At the conclusion of the Watchtower Society's version of commemorating the Lord's Evening Meal and remembering the sacrifice of Jesus, an announcement was made regarding a "Special Talk" which will be delivered on Sunday, April 26, 2009 throughout every single Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The title of the discourse is “Is There A True Religion From God’s Standpoint?”
Here are some of the main points taken directly from the Watchtower Society's outline for that Public Talk.
From the section entitled, 'Inspecting the Fruitage of Religious Beliefs' it makes the statement:
"We must examine religion by its fruitage; if a religion allows or promotes practices that the Bible condemns, is it measuring up to God’s standards?"
The Bible condemns adding to the Word of God. This is emphasized in such scriptural passages as: Deuteronomy 4:2, Deuteronomy 12:32, Proverbs 30:5-6 and Revelation 22:18-19.
What does the Watchtower Society allow and promote?
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.”
Yes, "the truth" (Which is the interpretation and beliefs as taught by the Watchtower Society) has become part of the Bible according to the Watchtower magazine which is promoted and reviewed by the Governing Body, serving as spiritual food for Jehovah's Witnesses.
Another statement we will examine is from the section, 'Practice Religion That Is True From God's Standpoint' which is taken from the same outline. It states:
"True religion encourages everyone to examine the Scriptures and prove to themselves the perfect will of God (Ro 12:2)"
While it may seem at times, even often the Watchtower Society encourages Bible Reading (Especially with their New World Translation of the Scriptures), what also do they tell Jehovah's Witnesses?
From Our Kingdom Ministry, September 2007, page 3, Question Box:
"Does the "faithful and discreet slave" endorse independent groups of Witnesses who meet together to engage in Scriptural research or debate?
No, it does not."
Indeed, the Watchtower Society does not want Jehovah's Witnesses doing Scriptural research on their own. What the organization is really doing is encouraging examining the scriptures with the influence, meetings and publications of the Watchtower Society.
And why would that be the case?
According to the Watchtower, August 15, 1981 issue, page 29, paragraph 14:
"They say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such ‘Bible reading,' they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom's clergy were teaching 100 years ago..."
Does it not make sense that if Jehovah's Witnesses are a "true religion", reading the Bible would bring you to the conclusion of Jehovah's Witnesses doctrine as set by the Watchtower Society and not the doctrines typically found in as the Watchtower Society likes to call it, Christendom? The Watchtower Society in no uncertain terms states that if you read the Bible either alone or in small groups exclusively, it brings you to the teachings and doctrines of Christendom.
Finally, as the last statement made in the talk outline stresses:
"Examine the evidence for yourself..."
Please do so. The "true religion" standard the Watchtower Society sets for others, it cannot even meet itself. Make sure too when examining the evidence you don’t miss the false prophesying, false interpretation of prophesy, and the flip-flopping of doctrine by the Watchtower Society presented as “the truth” to Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
1914 - Part II: Worst of Times
One of the lines of reasoning Jehovah's Witnesses are taught respecting 1914 being the start of the end times or last days, concerns the notion that starting in 1914 world conditions continue to worsen undisputedly on an unprecedented scale like never before in human history.
Is this true? Has society and people in general as well as world conditions been increasing worse since 1914? Does 1914 and onward prove to be the worst time in human history?
For someone unfamiliar with history, it may appear to be the case. However, let's take one slice of history – The 14th Century -- to see how bad things could be today.
The Black Death (aka Black Plague) struck the world earlier in the 14th century. That one plague alone wiped out between 40-50 percent of the entire population of Europe. For something even just equivalent to strike today, the death toll in Europe would be somewhere between 300-350 million deaths from one disease.
Some years during the 14th century were worse than others. For instance, England had a population of five or six million in 1348. Within a year Black Death killed half of them. Could you imagine in a year, Europe losing half of its population to disease?
Parents would abandon their children once they were ill and showing what was called "God's Tokens" which were red rings on the skin where the blood vessels were leaking into tissue. Imagine parents by the dozen, even hundreds abandoning and leaving their children. If the equivalent was to occur today, it would mean hundreds to thousands upon thousands of parents abandoning their sick children. Again, it wouldn't make these times worse just equal to the 14th century.
Furthermore, during the 14th century if disease didn't strike you, dying on the battlefield could be a likely result for you. The most infamous of these battles was the Hundred Years War; a war which spanned decade, upon decade, upon decade, and still continued, living up to the title it earned. More people died as a proportion of the population as a result of that war than during World War I and World War II.
In other words, the numbers of deaths reported in WW I & WW II are staggering, but compared to how many people were alive on the Earth during that time, it pales in comparison to the number of deaths due to war during the 14th century relative to the amount of people alive on the Earth then.
The 14th century was a time of turmoil, loss of confidence and an overall feeling of helplessness as the everyday person felt for the most part that God had abandoned them. There was also deep economic and social unrest. Additionally, environmentally there were drastic and perceived devastating changes. For example, during this time period in 1303, 1306 and 1307, Alpine glaciers advanced and Norse settlements were cut off, while grain cultivation ceased in Iceland.
Much more can be stated about the 14th century but we will stop here. Physically, morally, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, economically and socially, the majority of people were in a dire, desperate and sad state. In fact, many call that century the worst century of human history.
Such devastation and conditions either does not exist or it does somewhat, but not affecting proportionally the amount of people and land it did back then. Our 'modern era' has not experienced anything equivalent to it.
We hear things, see things and experience things due to personal circumstance and all the technology and information available today. It's not worse, but may at times seem that way in part as a result of our limited life experience as well as other factors such as there are many more people on the planet (Both "good" and "bad") and we have communication and information on a scale unlike any other in history.
Could you imagine half of your neighbors or even a third of your neighbors dying in a year? How about a war lasting a hundred years affecting the lives of hundreds of millions of people? What about social unrest and bleak economic conditions where the majority of people were suffering? Even if it did happen, it would only equal the devastation experience during the 14th Century.
Some people may feel and believe times are truly worse than when they were younger; for them individually, perhaps. Then again, as one gets older the carefree and freedom of youth leaves. Nostalgia may set in longing for a time in their personal life that was simpler and easier - Perhaps even healthier and happier. Their outlook on the world or people in general may become hard, cold or even pessimistic. One needs to look at the larger picture and overall scope of society to understand.
We're constantly learning as humans - still growing and understanding.
Are there changes in lifestyle in our modern era, including areas where doors and windows need to be locked which was not needed decades ago? Yes; it is the result of there being many more "bad" people in those areas today, but proportionately there are many more good individuals as well, when seen from a global perspective. Good people trying to do the right thing. We learn and grow as individuals and as groups of people.
As for the morality of people, for those under the impression that today’s society is the worst in human history, the Bible itself shows differently. Accounts of murder, incest, rape, killing innocent children, slavery, bestiality, and other horrendous acts and lifestyles are clearly stated; especially in the Bible books which are better known as the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures, which are documented as events taking place thousands of years ago.
Here is one of the many examples that can be found - Judges 19: 16-29:
“Eventually, look! an old man coming in from his work in the field at evening, and the man was from the mountainous region of E´phra·im, and he was residing for a time in Gib´e·ah; but the men of the place were Ben´ja·mites. When he raised his eyes he got to see the man, the traveler, in the public square of the city. So the old man said: “Where are you going, and where do you come from?” In turn he said to him: “We are passing along from Beth´le·hem in Judah to the remotest parts of the mountainous region of E´phra·im. That is where I am from, but I went to Beth´le·hem in Judah; and it is to my own house that I am going, and there is nobody taking me on into the house. And there are both straw and fodder for our he-asses, and there are both bread and wine for me and your slave girl and for the attendant with your servant. There is no lack of a single thing.” However, the old man said: “May you have peace! Just let any lack of yours be upon me. Only do not stay overnight in the public square.” With that he brought him into his house and threw mash to the he-asses. Then they washed their feet and began to eat and drink.
