OldSkool

Im pretty sure he reworded this statement from the Introduction of How to Enjoy the Bible: "OPEN THE BOOK" and let it speak for itself, with the full conviction that if this can be done it can speak more loudly, and more effectively for itself, than any man can speak on its behalf. of course Bullinger followed up with this next paragraph: May the Lord deign to use these pages, and make them to be that "guide" to a better understanding and a greater enjoyment of His own Word. Obviously Bullinger wasn't saying the Bible intreprets itself and in fact that phrase isn't found in How to Enjoy the Bible. I have an electronic copy and searched that phrase...its a big 0

Ive had similar thoughts over the years --- Thoughts that go something like "Why would the father ever lead me to a corrupt organization?" -- and for a while I was truly stumped and I dealt with a variety of emotions on the subject. Eventually, I started to realize that with TWI you start off on firm footing because its just you God/Jesus Christ and the start of a new familial relationship. The problem with TWI in this regard is they position themselves as THE authority over a person's faith. They literally and slowly usurp the authority of our Lord and put themselves subtly in Jesus Christs place declaring him absent. With that said, I have no doubt that your relationship with the Father is/was genuine. The problem comes in with this third wheel...the way international. Now - corruption. The entire world is corrupt and we live in the midst of it all. Naturally, there are corrupt organizations and unfortunately I was deeply involved with one to the point of being top leadership. I came to GSC to expose everything I possibly could because if just creep off quietly and don't warn others then I am culpable. (I was exposed to a lot) I can say it no better than what WW said earlier so I will use that quote function. These few sentences summarize so much of my life and the way international. When I got involved with TWI I was living a very crazy lifestyle. Running the streets, violent, crazy, like a wild animal in some respects. The way international really did help round me out as an individual, I mean it's wasnt all bad at first, though it eventually ended up that way. I think we can summarize a lot with the following verse: Isaiah 55:11 “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” God's purposes will be accomplished and in spite of anyone's efforts to the contrary his purposes have been established in your life, except, you are taking a new direction having divorced the usurper - TWI. The bottom line is Jesus Christ is drawing us out of this world and to the Father, the path an individual might take is unique to that individual. Does that make it any less real (or amazing) that we are being drawn out from this world? I think not - it really speaks to the sovereingty of God because not one of us will be lost. Ephesians 1:4 “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” Most of us read Ephesians 1:4 and stop with the fact that God knew us in his foreknowledge throughout all time. However, that's not really all this verse is saying. Foundation is Katabole in Koine Greek and speaks of a violent throwing down. Please read this link to understand why I say this: (I have no affiliation with the author if this site and am not familiar with his other doctrinal positions, i just simply enjoyed this article) https://www.franknelte.net/article.php?article_id=213 Ephesians 1:4 literally means he has chosen us in Christ before the violent overthrow of this present world. So we literally have been selected to dwell in the new heaven and new earth wherein dwell righteousness. This is the big picture...so if my salvation came through the Catholic Church then so be it, as it turns out it was TWI and not the RCs. It is what it is. God is literally bringing his plan of salvation to pass in this corrupt world using corruptible people and that's just what it is. As for God leading me to TWI: Understand that I wasnt a nice guy back then and I used to hang around some really bad folks. My point? There werent a lot of options to reach me cause I wasnt someone that was approachable and I wouldn't have listened to anyone from a traditional religous background. So, the way international fit the bill, although it could have easily been any number of organizations. So for me the Lord knew how to get my attention, and really, I wouldnt have left the way international any earlier than what I did cause I was straight out fanatical. What started out as being on fire for God slowly morphed to being on fire for TWI. The boundaries were moved slowly and I never noticed and at 23, I was unprepared for cult life and totally ignorant. So naturally, being young and mostly naieve (once you got me off the streets) I was the perfect target for a seductive cult like TWI. That mental agitation you expressed likely comes from unrealistic expectations and outright lies foisted on us by TWI, that somehow people are perfect once they "renew their minds". Thats all religous garbage that gets mixed in with the law of believing. So TWI creates a false reality with people playing their roles in fantasy land. Give yourself time and just learn to enjoy the process. You are here at this juncture because you want to be closer to the Lord...and you are drawing nearer and he is drawing nearer to you. I would say you are on the right path. Oh----avoid offshoots like the plague. I made that mistake when I first left TWI. Most all offshoots are run by people who wish to continue the charade concerning wierwille. Not all, each must stand on it's own merits but beware. So if you get hit with not throwing out the baby with the bathwater I would recommend tossing the baby too. Instead do this: 1 Thessalonians 5:21 “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” Oh --- and for all I know the Lord led me to the way international knowing that I would help expose their corruption as a warning to others.

