Sheep and Goats ~ From Universalism to Annihilationism

Romans 10: 10-13 ~ for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be put to shame. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. ~ ASV

As always, sharing some project fun before getting into today's post. 

I was asked to make a simple and fun summer project.  

I made this for my mom in law.

I was sent the following video on YT for the Universalist/Annihilationist debate...Will Everyone Be Saved? Annihilationist (left) vs. Universalist (right). I didn't even know some had the universal belief, it was great to see. In this video, where I think they both miss the mark, is that they don't understand that there is a difference between the chosen that will be in heaven during Christ's reign ~ the New Heaven and the remaining "chosen" ones ~ the New Earth. (Isaiah 65:17-25, Isaiah 66, Revelation 12)

For those who don't believe, or stopped believing in that, there is a difference from those who will live in heaven and those who will live on earth. Please do the research, maybe start by truly trying to understand the following scripture and what the New Covenant stands for...

Matthew 11:11 ~ Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not arisen a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Jesus Christ is the first of the anointed, the beginning of the New Covenant. First is the New Heaven, after the 1000 year reign and Satan is destroyed, it will be the New Earth. (John 1)

This is where I've seen just one, of many understandings that ex-JW's had known and yet, decided it should be thrown out the window, a teaching that they've learned while being a JW. I understand the resentment and anger that surfaces when being persecuted by this organization, but to throw out all teachings without truly discerning which ones are true, is just silly.

Who are the sheep and who are the goats?

Matthew 25:32, 33, 46 ~ But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats; and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life. ~ ASV

Isaiah 66:23 ~ And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith Jehovah.

The Goats:

The self righteous ones. (Ecclesiastes 5:1, James 1:23, 24)

Without Love, you have nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)

Those who exalt themselves. (Luke 18:9-14)

Those whom need to prove themselves more intellectual. (Matthew 11:25)

The hypocrites. (Matthew 23:13)

The Sheep:

The Beatitudes ~ The meek to inherit the earth.  (Matthew 5:5) 

Those with hope, the meek, the blessed, the righteous. (Psalm 37:9, 11, 22, 29) They shall possess it forever. (Isaiah 34:17; 60:21) Chosen to inherit/servants to dwell on the earth. (Isaiah 65:9)  Captives to take possession of the land. (Jeremiah 30:3)

The other sheep. (John 10:16) The great multitude. (Revelation 7:9, 10)

Not a hearer, but a doer of the word. (James 1:25)

Tabernacle spread OVER them and GUIDED to the Springs of water. Revelation 7:15, 17

Although I had lost faith and turned to the world for answers, I'm thankful that I didn't live the last 40 years of my life being programmed by the JW organization. For this reason, when I returned, I could easily keep an open mind when it came to scripture compared to their teachings. I knew from the start of my return in 2019, that many teachings where incorrect, first and foremost, the false teachings of those whom are anointed. Here's two examples, to be clear...the anointed are chosen before they are born ~ Romans 9:11; Ephesians 1:4, 5 and one can receive Holy Spirit before baptism ~ Cornelius in Acts 10.

I've allowed Jehovah to guide me to the proper understanding by giving up my freewill and disowning myself. In time, Jehovah continues to clear things up for me. Slowly, but surely. Remember, no one can get to Jehovah, except through Jesus Christ. (Matthew 11:27) 

From my own observations, monotheists don't put enough emphasis on Christ as being here as Jehovah God and the trinitarians put too much emphasis on Jesus Christ being Jehovah God Himself. Jesus Christ is to be worshipped, he is a deity, a God, he is Jehovah God's representative and begotten son, the "Angel of the Lord" in the OT. When you see this clearly, Hebrews 1 fits perfectly, but as always "man" complicates it.

Jehovah God Himself calls Jesus Christ God. 

Hebrews 1:8, 9 ~ but of the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; And the sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee With the oil of gladness above thy fellows. ~ ASV

The NWT twists the scripture and takes away the deity of Christ, another aspect making them an Antichrist.

