If you have read the July 15, 2013 (Study Edition) Watchtower as a Jehovah's Witness, it means the following to you:
-The Watchtower Society had previously asserted that a Faithful and Discreet Slave Class has been in continual existence since the first century. That has been abandoned.
-CT Russell was a member of the faithful slave and passed on the 'truths' of the Faithful and Discreet Slave into modern times. That has been abandoned.
-The Watchtower Society has always taught that the Faithful and Discreet Slave is all anointed ones on earth. That has been abandoned.
-The Watchtower Society had rejected the idea in the past that the Faithful and Discreet Slave is a small, elite group in the Organization (See March 1, 1981 Watchtower, pp. 24-26). Now, it teaches precisely that idea, and calls what it used to reject as "apostate" thinking, "new light". That is new.
- The Faithful and Discreet Slave is now exclusively the Governing Body (A few men residing at the Brooklyn headquarters). That is new.
-The Watchtower Society used to teach that Jesus came invisibly in 1918 or 1919, inspected the Bible Students, chose them and appointed them over all his belongings. This has been abandoned.
-The Watchtower Society now teaches that Jesus appointed Rutherford as the first Faithful and Discreet Slave member in 1919, and appointing them over all his belongings will not happen until he arrives in the future. That is new.
-The Watchtower Society used to teach that only the anointed were part of the domestics. This has been abandoned.
-The domestics are made up of both the anointed and great crowd. This is new.
Essentially, the Watchtower Society has abandoned core doctrines it has held as absolute truth from God for decades - some close to 100 years - and, without admitting it, is now teaching those doctrines were false, replacing them with new beliefs.
Showing posts with label faithful and discreet slave. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faithful and discreet slave. Show all posts
Friday, May 24, 2013
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Faithful and Discreet Slave Redefined
For decades, the ‘Faithful and Discreet Slave', at times referred to as the 'faithful and discreet slave class', has been known to Jehovah's Witnesses as comprising of everyone who is anointed with God's spirit. This will now become “old light” for Jehovah’s Witnesses, despite the fact that it was still very much supported by the Watchtower Society for decades and discussed in current magazine articles.
Recent Watchtower magazines have testified:
Watchtower November 1, 2007, page 30, paragraph 12:
"... all of the anointed ones living on earth at any given time constitute 'the faithful and discreet slave' that Jesus said would provide timely 'food' for his 'domestics'."
Even as recent as 2009 it states in June 15th Watchtower pages 22-24 when posed with the question:
"Do all anointed Christians on earth share in providing spiritual food?"
"No. All who are anointed with God’s spirit are part of the faithful and discreet slave class, but those making up the Governing Body oversee the spiritual feeding."
The problem with the above - at least a problem for the Watchtower leaders, known to Jehovah's Witnesses as the group of men who make up the "Governing Body", was seeing the number of Jehovah’s Witnesses claiming to be of the anointed ones on Earth as partakers at their Memorial celebration increasing; along with some becoming vocal about being equal "slaves" to Christ and not some anointed seen as more 'special' or 'blessed' than another especially regarding doctrine and teachings.
Some of the anointed ones actually came together outside of the jurisdiction of the current Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses to try to rectify some of the teachings and issues within the organization.
Consequently, the few men leading the Watchtower Society have taken additional measures to ensure that their word is final and the only word that is unquestionably coming from God. During the 2012 Annual Meeting recently held the "new light" (or new way of interpreting some select scriptural passages) is as follows:
• The Faithful and Discreet Slave was NOT appointed at Pentecost 33 C.E., meaning that there has not been a continuous line of members of the Slave Class on the earth down through the ages. The Slave Class was only appointed for the first time by Christ in 1919.
• The Faithful and Discreet Slave is a small group of anointed brothers during Jesus’ presence serving at Watchtower Headquarters who are directly involved in the preparing and dispensing of spiritual food. The individual members of the Governing Body are not the Faithful and Discreet Slave. They only act as the Faithful and Discreet Slave when they are working as a collective body in making decisions regarding the dispensing of spiritual food.
• The “domestics” of Matthew 24:45 are all those who are fed spiritually by the Governing Body, whether of the anointed or “other sheep”.
• The events described in Matthew 24:46, 47 now refer to Jesus coming during the Great Tribulation and giving the Governing Body their reward in heaven along with the rest of the anointed.
• The “belongings” of Matthew 24:47 refer to all of Christ’s heavenly and earthly interests.
• Despite founding the Watch Tower Society, Charles Taze Russell was not part of the Slave Class because he was not alive and serving at Headquarters when Christ made his selection in 1919.
The above changes are huge to both the history and the fundamental understandings of the organization.
The Faithful and Discreet Slave as decreed by the Watchtower Society is now only the few men who sit on the Governing Body. They are the first and last word - officially - on anything to do with doctrine, teachings and understanding of God and the Bible. No other anointed member has a say or input. Their claim is God has chosen them solely as the Faithful and Discreet Slave.
All other anointed ones now are basically just like the other sheep, but having a heaven reward instead of an earthly one according to Watchtower teachings. This silences and puts a figurative gag on all other members of Jehovah's Witnesses who claim to be of the anointed and tries to provide any input regarding the organization. They are only a ‘Domestic’ and should follow the Governing Body just like the ‘other sheep’ of Jehovah’s Witnesses do. Truly and officially, they are all sheep just following the direction of their leaders on the Governing Body.
As the last point shows, the organization has distanced themselves far from their foundation. They claim Russell was not of the anointed class and the class was merely taking shape in his days. This covers over a number of transgressions and any questioning of the history of the slave from the early days of the Watchtower Society and even prior to that. The Watchtower Society in effect is ignoring (Or selectively ignoring) anything prior to 1919, as it had nothing to do with them or the spiritual leadership of the organization at the time. How this doesn’t contradict and logically flow as Russell was the first president leading and starting the organization will probably be covered in future magazine articles.
In part, it is a cleanup job to re-write or discount unanswered or confusing beginnings of the organization while trying to make it more convincing as to why their teachings and beliefs or so much different now from their humble beginnings, and why such changes are appropriate with the excuse of “new light”.
Sadly many, if not most, Jehovah's Witnesses will probably either ignore or overlook the changes, to say even less about realizing the significance of it. The Watchtower Society leaders continue to tighten their grip and control of the members. Ironically, more than ever, the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses are becoming ‘officially’ more structured like the Catholic Church - oh, the irony. Watchtower Headquarters is the equivalent of the Vatican for Jehovah's Witnesses.
Nevertheless, belief is powerful. It can be surprising what people will swallow when their whole worldview is at stake. For Jehovah’s Witnesses they are indoctrinated to not question or go against the ‘Faithful and Discreet Slave’ – Not to go against the organization or its leaders.
The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses are ensuring the members fully understand you never question them and only their interpretations should be followed. Others claiming to be of the anointed class under Jehovah’s Witnesses do not matter – they are truly just another member being instructed like the rest...
Following the Governing Body means following God - Very sad, but also very true to the worldview of Jehovah's Witnesses; even more so since the leaders have redefined the Faithful and Discreet Slave to their agenda.
Recent Watchtower magazines have testified:
Watchtower November 1, 2007, page 30, paragraph 12:
"... all of the anointed ones living on earth at any given time constitute 'the faithful and discreet slave' that Jesus said would provide timely 'food' for his 'domestics'."
Even as recent as 2009 it states in June 15th Watchtower pages 22-24 when posed with the question:
"Do all anointed Christians on earth share in providing spiritual food?"
"No. All who are anointed with God’s spirit are part of the faithful and discreet slave class, but those making up the Governing Body oversee the spiritual feeding."
The problem with the above - at least a problem for the Watchtower leaders, known to Jehovah's Witnesses as the group of men who make up the "Governing Body", was seeing the number of Jehovah’s Witnesses claiming to be of the anointed ones on Earth as partakers at their Memorial celebration increasing; along with some becoming vocal about being equal "slaves" to Christ and not some anointed seen as more 'special' or 'blessed' than another especially regarding doctrine and teachings.
Some of the anointed ones actually came together outside of the jurisdiction of the current Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses to try to rectify some of the teachings and issues within the organization.
Consequently, the few men leading the Watchtower Society have taken additional measures to ensure that their word is final and the only word that is unquestionably coming from God. During the 2012 Annual Meeting recently held the "new light" (or new way of interpreting some select scriptural passages) is as follows:
• The Faithful and Discreet Slave was NOT appointed at Pentecost 33 C.E., meaning that there has not been a continuous line of members of the Slave Class on the earth down through the ages. The Slave Class was only appointed for the first time by Christ in 1919.
• The Faithful and Discreet Slave is a small group of anointed brothers during Jesus’ presence serving at Watchtower Headquarters who are directly involved in the preparing and dispensing of spiritual food. The individual members of the Governing Body are not the Faithful and Discreet Slave. They only act as the Faithful and Discreet Slave when they are working as a collective body in making decisions regarding the dispensing of spiritual food.
• The “domestics” of Matthew 24:45 are all those who are fed spiritually by the Governing Body, whether of the anointed or “other sheep”.
• The events described in Matthew 24:46, 47 now refer to Jesus coming during the Great Tribulation and giving the Governing Body their reward in heaven along with the rest of the anointed.
• The “belongings” of Matthew 24:47 refer to all of Christ’s heavenly and earthly interests.
