1Thess.5:2,3,4 reads:
"for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief."
What do we learn from these verses?
We learn that the "day of the Lord"'s inspection will not be expected by those who are "in darkness". That darkness will allow a sense of "peace and safety" which will prove to be a snare. (Amos 5:18)
From these two facts,
we understand that there is a danger, which those in darkness will not recognize, as they enjoy a false sense of security.
This perilous perspective is prophesied to occur, in "the day of the Lord"...
the time in which the scroll of Revelation takes place (1Thess.5:2; Rev.1:10).
The Greek word used by Paul for “peace” is “eirene”.
This word is used in the New Testament as an equivalent of the Hebrew
word “schalom”, which often occurs in the Old Testament.
Schalom did not merely refer to “peace” in the political sense, but especially
and primarily, to God’s good will toward men, “God’s peace” / peace with God.
"for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief."
What do we learn from these verses?
We learn that the "day of the Lord"'s inspection will not be expected by those who are "in darkness". That darkness will allow a sense of "peace and safety" which will prove to be a snare. (Amos 5:18)
From these two facts,
we understand that there is a danger, which those in darkness will not recognize, as they enjoy a false sense of security.
This perilous perspective is prophesied to occur, in "the day of the Lord"...
the time in which the scroll of Revelation takes place (1Thess.5:2; Rev.1:10).
The Greek word used by Paul for “peace” is “eirene”.
This word is used in the New Testament as an equivalent of the Hebrew
word “schalom”, which often occurs in the Old Testament.
Schalom did not merely refer to “peace” in the political sense, but especially
and primarily, to God’s good will toward men, “God’s peace” / peace with God.
Paul’s use of the expression “Peace (eirene) and safety” is
commonly supposed to be an allusion to Jeremiah’s words about the
Jews of his time at Jer.5:14NIV ; (Jer.23:29; Matt.10:20; Rev.11:3,5)
and Jer.8:11; 14:13-14:
“They have healed also the hurt of my people slightly, saying,
Peace, peace; when there is no peace" (with God) (due to their "hurting" God's people - 1Pet.2:10,9,5; 1Cor.3:16-17)...."But, "Ah, Lord GOD!" I said, "Look, the prophets are telling them, 'You will not see the sword nor will you have famine, but I will give you lasting peace in this place.'" Then the LORD said to me, "The prophets are prophesying falsehood in My name. I have neither sent them nor commanded them nor spoken to them; they are prophesying to you a false vision, divination, futility and the deception of their own minds."
As in Jeremiah's day, a "false prophet" is also among God's people (Rev.19:20; 13:11,7; 16:13; 20:10; Dan.11:31,33; Rev.13:10,8; Dan.8:11,12,13,24; 2Thess.2:4,8) (Link:"False-Teachers"). If the spiritual reality is actually one of danger and divine condemnation (Luke 21:8,12,16-17,21-22,36,24; Col.2:8; Rev.2:10; 13:10,7; Matt.24:24-25,15-16; 2Thess.2:3-4) (1Pet.4:17; Luke 21:36; Rev.6:17; 14:19; Jer.25:30,29) then where would these people (in the time of the end) get the impression that their standing with God, is peaceful and secure?
God's Word tells us...
Jer.5:30,31,12; 8:11; 23:16,17,21,22,32; Rev.16:13; 13:11,12,14,15,8,4; 1Tim.4:1.
The prominent prophets among God's people are false. They are the ones who mislead God's people into a false sense of peace with God and security from the enemy (Eze.13:10; Dan.9:26; Rev.12:15; Luke 21:9; Rev.19:11,14; 17:14; 2Chron.16:9; 1Thess.5:3,2).
This is a repeat to the situation back when God's people were captive to the king of Babylon.
This "king of Babylon" identity is prophetically fulfilled in Leviathan/Satan; and captivity to "Babylonian" figures is the fulfillment taking place in the Lord's day (Rev.9:11; 13:10; 17:5,15,18).
