"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippines 4:8
The Greek Septuagint named for the 70 Jewish men who translated the Hebrew Old Testament scriptures into Greek around 300-200 BC was written for Hellenistic Jews living outside of Jerusalem in parts of Greece. This Greek translation was produced because many Jews dispersed throughout the empire were beginning to lose their Hebrew beliefs. These Jews who were living among Gentiles were accustomed to reading in the Greek tongue and it was important for the men who wrote the Septuagint that it would be understandable to those Jews living abroad.
Additionally, the Greek Septuagint gave Gentiles insight into the beliefs of Judaism being that it was written in their own language. The Septuagint was also a source of the Old Testament for early Christians during the first few centuries AD. Many Christians at that time spoke and read Greek, thus they relied on the Septuagint translation for a majority of their understanding of the Old Testament scriptures.
The New Testament writers also relied on the Septuagint, as a majority of Old Testament quotes are cited in the New Testament and are quoted directly from the Septuagint. When it came to referencing God the Septuagint writers took the name κύριος (kyrios) which is only reserved in praise and worship of God Almighty translating it to LORD.
The New Testament writers understood the Old Testament scriptures very well, remember in the time when Jesus Christ walked with His disciples they didn’t have any of the New Testament writings yet. For Christ was not yet ascended, after His ascension is when the New Testament was composed by the apostles.
Saul of Tarsus started as a pharisee before he was converted and became the apostle Paul. He would have known the Old Testament scriptures very well yet when Paul wrote his epistles he took the phrase “called upon the name of the LORD” and applied this same phrase to the Lord Jesus.
This is just more strong evidence for the deity of Jesus Christ as being the Almighty God who created all things (John 1:3; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:16-17; Revelation 4:11). If you don’t know Jesus Christ as you’re Lord and Saviour then you’re without life as Jesus is the source of life. Jesus said speaking of Himself.
Sin separates us from God and we’re told in God’s word that if we die in our sins we will be lost for all eternity, all unbelievers will be cast into the Lake of Fire the Bible says; which is the second death. We all sinned against God but not all of us will end up in hell because we’ve trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. Will you do the same?
In the book of John it says that if you receive the Lord Jesus then you can become a son or child of God. You’ll be adopted into the family of God and will be given eternal life.
You’ll be born again and God will dwell in you making you a new creature, at this time you’ll begin to love the things of God, and you’ll love people by sharing the truth of what Jesus Christ came to do and that’s to save sinners. As the apostle Peter said you’ll have a “lively hope”.
All too often I hear of people experiencing depression. Depression is a debilitating affliction and it causes people to feel like there is no purpose to life. I experienced a bit of this at various points in my life before I was saved by Jesus Christ. I did not experience clinical depression, but I felt it at times and saw it first-hand in people around me to understand just how its effects can be heart-wrenching and crippling to the human life. When one suffers from depression, he or she wonders, why am I alive? What is the point? Why even do groceries, garden, or anything at all? There is no joy, no purpose, no fulfillment…only a dark black void with seemingly no escape. A feeling of despair within one’s soul. Everything feels numb and it is difficult to enjoy life or feel appreciation for anything. Some people have such severe depression that they take their own lives, a grave mistake because there is no rest after death for those who do not trust in Christ.
This pondering of what is the purpose to life is part of my testimony, because these questions about my existence led me to the one true God. I needed to know why I was here, breathing and living.
Now that I have been saved by the blood of the Lamb, I have a perspective on depression that I believe doctors are missing and they will never get, because they focus on simply the physical and psychological and nothing more. But they are sorely mistaken, because there is so much more. In fact, doctors only treat the mere surface of something so much deeper that only God can cure. What is more than the physical or the psychological?
The spiritual.
People get depressed because they do not feel there is purpose to life. They feel alone, they feel joyless, they feel like there is no point so why even try. The reason people feel these things is because they do not have a reconciled relationship with their Creator. This is, and will always be, the root cause of deep unending severe depression. They are a living being that has been created by God, yet they are trying to live their life completely set apart from Him. It isn’t going to happen, and there is absolutely no cure for depression except that they surrender their life to Jesus Christ, trusting in Him and being born-again.
Once this happens, your loneliness dissipates. You have a purpose in your existence you never knew before. You experience a love that fills your heart and soul, whereas before you trusted in Him, all you knew is brokenness and rejection. You feel accepted, loved, cared for for the first time in your life. It doesn’t mean you weren’t feeling loved before or were devoid of it, but no love on this earth between humans can compare to the love and closeness of God Himself. Nothing.
