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Schisms in the Watchtower Society

April 24, 2016 By Sean

The Watchtower has a claim that they are the restoration of biblical Christianity with the following quote:

From 1879, they have continuously published the Watchtower magazine as a champion of Bible truth.

Good News. 1976. p. 153

I believe that if you have read through the posts that are on this website, you will see this is not the case. The organization that brands itself as being unique and basing everything on the bible is dependent upon other groups both inside and outside Christendom for many things. The organization is dependent upon Christendom for just some of the following items:

Bible Translations: Kingdom Interlinear Translation (Westcott and Hort), Emphatic Diaglott (Christadelphian) King James Version (Church of England) and the American Standard Version (30 Different Denominations), and quoting from various other translations such as: New International Version, Today’s English Version, and other translations through its history.

Selectively using mainstream Christian quotes from various resources throughout Watchtower Literature.

Non-Christendom:

Paganism: Disfellowshipping

Freemasonry: Dependent for terms and items such as the cross and the crown

Occult: Necromancy

I will contend that when one has various ideas taken from various groups and mixing everything together, splits will ensue. Why? There are many different ideas and attempting to integrate them all, it is a recipe in many ways for disaster. That is what I would like to discuss today. To start, I’d like to call attention to a chart from Grace Communion International:

Picture taken from: https://www.gci.org/aboutus/roots

As you can see the Watchtower Society is rooted with William Miller.

Grace Communication International is an organization that was a cult that rejected the teaching of Herbert Armstrong and became an evangelical group in the late 1980s/early 1990s. The Watchtower mentioned Herbert Armstrong with this quote:

Garner Ted Armstrong, well-known television spokesman for the Worldwide Church of God, was recently taken off the air and then excommunicated by his father, Herbert W. Armstrong. The younger Armstrong, who had reportedly been earning $85,000 a year, claimed earlier that the “whole empire is crumbling” due to lavish spending by the leadership, as well as by divisions and fear among the membership.

Awake! September 8, 1979 p. 29

That is an interesting quote and we’ll revisit that later.

Regardless, the chart that I previously mentioned and previously stated speaks of William Miller and when you look at it, you can see how much the Millerite movement broke and went into different directions. The Jehovah’s Witnesses, formerly known as Bible Students have had their splits as well.

When one is going to have a split, there are three major reasons behind it:

Doctrine-a number of individuals no longer believe in one or more of the major teachings

Practice-some sort of “new light”

Personality-There is a conflict with leadership or an individual/group of individuals that leads to a new group forming where the majority of the core doctrines remain with a few changes.

With this in mind, let’s look at some of the various groups that formed from the days of Russell. Some of these groups will still be in existence, others are no longer. The present day Watchtower Bible and Tract Society stresses numbers, some of these organizations do not at all, some are tough to track down if they do not have a presence on the internet. However, if they are not “advertising the king and the kingdom” as Judge Rutherford would say, they are most likely multigenerational families with a very low if not negative growth rate.

Russellite Splinter Groups:

Free Bible Students (1907-1908)—This break started with Paul Johnson “calling out” Charles Taze Russell on the New Covenant and how Russell had changed it. After looking at their beliefs, I saw the following were interesting breaks from things Charles Taze Russell believed (from the What We Believe page):

19. That the parable of the "Faithful and Wise Servant" is not representative of any particular individual but teaches faithful watchfulness of all who are fully devoted to the Lord and awaiting His return.

They still retain the cross and crown logo. One of the sister organizations in Africa is adamant against verse by verse bible study and encourages topical study. The songbook section uses mainstream Christendom songwriters.

No mention of Millennial Dawn/Studies in the Scriptures

http://www.kronline.at/bibelstudien/

Rutherford Splits:

Dawn Bible Students-This is probably the largest group that had the biggest impact. This group had a radio broadcast into the 1980s, produces The Dawn Magazine, still produces radio broadcasts, has a television broadcast in Kenya, resurrected Studies in the Scriptures (except for Volume 7 which they and other groups reject) since the Society stopped printing it in 1927 with the following quote:

Later in the year 1927 any remaining stocks of the six volumes of Studies in the Scriptures by Russell and of The Finished Mystery were disposed of among the public.