This prophesy corresponds to the events to befall God's people (the anointed) during the Lord's Day. They too are captive to "Babylon the Great" and it's *king (Rev.9:11; 12:17; 13:7,10; 11:2), through their association with
*Babylon's Queen (BTG --Rev.18:7),
*her harlot daughters (Rev.16:13,15; 17:5,15,18; 18:4,3),
and Satan's *"son of destruction" (the "man of lawlessness"/"Wild Beast") (2Thess.2:3,4; Rev.9:7; 13:1,5,6,7,8,10). God's Temple is being "trampled" by Gentiles (Matt.5:13; Rev.11:2; Luke 21:24; Dan.8:11; 9:26; 2Thess.2:4). Yet they are mislead to think they are at peace (even in a "spiritual paradise").
God's people (unsealed chosen ones) are being disciplined/taken captive/tormented, for their idolatry to the Organization (Image of Wild Beast) through it's army of representatives (Wild Beast) (Rev.9:3,4; 13:7) (Greatest Tribulation - what&why), and need to be awoken, cleansed and refined upon Christ's return (Mal.2:1,2; 3:1,2,3,4).
These agents of Satan* (Rev.16:13; 13:11) likewise lull God's people into a false sense of safety and protection (Rev.13:8,4,3; Matt.24:23-25,22,13; 19:25-26) while they are in reality, still under Satan's masked dominion....
"And just as a child seeks his parents' protection when a storm rages, we seek protection in Jehovah's organization" (w11 4/15 pp. 3-5)
"'Seeking Jehovah' today involves developing and maintaining a warm personal relationship with him in association with his earthly organization." Zeph.2:2,3 (w01 2/15 pp. 17-22)
(LINK)
It would appear that "Jehovah's Witnesses" are being taught, that they have protection, peace and security with God, dependent upon their standing with the Organization (Rom.1:25). Are these two different identities (God and the Organization) interchangeable? (Isa.40:25; 42:8) Can our worship, obedience, and approval from God be mediated through an organization (Gal.1:10), thereby providing us with divine "peace and security"?
The organization has taught that "devotional aids" such as statues of saints are forbidden and are considered idols, even when the person who uses them states that they are simply an aid to help him feel closer to God. How is it that the WT sees these mediating "aids" as Idols, on the basis that they are not God...
Yet this reasoning is lost when that idol is their Organization?
How is the mental image of the "faithful and discreet slave" saints as mediating for us,
any different than a statue of a "saint" mediating for us?
In any case, nothing can take the place of God Himself in our obedience and service (Luke 4:8).
Can obedience and service to an organization, really keep us safe from Satan... alert and immune to his final machinations?
"all the protection God provides; through his Word, his spirit, and his organization" (w02 10/15 pp. 8-13)
True Peace and Security—How Can You Find It?, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society 1986
The "Watchtower" has prophesied peace (a "spiritual paradise") to it's followers since it's inception. It claims to be a spiritual oasis, safe from demonic threat and dominion, and separate from Satan's world.
"Still, as a people, “the chosen ones” and their loyal companions will physically survive the end of apostate Christendom by taking refuge in Jehovah and his mountainlike organization."
"We find refuge today in the spiritual security enjoyed by God’s people as a whole."
"Through “the faithful and discreet slave” and elders in the congregation, we are alerted to trends in the world that could endanger that security." (w11 1/15 pp. 3-7)
commonly supposed to be an allusion to Jeremiah’s words about the
Jews of his time at Jer.5:14NIV ; (Jer.23:29; Matt.10:20; Rev.11:3,5)
and Jer.8:11; 14:13-14:
“They have healed also the hurt of my people slightly, saying,
Peace, peace; when there is no peace" (with God) (due to their "hurting" God's people - 1Pet.2:10,9,5; 1Cor.3:16-17)...."But, "Ah, Lord GOD!" I said, "Look, the prophets are telling them, 'You will not see the sword nor will you have famine, but I will give you lasting peace in this place.'" Then the LORD said to me, "The prophets are prophesying falsehood in My name. I have neither sent them nor commanded them nor spoken to them; they are prophesying to you a false vision, divination, futility and the deception of their own minds."
As in Jeremiah's day, a "false prophet" is also among God's people (Rev.19:20; 13:11,7; 16:13; 20:10; Dan.11:31,33; Rev.13:10,8; Dan.8:11,12,13,24; 2Thess.2:4,8) (Link:"False-Teachers"). If the spiritual reality is actually one of danger and divine condemnation (Luke 21:8,12,16-17,21-22,36,24; Col.2:8; Rev.2:10; 13:10,7; Matt.24:24-25,15-16; 2Thess.2:3-4) (1Pet.4:17; Luke 21:36; Rev.6:17; 14:19; Jer.25:30,29) then where would these people (in the time of the end) get the impression that their standing with God, is peaceful and secure?