Humans can only love with broken love because humans are all broken, imperfect people. When you are made a child of God, you are perfectly loved by a perfect God and He fills every single void you have in your heart and spirit. It is incredible what happens when you become a child of God.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blamebefore him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:3-14)
Reading this truth for children of God, one can’t help but be filled with joy as they set their heart on these spiritual truths from above. For those who inherit salvation, depression vanishes as you start a new life as a child of God. You realize that your time on earth is short, and you are destined for Heaven for all eternity. Things on this earth no longer matter, so your depression lifts. When someone is depressed, it’s because the things in this physical realm matter too much and things of this world were never supposed to take precedence over God in our lives. You realize that you have abundant purpose. That this beautiful, glorious God created you, your personality, your eyes, your nose, every detail of your body inside and out. You realize that God has loved you before you were ever conceived in your mother’s womb, that you are not a mistake and you didn’t appear here by random chance, and He has set out to save you in an extravagant way by enduring torture and dying on the cross for you, shedding his blood for you.
When you realize these very special truths, your heart lights up and depression is gone. Because you are filled. You are filled with the presence of God by His Holy Spirit.
It doesn’t mean that a born-again believer will not walk through rough times: dry times, testing times, disparaging times, or even bouts or seasons of depression. Even the people of God in scripture went through times of depression, including a man after God’s own heart, King David Himself. But that depression is a different kind of depression, and is not lasting and only for a season as God works in your life.
“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar. Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God? Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” (Psalm 42)
This Psalm written by David speaks multitudes regarding depression and how to handle it for a believer. David was so obviously depressed in this Psalm, as he writes, “my tears have been my meat day and night”. As we can see, David was not immune to times of depression either, but his own resolution is what we are to do with that depression. As we read on in Psalm 42, we can see how this man after God’s own heart deals with his hopelessness and sadness: “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”
As King David teaches us, there is nothing wrong with crying and feeling depressed or times of despair and hopelessness. They will come. Even for a child of God. And we must walk through it, no matter the difficulty. What God puts in our path or allows in our life is always to grow us, refine us, teach us, sanctify us, and prepare us for glory.
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:17-18)
However, in the sufferings we experience, we are to take these feelings and bring them to God and even through the despair. We are to hope in Him, recognizing that He is taking care of us even through the storm we may face. King David, though saddened, was hopeful at the end of this Psalm because he set his eyes on the only one who can give our hearts hope: God.
By personal experience, I can notice my own feelings and times I may feel sad or hopeless in a moment or in a season in my walk with God, and they are always times when I am most distant from Him. Of course, if you are born-again, you are never distant from Him but sometimes He may make Himself “seem” distant in order to teach us what David learned, and that is to set our eyes on Him, continue to have faith in Him, and hope in Him during these stormy seasons. As we seek Him and set our hearts on things above, our depression lifts. When we focus on things of the earth, we are bound to get depressed, sad, or feel despair because there is no hope on this earth but only in God alone. David was depressed because he was focused on his earthly trials and the mountains he had to face. The moment he set his eyes on God in heaven, hope and encouragement filled his heart. This is true for all believers.
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)
God does put His children through the fire of testing, that we may be refined and sanctified. It hurts during the process, but the outcome is so precious in God’s eyes. He burns away things that are not meant to stay, and what’s revealed is true fruit. I’ve experienced this in my walk with God.
Who (believers) are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1: 5-9)
There can be much superficial advice regarding depression that may work for a moment, but if you do not have a reconciled relationship with God, depression will always come back and will never leave, nor will your suffering be used for your ultimate good – truths that believers can hold onto.
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:28)
It is imperative to spend your one life on this earth to know the God who created you. Denying Him will not only have detrimental effects in this world, keeping you purposeless, and with no hope, but if one does not trust in Christ, the suffering will also be in the world to come.
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28).
Trust in Christ to receive salvation, purpose, love, joy, acceptance, car, protection, security, and everything you could ever possibly need. Without Him, there is no hope for the human soul.
God created the heavens and the earth, the creation account is found in the very first verse in our Bibles (Genesis 1:1). The LORD wanted to be certain that we would understand this right at the offset. Bearing this in mind among those who believe in God’s word (Christians), we would agree that only the Almighty God created everything. As it relates to Jesus Christ let us see what the Bible has to say in regards to creation.
We establish from the beginning that it’s a prayer to God in worship. Going down we read in (v25)“Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens [are] the work of thy hands” God created the earth and heavens just as we see in (Genesis 1:1).
