The channel to God?

A Channel of God?

Today we have yet another organization making the same claim, i.e., that they are the channel by which Jehovah God is now dealing with his people. That channel is what this organization likes to call “the faithful and discrete slave class” who in turn use the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society to publish what it likes to call “the truth” or “newly revealed truth from Jehovah God.”

      That the Watchtower Society takes the position that it is used by Jehovah by and through this “faithful and discrete slave class” is well documented in its publications. It says this class is in fulfillment of Matt. 24:45-47, and that Jehovah God is now using them to disseminate Bible truths by and through the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society and by the use of the Watchtower magazine. (See The Watchtower, 1963, page 338, par. 17).

     The Watchtower, 1958, pages 485-488, under the heading “The Watchtower Society in God’s Purpose,” endeavors to relate the “Society” with Jehovah’s channel of communication, starting with Abel down through the Apostles and then to our day culminating with the “Society.” Even stronger words are used in The Watchtower, 1952, page 79, par. 10, in which it states “… God interprets and teaches, through Christ the chief servant, who in turn uses the discrete slave as the visible channel…” meaning of course the “Society.” On that same page in par. 11, it further states “. . . The truths we publish are the ones provided through the discrete slave class or organization …”

     Stronger yet, is a statement made in The Watchtower, 1965, page 351, in answer to a “Question from readers” which asks the question, “How can it be said that God’s visible organization was made strictly Theocratic in structure by 1938?…” In summary, their answer is that by 1932 The Watchtower Society began to be controlled by God or was God ruled and by 1938 was fully God ruled or fully Theocratic.

      By their own claim, all scriptural explanation comes from Jehovah God and is published in The Watchtower. Now if this be true, then there will be no contradiction or changing of explanation from one Watchtower to another. Stated another way, what was published as truth since 1938 must still be truth today. (Mal. 3:6)

Bible Students view of the Trinity

 

DENYING THE SON OF GOD

PUTS

DARKNESS FOR LIGHT

 

I saw and bare record that this is the Son of God.  John 1:34

 

“Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby ye know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ IS COME IN THE FLESH is of God: And every spirit that confesseth NOT that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God; and this is that spirit of anti-christ, whereof ye have heard that it should come.” “And we have seen and do testify that the FATHER sent the SON to be the Savior of the world. Whoever shall confess that Jesus is the SON of God, God dwelleth in him.”  –  1 John 4:1-3,14,15″

 

  About three-fourths of all the preachers are vehement enemies against the truth of God’s Word on this subject. Because they cannot resist the force of the true Bible teachings, they misrepresent and vilify others who dare to speak out the truth. They classify them under a “cult” designation, warning others to stay away from such, that thus by clerical control, they may hinder good people from hearing and from reading what the Scriptures really have to say. By their fruits ye shall know them, said the Master, and evidently many clergymen must be seriously wrong of heart; else they would not bear these unscriptural fruit’s — unmanly fruits “works of the flesh and of the Devil.” Gal. 5:19-21; 1 John 3:8

     We would not slack our efforts to make known the true character of the God of the Bible, so in contrast with the Satanic god of the creeds. Many have come to know the truth and have been set free from this God dishonoring, third century, dark-age creedal teaching of Papacy fostered upon Christianity. Christians of all faiths, have thrilled to know who their Father and God really is. They have received new life and joy in the Lord through a more correct understanding of His Holy Word. We are encouraged to go on in the narrow way which the Master and the Apostles trod. We would not render personal abuse in retaliation. To do so would be contrary to the Word and Spirit of the Lord. But the creeds and false doctrines, we would continue to smash with all the power granted us, that thus hungering, thirsting souls might be delivered from error into the joyous liberty of the children of God.

 

DENYING THE SON OF GOD

According to trinitarians He is Jehovah God, who sent His Son into the world to die, and He is the Son who sent Himself as God. When He prayed to the Father it was a mockery; for He was the Father “one in person.” When he said, The Father is greater than I, He misrepresented the facts, according to these preachers, evangelists and creed-makers. He spoke of the Cup which the Father had poured for Him, and said He could do nothing of Himself, and that He would return to the Father. He prayed, My God! My God! Why hast Thou forsaken Me? and said to Mary, I have not yet ascended to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God. But these wiser-than-the-Bible teachers contradict Him, and feel like saying, Jesus must have been a Millennial Dawner! But we know better.

     Such teachers make void the Word of God through their traditions. Luke 11:51; Mark 7:9,13; Col. 2:8. In claiming that Jesus is Jehovah God, they really deny that He is the Son of God; for common sense tells everybody that a son receives his life from the father. This is exactly what the Bible tells us respecting Jesus.

 

TRUTHFUL CRITICISMS INVITED

 

     We invite truthful criticisms of our teachings; but our opponents know that to treat us fairly, justly, would be to turn all thinking people to our side the Bible side — the reasonable side. For more than a century, they ignored our presentations, lest people should find out; but as sermons, Studies in the Scriptures, Vol.1-6 (particularly Vol.5) and booklets, radio, television and Internet, now reach millions. They are alarmed for the safety of their musty creeds, and resort to rank falsehoods, misrepresentations and slanders — the weapons of moral cowards, who realize their own weakness.

     They would charge Bible students with disbelieving the doctrine of the Trinity that three ones are one, we would cheerfully admit it, and point them to the fact that the word Trinity is not found in the Bible. And, that the thought of a trinity is not there, except in one passage, which Billy Graham and all scholars of all denominations admit is a forgery of the Seventh Century 1 John 6:7, 8. See Revised Version

     We believe in the Heavenly Father, Jehovah God. We believe in His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who left the Heavenly nature, took the human nature, died for our sins, and was afterward highly exalted to the Divine nature. We believe in the holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Truth, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ. Our crime is that we do not believe that the Father, the Son, and the holy Spirit are one in person, equal in power and glory, neither one existing before the others, neither one together in any sense, the Son and neither together in any sense, the Father, really. The Bible says nothing of this kind; and we are glad that our heads are not so illogical as to lead us to deny the Bible and common sense for the sake of being in harmony with creeds or traditions made of men in the Dark Ages. Jesus said, to Paul, “Is it hard for you to kick against the prickly briars?”

THE MAN, CHRIST JESUS

 

     The Bible makes no mystery of who Jesus is; and we would not have been in confusion had we relied solely upon the testimony of Jesus, the Apostles and the Prophets. Our misleading came during the twelve hundred years [in 325 AD especially] when the Bible was ignored, because it was believed that the living bishops were Apostolic and had the plenary powers of the original Apostles. This serious error Jesus emphatically warned against in advance. Rev. 2:2

     The Bible tells of Jesus’ present glorious station, far above angels, partaker of the Divine nature. Phil. 2:8,9; 2 Pet 1:4; 1 John 3:2. But many ignore this, and claim that Jesus is a man in Heaven, completely out of touch with His surroundings; for a man, according to the Bible, is a little lower than angels (Psa. 8:5), whereas the Apostle declares that Jesus, at His resurrection, was exalted far above angels. John 3:6. It tells of Christ “Who (as in the oldest Greek Siniatic MS text — not “God” who) was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” 1 Tim. 3:16. This glorious One, although of a different nature, is the same One who, while on earth, was the Man Christ Jesus, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Isa. 53:3. St. Paul tells us how Jesus left the Heavenly glory, how He humbled Himself to take a bondman’s form — to take the same nature as humanity, which had come into bondage to sin. Phil 2:7,8. He was neither a God man, nor a man God. “That which is born of the flesh IS flesh.”

