Growing up for me was so difficult because being abused at 12 and not being believed I always felt shunned by the friends. When I left at 21 I was always and still am at 70 find it hard to make friends and even trust what people tell me.
Interestingly, when I offered for the work when I was in college I was speaking with one of the workers I trusted and she point blank told me not to offer to the overseer because, and I quote, "You haven't proven yourself yet". At that point I had been professing since I was 7, had been instrumental in there being a baptism in our field (because I wouldn't shut up about wanting to be baptized) and was very good at following all the rules. Yet I hadn't proven myself. SMH - I am so thankful now, but at the time that devastated me.
I'm from the Watchtower cult. I've been Awake! for23 years. POMO for 2 decades. I'm almost 63 and I have zero biological family member in my life. You learn to suck it up. Life gets better at times. I kinda enjoy getting older.
This was a fantastic interview! It gave me a lot to think about, like all the interviews. I love the thought of "this os who Jesus would want to talk to" about someone who we were led to believe were not who we shoudk talk to!
I'm very thankful to my grandmother and my mother, who I believe, knew who Jesus was. Because I've always been brought up knowing about the 'grace' of God and the real reason why Jesus died and more importantly, why he rose. Because that IS the point of true Christianity. I can relate to both your experiences. Thank you David for your enlightening interviews and to Cody for sharing his experiences. 🙏🙏🙏 To those searching for God out there, please take care of where you look. Pray about being led in the right ways and finding the right path to Him. Satan lurks everywhere remember. God bless everyone! xx
Jesus is our Creator and Savior/Redeemer/Messiah. He created the world and is The Great I AM, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Emmanuel, The Beginning and the End, The Alpha and Omega, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, The Way, The Door, The Light. Jesus is God Almighty come down born as a human baby in a stable. And all of heaven sang in worship -- Lord of Lords, King of Kings. And he is the only one to be worshipped. And we do. Worship him. It changes your life accepting the free gift of his unconditional love. It's Wonderland....
I left 5 years ago. None of my family has spoken to me since with the exception of one granddad. But the last time I went to his house. The workers had moved the Sunday morning meeting back into his house and all of my pictures have been taken off the wall. I think the workers have taken my pictures off the wall and told him that I'm not allowed to come over anymore. I think I'm done with all professing people.
I agree, use multiple translations to get a broader and better understanding of scripture. NLT is a "thought for thought" translation. It is also my favorite for general reading. Word for word translations don't read as smoothly, but are also good to use. The Message is a paraphrase, not a translation.
Kevin Rider - I believe a lot of these religions start with certain people being influenced directly though connecting with entities (fallen angels) through meditation and channeling., etc. There are so many books and religious ideas that start directly through fallen angels connecting with and deceiving people to draw them away from the simplicity of grace and the love of Christ. - 'New Age to Jesus testimonies on YT' really reveal how deep the deception is through so many different avenues that people are seeking after, and direct connection with these entities giving deceptive experiences because they are real spiritual experiences doesn't mean it's Truth. The Bible does tell us their are fallen angels in the spiritual world that are against God and us. To determine if we can trust the Bible as being the Truth - we need first each to read ourselves, taking our time with it, as much time as is needed to understand, and asking the Holy Spirit to help direct our understanding if this is the Truth. Then we're informed and have thought through it and can better decide whether we can put our trust in it or not.
NIV Lev. 19:28 “’Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit, this body is not ours but the Lord's.
Scripture in the Old Testament says we are not to do anything to mark or stain our flesh. That being said, it is not going to stop you from going to Heaven. Simply ask Jesus to forgive your sins and Obey what Peter taught in Acts Chapter 2.
Hey Roger! Thanks for the comment, I am curious what verse in Acts 2 you are referring to?? I was referring to the direction given in Leviticus 19 that speaks to tattooing as a form of pagan worship(which is one of the most common reasons people would mark their own skin in bible time) I’m always up for discussion that enables us to learn from each other! Have a great weekend!
