In Christianity, Jesus is the mediator for all mankind. The Bible states at 1 Timothy 2: 5, 6:
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all”
However, the Watchtower Society doctrine on the matter differs from what the scriptures state. It is summed up in their publication Worldwide Security Under the "Prince of Peace" on page 10, paragraph 16:
“Likewise, the Greater Moses, Jesus Christ, is not the Mediator between Jehovah God and all mankind. He is the Mediator between his heavenly Father, Jehovah God, and the nation of spiritual Israel, which is limited to only 144,000 members.”
Further explanation of their stance by the Watchtower Society can be seen in such articles as the Watchtower November 15, 1979, page 27, 'One Mediator Between God and Men':
"They recognize that they are not spiritual Israelites in the new covenant mediated by Jesus Christ, nor part of the “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.”...Yet they do benefit from the operation of the new covenant. They benefit from this just as, in ancient Israel, the “alien resident” benefited from residing in among the Israelites who were in the Law covenant...To keep in relationship with “our Savior, God,” the “great crowd” needs to remain united with the remnant of spiritual Israelites."
Most congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses do not have these "spiritual Isrealities" [Also called "The Anointed" by the Watchtower Society] within their midst. Even congregations which do have "The Anointed", they are not the ones who provide directions to Jehovah's Witnesses. It is the Governing Body; a select few older men located in Brooklyn, NY who serve as the leaders and provides the doctrine and teachings for Jehovah's Witnesses which they must follow. Under the terminology "Faithful and Discreet Slave Class" these older men are the ones who in effect serve as a mediator for Jehovah's Witnesses. They are taught to believe that direction and instruction coming from the "Faithful and Discreet Slave Class" is coming from God.
The most significant reason the Watchtower Society teaches Jesus mediating only for the Anointed is that the Bible shows the New Covenant setup by Jesus Christ provides a heavenly resurrection, and the doctrine of the Watchtower Society is only 144,000 will have a resurrection to heaven. Therefore, Jesus as a mediator is only applicable to them.
This whole notion still taught today by the Watchtower Society was started by the Watchtower Society's second president, 'Judge' Rutherford. The Watchtower April 1, 1934 on page 104 states the following:
"Christ Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant toward his own brethren, that is to say, spiritual Israel, during the period of time God is taking out from the nations a people for his name."
It was the idea and belief of one man - Rutherford - which is still taught as truth by Jehovah's Witnesses today. Rutherford naturally aligned himself as being one of the anointed. This assists in the belief of salvation being dependent on belonging to the organization. The organization is supposedly led by anointed men and/or they "appoint" those who take the lead, those not of the anointed or not appointed need to follow those who fall into such categories.
Nevertheless, once again the scriptures are clear on the matter of mediator...
1 Timothy 2:5, 6:
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all”
The Jehovah’s Witnesses annual report for 2008 shows 9,986 as being of the anointed. Those are the only ones who have Jesus as their Mediator according to Watchtower Society's teaching. All other Jehovah's Witnesses are without a mediator, and are given an organization to follow.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Die Twice?
All Jehovah's Witnesses are well aware of the teachings of the Watchtower Society concerning the dead, the resurrection, and the "final test". According to Watchtower Society teaching, after Armageddon there will be the resurrections of both righteous and unrighteous people to the Earth. The unrighteous will need to be taught about Jehovah and Jesus. All resurrected ones and survivors of Armageddon will be raised to perfection on the Earth. At the end of 1,000 years, Satan will perform one final test to turn people away from Jehovah. For those who follow Satan during this last test, they will be executed and destroyed forever.
The following statements for those not familiar with such teachings are found in the Watchtower Society publication Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life:
Page 186, paragraph 15:
"But two distinct groups will be resurrected—the righteous and the unrighteous."
Page 186, paragraph 17:
"The unrighteous will come back to a beautiful and peaceful earth. They will be welcomed by a people well organized to teach them about Jehovah and his reigning Son, Jesus Christ."
Page 187, paragraph 19:
"...all sin will be removed and mankind will be raised to perfection."
Page 190, paragraph 21:
"Perfect humans will face one final test. At the end of the Millennium, Satan and his demons will be released from the abyss for a short time and will be permitted to make a final effort to turn people away from Jehovah. Some will put wrong desires above love of God, but this rebellion will be cut short. Jehovah will execute these selfish ones along with Satan and all his demons. All wrongdoers will then be gone forever."
Again, for those Satan successfully misleads, God will execute them for all eternity. The reality of the Watchtower Society's teaching is an individual person may DIE TWICE as a human on the Earth. First was their death prior to the resurrection, and the second time as stated in the aforementioned scenario of the "final test".
What does the Bible teach?
Even according to the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, it teaches the following:
Hebrews 9:27: "And as it is reserved for men to die once for all time, but after this a judgment"
The Bible states it is reserved for men to DIE ONCE FOR ALL TIME. Not die once, be resurrected and die again if judged to have failed a final test.
Watchtower Society doctrine and teaching contradicts what even their own translation of the scriptures state.
The following statements for those not familiar with such teachings are found in the Watchtower Society publication Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life:
Page 186, paragraph 15:
"But two distinct groups will be resurrected—the righteous and the unrighteous."
Page 186, paragraph 17:
"The unrighteous will come back to a beautiful and peaceful earth. They will be welcomed by a people well organized to teach them about Jehovah and his reigning Son, Jesus Christ."
Page 187, paragraph 19:
"...all sin will be removed and mankind will be raised to perfection."
Page 190, paragraph 21:
"Perfect humans will face one final test. At the end of the Millennium, Satan and his demons will be released from the abyss for a short time and will be permitted to make a final effort to turn people away from Jehovah. Some will put wrong desires above love of God, but this rebellion will be cut short. Jehovah will execute these selfish ones along with Satan and all his demons. All wrongdoers will then be gone forever."
Again, for those Satan successfully misleads, God will execute them for all eternity. The reality of the Watchtower Society's teaching is an individual person may DIE TWICE as a human on the Earth. First was their death prior to the resurrection, and the second time as stated in the aforementioned scenario of the "final test".
What does the Bible teach?
Even according to the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, it teaches the following:
Hebrews 9:27: "And as it is reserved for men to die once for all time, but after this a judgment"
The Bible states it is reserved for men to DIE ONCE FOR ALL TIME. Not die once, be resurrected and die again if judged to have failed a final test.
Watchtower Society doctrine and teaching contradicts what even their own translation of the scriptures state.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The Watchtower – A Part of the Bible?
The December 15, 2008 Watchtower on page 28 states:
“Our coming to know “the truth” – the entire body of Christian teachings that has become part of the Bible – and adhering to it are essential for salvation.”
“The truth” refers to all the teachings and doctrines of the Watchtower Society. Of course, the Watchtower Society instructions to Jehovah’s Witnesses include the notion that their teachings encompass “the entire body of Christian teachings”.
Respecting the statement quoted above not only is the Watchtower Society claiming that following their teachings are essential for salvation, additionally “the entire body of Christian teachings” such as information and doctrine found in the Watchtower magazine, has become part of the Bible.
What is the Scriptural viewpoint of such a claim?
Deuteronomy 4:2 – “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”
Deuteronomy 12:32 – “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.”
Proverbs 30:5-6 – “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”
Revelation 22:18-19 – “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
What organization continues to add to the Word of God?
Between the two, what should a person follow… the Word of God or the Watchtower Society?
“Our coming to know “the truth” – the entire body of Christian teachings that has become part of the Bible – and adhering to it are essential for salvation.”
“The truth” refers to all the teachings and doctrines of the Watchtower Society. Of course, the Watchtower Society instructions to Jehovah’s Witnesses include the notion that their teachings encompass “the entire body of Christian teachings”.
Respecting the statement quoted above not only is the Watchtower Society claiming that following their teachings are essential for salvation, additionally “the entire body of Christian teachings” such as information and doctrine found in the Watchtower magazine, has become part of the Bible.
What is the Scriptural viewpoint of such a claim?
Deuteronomy 4:2 – “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”
Deuteronomy 12:32 – “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.”
Proverbs 30:5-6 – “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”
Revelation 22:18-19 – “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
What organization continues to add to the Word of God?
Between the two, what should a person follow… the Word of God or the Watchtower Society?
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Flip-Flops
The Watchtower Society focuses on the scripture in Proverbs 4:18 as support of their changing or developing doctrines. That verse states:
"But the path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established."
Far from being justification for an organization's change in doctrine, the verse when read in its context (In other words, read the entire chapter) concerns advice from a father to his children. It is not to be taken in part as an excuse or a crutch to be used by an organization for modification of their teachings.
Nonetheless, we will go along with the notion that Proverbs 4:18 is justification for light of an organization getting brighter - aka - explanation for a complete change in doctrine. The problem though with this and as Jehovah's Witnesses should be aware of is the light should always become brighter and understanding clearer. Jehovah certainly would not lead His organization back to an old teaching! Even more so, He would not lead an organization into spiritual darkness on a matter for decades. That just would not make any sense.
What do the facts prove?
Organ Transplants...
-1961 = Conscience choice.
[Watchtower August 1, 1961 'Question from Readers']
-1967 = Cannibalistic.
[Watchtower November 15, 1967 ‘Questions from Readers’]
-1980 = Conscience choice.
[Watchtower March 15, 1980, page 31]
So, the light in 1967 becomes brighter than it was in 1961 and Jehovah's Witnesses are taught Organ Transplants are now cannibalistic. However, 13 years later the light becomes brighter again and in 1980, Jehovah's Witnesses are taught Organ Transplants are no longer cannibalistic but a conscience choice, which is actually returning back to their previous stance in 1961.
Resurrection of the Men of Sodom...
-1879 = Yes.
[Watchtower July 1879, page 8]
-1952 = No.
[Watchtower June 1, 1952, page 338]
-1965 = Yes.
[Watchtower August 1, 1965, page 479]
-1982 = Yes.
[Live Forever Paradise Earth 1982 edition, page 179]
-1988 = No.
[Watchtower June 1, 1988 page 31]
-1988 = Yes.
[Insight on the Scriptures Volume 2, page 985]
-1989 = No.
[Our Kingdom Ministry, December 1989, page 7]
-1989 = No.
[Live Forever Paradise Earth 1989 edition, page 179]
The number of times the Watchtower Society's teaching changes concerning the resurrection of the Men of Sodom is staggering. Does the above read as divine direction, "brighter light" coming from Jehovah, or just an organization haphazardly guessing and arbitrarily deciding what to teach?
Superior Authorities (Romans 13:1)...
-1886 = Worldly Governments or Authorities
[Studies in the Scriptures Series I - The Divine Plan of the Ages (1886 edition) page 250]
-1916 = Worldly Governments or Authorities
[Studies in the Scriptures Series I - The Divine Plan of the Ages (1916 edition) page 266]
-1929 = Jehovah God and Jesus Christ
[Watchtower June 1 and June 15, 1929]
-1950 = Jehovah God and Jesus Christ
[This Means Everlasting Life (1950) page 197]
-1962 = Worldly Governments or Authorities
[Babylon the Great Has Fallen! God's Kingdom Rules! (1962) page 548]
-1990 = Worldly Governments or Authorities
[Watchtower November 1, 1990, page 11]
So the "Superior Authorities" were Worldly Governments or Authorities from 1886-1929. From 1929-1962 new light flashed forth making the "Superior Authorities" Jehovah and Jesus. Then finally more new light flashing forth brought the teachings of “Super Authorities” to Jehovah's Witnesses from 1962 onward back to the original teaching of 1886.
This Generation (Mathew 24:34)...
-1927 = The Anointed
[Watchtower February 15, 1927 page 62]
-1942 = Anyone alive to see 1914
[Watchtower July 1, 1942 page 204]
-1995 = Wicked People alive today
[Watchtower November 1, 1995 page 19]
-2008 = The Anointed
[Watchtower February 15, 2008 page 24]
From an analysis of the Watchtower Society’s teaching concerning "This Generation" as recorded in Matthew, it was first ‘correct’ in 1927. But brighter light caused it to become an incorrect teaching of a couple of different things over the course of 81 years, only to return back to the original ‘correct’ 1927 teaching. Again, why would God direct His organization in such a fashion?
While the Watchtower Society loves to focus attention to Proverbs 4:18, perhaps Jehovah's Witnesses should be paying more attention to the verse that follows it. In Proverbs 4:19 it states:
"The way of the wicked ones is like the gloom; they have not known at what they keep stumbling."
Based on the facts above, which scripture better describes the teachings of the Watchtower Society?
"But the path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established."
Far from being justification for an organization's change in doctrine, the verse when read in its context (In other words, read the entire chapter) concerns advice from a father to his children. It is not to be taken in part as an excuse or a crutch to be used by an organization for modification of their teachings.
Nonetheless, we will go along with the notion that Proverbs 4:18 is justification for light of an organization getting brighter - aka - explanation for a complete change in doctrine. The problem though with this and as Jehovah's Witnesses should be aware of is the light should always become brighter and understanding clearer. Jehovah certainly would not lead His organization back to an old teaching! Even more so, He would not lead an organization into spiritual darkness on a matter for decades. That just would not make any sense.
What do the facts prove?
Organ Transplants...
-1961 = Conscience choice.
[Watchtower August 1, 1961 'Question from Readers']
-1967 = Cannibalistic.
[Watchtower November 15, 1967 ‘Questions from Readers’]
-1980 = Conscience choice.
[Watchtower March 15, 1980, page 31]
So, the light in 1967 becomes brighter than it was in 1961 and Jehovah's Witnesses are taught Organ Transplants are now cannibalistic. However, 13 years later the light becomes brighter again and in 1980, Jehovah's Witnesses are taught Organ Transplants are no longer cannibalistic but a conscience choice, which is actually returning back to their previous stance in 1961.
Resurrection of the Men of Sodom...
-1879 = Yes.
[Watchtower July 1879, page 8]
-1952 = No.
[Watchtower June 1, 1952, page 338]
-1965 = Yes.
[Watchtower August 1, 1965, page 479]
-1982 = Yes.
[Live Forever Paradise Earth 1982 edition, page 179]
-1988 = No.
[Watchtower June 1, 1988 page 31]
-1988 = Yes.
[Insight on the Scriptures Volume 2, page 985]
-1989 = No.
[Our Kingdom Ministry, December 1989, page 7]
-1989 = No.
[Live Forever Paradise Earth 1989 edition, page 179]
The number of times the Watchtower Society's teaching changes concerning the resurrection of the Men of Sodom is staggering. Does the above read as divine direction, "brighter light" coming from Jehovah, or just an organization haphazardly guessing and arbitrarily deciding what to teach?
Superior Authorities (Romans 13:1)...
-1886 = Worldly Governments or Authorities
[Studies in the Scriptures Series I - The Divine Plan of the Ages (1886 edition) page 250]
-1916 = Worldly Governments or Authorities
[Studies in the Scriptures Series I - The Divine Plan of the Ages (1916 edition) page 266]
-1929 = Jehovah God and Jesus Christ
[Watchtower June 1 and June 15, 1929]
-1950 = Jehovah God and Jesus Christ
[This Means Everlasting Life (1950) page 197]
-1962 = Worldly Governments or Authorities
[Babylon the Great Has Fallen! God's Kingdom Rules! (1962) page 548]
-1990 = Worldly Governments or Authorities
[Watchtower November 1, 1990, page 11]
So the "Superior Authorities" were Worldly Governments or Authorities from 1886-1929. From 1929-1962 new light flashed forth making the "Superior Authorities" Jehovah and Jesus. Then finally more new light flashing forth brought the teachings of “Super Authorities” to Jehovah's Witnesses from 1962 onward back to the original teaching of 1886.
This Generation (Mathew 24:34)...
-1927 = The Anointed
[Watchtower February 15, 1927 page 62]
-1942 = Anyone alive to see 1914
[Watchtower July 1, 1942 page 204]
-1995 = Wicked People alive today
[Watchtower November 1, 1995 page 19]
-2008 = The Anointed
[Watchtower February 15, 2008 page 24]
From an analysis of the Watchtower Society’s teaching concerning "This Generation" as recorded in Matthew, it was first ‘correct’ in 1927. But brighter light caused it to become an incorrect teaching of a couple of different things over the course of 81 years, only to return back to the original ‘correct’ 1927 teaching. Again, why would God direct His organization in such a fashion?