• Despite founding the Watch Tower Society, Charles Taze Russell was not part of the Slave Class because he was not alive and serving at Headquarters when Christ made his selection in 1919.
The above changes are huge to both the history and the fundamental understandings of the organization.
The Faithful and Discreet Slave as decreed by the Watchtower Society is now only the few men who sit on the Governing Body. They are the first and last word - officially - on anything to do with doctrine, teachings and understanding of God and the Bible. No other anointed member has a say or input. Their claim is God has chosen them solely as the Faithful and Discreet Slave.
All other anointed ones now are basically just like the other sheep, but having a heaven reward instead of an earthly one according to Watchtower teachings. This silences and puts a figurative gag on all other members of Jehovah's Witnesses who claim to be of the anointed and tries to provide any input regarding the organization. They are only a ‘Domestic’ and should follow the Governing Body just like the ‘other sheep’ of Jehovah’s Witnesses do. Truly and officially, they are all sheep just following the direction of their leaders on the Governing Body.
As the last point shows, the organization has distanced themselves far from their foundation. They claim Russell was not of the anointed class and the class was merely taking shape in his days. This covers over a number of transgressions and any questioning of the history of the slave from the early days of the Watchtower Society and even prior to that. The Watchtower Society in effect is ignoring (Or selectively ignoring) anything prior to 1919, as it had nothing to do with them or the spiritual leadership of the organization at the time. How this doesn’t contradict and logically flow as Russell was the first president leading and starting the organization will probably be covered in future magazine articles.
In part, it is a cleanup job to re-write or discount unanswered or confusing beginnings of the organization while trying to make it more convincing as to why their teachings and beliefs or so much different now from their humble beginnings, and why such changes are appropriate with the excuse of “new light”.
Sadly many, if not most, Jehovah's Witnesses will probably either ignore or overlook the changes, to say even less about realizing the significance of it. The Watchtower Society leaders continue to tighten their grip and control of the members. Ironically, more than ever, the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses are becoming ‘officially’ more structured like the Catholic Church - oh, the irony. Watchtower Headquarters is the equivalent of the Vatican for Jehovah's Witnesses.
Nevertheless, belief is powerful. It can be surprising what people will swallow when their whole worldview is at stake. For Jehovah’s Witnesses they are indoctrinated to not question or go against the ‘Faithful and Discreet Slave’ – Not to go against the organization or its leaders.
The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses are ensuring the members fully understand you never question them and only their interpretations should be followed. Others claiming to be of the anointed class under Jehovah’s Witnesses do not matter – they are truly just another member being instructed like the rest...
Following the Governing Body means following God - Very sad, but also very true to the worldview of Jehovah's Witnesses; even more so since the leaders have redefined the Faithful and Discreet Slave to their agenda.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The ONLY Religion Teaching The Truth
The statement that ONLY Jehovah's Witnesses are teaching the truth is an extraordinary claim. Such a claim would require extraordinary evidence. I firmly believed that ONLY Jehovah's Witnesses are teaching the truth, and thus in general, only Jehovah's Witnesses would be saved at Armageddon. In my self-confidence, I had failed to consider sobering truths:
• There are over 10,000 religions in the world.
• When given a pen and paper, I could not identify the correct names of even 50 religions.
• I couldn't explain the complete belief system of any other religion in the world, other than Jehovah's Witnesses.
• For the thousands of religions of which I knew nothing about, not even it's name - how could I possibly classify that religion as false?
• The idea of a "one and only true religion" was suggested to me by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, not the Bible.
• Other groups that teach their religion is the only church which teaches "the truth" include the following: Mormons, Worldwide Church of God, Unification Church, and many others. Members of these other groups are taught to detest all other religions. Members are taught that all other religions are false, and under the control of Satan. These members are taught that God will only save their church.
• I was proclaiming other religions as promoters of lies and false prophecies, when in fact my own religion had likely promoted more false prophecies than any other church in the world. Every time a prophecy was created by Watchtower Society leaders, it was printed in millions of books, and Witnesses spent over a billion hours each year distributing these books and teaching these false prophecies.
• I believed that other religions were blood guilty for teaching lies and false doctrines. I had failed to consider how God views my religion, which had aggressively spread more false information than any other religion, insisting that people must accept it or else be destroyed by God.
• I was forbidden by the organization to read literature produced by any other religion. How could I ever accurately know what other religions taught? Many of the senior members who write the Watchtower magazine have been Jehovah's Witnesses their entire lives, thus they have never read other religious literature either. Therefore, there is no possible way that they can know the truth of whether other religions teach truth or lies.
• If other churches speak things that aren't true, I classified them as "Babylon the Great", false prophets, disgusting and blood guilty organizations, and deserving of God's wrath. When my religion spoke false prophecies and spread false information, I was supposed to consider it to be acceptable. It was simply "over eagerness" on the part of some brothers, or it was considered "old light".
Eventually, I had to admit that I was completely ignorant on the subject of religion. The only thing I knew about religion was information that I obtained from the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. And their stance was, and still is: "All other religions are false, and ours is the only true one". One thing that really helped me was when I discovered Deuteronomy 18: 21-22:
"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.’"
I was delighted to find out that all those false prophecies I had spread to others had NOTHING to do with God. I was simply promoting the literature of a large religious organization based in Brooklyn. If God was behind this religion, all the prophecies and predictions would have been fulfilled, exactly as predicted. If God was not behind it, then all the prophecies would fail.
What does the evidence show? All the prophecies have failed.
• There are over 10,000 religions in the world.
• When given a pen and paper, I could not identify the correct names of even 50 religions.
• I couldn't explain the complete belief system of any other religion in the world, other than Jehovah's Witnesses.
• For the thousands of religions of which I knew nothing about, not even it's name - how could I possibly classify that religion as false?
• The idea of a "one and only true religion" was suggested to me by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, not the Bible.
• Other groups that teach their religion is the only church which teaches "the truth" include the following: Mormons, Worldwide Church of God, Unification Church, and many others. Members of these other groups are taught to detest all other religions. Members are taught that all other religions are false, and under the control of Satan. These members are taught that God will only save their church.
• I was proclaiming other religions as promoters of lies and false prophecies, when in fact my own religion had likely promoted more false prophecies than any other church in the world. Every time a prophecy was created by Watchtower Society leaders, it was printed in millions of books, and Witnesses spent over a billion hours each year distributing these books and teaching these false prophecies.
• I believed that other religions were blood guilty for teaching lies and false doctrines. I had failed to consider how God views my religion, which had aggressively spread more false information than any other religion, insisting that people must accept it or else be destroyed by God.
• I was forbidden by the organization to read literature produced by any other religion. How could I ever accurately know what other religions taught? Many of the senior members who write the Watchtower magazine have been Jehovah's Witnesses their entire lives, thus they have never read other religious literature either. Therefore, there is no possible way that they can know the truth of whether other religions teach truth or lies.
• If other churches speak things that aren't true, I classified them as "Babylon the Great", false prophets, disgusting and blood guilty organizations, and deserving of God's wrath. When my religion spoke false prophecies and spread false information, I was supposed to consider it to be acceptable. It was simply "over eagerness" on the part of some brothers, or it was considered "old light".
Eventually, I had to admit that I was completely ignorant on the subject of religion. The only thing I knew about religion was information that I obtained from the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. And their stance was, and still is: "All other religions are false, and ours is the only true one". One thing that really helped me was when I discovered Deuteronomy 18: 21-22:
"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.’"
I was delighted to find out that all those false prophecies I had spread to others had NOTHING to do with God. I was simply promoting the literature of a large religious organization based in Brooklyn. If God was behind this religion, all the prophecies and predictions would have been fulfilled, exactly as predicted. If God was not behind it, then all the prophecies would fail.
What does the evidence show? All the prophecies have failed.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
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.
"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.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
One-Sided Argument
The one-sided argument is continuously presented to Jehovah's Witnesses due to the Watchtower Society. Only the reasons and ideas supporting the religion are allowed to be viewed by its members. Members are highly discouraged, and trained to think God wants them to avoid critical information regarding anything associated with the organization.
This is a variant of the logical and argument fallacy known as Special Pleading. This illogical and false reasoning is taught and ingrained into the mind of Jehovah's Witnesses as a result of the indoctrination received through discourses and literature of the Watchtower Society.
Let's take note of some examples:
Watchtower, June 1, 1967, page 338:
"In Jehovah's organization it is not necessary to spend a lot of time and energy in research, for there are brothers in the organization who are assigned to that very thing?"
Watchtower, November 1, 1987, page 20:
"False religious propaganda from any source should be avoided like poison! Really, since our Lord has used "the faithful and discreet slave" to convey to us "sayings of everlasting life," why should we ever want to look anywhere else?"
Watchtower, July 1, 1994, pages 12-13:
"As loyal servants of Jehovah, why would we want to peek at the propaganda put out by rejecters of Jehovah's table..."
Watchtower, February 15, 2004, page 28:
"It would be a mistake to think that you need to listen to apostates or to read their writings to refute their arguments. Their twisted, poisonous reasoning can cause spiritual harm and can contaminate your faith like rapidly spreading gangrene."
