My Last JW Video: How to Follow Jesus Outside the Watchtower

[@sarahstevens3050]

I love your channel! Please never stop making videos!

[@dougfa3515]

Thanks Seth. This was a good series. As someone who left JWs this year, it has been quite an odd journey in some ways. I did some of the things you were talking about. I found a church and started going, but then, as an introvert myself, I kind of got away from it. I’m going to get back at it. I’ve been reading my Bible and watching all kinds of videos to keep my spiritual focus. The Trinity thing is still a bit of a struggle even though I have grown into it. I just still find myself in this weird place in how I think of God and Jesus. I have prayed for Him to help me understand His nature more fully and to forgive me when I don’t fully understand or haven’t in the past. It’s definitely an ongoing thing. Either way, I believe in the life and death of Jesus and that he paid the price for us all, shedding His blood for us, that we could stand before God as spotless, washed of our sins and forgiven. It is truly a beautiful gift from God.

[@theologywithseth]

@dougfa3515 Thank you for sharing all of that with me. The church-search can be a challenge for sure, but I'm so glad to hear you're planning on jumping back into it! If it helps, remember that a vastly imperfect church is better than none at all. And yes, the Trinity is a tough doctrine for sure. Feel free to grab one of those books I recommended and they might help some. I love your last paragraph- Jesus paid the price for us so that we stand before God as spotless and forgiven. Amen! God bless you

[@dougfa3515]

@ thanks man. I definitely plan on checking some of those book recommendations out. Good stuff!

[@universalman5861]

​@theologywithseth A vastly imperfect church is better than none at all? Ever heard of Babylon the great? Eating at the table of the Lord and that of the demons? Nope, there are many things wrong with "a vastly imperfect church". Understand your former religion. Understand why they taught christ presence already began. Then go and do your own reading on what parousia means. It is certain you never did so as a JW. Understand where you came from before seeking solace elsewhere.

[@anthoprsp]

Great job on debunking the Watchtower Seth! You know, "How to Follow Jesus" couldn't be more appropriate. As a JW I was wondering "where is Jesus ?" because I couldn't see him in that organization, this was the main reason I wanted to study Christian theology and eventually leave the JWs. Tough you're right about the things we can learn by debunkings their doctrins, makes me think of what Paul is saying in 1 Corinthians 11:19: "for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.". Thanks for the practical advices, I promise you that attending to the Church will be my main goal just after the hollidays ;) I wish you a merry Christmas! See you next year brother ;)

[@theologywithseth]

@anthoprsp I'm so glad you enjoyed the series! I'm very encouraged to hear that you'll pick the church-search back up in the new year. Merry Christmas to you as well, and feel free to drop me an update every once in a while!

[@delemaitreful]

You’ve done the world a great service Seth. Absolutely superb teaching! Encouraging them to think seriously about what they are reading and listen to what the text is saying can feel impossible at times but I feel that you have laid a lot of groundwork in this series. Thank you!

[@theologywithseth]

@delemaitreful I truly appreciate the encouraging words! I'm very glad this series has blessed you and I hope the next one will as well

[@rhondahart2416]

Merry Christmas Seth! Excellent as always. Looking forward to the LDS series. Will pray for you.

[@theologywithseth]

Merry Christmas to you as well, @rhondahart2416! Thank you so much for your prayers

[@camjames7327]

So sad but im glad there's alot of insight on your jw videos that people will be able to use for years to come and man im glad to see this new journey of yours w mormonism they have also knocked on my door. 😂 Praying for you always Seth love ya brother

[@theologywithseth]

@camjames7327 Thank you so much for the encouragement and prayers! I truly appreciate it

[@Bethany-wm8wc]

Noooo!!!!! This has been the most helpful series I've ever found on witnessing to Jehovah's Witnesses, I wish it could keep going! I have been meeting weekly with some witnesses since August and used so much of your content. Thank you for all the work you put into this, and feel free to make any more videos if you feel led.... 😊

[@theologywithseth]

@Bethany-wm8wc Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm delighted to hear that my content has been helpful in your interactions with JW's. I'm sorry to steer away from it, but don't worry! I'm sure we'll circle back at some point down the road. Plus, perhaps some of the Mormon-related content will assist as well. Cheers!

[@TJS7124]

Ive been doing the same - 2 years now. I even go to their meetings and conventions to learn as much as I can and point out/plant seeds on doctrine errors or false watchtower teachings. Good luck with your journey and may you have the strength, patience and love to make a difference ❤❤❤

[@EvilXtianity]

Jesus is a fictional character.

[@phillipsugwas]

​@@EvilXtianity I love your faith- which is as always only as strong as the object in which you place it. So what is the fact basis for your belief?

[@EvilXtianity]

@@phillipsugwas _"So what is the fact basis for your belief?"_ There is literally no contemporaneous evidence that Jesus ever existed. 1. None of the Gospel authors witnessed Jesus. 2. In the entire first century Jesus is not mentioned by a single historian, religion scholar, politician, philosopher, or poet. His name never occurs in a single inscription, carving, sculpture, or monument and is never found in a single piece of private correspondence or official record. 3. Jesus himself left no archaeological evidence of any kind, such as artifacts, tombs, dwellings, works of carpentry, or self-written manuscripts.

