Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Follow up question - “Who are God’s people?”

The following is in response to: https://inthenightaflyingscroll.blogspot.com/2024/03/who-are-gods-people.html?m=0

Thanks for that article. I have asked the question with Rom.11:1,2 in mind. Paul explicitly says there that Jews were and still are God's people. You advocate replacement theology, which appeared in 2nd century and was adopted by Catholic church.

It can be proven from the context of Rom.11 that prophecies from Isaiah that are commonly applied to a "spiritual Israel" (which is not biblical term at all), Paul applied to Jews in the future. There are texts used to promote replacement theology, but it is only an adopted paradigm.


My response:


Please, happy to supply an answer. I hope you carefully read each scripture referenced in my response

When you asked, “Where is God’s people?”, you did not specify the scriptural reference to Romans 11:1-2.  Let’s first clarify what “spiritual” means. Ensure you wipe your mind of WT associations with this word.


The Greek word “spiritual” [G4152] means, “spiritual, non-carnal.”  Now understand that to be “earthly” is related to the carnal, the physical, the heart of a human that is opposite of truth (1 Cor.15:39-40; James 3:13-16; Rom.2:5-11). 


Spiritual things are teachings of Spirit, which a natural man, a carnal man, finds foolish (1 Cor.2:10-15). A natural man uses human thinking and reasoning to interpret God’s words of Spirit. This is the root of the problem with the leaders of WT. They have NO Spirit and so they use carnal thinking and reasoning. They even “employ” not-anointed men to write their literature, to teach. So then, if you are being taught by WT, you are not being taught spiritual things, teachings of Spirit. Sadly, many who have left WT have a sour taste in their mouth, and even disdain over anointed because the gb/leaders of WT claim to be anointed but do no better in teaching spiritual things than a natural man. Anyone, as they, can use carnal thinking and “take a stab” at what scripture means.  Human thinking/reasoning is carnal, and a carnal man is a person who is not taught by the Spirit nor understanding spiritual things.  God’s people are faithful Spirit-anointed, of any time period, and who are taught by the Spirit and teach according to the Spirit (1 John 2:20,27; 2 Tim.1:21; John 14:26; 2 Pet.1:21; 1 Cor.2:10; Rom.8:9). 


“These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man 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.2:13-14). 


God’s people convey spiritual things, aiming to make them understandable to the listener, without deviating from the meaning of the author. Jesus is the Word (John 1:1,14, Eph.6:17). His words of Spirit were given to him by the Father (John 12:49; 7:16; 8:28). Not all will understand Jesus’ teachings, indeed, for even when explained, some remain unable to “see” and “hear,” discern and understand the spiritual meaning (Matt.13:10-17). 


When explaining to others spiritual things, I think of Paul when he said, “Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.” 


What good is speaking in “tongues” [language, words put in motion by the Holy Spirit] if it is not understood by any listening except the one who knows the “tongue”/language?  Yes, those of Spirit desire their teaching of spiritual things to be understood. As Paul said, “I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?” (1 Cor.14:5-6).  


But were the future Spirit-anointed to comprise of only those of the genetic Jewish lineage?  Let’s look at Romans 9:1-6 - “I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart.  For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen. But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel,


For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God” (Rom.2:28-29). 


You referenced Rom.11:1, “I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying,”


God’s spiritual “holy nation” (1 Pet.2:5,9) did not exclude Jews of physical Jewish descent. Paul was proof of that as we see in Rom.11:1-2. But God’s people He chooses are not His people because they proceed from a physical Jewish bloodline - the “elect” are chosen by God, Jews not of fleshly circumcision, but of the heart (Isa.28:16; Matt.21:42-43; Acts 4:8-12; Rom.2:28-29; Phil.3:3; Rom.9:6,25; Hos.2:23; Rom.1:7; 1 Thess.1:2-4; 2 Thess.2:13; Matt.21:43; Rom.5:5; 1 Pet.2:1-10; 1 Cor.6:19; John 14:26; Matt.7:15-20; Matt.12:31-33). 