As a 51 year old Australian female who wasn't raised with any religion, I'm super suprised with what I'm hearing in your uploads. It sounds just like highschool 'cliques'. If you're deemed as not being onboard .... you're no longer part of that clique. What's even more confusing is the level of judgement, condemnation, fear & lack of opportunity to question anything surrounding god & faith. I just don't get it. I remember my dad saying in passing 40 plus years ago ... religious folk are some of the most hypocritical folk he's met. What dad didn't know though, is the sheep like mentality due to religious constraint. I have faith that god guides me with every breath I take & for that I'm grateful. It makes little sense to have someone/something tell me that my faith & relationship with god isn't correct. Thank you for the time & effort you spend making your wonderful videos ✨
It's OK to paraphrase: thee= you, thou= them, seeth= saw, a little practice goes a long way.the new translations have man's doctrinal axes to grind.The KJV doesn't.
I’ll live and die by KING JAMES VERSION. Use a Strongs Concordance to translate the Word. Read Revelations 22. It’s proven by God himself it’s true. I’m not ignorant. I’m fully of the Holy Ghost.
Yes that's true but we're living in a time when iniquity abounds in the truth way. Tattoos are a lot less worse than the arrogance and complacency and iniquity in the church and in the ministry.
Kevin Rider - You 'have' to always consider what else is involved here and who the writer is directly addressing. Israel was surrounded by pagan nations who undoubtedly used tattoos as a lot of people do today to promote their belief system. A tattoo of a flower on your ankle would be a very different thing. It reminds me of a similar concept where Jesus says in Mark 7 - the whole chapter really, but he says about food "Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?" And he said , "What 'comes out of a person' is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things 'come from within' and they defile a person." - Depending on the tattoos they may promote false belief system that is the root of the problem 'within' - but a tattoo that is not doing this, it is up to a Christian to personally reflect before God their motivation for 'why' they are wanting to get and how much. Is it a pride thing to find acceptance with a group or to build and image of yourself - that would be an issue of the heart within. Or is it because you just think flowers God created are beautiful and you decide to put one on your ankle or elsewhere. So God gives the law at this time to a specific people the Israelites just as He did the food laws - to separate them as a nation to better work through to reveal Himself through and show us all down through history that mankind is and always has been against God and His ways. That we all fall short - laws are for law breakers. His laws show us we are separated from Him in our ways - showing us our need of a Savior, enabling us to repent of our condition, allowing our will to accept the final substitution He made for us through Jesus's punishment and death on the cross because of our sins - that brings both justice and mercy through Him. 'He alone' ends up ultimately bringing about the change of heart needed at the time we enter into eternity with Him - the One that has Created and Loves us.
Growing up for me was so difficult because being abused at 12 and not being believed I always felt shunned by the friends. When I left at 21 I was always and still am at 70 find it hard to make friends and even trust what people tell me.
Canadian here. We had a couple in our evangelical church who left the 2X2 group. They said that 2 X 2 are absolutely a cult.
The workers have made the ministry, ie: themselves, a necessary part of salvation. This is spiritual idolatry. God calls it whoredom.
Love God, Love others and a personal relationship with Jesus!
A 2012 quote from overseer Merlin Afleck: "Questioning Christians are Questionable Christians". I guess the disciples were questionable.
Such kindness and care.
Interestingly, when I offered for the work when I was in college I was speaking with one of the workers I trusted and she point blank told me not to offer to the overseer because, and I quote, "You haven't proven yourself yet". At that point I had been professing since I was 7, had been instrumental in there being a baptism in our field (because I wouldn't shut up about wanting to be baptized) and was very good at following all the rules. Yet I hadn't proven myself. SMH - I am so thankful now, but at the time that devastated me.
Wow!
I had no idea about this group. I'm so happy for him that he got out and found the real Jesus.
Such a great interview, just kindness and truth. Thank you.
This was so good - thank you!
I'm from the Watchtower cult. I've been Awake! for23 years. POMO for 2 decades. I'm almost 63 and I have zero biological family member in my life.