[@valentinepssdblpablosteven1895]

Outstanding video, it important that people who are leaving high control religions have some directions to follow as you have clearly identified. I have met former JWs and Mormons who have become bitter or God deniers, keep up the good work, blessings from Australia

[@theologywithseth]

@valentinepssdblpablosteven1895 Thank you! Yes, sadly it's true that most people who leave JW's (and other similar groups) usually become atheist/agnostic. My hope and prayer is that I can help redirect some of those people to the real Jesus. Thanks for watching and I hope you stick around!

[@nateq]

Detailed, respectful and coherent series for someone who didn't know a lot about JWs - great work, Seth! Now I can't wait for the series on Mormonism. I heard many intriguing things about it... like magic underwear....

[@theologywithseth]

@nateq Thank you so much! Yes, LDS-theology is a wild world for sure. Fasten your seatbelt!

[@toriwolf5978]

I left the Jehovah witnesses, 3 years ago still haven’t found the right church still looking thanks for the great video❤

[@HalleluJah337]

Same

[@JonnyDoe-k1k]

I wonder if it feels a bit empty now. As JW's you must have enjoyed speaking to people about the kingdom? This video made me think of Luk8:1 Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him," When was that assignment completed? Jesus said this work would be done to the "extremities of the earth" (Act1:8), and until the conclusion of the system of things/end of the world (Matt28:20) You know this is happening now, (matt24:14) and it must be interesting to you that this whole preaching assignment is missing from any other church.. it's like joining a football team but not being interested in doing what the coach asks of us. How do you reconcile that? The Kingdom was what Jesus spoke of the most, as he made his Father's name known, does it not strike you as odd that it's not a focus in churches? Maybe it does and that's why you are struggling to find one.

[@theologywithseth]

@toriwolf5978 So glad you enjoyed the video! I know it can be a challenge finding the right church, and options can be more limited in some parts of the world than others, but let me encourage you to keep up the search! Remember, a vastly imperfect church is better than none at all. God bless!

[@tina-xu7nf]

@@JonnyDoe-k1k funny that you believe the jws actually preach and if so what do they preach?

[@JonnyDoe-k1k]

@tina-xu7nf have you spoken to Jw's? Why do they come to your door? Generally it's to share the "good news of the Kingdom", that very soon God's Kingdom with Jesus as King, will cause God's will to be done, "as it is in heaven, also upon the earth" Matt 6:9,10. 24:14,

[@joshpayne1201]

Thank you for your work. I have a heart for JW's. I am looking forward to learning about how to reach Mormons.

[@theologywithseth]

@joshpayne1201 I'm so glad to hear that! I'm looking forward to creating the next content and I pray it will prove useful

[@jonesingblues4384]

Maybe other ex-jws feel like I did when I first left the org, I found I couldn't trust ANYTHING that a man said or printed. When I left the org, there wasn't much out there for an ex-jw, much less on the internet. The books I found helpful was a Study Bible, KJV and NKJV, NASB so I could compare verses of scripture (I never touched NWT or any JW publications again). I also got Strongs Concordance, Vines Dictionary and a Greek Interlinear for more in depth study. Recently I bought a good LXX to cross reference NT scriptures taken from the OT, and a few years ago the ESV Study Bible and Forgotten Trinity. I also listened to sermons online and followed along with my bible to make sure nothing was cherry picked. God bless you for putting this series out there and I do pray that a searching jw finds your site and has the strength to not let the org brainwashing stop them from listening.

[@theologywithseth]

@jonesingblues4384 Sadly, I can totally see why people who become disillusioned with the JW's tend to assume all other religions are also full of deceit. But hopefully with the advent of the internet, people will be better able to see that there's truly a legitimate historical basis for the central truth-claims of Biblical Christianity! I'm glad you enjoyed the series!

[@markmcflounder15]

Yeah! I can only imagine.

[@phillipsugwas]

So now the good news is ,as you have seen , God has blessed you and his family through the teaching gifts, so Christian writers who will bless you and help you to grow in grace are plentiful and the spectrum of their accessibility extends from the most basic to the most erudite. Welcome to the glorious truths of his word expounded and taught

[@universalman5861]

So you surrounded yourself with trinitarian bibles and bought a book to understand the trinity. Seems hardly objective. What about the JW claim that Christ has already returned and his invisible parousia has already started? Aren't you the least bit interested to know where the JW's borrowed that doctrine from? Why not read some preterist material to see why preterists believed that christ had already returned? Before moving away from your old religion , don't you think you should at least understand its origins?

[@dianeexley1709]

Thank you so much for your work! You are shining the light of Christ into very dark places. I am looking forward to your LDS series. I don't know as much about them so it will be very helpful. 👍❤️✝️

[@theologywithseth]

@dianeexley1709 Thank you so much for your kind words! And fasten your seatbelt... the LDS world is wild!

[@S.Her.]

Thank you so much for putting together this series! I will definitely refer back to it as I continue to look for witnessing opportunities with the JWs. I'm looking forward to the Mormon series too!

