Annual Meeting 2013

There are some consistent reports of what transpired at this year's annual meeting yesterday. 
A large number of attendees transmitted their notes to common sites for comparison.
  Although there was no anticipated overt demand for allegiance by the GB on behalf of the Org. at this time,
such is already fully manifested through covert means. How typical of Satan. His machinations are well camouflaged, and designed to be undetectable.
Now that the GB has declared themselves the only "faithful and discreet slave" (Isa.47:8; John5:31; Luke17:10; Luke12:42,41,40; Mark13:36,37);
let us see what they have to impart to their audience.

Of what the attendees transmitted, I have gleaned a few statements from the GB members, and have included below, some scriptural thoughts for comparison. Paraphrased statements by GB members will be highlighted.

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Mark Sanderson "a display to honor Jehovah"

New bible display created at headquarters, displays pages from many bible manuscripts and versions. Great effort was extended to acquire antique and rare copies of the Bible.

Is such a collection of publications, truly what "honors" God? (John15:8,5; Matt.5:16; Matt.7:17,20)

Whatever the claims of men, the truth comes from Christ. 

He was foremost to "honor" God, yet the means by which he did so, never included a display of physical goods, nor his ability to acquire material treasures.

It was the Pharisees who felt that a materialistic and physical display of scripture, was actually of value.

Note Matt.23:5, where Jesus said of them...

"Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels."

As with the religious Leaders of Jesus' day, such displays emphasize the material and physical, not the spiritual (1Cor.2:10,12,13,14). 

Was it God's purpose for both the Bible and the Hebrew scrolls, to be physically displayed as "priceless relics"?

What is the real value of God's Word, both in the time of Christ and today?

What does God intend for us to accomplish by means of the Bible and "prayer boxes" filled with scripture?

At Deut.11:18, God tells us...

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads".

"Symbols on your hands and forehead"...

Yes...a SYMBOL, that God's words would guide our minds and actions (John14:17) (Rev.13:16). 

Yet the Pharisees thought that by means of a visual display of God's guidance,

one could established their own righteousness. 

Such a display does not honor God, but as Christ's criticism established (Matt.23:26,28), it mocks Him.

A Bible only contains power and value for us, if the wisdom within it is used and obeyed. What spiritual benefit is derived from a material display?

According to Jesus Christ, none. But if we are inclined to think otherwise, we diminish the spiritual value and authority which the Bible contains...

and we rightly deserve the name which Jesus called such men...

"Hypocrites!"

Was this spirit of hypocrisy displayed by the expressions of governing body members during this meeting?

Despite the lavish physical display of scripture, now view-able at headquarters,

note the next comment given by Guy Pierce...

"Paul did NOT mean to test the faith as in test the religion. We KNOW we have the true religion already."

Undoubtedly Mr. Pierce refers to 2Cor.13:5...
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith."

If Mr. Pierce denies that "faith" is our beliefs...our "religion"...
what definition of "faith" does he have in mind?
Is he speaking of unwavering trust in his governing body, or the Organization?
Are the sheep to test out their unwavering faith in, and loyalty to those things?
Is this what Paul really had in mind?

Having the faith mentioned in 2Cor.13:5 is associated with having "Jesus Christ among/in you".
The verse tells us that if our faith becomes a counterfeit, Jesus Christ will no longer be among us.

What "faith" is required to retain Christ within us? (Eph.3:17,19,20; 4:13; John14:23; Rom.8:10,9; Col.1:23)
In the very next verse (2Cor.13:6), Paul declares that he himself does not fail this test of faith and union with Christ.
Was Paul referring to faith in men or an organization? (Gal.1:11,12,19,20,10,6,7,8; Eph.4:5; Col.1:23)
If we read the next verses, we see what Paul means by "failing the test" of faith (2Cor.13:7,8)...
"Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong--not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth."

The test of true faith, are the deeds which result toward the truth.
To be "in the faith" is to be "for truth" in union with Christ.
To "fail the test" of faith, is to work "against the truth" and to lose union with Christ.

What truth? Is the source of that truth, an unquestioning trust in men, or an organization?
Jesus said:
"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John14:6) (Rom.5:2)
When Paul said "And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test." (2Cor.13:6)...
note what test he refers to, mentioned in the context 2Cor.13:3...
"since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you."

The test was demanding proof that Christ indeed did speak through Paul. He did not fail that test.
It was not an organization or a governing group that spoke through Paul. Should Paul's audience just have assumed that Paul automatically represented the "true religion"?
Paul passed this test of wise scrutiny, because he was loyal in working "for the truth" from Christ;
even though it appeared that Paul "seemed to have failed" (2Cor.13:7).
Why did Paul say that it appeared he failed?
Paul only worked for truth from Christ, yet was in "ill-repute" (2Cor.6:8; 1Cor.4:10,13) by those who had taken power to rule (1Cor.4:8,2). These spoke against Paul and his work for truth (Rom.3:8). Would not such men as those, be the real ones to "fail the test" of faith in the truth of Christ?

Then Paul says he hopes that this seeming failure, will not cause his hearers to "do anything wrong". Here Paul was concerned for his hearers, that they not reject him on the basis of those slandering him as failing this test of faith (Luke10:16).

