Watchtower History

The history of the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society compared to the present.

The First Resurrection According to the Watchtower

May 29, 2016 By Sean

As I’m sure you know, the Watchtower has an affinity with dates. Often, dates are most associated with the arrival of Armageddon for those who are not in the organization. The date 1914 had a special significance given that is when, according to Watchtower theology, Jesus was enthroned as king even though he had all authority established post resurrection as is stated in Matthew 28:18 (New World Translation)-Jesus approached and spoke to them, saying: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth.” That was the year 33 A.D. With that information in mind, we are going to turn our sights to another dated prediction, that of the First Resurrection.

The First Resurrection is nothing more than raising up from the dead of believers (partial agreement with the mainstream Christian viewpoint). As you know, nothing with the Watchtower is ever that easy to figure out. Based on the information I present from Watchtower Bible and Tract Society quotes, it is apparent that the organization’s first resurrection is for those who are of the anointed class. Being of the anointed as you may or may not know, gives special privileges and this one is no different either. This is a holdover in terms of eligibility from the days of Pastor Charles Taze Russell. Let’s begin:

We start just after the first year when the Watchtower started getting printed (1879) to find our first quote:

We have no hesitation in saying that it is indispensable, and that no one will have a part in the "little flock" or be of "The bride, the Lamb's wife" who has not been baptized. Further, we have scriptural proof that all who are baptized shall be saved, that all such shall be in the "first resurrection.”

Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. September 1880 p. 132

Here we already have a bit of an irony between the Bible and what Pastor Russell espoused. However, remember, he taught (and the Bible Students still believe) is that only 144,000 people would be eligible for salvation. To the present day Jehovah’s Witness who would see this, since it says “all who are baptized shall be saved” would mean that those who are of the Great Crowd should be eligible but again remember the Great Crowd didn’t exist until 1935.

We shall now present what we adduce from the types and prophetic points as seeming to indicate the translation of the saints and closing of the door to the high calling by 1881.

Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. January 1881 Reprints p. 180

So here we go from having scriptural proof to the early organization making a prophetic statement. Put yourself back in that timeframe during 1881. You read this in January, get baptized to be saved and 11 months later, you are no longer here on earth. The verse Matthew 24:13 (NWT) But the one who has endured to the end will be saved. Comes to mind. Who couldn’t this present system of things for less than a year then be translated into heaven? When you’d read this, you’d want to tell everyone you know since you have a very short time since you want them to go as well. It would be a short period of time that you would have to make it. From the viewpoint of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, you can quickly gain new readers.

The WATCH TOWER never claimed that the body of Christ will be changed to spiritual beings during this year. There is such a change due sometime. We have not attempted to say when, but have repeatedly said that it would not take place before the fall of 1881.

Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. May 1881 Reprints p. 224

Here we have the organization making a bit of a backtrack already. It only takes four months for the organization to backtrack and state something completely different. The question is why did the Watchtower Society print in essence what is a retraction? Could it have been that people were talking so much about it and possibly receiving negative correspondence that they had to make this statement? The quote from January made a very big buzz. I’m assuming people didn’t keep much material around for months on end. So perhaps that’s why the Society figured it could get away with printing this. Let’s read on though.

And since the resurrection of the Church must occur some time during this “end” or “harvest” period (Rev. 11:18), we hold that it is a most reasonable inference, and one in perfect harmony with all the Lord’s plan, that in the spring of 1878 all the holy apostles and other “overcomers” of the Gospel age who slept in Jesus were raised spirit beings, like unto their Lord and Master.

Studies in the Scriptures III-Thy Kingdom Come. 1891 p. 234

Just a mere ten years later, the Watchtower goes back to “old light” yet again. First we had the statement of being 1881, then it goes to “never,” here we change the date and move the time from 1881 to 1878. Then we go from the fall to spring. Perhaps Russell was figuring “life” begins in spring so what better way then to just simply get translated then into a spirit being and go to heaven.

We will jump ahead to the 1990s.

