Congregation Bible Study (30 mins): rr “Clarification of Beliefs”, questions 5-8.
How was the vision of the plain of dry bones fulfilled?
Biblical texts: Ezek. 37:1-14
The Watchtower: March 2016 “Questions From Readers”
Pure Worship: Chapter 10, Paragraphs 9-14
Explanation above: In the year 1918, the persecuted anointed brothers were taken captive to Babylon the Great. They became almost inactive, almost to death.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Earlier it was explained that the spiritual captivity began in 1918, that it was a short period of time, and that it ended in 1919, when Jehovah revived them in their role as Kingdom proclaimers.
In 1918, persecuted anointed Christians were taken captive to Babylon the Great and remained almost dormant until 1919, when Jehovah revived them in their role as Kingdom proclaimers.
Clarification: The captivity coincides with the long period of the growth of the wheat and the weeds in Jesus' parable.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
It later became clear that this period of captivity began long before 1918. It lasted for centuries, specifically from the second century to 1919. During this time there were more apostates than true Christians on earth, and Jesus mentioned it when speaking of the time when the evil grass would grow next to the wheat.
Spiritual captivity was a situation comparable to death that lasted for centuries and began long before 1918. In fact, it began in the second century of our era and ended in 1919.
Reasons for the change: Ezekiel's prophecy not only says that the bones were "dry", but "very dry", so those bones were from people who had been dead for a long time.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
One reason for the change is that in Ezekiel 37:2, it mentions that the bones were not dry, but "very dry," indicating that the owners of those bones were long dead. Also, the restoration of these people did not happen suddenly, but was a gradual process that required time. Therefore, the spiritual captivity was not only between 1918 and 1919, but it is understood that it had to be a fairly long period of time.
The captivity of ancient Israel lasted a long time: from the year 740 to 537 before our era. Ezekiel's prophecy says that the bones were not only "dry," but "very dry," indicating that those bones were of long-dead people.
What does the union of the two sticks mean?
Biblical texts: Ezek. 37:15-17
The Watchtower: July 2016, “Questions From Readers”
Pure Worship: Chapter 12, Paragraphs 13 and 14, and Box 12A
Explanation above: The faithful anointed who remained on Earth, went through a brief period of division, and came back together.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
It used to be understood that during the first world war, the anointed ones on earth separated for a time, and that they came together again in 1919.
During World War I, the remaining faithful anointed ones on earth experienced a brief period of division, only to come together again in 1919.
Clarification: It will be Jehovah who will make his servants one.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Later we understood that the prophecy of the union of the two suits began to be fulfilled in 1919, and that from that year, more and more people hoping to live forever on Earth began to join the anointed. And it is Jehovah who would make his servants become one stick.
Jehovah is the one who will make his servants one, after 1919, with the passage of time, more and more Christians hoping to live on Earth joined the anointed remnant. The two groups worship as one people.
Reasons for the change: The prophecy does not indicate that a group was divided and came back together. He means that two groups would unite.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The prophecy does not indicate that at some point a stick parted and then came back together. What it does mention is that Jehovah is the one who would unite two groups. And today, both the other sheep and the anointed ones serve together, as one flock, and under one king, Jesus Christ.
The prophecy does not speak of a stick that first splits and then rejoins, it indicates that two groups would unite.
Who is Gog of Magog?
Biblical texts: Ezek. 38:2, 10-13
The Watchtower: May 15, 2015, “Questions From Readers”
Pure Worship: Chapter 17, Paragraphs 3-10
Explanation above: It is a prophetic name of Satan.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Gog de Magog was once said to be a name given to Satan once he was cast out of heaven.
Gog de Magog is a prophetic name for Satan after he was cast down from heaven.
Clarification: Represents a group of nations that will attack Jehovah's servants.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
It was later made clear that Gog de Magog represents a coalition of nations that attacked Jehovah's people during the great tribulation.
Gog de Magog represents a coalition or group of nations that will attack Jehovah's servants during the great tribulation.
Reasons for change: Gog of Magog is not a spirit.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
A very logical reason for the change is seen in Ezekiel 39:4, where it says that Gog will be eaten by birds of prey and wild beasts. Satan being a spiritual being cannot be eaten. And besides, he will not be buried either, but locked in an abyss for 1000 years. So it is clear that Gog de Magog is not satan, but a group of nations.
The Bible mentions the attack of Gog de Magog, but also the attack of the king of the north and that of the kings of the Earth. These attacks against the people of God are really one, but with different names. So we can deduce that Gog is not the Devil, but a coalition of nations that will attack Jehovah's servants during the great tribulation.
The prophecy about Gog says that he will be given as food to birds of prey and that he will be buried here on Earth, this indicates that Gog is not a spirit, furthermore, Gog's attack coincides with what the books of Daniel say and Revelation about the attack that the nations will launch against the people of God.
Is the temple that Ezekiel toured the same as the great spiritual temple that the apostle Paul spoke of?
Biblical texts: Ezek. 40:1-5
Pure Worship: Chapters 13 and 14
Explanation above: They are the same temple.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Long ago, our publications claimed that the temple in Ezekiel's vision was the same as the great spiritual temple described by Paul in his letter to the Hebrews.
The temple of Ezekiel's vision is the same as the spiritual temple that the apostle Paul would later speak of.
Clarification: We should focus primarily on the lessons Ezekiel's vision teaches us about Jehovah's standards for pure worship.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
What Ezekiel saw was not the spiritual temple, but a representation of pure worship restored after the exile, a perfect model for worshiping Jehovah according to Mosaic law. Ezekiel's vision centers on the spiritual restoration he began in 1919, from which we draw lessons about Jehovah's standards for pure worship.
What Ezekiel saw was not the spiritual temple but a representation of the pure worship restored after the exile, a perfect model to worship Jehovah according to the Mosaic Law, we must concentrate mainly on the lessons that Ezekiel's vision teaches us about the norms of Jehovah for pure worship.
Reasons for the change: There are important differences between the temple that Ezekiel saw and the spiritual temple.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
One reason is that the temple Ezekiel saw does not fit Paul's inspired explanation. Also, many animal sacrifices are offered in Ezekiel's temple; but in the spiritual temple only one sacrifice is offered "once and for all," the sacrifice of Jesus.
And another reason we know that Ezekiel did not see the great spiritual temple is because in his time the time had not yet come for God to reveal truths about that temple. Jehovah would reveal these spiritual truths at the right time and when his people could understand them, and that time had not yet come.
There are important differences between the temple that Ezekiel saw and the spiritual temple. For example, many animal sacrifices are offered in Ezekiel's temple; but in the spiritual temple a single sacrifice is offered "once for all."
ILLUSTRATION:
Ezekiel's vision of the temple.
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