While the Watchtower Society loves to focus attention to Proverbs 4:18, perhaps Jehovah's Witnesses should be paying more attention to the verse that follows it. In Proverbs 4:19 it states:
"The way of the wicked ones is like the gloom; they have not known at what they keep stumbling."
Based on the facts above, which scripture better describes the teachings of the Watchtower Society?
Monday, December 1, 2008
Faithful and Discreet Slave – Which One?
Group or Individual?
A. Always a close unified group “family”, not individuals scattered who took part with false religion and their teachings. [Watchtower January 15, 1975 page 46, 47; You Can Live Forever page 193]
B. Scattered individuals who took part in false religion being among weed-like Christendom. [Jehovah’s Witnesses: Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom page 44; Watchtower July 15, 1960 page 435]
Light?
A. Progressive light - It always gets brighter. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 14, page 435 bound volume]
B. Flickered out - Slave was in spiritual darkness - inactivity at one point - requiring restoration. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 17, page 435 bound volume; Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 20, page 436 bound volume]
Practices?
A. Slave remained as wheat shining bright as the sun. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 16, page 435 bound volume]
B. Beliefs and practices were the same as weed-like Christendom. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 18, page 436 bound volume]
Found to be?
A. Showing loyalty and integrity remaining strong in the true faith. Jesus Christ rewarded them when he returned invisibly. [Watchtower February 15, 1975 pages 109-111, bound volume]
B. Having garments polluted and unclean from being associated with apostasy for a very long time. Christ punished them and sent them into captivity. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 18, page 435 bound volume]
History?
A. The slave has been continuously feeding truth and existing for over 1900 years. [Watchtower March 1, 1981 page 24]
B. After the death of the Apostles, a great apostasy took over where the slave became mixed-up with Christendom. [Watchtower August 1, 1981 paragraph 6, page 23]
Established?
A. Jesus established the faithful and discreet slave class/organization in 33 C.E. [Watchtower, February 15, 1975 page 109, bound volume]
B. Russell established the faithful and discreet slave class/organization in the late 1870’s [Jehovah’s Witnesses: Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom page 44, 45]
Domination?
A. Remained loyal resulting in the evil slave never dominated them. [Watchtower, February 15, 1975 page 109, 110 bound volume]
B. Remained loyal but become part of weed-like Christendom and temporarily disappeared from view. [Watchtower July 1, 1994 page 5]
Kingdom interest?
A. Jehovah God would not put Kingdom interest in the hands of spiritual babes or a novice organization. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 page 436, bound volume]
B. Jehovah God placed all His kingdom interest in the hands of a novice organization, which supposedly just emerged from but still held on to many beliefs and practices of weed-like Christendom in addition to Pagan teachings which originated from other places. [Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Divine Purpose, page 91].
Feeding?
A. Slave fed itself as well as every generation thereafter with all members of the slave being fed well spiritually. [Watchtower January 15, 1975 page 46, bound volume]
B. Slave unable to feed anyone as they were scattered or isolated with the death of the Apostles and associating with false religion. They needed to come into historic view again. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 page 435, bound volume; Watchtower February 15, 1980 paragraph 12, page 16]
After captivity?
A. In 1919, released and blessed with greater privileges since they were now cleansed from any religious defilement. [Watchtower July 1, 1982 paragraph 21, page 24]
B. In 1919, the slave continued to lead and promote Pagan ideas and practices for decades later. [Watchtower January 1, 1940 page 16; Jehovah’s Witnesses: Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, page 198]
Restoration?
A. Restored in the late nineteenth century, the slave was revived. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 page 435 Bound Volume]
B. There was no unified slave to receive the light, in turn, unable to restore the truth that was lost since they had disappeared from view. [Watchtower July 1, 1994 page 5]
God works?
A. Only though an organization – The Bible can not be understood or interpreted by individuals regardless of the amount of Bible reading they may perform. [Watchtower October 1, 1994 page 8; You Can Live Forever page 193]
B. By means of giving Russell the ability to comprehend and interpret scripture, God worked through Russell to restore truth which was lost for centuries prior. “He revived the great truths...He was permitted to understand it…The promise of the Lord was fulfilled in him.” [Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Divine Plan, page 17]
All the above statements are taught by the so-called Faithful and Discreet Slave Class in the aforementioned publications and many others from the Watchtower Society. It highlights the confusing and contradictory history taught by the Watchtower Society in describing the Faithful and Discreet Slave. Not only is there major fault in the opposing views, but many of the statements individually are false. Do the research and insist to know “The Truth”.
A. Always a close unified group “family”, not individuals scattered who took part with false religion and their teachings. [Watchtower January 15, 1975 page 46, 47; You Can Live Forever page 193]
B. Scattered individuals who took part in false religion being among weed-like Christendom. [Jehovah’s Witnesses: Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom page 44; Watchtower July 15, 1960 page 435]
Light?
A. Progressive light - It always gets brighter. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 14, page 435 bound volume]
B. Flickered out - Slave was in spiritual darkness - inactivity at one point - requiring restoration. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 17, page 435 bound volume; Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 20, page 436 bound volume]
Practices?
A. Slave remained as wheat shining bright as the sun. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 16, page 435 bound volume]
B. Beliefs and practices were the same as weed-like Christendom. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 18, page 436 bound volume]
Found to be?
A. Showing loyalty and integrity remaining strong in the true faith. Jesus Christ rewarded them when he returned invisibly. [Watchtower February 15, 1975 pages 109-111, bound volume]
B. Having garments polluted and unclean from being associated with apostasy for a very long time. Christ punished them and sent them into captivity. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 18, page 435 bound volume]
History?
A. The slave has been continuously feeding truth and existing for over 1900 years. [Watchtower March 1, 1981 page 24]
B. After the death of the Apostles, a great apostasy took over where the slave became mixed-up with Christendom. [Watchtower August 1, 1981 paragraph 6, page 23]
Established?
A. Jesus established the faithful and discreet slave class/organization in 33 C.E. [Watchtower, February 15, 1975 page 109, bound volume]
B. Russell established the faithful and discreet slave class/organization in the late 1870’s [Jehovah’s Witnesses: Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom page 44, 45]
Domination?
A. Remained loyal resulting in the evil slave never dominated them. [Watchtower, February 15, 1975 page 109, 110 bound volume]
B. Remained loyal but become part of weed-like Christendom and temporarily disappeared from view. [Watchtower July 1, 1994 page 5]
Kingdom interest?
A. Jehovah God would not put Kingdom interest in the hands of spiritual babes or a novice organization. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 page 436, bound volume]
B. Jehovah God placed all His kingdom interest in the hands of a novice organization, which supposedly just emerged from but still held on to many beliefs and practices of weed-like Christendom in addition to Pagan teachings which originated from other places. [Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Divine Purpose, page 91].
Feeding?
A. Slave fed itself as well as every generation thereafter with all members of the slave being fed well spiritually. [Watchtower January 15, 1975 page 46, bound volume]
B. Slave unable to feed anyone as they were scattered or isolated with the death of the Apostles and associating with false religion. They needed to come into historic view again. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 page 435, bound volume; Watchtower February 15, 1980 paragraph 12, page 16]
After captivity?
A. In 1919, released and blessed with greater privileges since they were now cleansed from any religious defilement. [Watchtower July 1, 1982 paragraph 21, page 24]
B. In 1919, the slave continued to lead and promote Pagan ideas and practices for decades later. [Watchtower January 1, 1940 page 16; Jehovah’s Witnesses: Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, page 198]
Restoration?
A. Restored in the late nineteenth century, the slave was revived. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 page 435 Bound Volume]
B. There was no unified slave to receive the light, in turn, unable to restore the truth that was lost since they had disappeared from view. [Watchtower July 1, 1994 page 5]
God works?
A. Only though an organization – The Bible can not be understood or interpreted by individuals regardless of the amount of Bible reading they may perform. [Watchtower October 1, 1994 page 8; You Can Live Forever page 193]
B. By means of giving Russell the ability to comprehend and interpret scripture, God worked through Russell to restore truth which was lost for centuries prior. “He revived the great truths...He was permitted to understand it…The promise of the Lord was fulfilled in him.” [Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Divine Plan, page 17]
All the above statements are taught by the so-called Faithful and Discreet Slave Class in the aforementioned publications and many others from the Watchtower Society. It highlights the confusing and contradictory history taught by the Watchtower Society in describing the Faithful and Discreet Slave. Not only is there major fault in the opposing views, but many of the statements individually are false. Do the research and insist to know “The Truth”.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
False Prophets - Part I: 1975
The Bible provides clear instructions on how followers of the true God can distinguish a false prophet. In the Bible book of Deuteronomy chapter 18 in verses 20-22 it indicates the following according to the New World Translation:
"However, the prophet who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded him to speak or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die. And in case you should say in your heart: 'How shall we know the word that Jehovah has not spoken?' when the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah and the word does not occur or come true, that is the word that Jehovah did not speak. With presumptuousness the prophet spoke it. You must not get frightened at him."
Is the Watchtower Society a false prophet? We will examine what their very own writings and teachings have to say on the matter. In this entry we will focus on the year 1975.
Notice the following writings of the Watchtower Society:
The magazine Awake! From October 18, 1966 on page 19 states:
"In what year, then, would the first 6,000 years of man's existence and also the first 6,000 years of God's rest day come to an end? The year 1975."
Our Kingdom Ministry from March 1968 on page 4 states:
"Just think, brothers, there are only about ninety months left before 6,000 years of man’s existence on earth is completed. Do you remember what we learned at the assemblies last summer? The majority of people living today will probably be alive when Armageddon breaks out..."
The Watchtower from August 15, 1968 states in the bound volume on page 499:
"Are we to assume from this study that the battle of Armageddon will be all over by the autumn of 1975, and the long-looked-for thousand-year reign of Christ will begin by then? Possibly…It may involve only a difference of weeks or months, not years."
Our Kingdom Ministry from June 1969 on page 3 states the following:
"…in view of the short time left, a decision to pursue a career in this system of things is not only unwise but extremely dangerous....Many young brothers and sisters were offered scholarship or employment that promised fine pay. However, they turned them down and put spiritual interests first."
The Watchtower, October 15, 1969 when researched in the bound volume found on page 623:
"More recently earnest researchers of the Holy Bible have made a recheck of its chronology. According to their calculations the six millenniums of mankind’s life on earth would end in the mid seventies. Thus the seventh millennium from man’s creation by Jehovah God would begin within less than ten years...Would not, then, the end of six millenniums of mankind’s enslavement under Satan the Devil be the fitting time for Jehovah God to usher in a Sabbath millennium for his human creatures? Yes, Indeed!"
Our Kingdom Ministry on page 3 in the May 1974 edition states:
"Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world's end."
The Truth Book, primary study aid for Jehovah’s Witnesses to use with Bible Students published prior to the year 1975 reads as follows on page 9 under ‘Grand Blessings from God Near at Hand!’:
“Also, as reported back in 1960, a former United States Secretary of State, Dean Acheson, declared that our time is "a period of unequaled instability, unequaled violence." And he warned: "I know enough of what is going on to assure you that, in fifteen years from today, this world is going to be too dangerous to live in." [Note: 15 years from 1960=1975]
While all of the above proved to be false prophecies, does this mean the Watchtower Society is a false prophet? While the Watchtower Society has made false statements and predicitions, have they claimed to be prophets?
Notice this last claim made by the Watchtower Society from the Watchtower April 1, 1972, found in the bound volume on page 197:
"'They Shall Know that a Prophet Was Among Them'...This “prophet” was not one man, but was a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah’s Christian witnesses. They are still proclaiming a warning, and have been joined and assisted in their commissioned work by hundreds of thousands of persons who have listened to their message with belief.”
The Watchtower Society themselves have claimed to be prophets whether they are called Jehovah's Witnesses or what they were known prior as "International Bible Students".
Interestingly, here's some additional insight by the Watchtower Society:
"Jehovah, the God of the true prophets, will put all false prophets to shame either by not fulfilling the false prediction of such self-assuming prophets or by having His own predictions fulfilled in a way opposite to that predicted by the false prophets." – From Paradise Restored to Mankind - by Theocracy on page 47.
The Watchtower Society also published these words in the Watchtower from April 15, 1972 as can be located in the bound volume on page 250:
“The Bible gives us a striking example of this. It emphasizes the point that, even though sincere, an individual or even an entire organization can fall far short of exclusive devotion to God.”
Indeed, God has shown the Watchtower Society to be false prophets, and yes the entire organization has fallen short of exclusive devotion to God. When an organization’s leaders prove to be false prophets, should a person follow and trust the directions and instructions they provide?
Do not confuse individual Jehovah’s Witnesses with the organization as a whole. You may know sincere individuals who are Jehovah’s Witnesses; but who are they following? Who provides instructions and directions for them? What publications are used? Is not the Watchtower Society using the Watchtower, Kingdom Ministries, and other publications that have been highlighted above?
What false prophecies is the Watchtower Society teaching now as “The Truth”?
The council found in 1 John 4:1 is certainly fitting for Jehovah’s Witnesses and any individual who follows any person, organization's teachings or writings:
“…do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.”
"However, the prophet who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded him to speak or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die. And in case you should say in your heart: 'How shall we know the word that Jehovah has not spoken?' when the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah and the word does not occur or come true, that is the word that Jehovah did not speak. With presumptuousness the prophet spoke it. You must not get frightened at him."
Is the Watchtower Society a false prophet? We will examine what their very own writings and teachings have to say on the matter. In this entry we will focus on the year 1975.
Notice the following writings of the Watchtower Society:
The magazine Awake! From October 18, 1966 on page 19 states:
"In what year, then, would the first 6,000 years of man's existence and also the first 6,000 years of God's rest day come to an end? The year 1975."
Our Kingdom Ministry from March 1968 on page 4 states:
"Just think, brothers, there are only about ninety months left before 6,000 years of man’s existence on earth is completed. Do you remember what we learned at the assemblies last summer? The majority of people living today will probably be alive when Armageddon breaks out..."
The Watchtower from August 15, 1968 states in the bound volume on page 499:
"Are we to assume from this study that the battle of Armageddon will be all over by the autumn of 1975, and the long-looked-for thousand-year reign of Christ will begin by then? Possibly…It may involve only a difference of weeks or months, not years."
Our Kingdom Ministry from June 1969 on page 3 states the following:
"…in view of the short time left, a decision to pursue a career in this system of things is not only unwise but extremely dangerous....Many young brothers and sisters were offered scholarship or employment that promised fine pay. However, they turned them down and put spiritual interests first."
The Watchtower, October 15, 1969 when researched in the bound volume found on page 623:
"More recently earnest researchers of the Holy Bible have made a recheck of its chronology. According to their calculations the six millenniums of mankind’s life on earth would end in the mid seventies. Thus the seventh millennium from man’s creation by Jehovah God would begin within less than ten years...Would not, then, the end of six millenniums of mankind’s enslavement under Satan the Devil be the fitting time for Jehovah God to usher in a Sabbath millennium for his human creatures? Yes, Indeed!"
Our Kingdom Ministry on page 3 in the May 1974 edition states:
"Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world's end."
The Truth Book, primary study aid for Jehovah’s Witnesses to use with Bible Students published prior to the year 1975 reads as follows on page 9 under ‘Grand Blessings from God Near at Hand!’:
“Also, as reported back in 1960, a former United States Secretary of State, Dean Acheson, declared that our time is "a period of unequaled instability, unequaled violence." And he warned: "I know enough of what is going on to assure you that, in fifteen years from today, this world is going to be too dangerous to live in." [Note: 15 years from 1960=1975]
While all of the above proved to be false prophecies, does this mean the Watchtower Society is a false prophet? While the Watchtower Society has made false statements and predicitions, have they claimed to be prophets?