Another amazing happening during Christ’s presence is the start of the heavenly resurrection. The apostle Paul indicated that those anointed Christians long asleep in their graves would be the first to be made alive and live with Christ Jesus in the spirit realm. Evidence has been presented over the years to show that this appears to have happened from 1918 onward.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. May 1, 1993 p. 13

So now we have yet another date change. First it was 1881. Then we had to back up to 1881. Then that was not good enough. We had to discard the theology of Russell by selecting the year of 1918.

At this point, it may be helpful to consider what might be viewed as a Bible parallel. Jesus Christ was anointed as the future King of God’s Kingdom in the fall of 29 C.E. Three and a half years later, in the spring of 33 C.E., he was resurrected as a mighty spirit person. Could it, then, be reasoned that since Jesus was enthroned in the fall of 1914, the resurrection of his faithful anointed followers began three and a half years later, in the spring of 1918? That is an interesting possibility. Although this cannot be directly confirmed in the Bible, it is not out of harmony with other scriptures that indicate that the first resurrection got under way soon after Christ’s presence began.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. January 1, 2007 p. 28

So here we are, the concept of the resurrection takes on two more twists. We go not just from some time in 1918 but we go to a specific season. We are going to then add in that the resurrection was no longer a definitive act of a one time event, it is now just an event where it is gradual. Let’s compare this to the bible.

We need to start with Revelation 20:4-6 which is where this is coming from. The New World Translation renders these verses this way: And I saw thrones, and those who sat on them were given authority to judge. Yes, I saw the souls of those executed for the witness they gave about Jesus and for speaking about God, and those who had not worshipped the wild beast or its image and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand. And they came to life and ruled as kings with the Christ for 1,000 years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the 1,000 years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Happy and holy is anyone having part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of the Christ, and they will rule as kings with him for the 1,000 years.

What we have is a period of time that would be in the future. Here are the conditions for those in the first resurrection:

Executed or become a martyr for Jesus and the Father.
Did not worship the wild beast, image, or receive the mark.
Came to life to rule.
They are kings.

Now given that the Watchtower has said in 2007 that it started in 1918, how many Witnesses are executed for Jesus and speaking about God? Look at the 2016 Yearbook and the countries where the Witnesses aren’t, they are the places most likely to be executed for those who are considered under the “umbrella” of Christianity. This would include the countries in the Middle East, North Korea, and China. Contrast that with where Witnesses are. How many die for the Watchtower cause?

Ironically, the Watchtower Society’s anointed die without the majority most likely not being executed. Do they meet this criteria? What is the wild beast, image, or receive this mark? Given that the wild beast, image, and mark are unknown how is it possible for them to meet this criteria? Also, it says "kings." Within the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, there are women to be of the anointed. If they are, why does the bible not say "queens" in addition to kings?

Next, the Bible doesn’t delineate between the anointed and great crowd in these verses. Biblically speaking, anyone who is in the organization should be eligible. This in contrast to the organization that says just a few are to be in the first resurrection. The bigger concern is if you are of the first resurrection, you must be in the second resurrection.

Lastly, John says he saw the souls. These were to be the ones resurrected. It is implying a one time act. The organization implies a gradual resurrection. Which is going to be the correct one? The bible which is saying one resurrection or the organization that says a gradual resurrection that started in 1918 and has been occurring for the past 98 years?

As always, I suggest that you simply place the organization’s material down and simply come to Jesus. Place down the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society material and read the Bible alone.

Condemnation: Where Do You Stand According to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society?

May 22, 2016 By Sean

This is something that the Watchtower regularly commits to yet it has the tendency to talk out of both sides of it’s mouth. I’m going to address the subject of condemnation. For this, we are going to define it as “strong disapproval.”

I would like to spend some time on the topic of condemnation. Starting with the Bible first, I’m not going to read all of Revelation 2 and 3. However, when you look at the Seven Churches of Asia Minor, they are representative of various gatherings today. Each church was either commended or condemned for something. I’m going to quickly go over these using the New World Translation:

Ephesus: Verse 2 and 3 are commendations

‘I know your deeds, and your labor and endurance, and that you cannot tolerate bad men, and that you put to the test those who say they are apostles, but they are not, and you found them to be liars. You are also showing endurance, and you have persevered for the sake of my name and have not grown weary.

