Applying The Bible

How does one apply the Bible in their life?

According to the Watchtower from October 1, 1967, page 587 under 'Finding Freedom with Jehovah's Visible Organization' it states:

"Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization, not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible. For this reason the Bible cannot be properly understood without Jehovah's visible organization in mind."


Directly from the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses, the Bible does not belong to individuals but to their organization. In fact, the Bible cannot be understood without their visible organization (The Watchtower Society) in mind.

That is pretty sick and twisted reasoning. Perhaps this teaching has been refined over the years. Let's take a look at the issue from February 15, 1981 page 19, under 'Do We Need Help to Understand the Bible?' it states:

"We all need help to understand the Bible, and we cannot find the Scriptural guidance we need outside the "faithful and discreet slave" organization."


It appears they are sticking with this attitude that no one can understand the Bible without the aid of the Watchtower Society.

Nonetheless, that was nearly 30 years ago. Certainly now, humility has become apparent and such an arrogant and haughty spirit no longer exudes from the teachings and beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses printed in the pages of the Watchtower, right?

The September 15, 2010, Watchtower, page 8, seriously elevates the leaders of Jehovah's Witnesses to demigod status once again. It states in paragraph 7:
 
 

"We cannot hope to acquire a good relationship with Jehovah if we ignore those whom Jesus has appointed to care for his belongings. Without the assistance of "the faithful and discreet slave", we would neither understand the full import of what we read in God's Word nor know how to apply it."


Nothing new under the sun for the Watchtower Society and the men in Brooklyn posing as the soul channel of truth God is using to communicate with people today. Remember, they are appointed by Jesus, because they say so according to their select interpretation of specific bible passages. You must also ignore all their flip-flops in teaching and false prophesying.

Part of the problem is this attitude and mentality is rooted at the foundation of the organization’s beginnings.

The Watchtower Society first president - Charles Taze Russell - wrote a series of books called, 'Studies in the Scriptures'. Interestingly, the September 15, 1910 edition, on page 4695, states:

“Not only do we find that people cannot see the divine plan in studying the Bible by itself, but we see, also, that if anyone lays the Scripture Studies aside, even after he has used them, after he has become familiar with them, after he has read them for ten years - if he then lays them aside and ignores them and goes to the Bible alone, though he has understood his Bible for ten years, our experience shows that within two years he goes into darkness. On the other hand, if he had merely read the Scripture Studies with their references, and had not read a page of the Bible, as such, he would be in the light at the end of the two years, because he would have the light of the Scriptures.”


Russell identified himself as the sole authority of Biblical interpretation and understanding. He stated that one would end up in spiritual darkness without examining his writings. His writings were needed to properly understand and apply the Bible.

When the year was 1910, you needed one man, Charles Taze Russell. In the year 2010, you need the writings and directions of several men in Brooklyn.

Just like many other cult and cult-like organizations, emphasis is placed upon the organization and/or its human leader(s) as being the source of authority, information, and understanding the message or Word of God.

What does the Bible teach is needed for Christians to apply and understand the scriptures?

John 14:16 - "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever"

John 15:26 - "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me."

John 16:13 - "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come."

1 John 2:27 - "But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him."


According to the above passages it is the Holy Spirit – The Helper, the Spirit of truth - which is utilized to apply the Bible. Contrary to the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses, you do not need their organization or their interpretation, inclusive of their publications.

Jehovah's Witnesses are indoctrinated to believe they need the Watchtower Organization, they need the Watchtower. You want a relationship with God? Don't ignore the men in Brooklyn. According to the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses, you need the men in Brooklyn, and the organization they run and control, to understand the full import of God's Word and how to apply it.

How We Will Be Judged

The Watchtower of December 15, 2010, page 20, paragraph 19, under the article "Reap Blessings Through God's Spirit-Guided King!" states:

"Among those "gifts in men" are the members of the Governing Body, who act in a representative way for the entire Christian congregation. In fact, our attitude toward Christ's spiritual brothers is a major factor that will determine how we will be judged during the coming great tribulation. Thus, one aspect of the way we gain a blessing is by giving our loyal support to God's anointed ones."