Our Kingdom Ministry, Question Box, September 2007:
"Throughout the earth, Jehovah’s people are receiving ample spiritual instruction and encouragement at congregation meetings, assemblies, and conventions, as well as through the publications of Jehovah’s organization. Under the guidance of his holy spirit and on the basis of his Word of truth, Jehovah provides what is needed so that all of God’s people may be “fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought” and remain “stabilized in the faith.” (1 Cor. 1:10; Col. 2:6, 7) Surely we are grateful for Jehovah’s spiritual provisions in these last days. Thus, “the faithful and discreet slave” does not endorse any literature, meetings, or Web sites that are not produced or organized under its oversight.—Matt. 24:45-47.”
Imagine this logic and way of thinking being applied in other aspects of life.
For instance, say I held a certain political view and party called 'The True Government'. As a faithful follower and supporter of 'The True Government', I told you never to listen to any of the other political parties, that it is unnecessary, besides you will be poisoned by their way of thinking. Furthermore, avoid any negative information about 'The True Government' as well, and anyone else who is not a member of 'The True Government' political party. 'The True Government' members are the only ones with the truth, facts and the right way to govern things. What would you do?
How about if you are a parent and your child wants to join a club called 'Club Wholesome'. However, your child is instructed not to listen to anything negative about the club and to especially avoid anyone who is a former member and has left 'Club Wholesome'. What if the current members of that club spoke disparagingly of its former members and stated everything negative spoken or written about the club is just a pack of lies. Additionally, 'Club Wholesome' has provided to your child a ton of information showing how wonderful the club is and outlined a beautiful plan for its members. What would you do as a parent?
Or even something as simple of shopping. You have a manufacturer called 'The Best' telling you their products are the best and the only ones that are truly reliable and dependable. Most of the negative reports and information about their products are just angry former consumers who could not understand the products or refuse to use their products as they were instructed. In fact, don't even listen to the negative reviews or reports of their products. The additional negative press from those not former consumers of their products is due to someone or something evil influencing people and information to attack their product. 'The Best' products are the only products you should need and utilize. As a consumer, what do you do?
If you apply the Jehovah's Witnesses instruction and indoctrination these are likely outcomes:
-Respecting government and political views you would only listen to 'The True Government' and remain as an active supporter of their views and way of governing. You refuse to listen to any other political party or any viewpoint which goes contrary to the leaders of 'The True Government' or its way of governing.
-As a parent, you allow your child to join 'Club Wholesome' as all the things you have heard from its members and its literature sounds and appears to be wonderful. You have avoided hearing or reading anything negative or critical about the club. You believe its all lies anyway, despite not listening or reading any of it.
-Being a consumer, you would happily and whole-heartedly support 'The Best' manufacturer avoiding any other products from any other manufacturer. After all 'The Best' is 'the best'; and you 'know' everything else manufactured is defective and corrupt in some way. You believe 'The Best' makes and provides all you need.
Does the above read as sensible? Does the above sound rationale or reasonable? Is any of the above a wise course to take or even an educated and informed decision to make in any area of life?
Sadly, this kind of logic and thinking is all too prevalent among Jehovah's Witnesses. And as the aforementioned Watchtower Society publications prove, this type of viewpoint and attitude is fed as truth and being of God's directive through the organization.
If you happen to encounter or try to reason with a Jehovah's Witness, remember it is highly likely you are trying to reach someone who is set in their way from being indoctrinated to believe and listen to one-side of the argument, and one-side of the argument only... The one they have been trained to believe is 'the truth'.
This is a variant of the logical and argument fallacy known as Special Pleading. This illogical and false reasoning is taught and ingrained into the mind of Jehovah's Witnesses as a result of the indoctrination received through discourses and literature of the Watchtower Society.
Let's take note of some examples:
Watchtower, June 1, 1967, page 338:
"In Jehovah's organization it is not necessary to spend a lot of time and energy in research, for there are brothers in the organization who are assigned to that very thing?"
Watchtower, November 1, 1987, page 20:
"False religious propaganda from any source should be avoided like poison! Really, since our Lord has used "the faithful and discreet slave" to convey to us "sayings of everlasting life," why should we ever want to look anywhere else?"
Watchtower, July 1, 1994, pages 12-13:
"As loyal servants of Jehovah, why would we want to peek at the propaganda put out by rejecters of Jehovah's table..."
Watchtower, February 15, 2004, page 28:
"It would be a mistake to think that you need to listen to apostates or to read their writings to refute their arguments. Their twisted, poisonous reasoning can cause spiritual harm and can contaminate your faith like rapidly spreading gangrene."
Our Kingdom Ministry, Question Box, September 2007:
"Throughout the earth, Jehovah’s people are receiving ample spiritual instruction and encouragement at congregation meetings, assemblies, and conventions, as well as through the publications of Jehovah’s organization. Under the guidance of his holy spirit and on the basis of his Word of truth, Jehovah provides what is needed so that all of God’s people may be “fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought” and remain “stabilized in the faith.” (1 Cor. 1:10; Col. 2:6, 7) Surely we are grateful for Jehovah’s spiritual provisions in these last days. Thus, “the faithful and discreet slave” does not endorse any literature, meetings, or Web sites that are not produced or organized under its oversight.—Matt. 24:45-47.”
Imagine this logic and way of thinking being applied in other aspects of life.
For instance, say I held a certain political view and party called 'The True Government'. As a faithful follower and supporter of 'The True Government', I told you never to listen to any of the other political parties, that it is unnecessary, besides you will be poisoned by their way of thinking. Furthermore, avoid any negative information about 'The True Government' as well, and anyone else who is not a member of 'The True Government' political party. 'The True Government' members are the only ones with the truth, facts and the right way to govern things. What would you do?
How about if you are a parent and your child wants to join a club called 'Club Wholesome'. However, your child is instructed not to listen to anything negative about the club and to especially avoid anyone who is a former member and has left 'Club Wholesome'. What if the current members of that club spoke disparagingly of its former members and stated everything negative spoken or written about the club is just a pack of lies. Additionally, 'Club Wholesome' has provided to your child a ton of information showing how wonderful the club is and outlined a beautiful plan for its members. What would you do as a parent?
Or even something as simple of shopping. You have a manufacturer called 'The Best' telling you their products are the best and the only ones that are truly reliable and dependable. Most of the negative reports and information about their products are just angry former consumers who could not understand the products or refuse to use their products as they were instructed. In fact, don't even listen to the negative reviews or reports of their products. The additional negative press from those not former consumers of their products is due to someone or something evil influencing people and information to attack their product. 'The Best' products are the only products you should need and utilize. As a consumer, what do you do?
If you apply the Jehovah's Witnesses instruction and indoctrination these are likely outcomes:
-Respecting government and political views you would only listen to 'The True Government' and remain as an active supporter of their views and way of governing. You refuse to listen to any other political party or any viewpoint which goes contrary to the leaders of 'The True Government' or its way of governing.
-As a parent, you allow your child to join 'Club Wholesome' as all the things you have heard from its members and its literature sounds and appears to be wonderful. You have avoided hearing or reading anything negative or critical about the club. You believe its all lies anyway, despite not listening or reading any of it.
-Being a consumer, you would happily and whole-heartedly support 'The Best' manufacturer avoiding any other products from any other manufacturer. After all 'The Best' is 'the best'; and you 'know' everything else manufactured is defective and corrupt in some way. You believe 'The Best' makes and provides all you need.
Does the above read as sensible? Does the above sound rationale or reasonable? Is any of the above a wise course to take or even an educated and informed decision to make in any area of life?
Sadly, this kind of logic and thinking is all too prevalent among Jehovah's Witnesses. And as the aforementioned Watchtower Society publications prove, this type of viewpoint and attitude is fed as truth and being of God's directive through the organization.
If you happen to encounter or try to reason with a Jehovah's Witness, remember it is highly likely you are trying to reach someone who is set in their way from being indoctrinated to believe and listen to one-side of the argument, and one-side of the argument only... The one they have been trained to believe is 'the truth'.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Next Generation Is This Generation
Here is the new definition of 'generation' from the "faithful and discreet slave class" as stated in the April 15, 2010, Watchtower magazine. The article is entitled, "Holy Spirit’s Role in the Outworking of Jehovah’s Purpose". This new teaching and belief is specifically brought out in paragraphs 13 and 14:
"Third, holy spirit is at work in bringing Bible truths to light. (Prov. 4:18) This magazine has long been used by “the faithful and discreet slave” as the primary channel for dispensing increased light. (Matt. 24:45) For example, consider our understanding of those who make up “this generation” mentioned by Jesus. (Read Matthew 24:32-34). To what generation did Jesus refer? The article “Christ’s Presence—What Does It Mean to You?” explained that Jesus was referring, not to the wicked, but to his disciples, who were soon to be anointed with holy spirit. Jesus’ anointed followers, both in the first century and in our day, would be the ones who would not only see the sign but also discern its meaning—that Jesus “is near at the doors.”
"What does this explanation mean to us? Although we cannot measure the exact length of “this generation,” we do well to keep in mind several things about the word “generation”: It usually refers to people of varying ages whose lives overlap during a particular time period; it is not excessively long; and it has an end. (Ex. 1:6) How, then, are we to understand Jesus’ words about “this generation”? He evidently meant that the lives of the anointed who were on hand when the sign began to become evident in 1914 would overlap with the lives of other anointed ones who would see the start of the great tribulation. That generation had a beginning, and it surely will have an end. The fulfillment of the various features of the sign clearly indicate that the tribulation must be near. By maintaining your sense of urgency and keeping on the watch, you show that you are keeping up with advancing light and following the leadings of holy spirit.—Mark 13:37."