God's Word tells us...
Jer.5:30,31,12; 8:11; 23:16,17,21,22,32; Rev.16:13; 13:11,12,14,15,8,4; 1Tim.4:1.
The prominent prophets among God's people are false. They are the ones who mislead God's people into a false sense of peace with God and security from the enemy (Eze.13:10; Dan.9:26; Rev.12:15; Luke 21:9; Rev.19:11,14; 17:14; 2Chron.16:9; 1Thess.5:3,2).
This is a repeat to the situation back when God's people were captive to the king of Babylon.
This "king of Babylon" identity is prophetically fulfilled in Leviathan/Satan; and captivity to "Babylonian" figures is the fulfillment taking place in the Lord's day (Rev.9:11; 13:10; 17:5,15,18).
This prophesy corresponds to the events to befall God's people (the anointed) during the Lord's Day. They too are captive to "Babylon the Great" and it's *king (Rev.9:11; 12:17; 13:7,10; 11:2), through their association with
*Babylon's Queen (BTG --Rev.18:7),
*her harlot daughters (Rev.16:13,15; 17:5,15,18; 18:4,3),
and Satan's *"son of destruction" (the "man of lawlessness"/"Wild Beast") (2Thess.2:3,4; Rev.9:7; 13:1,5,6,7,8,10). God's Temple is being "trampled" by Gentiles (Matt.5:13; Rev.11:2; Luke 21:24; Dan.8:11; 9:26; 2Thess.2:4). Yet they are mislead to think they are at peace (even in a "spiritual paradise").
God's people (unsealed chosen ones) are being disciplined/taken captive/tormented, for their idolatry to the Organization (Image of Wild Beast) through it's army of representatives (Wild Beast) (Rev.9:3,4; 13:7) (Greatest Tribulation - what&why), and need to be awoken, cleansed and refined upon Christ's return (Mal.2:1,2; 3:1,2,3,4).
These agents of Satan* (Rev.16:13; 13:11) likewise lull God's people into a false sense of safety and protection (Rev.13:8,4,3; Matt.24:23-25,22,13; 19:25-26) while they are in reality, still under Satan's masked dominion....
"And just as a child seeks his parents' protection when a storm rages, we seek protection in Jehovah's organization" (w11 4/15 pp. 3-5)
"'Seeking Jehovah' today involves developing and maintaining a warm personal relationship with him in association with his earthly organization." Zeph.2:2,3 (w01 2/15 pp. 17-22)
(LINK)
It would appear that "Jehovah's Witnesses" are being taught, that they have protection, peace and security with God, dependent upon their standing with the Organization (Rom.1:25). Are these two different identities (God and the Organization) interchangeable? (Isa.40:25; 42:8) Can our worship, obedience, and approval from God be mediated through an organization (Gal.1:10), thereby providing us with divine "peace and security"?
The organization has taught that "devotional aids" such as statues of saints are forbidden and are considered idols, even when the person who uses them states that they are simply an aid to help him feel closer to God. How is it that the WT sees these mediating "aids" as Idols, on the basis that they are not God...
Yet this reasoning is lost when that idol is their Organization?
How is the mental image of the "faithful and discreet slave" saints as mediating for us,
any different than a statue of a "saint" mediating for us?
In any case, nothing can take the place of God Himself in our obedience and service (Luke 4:8).
Can obedience and service to an organization, really keep us safe from Satan... alert and immune to his final machinations?
"all the protection God provides; through his Word, his spirit, and his organization" (w02 10/15 pp. 8-13)
True Peace and Security—How Can You Find It?, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society 1986
The "Watchtower" has prophesied peace (a "spiritual paradise") to it's followers since it's inception. It claims to be a spiritual oasis, safe from demonic threat and dominion, and separate from Satan's world.
"Still, as a people, “the chosen ones” and their loyal companions will physically survive the end of apostate Christendom by taking refuge in Jehovah and his mountainlike organization."
"We find refuge today in the spiritual security enjoyed by God’s people as a whole."