I'll post more when I'm home. But..you are experiencing loss and deep loss at that. Remember his Word does not return void. More later...hang in there...it gets better from here....though it comes and goes in waves.

https://www.healthline.com/health/stages-of-grief

Morning. What you are going through is normal. I went through the same process. Basically, it's the same as grieving. I'm at work, so can't provide a link atm, but look up 5 stages of grieving.. Basically you are dealing with loss. It gets better and being free from two breaks a cycle of bondage that only gets worse. Your on the right track.

Oh, your doing fine. One of my favorites is quoting the wrong person and then scrambling to fix it later....seems im pretty good at that one....lol

To be clear, it wasn't your perception, that's a common attitude amongst the corps - whether active or not. That's how they treat you when you go in-residence. You could show up with a freaking doctorate under your belt and they would still treat you like an idiot. Then you graduate into the club where you can then treat everyone else like you used to be treated when you were in-rez. There's just a lot of smug types in TWI, fake intellectuals, junk science types who are completely clueless....

I love watching those critters....they are bada$$... A honey badger shows up for two reasons...to kick a$$ and chew bubble gum...

Wow...havent come across Tetragrammaton since my occult days. That's used heavily by occultists, traces back to Jewish Mystiscism. https://occult-world.com/tetragrammaton/ How ironic that you knew what you were talkning about, asked a legitimate a$$ question, and Bam!....but mr former corps guy treats you like you are the one who doesn't know what hes talking about...typical.

I didn't know that, thanks for posting!

Twi settled out of court with the Allen's. They paid a lot of money for the truth to stay off public record. They wouldn't have survived. The changes they've made are superficial.

GSC was a huge factor in finding my way out of twi. I was literally at HQ when the Allen lawsuit was underway. I saw firsthand the dishonest coverup but likely would have swallowed the hook that Martindale's affair was one time and mutually consensual. GSC opened my eyes to the obvious. TWI is a corrupt organization that was facing RICO charges and those charges were going to trial because the judge upheld them after TWI sought to dismiss. What I learned here is the problem was decades old, led straight back to wierwille, and was an established pattern of abuse. I witnessed the whitewash as twi still strives to be legitimate. I've spoken on that topic extensively over the years. GSC still matters.

That's all they are. Literally. The only power they ever have is by the agreement of those they seek to control.

Not to get too far off the beaten path, Im leaning, (at least at this point) towards The old covenant being fulfilled in Christ and the new covenant, basically built on the old covenant, is with Israel and includes the gentiles as well - really anyone who makes Jesus Lord. Its not replacement though. Israel hasnt been replaced, just gentiles included into the fold. Like most things in my life at this point, this too is a work in progress.

the way international is nothing more than a 501-c3 corporation that reflects the delusional practices of it's founder. You would be sanctified before, during, or after your time in TWI because they dont matter. All they have is mental bondage. Set that aside and they have nothing. Rosalie is a delusional liar to think she has ever determined spiritual consequences in someones life because she wields a salt dish and can quote scripture out of context. Mental bondage.

They consider a person that has left as no longer part of the functioning body of Christ. Still born again, but rewards eliminated and serious consequences to the ones who leave the protection of the household. That little trick is even heavier handed on the way corps with their stupid salt covenant. I actually heard straight out of Rosalie Rivenbarks mouth that the consequences for leaving the way corps are way worse because of the salt covenant.

Im convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that God will far exceed even our greatest expectations!

