SWOBS Spring Online Convention 2016

SWOBS 2nd Springtime Online Convention Saturday May 14 2016

Theme “The Last Seven and Seventh Plague” 

Theme Text: (Rev.15:1) “And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.”
Hymn #74 Divine Wisdom

Here is the line-up for Saturday May 14th, 2016 9:45am PDT. Please tune-in by 9:30

9:45 - Devotions
10:00-11:30am Br. Jim Parkinson - Lessons of the Seven Last Plagues 
One hour discourse and 30 minutes audience questions, or Br James’s.
Clic on www.swobs.org/ to see his six questions.

30 minute break

12:00-1:30pm Br. George Wilmott – The Beautiful Harmony of Revelation, When Rightly Divided 
One hour discourse and 30 minutes audience questions, or Br George’s.
Clic on www.swobs.org/ to see his six questions.


SWOBS web is: www.swobs.org/ [Do not put http:// in front. Some PC's will route it somewhere else.] 
Our Adobe Room is: http://associatedbiblestudents.adobeconnect.com/swobs

Be pleased to use your microphone during the two question half-hours, or, type into chat-bar and post your question and/or your comment. Enter early for voice check , and setting up mic’s.

<stanleyloperjr@comcast.net>
<tomseline2520@gmail.com>
<James88parkinson@yahoo.com >
<wilmottgeorge@gmail.com>

Br James’ questions:
1. Does Joshua 6 typify the Gospel Age divided into 7 periods, and “the last day” divided by 7 periods (or events)?
2. What can we learn from Jehoshaphat’s three enemies destroying each other? (2Chronicles 20)
3. What alliances have yet to be formed between now and Armageddon? (e.g., Ezekiel 38)
4. Are the image of the beast and the false prophet of Revelation related? And if so, How?
5. What do Revelation’s 7 last plagues show us that the Exodus 7 last plagues do not?
6. After Armageddon, will technology be buried or salvaged in Christ’s Kingdom?

Br George’s questions:
1. Briefly, what was the work of each of the 7 Messengers of the Gospel Age, during their lifetime?

2. What are the KEY WORDS in each of the 7 vials and 7 trumpets?

3. Is Brother Russell the Messenger referred to in Revelation 17:1?

4. Our Lord instructed the Messenger to the 6th stage of the Church to write: “Behold, I come quickly ... .” (Revelation 3:11) Why was the date not given to the 6th Messenger?

5. Who is the Messenger who “poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast”? (Revelation 16:10)

6. Who is the voice of Revelation 18:4? 

SWOBS Disclaimer: We believe brethren should each be aware that not all individuals on the Bible Student Email Directory entertain equals values on basic Doctrines. The spirit of mercy allows for the individual responsibility to Christ in liberty and fellowship to make the Truth their own, to "prove all things," and encouraging all Brethren to "try the spirits" (1Jn 4:1 to 6) while endeavoring to keep strong the spirit of Truth; that the Bible teaches a Divine Plan of the Ages foreknown and set by God from before the foundation of the world, that for all eternity will prove God's love and appreciation of his human creation (John 3:16, Eph. 1:10). There is room for a cordial spirit in matters of questions, expressions, and discussion.

2015 SWOBS Fall Online Convention

CONVENTION SPEAKERS
Br. Gregory Kuehmichel – Clarksville, Texas   
Br. Stanley Loper – Brunswick, Georgia  
Br. Tom Adams – Damascus, Oregon   
Br. Len Griehs  – Fountain Hills, Arizona   

Convention Theme  – Lessons for New Creature from Moses’ Life.
Convention Theme Text –BBE: Ex. 4:12  "So go now, and I will be with your mouth, teaching you what to say/learn"
Convention Theme Hymn – 37 Boundless Grace

Convention Schedule on Oregon PST:

9:45 AM - Devotions;

10:00-11:00 Br Gregory Kuehmichel – Lessons from Moses’ first 80 years;

11:30-12:30 Symposium:  Lessons from Moses’ last 40 yrs;

                     Br Loper – Selections from Moses’ last 40 yrs;

                     Br Adams – Apostle Paul’s selections & more;

1:00-2:30  Br Len Griehs - Convention Study Questions –SEE BELOW FOR THE QUESTIONS.

The convention will be broadcast via Adobe Connect. 

 

https://associatedbiblestudents.adobeconnect.com/_a987283163/swobs/

 

Please note that all times on the program are for Pacific Standard Time (PST).