You learn to suck it up. Life gets better at times. I kinda enjoy getting older.
This was a fantastic interview! It gave me a lot to think about, like all the interviews. I love the thought of "this os who Jesus would want to talk to" about someone who we were led to believe were not who we shoudk talk to!
Good for you ! Fight the good fight ! (Daniel Durston, X 2x2 member)
Aww, Cody! Love you!
"They (rhe workers) teach a Jesus that they think Jesus wants us to be" @ min 35. Very perceptive comment, Cody. Thank you for this interview, David.
Never heard of this group. Jesus loved everyone. He always ate with the undesirable people.
I'm very thankful to my grandmother and my mother, who I believe, knew who Jesus was. Because I've always been brought up knowing about the 'grace' of God and the real reason why Jesus died and more importantly, why he rose. Because that IS the point of true Christianity. I can relate to both your experiences. Thank you David for your enlightening interviews and to Cody for sharing his experiences. 🙏🙏🙏 To those searching for God out there, please take care of where you look. Pray about being led in the right ways and finding the right path to Him. Satan lurks everywhere remember. God bless everyone! xx
Jesus is our Creator and Savior/Redeemer/Messiah. He created the world and is The Great I AM, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Emmanuel, The Beginning and the End, The Alpha and Omega, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, The Way, The Door, The Light. Jesus is God Almighty come down born as a human baby in a stable. And all of heaven sang in worship -- Lord of Lords, King of Kings. And he is the only one to be worshipped. And we do. Worship him. It changes your life accepting the free gift of his unconditional love. It's Wonderland....
❤
Wow ! 💖🐑👑
Greetings from Barcelona. Someone who is still attending
I left 5 years ago. None of my family has spoken to me since with the exception of one granddad. But the last time I went to his house. The workers had moved the Sunday morning meeting back into his house and all of my pictures have been taken off the wall. I think the workers have taken my pictures off the wall and told him that I'm not allowed to come over anymore. I think I'm done with all professing people.
: ( I am sorry . Same thing happened to me. I left 2023. after 20 years. i feel like i need therapy. my heart sends you love today.
Do you know about the advocates for the truth group?
I left home at 17. I'm now 64. My soul hurts for all that could have been!
I’m really sorry to hear you’ve been treated that way
@@irishflutegirl9022 I've had lots of therapy . It will always be with me.
great interview!
I agree, use multiple translations to get a broader and better understanding of scripture. NLT is a "thought for thought" translation. It is also my favorite for general reading. Word for word translations don't read as smoothly, but are also good to use. The Message is a paraphrase, not a translation.
What is 2x2’s? I’m not understanding what religion they are talking about.
There is more info on the sect in the description.
Kevin Rider - I believe a lot of these religions start with certain people being influenced directly though connecting with entities (fallen angels) through meditation and channeling., etc. There are so many books and religious ideas that start directly through fallen angels connecting with and deceiving people to draw them away from the simplicity of grace and the love of Christ. - 'New Age to Jesus testimonies on YT' really reveal how deep the deception is through so many different avenues that people are seeking after, and direct connection with these entities giving deceptive experiences because they are real spiritual experiences doesn't mean it's Truth. The Bible does tell us their are fallen angels in the spiritual world that are against God and us. To determine if we can trust the Bible as being the Truth - we need first each to read ourselves, taking our time with it, as much time as is needed to understand, and asking the Holy Spirit to help direct our understanding if this is the Truth. Then we're informed and have thought through it and can better decide whether we can put our trust in it or not.
I believe you are on to something here for sure. Jesus is more powerful than them all. Praise the Lord!
I married into it and left because they refused to baptize me because of my earrings. My in laws believe I poisoned my husband
wackos read my comment i was one growing up lol left at 16
You cease to exist to them for the most part. Unless they think they can “bring you back into the fold”.
I wish you would explain the ‘workers’ and such. I am so confused
There is more info in the description about the group. :)
Do a search on the 2x2 religion. There is a documentary on Hulu as well. My husband and I left 8 months ago.
