Watchtower August 2024 Revealed!

For those who haven’t heard by now…..Watchtower has removed the August 2024 Watchtower……why? Well here you go!

Context?

Elders can harass df ones every few months. Reinstatement can be very quick. You can say hello at meetings but DO NOT engage in conversation, DF ones can have Bible study before being reinstated. (wonder how you will be able to avoid conversation) Apostates and those that encourage "evil" must be avoided at all costs. (how do you encourage evil?)Shunning is required by all except elders and family who can only encourage you to return but nothing more. "Disfellowshipped" will no longer be used as a term, instead they will be called "removed", a new shunning word for JWs! Finally, no more marking talks, just nasty gossip to mark you more. Praise Jah for splitting hairs on how to be shitty to your family!

“Help for Those Removed from the Congregation”

“I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous ones who have no need of repentance.” Luke 15:7

1 Jehovah is not a God who tolerates wrongdoing; He is angry with sin.** (Psalm 5:4-6) He wants us to follow His high standards as outlined in the Bible. Does Jehovah expect us to be perfect? No, because He knows we are not perfect. (Psalm 130:3, 4) However, He does not condone “ungodly people who use His unmatched kindness as an excuse to act recklessly.” (Jude 4) Therefore, the Bible states that “ungodly people will be destroyed” in the war of Armageddon.—2 Peter 3:7; Revelation 16:16.

2 But Jehovah does not want anyone to be destroyed.** As clearly shown in previous articles, the Bible says that “He wants everyone to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9) The elders imitate Jehovah, so they patiently help those who have sinned to change and return to Him. However, some sinners refuse to repent. (Isaiah 6:9) Even though the elders have repeatedly tried to help them, they still do not they stop their bad actions. When this happens, what should be done?

“REMOVE THE WICKED PERSON FROM AMONG YOU”

3 If the wrongdoer refuses to repent, the elders have no choice but to follow what is stated in 1 Corinthians 5:13: “Remove the wicked person from among you.” It can be said that it is the wrongdoer’s own decision to be removed from the congregation; they are simply reaping what they have sown. (Galatians 6:7) Why do we say that? Because they continue to choose their wrongdoing despite repeated help from the elders to repent. (2 Kings 17:12-15) This shows they truly do not want to follow Jehovah’s standards.—Deuteronomy 30:19, 20.

4 When an unrepentant wrongdoer is removed from the congregation, it is announced that they are no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses. This is not done to shame the person. It is announced to ensure that the congregation follows the Bible’s command to “stop associating” with that person and “not even eat with such a man.” (1 Corinthians 5:9-11) There is an important reason why Jehovah commanded this. The apostle Paul wrote: “A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough.” (1 Corinthians 5:6) If the unrepentant wrongdoer is not removed from the congregation, some might think that they didn't really need to follow God's standards.—Proverbs 13:20; 1 Corinthians 15:33.

5 Now, what should our attitude be towards a believer who has been expelled from the congregation? Truly, we will no longer associate with them. But we should consider them as a lost sheep. Just as a lost sheep can still return to the flock, we should not think that they are without hope. Remember that they dedicated themselves to Jehovah. They may not be fulfilling that dedication now, and they are at risk because of it. (Ezekiel 18:31) But as long as Jehovah gives them the opportunity to change, we hope that they will return. So how do the elders show that they do not give up on the wrongdoer who has been expelled from the congregation?

HOW ELDERS HELP THOSE EXPELLED FROM THE CONGREGATION

6 Should we just leave those expelled from the congregation to figure out on their own how to return to Jehovah? No! When it is decided that an unrepentant wrongdoer should be expelled from the congregation, the elder committee will explain to them what they can do to return. But that's not all they will do. Often, they will tell the wrongdoer that they would like to talk to them again after a few months to see if their decision has changed. If the wrongdoer agrees to talk to the elders again, they will make efforts to guide them back to repentance in that next discussion. If their mind still hasn't changed during that time, the elders will continue to schedule meetings with them.

7 The elders strive to show Jehovah's mercy while helping someone who has been expelled from the congregation. For example, Jehovah didn't wait for his disobedient people Israel to repent before helping them. He took the first step. As mentioned in the second article of this series, Jehovah commanded the prophet Hosea to go and forgive his wife, even though she was still sinning. In this way, Jehovah showed how merciful He is. (Hosea 3:1; Malachi 3:7) Like Jehovah, the elders genuinely want the wrongdoer to repent, and they don't make it difficult for them to return.—Read Jeremiah 3:12.

