Atheism The Condition of The Human Heart

On By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn Scriptures, Uncategorized8 Comments

Sin has been the downfall of mankind ever since the first man and woman sinned in the garden. All it took for Adam and Eve to sin was the first doubt/lie to be sown. The devil approached Eve in the garden and asked “Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” this was the first seed of doubt.

After Eve answered him the first lie ever told was spoken “Ye shall not surely die” then satan appealed to her temptations saying “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”.

For the entire account you can read it here Genesis chapter 3

Notice satan told Eve you shall be like gods, and because they believed the lie they ate the fruit which God told them not to do and sin entered the world ever since and has been our downfall.

This lie continues on today as we see a world which rejects God, a world in which people indulge in sin, a world which prides itself on unrighteousness. As morals decline with each passing moment love dwindles away only to give rise to false love. A “love” that says “do what thou wilt”, not only that but also a world which claims there’s no absolutes.

In that statement alone we find contradiction and hypocrisy to claim “there are no absolutes” or “all truth is relative”. A claim as such in essence is making an absolute truth claim. Where mankind truly deviated and was lead astray was with the embrace of Atheism.

Atheism is, in the broadest sense, an absence of belief in the existence of deities. Less broadly, atheism is a rejection of the belief that any deities exist. In an even narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities. Atheism is contrasted with theism, which, in its most general form, is the belief that at least one deity exists.

wikipedia.org

I think it’s quite interesting when you start to look into the history of Atheism and it’s roots. It started in India during the Vedic age. The name is derived from the Vedas which comes from the Hindu text. It’s ironic Hinduism a religion with the most “gods” has any relation to a religion which rejects the idea of any deity.

Atheistic schools are found in early Indian thought and have existed from the times of the historical Vedic religion. Among the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy, Samkhya, the oldest philosophical school of thought, does not accept God, and the early Mimamsa also rejected the notion of God. The thoroughly materialistic and anti-theistic philosophical Cārvāka (or Lokāyata) school that originated in India around the 6th century BCE is probably the most explicitly atheistic school of philosophy in India, similar to the Greek Cyrenaic school. This branch of Indian philosophy is classified as heterodox due to its rejection of the authority of Vedas and hence is not considered part of the six orthodox schools of Hinduism, but it is noteworthy as evidence of a materialistic movement within Hinduism.

wikipedia.org

Atheism at Work

As Christians it’s normal to have Atheist upset at the notion of mentioning God, The Lord Jesus Christ, morals and sin. I wanted to take the time to look at some alarming responses from Atheist.

“As these ChristoTalibans sow? So should they reap. Here are a whole bunch more of your psychotic, ChristoTaliban Christian preachers of hate and death. All of them crying for the brutal murders of lgbts based on their bibles.

I wonder how Christians would feel if LGBTS had a book that said all Christians should be put to death, how fast Christians would call that hate speech?

Or I wonder how Christians would react if all LGBTS stated that as Christians want to do unto us? The same shall be done unto them, how fast you Christians would cry that LGBTS are persecuting you?

But as all these Christians sow? So should they reap and as they want to do unto lgbts? The same should be done unto them”—Anonymous Atheist

Atheist comment # 1 Ever since the attacks on 9/11 when planes flew into the WTC and Pentagon buildings the term Taliban has been tossed around. Nowadays if you disagree with someone you’re automatically labeled. In the case of this person they think all Christians are “ChristoTalibans”. I don’t understand how someone who doesn’t believe in God would try to quote from the Bible?

I guess by using this term they are trying to say that Christians are chopping people’s heads off, shooting people in the head and tossing their bodies in a ditch? In my response to this individual I said that as Christians we don’t hate anyone that includes individuals who identify as LGBT.

I went on to say that I don’t agree with the sin of homosexuality but that doesn’t mean I hate them, I desire for them to be saved the same as I have the desire to see a heterosexual saved. I’m not certain what kind of “Christians” this atheist has come across? I’ll be the first to say that anyone who claims to be a Christian and looks to inflict harm even to the point of death is not a Christian! Perhaps they think the Westboro Baptist cult are “Christians”?

“Again, you fool, telling a native American they should become a Christian? Is like telling a Jew to join the Nazi party or a black person to join the KKK” —Anonymous Atheist

Atheist comment # 2 This comment shows the lack of knowledge of what Christianity stands for. This individual keep on insisting that “Christians” were responsible for the Crusades and other atrocities which are attributed to the Roman Catholics. This is common between atheist and unbelievers in general in which try to place Christians in the same boat as Catholics.

No, Christians were not responsible for the Spanish Inquisition, sorry to break the news but Christians were persecuted by the Roman Catholic Church. The Pope at that time Pope Clement VII was against the people to own a personal copy of the Bible in english. The clergy wanted to remain in power by keeping the Holy Scriptures written in Latin, by doing so no lay person would be able to read God’s word without the church’s interpretation.

Praise be to God for men like William Tyndale who translated most of the Bible in English. He played a vital role in the production of the Authorised King James Bible first published in 1611. Tyndale while in a discussion with a clergyman who made this blasphemous statement “We had better be without God’s laws than the Pope’s.” responded saying:

“I defy the Pope, and all his laws; and if God spares my life, ere many years, I will cause the boy that driveth the plow to know more of the Scriptures than thou dost!”

William Tyndale

As I digress I’m not certain how telling anyone regardless of race would take offence to being told they should become a Christian. If we truly believe salvation is found only in the Lord Jesus Christ then wouldn’t we want others to come, taste and see that the Lord is good?!

Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD [is] good: blessed [is] the man [that] trusteth in him.

“Stop lying you fake Christian. Enjoy the same judgment you have given unto me and others”—Anonymous Atheist

This was in response to my comment “I love you and hope you don’t get the Coronavirus. God help you and your soul.”