Hebrews 1:8, 9 ~ But about the Son, he says: “God is your throne forever and ever, and the scepter of your Kingdom is the scepter of uprightness. You loved righteousness, and you hated lawlessness. That is why God, your God, anointed you with the oil of exultation more than your companions.”

Going back to the debate I watched, I agree with both views, let me explain how...

First, I believe in a universalist view of mankind before the 1000 year reign and the New Earth. The New Heaven began to take place with the arrival of Jesus Christ. The gospels, in particular John 1. This war is a spiritual war. (Ephesians 6:12) If man is destroyed during Armageddon, he will be resurrected. These will be separated by sheep/goats.

All mankind will have a chance to live under Christ' rule without the influence of Satan, that's justice. Some will be sheep...the great multitude, the righteous, and the others will be goats...the unrighteous.

For the righteous...

Revelation 7:15, 17 ~
"and he that sitteth on the throne shall spread his tabernacle OVER them"

"the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall GUIDE them unto fountains of waters of life." ~ ASV

The tabernacle will be OVER the sheep and they will be GUIDED to the fountains of water. This tells me the righteous will not be in, but under the physical heavens and they have yet to arrive, because they will be guided to the waters of life.

Then, here's where my annihilationist view comes in...after the 1000 years and Satan is released, then a very large part of mankind will be destroyed. Hence why many will experience a second death, this is for those who become or remain goats. 

Matthew 25:46 ~ And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.

Revelation 20:8 ~ "The number of whom is as the sand of the sea."

Finally...the New Earth, where all will be God's sons, those in Heaven and those on Earth.

Revelation 21:7 ~ He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

One big happy family...the New Heavens and the New Earth.

This brings me to the days of Jonah and Nineveh. Nineveh was given a chance to repent and all were saved, yet later, they returned to their evil ways and were destroyed. We know the only sin that will incur death is blasphemy against the spirit. Matthew 12:31 ~ Therefore I say unto you, Every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.

Unless these are anointed, they have no way of knowing truly what it means to be baptized in Christ' death. I have not met anyone yet, although I've met some who claim to be anointed, and many who claim to be born again, who understands this the same as I do. Not to say they don't understand it, just that, it's not the same as I do.

You have many who are called, but few who are chosen. Having the calling does not guarantee you will be chosen. (Matthew 22:14) The unwanted guest in Matthew 22:13 brings me to Psalm 69:4 handing over what wasn't stolen and the evil slave Matthew 24:51.

We do not know who the lawless one is that is referred to in 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12, but we do know it's an unclean spirit. That is why we pray for all mankind, because we cannot discern the difference. Jesus Christ will discern that at the time of his coming.

Revelation 16:13, 14 ~ And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits, as it were frogs:
for they are spirits of demons, working signs; which go forth unto the kings of the whole world, to gather them together unto the war of the great day of God, the Almighty.

Which brings me to...

Ephesians 6:12 ~ For our wrestling is "NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD," but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

It's a spiritual war. One that I personally continue to battle with God's help. I've already explained to some that I was aware of the antichrist, spiritually.

1 Corinthians 12:1-4 ~ Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that when ye were Gentiles ye were led away unto those dumb idols, howsoever ye might be led. Wherefore I make known unto you, that no man speaking in the Spirit of God saith, Jesus is anathema; and no man can say, Jesus is Lord, but in the Holy Spirit. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ~ ASV

Not something that can be explained. I've also known of Christ's presence since the Spring of 2019. It took time for me to discern the difference between the antichrist and Jesus Christ. 

Matthew 24:24 ~ "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect."

Jehovah has taught me well and many things have become clear. But there is much I still do not know. It is God's timing, not mine.

Also, we have...

2 Corinthians 12:1-4 ~ I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third heaven. And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth), how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." ~ ASV

"Which it is not lawful for a man to utter." This would be "blasphemy" against the spirit and again brings me back to Psalm 69:4.

No one truly understands these scriptures. Many say it pertains to Apostle Paul, but never explain how. It does not pertain to Apostle Paul. I understand this scripture. One of the first I came to understand when I first returned.

See blog post: Prodigal Daughter ~ The Great Awakening

Another scripture very familiar to me...

