The Watchtower writes many articles which analyze other religions and criticizes them for their policies and beliefs. In this video we examine a Watchtower article about how the Mennonite community has treated their members who accept Watchtower literature and want to study the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses.
About Me
I was baptized as a Jehovah's Witness (JW) along with my wife in May of 1996. I progressed very quickly through the ranks of the JW organization becoming a Ministerial servant (Deacon) then an elder which in the JW organization is equivalent to a Pastor in many other churches. I received an official certificate of Ordination from the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society in May of 2004. This is something which most JW's never actually receive, including the elders. (At that time I think any JW could ask for the ordination confirmation paper)
Because of my zeal for the ministry and Bible study, I had the privilege of being used extensively. I was a Ministry School Overseer, Service Overseer & Book study Overseer simultaneously. I gave many talks (sermons) throughout Virginia, West Virginia and a couple in North Carolina. I also gave talks at large assemblies and spent many hours each month in the door to door ministry. I have served on several Judicial appeals committees. I resigned as an elder and immediately stopped going to the meetings in the Spring of 2006. As of November 2009 I am no longer associated with the JW's.
I truly love and respect many in the JW organization. For this reason, I DO NOT and WILL NOT slander my Christian JW brothers. While I believe that they are misled in several areas, I also believe they are serving God and Jesus with a sincere heart. (Acts 17:30)
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A very good video Mark, thanks for posting it 🙂
Thanks for your comment my friend! 🙂
Hi Mark. If we as God’s people should be keeping the Sabbath, what would be the best way to keep it each Saturday as a family?
Dear Sister L.
Please allow me to begin by saying I’m very sorry I haven’t responded until now. I’ve been extremely busy in ministry and I just this evening, (8/8/2015) saw your comments and question on my website dashboard. I don’t go to that part of my website until I’m getting ready to post something. I’ll be releasing another video or two very soon. Please forgive me my sister.
Regarding the Sabbath and how it can look to a family, this can be an individual thing. Many of my friends who are not Sabbath keepers seem to think of the Sabbath as restrictive and burdensome. I believe one reason for this is that most people look at the things they cannot do on Sabbath instead of what we can do. I must admit that when I first started looking into it, I thought the same thing. However, as I have come to learn more about Jehovah and His ways, I have found the Sabbath very liberating and at the same time, therapeutic! Before I continue, please keep in mind that my wife is still an active JW. She does not have the same view of the Sabbath as I do, but she respects my understanding as I do hers.
Please understand that I may be more conservative than some and more liberal than others. We are individuals and each of us has our own accountability to Jehovah and Jesus. I don’t believe Jehovah wants a bunch of “lockstep soldiers” so-to-speak. However, I think we should try to live according to God’s word in all we do! Some things I may do, others who observe the Sabbath may not. I will give you a description of what a Sabbath may be like for me.
That being said, and using the Bible only as my textbook, I have come to the conclusion that I must first be prepared for the Sabbath hours which begins at sunset on Friday. When we look at the manna instructions Jehovah gave in Exodus chapter 16, we see that He required His people to bake, boil and prepare their foods on what is called in the New Testament, (or Christian Greek Scriptures) “the preparation day.” (See Mark 15:42, Luke 23:54. Also see Exodus 16:23) As an example, if I wanted lasagna on Sabbath I would prepare and bake it before the Sabbath hours. I’d refrigerate it and heat it on Sabbath in the microwave before eating it. So you can see that the work of baking and preparing is not done on Sabbath. Some may think this is splitting hairs but again, I want to live according to the Scriptures.
As part of my preparation I make sure my car has sufficient fuel before the Sabbath hours. I go to a group Bible study every Friday night which brings in the Sabbath doing Spiritual things and I go to church meeting on Sabbath (Saturday) morning. After our church meeting many times we will have a social meal which was prepared the day before if there was any baking involved. There are times we may go up to the mountains and walk a scenic trail or go to a local lake and enjoy the beauty of creation. I live in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and its beautiful here! We may go to the local park and enjoy walking or feeding the ducks at the duck pond. I enjoy a Sabbath afternoon ride in the country. There are many times I and my friends will study together and fellowship all afternoon on Sabbath. I also have Bible studies via Skype with others. I like to visit with friends and family. And of course I enjoy a good ol’ Sabbath nap from time to time.
When I first started to keep the Sabbath, it seemed so long because I was alone in doing so and I was keeping to myself. But now, it seems to be over way too fast. I look forward to the Sabbath every week! My best friend Rick likes to say, “The Sabbath is guilt free rest.” This is so true! What Rick is saying when he makes this statement is, if the lawn needs to be mowed or a chore needs to be done, it can wait until another time. There are six days during the week to do these things, but the Sabbath is a day we can forget those things and focus on our relationship with Jehovah, Jesus and our family. The Sabbath day is Holy time! Our heavenly Father wants us to rest from our labor. We worship Jehovah every day, but He asks that we keep one day Holy, or set it aside for a special purpose.
Today, with the hustle and bustle it seems that we are always on the go and never really have time to relax and truly focus on our relationship with Jehovah and our family. This is needed now perhaps more than ever in History!
I have much more to share but this will get you started. Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 KJV)
Sister L, keep in mind that Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath and the Sabbath was made for man! (Mark 2:27) I hope this helps you in some way so that you can find the Sabbath a joy and not a burden.
Your brother,
Mark.