Tuesday, January 19, 2021

False Worship...What it Means

It is my hope that everyone has had a good start of the day and I pray for those who have not. I created this wooden book box for my mother-in-law, using her favorite colors, green and blue. It was nice to get back into some mixed media art. It takes time, but well worth the effort. Inside the box, I added some tags that I made with different verses, so that she can switch them out every month, if she chooses to do so. We can all use some inspiration during these trying times.

2 Timothy 3:1 ASV — But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come.

As I share this project with you, I will be reflecting on what it means to practice false worship. It will be a reminder that it is ONLY JEHOVAH GOD through JESUS CHRIST that we must follow and obey, by His Word in the Holy Scriptures...the Bible. 

Update 01/17/22:

I made some adjustments to my post and have left the links to Watchtower's own literature to show how hypocritical the JW Organization is, but this also applies to ALL Churches.

Matthew 23:3 ASV — all things therefore whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works; for they say, and do not.

End update.




I'd like to start with...
  • What is a false prophet?
  • What does it mean when predictions are made, and they don't come true? 
  • Do you know anyone who has predicted something that has not come true?
  • Did Armageddon happen in October 1975? 
  • Was it predicted to happen? 
  • Was it a stumbling block for many, including myself, a 7-year-old child?
It was in print..

Excerpt...

"With the appearance of the book Life Everlasting​—in Freedom of the Sons of God, and its comments as to how appropriate it would be for the millennial reign of Christ to parallel the seventh millennium of man’s existence, considerable expectation was aroused regarding the year 1975... there were other statements published that implied that such realization of hopes by that year was more of a probability than a mere possibility.


Excerpts...

1. Things foretold would not come to pass. 

  • Deuteronomy 18:20-22 If any prophet presumptuously speaks a word in my name that I did not command him to speak or speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die. 21 However, you may say in your heart: “How will we know that Jehovah has not spoken the word?” 22 When the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah and the word is not fulfilled or does not come true, then Jehovah did not speak that word. The prophet spoke it presumptuously. You should not fear him.’ 

2. His prophesying must promote true worship, being in harmony with God’s revealed word and commandments. Promoting true worship.
  • Deuteronomy 13:1-4  3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer, for Jehovah your God is testing you to know whether you love Jehovah your God with all your heart and all your soul."
Break in excerpt...
  • What is Pure Worship?
  • Who do you follow? 
  • Man, or Jehovah God's word, the Bible? 
Excerpt continued...

"3. The last requirement was probably the most vital and decisive, for an individual might hypocritically use God’s name, and by coincidencehis prediction might see fulfillment...

...it was not necessary to wait perhaps for years or generations to determine whether the prophet was true or false by fulfillment of a prediction. 

If his message contradicted God’s revealed will and standards, he was false. Thus, a prophet who foretold peace for Israel or Judah, at a time when the people were engaging in disobedience to God’s Word and Law, of necessity was false.​—Jer 6:13, 14; 14:11-16.

Jesus’ later warning concerning false prophets paralleled that of Moses. Though using his name, and giving “signs and wonders to lead astray,” their fruits would prove them “workers of lawlessness.”​—Mt 7:15-23; Mr 13:21-23; compare 2Pe 2:1-3; 1Jo 4:1-3."




What does it mean to be exclusive?

Exodus 34:14 ASV — for thou shalt worship no other god: for Jehovah, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:




Excerpt... 

"Exclusive devotion, therefore, means keeping others out of, or excluded from, God’s position in our hearts and actions. Everyone and everything else stays outside this honored position that only he can hold."

Master and Slave Relationship.
"The right-minded person, on learning about Jehovah and appreciating his relationship with God, will voluntarily render exclusive devotion from the heart, which is what Jehovah desires." Mere formal devotion or worship he hates. (Mt 15:8, 9)"

Jesus’ Exclusive Devotion to God.
"In the prayer he taught his disciples, he started off with the words, “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified.” (Mt 6:9) This devotion in Jesus was coupled with burning zeal, as manifested at his cleansing of the temple, where he fulfilled the prophecy, “The zeal for your house will eat me up.” (Joh 2:17; Ps 69:9)"







Is the Organization or the Church's belief system the Golden Calf?

Jealous for the Pure Worship of Jehovah
Excerpt...