While they were making their hearts feel good, look! the men of the city, mere good-for-nothing men, surrounded the house, shoving one another against the door; and they kept saying to the old man, the owner of the house: “Bring out the man that came into your house, that we may have intercourse with him.” At that the owner of the house went on out to them and said to them: “No, my brothers, do not do anything wrong, please, since this man has come into my house. Do not commit this disgraceful folly. Here are my virgin daughter and his concubine. Let me bring them out, please, and YOU rape them and do to them what is good in YOUR eyes. But to this man YOU must not do this disgraceful, foolish thing.”
And the men did not want to listen to him. Hence the man took hold of his concubine and brought her forth to them outside; and they began to have intercourse with her, and kept on abusing her all night long until the morning, after which they sent her off at the ascending of the dawn. Then the woman came as it was turning to morning, and fell down at the entrance of the man’s house where her master was,—until daylight. Later her master rose up in the morning and opened the doors of the house and went out to get on his way, and, look! the woman, his concubine, fallen at the entrance of the house with her hands upon the threshold! So he said to her: “Rise up, and let us go.” But there was no one answering. At that the man took her upon the ass and rose up and went to his place. Then he entered his house and took the slaughtering knife and laid hold of his concubine and cut her up according to her bones into twelve pieces and sent her into every territory of Israel.”
The above highlights the morality issue as well as provides the reader a large dose of sex and violence in very graphic terms.
Other scriptures and topics to examine are inclusive of but not exclusive to: Father-daughter incest (Genesis 19: 30-38), burning sacrifice of babies (Jeremiah 7:31), murder of family members (Genesis 4: 3-16), obtaining slaves including children (Leviticus 25:44-46), sex slavery (Exodus 21: 7-11).
There are many, many examples of things the world today sees as horrendous and would be unacceptable by the majority, but was seen as fine, acceptable, and even commonplace respecting morality thousands of years ago. As well as morality issues which some perceive as relatively recent events or changes in some, perhaps even many people they encounter and know about, but actually took place as significantly or to an even greater extent hundreds to thousands of years ago.
Really examine the quality of life today. The luxuries many people share were not even fathomable years ago. Times have not become worse, but better. We are more educated and a more tolerant society than times before. Equality and human rights are put to the forefront in many cases, and while some countries may be worse than others regarding these areas, globally, society has become better not worse.
So where does this grim look on 1914 and onward begin? We won't go into the pyramids, mathematics hopscotch and doctrines the Watchtower Society promoted or promotes at this time. What we will do is encourage the taking in of information, including understanding Dispensationalism. Jehovah's Witnesses are clearly a group engrossed in Dispensationalist theology thanks to the teachings and doctrine of the Watchtower Society.
Nonetheless, perhaps your honest evaluation of human history leads you to believe we are living in the worst of times. We are all entitled to our own opinions on the matter. More importantly, knowledge is truly power; do not be ignorant or just follow the ideas, beliefs and teachings of men because they claim something is the reality or “truth” when evidence points to the contrary. Learn about history, science, and perhaps even psychology. Know people and life better and know yourself better. It could be the best of times for you right now.
Is this true? Has society and people in general as well as world conditions been increasing worse since 1914? Does 1914 and onward prove to be the worst time in human history?
For someone unfamiliar with history, it may appear to be the case. However, let's take one slice of history – The 14th Century -- to see how bad things could be today.
The Black Death (aka Black Plague) struck the world earlier in the 14th century. That one plague alone wiped out between 40-50 percent of the entire population of Europe. For something even just equivalent to strike today, the death toll in Europe would be somewhere between 300-350 million deaths from one disease.
Some years during the 14th century were worse than others. For instance, England had a population of five or six million in 1348. Within a year Black Death killed half of them. Could you imagine in a year, Europe losing half of its population to disease?
Parents would abandon their children once they were ill and showing what was called "God's Tokens" which were red rings on the skin where the blood vessels were leaking into tissue. Imagine parents by the dozen, even hundreds abandoning and leaving their children. If the equivalent was to occur today, it would mean hundreds to thousands upon thousands of parents abandoning their sick children. Again, it wouldn't make these times worse just equal to the 14th century.
Furthermore, during the 14th century if disease didn't strike you, dying on the battlefield could be a likely result for you. The most infamous of these battles was the Hundred Years War; a war which spanned decade, upon decade, upon decade, and still continued, living up to the title it earned. More people died as a proportion of the population as a result of that war than during World War I and World War II.
In other words, the numbers of deaths reported in WW I & WW II are staggering, but compared to how many people were alive on the Earth during that time, it pales in comparison to the number of deaths due to war during the 14th century relative to the amount of people alive on the Earth then.
The 14th century was a time of turmoil, loss of confidence and an overall feeling of helplessness as the everyday person felt for the most part that God had abandoned them. There was also deep economic and social unrest. Additionally, environmentally there were drastic and perceived devastating changes. For example, during this time period in 1303, 1306 and 1307, Alpine glaciers advanced and Norse settlements were cut off, while grain cultivation ceased in Iceland.
Much more can be stated about the 14th century but we will stop here. Physically, morally, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, economically and socially, the majority of people were in a dire, desperate and sad state. In fact, many call that century the worst century of human history.
Such devastation and conditions either does not exist or it does somewhat, but not affecting proportionally the amount of people and land it did back then. Our 'modern era' has not experienced anything equivalent to it.
We hear things, see things and experience things due to personal circumstance and all the technology and information available today. It's not worse, but may at times seem that way in part as a result of our limited life experience as well as other factors such as there are many more people on the planet (Both "good" and "bad") and we have communication and information on a scale unlike any other in history.
Could you imagine half of your neighbors or even a third of your neighbors dying in a year? How about a war lasting a hundred years affecting the lives of hundreds of millions of people? What about social unrest and bleak economic conditions where the majority of people were suffering? Even if it did happen, it would only equal the devastation experience during the 14th Century.
Some people may feel and believe times are truly worse than when they were younger; for them individually, perhaps. Then again, as one gets older the carefree and freedom of youth leaves. Nostalgia may set in longing for a time in their personal life that was simpler and easier - Perhaps even healthier and happier. Their outlook on the world or people in general may become hard, cold or even pessimistic. One needs to look at the larger picture and overall scope of society to understand.
We're constantly learning as humans - still growing and understanding.
Are there changes in lifestyle in our modern era, including areas where doors and windows need to be locked which was not needed decades ago? Yes; it is the result of there being many more "bad" people in those areas today, but proportionately there are many more good individuals as well, when seen from a global perspective. Good people trying to do the right thing. We learn and grow as individuals and as groups of people.
As for the morality of people, for those under the impression that today’s society is the worst in human history, the Bible itself shows differently. Accounts of murder, incest, rape, killing innocent children, slavery, bestiality, and other horrendous acts and lifestyles are clearly stated; especially in the Bible books which are better known as the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures, which are documented as events taking place thousands of years ago.
