11,12,15; Phil.3:3; 1 Cor.7:19; Gal.5:6).  

·         Jesus foretold that “many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people” (Matt.24:10,11).  Deception is an attempt to lead you in the wrong way, away from true teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “watch out for false prophets” (Matt.7:15-20), “Watch out that no one deceives you” (Mark 13:5).  

·         Will it be easy to identify a false prophet?  No, it will not. Jesus warns that false prophets will deceive by appearing sheep-like and be successful because they will actually be well-perceived and praised by many people (Luke 6:26; 1 Cor.2:14; 2 Cor.11:13-15; 1 John 4:1; Heb.5:14; Matt.7:15; 24:11,25; 22:14; Rom.12:2; John 7:24; 1 Tim.4:1; 1 Thess.5:21).  

·         Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with striking observableness” (Luke 17:20).  However, a “natural person” is enticed by the “senses,” and unable to “hear” and “see” because of not using spiritual discernment (1 Cor.2:14; Matt.13:13,14; 16:1-4; 12:39; 23:27,28; Mark 8:11,12; Luke 12:54-56; 2 Pet.2:18; Rom.8:5-8; 11:8; 1 John 4:1; 2 Thess.2:2; Jer.5:21).  Such persons will be easily deceived by false prophets who were foretold by Jesus to perform “great signs and wonders,” observable acts done to elicit a reaction of awe from onlookers, and to deceive, “if possible, even the elect,” spiritual Jews/anointed (Mark 13:22; Matt.24:24,22,31; John 4:48).  

·         Jesus said we would recognize false prophets by their “fruit.”  What fruit?  Jesus’ truthful unchanging teachings; he is the “fruit of the light,” “the light of the world” and reflects God’s light, God’s truth (John 3:19,21; 8:12; 12:46; 14:6; 17:17; Eph.5:9; 1 John 1:5-7; 2:8; 2 Cor.4:6; Luke 11:36; Psalm 27:1). 

·         The teachings, the “fruit,” we ingest from those we trust to be faithful anointed taught by Holy Spirit, does that “fruit” rot away and expire over time?  If so, we are ingesting “fruit” from a false prophet, an anointed that has departed from Jesus’ teachings.  Do not be deceived, God and Jesus will not vacillate or flip-flop in truth, nor provide teachings relayed with the “Spirit of truth” that only later expire, for as we know, “It is impossible for God to lie” or to “change His mind” (Heb.6:18; Titus 1:2; James 1:17; Num.23:19; John 14:17,26; 15:26; 1 John 4:6; Psalm 25:5).  Truth that “rots” is a lie, a hallmark of Satan who “masquerades as an angel of light,” and is the father of the lie (Matt.7:15-23; 12:33;15:8; Luke 6:43,44; 2 Cor.2:11; 11:13,14; John 8:44; Heb.6:18).  

·         Jesus’ apostles too warned of individuals who are among God’s household, His Temple, who would lead in teaching others, yet would become unfaithful/apostate.  “The inspired word clearly says that in later time some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired statements and teachings of demons” (1 Tim.4:1; 2 Tim.4:3,4; Acts 20:29,30; 2 Cor.11:3,13-15; 6:16; Eph.2:21,22; 1 John 4:1; Col.2:8; 1 Tim.4:1).  The apostles did not exclude their own teachings from being thoroughly tested against scripture, and reminded the early Christians to “test all things,” a reminder preserved for us today in which no one is excluded from (1 Thess.5:21; 1 John 4:1).

What Temple of God was the apostle Paul speaking about?  Ancient Israel?  No.  Remember, the scriptures tell us that those anointed by Spirit are “living stones,” they are God’s Temple.  (1 Pet.2:5; 1 Cor.3:16,17).  Is it feasible to think the Father departed, apostatized from His own truthful words, breaking His covenant with His people and directing His son Jesus to select a religious group among all the religions on the globe as a representation of the Most High?  That instead of all anointed being God’s Temple, anointed leaders are to imitate surrounding physical religious organizations common today, perhaps imitating televangelists, or churches, in the sense of man-made buildings/structures.  Did Jesus depart from his own teaching that anointed, who are the parts of his “body” and taught directly by Spirit, are now, not to receive direction from him, their “head,” and that he now, diverts his authority over his own “congregation”/”body” to not-anointed elders/overseers/physical Gentiles to teach and judge them? (Ezek.20:32; 2 Cor.6:16; 1 Cor.6:15,19,20; 12:12,13,27,28; Eph.1:23; 1 John 2:27; John 14:16,26; 15:26; 16:7,13; 1 Thess.1:9; Eph.5:5; Isa.42:8; Lev.19:4; 26:1; 1 John 5:21; Rom.1:21-23; Gal.1:6-9; Deut.12:29-32; Lev.20:22,23; Jer.10:2-4; 1 Cor.2:14; Deut.7:26; Matt.24:15; Mark 13:14). We are warned that an “apostasy comes first” before “God’s day.”  “Let no one lead you astray in any way, because it [God’s day, vs.2] will not come until the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction. He stands in opposition and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits down in the Temple of God, publicly showing himself to be a god” (2 Thess.2:3,4). 

