Who was Paul praying to at 2 Corinthians 12:8-9?

Who was Paul praying to at 2 Corinthians 12:8-9? 

In this behalf I three times entreated the Lord that it might depart from me; and yet he really said to me: “My undeserved kindness is sufficient for you; for [my] power is being made perfect in weakness.” 

Paul answers this question: Who was the Lord he was praying to?

"Most gladly, therefore, will I rather boast as respects my weaknesses, that the power of the Christ may like a tent remain over me."

Rather than correcting Paul, Jesus answered his prayer.

We try to follow Jesus' example, right?

We are truly becoming more like Jesus, not because of our work, but because of God's work in us.

"And the Lord--who is the Spirit--makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image."--2 Corinthians 3:18

"For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him."--Philippians 2:13

(New Living Translation)

What does the Bible say about the Jehovah's Witness teachings regarding 1914 and 1918?

"So it was in 1914 that Jesus returned invisibly, without public fanfare and with only his faithful servants being aware of his return." –Watchtower 1991 5/15 p.9
 

Look! He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, and those who pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief because of him.- Revelation 1:7
 

 “Jesus Christ, came to inspect the spiritual temple in the spring of 1918.” -Watchtower 1993 5/1 p.15       
 

At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time. So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.- Matt. 24:23-27  

Christ's invisible return in 1914... Why is this an important teaching to Jehovah's Witnesses?

"Jehovah’s Witnesses have long recognized that this prophecy found its fulfillment with spirit-anointed Christians after the end of "the appointed times of the nations" ,the Gentile Times, in 1914." (Revelation—Its Grand Climax At Hand! page 164, 1988, "Then Is Finished the Mystery of God," pages 261-4, 1969.)

"The prophecies of 3 1/2 times mentioned at Daniel 7:25, 12:7 and Revelation 11:3 were recognized as parellel prophecies. The Watchtower focused on prophecies in Daniel, a book that twice mentions a period comparable to that mentioned later in Revelation—3 1/2 years, or 42 months (Revelation 11:2) The Watchtower of November 1, 1993, did offer a minor adjustment as to the dating of the modern fulfillment of Revelation 11:3... from December 1914 to June 1918."
 

"As to the ending, the magazine showed how the harassment of God’s anointed ones (Daniel 7:25) climaxed in June 1918 when J. F. Rutherford and other directors of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society were "sentenced on false charges to a long term in prison." That event certainly was "a finishing of the dashing of the power of the holy people," as noted at Daniel 12:7." (Watchtower 8/1/1994 p. 31)

"On arriving to inspect his slaves in 1918, therefore, whom did the Master, Jesus Christ, find giving to his body of attendants their measure of food supplies at the proper time? Well, by then, who had given sincere truth-seekers the correct understanding of the ransom sacrifice, the divine name, the invisibility of Christ’s presence, and the significance of 1914? ...
In 1918, when Jesus Christ inspected those claiming to be his slaves, he found an international group of Christians publishing Bible truths for use both inside the congregation and outside in the preaching work...The faithful slave and its Governing Body were in place, ready for a widened assignment. How glad we should be that this was so, for loyal Christians are richly benefiting from the devoted work of the faithful slave and its Governing Body!" (Watchtower 3/15/1990 p. 14)

"For example, the Governing Body represents 'the faithful and discreet slave' and has special responsibility to oversee the teaching of the worldwide congregation. (Matthew 24:45)"-(Watchtower September 15th 1995 p.30)
 

"We need to obey the faithful and discreet slave to have Jehovah’s approval." (Watchtower Jul 15,2011 p.24 Simplified English Edition)

Without this invisible return and invisible inspection, they have no basis for claiming to speak for God.

Up next: What does the Bible have to say about these statements?

"So it was in 1914 that Jesus returned invisibly, without public fanfare and with only his faithful servants being aware of his return." –Watchtower 1991 5/15 p.9

“Jesus Christ, came to inspect the spiritual temple in the spring of 1918.” -Watchtower 1993 5/1 p.15

See the page devoted to the 1914 teaching in their current Bible study book: http://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/bible-teach/1914-a-significant-year-in-bible-prophecy/      

 

 

 

How to discern Bible Teachers from False Preachers

Now as a free e-book ~ no names, just pure Word of God to help us grow in discernment.



A Study of Bible Teachers and False Teachers by S. Henry

(The author is not this blog's owner, I am just sharing the link.)

Christianity is not my God.

I actually feel like an outsider. So deeply attached to Jesus, but not part of cultural Christianity... seeing some of the same things in the culture and in church that I saw from the cult I was in when Jesus pulled me out, and other times having fears that I will experience the same things, unfounded or not.

I feel no need to defend "Christians" some are just part of the culture, using the name, attending church, following rules... others may be true Christians but have some fault that is considered more offensive. That's okay. I don't need to defend Christians the way I used to defend the people that belonged to the cult I was in. I don't even need to defend myself. No one said we would be perfect.

I see this getting hurled around as an insult to Christians: "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ." Gandhi

It doesn't bother me. In fact, I would much rather you love and cling to Jesus ALONE. Reject me, reject church... Go to Him. Go to Jesus alone.

Christianity is not my God.

Are you proud of being a Christian?

I have been reading Romans 1-3 over and over and trying to come to an understanding... I asked my brothers and sisters for help and then I did not head it, not opening the links to the sermons provided... but now I understand. It is a scathing rebuke to those very same Christians that belong to God. (Romans 1:7) If you read from Romans 1-3 in context you see the letter doesn't change audiences. Who was Paul writing to? What was he rebuking them for? Pride.

It is a rebuke for being judgmental, for being proud. Read it and see the meaning in context. Look at 2:1-5 and 2:17-20 and replace Jew with Christian or your denomination. How do you judge when you are no better? There is no one righteous, not even one. (3:10)

"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like." (Galatians 5) I tell you I read this and I know what this is telling me. My sins are in that list.

"I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." (vs. 21) I am in big trouble! Aren't I?

Thank God...

They were even more astonished and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?” Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:26-27)

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)