God’s Kingdom of A Thousand Years Has Approached. 1973 p. 347

Chicago Bible Students-This is possibly one of the larger groups that actually has a bit of a digital presence. There is a mobile app and they produce material from Charles Taze Russell today. They are just outside of Chicago.

Laymen's Home Missionary Movement-Comes up under www.biblestandard.com

They state in the page (Our Work): The LHMM is a worldwide interdenominational, non-sectarian, non-profit-making, unincorporated religious movement, in which many Christian people, especially laymen, of all walks of life, from and apart from various denominations, co-operate voluntarily. There are many chapters in the U.S.A. and abroad. This group says it’s free of any influence but still produces Studies in The Scriptures, the Emphatic Diaglott, and other Charles Taze Russell publications on the Resources page.

Stand Fast Movement (1918)-Rutherford alienated many Bible Students in the Pacific Northwest in the United States/western Canada by promoting the purchase of war bonds in World War I. These groups were going to “stand fast” against this. Their publication was called Old Corn Gems. They disbanded in the 1920s: http://www.biblestudentarchives.com/documents/StandFastHistory.pdf

Berean Bible Institute (Australia 1918): They admit that they formed in 19118. They cooperate with other Bible Student groups throughout the world. On their history page, they state the following: The principal publication, titled "Peoples Paper and Herald of Christ's Kingdom,” was initially a monthly publication but is now published quarterly. It was first published in 1918 and is now published in January, April, July and October each year. The current format comprises 12 pages of A4 size.

Like the Watchtower, it is reducing printing frequency as well. They don’t produce Studies in the Scriptures but do have a DVD available with booklets.

Pastoral Bible Institute https://herald-magazine.com/

Uses the term “epochs” which is associated with Russell. Picture from the About Page shows Russell surrounded by people at a train station. Unlike the Society, they have all material available from the beginning on the website. They still have a radio presence as well in Connecticut, Indiana, and Missouri on Sunday mornings.

Here are some other Bible Student groups:

Associated Bible Students Of Central Ohio http://www.biblestudents.com/

Chinese Bible Students http://www.dawnbible.com/zh/content-zh.htm

Baltimore Bible Students http://www.baltimorebiblestudents.org/

Lithuanian Bible Students http://biblijos-veliava.lt/

Oakland County Bible Students http://www.bibletoday.com/

Nathan Knorr splinter:

Epiphany Bible Students Association (1956)-Openly says they expand on what Russell said. They too have everything present from their beginning. http://epiphanybiblestudents.com/

Present Day:

The True Faith Jehovah's Witnesses Association (1992 in Romania and Ukraine): This is a group that broke away during the Cold War since over Romans 13:1-the “higher powers.” As a result, they only utilize material prior to the 1970s.

Today, the schisms continue. The advent of the internet still shows groups are forming. If you have never heard of Greg Stafford, he was a prominent Jehovah’s Witness back in the 1990s. The difference with him is he was not discouraged from being a Watchtower defender/apologist. Jehovah’s Witnesses Defended: An Answer To Scholars and Critics. Here is one debate with Dr. James White.

However, the problem is that Stafford formally left in 2007. He formed a new group called, “Christian Witnesses of Jah.” The origin of this group is seen on the “About” page with the following: The history of Elihu Books took a sharp turn in 1998-1999, when the Second Edition of Jehovah’s Witnesses Defended was being prepared. It was during this time that Stafford came to realize that some of the Watchtower Society’s teachings were not defensible. Foremost among these for Stafford was the Society’s teaching regarding the use of blood.

Gordon Ritchie jointed the organization in 1993. and immediately started disagreeing with the organization. He feels that the Society is incomplete with the information because there are mathematical codes in the pages of scripture itself.

http://www.truebiblecode.com/

One interesting article response is found on the left hand side, third link down. It is titled: “The Disaster of the July 15th 2013 Watchtower New Understanding of the Parable of the Faithful and Discreet Slave.”

Here’s another group:

www.anointedjw.org

From the FAQ page you will see the following excerpts:

2. Are you active Jehovah’s Witnesses?

None of the 5 partners to this ministry are currently active Jehovah’s Witnesses.