Notice this last claim made by the Watchtower Society from the Watchtower April 1, 1972, found in the bound volume on page 197:
"'They Shall Know that a Prophet Was Among Them'...This “prophet” was not one man, but was a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah’s Christian witnesses. They are still proclaiming a warning, and have been joined and assisted in their commissioned work by hundreds of thousands of persons who have listened to their message with belief.”
The Watchtower Society themselves have claimed to be prophets whether they are called Jehovah's Witnesses or what they were known prior as "International Bible Students".
Interestingly, here's some additional insight by the Watchtower Society:
"Jehovah, the God of the true prophets, will put all false prophets to shame either by not fulfilling the false prediction of such self-assuming prophets or by having His own predictions fulfilled in a way opposite to that predicted by the false prophets." – From Paradise Restored to Mankind - by Theocracy on page 47.
The Watchtower Society also published these words in the Watchtower from April 15, 1972 as can be located in the bound volume on page 250:
“The Bible gives us a striking example of this. It emphasizes the point that, even though sincere, an individual or even an entire organization can fall far short of exclusive devotion to God.”
Indeed, God has shown the Watchtower Society to be false prophets, and yes the entire organization has fallen short of exclusive devotion to God. When an organization’s leaders prove to be false prophets, should a person follow and trust the directions and instructions they provide?
Do not confuse individual Jehovah’s Witnesses with the organization as a whole. You may know sincere individuals who are Jehovah’s Witnesses; but who are they following? Who provides instructions and directions for them? What publications are used? Is not the Watchtower Society using the Watchtower, Kingdom Ministries, and other publications that have been highlighted above?
What false prophecies is the Watchtower Society teaching now as “The Truth”?
The council found in 1 John 4:1 is certainly fitting for Jehovah’s Witnesses and any individual who follows any person, organization's teachings or writings:
“…do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.”
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
1914 - Part I: 607 B.C.
For Jehovah’s Witnesses, the year 1914 is seen as a pivotal year in which a number of their perceived beliefs and prophecy came to fulfillment and is intrinsically linked to a series of other teachings as well. If their interpretation as provided and instructed by the Watchtower Society for the year 1914 is false, it would result in not exclusively of but at the very least inclusively of the following:
1. Preaching a False Gospel – Jehovah's Witnesses preach that in 1914 Jesus started an "invisible presence" of being enthroned King. If the 1914 timeline is false, then what Jehovah's Witnesses are preaching about Jesus is not true.
2. Not Chosen - If 1914 is not a significant year in biblical prophecy, than linking it to 1918/1919 is also incorrect. Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught by the Watchtower Society that they were the chosen in 1918/1919. No 1914 = No 1918/1919 = No chosen organization.
3. False Prophecy - If 1914 is not a biblical significant year, than the start of the end of times and the beginning of critical times with a soon to be ushered in Armageddon after a Great Tribulation shortly takes place is all guess work, no better than another person’s opinion, and ultimately proves false.
As mentioned earlier, there are several beliefs which encompass 1914 as being such a pivotal year per the Watchtower Society. This entry will focus on the relation to 607 B.C.
According to the Watchtower Society, the significance of 1914 includes the following events:
-God ending rulership through His chosen people, the Jewish Nation in the year 607 B.C. This year is marked by the Watchtower Society and taught to Jehovah’s Witnesses as the year Jerusalem fell.
-A time period of 2520 years passes [By the Watchtower Society cross referencing a couple of unrelated scriptures with the notion of interpretation that the scriptures are related, they are able to establish 2520 years].
- After the 2520 year time period we’re brought to God restoring his Kingdom, but this time in heaven as opposed to the earth in 1914 and placing Christ as King.
The simple math for the above is 2520 – 607 = 1913 + 1 [No “zero” year] = 1914.
For the sake of argument, we will ignore in this entry all of the prior false teachings and prophecies which included a number of different years which was taught to Jehovah’s Witnesses that Jesus began ruling and when the end would come.
Nevertheless, the problem with the above events, even if we are to completely agree with the Watchtower Society’s methods of arriving to 2520 years that is used for calculation, is that the year 607 B.C. is completely a fabricated year for when Jerusalem fell. Every historical record including archeological discovery attest to Jerusalem falling between 587 and 586 B.C.
What may be more devastating for a Jehovah’s Witness and as is the case with many of the Watchtower Society’s false or contradictory teachings, using the Bible along with the Watchtower Society’s own publications proves their teachings to be incorrect.
So let’s start…
When Jerusalem fell is documented in the Bible at 2 Kings 25:8-9:
"And in the fifth month on the seventh [day] of the month, that is to say, the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan the chief of the bodyguard, the servant of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. And he proceeded to burn the house of Jehovah and the king's house and all the houses of Jerusalem; and the house of every great man he burned with fire."
The nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar rule is when Jerusalem fell.
What year is the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar?
This can be deduced with the aid of referencing two of the Watchtower Society’s publications. The first publication is Insight on the Scriptures. On page 457 in Volume 2 under ‘Nabonidus’ it states the following:
"Last supreme monarch of the Babylonian Empire; father of Belshazzar. On the basis of cuneiform texts he is believed to have ruled some 17 years (556-539 B.C.E.). He was given to literature, art, and religion."
The second reference, the Watchtower Society's publication Babylon the Great Has Fallen - God's Kingdom Rules on page 184 it states:
"After reigning but two years King Evil-Merodach was murdered by his brother-in-law Neriglissar. According to the inscriptions that have been found, this usurper of the throne spent most of his time in building operations and reigned four years. When he died, his son Labashi-Marduk, though not yet of age, succeeded him. He was a vicious boy, and within nine months he had his throat cut by an assassin. Nabonidus, who had served as Governor of Babylon and who had been Nebuchadnezzar's favorite son-in-law, now took the throne and had a fairly glorious reign till Babylon fell in 539 B.C."
Take into consideration along with the above information that both Historical data and the Watchtower Society agree that Nebuchadnezzar ruled for a period of 43 years...
1. Preaching a False Gospel – Jehovah's Witnesses preach that in 1914 Jesus started an "invisible presence" of being enthroned King. If the 1914 timeline is false, then what Jehovah's Witnesses are preaching about Jesus is not true.
2. Not Chosen - If 1914 is not a significant year in biblical prophecy, than linking it to 1918/1919 is also incorrect. Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught by the Watchtower Society that they were the chosen in 1918/1919. No 1914 = No 1918/1919 = No chosen organization.
3. False Prophecy - If 1914 is not a biblical significant year, than the start of the end of times and the beginning of critical times with a soon to be ushered in Armageddon after a Great Tribulation shortly takes place is all guess work, no better than another person’s opinion, and ultimately proves false.
As mentioned earlier, there are several beliefs which encompass 1914 as being such a pivotal year per the Watchtower Society. This entry will focus on the relation to 607 B.C.
According to the Watchtower Society, the significance of 1914 includes the following events:
-God ending rulership through His chosen people, the Jewish Nation in the year 607 B.C. This year is marked by the Watchtower Society and taught to Jehovah’s Witnesses as the year Jerusalem fell.
-A time period of 2520 years passes [By the Watchtower Society cross referencing a couple of unrelated scriptures with the notion of interpretation that the scriptures are related, they are able to establish 2520 years].
- After the 2520 year time period we’re brought to God restoring his Kingdom, but this time in heaven as opposed to the earth in 1914 and placing Christ as King.
The simple math for the above is 2520 – 607 = 1913 + 1 [No “zero” year] = 1914.
For the sake of argument, we will ignore in this entry all of the prior false teachings and prophecies which included a number of different years which was taught to Jehovah’s Witnesses that Jesus began ruling and when the end would come.
Nevertheless, the problem with the above events, even if we are to completely agree with the Watchtower Society’s methods of arriving to 2520 years that is used for calculation, is that the year 607 B.C. is completely a fabricated year for when Jerusalem fell. Every historical record including archeological discovery attest to Jerusalem falling between 587 and 586 B.C.
What may be more devastating for a Jehovah’s Witness and as is the case with many of the Watchtower Society’s false or contradictory teachings, using the Bible along with the Watchtower Society’s own publications proves their teachings to be incorrect.
So let’s start…
When Jerusalem fell is documented in the Bible at 2 Kings 25:8-9:
"And in the fifth month on the seventh [day] of the month, that is to say, the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan the chief of the bodyguard, the servant of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. And he proceeded to burn the house of Jehovah and the king's house and all the houses of Jerusalem; and the house of every great man he burned with fire."
The nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar rule is when Jerusalem fell.
What year is the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar?
This can be deduced with the aid of referencing two of the Watchtower Society’s publications. The first publication is Insight on the Scriptures. On page 457 in Volume 2 under ‘Nabonidus’ it states the following:
"Last supreme monarch of the Babylonian Empire; father of Belshazzar. On the basis of cuneiform texts he is believed to have ruled some 17 years (556-539 B.C.E.). He was given to literature, art, and religion."
The second reference, the Watchtower Society's publication Babylon the Great Has Fallen - God's Kingdom Rules on page 184 it states:
"After reigning but two years King Evil-Merodach was murdered by his brother-in-law Neriglissar. According to the inscriptions that have been found, this usurper of the throne spent most of his time in building operations and reigned four years. When he died, his son Labashi-Marduk, though not yet of age, succeeded him. He was a vicious boy, and within nine months he had his throat cut by an assassin. Nabonidus, who had served as Governor of Babylon and who had been Nebuchadnezzar's favorite son-in-law, now took the throne and had a fairly glorious reign till Babylon fell in 539 B.C."
Take into consideration along with the above information that both Historical data and the Watchtower Society agree that Nebuchadnezzar ruled for a period of 43 years...
Insight on the Scriptures, page 480 in Volume 2 under ‘Nebuchadnezzar’:
"Nebuchadnezzar ruled as king for 43 years"
Now let’s gather the above information...
539 B.C. = Year Babylon Fell
Prior to the fall of Babylon, the history of its rulership is as follows:
17 years = Rulership of Nabonidus
1 year (9 months) = Rulership of Labashi-Marduk
4 years = Rulership of Neriglissar
2 years = Rulership of Evil-Merodach
43 years = Rulership of Nebuchadnezzar
Doing the math with the above facts:
539 + 17 + 1 +4 + 2 + 43 = 606
NOTE: We add here because we are tracing back the years of rulership. During B.C. years to go back in history you add years, to go forward in history you subtract years.
Therefore, 606 B.C. would be the year Nebuchadnezzar starts to rule.
Going back to our scripture in 2 Kings 25: 8, 9, it was during Nebuchadnezzar’s 19th year that Jerusalem fell.
Doing that math:
606 - 19 = 587
NOTE: We subtract here because time is progressing during Nebuchadnezzar’s reign. The years decrease not increase, as we are calculating B.C. years and not A.D. years.
From the above, 587 B.C. would be the year Jerusalem fell.
It’s plain to see that simply by using two of the Watchtower Society’s own publications along with two verses from the Bible, one can prove the teaching of Jerusalem fallen on 607 B.C. which Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught to be accurate by the Watchtower Society is a lie. It is a teaching to support their doctrine and interpretation of scripture.
Consequently with the year 607 B.C. not being when Jerusalem fell, there is no arrival to 1914 as the year Jesus invisibly returned. Jehovah’s Witnesses are therefore preaching and teaching a false gospel. Furthermore, they are taught a gospel from a false teaching which originates not from a God spirit-directed organization, since without 1914, there is also no arriving to 1918/1919 as their organization being chosen by God as taught by the Watchtower Society.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Organ Transplants
In a ‘Questions from Readers’ section in The Watchtower, August 1, 1961 the question about organ transplants is answered:
"Is there anything in the Bible against giving one’s eyes (after death) to be transplanted to some living person?—L. C., United States.
The question of placing one’s body or parts of one’s body at the disposal of men of science or doctors at one’s death for purposes of scientific experimentation or replacement in others is frowned upon by certain religious bodies. However, it does not seem that any Scriptural principle or law is involved. It therefore is something that each individual must decide for himself. If he is satisfied in his own mind and conscience that this is a proper thing to do, then he can make such provision, and no one else should criticize him for doing so. On the other hand, no one should be criticized for refusing to enter into any such agreement."
The Watchtower Society had no objections at first to organ transplants. Indeed, there is no scriptural principle or law involved. However, the Society changed its tune just a few years later in 1967. Take note of this Watchtower from November 15, 1967 in its ‘Questions from Readers’ section:
"Is there any Scriptural objection to donating one's body for use in medical research or to accepting organs for transplant from such a source?-W. L., U.S.A.
. . . When there is a diseased or defective organ, the usual way health is restored is by taking in nutrients. The body uses the food eaten to repair or heal the organ, gradually replacing the cells. When men of science conclude that this normal process will no longer work and they suggest removing the organ and replacing it directly with an organ from another human, this is simply a shortcut. Those who submit to such operations are thus living off the flesh of another human. That is cannibalistic. However, in allowing man to eat animal flesh Jehovah God did not grant permission for humans to try to perpetuate their lives by cannibalistically taking into their bodies human flesh, whether chewed or in the form of whole organs or body parts taken from others."
Somehow the Watchtower Society has formed an opinion based upon their interpretation of scriptures that since God did not specifically grant permission for organ transplants they should no longer be permitted. They have also labeled such a procedure as “cannibalistic”.
It is shocking to most people to reason in such a way. If asked, many would reason that organ transplants are not cannibalistic. However, in a little over 6 years the Watchtower Society has turned a personal decision into cannibalism for Jehovah’s Witnesses. And Jehovah’s Witnesses would have to obey. After all such information is coming from God’s spirit-directed organization. At this point, Jehovah’s Witnesses are essentially being instructed they should rather die or be crippled than accept an organ transplant.
For the Watchtower Society, it has always been of prime importance to give Jehovah’s Witnesses the idea that rules or decision really benefit them. The Watchtower Society will use propaganda on Jehovah Witnesses to convince and firmly believed that organ transplants are evil and bad for them. For instance, notice the Watchtower comments from September 1, 1975:
"A peculiar factor sometimes noted is a so-called ‘personality transplant.’ That is, the recipient in some cases has seemed to adopt certain personality factors of the person from whom the organ came. One young promiscuous woman who received a kidney from her older, conservative, well-behaved sister, at first seemed very upset. Then she began imitating her sister in much of her conduct. Another patient claimed to receive a changed outlook on life after his kidney transplant. Following a transplant, one mild-tempered man became aggressive like the donor. The problem may be largely or wholly mental. But it is of interest, at least, that the Bible links the kidneys closely with human emotions." (p. 519)
The magazine is being used as a vehicle for driving Jehovah’s Witnesses to believe that when it comes to the matter of organ transplants the benefit is virtually zero and the risks are huge. This makes it easier for Jehovah’s Witnesses to accept such “God-given” directions. Since they have now also placed in the minds of its followers the notion that if you obtain for instance a kidney transplants it will manipulate your emotions. It will make you someone you are not.
The Watchtower Society did not just stop with the kidney transplants. They also provided instructions that will scare Jehovah’s Witnesses with a change to the literal heart. Similar to the notion that a kidney is linked to the literal emotional makeup of an individual, the heart would now be linked with the literal thinking faculties of a person. While it is true the Bible mentions the heart as a seat for our desires, people will understand this symbolically, realizing that desires and thoughts reside in our brain.
Nonetheless, the Watchtower from March 1, 1971 provided this:
"Most psychiatrists and psychologists tend to over categorize the mind and allow for little if any influence from the fleshly heart, looking upon the word "heart" merely as a figure of speech apart from its use in identifying the organ that pumps our blood. . . . The heart is a marvelously designed muscular pump, but, more significantly, our emotional and motivating capacities are built within it. Love, hate, desire (good and bad), preference for one thing over another, ambition, fear-in effect, all that serves to motivate us in relationship to our affections and desires springs from the heart." (p.134)
In the same article, the Watchtower Society admonishes that people who accepted donor hearts lost their personalities, and more than suggested that people who received a heart transplant were really without 'heart':
"These patients have donor-supplied pumps for their blood, but do they now have all the factors needed to say they have a "heart"? One thing is sure, in losing their own hearts, they have had taken away from them the capacities of "heart" built up in them over the years and which contributed to making them who they were as to personality."