1 Corinthians 14:2

For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth; but in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

I was told by Elders of the JW organization, that I as wrong, but instead of using scripture to prove me wrong, they used the false teachings of the Watchtower. The Watchtower indeed is their Bible, as it trumps and takes precedence over the Holy Scriptures. They have made the organization equal to God. One can't speak of Jehovah separately from the organization or you get persecuted. To JW's, it's one and the same, just like the calf was Jehovah, back in the day of the Israelites. Sadly, they don't see it, but the JW Organization is their false god, their idol.

I was told by JW elder that the following scriptures are fulfilled. The Joel prophecy was fulfilled back in the days of Pentecost and would not happen today. The other scripture in Daniel is apparently being fulfilled by JW's, as told to me by the wife of another elder. 

They couldn't be more wrong...

Joel 2:28, 29 ~ And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit.

Daniel 12:4 ~ But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Either one believes in the Bible, or they say that they do, but really don't...they believe man instead.

1 Timothy 4:1 ~ But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons.

Ephesians 5:6 ~ Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience.

As shared with me by a fellow believer and companion..."We need to test the 'divine revelations' we receive to see if they concur with the written word, which needs to grow in us by Jehovah's spirit of truth."

I agree. God's timing is very important. We just need to trust in it. 

Also shared with me..."The timing is His. Our's is the faith, patience, endurance and humility along with love of truth even at the cost of our life, because He is the truth. Satan is trying to mislead if possible the chosen ones, but Jesus has supplicated the Father that our faith will not give out. All is well and for our benefit and salvation, Amen."

Amen. 

We just need to encourage one another and maintain faith no matter what. It will get worse, before it gets better.  

Proverbs 3:5, 6 ~ Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, And lean not upon thine own understanding:

In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will direct thy paths.

What is Religion?

James 1:26, 27 ~ If any man thinketh himself to be religious, while he bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his heart, this man’s religion is vain.
Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

May Jehovah God through His Son Jesus Christ bring...

~ Peace, Love and Joy ~

Generations...The Unwanted Child

The story I'm about to share is not to paint anyone "My Dad" in a bad light. In fact, the story I'm about to share has a beautiful ending, and it shows why we should always forgive, regardless of the impact it has on our life.

First, project of the day, given as a gift to a friend...

When I was a child, possibly just before, or in my early teens, my father had company visit our home. We were living in Hillside, on Salem Ave. They where very surprised to see so many kids, that they even asked "Are these all your children?" my father replied "Yes, except that one.", he then pointed his finger directly at me. I froze at that statement, I didn't understand. The gentleman he spoke to said "Oh, okay." and they continued on with the visit for the day.

My dad was a very strict man, many of us had an extremely hard time with him, including my mom. I experienced things that many of my siblings were not always aware of, but my mom knew and saw pretty much everything. Soon after that statement, I went to my mom, knowing she's a devout JW and believed she would not lie to me. I told her what had happened and asked her why he would say that. She dismissed the comment. So again, I asked her and she dismissed it again. Puzzled by her response, I finally said to her "You are a JW, you cannot lie, is he my father?" and much to my amazement, she wouldn't answer the question. I was in disbelief, surely my mom knew what this was doing to me, and when given the moment to bring clarity to the situation, she didn't.

I was distraught. As a little time went on, I wanted her to tell me more. Finally she caved and said "he is your father". Surprised by that statement, I thought about it, and realized that she could simply say that because he was actually raising me. So now I wanted her to clarify it, I wanted to hear her say he was my blood related father. She eventually told me "yes, yes he is".

I never believed it. I thought she found a way to justify herself with God, because if it were true, why not say that from the start. Why allow me to suffer with that possibility, for as long as I did, if it wasn't true. It wouldn't have been surprising to hear my father say things like that, but for my mom not to disprove of it immediately, and clearly answer me from the start, didn't make sense to me. She would have never allowed me to suffer with those thoughts, if they weren't true. The simple fact that she had to be cautious in her responses, spoke volumes to me.

When I was 16, we all moved to Portugal, I got married at 17, just a few months before my 18th birthday, I then moved back to the US. Shortly after, I became pregnant. The marriage did not last, before my first child was born, we had separated. I had my first son soon after my 19th birthday. My father had come for a visit from Portugal, during that visit, I had tried to end my life.