3. Are you apostates?

No. Although we do not agree with certain Watchtower doctrines, we have never apostatized from the Father or the Christ.

7. Are you starting a new religion?

No, we are not forming a new religion. We believe there are enough Christian sects, but not enough spirit-oriented Christians.

10. What is your relation to The Urantia Book?

We are well read in matters concerning the Bible, God, and Jesus. Among the many books in our library is The Urantia Book.

If you are not sure with this publication, here is a summary:

http://www.letusreason.org/Cults17.htm

You can verify this material by going to this page and downloading the Urantia book for yourself. http://www.urantia.org/urantia-book

There are schisms and I’ve covered those that are external. However, looking internally, there are fractures and schisms as well. This is taking place in the age of the internet since it is giving everybody a voice for free or just a few dollars each month. Here is a quote that is not being heeded:

There is no need for any individual, committee, or congregation to prepare a Web page about Jehovah’s Witnesses. Some have posted the contents of our publications with all scriptures and references given in full and have even offered copies of convention material on a donation basis. Whether profit is involved or not, the practice of reproducing and distributing publications of Jehovah’s Witnesses in an electronic document is a violation of copyright laws.

Kingdom Ministry. September 2002 p. 8

Here are one website:

Associated Jehovah’s Witnesses on Reform of Blood www.ajwrb.org. From the “FAQ” page:

Q: Why are you anonymous?

A: Questioning the Watchtower Society (WTS) makes us targets. Any WTS member who seriously questions the organization’s policies is considered apostate and will be expelled from our religion and shunned by our community and Jehovah’s Witness (JW) family members.

Q: Are you trying to draw people away from the Jehovah’s Witnesses?

A: No. We are re-affirming their right to remain as members of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and to make their own conscientious decisions about the medical use of blood, without control or sanctions from the Watchtower Organization.

Q: Are you trying to destroy the Watchtower Society or depose of its leaders?

A: No. AJWRB has no agenda to overthrow the WTS or to remove the members of the current Governing Body. Our fight is not against men, but against the policy that prohibits free choice of medical treatment for members of the JW community.

Q: Why are you going against the Watchtower organization?

A: We cannot maintain a morally sitting posture. We are convinced the doctrine is erroneous, and feel a moral responsibility to speak out, and do what we can to prevent unnecessary deaths, especially among minor children.

Q: Why didn’t you just write to the society?

A: We have made many attempts to correspond with Watchtower officials. We have never been offered answers to the baffling questions surrounding this policy. Some HLC members have been told to drop the issue and question no further. A few members were disfellowshiped after asking questions about the blood issue.

Two things that occur more than once with these groups:

Accepting some sources and rejecting others whether it be Watchtower, Christian, occult.

Instances where the new group is the “true” group. The Watchtower “lost” its way.

Will the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society make any attempt to crackdown on this? My personal thought is that they won’t do this because the Society is having enough trouble and is losing the battle against so called apostates very badly. Websites are created on a regular basis about the Society whether it be focused on some aspect of the Society itself or perhaps a personal struggle. There are a number of Youtube channels that are created exposing them. There are informational websites. There are a number of personal experiences whether it be judicial committees or a personal struggle with a doctrine. To combat this, there are a number of social media sites where Witnesses are using it “to build up each other” and to “combat the apostates.” I reiterate it’s a losing effort based on this quote:

Jehovah’s Witnesses have the lowest retention rate of any religious tradition. Only 37% of all those who say they were raised as Jehovah’s Witnesses still identify themselves as Jehovah’s Witnesses.

http://www.pewforum.org/files/2013/05/report-religious-landscape-study-full.pdf

What is possibly resulting is a growing number of people who are there physically yet not “in it” mentally, spiritually, or emotionally. They are compelled to stay possible to keep family and relationships with other people since they are discouraged to not have any association with the world.

Remember I said we would revisit the Herbert Armstrong quote? Here is is again:

Awake! September 8, 1979 p. 29

Would you consider lavish spending to be building in Walkill, New York considering the organization is supposed to be growing yet is downsizing? Is the empire crumbling due to the spending with court settlements, information coming out, and divisions? Is there fear amongst the Jehovah's Witnesses for a variety of things?