[@theologywithseth]

@S.Her. Thank you so much! I hope the next series is also of great benefit to you

[@RealizeReaLies100]

Loved this series! There's already been videos I've had to rewatch because of all the great points you've brought out and it really helps watching these along with my study to help defend the faith on our "enjoy life forever" book study. All your time and research is appreciated and I'm sure it'll be helpful for years to come! Although I've come to your channel specifically for the Jehovah's witnesses, because of your understanding of the scriptures and sound biblical teaching, I will continue to follow your ministry and always look forward to new content! May God continue to bless you and your ministry! Hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

[@theologywithseth]

@RealizeReaLies100 Thank you so much for your kind words! They mean a ton to me. I'm very glad the JW series has blessed you and I hope the next series will as well. Merry Christmas to you too!

[@an-ty8ym]

Great series, Seth! I learned a lot. Thank you for your time and effort. I'm looking forward to your series on Mormonism. God bless you🙏

[@theologywithseth]

@an-ty8ym I'm so glad you enjoyed it! God bless you as well

[@andrearoberts4833]

Well said Brother ❤

[@theologywithseth]

@andrearoberts4833 Thank you so much!

[@TJS7124]

Seth, you are one of my favourite channels to listen to and I've really enjoyed the Jdub stuff as I'm lovingly and patiently helping several people make the move towards getting out of this cult. Please all, pray 🙏 for my continued strength in helping these beautiful friends ive made to see the light and find the true Jesus. Seth, merry Christmas and I very much look forward to your next series on Mormonism ❤xx

[@theologywithseth]

@TJS7124 Wow, thank you so much! I truly appreciate the encouraging words. I'll definitely be praying for your Jdub friends. Merry Christmas to you as well!

[@pesesitademar]

I left the WT org about a yr ago. Initially I felt lost. But as time went by I came to the realization that I need to gather together with the church. I honestly feel that if a church tells you that you can only be saved if you belong to that church that’s a good excuse to not worship with them.

[@JonnyDoe-k1k]

@pesesitademar shouldn't every church think they are practicing the truth? Either there is a hell or there isn't. Either the soul is immortal or it's not. Either God expects pastors to be paid or he doesn't. Either the kingdom is the solution to mankinds problems are, or it's not... How can anyone be satisfied in a church that teaches things that they, or at least, you, know originate in Babylon? Would you prefer a church to not think it taught the actual truth? Interesting comment.

[@pesesitademar]

@ we are saved by faith. But saying I have faith means nothing. Our good works are testimony of our living faith. There are false teachers everywhere and we must be careful who we put our trust in. Church leaders aren’t infalible men. And their leadership has its limits. We must obey God rather than men. If a church leader teaches that disobeying him equals disobeying God be careful. If that leader teaches that only they speak truth, be careful. Paul warned us about these type of men. We must test every spirit and don’t believe everything they say just because they say they are speaking for God. If you worship God with all your heart in your church, glory to God. Just don’t let men with authority be Lord over your faith. It takes courage to put limits on even those leaders. Blessings ❤️🙏

[@srich7503]

@@pesesitademar Hmmmmm, and with the plethora of differing spirits directing people out there today giving them “different doctrines”, how does one know which “spirit” to believe? 🤷🏽‍♂ Do you really think God left us with this subjective way to hear Him?

[@pesesitademar]

@@srich7503 the Holy Spirit guides us. We have the holy scriptures. We have our conscience. If we’re thought one thing but later we are told differently, do we blindly believe and obey? What if I don’t understand it or don’t accept it? Do I leave the church?

[@srich7503]

@@pesesitademar I hear you… You say we have the Holy Scriptures and you also say the Holy Spirit Guide’s us YET there are thousands of differing conclusions. They all cannot be correct or true, right? You say “we have our own conscience” yet the Bible tells us in 3 places to “not rely our own understanding”. You do realize the Bible did not fall out of the sky right? That the Bible as you know it was compiled and preserved by men, guided by the Holy Spirit, right?

[@Emmaus-info]

Thanks a lot, i will take some ideas to translate in german for my homepage. As former jw, and working in this field since some years i can tell you, to find a local church is very difficult. Its good if many christians as possible see your content, also to know what problems ex jw have....when they come into your church

[@markmcflounder15]

I'm just getting started with this series

[@theologywithseth]

@markmcflounder15 I hope you enjoy it! I tried to pack it full of as much information as possible. Let me know what you think!

[@uncleriktovan]

Hey Seth. I’m actually a Mormon myself. I really enjoy your videos even though I don’t agree with some things you’ve said. I actually find my self in conflict with the modern church and their information control and hiding of the past. A lot of people don’t acknowledge that the prophets are human and aren’t immune to the call of satan or their own vices. I’m very aware of the church’s past and I decide to stick with it because I believe that even though Joseph Smith was human, I do believe he was attempting to create the true church of Christ for the betterment of us all. I appreciate your willingness to help everyone and am willing to listen to you when you make these videos. -Edit: One big thing that irked me was how to bishopric called out my friend for talking about the Nemenhah papers despite them being apocryphal and containing false doctrine. Like no knowledge outside the Book of Mormon.