Yes, the Spirit teaches spiritual things to spiritual “Israel.”  A natural man may find their teachings foolish, and even blaspheme and speak against the teachings of Holy Spirit (1 Cor.2:10-16; Matt.12:31-32). 



And visit my anointed partner’s blog site:  

https://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/search?q=who+god%27s+people

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

“Who are God’s people?”

Many JWs are confused by the recent changes regarding women wearing pants and men no longer required to wear ties or suit jackets or even be clean-shaven.  They are beginning to carefully test scripture as commanded by God and are confused whether the leaders of Watchtower are teaching commandments of God or whether they are teaching man-made doctrine as commandments of God (Matt.15:9; Mark 7:7; 2 Cor.11:13-15).  Recently, a JW reached out to me, and after carefully reading scripture, correctly identified WT teachings as merely man-made rules and ideas.  This JW had always thought that the anointed leaders of Watchtower were leading God’s people but now wondered, asking, “Who is God’s people?”

The answer to this question, of course, is found in scripture.  Do you recall God’s people were chosen by Him to belong to Him as a special treasure/possession to keep all His commandments (Deut.7:6; 14:2; 26:18-19; Lev.20:26; Exod.19:5-6)?  God’s ordinances, His commands, were to be carefully followed by His chosen people who were not to add or to be take away from His words (Deut.6:1-2; 10:12-14; 12:1,32; 4:1-2; Ezek.20:18-19).  

God selected a people for Himself, and commanded them, Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel” (Exod.15:5-6).  Priests in service to minister to God, as well as kings, was not of self-choice or to be a selection by human election, but by God who indicated His choice by directing anointing oil to be poured on their physical head (Exod.28:41; Lev.8:12; Exod.29:4-7; 30:30; 40:12-15; Num.3:3; Deut.17:14-20; 1 Sam.16:1,13; 10:1; 2 Kings 9:6).  The priest was divinely appointed with the responsibility to keep knowledge and instruct - “For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, And people should seek the law from his mouth; For he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts” (Mal.2:7).  You are aware this is the pattern for the spiritual priesthood (Rev.5:8-10)?  

 

God’s people under the new covenant is the spiritual holy priesthood, still, God’s special possession, a holy nation, God’s spiritual house/household (Jer.31:31-33; Heb.8:7-13; 1 Pet.2:5,9; Mal.2:7; Heb.13:15).  The spiritual priesthood receives anointing by spiritual “oil,” Holy Spirit, a divine appointment and unforgettable experience of Spirit poured in the heart (2 Cor.1:21-22; Rom.5:5; 8:9; 2 Cor.5:17; 1 John 2:27). God calls to Himself people whom He chooses to anoint, to pour His love, His Spirit, in their heart; each are a “living stone” that builds His dwelling place in which He and His son, Jesus live in Spirit (1 John 4:8; John 4:24; 6:63; 2 Cor.5:17; Acts 2:39; 2 Cor.1:22; Rom.5:5; Eph.2:10; 1 Pet.2:9,5; Heb.13:15; Eph.2:19-22; 3:14-21; 1 Cor.3:16).  This is not of self-choice, nor do Spirit-anointed select others to be anointed or to act in the priestly capacity of an anointed as if it is an employee/employer relationship, rather, God’s people are chosen by Him, and if faithful, Jesus will choose them to work in service to him to be a source of instruction to all who desire to come to know him and the Father (2 Cor.1:21-22; John 14:6; 15:16,9-10; 14:20-26,16-17; Jer.31:31-33; Rom.2:28-29; 1 Pet.2:5,9; 2 Cor.4:6; Mal.2:7; Rom.10:14-17; John 17:3,6-8; 2 Cor.3:16-18; John 17:22).  