"Through “the faithful and discreet slave” and elders in the congregation, we are alerted to trends in the world that could endanger that security." (w11 1/15 pp. 3-7)
"Jehovah's Witnesses" are taught that they have peace with God, and security from Satan's influence, as long as they are in unquestioning obedience and good standing, within their organization.
They teach that Satan has already been cast down, and has lost his power over the organization and it's leadership. They teach that they are under the dominion of the kingdom of God, which they claim began it's dominion over them in 1914. Assuming they are under the rule of Jesus Christ through the Organization; they feel at peace, and secure. They believe that they have found refuge from Satan's world dominion.
"Regarding those who would enjoy that restoration of true worship, Zephaniah foretold that Jehovah would save them and rejoice over them. This has proved true in our time too. After God’s Kingdom was set up in heaven, Jehovah delivered the faithful remnant of anointed ones from spiritual captivity to Babylon the Great. And he rejoices over them down to this day.
Those with the hope of living forever on earth have also got out of Babylon the Great and enjoy spiritual liberation from false religious teachings. Thus, Zephaniah 2:3 finds its major fulfillment in our time." w11 1/15 pp. 3-7
"Jehovah's visible organization is also a protection. How? At Proverbs ... be part of a people who seek, and receive, protection in God's name." w98 12/15
In Jer.28, there are two prophets...
the false prophet Hananiah, and the true prophet Jeremiah.
Hananiah tells God's people that they are set free from the king of Babylon, previous to the fulfillment of God's full discipline by captivity to the king. This is a pre-mature declaration of freedom, peace, the reestablishment of pure worship, and security.
Jeremiah wears a yoke around his neck, to symbolically depict to the people, their true situation of slavery to the king of Babylon. Only when they have completed their full sentence (for their rebellion against God -Jer.25:11,12; 29:10,11,12,13,14; Zech.1:12,13,14,15,16), will they finally be set free.
The time will come for God's Kingdom to fill the earth, when God collects together the scattered remnant... just as the time would arrive for God's people of the past to be set free from Babylon. Hananiah declared a premature prophecy of peace with God.
Does the Bible warn us of a premature declaration of peace and restoration, in the Lord's day?
Yes, and it is declared when the danger becomes the greatest...
Just as the Idol (disgusting thing) is being set up in God's Temple (Holy Place) (Eph.2:20,21,22) of anointed priests! (1Pet.2:5,9; 1Cor.3:16)
"Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God." (2Thess.2:1,2,3,4) (also Dan.8:11,12,24,25) (Dan.11:21,22,23,24,36,37,45; Rev.13:14,15,8,7)
(2Thess.2:8; Dan.9:27)
It has been prophesied in God's Word, that a false sense of security would occur in the time of the end. Yet we are told that by means of this "freedom from care", the enemy conquers the Holy Ones and tramples them. Do you see why this false sense of safety is dangerous?
God's Word warns us;
"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings." 1Pet.5:8
""Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat." Luke 22:31
"Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus." (Rev.12:17)
"When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been." (Rev.6:9,11)
"Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy." (John 16:20)
"She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born." (Rev.12:2,4)
"For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come." (Heb.13:14)
"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil.2:12)
"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34,35,36)
"What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'" (Mark 13:37)
"But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into." (Matt.24:43) (Matt.25:13)
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy" (John 10:10 A)
"From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their torture stake and follow me. (Rev.6:9,11; 12:10,11)
25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done." (Matt.16:21,22,23,24,25,26,27)
Rom.6:5
-----------------------
Is this perception of present peace and security accurate?
What is the danger of feeling safe from Satan due to the supposed spiritual shelter of an organization?
Prophecy tells us that when Satan makes his final attack against the woman's seed,
they do not expect the attack, nor perceive their vulnerability (Eze.38:11,14; Jer.49:31)
Can you see that this overlaps with the period where the leaders of God's people are falsely declaring peace and security? (Eze.13:16; Rev.13:11,4; 1Thess.5:3)
Because of their drowsy, overconfident condition, they are deceived and conquered (Rev.13:7; 9:5,10; Matt.5:13; Rev.11:2; 12:4; Dan.8:10,11,12,13; 2Thess.2:4).
Anointed "Priests" and prophets must warn people according to God's truth...for their protection, awareness, and vigilance to present danger (Jer.28:8; Eze.3:4,18; Mal.2:7; Dan.12:3,10; Matt.24:45).