Any individual with even a little understanding of science or medicine would know the ridiculousness of these teachings. Again, this is from God’s spirit-directed organization. What it illustrates is the danger of allowing men with such shallow reasoning based on unfounded science along with a twisted interpretation of scriptures to decide life and death matters for millions of Jehovah Witnesses.
Consequently, the advice the Watchtower Society gave on day-to-day situations based on its literal understanding of heart and mind was sometimes unintentionally humorous:
"To illustrate, suppose the time comes when you must make a decision on buying a new suit or dress. First, the mind is confronted with certain facts. Perhaps older clothes are getting past their usefulness or there is a need for a change for some good reason. The heart comes very much into the picture too, as there is a desire at heart to look presentable. Heart and mind are in agreement that a new dress or suit be obtained. The mind now collects information on prices, quality, styles, and so forth, so that when you go shopping you have a pretty good idea which suit or dress should be purchased. But when you arrive at the store, there in the window is quite an eye-catcher, just waiting for the impulse buyer. It is not really practical for you; it involves much more money; it is rather extreme in styling; but how it tantalizes the heart! "It’s the heart’s delight!" Now what will be done? What decision will be made? Will it be a practical, reasoned-out one, or one according to this new desire of the heart? If you are not very careful, the heart will overwhelm the mind." – From the Watchtower, March 1, 1971, page 140.
Such reasoning would persist and be indoctrinated into Jehovah’s Witnesses for years. Not only just in the Watchtower, but in the Awake! magazine as well. From page 23 of the March 22, 1974 Awake! magazine it states the following:
"Today much is also made of the transplanting of various organs—kidneys, hearts, lungs and livers. . . Because of what I have reason to believe is the Creator’s view of organ transplants, I have serious reservations as to their Scriptural propriety."
Exaggerated accounts of the dangers of organ transplants were also provided in the “Watching the World” feature found in the magazine:
"More Transplant Complications …
Recently it was reported that the incidence of cancer is 100 times greater among organ-transplant recipients than among the general population. However, the frequency of brain tumors is ‘about 1,000 times greater,’ according to Dr. Wolff M. Kirsch, of the University of Colorado Medical Center. The prolonged immunosuppressive therapy to prevent rejection of the new organ frequently entangles the patient ‘in a snare of pathological processes,’ he says. Prospects for helping such patients are considered ‘bleak.’" – From Awake! February 22, 1974, page 31.
After a 13 year run, the ban placed on organ transplants by the Watchtower Society was lifted for Jehovah’s Witnesses. A reason was never provided or explained. The Watchtower Society simply went back to their teaching from 1961:
"Should congregation action be taken if a baptized Christian accepts a human organ transplant, such as of a cornea or a kidney?
Regarding the transplantation of human tissue or bone from one human to another, this is a matter for conscientious decision by each one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Some Christians might feel that taking into their bodies any tissue or body part from another human is cannibalistic. . . . Other sincere Christians today may feel that the Bible does not definitely rule out medical transplants of human organs. . . . It may be argued, too, that organ transplants are different from cannibalism since the "donor" is not killed to supply food." – From the Watchtower, March 15, 1980, page 31.
“Those who submit to such operations are thus living off the flesh of another human. That is cannibalistic.” - From the Watchtower, November 15, 1967.
How were Jehovah’s Witnesses supposed to feel with such direction? When individual Jehovah’s Witnesses risked their lives they did it because they were ordered to do so under threat of being disfellowshipped, believing the Watchtower Society spoke for God. It begs the question, did Jehovah God change his mind on these matters, or was the Watchtower Society simply wrong? Why would God have his chosen organization take a stand on an issue, change it, and flip back to the original stance again?
1961 = Organ Transplants = Conscience choice.
1967 = Organ Transplants = Cannibalistic.
1980 = Organ Transplants = Conscience choice.
Since, the Watchtower Society has changed its stance, so would now information contained in the Watchtower magazine when the topic was brought to the fore. Notice this article from the Watchtower September 1, 1984 on pages 3-7:
"What are we to understand, then, by the word ‘heart’?...What an amazing number of different functions and capabilities are ascribed to the heart! Do all of these reside in the literal heart? That could hardly be so... in nearly a thousand other references to ‘heart’ in the Bible, ‘heart’ is obviously used in a figurative sense… obviously, a distinction must be drawn between the heart organ and the figurative heart."
Hypocritically enough, looking at the Watchtower from June 1, 1986, on page 15 it states:
"The ancient Egyptians believed that the physical heart was the seat of intelligence and the emotions. They also thought that it had a will of its own. The Babylonians said that the heart housed the intellect as well as love. The Greek philosopher Aristotle taught that it was the seat of the senses and the domain of the soul. But as time passed and knowledge increased, these views were discarded. Finally the heart became known for what it is, a pump to circulate the blood throughout the body."
The article did not mention that the Watchtower Society had taught the same as the ancients Egyptians not too long ago:
“The heart is a marvelously designed muscular pump, but, more significantly, our emotional and motivating capacities are built within it.” – From the Watchtower, March 1, 1971.
Any Jehovah’s Witness who did not recall the organ transplant prohibition would probably never find out. New individuals coming into the organization may never come across such information regarding the Watchtower Society’s past teaching on the matter. Any who supposedly “compromised” with regards to organ transplants were disfellowshipped and, according to the Watchtower Society, were “cannibalistic” when the ban was in effect. What shocking unreasonable beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses will be done away with in the future; blood transfusions perhaps? Time will tell.
"Is there anything in the Bible against giving one’s eyes (after death) to be transplanted to some living person?—L. C., United States.
The question of placing one’s body or parts of one’s body at the disposal of men of science or doctors at one’s death for purposes of scientific experimentation or replacement in others is frowned upon by certain religious bodies. However, it does not seem that any Scriptural principle or law is involved. It therefore is something that each individual must decide for himself. If he is satisfied in his own mind and conscience that this is a proper thing to do, then he can make such provision, and no one else should criticize him for doing so. On the other hand, no one should be criticized for refusing to enter into any such agreement."
The Watchtower Society had no objections at first to organ transplants. Indeed, there is no scriptural principle or law involved. However, the Society changed its tune just a few years later in 1967. Take note of this Watchtower from November 15, 1967 in its ‘Questions from Readers’ section:
"Is there any Scriptural objection to donating one's body for use in medical research or to accepting organs for transplant from such a source?-W. L., U.S.A.
. . . When there is a diseased or defective organ, the usual way health is restored is by taking in nutrients. The body uses the food eaten to repair or heal the organ, gradually replacing the cells. When men of science conclude that this normal process will no longer work and they suggest removing the organ and replacing it directly with an organ from another human, this is simply a shortcut. Those who submit to such operations are thus living off the flesh of another human. That is cannibalistic. However, in allowing man to eat animal flesh Jehovah God did not grant permission for humans to try to perpetuate their lives by cannibalistically taking into their bodies human flesh, whether chewed or in the form of whole organs or body parts taken from others."
Somehow the Watchtower Society has formed an opinion based upon their interpretation of scriptures that since God did not specifically grant permission for organ transplants they should no longer be permitted. They have also labeled such a procedure as “cannibalistic”.
It is shocking to most people to reason in such a way. If asked, many would reason that organ transplants are not cannibalistic. However, in a little over 6 years the Watchtower Society has turned a personal decision into cannibalism for Jehovah’s Witnesses. And Jehovah’s Witnesses would have to obey. After all such information is coming from God’s spirit-directed organization. At this point, Jehovah’s Witnesses are essentially being instructed they should rather die or be crippled than accept an organ transplant.
For the Watchtower Society, it has always been of prime importance to give Jehovah’s Witnesses the idea that rules or decision really benefit them. The Watchtower Society will use propaganda on Jehovah Witnesses to convince and firmly believed that organ transplants are evil and bad for them. For instance, notice the Watchtower comments from September 1, 1975:
"A peculiar factor sometimes noted is a so-called ‘personality transplant.’ That is, the recipient in some cases has seemed to adopt certain personality factors of the person from whom the organ came. One young promiscuous woman who received a kidney from her older, conservative, well-behaved sister, at first seemed very upset. Then she began imitating her sister in much of her conduct. Another patient claimed to receive a changed outlook on life after his kidney transplant. Following a transplant, one mild-tempered man became aggressive like the donor. The problem may be largely or wholly mental. But it is of interest, at least, that the Bible links the kidneys closely with human emotions." (p. 519)
The magazine is being used as a vehicle for driving Jehovah’s Witnesses to believe that when it comes to the matter of organ transplants the benefit is virtually zero and the risks are huge. This makes it easier for Jehovah’s Witnesses to accept such “God-given” directions. Since they have now also placed in the minds of its followers the notion that if you obtain for instance a kidney transplants it will manipulate your emotions. It will make you someone you are not.
The Watchtower Society did not just stop with the kidney transplants. They also provided instructions that will scare Jehovah’s Witnesses with a change to the literal heart. Similar to the notion that a kidney is linked to the literal emotional makeup of an individual, the heart would now be linked with the literal thinking faculties of a person. While it is true the Bible mentions the heart as a seat for our desires, people will understand this symbolically, realizing that desires and thoughts reside in our brain.
Nonetheless, the Watchtower from March 1, 1971 provided this:
"Most psychiatrists and psychologists tend to over categorize the mind and allow for little if any influence from the fleshly heart, looking upon the word "heart" merely as a figure of speech apart from its use in identifying the organ that pumps our blood. . . . The heart is a marvelously designed muscular pump, but, more significantly, our emotional and motivating capacities are built within it. Love, hate, desire (good and bad), preference for one thing over another, ambition, fear-in effect, all that serves to motivate us in relationship to our affections and desires springs from the heart." (p.134)
In the same article, the Watchtower Society admonishes that people who accepted donor hearts lost their personalities, and more than suggested that people who received a heart transplant were really without 'heart':
"These patients have donor-supplied pumps for their blood, but do they now have all the factors needed to say they have a "heart"? One thing is sure, in losing their own hearts, they have had taken away from them the capacities of "heart" built up in them over the years and which contributed to making them who they were as to personality."
Any individual with even a little understanding of science or medicine would know the ridiculousness of these teachings. Again, this is from God’s spirit-directed organization. What it illustrates is the danger of allowing men with such shallow reasoning based on unfounded science along with a twisted interpretation of scriptures to decide life and death matters for millions of Jehovah Witnesses.
Consequently, the advice the Watchtower Society gave on day-to-day situations based on its literal understanding of heart and mind was sometimes unintentionally humorous:
"To illustrate, suppose the time comes when you must make a decision on buying a new suit or dress. First, the mind is confronted with certain facts. Perhaps older clothes are getting past their usefulness or there is a need for a change for some good reason. The heart comes very much into the picture too, as there is a desire at heart to look presentable. Heart and mind are in agreement that a new dress or suit be obtained. The mind now collects information on prices, quality, styles, and so forth, so that when you go shopping you have a pretty good idea which suit or dress should be purchased. But when you arrive at the store, there in the window is quite an eye-catcher, just waiting for the impulse buyer. It is not really practical for you; it involves much more money; it is rather extreme in styling; but how it tantalizes the heart! "It’s the heart’s delight!" Now what will be done? What decision will be made? Will it be a practical, reasoned-out one, or one according to this new desire of the heart? If you are not very careful, the heart will overwhelm the mind." – From the Watchtower, March 1, 1971, page 140.
Such reasoning would persist and be indoctrinated into Jehovah’s Witnesses for years. Not only just in the Watchtower, but in the Awake! magazine as well. From page 23 of the March 22, 1974 Awake! magazine it states the following:
"Today much is also made of the transplanting of various organs—kidneys, hearts, lungs and livers. . . Because of what I have reason to believe is the Creator’s view of organ transplants, I have serious reservations as to their Scriptural propriety."
Exaggerated accounts of the dangers of organ transplants were also provided in the “Watching the World” feature found in the magazine:
"More Transplant Complications …
Recently it was reported that the incidence of cancer is 100 times greater among organ-transplant recipients than among the general population. However, the frequency of brain tumors is ‘about 1,000 times greater,’ according to Dr. Wolff M. Kirsch, of the University of Colorado Medical Center. The prolonged immunosuppressive therapy to prevent rejection of the new organ frequently entangles the patient ‘in a snare of pathological processes,’ he says. Prospects for helping such patients are considered ‘bleak.’" – From Awake! February 22, 1974, page 31.
After a 13 year run, the ban placed on organ transplants by the Watchtower Society was lifted for Jehovah’s Witnesses. A reason was never provided or explained. The Watchtower Society simply went back to their teaching from 1961:
"Should congregation action be taken if a baptized Christian accepts a human organ transplant, such as of a cornea or a kidney?
Regarding the transplantation of human tissue or bone from one human to another, this is a matter for conscientious decision by each one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Some Christians might feel that taking into their bodies any tissue or body part from another human is cannibalistic. . . . Other sincere Christians today may feel that the Bible does not definitely rule out medical transplants of human organs. . . . It may be argued, too, that organ transplants are different from cannibalism since the "donor" is not killed to supply food." – From the Watchtower, March 15, 1980, page 31.
“Those who submit to such operations are thus living off the flesh of another human. That is cannibalistic.” - From the Watchtower, November 15, 1967.
How were Jehovah’s Witnesses supposed to feel with such direction? When individual Jehovah’s Witnesses risked their lives they did it because they were ordered to do so under threat of being disfellowshipped, believing the Watchtower Society spoke for God. It begs the question, did Jehovah God change his mind on these matters, or was the Watchtower Society simply wrong? Why would God have his chosen organization take a stand on an issue, change it, and flip back to the original stance again?
1961 = Organ Transplants = Conscience choice.
1967 = Organ Transplants = Cannibalistic.
1980 = Organ Transplants = Conscience choice.
Since, the Watchtower Society has changed its stance, so would now information contained in the Watchtower magazine when the topic was brought to the fore. Notice this article from the Watchtower September 1, 1984 on pages 3-7:
"What are we to understand, then, by the word ‘heart’?...What an amazing number of different functions and capabilities are ascribed to the heart! Do all of these reside in the literal heart? That could hardly be so... in nearly a thousand other references to ‘heart’ in the Bible, ‘heart’ is obviously used in a figurative sense… obviously, a distinction must be drawn between the heart organ and the figurative heart."
Hypocritically enough, looking at the Watchtower from June 1, 1986, on page 15 it states:
"The ancient Egyptians believed that the physical heart was the seat of intelligence and the emotions. They also thought that it had a will of its own. The Babylonians said that the heart housed the intellect as well as love. The Greek philosopher Aristotle taught that it was the seat of the senses and the domain of the soul. But as time passed and knowledge increased, these views were discarded. Finally the heart became known for what it is, a pump to circulate the blood throughout the body."
The article did not mention that the Watchtower Society had taught the same as the ancients Egyptians not too long ago:
“The heart is a marvelously designed muscular pump, but, more significantly, our emotional and motivating capacities are built within it.” – From the Watchtower, March 1, 1971.
Any Jehovah’s Witness who did not recall the organ transplant prohibition would probably never find out. New individuals coming into the organization may never come across such information regarding the Watchtower Society’s past teaching on the matter. Any who supposedly “compromised” with regards to organ transplants were disfellowshipped and, according to the Watchtower Society, were “cannibalistic” when the ban was in effect. What shocking unreasonable beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses will be done away with in the future; blood transfusions perhaps? Time will tell.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Astrology from the Watchtower Society
Astrology as discussed in recent Watchtower Society articles (Such as the Awake! magazine July 8, 1994 issue) is ridiculed along with star worship. While this may not be of any surprise to Jehovah’s Witnesses, what is missing from the aforementioned magazine as well as other articles from the Awake! and Watchtower is what the Watchtower Society use to believe and teach Jehovah’s Witnesses. For 62 years covering 1891 to 1953, the Watchtower Society taught that God resided on the star Alcyone in the Pleiades constellation and that from this star he governed the entire universe.