Folks, overall, if you're reading this, you have been contributing to the schism as well. However, I suggest you break free from this organization yet join the body of Christ. If you’ve been curious in any way, this is all that you need to do and it’s called the sinner’s prayer:

Pray: this or something similar:

“Thank you Father for sending your son Jesus, to die for my sins. I ask that I would receive him into my heart.” You pray this, mean it and it will be life changing. When you do pray this prayer, you have broken free spiritually from this organization and Jesus now in dwells your heart. From here, I would suggest you break physically and find yourself a good bible believing church. Feel free to contact me and I will be more than happy to help: watchtowerofjehovahswitness@mail.com

The Watchtower Society and Paganism

April 11, 2016 By Sean

This is going to be a look at the Watchtower Society from the viewpoint of paganism. Paganism as defined on dictionary.com:

noun

1. (no longer in technical use) one of a people or community observing a polytheistic religion, as the ancient Romans and Greeks.

2. a member of a religious, spiritual, or cultural community based on the worship of nature or the earth; a neopagan.

3. Disparaging and Offensive.

a. (in historical contexts) a person who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim; a heathen.

b. an irreligious or hedonistic person.

c. an uncivilized or unenlightened person.

adjective

4. of, relating to, or characteristic of pagans.

5. Disparaging and Offensive.

a. relating to the worship or worshipers of any religion that is neither Christian, Jewish, nor Muslim.

b. irreligious or hedonistic.

c. (of a person) uncivilized or unenlightened.

From the statements I’ve read, the Watchtower would typically go for number one, four, and five. However, as I talked last week about the “us vs. them” mentality, it is fair to say when the Watchtower talks of paganism, they are going for the disparaging and offensive use of the word.

Now the Watchtower says that Charles Taze Russell was influenced strictly by the Bible and “rediscovered” lost bible truths. However, this statement was said about him and if you have your Watchtower Library, you can take a look yourself and see something differently. It says:

In his teens Charles Taze Russell, the editor, had been a member of the Congregational Church and a strong believer in the eternal torture of damned human souls in a hell of literal fire and brimstone...But when trying to reclaim an acquaintance, an infidel, to Christianity, he himself was routed from his sectarian position and driven into skepticism.

Hungrily he began investigating the heathen religions in search of the truth on God's purpose and man's destiny. Proving all these religions unsatisfactory and before giving up religious investigation altogether, he took up the search of the Holy Scriptures from a skeptic's viewpoint, now untrammeled by the false religious doctrines of the sectarian systems of Christendom.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. July 15, 1950 p. 212

So Russell went outside of God’s word and looked at various religious belief systems prior to coming back so to speak to Christendom. interestingly, it says he looked at things from the view point of a skeptic. I would like to say that the other heathen religions are still part of the organization and it is still embraced to this day.

Additionally, here’s a quote from the first Watchtower issue to reinforce accepting information from any source:

A truth presented by Satan himself is just as true as a truth stated by God.

Zion’s Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. July 1879 Reprints p. 8.

This is very interesting and very damning in itself since the first issue has equated a created being having the same equality with the creator. Furthermore, the present day organization obviously doesn’t want the people to be aware of this quote since it would not agreement with II Corinthians 11:14 says the following (New World Translation): And no wonder, for Satan himself keeps transforming himself into an angel of light.

As you can see, Satan is very powerful and even though he can make something look good, it is not the case. I submit to you that is the case with the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society organization overall.

So with that in mind, I’d like to take a trip down memory lane and we are going to explore paganism in the Watchtower. Prior to getting specific events, have you stopped to consider the possibility of paganism being accepted in Watchtower Society Publications? Or did you just assume that since it’s “God’s chosen channel of communication,” that nothing like this would be within.

I’d like to start with William Miller. He is the one who some responsibility for the mess of this organization’s creation. He produced a chart used in part as the basis of the 1914 chronology.

Studies in the Scriptures Cover Winged Sun Disk. Russell used it relating to Malachi 4:2 however, it is a symbol used for the Egyptian god named “Ra.”