8 Remember Jesus' illustration of the lost son discussed in the second article of this series. When the father saw his son, 'he ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him.' (Luke 15:20) Note that the father didn't wait for his son to ask for forgiveness. He took the first step because he deeply loved him. This is how the elders feel about those who have strayed. They want them to come back. (Luke 15:22-24, 32) There is rejoicing in heaven when a sinner returns, and the same on earth!—Read Luke 15:7.

9 It is clear from our discussions that Jehovah does not condone unrepentant wrongdoing. However, he does not abandon them. He wants them to return. We can see in Hosea 14:4 what Jehovah feels for those who repent: "I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them." Wouldn't this move the elders to look for any signs of repentance from the wrongdoer? This also strengthens those who have sinned because it shows that Jehovah still loves them and wants them to return.

10 What about individuals who have been expelled from the congregation for a long time—perhaps many years have passed? They may no longer be committing the sin that caused their expulsion. Some of them may not even remember why they were expelled. Whatever the situation, the elders will strive to find and visit them. When they visit such individuals, they can pray with them and kindly encourage them to return to the congregation. Of course, someone who has been away from the congregation for a long time may be spiritually weak. So if they express a desire to return, the elders can arrange for Bible study with them even before they return. Remember, only the elders will arrange this.

11 Because the elders emulate our merciful God, they will endeavor to find all those who have been expelled from the congregation to let them know that Jehovah is still waiting for them to return. When the wrongdoer repents and stops their wrongdoing, they can be reinstated promptly.—2 Corinthians 2:6-8.

12 In some cases, elders must be more cautious when deciding to reinstate someone into the congregation. For example, if the sin committed involves child abuse, apostasy, or plotting to end a marriage, the elders must carefully ascertain if the person truly repents. (Malachi 2:14; 2 Timothy 3:6) They need to protect the congregation. However, we should also remember that Jehovah will accept anyone who sincerely repents and stops their wrongdoing. Therefore, even though elders need to be more cautious when the sin involves deception, they should not think that those who committed such specific sins cannot be forgiven by Jehovah.—1 Peter 2:10.

WHAT WILL THE CONGREGATION DO?

13 As discussed in the previous article, there are occasions when the congregation is informed that a brother or sister has been reproved. In such a case, we can still associate with them because we know they have repented and stopped their wrongdoing. (1 Timothy 5:20) They remain part of the congregation and need encouragement from the brothers and sisters to continue doing what is right. (Hebrews 10:24, 25) But it's different when someone is expelled from the congregation. 'We will stop associating' with them, and 'we will not even eat with' them.—1 Corinthians 5:11.

14 Does 1 Corinthians 5:11 mean that we should completely ignore someone who has been expelled from the congregation? Not exactly. True, we will no longer associate with them. However, each Christian can decide, based on their Bible-trained conscience, whether to invite someone expelled from the congregation to a meeting. They may be a family member or friend. What should we do if they attend? In the past, we wouldn't even greet such a person. But now, in this situation, each Christian should use their Bible-trained conscience to decide whether to greet them or not. Nevertheless, we still won't engage in conversation or association with them.

15 Some might think, "Doesn't the Bible say that if we greet those who are unrepentant sinners, we become accomplices in their wrongdoing?" (Read 2 John 9-11.) The context of this passage refers to apostates and those who influence others to do evil. (Revelation 2:20) Therefore, if someone remains an apostate or influences others to do evil, the elders will not visit them. Of course, we still hope that they can change. But until they do, we will not greet them or invite them to our meetings.

IMITATING JEHOVAH'S MERCY.

16 What have we learned from this series? Jehovah does not desire anyone's destruction! (Read Ezekiel 18:32.) He wants those who sin to reconcile with Him. (2 Corinthians 5:20) Throughout human history, Jehovah has repeatedly endeavored to help His disobedient people— even individual wrongdoers— to repent and return to Him. It is a privilege for elders to cooperate with Jehovah and guide sinners in repentance. (Romans 2:4; 1 Corinthians 3:9)

17 Just imagine the joy in heaven when sinners repent! Our Heavenly Father rejoices greatly each time a lost sheep returns to the congregation. And our love for Jehovah deepens as we contemplate His unmatched compassion and kindness. (Luke 1:78)