     The Bible explains how Jesus could be of our race, and yet be holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners. Heb. 7:26. It tells us plainly that Jesus had a human mother, but that His life came not from a human father. Isa. 7:14; Luke 1:35. It is also “blasphemy” to call “Mary, the Mother of God,” Jehovah. Rev. 13:1 And, that therefore He was perfect, and able to be the Ransomer of the race, redeeming us from the penalty that was against Adam and consequently against all his posterity. This was accomplished by giving to God sacrificially a full corresponding (1 Tim 2:5,6 Greek antlutron) price for Adam, whose life was forfeited (John 6:51) [as that substitutionary sacrifice] because of sin. Rom. 5:12-14. Thus the Bible explains that Jesus death is sufficient for Adam’s sin and the sins of the whole world (John 1:29; 1 John 2:2); for the world was not condemned individually, but merely partook of Adam’s condemnation to death — “all in Adam die.” 1 Cor. 15:22; Rom. 5:12-14  See Studies in the Scriptures, Vol.5, The Atonement Between God and Man.

     Whoever thinks of Jesus as being the Father and also the Holy Spirit all one in person must be confronted with nonsensical errors such as these: How did the Universe manage to progress during the period leading up to Jesus birth and on to manhood? How did the affairs of the Universe prosper during Jesus ministry, when He was fully engaged with earthly affairs to the extent of weariness? How did the Universe get along when Jesus died, and until He arose from death?

     Some even go to this absurd length: to wit, that Jesus raised Himself from death; whereas the Apostle declares positively that the Father raised Him from the dead on the third day. Gal. 1:1. How refreshing it is to get out of the fog into the clear statements of God’s Word, which declare (1) To us there is one God, the Father, (2) and one Lord, Jesus Christ! 1 Cor. 8:6. No matter how thin you slice it, one plus two or three in substance or any other form DOES NOT EQUAL ONE.

                                                  BEGINNING OF GOD’S CREATION

     It seems astounding if our opponents have never heard the plain Bible statement that our glorious Redeemer was the First-born (Greek -  prototokos) of all creation (Gk. ktiseos — a created being) (Col. 1: 15), the beginning (Gk. arche) of the creation (Gk. ktiseos) of God. (Rev.3:14) If they have read these simple, plain Bible statements, why do they prefer confusing (Athanasian, Catholic) views of the Dark Ages respecting a Trinity of three persons, yet one person? Some say one God in three persons; others say three Gods in one person, or three essences in the one God. It is a matter of semantics. Both propositions are alike unscriptural and absurd and falsely, in defamation, attribute to Jehovah God, that which does not belong to him. Rev. 17:3; 13:1.

    The “Athanatian creed” declares, “The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, and yet there are not three Gods but one God.” Athanatius, at the Council at Nicea, in 325 AD,  was a violent opponent of learned Arius, whose Scripture arguments that the Father was indeed only the Father and that the Son was indeed only the Created Son, neither coequal nor coexistent, were documented in the Library at Alexandria. He was murdered on his return from Constantinople (Church History, Phillip Schaff, 1910) and the Alexandria, Egypt library was burned in 416 AD — so strong was the Satanic hatred in knowing the true Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. We see such hateful feelings increasing through the coming Church Union.

    “This [Trinitarian view], the (Catholic) church teaches, is the revelation of God’s nature”… “and which she proposes to man [the Trinity] as the FOUNDATION of her whole dogmatic system.” — The Catholic Encylopedia. Protestants vociferously agree with this catholic dogma. It is, therefore, not surprising that in the end time, when the beast and (the image of the Beast) false prophet (Catholic and Protestant in church-union) gain their final power, that the required mark to buy or sell Bible Truth in the Christian realm would be under the restriction of having this TRIUNE “foundation” mark of “6  6  6.”  “It is the number of a man”– the “Man of Sin,” Papacy. It is “the number of his name.” In the Latin, — “Vicarius Filii Dei.”  Rev. 13:16-18. See Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 2, pps. 267-361. This is the primary doctrine both Protestants and Catholics have mutual agreement with; and in opposition to which many were killed in the Dark Ages.

     Jesus Himself, in His last Message to His Church, declared, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the ending, the first and the last” (Rev. 1: 8, 11) as God, so here, says. Thus He clearly differentiates between Himself and the Father; for the Father had no beginning “From everlasting to everlasting Thou art God.” Psa. 90:2.

     Do our opponents claim that Jesus is God? We agree most heartily, provided the word God is understood in the sense in which the Bible uses it. Throughout the Old Testament the word for God is “elohim” — mighty one. It is applied to Jehovah, the Almighty One; it is also applied to angels and to men whom He sent as His messengers. Thomas exclaimed at his recognition of the risen Christ, “My Lord (kyrios) and the mighty one (ho theos) of me.” According to this view, our Lord Jesus Christ is “a” God. (Diaglott, Greek NT Interlinear, John 1:1). The Bible clearly indicates that He is above all other gods except Jehovah. “I am Jehovah your God…you shall have no other Gods (elohim) before me” (in my place). Exo. 20:1,3.

     In harmony with this we read respecting Messiah and His Kingdom: Thy throne, “0 God, is for ever and ever.” Heb. 1:8 This Scripture is based on Psa. 45:6. The declaration there is, “O God (and simply means O elohim).” The Hebrew text does not say, “the” God; but “O God.” The Hebrew word God, from which this text comes, is the word elohim. Its meaning is “mighty one.”

    We have found, according to Biblical Archeology Review, March, 1978, that there has been much tampering (condemned in Rev. 22:18, 19) with the Greek text. The Review states, “These examples are sufficient to suggest that the removal  of the Tetagrammaton [JHVH - consonants for Jehovah] from the New Testament and its replacement  with the surrogates kyrios [kurios -- Lord] and theos,  (qeos –  God) blurred the original distinction between  the Lord God and Jesus Christ, and in many passages made it impossible to tell what was meant.” –  Professor of Religion and Hebrew, Geo. Howard, University of Georgia. His article continues, “Thus it may be that the removal of the Tetragrammaton [JHVH, Jehovah] contributed significantly to the later Christological and Trinitarian debates.”

     More than that. This is a forced area that has, through instigation, effected alterations of Scripture such as Matt. 28:19 which early first century Christians quote as “baptizing them in my [Christ's] name.” We also quote from Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 5, pg. 66 footnote: “The Trinitarian translators probably preferred to use the word Lord [LORD] instead of Jehovah, in order that Christians accustomed to use the word Lord as a title for our Savior, Jesus, might in reading the Old Testament, think that he and not the Father, Jehovah is usually referred to.”

     “Christ’s rulership or throne as a “mighty one” is “to the age” (Heb. 1:8, Diaglott) or “olam” (to a completion) in Hebrew to the completion of limited rulership of earth and not forever. I Cor. 15:24. The Apostle applies these words distinctly to Jesus, but does not say this proves that Jesus was His own Father, nor does he ignore the Almighty God, of whom are all things. On the contrary, the context tells us explicitly that the Father, who always was, above all, as a reward exalted His Son to his (Jesus’) glorious Kingship and Headship, declaring that even “the angels” of Heaven should worship Him. Heb. 1:5-8;Phil. 2:9

 

GOD? OR SON OF GOD

 

     One very simple statement confuses some needlessly. It reads, “I and My Father are one.” John 10:30. It does not say one person. By the context it can be easily seen, it refers to the oneness of spirit, or harmony, between the Father and the Son; and this oneness is explained by our Lord, assuring us that He came not to do His own will, but the will of the Father, since He accepted the Father’s will in everything. He and the Father were always one in purpose. Jesus prayed for the Church, saying, I pray for them that Thou hast given Me, that they all may be one in Us, even as Thou, Father, and I are one. (John 17:9, 20-24) Surely no one would claim that Jesus expected His Church to become one person! And it is equally absurd to think that He and the Father are one person.

     A probable basis for the erroneous conclusion that Jesus was Jehovah God is the remark made in John 10:33 by the Jews. “The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.” Going back to the beginning of the lesson, let us consider the whole matter. Beginning with John 10:30 we read, “I and my Father are one. ³¹Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him [to death]. ³²Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? ³³The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for BLASPHEMY; and because that thou, being A MAN, makest THYSELF God.”