Verse 4-Condemnation Nevertheless, I hold this against you, that you have left the love you had at first.

Smyrna

Commend-verse 9 ‘I know your tribulation and poverty—but you are rich—and the blasphemy by those who call themselves Jews and really are not, but they are a synagogue of Satan.

Pergamon

Good verse 13 ‘I know where you are dwelling, that is, where the throne of Satan is; and yet you keep holding fast to my name,+ and you did not deny your faith in me+ even in the days of Anʹti·pas, my faithful witness, who was killed by your side, where Satan is dwelling.

Bad-verse 14 “‘Nevertheless, I have a few things against you, that you have there those adhering to the teaching of Baʹlaam, who taught Baʹlak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality.

Thyatira

Good verse 19 ‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith and ministry and endurance, and that your deeds of late are more than those you did at first.

Condemnation-Verse 20 “‘Nevertheless, I do hold this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezʹe·bel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and misleads my slaves to commit sexual immorality and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

Sardis

Commendation-verse “To the angel of the congregation in Sarʹdis write: These are the things that he says who has the seven spirits of God+ and the seven stars: ‘I know your deeds, that you have the name that you are alive, but you are dead.

Some individuals are pointed out in verse 4: “‘Nevertheless, you do have a few individuals* in Sarʹdis who did not defile their garments, and they will walk with me in white ones,+ because they are worthy.

Philadelphia

Good-verse 8, 10 ‘I know your deeds—look! I have set before you an opened door, which no one can shut. And I know that you have a little power, and you kept my word and did not prove false to my name.

Because you kept the word about my endurance,*+ I will also keep you from the hour of test,+ which is to come upon the entire inhabited earth, to put to the test those dwelling on the earth.

Bad-verse 16

So because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth.

So you notice there is only one group of believers that had no type of condemnation at all mentioned. The irony here is that there is no indiciation that they would ever be perfect in the least bit.

Let’s contrast that with the organization:

Now the Watchtower is very quick to talk about the good that is has. Here’s one quote: God has produced a spiritual paradise and has brought his people into it. The term “spiritual paradise” may seem abstract, hard to grasp, but such a paradise was foretold, and it really does exist.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. October 15, 2004 p. 8

The closest the organization ever said anything was not a spiritual paradise was this: Shocking as it is, even some who have been prominent in Jehovah's organization have succumbed to immoral practices, including homosexuality, wife swapping, and child molesting."

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. January 1, 1986 p.13

Even though the Watchtower loves to condemn earthly government as being under the control of Satan, instead of praying to Jehovah for a divine intervention, they send their army of lawyers to speak on the organization’s behalf. If this organization was truly run by Jehovah, why doesn’t he just simply intervene in a case? When a case is won, the organization is very quick to point it out and insert the information on the official website. I did a simple Google search for “watchtower wins legal ruling” and the third link led to a January 8, 2003 Awake! article titled, “Supreme Court Rules for Freedom of Speech” on the official website. Doing a search for “watchtower loses legal ruling” lead to only Candace Conti being mentioned by various news outlets. The only thing by the organization that was mentioned was, “Russia Bans Official Website of Jehovah’s Witnesses” hosted July 27, 2015.

So here’s an older quote that has the society condemning just a group of local officials:

Consolation condemned San Diego County officials for their refusal to grant a permit for Rutherford's burial at either property, stating "It was not the fate of the bones which they decided, but their own destiny.

San Diego officials line up against New Earth's princes", Consolation. May 27, 1942 p. 6,9

However, one thing has been constant, the organization has reinforced the “us vs. them” mentality and that is where we will focus today.