Here is one of the many examples that can be found - Judges 19: 16-29:
“Eventually, look! an old man coming in from his work in the field at evening, and the man was from the mountainous region of E´phra·im, and he was residing for a time in Gib´e·ah; but the men of the place were Ben´ja·mites. When he raised his eyes he got to see the man, the traveler, in the public square of the city. So the old man said: “Where are you going, and where do you come from?” In turn he said to him: “We are passing along from Beth´le·hem in Judah to the remotest parts of the mountainous region of E´phra·im. That is where I am from, but I went to Beth´le·hem in Judah; and it is to my own house that I am going, and there is nobody taking me on into the house. And there are both straw and fodder for our he-asses, and there are both bread and wine for me and your slave girl and for the attendant with your servant. There is no lack of a single thing.” However, the old man said: “May you have peace! Just let any lack of yours be upon me. Only do not stay overnight in the public square.” With that he brought him into his house and threw mash to the he-asses. Then they washed their feet and began to eat and drink.
While they were making their hearts feel good, look! the men of the city, mere good-for-nothing men, surrounded the house, shoving one another against the door; and they kept saying to the old man, the owner of the house: “Bring out the man that came into your house, that we may have intercourse with him.” At that the owner of the house went on out to them and said to them: “No, my brothers, do not do anything wrong, please, since this man has come into my house. Do not commit this disgraceful folly. Here are my virgin daughter and his concubine. Let me bring them out, please, and YOU rape them and do to them what is good in YOUR eyes. But to this man YOU must not do this disgraceful, foolish thing.”
And the men did not want to listen to him. Hence the man took hold of his concubine and brought her forth to them outside; and they began to have intercourse with her, and kept on abusing her all night long until the morning, after which they sent her off at the ascending of the dawn. Then the woman came as it was turning to morning, and fell down at the entrance of the man’s house where her master was,—until daylight. Later her master rose up in the morning and opened the doors of the house and went out to get on his way, and, look! the woman, his concubine, fallen at the entrance of the house with her hands upon the threshold! So he said to her: “Rise up, and let us go.” But there was no one answering. At that the man took her upon the ass and rose up and went to his place. Then he entered his house and took the slaughtering knife and laid hold of his concubine and cut her up according to her bones into twelve pieces and sent her into every territory of Israel.”
The above highlights the morality issue as well as provides the reader a large dose of sex and violence in very graphic terms.
Other scriptures and topics to examine are inclusive of but not exclusive to: Father-daughter incest (Genesis 19: 30-38), burning sacrifice of babies (Jeremiah 7:31), murder of family members (Genesis 4: 3-16), obtaining slaves including children (Leviticus 25:44-46), sex slavery (Exodus 21: 7-11).
There are many, many examples of things the world today sees as horrendous and would be unacceptable by the majority, but was seen as fine, acceptable, and even commonplace respecting morality thousands of years ago. As well as morality issues which some perceive as relatively recent events or changes in some, perhaps even many people they encounter and know about, but actually took place as significantly or to an even greater extent hundreds to thousands of years ago.
Really examine the quality of life today. The luxuries many people share were not even fathomable years ago. Times have not become worse, but better. We are more educated and a more tolerant society than times before. Equality and human rights are put to the forefront in many cases, and while some countries may be worse than others regarding these areas, globally, society has become better not worse.
So where does this grim look on 1914 and onward begin? We won't go into the pyramids, mathematics hopscotch and doctrines the Watchtower Society promoted or promotes at this time. What we will do is encourage the taking in of information, including understanding Dispensationalism. Jehovah's Witnesses are clearly a group engrossed in Dispensationalist theology thanks to the teachings and doctrine of the Watchtower Society.
Nonetheless, perhaps your honest evaluation of human history leads you to believe we are living in the worst of times. We are all entitled to our own opinions on the matter. More importantly, knowledge is truly power; do not be ignorant or just follow the ideas, beliefs and teachings of men because they claim something is the reality or “truth” when evidence points to the contrary. Learn about history, science, and perhaps even psychology. Know people and life better and know yourself better. It could be the best of times for you right now.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Firstborn = First Created?
The biblical use of the word “firstborn” can have different meanings. The first born child in a physical family is one of its meanings. This is exemplified in Luke 2:7:
“And she gave birth to her son, the firstborn, and she bound him with cloth bands and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the lodging room.”
Another meaning of the word “firstborn” is pre-eminence (This in turn means to have paramount rank, dignity, or importance). For example, notice what Psalm 89:20, 27 states:
“I have found David my servant; With my holy oil I have anointed him...Also, I myself shall place him as firstborn, The most high of the kings of the earth.”
Furthermore, “firstborn” in the scriptures can also be a title which is transferable. This is indicated by the information from two set of scriptures. The first is Genesis 41:51-52, there it states:
"So Joseph called the name of the firstborn Ma•nas´seh, because, to quote him, “God has made me forget all my trouble and all the house of my father.” And the name of the second he called E´phra•im, because, to quote him, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my wretchedness.”"
In the above scripture Manasseh is the firstborn. The second is Ephraim. The firstborn title is transferred though to Ephraim as indicated in Jeremiah 31:9:
"With weeping they will come, and with [their] entreaties for favor I shall bring them. I shall make them walk to torrent valleys of water, in a right way in which they will not be caused to stumble. For I have become to Israel a Father; and as for E´phra•im, he is my firstborn."
With all of the above in mind, we come to the scripture in Colossians 1:15-17 which speaks of Jesus as being the firstborn of all creation and about creation in general:
(New World Translation) : "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; because by means of him all [other] things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All [other] things have been created through him and for him. Also, he is before all [other] things and by means of him all [other] things were made to exist"
The above scripture with the addition of “[other]” in several places supports and leads one to conclude that firstborn in this scripture indicates first created. The logic being, Jesus was created first and then all “[other]” things were created by him as he could not have created himself.
This logic would be accurate if firstborn in the above scripture did in fact indicate first created. It does not. At the time in which Paul wrote the above scriptures, the Greek word for first created is proto with ktizo. This is not what Paul used when examining the Greek writings. Rather, Paul used the Greek word for firstborn with the indication of pre-eminence which is proto with tikto.
If Paul wanted to clearly indicate Jesus was first created he would have used the Greek word protoktizo; rather, it was not Paul’s intention to indicate such. Jesus is before all things in pre-eminence and Paul indicated that by using the Greek word prototikto.
The original writings of the scriptures did not contain the “[other]” placements as done by the Watchtower Society in their New World Translation of the Bible. Furthermore, it is not needed as Paul is speaking of pre-eminence and not of being first created. That is why other translations do not contain the “[other]” in the verses...
(New International Version) : "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
(New American Standard Bible) : "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."
(New King James Version) : "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist."
(Young's Literal Translation) : "who is the image of the invisible God, first-born of all creation, because in him were the all things created, those in the heavens, and those upon the earth, those visible, and those invisible, whether thrones, whether lordships, whether principalities, whether authorities; all things through him, and for him, have been created, and himself is before all, and the all things in him have consisted."
Indeed, the Watchtower Society is adding to the scriptures to support its doctrine and teaching that Jesus was created. That is not what Colossians is stating. Jesus is the pre-eminent one of all things. The Watchtower Society should not be adjusting scripture to fit their doctrine and teaching. They should be adjusting their doctrine and teaching to fit scripture.
“And she gave birth to her son, the firstborn, and she bound him with cloth bands and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the lodging room.”
Another meaning of the word “firstborn” is pre-eminence (This in turn means to have paramount rank, dignity, or importance). For example, notice what Psalm 89:20, 27 states:
“I have found David my servant; With my holy oil I have anointed him...Also, I myself shall place him as firstborn, The most high of the kings of the earth.”