David then tells us that God is unchanging or immutable (v26) and he compares that attribute of the Almighty God to creation itself “They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:” God outlives all of His creation for He alone is eternal.
The man after God’s own heart David once again lets us know the LORD remains forever the same (v27)“But thou [art] the same, and thy years shall have no end”.
Continuing on (v11) states “They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;” as we can see Jesus Christ remains while creation will wax old or decay. This speaks once again of the unchanging or immutable Almighty God we serve.
We then finish up with (v12)“And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.” The Lord Jesus Christ is the Almighty God just as the scripture say in Hebrews 13:8“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever”.
As Christians, our goal in life is to become less and less and have the fragrance of Christ exude from us more and more. It’s not about us, it’s about Him. We’re to walk in this world viewing it with the mind of Christ; we are not to view Christ from the standpoint of the world. As we grow in our faith and abide in Him, He will become greater in us and we will exude Jesus more. Our time on earth is extremely short, and it’s easy to get caught up in selfishness and comfort. But when we get back to perspective and realize that we really only have a few short years on this earth, and those years are meant to spent living for God, loving and serving and following Him, it makes helps us not think about ourselves so much.
He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30).
Before we come to Christ, our lives are centered on ourselves – our needs, our desires, our comforts. And we tend to more often than not put ourselves first. However, when a person trusts in Christ and gives their entire life to Him, that person is made new by the power of the Holy Spirit. Through regeneration, our hearts, our minds, our spirits are transformed. We are not working to be close to God and be different than we used to be, instead we now have God permanently indwelling us and He’s the one who makes us different. Thus begins a life of transformation, from the inside out. Where we were once selfish, we become selfless. Where we once put ourselves first, we put Christ first. And when we put Christ first, we put others first.
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40)
Slowly but steadily, the dry and wretched things of this world come off of us as we are renewed by the Spirit of God daily. As we have our eyes look on Him, our eyes are looking toward ourselves less. Our hearts focus upward to God, and less inward to ourselves.
This is the purpose of human existence. For, God is the One who created you, and He created you for a reason. And that reason isn’t to make yourself greater, but to glorify God and to make Him greater in this world. You were not created to live for yourself; you were created to know God and be known by God, and live for Him.
How does one live for Him? By trusting in what Jesus Christ did on the cross, (that He shed His blood for your sins), being forgiven of your sins, being justified of your debt that you owed God, and regenerated by His Holy Spirit. Without His Spirit, you will be striving your whole life to please God in vain, because unless you are covered by His blood, there is no forgiveness. All you need to to is put your faith in Him, and you will be made new and clean, from the very depth of your soul.
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30)
Through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 10:43b)
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (Romans 3:25)
Trust in the Lord of lords and King of kings and fulfill your soul’s purpose. ❤
This wintery season, walking in the woods, I have been fascinated and awe-struck by the LORD’S beauty and glory.
How can we deny His existence, looking at beauty like this? The power, might, beauty, and intelligence of God is on every detail of this scene. Walking through this magnificence, my heart was so full and enlarged because I couldn’t take my mind off Him. I can’t help but think about God in His glory and majesty when I see all of this beauty.
The birds chirping, the snow falling, every single little branch covered in powder white gleaming ice crystals, the crisp fresh air, the chipmunks and squirrels – only a Creator could be responsible for this.
Sometimes, we can be so quick to think that if we don’t see God Himself standing right before us, that logically, it means He’s not real. I would like to humbly challenge that logic!
Here’s some thought to offer: say you’re walking somewhere in a bushed area one snowy evening and you come across a snowman. I’m guessing that there’s not a doubt in your mind it was created by someone, right? That someone took the time, the effort, the skill, the creativity and the work to create the snowman. There’s no way it could have just appeared there by chance: three big snowballs, large on the bottom, medium on top of that, and a smaller one as the head, dressed in some eyes, a carrot nose, and a smile. It’s logic to believe someone made this snowman, right?
Okay, now what about you?
Yes…you! A beautifully designed human being, with intricate complexities that are unique and remarkable, made in the image of God. Eyes, a nose, mouth, and so much more it would take all of existence to thoroughly study and understand everything that makes up the human being.
Why is a snowman so obviously created by a higher intelligence, yet you, which is so much more complex and beautiful than an inanimate snowman, yet you were not created, but formed by random chance?
Here’s another thought: let’s go back to the snowman. When you came across this snowman one snowy evening in the bushed area, there was not another soul anywhere to be seen. You and this snowman were alone. You couldn’t see who created it.