Atheist comment # 3 In loving kindness we pray for those who are outside of the Ark (the Lord Jesus Christ). In this particular discussion I made reference of staying safe, praying this person would remain healthy from the Coronavirus. And in turn they felt the need to say “stop lying you fake Christian” as well as being hatful saying “enjoy the same judgement”.

I’m uncertain of what judgement this person is speaking of because I never declared judgement upon anyone. So how can this atheist say “Enjoy the same judgment you have given unto me and others”?

Just goes to show how depraved humans have become when you reject the God who made you. It brings a verse to my mind in Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?

How true the word of God is which exposes the sinfulness of our hearts. We have to pray for atheist because while they may shake their little fist up to the sky. Wholeheartedly angry at the God they claim doesn’t exist which makes no sense.

We need to show these people who have been indoctrinated to believe that everything came from nothing, a scientific impossibility. May the Lord open their eyes and show them they were created in the image of God, and their lives do have meaning.

That their lives are not “star dust” that “evolution” is completely false, that abortion is murder; and that outside of God they have no basis for their moral standards. Anything outside of the existence of God is meaningless.

Mankind has been trying to be god ever since the downfall of man and the tragic fact is many have fallen for this lie of the devil. Souls are at stake and therefore we must speak the truth in love to these lost individuals.

Psalm 3:8 Salvation [belongeth] unto the LORD: thy blessing [is] upon thy people. Selah.

A world gripped in fear by COVID-19

On By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn Scriptures, The Gospel, Uncategorized4 Comments

The world experienced many events which has changed the course of humanity, events like the American Revolution, Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918, World War 1 & 2, the Fall of the Berlin Wall, 9/11 Terrorist attacks etc. This current event the world over is experiencing right now has brought the world to a screeching halt.

COVID-19 has radically changed the world in a short span of time, stores closed, park shutdowns and mandatory quarantines. We’ve yet to know the full impact of this virus and its lingering effects. During times such as these people are asking the questions “why are these things happening”, “what is the meaning of life”, “will I and my family be fine” and “what lies after death”?

In our human effort try to find the meaning to these questions, we’re scrambling to stop this pandemic from spreading. Social distancing has become a new catch phrase, home isolation, the need for medical supplies and of course a vaccines to get rid of this virus.

At best COVID-19 has shown us that mankind is not always ready to face what’s to come. With our “technological advances” COVID-19 has proven the frailty of human existence that we don’t have all the answers and we’re not guaranteed tomorrow. These are but a small taste which will come upon the world stage in a later time, how late no one knows?

The Bible makes it known that pestilences will be one of the signs leading up to the return of Jesus Christ. Not just pestilences but wars, earthquakes, famines and heavenly signs.

Matthew 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

Luke 21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

Let us not forget the Bible records pestilences in the book of Exodus. Moses brought plages upon the people of Egypt from the LORD because they wouldn’t let the Israelites go to worship the LORD. It was God’s judgement upon the Egyptians who enslaved the Israelites (read Exodus chapters 7-11).

In the last book of the Bible the Revelation of Jesus Christ or simply put Revelation, the same plagues come upon the world. First we have the opening of the “six seals” in chapter 6.

Revelation 6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.

It speaks of the four horsemen these horsemen bring war, pestilence, famine and death. In verse 8 it speaks of the horseman called Death who kills the fourth part of the earth.

Revelation 6:8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

Continuing in that chapter it mentions a great earthquake, the sun turning black as hair and the moon becoming like blood. As well as stars falling from the sky unto the earth.

Revelation 6:12-13 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

Revelation also speaks of the seven trumpets and the seven last plagues which are filled up with the wrath of God (Rev chapter 15). when you have a chance read Revelation it will put a lot into perspective as those are the coming events the world hasn’t seen yet.

All of these things should make you think of the frailty of your life. Thus far the count of COVID-19 deaths is at 27,365 and continues to climb each day. The 1918 Spanish influenza claimed the lives of 50-100 million people.

Another similarity is how quickly both viruses seem to spread. Spanish flu infected an estimated 1/3 of the global population. And although much remains unknown about COVID-19, the disease has spread rapidly from its origin in China in late December and now can be found on every continent except Antarctica.

medicinenet.com

For Christians this is an exciting time not because we want to see people lose their lives to COVID-19. Our excitement comes from seeing the Bible unfolding before our eyes and knowing that each moment brings us closer to the One who has Redeemed us from sin and death. We worship the Lord Jesus Christ because He delivered us from fear by promising us a better place and that’s with Him.

Don’t wait until something tragic happens to you, place your trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. He came to save sinners just like you and I; He was crucified, buried and on the 3rd day rose from the dead being victorious over death and hell.

1 Corinthians 15:1-8 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

This article is not to say that COVID-19 is attributed to God, not in the least. This virus is a result of the fallen world we live in due to sin. The fear of COVID-19 will lose its grip on you if you trust in Christ and receive the free gift of eternal life!

Statements which contradict

On By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Deuteronomy 18:20, 22 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. … When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that [is] the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, [but] the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

There are cults and other groups which would take the word of the Living God and twist them, add to them or completely remove a scripture text from its context. By doing so a multitude of people have been deceived into believing a lie perpetrated by the Watchtower.

The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society: has claimed they are not neither inspired nor infallible. Here’s the quote from the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

“The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible. Therefore, it can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction. In fact, the Watch Tower Publications Index includes the heading “Beliefs Clarified,” which lists adjustments in our Scriptural understanding since 1870. Of course, Jesus did not tell us that his faithful slave would produce perfect spiritual food.”

Watchtower 2017 Feb p.26

Here we have a direct quote from the Governing Body, the men who are in charge of directing the entire organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Who disseminate all doctrines JW’s believe worldwide, and these men come out and said they are not ‘inspired nor infallible’. If you know anything about the Jehovah’s Witnesses they believe they alone are the only Christians in the world and teach all ‘Christendom’ are or satan.

Yet they speak out the other side of their mouth making tremendous claims. While they don’t use the word ‘inspired’ or ‘infallible’ these quotes say they believe otherwise. Look at some of just many inspiration claims.