[@theologywithseth]

Hi @uncleriktovan, thank you for your thoughtful comment and I appreciate your willingness to watch my content even when you disagree with some of my points. I can definitely resonate with your frustration about the modern LDS Church hiding crucial details about their past. Although I was never a Mormon, believe it or not, I was an investigator once upon a time, and I was very put off by the dismissive attitude the missionaries had regarding some of the more troubling aspects of their doctrine and history. It seemed like every time I'd bring up an issue, it was always somehow "my fault". I was just "misunderstanding" or "walking in darkness" or "anti-Mormon", etc. I would have greatly preferred if they had just said something like, "Yes that is a big problem and we don't have a good answer right now, but we still think Joseph Smith was a prophet for XYZ reasons,". I'll be bringing up a lot of those issues in the upcoming series and while I won't be pulling any punches, my goal is to present the material as carefully, gently, and respectfully as possible, much like you've seen with the JW series. I'd love for you to stick around and share your own perspective in the comments when those videos start rolling out! If I don't hear from you before then, I wish you a very Merry Christmas

[@bacomiric1681]

Jesus didn't say we will have to follow religions but him

[@phillipsugwas]

The book list could be expanded on to include an introduction to an ever increasing focus on the Kingdom of God and how that is a past, present and future intervening event Any works by Ben Witherington, Tom Wright, Craig Keener , Richard Bauckham... Our message is about truth and present power anda the grace which enables us to be simple servants and ministers of this to a desperate world. 😊

[@sarahstevens3050]

First!!

[@theologywithseth]

Glad you're here!

[@seanrathmakedisciples1508]

We never get baptised into a church but into Christ Jesus. We never become members of a church but members of Jesus body on earth. Jesus alone saves or salvation is only found in Jesus.

[@Scott-b6s]

God is triune Amos 4:11 KJV

[@theologywithseth]

Amen!

[@JonnyDoe-k1k]

@Scott-b6s as is Pharaoh, if we are assuming talking of someone in the third person is evidence of multiple personages: Gen12:15 The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.

[@Scott-b6s]

@JonnyDoe-k1k Isaiah 13:19 KJV Jeremiah 50:40 KJV say the same

[@Scott-b6s]

@@JonnyDoe-k1k in scripture we find plurality and singularity

[@JonnyDoe-k1k]

@Scott-b6s like this? American Standard Version English Hag1:13 "Then spake Haggai Jehovah’s messenger in Jehovah’s message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith Jehovah" I'm not seeing what you are seeing... do you think that if YHWH says God did what he himself did, he is speaking of another God, and not of himself?

[@ΕιρήνηΚάτσιου]

Heavenly Father is Jesus Kingdom👑.The Power🔑 of the Holy Spirit is our Gyider. 🕊️

[@loricurtis2521]

Christ also said, "Where there are 2 or 3 gathered there I am with you also" I believe Christ is "within", not in a building..

[@Terrylb285]

Every prison has a WATCHTOWER.

[@toddhayes3506]

Please read World English Bible with Apocrypha May God Bless our Spiritual Journey God is Love

[@trinny881]

Hello! God Almighty Exodus 6;3 KJV and his name alone is the most high Psalm 83;18 KJV so Praise JAH Psalm 68;4 KJV

[@cellstoff0012]

In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth...salvation is not found in any other. For there is NO OTHER NAME under heaven given to us men by which we should be saved. Acts 4:10-12

[@trinny881]

@cellstoff0012 Hello! Except the one who gave his name and his power.

[@cellstoff0012]

@@trinny881 Nice addition. Where does this stand in this context?

[@trinny881]

@@cellstoff0012 Hello! God made Jesus Lord and Christ Acts 2:36 KJV

[@cellstoff0012]

@@trinny881 Hi. Certainly. And not only that: God has given him a name in which only we humans can find salvation (cf. Philippians 2:9; Acts 4:12). Furthermore, God even gave Jesus his own name. Every time you call on the name of Jesus, like the early Christians (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:2), you are actually calling on God himself. The name of Jesus brings salvation. And that also reflects the meaning of this name: YHWH saves. Jesus!

[@gonzo1400]

Seth one question. I left a message in your Jehova version of hell video but got deleted. Is there a reason for this?

[@MisterMore12]

I'm surprised you left out a discussion on the Kingdom of God. I meet so many Christians with zero interest or very conflicting ideas as to what that even is. Some even think it is "inside of us", even though when Jesus spoke those words he was speaking to the rotten Pharasees. I'd love to know your thoughts on how God's Kingdom crushes and replaces human rulership as spoken about in Dan2:44.. Or how Jesus has others ruling with him in his kingdom as he said at Luk22:30, and Rev3:21... I guess I'll never know.

[@phillipsugwas]

If you have not been introduced to enacted inaugurated eschatology and the kingdom of God. The already and the not yet. Any works by Bauckham, Wright, Craig Keener....Witherington ... Great stuff. And now more and more christians are starting to '"get " things...😊

[@universalman5861]

He did do a video on the 144,000. Unfortunately, he said he didn't have a definitive answer of who the 144,000 were. Moreover, his analysis of the great crowd conflated the great crowd of Revelation 7 with that of Revelation 19. I highlighted this on the comments section of the 144,000 video. It was a sloppy, shoddy work full of uncertainties and conflations. It's totally oblivious as to how the word "great crowd" is used with differing identities in the book of Revelation.

