Since the Society states it teaches “everything is in harmony with the bible,” I continue looking at things from historical Watchtower documents such as “The Finished Mystery” which is one work that Jesus would have inspected all world religions from 1914-1918. As a follower of the Watchtower, I will leave it up to you as theWatchtower title says, “Make Sure of All Things, Hold Fast To What is Fine,” published in 1953.
A new view of truth can never contradict a former truth. New Light never extinguishes old light but adds to it.
Zion’s Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. February 1888 p. 188
Here are some things that the Society doesn’t want you to know.
- Date setting is nothing new. Where in the Bible does it state that Jesus would do an inspection at a specific time? 1874 was the original date for the presence of Jesus. As I’m sure you well know, it’s now 1914. Read on for some more quotes:
Our thought is, that 1925 is definitely settled by the Scriptures. As to Noah, the Christian now has much more upon which to base his faith than Noah had upon which to base his faith in a coming deluge.
The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. April 1, 1923 p. 106
When things were looking like nothing was going to happen, the Society started to back track as you can see with the following:
The year 1925 is here. With great expectation Christians have looked forward to this year. Many have confidently expected that all members of the body of Christ will be changed to heavenly glory during this year. This may be accomplished. It may not be. In his own due time God will accomplish his purposes concerning his people. Christians should not be so deeply concerned about what may transpire this year.
The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. January 1, 1925 p. 3
Now let’s take another look and see how the blame has been placed:
Bible Students, known since 1931 as Jehovah’s Witnesses, also expected that the year 1925 would see the fulfillment of marvelous Bible prophecies. They surmised that at that time the earthly resurrection would begin, bringing back faithful men of old, such as Abraham, David, and Daniel. More recently, many Witnesses conjectured that events associated with the beginning of Christ’s Millennial Reign might start to take place in 1975. Their anticipation was based on the understanding that the seventh millennium of human history would begin then.
These erroneous views did not mean that God’s promises were wrong, that he had made a mistake. By no means! The mistakes or misconceptions, as in the case of first-century Christians, were due to a failure to heed Jesus’ caution, ‘You do not know the time.’ The wrong conclusions were due, not to malice or to unfaithfulness to Christ, but to a fervent desire to realize the fulfillment of God’s promises in their own time.
Awake! June 22, 1995 p.9
So in short, the “meat in due season” was placed squarely upon the people within the Society even though they were not the ones responsible for printing the material. The members are blamed since the organization refuses to take responsibility. All members take direction from the organization.
What else could the organization be involved in?
- Necromancy: Erroneous belief based upon Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10 (soul sleep)
Hence our dear Pastor, now in glory, is without doubt, manifesting a keen interest in the harvest work, and is permitted by the Lord to exercise some strong influence thereupon.
The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. November 1, 1917 p. 6161
So in short, Russell is conscious and actively directing.
Any manner of purported communication with the dead was condemned by God.
Insight on the Scriptures-Volume 1. 1988 p. 500
Looking at the 1988 standard against the 1917 quote, the organization that was approved as teaching truth was in fact not. Furthermore although the organization officially condemns it is engaging in the practice:
What, then, can we deduce from the fact that one of the 24 elders identifies the great crowd to John? It seems that the resurrected ones of the 24-elders group may be involved in communicating of divine truths today.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. January 1, 2007 p. 28
EVERYTHING THE WT TEACHES IS IN HARMONY WITH THE BIBLE….
Charles Taze Russell (creature worship):
Truly these words fittingly apply to our beloved Brother and Pastor!
Russell, thou hast, by the Lord been crowned a king; and through the everlasting ages thy name shall be known amongst the people, and thy enemies shall come and worship at thy feet.
The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. December 1, 1916 Reprints p. 6015
How much emphasis does Brother Russell have today? How much time is devoted to telling the perspective member about him?
“With the passing of time, however, the idea adopted by many was that C.T. Russell himself was the ‘faithful and wise servant.’ This led some into the snare of creature worship.”
Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses. 1975 p. 88
The trend shows again. The blame for Russell worship was placed at the feet of the people who were part of the Society and not the organization.
Here’s some other things worth considering:
- Biblical Symbolism-nothing correct: The palm is especially the symbol of martyrdom. The Finished Mystery. 1917. p. 138
- Cannot get numbers right: The Great Company or Crowd was “properly” numbered by the society… Actual quote says: And the number of them.-“Whose number no man knoweth” Rev. 7:9. The the number of the great company well apparently exceed 100 millions. Num. 4:46-48 and Ex. 28:1 indicate but one priest to each 2,860 Levites, which would make the number of the Great Company approximate 411,840,000. The Finished Mystery. 1917. p. 102, 103
So in short, the Society knows more about numbering then John who wrote Revelation does. How can they do so unless they are inspired?
The society has condemned the Christadelphians for preaching nothing but man made doctrines. However, they have embraced the presence as opposed to coming of Jesus. In short, they continue the trend and I ask, are these the doctrines of men that you wish to leave your eternal security to?