     There was no reason for the translators to capitalize the word “God” in this text, the Jews recognized that he was not God but that his claim was coming too close to the heavenly “living God.” (Matthew 26:63) The word for god in the Greek text is theos. It is equivalent to the Hebrew word “elohim” meaning a god (small g) and is without the article “ho” as in the Greek. “ho theos” meaning “the God” or Jehovah. (As to why the word “Lord” was used as a smokescreen, non definitive, between the Father and Son in the translations, see comment from Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 5, p.66 footnote) Therefore, the Jews knew Jesus was not making the claim that he was God but they recognized the fact that his claim was that he was the SON of “God,” because it was Jehovah who was “the God” and NOT Jesus.

     ³⁴ “Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?” ³⁵ This is in the Plural form — more than one. It is a reference to the large body of Christian followers who would become gods – Elohim, mighty ones.] If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; ³⁶Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world,  Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?” Note, Jesus never, never in all he said, CLAIMED to be his Father, Jehovah. In view of what was said concerning him, he made the very plain statement that he was what Peter said, “The SON of God.”  ³⁷ “If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. ³⁸But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.” – not literally because he was not the Father; but in the unity of oneness by the power of God, the Holy Spirit, by which those works were done.

     Let us consider the response of the High Priest at his trial. Who did he recognize that Jesus claimed to be? Matthew 26:63 “But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the SON of God. ⁶⁴Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. ⁶⁵Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. ⁶⁶What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.” Caiaphas, the High Priest, knew what Jesus’ claim was: There was no mistaken identity that he was considered God, himself. He knew that the true claim was that he was the Son of God – contrary to the acting of Anthony Quinn who as representing the High Priest raged, “He said that he is God.”

    Concerning the statement of our Lord, “Before Abraham was, I am,” (John 8:58), it should be noted that the Trinitarian’s reference back to Exo. 4:14 where the expression I AM is used. It should be clearly noted that this is “a descriptive term” but is not mentioned by God as being His NAME. He clearly states, verse 15 “Thus shall you say unto the children of Israel, Jehovah God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac and of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is MY NAME forever.” It is repeated in verse 16. God’s name is mentioned more than 700 times in the Old Testament and has almost been entirely obliterated there. When Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I am,” he clearly meant, and it was in simple plain statement,  “I have continued in existence from long, long before Abraham was ever born.” He was not saying he was Jehovah.

    Because Jesus was thus the Father’s representative, in the only sense that men could see the invisible Jehovah, He answered Philip on one occasion, He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father. John 14:9 Thus the President’s secretary would say to a caller, I represent the President.

 

“IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE LOGOS”

 

     Matthew’s and Luke’s Gospels make very plain how the glorious Son of God was made flesh, yet not a partaker of human sin. So, St. John’s Gospel provides us with information still further back, pointing out and explaining clearly the glorious prehuman nature of the Son of God. The translation, however, is slightly defective, and hides from the English reader the full import of the opening verses which, literally translated, reads:

    “In the beginning was the Logos, and the Logos was with the God, and the Logos was “a” god. The same was in the beginning with “the” God.” By Him were all things made, and without Him was not one thing made… And the Logos was made flesh and dwelt among us; and we behold His glory, the glory of an Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1: 1-3, 14

     The beautiful simplicity of this account is wonderful. The beginning it mentions was not that of Jehovah’s existence, which the Bible declares was “without beginning.” The word refers to the beginning of creation, and immediately introduces us to the great Logos, “the Beginning of the creation of God.” (Rev. 3:14) While the name Logos may be not improperly translated Word, it has a much fuller significance; namely, representative, messenger, mouthpiece.

     Jehovah’s entire Message has been, and will be, given to angels and to men through the great Logos. He was the Alpha, the first; the Father created none before Him. He is the Omega, the last; the Father has directly created none like Him. (Rev. 1:8 –The Keys of Revelation, p.11-13) This explains simply, satisfactorily, that all subsequent creations, while executed by Jehovah’s Power, were worked out by His great Son, the Logos. By Him were all things made that were made. Jesus was not the Creator.

     When the time came for the outworking of the great Divine Plan for human salvation, and, incidentally, the showing forth of God s Justice, Wisdom, Love and Power, the offer properly came first to the Logos. Heb. 1:5  The proposition to be man’s Redeemer carried with it a great blessing, as St. Paul explains. (Heb. 12:2; Col. 1:1 This exaltation to God’s right hand, far above all other creatures, was an advance step. Although originally higher than all the others, the Logos was not so far above them.

     It was God’s purpose to have a New Creation; and the Logos, through the redemptive Plan, was to be the first and chiefest on that highest plane the Divine nature. During this Gospel Age, God has been calling and accepting the honest seekers, lovers of righteousness, haters of iniquity to be associates with Jesus in the Kingdom and participants with Him in the highest nature of all, the Divine. So, St. Peter declares, God hath given unto us, (the truly consecrated, the Church) exceeding great and precious promises, that by these we might become partakers of the Divine nature. 2Pet. 1:4; Heb. 2:10

 

CULT ACCUSATIONS

SATAN, ACCUSER OF THE BRETHREN

 

     “The Accuser of the brethren is cast down which accused them before our God day and night.” Rev. 12:10  Satan’s binding is completely future, when he shall be cast into the  pit for the greater portion of the kingdom age, yet this Scripture declares that the personality of Satan  can be found in those who name the name of Christ — well meaning, but deluded brethren –persecutors of the Saints. Many have been put to death by those,  his instruments,  having the belief that “whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God a service,” as was done in support of  of the “Trinity creed”,  during  the “dark ages,” — from the time of days of Arius forward. The days of persecution are not yet past. John 16:1

     ” ‘The Devil’ ” comes from the Greek diablos, signifying one who misrepresents, hence a slanderer, and accuser (of the brethren – Rev. 12:10. ‘Satan,’ as a title, means one who is an open and unabashed opposing spirit; that is an adversary, an opponent, a resister (Zech. 3:1).” 1 The Keys of Revelation, 1993, by Frank Shallieu

      Is it right, is it Christian, is it true, is it manly, to charge our teachings with denying that Jesus is the Son of God? What object could there be in so doing except to keep the Lord’s hungry sheep away from the green pastures of Divine Truth? Well do our traducers know that they have nothing Biblical, sane or sensible to give instead. The very bitterness manifested by ministers against us is being used of the Lord to arouse investigation amongst those who are truly His people. If our reputation must be thus assassinated in order that the true sheep may hear the Master’s voice, we shall acquiesce as joyfully as possible, remembering that it will be difficult for them to say bitterer or untruer things of us than they said of our Master.

     The crime is the same that incited the Pharisees against Jesus and the Apostles. They were angry that they taught the people. Luke 19:47;  Psa.2:1 Preachers who do not believe in eternal torment any more than we do are angry that we are informing the people; for they fear that the people will justly think that their ministers deal dishonestly, receiving wages for keeping them in darkness. The time has come when all who are for the right, the Truth, for light, should manifest themselves. We have  letters from ministers, fearful to come out boldly. I am sorry for these. The Lord exhorts, Be thou very courageous. He “that hath a dream (an imagination), let them tell the dream (if he has nothing better to tell); but he that hath My Word, let him speak my Word (fearlessly) faithfully.” Jer. 23:28

A SOMBER WARNING

 

     A somber warning about “Church Union,” (the foundation of which is the Trinity). Such  “union” was manifest by the “Justification Document” in signing between Pope John Paul II of  the Catholic and of Lutheran churches on October 31, 1999. It was 482 years exactly to the day, when Luther’s “Reformation” began (1517) and, now, Rome agrees purposefully  to “lay the ax to” that starting  time to begin to end that Reformation, sweeping aside all Rome’s past muderous acts. Rev.18:24

     We conclude with these remarks from our Parochiaid Vs. Freedom — Church and State (1999): “So popular will Federated ["United"] Christianity become, that to even criticize it will be a “crime” worthy of crucifixion in some form – socially, financially, if not [literally to kill, Rev. 13:15] physically. Politicians will quickly realize that their bread is buttered [supported] on that side, and be ready to enact legislation of any kind desired by the Federation [Church Union]. Mamon-worship will take on new forms temporarily, but power will soon debauch the unregenerate mass and drive out the regenerate faithful who may temporarily be misled by the great “Union” movement “in the name of Christ,” but without his Spirit and authority.” [Anarchy would soon follow]. ZWT Journal, January 1, 1906, Reprint p. 3697,  Charles T. Russell, Editor.