 

God’s people, His faithful spiritual priesthood, yield to the Spirit - they do not teach according to the flesh, according to their own wisdom, by using human ideas and reasoning (Jer.31:31,33-34; Rom.8:9-14; 1 Cor.2:1-4,10-16; 1:9-10).  Anointed manifest whether the Spirit abides within them by the teachings they offer (John 1:1,14; Eph.6:17; John 12:49; 15:1-5; Acts 4:19-20,29-31; Rom.10:8).  The knowledge of Jesus Christ that faithful Spirit-anointed provide by the Spirit of truth multiplies grace and peace, and gives eternal life (Acts 5:29; John 14:15; 6:68; 17:3; 14:6; 8:32; 2 Pet.1:2; 3:18; Rom.6:16-18,20-23; Hab.2:18-19; Zech.10:2; Jer.10:8; Prov.13:5; 1 Cor.10:14). You enter their house, their heart where the Spirit of God dwells, when you “eat” the fruit they produce by what they do, their deeds, written or spoken, for the power of God to heal spiritual sickness is by the Holy Spirit (2 Chron.7:17,14-16; Deut.28:1,9-10; 12:7-8,11,5; Prov.4:23; 1 Pet.2:5,9; 1 Cor.3:9,16;  Eph.3:14-17; Rom.5:5; Luke 6:45; Psalm 37:30-31; John 7:38; Isa.55:1; Acts 8:9-23).  This is how you will be able to identify God’s people, by their fruit, what they teach, which is what they will be condemned or acquitted by (Matt.7:15-20; 12:33-37; Prov.18:20-21).

 

Even so, the so-called anointed leaders of WT doctrine have told JWs they have NO Spirit (“we are not inspired” – and inspired means of Spirit), and yet still, people trust in their claim to be faithful Christs [Christ  means anointed] (Luke 17:23; 21:8; 1 John 4:1; Mark 13:6; Matt.24:5,24; 7:15; John 4:24; Matt.15:9; Mark 7:7; Acts 4:12; 2 Tim.2:16,19; 1 Tim.4:1).  Yes, their fragile, flip-flopping, expired, and list of failed prophecies are screaming they teach not according to Spirit, but human ideas, man-made doctrine (Deut.18:20-22; 1 John 4:1; 1 Pet.1:13-16; Lev.19:2; 1 Tim.4:1).  They are a false prophet and precisely who Jesus warned us to beware of, to avoid being deceived with empty words and misled into following rules taught by men without Spirit (Matt.24:5,24; 7:15-20; Prov.18:20-21; Rom.8:5; John 6:63; Psalm 64:2-3; Matt.15:8-9; Isa.29:13; Rom.8:6; John 4:23-24; Acts 7:48-51; Acts17:24; Jer.25:6; 1 Cor.3:16; 1 Pet.2:5,9; Eph.5:6-7; Rom.1:18).  

 

God anoints individuals with His Spirit those whom He calls and creates and forms for His glory to be spiritual priests, to be His dwelling place of Spirit and to perform his priestly duties (Exod.40:1,12-15; 30:22,29-33; Psalm 89:20; Gal.4:6; Rom.5:5; 8:9; 2 Cor.1:21-22; 1 Cor.3:16; Eph.2:19-22; 1 Pet.2:5,9; Mal.2:7; Heb.13:15; Isa.43:15,21,7). The anointed leaders of Watchtower mock God’s arrangement by manufacturing a “congregation” according to their own design allying themselves with not Spirit-anointed men, crafting them into an “image” of spiritual priests by appointing them priestly duties (Exod.40:12-15; 2 Thess.2:4; Acts 7:48-51; 17:24; Isa.66:1; Num.18:7; Rom.1:25; John 8:44; Rev.13:4). Out of all the physical religious organizations, Watchtower claims Jesus chose them to represent God?   God and Jesus chose a physical religious organization?  God and Jesus chose rebellious anointed who do not teach according to Spirit but teach man-made doctrine as commandments of God (1 John 3:4-10; 2 Cor.6:16-17; 2 Thess.2:3-4; Acts 7:48-51; Jer.7:23-27; Matt.15:7,9; Mark 7:6-7; 1 Cor.2:10-16; Rom.8:5-9)?   Wake up!  God arranges, appoints and ordains the members of the “body of Christ,” as He desires – they are a unit of His Spirit that He has poured in their hearts and who are the spiritual temple, the congregation in which Jesus is head (Deut.7:6; Lev.19:2,4; Psalm 74:2; 1 Pet.2:5,9; John 2:19,21; 2 Cor.1:21; 1 John 2:20,27; 1 Cor.6:19; John 4:24; 1 John 4:13; 5; John 15:1-Eph.4:25; 1 Cor.12:12,18,27-30; Rom.12:1,4-8; Eph.4:7,12-16; 2:20-22). 