Furthermore, “firstborn” in the scriptures can also be a title which is transferable. This is indicated by the information from two set of scriptures. The first is Genesis 41:51-52, there it states:
"So Joseph called the name of the firstborn Ma•nas´seh, because, to quote him, “God has made me forget all my trouble and all the house of my father.” And the name of the second he called E´phra•im, because, to quote him, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my wretchedness.”"
In the above scripture Manasseh is the firstborn. The second is Ephraim. The firstborn title is transferred though to Ephraim as indicated in Jeremiah 31:9:
"With weeping they will come, and with [their] entreaties for favor I shall bring them. I shall make them walk to torrent valleys of water, in a right way in which they will not be caused to stumble. For I have become to Israel a Father; and as for E´phra•im, he is my firstborn."
With all of the above in mind, we come to the scripture in Colossians 1:15-17 which speaks of Jesus as being the firstborn of all creation and about creation in general:
(New World Translation) : "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; because by means of him all [other] things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All [other] things have been created through him and for him. Also, he is before all [other] things and by means of him all [other] things were made to exist"
The above scripture with the addition of “[other]” in several places supports and leads one to conclude that firstborn in this scripture indicates first created. The logic being, Jesus was created first and then all “[other]” things were created by him as he could not have created himself.
This logic would be accurate if firstborn in the above scripture did in fact indicate first created. It does not. At the time in which Paul wrote the above scriptures, the Greek word for first created is proto with ktizo. This is not what Paul used when examining the Greek writings. Rather, Paul used the Greek word for firstborn with the indication of pre-eminence which is proto with tikto.
If Paul wanted to clearly indicate Jesus was first created he would have used the Greek word protoktizo; rather, it was not Paul’s intention to indicate such. Jesus is before all things in pre-eminence and Paul indicated that by using the Greek word prototikto.
The original writings of the scriptures did not contain the “[other]” placements as done by the Watchtower Society in their New World Translation of the Bible. Furthermore, it is not needed as Paul is speaking of pre-eminence and not of being first created. That is why other translations do not contain the “[other]” in the verses...
(New International Version) : "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
(New American Standard Bible) : "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."
(New King James Version) : "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist."
(Young's Literal Translation) : "who is the image of the invisible God, first-born of all creation, because in him were the all things created, those in the heavens, and those upon the earth, those visible, and those invisible, whether thrones, whether lordships, whether principalities, whether authorities; all things through him, and for him, have been created, and himself is before all, and the all things in him have consisted."
Indeed, the Watchtower Society is adding to the scriptures to support its doctrine and teaching that Jesus was created. That is not what Colossians is stating. Jesus is the pre-eminent one of all things. The Watchtower Society should not be adjusting scripture to fit their doctrine and teaching. They should be adjusting their doctrine and teaching to fit scripture.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Interpretation of Prophecy…Angels? Jehovah? Jesus?
Some Jehovah’s Witnesses when presented with the fact that the Watchtower Society, specifically the Governing Body members who are a part of a faithful and discreet slave “class” are false prophets, may try to provide the argument that they’re not false prophets, they just misinterpreted prophecy.
Although such an argument holds no water as the Bible itself provides the definition of a false prophet, which is simply someone who claims to be representative of or speaking by authority of God and states something will happen in the future and it does not occur. Remember, Deuteronomy 18:20-22 clearly tells us:
"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."
The Watchtower has done this on numerous occasions inclusive of but not exclusive of Armageddon starting in 1914, 1925, in the 1940’s and 1975. However, we will give the benefit of the doubt, and not state for the sake of this argument that the Watchtower Society, which entails the Governing Body was a false prophet, but merely interpreted prophecy incorrectly.
Do their teachings agree with such an argument?
The Watchtower Society has provided a variety of explanation for how information including this so-called ‘interpretation of prophecy’ is given to the Anointed; which in reality again is the man or small group of men making up the doctrine and teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses – The Governing Body.
The September 1, 1930 Watchtower on page 203 states:
“But it seems certain that when Jesus came to his temple and began his work of judgment he would direct his holy angels to take the necessary action to cause the separation of the disapproved from approved ones, and would use his angels to bear messages to them to direct the approved ones as to what to do.”
According to the Watchtower Society, Jesus has been using angels in carrying his directions to the “approved ones” (aka The Faithful and Discrete Slave “Class”) so they know what to do.
Volume III of Vindication published in 1931, on page 250 provides the following claim:
"It was in the spring of 1918 that the Lord Jesus, as the representative of Jehovah, appeared at the temple, and from that time forward the glory of Jehovah has been here. 'And I heard him speaking unto me out of the house; and the man stood by me.' (Ezek. 43:6) When Ezekiel heard the Lord speaking to him the man stood by him. 'The man' was the heavenly messengers or angels of the Lord now used by the Lord in behalf of the remnant. These angels are invisible to human eyes and are there to carry out the orders of the Lord. No doubt they first hear the instructions which the Lord issues to his remnant and then these invisible messengers pass such instructions on the remnant. The facts show that the angels of the Lord with Him at His temple have been thus rendering service unto the remnant since 1919."
The above stresses how starting in 1918 and specifically since 1919, the angels of the Lord Jesus, have been taking his messages to the remnant (The Faithful and Discreet Slave "Class").
The understanding of prophecy, indeed the interpretation of prophecy does not come from man according to the Watchtower Society.
In their publication Preparation on page 28 it indicates:
"This is proof that the interpretation of prophecy does not proceed from man, but that the Lord Jesus, the chief one in Jehovah's organization, sends the necessary information to his people by and through his holy angels."
The same publication makes the following claims on pages 36-37:
“Certain duties and kingdom interests have been committed by the Lord to his angels, which include the transmission of information to God's anointed people on the earth for their aid and comfort. Even though we cannot understand how the angels transmit this information, we know that they do it; and the Scriptures and the facts show that it is done.”
Page 64 states:
“Enlightenment proceeds from Jehovah by and through Christ Jesus and is given to the faithful anointed on earth at the temple, and brings great peace and consolation to them. Again Zechariah talked with the angel of the Lord, which shows that the remnant are instructed by the angels of the Lord. The remnant do not hear audible sounds, because such is not necessary. Jehovah has provided his own good way to convey thoughts to the minds of his anointed ones.”
When the faithful and discrete slave does not know something, the Lord provides the answers, according to page 67:
“Those of the remnant, being honest and true, must say, We do not know; and the Lord enlightens them, sending his angels for that very purpose.”
Again, man does not interpret prophecy according to the Watchtower Society.
The Watchtower February 15, 1936 issue on page 52 states:
"No man can properly interpret prophecy, and the Lord sends his angels to transmit correct information to his people."
Additionally, it has been emphasized that the Watchtower does not contain man’s opinion.
The Watchtower from November 1, 1931 on page 327 states:
“The Watchtower is not the instrument of any man or set of any of men, nor is it published according to the whims of men. No man's opinion is expressed in the Watchtower.”
Furthermore, according to the Watchtower Society, it is God, the great author of the Bible who provided the interpretation of prophecy found in the Watchtower magazine.
The Watchtower, April 15, 1943 issue on page 127 provides these details:
"The Watchtower is a magazine without equal in the earth, and is conceded this rank by all that have been faithful readers thereof during its more than sixty years of publications.... This is not giving any credit to the magazines publishers, but is due to the great author of the Bible with its truths and prophecies, and who now interprets its prophecies. He it is that makes possible the material that is published in the columns of this magazine and who give promise that it shall continue to publish the advancing truths as long as it continues to exist for the service of the interests of his Theocratic Government.”