(You may need to copy and paste the above links into your browser.)

STUDY QUESTIONS

WHAT SHOULD WE LEARN FROM THE LIFE OF MOSES?

SWOBS ON-LINE CONVENTION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2015

Len Griehs, Delaware Valley Bible Students

 

“Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men that were upon the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3).

 

In all that Moses came through from the beginning to the end of his history, it contributed to and produced in him incomparable meekness and humility.  His moral character at the end of his life was matchless.

 

1.     When we encounter Moses in his early life, he is hasty and somewhat hot-headed, perhaps the least meek of men (Acts 7:22, 25).  The text scripture in Numbers was written about Moses when he was probably about 70 years old.  Using the specific events listed below, identify the lessons Moses learned that transformed him.  Some of these were in the first 70 years, and some in the last 50 years.

2.      Compare these experiences to the necessary individual experiences of the Church in their Christian walk.

3.    Using Hebrews 11:23-29, identify what you think are the most important lessons we can take from Moses.

___________________________________________________________________

1.    The killing of the Egyptian (Exodus 2:11-15)  (for an interesting comparison to verse 11, read the history of John W. Cairns of Scotland in 1855—we will talk about this)

2.    Obscurity, exile and solitude in Midian while raising a family(Exodus 2:21-22)

3.    The discussion with Jehovah (or Jehovah’s messenger) at the burning bush (Exodus 3-4:23)

4.    The incident with Zipporah at the inn (Exodus 3:25-27)

5.    The attack of Miriam and Aaron on Moses at Hazeroth  (Numbers 12)

6.    The rock of Meribah (Numbers 20:1-13)

For more information, please contact:
     Br. Loper at stanleyloperjr@comcast.net;   (912) 275-7312

Or Br Adams at tomseline2520@gmail.com   (503) 328-8428

SWOBS Disclaimer:  We believe brethren should each be aware that not all individuals on the Bible Student Email Directory see eye to eye on basic Doctrines.  The spirit of mercy allows for the individual responsibility in Christian liberty and fellowship to make the Truth their own, to "prove all things," and to encourage all Brethren to "try the spirits," while endeavoring to hold high the banner and spirit of Truth; that the Bible teaches a Divine Plan of the Ages fore-known and set by God from before the foundation of the world, that for all eternity will prove God's love and appreciation of his human creation (John 3:16, Eph. 1:10). 

SWOBS Springtime Online Convention Saturday, MAY 16th, 2015

We with the SWOBS Eccelsia are pleased to announce our Spring online Convention coming up in a little over a week.

The convention theme is:

"Parables, Dispensational Changes, and the Harvest"

And the featured Speakers are:

Br Dan Monette
Br Don Horein
Br Bill Gill

The program for the convention is:

 9:45 - Devotions
10:00-11:00AM: Br. Dan Monette, "2nd Dispensation Changes into Harvest"
30 minute break
11:30-12:30: Br. Don Horein, "Harvest Ending Changes into Messianic Age"
30 minute break
1:00-2:30: Br Bill Gill, Study: "Personal application of the Harvest parables as they guide the brethren in this end of the age."

All are invited and can attend the Convention via the following link:

https://associatedbiblestudents.adobeconnect.com/_a987283163/swobs/

Please type in a name and enter as a guest.

  CONVENTION STUDY QUESTIONS

1~~ Lk 8:9-18  And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.  What is necessary to have our eyes able to "see" and understand?

2~~How does it bring comfort and build confidence to know our Lord is actually present with us in this end of the age? (such as Jn 15:1-6)  Relate this to the first advent's physical presence of Jesus with the disciples.

3~~ The length of time for gathering the wheat into the barn and binding the tares has been longer than first expected.  Do we think this will go on much longer, or are we seeing that things are coming to a conclusion?
Are we feeling more of a sense of urgency this past few years?

4~~ Mt 5:13, "Salt of the earth" ~~ is there evidence of the "preservative" influence leaving the earth, accompanied by evidence of decay? [see Mark 9:50] Apply this not only to the world, but to the false church systems.
5~~ Mt 24:32-36  Do we see the fig tree putting forth leaves?
Is "summer" near?
Does seeing this prophecy fulfilled encourage us and give a sense of where we are in the steam of time?

6~~   Mt 5:14,15 - How does this illustration of a "light" or "candle" spell out our mission and purpose in this harvest?
(Isaiah 2:2, Malachi 4:2) Are we living representatives of the the truth (light) to the other professed Christians as well as the world?
Can we still let our lights shine, or is the darkness (night) putting a stop to our work?