“Come to Jehovah’s organization for salvation”

Watchtower 1981 Nov 15 p.212

“Consider, too, the fact that Jehovah’s organization alone, in all the earth, is directed by God’s holy spirit or active force. (Zech. 4:6) Only this organization functions for Jehovah’s purpose and to his praise. To it alone God’s Sacred Word, the Bible, is not a sealed book.”

Watchtower 1973 Jul 1 p.402

“However, the Governing Body are appointed through the holy spirit under the direction of Jehovah God and Jesus Christ.” Watchtower 1990 Mar 15 p.18

Watchtower 1990 Mar 15 p.18

The last quote states the Governing Body is appointed through the Holy Spirit by Jehovah God and Jesus. If this is not an inspiration claim then I don’t know what is? Also note the following quote is the same as the last one, but the Watchtower changed a few words so that it would read a bit differently.

However, the Governing Body is not a legal instrument. Its members are not elected. They are appointed through the holy spirit under the direction of Jehovah God and Jesus Christ. Watchtower 1990 Mar 15 p.18

Watchtower 1990 Mar 15 p.18

This is called deception. It’s obvious the Watchtower claims inspiration from God in which they can say they ‘alone in all the earth’ are directed by God. For this to be true then every word spoken by the Watchtower organization would come true because God cannot err.

Failed Predictions of the Watchtower (Changed Dates)

Here’s a Wikipedia list of some of the many failed predictions from the Watchtower publications, predicted from its founder Charles Taze Russell, Joseph Franklin Rutherford and now ruling Governing Body. You can look into these for yourself and verify if these statements are true.

1877: Christ’s kingdom would hold full sway over the earth in 1914; the Jews, as a people, would be restored to God’s favor; the “saints” would be carried to heaven.

Charles Taze Russell and Nelson H. Barbour, The Three Worlds (1907)

1891: 1914 would be “the farthest limit of the rule of imperfect men.”

Charles Taze Russell, The Time Is At Hand (1891)

1904: “World-wide anarchy” would follow the end of the Gentile Times in 1914.

Melvin D. Curry, Jehovah’s Witnesses: The Millenarian World of the Watch Tower, Garland, 1992, as cited by James Penton, Apocalypse Delayed, page 45.

1916: World War I would terminate in Armageddon and the rapture of the “saints”.

Penton, James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah’s Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 46. ISBN 978-0802079732.

1917: In 1918, Christendom would go down as a system to oblivion and be succeeded by revolutionary governments. God would “destroy the churches wholesale and the church members by the millions.” Church members would “perish by the sword of war, revolution and anarchy.” The dead would lie unburied. In 1920 all earthly governments would disappear, with worldwide anarchy prevailing.

The Finished Mystery, 1917, p. 485, 258, as cited by Raymond Franz, Crisis of Conscience, pages 206-211.

1920: Messiah’s kingdom would be established in 1925 and bring worldwide peace. God would begin restoring the earth. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and other faithful patriarchs would be resurrected to perfect human life and be made princes and rulers, the visible representatives of the New Order on earth. Those who showed themselves obedient to God would never die.

J. F. Rutherford (1920). Millions Now Living Will Never Die. p. 97. Based upon the argument heretofore set forth, then, that the old order of things, the old world, is ending and is therefore passing away, and that the new order is coming in, and that 1925 shall mark the resurrection of the faithful worthies of old and the beginning of reconstruction, it is reasonable to conclude that millions of p

1922: The anti-typical “jubilee” that would mark God’s intervention in earthly affairs would take place “probably the fall” of 1925.

Watch Tower, May 15, 1922, as cited by Raymond Franz, Crisis of Conscience, page 224.

1925: God’s restoration of Earth would begin “shortly after” October 1, 1925. Jerusalem would be made the world’s capital. Resurrected “princes” such as Abel, Noah, Moses and John the Baptist would give instructions to their subjects around the world by radio, and airplanes would transport people to and from Jerusalem from all parts of the globe in just “a few hours”.

W. E. Van Amburgh (1924). The Way to Paradise (1925 ed.). pp. 215–236.

1938: Armageddon was too close for marriage or child bearing.

J. F. Rutherford (1938). Face the Facts and learn the only one way of escape. pp. 46–50.

1941: There were only “months” remaining until Armageddon.

The Watchtower, September 15, 1941, p. 288

1942: Armageddon was “immediately before us.”

The Watchtower, May 1, 1942, p. 139

1961: Awake! magazine stated that Armageddon “will come in the twentieth century. … This generation will see its fulfillment.”

Awake!, February 22, 1961, p. 8

1966: It would be 6000 years since man’s creation in the fall of 1975 and it would be “appropriate” for Christ’s thousand-year reign to begin at that time. Time was “running out, no question about that.” The “immediate future” was “certain to be filled with climactic events … within a few years at most”, the final parts of Bible prophecy relating to the “last days” would undergo fulfillment as Christ’s reign began.

Life Everlasting in Freedom of the Sons of God, Watch Tower Society, 1966, pp. 29–35, as cited by Raymond Franz, Crisis of Conscience, pages 238-239.) (Talk by F. W. Franz, Baltimore, Maryland 1966, cited by Jehovah’s Witnesses – Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, Watch Tower Society, and by Raymond Franz, Crisis of Conscience, pages 238-239.

1967: The end-time period (beginning in 1914) was claimed to be so far advanced that the time remaining could “be compared, not just to the last day of a week, but rather, to the last part of that day”.

Did Man Get Here By Evolution Or By Creation?, Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, 1967, pg 161.

1968: No one could say “with certainty” that the battle of Armageddon would begin in 1975, but time was “running out rapidly” with “earthshaking events” soon to take place. In March 1968 there was a “short period of time left”, with “only about ninety months left before 6000 years of man’s existence on earth is completed”.