But the snowman was still created, right? Even if you can’t see who created it, and you most likely never will in your lifetime? The person who created the snowman is indeed real and not some figment of your imagination?
You can’t see God, but it doesn’t mean He isn’t real or that you haven’t been purposefully and carefully created with love by another Being of much greater power and intelligence than we could fathom.
And this God isn’t just some impersonal being that created you. He’s a God who created you with purpose and love, a God that loved you so much for you that He died on the cross for your sins, that if you trust in Him, you’ll have eternal life. And then, you’ll see Him.♥️
I hope that this helped to understand that it is indeed logical to believe in a God who created us, just as in the same way it is logical to believe that a snowman didn’t just appear, but was created as well! How amazing that a loving God would think us up in His mind full of wisdom, and create us with so much love and care.
Psalm 19
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
Psalm 139
O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
All cults (Christadelphians, Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, Baháʼí, Hare Krishna, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam) reject Jesus Christ is God, the Bible calls them antichrist (1 John 2:18, 22, 1 John 4:3, 2 John 1:7). According to the Watchtower they believe that ‘Jehovah’ is Almighty God and Jesus Christ was the first being created by ‘Jehovah’. In-fact Jehovah Witnesses are taught from the Watchtower to believe Jesus is Michael the archangel. The following is a statement from their FAQ in regards to who Jesus is.
Yes. We believe in Jesus, who said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) We have faith that Jesus came to earth from heaven and gave his perfect human life as a ransom sacrifice. (Matthew 20:28) His death and resurrection make it possible for those exercising faith in him to gain everlasting life. (John 3:16) We also believe that Jesus is now ruling as King of God’s heavenly Kingdom, which will soon bring peace to the entire earth. (Revelation 11:15) However, we take Jesus at his word when he said: “The Father is greater than I am.” (John 14:28) So we do not worship Jesus, as we do not believe that he is Almighty God. – Watchtower
What does the Bible really teach about Jesus?
The Bible teaches that God alone is the creator, an angel doesn’t have the power God alone possesses because God created the angels also. When you examine the Jehovah Witnesses theology you’ll see how there are many problems.
1 They say Jesus was created by Jehovah and through Jesus Jehovah made everything else. If that were so then why does God tell us otherwise?
Reading carefully we see that Isaiah 44:24 says that God created the heavens and earth by Himself. This proves that God didn’t use an “agent” to create “all other things” as the Watchtower teaches. Yet we see that Jesus created all things in the book of John chapter 1 reads (speaking of Jesus Christ).
The verse in John says “and without him was not any thing made that was made”. Nothing was made without Jesus Christ making it. Therefore, the Jehovah Witnesses have a contradiction because they say Jesus Christ is not God yet they say Jesus helped God in creation. But clearly the Bible says only God created all things alone.
Read it and make the decision for yourself who you think is correct, the Watchtower or God’s Word the Bible. Jehovah Witnesses do not believe in Jesus at least not the Jesus Christ of the Bible.
We truly live in an age full of lies and deceptions, the father of lies (John 8:44) loves to disseminate falsehoods when it comes to the God we worship and praise. One of the worlds largest cults the Jehovah Witnesses also known as the Watchtower has put out their latest Watchtower magazine No. 1 2020.
The Watchtower magazine is the premier way Jehovah Witnesses derive their doctrine, while they will tell you they get their teachings from the Bible; do not be deceived JW’s are told no one can understand the Bible on it’s own without “the faithful and discreet slave” in other words the governing body telling them how to interpret the Bible. According to the Watchtower here’s a quote as to how we are to understand the Bible.
As you can see the Watchtower places themselves in a position as to control its members saying they cannot understand the Bible alone. This claim is false the word of God tells us directly as believers to prove all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21). We are to try the spirits because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1), and to study to show ourselves approved (2 Timothy 2:15).
Yet the Watchtower says no one can know God’s word outside of their organization. The true marks of a cult indeed! The purpose of this article is to try or test the so called “truth” of the Watchtower.
The Search for Truth
The Watchtower opens up with the following statement. “Knowing the truth can be a matter of life and death. For example, consider how our lives have been affected by the answer to the following question, How do infectious diseases spread?”.
We can wholly agree that “Knowing the truth can be a matter of life and death” in fact we would go a step further in saying “Knowing the truth IS a matter of life and death”. This is why we go out in love to share the truth of God’s word with Jehovah Witnesses because they’ve been misled by the Watchtower, believing Jesus is not God is a serious salvific problem. Jehovah Witnesses have been taught Jesus is not God but is Michael the arc-angel.