 

You must “test all things,” which Watchtower discourages, and why do they discourage testing their doctrine against scripture only?  They are trying to hide their deeds because their deeds are evil (1 Thess.5:20-21; John 3:19-21; Eph.5:11-13). God’s people are not found in Watchtower – they are wicked, speaking deceit because their father is not the Father, but the father of the lie (Matt.24:11,24; Acts 7:48-51; Rom.16:18; John 8:44; 2 Cor.11:13-15; Psalm 55:21; Psalm 94:20; Eph.5:11).  

 

Psalm 50:16, ‘But to the wicked God says:
“What right have you to declare My statutes,
Or take My covenant in your mouth
,

17 Seeing you hate instruction
And cast My words behind you?

18 When you saw a thief, you consented with him,
And have been a partaker with adulterers.

19 You give your mouth to evil,
And your tongue frames deceit.

20 You sit and speak against your brother;
You slander your own mother’s son.

21 These things you have done, and I kept silent;
You thought that I was altogether like you
;
But I will rebuke you,
And set them in order before your eyes
.

 

Rev.14:9, “Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.

 

Rev.18:3, “For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” 4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 6 Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. 7 In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’ 8 Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.

 

Jer.51:36, “Therefore thus says the Lord:

“Behold, I will plead your case and take vengeance for you.
I will dry up her sea and make her springs dry.
37 Babylon shall become a heap,
A dwelling place for jackals,
An astonishment and a hissing,
Without an inhabitant.
38 They shall roar together like lions,
They shall growl like lions’ whelps.
39 In their excitement I will prepare their feasts;
I will make them drunk,
That they may rejoice,
And sleep a perpetual sleep
And not awake,” says the Lord
.” [Psalm 13:3]

 

I was raised in this idol religious organization, since 1970.  Now, part of a small congregation of Spirit-anointed who gather together, having repented from our wrong course, our eating/ingesting in our heart and mind, the “bad fruit” produced by Watchtower (Prov.28:13; Matt.3:2; Zech.1:3-4; Isa.44:6-10,18-23; Acts 17:30; 3:17-26; 2:38; 1 Pet.4:10-11; 1 Tim.6:12). We were saved by Jesus who showed us our error in worship by following man-made doctrine and have repented. We are committed to carry out our divine commission of speaking truth (Exod.20:3; Deut.5:7; 32:1-2,16-17,21; John 12:35,37-40; 14:1,6,15-18,23-24; Rom.10:1-2,10-17; Gal.3:26-28; Rom.10:18-21; 1 Pet.4:10-11; Psalm 81:8-9; Isa.43:7-12).   


https://inthenightaflyingscroll.blogspot.com/2021/10/apostasywhat-is-it-and-who-are.html?m=0


Also, please read, from my anointed partner: https://pearl-disgustingthing.blogspot.com/
Visit the FB public page, “JWs, Come out of her my people!
And, the subreddit on Reddit.com: r/ExJwPIMOandPOMO