AboutBrenda Martin Expertise I have been one of Jehovah`s Witneses now for over 30 years, in those years I have brought up 4 children, teaching each of them the bible.Being one of Jehovah`s Witnesses has helped me cope with my Epilepsy and bring up a daughter with learning difficulties.I have conducted bible studies with people from nearly every denomination i.e. Muslim. Having used the bible all these years to answer peoples questions, I feel I am qualified to give any answer regarding Jehovah`s Witnesses and the bible.
Experience My experience has been one of attending bible lectures 5 times a week,taking part in these lectures in front of an audience and being with thousands of J.W. at conventions where I have seen the bible at work in peoples lives.It is truly a miracle when you see thousands of people meeting together and not one policeman needed, and not even a piece of litter in sight.It is like another world.
Beardfreak wrote at 2007-12-11 21:12:35
Ah yes, but plucking one "expert" out of the blue, when there are many others one could produce who support Ptolemy's Cannon, is hardly conclusive. You have to admit, that it is incredibly difficult to support the WTBTS position concerning their chosen date of 607 BC. It is like a stack of cards - if you were to accept that date is wrong, the WTBTS has a major problem, as the central doctrine collapses and their interpretation of Bible prophecy and placement within that prophecy turns to vapor. As per usual, the Watchtower Society arrogantly insists that it is correct and damn the rest of the world, who they view as Satanic and under demon control. They are experts at using selective quotes and biased so-called "evidence" to support their claims, and it has to be said, a trustworthy false prophet. Saying all this, I have nothing particularly against individual witnesses and hope they start to analyze impartially the data that is now available.
Peter wrote at 2009-04-21 18:33:50
In addition to the well stated comments currently posted, a date that helps to put things in perspective is 539 b.c.e.
This is known as a "Pivotal Date" or "Anchor Date" because it is commonly accepted by both secular historians as well as the Bible and the religious community.
The year 539 b.c.e. marked the taking of Babylon by the Medes and Persians under Cyrus. Between the accession year and the time it took for the command to go forth by Cyrus, the Jewish captives were released and arrived home to Jerusalem in the 7th month (Tishri) of 537 b.c.e which marked the end of the 70 years of captivity, fulfilling the prophecy found at Jeremiah 25:8-11 and
2 Chronicles 36:21 ". . .to fulfill Jehovah’s word by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had paid off its sabbaths. All the days of lying desolated it kept sabbath, to fulfill seventy years."
Moreover, beginning from the time the prophecy was fulfilled i.e. Tishri of 537 b.c.e., counting backwards 70 years will take us to the beginning of the prophecy namely 607 b.c.e.
Had Jerusalem been destroyed in 586 b.c.e. as many teach, the 70 years of desolation would bring us to the year 516 b.c.e, far beyond the commonly accepted "Pivotal Date" of 539 b.c.e.
By adhering to the "Pivotal Date" of 539 b.c.e. and still believing Jerusalem was destroyed in 586 b.c.e. the prophecy of 70 years of desolation could not have been fulfilled.
Therefore, it can be conclusively stated that Jerusalem was destroyed in the year 607 b.c.e.