[@trinny881]

Hello! Jesus is the son of the highest Luke 1;32 KJV he is not God

[@cellstoff0012]

Hello! Jesus is the son of the highest Luke 1;32 KJV and he is God, John 20:28 ;-)

[@trinny881]

@cellstoff0012 Hello! Scripture tells us who God Almighty is Exodus 6;3 KJV and his name alone is the most high Psalm 83;18 KJV so Praise JAH Psalm 68;4 KJV

[@cellstoff0012]

@@trinny881 Exactly. Scripture shows us in what name we are saved. And that name is Jesus Christ from Nazareth Acts 4:12

[@trinny881]

@cellstoff0012 Hello! Jesus still not God.... and Scriptures tells us he is the son, you follow Man's Doctrine Mark 7:7-9 KJV

[@cellstoff0012]

@@trinny881 Hello. But. Jesus is God. Two apostles, John and Thomas, say this directly. And yes, Jesus is God the Son sent by God the Father. You follow a cult doctrine.

[@thecrisisfortruth]

You got sucked into the idolatry of the trinity! from the fry pan into the fire.

[@Mk-xw1yj]

Hi Seth, You make no mention among your criteria for a “local church” of: 1) support for the undeniable pivotal message of the Gospel, the Kingdom of God (what an omission - instead you promote Wayne Grudem, who supported Trump, not our Messiah and King Jesus); 2) your own religious group and its own essential and very peculiar core beliefs (Calvinism); 3) the need for unity with no divisions (1 Cor1:10 - you suggest the opposite, ie the many-ways approach); 4) the need to check that the members are not gunslinging gung-ho brainwashed people who will be ready to join in the next “just” war against whatever enemy comes along. Yes, an EU spokesperson said that we (who? me?) are at war with Russia. JWs will refuse to take up arms. What will the “local churches” do? I think I can guess.

[@cellstoff0012]

To make one thing abundantly clear: it is not the local churches that are taking up arms. No Christian church justifies or advocates war. Rather, it is the governments of the respective states that make such decisions. These governments maintain armies either to protect their populations or - in the case of immoral or tyrannical regimes - to assert their own power interests. First: It is the personal responsibility of every Christian whether or not to serve in an army. Secondly, everyone must reconcile with their own conscience whether they want to allow war crimes against the civilian population, even though they might have the opportunity to prevent or at least mitigate such injustice by serving in an army. An army that opposes such crimes can ultimately also be an instrument of protection and justice. It is simply wrong and presumptuous to sit back and claim that anyone who takes up arms in a war cannot be a Christian. Jehovah's Witnesses, for example, enjoy the peace and freedom that has been achieved in many countries through the use of armies. Especially in Europe, numerous followers of various churches have made this peace and freedom possible through their commitment and sacrifices. Jehovah's Witnesses, however, do not excel in this regard; Rather, they present themselves as victims rather than actively contributing to maintaining peace and freedom in times of crisis.

[@rhondahart2416]

God commands governments to keep their people safe, He makes borders also. How do you think that is done? In America it's by the people for the people. The people are to defend righteousness. Isaiah 56:1 Thus says YHWH Maintain justice and do righteousness UNTIL My salvation comes, and My righteousness and justice is soon to be revealed. We are to occupy until Yeshua comes. When the religious people stand back and do nothing satan comes in and destroys. Paul tells us in Ephesians Put on the full armor of God and STAND.

[@Mk-xw1yj]

​@@cellstoff0012 Thanks, Cellstoff. Everything hinges on what you understand by "the undeniable pivotal message of the Gospel, the Kingdom of God". To my understanding, Jesus' message means that thanks to the Kingdom of God there will be no more wars, no need to fight. However, if that is not your understanding, do what you like: your country needs you! With all due respect, I think your final paragraph contains several misconceptions. Firstly, if it is okay to take up arms, why didn't Jesus tell his disciples to fight for the chosen people against the Romans? Why did Jesus not join the army? Why did he not allow them to make him king? Secondly, although I haven't counted, it seems that most Jehovah's Witnesses are not "white", and the vast majority of them do not "enjoy the peace and freedom that has been achieved in many countries through the use of armies". Anyway, look around you: real peace and freedom have not been achieved anywhere. Yes, as you also mention, "this peace and freedom" is "possible", but it will NEVER be achieved by a government run by corruptible humans; Ps 146:3: "Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help" (KJV)

[@Mk-xw1yj]

​@@rhondahart2416 Thanks, Rhonda. Yes, "God commands governments to keep their people safe". It's increasingly clear that governments are not even doing that any more. In Ephesians Paul is not talking about weapons like spears, guns, cannons, missiles, etc. He's talking about spiritual warfare: shield of faith, helmet of salvation, sword of the spirit, etc. But I appreciate that you are motivated by a sense of injustice and a desire for righteousness. That's great. 🙂

[@Mk-xw1yj]

@@cellstoff0012 Thanks, Cellstoff. Everything hinges on what you understand by "the undeniable pivotal message of the Gospel, the Kingdom of God". To my understanding, Jesus' message means that thanks to the Kingdom of God there will be no more wars, no need to fight. However, if that is not your understanding, do what you like: your country needs you! With all due respect, I think your final paragraph contains several misconceptions. Firstly, if it is okay to take up arms, why didn't Jesus tell his disciples to fight for the chosen people against the Romans? Why did Jesus not join the army? Why did he not allow them to make him king? Secondly, although I haven't counted, it seems that most Jehovah's Witnesses are not "white", and the vast majority of them do not "enjoy the peace and freedom that has been achieved in many countries through the use of armies". Anyway, look around you: real peace and freedom have not been achieved anywhere. Yes, as you also mention, "this peace and freedom" is "possible", but it will NEVER be achieved by a government run by corruptible humans; Ps 146:3: "Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help" (KJV)

[@peterockbx]

Hello Seth, these arguments seem to appear one sided. It’s difficult to give a representation and a justifiable view of an opposing view when one holds to a certain belief. Witnesses believe the Bible doesn’t support the Trinity, hell, immortality of the soul etc. Origins of these doctrines are found either in philosophy and or pagan beliefs. The NWT has been considered one of the better interpretations for not having doctrinal biases like many interpretations have hence the Trinity. Popularity doesn’t equate to truth.