7~~ Mt 13:24-30 - Wheat and tares sowed. How does this parable define our work - reaping wheat, binding tares? Are we to witness mostly to the professed church systems, or to the world in general?
How are the tares made manifest? (Rev 18:2-4, Psa 50:5, Rev 14:16)

8~~  Mt 9:16,17 - What lesson is in the patch on the garment or theold wineskin parables?
What special application to the harvest? See Jer 51:8,9 - "she is not healed: forsake her..."

9~~ Mt 13:44 Treasure hid in a field. What prompted us to give our all to gain the treasure?
Are we beginning to receive this "treasure" to some extent now and is it an encouragement to us? [see F 659]

10~~  Mt 7:24-27 -  In this harvest time, should this analogy to the house built on rock encourage us that we have built on the rock of the Word of God and not traditions of men?

11~~  Mt 25:1-12 - What preparation is needed to be counted as a wise virgin?
How do we keep our lamps trimmed?

12~~  John 10:3,4 Good Shepherd. He knows our name. Does this intimacy with our Lord give us encouragement?
(C:91-94; 213-216) The sheep know his voice - the sound of wisdom, justice and love. Since we are attracted to that sound, does this reassure us that we are following the true Shepherd?

Last October's Discourses

Greeting's again!

Last October two discourses, one on the subject of the Tabernacle and its significances, and the other, on the Divine Plan Of the ages using a chart, were presented to the Swobs ecclesia By Brothers Tom Adams and Stanley Loper.  At the time technical difficulties interfered with the presentation of Br. Stanley's Discourse, so it was rerecorded and is now available.  For this reason both discourses are linked here.

Brother Tom Adams on the Tabernacle:

http://associatedbiblestudents.adobeconnect.com/p5tju6443eh//

Brother Stanley Loper on The Divine Plan Of the Ages:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3czAR6fdIcI

It is our fond hope that you enjoy them both and receive a blessing from them.

2014 SWOBS Convention Discourses

We had a great time at our Convention.

Here are links to the two Discourses given at the Convention:

Lessons For the Last Days---Brother Jim Parkinson 

This link will take you to the Adobe Connect recording of the discourse.

Next:

Good News, Bad News, Great News---Brother Peter Mora 

This one take you to where it is posted on YouTube because there were some difficulties playing the video on Adobe.  It is a large file and so you may still have a few stops playing it.  If necessary let your computer have the chance to get ahead with the buffering and that should help you to watch it with fewer interruptions if your IP provider is a little slow.

SWOBS 2014 Convention, November 8.

                                                               SWOBS WEB
site: swobs.org

Convention will be ONLINE at the following Adobe Connect address. Click on "Guest" and enter name - first & last preferable - then click "Enter."
                                    SWOBS Class:  associatedbiblestudents.adobeconnect.com/swobs

Plan early for 9:30AM PST [Clocks change BACK one hour at night Nov. 1,2, Sat./Sun.]
9:45 AM Devotions
10:00-11:00 Discourse: Br Jim Parkinson of Los Angeles Calif. - "Lessons For The Last Day"
11:15-12:15 Discourse (PPt) Br Peter Mora of Los Angeles - "Good News, Bad News, Great News"
12:45 - 2:30 Convention Study: Br Ed Grabner of Austin TX - Subject and questions below.

In Christ's service,
SWOBS contacts:
Br Tom Adams: tomseline2520@gmail.com and Br Stanley Loper: StanleyLoperJr@comcast.com
Re: Questions:
Br. Ed Grabner  (use ed@grabner.us for any questions or requests for clarification)

                                                             Convention Study 12 Questions on:

                              "AGE-ENDING PREPARATION & READINESS FOR THE NEW CREATURE” (Rev.16:15)
Dear Brethren,

On the following pages you will find the questions for the convention study that the SWOBS brethren requested that I lead.   The questions have been divided into the following three sections with four questions each.

General lessons respecting the importance of “Watching and Keeping one's Garment” as vital to the Age-ending Preparation and Readiness for the New Creation

Specific lessons respecting the importance of “Watching” as vital to the Age-ending Preparation and Readiness for the New Creation

Specific lessons respecting the importance of “Keeping one's Garment” as vital to the Age-ending Preparation and Readiness for the New Creation

For most of the questions scriptures and references to Bro. Russell's writings have been included to help point in the direction we hope the discussion will go.  Where only scriptures are cited you will find numerous comments on these scriptures by Br. Russell by consulting the Expanded Biblical Comments, Volume and Tower indexes.