Although that organization owes much to Free Masonry (the parent organization) here’s a statement where the society disavows and bashes the “mother”:

Would I continue as a member of the Masonic Lodge with all its mysticism, or would I quit and please Jehovah? I chose the latter.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. December 15, 1997 p. 10

However Russell said the following:

So I am glad to address delegates especially here from the Bay cities, and also including some thirty-five states represented in the excursion party. I am very glad to have this particular opportunity of saying a word about some of the things in which we agree with our Masonic friends, because we are speaking in a building dedicated to Masonry, and we also are Masons. I am a Free Mason. I am a free and accepted Mason, if I may carry the matter to its full length, because that is what our Masonic brethren like to tell us, that they are free and accepted Masons. That is their style of putting it. Now I am a free and accepted Mason. I trust we all are. But not just after the style of our Masonic brethren. We have no quarrel with them. I am not going to say a word against Free Masons. In fact, some of my very dear friends are Masons, and I can appreciate that there are certain very precious truths that are held in part by our Masonic friends.

Pastor Russell Convention Discourses 1906-1916

Although he made this statement, there are various people who have said that Russell was never a Free Mason and have verified it with various Free Mason Lodges in the United States and Scotland. I’m not here to say he was or wasn’t but here are some times where he spoke in Masonic lodges:

March 8, 1903 Fort Wayne

A meeting for interested friends will be held in Hall "Maccabees" * , 917 Calhoun St. at 10am. The meetings of the afternoon ... be held at the Masonic Temple , horn. Wayne and Clinton Sts.

Speakers Itinaries, Watchtower Bible & Tract Society from 1901 to 1916, page 96

1903 General Convention in Atlanta

All other meetings will be held at Hall of "Knights of Pythias" * , horn. Pryor and Unter Sts.

Speakers Itinaries, Watchtower Bible & Tract Society from 1901 to 1916, page 96

1904 Washington Convention

The Washington Convention will be held at Hall of "Odd Fellows" * .

Speakers Itinaries, Watchtower Bible & Tract Society from 1901 to 1916, page 240

February 9, 1908, Paterson

The morning session will be held at Masonic Hall.

Speakers Itinaries, Watchtower Bible & Tract Society from 1901 to 1916, page 383

October 11, 1908, Chicago

's morning meeting will be held at the Drill Hall, Masonic Temple in 10 hours.

Speakers Itinaries, Watchtower Bible & Tract Society from 1901 to 1916, page 320

Assuming he wasn’t a Free Mason, why is he buried in a Masonic cemetery near Pittsburgh, PA?

Also here are some other things that the Free Masons used that he incorporated into Watchtower Publications:

Cross and Crown

A broken pillar at his feet. The symbolism is here at this site:

http://web.archive.org/web/20020617195936/http://www.yorkrite.com/RAM/365.htm

Just prior to his death, he asked to be wrapped in a Roman toga as seen in the following quote:

Toward morning he had me make a robe for convenience sake by pinning a sheet inside of a blanket, wrapping him in it like a robe and fastening it under his chin. He stood up on the floor for this purpose, and then lay down on the couch instead of returning to his berth. I therefore sat on his bed while he lay before me. After several hours his robe proved to be rather inconvenient, because the sheet and blanket could not be kept together. It was then that he stood again and said, "Please make me a Roman toga.”

Zion’s Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. December 1, 1916 Reprints p. 6004, 6005

Rutherford was known for promoting strange ideas. One of the more odd ones pertains to the calendar. The Gregorian calendar that we use today is based upon the Roman mythological gods. The usage of the Gregorian calendar lead to the creation of the “Jehovah’s Calendar” that was presented for the March 1935 Golden Age issue for the 13th. Here is a quick list of the months and days:

First month-Redemption

Second month-Life

Third month-Visitement

Fourth month-Freedom

Fifth month-Vindication

Sixth month-Hope

Seventh month-King

Eighth month-Peace

Nineth month-Order

Tenth month-Logos

Eleventh month-Jehovah

Last month-Temple

Sunday-Lightday

Monday-Heavensday

Tuesday-Earthday

Wednesday-Starday

Thursday-Lifeday

Friday-Mansday

Saturday-Godsday

Here was the rationale behind the calendar:

Does it not seem a very wonderful thing, a gift from Jehovah God, that Jehovah's people may now have a perfect calendar of the Lords life, knowing, for example, in terms of the Gregorian calendar, with which all are familiar, the exact days of the week, month, and year when, as a boy…”

The Golden Age. March 13, 1935 p. 355

However, this perfect gift, given by Jehovah was rejected by the subordinate angels. Remember they rejected it because I said last week that the holy spirit wasn’t active starting in 1932 when the publication “Preservation” was released.