[@theologywithseth]

@peterockbx Hello, in this video I'm not really arguing for anything, other than the importance of church involvement. Surely that's not something you'd disagree with, is it? As far as my points at the start of the video, those are merely quick summaries of videos that have already been made. If you'd like to see the full treatment of those issues, you can find them in my JW playlist on my channel. Let me know if you need help finding any of them!

[@peterockbx]

@ I’ve seen the videos. Again it’s a popular herd mentality opposition to what witnesses believe. This is nothing new to witnesses. There are layers to these discussions that go more in-depth on these topics. What criteria do you use to verify your Bible translation is not doctrinally biased?

[@theologywithseth]

@peterockbx Well as a bare minimum, the translators need to be publicly identifiable along with their scholarly credentials. If a Bible translation can't/won't provide that, it's an automatic no from me. That's one of the biggest red flags with the New World Translation

[@cellstoff0012]

@@peterockbx An edition of the Bible that arbitrarily inserts the name of God into the New Testament is doctrinal in its entire conception. A true Bible translation only exists if it was translated directly from the ancient originals. This is demonstrably not the case with the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. For example, I have in my hands an Italian edition that was translated from English and not from the original texts. What right, I have to ask myself, do you have to criticize other editions of the Bible when you yourself only have a translation of inferior quality?

[@peterockbx]

@ I think that can be misleading. That leaves room for biases. Also, if translation is based on traditional text that also continues the line of doctrinal presuppositions for example using the KJV as a source which can make mistakes or biases undetectable. One of the translators task must be to accurately situate each crucial piece in the place of meaning it has according to “all” the evidence of what the biblical writer intended. Some examples of misinterpretations of words from many biblical interpretations are the Greek “proskuneo” “harpagamos” “egoeimi” “theos en ho logos” also the inconsistency of the neuter noun “Holy Spirit”, a mistranslation or misinterpretation of biblical text change the original message and is susceptible to non-biblical doctrines like the ones mentioned previously.

[@Mk-xw1yj]

JWs are nice people. Their article on Calvinism ends thus: "there is no denying that the Protestant work ethic​-characterized by industriousness, self-discipline, and dedication to duty-​bears close resemblance to the person and values of John Calvin." So be nice to them, Seth&co. They are not in any way your enemies. Do not be like the Ephesian mob: "The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there." JWs are not a sect: they don't call themselves "Russellites". What do Calvinists call themselves? The answer: Calvinists. It's ironic, isn't it? Following a guru or any man (John Calvin, Jean Calvin or Jehan Cauvin or whatever his real name was - it's still in debate) is arguably the first sign indicating the pith and substance, the fons et origo, of a SECT/CULT.

[@cellstoff0012]

Jehovah's Witnesses reject Christians outside their community. Education and academic study are frowned upon within their organization. Contact with neighbors, work colleagues, and all non-Witnesses is kept to a minimum. Followers are prohibited from voting. Participation in trade unions is not approved, nor is the practice of certain professions, such as being a police officer. Jehovah's Witnesses do not operate social or charitable institutions such as kindergartens, schools, hospitals, old people's homes, soup kitchens, poverty programs, or counseling centers. Their teachings mean that people can die if they refuse blood transfusions for religious reasons. Former members are viewed as enemies and often vilified. It is therefore undeniable that Jehovah's Witnesses are classified as a cult!!

[@MisterMore12]

​@@cellstoff0012 you left out Jw's spend over 1 billion hours annually talking to EVERYONE about the scriptures and God's Kingdom bringing a permanent solution to mankind's woes. Is that "cultish" behavior also?

[@cellstoff0012]

@@MisterMore12 No, they don't. What they actually do is spend billions of hours talking to people about the Watchtower Society's interpretation of the Bible. When they finally find someone who is receptive, they begin studying the Watchtower Society's various publications. However, these writings only convey their own view and interpretation of the Bible. Such an approach is characteristic of cultic behavior. Similar methods are found among the Mormons and many other cults.

[@Mk-xw1yj]

​@@cellstoff0012 Cellstoff, are you addressing me or "MisterMore12"? You make broad statements then disappear. You never seem to back up your arguments. Please explain in what way YOU are harmed by JWs. I'm not inconvenienced by Mormons. The whole world has been harmed by Calvinism and all other branches of mainstream Christianity, because they told their flock that it was OK to go off to fight in WW1, WW2 and all the other demo,-inspired wars. And that's not "Watchtower Society's interpretation of the Bible"; for peaceloving people it's just common sense. You ultimately don't need the Bible to tell you it's not good to murder your fellow man, especially Christians in other countries who also claim that they want peace. JWs are just saying that the churches have lost credibility because they "praise the Lord and pass the ammunition" - lol. See you later, or maybe not. Have a nice day anyway.