I woke up in the hospital 3 days later. I saw my father and my sister-in-law at the foot of my bed. That day, although I didn't know at that precise time, my father became a true father to me. It was a turning point for him and he did all that he could to help me, always.

I still spent most of my life wondering if my dad was my real father. It didn't help that most of my family looked like my dad and I looked like my mom. By the time I reached my forties, I came to accept that I would truly never know for sure. I knew I had my mom's blood type and that my dad's was different. None of my family knew this story, except my one sister. I mentioned it to her in 2019. She wouldn't believe it at first, after some thought, she accepted it. The only other ones that knew this, were from back in the day. It was my "ex" mother in law from my 2nd marriage, who is currently back in my life as of late 2019, (we study the Bible together) and the other, my closest, best friend at the time the incident occurred. I don't believe my younger siblings at the time paid much mind to it, or if they even heard it, as they never mentioned it.

I never brought up doing a DNA test, although I considered it many times. We were getting along so well that I didn't want to hurt him and make him feel bad by bringing it up again. I decided it wouldn't make a difference to rehash it, nor was I sure that I wanted to go there again. Things were good, why ruin it. I think it would've hurt (all involved) more than it could have helped. 

I did not share this story to paint my father in a bad light. He has done many bad things in his life, but in the end he was a good father, he had lost his 2nd child (6 month old baby) and raised 10 other kids in all. My father too experienced many difficulties as a child. He lost his mom when he was only 11, he was pretty much abandoned and left to fend for himself. He had a hard life with a father who did not treat him well. I understood this and it explained many things.

Generations...

We can never fully comprehend what makes people do the things they do, but we must never forget that ALL have a story, a past, a history. Many who become abusive have themselves been abused. It doesn't make it right, but it's a fact. 

I became close to my father, I undoubtedly believe Jehovah had a hand in that. My father lived in Portugal for most of my life, but returned to America around 2001. Sadly, both of my parents passed away 2 weeks apart in September of 2011. I miss them dearly.

I didn't have an easy life. Most of us don't. That's why we must forgive. You never know what one has been through. Although I had a religious organization, that helped destroy my faith in God at the early age of 7, with their false prediction of Armageddon, and I had many abuses throughout my life by many, some that I trusted, I never truly held any grudge. Jehovah has always given me the ability to forgive. I was far from perfect, in time I became resentful of many situations, but my way of dealing with it was to hurt myself...I've turned to alcohol, drugs (prescribed, later un-prescribed), and again, another suicide attempt sometime in 2006 or 2007. Between serious illnesses, suicide attempts and several accidents, I should not be here, yet...here I am.

Today, I've never been stronger in my faith and in my love for Jehovah God, Jesus Christ and mankind...yes, that means you. When Jehovah called on me, he showed me properly how to treat many situations, he disciplined me in ways that I could never explain. It wasn't always easy, but I'm so very thankful for it. He's taught me well and continues to teach me. He's always given me the ability to see past a situation, to see people for who they are and not just what they do. I have always wanted to fix everyone, to help them with their pain, but how could I, when I couldn't even fix myself.

Jehovah taught me to rely on Him through Jesus Christ. To put my full faith in Him, with a pure heart. By doing so, He continues to guide me.

Almost every example given to us by Jesus Christ has taught me well and relates to my life...also included are some from the OT shown to me by Jehovah as well.

The woman in the prophecy. (Genesis 3:15; Revelation 12) The needy widow with the two coins. (Luke 21:1-4) Mary, mother of Jesus. Mary, Lazarus sister. Mary Magdalene. ~ MARY Prodigal Son. (Luke 15:20-24) Sinners and tax collectors. (Luke 15:1, 2) The lost sheep. (Matthew 18:12-14) The bleeding woman. (Luke 8:43-48) The 12 year old girl that dies and is resurrected. (Luke 8:42.55)The barren woman. (Isaiah 54) Jesus heals on the sabbath. (Luke 13:16) Resurrection of the dead, Apostle Paul...and the list goes on. 

