“I can worship my God the way I want…” - text exchange with JW parent

Below, a text exchange with my JW mother. I’ve added only a few scriptures post exchange for additional clarity for the reader. 

Mom:  I’ve been told I was different [referring to her personality] - by people in the truth. 

Me:  In the truth?

Mom: Yes. 

Me: Oh wait. In the Watchtower organization. Gotcha. 

Mom: Not nice, Rachel- 

Anyway I have to make dinner- nice talking to you. 

Me: I associate truth with Jesus (John 14:6). His teachings. Only his do not change (Isa.40:8; Heb.6:18; Psalm 33:11). Changes in “truths” are lies (Rom.1:25; John 8:44). 

Mom: God is love and those who want to imitate him develop a strong love for God and, and for their fellow humans. It doesn’t make you look like a good question (sic) when you try to cut other people’s beliefs down.

Me: What I say to you is not to cut you down, but to point you to true faith. Faith in Jesus, the truth is in Jesus (Eph.4:21; Heb.11:1; John 17:3; 1 Thess.5:8; Rom.8:18-25; 2 Cor.5:7; Titus 3:7). 

Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”  John 4:24, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him” (1 John 2:3-5). 

We were warned that there would arise false Christs [Christ means anointed] in the last days that would lead many astray (Matt.24:11,23-25). These appear as sheep, but inside are ravenous wolves (Matt.7:15). 

Matt.24:23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand.”

False Christs deceive by their teachings, teachings that sound good to the natural man, but are “bad fruit,” man-made interpretations that rot, expire over time because those teachings were not of Holy Spirit, not of truth in love, but of their own human reasoning (Jer.23:16; Matt.7:15-20; 2 Tim.4:3-4; 2 Pet.2:1-3; Eph.4:14-15,25). 

“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds” (2 Cor.13:11-15). 

We can love God all we want and believe we are serving Him, but if we do not serve Him in truth (John 14:6), but spread deceptive lies we insist are truth but are not, then our worship is not accepted no matter how good our intentions. This is dangerous (Matt.15:9; Mark 7:7; Prov.19:5; 12:22; 18:21). 

Matt.7:21, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

Perhaps if you read this, it will help you understand that the excuse of their being imperfect men, is not an acceptable excuse to God.

Mom:  You appear to be very controlling- I can worship my God the way I want without interference or coercion.  Your religious devotion seems to interface strongly with dictatorship (you must succumb).  

Did you ever hear the saying- I don’t remember what she said, but I remember how she made me feel?

I remember why I shouldn’t talk to you. 

Your way of worship is not Christian.  

Me: Jesus’ commands given him by the Father are not burdensome and we willingly submit to (Jesus) as our head (Col.1:1,15-18; Eph.2:17,20-23).  Can we worship God the way we want? Yes, of course, that is free will. Everyone has always been given a choice, even to today, to choose for ourselves what path we take, whether the path of life, or death (Deut.30:11,15-16).  

Not all worship is acceptable… there is worship done in vain, because they worship based on teachings that are merely human rules not of Spirit and truth (Matt.15:8-9; Mark 7:7; Isa.29:13; John 4:24). 

You perceive the words of Jesus shared with you as controlling, stern? Jesus’ words of correction, discipline, will sound harsh to those who leave the path, but those who hate his correction will die. That is their free will choice.  “Discipline seems bad to one forsaking the way, But whoever hates reproof will die” (Prov.15:10).  

Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1). Everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life (John 3:15-16; 20:31; 1 John 2:25; 5:9-13). If I do not warn you that you are worshipping God in vain, that you have been deceived by a false prophet, and are teaching as doctrine commandments of men, not truth, then that would be most unloving, and I love and care about you (1 John 4:1: 1 Tim.4:1-2; 2 Peter 2:1; 2 John 1:7; 1 Thess.5:21). Do not despise the Father’s discipline, for He disciplines those He loves (Prov.3:11,1,5-7). “Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is near” (Matt.4:17). ❤️

Mom: If someone is not interested in what you believe- you should refrain from pushing it on them.  

Me: To remain silent when you refer to the Watchtower organization as “truth” would be as if I agree. Silence is consent. If you refrain from passive comments to me that push your belief that the Watchtower organization is truth, I will then not show you, as you request, what scripture says regarding that error (1 John 4:6). 

Mom: I was not trying to prompt you to accept my truth in any way, I’m sorry you took it that way.  If I knew you were going to seek out an avenue to talk about the Bible and your interpretation of it, I would not have permitted myself to engage in conversation with you. I just thought you were enjoying a passive exchange of life- and interesting thoughts.  Not seeking a conduit to push your religious beliefs which you know I accept as apostasy 

Me: My point is just that if you use coded language WT has cognitively influenced their people to associate with them - it’s very automatic for you, I understand you’re not thinking about it too deeply - I’ll have to respond.  