Christadelphian

If you have a copy of the Emphatic Diaglott, thank a Christadelphian. However, the organization has bitten the hand that helped developed a core doctrine. The organization condemned all Christadelphians with the following quote:

The tenor of the foregoing may cause some to conclude that Christadelphianism is indeed of God. However, as we examine it more closely we find that it contains such gross shortcomings and false doctrines that it simply could not be of God but must be of men.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. August 1, 1962 p. 474

The organization has been against the Catholic Church even though it models the structure much the same way. Here’s the Catholic Church and Watchtower structural comparison:

Catholic Church-Watchtower Society

Pope-Governing Body

Cardinals-Branch Committees

Archbishops-District Overseers

Bishops-Circuit Overseers

Priests-Elders

Deacons-Ministerial Servants

Laity-Publishers

Judge Rutherford was very keen on attacking the Catholic church. Here’s a small sampling from the publication: Judge Rutherford Uncovers the Fifth Column published in 1940.

The Roman Catholic Hierarchy are the chief instrument on earth of the Devil. p. 10

Now the interesting thing is there is a lot of time spent condemning the Catholics. However, this was kind of forgotten since the organization used the Catholic church with a sampling of the following quotes:

The New Catholic Encyclopedia acknowledges: “The date of Christ’s birth is not known. The gospels indicate neither the day nor the month . . . According to the hypothesis suggested by H. Usener . . . and accepted by most scholars today, the birth of Christ was assigned the date of the winter solstice (December 25 in the Julian Calendar, January 6 in the Egyptian), because on this day, as the sun began its return to northern skies, the pagan devotees of Mithra celebrated the dies natalis Solis Invicti (birthday of the invincible sun).

Awake! December 8, 2002 p. 17

“The soul in the O[ld] T[estament] means not a part of man, but the whole man—man as a living being. Similarly, in the N[ew] T[estament] it signifies human life . . . The Bible does not speak of the survival of an immaterial soul.”—New Catholic Encyclopedia.

Is There a Creator Who Cares About You? 1998 p. 168

The New Catholic Encyclopedia revealed that “astrology was used by Pope Julius II [1503-13] to set the day of his coronation and by Paul III [1534-49] to determine the proper hour for every Consistory.”

Awake! July 8, 1994 p. 3

“The Christian concept of a spiritual soul created by God and infused into the body at conception to make man a living whole is the fruit of a long development in Christian philosophy. Only with Origen [died c. 254 C.E.] in the East and St. Augustine [died 430 C.E.] in the West was the soul established as a spiritual substance and a philosophical concept formed of its nature. . . . His [Augustine’s] doctrine . . . owed much (including some shortcomings) to Neoplatonism.”—New Catholic Encyclopedia (1967), Vol. XIII, pp. 452, 454.

Reasoning From the Scriptures. 1985, 1989 ed. p. 379

The commonality between all of these quotes is the organization is freely quoting them. Now if Rutherford said that the Roman Catholic Hierarchy is the devil’s chief instrument and by extension the writings are to, why does the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society openly use material from Satan? Notice the graphic below when the search parameter is set. It is possible that it is pulling in articles that just have "new."

Regardless, one must ask the question, if this organization is so bad, evil, and part of Satan’s system, why does this organization have a steadfast reliance upon it?

I wish to spend some more time on one of the organization’s favorite enemies, the League of Nations/United nations by starting to look at some negative quotes:

Babylon The Great Has Fallen! Gods Kingdom Rules (1963) p.577

No, the UN is not a blessing, even though the religious clergy of Christendom and the rabbis of Jewry pray heaven’s blessing upon that organization. It is really “the image of the wild beast,” the visible political, commercial organization of “the god of this system of things,” Satan the Devil. So the UN will soon be destroyed along with that beastly organization.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. September 15, 1984 p.15

However, this organization initially didn’t speak negatively with this quote:

We cannot but admire the high principles embodied in the League of Nations... Truly this is idealistic, and approximates in a small way that which God has foretold that he will bring about after this great time of trouble."

The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. February 15, 1919 p. 51

It's also worth nothing the League of Nations preceded the United Nations.

However, what many Witnesses are still not aware of is that the organization was part of the Scarlett Beast for nearly 10 years.

Here’s an article that a journalist used to uncover the association:

http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2001/oct/08/religion.world

The organization, as usual gave a half truth as an excuse. It was done to obtain a “library card.” However, here’s the weblink that you can search: http://unbisnet.un.org/

Now, admittedly, it’s been 15 years since this story broke. What you can do as a Witness if you’re curious is simply reach out to the UN and inquire about past procedure if membership was needed for a library card.