God’s word says otherwise, the word of God says the Lord Jesus is God manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16), that He didn’t take on the nature of angels (Hebrews 2:16). Michael the arc-angel didn’t dare bring any accusation against satan in his own authority (Jude 1:9). In contrast Jesus Christ did rebuke satan many times one of those being the temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 16:23, Mark 8:33, Luke 4:8). Therefore, Jesus and Michael cannot be the same person.
The Watchtower continues on to say “For thousands of years, no one really knew the answer to that question. Meanwhile, plagues and epidemics took millions of lives. Eventually, scientists learned the truth. They discovered that diseases were often caused by germs—microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses. Finding out that one truth has helped people prevent and treat many diseases, which has led to billions of people living longer and healthier lives”.
It saddens Christians to see how Jehovah Witnesses cannot see they themselves have a huge epidemic, a disease caused by the Watchtower germ. It’s causing them to remain in their sins because they trusted in a false Jesus which cannot save. The Apostle Paul warned us about believing in a false Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:4).
The Watchtower then said this statement “You may wonder, ‘How is it possible to find out the truth about anything?’ After all, finding out the truth about many things seems to be getting more and more difficult. Why?”
The reason why “finding out the truth” seems difficult to the Watchtower is thats cults like them cloud people’s minds with lies and deceit. They place a barrier between individuals and God. It’s a futile attempt as God can still reach these individuals and have been as we see more people waking up to the Watchtower’s lies.
This next statement shows how the Watchtower isolates an individual by telling them not to look at other information. They instil fear and do not allow their members to think for themselves. This is what they said:
“Many people do not trust governments, businesses, or the media to tell them the truth. They find it difficult to distinguish facts from opinions, half-truths, and outright lies that are presented as reliable information. In this climate of distrust and misinformation, people disagree not only on how to interpret the facts but also on what the actual facts are.” – Watchtower
We see how the Watchtower inserts themselves as the only ones capable of distinguishing “facts from opinions” they strip people of independent thinking. Look at the following quote from them which says.
Notice the Watchtower is saying that “independent thinking is from satan” this is how they trap and indoctrinate those who fall victim to the lies of the Watchtower. They then give an analogy for the search for truth presenting us with a little scenario in which a lady names Jessica makes certain to protect herself from food allergies. This is what they said:
Consider Jessica’s situation. “My daughter’s peanut allergy is so severe,” she says, “that even a trace amount of peanut protein can be fatal.” Jessica needs to know that the food she buys will be safe for her daughter. “My first step is to read food labels carefully to check the ingredients. Then I do further research and even contact the manufacturer to confirm that there is no risk of cross contamination. I also consider other reliable sources that can vouch for the company’s reputation for following safe food practices.”
Your daily search for truth may not be as critical as Jessica’s, but like Jessica, you may use the following approach to find answers to questions you have:
They then list the ways in which to find truth, the Watchtower says “Get the facts. Do additional research. Make sure your sources are credible.” How deceitful because Jehovah Witnesses are only allowed to find “facts” and “research” only within Watchtower sources.
The Truth About God and Christ
This next section is from the magazine on their views about God and Christ, we’ll answer what the Watchtower puts forth with the Bible to see how well holds up against God’s word. Understanding that only the true Jesus Christ of the Bible can save the sinner from going to hell for all eternity, keeping that in mind let’s see if the Watchtower believes in the true Christ.
The article starts with a few Bible verses namely John 17:3, Daniel 7:18, Revelation 4:11. Then they give this statement “Although humans worship many gods, there is only one true God. He is “the Supreme One,” the Creator of everything and the Source of all life”.
Let’s see what those verses say that we can understand the meaning of the text. John 17:3 says:
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
The Jehovah Witnesses believe because the text says “…that they might know thee the only true God,…” they take this to mean “only the Father is God Almighty” Christians can partly agree with this because we indeed believe the Father is God Almighty, but does that mean the Son (Jesus Christ) is not? No. That’s not what the text is saying, let’s read it again.
It reads “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” notice the text is saying both the Father is God AND the Son is God. How you might ask? It’s because Jesus Christ shares the same nature as the Father, we do not believe in 2 separate God’s like the Jehovah Witnesses do. The JW’s believe in a big God who is more powerful and a lesser god Jesus.