To sum up a few of the Society’s teachings at various times quoted above:
-Jesus uses angels to direct the Anointed.
-Interpretation does not come from man, but Jesus sends the necessary information via angels.
-The Lord sends information to angels who transmit the information to the Anointed, but we don’t know how.
-Enlightenment comes from Jehovah thru Jesus transmitted to the minds of the Anointed.
-When the Anointed do not know something the Lord enlightens them by sending angels.
-The Lord sends his angels to transmit correct information to his people.
-No man’s opinion is expressed in the Watchtower.
-The great author of the Bible interprets prophecy and is credited for what is printed in the Watchtower.
So how does all or any of it account for the false prophecies or in giving the benefit of the doubt at the very least, the false interpretation of prophecy by the Watchtower Society?
Were the angels deceiving the Faithful and Discrete Slave Class? Did the angels provide false information? Perhaps, Jesus sent the wrong information? Was Jehovah providing the wrong interpretation of prophecy and then allowing it to print in the Watchtower?
Or is this just once again clear evidence of an organization run by a bunch of men without any sort of divine backing and direction? Review the facts and decide for yourself.
Although such an argument holds no water as the Bible itself provides the definition of a false prophet, which is simply someone who claims to be representative of or speaking by authority of God and states something will happen in the future and it does not occur. Remember, Deuteronomy 18:20-22 clearly tells us:
"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."
The Watchtower has done this on numerous occasions inclusive of but not exclusive of Armageddon starting in 1914, 1925, in the 1940’s and 1975. However, we will give the benefit of the doubt, and not state for the sake of this argument that the Watchtower Society, which entails the Governing Body was a false prophet, but merely interpreted prophecy incorrectly.
Do their teachings agree with such an argument?
The Watchtower Society has provided a variety of explanation for how information including this so-called ‘interpretation of prophecy’ is given to the Anointed; which in reality again is the man or small group of men making up the doctrine and teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses – The Governing Body.
The September 1, 1930 Watchtower on page 203 states:
“But it seems certain that when Jesus came to his temple and began his work of judgment he would direct his holy angels to take the necessary action to cause the separation of the disapproved from approved ones, and would use his angels to bear messages to them to direct the approved ones as to what to do.”
According to the Watchtower Society, Jesus has been using angels in carrying his directions to the “approved ones” (aka The Faithful and Discrete Slave “Class”) so they know what to do.
Volume III of Vindication published in 1931, on page 250 provides the following claim:
"It was in the spring of 1918 that the Lord Jesus, as the representative of Jehovah, appeared at the temple, and from that time forward the glory of Jehovah has been here. 'And I heard him speaking unto me out of the house; and the man stood by me.' (Ezek. 43:6) When Ezekiel heard the Lord speaking to him the man stood by him. 'The man' was the heavenly messengers or angels of the Lord now used by the Lord in behalf of the remnant. These angels are invisible to human eyes and are there to carry out the orders of the Lord. No doubt they first hear the instructions which the Lord issues to his remnant and then these invisible messengers pass such instructions on the remnant. The facts show that the angels of the Lord with Him at His temple have been thus rendering service unto the remnant since 1919."
The above stresses how starting in 1918 and specifically since 1919, the angels of the Lord Jesus, have been taking his messages to the remnant (The Faithful and Discreet Slave "Class").
The understanding of prophecy, indeed the interpretation of prophecy does not come from man according to the Watchtower Society.
In their publication Preparation on page 28 it indicates:
"This is proof that the interpretation of prophecy does not proceed from man, but that the Lord Jesus, the chief one in Jehovah's organization, sends the necessary information to his people by and through his holy angels."
The same publication makes the following claims on pages 36-37:
“Certain duties and kingdom interests have been committed by the Lord to his angels, which include the transmission of information to God's anointed people on the earth for their aid and comfort. Even though we cannot understand how the angels transmit this information, we know that they do it; and the Scriptures and the facts show that it is done.”
Page 64 states:
“Enlightenment proceeds from Jehovah by and through Christ Jesus and is given to the faithful anointed on earth at the temple, and brings great peace and consolation to them. Again Zechariah talked with the angel of the Lord, which shows that the remnant are instructed by the angels of the Lord. The remnant do not hear audible sounds, because such is not necessary. Jehovah has provided his own good way to convey thoughts to the minds of his anointed ones.”
When the faithful and discrete slave does not know something, the Lord provides the answers, according to page 67:
“Those of the remnant, being honest and true, must say, We do not know; and the Lord enlightens them, sending his angels for that very purpose.”
Again, man does not interpret prophecy according to the Watchtower Society.
The Watchtower February 15, 1936 issue on page 52 states:
"No man can properly interpret prophecy, and the Lord sends his angels to transmit correct information to his people."
Additionally, it has been emphasized that the Watchtower does not contain man’s opinion.
The Watchtower from November 1, 1931 on page 327 states:
“The Watchtower is not the instrument of any man or set of any of men, nor is it published according to the whims of men. No man's opinion is expressed in the Watchtower.”
Furthermore, according to the Watchtower Society, it is God, the great author of the Bible who provided the interpretation of prophecy found in the Watchtower magazine.
The Watchtower, April 15, 1943 issue on page 127 provides these details:
"The Watchtower is a magazine without equal in the earth, and is conceded this rank by all that have been faithful readers thereof during its more than sixty years of publications.... This is not giving any credit to the magazines publishers, but is due to the great author of the Bible with its truths and prophecies, and who now interprets its prophecies. He it is that makes possible the material that is published in the columns of this magazine and who give promise that it shall continue to publish the advancing truths as long as it continues to exist for the service of the interests of his Theocratic Government.”
To sum up a few of the Society’s teachings at various times quoted above:
-Jesus uses angels to direct the Anointed.
-Interpretation does not come from man, but Jesus sends the necessary information via angels.
-The Lord sends information to angels who transmit the information to the Anointed, but we don’t know how.
-Enlightenment comes from Jehovah thru Jesus transmitted to the minds of the Anointed.
-When the Anointed do not know something the Lord enlightens them by sending angels.
-The Lord sends his angels to transmit correct information to his people.
-No man’s opinion is expressed in the Watchtower.
-The great author of the Bible interprets prophecy and is credited for what is printed in the Watchtower.
So how does all or any of it account for the false prophecies or in giving the benefit of the doubt at the very least, the false interpretation of prophecy by the Watchtower Society?
Were the angels deceiving the Faithful and Discrete Slave Class? Did the angels provide false information? Perhaps, Jesus sent the wrong information? Was Jehovah providing the wrong interpretation of prophecy and then allowing it to print in the Watchtower?
Or is this just once again clear evidence of an organization run by a bunch of men without any sort of divine backing and direction? Review the facts and decide for yourself.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Memorial
As we approach closer to the date Thursday, April 9, 2009, Jehovah's Witnesses will anxiously be awaiting the day and more specifically after sundown in which they will observe the Watchtower Society's version of commemorating the death of Jesus Christ, also referred to as the Lord's Evening Meal. Jehovah's Witnesses perform this event annually on the day which corresponds to Nisan 14 on the Jewish calendar.
However, unlike traditional Christianity which when adhering to the admonition of Jesus and partake during their observance according to the following scripture...