The Watchtower Society is now teaching Jehovah's Witnesses that when you read 'generation', it doesn't mean one generation, but an overlap of generations starting with the anointed in 1914. It's funny how the Watchtower Society can manipulate and interpret words as well as scriptural passage to fit their doctrines as they continue to make less and less sense.
It was not too long ago, another publication referencing the same word "generation" also used the highlighted scripture in Exodus to explain the 'correct' understanding. The Insight on the Scriptures book Volume 1, page 917 makes this statement:
"A generation commonly refers to all persons who were born about the same time. (Ex 1:6)"
However, now the Watchtower Society states according to the April 15, 2010, Watchtower:
"It usually refers to people of varying ages whose lives overlap during a particular time period; it is not excessively long; and it has an end. (Ex. 1:6)"
Two completely different takes on 'generation' using the same bible verse as support. In one occasion, it supports people “born about the same time”, and then in another instance the same verse supports “varying ages whose lives overlap”. The Watchtower Society has a knack for twisting the application of scriptures to suit their agenda and interpretation of 'truth' at any given time.
Additionally, they try to support their teachings by using weasel words or crafty grammatical styling to make their information and doctrine sound concrete and appear to be "the truth". As can be seen in paragraph 14 of the April 15, 2010, Watchtower study article, they make the statement regarding Jesus words:
"He evidently meant..."
Where and what is the evidence? There is no evidence. All that's present is the Watchtower Society's spin on matters when the facts go against their grain of beliefs. Anytime you see the Watchtower Society use the word "evidently", often what they are really stating is "there is no evidence, we are telling you and you will believe it means". They are placing words and exaggerated convoluted meaning into what the Bible states Jesus said.
Using their logic and interpretation of scripture, a child born in 2010 is actually part of Tom Brokaw's "Greatest Generation" because there are still plenty of World War II veterans alive today and the generations overlap. Additionally, today's kindergartener child is a part of the World War I generation because Kama Chinen of Japan, one of the oldest living people, born in 1895, overlaps with the child's life. According to the Watchtower Society, if these generations "overlap" starting with those who witnesses the events of 1914, they are a part of the same generation.
The problem the Watchtower Society is dealing with is the constant increase of Memorial partakers. In fact, the 2010 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses shows the number of partakers is 10,857 for the year 2009. This marks a significant increase from the previous year of 2008 where partakers totaled 9,986. The Watchtower Society taught that the decrease in number of partakers was a sign that Armageddon was soon to take place. Consequently, what would it mean to Jehovah's Witnesses if that number kept increasing? Obviously, they needed to fix the mess they started, since that number is indeed increasing.
The facts and real evidence makes them peddle back and perform a different explanation of their interpretation of the scriptures. Looking at the Watchtower from October 15, 1988 on page 4 under the heading, "The Sign — Are You Heeding It?" The following was taught as "the truth":
"Might it be, though, that the sign could occur over the span of many human generations? No. The sign is to occur during one particular generation. The same generation that witnessed the beginning of the sign will also witness its climax.
There is, however, the danger of becoming impatient. Seventy-four years have passed since the outbreak of World War I in 1914. From a human viewpoint, this may seem a very long time. But some eagle-eyed Christians who saw World War I are still very much alive. Their generation has not passed away."
Now with so-called 'increased light', that one human generation from 1914 spoken of in the Watchtower can completely pass away and not witness the climax because of the next generation (according to the Watchtower Society current 'truth') is an 'overlapping generation' which is equal to the same generation that Jesus was recorded to have stated in the Bible. Clear as muddy water, is it not?
Let's take a final look at the Watchtower Society's teaching of 'generation'. This time from a longer historical perspective:
Generation (Mathew 24:34)...
-1927 = The Anointed
[Watchtower February 15, 1927 page 62]
-1942 = Anyone alive to see 1914
[Watchtower July 1, 1942 page 204]
-1995 = Wicked People alive today
[Watchtower November 1, 1995 page 19]
-2008 = The Anointed
[Watchtower February 15, 2008 page 24]
-2010 = Overlap Generations of the Anointed since 1914
[Watchtower April 15, 2010 page 10]
In summary, the Watchtower Society’s teaching concerning the meaning of 'generation' as recorded in Matthew was first 'correctly' understood to be 'The Anointed' in 1927. But brighter light caused it to become an incorrect teaching of a couple of different things over the course of 81 years, only to return back to the original ‘correct’ 1927 teaching of 'The Anointed'. However, in a little over two years that now has proved to be not completely accurate and needed more 'tweaking' to overlap generations of the Anointed since 1914.
All the above is "The Truth" and the way God directs his chosen people...
...According to the Watchtower Society.
"Third, holy spirit is at work in bringing Bible truths to light. (Prov. 4:18) This magazine has long been used by “the faithful and discreet slave” as the primary channel for dispensing increased light. (Matt. 24:45) For example, consider our understanding of those who make up “this generation” mentioned by Jesus. (Read Matthew 24:32-34). To what generation did Jesus refer? The article “Christ’s Presence—What Does It Mean to You?” explained that Jesus was referring, not to the wicked, but to his disciples, who were soon to be anointed with holy spirit. Jesus’ anointed followers, both in the first century and in our day, would be the ones who would not only see the sign but also discern its meaning—that Jesus “is near at the doors.”
"What does this explanation mean to us? Although we cannot measure the exact length of “this generation,” we do well to keep in mind several things about the word “generation”: It usually refers to people of varying ages whose lives overlap during a particular time period; it is not excessively long; and it has an end. (Ex. 1:6) How, then, are we to understand Jesus’ words about “this generation”? He evidently meant that the lives of the anointed who were on hand when the sign began to become evident in 1914 would overlap with the lives of other anointed ones who would see the start of the great tribulation. That generation had a beginning, and it surely will have an end. The fulfillment of the various features of the sign clearly indicate that the tribulation must be near. By maintaining your sense of urgency and keeping on the watch, you show that you are keeping up with advancing light and following the leadings of holy spirit.—Mark 13:37."
The Watchtower Society is now teaching Jehovah's Witnesses that when you read 'generation', it doesn't mean one generation, but an overlap of generations starting with the anointed in 1914. It's funny how the Watchtower Society can manipulate and interpret words as well as scriptural passage to fit their doctrines as they continue to make less and less sense.
It was not too long ago, another publication referencing the same word "generation" also used the highlighted scripture in Exodus to explain the 'correct' understanding. The Insight on the Scriptures book Volume 1, page 917 makes this statement:
"A generation commonly refers to all persons who were born about the same time. (Ex 1:6)"
However, now the Watchtower Society states according to the April 15, 2010, Watchtower:
"It usually refers to people of varying ages whose lives overlap during a particular time period; it is not excessively long; and it has an end. (Ex. 1:6)"
Two completely different takes on 'generation' using the same bible verse as support. In one occasion, it supports people “born about the same time”, and then in another instance the same verse supports “varying ages whose lives overlap”. The Watchtower Society has a knack for twisting the application of scriptures to suit their agenda and interpretation of 'truth' at any given time.
Additionally, they try to support their teachings by using weasel words or crafty grammatical styling to make their information and doctrine sound concrete and appear to be "the truth". As can be seen in paragraph 14 of the April 15, 2010, Watchtower study article, they make the statement regarding Jesus words:
"He evidently meant..."
Where and what is the evidence? There is no evidence. All that's present is the Watchtower Society's spin on matters when the facts go against their grain of beliefs. Anytime you see the Watchtower Society use the word "evidently", often what they are really stating is "there is no evidence, we are telling you and you will believe it means". They are placing words and exaggerated convoluted meaning into what the Bible states Jesus said.
Using their logic and interpretation of scripture, a child born in 2010 is actually part of Tom Brokaw's "Greatest Generation" because there are still plenty of World War II veterans alive today and the generations overlap. Additionally, today's kindergartener child is a part of the World War I generation because Kama Chinen of Japan, one of the oldest living people, born in 1895, overlaps with the child's life. According to the Watchtower Society, if these generations "overlap" starting with those who witnesses the events of 1914, they are a part of the same generation.
The problem the Watchtower Society is dealing with is the constant increase of Memorial partakers. In fact, the 2010 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses shows the number of partakers is 10,857 for the year 2009. This marks a significant increase from the previous year of 2008 where partakers totaled 9,986. The Watchtower Society taught that the decrease in number of partakers was a sign that Armageddon was soon to take place. Consequently, what would it mean to Jehovah's Witnesses if that number kept increasing? Obviously, they needed to fix the mess they started, since that number is indeed increasing.
The facts and real evidence makes them peddle back and perform a different explanation of their interpretation of the scriptures. Looking at the Watchtower from October 15, 1988 on page 4 under the heading, "The Sign — Are You Heeding It?" The following was taught as "the truth":
"Might it be, though, that the sign could occur over the span of many human generations? No. The sign is to occur during one particular generation. The same generation that witnessed the beginning of the sign will also witness its climax.
There is, however, the danger of becoming impatient. Seventy-four years have passed since the outbreak of World War I in 1914. From a human viewpoint, this may seem a very long time. But some eagle-eyed Christians who saw World War I are still very much alive. Their generation has not passed away."