Oh, I figured you did, I would have done everyone a favor by qualifying that statement. I usually only speak up on stuff like that for the sake of those who are lurking on GSC for corraboration.

Yes. That it's exactly as Waysider says. TWI binds people hardcore from early with fear of leaving the ministry.

Not to muddy the waters here, but administrations don't exist. They were popularized and introduced into Christianity by John Nelson Darby. Before Darby they basically didn't exist. From Darby Cyrus Ingram Scofield pushed them in his study Bible, The Scofiel Reference Bible that became the default study tool for Moody Bible Institute, et. al. That's another topic entirely, but when it comes to understanding Jesus Christ purpose it helps to understand that he is well into his mission of restoring the creation. Essentially Jesus Christ will reign until he has restored the creation and wrested it from the hands of the enemy. He will do what Adam never did...give it all back to God in a symbolic act of obedience and love. I mean it's not that God isn't still one in purpose with Christ. They go hand in hand. Yey, Christ will still lay it all back at the Father's feet instead of keeping it for himself. Jesus Christ is bringing a new creation into reality. The new birth is the down payment of that creation. At our full redemption at the gathering we will know fully as we are fully known.

Well, I think they are quoting this section of scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. I have to get going for now but will be back a little later. I guess the question is does sanctificatified = salvation in this context? Keep in mind that God wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. His grace and mercy are way beyond our finite comprehension. 1 John 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. Forget about the sin unto death, I don't really think that applies to your 7y/o grandson. But if God is so very gracious he will give eternal life to someone when I ask on their behalf...I think you have nothing to worry about. Just rest easy in your trust in God.

Well...where is that take and expansion you are talking about?....or do I have to register for a class and swear allegiance ...?

Very happy to be of service, thanks for the kind words of encouragement! Interesting you mentioned that not known since the first century line wierwille used. You have very likely tossed that line in the trash bin..so not really trying to lecture you at all...so my rhetorical question isn't aimed at you. If the information wierwille presented hadn't been known since the first century then why in the world is the information he presented traceable to extant sources?

Well...first let's start with the source of the phrase....is that source trustworthy? No. Then....break it down...accuracy - word. In this case, who defines accuracy? who defines word? If you came with the way international I would say you got a 100% on your GSC rhetorical pop quiz. Seriously, think about it. Is the way international qualified to say authoratatively what the accuracy of the word really is? Or does the way international tell you what is accurate according to their word? As for Christiaity, God, Jesus, etc...Ive found that simple faith..aka trust in God...simple trust just the size of a grain of mustard seed is more important than most other issues. What could be more important than faith? Love! Love is the most important of all - concentrate on God's love. Just take the pressure off your own back and leave yourself alone. I literally had to learn how to do the same things I am saying to you. Jesus yoke is easy and his burden light. TWI binds us with heavy burdens, onerous to carry. They are modern day pharisees. As for scripture, I had to learn what it really is. It's a vast literary work where the authors span about a 1500 year time period. It's existed in various forms over the years, and is cumulative in nature. It didnt become an actual book until around 1455 with the Gutenburg bible. The Bible isn't what TWI says it is. With that said, take time to look at scriptures such as: 1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. The truth is God never sets rigid standards for how our relationships are supposed to work. That's the nature of relatinship. It's personal. But if TWI says we aren't supposed to have fellowship with Jesus Christ and scripture clearly does then I think the choice and path is clear.

Boy oh boy they are uttely destitute when it comes to marriage counselling. The clergy who officiated my first marriage set a booby trap during counselling that likely proved to be the end of that marriage. During counselling, and there were numerous sessions, we were asked to tell the other what would be grounds for divorce in the marriage. I came from a long line of alcoholics so of couse being under pressure she said alcoholism. Well....Im a recovering alcoholic at this point and when I went off the deep end with my drinking some years back it was a real easy progression to divorce from there. Who in their right mind would ask an engaged couple to tell the other what would be grounds for divorce? I dont blame TWI or clergy for my marriage ending...it's largely my fault and I have made amends the best I am able. What I am saying if the concept hadn't been introduced at all we would have had a better chance of staying married through it all.