Luke 7:47-50 ASV — Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that even forgiveth sins? 

And he said unto the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

Nothing has changed and Jehovah continues to show me more and more of what pertains to me. It makes perfect sense and the puzzle pieces have slowly come together. It doesn't matter to me if I'm believed or not, it's my story and I know Jehovah will clear things up soon enough. I have complete FAITH in Him and He's taught me well, I have nothing to fear.

The Bible speaks to us all differently. No one has the right to tell you how it speaks to you. It's GOD's WORD to YOU. No one has ever lived your life. If you believe in Him, He will speak to you too. YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE IN IT. 

If you believe it's wrong that someone should read into it a certain way, HAVE FAITH. If it's meant to be a different understanding, Jehovah God through Jesus Christ will correct it, in its own due time. NO ONE has a right to speak on things THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND, especially to tell them they are wrong for feeling what they do.

Ask any ex-JW who has experienced and endured the nightmares of the JW organization, the unjust persecution, and on top of it, the loss of your family and friends, ask any them if they've experienced that, if they would ever return. I can't imagine any would ever say yes. 

Yet, I did...but only because Jehovah God called on me. He showed me the path, I returned to the love I once had, I remembered my youth and life with Him and Jesus Christ. I remembered what it was truly about. Then Jehovah showed me, yes, what JW Org is doing is very bad and it was time to leave them once again, but this time with love for all of them in my heart...remembering that Satan is in control of this world and many are giving themselves to him. 

I believe it was Raymond Franz who once said "We are victims of victims".

Since leaving, I've come across many varying beliefs, monotheistic and trinitarian. I've learned that many are no different than JWs, it's the same result, just done in a different way. Most religions believe they have the truth. I believe the truth can be found in many teachings throughout all religions, but sadly, many false doctrines come attached to it as well.

Jehovah saved my life in the Spring of 2019, and I've never looked back. I was resurrected and became born again. I am not part of the 144,000, nor am I part of the large crowd. Jehovah has shown me that I am the woman in the prophecy and He continues to guide me, through His son, Jesus Christ. All teach the the woman is the church or part of the seed. Yet, in Revelation 12, it clearly shows how the woman is separate and persecuted first, before the remaining ones.

You will have to read my blog, to have a full understanding, the twist and turns that my life took since returning to God and giving myself to Him. Do I know everything, not even close. I learn and unlearn something new almost every day. What hasn't changed, my own personal story and connection to Jehovah and Jesus Christ. 

Here's a video I shared on YouTube back in early 2020, I had shared it (info on the vellum only) with a sister that I studied with in 2019. She actually kept the vellum piece I had used at the time. I was hoping she would understand, but she didn't...now understanding, no one would understand, especially them, because of their false teachings. I've since edited the video to add more commentary and scripture, and recently re-uploaded it. I'm not asking you to accept what I'm sharing, nor would I want any to follow me. Trust JEHOVAH and His timing...the ONLY ONE YOU SHOULD BE FOLLOWING is JESUS CHRIST...not man.

Read the Bible for yourself. Stop trying to decode it. Read it as if it's a book written just for you. Eventually, depending on your heart condition...there is where your heart will be, and you will find your treasure, you just have to keep on knocking, seek it with a complete heart. Most of all, BELIEVE IN IT and HAVE FAITH. We are all different and our story is going to be different. I continue to share mine, now you have to find yours. Many have said they have found the message and some have different beliefs than mine. Who would I be to tell them different.

Make the TRUTH your own, as no one else has lived your life, NO ONE can answer those questions you want answered, only God can do this and He will do it through Jesus Christ. Please...HAVE FAITH.

There is so much more I would love to share with you, but many are having a hard time accepting what I have already shared, imagine trying to explain more than that. It's an impossible task. Rely on Jehovah and remember...No one knows the day or the hour, not even Jesus Christ. Keep it simple, have love in your hearts always, and do the right thing as often as possible. I truly do LOVE YOU and want nothing but the best for you. I will pray for all my brothers and sisters in this world, I don't care who you are, or what you believe in.

May Jehovah bless you and bring you understanding...

~ Peace, Love and Joy ~