The following experiences are related in ‘A LOVING PROVISION’ ? HOW FORMER JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES EXPERIENCE SHUNNING PRACTICES. by Julia Gutgsell Master’s thesis Academy year 2016-2017 The current study explores individuals’ experiences of religious ostracism in the form of case studies. Participants in this study are former members of a religious community that practices disfellowshipping and […]
While the right of a particular religious group to have a shunning policy should be protected under the U.S. Constitution, along with those in the group desiring to adhere to that policy, the rights of individuals to disagree should also be protected. An individual should have the right to choose to become a member of […]
And I heard another voice out of heaven say: “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. (Revelation 18:4) An article on Wikipedia states: “Historicist interpreters commonly used the phrase “Whore of Babylon” to […]
What the Early Church Fathers Taught Determining the date of the book of Revelation proved to be much more difficult than I anticipated. There appear to be valid historical arguments in favor of both an early date, prior to the death of Nero, (68 CE) and a late date, prior to the death of Domitian […]
The External Evidence Regarding the dating of Revelation, the book All Scripture Is Inspired states: “According to the earliest testimony, John wrote the Revelation about 96 C.E., approximately 26 years after the destruction of Jerusalem. This would be toward the close of the reign of Emperor Domitian. In verification of this, Irenaeus in his “Against Heresies” […]
The New World Encyclopedia states: According to early tradition, the writing of this book took place near the very end of Domitian’s reign, around 95 or 96. Others contend for an earlier date, 68 or 69, in the reign of Nero or shortly thereafter.[1] The majority of modern scholars also use these dates. Those in favor of the […]
(Revelation 17:1-7) One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me: “Come, I will show you the judgment on the great prostitute who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality, and earth’s inhabitants were made drunk with the wine of her sexual […]
By inspiration I came to be in the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a strong voice like that of a trumpet, (Revelation 1:10) The way the New World Translation renders this verse gives the reader the impression that John, by means of the spirit, was given a vision of future events that occur […]
So the angel of Jehovah said: “O Jehovah of armies, how long will you withhold your mercy from Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, with whom you have been indignant these 70 years?” (Zechariah 1:12) “Say to all the people of the land and to the priests, ‘When you fasted and wailed in the fifth […]
But what I say to you, I say to all: Keep on the watch.” (Mark 13:37) In a talk given at the 2021 annual meeting of Jehovah’s Witnesses, governing body member Anthony Morris addresses the question “Why Keep on the Watch?” The talk lasted for 19 minutes. During that time he shared two scriptures, Jesus […]