John 6:53-54: "Accordingly Jesus said to them: “Most truly I say to YOU, Unless YOU eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, YOU have no life in yourselves. He that feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has everlasting life, and I shall resurrect him at the last day"
...Jehovah's Witnesses are taught by the Watchtower Society that only those claiming to be a part of the 144,000 mentioned in Revelation should partake. Everyone else passes the wine and bread which symbolize Jesus' flesh and blood without partaking.
What is the reason for this teaching?
For the reason that Jesus established a new covenant, one in which those that were a part of it would have everlasting life in the heavens with him. Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that only a limited number of 144,000 individuals will go to heaven, and everyone else will either be destroyed at Armageddon or remain on the earth under “paradise” conditions.
Those who survive Armageddon on the earth make up the Watchtower Society's understanding of what entails the "great crowd" mentioned in the Bible [In select verses]. Furthermore, those who are not of the remaining 144,000 do not have Jesus as their mediator. Only the remaining Jehovah's Witness members who claim to be a part of the 144,000 have that relationship according to the Watchtower Society.
"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 Isreal, which is limited to only 144,000 members." - Worldwide Security Under the Prince of Peace, page 10.
The Watchtower Society's teaching of a literal 144,000 is from their understanding of the seventh chapter of Revelation.
Revelation 7:1: "And I heard the number of those who were sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel"
Interestingly, the entire rest of the surrounding verses and details are symbolic, but somehow the 144,000 is a literal number according to the Watchtower Society. They also use as support of their doctrine, Revelation chapter 14.
Revelation 14:1, 4-5: "And I saw, and, look! the Lamb standing upon the Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand having his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads. ...These are the ones that did not defile themselves with women; in fact, they are virgins. These are the ones that keep following the Lamb no matter where he goes. These were bought from among mankind as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb, 5 and no falsehood was found in their mouths; they are without blemish."
Again, the 144,000 is literal, but other details such as "...did not defile themselves with women...”, "...have the name of Lamb and Father on their foreheads...", "...are virgins...", "...have no falsehood on their mouths...", "...are without blemish..." are all symbolic or figurative.
Furthermore, the phrase "great crowd" appears in Revelation and they are clearly located in the heavens:
Revelation 19:1: "After these things I heard what was as a loud voice of a great crowd in heaven. They said: “Praise Jah, YOU people! The salvation and the glory and the power belong to our God"
A Jehovah's Witness may have been taught an explanation of something along the lines of that great crowd is different than the great crowd of Armageddon survivors. According to the Watchtower Society teachings, apparently the great crowd mentioned here...
Revelation 7:9: "After these things I saw, and, look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes; and there were palm branches in their hands."
...refers to people living on the earth.
BUT the great crowd mentioned here...
Revelation 19:1: "After these things I heard what was as a loud voice of a great crowd in heaven. They said: “Praise Jah, YOU people! The salvation and the glory and the power belong to our God"
...refers to angels.
Both scriptures use the terminology “great crowd”; both verses are from the same Bible book and the same writer. In both instances “great crowd” is preceded by the phrase "After these things", but somehow, the same designation "great crowd" indicates two complete different groups. How does the Watchtower Society know their understanding is correct? Because the Watchtower Society says so and they have a way of rationalizing and claiming their current teachings are the absolute truth in harmony with their interpretation of scripture.
An example of such is when vaccinations were not allowed. A short time ago, blood fractions were not allowed, and blood transfusions are still not permitted. Let's not forget the stance that organ transplants were viewed as cannibalistic for years by the Watchtower Society as well.
The Watchtower Society is guilty of costing the physical lives of many by their teachings. Not to forget the effects of the mental and emotional conditioning. Should a Christian take the Watchtower Society's view of partaking or not partaking of the bread and wine, knowing very well what the scriptures state regarding everlasting life?
At one time the Watchtower Society taught all Christians were going to heaven, then the Watchtower Society's second president J.F. Rutherford in 1935, started teaching a concept of a great crowd living forever on earth. Will this be another teaching the Watchtower Society flip-flops on?
Similar to the teaching concerning the resurrection of the men of Sodom, the understanding of the "superior authorities", and the "generation", teachings of the Watchtower Society which either went back and forth over and over again in what was believed to be "truth", or became several things over many years, only to end right back to an original old “light" teaching again. Yet, regardless of the teaching at the time, it was still always "the truth".
Maybe someday the Watchtower Society will teach Jehovah's Witnesses "the truth" as they once did, that according to the scriptures, for all Christians their everlasting life is in the heavens.
Remember what the Bible teaches that Jesus stated...
John 6:53-54: "Accordingly Jesus said to them: “Most truly I say to YOU, Unless YOU eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, YOU have no life in yourselves. He that feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has everlasting life, and I shall resurrect him at the last day"
Meanwhile, Jehovah's Witnesses may continue to roll the dice on the Watchtower Society teaching being "the truth" and not simply opinion. "The truth" of the Watchtower Society has changed so many times on a variety of doctrinal teachings. Furthermore, some Christians may believe Jehovah's Witnesses not partaking definitively means the passing up of everlasting life. Whatever your beliefs are it certainly does not have to be "the truth" of the Watchtower Society.
However, unlike traditional Christianity which when adhering to the admonition of Jesus and partake during their observance according to the following scripture...
John 6:53-54: "Accordingly Jesus said to them: “Most truly I say to YOU, Unless YOU eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, YOU have no life in yourselves. He that feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has everlasting life, and I shall resurrect him at the last day"
...Jehovah's Witnesses are taught by the Watchtower Society that only those claiming to be a part of the 144,000 mentioned in Revelation should partake. Everyone else passes the wine and bread which symbolize Jesus' flesh and blood without partaking.
What is the reason for this teaching?
For the reason that Jesus established a new covenant, one in which those that were a part of it would have everlasting life in the heavens with him. Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that only a limited number of 144,000 individuals will go to heaven, and everyone else will either be destroyed at Armageddon or remain on the earth under “paradise” conditions.
Those who survive Armageddon on the earth make up the Watchtower Society's understanding of what entails the "great crowd" mentioned in the Bible [In select verses]. Furthermore, those who are not of the remaining 144,000 do not have Jesus as their mediator. Only the remaining Jehovah's Witness members who claim to be a part of the 144,000 have that relationship according to the Watchtower Society.
"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 Isreal, which is limited to only 144,000 members." - Worldwide Security Under the Prince of Peace, page 10.
The Watchtower Society's teaching of a literal 144,000 is from their understanding of the seventh chapter of Revelation.
Revelation 7:1: "And I heard the number of those who were sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel"
Interestingly, the entire rest of the surrounding verses and details are symbolic, but somehow the 144,000 is a literal number according to the Watchtower Society. They also use as support of their doctrine, Revelation chapter 14.
Revelation 14:1, 4-5: "And I saw, and, look! the Lamb standing upon the Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand having his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads. ...These are the ones that did not defile themselves with women; in fact, they are virgins. These are the ones that keep following the Lamb no matter where he goes. These were bought from among mankind as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb, 5 and no falsehood was found in their mouths; they are without blemish."
Again, the 144,000 is literal, but other details such as "...did not defile themselves with women...”, "...have the name of Lamb and Father on their foreheads...", "...are virgins...", "...have no falsehood on their mouths...", "...are without blemish..." are all symbolic or figurative.