Here are the articles for the calendar: https://archive.org/details/theCalendarOfJehovahGod

Then I would like to address paganism in Watchtower art. However, this is the art that is typically not seen: subliminal imagery. Here’s a quote to set the stage:

In the late 1950’s, James Vicary claimed to have conducted a study in a New Jersey, U.S.A., movie theater in which the words “Drink Coca-Cola” and “Eat Popcorn” were flashed on the screen during the movie. The messages appeared for only a fraction of a second, too briefly to make an impression on the conscious mind. Yet, according to Vicary, they resulted in an increase in the sale of Coca-Cola and popcorn. This claim led to widespread belief that advertisers could motivate people to buy things by projecting “unseen” messages. After reportedly signing contracts for $4.5 million with America’s largest advertisers, Mr. Vicary vanished without a trace. The advertisers had been the victims of a scam.

Subsequent study debunked Vicary’s claims. Said one longtime advertising executive: “Subliminal advertising doesn’t work. If it did, we would have used it.”

Awake! August 22, 1998 p. 6

I will contend that the Watchtower does utilize subliminal advertising and imagery. I will mention some examples here:

I’ll let you decide but here are my thoughts:

Life at Bethel is very monotonous and boring. Perhaps there have been people wanting to pull pranks.

The problem is that it is a deliberate effort to put this information in the Watchtower publications. So we have a problem, would God’s chosen organization allow this?

This actually had to be addressed by the organization in part with the following: September 1, 1984 Watchtower, page 20 (quoted in part):

Even the Watchtower Society’s publications have been the subject of rumors—for example, that one of the artists had secretly been introducing pictures of demons into the illustrations, was subsequently found out and disfellowshipped!

Did you share in spreading any such stories? If so, you were—perhaps unwittingly—spreading an untruth, since they were all false. Certainly, the rumor concerning the Society’s publications was harmful, as well as slanderous to the zealous Christians who work long hours producing artwork to make the magazines, brochures and books so attractive. This was as ridiculous as it would be to say that God, in creating celestial bodies, deliberately formed the appearance of a ‘man in the moon.’

The quote I just read was from 1984. The art quotes are a sampling of what’s after. There are more and people still find it today.

The most relevant and powerful tool that the organization uses today to pressure those “on the outside” back in is the use of disfellowshipping. The Watchtower of Knorr’s day wouldn’t allow this. Ironically, the organization that now embraces disfellowshipping as a “loving provision” has a solid root in paganism. How do we know? The Watchtower said so. Here’s some of the statements from the January 8, 1947 Awake! article title, “Are You Also Excommunicated?” This article is condemning the Catholic church. (Excommunicate is the Catholic equivalent) Let’s read some of the statements.

All those belonging to such lodges as the Masonic, Fenians, Independent Order of Good Templars, Odd Fellows, Sons of Temperance, or the Knights of Pythias, are also excommunicated.

This is “canon law” which the Roman Catholic Hierarchy seeks to enforce on the pretext that is God’s law. The authority for excommunication, they claim, is based on the teaching of Christ and the apostles, as found in the following scriptures: Matthew 18:15-19; 1 Corinthians 5:3-5; 16:22; Galatians 1:8-9; 1 Timothy 1:20; Titus 3:10. But the Hierarchy’s excommunication as a punishment and “medicinal” remedy (Catholic Encyclopedia), finds no support in these scriptures. In fact, it is altogether foreign to Bible teachings.-Hebrews 10:26-31.