This belief was first introduced in the year 1891 in Volume 3 of Studies in the Scriptures on page 327:
“…this distance to be from ninety to ninety six millions of miles, their latest calculation and conclusion being ninety-two millions. The Great Pyramid has also its own way of indicating that most correct standard of all weights and measures, based upon the size and weight of the earth, which it is also claimed to indicate.
Commenting upon the scientific testimony and the location of this majestic “Witness,” Rev. Joseph Seiss, D. D. suggests:
“There is a yet grander thought embodied in this wonderful structure. Of its five points there is one of special pre-eminence, in which all its sides and exterior lines terminate. It is the summit corner, which lifts its solemn index finger to the sun at midday, and by its distance from the base tells the mean distance to that sun from the earth. And if we go back to the date which the Pyramid gives itself, and look for what that finger pointed to at midnight, we find a far sublimer indication. Science has at last discovered that the sun is not a dead center, with planets wheeling about it, and itself stationary. It is now ascertained that the sun also is in motion, carrying with it its splendid retinue of comets, planets, its satellites and theirs, around some other and vastly mightier center. Astronomers are not yet fully agreed as to what or where that center is. Some, however, believe that they have found the direction of it to be the Pleiades, and particularly Alcyone, the central one of the renowned Pleiadic stars. To the distinguished German astronomer, Prof. J. H. Maedler, belongs the honor of having made this discovery. Alcyone, then, as far as science has been able to perceive, would seem to be the ‘midnight throne’ in which the whole system of gravitation has its central seat, and from which the Almighty governs his universe. And here is the wonderful corresponding fact, that at the date of the Great Pyramid’s building, at midnight of the autumnal equinox, and hence the true beginning of the year as still preserved in the traditions of many nations, the Pleiades were distributed…””
The Souvenir Convention Report from 1914 published by The International Bible Students (One of the early titles of the group now following the Watchtower Society) states on pages 252 and 253:
"The Pleiades, the center of the universe, are located in Taurus, and as though to emphasize the foundation, the original meaning of Alcyone, one of the chief stars of the Pleiades, is "foundation". How significant that the whole universe should throughout the ages swing about that constellation and that star which alone picture so clearly the Ransom! The bullock offered on the brazen altar in the court was indeed the foundation: it represented the sacrifice of the Lord. The bullock in the sky represented the very same thing."
The Watchtower Society also taught that the Great Pyramid of Egypt provided additional proof of God's throne in the Pleiades. This is based on the information found in The Golden Age September 10, 1924, pages 793 & 794:
"... the position of the Pleiades at the time of the completion of the Great Pyramid of Egypt, "God's Stone Witness," is a very prominent feature of that building in the midst of the land of Egypt. For these and other reasons Bible Students have good cause to believe that in the region of the Pleiades is located the throne of Jehovah God..."
The book Reconciliation in 1928 contains these writings of J.F. Rutherford – former president of what is now known as the Watchtower Society, on page 14:
"The constellation of the seven stars forming the Pleiades appears to be the crowning center around which the known systems of the planets revolve.... It has been suggested, and with much weight, that one of the stars of that group is the dwelling place of Jehovah and the place of the highest heavens…The constellation of the Pleiades is a small one compared with others which scientific instruments disclose to the wondering eyes of man. But the greatness in size of other stars or planets is small when compared to the Pleiades in importance, because the Pleiades is the place of the eternal throne of God."
Crazy, bizarre and almost as if straight out of a science-fiction movie such teachings are what were provided to followers of what is believed by some to be God’s spirit-directed organization as being the truth. Nonetheless, these teachings and beliefs were not undone until decades later. It was not until late in the year 1953 that the Watchtower Society changed its teachings.
The Watchtower from November 15, 1953 states the following:
“Some attribute striking qualities to these constellations or star groups and on the basis of such they then offer private interpretations of Job 38:31,32 that amaze their hearers...when viewed Scripturally they are completely without foundation”
It’s very peculiar that the Watchtower Society used the word “some” and the phrase “amaze the hearers”, as it was the Watchtower Society who brought about and supported such teachings to its followers. Furthermore, the specific mention of Job 38 is the exact chapter the Watchtower Society used in The Golden Age, May 16, 1928 issue (page 540) to prove where God resided:
"The Bible seems to show that God's throne in heaven is in what we call the north, very likely near the stars called the Pleiades (Job. 38:31)"
According to the Watchtower what they use to teach as truth is now completely without scriptural foundation. Although, when they were holding on to such beliefs they found a way to interpret the scriptures to fit their teachings. It leaves one to wonder what they are currently teaching now through their interpretations of the scriptures they will in the future call completely without scriptural foundation.
Constellations of the Zodiac since the 1953 Watchtower to this present day are considered by the Watchtower Society as of pagan origin. However, from the early beginnings of the Watchtower Society up until the year 1953 it was seen as divine in origin. This is a part of the factual history of the Watchtower Society.
The Watchtower Society has never admitted their error regarding relying on the pagan teaching of astrology. Claims are made by the Watchtower Society that they are objective and candid when revealing their history, yet never makes any mention of it in the Watchtower Society’s history book ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom’ published in 1993. This is further evidence of an organization which hides the truth and tries to sweep its embarrassing history and teachings under the carpet. But you can’t hide or conceal the truth. Their very own words found within their publications shows what the use to teach as truth is completely without scriptural foundation.
This belief was first introduced in the year 1891 in Volume 3 of Studies in the Scriptures on page 327:
“…this distance to be from ninety to ninety six millions of miles, their latest calculation and conclusion being ninety-two millions. The Great Pyramid has also its own way of indicating that most correct standard of all weights and measures, based upon the size and weight of the earth, which it is also claimed to indicate.
Commenting upon the scientific testimony and the location of this majestic “Witness,” Rev. Joseph Seiss, D. D. suggests:
“There is a yet grander thought embodied in this wonderful structure. Of its five points there is one of special pre-eminence, in which all its sides and exterior lines terminate. It is the summit corner, which lifts its solemn index finger to the sun at midday, and by its distance from the base tells the mean distance to that sun from the earth. And if we go back to the date which the Pyramid gives itself, and look for what that finger pointed to at midnight, we find a far sublimer indication. Science has at last discovered that the sun is not a dead center, with planets wheeling about it, and itself stationary. It is now ascertained that the sun also is in motion, carrying with it its splendid retinue of comets, planets, its satellites and theirs, around some other and vastly mightier center. Astronomers are not yet fully agreed as to what or where that center is. Some, however, believe that they have found the direction of it to be the Pleiades, and particularly Alcyone, the central one of the renowned Pleiadic stars. To the distinguished German astronomer, Prof. J. H. Maedler, belongs the honor of having made this discovery. Alcyone, then, as far as science has been able to perceive, would seem to be the ‘midnight throne’ in which the whole system of gravitation has its central seat, and from which the Almighty governs his universe. And here is the wonderful corresponding fact, that at the date of the Great Pyramid’s building, at midnight of the autumnal equinox, and hence the true beginning of the year as still preserved in the traditions of many nations, the Pleiades were distributed…””
The Souvenir Convention Report from 1914 published by The International Bible Students (One of the early titles of the group now following the Watchtower Society) states on pages 252 and 253:
"The Pleiades, the center of the universe, are located in Taurus, and as though to emphasize the foundation, the original meaning of Alcyone, one of the chief stars of the Pleiades, is "foundation". How significant that the whole universe should throughout the ages swing about that constellation and that star which alone picture so clearly the Ransom! The bullock offered on the brazen altar in the court was indeed the foundation: it represented the sacrifice of the Lord. The bullock in the sky represented the very same thing."
The Watchtower Society also taught that the Great Pyramid of Egypt provided additional proof of God's throne in the Pleiades. This is based on the information found in The Golden Age September 10, 1924, pages 793 & 794:
"... the position of the Pleiades at the time of the completion of the Great Pyramid of Egypt, "God's Stone Witness," is a very prominent feature of that building in the midst of the land of Egypt. For these and other reasons Bible Students have good cause to believe that in the region of the Pleiades is located the throne of Jehovah God..."
The book Reconciliation in 1928 contains these writings of J.F. Rutherford – former president of what is now known as the Watchtower Society, on page 14:
"The constellation of the seven stars forming the Pleiades appears to be the crowning center around which the known systems of the planets revolve.... It has been suggested, and with much weight, that one of the stars of that group is the dwelling place of Jehovah and the place of the highest heavens…The constellation of the Pleiades is a small one compared with others which scientific instruments disclose to the wondering eyes of man. But the greatness in size of other stars or planets is small when compared to the Pleiades in importance, because the Pleiades is the place of the eternal throne of God."
Crazy, bizarre and almost as if straight out of a science-fiction movie such teachings are what were provided to followers of what is believed by some to be God’s spirit-directed organization as being the truth. Nonetheless, these teachings and beliefs were not undone until decades later. It was not until late in the year 1953 that the Watchtower Society changed its teachings.
The Watchtower from November 15, 1953 states the following:
“Some attribute striking qualities to these constellations or star groups and on the basis of such they then offer private interpretations of Job 38:31,32 that amaze their hearers...when viewed Scripturally they are completely without foundation”
It’s very peculiar that the Watchtower Society used the word “some” and the phrase “amaze the hearers”, as it was the Watchtower Society who brought about and supported such teachings to its followers. Furthermore, the specific mention of Job 38 is the exact chapter the Watchtower Society used in The Golden Age, May 16, 1928 issue (page 540) to prove where God resided:
"The Bible seems to show that God's throne in heaven is in what we call the north, very likely near the stars called the Pleiades (Job. 38:31)"
According to the Watchtower what they use to teach as truth is now completely without scriptural foundation. Although, when they were holding on to such beliefs they found a way to interpret the scriptures to fit their teachings. It leaves one to wonder what they are currently teaching now through their interpretations of the scriptures they will in the future call completely without scriptural foundation.
Constellations of the Zodiac since the 1953 Watchtower to this present day are considered by the Watchtower Society as of pagan origin. However, from the early beginnings of the Watchtower Society up until the year 1953 it was seen as divine in origin. This is a part of the factual history of the Watchtower Society.
The Watchtower Society has never admitted their error regarding relying on the pagan teaching of astrology. Claims are made by the Watchtower Society that they are objective and candid when revealing their history, yet never makes any mention of it in the Watchtower Society’s history book ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom’ published in 1993. This is further evidence of an organization which hides the truth and tries to sweep its embarrassing history and teachings under the carpet. But you can’t hide or conceal the truth. Their very own words found within their publications shows what the use to teach as truth is completely without scriptural foundation.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Rape and the Watchtower Society
What has the Watchtower Society taught regarding the atrocious act of rape?
The Watchtower from January 15, 1964 on page 64 teaches this:
“Thus if a Christian woman does not cry out and does not put forth every effort to flee, she would be viewed as consenting to the violation. The Christian woman who wants to keep clean and obey God’s commandments, then, if faced with this situation today, needs to be courageous and to act on the suggestion made by the Scriptures and scream. Actually this counsel is for her welfare; for, if she should submit to the man’s passionate wishes, she would not only be consenting to fornication or adultery, but be plagued by the shame. There would be shame, not only from the repulsiveness of the experience, but of having been coerced into breaking God’s law by having sex connections with one other than a legal marriage mate.”
From such a viewpoint it would appear that God is so unmerciful and incompetent that He cannot read the victim’s heart and perceive that she is being raped and not participating in fornication. The Watchtower Society holds a position likening God to be someone who cannot see all things, including the circumstances that may inhibit a victim’s screams. Would God be ignorant of perhaps the paralyzing fear, shock, and the perpetrator’s hand over the victim’s mouth or around her throat?
Such bizarre and twisted reasoning does not end there. Additionally, in that same Watchtower article the Watchtower Society states the following:
“A Christian woman is entitled to fight for her virginity or marital fidelity to the death. Just how best she can defend herself against anyone who wants to defile her depends upon her courage and quick wits.”
Furthermore, The Watchtower from June 1, 1968 added:
“Would it be different if the man had a weapon and threatened to kill you if you did not submit? No, the Scriptures plainly state that Christians are under obligation to ‘flee from fornication.’ (1 Cor. 6:18) It is true that you face the possibility of death in this case.”
So rape is being equated with fornication by the Watchtower Society. Also, a woman must scream and fight being raped even if it means her death in order to not be guilty of fornication.
A year later though, it appears that the Watchtower Society had stopped equating rape and fornication through the ‘Aid to Bible Understanding’ publication from 1969:
“RAPE: Rape is defined as unlawful sexual intercourse without the woman’s consent, effected by force, duress, intimidation…” (p. 1374)
“FORNICATION: Sex relations by mutual agreement between two persons not married to each other.” (p. 601)
It seemed as if the Watchtower Society had final gathered some sense respecting their perspective of a woman being raped. Five years later, however, this appears not to be the case:
“If she did not scream she would be as good as dead anyhow…Also, that if she did not scream she would ruin her relationship with Jehovah God and the Christian congregation; that then she would be disfellowshipped or excommunicated from it and that this would be worse than being killed as far as she was concerned.” - From Awake! March 8, 1974, page 14.
Is this the teachings you would want applied towards your wife, daughter, mother or any other girl or woman you know? While a woman has the right to defend herself, should she be made to feel that she is better off dead if, for some reason, she could not or was prevented from screaming or physically overcoming her attacker? Better yet, if she does survive and failed to scream and fight “to the death,” she now faces the further psychological torment of being disfellowshipped.
Six years later, a different stance seems to take place from the Watchtower Society's perspective. Appearing in the July 8, 1980 Awake! magazine on pages 5 & 6:
“I never physically fought him off in anyway…I was overwhelmingly confused and defenseless against the whole suddenness.”
“Profound terror in the face of physical threats simply renders most women helpless.”
“Rape is the fastest growing crime in America.”
Only three months later in the October 15, 1980 Watchtower on page 7, the Watchtower Society flips back to their previous stance:
“She told him that if he touched her she would scream as he had never heard anyone scream before. She explained that if she did not she would ruin her relationship with Jehovah God and the Christian congregation….A Christian woman is under obligation to resist, for the issue of obedience to God’s law to ‘flee from fornication’ is involved.”
Just two and a half years later the Society flips their stance again:
“What do we understand here by ‘fornication’? The Greek word in this text is porneia….A male or female who is forcibly raped would not be guilty of porneia.” - From The Watchtower, March 15, 1983, page 30.
To add insult to injury, the Watchtower Society presented this view in their February 22, 1984 edition of the Awake! magazine:
“But the rapist is asking a person to break God’s law by committing fornication"
Yet, it goes on to state:
"Treat Him Respectfully – The intended victim should remember that the rapist is a human. No doubt there are circumstances in his life that have precipitated his behavior. So although a woman should not cower in fear and permit a rapist to intimidate her, at the same time she should treat him understandingly as a fellow human.”
Now compare that to the Awake! magazine from July 8, 1980 on page 12 which states:
“May she properly inflict damage on her assailant? Indeed she may…she may use any means at her disposal to resist intercourse.”
Confused? Well, it doesn’t stop there; in the same article which counseled women to respect their rapist, the warning was also given:
“But if I gave in and he raped me, I would eventually die and have no hope of a resurrection.” - From Awake!, February 22, 1984, page 25.
Now the victim was deserving of eternal death - no hope of a resurrection. Is intentional fornication deemed such a costly sin? Do not those who have committed fornication received forgiveness if truly repentant? At this point, the Watchtower Society is stating a woman who is raped is worse than a woman who commits fornication and repents.
Four months later, the Watchtower Society printed a letter from an upset reader in the Awake! June 8, 1984 issue, page 28:
“You say to show a rapist respect. These men show no respect for their victim. They don’t care that they are shattering a woman, leaving in her memory horror for the rest of her life.”
The Society responded in the same article:
“For the victim to be considered guilty of fornication, there would need to be proof of willing consent.”