Furthermore, the phrase "great crowd" appears in Revelation and they are clearly located in the heavens:
Revelation 19:1: "After these things I heard what was as a loud voice of a great crowd in heaven. They said: “Praise Jah, YOU people! The salvation and the glory and the power belong to our God"
A Jehovah's Witness may have been taught an explanation of something along the lines of that great crowd is different than the great crowd of Armageddon survivors. According to the Watchtower Society teachings, apparently the great crowd mentioned here...
Revelation 7:9: "After these things I saw, and, look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes; and there were palm branches in their hands."
...refers to people living on the earth.
BUT the great crowd mentioned here...
Revelation 19:1: "After these things I heard what was as a loud voice of a great crowd in heaven. They said: “Praise Jah, YOU people! The salvation and the glory and the power belong to our God"
...refers to angels.
Both scriptures use the terminology “great crowd”; both verses are from the same Bible book and the same writer. In both instances “great crowd” is preceded by the phrase "After these things", but somehow, the same designation "great crowd" indicates two complete different groups. How does the Watchtower Society know their understanding is correct? Because the Watchtower Society says so and they have a way of rationalizing and claiming their current teachings are the absolute truth in harmony with their interpretation of scripture.
An example of such is when vaccinations were not allowed. A short time ago, blood fractions were not allowed, and blood transfusions are still not permitted. Let's not forget the stance that organ transplants were viewed as cannibalistic for years by the Watchtower Society as well.
The Watchtower Society is guilty of costing the physical lives of many by their teachings. Not to forget the effects of the mental and emotional conditioning. Should a Christian take the Watchtower Society's view of partaking or not partaking of the bread and wine, knowing very well what the scriptures state regarding everlasting life?
At one time the Watchtower Society taught all Christians were going to heaven, then the Watchtower Society's second president J.F. Rutherford in 1935, started teaching a concept of a great crowd living forever on earth. Will this be another teaching the Watchtower Society flip-flops on?
Similar to the teaching concerning the resurrection of the men of Sodom, the understanding of the "superior authorities", and the "generation", teachings of the Watchtower Society which either went back and forth over and over again in what was believed to be "truth", or became several things over many years, only to end right back to an original old “light" teaching again. Yet, regardless of the teaching at the time, it was still always "the truth".
Maybe someday the Watchtower Society will teach Jehovah's Witnesses "the truth" as they once did, that according to the scriptures, for all Christians their everlasting life is in the heavens.
Remember what the Bible teaches that Jesus stated...
John 6:53-54: "Accordingly Jesus said to them: “Most truly I say to YOU, Unless YOU eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, YOU have no life in yourselves. He that feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has everlasting life, and I shall resurrect him at the last day"
Meanwhile, Jehovah's Witnesses may continue to roll the dice on the Watchtower Society teaching being "the truth" and not simply opinion. "The truth" of the Watchtower Society has changed so many times on a variety of doctrinal teachings. Furthermore, some Christians may believe Jehovah's Witnesses not partaking definitively means the passing up of everlasting life. Whatever your beliefs are it certainly does not have to be "the truth" of the Watchtower Society.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Truth From The Dead
The Watchtower Society has a history of claiming the involvement of dead members in the furthering and understanding of truth.
From The Finished Mystery on page 144:
“Though Pastor Russell has passed beyond the veil, he is still managing every feature of the Harvest work. `THE WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY is the greatest corporation in the world, because from the time of its organization until now the Lord has used it as His channel though which to make known the Glad Tidings'"
The Watchtower from November 1, 1917, states this under page 6161 from the reprints by the Watchtower Society:
“Hence our dear Pastor, now in glory, is without doubt, manifesting a keen interest in the harvest work, and is permitted by the Lord to exercise some strong influence thereupon.”
Is this just an incorrect understanding which was refined and corrected with time? No.
Over 70 years later, similar claims are still made. Yes, even current “light” from the Watchtower Society includes how the dead is involved with the receiving of truth.
According to Revelation – Its Grand Climax At Hand! - Both the original 1988 and 2006 revision - on page 125 it states:
“It is fitting, then, that one of the 24 elders representing anointed ones already in heaven, should stir John's thinking...(Revelation 7:13, 14a) Yes, that elder could locate the answer and give it to John. This suggests that resurrected ones of the 24-elders group may be involved in the communicating of divine truths today.”
This means throughout the organization’s history, as well as remaining the current teaching, the Watchtower Society believes and teaches that dead anointed members (those of which according to Watchtower Society doctrine are of a literal 144,000 individuals) have involvement in communicating divine truths to living Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Not only does the Watchtower Society lack any moral authority to condemn any organization or person for practicing Spiritism, they are hypocrites and liars to claim they do not engage in such practices.
From The Finished Mystery on page 144:
“Though Pastor Russell has passed beyond the veil, he is still managing every feature of the Harvest work. `THE WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY is the greatest corporation in the world, because from the time of its organization until now the Lord has used it as His channel though which to make known the Glad Tidings'"
The Watchtower from November 1, 1917, states this under page 6161 from the reprints by the Watchtower Society:
“Hence our dear Pastor, now in glory, is without doubt, manifesting a keen interest in the harvest work, and is permitted by the Lord to exercise some strong influence thereupon.”
Is this just an incorrect understanding which was refined and corrected with time? No.
Over 70 years later, similar claims are still made. Yes, even current “light” from the Watchtower Society includes how the dead is involved with the receiving of truth.
According to Revelation – Its Grand Climax At Hand! - Both the original 1988 and 2006 revision - on page 125 it states:
“It is fitting, then, that one of the 24 elders representing anointed ones already in heaven, should stir John's thinking...(Revelation 7:13, 14a) Yes, that elder could locate the answer and give it to John. This suggests that resurrected ones of the 24-elders group may be involved in the communicating of divine truths today.”
This means throughout the organization’s history, as well as remaining the current teaching, the Watchtower Society believes and teaches that dead anointed members (those of which according to Watchtower Society doctrine are of a literal 144,000 individuals) have involvement in communicating divine truths to living Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Not only does the Watchtower Society lack any moral authority to condemn any organization or person for practicing Spiritism, they are hypocrites and liars to claim they do not engage in such practices.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Riding the United Nations
According to the Watchtower Society's publication Revelation - Its Grand Climax At Hand, the 'scarlet colored wild beast' depicted in the Bible book of Revelation represents the United Nations. Further, the 'harlot' who rides the wild beast denotes false religion which associates and has relations with the wild beast.
Revelation - Its Grand Climax at Hand on page 248 & 254:
"The UN, then, is actually a revival of the scarlet-colored wild beast...the United Nations, "a scarlet-colored wild beast" that is the image of Satan’s bloodstained political system. - Revelation 16:2; 17:3-16."
Page 243:
"From its inception, [the United Nations] has also had the great harlot [false religion] riding on its back, visibly associated with it...representatives of the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church, together with Protestants, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims—said to represent two thousand million of earth's population—assembled in San Francisco to celebrate their support and admiration of the UN."
For nearly a decade the Watchtower Society was an active associate of the United Nations. In 1991, the Watchtower Society applied for NGO association, and it was granted in 1992. They would retain their active association thru October 2001. They were a non-governmental organization (NGO) active associate, just like many other religions of the world. Year upon year, the Watchtower Society would criticize and slander other religions for their association with the United Nations; however, they were doing the exact same thing.
This is obvious and blatant hypocrisy.