Is that what the Bible teaches a bigger and lesser god? Here’s what the Bible says in speaking about Jesus Christ. The Gospel of John says:
John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
We see that the Word (another name for Jesus before the incarnation) always existed in eternal fellowship with the Father therefore, He’s not “created”. The text says the Word is God in the Greek it says “and God was the Word” and lastly it says “all things were made by him” Jesus made all things and we know only God made all things this proves Jesus Christ is God Almighty just as much as the Father is God Almighty.
Paul the apostle wrote in the book of Colossians proving the Lord Jesus Christ deity saying.
Colossians 1:15-17 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 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.
Again we have text which says “all things were created” by Jesus Christ. The Watchtower takes this same text and adds the word “other” thereby changing the meaning of the text. See post Here’s Why You Can’t Trust The New World Translation.
We see a consistent theme in regards to Jesus Christ creating all things. Both the Father and the Son (Jesus) are equal this is why we read Jesus is equal to the Father (John 5:18, Philippians 2:6).
They also quoted Revelation 4:11 in trying to say only God the Father should be worshipped. Is Jesus Christ worshipped the same as the Father? Let’s find out. In that same book we have an account in which all of creation joins in worship to God.
Revelation 7:9-12 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; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and [about] the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, [be] unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
Here we have universal worship of God we have angels and a multitude of people from all nations standing before the throne AND before the Lamb (Jesus Christ) and what did they say? It says all the angels, elders, 4 beast and people fell down before the throne on their faces worshipping God saying “Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, [be] unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.”
No created creature ever will receive the worship which is displayed here, this worship is only reserved for God Almighty and it says they worshipped the Lamb (Jesus Christ).
The apostle Thomas also worshipped Jesus saying “my Lord and my God” after seeing the prints of the nails in the hands and feet of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 20:28). When Jesus Christ was born the wise men came to worship Him and brought Him gifts (Matthew 2:11). A leper who wanted to be healed from his leprosy worshipped Jesus (Matthew 8:2). A certain ruler came and worshipped Jesus Christ asking Him to raise his daughter from the dead (Matthew 9:18).
When Jesus was walking on water Peter asked to join Him, when Peter began to sink the Lord saved him they came back into the boat and they all worshipped Him (Matthew 14:33). A woman from Canaan came asking to deliver her daughter from a devil and the lady worshipped Him (Matthew 15:25). There’s many more but I think you get the point Jesus Christ is worshipped the same as the Father and to prove that here’s a verse.
John 5:23 That all [men] should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
The Watchtower then says that the true personal name of God is JEHOVAH. This is their little niche, they say only true Christians use the name “JEHOVAH”. They say: “God’s name appears in the original text SOME 7,000 TIMES. JEHOVAH is God’s name. LORD, GOD, FATHER—Some of Jehovah’s titles”.
Where did the name “JEHOVAH” come from? The name comes from the Tetragrammaton. It’s a Latinized mispronunciation of the Hebrew name, resulting from combining the consonants of the name, YHWH and Adonai meaning Lord. YHWH + Adonai
Removing “d”, “n”, “i” from Adonai which leaves “A o a” they took this and inserted these letters between YHWH. When done you get YaHoWaH In Hebrew the “Y” when rendered into Greek has a “J” sound becoming “Jahovah” or Jehovah. Certainly this cannot be God’s name. God actually gives us His name in the book of Exodus.
Moses asked God what’s His name and God said:
Exodus 3:13-14 And Moses said unto God, Behold, [when] I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What [is] his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
Then God said: Exodus 3:15 …this [is] my name for ever, and this [is] my memorial unto all generations. Jehovah is not God’s name and the Watchtower is very mistaken by thinking it is.
In this latest Watchtower magazine they state: “What Is God’s Name? God himself says: “I am Jehovah. That is my name.” (Isaiah 42:8) The personal name of God appears some 7,000 times in the Bible. However, many Bible translations improperly substitute this name with a title, such as “Lord.” God wants you to be his friend, so he encourages you to “call on his name.”—Psalm 105:1.” – Watchtower
Notice how the Jehovah Witnesses say “The personal name of God” but as we just saw the name Jehovah is an invention from man. Additionally, the Watchtower took the text in Isaiah 42:8 and added the name Jehovah. This is how the text actually reads.
Isaiah 42:8 I [am] the LORD: that [is] my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
Not Jehovah but LORD, the Watchtower inserted that name in there to lead their members to believe the Bible they have (New World Translation) is the “most accurate”See postWhere the name Jehovah come from?