The Watchtower, May 1, 1968, page 273) (Kingdom Ministry, Watch Tower Society, March 1968, as cited by Raymond Franz, Crisis of Conscience, pages 246.

1969: “If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will never grow old in this present system of things.”

Awake!, May 22, 1969, p. 15

1971: The “battle in the day of Jehovah” was described as beginning “[s]hortly, within our twentieth century”.

The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah – How?, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1971, pg 214.

1974: There was just a “short time remaining before the wicked world’s end” and Witnesses were commended for selling their homes and property to “finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service.”

Kingdom Ministry, Watch Tower Society, May 1974, page 3.

1984: There were “many indications” that “the end” was closer than the end of the 20th century.

The Watchtower, March 1, 1984, pp. 18-19

1989: The Watchtower asserted that Christian missionary work begun in the first century would “be completed in our 20th century”. When the magazine was republished in bound volumes, the phrase “in our 20th century” was replaced with the less specific “in our day”.

The Watchtower, January 1, 1989, pg. 12.

These are just a very small few of years upon years of Watchtower failed prophecies. There are just way to many to list them all here. As we close out I would like leave you with a small clip of Governing Body members Geoffrey Jackson lying in court during the Australian Royal Commission Case 29.

The back story is the Jehovah Witnesses are being investigated in Australia and other parts of the world for child sexual abuse. (https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/case-studies/case-study-29-jehovahs-witnesses)

The Royal Commission held a public hearing in Sydney from Monday 27 July to Wednesday 5 August and on Friday 14 August 2015.

The public hearing inquired into the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Australia Ltd.

The scope and purpose of the public hearing was to inquire into:
1 The experience of survivors of child sexual abuse within the Jehovah’s Witnesses Church in Australia.

2 The response of the Jehovah’s Witnesses Church and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Australia Ltd to allegations, reports or complaints of child sexual abuse within the Church.

3 The systems, policies and procedures in place within the Jehovah’s Witnesses Church and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Australia Ltd for raising and responding to allegations of or concerns about child sexual abuse within the Church.

4 The systems, policies and procedures in place within the Jehovah’s Witnesses Church and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Australia Ltd to prevent child sexual abuse within the Church.

5 Any related matters.

Breaking Through To Jehovah’s Witnesses (Jesus Saves​—How?)

On By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn Scriptures, UncategorizedLeave a comment

In this article we’re going to examine the Watchtower’s teaching on how does Jesus save? If you missed the previous post Breaking Through To Jehovah’s Witnesses (Salvation) feel free to read it.

The Bible’s answer

Jesus saved faithful humans when he gave his life as a ransom sacrifice. (Matthew 20:28) Thus, the Bible calls Jesus the “Savior of the world.” (1 John 4:​14) It also states: “There is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved.”​—Acts 4:​12.

The Watchtower — Bible Questions Answered

The Watchtower uses such terminology as ‘ransom sacrifice’ in reference to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ at Calvary. Talking with Jehovah’s Witnesses or other cults can sometimes be a bit confusing. They will use similar vocabulary with different meanings.

Packaged in the words ‘ransom sacrifice’ the Jehovah Witnesses say Adam was created as a perfect man but because he sinned in the garden he lost the perfect life for all humans. Sounds straight forward right? They then say Jesus was Jehovah God’s ‘first created creature’ as Michael the archangel. Then ‘Jehovah transferred Jesus from heaven to earth, and Jesus was born as a perfect human, without sin’. Meanwhile Michael the archangel ceased to exist while Jesus was on the earth. When Jesus went back to heaven Jesus ceased to be and Michael the archangel was recreated in heaven.

The Watchtower would insinuate this by inserting their own meaning into the text. Just as a side note Jehovah Witnesses have their own manipulated bible called the New World Translation, this bible (using the term loosely) was created in order to fit their doctrine. It’s a false bible just so you’re aware. Back to the point is Jesus a created creature or God Himself? We’ll let the Bible answer this for us.

1. The book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus Christ created the worlds.

Hebrews 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by [his] Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

2. The book of Colossians also tells us that all things were made by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:16-17 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

3. The Gospel of John tells us nothing was made without Jesus Christ.

John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Jesus ‘tasted death for everyone’ who exercises faith in him. (Hebrews 2:9; John 3:​16) Thereafter, “God raised him up from the dead,” and Jesus returned to heaven as a spirit creature. (Acts 3:​15) There, Jesus is able “to save completely those who are approaching God through him, because he is always alive to plead for them.”​—Hebrews 7:​25.

The Watchtower — Bible Questions Answered

Groups such as the Watchtower place an emphasis on works by taking John 3:16 adding the word ‘exercises’ give the notion of working for salvation. If you visit the Watchtower’s Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures someone at the organization goofed. They didn’t realise their kingdom interlinear doesn’t agree with their New World Translation if you compare them.

You’ll also notice in the above quote that they claim Jesus ‘returned to heaven as a spirit creature’. In the book of Luke chapter 24 we have the account when Jesus Christ showed Himself to the disciples after His resurrection.

1. The Lord Jesus Christ appears to His disciples and they were afraid and thought Jesus was a spirit.

Luke 24:36-37 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace [be] unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

2. The Lord then corrects them showing His disciples He is not a spirit. How does He do this? By showing them His hands and feet which bore the prints of the nails proving it was the same body which hung on the cross. They also physically touch Him and Jesus said He has flesh and bones. A spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones.

Luke 24:38-39 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

Clearly the Watchtower made the same mistake the disciples made in thinking Jesus was a ‘spirit creature’.

Why do we need Jesus to plead for us?

We are all sinners. (Romans 3:​23) Sin puts a barrier between us and God, and it leads to death. (Romans 6:​23) But Jesus serves as “an advocate” for those who exercise faith in his ransom sacrifice. (1 John 2:1, footnote) He pleads in their behalf, asking God to hear their prayers and grant forgiveness of their sins on the basis of Jesus’ sacrificial death. (Matthew 1:​21; Romans 8:​34) God acts on such pleas made by Jesus because they are in harmony with His will. God sent Jesus to the earth “for the world to be saved through him.”​—John 3:​17.

