Posted by Luis [followthelamb] on October 29, 1999 at 05:07:26 {CAtoZJLIp2Qr78U8rp0YTco2oJsp5U}:
In Reply to: ************Awake! 12/8/99 posted by Friend on October 28, 1999 at 19:44:18:
Hi Friend:
Thanks for your post. I am aware of the references you made. Like I have said, "sowing discord" or "undermining confidence in Jehovah's arrangement" can be loosely defined by elders very easily. Regarding your contention, my own personal experience has seen otherwise.
In regards to the "sign" I believe it would be reading more into what Jesus said when the events associated with his Return is explained in Mt 24:29,30 and Luke 21:25-27. The "sign of the Son of man" is the "sign of your presence" the apostles asked for. It's always good to look at all the gospel accounts regarding the answer to the disciples' question regarding the "sign." Luke 21:28,31 state that when these events (Mt 24:29,30-celestial phenomena, "the sign of the Son of man") "start to occur" know that "YOUR deliverance is getting near" and "that the kingdom of God is near" and "he is near at the doors" (Mt 24:33) not that his presence is "HERE," but "near." Regarding Christ's Presence, no one knows the "times or seasons." (Acts 1:7)
I agree that certain views are not necessary for salvation, something that the Society doesn't share with you regarding your statement that "I am not of the opinion that each Christian will recognize Jesus’ answer for a sign or that they must recognize that signholding what you maintain as Jesus answer for a sign." You claim to see a clear association of events mentioned in Luke 21: 10,11 as a "sign" when in my original post I see a clear association of many of the Society's statements with false prophesying, something you claim to not see. You are right in saying that certain things are "for each individual Christian to determine or not" no matter what each one's contention may be. I appreciate your posts since they helped me to further reconfirm my convictions. Each individual can read our posts and draw an honest conclusion themselves.