It appears in their magazine this way:

The Watchtower Society cherry picks select verses from Acts chapter 15 to support a so-called 'Governing Body' in the first century. The fact is this passage was over the one matter of circumcision in which Paul and Barnabus decided it would be best to go to the place where the conflict originated and discussed with a council there. However, it was for that one matter and one matter only. Paul, Barnabus, and other faithful followers of Jesus Christ such as Timothy, did things on their own with no further discussions with anyone from Jerusalem or any so-called Governing Body.

Assuming the role for the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses of being brothers of Christ, the Watchtower Society then rips a few verses from Matthew chapter 25, where Jesus basically states if you don't support my brothers you don't support me.  According to the verses in that chapter, those who don't support Jesus' brothers receive everlasting punishment [The Watchtower Society interrupts this to mean not a literal everlasting punishment but eternal death remembered everlastingly], and the righteous receive eternal life.

In either case, both scriptural citations are a weak attempt in trying to provide some twisted biblical backing to the message of: 'Be loyal and have a positive attitude towards us, or else you will be judged unfavorably to eternal death!'.

The messages to Jehovah's Witnesses that is being indoctrinated into their hearts and minds are:

Loyal, Supportive, Faithful to Governing Body = Everlasting 'Perfect' Life.

Disloyal, Unsupportive, Unfaithful to Governing Body = Eternal Death.

The above is impounded and brow-beat into the members of the organization, over and over, time and time again.

As is the case with many cult and cult-like organizations, obedience and loyalty to the leader comes first.  The difference with Jehovah's Witnesses demonstrates obedience not to one, but several men who call themselves the ‘Governing Body’.  They hold the power and key with instilling fear and allegiance into the members. Loyalty to the organization and its leaders is inculcated above all else in the members' lives, inclusive of family and friends. Jehovah’s Witnesses need to wake up.

The Good News

Supporters and members of Jehovah’s Witnesses may try to argue the topic of preaching with the following question or something similar:

"So, if Jehovah’s Witnesses are wrong, who are the ones Jesus said would be preaching the Good News of the Kingdom worldwide?"

This is one of the most ignorant things a believer in the message of Jesus Christ can dispute.

Particularly from a Jehovah's Witnesses, the reasoning carries the implication and indication that the message Jesus preached and the message Jehovah's Witnesses preach is the same.

This is not true. 

For instance, Jehovah's Witnesses are taught, preach and teach, that there will be a paradise earth ruled over by 144,000 kings.  Jesus never preached or hinted at anything even remotely close to that idea; neither did first century Christians.

Ironically enough, The Watchtower Society has plainly stated what the 'Good News of the Kingdom" entails.

The organization makes the following statement in the Watchtower, December 15, 1979 edition on pages 5 & 6, under 'How Powerful Is The Good News?' it states:

"OF ALL the messages published throughout the centuries, the “good news” set forth in the Holy Scriptures has had the greatest motivating power for good. The Bible refers to it as “the good news of the kingdom,” “the good news about Jesus Christ,” “the good news of the undeserved kindness of God,” “the good news of God,” “the good news of peace” and the “everlasting good news.” (Matt. 4:23; Mark 1:1; Acts 20:24; Rom. 15:16; Eph. 6:15; Rev. 14:6) This “good news” is primarily the message that salvation or everlasting life is possible on the basis of genuine faith in the atoning benefits of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, and that God’s kingdom by Christ will bring all things on earth into perfect unity with the holy heavens. (Acts 4:12; Rom. 1:16; Eph. 1:7-14) Why does that message have a powerful effect on those accepting it?"



Believers in Jesus Christ preach "the message that salvation or everlasting life is possible on the basis of genuine faith in the atoning benefits of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice", not the mongrel Adventist originated and stemmed from messages that Jehovah's Witnesses are taught to believe is 'the truth'. For example, only 144,000 go to heaven or the notion that you must belong to their organization, nor the myriads of other Watchtower Society specific doctrine(s).

The 'Good News' found in the Bible is preached, taught, and understood worldwide by many Christians throughout the Earth, it is not an exclusive teaching or message of Jehovah's Witnesses directed by the Watchtower Society's governing body. 