The Watchtower — Bible Questions Answered

It’s interesting that the Watchtower would claim Jesus Christ serves as ‘an advocate’ for those who ‘exercise faith’ in His sacrifice. While this sounds nice and it is true that Jesus is the advocate for all believers, that’s what the Bible teaches.

In Watchtower theology it’s just not that simple. You see they teach that Jesus is the mediator only for ‘anointed Christians’ who number 144,000. The Greek word for advocate is paráklētos

παράκλητος paráklētos, par-ak’-lay-tos; an intercessor, consoler:—advocate, comforter.

The Biblical usage for advocate is as follows.
A. one who pleads another’s cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate.
B. one who pleads another’s cause with one, an intercessor.
i. of Christ in his exaltation at God’s right hand, pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins
C. in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant.
ii. of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom.

This is very similar to what a mediator does, here’s the Biblical definition for mediator.

μεσίτης mesítēs, mes-ee’-tace; from G3319; a go-between, i.e. (simply) an internunciator, or (by implication) a reconciler (intercessor):—mediator.

I. one who intervenes between two, either in order to make or restore peace and friendship, or form a compact, or for ratifying a covenant.
II. a medium of communication, arbitrator.

Both of these roles are fulfilled by Christ as our mediator and advocate. Unfortunately most Jehovah Witnesses are not part of the New Covenant according to Watchtower theology therefore this leaves them without a mediator / advocate. Here’s a few quotes from the Watchtower concerning this teaching.

In what sense does Paul use the term “mediator” when referring to Jesus at 1 Timothy 2: 5, 6? In this text, Paul uses the Greek word m esi’tes for “mediator,” which term has a legal significance, so he is not using this word in the broad sense common in many languages. Hence, Paul is not saying that Jesus is Mediator between God and all mankind. Rather, he is referring to Christ as legal Mediator of the new covenant, which laid the basis for Christ’s anointed followers to share with him in his heavenly Kingdom. (2 Corinthians 5:1, 5; Ephesians 1:13, 14; Hebrews 8: 7-13)—8/15, pages 30, 31. (Watchtower, December 15, 1989, p. 30)

Watchtower, December 15, 1989, p. 30

“He mediates the new covenant between God and those taken into the new covenant, the congregation of spiritual Israel. The total number of those who are finally and permanently sealed is revealed in Revelation 7:4-8 as 144,000.” Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 2 p.362 Mediator

Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 2 p.362 Mediator

The society robs the Jehovah Witness of all the promises given by God because the general Jehovah’s Witness has no clue Jesus is not their mediator. And because they don’t have a the Lord Jesus as mediator being an advocate for them they don’t have salvation.

Lastly, the Jehovah Witnesses believe you must perform works in order to be in a ‘good standing’ when you see ‘exercise faith’ this is what it means. This means they believe by going good deeds they are proving to Jehovah they are worthy of being saved or savable. This teaching is contrary to what God’s word says.

Galatians 3:1-3 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Is belief in Jesus all that we need to be saved?

No. Although we must believe in Jesus to gain salvation, more is required. (Acts 16:30, 31) The Bible says: “Just as the body without spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.” (James 2:​26) To be saved, we must:

The Watchtower — Bible Questions Answered

There you go, the Watchtower teaches believing in Jesus Christ is not sufficient that ‘more is required’. They cite James 2:26 as a proof text but the Watchtower entirely misses the meaning of the verse. The apostle James is not contradicting Paul (Ephesians 2:8-10).

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

James is telling us that true faith produces genuine works but those works have no baring on our salvation. Works are the by product of real faith not a means of acquiring salvation.

James 2:21-24 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

“The point you need to convey to Jehovah’s Witnesses is that genuine Christian faith does produce righteous works, but the works have nothing to do with saving us or with making us righteous.

Explain to the Witnesses that James’ comments also address the fact that although God can see the faith that is in our hearts without seeing works as proof—as he did with Abraham in Genesis 15—human beings cannot.

Although we are justified by faith alone before God, we are justified before men through works that they can see. That is, the only way people can see that someone has actually had an inner transformation by God based on his faith is by that person’s changed attitudes and behavior. (James 2:18)

Jehovah’s Witnesses think that their works prove that they are “exercising faith” and are therefore “in the truth.” Don’t accuse them of anything, but do point out that when we think about works, we need to be cautious in our evaluation. People who have not experienced an inner transformation by God can, through self-effort, produce religious works that appear righteous to us and to others, but those works will be rejected by God because merely human-generated righteousness is like filthy rags in his sight. (Isaiah 64:6).” — David Englund

daenglund.com

Jehovah Witnesses must understand that we are not against them personally, our heart goes out to those who are trapped in the Watchtower and afraid to leave because they will lose their families, jobs, friends etc. We understand it’s giving up a lot. But the Lord Jesus said:

Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Your soul is on the line, our desire and more importantly God’s desire is that you come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour. In doing so by trusting in Him for the forgiveness of your sins you can have the free gift of eternal life. You can know right now presently that you have eternal life.

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

God bless and hope you’ll trust in Christ Jesus alone for salvation.

Disclaimer: Thank you for sharing your comments. Please no foul language or insults. The topic of this article is Jehovah’s Witnesses (Jesus Saves—How?). If you get off this topic comments will be deleted.

Breaking Through To Jehovah’s Witnesses (Salvation)

On By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn Scriptures, Teachings, UncategorizedLeave a comment

This post dives into one of the stranger teachings of the Watchtower. How does a Jehovah’s Witness obtain salvation? That’s the question we’re going to answer today.

The Watchtower’s View Of Salvation Is It Biblical?

Since the time the Lord Jesus Christ walked the earth till today Christianity has always agreed upon how one is saved (by Jesus Christ). This foundational truth is shared among all Christian denominations. But there are some who have claimed the name ‘Christian’ yet when examined strays far from Orthodox Christianity.