NIV Lev. 19:28
“’Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.
We are the temple of the Holy Spirit, this body is not ours but the Lord's.
Scripture in the Old Testament says we are not to do anything to mark or stain our flesh.
That being said, it is not going to stop you from going to Heaven. Simply ask Jesus to forgive your sins and Obey what Peter taught in Acts Chapter 2.
Hey Roger! Thanks for the comment, I am curious what verse in Acts 2 you are referring to??
I was referring to the direction given in Leviticus 19 that speaks to tattooing as a form of pagan worship(which is one of the most common reasons people would mark their own skin in bible time)
I’m always up for discussion that enables us to learn from each other!
Have a great weekend!
Interesting to see quotes from Leviticus about tattoos etc, but no quotes from Jesus or the New Testament.
As a 51 year old Australian female who wasn't raised with any religion, I'm super suprised with what I'm hearing in your uploads.
It sounds just like highschool 'cliques'. If you're deemed as not being onboard .... you're no longer part of that clique.
What's even more confusing is the level of judgement, condemnation, fear & lack of opportunity to question anything surrounding god & faith.
I just don't get it.
I remember my dad saying in passing 40 plus years ago ... religious folk are some of the most hypocritical folk he's met. What dad didn't know though, is the sheep like mentality due to religious constraint.
I have faith that god guides me with every breath I take & for that I'm grateful. It makes little sense to have someone/something tell me that my faith & relationship with god isn't correct.
Thank you for the time & effort you spend making your wonderful videos ✨
It's OK to paraphrase: thee= you, thou= them, seeth= saw, a little practice goes
a long way.the new translations have man's doctrinal axes to grind.The KJV doesn't.
I’ll live and die by KING JAMES VERSION. Use a Strongs Concordance to translate the Word. Read Revelations 22. It’s proven by God himself it’s true.
I’m not ignorant. I’m fully of the Holy Ghost.
Leviticus 19:28
You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead nor print or tattoo any marks upon you; I am the Lord
th-cam.com/video/OnXO0OXiQn4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=F70LF_LRMUJ7JxVX
Do you suppose god the father is just a little disappointed in the type of friends Jesus keeps bringing home? I doubt it.
Yes that's true but we're living in a time when iniquity abounds in the truth way. Tattoos are a lot less worse than the arrogance and complacency and iniquity in the church and in the ministry.
@@margaretlemmon1143 I don't like tattoos either, but I reckon it's a just matter of poor taste. Either mine or theirs.
Kevin Rider - You 'have' to always consider what else is involved here and who the writer is directly addressing. Israel was surrounded by pagan nations who undoubtedly used tattoos as a lot of people do today to promote their belief system. A tattoo of a flower on your ankle would be a very different thing. It reminds me of a similar concept where Jesus says in Mark 7 - the whole chapter really, but he says about food "Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?" And he said , "What 'comes out of a person' is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things 'come from within' and they defile a person." - Depending on the tattoos they may promote false belief system that is the root of the problem 'within' - but a tattoo that is not doing this, it is up to a Christian to personally reflect before God their motivation for 'why' they are wanting to get and how much. Is it a pride thing to find acceptance with a group or to build and image of yourself - that would be an issue of the heart within. Or is it because you just think flowers God created are beautiful and you decide to put one on your ankle or elsewhere. So God gives the law at this time to a specific people the Israelites just as He did the food laws - to separate them as a nation to better work through to reveal Himself through and show us all down through history that mankind is and always has been against God and His ways. That we all fall short - laws are for law breakers. His laws show us we are separated from Him in our ways - showing us our need of a Savior, enabling us to repent of our condition, allowing our will to accept the final substitution He made for us through Jesus's punishment and death on the cross because of our sins - that brings both justice and mercy through Him. 'He alone' ends up ultimately bringing about the change of heart needed at the time we enter into eternity with Him - the One that has Created and Loves us.
Exactly who are you labeling 2X2?
@David Alink can i talk to talk with you