Now with so-called 'increased light', that one human generation from 1914 spoken of in the Watchtower can completely pass away and not witness the climax because of the next generation (according to the Watchtower Society current 'truth') is an 'overlapping generation' which is equal to the same generation that Jesus was recorded to have stated in the Bible. Clear as muddy water, is it not?
Let's take a final look at the Watchtower Society's teaching of 'generation'. This time from a longer historical perspective:
Generation (Mathew 24:34)...
-1927 = The Anointed
[Watchtower February 15, 1927 page 62]
-1942 = Anyone alive to see 1914
[Watchtower July 1, 1942 page 204]
-1995 = Wicked People alive today
[Watchtower November 1, 1995 page 19]
-2008 = The Anointed
[Watchtower February 15, 2008 page 24]
-2010 = Overlap Generations of the Anointed since 1914
[Watchtower April 15, 2010 page 10]
In summary, the Watchtower Society’s teaching concerning the meaning of 'generation' as recorded in Matthew was first 'correctly' understood to be 'The Anointed' in 1927. But brighter light caused it to become an incorrect teaching of a couple of different things over the course of 81 years, only to return back to the original ‘correct’ 1927 teaching of 'The Anointed'. However, in a little over two years that now has proved to be not completely accurate and needed more 'tweaking' to overlap generations of the Anointed since 1914.
All the above is "The Truth" and the way God directs his chosen people...
...According to the Watchtower Society.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Misunderstanding
Part of the smoke screens and mirrors act the Watchtower Society likes to play with Jehovah’s Witnesses and those not indoctrinated by their organization is having a play on words or concepts. Take for instance this admonishment in the Watchtower from March 15, 1998 on page 19:
"In order to avoid misunderstandings, Jehovah’s Witnesses try to be careful about how they express themselves. Instead of saying, "the Society teaches," many Witnesses prefer to use such expressions as, "the Bible says" or, "I understand the Bible to teach." In this way they emphasize the personal decision that each Witness has made in accepting Bible teachings and also avoid giving the false impression that Witnesses are somehow bound to the dictates of some religious sect. "
Following such directions leave Jehovah’s Witnesses in a quandary for many areas of teaching and doctrine from the Watchtower Society cannot be found by just using the bible. Such problems include but are not exclusive to:
-You cannot open the Bible and show someone that Jesus came to the Temple in 1919 to inspect it.
-You cannot use the Bible to show which blood fractions are allowed, and which ones are not.
-You cannot show the correct meaning of generation using the Bible. According to the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses it has changed over the years. If you had gone to someone's house prior to 1995 and ‘showed’ them the meaning of the generation, you'd have to go back, read the same scriptures, and tell them now it means something different, then go again when the meaning changed again; each time ‘proving’ the meaning with the same Bible.
Furthermore, the logic of the Watchtower Society is so twisted. The above Watchtower quote is telling Jehovah’s Witnesses to tell other that they (The Watchtower Society) are not telling Jehovah’s Witnesses what to do. The control the religion tries to hide from its members and others is sickening. In effect, the Watchtower Society is saying, “Don’t pay attention to the man behind the curtain”!
The truth is Jehovah’s Witnesses are following what the Watchtower Society says and teaches. Their own literature testifies to this fact. This is proven with such articles as the January 1, 1996 Watchtower under the theme “Handling the Word of the Truth Aright”, on page 30 which dictates:
“Today, a “faithful and discreet slave” has been appointed to supply God’s servants with food at the proper time and to help them understand “the greatly diversified wisdom of God.” Jehovah, by his spirit, reveals deep Scriptural truths by means of this loyal slave, which faithfully publishes spiritual “food at the proper time.”
Therefore, why does Jehovah's Witnesses not say, "the faithful and discreet slave" teaches and instructs us? According to the above Watchtower, that is where each individual is supposed to get their understanding from. The Watchtower Society has made it clear in their publications that individuals do not come to correct conclusions or accurate spiritual knowledge from their own study apart from the ‘spiritual food’ provided by the faithful and discreet slave class.
However, saying "the faithful and discreet slave class teaches" would sound even more cultish than saying "the Society teaches". Ultimately, the end result is the Watchtower Society trying to disguise and hide the true teachers of Jehovah’s Witnesses and who the members are really being led to follow.
"In order to avoid misunderstandings, Jehovah’s Witnesses try to be careful about how they express themselves. Instead of saying, "the Society teaches," many Witnesses prefer to use such expressions as, "the Bible says" or, "I understand the Bible to teach." In this way they emphasize the personal decision that each Witness has made in accepting Bible teachings and also avoid giving the false impression that Witnesses are somehow bound to the dictates of some religious sect. "
Following such directions leave Jehovah’s Witnesses in a quandary for many areas of teaching and doctrine from the Watchtower Society cannot be found by just using the bible. Such problems include but are not exclusive to:
-You cannot open the Bible and show someone that Jesus came to the Temple in 1919 to inspect it.
-You cannot use the Bible to show which blood fractions are allowed, and which ones are not.
-You cannot show the correct meaning of generation using the Bible. According to the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses it has changed over the years. If you had gone to someone's house prior to 1995 and ‘showed’ them the meaning of the generation, you'd have to go back, read the same scriptures, and tell them now it means something different, then go again when the meaning changed again; each time ‘proving’ the meaning with the same Bible.
Furthermore, the logic of the Watchtower Society is so twisted. The above Watchtower quote is telling Jehovah’s Witnesses to tell other that they (The Watchtower Society) are not telling Jehovah’s Witnesses what to do. The control the religion tries to hide from its members and others is sickening. In effect, the Watchtower Society is saying, “Don’t pay attention to the man behind the curtain”!
The truth is Jehovah’s Witnesses are following what the Watchtower Society says and teaches. Their own literature testifies to this fact. This is proven with such articles as the January 1, 1996 Watchtower under the theme “Handling the Word of the Truth Aright”, on page 30 which dictates:
“Today, a “faithful and discreet slave” has been appointed to supply God’s servants with food at the proper time and to help them understand “the greatly diversified wisdom of God.” Jehovah, by his spirit, reveals deep Scriptural truths by means of this loyal slave, which faithfully publishes spiritual “food at the proper time.”
Therefore, why does Jehovah's Witnesses not say, "the faithful and discreet slave" teaches and instructs us? According to the above Watchtower, that is where each individual is supposed to get their understanding from. The Watchtower Society has made it clear in their publications that individuals do not come to correct conclusions or accurate spiritual knowledge from their own study apart from the ‘spiritual food’ provided by the faithful and discreet slave class.
However, saying "the faithful and discreet slave class teaches" would sound even more cultish than saying "the Society teaches". Ultimately, the end result is the Watchtower Society trying to disguise and hide the true teachers of Jehovah’s Witnesses and who the members are really being led to follow.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
The Third Party
The Watchtower Society will often imploy the use of the third party when applying its indoctrination to make less transparent or obvious the control message they are dispensing to Jehovah's Witnesses. Take for instance the November 15, 2009 Watchtower article, "Treasure your Place in the Congregation", under the sub-heading "Cherish Our Place - How?"
Paragraphs 3 through 5 make the following statements:
"...We need to examine our response to the direction we receive from the slave class. Over the years, for example, we have received pointed direction on dress and grooming, entertainment, and improper use of the internet. Do we carefully heed this good counsel so that we are spiritually protected?..."
"Some might reason that areas such as entertainment and dress and grooming are personal matters. For the dedicated Christian who cherishes his place in the congregation, though, personal preferences should not be the sole determining factor when making decisions..."
"The spirit that now operates in the "sons of disobedience" is so widespread that it is like the air we breathe. That spirit can cause us to think that we do not need guidance from Jehovah's organization... We need to guard against developing a spirit of independence. By word or action, may we never challenge the channel of communication that Jehovah is using today. On the contrary, we should cherish our privilege to cooperate with the slave class. And should we not strive to be obedient and submissive to those taking the lead in our local congregations?"
Taking the above article and couple it with the admonishing and teaching Jehovah’s Witnesses receive that such counsel and direction is to be applied directly to them personally, the real information being fed and ultimately embedded in the minds and hearts of a Jehovah’s Witness makes it all too clear the level of control the organization applies over its members.
Let’s remove the third party terminology being used by the Watchtower Society and rewrite to the first party and the message with its level of control is crystal clear:
"...You need to examine your response to the direction you receive from us. Over the years, for example, you have received pointed direction on dress and grooming, entertainment, and improper use of the internet. Do you carefully heed (our) good counsel so that you are spiritually protected?"
"Some might reason that areas such as entertainment and dress and grooming are personal matters. For you, though, personal preferences should not be the sole determining factor when making decisions..."
"The spirit that now operates in the "sons of disobedience" is so widespread that it is like the air we breathe. That spirit can cause you to think that you do not need guidance from us...You need to guard against developing a spirit of independence (from us). By word or action, may you never challenge us, (as we are) the channel of communication that Jehovah is using today. On the contrary, you should cherish your privilege to cooperate with us. And should you not strive to be obedient and submissive to those taking the lead in your local congregations?"