I was very much enjoying our conversation :) 

You will find it most interesting, and cognitively stimulating to look up the word “apostasy” in the Greek interlinear [G646; 2 Thess.2:3]. When you read the word “Backsliding” [H4878 and H7726; Jer.3:22] in the Hebrew Scriptures, you’ll see in the Hebrew interlinear that means apostasy.  But study those words and read other accounts in scripture regarding who was accused of apostasy and it was God’s own faithless people - Israel. 

Mom: You should remember that you appear in all your conduct to be an apostate - therefore I should not have association with you- surely if you weren’t formally disfellowshipped- you have disfellowshipped yourself- and who am I that I should fellowship with one who is so opposed to the truth so as to berate it at every opportunity.   You should know how I am to respond to you on that account- as it is plainly stated in the Bible.  I would be accountable for communing with someone who is a hater of the Truth. 

In response to your words - I say EXACTLY!

Please- let’s stop talking to each other 

Me: You will find this writing helpful to understand what Spirit shows regarding who is the apostate. 

Apostasy. What is it and who are the apostates?

Mom: It’s funny- not really- that you should expend so much time hating on the Truth as you do.  Do you know you appear to me to be like Donald Trump- he viciously verbalizes his vitriol against all his opponents - tearing them down to make himself feel better.   

JWs don’t bother doing that- they know they have the truth- 

Me: I don’t hate the truth - the truth is Jesus - John 14:6.  He is who I defend. I hate what he hates and that is I hate the lie, which is what Watchtower spews out of its mouth, defaming my Father and His son, Jesus, my head [see above scriptures] (Rom.1:25; Rev.16:13-14; Prov.8:13; 13:5). 

Mom: Stop. I’m done

Me: I will talk scripture all day if you continue. Your choice.  

Mom: You actually make me feel so much confidence in what I believe because you’ve made me examine even harder what I believe.

Me: So be it to you (Rev.22:11). 

Does a “Generation” require a pointer stick and presentation chart to explain?

The following portion of an email, in italics, is a continued conversation from a person who I have previously responded to Here.  Omitted is a previous email from this person but that I make mention of at the conclusion of my response, to this email:

As far as Armageddon goes you’re going to know shortly. 

(Matthew 24:34) Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen.

(Matthew 24:36) “Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father.

The Generation that has seen the beginning and will see also the end Is alive but growing older. For instance, they have seen all of the changes in society and also four of the major events and participated in World Wars One and Two and both World wide Pandemics. The oldest the firstborn are over 100 years of age and still kicking the youngest of them are in their mid 90's. with also the possibility of them living into their hundred-plus years, Here is a list of fifty certified all although there are thousands of them still alive worldwide. The oldest of them witnessed the beginning and the youngest of them will see Armageddon.

List of oldest living people - [references a link to Wikipedia of oldest living people].

—- My Response —-

So, “as far as Armageddon goes,” I do not have to wait to know, but now know the truth of Armageddon being a spiritual war, understood only by the Spirit that resides within and teaches spiritual things, which a natural man finds foolish (John 14:6; 15:16; Rom.5:5; 1 John 2:27; 1 Cor.1:26; Gal.5:17; 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19-20; 2:10-14; Eph.6:12).  I have responded several times to your replies in insistence that Armageddon is a literal physical battle - original letter containing a link to your Initial response.  Yet after all scripture that was shown to you, you continue to insist WT’s interpretation of Armageddon is truth, the WT teaching that Armageddon is an enormous mass physical slaughter of all who are not members of WT, a physical religious organization you believe God has chosen as His “visible earthly organization” and the leaders of WT, God’s spokesperson.  