Further irony is here when you break out your slightly older you will see this: Two articles that were favorable to the United Nations: Awake! Dec 8, 2000 and April 8, 1998 Awake!

In a similar vein, I just mentioned that a journalist uncovered this. Condemnation goes for the media as well. Let’s look at this:

Satan makes full use of the media to put across this degraded mentality.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. September 1, 1988 p. 16

In the new world, Satan’s propaganda media will have been removed.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. April 1, 1997 p. 17

However, when there’s a need, the organization will employ use of the “Satan’s propaganda media” as the following quote says:

Coordinators’ Committee – The brothers serving on this committee oversee legal matters as well as the use of the media when it is necessary to convey an accurate picture of our beliefs. They also respond to disasters, outbreaks of persecution, and other emergencies affecting our brotherhood anywhere in the world.”

God’s Kingdom Rules! 2014. p. 131

Remember earlier how I called the organization a spiritual paradise? Let’s look again:

Now the Watchtower is very quick to talk about the Good that is has. Here’s one quote: God has produced a spiritual paradise and has brought his people into it. The term “spiritual paradise” may seem abstract, hard to grasp, but such a paradise was foretold, and it really does exist.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. October 15, 2004

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. January 1, 1986 p.13

So here are some things to keep in mind as a Watchowerite, the organization doesn’t want you to believe anything but what it has to say. They are willing to speak out of both sides of their mouths with what they print. Do you possibly believe they are thinking out of both sides when it comes to dealing with you? Come to the Jesus of the Bible and you will never ever regret it. I’d like to finish up by starting with 1 Peter 2:22 (New World Translation): He committed no sin, nor was deception found in his mouth. Let's contrast that with the organization. How often has it been deceptive to the public? If it's deceptive to the public, do you believe that they would be deceptive towards you? Leave the organization today.

The Watchtower, Jehovah, and Vindication

May 15, 2016 By Sean

Today I would like to explore the topic of vindication from the view point of the Watchtower. The Merriam Webster definition has this word being defined one of two ways:

to show that (someone) should not be blamed for a crime, mistake, etc. : to show that (someone) is not guilty
to show that (someone or something that has been criticized or doubted) is correct, true, or reasonable

Today I will focus on the second one since the Watchtower has tried to prove its teachings fit the second definition of being correct, true, and reasonable. With this in mind, let’s look at this concept in Watchtower literature:

So, in similar attitude of mind, must we wait; for the servant is not above his Lord, and our rejoicing in view of the future will, if we have the mind of Christ, be not only because of our own prospective vindication and glory, but also in prospect of the vindication and glory of God and of our Lord Jesus, and of the prospective everlasting triumph of truth and righteousness.

Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. March 1, 1892 Reprints p. 1375

This is a quote that I can’t really argue except that the initial focus is upon self. They should have simply stated God and Jesus. They would need no vindication if that was the case. A question to ask is if they needed vindication, were they possibly being viewed as teaching things that were incorrect or untrue?

And, like his heavenly Father, through it all he was cheered in consideration of that "due time," though then in the far distant future, when his character, and also the Father's character, would be fully vindicated and manifested to every creature in heaven and in earth. And still our blessed Lord Jesus and our adorable heavenly Father await with patience the grand consummation. So, in similar attitude of mind, we must wait; for the servant is not above his Lord, and our rejoicing in view of the future will, if we have the mind of Christ, be not only because of our own prospective vindication and glory, but also in prospect of the vindication and glory of God and of our Lord Jesus, and of the prospective everlasting triumph of truth and righteousness.

Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. June 1, 1906 Reprints p. 3784

Here there is getting slightly worse since there is a surety of the Watchtowerites, then known as Bible Students being vindicated, yet it is mentioned in “prospect” of God and Jesus, seemingly make it seem like the outcome is uncertain. Reading on, we are going to slightly transition to Rutherford prior to him taking over the organization:

"AN ECCLESIASTICAL BATTLE" BY

JUDGE J. F. RUTHERFORD.