     As our knowledge of God and of His glorious Son, and our true understanding of the Holy Spirit, becomes clearer, we can the better worship God. Because, the eyes of our understanding are opening wider and wider, we shall comprehend with all saints the lengths and breadths, the heights and depths, and know the love of God — whom to know aright implies fitness for life everlasting. Eph. 3:17-19.                                                                                                                  Updated: April, 2003

 

Royal Oak, Michigan

December 12, 1999  

(Based in part on study lesson, HG3 p.41).

E-mail: mailto:zions.tower.ofthemorning@juno.com

“There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes but that has not been washed from its own excrement.” ―Proverbs 30:12

admin comment

This has been written by a JW who believes he has the heavenly calling. We decided to publish this article because of the content matter and some of the reasoning. Let the reader decide if the premise upon which the conclusions reached fit the assumption of whether God is behind the organization.

 

 

God’s Household

Jesus asked: “Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time?” (Matthew 24:45) He thus indicated that there would be a household that would have a slave appointed to feed and take care of the members of that household. He would eventually hold that appointed slave accountable for how he carried out the responsibility he was entrusted with. The apostle Peter also indicates that God has a household. (1 Peter 4:17) And Paul wrote the Ephesians that they were members of God’s household. (Ephesians 2:19) Since Jesus promised his disciples that he would be with them until “the end of the age” we can see that his household would survive until then, when he would come to inspect them. (Matthew 28:20; 24:46-51)

Where today do we find God’s household? Is it made up of all those who profess to follow Jesus? Jesus himself warned that there would be many who would claim to belong to him but he would tell them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” (Matthew 7:22,23) None of us want to be among those. Is it possible today to identify God’s household and be among those who will have God’s approval? Does belonging to God’s household guarantee that one has God’s approval?

Lessons from History

Is it possible for God’s people ever to be wrong? A better question might be, is it possible for them ever to be right? History tells us that, although Jehovah has always had those who loyally loved and obeyed him, time and again his people as a whole deflected from the pure worship and followed the way of the nations around them.

Concerning his people Israel we are told that they were “stubborn and rebellious,” “whose spirit was not trustworthy with their God.” “They did not keep the covenant of God, and in his law they refused to walk.” “They began to speak against God,” “they did not put faith in [him],” “they tried to fool him with their mouth…and…lie to him.” Whereas Jehovah was “merciful” and would “cover [their] error…remembering that they were flesh,” they would “make him feel hurt” and “pained even the Holy One of Israel,” and kept on “offending him…and…inciting him to jealousy.”

Although he is a God “slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and truth…pardoning error and transgression and sin,” at the same time he does not “give exemption from punishment.” His people eventually succeeded in rousing him “as from sleeping” and he went “striking them down,” finally rejecting them altogether. (Psalms 78:8,10,19,22,36, 38-41,58, 65-67; Exodus 34:6,7)

How about the disciples of Jesus? Surely they must have learned from the bad examples of the Israelites. Concerning some of the Christians in the first century Jude writes: “Beloved ones, though I was making every effort to write YOU about the salvation we hold in common, I found it necessary to write YOU to exhort YOU to put up a hard fight for the faith that was once for all time delivered to the holy ones. My reason is that certain men have slipped in who have long ago been appointed by the Scriptures to this judgment, ungodly men, turning the undeserved kindness of our God into an excuse for loose conduct and proving false to our only Owner and Lord, Jesus Christ.” ―Jude 3,4.

The apostle Peter also writes: “However, there also came to be false prophets among the people, as there will also be false teachers among YOU. These very ones will quietly bring in destructive sects and will disown even the owner that bought them, bringing speedy destruction upon themselves. Furthermore, many will follow their acts of loose conduct, and on account of these the way of the truth will be spoken of abusively. Also, with covetousness they will exploit YOU with counterfeit words. But as for them, the judgment from of old is not moving slowly, and the destruction of them is not slumbering.” ―2 Peter 2:1-3,10-22

It would be too discouraging to dwell on all the various scriptures that reveal how quickly God’s people deflected from the teachings of Jesus and his apostles within a few short years. The letters that Jesus send to the seven congregations, mentioned in the book of Revelation, help us to understand what the situation was by the end of the first century. (Revelation 2:1-3:22)

“A Generation that is Pure in its Own Eyes”

But what about us today? Surely we have learned the lessons of history by now. Since we believe that we are living deep in the time of the end, Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 10:11 have special meaning for us, “Now these things went on befalling them as examples, and they were written for a warning to us upon whom the ends of the systems of things have arrived.”

Have we heeded the warning? Is it today impossible for God’s people to again be as those mentioned above? We have been taught that, as Jehovah’s witnesses, we are a clean people, speaking the pure language of truth. (Zephaniah 3:9) It is unthinkable, we believe, that Jehovah would again find any cause for complaints against us. And all the prophecies that God addresses to “my people,” that show the very opposite to be the case, we brush aside as applying to Christendom. We are pure in his eyes―at least that is what we are led to believe. The words recorded in Proverbs 30:12 apply especially to us, “There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes but that has not been washed from its own excrement.”

On October 15, 2001, Stephen Bates, religious affairs correspondent for The Guardian Newspaper, exposed the Watchtower Society’s 10 year secret affiliation with the Department of Public Information (DPI) of the United Nations. Although the Society acknowledged having been an NGO member of the UN for the ten years, they downplayed the significance of this adulterous relationship. (James 4:4) http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,2763,574175,00.html

Most of Jehovah’s people do not seem to feel alarmed by the hypocrisy of the Society for supporting an organization it has repeatedly denounced. Yet many others have been stumbled and have come to question whether we have ever been God’s household. Should we be surprised by these developments? Also, many have come to question the reliability of the Watchtower’s interpretation of Bible prophecies concerning the establishment of God’s kingdom in 1914 and the time of the end; as many expectations have gone unfulfilled. It is as Proverbs 13:12 says, “Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick.” (MSG) And many of God’s precious sheep have become “heartsick.”

