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Discussion Jumpstarter

Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Sound Faith / If You Are Thinking of Leaving JWs, Please Listen to This First - David Bercot - WATCHTOWER IN? NO.1
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Question 7
He highlights that Jesus said the angels would collect stumbling blocks “out of his kingdom,” not merely out of “the world”; what does that reveal about God’s patience, the nature of judgment, and the danger of assuming “inside the kingdom” automatically means “approved by God”?
Another way to ask: What does it mean that Jesus said angels would remove stumbling blocks from inside his kingdom, not just from the world? What does that teach about God’s patience, judgment, and the risk of assuming “in the kingdom” means “approved by God”?
Discussion Jumpstarter

Direct Answer
According to the transcript, God allows lawless people to remain among professing Christians for a time, but judgment will be thorough and internal; therefore, being “in the kingdom” externally does not guarantee God’s approval.

Support from Transcript:
  • He notes Jesus’ phrasing: angels “will collect out from his kingdom all things that cause stumbling and people who practice lawlessness.”
  • He stresses the implication: Jesus “didn’t say…out of the world…these people were inside his kingdom…professing Christians.”
  • He ties this to history: we “shouldn’t be surprised” to find wicked people “inside God’s kingdom” because Jesus foretold it.
  • In the dragnet, separation happens at “the conclusion,” suggesting patience until the end, then decisive sorting.
  • He warns against despair: rather than concluding true Christianity doesn’t exist, we can “rejoice” that Jesus’ prophecy proves true.
Discussion Follow-ups How might this change the way you interpret scandals or hypocrisy in churches—without excusing them or giving up on Christ’s congregation?
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