Jehovah's Witnesses have their own interpretation and gospel message they bring to people's doors...A different gospel than what first century Christians preached, taught, and believed.

Galatians 1:6-9 warns of those who would have their own brand of the gospel. Straight from the Watchtower Society's own brand of the Bible, The New World Translation, it states:

"I marvel that YOU are being so quickly removed from the One who called YOU with Christ’s undeserved kindness over to another sort of good news. But it is not another; only there are certain ones who are causing YOU trouble and wanting to pervert the good news about the Christ. However, even if we or an angel out of heaven were to declare to YOU as good news something beyond what we declared to YOU as good news, let him be accursed. As we have said above, I also now say again, Whoever it is that is declaring to YOU as good news something beyond what YOU accepted, let him be accursed."



So if any Christian was to declare good news (most other Bibles translate good news as gospel) beyond what was declared to be the good news (or gospel) of Christ, they were to be accursed.

So, what exactly is the "Good News" or Gospel of Jesus Christ?

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 states (Again, even from The New World Translation) in no uncertain terms:

"Now I make known to YOU, brothers, the good news which I declared to YOU, which YOU also received, in which YOU also stand, through which YOU are also being saved, with the speech with which I declared the good news to YOU, if YOU are holding it fast, unless, in fact, YOU became believers to no purpose. For I handed on to YOU, among the first things, that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that he was buried, yes, that he has been raised up the third day according to the Scriptures"



This is the Good News/Gospel of Jesus...

Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and was raised up so we may be believers and be saved. That is the Gospel message that must be preached according to the scriptures.

Ask Jehovah's Witnesses what is their message, their gospel, their so-called ‘good news’, and recall what the Bible states about those who declare beyond the gospel/good news. The truth is Jehovah's Witnesses are accursed according to the statements from the Bible, including their own translation of scripture.

Not From Men

Some may try to defend or apologize for the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses claiming that their leaders, their Governing Body, are imperfect and just men. Therefore, they of course make mistakes and errors.

However, does the organization present the instructions and directives of their leaders in such a light? Does the beliefs and doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses come from failable men? Not according to their teachings and literature.

The September 15, 2010 Watchtower on page 13, paragraph 8 makes the following statements:

"The Governing Body publishes spiritually encouraging literature in many languages. This spiritual food is based on God's Word. Thus, what is taught is not from men but from Jehovah."

Not from men but from Jehovah is exactly how the organization has persistently and consistently presented its teaching and doctrine which is inclusive of their failed predictions, and flip-flops in beliefs.

Excusing them or their errors, false prophesying and outright lies as being the product of imperfect men does not stand up against what the organization to this day continues to indoctrinate to its members. Their beliefs and understanding comes from Jehovah, not from men.

The New Irish

The literature and discourses delivered to Jehovah's Witnesses and distributed by them have consistently and thoroughly bashed, insulted and attacked other religious faiths. Especially, this has been the case with the information pushed out from the Watchtower Society regarding Catholicism.


"Fear has a great hold on the people. People are afraid of what their neighbors, their friends, relatives and clergy might think if they were even so much as to read the Bible on their own. For centuries the clergy have dominated their lives, told them what they can read, what they should believe and do. To ask a sound religious question is a demonstration of lack of faith in God and the church, according to the clergy. As a result, the Irish people do very little independent thinking. They are victims of the clergy and fear; but freedom is in sight." [Watchtower, August 1, 1958, p. 460, 'Dawns a New Era for the Irish'].


"There was also the dreadful Inquisition. It was a system for spying out those who did not believe everything the Roman Catholic Church taught and yet were supposed to be Catholics." [From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained, 1958, p. 167].


Respecting the above publication quotes, the organization as usual has come across as hypocritical. A brief review of some additional Watchtower Society publications demonstrates exactly how controlling and fear mongering the organization is to its members.