The Watchtower cites Psalm 105:1 saying “However, many Bible translations improperly substitute this name with a title, such as “Lord.” God wants you to be his friend, so he encourages you to “call on his name.”—Psalm 105:1.”
The Septuagint is the Hebrew scriptures which were translated into Greek for Jews who were living in other parts. The Greek language was the common language. The Hebrew scribes took the name Yahweh the name for God and translated it to κύριος (kŷros) which is LORD in reference to God in the Greek.
Paul the apostle took this word κύριος which is in reference to God Almighty and applied it to Jesus.
1 Corinthians 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
Notice it says “called [to be] saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord”. This is not a contradiction because Jesus Christ is the Lord (Philippians 2:11)
Psalm 105:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
The Watchtower says “God’s Form. God is an invisible spirit. (John 4:24) The Bible confirms that “no man has seen God.” (John 1:18)” We agree that “no man has seen God” but there’s a problem with Watchtower theology. According to Watchtower theology no one has seen God at anytime, the problem is there were many people who did see God.
Abraham saw God Genesis 18:1 And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
Isaac saw God Genesis 26:1-2 And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar. And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:
Jacob saw God Genesis 32:30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
Sarah saw God Genesis 21:1 And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.
Hagar saw God Genesis 16:13 And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
Moses saw God Exodus 33:17-23 And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name. And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. And the LORD said, Behold, [there is] a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.
Joshua saw God Joshua 5:13-15 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, [Art] thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but [as] captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the LORD’S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest [is] holy. And Joshua did so.
We have all these accounts in which people saw God, how does the Jehovah Witness reconcile this? As Christians we know that no man has seen God the Father but all of the people mentioned did in fact see God Almighty. God Himself says He appeared.
Exodus 6:3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by [the name of] God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.
Who did they see then? I’ll tell you who they saw they saw the Lord Jesus Christ as God Almighty. This is why we know there’s no contradictions in God’s word. The Watchtower has many contradictions in saying Jesus is not God, the moment they took that position they lost all credibility in the Old Testament scriptures as well as the New Testament.
What Is the Difference Between God and Christ?
The claim of the Watchtower is that Jesus is not God, they think of Jesus as being created by God and that He’s really Michael the arc-angel.
Jesus Is Not God. Jesus is unique—he is the only person created directly by God. That is why the Bible calls him God’s Son. (John 1:14) After creating Jesus, Jehovah used his firstborn as “a master worker” to create everything and everyone else.—Proverbs 8:30, 31; Colossians 1:15, 16. – Watchtower
As we saw earlier Jesus is called the Word and the Word is God (John 1:1). Jesus created all things (Colossians 1:15-17). Jesus Christ is called God by God the Father (Hebrews 1:8) and in that same chapter it says Jesus created the heavens and the earth and both the heavens and the earth will perish but Jesus Christ will stay the same as the eternal God (Hebrews 1:10-12). In Revelation it calls Jesus the Almighty God (Revelation 1:8, 11).
Watchtower says: “Jesus Christ never claimed to be God. Instead, he explained: “I am a representative from [God], and that One sent me.” (John 7:29) When speaking to one of his disciples, Jesus called Jehovah “my Father and your Father” and “my God and your God.” (John 20:17) After Jesus died, Jehovah resurrected him to life in heaven and gave him great authority at His right hand.—Matthew 28:18; Acts 2:32, 33.”
They try to cite verses which make it seem as though Jesus is not God but let’s explain the passages.
John 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and [to] my God, and your God.
Jesus Christ is going to call the Father God I mean what else would He call His Father? We know that there’s only one true God and all three (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) are called God.
God the Father (John 6:27, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Galatians 1:1, 3, Ephesians 6:23, Philippians 2:11, 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2 Timothy 1:2, Titus 1:4, 1 Peter 1:2, 2 Peter 1:17, 2 John 1:3, Jude 1:1)
Jesus Christ called God not only does the New Testament give direct evidence that Jesus is God, it also provides indirect evidence. There are many indirect references that could be cited. Some of these include. According to Scripture, Jesus possessed certain attributes that belong to God alone. Jesus Is All-Knowing (Luke 6:8). Jesus was able to tell the Samaritan woman her past history without having previously met her (John 4:18). She later said: John 4:29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
The disciples of Jesus recognized this fact (John 16:30). He knew how many times Peter denied Him (John 21:17). The apostles said Jesus knows the hearts of all men (Acts 1:24). He demonstrated knowledge about things that only someone all knowing could know such as the future (Matthew 16:21).