DEAR MR. COWARD:--

I have to thank you for the copy of the vindication of Pastor Russell, which you were kind enough to send me, and which, I need hardly tell you, I read with interest, having, as you know, been to some extent prejudiced against your leader and his work.

Its perusal cannot fail to increase my interest in his writings, as each point raised by his champion carries conviction with it to any one who enters the jury box with an open mind, as, thanks to your interview, I was prepared to do.

Again thanking you, and with best wishes for yourself and work, I am

Yours faithfully, CHAS. A. SMITH.--West Indies.

The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. January 15, 1916 Reprints p. 5842

What is interesting here is that if Russell was truly teaching everything in accordance with what the Bible actually stated, would he have been needed to be vindicated? Again, since the organization was not going to print anything negative at all, why was Russell not vindicated in court with various controversies such as the “miracle wheat” debacle? When we have a shift over to Judge Rutherford, vindicating became even more important.

Prior to the coming of the Lord to his temple in 1918 the consecrated believed that God’s purpose was to save a few in heaven and to restore other obedient ones of mankind on earth. They were blind to the two opposing organizations, and particularly to the fact that the greatest of all doctrines is the vindication of God’s word and name by and through his kingdom.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. October 15, 1931 p. 310

This concept went even further from just making a mention of this conceptual word to being the title of a trilogy. These books entitled Vindication (Parts I, II, III) were to expand upon the prophecy by Ezekiel in the book of the Bible containing the same name. It is 47 pages and within the present day New World Translation is 71 pages in length has been expanded to:

Vindication Part I-337 pages

Vindication Part II-339 pages

Vindication Part III-348 pages

Total: 1024 pages

New World Translation: 1618 pages

Comparing the length, those books combined are 63% of the present day New World Translation. With that in mind, let’s look at some of the statements set forth in these books that focused on Ezekiel.

Vindication-Part I:

The year 1922 was manifestly God’s due time to begin to make known his judgments against the nations of Christendom and to pronounce his judgment by and through his anointed people. It was in that same year, to wit, 1922, that the commandment came from the temple of God to his angels to begin the pouring out of the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth, and God’s covenant people in convention assembled at Cedar Point participated in that work.

Vindication-Part I. 1931. p. 55

Can anyone find where in Ezekiel that this prophecy exists? I’m unable to find it.

Particularly from and after 1922 God’s covenant people have assaulted “organized Christianity” with the weapons of truth provided by the Lord, and have continued so to do with zeal and vigor.

Vindication-Part I. 1931. p. 56

The “weapons of truth” that were in use at this time have all been discarded or deemphasized such as the King James Version.

The Prophet Nahum, prophesying concerning the preparation of God’s organization to make assault upon the enemy, says: “He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face.” (Nah. 2: 1)

Vindication-Part I. 1931. p. 98

The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society has long claimed that it is “God’s organization. When it comes to the assault, why is it that Jehovah has not allowed the Jehovah’s Witnesses to make a significant dent given that the organization is still outnumbered when you look at the size of Christianity?

Vindication-Part II

This prophecy therefore points in time to the period following 1918, when the Lord came to the temple and inaugurated the day of vindication upon “Christendom” so called.

Vindication-Part II. 1932. p. 24

We have yet another time based prophecy pointing to a specific year, can this be validated in Scripture?

Satan, therefore, is the creator of the wicked system of commerce that oppresses humankind, and he has practiced this from the beginning of man.

Vindication-Part II. 1932. p. 95

This is interesting that commerce is an invention of Satan. The present day Watchtower is a massive real estate company. Are they willing to admit that they are part of Satan’s system?

The Lord Jesus, the great Judge at the temple, began his judgment work in 1918, and the latter part of the sixteenth verse shows that because of the condition existing in the house of God judgment was necessary.

Vindication-Part II. 1932. p. 234

Again, mention of 1918 yet I am unable to find it spelled out in the Bible.

“Organized Christianity,” so called, falsely takes the name of Christ and then devours up men and oppresses mankind.

Vindication-Part II. 1932. p. 263

This is a most interesting quote. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society calls itself “God’s organization.” Based upon this statement by Rutherford, this must mean the organization and those who follow it falsely take Christ’s name.