"As we study the Bible we learn that Jehovah has always guided his servants in an organized way. And just as in the first century there was only one true Christian organization, so today Jehovah is using only one organization. (Ephesians 4:4, 5; Matthew 24:45-47) Yet there are some who point out that the organization has had to make adjustments before, and so they argue: "This shows that we have to make up our own mind on what to believe." This is independent thinking. Why is it so dangerous? Such thinking is an evidence of pride. And the Bible says: "Pride is before a crash, and a haughty spirit before stumbling." (Proverbs 16:18) If we get to thinking that we know better than the organization, we should ask ourselves: "Where did we learn Bible truth in the first place? Would we know the way of the truth if it had not been for guidance from the organization? Really, can we get along without the direction of God's organization?" No, we cannot! -Compare Acts 15:2, 28, 29; 16:4, 5." [Watchtower, January 15, 1983, page 27, paragraphs 19 & 20, "Armed for the Fight Against Wicked Spirits"]


In the world, there is a tendency to reject leadership. As one lecturer said: "The rising education level has improved the talent pool such that followers have become so critical that they are almost impossible to lead." But a spirit of independent thinking does not prevail in God's organization, and we have sound reasons for confidence in the men taking the lead among us. - [Watchtower, September 15, 1989, page 23, paragraph 13, "Be Obedient to Those Taking the Lead"]


"How could one become guilty of partaking of the table of demons in our day? By serving the interests of anything opposed to Jehovah. The table of demons includes all demonic propaganda, which is designed to mislead and to turn us away from Jehovah. Who would want to feed his heart and mind on such poison?" [Watchtower, July 1, 1994, page 9].


"First, since “oneness” is to be observed, a mature Christian must be in unity and full harmony with fellow believers as far as faith and knowledge are concerned. He does not advocate or insist on personal opinions or harbor private ideas when it comes to Bible understanding. Rather, he has complete confidence in the truth as it is revealed by Jehovah God through his Son, Jesus Christ, and “the faithful and discreet slave.” By regularly taking in the spiritual food provided “at the proper time”—through Christian publications, meetings, assemblies, and conventions—we can be sure that we maintain “oneness” with fellow Christians in faith and knowledge.—Matthew 24:45." [Watchtower, August 1, 2001 Issue, Page 14, Paragraph 8]


If we were to base statements with the same reasoning the Watchtower Society utilized towards the Catholic faith coupled with the facts on the organization's teachings, this is how the opening Watchtower comments would read:


"Fear has a great hold on the Witnesses. Witnesses are afraid of what their neighbors, their friends, relatives and Watchtower Society leaders might think if they were even so much as to read the Bible on their own. For over a century the Watchtower Society leaders have dominated their lives, told them what they can read, what they should believe and do. To ask a sound religious question is a demonstration of lack of faith in God and the organization, according to the Watchtower Society leaders. As a result, Jehovah's Witnesses do very little independent thinking. They are victims of the Watchtower Society leaders and fear; but freedom is in sight."


If you are one of Jehovah's Witnesses, is freedom in sight for you? It should be, just keep seeking knowledge and information. Do the research and discover the truth of the matters.

Mother

Jehovah's Witnesses are conditioned continuously not to question or disobey the organization. This kind of absolute obedience is something a parent may expect from their children. In fact, the Watchtower Society has painted themselves in that light to Jehovah's Witnesses.

"If we are to walk in the light of truth we must recognize not only Jehovah God as our Father but his organization as our mother," [Watchtower, May 1, 1957, page 274].


That kind of psychological conditioning of the members to be obedient, submissive children and in need of the organization continues throughout the years with similar articles. The November 15, 2009 Watchtower magazine in fact states on page 13, in paragraph 5:

"By word or action, may we never challenge the channel of communication that Jehovah is using today."


Indeed, "mother" has continuously led many of her unchallenging children with much behavioral conditioning, understanding, and twisted reasoning...

"Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization, not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible," [Watchtower, October 1, 1967, page 587].


"We all need help to understand the Bible, and we cannot find the Scriptural guidance we need outside the 'faithful and discreet slave' organization," [Watchtower, February 15, 1981].


"All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the "greatly diversified wisdom of God" can become known only through Jehovah's channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave," [Watchtower, October 1, 1994, page 8].


This is one of the many problems with the so-called Governing Body concept of the Watchtower Society. Not only does the organization condition the members to see them as their mother, they also seek to take over Christ's role as mediator.

The Watchtower of November 15, 1979, page 26, made this comment:

"What, then, is Christ’s role in this program of salvation? Paul proceeds to say: “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men [not, all men], a man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all.”—1 Tim. 2:5, 6."