The Golden Calf
"Jehovah entered into a covenant with the Israelites, promising to bless them and to bring them into the Promised Land. (Exodus 23:22, 31) And the people said: “All that Jehovah has spoken we are willing to do and be obedient.”​—Exodus 24:7."

"Nevertheless, the Israelites soon sinned against God...It was claimed that this idol represented Jehovah. (Psalm 106:20) The next day they offered sacrifices and kept “bowing down to it.” Then they had “a good time.”​—Exodus 32:1, 4, 6, 8, 17-19."










Do you know who your God is?
Is it Jehovah?


"The Bible is the world’s most studied and most widely circulated book, so everyone who values education ought to be acquainted with its contents."

"And your knowing the theme of the Bible will help you to realize that God used one ancient nation—with the goal of blessing all nations. —Psalm 147:19, 20."

"That Jehovah had this objective in dealing with Israel indicates that ‘he is not partial.’ (Acts 10:34; Galatians 3:14) Moreover, even while God was dealing primarily with Abraham’s descendants, people of other nations were welcome to come and also serve Jehovah. (1 Kings 8:41-43)"






Do you practice false worship?

Excerpt...

"An idol is an image, a representation of anything...usually practiced toward a real or supposed higher power, whether such power is believed to have animate existence (as a human, an animal, or an organization)."

Idolatry and God’s Covenant People. "The second of the Ten Commandments expressly prohibited making for worship a carved image or a representation of anything in the heavens, on the earth, or in the waters. (Ex 20:4, 5; De 5:8, 9) In his final exhortations to the Israelites, Moses emphasized the impossibility of making an image of the true God and warned them to beware of the snare of idolatry. (De 4:15-19)"










What is PURE worship of Jehovah? 

 Excerpt...

"6. How does Jehovah react when his name is profaned?

Reason: Jehovah’s name is profaned.
Those who claim to represent Jehovah but who act wickedly damage his reputation and rightly provoke his anger. (Ezek. 36:23) As discussed in the preceding chapters of this publication, the nation of Israel brought great reproach on Jehovah’s name. Understandably, the nation’s attitudes and actions made Jehovah angry. But he never lost control of his rage​—he punished his people only to the proper degree, never beyond it. (Jer. 30:11) And once Jehovah’s anger accomplished its purpose, it ended with no residual resentment.​—Ps. 103:9."

End excerpt.

Mark 7:7-8 ASV — But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.  Ye leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men.
  • Who are Jehovah's people?
  • What is false worship? 
  • Who carries His name?
  • Do you PROFANE it?

The Day of Jehovah is fast approaching, and He always gives ample warning.










Matthew 24:45 ASV — Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath set over his household, to give them their food in due season?
  • What does it mean to put out food at the proper time? 
  • It is Jehovah who decides when that "proper time" will be.
  • What is this food, and when is the proper time?
It's up to us, as an "INDIVIDUAL" to show exclusive devotion to Jehovah God, and HONOR the SonJesus Christ, not an organization or church

Ask yourself: 
  • Is it ONLY JEHOVAH that you're devoted to? 
  • Do you do it THROUGH the Son, Jesus Christ?
Matthew 4:10 ASV — Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Deuteronomy 6:13-14 ASV — Thou shalt fear Jehovah thy God; and him shalt thou serve, and shalt swear by his name. Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the peoples that are round about you;

We all have freewill.

The brotherhood is worldwide, regardless of religion, race, and belief, be it male or female. If you're exclusive to one group, then you're not exclusive to Jehovah. I love all of my brothers and sisters worldwide, regardless of who they are and what they believe, and you should too. We are all Jehovah God's children. Lean on Jehovah and He will guide you. (Joshua 1:8) (Proverbs 4:18) I love you and forgive you, just as I hope I am forgiven...I will pray for everyone, including my worst enemy.

Matthew 22:37-40 ASV — And he said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second like unto it is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments the whole law hangeth, and the prophets.

I go to the meetings for Jehovah. I am a Witness for Jehovah, and I am a disciple of Christ Jesus...I follow only God's Word, the Bible. I take the good out of the bad, finding the positive in every negative situation.


TRUST IN JEHOVAH...
LOVE Jehovah with ALL of your heart and yes, please... LOVE your neighbor. 


~ Peace, Love and Joy ~