This will be an interesting topic as most people are aware Jehovah’s Witnesses preach about a ‘paradise earth’ as their main message. How does one get into ‘paradise earth’ and is the message given by the Watchtower backed by the scriptures?

The Watchtower Salvation System

The view of salvation from a Jehovah Witness standpoint is very different from a biblical Christianity. The Witness believe there are two groups of Christians, one small group (144,000) has a heavenly hope. These are referred to as the ‘anointed class’ but the majority of Witnesses are part of another group called ‘the great crowd’ and have an earthly hope meaning they don’t want to go to heaven.

Those who are part of the anointed class are born again but the other group (‘the great crowd’) are not born again. The only possible way for a Jehovah Witness to have salvation is by being associated with the anointed class. Notice the absence of Jesus Christ from the Watchtower’s view of salvation.

Another note of importance is Witnesses don’t believe the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is sufficient to atone for sin. In Watchtower theology the ‘ransom sacrifice’ only covers Adam’s sin and gives the Witness the opportunity to earn their salvation. In other words it gives them a ‘clean slate’ and now they have a chance at obtaining everlasting life through good works.

“To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it.” Watchtower 1983 Feb 15 p.12

Four Requirements

“The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible. Therefore, it can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction.” Watchtower Study Edition 2017 Feb p.26

“Who Really is the Faithful and Discreet Slave?”

The Jehovah Witness must prove they’re ‘worthy’ to make it into Jesus Christ millennial kingdom. Upon them entering the millennial kingdom they still have the possibility of sinning and have to prove themselves for the next 1000 years. During this time they will be tested by satan and cannot allow themselves to sin, if they endure this testing period only afterwards will they achieve ‘moral perfection’ and be adopted by Jehovah.

In turn they will be left in the same position Adam was before he sinned. Is this what the Bible teaches? Let us now compare this with God’s word to see if it stands in light of scripture.

The Biblical View of Salvation

The Bible makes it clear that all of mankind has fallen when sin entered into the world through the disobedience of the first man Adam. As our representative Adam was given dominion over the earth, but after he ate the fruit from tree of knowledge death reigned.

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Romans 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

Human’s are inherently sinful because we’re born with a sinful nature on the account of what happened in the garden. Additionally, we ourselves disobeyed God by committing acts of sin. Acts such as fornication, murder, boastful, disobedient to our parents etc. There’s nothing good in our flesh which can please God because we all sinned by breaking His moral Law.

This is the reason a person is already condemned without Christ as their Saviour. Only Jesus Christ was/is perfect and He alone was able to fulfill the requirement God put forth in order to have salvation. God requires moral perfection and every born again Christian knows we all fall short, all except the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Without Christ and the work He did on the cross none of us would have salvation. It’s the death burial and resurrection of Christ in that He conquered the grave in which our whole faith rest. He alone get’s all the glory for there’s nothing I can do within myself to merit eternal life.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

TWO CLASSES OF CHRISTIANS?

The Bible never teaches a 2 class system in fact all believers are anointed because Christ promised He would send another Comforter. This refers to the Holy Spirit who’s the 3rd person of the Godhead/Trinity, He came to live inside believers.

John 14:17 [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

This doctrine poses a number of severe difficulties for the Witness. If a person is not ‘anointed’ (born again) which most Jehovah’s Witnesses believe then they lost out on all the promises. How so? Well.

A person who doesn’t have the Holy Spirit doesn’t belong to God (Romans 8:9). They are left without a mediator because the Watchtower teaches Jesus Christ is only mediator for the 144,000, which places the Witness outside of the new covenant. The Watchtower’s governing body says Jesus is the mediator only for ‘anointed Christians’.

“So in this strict Biblical sense Jesus is the “mediator” only for anointed Christians.” Watchtower 1979 Apr 1 p.31

Questions From Readers

This means all the promises and blessings the LORD gave to believers don’t apply to the average Jehovah’s Witness because they are not part of the ‘anointed class’. No blessings, no rewards, no treasures and no salvation being that they are not in Christ.

The 2 class system of the Watchtower not only robs people associated with that organization of the vast treasures laid up for believers in heaven, they also try to insert themselves in between the individual and Christ. A scriptures which comes to mind is found in the gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in [yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Just as Christ Jesus was rebuking the religious Pharisee’s for stopping others from entering into heaven by hindering others, the same is true of the governing body who place heavy loads upon members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. It’s our sincere prayer that those stuck in the Watchtower cult would look into the history of all the false prophecies, heretic doctrines and the extra unbiblical policies the organization imposes upon them. Not to mention the rampant child abuse cases happening around the world concerning Jehovah Witness elders.

God’s word never makes a distinction between 2 classes of Christians all believers in Christ receive the same promises from God. The little flock referred to in the gospel of Luke are the Jewish people (Luke 12:32), the other sheep spoken of in the gospel of John are gentiles (John 10:16). Notice in that same scripture Jesus says they will be ‘one fold’ with ‘one shepherd’.

John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, [and] one shepherd.

Hope this blesses you and that you’ll place your trust in Jesus Christ for salvation and not in any organization. Until next time, God bless.

Watchtower Lies and Deceptions May 2020

On By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn Scriptures, Uncategorized25 Comments

Once again another Watchtower has been released for the month of May in which we find the following quote.

At some time during the second century C.E., the true Christian congregation began to be overrun by false Christians, who had adopted pagan teachings and who were hiding the truths found in God’s Word. From that time until the late 19th century, there was no organized group of God’s servants on earth. The weeds of falseChristianity flourished and hid the identity of true Christians.(emphasis added)

watchtower-study-may-2020 pg 3

Please note the Watchtower is claiming that during the second century A.D. the Church Jesus Christ established was “overrun by false Christians”. This is a blatant contradiction to the Lord Jesus words in which we read concerning this found in the gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

What does our Lord mean when He says “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (the Church)”? It’s pretty simple to understand that Christ was saying nothing will be able to go against His Church.