As if that were not enough, we have also come to understand that the slave, who was appointed to provide food for the master’s household, includes both, the slave who would be pronounced happy by his master for being faithful in carrying out his responsibility; and an evil slave, who would exalt himself over his fellow slaves, beating them (perhaps into submission). (Luke 12:45,46; 22:25,26)

Because of the foretold wicked developments many have had their faith tested to the limit. But, please reflect on what I have already stated above. Has there ever been a time in the history of God’s people when they did not deserve to be disciplined? The very fact that the scriptures have foretold these things concerning God’s people for our time is prove that Jehovah recognizes us as his people, and it is in order to sanctify his holy name that he will soon act to correct and cleanse us, even with severity. Who else could bring reproach upon his name? Let us not trust the words of those who are promising that these things will not come upon us. (compare Jeremiah 7:4-10; Amos 9:10)

“For the sake of my name I shall check my anger, and for my praise I shall restrain myself toward you that there may be no cutting you off. Look! I have refined you, but not in [the form of] silver. I have made choice of you in the smelting furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake I shall act, for how could one let oneself be profaned? And to no one else shall I give my own glory.” ―Isaiah 48:9-11;

And our reply to Jehovah is:

“Even if our own errors do testify against us, O Jehovah, act for the sake of your name; for our acts of unfaithfulness have become many; it is against you that we have sinned.” ―Jeremiah 14:7 (Ezekiel 36:22,23)

After he has cleansed us by means of the “furnace of affliction,” Jehovah will also restore us by giving us “a new heart, and a new spirit,” so that in his “regulations [we] will walk, and [his] judicial decisions [we] will keep and actually carry out,” for Jehovah says afterward that “you must become my people and I myself shall become your God.” (Ezekiel 36:25-2

A Wicked Slave Makes his Appearance

Our sins are far deeper than the apostasy of joining the UN as an NGO. Also, our sins are far greater then our lack of understanding the prophecies concerning “the time of the end.” Over the decades a slave has become apparent among God’s people who has set himself up above his fellow slaves, to dominate them. Jehovah has given him time to repent and humble himself. But this period of time is also allowing for him to be exposed, for that slave has mistakenly reasoned that he will not be held accountable. He is missing the purpose of Jehovah’s patience. (Daniel 12:4; 2 Peter 3:9)

Jesus allowed for this development when he asked the question, “Who really is the faithful steward, the discreet one, whom his master will appoint over his body of attendants to keep giving them their measure of food supplies at the proper time?” If that slave proved faithful he would be rewarded with being appointed over all his master’s belongings; but if he proved unfaithful, even to the point of beating those whom he was to feed and protect, then he would be punished with “the greatest severity.” (Matthew 24:45-51; Luke 12:42-46) Since that slave is not one individual but made up of many members chosen and anointed by God, the possibility has always existed that, although many of that slave may prove faithful, others may prove to be wicked.

I would like to say here that we should deeply appreciate those of the slave who have taught us to know and love Jehovah. Who have taught us the truth about the identity of God and his only-begotten Son, Jesus; about the soul, the resurrection hope, and also who the real ruler of this world is. We have learned about God’s kingdom, by means of which Jehovah will restore his rightful sovereignty over his creation. And the truth of all this has united us into a wonderful brotherhood no matter where we are in the world. We all have come to belong to God’s household. Also, the slave has provided us with help in preaching “this good news of the kingdom” in all the earth. (Matthew 24:14)

The scriptures tell us that we are all brothers, none more equal than others. Yet, Jesus’ disciples continuously argued over who was the greatest among them. Are we immune from this same desire to outshine others of our brothers? Note what Jesus said in regards to this: “²⁴ However, there also arose a heated dispute among them over which one of them seemed to be greatest. ²⁵ But he said to them: “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those having authority over them are called Benefactors. ²⁶ YOU, though, are not to be that way. But let him that is the greatest among YOU become as the youngest, and the one acting as chief as the one ministering. ²⁷ For which one is greater, the one reclining at the table or the one ministering? Is it not the one reclining at the table? But I am in YOUR midst as the one ministering.” ―Luke 22:24-27.

“YOU, though, are not to be that way.” That is what Jesus commanded his disciples. That is clearly enough stated. Faithful and discreet slave is used as a title by those who have elevated themselves over their fellow brothers, just as “called Benefactors” is referring to a title. Other Bibles translate it as “call themselves friends of the people” (GodsWord) “are given names of honor” (BBE) “called benefactors and well-doers” (AMP) “called good doers” (WYC) “call themselves Protectors” (NIRV). The Living Bible paraphrases it this way, “Jesus told them, ‘In this world the kings and great men order their slaves around, and the slaves have no choice but to like it!’” According to The Message Bible, Jesus told his disciples, “Kings like to throw their weight around and people in authority like to give themselves fancy titles. It’s not going to be that way with you. Let the senior among you become like the junior; let the leader act the part of the servant.”

Jesus set the example in humility. He was in their midst as a servant. When one man called him “good teacher,” Jesus immediately replied, “Why do you call me good? Nobody is good, except one, God.” He refused to be addressed as good, as if it were a title. Thus, he told his disciples, “But YOU, do not YOU be called Rabbi, for one is YOUR teacher, whereas all YOU are brothers.” ―Matthew 23:8-10; Mark 10:17,18.

Jesus did not allow anyone to adopt a title such as Rabbi, Teacher, Father. Those rightly applied only to him or his heavenly father, as he said. He clearly warned, “The person who thinks he is important will find out how little he is worth.” (NLV) “If you put yourself above others, you will be put down.” (CEV) “Anyone who lifts himself up will be brought down.“ (WE) (Matthew 23:12) That faithful and discreet is equivalent to a title becomes readily apparent by how Jesus’ words at Luke 12:42 are translated in other Bibles. Here are some examples:

faithful and sensible steward – Nasblex
faithful and intelligent – Wey
faithful, skilled – GodsWord
faithful and prudent – Darby
wise and responsible – BBE
the dependable manager, full of common sense – MSG
faithful steward, the wise man – AMP
a wise servant who can be trusted – WE
true dispenser, and prudent – WYC

The definition of title, according to WEBSTER’S UNABRIDGED DICTIONARY, is “3. an appellation; a descriptive name; an epithet. 4. an appellation of dignity, distinction, or pre-eminence given to persons or families; as, titles of office, nobility, distinction, degree, etc.”

What if they referred to themselves as the “dependable manager, full of common sense?” The “true dispenser, and prudent” slave? The “wise servant who can be trusted?” “Faithful and intelligent.” Why not just call themselves the “good” slave (as Jesus refused to do)? Since they believe that they have already been judged as faithful and discreet, (or skilled, wise, prudent, intelligent, dependable) back in 1918-19, they feel that they deserve to be addressed as such and honored accordingly.

By claiming that they were appointed over all of his belongings back in 1919, they negate the command not to imitate the nations in lording it over their fellow slaves. Are we to believe that Jehovah actually chose and appointed the president of a legal corporation over his people back in 1917, after the death of C.T. Russell, a president who would have authority over all of God’s household? Has Jehovah ever recognized such a president and his members of the board, who exercise more power over God’s people than the president of the most powerful nation on earth has over his people? President Rutherford and his associates failed to grasp the significance of Jehovah expressing his anger upon them by sending them to a federal penitentiary (1918-19). Although they recognized that this was discipline from Jehovah they failed to discern the reason. They did not repent. Since it was not yet his time to judge them he has allowed the passing of time to expose their deviant way. We cannot stray from God’s word and expect his blessings on it. Eventually our ways with clash with his own. They brought the way of the world into God’s household and when the Master arrives unexpectedly he will hold them accountable. Especially should he find them in the act of beating their fellow slaves. Although adjustments were made a few years back we are still far from what Jesus said it should be.

A Body of Governors

Today we have the Governing Body. By definition, a governing body is a body or group of people that governs. To govern means 1. To guide: control. 2. To direct or manage the public policy and affairs of: rule. 3. To regulate: determine. 4. To restrain. (Webster’s II New Riverside Dictionary) Was there a body of governors in the Christian congregation in the first century? Concerning Governors in Bible times Insight on the Scriptures says,

it-1 p. 992 Governor “Governors in Bible times generally had military and judicial powers and were responsible to see that the tribute, tax, or revenue to the king or superior ruler was paid by the jurisdictional districts or provinces that the governors ruled. (Lu 2:1, 2) Many of them put a heavy load on the people to supply food for themselves and their large body of attendants.—Ne 5:15-18.

“Practically all the major powers of Bible times are spoken of as having rulers of the order of governors, either as local native rulers or as governors controlling occupied territories.