The following Jehovah's Witnesses served as the representatives of the Watchtower Society respecting applying for NGO association on behalf of the organization:
1. Ciro Aulicino - Writing Department
2. W. Lloyd Barry - Governing Body
3. Robert Johnson - Service Department
A letter confirming the Watchtower Society's NGO association with the United Nations can be found on the United Nation's website here:
http://search.un.org/smb/secf10.un.org/DigiLib/$/DigitalLibrary/Dig/www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/pdfs/watchtower.pdf
Here is the letter (Click images to enlarge):
While the Watchtower Society was an active associate of the United Nations, knowledge of the facts spread, including an article written which publicly exposed the hypocrisy and deceit. On October 8, 2001, The Guardian published an article entitled "Jehovah's Witnesses link to UN queried - Sect accused of hypocrisy over association with organisation it has demonised." It was written by Stephen Bates, a religious affairs correspondent. The Watchtower Society went on the defense. Later in the same month, they issued a letter to all branch offices claiming that their NGO association was a result of needing a “library card” and since then the "criteria for association" with the UN changed. After which the Watchtower Society requested to have their relationship with the United Nations terminated.
The truth is the criteria in 1991, when they started to 'ride the wild beast', entailed just as strong devotion and commitment as it did in 2001. Every year they were required to renew their association. Furthermore, their letter to the branch offices was misleading in trying to make Jehovah's Witnesses believe that only recent association changes aligned them in such a way to make them part of the harlot in which they "immediately withdrew registration". The reality is their change in stance came about due to the overwhelming pressure and too many people questioning and calling them out on their deceit, trickery, and hypocrisy.
The "library card" defense is pathetic at best. Prior to the aftermath of September 11, 2001, one could have used the library without being an NGO active associate. Nonetheless, is that excuse or any excuse valid for being a part of the harlot riding the wild beast?
Additionally, non-governmental organizations are required now and during the years the Watchtower Society was an active associate to "disseminate UN propaganda to their members, and to regularly report back to the UN" providing samples of such propaganda. The non-governmental organization brochure given to associates provided the details.
The following are five of the requirements set by the United Nations for non-governmental organizations along with some of the Watchtower Society's compliance articles towards their commitment and support of the listed requirements:
1. Dissemination information about the UN to their membership - Awake!, November 22, 1998, pages 6-10.
2. Mobilizing public opinion in support of the United Nations - Awake!, November 22, 1998 pages 3-5.
3. Promoting knowledge of the United Nations' principles and activities - Awake! January 5, 1999, page 13; Awake! June 22, 1999, page 15; Awake! July 22, 1999, page 31.
4. Promoting United Nations observances and international years - Awake!, July 22, 1999, page 3; Awake!, July 22, 2001, page 5.
5. Publicizing United Nations activities - Awake!. January 8, 1999, page 31; Awake! May 8, 1999, page 31.
The Watchtower Society's support and cooperation in promoting and being a part of the United Nations, 'riding the wild beast' was so clear and resounding that the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights highlighted one such article on its website found here:
http://www.unhchr.ch/udhr/materials/articles.htm
The article highlighted is "A 'Long Job Finished'" from Awake!, November 22, 1998, pages 3-5.
It is disgraceful and despicable. The Watchtower Society is teaching Jehovah's Witnesses one thing and practices another regarding political association and ties. It has clearly supported and promoted what they deem as the scarlet colored wild beast of Revelation, through their own publication which is supposed to be "providing food at the proper time" to Jehovah's Witnesses.
By their own actions and teachings the Watchtower Society is part of the harlot, the prostitute which rides the wild beast. They are a part of false religion by their own standard and measurement. Continue to research and understand the truth about the organization behind and directing Jehovah's Witnesses.
Revelation - Its Grand Climax at Hand on page 248 & 254:
"The UN, then, is actually a revival of the scarlet-colored wild beast...the United Nations, "a scarlet-colored wild beast" that is the image of Satan’s bloodstained political system. - Revelation 16:2; 17:3-16."
Page 243:
"From its inception, [the United Nations] has also had the great harlot [false religion] riding on its back, visibly associated with it...representatives of the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church, together with Protestants, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims—said to represent two thousand million of earth's population—assembled in San Francisco to celebrate their support and admiration of the UN."
For nearly a decade the Watchtower Society was an active associate of the United Nations. In 1991, the Watchtower Society applied for NGO association, and it was granted in 1992. They would retain their active association thru October 2001. They were a non-governmental organization (NGO) active associate, just like many other religions of the world. Year upon year, the Watchtower Society would criticize and slander other religions for their association with the United Nations; however, they were doing the exact same thing.
This is obvious and blatant hypocrisy.
The following Jehovah's Witnesses served as the representatives of the Watchtower Society respecting applying for NGO association on behalf of the organization:
1. Ciro Aulicino - Writing Department
2. W. Lloyd Barry - Governing Body
3. Robert Johnson - Service Department
A letter confirming the Watchtower Society's NGO association with the United Nations can be found on the United Nation's website here:
http://search.un.org/smb/secf10.un.org/DigiLib/$/DigitalLibrary/Dig/www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/pdfs/watchtower.pdf
Here is the letter (Click images to enlarge):
The truth is the criteria in 1991, when they started to 'ride the wild beast', entailed just as strong devotion and commitment as it did in 2001. Every year they were required to renew their association. Furthermore, their letter to the branch offices was misleading in trying to make Jehovah's Witnesses believe that only recent association changes aligned them in such a way to make them part of the harlot in which they "immediately withdrew registration". The reality is their change in stance came about due to the overwhelming pressure and too many people questioning and calling them out on their deceit, trickery, and hypocrisy.
The "library card" defense is pathetic at best. Prior to the aftermath of September 11, 2001, one could have used the library without being an NGO active associate. Nonetheless, is that excuse or any excuse valid for being a part of the harlot riding the wild beast?
Additionally, non-governmental organizations are required now and during the years the Watchtower Society was an active associate to "disseminate UN propaganda to their members, and to regularly report back to the UN" providing samples of such propaganda. The non-governmental organization brochure given to associates provided the details.
The following are five of the requirements set by the United Nations for non-governmental organizations along with some of the Watchtower Society's compliance articles towards their commitment and support of the listed requirements:
1. Dissemination information about the UN to their membership - Awake!, November 22, 1998, pages 6-10.
2. Mobilizing public opinion in support of the United Nations - Awake!, November 22, 1998 pages 3-5.
3. Promoting knowledge of the United Nations' principles and activities - Awake! January 5, 1999, page 13; Awake! June 22, 1999, page 15; Awake! July 22, 1999, page 31.
4. Promoting United Nations observances and international years - Awake!, July 22, 1999, page 3; Awake!, July 22, 2001, page 5.
5. Publicizing United Nations activities - Awake!. January 8, 1999, page 31; Awake! May 8, 1999, page 31.
The Watchtower Society's support and cooperation in promoting and being a part of the United Nations, 'riding the wild beast' was so clear and resounding that the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights highlighted one such article on its website found here:
http://www.unhchr.ch/udhr/materials/articles.htm
The article highlighted is "A 'Long Job Finished'" from Awake!, November 22, 1998, pages 3-5.
It is disgraceful and despicable. The Watchtower Society is teaching Jehovah's Witnesses one thing and practices another regarding political association and ties. It has clearly supported and promoted what they deem as the scarlet colored wild beast of Revelation, through their own publication which is supposed to be "providing food at the proper time" to Jehovah's Witnesses.
By their own actions and teachings the Watchtower Society is part of the harlot, the prostitute which rides the wild beast. They are a part of false religion by their own standard and measurement. Continue to research and understand the truth about the organization behind and directing Jehovah's Witnesses.
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