The above is really what is being inculcated into Jehovah's Witnesses. The original writings are control enough in and of itself; however, the true meaning of the information behind dispensed articles such as the aforementioned Watchtower shows the true nature of its writers and leaders along with their intentions and the effects it would have on Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Much of this may be hard for a Jehovah's Witness to accept or believe. Nonetheless, go back and review other articles concerning guidance, direction, or admonishment, from the pages of the Watchtower and try the same technique. Remove the third person writing and replace with the first, and expose for yourself the true nature of the religion called Jehovah's Witnesses.
Paragraphs 3 through 5 make the following statements:
"...We need to examine our response to the direction we receive from the slave class. Over the years, for example, we have received pointed direction on dress and grooming, entertainment, and improper use of the internet. Do we carefully heed this good counsel so that we are spiritually protected?..."
"Some might reason that areas such as entertainment and dress and grooming are personal matters. For the dedicated Christian who cherishes his place in the congregation, though, personal preferences should not be the sole determining factor when making decisions..."
"The spirit that now operates in the "sons of disobedience" is so widespread that it is like the air we breathe. That spirit can cause us to think that we do not need guidance from Jehovah's organization... We need to guard against developing a spirit of independence. By word or action, may we never challenge the channel of communication that Jehovah is using today. On the contrary, we should cherish our privilege to cooperate with the slave class. And should we not strive to be obedient and submissive to those taking the lead in our local congregations?"
Taking the above article and couple it with the admonishing and teaching Jehovah’s Witnesses receive that such counsel and direction is to be applied directly to them personally, the real information being fed and ultimately embedded in the minds and hearts of a Jehovah’s Witness makes it all too clear the level of control the organization applies over its members.
Let’s remove the third party terminology being used by the Watchtower Society and rewrite to the first party and the message with its level of control is crystal clear:
"...You need to examine your response to the direction you receive from us. Over the years, for example, you have received pointed direction on dress and grooming, entertainment, and improper use of the internet. Do you carefully heed (our) good counsel so that you are spiritually protected?"
"Some might reason that areas such as entertainment and dress and grooming are personal matters. For you, though, personal preferences should not be the sole determining factor when making decisions..."
"The spirit that now operates in the "sons of disobedience" is so widespread that it is like the air we breathe. That spirit can cause you to think that you do not need guidance from us...You need to guard against developing a spirit of independence (from us). By word or action, may you never challenge us, (as we are) the channel of communication that Jehovah is using today. On the contrary, you should cherish your privilege to cooperate with us. And should you not strive to be obedient and submissive to those taking the lead in your local congregations?"
The above is really what is being inculcated into Jehovah's Witnesses. The original writings are control enough in and of itself; however, the true meaning of the information behind dispensed articles such as the aforementioned Watchtower shows the true nature of its writers and leaders along with their intentions and the effects it would have on Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Much of this may be hard for a Jehovah's Witness to accept or believe. Nonetheless, go back and review other articles concerning guidance, direction, or admonishment, from the pages of the Watchtower and try the same technique. Remove the third person writing and replace with the first, and expose for yourself the true nature of the religion called Jehovah's Witnesses.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Friendship with Jesus Christ
Jehovah’s Witness are taught that friendship with Jesus Christ is highly contingent upon their obedience and support of the Watchtower Society. This has been detailed in many of the Watchtower Society’s publications which Jehovah’s Witnesses are instructed to study and meditate upon.
Let’s take one example: The Watchtower from October 15, 2009 on page 15, under the subheading ‘Friendship with Christ Today’ states the following in paragraph 14:
"How, then can we be friends of Christ? One way is to obey the direction provided by the faithful and discreet slave class, which consists of Jesus' spirit-anointed brothers still alive on earth."
The “faithful and discreet slave class” as mentioned above, consists for Jehovah’s Witnesses of several men who reside in Brooklyn, NY who supposedly look over and approve all literature or ‘spiritual food’ provided to Jehovah’s Witnesses. They set doctrines such as not allowing the transfusion of whole blood, blood fractions are a conscience matter, no celebrating of holidays or birthdays and the shunning of former Jehovah’s Witnesses besides many other regulations and teachings.
It is sickening to think that one’s friendship with Jesus is conditioned with obedience to these men. The article does not stop there though. Continuing further in paragraph 17, this statement is made for Jehovah’s Witnesses to believe as truth:
"A second way that those of the other sheep class can help Christ's brothers is by financially supporting the preaching work."
While Kingdom Halls of Jehovah’s Witnesses will not ‘pass around plates’ so to speak, there are ‘contribution boxes’ found throughout their places of worship. While such monetary contribution may appear on the surface to be voluntary, what is being taught is if you want to be a friend of Jesus you will financially support the preaching work. The Watchtower Society has been masters over many years of causing Jehovah’s Witnesses to ‘read between the lines’ of the indoctrinating messages they dispense in their literature such as the Watchtower. This is just another example of one of them.
If the high level control has not enforced itself enough with this study article for Jehovah’s Witnesses, the next paragraph drives the obedience and support of the Watchtower Society organization home once more. Paragraph 18 brings the following admonition and instructions:
"A third way that all of us prove that we are friends of Christ is by cooperating with the direction provided by congregation elders."
&
"When we overlook the faults of the elders and joyfully follow their directions, we prove our love for Christ."
As if obedience to the men in Brooklyn, NY were not enough along with the financial support of the organization’s preaching work of distributing their literature and asking for money in order to solidify friendship with Jesus, Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught that cooperating with the Elders including overlooking their faults and following their directions is what proves your love for Him.
To be friends of Jesus Christ and to prove your love for Him, requires your obedience and support of the Watchtower Society. How convenient for the organization and how terribly controlling for its members.
How much so it contradicts the Bible which clearly states Jesus’ words regarding love and friendship. Even in the Watchtower Society’s version of the Bible, The New World Translation states in John 15: 13-15:
“No one has love greater than this, that someone should surrender his soul in behalf of his friends. YOU are my friends if YOU do what I am commanding YOU. I no longer call YOU slaves, because a slave does not know what his master does. But I have called YOU friends, because all the things I have heard from my Father I have made known to YOU.”
Jesus never mentioned obedience to an organization as being a stipulation on whether or not he would be friends with an individual. Never was there any hint of financially support a 19th century started publishing company in order to show love or have His friendship either. Furthermore, the notion of going along and joyfully following the directions of elders in the religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses in order to prove one’s love for Jesus is so far gone from anything that Christ taught.
It is clearly evident that while the Watchtower Society may print articles respecting ‘Friendship with Jesus’, what their real motive reveals is a controlling, manipulative message of obedience and support of their organization.
Let’s take one example: The Watchtower from October 15, 2009 on page 15, under the subheading ‘Friendship with Christ Today’ states the following in paragraph 14:
"How, then can we be friends of Christ? One way is to obey the direction provided by the faithful and discreet slave class, which consists of Jesus' spirit-anointed brothers still alive on earth."
The “faithful and discreet slave class” as mentioned above, consists for Jehovah’s Witnesses of several men who reside in Brooklyn, NY who supposedly look over and approve all literature or ‘spiritual food’ provided to Jehovah’s Witnesses. They set doctrines such as not allowing the transfusion of whole blood, blood fractions are a conscience matter, no celebrating of holidays or birthdays and the shunning of former Jehovah’s Witnesses besides many other regulations and teachings.
It is sickening to think that one’s friendship with Jesus is conditioned with obedience to these men. The article does not stop there though. Continuing further in paragraph 17, this statement is made for Jehovah’s Witnesses to believe as truth:
"A second way that those of the other sheep class can help Christ's brothers is by financially supporting the preaching work."
While Kingdom Halls of Jehovah’s Witnesses will not ‘pass around plates’ so to speak, there are ‘contribution boxes’ found throughout their places of worship. While such monetary contribution may appear on the surface to be voluntary, what is being taught is if you want to be a friend of Jesus you will financially support the preaching work. The Watchtower Society has been masters over many years of causing Jehovah’s Witnesses to ‘read between the lines’ of the indoctrinating messages they dispense in their literature such as the Watchtower. This is just another example of one of them.
If the high level control has not enforced itself enough with this study article for Jehovah’s Witnesses, the next paragraph drives the obedience and support of the Watchtower Society organization home once more. Paragraph 18 brings the following admonition and instructions:
"A third way that all of us prove that we are friends of Christ is by cooperating with the direction provided by congregation elders."
&
"When we overlook the faults of the elders and joyfully follow their directions, we prove our love for Christ."
As if obedience to the men in Brooklyn, NY were not enough along with the financial support of the organization’s preaching work of distributing their literature and asking for money in order to solidify friendship with Jesus, Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught that cooperating with the Elders including overlooking their faults and following their directions is what proves your love for Him.
To be friends of Jesus Christ and to prove your love for Him, requires your obedience and support of the Watchtower Society. How convenient for the organization and how terribly controlling for its members.
How much so it contradicts the Bible which clearly states Jesus’ words regarding love and friendship. Even in the Watchtower Society’s version of the Bible, The New World Translation states in John 15: 13-15:
“No one has love greater than this, that someone should surrender his soul in behalf of his friends. YOU are my friends if YOU do what I am commanding YOU. I no longer call YOU slaves, because a slave does not know what his master does. But I have called YOU friends, because all the things I have heard from my Father I have made known to YOU.”