It is the name of Jehovah God that must be vindicated. That is the important issue.

Vindication-Part II. 1932. p. 266

Here we finally have a focus on Jehovah.

Vindication-Part III

Satan is assembling his forces for Armageddon, and these forces are under the immediate command of his field marshal Gog.

Vindication-Part III. 1932. p. 11

This statement is from 1932. How long does Satan need to assemble his forces considering one can fly around the globe in a day or two?

This warning is given by carrying the message of truth to the people and calling upon the people to take their stand upon the side of the Lord or upon the side of the Devil. This was particularly begun on the 26th of July, 1931.

Vindication-Part III. 1932. p. 87, 88

Why did taking a stand have to wait until that particular date?

Since the coming of the Lord to his temple, in 1918, the faithful ones have received the approval of the Lord, evidenced by the robe of righteousness, and have been clothed with the garments of salvation, which identifies them as members of Jehovah’s organization. They have entered into the joy of the Lord and delight to have some part in the vindication of Jehovah’s holy name.

Vindication-Part III. 1932. p. 125, 126

We finally have some focus on the name Jehovah and vindicating His name.

These angels are invisible to human eyes and are there to carry out the orders of the Lord. No doubt they first hear the instruction which the Lord issues to his remnant and then these invisible messengers pass such instruction on to the remnant. The facts show that the angels of the Lord with him at his temple have been thus rendering sacred service unto the remnant since 1919.

Vindication-Part III. 1932. p.250

This is a most interesting statement. Let’s contrast this with Galatians 1:8 (New World Translation)-However, even if we or an angel out of heaven were to declare to you as good news something beyond the good news we declared to you, let him be accursed.

Remember the quote where I said it was the “greatest doctrine?” Let’s see how the Watchtower kicked this out:

Similarly, for a long time, Witnesses spoke of the vindication of Jehovah’s name. But had Satan called Jehovah’s name into question? For that matter, had any of Satan’s agents done so, as if Jehovah did not have a right to that name? No, not at all. It was not the name of Jehovah that was challenged and that needed to be vindicated. That is why the Watch Tower Society’s recent publications do not speak of Jehovah’s name as being vindicated. They speak of Jehovah’s sovereignty as being vindicated and of his name as being sanctified. This is in keeping with what Jesus told us to pray: “Let your name be sanctified.” (Matthew 6:9) Time and again, Jehovah said that he was going to sanctify his name, which the Israelites had not challenged but had profaned.—Ezekiel 20:9, 14, 22; 36:23.

Interestingly, in 1971, the book “The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah”—How? made this distinction: “Jesus Christ fights . . . for the vindication of Jehovah’s universal Sovereignty and for the glorification of Jehovah’s name.” (Pages 364-5) In 1973, God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached said: “The coming ‘great tribulation’ is the time for Almighty God Jehovah to vindicate his universal sovereignty and to sanctify his worthy name.” (Page 409) Then, in 1975, Man’s Salvation Out Of World Distress at Hand! stated: “The greatest event of universal history will then have been accomplished, the vindication of Jehovah’s universal sovereignty and the sanctification of his sacred name.”—Page 281.

How blessed Jehovah’s people are to be basking in all this spiritual light!

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. May 15, 1995 p. 25, 26

So what we have is an organization that had it’s people in spiritual darkness until this statement came out just over 20 years ago. Jehovah’s name as I feel didn’t need to be vindicated as He said in I Corinthians 1:25 (New World Translation) Because a foolish thing of God is wiser than men, and a weak thing of God is stronger than men.

Looking very little at the organization, remember there were two definitions of “vindication?” The first one again said: to show that (someone) should not be blamed for a crime, mistake, etc. : to show that (someone) is not guilty

So that leads in part to how will this organization vindicate it’s name and reputation? I contend it never has completely been clean and open, nor will it. Since it most likely will never do so, will you remain part of this organization that purports itself to be the chosen channel? If not, the first step is to perform the sinner’s prayer.

Once that is done the next practical step is to remove yourself from the local Kingdom Hall and find yourself a good bible believing fellowship. if you have any questions, feel free to contact me.