Please note that questions 7 and 11 have no references cited.  These are research questions and I anticipate that the bulk of the discussion time will be spent on these questions.

Regarding question 7:  as we consider the history of the Bible Student movement from Br. Russell's day there have been clear and marked departures from the prophetic proofs presented in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th volumes of the Studies in the Scriptures respecting the time and work of our Lord's Second Advent.  The object of this question is not to debate all of the differences that have arisen but to consider who is actually behind the differences and the potential effect these differences can have on the preparation and readiness of the New Creation at this time.

Regarding question 11:  as we consider the changing conditions in the world since Br. Russell's day we have reached a point of virtually no moral standard in the world.  The object of this question is not to go into graphic detail respecting the immorality which is so open and generally accepted.  Rather consider who is actually behind these changes and the potential effect these changes can have on the preparation and readiness of the New Creation at this time.


Rev 16:15 KJV  "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame."

General lessons respecting the importance of “Watching and Keeping one's Garment” as vital to the Age-ending Preparation and Readiness for the New Creation

1.  In Rev. 16:15 what did our Lord indicate was necessary to receive the blessing of seeing his thief like presence?

2. Are there other scriptures that show a relationship between seeing the Lord's presence and keeping one's garment?  (Matt 22:11-13; C198-205)

3. Why would there be a greater potential for failing to keep one's garment at the time of the Lord's return and presence?  (Dan 12:1; Rev 3:10-11; Matt 24:20-24; Luke 21:34-36)

4. Note and discuss the evidence that some actually took off their garment soon after the Lord's return and were cast into outer darkness thus losing their appreciation of the Lord's presence. (C202, R3820, R5909)

Specific lessons respecting the importance of “Watching” as vital to the Age-ending Preparation and Readiness for the New Creation

5.  From a prophetic standpoint how prominent is the subject of our Lord's second advent in the scriptures? 2 Pet 1:16-21; C129-133; R2972 (entire article)

6.  How important then is the understanding of the Lord's second advent to the New Creation's preparation and readiness at the end of the age? Rev. 3:20-22; Luke 12:35-37; C190-194

7.  Cite some examples of how the adversary has attempted to cloud this understanding and the impact these efforts can have on the New Creation's preparation and readiness.  In particular consider the subtle nature of the related temptations at the end of the age of sacrifice.

8.  What can the members of the New Creation do to help one another avoid and/or overcome these temptations? 1 Tim 4:12-16; 2 Tim 2:14-16; 1 Thes 5:21; 2 Pet 1:5-10

Specific lessons respecting the importance of “Keeping one's Garment” as vital to the Age-ending Preparation and Readiness for the New Creation

9.  What are the two ways that one can take off their garment?  Heb 6:4-6; Heb 10:26-29, 2 Pet 2:22, F302

10.  In either case does one instantly take off the garment or could there be a process that leads up to this action?  Luke 9:62; Heb 10:38-39; Luk 10:32-33;

11. What are some ways that lead to the initial soiling or spotting of one's garment?  In particular consider the subtle nature of the related temptations at the end of the age of sacrifice.

12.  What can the members of the New Creation do to help one another avoid and/or overcome these temptations?  James 1:21-27; 2 cor 6:4-17; 1 Tim 4:12; Jude 20-23, James 5:14-16


Dear Brethren:


The Webmaster just got out of the hospital for an acute illness and apologizes for the crude formatting of this last-minute notice.  We were not able to take the time to make a program for download and find a host for it this year and took the notice from the OldRon announcement.  If the links don't work for you, then cut and paste them into your browser's address bar.  You'll need to print out the post or cut and paste into you word processor for use during the convention.  We hope to see you at the convention!

Two Special Discourses

We here at the Southwest Oregon Bible Students are pleased to announce two special discourses:

The Tabernacle, what was it and what significances did it have for us as Christians?  That will be the subject of the first discourse by Brother Tom Adams on Thursday, October the 9th.   The discourse may be listened to here.

The Divine Plan of the Ages is the subject of the second discourse, to be given by Brother Stanley Loper as a PowerPoint presentation.  The various features of God's plan as shown in the chart above will be discussed on Thursday, October the 16th.

All are invited to to enjoy these two special events.  They will occur at the usual time, which can be found on our Schedule Page, which also contains the link to follow to our meetings.