Jesus never mentioned obedience to an organization as being a stipulation on whether or not he would be friends with an individual. Never was there any hint of financially support a 19th century started publishing company in order to show love or have His friendship either. Furthermore, the notion of going along and joyfully following the directions of elders in the religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses in order to prove one’s love for Jesus is so far gone from anything that Christ taught.
It is clearly evident that while the Watchtower Society may print articles respecting ‘Friendship with Jesus’, what their real motive reveals is a controlling, manipulative message of obedience and support of their organization.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Dead Cleanup - A Privilege And Joyous Work
Lately, the Watchtower Society has been stressing in their teaching sessions for Jehovah's Witnesses the importance of cleanliness. This includes articles from The Watchtower, December 1, 2008 issue, as well as in the recent Congregation Book Study meetings from the publication, Keep Yourselves In God's Love. Part of the history and teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses includes the belief that survivors of Armageddon have the privilege of burying the dead ones who are destroyed during that time. This (in general) means ~7 billion dead being handled by some of the ~7 million Jehovah's Witnesses survivors.
Their burying of dead ones is based on the Watchtower Society's interpretation of the scripture found in Ezekiel 39:14-16. From The New World Translation, it reads as follows:
"‘And there will be men for continual [employment] whom they will divide off, passing along through the land, burying, with those passing through, those left remaining on the surface of the earth, in order to cleanse it. To the end of seven months they will keep making search. And those passing through must pass along through the land, and should one actually see the bone of a man he must also build beside it a marker, until those who do the burying will have buried it in the Valley of Gog’s Crowd. And the name of [the] city will also be Ha·mo´nah. And they will have to cleanse the land.’"
As the Watchtower Society often does, instead of just applying the passage in the context and times of which it had occurred or was written for, they claim there is a future, or sometimes referred to as a greater fulfillment of scripture. Again, this is according to the Watchtower Society's interpretation. It has resulted in the following spiritual food for Jehovah's Witnesses...
The Watchtower, August 1, 1956, page 465, paragraph 17, from the article entitled, Jehovah’s Message Against Gog of Magog, states:
"With such a glorious feast of victory concluded, only the bones, bones from one end of the earth to the other, will be left for burial. What a task that will be for the survivors, to cleanse the earth of every remaining evidence of Gog’s forces! Even with the work well organized it will take seven months, Jehovah says, just to bury the bones. Scouting corps will be sent out on a full-time basis to search the land thoroughly and, when bones are found, markers will be set up for those with the spades and shovels who follow. (Ezek. 39:14, 15) Those privileged to share in that cleanup work will not view it as a revolting and disgusting assignment but will rejoice to be alive when Gog’s long and oppressive rule has come to an end and when the wicked are no more. Survivors of Armageddon will be happy and will greatly rejoice to have a share in preparing the earth for a global paradise of beauty and perfection under the reign of the King Christ Jesus. But first, before that happy day, this message against Gog must be delivered in its completeness."
What a task, indeed! Just think all those neighbors and family members who refuse to believe the Watchtower Society's interpretation of matters as overseen and directed by a few men in Brooklyn calling themselves the Governing Body will need to be buried - Perhaps by your own hand if you're one of Jehovah's Witnesses; all those elderly ones and all those children. And they will not find this revolting or disgusting, but Jehovah's Witnesses will rejoice.
But this good news that Jehovah's Witnesses have did not stop in 1956, as a one time teaching. Perhaps, the light had brightened. Jehovah's Witnesses really won't have to clean up the dead, including those whom they loved and known for so many years, right?
According to the Watchtower August 1, 1961 page 469, paragraph 17, from the article entitled, Enlarging Your Privileges of Service, Jehovah's Witnesses are informed:
"After God’s execution of judgment upon the wicked in his war of Armageddon, the earthly subjects of the King will have before them a world-wide cleanup program that will eclipse anything this globe has ever seen. Countless numbers of human dead will have to be buried. (Ezek. 39:11-16)"
Evidently, the future world-wide cleanup program of dead loved ones is still in effect. Jehovah's Witnesses should get a good look at those not Jehovah's Witnesses around them, as the majority of them will possibly be buried by their hands. Not to fret over it though, after all according to the Watchtower Society, it is a way in which one can enlarge their 'privilege of service'. And what a fine privilege this will be. According to surveys taken by such organizations as the Pew, upwards of over 60% of Jehovah's Witness children leave the religion. In knowing that information, it surely leads to a fine privilege for Jehovah's Witness parents to look forward too.
More good news, such spiritual truths did not end in 1961 either. In the Watchtower Society publication published in 1971, The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah - How?, chapter 20, Land of Magog No More to Threaten Mankind, pages 374-375, paragraph 15, states:
"The "new earth" of human society under Jehovah’s Messianic kingdom of the heavens in the hands of "David my servant" must be perfectly clean of all traces of Gog’s crowd. To make a vivid picture of this, the "utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah" goes on to say respecting the survivors of Gog’s attack: "And there will be men for continual employment whom they will divide off, passing along through the land, burying, with those passing through, those left remaining on the surface of the earth, in order to cleanse it. To the end of seven months they will keep making search. And those passing through must pass along through the land, and should one actually see the bone of a man he must also build beside it a marker, until those who do the burying will have buried it in the Valley of Gog’s Crowd. And the name of the city will also be Hamonah. And they will have to cleanse the land."—Ezekiel 39:14-16."
So here we have a somewhat brighter or clarifying light helping Jehovah's Witnesses to appreciate that in order for human society to be "perfectly clean" this burying of dead ones is necessary. Is it not comforting to know, that Jehovah's Witnesses possibly burying their family and others they may care so much about is needed for them to obtain perfect cleanliness?
Jehovah's Witnesses are taught not to speculate on matters, but let's ponder this for a moment:
- Who receives the blessing of burying the remains of babies and toddlers?
- Does each Jehovah's Witness head have the honor and privilege of burying their dead family members?
- Will Elders or/and Ministerial Servants have to bury those in the congregation who didn't quite make it pass Armageddon?
- Does a son receive the privilege of burying their father, and fathers the privilege of burying their son? Perhaps even mothers and daughters can be involved in this wonderful and joyous work.
What a privilege to be known and taught as Jehovah's Witnesses!
Their burying of dead ones is based on the Watchtower Society's interpretation of the scripture found in Ezekiel 39:14-16. From The New World Translation, it reads as follows:
"‘And there will be men for continual [employment] whom they will divide off, passing along through the land, burying, with those passing through, those left remaining on the surface of the earth, in order to cleanse it. To the end of seven months they will keep making search. And those passing through must pass along through the land, and should one actually see the bone of a man he must also build beside it a marker, until those who do the burying will have buried it in the Valley of Gog’s Crowd. And the name of [the] city will also be Ha·mo´nah. And they will have to cleanse the land.’"
As the Watchtower Society often does, instead of just applying the passage in the context and times of which it had occurred or was written for, they claim there is a future, or sometimes referred to as a greater fulfillment of scripture. Again, this is according to the Watchtower Society's interpretation. It has resulted in the following spiritual food for Jehovah's Witnesses...
The Watchtower, August 1, 1956, page 465, paragraph 17, from the article entitled, Jehovah’s Message Against Gog of Magog, states:
"With such a glorious feast of victory concluded, only the bones, bones from one end of the earth to the other, will be left for burial. What a task that will be for the survivors, to cleanse the earth of every remaining evidence of Gog’s forces! Even with the work well organized it will take seven months, Jehovah says, just to bury the bones. Scouting corps will be sent out on a full-time basis to search the land thoroughly and, when bones are found, markers will be set up for those with the spades and shovels who follow. (Ezek. 39:14, 15) Those privileged to share in that cleanup work will not view it as a revolting and disgusting assignment but will rejoice to be alive when Gog’s long and oppressive rule has come to an end and when the wicked are no more. Survivors of Armageddon will be happy and will greatly rejoice to have a share in preparing the earth for a global paradise of beauty and perfection under the reign of the King Christ Jesus. But first, before that happy day, this message against Gog must be delivered in its completeness."
What a task, indeed! Just think all those neighbors and family members who refuse to believe the Watchtower Society's interpretation of matters as overseen and directed by a few men in Brooklyn calling themselves the Governing Body will need to be buried - Perhaps by your own hand if you're one of Jehovah's Witnesses; all those elderly ones and all those children. And they will not find this revolting or disgusting, but Jehovah's Witnesses will rejoice.
But this good news that Jehovah's Witnesses have did not stop in 1956, as a one time teaching. Perhaps, the light had brightened. Jehovah's Witnesses really won't have to clean up the dead, including those whom they loved and known for so many years, right?
According to the Watchtower August 1, 1961 page 469, paragraph 17, from the article entitled, Enlarging Your Privileges of Service, Jehovah's Witnesses are informed:
"After God’s execution of judgment upon the wicked in his war of Armageddon, the earthly subjects of the King will have before them a world-wide cleanup program that will eclipse anything this globe has ever seen. Countless numbers of human dead will have to be buried. (Ezek. 39:11-16)"
Evidently, the future world-wide cleanup program of dead loved ones is still in effect. Jehovah's Witnesses should get a good look at those not Jehovah's Witnesses around them, as the majority of them will possibly be buried by their hands. Not to fret over it though, after all according to the Watchtower Society, it is a way in which one can enlarge their 'privilege of service'. And what a fine privilege this will be. According to surveys taken by such organizations as the Pew, upwards of over 60% of Jehovah's Witness children leave the religion. In knowing that information, it surely leads to a fine privilege for Jehovah's Witness parents to look forward too.