A spokesperson for God means to speak for God, but to speak for God, one must be faithful and a ministering Spirit who carries out His word (Heb.1:14; Psalm 103:20; 104:4; Zech.4:6-7; Matt.25:21; 1 Cor.4:1-2). Persons anointed by Spirit are in Christ [Christ means anointed], if faithful and not rebellious by teaching their own ideas, but by Spirit teach spiritual truths Jesus taught which they will do when Spirit remains in them for without Jesus they can do nothing, they cannot be ministering Spirits who faithfully carry out His word (Psalm 103:20; 104:4; Heb.1:14; Luke 4:18; 1 John 2:20-21; Rom.8:9; 5:5; 2 Cor.1:21-22; Eph.4:4; 1 Pet.2:5,9; Mal.2:7; 1 Cor.6:19; Rom.12:5; John 15:1-5; 1:1,14). They must be faithful and not transgress the commandments of Jesus and become rebellious like “their fathers,” a generation, whose hearts always went astray for without, for without Spirit they have no life, no light and can offer no teachings that give light and life to others (John 15:4; Gal.4:6; Rom.8:9; 5:5; 1 John 2:27; John 6:63; 14:26,21; Prov.7:2; John 8:12; Matt.5:14-16; John 17:9,20; Heb.3:7-13; Psalm 95:10).  Faithful Spirit-anointed are a chosen generation, the body of Christ, the household of God built throughout the generations beginning with the cornerstone, Jesus, and upon the pillar and foundation of truth…they must speak truth (Psalm 89:1-5; Hag.1:7,14; 1 Pet.2:9,5; Mal.2:7; 1 Cor.3:16; 6:19; 2 Cor.6:16; 1 Cor.3:11; Acts 4:10-12; Isa.28:16; Matt.21:42-44; 1 Pet.2:4-8; Eph.4:11-16; 1 Tim.3:15 Heb.3:6; Rom.8:1-11). The coming of the Kingdom is comprised of faithful priests, which has been foretold from the beginning to the end; the temple of God in which He and His son, dwell, an everlasting ordinance throughout the generations, yet who are the first to be judged (Exod.12:17; 1 Pet.2:5,9; Matt.24:1-5; 1 Cor.3:16; Rev.21:1-8; Isa.46:8-16; 48:12-18; John 12:49; 1 Pet.4:17).

You referenced the scripture, Matthew 24:34 regarding “this generation.”  I recall one of the leaders of WT, David Splane, crafting a meaning for Jesus’ usage of “generation,” and with the help of a pointer stick presentation chart, he attempted to explain it by an “overlapping generation” idea.  Is this teaching found in God’s word, or was this “belief clarified” merely impetus to whitewash their failed prophecy that the generation born prior to 1914 would not all physically die off before (their version of) Armageddon, a day they purport is an enormous mass slaughter by Jesus and the “anointed” leaders of WT [w84, 5/15, pp, 4-7; You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, p.154, paras.7-8; Worldwide Security Under the “Prince of Peace,” pp. 154,159, paras.5,14].  In his oration, Splane emphasized the sequential counting of time describing a generation, as you also echo by pointing me to a Wikipedia page describing the literal length of time individuals have been alive in the flesh. 

The “generation” that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24:34 means “a generation, an age.”  Jesus taught spiritual things, and his usage of a “generation, an age” is not bound by temporal fleshly life.  The age or generation he foretold is a descriptive quality and condition of a class of men distinguished by a certain spiritual character that appear at the end, and who by their qualities sum all generations who displayed the same characteristics, of previous and past periods, even to forever (Matt.24:3; 12:31-32; Isa.51:6-9; Psalm 78:1-8; Heb.1:8-14; Matt.16:27; Dan.12:9-10; Rev.22:10-11).  Matthew 24 is where Jesus is describing the end of the Messianic age, and verse 34 is part of the fulfillment.  Who is the generation that will not pass away, will not perish until all the the spiritual conditions and events, “things” Jesus spoke of in that chapter?  Look at Matthew 23 and you see it is describing a quality inherent among the scribes and Pharisees, blind guides, fools, hypocrites who outwardly appear righteous but neglect justice and mercy and faith (Matt.23:2,4-6,13,15-17,24-28,19,31-36,37-38; 16:1,4; Luke 7:30). A stubborn and rebellious generation who is without faith and does not walk on the straight path, but is corrupt (Exod.32:9; Deut.31:27; 32:5,20; Matt.16:1,4; Psalm 78:8; 5:10; 14:1-4; 119:5). Works identify whose father a person belongs to, but it takes effort to identify unfaithful because they will appear righteous, as an angel of light however they are unbelievers, ungodly, wicked and rebellious, sinning by violating God’s law, and so belong to their father, Satan (John 14:15; Rom.13:9; 1 John 3:15,4-8; Matt.23:27-36; 2 Cor.11:13-15; 6:14). A stubborn and rebellious generation is a quality that can be shared by past and future persons no matter what physical time period they exist, they do not need to share a physical timeline of existence to be “like their fathers” (Job 8:8; Judge 2:10; Prov.30:10-14; John 8:44; Acts 13:10).  

You will recognize which generation the priesthood belong to, by their fruits, what they teach and speak which proceeds from their heart revealing whether they are of Spirit and teach truth or whether they are unfaithful and preach a different Jesus and part of a wicked and adulterous generation of evildoers that Jesus does no know (John 15:1-5; Matt.24:5; 7:15-20; 12:33-39; 7:15-20; Luke 6:45; 1 Pet.2:9,5; 2 Cor.11:4; Acts 13:6; Gal.1:8; Jer.23:36-40; Matt.7:21-23: Acts 13:6; Matt.7:15,21-23). The priesthood is the focus of scripture because they comprise the Kingdom to come, they are the spiritual temple and are to teach truth…their individual lifetime in the flesh is measured not by literal days, but of spiritual characteristics, the quality of work that proceeds from their heart (Exod.19:5; 1 Pet.2:5,9; Mal.2:7; 1 Cor.6:19-20; Rev.5:10; Mal.2:7; Luke 6:45; 17:20-21; Rom.5:5; 2 Tim.2:14-16; Col.3:23-25; 1 Chron.31:21; 1 Cor.12:12-14,27; 3:9-13; Matt.12:34). 