κατισχύω katischýō, kat-is-khoo’-o; from G2596 and G2480; to overpower:—prevail (against).

Yet the Watchtower is saying the Church was “overrun”? Who are we to believe the Watchtower or Jesus Christ? I’ll trust in the words of Christ. Watchtower goes on to say “From that time until the late 19th century, there was no organized group of God’s servants on earth”.

The early Watchtower came into existence in the 1800’s during that time other “restoration” movements began. If there were no true Christians until Charles Taze Russell founded the bible students which later became known as the Watchtower/Jehovah Witnesses under Joseph Franklin Rutherford then the Church Christ created died out according to this article. Who was God using before the Watchtower came to be?

Who was a Christian then between the ascension of Jesus Christ until Charles Taze Russell came? Do you see the significance of such a statement? The Watchtower is saying they alone are the only “true Christians” in the world. We see that in this next portion of the statement “From that time until the late 19th century, there was no organized group of God’s servants on earth”.

In essence they’re saying God had none who were “true Christians” and are calling Jesus Christ a lair because Christ said “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (the Church)”? The Watchtower says “false Christianity hid the identity of true Christians”. If you’ve ever spoken with a JW before you might hear them say “what other group do you know in the world is preaching from door to door”.

The mindset of a Jehovah’s Witness is no one is preaching, no one is fulfilling the great commission the Lord Jesus has commanded for us to fulfill found in the Gospel of Mark.

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

The Watchtower fails to see that Christian missionaries have been going to other countries preaching Christ for centuries. An easy search for Christian missionaries history will bring up a slew of information on this subject. Christian missionaries have preached all over the world including Ghana (David Livingstone), Guatemala, Japan etc.

When Christian missionaries arrived in Japan more than 450 years ago they were more successful there than in any other country in history. Despite the culture shock, which included having to eat with “two small pieces of wood” and encountering a strange new drink called “char”, they won hundreds of thousands of converts. The reaction of the ruling Japanese Shogun was a ferocious crackdown against this new religion which eventually resulted in the country being completely closed to the world for more than 200 years. That legacy remains today and Japan is one of the toughest destinations for missionaries.

Edward Stourton – BBC

Anyone who follows Jesus Christ is a true Christian, it’s quite amazing that the Watchtower denies so many biblical truths which Christianity has believed and taught throughout the centuries. The greatest truth being of Jesus Christ deity as God, yet Jehovah’s Witnesses claim to be “true Christians”? How can one be called a Christian if they deny Christ?

The very word Christian bears the name of Christ, to be a Christian means you’re a follower of Jesus Christ and proclaim His name to a dying world. Have you noticed Jehovah Witnesses never pray in the name of Jesus Christ, they rarely mention His name.

Χριστιανός Christianós, khris-tee-an-os’; from G5547; a Christian, i.e. follower of Christ:—Christian.

The only name that comes forth from a Jehovah’s Witness is “Jehovah” not Jesus Christ. Isn’t that interesting?

Jesus mediator only for the 144,000?

On By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn Scriptures, UncategorizedLeave a comment

So in this strict Biblical sense Jesus is the “mediator” only for anointed Christians.

Watchtower 1979 Apr 1 p.31 (Questions From Readers)

Dear Jehovah Witness did you know the Watchtower teaches that Jesus Christ is not you mediator? Does this come as a shock to you? It should. The Watchtower says that only the ‘anointed class’ have Jesus as their mediator.

For Christians the beliefs of the Jehovah Witnesses (JW) are strange. Most Christians are unaware of the JW’s beliefs thereby it makes it difficult for believers in Christ who are not familiar with the Watchtower teachings to reach JW’s.

Jehovah Witnesses have their own bible (NWT) which has been manipulated in order for it to fit their doctrines. And they are indoctrinated to view scriptures through Watchtower goggles. Lastly, if you’re not part of the JW’s they won’t believe anything you have to say from the bible. Jehovah Witnesses only believe what they are told the bible means through the governing body.

This obstacle is hard to overcome but it’s not impossible. In order to reach a JW for Christ we must first realise that the Watchtower and JW are two distinct entities. The only way to break through is to prove to the JW the contradictions in Watchtower theology. We will look into one of those contradiction today which is the subject of Jesus Christ as mediator.

2 Classes of Christians?

Jehovah Witnesses believe in a 2 class system, the first class consist of spirit anointed Christians starting from the day of Pentecost (33 AD). These Christians ‘the little flock’ make up the 144,000 found in the book of Revelation chapter 7 according to Watchtower.

Revelation 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

JW’s are taught only the 144,000 are anointed and ‘have a heavenly hope’ and will reign with Christ as kings and priest. The doctrine of the 144,000 anointed class did not come from their founder C.T. Russell. Russell taught all the members of the Watchtower are anointed, and the 144,000 who were Spiritual Israel had ‘one hope’ a heavenly hope.

The early teachings of Watchtower was that all Jehovah’s Witnesses go to heaven. There was no paradise earth teaching, nor two destinations for Jehovah’s Witnesses. Russell died in 1916 then Joseph Rutherford became the new president. It was under Rutherford’s leadership that many teachings began to change, one being the teaching of the 144,000.

Russell taught only 144,000 of Jehovah Witnesses would survive armageddon as the accepted view, this created a problem when people began joining the Watchtower and membership increased.

Under Charles Taze Russell the organization grew “In 1931 there were under 50,000 Witnesses in fewer than 50 lands” Mankind’s Search for God p.359 1990

The question now became how is a Jehovah Witness (‘the other sheep’) saved when not part of the 144,000 ‘anointed class’? Well, Rutherford knew that if the ‘door was shut’ in 1934. This would be a major problem as no one else could be added to the anointed class deterring individuals from joining.