[@cellstoff0012]

@@Mk-xw1yj My comment was originally addressed to MisterMore12. But I'm happy to answer you too. First of all, a clarification: Where have I disappeared to? I am constantly present and share my views on various posts. However, I live in Europe, which is why my answers sometimes arrive late due to the time difference. But never mind. Where should I start? Speaking of wars: Even Jehovah's Witnesses were involved in the First World War. During the Second World War, they were even allowed to join the military in Switzerland, for which they later apologized. But no church supports war. It is the state that initiates and wages wars, not the churches. But we have already had this discussion. You have correctly recognized that you do not need a Bible to recognize that killing or letting other people die is morally reprehensible - common sense dictates that. Nevertheless, the question remains: Why do Jehovah's Witnesses let their fellow believers die by refusing them life-saving blood transfusions? Why do they not provide disaster relief for their fellow human beings? Why don't they run hospitals, old people's homes or other social institutions? It seems as if they do little for the welfare of the people and instead point the finger at the churches. That seems pathetic. And finally: Anyone who forbids people from wearing a beard, only to later declare through a supposedly "new divine light" that beards are allowed again, has lost all credibility.

[@aservantofJEHOVAH7849]

All by beliefs are based on decades of intense study of the holy scriptures. Anyone here who thinks they know the Bible better than me can feel free to bring it on.

[@dirkfirkle73]

That is funny Mr. Meek Who Shall Inherit the (Paradise) Earth. Your religion can be proven false with just 2 words - Stephen Lett.

[@aservantofJEHOVAH7849]

@@dirkfirkle73 my beliefs can only be proven false from scripture because that's where all my beliefs come from if you think you have a superior grasp of the scriptures let's have a demonstration I recommend we start with the identity of the only true God. Or maybe you are an atheist and Darwin is your prophet how about we deconstruct that for a bit. The fossil record has never supported Darwin's theory even he admitted that.

[@srich7503]

@@aservantofJEHOVAH7849 I truly doubt your beliefs come from scripture at all because you have deflected my request to answer questions about said scripture over and over - So if you cannot answer the following questions we must let history answer it for you and as we Catholics have always been told, you can run but you cannot hide from history… History shows us that Jesus didn't leave us a bible, - the apostles didn't tell us which books belong in the bible, - the church fathers never agreed on the 27 books, and ONLY the 27 books of the NT through the 4th century, - not only did they not agree but their individual lists of would-be NT canons were GROWING during this time. Therefore, if it wasn't the Catholic/Orthodox church, guided by the Holy Spirit, that compiled the 27 books of the NT in the 4th century, just 65 years AFTER the council of Nicaea which began the Trinitarian doctrine and subsequent councils of Ephesus and Chalcedon, and preserved these scriptures by laboriously hand copying them over and over throughout the centuries before the invention of the printing press, the “rule of faith” for many, please tell us who did? And if this church no longer exists today, what good is the text which came forth from her if she couldn't sustain herself?

[@rhondahart2416]

Pride cometh before the fall

[@dirkfirkle73]

@@aservantofJEHOVAH7849 Stephen Lett - case closed! I'll even throw in a "1975" since you are so brash!

[@colonalklink14]

Following Jesus is for service not salvation. Salvation is absolutely free and not conditional upon service to God. Saving repentance is realizing that you are a sinner deserving of God's just punishment in Hell and turn (repent) from whatever you trusted in before, if indeed you trusted in anything; to trusting in the person and finished work of Christ alone for salvation.

[@apostlepaul2109]

Expectation: 100M views Reality: 10K views Haha

[@universalman5861]