“Under Roman rule, Judea was an imperial province; the governors there were directly responsible to the emperor for their actions. Pilate was the fifth of the line of governors of Judea. . . These Roman governors had the power to order capital punishment, as we see in the case of Jesus, who was judged by Pilate.—Mt 27:11-14; Joh 19:10.

“Governors of the nations in general were referred to by Jesus when he told his followers that they would be brought before such men to give a witness. Christians should not fear such rulers, though powerful, nor be worried about what to say when giving testimony before them. (Mt 10:18-20, 26) All such governors are part of the superior authorities to which Christians owe relative, not total, subjection. . . However, in contrast with the apostles, who rendered respect and honor first to Jehovah, who governs all, the nation of Israel sank to the point where they accorded earthly governors more respect than they gave Jehovah. This circumstance was used by Jehovah in strong reproof to the nation through his prophet Malachi.—Mal 1:6-8; see SUPERIOR AUTHORITIES.”

There is no mention of a body of governors in the Christian congregation. Is it not apparent from the above, that governing was the way of the nations? And is this not what Jesus told his disciples not to imitate? If Jehovah “strongly reproved” the nation of Israel through his prophet Malachi because of “according earthly governors more respect” than him, will he not do likewise with us? If we put as much, or perhaps even more, emphasis on what our body of governors teaches than what the Bible teaches, are we not according our earthly governors more respect then Jehovah? But many will argue, “We don’t do that!” — Don’t we? “Our teachings are solidly based on the scriptures.” — Are they? Have we not accepted the body of governors lording it over their fellow brothers in defiance of what Jesus commanded? Please consider, with your Bible in hand, the points I am making in my articles and see whom we really accord more respect, Jehovah or the self-proclaimed “faithful and discreet slave.”

Was There a Governing Body in the First Century?

In the first century the apostles and older men did not exercise control over congregations outside their area. Once, when a problem arose concerning the circumcision issue, it was dealt with by the mature elders and apostles in Jerusalem where the problem arose and the decision was relayed to all affected congregations. (Acts 15:1,2) We could compare it to how things are done among Jehovah’s witnesses on a local level. Each congregation has its body of elders, who are supposed to have scriptural qualifications. (Number of hours in preaching is not a scriptural qualification. Titus 1:5-9) The elders are there to feed and shepherd the members of their congregation. When a problem arises the elders in their own congregation deal with it. If the problem affects congregations in the surrounding area then mature brothers of the affected congregations will get involved, sometimes on a circuit or even district level. The elders should be qualified to handle the situation or they would not scripturally qualify to be elders in the first place. In this way they are all led by holy spirit. There should be no need to ask brothers from some head office for permission or instructions as if such ones have special qualifications. All elders are equal before Jehovah and all will be equally held accountable for the carrying out of the responsibility they willingly accepted. (1 Corinthians 2:12,13; James 3:1)

Please consider: when Jesus wrote the seven letters to the seven congregations in the book of Revelation, if there was a governing body at that time, why did he bypass them and deal directly with each elder (star, angel) in his congregation (lampstand)? (Revelation 1:20-3:22) If a governing body had been put in place by holy spirit should not that body of governors have been called to account by the Master as to the situation in the various congregations, since, as we understand it today, they would be the ones having authority over every aspect of the congregations, including the appointment of elders? Would they be given authority over God’s household and yet not be acknowledged and held accountable?

The twelve apostles have the distinction of being the “twelve foundation stones” of the New Jerusalem. (Revelation 21:14) They are the ones chosen by Jehovah through whom Jesus directed the congregations. But, by way of example, they were also told by their Master not to imitate the nations in lording it over their brothers. At the end of the first century only the apostle John was still alive. By that time many had presented themselves with the claim of having apostolic authority. In his first letter to the congregation in Ephesus, Jesus addressed that problem and commended them for “[weeding] out apostolic pretenders.” (Revelation 2:2) These craved the recognition and authority of the apostles, and they are likened to Satan himself. (2 Corinthians 11:5,12-14) They had no respect for their fellow believers, even wanting to disfellowship ones who disagreed with them. Why, even the aged apostle John became the target of such ones. (2 Corinthians 11:26; 12:11; Galations 2:4; 3 John 9,10)

The apostle Paul foretold that “oppressive wolves will enter in among YOU and will not treat the flock with tenderness, and from among YOU yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves.” (Acts 20:29,30) This situation would especially develop in the “last days” when this wicked slave’s presence would become apparent. It would be during the time just before his master’s sudden and unexpected arrival.

The apostle Peter counseled shepherds of God’s flock, “Shepherd the flock of God in YOUR care, not under compulsion, but willingly; neither for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly; neither as lording it over those who are God’s inheritance, but becoming examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd has been made manifest, YOU will receive the unfadable crown of glory.” ―1 Peter 5:2-4.

Those elders, of whom it could be said that they were “appointed by holy spirit,” did not “lord it over” the sheep, the ones who are God’s inheritance. (Acts 20:2

Our body of governors have justified their lording it over their fellow slaves by their unique interpretations of the scriptures and going beyond the things written. They have done this by claiming that
1. Jesus inspected them in 1918-19 and found them faithful and thus appointed them over all his belongings. Therefore, they insist to have the right to govern, or rule, before actually sitting on their heavenly thrones.
2. Also, they claim to have special status with God in connection with the New Covenant, which they say includes only them. In this they have also made Jesus the mediator of only themselves. Thus, they have legitimized what they were commanded not to do, claiming the words of Jesus and Peter no longer apply to them. Rather than “lording it over” their fellow slaves they ought to be “examples to the flock,” because “all you are brothers.” They have started ruling ahead of their time. (compare 1 Corinthians 4:6,8)

Over the decades, since the early twenties, this was not really an issue. But when 1975 did not bring about the anticipated end of this system as they had predicted, their authority began to be seriously questioned. By that time they had in subjection over two million worshipers. (Which has grown to over six million today.) Fearful of losing authority over such a great crowd, a number of those highly placed in the organization began to flex their muscles, so to speak, to keep their flock in subjection. Many articles on apostasy began to appear in the publications and questioning the authority of “the faithful and discreet” slave became intolerable. The evil slave, the “man of lawlessness,” was starting to make his presence felt. Jehovah has seen good to allow him time to become fully exposed, so that when the master arrives at an hour we “do not think to be it,” we will all understand that the judgment upon him is fully deserved. Therefore, we can expect the situation in God’s household to go from bad to worse, until the unexpected arrival of the master. (2 Thessalonians 2:3,8-12)

There are those who believe that since Jehovah has allowed all these things to take place such as it has, he must be in agreement with it. But our God has always been patient. He put up with the sins of his people Israel for a very long time. Like them, because of seeming lack of action on his part, so far, we are in danger of becoming fully set in our wayward course. “Because sentence against a bad work has not been executed speedily, that is why the heart of the sons of men has become fully set in them to do bad.” ―Ecclesiastes 8:11.

Instead of being overly disturbed by the wicked slave among us getting away with it for so long let us find comfort in what Ecclesiastes goes on to say,
12 But even though a person sins a hundred times and still lives a long time, I know that those who fear God will be better off. 13 The wicked will never live long, good lives, for they do not fear God. Their days will never grow long like the evening shadows.
14 And this is not all that is meaningless in our world. In this life, good people are often treated as though they were wicked, and wicked people are often treated as though they were good. This is so meaningless! ―Ecclesiastes 8:12-14, New Living Translation.

“Keep Silent Before Jehovah and Wait Longingly for Him”
(Psalms 37:7)

We should make a distinction between questioning what men teach and what God teaches. “Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs.” But, rather, “trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he himself will make your paths straight.” ―Psalms 146:3; Proverbs 3:5,6.