The Watchtower introduced the teaching of ‘Faithful and Discreet Slave’. Any Jehovah’s Witness who wanted to survive armageddon would be required to follow the ‘Faithful and Discreet Slave’ better known now as the governing body.

The parable of the faithful and discreet slave is used by the Watchtower Governing Body to justify that they have been appointed by God to lead his people, since 1919. This is used to justify that salvation depends on following them. — JWFacts.com

Here are a few of the outlandish quotes the Watchtower has put out in their own literature claiming to be the only channel in which a person can have salvation.

“That faithful slave is the channel through which Jesus is feeding his true followers in this time of the end. It is vital that we recognize the faithful slave. Our spiritual health and our relationship with God depend on this channel.” Watchtower 2013 Jul 15 p.20

Watchtower 2013 July 15 p.20

“The faithful and discreet slave” was appointed over Jesus’ domestics in 1919. That slave is the small, composite group of anointed brothers serving at world headquarters during Christ’s presence who are directly involved in preparing and dispensing spiritual food. When this group work together as the Governing Body, they act as “the faithful and discreet slave.” jw.org 10th Nov 2012

jw.org 10th Nov 2012

“We need to obey the faithful and discreet slave to have Jehovah’s approval.” Watchtower 2011 Jul 15 p.24 Simplified English Edition

Watchtower 2011 Jul 15 p.24 Simplified English Edition

As you can see the Watchtower made it so that any Jehovah Witness who is not part of the 144,000 ‘anointed class’ is then considered as the ‘great crowd’. Therefore those of the ‘great crowd’ must align themselves and obey the governing body in order to have salvation. The Watchtower has inserted themselves in the place of Christ. It really is a blasphemous doctrine when you understand what they believe.

What Does The Bible Teach?

Since the very beginning all Christians are one fold (flock), the Lord Jesus spoke on this in the Gospel of John it’s know as the chapter on the Good Shepherd. The background is the Lord was talking with the Jewish people explaining that Christ was the Shepherd of the sheep and that all His sheep hear His voice.

The Lord Jesus was telling the people not to listen to a strangers voice, and if anyone tried to enter into the fold without going through Christ would be a thief and robber. The Jewish people in this parable are the ‘little flock’, but Christ didn’t stop there He also said there were ‘other sheep’ He needed to bring with Him.

This was in reference to the Gentiles (non-Jews) and they also would be joined to the ‘little flock’ and the 2 would become one fold.

John 10:11-16 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my [sheep], and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, [and] one shepherd.

Jesus Christ never said there would be a 2 class system of Christians one being ‘anointed’ and the others not. In fact the New Testament says we have one hope.

Ephesians 4:4-6 [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all.

Most importantly all Christians must be born again meaning they would be ‘anointed’ having the Holy Spirit inside them. We’re reminded of when Nicodemus came to the Lord Jesus at night.

John 3:1-8 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

No exceptions a Christian must be born again. Paul the apostle spoke about this in Romans chapter 8 showing the distinctions between the saved and unsaved.

Romans 8:9-11 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

According to the Watchtower only the 144,000 are ‘spirit anointed ones’ with the ‘heavenly calling’.

The 144,000 “have an anointing from the holy one,” Jehovah. (1 John 2:20) It is an anointing to a heavenly hope. God has ‘put his seal upon them and has given them the token of what is to come, that is, the spirit, in their hearts.’​—2 Corinthians 1:21, 22.

Who Really Have a Heavenly Calling? (Watchtower 1991 March 15)

This is a huge problem for the Jehovah Witness as they have no assurance of salvation, Romans 8:9-11 says you don’t belong to God if you don’t have the Holy Spirit. If Jesus Christ is not your mediator that means you’re still dead in your sins! Christ said the Comforter (the Holy Spirit) will be inside believers (John 14:17).

The Watchtower through the 144,000 teaching has literally made a kingdom of slaves for the organization. This is why you’ll see JW’s putting in so much time standing next to carts and going door to door. For the Jehovah Witness they need to work to insure their salvation.

The Bible says that we cannot earn our salvation (Isaiah 64:6, Ephesians 2:8-10, Titus 3:5). If you’re a Jehovah’s Witness reading this first we’d like to say welcome, we understand that you’re talking a huge risk in reading an ‘apostate’ site and this could land you in trouble with your congregation.

More importantly we are pleased that you’re looking into this for yourself to find the facts which Watchtower organization doesn’t want you to know. To find the real Truth which is the Jesus Christ of the Bible. Do not allow the 8 men who consist of the governing body to control your thinking.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

And to our brothers and sisters in Christ continue to reach out to those stuck in the Watchtower. Don’t view the Jehovah’s Witness as the enemy they are just deceived and think they’re doing the will of God. We encourage you to share the Gospel of Christ with them and focus the conversation on showing how the Watchtower is wrong.

Here’s a great quote from David A. Reed’s site concerning HOW TO GET Jehovah’s Witnesses TO LISTEN.

Knocking down a Jehovah’s Witness’s belief system is similar to chopping down a tree. The woodsman who takes aim at the biggest and brightest leaves can swing his axe all day without results. So it is with the Christian who takes aim at prominent JW doctrines and starts swinging. Witness beliefs on theology and the afterlife are attractive targets for Christians who know what the Bible really says on these matters. But those erroneous beliefs are upheld by the Watchtower Society, just as the leaves and branches are held aloft by the tree trunk. Until the woodsman takes aim at the trunk, he swings his axe in vain. Likewise with the Christian who gets into debates with JWs over doctrine…But this does not mean that discussions with JWs are doomed to failure. Success is possible if you treat the disease rather than the symptoms, if you pour the water on the furnace rather than on the radiator, if you swing the axe at the trunk of the tree rather than at the leaves. Chop through the trunk, and the whole tree will come down — including all the brightly colored leaves that first caught your attention.

answerjw.com

Some useful sites for Christians to learn more about the Jehovah’s Witnesses beliefs and how to answer them.

  1. answerjw.com
  2. avoidjw.org
  3. towerwatch.com