Before discarding one's roots, you should first strive to understand it. Most Jehovah's Witnesses believe that they are a breakaway faction of the Seventh Day Adventist movement because the original "Bible Students" were led by Charles Taze Russell a former Adventist minister. It is true that the JW position of 1914 was deduced from Adventist reasonings, specifically a reapplication of the Adventist understanding of the 1, 260 day doctrine. However, when Christ did not return in 1914, the Jehovah Witness Writing Committee borrowed from PRETERIST doctrine to reinterpret how Christ "returned" invisibly in 1914. Instead of a momentary, punctiliar, "return ", Jehovah's Witnesses adopted the Preterist understanding of PAROUSIA to reconceptualise their understanding of Christ's "return" as instead an ongoing PRESENCE. Everyone knows that what separates Jehovah's Witnesses from other denominations is their belief that God's kingdom has been inaugurated in 1914 when Christ began his invisible rule, marking the start of his parousia. What Jehovah's Witnesses DO NOT KNOW is that the understanding for PAROUSIA was borrowed from Israel P. Warren's book 'The Parousia'. The JW Writing Committee referenced this book directly in the Kingdom Interlinear version of the New Testament: "Had our translators done with this technical word " parousia" as they did with "baptisma," -transferring it unchanged, -or if translated using its exact etymological equivalent, presence^ and had it been well understood, as it then would have been, that there is no such thing as a " second Presence," I believe that the entire doctrine would have been different from what it now is. The phrases, " second advent," and " second coming," would never have been heard of. The church would have been taught to speak of The Presence of the Lord, as that from which its hopes were to be realized, whether in the near future or at the remotest period, -that under which the world was to be made new, a resurrection both spiritual and corporeal should be attained, and justice and everlasting awards administered. There would have been no difficulty in conceiving that that Presence began to be near at the time when in the primitive ageit was expected, in that existing generation, and would continue long enough for everything to happen under it which prophecy connects with it. And even now, if we could get rid of the limiting and localizing ideas implied in a coming, and substitute for them the universal and eternal possibilities of a presence, I believe that nine-tenths of the difficulties attending the subject would disappear, and we should easily return to those simple views which made the Parousia to the apostles and primitive churches a perpetual spring of activity and hope and holy joy." [KI pg 1148 Appendix 3B] Before deciding to join another church, I would advise any Ex JW to first understand HIS OWN ROOTS. Understand the preterist movement. Understand why preterists believe that Christ's presence began since the first century AD. Read preterist foundation texts like 'The Parousia: A Critical Inquiry into the New Testament Doctrine of Our Lord's Second Coming' by James Stuart Russell. Or the previously mentioned 'The Parousia' by Israel P Warren. Since Seth recommends "ANYTHING" from RC Sproul, an EX JW MUST READ RC Sproul's "The last days according to Jesus". This book gives an updated analysis of the preterist position, comparing it to dispensationalist understandings of Matthew 24, and even critiques James Stuart Russell's work in depth. Also read critical texts of men who have critically assessed the organization like 'Crisis of allegiance' by James Beverly; and 'Crisis of conscience' by Raymond Franz. Unfortunately, the other recommended reading material by Seth simply lionize his trinitarian bias, and do not objectively aim to provide equal weighting to differing positions as the work of RC Spoul ( but hey, At least we agree on the spiritual benefits of one author, Seth lol).

[@theologywithseth]

@universalman5861 Sproul's book, "The Last Days According to Jesus" is indeed an excellent book and I frequently recommend it to people curious to learn more about preterism. However, I don't think he'd agree with your view (as I understand it). He still believed in a literal visible Second Coming of Christ in our future, and even his preterist convictions centered upon the events involving the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, rather than something in the 2nd Century AD. (He was also an ardent Trinitarian, btw) But great book nonetheless!

[@universalman5861]

@theologywithseth Israel P. Warren would not agree with my views either, and he is also trinitarian. Someone does not to agree with my views to cover a topic objectively. In Roland Barthes essay "Death of the author", he demonstrates how an author's writing ceases to be his own once it his penned to paper and published. It is as if the writing has its own independent ontology and the writer is no longer in charge of how his words are interpreted. Thus in covering a topic objectively and comprehensively, the writer can not constrain how his own words are interpreted.Moreover, there may be perspectives to the words of the author that goes way beyond anything that he intended and he may even be signaling truths the he himself is unaware of.

[@universalman5861]

​@@theologywithsethHere is a detailed analysis that highlights how the information that an author covers can be way more forceful than the author's personal convictions. In RC Sproul's book "The last days according to Jesus", he poses two questions at the end of chapter 2 "What generation will meet the end?": "Questions for Preterists If it is agreed that “all these things” described in the discourse took place in the first century, then some crucial questions remain: (1) How can it be said that they in fact did take place? And (2) if they did take place, what about the Christian’s hope for a future return of Jesus? These two questions exercise enormous influence on the theories presented in response." In R.C. Sproul's mind, these questions are insurmountable. They have so much force to him, that it is almost as if he is presenting them as rhetorical questions. Additionally, R.C. Sproul provides a framework to comparing the opposing ways of interpreting Matthew 24: "This problem of literal fulfillment leaves us with three basic solutions to interpreting the Olivet Discourse: 1. We can interpret the entire discourse literally. In this case we must conclude that some elements of Jesus’s prophecy failed to come to pass, as advocates of “consistent eschatology” maintain. 2. We can interpret the events surrounding the predicted parousia literally and interpret the time-frame references figuratively. This method is employed chiefly by those who do not restrict the phrase “this generation will not pass away . . .” to the life span of Jesus’s contemporaries. 3. We can interpret the timeframe references literally and the events surrounding the parousia figuratively. In this view, all of Jesus’s prophecies in the Olivet Discourse were fulfilled during the period between the discourse itself and the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. The third option is followed by preterists. The strength of the preterist position is found precisely in this hermeneutical method." The wonderful thing for any Ex JW reading this book is that they have THE ADVANTAGE OF ALREADY UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE PARAOUSIA IS. The orthodox Christian reading this book has RC Sproul's biased misunderstanding of Christ's "return." An ex JW knows that christ has already 'returned' and his parousia has already started. Thus, much of what RC Sproul highlights as "problematic", is only problematic for the orthodox Christian. If any JW is shown RC Sproul's 3 possibilities of interpreting Mattew 24, he immediately has all the tools to determine which perspective is correct because his understanding of Christ's parousia is correct. He will almost automatically realise that the 1914 date is absolute nonesense and that is why my own preterist-dispensationalist position was not difficult to reach.

[@BEMBOLASTIK]

Amazing work Seth 🫡🫡🫡🫡✝️🤍

[@theologywithseth]

@BEMBOLASTIK I appreciate that, brother!