Eventually we will all come face to face with the fact that not everything we have been taught was what it seemed. Many “strongly entrenched things” will then be overturned. Discarding some of our previous precious jewels of “truth” may be very difficult, especially if it means that we might be marked as apostates. Will our faith stand up under such a severe test? (2 Corinthians 10:4)

Jesus spoke of the coming “hour of test, which is to come upon the whole inhabited earth.” (Revelation 3:10) This test will not be about how much physical pain we can endure, but rather our faith will be put to the extreme test. (Luke 18:8; 1 Peter 1:6,7) Because of the operation of this wicked slave among us, Jesus said, “it is unavoidable that causes for stumbling should come.” (Luke 17:1) Yes, sadly, “many will be stumbled and betray one another.” (Matthew 24:10) May we not stumble because things were not going according to our expectations.

Through the words of the apostle John, Jehovah is encouraging us all to “test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with [him].” (1 John 4:1) That means that Jehovah expects us to compare what we are being taught with what his Word actually says. Doing so would be a safeguard to us. The Watchtower of March 1, 2004, on page 6, actually encourages us to do that. It reads:

“Like Timothy, true Christians today are keeping their senses by rejecting human reasoning and by accepting only Scriptural authority for their doctrinal beliefs.”

That is good advice. You would expect such counsel to come from a “faithful” slave. Should we not listen to that? The first century congregations had loving, humble elders who genuinely cared for the sheep, shepherding God’s flock with love and mildness, teaching them and being examples to them. All such shepherds were precious to Jehovah. And any such shepherds today will be blessed at the unexpected arrival of their Master.

The time is fast approaching “when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed, the Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship him.” (John 4:23) If we truly are lovers of truth and are to stand firm in our faith we will have to look solely to God for salvation by sticking to his Word of truth. (John 17:17) “Look! God is my salvation. I shall trust and be in no dread; for Jah Jehovah is my strength and [my] might, and he came to be the salvation of me.” ―Isaiah 12:2.

Good is Jehovah to the one hoping in him,
to the soul that keeps seeking for him.
Good it is that one should wait, even silently,
for the salvation of Jehovah.
―Lamentations 3:25,26

http://www.perimeno.ca/Generation.htm#generation

The Watchtower Society’s Central Dogma 1919

By Norm As all Jehovah’s Witnesses KNOW, but are always totally unable to explain, the Watchtower Society just is “Jehovah’s Organization”. This claim has been repeated so many times in the Watchtower literature that it has become a “truth”. Let us look at the language and phrases used:

“The historical facts show that 1919 was the year when the remnant on earth of the 144,000 Kingdom heirs began to be freed from Great Babylon. In that year the message of God’s established kingdom began to be preached from house to house and publicly by Jehovah’s Christian witnesses in a fearless way. This preaching of the Kingdom as established in 1914 was in fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy in Matthew 24:14: ‘This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations.”
Babylon the Great Has Fallen!, 1963, p. 515.

As usual when there isn’t a single shred of any evidence whatsoever, the phrase: “The historical facts show”, is used. Of course historical facts show no such thing, if anything they show the opposite, which I shall demonstrate in the following.

“TIME OF INSPECTION BY THE SLAVE’S MASTER
Without a question of doubt, it was a real time for inspection of the Master’s “slave” class. All the facts of the case argue that the Master came for the work of inspection at the time. Such a thing was to be expected according to the prophecy of Malachi 3:1-5. Of course, the sectarian churches of Christendom had made a wartime record for themselves, an open record that had a heavy bearing on their claim to be disciples and slaves of Jesus Christ. Could they, by even their latest record down till 1919, prove that they themselves were the composite “faithful and discreet slave” class of the heavenly Lord and Master, Jesus Christ? He as Judge would indicate what his findings were by the way he thereafter dealt with the hundreds of religious sects of Christendom.”
God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached, 1973, p. 349.

Again a totally hopeless case of meaningless words with absolutely no real facts to back them up. This is at best sheer fantasy. But let us for a moment take this insane drivel serious, let us investigate the claim from Brooklyn. As we can see above, the churches of Christendom was going to be judged by their “record” previous to 1919. Wouldn’t it then be logic to assume that the record, previous to 1919 would also be considered in the case of the Watchtower Society? Of course! So what does the Watchtower Society record show us?Well, absolutely 100% of their prophecies had failed. Russell’s “chronology” with the years 1799, 1874, 1878, 1881 and 1914, was all a thundering fiasco, but they would still be “The Truth” up to 1930. But no doubt the Lord, Jesus Christ, who was carrying out the inspection would have read their absolutely latest “blockbuster” publication, “The Finished Mystery”, published in 1917. This publication would no doubt have a great impact on which he would choose to be his “faithful and discreet slave class”. So could the Watchtower Society: “prove that they themselves were the composite “faithful and discreet slave” class of the heavenly Lord and Master, Jesus Christ?” Yes, indeed, what was the Watchtower Society’s record?

Let us take a closer look at some of the “truths” brought forth by this remarkable book. Jesus no doubt was quite intrigued by the fact that the book claimed that he himself was responsible for it:

“The Lord assumes an interest in and responsibility for the complete series of STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES, the last one of which especially represents the winepress feature (Rev. 14:18-20) … And I saw (an) ANOTHER angel. - The Elijah class after the publication of Volume Seven Studies in the Scriptures.”
The Finished Mystery, 1917, p. 295.

Now let us look at what Jesus was made responsible for. Apparently his alleged “inspection” in 1919, wasn’t altogether fair. It looks like he had already made up his mind as early as in 1879!

“8:3. And another angel. - Not the “voice of the Lord,” mentioned in the preceding chapter, but the corporate body - the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, which Pastor Russell formed to finish his work. This verse shows that, though Pastor Russell has passed beyond the veil, he is still managing every feature of the Harvest work “The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society is the greatest corporation in the world, because from the time of its organization until now the Lord has used it as His channel through which to make known the Glad Tidings.”
The Finished Mystery, 1917, - p. 144.

Here we get some really astonishing and sensational information. First of all it is made quite clear that the Lord (Jesus) had used the Watchtower Society as his channel “from the time of its organization” which was in 1879! So why go through the motion of staging a mock inspection in 1919? But there is another very interesting piece of information here too. Pastor Russell was still in charge of the “harvest work” even though he was dead! Yikes! And I thought Jehovah’s Witnesses abhorred spiritism. Well, let us move on and feast our eyes on the wealth of “truth”, coming straight from the “Lord”. As all Jehovah’s Witnesses are familiar with, the Revelation speaks about the “great crowd” which number nobody could count. Oh yeah? The Watchtower Society of course KNEW the number of the great crowd, which was called “company” back then:

“The number - of the Great Company will apparently exceed one hundred millions. Num. 4:46-48 and Ex. 28:1 indicate but one priest to each 2,860 Levites, which would make the number of the Great Company approximate 411,840,000.”
The Finished Mystery, 1917, p. 103.

But it doesn’t end here. Jesus, who was made responsible for this “masterpiece” also, had more “truths” to reveal. Every self respecting Jehovah’s Witnesses today KNOW who the angel Michael and his angels really are. But the Finished Mystery told the faithful the truth:

“12:7. And there was war in heaven.- Between the two ecclesiastical powers, Pagan Rome and Papal Rome. Michael. - “Who as God,” the Pope.- B275; C62. And his angels. - The Bishops. The following is the reply given in the Catholic catechism to the question, “Who are the successors of the Apostles?” Ans. “The bishops who are rightly consecrated, and are in communion with the head of the Church, the Pope.” (Fought against) TO WAR WITH the dragon. - Attempted to get the temporal power away from the civil rulers. - Rev. 2:12. And the dragon. - Imperial Rome. - B288; Rev. 12:3; 20:2. Fought and his angels. - Did everything possible to circumscribe the growing power of the papacy, but all in vain. - Rev. 2:12.”
The Finished Mystery, 1917, pp. 188-189.