This very thing was prophesied to occur, is happening now, and has been revealed in Revelation.  What anointed leaders have departed from Christ’s teachings and have become adulterous, a “prostitute,” by their idolatrous acts, lauding and claiming a physical religious organization, an idol, is “God’s earthly organization”?  “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Should I, then, take the members of the Christ away and join them to a prostitute? By no means!” (1 Cor.6:15).  This “wild beast,” Watchtower, is led by a “false prophet” who has “breathed life,” a spirit of divine authority into its “image,” not-anointed elders/overseers (Rev.13:1-18).  The only spirit this “image” has been given is out of the mouth of the “false prophet,” a deceiving spirit that originates from Satan and blasphemes God, “slandering his name and his dwelling place,” His holy people…inciting God’s wrath (Rev.13:4,7-10; Rom.2:5-8; Rev.14:9-11; 1 Pet.2:9; Heb.13:14; Col.3:12; Eph.2:6-10-12,19-22; Phil.3:3; Rom.2:28,29; 1 John 14:6; 2:44; 8:44; Jude 1:4; Deut.7:26; 29:17; Jer.16:18; Isa.62:12; Ezek.5:11; 11:21; 16:36; 20:7,8; Ezra 9:1,2; Rom.2:17-24; Acts 17:24; Acts 7:48-53; Titus 1:2).  Do you dare to confront the leaders of Watchtower or their elder/overseer representatives who speak for them about their false teachings, or openly disagree with them?  If so, will you be left “unharmed” (avoid shunning, disfellowshipping)?  “Who is like the wild beast [Watchtower], and who can do battle with it?” (Rev.13:4). “And it [the false prophet] was permitted to give breath [appearance of divine spirit and authority] to the image of the wild beast [not anointed elders/overseers], so that the image of the wild beast should both speak and cause to be killed (symbolic for disfellowshipping and shunning) all those who refuse to worship the image of the wild beast” (Rev.13:15).

Can you now, using scripture, spiritually discern the apostasy that has occurred and the man of lawlessness/Gentiles/not-anointed that have taken a seat in God’s Temple and are trampling God’s spiritual Temple?  (2 Thess.2:1-4; Exod.20:3; 1 Cor.3:16,17; 6:2; Mark 13:1,2,14; Luke 21:20-24,28; 17:20,21; Matt.24:12,15,16; Rom.12:1; Dan.11:31; Rev.11:1,2; 13:7; 17:15; 21:27; John 18:36; Matt.24:4; Ezek.5:11; Deut.7:26; 2 Kings 17:41).  God’s spiritual Temple and Jesus as the head of this “congregation,” is being surrounded, hemmed in and trampled by not anointed/physical Gentiles (Luke 21:24; Rev.11:2; 12:17; Heb.10:29; Dan.8:13; Acts 3:17-20; Jer.12:10; 17:5; 32:36-44; Isa.1:4-9; Rom.9:31-33; 6:16,20-22).  Do you discern the abomination?  It is time to flee! (Matt.24:15; Mark 13:14; Luke 21:21; Dan9:27).  “But a physical man does not accept the things of the spirit of God, they are foolishness to him; and he cannot get to know them, because they are examined spiritually” (1 Cor.2:14).
 
God is right 100% of the time…all His prophecies come true (Dan.8:13; 1 Thess.5:20,21; 1 Cor.14:32; Deut.18:18,19; Jer.12:10; 17:5; 32:36-44; Heb.10:29; Hos.12:10; Amos 3:7; 2 Chron.20:20; 24:19; Isa.1:4-9; 8:20; 30:10; Matt.5:11,12; Rom.12:6,7; Eph.4:11-13; 1 John 4:1).  God always warns His people when they become wayward, sending messengers to warn them, and with good news...a remnant will repent, and return to their “head,” Jesus, worshiping God in truth and spirit (Rev.22:12-16,18,19; 21:22-27; Eph.4:15; 5:23; Col.2:10; John 4:23,24; 16:13; Rev.3:12; 12:17; 19:20; Acts 3:17-20; Jer.4:1; Isa. 10:20-23; Ezek.11:18; 2 Kings 19:30,31; Rom.6:16; 9:27). Who do you believe and have more faith in…Christ’s teachings, or the Watchtower’s? (John 5:22-24: Luke 10:16; 1 John 2:23; Isa.29:13; Mark 7:6; Matt.15:8; Eph.2:8,9; Titus 1:16). 

“Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues” (Rev.18:4). 

Marissa Cifelli, I see the gb does not speak truth, and they are the apostates. 

Rachel Pruden-Roman, personal email: lifeswaterfree4u@gmail.com

Please contact me, in confidentiality, should you have any questions or desire more scriptural explanation.