The leaders of WT admitted in their publication that they are not inspired, which is merely a word play for “Spirit” - w17, February, p.26, para.12.  How many changes, flip-flops and expired teachings, lies they say are “beliefs clarified,” will their listeners consume and allow to enter their heart and mind before realizing they are partaking from the table of demons, deceitful spirits and teachings of demons (John 7:16; 14:24; 8:44; Matt.12:43; Luke 6:43; John 8:44; 2 Tim.4:3-4; 2 Pet.2:1-3; 1 Tim.4:1-3; 1 Cor.10:21; 2 Cor.11:13-15; Rev.16:14; Jer.6:16-17)?  Jesus is the Word, he is the way, the truth, the life, and his word is truth for no lie or deceit was found in him (John 1:1,14; 14:6; 17:17; 1 Pet.2:21-22; 2 Cor.5:21; Isa.53:9). 

Over the course of WT history, the leaders of WT, who claim they are anointed and led by God’s spirit, have all endorsed and taught Armageddon is a day of physical slaughter.  They have even given authority to not-anointed men, who they label as “elders,” to teach and ensure WT members follow the rules of WT - providing these “elders” with a WT procedural textbook, “Shepherd the Flock of God.”   This textbook, once secret for eyes of WT “elders” only, is now exposed and helps to reveal what’s behind the curtain, company procedures, not Spirit. An early version (it has been modified many many times since, as is typical of all WT teachings/rules/regulations) is freely available for public view due to it being part of Discovery in the Australian Child Abuse Royal Commission trial that investigated JW organization policy on CSA - https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/WAT.0003.001.0001.pdf.  Perhaps you are aware Geoffrey Jackson was required to testify before the Australian Royal Commission? When attorney Angus Stewart asked G. Jackson, “Q.  And do you see yourselves as Jehovah God’s spokespeople on earth?”  G. Jackson, under oath, responded, “A.  That I think would seem to be quite presumptuous to say that we are the only spokesperson God is using” (Jackson Dep. 9:35-47, August 14, 2015 - https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/file-list/Case%20Study%2029%20-%20Transcript%20-%20Jehovahs%20Witnesses%20-%20Day%20155%20-%2014082015.pdf).  The GB of JWs claim to be in a position of being “faithful and discreet,” doing a work of a faithful priesthood and speaking for God. That is quite presumptuous of them to make that claim. The Father and Jesus do not dwell in the hearts of the GB and this is why they err in teaching, speak in vain, because they teach according to their own ideas, not Spirit (Prov.21:16; Ezek.18:24; Matt.15:9). The Father and Jesus are not leading their physical religious (or any) organization who teach lies about them and lead many astray (Acts 7:48-51; 17:24; Isa.66:1; Matt.7:21-23).  

It brings me deep sadness that you, along with all who consume teachings from WT are being misled by false christs [anointed],” false prophets who prophesy lies, not teachings according to the Spirit but from their own imagination (Jer.23:9,1,16-17,21-22; Matt.24:5,24; Luke 21:8; 1 John 4:1; 1 Tim.4:1).  

In a previous email you asked me a litany of typical questions JWs ask. What do I have to do with you and answering your questions. You ask questions based on rules and regulations of WT, a synagogue of Satan (Rev.2:9; 3:9; 2 Cor.11:4; Mark 7:9; Matt.7:21-23; 1 John 4:1; Jer.14:14; Deut.18:20-22).  If I were to respond to you, my answers will not satisfy you because you are looking for fault based on WT rules, a basis which would have you dismiss our Lord and Savior Jesus himself as a sinner (Matthew 9:10-11; Mark 2:15-16; Luke 5:29-32). Get behind me Satan, for you think human thoughts, not God’s (Matt.16:23; Mark 8:33; 1 Cor.2:14-15; Romans 8:5-8; Prov.21:28; Isa.55:8). Do I sound stern and you are offended? What I say to you is not to degrade you, but to shake you to your senses because I care for you (Rom.1:16-18). You are echoing a false testimony and perishing…the judgment is now so you MUST stop speaking lies and repent, for if you do not, you have no life (Rev.1:1,5-8; 21:6; 22:12-15; Isa.44:6-8; John 8:51; Matt.4:17; Luke 24:47; Acts 17:30; 3:19-21; 2 Thess.2:9-12). “Repent for the Kingdom of God is near” (Matt.4:17).