Then we have Job - the first railroad man.Jesus must have taken great pride, (considering he was “responsible” for this work) in the following explanation of Job 40: 15 – 41: 34:

“Job also describes the steam engine stationary, railway and marine. The following is a corrected translation of Job 40:15 to 41:34, with comments thereon from the pen of one of Pastor Russell’s followers: “Behold now one with great heat (the stationary steam engine), which l have made to be with thee; he will consume fodder (peat, wood, coal) as do cattle. Behold now his strength is in his loins (boiler plates), and his power is within the parts bent in a circle (boiler shell) of his belly. His tail (smoke stack-opposite the feeding end) will set upright like a cedar; the couplings of his leaping parts (connecting rods, pitmans) will be clamped together. His bones are tubes of copper; his solid bones (grate bars) are as hammered-out bars of iron. He is the greatest of the ways of power. He that made him (the Lord) can make His sword (Word) to approach unto (reveal) him. Isa. 26:20,21.) He shall rest under thin shelter (steam jackets) within a covering of fibrous reeds (jute) and clay (mortar). The willows of the valley (the trees overhead) will enclose him around about. Behold (as a pumping engine) he will drink up an overflowing river without much exertion; he will cause the people to trust (that their cellars will keep dry), though a Jordan should rush forth over its border. He will gather it up in his fountains by means of traps and with a perforated nozzle. “Thou wilt lengthen out leviathan (the locomotive) with a hook (automatic coupler) or with a snare (coupling pin) which thou wilt cause his tongue (coupling-link) to drop down. Wilt thou not place a ring (piston) in his nostrils (cylinders) or pierce through his cheeks (Piston ends) with a staff (piston-rod)? Will. he make repeated supplication unto thee, (to get off the track)? Or will he utter soft-tones unto thee (when he screeches; with the whistle)?”
The Finished Mystery, 1917, pp. 84-85.

I mean, how could Jesus resist this evidence when considering who should be his “channel” on earth? But there were other even more compelling “facts” that would weight heavily on the scale in favor of the Watchtower Society. Think about their 100% failure rate in the past, but now Jesus during his inspection no doubt also would have noticed the much published lecture “Millions of people now living will never die”, held in 1918. Where Rutherford stated:

“Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews 11, to the condition of human perfection.”
Millions Now Living Will Never Die, p. 89.

Jesus was of course being responsible for all of this literature he also he knew the facts about all of this. But apparently he and The Watchtower Society took another stab at a date for the end, and who can argue against this accurate and very upbuilding explanation of the Holy scriptures as we can behold here:

“No doubt Satan believed the Millennial Kingdom was due to be set-up in 1915… Be that as it may, there is evidence that the establishment of the Kingdom in Palestine will probably be in 1925, ten years later than we once calculated. The 70 jubilees, reckoned as 50 years each, expire October 1925. (B 186.) Gen. 15:1-16:3, read connectedly, indicates that Abraham’s vision as to when he would receive the Kingdom was not granted until ten years after the Covenant was made, or 2035 B.C. The ages of the animals offered aggregated eleven years, which, applied prophetically, on the scale of a year for a day, equal 3960 years, the length of time from the date of the visions to A.D. 1925 (Z.’07-79). It seems conclusive that the hour of Nominal Zion’s travail is fixed for the Passover of 1918. (See Rev. 3:14.) That will be 7 years prior to 1925. At that time there is every reason to believe the fallen angels will invade the minds of many of the Nominal Church people driving them to exceedingly unwise conduct and leading to their destruction at the hands of the enraged masses, who will later be dragged to the same fate …. After the demons, have been turned loose on the swine class, we shall see what happens. (Matt. 7:6; 8:31-34.) Those now fearful that they might learn something will be terror-stricken then for a different reason.”
The Finished Mystery, 1917, p. 128.

What a powerful and convincing track record the Watchtower Society had! How could Jesus have done anything else but the obvious, he had to reject the foul, false sect’s of Christianity and choose this beacon of truth and integrity, The Watchtower Society, as his “channel of communication”. And what does the record show? Well, according to the Watchtower claims he poured his spirit out on them to such an extent that they nearly choked. So let us see what influence “Jehovah’s Spirit” had on them. What did they do, now that they had been chosen, and had gotten this incredible amount of spirit?The Watchtower Society has up to this day continued to paint their history as rosy as possible. Knowing full well what kind of hopeless tripe, drivel and totally false claims that was made in the Watchtower literature at the time, we can here see some examples of the incredibly dishonest way Brooklyn treat their history:

“There would, however, be a further application of Joel 2:28-32. Indeed, this prophecy has had remarkable fulfillment since September 1919. At that time a memorable convention of Jehovah’s people was held in Cedar Point, Ohio, U.S.A. God’s spirit was clearly manifest, and his anointed servants were stimulated to embark on the global witnessing campaign that extends into the present day.” Watchtower May 1, 1992, page 13.

“Particularly in 1919 and 1922 were there modern outpourings of Jehovah’s spirit, especially in connection with the two conventions of Jehovah’s dedicated people at Cedar Point, Ohio.”
Watchtower June 1, 1981, page 30.

“But Jehovah raised them up by his spirit and word of truth. Shortly thereafter, at their 1922 convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, they loyally determined to advertise the King and Kingdom. Jehovah has been guiding them since then, so that his name and kingdom have become known worldwide.”
Watchtower December 15, 1980, page 19.

As you can all see, there is a lot of song and dance about these “memorable” conventions in Cedar Point in 1919, and 1922. It is also worth noticing that any mention of what this much praised advertising was all about, is surgically avoided. What then, was the message the “spirit” wanted “Advertised” in 1922? Well, it was the “Millions Campaign” which started in 1920. It was this message:

“The period must end in 1925. The type ending, the anti type must begin; and therefore 1925 is definitely fixed in the scriptures. Every thinking person can see that a great climax is at hand. The Scriptures clearly indicate that the climax is the fall of Satan’s empire and the full establishment of the Messianic kingdom. This climax being reached by 1925, and that marking the beginning of the fulfillment of the long promised blessings of life to the people, millions now living on earth will be living then and those who obey the righteous laws of the new arrangement will live forever. Therefore it can be confidently said at this time that millions now living will never die.”
Golden Age, Jan. 4, 1922, p. 217.

“We have no doubt whatever in regard to the chronology relating to the dates of 1874, 1914, 1918, and 1925. It was on this line of reckoning that the dates 1874, 1914, and 1918 were located; and the Lord has placed the stamp of his seal upon 1914 and 1918 beyond any possibility of erasure. What further evidence do we need? Using this same measuring line…. it is an easy matter to locate 1925, probably in the fall, for the beginning of the anti typical jubilee. There can be no more question about 1925 than there was about 1914.”
Watchtower May 15, 1922, p. 150.

“It is on the basis of such and so many correspondencies - in accordance with the soundest laws known to science- that we affirm that, Scripturally, scientifically, and historically, present-truth chronology is correct beyond a doubt. Its reliability has been abundantly confirmed by the dates and events of 1874, 1914, and 1918. Present-truth chronology is a secure basis on which the consecrated child of God may endeavor to search out things to come.” Watchtower, June 15, 1922.

“This chronology is not of man, but of God. Being of divine origin and divinely corroborated, present-truth chronology stands in a class by itself, absolutely and unqualifiedly correct….”
Watchtower, July 15, 1922 p. 217.

‘1914 ended the Gentile Times…The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures…by then the great crisis will be reached and probably passed’
Watchtower Sept. 1, 1922, p. 262.

No wonder all the numerous articles hyping and bragging about these historic conventions NEVER tells us what the message really was, what they were actually “advertising”!Let us try to sum up some facts here. As the Watchtower Society tells us, Jesus carried out an inspection of all Christianity, and in 1919, after having reviewed the record of all the sec