Two years later, more wisdom from a so-called God directed organization in the May 22, 1986 Awake! magazine, page 23:
“Why you should resist an attacker from the first moment...Your conscience will be clear. (Even if you are raped, you will not sacrifice your self-respect or cleanness before God)”
Several months later, the “From Our Readers” article in the September 22, 1986 Awake! included a letter of response to the Watchtower Society’s stance in the May, 22 1986 Awake!:
“Thank you for your article “Now You Are Going to Die!” (May 22, 1986) I might note some concerns about the advice given, however. Some rapists are very angry and sadistic in their approach and come armed with weapons and the intent to use them if there is the least provocation. Our Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault suggests resistance, but if the woman is paralyzed by fear or her instincts tell her not to resist, we recognize that as appropriate. We would rather have someone live through the experience than be killed or seriously mutilated.
-P. R., United States”
The Society responded in the same article...
"The Bible does support the thought that a woman attacked by a rapist should scream and resist. True, the woman has to respond according to her assessment of the danger to her life, and we believe that is covered in the advice given in the box on page 23 (May 22, 1986). It should be kept in mind that submitting to rape gives no guarantee that the victim will not be beaten or killed afterward. See the article “They Resisted Rapists” in our issue of February 22, 1984.—ED."
A few years later, the August 22, 1989 Awake!, page 24 reiterated the Society’s original stance:
“It was then that I remembered the scripture in Deuteronomy chapter 22. It says that if a woman does not cry out when attacked, it indicates she is submitting to the man and is committing a sin against Jehovah.”
If the Scripture in Deuteronomy is to be understood so literally, then women who fail to scream during rape today should be stoned to death as well. The Watchtower Society arbitrarily decides when to apply scriptures whole or in part either literally or symbolically. Thankfully for Jehovah's Witnesses, the Watchtower Society has never written a doctrine of literally stoning to death a woman who did not scream while being raped.
Nonetheless, the subject of rape within the Watchtower Society has been one of inconsistency and confusion. Such information and flip-flopping back and forth of viewpoint shows not Godly guidance or direction, but lack of any God-given direction. It truly is just men guessing and changing their viewpoint haphazardly giving no consideration to the followers of their teachings and interpretations.
The Watchtower from January 15, 1964 on page 64 teaches this:
“Thus if a Christian woman does not cry out and does not put forth every effort to flee, she would be viewed as consenting to the violation. The Christian woman who wants to keep clean and obey God’s commandments, then, if faced with this situation today, needs to be courageous and to act on the suggestion made by the Scriptures and scream. Actually this counsel is for her welfare; for, if she should submit to the man’s passionate wishes, she would not only be consenting to fornication or adultery, but be plagued by the shame. There would be shame, not only from the repulsiveness of the experience, but of having been coerced into breaking God’s law by having sex connections with one other than a legal marriage mate.”
From such a viewpoint it would appear that God is so unmerciful and incompetent that He cannot read the victim’s heart and perceive that she is being raped and not participating in fornication. The Watchtower Society holds a position likening God to be someone who cannot see all things, including the circumstances that may inhibit a victim’s screams. Would God be ignorant of perhaps the paralyzing fear, shock, and the perpetrator’s hand over the victim’s mouth or around her throat?
Such bizarre and twisted reasoning does not end there. Additionally, in that same Watchtower article the Watchtower Society states the following:
“A Christian woman is entitled to fight for her virginity or marital fidelity to the death. Just how best she can defend herself against anyone who wants to defile her depends upon her courage and quick wits.”
Furthermore, The Watchtower from June 1, 1968 added:
“Would it be different if the man had a weapon and threatened to kill you if you did not submit? No, the Scriptures plainly state that Christians are under obligation to ‘flee from fornication.’ (1 Cor. 6:18) It is true that you face the possibility of death in this case.”
So rape is being equated with fornication by the Watchtower Society. Also, a woman must scream and fight being raped even if it means her death in order to not be guilty of fornication.
A year later though, it appears that the Watchtower Society had stopped equating rape and fornication through the ‘Aid to Bible Understanding’ publication from 1969:
“RAPE: Rape is defined as unlawful sexual intercourse without the woman’s consent, effected by force, duress, intimidation…” (p. 1374)
“FORNICATION: Sex relations by mutual agreement between two persons not married to each other.” (p. 601)
It seemed as if the Watchtower Society had final gathered some sense respecting their perspective of a woman being raped. Five years later, however, this appears not to be the case:
“If she did not scream she would be as good as dead anyhow…Also, that if she did not scream she would ruin her relationship with Jehovah God and the Christian congregation; that then she would be disfellowshipped or excommunicated from it and that this would be worse than being killed as far as she was concerned.” - From Awake! March 8, 1974, page 14.
Is this the teachings you would want applied towards your wife, daughter, mother or any other girl or woman you know? While a woman has the right to defend herself, should she be made to feel that she is better off dead if, for some reason, she could not or was prevented from screaming or physically overcoming her attacker? Better yet, if she does survive and failed to scream and fight “to the death,” she now faces the further psychological torment of being disfellowshipped.
Six years later, a different stance seems to take place from the Watchtower Society's perspective. Appearing in the July 8, 1980 Awake! magazine on pages 5 & 6:
“I never physically fought him off in anyway…I was overwhelmingly confused and defenseless against the whole suddenness.”
“Profound terror in the face of physical threats simply renders most women helpless.”
“Rape is the fastest growing crime in America.”
Only three months later in the October 15, 1980 Watchtower on page 7, the Watchtower Society flips back to their previous stance:
“She told him that if he touched her she would scream as he had never heard anyone scream before. She explained that if she did not she would ruin her relationship with Jehovah God and the Christian congregation….A Christian woman is under obligation to resist, for the issue of obedience to God’s law to ‘flee from fornication’ is involved.”
Just two and a half years later the Society flips their stance again:
“What do we understand here by ‘fornication’? The Greek word in this text is porneia….A male or female who is forcibly raped would not be guilty of porneia.” - From The Watchtower, March 15, 1983, page 30.
To add insult to injury, the Watchtower Society presented this view in their February 22, 1984 edition of the Awake! magazine:
“But the rapist is asking a person to break God’s law by committing fornication"
Yet, it goes on to state:
"Treat Him Respectfully – The intended victim should remember that the rapist is a human. No doubt there are circumstances in his life that have precipitated his behavior. So although a woman should not cower in fear and permit a rapist to intimidate her, at the same time she should treat him understandingly as a fellow human.”
Now compare that to the Awake! magazine from July 8, 1980 on page 12 which states:
“May she properly inflict damage on her assailant? Indeed she may…she may use any means at her disposal to resist intercourse.”
Confused? Well, it doesn’t stop there; in the same article which counseled women to respect their rapist, the warning was also given:
“But if I gave in and he raped me, I would eventually die and have no hope of a resurrection.” - From Awake!, February 22, 1984, page 25.
Now the victim was deserving of eternal death - no hope of a resurrection. Is intentional fornication deemed such a costly sin? Do not those who have committed fornication received forgiveness if truly repentant? At this point, the Watchtower Society is stating a woman who is raped is worse than a woman who commits fornication and repents.
Four months later, the Watchtower Society printed a letter from an upset reader in the Awake! June 8, 1984 issue, page 28:
“You say to show a rapist respect. These men show no respect for their victim. They don’t care that they are shattering a woman, leaving in her memory horror for the rest of her life.”
The Society responded in the same article:
“For the victim to be considered guilty of fornication, there would need to be proof of willing consent.”
Two years later, more wisdom from a so-called God directed organization in the May 22, 1986 Awake! magazine, page 23:
“Why you should resist an attacker from the first moment...Your conscience will be clear. (Even if you are raped, you will not sacrifice your self-respect or cleanness before God)”
Several months later, the “From Our Readers” article in the September 22, 1986 Awake! included a letter of response to the Watchtower Society’s stance in the May, 22 1986 Awake!:
“Thank you for your article “Now You Are Going to Die!” (May 22, 1986) I might note some concerns about the advice given, however. Some rapists are very angry and sadistic in their approach and come armed with weapons and the intent to use them if there is the least provocation. Our Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault suggests resistance, but if the woman is paralyzed by fear or her instincts tell her not to resist, we recognize that as appropriate. We would rather have someone live through the experience than be killed or seriously mutilated.
-P. R., United States”
The Society responded in the same article...
"The Bible does support the thought that a woman attacked by a rapist should scream and resist. True, the woman has to respond according to her assessment of the danger to her life, and we believe that is covered in the advice given in the box on page 23 (May 22, 1986). It should be kept in mind that submitting to rape gives no guarantee that the victim will not be beaten or killed afterward. See the article “They Resisted Rapists” in our issue of February 22, 1984.—ED."
A few years later, the August 22, 1989 Awake!, page 24 reiterated the Society’s original stance:
“It was then that I remembered the scripture in Deuteronomy chapter 22. It says that if a woman does not cry out when attacked, it indicates she is submitting to the man and is committing a sin against Jehovah.”
If the Scripture in Deuteronomy is to be understood so literally, then women who fail to scream during rape today should be stoned to death as well. The Watchtower Society arbitrarily decides when to apply scriptures whole or in part either literally or symbolically. Thankfully for Jehovah's Witnesses, the Watchtower Society has never written a doctrine of literally stoning to death a woman who did not scream while being raped.
Nonetheless, the subject of rape within the Watchtower Society has been one of inconsistency and confusion. Such information and flip-flopping back and forth of viewpoint shows not Godly guidance or direction, but lack of any God-given direction. It truly is just men guessing and changing their viewpoint haphazardly giving no consideration to the followers of their teachings and interpretations.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
The Influence of Johannes Greber
Spanning over decades, the Watchtower Society cited the Bible translation of former priest Johannes Greber to support their translation of John 1:1 in their New World Translation Bible, which reads: "the Word was a God", rather than “the Word was God,” in addition to using Johannes Greber’s writings to support other teachings and doctrines.
Below is what The Watchtower magazine, September 15, 1962 issue states in the article, “The Word” - Who Is He? According to John” in paragraph 5:
“But most controversial of all is the following reading of John 1:1, 2: “The Word was in the beginning, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god. This Word was in the beginning with God.” This reading is found in The New Testament in An Improved Version, published in London, England, in 1808. Similar is the reading by a former Roman Catholic priest: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god. This was with God in the beginning. Everything came into being through the Word, and without it nothing created sprang into existence.” (John 1:1-3)*
* [Footnote]: The New Testament—A New Translation and Explanation Based on the Oldest Manuscripts, by Johannes Greber (a translation from German into English), edition of 1937, the front cover of this bound translation being stamped with a golden cross.”
The Watchtower Society continued using Johannes Greber’s writings as a reliable and trusting source for Jehovah’s Witnesses on several other occasions.
The Watchtower October 15, 1975 issue in its ‘Questions From Readers’ article has the following information:
“Does Matthew 27:52, 53 mean that at the time of Jesus’ death some persons in the grave were resurrected?
Without wresting the Greek grammar, a translator can render Matthew 27:52, 53 in a way that suggests that a similar exposing of corpses resulted from the earthquake occurring at Jesus’ death. Thus the translation by Johannes Greber (1937) renders these verses: “Tombs were laid open, and many bodies of those buried there were tossed upright. In this posture they projected from the graves and were seen by many who passed by the place on their way back to the city.”—Compare the New World Translation.”
Also, the Watchtower from April 15, 1976 on page 231 under ‘Insight on the News’ provides the following details:
“Event Clarifies Bible
The recent Guatemalan earthquake affected even some of those already dead. “Time” magazine reports that “several mourners who went to bury their dead in family plots found that the coffins of long-dead relatives had been uncovered by the quake.” Something similar occurred during an earthquake in the Jerusalem area at Jesus’ death. At that time, dead bodies were customarily placed in vaults or chambers cut from Palestine’s soft limestone rock, often in hillsides. A report in the Bible, as translated by Johannes Greber, says that when Jesus died, “the earth quaked, and the rocks were shattered. Tombs were laid open, and many bodies of those buried there were tossed upright. In this posture they projected from the graves and were seen by many who passed by the place on their way back to the city.” Hence, rather than a resurrection, as some Bible translations imply, there appears to have been merely an exposure of the dead to observers, as in Guatemala.—Matt. 27:51-53.”
Besides the Watchtower magazine article quotes shown above, the Watchtower Society also used the writings of Johannes Greber as support in these other publications:
The Word, Who is He? - According to John (1962) p. 5
Make Sure of All Things (1965) p. 489
Aid to Bible Understanding (1971) pp. 1134, 1669
However, despite the Watchtower Society quoting Johannes Greber's writings as a reliable and trustworthy source in support of their teachings and doctrines, the fact is Johannes Greber was heavily influenced by the occult when he was translating his version of the Bible. The following quotations are taken from the 'Johannes Greber Memorial Foundation' entitled "Communication with the Spirit World of God", demonstrating Johannes Greber's occult background:
"Johannes Greber was surely an Apostle of Truth. It is the purpose of his book, written in a spirit of love for his fellow man, to describe the path which brought him into the world of God's Spirits and laid the Truth open to him.
Pastor Johannes Greber also translated the New Testament. The task was not simple. Many contradictions between what appears in the ancient scrolls and the New Testament, as we have grown to know it, arose and were the subject of his constant prayers for guidance - prayers that were answered, and the discrepancies clarified to him, by God's Spirit World. At times he was given the correct answers in large, illuminated letters and words passing before his eyes. Other times he was given the correct answers during prayer meetings. His wife, a medium of God's Spiritworld was often instrumental in conveying the correct answer from God's Messengers to Pastor Greber."
Interestingly, the Watchtower Society provided the following in the Watchtower from April 1, 1983 under the ‘Questions from Readers’ section located on page 31:
“Why, in recent years, has The Watchtower not made use of the translation by the former Catholic priest, Johannes Greber?
This translation was used occasionally in support of renderings of Matthew 27:52, 53 and John 1:1, as given in the New World Translation and other authoritative Bible versions. But as indicated in a foreword to the 1980 edition of The New Testament by Johannes Greber, this translator relied on “God’s Spirit World” to clarify for him how he should translate difficult passages. It is stated: “His wife, a medium of God’s Spiritworld was often instrumental in conveying the correct answers from God’s Messengers to Pastor Greber.” The Watchtower has deemed it improper to make use of a translation that has such a close rapport with spiritism. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) The scholarship that forms the basis for the rendering of the above-cited texts in the New World Translation is sound and for this reason does not depend at all on Greber’s translation for authority. Nothing is lost, therefore, by ceasing to use his New Testament.”
So the above Watchtower is claiming that since they found out about Johannes Greber’s ties to the occult due to information discovered in 1980, they have deemed it improper to make use of his work.
Such an explanation would provide the argument that the last time the Watchtower Society used Johannes Greber as a reference was in 1976 and once they found out about his occult background in 1980, they stopped using him as a reliable and trustworthy source. Therefore, the Watchtower Society was not aware of Johannes Greber’s connection to the occult when they used him as support.
The truth is the Watchtower Society was fully aware of the strong occult ties and used the information in support of their teachings and doctrines.
This is proven in the Watchtower, February 15, 1956 issue under the article ‘Triumphing over Wicked Spirit Forces’, on paragraph 10 the following is written:
“Says Johannes Greber in the introduction of his translation of The New Testament, copyrighted in 1937: “I myself was a Catholic priest, and until I was forty-eight years old had never as much as believed in the possibility of communicating with the world of God’s spirits. The day came, however, when I involuntarily took my first step toward such communication, and experienced things that shook me to the depths of my soul. . . . My experiences are related in a book that has appeared in both German and English and bears the title, Communication with the Spirit-World: Its Laws and Its Purpose.” (Page 15, ¶ 2, 3) In keeping with his Roman Catholic extraction Greber’s translation is bound with a gold-leaf cross on its stiff front cover. In the Foreword of his aforementioned book ex-priest Greber says: “The most significant spiritualistic book is the Bible.” Under this impression Greber endeavors to make his New Testament translation read very spiritualistic.”
The Watchtower Society knew that Johannes Greber was influenced by and made use of the occult as early as February 1956, but still continued using his Bible translation and writings regardless, even as late as April 1976. They tried to give the appearance of ignorance to the facts prior by the 1983 Watchtower referencing a source from 1980.