The war is not over yet! (Rev.12:17; Eph.6:12; 2Cor.2:9; 11:3; 10:4,5,6; Matt.24:13,11,10; 10:22; Luke 13:24)
Any "walls" erected by men, to keep Satan out are an illusion...as long as he still dominates the world (1John 5:19; Eph.5:15,16). Our only true protection is the meaning of YHWH's name (Prov.18:10) which is that HE is our only saviour (Isa.43:11; 2:22; Rev.14:7; Psalm 146:3; 118:8). We must have faith and trust in HIM and the truth of His Word, (not the doctrines of a human organization -Jer.17:5; 1John 4:1; Mark 7:7,8), in order to possess a realistic spiritual shield (Eph.6:13,16).
The anointed are not protected from Satan's machinations by means of a membership in an organization, nor by obedience to it. (Rev.12:17; Luke 22:31; Rom.6:16; 1Cor.7:23)
Whether or not the WT realizes it, they are in the same relationship with Satan that other governmental powers are. They call themselves a "Governing Body". All such structures while Satan still holds world dominion, are under Satan's control...for his use in opposing, restraining, hindering, and persecuting the faithful chosen (2Thess.2:4; Matt.4:8,9; 1Cor.15:24; Mark 10:42,43).
This world is still completely dominated by Satan, as well as all the authority and governing power within it. They are all subject to him, whether or not his subjects are aware of it.
"The Bible unmistakably identifies and unmasks the one who has been maneuvering human leaders and world powers. Whether consciously or not, human society reflects the personality of its ruler and his ‘rule or ruin’ policy."w11 9/1 pp. 7-9 The World’s Secret Ruler Exposed
Rule or Ruin is precisely the spirit behind WT policy,
which expels and slanders all those who disagree with their false doctrines,
or refuse to submit to their Idolatrous blasphemous dominion.
Rule, or, ruin.
Wisdom protects.
Ec.7:12; Prov.4:6
That wisdom begins in fearing God (Prov.9:10; Psalm 111:10; Jer.17:7)...not men (Prov.29:25).
Wisdom is not through subjection, nor a seeking of the approval from, an Organization whose authority is under the umbrella of Satan's world reign.
God's kingdom will not begin until all it's kings are sealed.
Prophecy tells us that "Jerusalem's wall" must be rebuilt.
She most certainly does still need protection from her enemies...
not by means of a false sense of security, touted by her false prophets...
but by means of the re-establishment of truth, righteousness, and humility,
behind which wall, all her inhabitants will be kept safe.
It is time to leave "Babylon",
and rebuild Jerusalem's wall of truth.
The whitewashed wall of lies is no protection.
(Isa.28:14,15,17,18,19,20; Eze.13:10,11,12,13,14,15,16)
Jer.28:15,16,17 reads:
"Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, “Listen, Hananiah! The Lord has not sent you, yet you have persuaded this nation to trust in lies. 16 Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. This very year you are going to die, because you have preached rebellion against the Lord.’”17 In the seventh month of that same year, Hananiah the prophet died."
The "death" of our governing false prophet today, has also been prophesied (Rev.17:16,17).
So,
what's wrong with "peace and security"?
It is a lie. It deceives the unsealed chosen ones, into believing they are no longer at war.
This false sense of protection and safety leaves them open to surprise attack from Satan and his disguised agents. They are deceived into worshiping an Idol, touted by the false prophet as being the source of true peace with God.
God allows that Idol of Gentile power to dominate and persecute those who have fallen asleep in subjection to it (2Cor.11:20; Rev.13:8,7; 2:14,20; 17:2; 18:3). Only those who repent will be released from these agents of Satan, and his "mother" "covenant of death"..."Babylon the Great" when their period of cleansing is fulfilled.
I do realize that these teachings are supported by a deeper study into the foundation of these ideas.
The articles which define and explain these supporting basics, are liked below.
LINKS:
Spiritual virginity -vs- the Harlot's cup
--The Last Harlot and her Beast
----YHWH's Genuine Mountain
What is the "Disgusting Thing" in a "Holy Place"?
--Who is the "Man of Lawlessness"?
----The final deception
Thank you for being encouragement to the holy ones.
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