Faith is defined at Heb.11:1.
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

That definition of faith is a belief and hope for the future. That faith is according to the promises of God found within His Word (Col.1:23). That, is the "true religion".
If any organization, or body of powerful men, pervert that hope, belief, or promises,
 from unity with the teachings of Christ and scripture; (Col.2:8; 1John4:1; 1Tim.4:1)
then we'd better "test" that "religion"!

When we "test" if we are "in the faith",
we are testing whether what we believe and hope for, is in harmony with truth,
 defined by scripture and the teachings of Christ. 
If it is not, we lose our unity with the spirit of Christ (1Cor.6:17; Gal.2:20; John15:5; 1John2:28).
God's Word does not mention "religion", "organization", or "governing body" when speaking of passing the test of faith.
It speaks of testing our hopes, confidence, and belief,
and making certain that they are derived from the truth of Christ.
That would certainly call into question, our "religion".


"Have nothing to do with "bum" witnesses." 

I will simply reply to this with scripture...

(Matt.7:1,2; Rom.15:1,2; 14:4; 12:10; 1Thess.5:14; 1Cor.9:22; 12:22,23,24,25)
(1Cor.10:12; 8:2; Prov.16:18; Rev.3:17,18; Phil.2:3; Luke21:2,3; Matt.5:22; 2Tim.2:24,25; 1John4:20; 3:14; Micah6:8)


In speaking about the new Bible translation...

Guy Pierce This new information is confidential. Please do not share it.

Apparently, this "new information" is not sourced with Christ.
(Matt.10:27; Acts5:20; Rom.14:19; 15:2; Eph.4:29,25; Mal.2:7)

Will there be a reference bible version? Yes. The study bible is being worked on. 

So being able to compare Bible verses to define scriptural meaning, is missing?

This is a "witnessing bible", one that will help us in our ministry. It will also help in personal study.
Contains a mini reasoning book and an Extensive appendix. 

So our personal study does not need to make use of a bible "reference"? Apparently, Mr. Pierce feels that a "mini reasoning book" and "appendix" (all consisting of men's doctrine) is sufficient (Rom.3:4; Mark7:6,7).

"We are sure that all of you will be mindful in making contributions to the world wide publishing work." – Guy Pierce
Where is the scriptural support for this directive?

"Brother" Lett. commanded all, to "Take care of your new bible".

By insinuating that his hearers need this command, is he not heaping unkind, baseless shame on his hearers? Is he not raising the organization's new version higher than other sources of God's Word and above the value of his hearers,
perhaps making them feel unworthy of possessing it, or of questioning it's translation?

Most unusual feature is an outlined summary before each individual book.
Rev.22:18,19

eliminated the long conclusion for Mark 16, the short conclusion as well. They've done away with John 7:53-8:11

Sheol and Hades removal, replaced with "grave".

"Sheol and Abaddon are never full/satisfied, Nor are the eyes of man ever satisfied." (Prov.27:20)

The scriptural "Sheol" is NOT the grave, but refers to the Abyss. Without translating "Sheol" accurately, the meaning of Revelation is beyond reach.

Hebrew word written as "kidneys", will now be translated as "deep emotions".

This liberty goes beyond scriptural interpretation.
Who is the authority that knows that when God's Word says "kidneys", that it means "deep emotions"?
The kidneys filter the blood, and we know the significance of that (Lev.17:11,14).
To "filter" one's soul and remove it's impurities (2Cor.7:1) is to advance in holiness (1Pet.1:16).
This is a good conscience....not "deep emotions".

God's will to be completed by the end of the millennium. Very casually said by Mr. Louche

Who knows what this means, but it may insinuate that the "Thousand Years" of Christ's kingdom started in 1914, (ruling without the completed 144000) and that at the end of that period, the "subduing" of Christ's enemies will be completed. 

In truth, Christ's enemies are being subdued since long before 1914 (Luke10:19,18,17; Matt.28:18; Luke22:69; Psalm110:1).

When the last battle, "Armageddon" is finished, the judgment of all, is finished.

Mr. Louche does not understand the kingdom, according to scripture. The symbolic "thousand years" does not run from 1914 - 2914. 

When the end comes, this is when 1Cor.15:24,25,26 is fulfilled (1Cor.15:54; 2Cor.5:2; Rom.8:18,19,23).

Help your teenagers stay separate from the world and remain holy. You don't want them to marry outside The Lord when they grow up.

Marrying "in the Lord" is speaking of marrying within the body of Christ. This is not referring to any but the members of that body, the anointed Temple of God. (1Cor.12:27; Rom.12:5; 8:9; 1Cor.6:15,14; Eph.5:6,7; 2Cor.11:2,3,4,5). Paul continued...2Cor.11:6 to confirm his genuine reliance upon Christ within him, and not an alliance with "superfine" men, or any organization. (2Cor.13:6,5)

One would expect that with all the effort and expense that "Witnesses" expend to attend such events, that their leaders would have more to offer them as they face the "end of all things" (1Pet.4:7; Isa.65:13).
  Although many inquire of me about my opinion of such events; I am inclined to avoid commenting on them in the future, unless the content of the program contains something significant. 

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