The insertion "[not, all men]" is the Watchtower Society blatantly changing the meaning of the Bible and what it states. The scripture does not contain a "[not, all men]" statement, but the Watchtower Society included it since once again they want the members to see them as being the mediator for humans to God.

This point was stressed again 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.”


Furthermore, all of the 144,000 do not share in dispensing 'truths from God', but only a select few who call themselves the Governing Body that claims to be of a so-called 'faithful and discreet slave class'. They decide what Jehovah's Witnesses are taught to believe as truth and when it will be told to them.

Per Our Kingdom Ministry from September 2002, page 8, paragraph 5, under 'Avoid the Pursuit of "Valueless Things"' it states:

"Bear in mind that our heavenly Father has an appointed channel of communication, “the faithful and discreet slave.” That “slave” has the responsibility to determine what information is made available to the household of faith, as well as “the proper time” for it to be dispensed."


What and when Jehovah's Witnesses are taught to believe something as 'the truth' is all thanks to their "mother", the organization controlled by the Watchtower Society. The majority of Jehovah's Witnesses are told they don't even have Christ as their Mediator; rather, the organization fulfills that role as well. Jehovah's Witnesses are victims of a power hungry and abusive parent. They need to exit such a relationship, and leave the toxic mother seeking her own interest first.

False Prophets - Part II: Creator's Promise

The history of the Watchtower Society from its early days of just being some 'bible students' to more modern times, by means of their literature through the organization they control, have produced numerous prophecies and predictions with a 100 percent fail rate. An outstanding one of these prophecies includes the organization having the audacity to claim it was God's promise to occur.

This is easily noted in the Awake! magazine masthead or mission statement as printed before November 1995. There it clearly and plainly states:

"Why AWAKE! Is Published ...Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away."


The Watchtower Society had Jehovah's Witnesses preach and proclaim for years it was God's promise that a peaceful and secure world would happen before the generation of 1914 passes away. After realizing time had caught up to their false prediction, starting with the November 1995, Awake! onward, the masthead was changed to read as:

"Why AWAKE! Is Published ... Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure world that is about to replace the present wicked, lawless system of things."


Using the Bible as the standard and bar for distinguishing and understanding a false prophet, Deuteronomy 18:20-22 states:

"'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.'" [NWT]


The Watchtower Society spoke not just in the name of God, but said it was His promise. The word they spoke did not occur or come true.

Furthermore, though some many have lingering doubts or question whether the Watchtower Society ever claimed they were prophets, their literature clears any doubt and answers the question.

The Watchtower from March 15, 1972 makes this statement on page 189 from the bound volume:

"More accurately, was there any group on whom Jehovah would be willing to bestow the commission to speak as a 'prophet' in His name, as was done toward Ezekiel back there in 613 B.C.E.?"


The same Watchtower on page 190 goes on further:

"It is of importance to every individual on earth to identify the group that Jehovah has commissioned as his 'servant' or messenger.... For this reason forthcoming issues of The Watchtower will further discuss the identity and work of Jehovah's commissioned messenger as revealed in His vision to Ezekiel"


It is followed with the ultimate claim of being a prophet in the "forthcoming issue" of the Watchtower, from April 1, 1972, on page 197 it states:

"So, does Jehovah have a prophet to help them, to warn them of dangers and to declare things to come? These questions can be answered in the affirmative. Who is this prophet? ...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... Of course, it is easy to say that this group acts as a 'prophet' of God. It is another thing to prove it. The only way that this can be done is to review the record. What does it show?"


Indisputably, the Watchtower Society has claimed that its organization contains prophets. Indeed, per their claims, Jehovah Witnesses are God's prophet in modern times.

The Bible states that Jesus provided this warning against false prophets in Matthew 7:15, 16:

“Be on the watch for the false prophets that come to YOU in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. By their fruits YOU will recognize them." [NWT]


The Watchtower Society's aforementioned spiritual fruitage regarding 1914 that it provided to its followers with the undeniable claim of it being a promise from God, makes them ravenous wolves in sheep's covering according to the Bible; false prophets in which no one should follow or obey their directions.