More good news, such spiritual truths did not end in 1961 either. In the Watchtower Society publication published in 1971, The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah - How?, chapter 20, Land of Magog No More to Threaten Mankind, pages 374-375, paragraph 15, states:
"The "new earth" of human society under Jehovah’s Messianic kingdom of the heavens in the hands of "David my servant" must be perfectly clean of all traces of Gog’s crowd. To make a vivid picture of this, the "utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah" goes on to say respecting the survivors of Gog’s attack: "And there will be men for continual employment whom they will divide off, passing along through the land, burying, with those passing through, those left remaining on the surface of the earth, in order to cleanse it. To the end of seven months they will keep making search. And those passing through must pass along through the land, and should one actually see the bone of a man he must also build beside it a marker, until those who do the burying will have buried it in the Valley of Gog’s Crowd. And the name of the city will also be Hamonah. And they will have to cleanse the land."—Ezekiel 39:14-16."
So here we have a somewhat brighter or clarifying light helping Jehovah's Witnesses to appreciate that in order for human society to be "perfectly clean" this burying of dead ones is necessary. Is it not comforting to know, that Jehovah's Witnesses possibly burying their family and others they may care so much about is needed for them to obtain perfect cleanliness?
Jehovah's Witnesses are taught not to speculate on matters, but let's ponder this for a moment:
- Who receives the blessing of burying the remains of babies and toddlers?
- Does each Jehovah's Witness head have the honor and privilege of burying their dead family members?
- Will Elders or/and Ministerial Servants have to bury those in the congregation who didn't quite make it pass Armageddon?
- Does a son receive the privilege of burying their father, and fathers the privilege of burying their son? Perhaps even mothers and daughters can be involved in this wonderful and joyous work.
What a privilege to be known and taught as Jehovah's Witnesses!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Piñatas – Harmless Fun!
Here's an interesting article printed by the Watchtower Society receiving of course its approval from the faithful and discreet slave class of Jehovah's Witnesses not too long ago. From the September 22, 2003, Awake!, page 24, 'The Piñata - An Ancient Tradition':
"We found that for many people in Mexico, the piñata has lost its religious significance and is considered by most to be just harmless fun...A main concern is, not what the practice meant hundreds of years ago, but how it is viewed today in your area. Understandably, opinions may vary from one place to another. Hence, it is wise to avoid turning such matters into big issues."
The Watchtower Society picks and chooses what lost its "religious significance" and is harmless as opposed to other things which may have less than favorable origins which are off limits for Jehovah's Witnesses.
Keeping in mind the Piñata reasoning above, notice how a contradicting viewpoint is stated here in the publication known to Jehovah's Witnesses as the Bible Teach book, in chapter 16, 'Take Your Stand For True Worship', paragraph 12 on page 159:
"Some agree that such holidays as Christmas have pagan origins but still feel that it is not wrong to celebrate them. After all, most people are not thinking about false worship when they observe holidays. These occasions also give families opportunities to draw close together...Maybe you feel that the origins of holidays have little to do with how they are celebrated today. Do origins really matter? Yes! To illustrate: Suppose you saw a piece of candy lying in the gutter. Would you pick up that candy and eat it? Of course not! That candy is unclean. Like that candy, holidays may seem sweet, but they have been picked up from unclean places. To take a stand for true worship, we need to have a viewpoint like that of the prophet Isaiah, who told true worshipers: “Touch nothing unclean.” —Isaiah 52:11."
The Governing Body spreads their hypocritical and contradictory stances through the various pages of Watchtower Society publications. Unfortunately, many Jehovah's Witnesses don't see it. However, let's make it crystal clear with a little research on Piñatas:
History of Piñatas...The origin of the Piñata is Chinese not Hispanic. It was used to celebrate the coming of spring. As a result of Marco Polo's adventures into China, he introduced this Chinese custom which was adopted by the Spanish as well as by the French and Italians. The Spanish brought this custom to the new world when they conquered Mexico. The Piñata became part of the Posada in the Catholic culture.
Symbols...The original & traditional Piñata has seven points symbolizing the seven deadly sins: envy, sloth, gluttony, greed, lust, anger/wrath, and pride. The ten pointed Piñata symbolizes the sins that come from breaking the Ten Commandments. The stick which is used to break the Piñata represents and symbolizes love. It is suppose to destroy the sins by hitting and breaking the Piñata into pieces. The candies and treats that come pouring out from the broken Piñata symbolize the forgiveness of sins and a new beginning. In the Mexican Catholic celebration of Christmas, the Piñata is traditionally shaped like a seven-pointed star which represents the devil and the seven deadly sins, while the contents are the goods or blessings he is withholding. Striking the devil with faith, symbolized by being blindfolded, releases the blessings.
Do your own research on Piñatas and find the above to be true.
How does the Watchtower Society justify their view towards Piñatas using such statements as...
"...considered by most to be just harmless fun."
"A main concern is, not what the practice meant hundreds of years ago, but how it is viewed today in your area."
"...it is wise to avoid turning such matters into big issues."
...while taking such a hard-line stand against holidays, birthdays, flags, and other things and celebrations which are not viewed the same way they were years ago and is just harmless fun?
The logic and reasoning the Watchtower Society uses makes no sense whatsoever. If you are not taking a stand against Piñatas, why take a hard-line stance against other things with religious and pagan origins? Piñatas are steeped with both pagan and religious ties. Why and how is Piñatas harmless fun but things such as Easter Eggs, Christmas Trees and New Year's celebrations are unacceptable for Jehovah's Witnesses?
Investigate, question, and think of the contradictions and hypocrisy taught to and by Jehovah's Witnesses.
"We found that for many people in Mexico, the piñata has lost its religious significance and is considered by most to be just harmless fun...A main concern is, not what the practice meant hundreds of years ago, but how it is viewed today in your area. Understandably, opinions may vary from one place to another. Hence, it is wise to avoid turning such matters into big issues."
The Watchtower Society picks and chooses what lost its "religious significance" and is harmless as opposed to other things which may have less than favorable origins which are off limits for Jehovah's Witnesses.
Keeping in mind the Piñata reasoning above, notice how a contradicting viewpoint is stated here in the publication known to Jehovah's Witnesses as the Bible Teach book, in chapter 16, 'Take Your Stand For True Worship', paragraph 12 on page 159:
"Some agree that such holidays as Christmas have pagan origins but still feel that it is not wrong to celebrate them. After all, most people are not thinking about false worship when they observe holidays. These occasions also give families opportunities to draw close together...Maybe you feel that the origins of holidays have little to do with how they are celebrated today. Do origins really matter? Yes! To illustrate: Suppose you saw a piece of candy lying in the gutter. Would you pick up that candy and eat it? Of course not! That candy is unclean. Like that candy, holidays may seem sweet, but they have been picked up from unclean places. To take a stand for true worship, we need to have a viewpoint like that of the prophet Isaiah, who told true worshipers: “Touch nothing unclean.” —Isaiah 52:11."
The Governing Body spreads their hypocritical and contradictory stances through the various pages of Watchtower Society publications. Unfortunately, many Jehovah's Witnesses don't see it. However, let's make it crystal clear with a little research on Piñatas:
History of Piñatas...The origin of the Piñata is Chinese not Hispanic. It was used to celebrate the coming of spring. As a result of Marco Polo's adventures into China, he introduced this Chinese custom which was adopted by the Spanish as well as by the French and Italians. The Spanish brought this custom to the new world when they conquered Mexico. The Piñata became part of the Posada in the Catholic culture.
Symbols...The original & traditional Piñata has seven points symbolizing the seven deadly sins: envy, sloth, gluttony, greed, lust, anger/wrath, and pride. The ten pointed Piñata symbolizes the sins that come from breaking the Ten Commandments. The stick which is used to break the Piñata represents and symbolizes love. It is suppose to destroy the sins by hitting and breaking the Piñata into pieces. The candies and treats that come pouring out from the broken Piñata symbolize the forgiveness of sins and a new beginning. In the Mexican Catholic celebration of Christmas, the Piñata is traditionally shaped like a seven-pointed star which represents the devil and the seven deadly sins, while the contents are the goods or blessings he is withholding. Striking the devil with faith, symbolized by being blindfolded, releases the blessings.
Do your own research on Piñatas and find the above to be true.
How does the Watchtower Society justify their view towards Piñatas using such statements as...
"...considered by most to be just harmless fun."
"A main concern is, not what the practice meant hundreds of years ago, but how it is viewed today in your area."
"...it is wise to avoid turning such matters into big issues."
...while taking such a hard-line stand against holidays, birthdays, flags, and other things and celebrations which are not viewed the same way they were years ago and is just harmless fun?
The logic and reasoning the Watchtower Society uses makes no sense whatsoever. If you are not taking a stand against Piñatas, why take a hard-line stance against other things with religious and pagan origins? Piñatas are steeped with both pagan and religious ties. Why and how is Piñatas harmless fun but things such as Easter Eggs, Christmas Trees and New Year's celebrations are unacceptable for Jehovah's Witnesses?
Investigate, question, and think of the contradictions and hypocrisy taught to and by Jehovah's Witnesses.
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.
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