From the darkness and uncertainty of Jehovah's Witnesses to the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven

No longer dead, but made alive by God Himself to be an heir with Jesus Christ by faith and grace alone.

Sunday, February 04, 2007

The less explanations, the better

It is common knowledge for anyone that has been released from the hold of the GB to recognize the twisting of the Holy Scriptures to fit their theology.
A recent example is found in the second study article of the Dec 15, 2006 of the Watchtower magazine. The magazine still claims 1914 is the year Jesus became King and when his "presence" began. They use Luke 17 in an attempt to pass this off.
Luke 17:22 Then he said to the disciples: “Days will come when YOU will desire to see one of the days of the Son of man but YOU will not see [it]. 23 And people will say to YOU, ‘See there!’ or, ‘See here!’ Do not go out or chase after [them]. 24 For even as the lightning, by its flashing, shines from one part under heaven to another part under heaven, so the Son of man will be.
Jesus does not mince words. His Second Coming will not be in secret, nor will it be recognized after the fact (like how the WT put a new spin on 1914). There will absolutely be no doubt Jesus has returned. If anyone is minimally unfamiliar the Son of Man has been revealed it's because He has not been.

The WT recommends the readers to continue reading from verse 22 to verse 33, but why not read the few verses after it to keep the context? Simple, here is what the remainder of the text reads.
Luke 17:34 I tell YOU, In that night two [men] will be in one bed; the one will be taken along, but the other will be abandoned. 35 There will be two [women] grinding at the same mill; the one will be taken along, but the other will be abandoned.” 36 —— 37 So in response they said to him: “Where, Lord?” He said to them: “Where the body is, there also the eagles will be gathered together.”
Indeed, the WT does not want readers to venture into this territory because the implications of the Rapture frighten the GB and this biblical description does not coincide with their teachings. Remember, the less explanation, the better.

On a side note, verse 36 in other translations is this "There will be two men in the field; one will be taken, the other left behind"