To summarize, the Watchtower Society used a source with strong ties to the occult to support their teachings and doctrines for years – Up to 20 years after having knowledge of the fact. When trying to explain such actions they ignored their own well-documented history of the matter. That is both a cover-up and deceitful.
Below is what The Watchtower magazine, September 15, 1962 issue states in the article, “The Word” - Who Is He? According to John” in paragraph 5:
“But most controversial of all is the following reading of John 1:1, 2: “The Word was in the beginning, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god. This Word was in the beginning with God.” This reading is found in The New Testament in An Improved Version, published in London, England, in 1808. Similar is the reading by a former Roman Catholic priest: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god. This was with God in the beginning. Everything came into being through the Word, and without it nothing created sprang into existence.” (John 1:1-3)*
* [Footnote]: The New Testament—A New Translation and Explanation Based on the Oldest Manuscripts, by Johannes Greber (a translation from German into English), edition of 1937, the front cover of this bound translation being stamped with a golden cross.”
The Watchtower Society continued using Johannes Greber’s writings as a reliable and trusting source for Jehovah’s Witnesses on several other occasions.
The Watchtower October 15, 1975 issue in its ‘Questions From Readers’ article has the following information:
“Does Matthew 27:52, 53 mean that at the time of Jesus’ death some persons in the grave were resurrected?
Without wresting the Greek grammar, a translator can render Matthew 27:52, 53 in a way that suggests that a similar exposing of corpses resulted from the earthquake occurring at Jesus’ death. Thus the translation by Johannes Greber (1937) renders these verses: “Tombs were laid open, and many bodies of those buried there were tossed upright. In this posture they projected from the graves and were seen by many who passed by the place on their way back to the city.”—Compare the New World Translation.”
Also, the Watchtower from April 15, 1976 on page 231 under ‘Insight on the News’ provides the following details:
“Event Clarifies Bible
The recent Guatemalan earthquake affected even some of those already dead. “Time” magazine reports that “several mourners who went to bury their dead in family plots found that the coffins of long-dead relatives had been uncovered by the quake.” Something similar occurred during an earthquake in the Jerusalem area at Jesus’ death. At that time, dead bodies were customarily placed in vaults or chambers cut from Palestine’s soft limestone rock, often in hillsides. A report in the Bible, as translated by Johannes Greber, says that when Jesus died, “the earth quaked, and the rocks were shattered. Tombs were laid open, and many bodies of those buried there were tossed upright. In this posture they projected from the graves and were seen by many who passed by the place on their way back to the city.” Hence, rather than a resurrection, as some Bible translations imply, there appears to have been merely an exposure of the dead to observers, as in Guatemala.—Matt. 27:51-53.”
Besides the Watchtower magazine article quotes shown above, the Watchtower Society also used the writings of Johannes Greber as support in these other publications:
The Word, Who is He? - According to John (1962) p. 5
Make Sure of All Things (1965) p. 489
Aid to Bible Understanding (1971) pp. 1134, 1669
However, despite the Watchtower Society quoting Johannes Greber's writings as a reliable and trustworthy source in support of their teachings and doctrines, the fact is Johannes Greber was heavily influenced by the occult when he was translating his version of the Bible. The following quotations are taken from the 'Johannes Greber Memorial Foundation' entitled "Communication with the Spirit World of God", demonstrating Johannes Greber's occult background:
"Johannes Greber was surely an Apostle of Truth. It is the purpose of his book, written in a spirit of love for his fellow man, to describe the path which brought him into the world of God's Spirits and laid the Truth open to him.
Pastor Johannes Greber also translated the New Testament. The task was not simple. Many contradictions between what appears in the ancient scrolls and the New Testament, as we have grown to know it, arose and were the subject of his constant prayers for guidance - prayers that were answered, and the discrepancies clarified to him, by God's Spirit World. At times he was given the correct answers in large, illuminated letters and words passing before his eyes. Other times he was given the correct answers during prayer meetings. His wife, a medium of God's Spiritworld was often instrumental in conveying the correct answer from God's Messengers to Pastor Greber."
Interestingly, the Watchtower Society provided the following in the Watchtower from April 1, 1983 under the ‘Questions from Readers’ section located on page 31:
“Why, in recent years, has The Watchtower not made use of the translation by the former Catholic priest, Johannes Greber?
This translation was used occasionally in support of renderings of Matthew 27:52, 53 and John 1:1, as given in the New World Translation and other authoritative Bible versions. But as indicated in a foreword to the 1980 edition of The New Testament by Johannes Greber, this translator relied on “God’s Spirit World” to clarify for him how he should translate difficult passages. It is stated: “His wife, a medium of God’s Spiritworld was often instrumental in conveying the correct answers from God’s Messengers to Pastor Greber.” The Watchtower has deemed it improper to make use of a translation that has such a close rapport with spiritism. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) The scholarship that forms the basis for the rendering of the above-cited texts in the New World Translation is sound and for this reason does not depend at all on Greber’s translation for authority. Nothing is lost, therefore, by ceasing to use his New Testament.”
So the above Watchtower is claiming that since they found out about Johannes Greber’s ties to the occult due to information discovered in 1980, they have deemed it improper to make use of his work.
Such an explanation would provide the argument that the last time the Watchtower Society used Johannes Greber as a reference was in 1976 and once they found out about his occult background in 1980, they stopped using him as a reliable and trustworthy source. Therefore, the Watchtower Society was not aware of Johannes Greber’s connection to the occult when they used him as support.
The truth is the Watchtower Society was fully aware of the strong occult ties and used the information in support of their teachings and doctrines.
This is proven in the Watchtower, February 15, 1956 issue under the article ‘Triumphing over Wicked Spirit Forces’, on paragraph 10 the following is written:
“Says Johannes Greber in the introduction of his translation of The New Testament, copyrighted in 1937: “I myself was a Catholic priest, and until I was forty-eight years old had never as much as believed in the possibility of communicating with the world of God’s spirits. The day came, however, when I involuntarily took my first step toward such communication, and experienced things that shook me to the depths of my soul. . . . My experiences are related in a book that has appeared in both German and English and bears the title, Communication with the Spirit-World: Its Laws and Its Purpose.” (Page 15, ¶ 2, 3) In keeping with his Roman Catholic extraction Greber’s translation is bound with a gold-leaf cross on its stiff front cover. In the Foreword of his aforementioned book ex-priest Greber says: “The most significant spiritualistic book is the Bible.” Under this impression Greber endeavors to make his New Testament translation read very spiritualistic.”
The Watchtower Society knew that Johannes Greber was influenced by and made use of the occult as early as February 1956, but still continued using his Bible translation and writings regardless, even as late as April 1976. They tried to give the appearance of ignorance to the facts prior by the 1983 Watchtower referencing a source from 1980.
To summarize, the Watchtower Society used a source with strong ties to the occult to support their teachings and doctrines for years – Up to 20 years after having knowledge of the fact. When trying to explain such actions they ignored their own well-documented history of the matter. That is both a cover-up and deceitful.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Watchtower Society Needed For Salvation?
Throughout the years the Watchtower Society has an evolving view of the need for an organization and its necessity in order for one to obtain salvation...
Watchtower October 1883:
"For these same reasons that Jesus did not organize congregations while present with his disciples in the Jewish harvest, we do not consider expedient or necessary organizations even simple and unsectarian as those established by the apostles." [p. 536]
The above is 100% true. Jesus did not organize congregation with his disciples. After Jesus left, the apostles took it upon themselves to form congregations. However, there is no requirement or necessity directed in the scriptures to have them as a means of salvation.
Watchtower December 12, 1894:
"A visible organization is out of harmony with God's divine plan." [p. 1743]
Watchtower September 15, 1895:
"Beware of organization ... it is wholly unnecessary." [p. 1866]
Faith does not require a visible organization [Hebrews 11:1] nor is it necessary for salvation. While at the same token belonging to an organization or congregation is not wrong in itself, the priority and need for it is not linked to salvation in any way.
Watchtower September 1, 1954:
"The Bible is organization-minded and it cannot be fully understood without our having the theocratic organization in mind." [p. 549]
Here we see the complete change and tone from the Watchtower Society in viewing organizations from its early day’s stance. Specifically, its organization is now needed to understand the Bible. If so, did God not allow people to understand the Bible prior to the existence of the Watchtower Society? The truth of the matter is the scriptures did not change, and the scriptures make it clear that God's Spirit is what helps Christians to understand. No where is an organization mentioned or even suggested. All Christians are free to interpret Scripture by the leading of God's Spirit. [John 16:13; 1 John 2:27]
Watchtower January 1, 1960:
"A Christian must always be part of Jehovah's visible organization." [p. 19]
There is no scriptural backing or support for such a notion. In the example of The Ethiopian Eunuch, once he was baptized, becoming a Christian, the scriptures state God’s spirit caught Philip away and the Ethiopian Eunuch went along his way [Acts 8:39]. If belonging to an organization is so vital would not here be a fine opportunity to emphasize such? Not only does the Bible not make mention of the Eunuch belonging to or joining some organization he was actually left alone. What it does indicate is he went away rejoicing.
Watchtower January 15, 1971:
"Can it be stated flatly that only baptized Witnesses of Jehovah will survive Armageddon? Yes, with a few exceptions." [p. 63]
This of course is gearing people for what would be the great failed prophecy of the Watchtower Society for the end to come in 1975. The Watchtower Society had already made mentioned in several articles and publications prior to 1971 (And continued to do so thereafter) that 1975 was the year in which the end would come. This was to reinforce fear in the minds and hearts of people that they must belong to the Watchtower Society by being one of Jehovah's Witnesses in order to be saved.
Interestingly, the Watchtower Society throws in "a few exceptions". It does not make any mention of what those few exception entail.
Watchtower February 15, 1979:
"Of those living at the time of Armageddon, only Jehovah's Witnesses will be saved" [p. 30]
It has been several years since the great failed prophesy of 1975. There were those Jehovah's Witnesses who saw the Watchtower Society as a false prophet and as a result was able to break themselves free from the organization. However, there were also loyal ones to the organization who remained including new recruits. The Watchtower Society knew then and it still knows now one of their strongest tools for keeping members is keeping in front of the eyes of its followers the notion that one must be a Jehovah's Witnesses to stand a chance of survival at Armageddon.
Watchtower November 15, 1981:
"Any person who wants to survive into God's righteous new order urgently needs to come into a right relationship with [Jehovah's] earthly organization now... come to Jehovah's organization for salvation .." [p. 16-7, 21]
Our Kingdom Ministry November 1990:
"…identifying themselves with Jehovah's organization is essential to their salvation." [p. 1]
Here is more reinforcement of the notion that one must be a Jehovah's Witness to be saved. According to the Watchtower Society it's urgent and essential to be a Jehovah's Witness. The Watchtower Society also comes up with new ways to instill in the minds of its followers the importance of their organization calling itself Jehovah's earthly organization. There was no mention by Jesus of any earthly organization. If one is so important, why did Jesus not explain explicitly to his disciples about the requirement and forming of an earthly organization?
Watchtower November 1, 1990:
"We cannot take part in any modern version of idolatry - be it worshipful gestures toward an image or symbol or the imputing of salvation to a person or an organization." [p. 26]
Oddly enough, the Watchtower Society appeared to be taken a 180 degree turn back to no need of an organization for salvation. Although, this could have the meaning and application that the Watchtower Society is referring to every organization but their organization. Similar to the Watchtower Society writing poorly and providing negative information about other religions, but Jehovah's Witnesses are instructed not to read anything critical or negative about them.
Watchtower September 15, 1993:
"But if we were to draw away from Jehovah's organization, there would be no place else to go for salvation and true joy" [p. 22]
Once again salvation is only obtained from "Jehovah's Organization" as referred to by the Watchtower Society in describing Jehovah's Witnesses. They take it a step further in stating there is "no place else to go"; not only for salvation but true joy as well. Joy as well as all other fruits of God’s Spirit is not organization dependent [Galatians 5:22-25]
It's a sad state but a fact of the dogma Jehovah's Witnesses are fed regarding their salvation is in some twisted interpretation interwoven with an organization. The scriptures are clear that Jesus alone and faith in Him is the only requirement for salvation. If an organization is so vital and critical for salvation why did Jesus not mention it in any scripture? [John 5:39-40; 10:28-29; 14:6; Acts 4:12].
While the Watchtower Society tries to place itself as mediator between people and God, the scriptures make it clear that it is Jesus alone who serves as Mediator [1 Timothy 2:5-6]. Whether an individual makes the choice to belong to a group of fellow believers be it formal inside some sort of building or informally outside of one or not is secondary when a person realizes that it is God who will lead them. God will assist us and lead us into relationships with others where we can learn and grow by both observing the good and bad while also providing us the opportunity to offer encouragement by means of the way in which we express our faith.
Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that they need to depend on the Watchtower Society as their channel of communication with God. The Bible indicates that Christians place their personal relationship with God ahead of anything else; this includes membership to any organization. The Watchtower Society, despite its teachings is not needed for salvation. The scriptures teach Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life [John 14:6]; not an organization.
Watchtower October 1883:
"For these same reasons that Jesus did not organize congregations while present with his disciples in the Jewish harvest, we do not consider expedient or necessary organizations even simple and unsectarian as those established by the apostles." [p. 536]
The above is 100% true. Jesus did not organize congregation with his disciples. After Jesus left, the apostles took it upon themselves to form congregations. However, there is no requirement or necessity directed in the scriptures to have them as a means of salvation.
Watchtower December 12, 1894:
"A visible organization is out of harmony with God's divine plan." [p. 1743]
Watchtower September 15, 1895:
"Beware of organization ... it is wholly unnecessary." [p. 1866]
Faith does not require a visible organization [Hebrews 11:1] nor is it necessary for salvation. While at the same token belonging to an organization or congregation is not wrong in itself, the priority and need for it is not linked to salvation in any way.
Watchtower September 1, 1954:
"The Bible is organization-minded and it cannot be fully understood without our having the theocratic organization in mind." [p. 549]
Here we see the complete change and tone from the Watchtower Society in viewing organizations from its early day’s stance. Specifically, its organization is now needed to understand the Bible. If so, did God not allow people to understand the Bible prior to the existence of the Watchtower Society? The truth of the matter is the scriptures did not change, and the scriptures make it clear that God's Spirit is what helps Christians to understand. No where is an organization mentioned or even suggested. All Christians are free to interpret Scripture by the leading of God's Spirit. [John 16:13; 1 John 2:27]
Watchtower January 1, 1960:
"A Christian must always be part of Jehovah's visible organization." [p. 19]
There is no scriptural backing or support for such a notion. In the example of The Ethiopian Eunuch, once he was baptized, becoming a Christian, the scriptures state God’s spirit caught Philip away and the Ethiopian Eunuch went along his way [Acts 8:39]. If belonging to an organization is so vital would not here be a fine opportunity to emphasize such? Not only does the Bible not make mention of the Eunuch belonging to or joining some organization he was actually left alone. What it does indicate is he went away rejoicing.
Watchtower January 15, 1971:
"Can it be stated flatly that only baptized Witnesses of Jehovah will survive Armageddon? Yes, with a few exceptions." [p. 63]
This of course is gearing people for what would be the great failed prophecy of the Watchtower Society for the end to come in 1975. The Watchtower Society had already made mentioned in several articles and publications prior to 1971 (And continued to do so thereafter) that 1975 was the year in which the end would come. This was to reinforce fear in the minds and hearts of people that they must belong to the Watchtower Society by being one of Jehovah's Witnesses in order to be saved.
Interestingly, the Watchtower Society throws in "a few exceptions". It does not make any mention of what those few exception entail.
Watchtower February 15, 1979:
"Of those living at the time of Armageddon, only Jehovah's Witnesses will be saved" [p. 30]
It has been several years since the great failed prophesy of 1975. There were those Jehovah's Witnesses who saw the Watchtower Society as a false prophet and as a result was able to break themselves free from the organization. However, there were also loyal ones to the organization who remained including new recruits. The Watchtower Society knew then and it still knows now one of their strongest tools for keeping members is keeping in front of the eyes of its followers the notion that one must be a Jehovah's Witnesses to stand a chance of survival at Armageddon.
