Posted on 05/26/2009 7:23:51 PM PDT by Alex Murphy
WEST PALM BEACH, FL -- If you feel like the world has been crumbling down around you lately, the Jehovah's Witnesses say - you're right. It is.
In fact, beginning this weekend, they'll be holding a series of public lectures entitled "How to survive the end of the world".
"It's imminent. It's at hand," says local Jehovah's Witnesses spokesman Travis Telfair.
Local Witnesses will be holding 14 consecutive 'conventions', as they call them, at their convention center on Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard - formerly the West Palm Beach Auditorium.
They hold such gatherings each year, but this year's theme is, admittedly, far more alarming. Spritually surviving an imminent apocalypse! When?
"No one knows the day or the hour," says Telfair, "but we know we're in the last days of this system of things."
Jehovah's Witnesses believe the beginning of the end started around 1914 with World War One.
Since then, there have been plenty of natural and man-made threats to contend with. But the bible, they say, offers specific events to "keep on the watch" for. An escalation in natural disasters, crime, war. Even diseases like Swine Flu.
"These are all things Jesus said would be increasing in intensity in the last days," says Mario Beltrami, also a Jehovah's Witness spokesman, "and we're seeing that. I think most people agree that these are probably the most critical times we've seen."
Sure, the prospect of a cataclysm may sound a bit - terrifying. But witnesses say it's not their intention to scare people. Rather, it's to provide believers with a revelations roadmap. A spiritual survival guide to emerge from Armageddon intact.
"They will be hearing things as far as how they can avoid Satan's snares. Because we know that the goal of Satan is to hamper people from surviving," says Telfair.
The lectures begin this Friday, and they're open to the public. There's no admission fee. No collection plate being passed. Just an analytical approach, they promise - to let people know why they believe the end is near.
“but we know we’re in the last days of this system of things.”
These people are lost souls. I know, my mother was one and it ended up killing her.
They use fear to keep their people in line.
The leaders of this organization are evil pure and simple.
A few years ago I would have probably said they were crazy.
Right now....
AGAIN?
All prophets should be judged by their accuracy, so, how accurate have Jehovah’s Witnesses been on these prophecies over history?
Anyone with a “lick of sense” could see the world is in a mess and can’t go on like this much longer without some major event that will affect the whole world.
Damn, I should have used all that vacation time.
If the Cubs make the World Series, then I’d be worried...other than that...
Damn, I should have used all that vacation time.
Damn, I should have used all that vacation time.
does that mean they’re going to stop coming around and bothering me? If so, the rapture can’t come fast enough.
(figures)
;-)
I was thinking of having some eggs should i boil them or fry them?
Boiling is slower..
Only 144,000 the rest are doomed to walk the earth forever and be just an earshot away from paradise.
Isn't that like betting on every single number combination in the lottery? In the end, you've wasted a lot of time, money, and energy and the return would be the same or less than if you just sat back and 'had faith'?
Be careful with those magazine subscriptions, people. Oh hell (literally), I’ve just ordered two boxes of Thomas Kinkade illustrated bank checks.
Correct me if I am wrong, but it is my understanding that JW believe that eternal life will be here on Earth. At least that is what was told to me by a JW who rang my doorbell. I always believed Earth is/was the Princes kingdom. You can sort of guess how the conversation went after I told them that.
I’ve got to hurry and put those plastic airplane models together I’ve been saving in the closet for 25 years.
Should I go to work tomorrow or down to my wine cellar? I’d hate to see it all go to waste!
Dude.....E-Bay!
How can anyone in their right mind think that this time is more apocalyptic than almost any time during WWII???
No generation of HUMANS had to sacrifice more in all of this world than that era.
What we are enduring is child’s play. Sorry.
Actually I did sell a bunch on eBay. But bought others...sigh
Jesus means nothing to them, He is not the Son of God as far as they are concerned, but only a good man.
They only mention Jesus when they are talking to a non JW. Man has no soul. They do not refer to themselves as Christian, they may use the term only while trying to bring in new members. They have rewritten their JW Bible so many times it makes your head spin. They really discourage them from even reading the Bible, they prefer members just read the Watch Tower and other JW pamphlets.
Jehovah`s witnesses are NON Christian so beware it is a cult.
Oh, Goody!!
You are absolutely right, the earth is their eternal home. They believe God will not allow this earth as we know it to be destroyed. They do not believe in the end times as the Christian Bible says, and they do not call themselves Christians, at least when they are together. They will use the name of Jesus when it suits their purpose only.
Good! It is about time. The Dem’s finally take over and guess what the end of the world comes. I guess they just can’t win. Maybe I will throw an end of the world party.
In fact they believe that anybody that invites Jesus in to their lives, is actually worshiping Satan. The cross offends them. They are NON Christian!!!
Thank God. No more telemarketers.
I read somewhere that that old publishing outfit raised the price on their nonsensical brochures.
Tell us more, wise prophet! Come, everyone, join with the Prophet Unkus! :) Maybe we can get his shoe, or his flask!
All said in jest - the Life of Brian always springs to mind when it comes to "prophets"
Actually the Witnesses don't think of it as being "doomed". They believe the earth will be made into a paradise...a true Utopia.
I had a JW aunt who died from hemorrhoids.
They call themselves "True Christians". They use Jesus name often, including in all of their prayers which are concluded, "We ask this in Jesus name. Amen".
As my mom used to say, people have been predicting the end of the World for years and years.
2012?
LOL....You’re right about Life of Brian.
Should I go to work tomorrow or down to my wine cellar? I’d hate to see it all go to waste!
_________________________
There is an old hand carved sign in a famous saloon here in Durango: “Work is the curse of the drinking class”.
Ask any of these 'True Christians' if Jesus is God incarnate and see what they say.
One of our dearest friends had a daughter who got conned into joining this cult and she broke off all relations with her mother for years because momma wasn’t a JW. It broke her heart. Another friend tried to get out of it and they haunted him until he moved out of the state. His son was a JW as well and I don’t know if their relationship was ever the same.
Wait til they find out the 144,000 are Jews! That’s gonna hurt...
the bible says to occupy until He comes. However you choose to do that...LOL.
Look I’m not wanting to argue about the trinity. Somebody said they don’t call themselves Christians, well they do. As to how right or wrong their faith is that’s up to God. I’m not here to defend them (though right now I would defend them over you as you are obnoxious), I’m simply correcting a misstatement of fact.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.