Jesus Is Everywhere Present Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. He’s with us till the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). Jesus fills everything (Ephesians 1:23, Ephesians 4:10, Colossians 3:11).
Jesus’ Nature Is Unchangeable Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.Jesus Has Life In Himself John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. He’s the Life (John 14:6).
Jesus Is All-Powerful Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.Jesus Has Existed For All Eternity (John 1:1). Jesus Christ shares the same glory with the Father (John 17:5).
John the Baptist was born before Jesus yet John testified that Jesus existed before him (John 1:15, John 1:30). The Testimony Of The Writer To The Hebrews Jesus made the worlds (Hebrews 1:2). Isaiah saw Jesus’ glory (John 12:41) The reference to Isaiah seeing the glory of Jesus is found in Isaiah 6:1-3.
Jesus Is A Member Of The Trinity Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou [art] God.Jesus Is Equal To God In His NamesJesus Is The I Am (Exodus 3:14, John 8:56, 58-59).
Jesus Is Lord The God of the Bible is called the LORD in the Old Testament (Exodus 6:1-2). Jesus is also addressed as LORD (Acts 2:36, 1 Corinthians 12:3).
Jesus Is The Lord Of Lords The God of the Old Testament is called LORD OF LORDS (Deuteronomy 10:17). Jesus is the LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 17:14). Jesus Is The Shepherd (Psalm 23:1) Jesus is the good shepherd (John 10:14-15).
Jesus Is The Alpha And Omega and God alone is the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8). Jesus said: Revelation 22:12-13 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Jesus Is Immanuel: God With Us (Matthew 1:22-23). Jesus Has A Unique Relationship With God The Father (John 8:49). Jesus Is Put On An Equal Level With God (Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14).
Jesus Has A Heavenly Origin Hebrews 7:3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. (John 3:31, John 6:38).
Jesus Allowed Himself To Be Worshipped The God who reveals Himself in the Bible has made it clear that He is the only One deserving worship. In the Ten Commandments: (Exodus 20:3). When satan wanted Jesus to worship him, Jesus refused by saying: “Matthew 4:10 …Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve”.
Jesus Was Worshipped By The People (Matthew 28:9, John 9:38, John 5:23). The Angels Were Commanded To Worship Jesus (Hebrews 1:5-6). All Creation Is To Worship Jesus (Revelation 5:13). Jesus Was Addressed In Prayer The Apostles asked Jesus who should replace Judas (Acts 1:24-26). Stephen, the first recorded martyr of the church, prayed to Jesus as he was being killed (Acts 7:59, 60).
Jesus Forgave Sins (Luke 7:48) On another occasion he said to a paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven you” (Mark 2:5). Only God can forgive sins (Isaiah 43:25). Jesus Will Judge The World (Psalm 96:12-13) Jesus claimed that He would judge the world (John 5:22, Acts 17:31).
Jesus Is The Creator John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. Not one thing has been created apart from Him. The Apostle Paul also testified to Jesus being the Creator (Colossians 1:16). Jesus Sustains All Things (Colossians 1:17, Hebrews 1:3).
Jesus Is The Ruler Over All Things Colossians 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: Jesus Will Raise The Dead (John 5:28,29, Philippians 3:21, 2 Timothy 4:1). Jesus Gives Spiritual Life To Believers John 5:21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth [them]; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
Jesus Will Give Eternal Life To Believers John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand (John 17:2).
Jesus Will Bring About The Renewal Of The Heavens And The Earth Scripture says that Jesus, the Creator, will renew the heavens and earth (Hebrews 1:10-12, Matthew 19:28).
Everyone Will Confess That Jesus Is Lord (Philippians 2:9-12) The fact that everything in the universe will confess Jesus is Lord (Yahweh, or Jehovah) proves that He indeed is almighty God. He Has The Same Nature As God (Philippians 2:6, Hebrews 1:3).
The conclusion to the Watchtower Magazine №1 2020
Our conclusion is the Watchtower magazine is rubbish, it’s quite evident that the Jehovah Witnesses are a cult. They won’t let you think for yourself, you must only listen to the governing body, you can’t do research outside of Watchtower sources. And the biggest thing is they deny the Lord Jesus Christ deity which is leading 9 million Jehovah Witnesses world wide to hell.
This is not a cheap shot at the Jehovah Witnesses themselves as they are just people who have been deceived by a small group of wicked men. We are against the Watchtower organization for putting out lies and deception. We hope that if you are a Jehovah Witness that you’ll look into the evidence for yourself, your eternity depends upon it.