Watchtower November 15, 1981:
"Any person who wants to survive into God's righteous new order urgently needs to come into a right relationship with [Jehovah's] earthly organization now... come to Jehovah's organization for salvation .." [p. 16-7, 21]
Our Kingdom Ministry November 1990:
"…identifying themselves with Jehovah's organization is essential to their salvation." [p. 1]
Here is more reinforcement of the notion that one must be a Jehovah's Witness to be saved. According to the Watchtower Society it's urgent and essential to be a Jehovah's Witness. The Watchtower Society also comes up with new ways to instill in the minds of its followers the importance of their organization calling itself Jehovah's earthly organization. There was no mention by Jesus of any earthly organization. If one is so important, why did Jesus not explain explicitly to his disciples about the requirement and forming of an earthly organization?
Watchtower November 1, 1990:
"We cannot take part in any modern version of idolatry - be it worshipful gestures toward an image or symbol or the imputing of salvation to a person or an organization." [p. 26]
Oddly enough, the Watchtower Society appeared to be taken a 180 degree turn back to no need of an organization for salvation. Although, this could have the meaning and application that the Watchtower Society is referring to every organization but their organization. Similar to the Watchtower Society writing poorly and providing negative information about other religions, but Jehovah's Witnesses are instructed not to read anything critical or negative about them.
Watchtower September 15, 1993:
"But if we were to draw away from Jehovah's organization, there would be no place else to go for salvation and true joy" [p. 22]
Once again salvation is only obtained from "Jehovah's Organization" as referred to by the Watchtower Society in describing Jehovah's Witnesses. They take it a step further in stating there is "no place else to go"; not only for salvation but true joy as well. Joy as well as all other fruits of God’s Spirit is not organization dependent [Galatians 5:22-25]
It's a sad state but a fact of the dogma Jehovah's Witnesses are fed regarding their salvation is in some twisted interpretation interwoven with an organization. The scriptures are clear that Jesus alone and faith in Him is the only requirement for salvation. If an organization is so vital and critical for salvation why did Jesus not mention it in any scripture? [John 5:39-40; 10:28-29; 14:6; Acts 4:12].
While the Watchtower Society tries to place itself as mediator between people and God, the scriptures make it clear that it is Jesus alone who serves as Mediator [1 Timothy 2:5-6]. Whether an individual makes the choice to belong to a group of fellow believers be it formal inside some sort of building or informally outside of one or not is secondary when a person realizes that it is God who will lead them. God will assist us and lead us into relationships with others where we can learn and grow by both observing the good and bad while also providing us the opportunity to offer encouragement by means of the way in which we express our faith.
Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that they need to depend on the Watchtower Society as their channel of communication with God. The Bible indicates that Christians place their personal relationship with God ahead of anything else; this includes membership to any organization. The Watchtower Society, despite its teachings is not needed for salvation. The scriptures teach Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life [John 14:6]; not an organization.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Jimmy Swaggart and his friend of the court, The Watchtower Society
Many Jehovah's Witnesses do not know the truth about The Watchtower Society and their relationship with Jimmy Swaggart. This is an important matter to consider since Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that all other religions are false and will be destroyed due to their receiving unfavorable judgment by God, and any ties or association with them results in the same judgment.
One of the end results of what Jimmy Swaggart and the Watchtower Society experienced together is the Watchtower Society changing its literature distribution program in 1990, which eliminated paying for literature items and going to a “donation arrangement”.
Jehovah's Witnesses were read a letter explaining the change to a “donation arrangement” this way...
"By adopting a method of literature distribution based completely on donation, Jehovah's people are able to greatly simplify our Bible education work and separate ourselves from those who commercialize religion."
Is this the whole truth? Notice the chain of events which took place:
EARLY 1980...
Jimmy Swaggart Ministries is informed by the State of California that tax is due on all publications sold since 1974 in the state. The total of which is $183,000.00. Swaggart pays the tax but sues for a refund. This puts the wheels in motion for the case moving toward the U.S. Supreme Court.
FEBRUARY 1989...
The U.S. Supreme Court rules sales taxes must be paid for religious publications sold. Although some states had been taxing religious publications from the start, Texas along with 14 other states were not doing so previously.
LATE SPRING/SUMMER 1989...
During the U.S District Conventions of Jehovah's Witnesses, the Watchtower Society gives away books for free. Instruction is provided to Jehovah's Witnesses to place "donations" for covering costs in the Contribution boxes located throughout the faculty.
JUNE 22, 1989...
The Watchtower Society files a "friend of the court" brief (amicus curiae) with the U.S. Supreme Court in the Jimmy Swaggart taxation case. This places the Watchtower Society with other religious organization performing similar acts such as Krishna Consciousness and the National Council of Churches.
JANUARY 17, 1990...
The U.S. Supreme Court upholds that sales tax must be paid on all religious publications ruling against Jimmy Swaggart,
FEBRUARY 9, 1990...
The Watchtower Society prepares a letter to be sent and read to all congregations announcing that literature will no longer be sold but offered at a "donation" basis.
FEBRUARY 25, 1990...
The Watchtower Society's letter is read to the congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses throughout the U.S.
MARCH 1, 1990
New "donation arrangement" goes into effect, including distributing magazines and books door-to-door without stating a price.
After thoughts...
The March 15, 1990 Watchtower and the Match 22nd Awake still carried a 25 cents a copy and 5 dollars a year listing in their respective magazine. If this was such a well thought out and planned move by a so-called Godly directed organization, why were the prices still there after such a planned adjustment? The reason is it was not planned, not thought out, and not Godly directed. It was a quick business decision to avoid taxation.
Why did the Watchtower Society not provide the whole truth to Jehovah's Witnesses? They could easily have provided the entire truth through their letters to the congregations. Instead, they chose to hide the facts and fabricate a reason which made it appear as if there were no ulterior motive to their prescribed "donation arrangement."
One of the end results of what Jimmy Swaggart and the Watchtower Society experienced together is the Watchtower Society changing its literature distribution program in 1990, which eliminated paying for literature items and going to a “donation arrangement”.
Jehovah's Witnesses were read a letter explaining the change to a “donation arrangement” this way...
"By adopting a method of literature distribution based completely on donation, Jehovah's people are able to greatly simplify our Bible education work and separate ourselves from those who commercialize religion."
Is this the whole truth? Notice the chain of events which took place:
EARLY 1980...
Jimmy Swaggart Ministries is informed by the State of California that tax is due on all publications sold since 1974 in the state. The total of which is $183,000.00. Swaggart pays the tax but sues for a refund. This puts the wheels in motion for the case moving toward the U.S. Supreme Court.
FEBRUARY 1989...
The U.S. Supreme Court rules sales taxes must be paid for religious publications sold. Although some states had been taxing religious publications from the start, Texas along with 14 other states were not doing so previously.
LATE SPRING/SUMMER 1989...
During the U.S District Conventions of Jehovah's Witnesses, the Watchtower Society gives away books for free. Instruction is provided to Jehovah's Witnesses to place "donations" for covering costs in the Contribution boxes located throughout the faculty.
JUNE 22, 1989...
The Watchtower Society files a "friend of the court" brief (amicus curiae) with the U.S. Supreme Court in the Jimmy Swaggart taxation case. This places the Watchtower Society with other religious organization performing similar acts such as Krishna Consciousness and the National Council of Churches.
JANUARY 17, 1990...
The U.S. Supreme Court upholds that sales tax must be paid on all religious publications ruling against Jimmy Swaggart,
FEBRUARY 9, 1990...
The Watchtower Society prepares a letter to be sent and read to all congregations announcing that literature will no longer be sold but offered at a "donation" basis.
FEBRUARY 25, 1990...
The Watchtower Society's letter is read to the congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses throughout the U.S.
MARCH 1, 1990
New "donation arrangement" goes into effect, including distributing magazines and books door-to-door without stating a price.
After thoughts...
The March 15, 1990 Watchtower and the Match 22nd Awake still carried a 25 cents a copy and 5 dollars a year listing in their respective magazine. If this was such a well thought out and planned move by a so-called Godly directed organization, why were the prices still there after such a planned adjustment? The reason is it was not planned, not thought out, and not Godly directed. It was a quick business decision to avoid taxation.
Why did the Watchtower Society not provide the whole truth to Jehovah's Witnesses? They could easily have provided the entire truth through their letters to the congregations. Instead, they chose to hide the facts and fabricate a reason which made it appear as if there were no ulterior motive to their prescribed "donation arrangement."
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The New World Translation – Part I: Compared with KIT
The Watchtower Society published ‘The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures’ in 1969. In the title page it states its purpose:
“Presenting a literal word-for-word translation into English under the Greek text as set out in The New Testament in the Original Greek”
Take note of the following comparisons between the scriptures from the Watchtower Society’s ‘Kingdom Interlinear Translation’ {KIT} and the Bible Jehovah's Witnesses are directed to use primarily by the Watchtower Society, their ‘New World Translation’ {NWT}:
COLOSSIANS 1:16-17
KIT: Christ created “all (things).”
NWT: Christ created “all [other] things.”
The Watchtower Society inserts the word “other” here as well as many additional times in these verses. By doing so, it supports the Watchtower Society’s doctrine respecting Christ being created. Besides a correct translation of this verse, this doctrine can be also refuted if you reference John 1:3. There it states that Christ created “all things” and not "all other things" as the Watchtower Society would have us believe.
COLOSSIANS 2:9
KIT: “all the fullness of the divinity” dwells in Christ.
NWT: “all the fullness of divine quality” dwells in Christ.
The Watchtower Society has taken the liberty of translating “divinity” into “divine quality”. The reason is simple; while the Watchtower Society recognizes Jesus as the Son of God, they strip him of his God-Ship. Nonetheless, the Greek word referenced here “Theotes” when literally translated means “deity, the state of being God, Godhead”.
PHILIPPIANS 2:9
KIT: God gave Christ the name “over every name.”
NWT: God gave Christ the name “above every [other] name.”
The Watchtower Society teaches that Jehovah is the name that is above every other name. In order to have this scriptures coincide with their teaching they once again inserted the word “other” into the scriptures.
PHILIPPIANS 3:9
KIT: “be found in him”
NWT: “be found in union with him”
When an individual is positioned “in Christ” it means that one is trusting in Christ alone for his righteousness. Consequently, there is a big difference between being “in union” with Christ and actually being positioned “in Christ.” Further, when God sees a person who is “in Christ”, He sees this person as being in Christ's righteousness instead of their own.
JOHN 8:58
KIT: “Before Abraham to become I am.”
NWT: “Before Abraham came into existence, I have been.”
Interestingly, the Greek expression “ego eimi” (I am) is translated properly in every other place it appears within the NWT except for here. The reason again is a correct translation of this verse would have contradicted the Watchtower Society’s doctrine on Jesus and Jehovah. In this verse, Jesus was identifying Himself as Jehovah by using the same “I am” expression which can be found at Exodus 3:14.
JOHN 14:10
KIT: “If ever anything you should ask me....”
NWT: “If you ask anything....”
Prayer is a form of worship. Since worship is only to be directed to God, the Watchtower Society could not have this verse reading as it should, since they teach that Jesus is not God. Therefore they removed the words “ask me”. This supports the Watchtower Society’s doctrine of praying only to Jehovah and not to Jesus.
JOHN 1:1
KIT: “god was the Word.”
NWT: “the Word was a god.”
This verse is speaking about The Word who is Jesus. Clearly then, this verse states Jesus is God. However, the Watchtower Society argues that since “the” does not appear before God in this half of the verse, their placing the article “a” for the NWT is correct. The Watchtower Society picks and chooses how to apply their own rule though, since if they were consistent with their reasoning, John 1:6 would state: “there arose a man that was sent forth as a representative of a God”. Such a statement would make no sense.
There are many more examples that could be sited where the Watchtower Society has added or taken away from the word of God in their ‘New World Translation’ of the scriptures to go along with their doctrine.
Additionally, the Kingdom Interlinear Translation is not available to order through the Watchtower Society for many years now and does not appear on the Watchtower Library CD-ROM published by the Watchtower Society. The reason is clear; they do not want their doctrines or teachings to be exposed for the lies and trickery they contain.
Prove it to yourself and read a copy of ‘The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures’, 1969 edition. If the very foundation - the source material - being used (The New World Translation) by a religion is false, the religion itself must also be false.
“Presenting a literal word-for-word translation into English under the Greek text as set out in The New Testament in the Original Greek”
Take note of the following comparisons between the scriptures from the Watchtower Society’s ‘Kingdom Interlinear Translation’ {KIT} and the Bible Jehovah's Witnesses are directed to use primarily by the Watchtower Society, their ‘New World Translation’ {NWT}:
COLOSSIANS 1:16-17
KIT: Christ created “all (things).”
NWT: Christ created “all [other] things.”
The Watchtower Society inserts the word “other” here as well as many additional times in these verses. By doing so, it supports the Watchtower Society’s doctrine respecting Christ being created. Besides a correct translation of this verse, this doctrine can be also refuted if you reference John 1:3. There it states that Christ created “all things” and not "all other things" as the Watchtower Society would have us believe.
COLOSSIANS 2:9
KIT: “all the fullness of the divinity” dwells in Christ.
NWT: “all the fullness of divine quality” dwells in Christ.
The Watchtower Society has taken the liberty of translating “divinity” into “divine quality”. The reason is simple; while the Watchtower Society recognizes Jesus as the Son of God, they strip him of his God-Ship. Nonetheless, the Greek word referenced here “Theotes” when literally translated means “deity, the state of being God, Godhead”.
PHILIPPIANS 2:9
KIT: God gave Christ the name “over every name.”
NWT: God gave Christ the name “above every [other] name.”
The Watchtower Society teaches that Jehovah is the name that is above every other name. In order to have this scriptures coincide with their teaching they once again inserted the word “other” into the scriptures.
PHILIPPIANS 3:9
KIT: “be found in him”
NWT: “be found in union with him”
When an individual is positioned “in Christ” it means that one is trusting in Christ alone for his righteousness. Consequently, there is a big difference between being “in union” with Christ and actually being positioned “in Christ.” Further, when God sees a person who is “in Christ”, He sees this person as being in Christ's righteousness instead of their own.
JOHN 8:58
KIT: “Before Abraham to become I am.”
NWT: “Before Abraham came into existence, I have been.”
Interestingly, the Greek expression “ego eimi” (I am) is translated properly in every other place it appears within the NWT except for here. The reason again is a correct translation of this verse would have contradicted the Watchtower Society’s doctrine on Jesus and Jehovah. In this verse, Jesus was identifying Himself as Jehovah by using the same “I am” expression which can be found at Exodus 3:14.
JOHN 14:10
KIT: “If ever anything you should ask me....”
NWT: “If you ask anything....”
Prayer is a form of worship. Since worship is only to be directed to God, the Watchtower Society could not have this verse reading as it should, since they teach that Jesus is not God. Therefore they removed the words “ask me”. This supports the Watchtower Society’s doctrine of praying only to Jehovah and not to Jesus.
JOHN 1:1
KIT: “god was the Word.”
NWT: “the Word was a god.”
This verse is speaking about The Word who is Jesus. Clearly then, this verse states Jesus is God. However, the Watchtower Society argues that since “the” does not appear before God in this half of the verse, their placing the article “a” for the NWT is correct. The Watchtower Society picks and chooses how to apply their own rule though, since if they were consistent with their reasoning, John 1:6 would state: “there arose a man that was sent forth as a representative of a God”. Such a statement would make no sense.
There are many more examples that could be sited where the Watchtower Society has added or taken away from the word of God in their ‘New World Translation’ of the scriptures to go along with their doctrine.
Additionally, the Kingdom Interlinear Translation is not available to order through the Watchtower Society for many years now and does not appear on the Watchtower Library CD-ROM published by the Watchtower Society. The reason is clear; they do not want their doctrines or teachings to be exposed for the lies and trickery they contain.
Prove it to yourself and read a copy of ‘The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures’, 1969 edition. If the very foundation - the source material - being used (The New World Translation) by a religion is false, the religion itself must also be false.
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