Where, then, did this practice originate? The Encyclopedia Brittannica says that papal excommunication is not without pagan influence, “and that its variations cannot be adequately explained unless account be taken of several non-Christian analogues of excommunication.”

Further this article says: As the pretensions of the Hierarchy increased, the weapon of excommunication became the instrument by which the clergy attained a combination of ecclesiastical power and secular tyranny that finds no parallel in history. Let’s contrast that with the organization today:

The April 2015 study edition has an article entitled “Why Disfellowshipping Is a Loving Provision.” In short, so long as this organization equates disfellowshipping to being loving, the organization is loving pagan influence. I highly doubt this will change anytime soon…

This is the case where the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society has tried to do one thing, gain power. It is drawing from pagan sources for power and authority. Are you going to allow your eternity to be dictated by an organization that like Russell, accepting truth that regards Satan and Jehovah as equals or reliance on God’s word alone?

All those belonging to such lodges as the Masonic, Fenians, Independent Order of Good Templars, Odd Fellows, Sons of Temperance, or the Knights of Pythias, are also excommunicated.

This is “canon law” which the Roman Catholic Hierarchy seeks to enforce on the pretext that is God’s law. The authority for excommunication, they claim, is based on the teaching of Christ

and the apostles, as found in the following scriptures: Matthew 18:15-19; 1 Corinthians 5:3-5; 16:22; Galatians 1:8-9; 1 Timothy 1:20; Titus 3:10. But the Hierarchy’s excommunication as a punishment and “medicinal” remedy (Catholic Encyclopedia), finds no support in these scriptures. In fact, it is altogether foreign to Bible teachings.-Hebrews 10:26-31.

The April 2015 study edition has an article entitled “Why Disfellowshipping Is a Loving Provision.” In short, so long as this organization equates this to being loving, the organization is loving of pagan influence. I highly doubt this will change anytime soon…

The Watchtower Society’s Worship That Jehovah Approves

April 3, 2016 By Sean

Last week was Easter which has been called Resurrection Sunday by some. The organization is quick to point out that every other religion is based in paganism. The organization says they are the only one that is right.

Today, I would like to examine and look at Chapter 15 of the What Does the Bible Really Teach Book? entitled, “Worship that God Approves.”

https://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/bible-teach/how-to-worship-god-true-worshippers/

Before getting into the article, this chapter looks to keep the individual interested and establish further faith into the organization. This article works to keep people from looking at outside resources and ultimately utilizes circular reasoning to establish itself as “the truth.”

Typically when I do these sections, I start with the past and come back to the present. Today, I’m going to do it a little backwards by starting in the present (information from the chapter) then going back to the past.

The opening questions for this chapter are:

Are all religions pleasing to God?

How can we identify the true religion?

Regarding religion, Judge Rutherford gives the answer in the lecture "Religion is a Snare and a Racket,” published in 1939.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses that heard this lecture in 1939 were instructed that religion originated from Satan.

Next point, religion is organized and it does say under Satan. Being under an organized religion, does this now mean that by a prior leader’s admission that the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society is under the influence of Satan? Have you considered that the organization that takes time to deride “Christendom” for using non-biblical terms does the same thing with titles and offices of those within the organization. Here's some examples:

Governing Body

Branch offices numbering nearly 100 divided into zones

Traveling overseers (overseer is from Greek term episkopos)

Titles such as circuit, district, group preceding overseer

Territory-The area a kingdom hall is responsible for

Coordinator of the Body of Elders-Assigns the duties and maintains finances

Watchtower Study Conductor-Leads the weekly study of the magazine

Moving on in the chapter, it says, “If we worship him in the right way, we will be happy and will avoid many problems in life.” What Does the Bible Teach? 2005, 2014 ed. p. 144

Currently, the organization teaches that Jehovah alone is to receive worship. However, let’s look at this:

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

It didn’t go just for the founder. Creature worship was applied to Jesus Christ who eventually was associated with Michael the Archangel with the following:

It is this great One, who has been thus highly exalted and honored by Jehovah, whom we delight to honor and to worship and to serve, as one with the Heavenly Father, in word, in work, in purpose and in spirit.

Studies in the Scriptures V-The At-one-ment Between God and Men. 1899, 1916 ed. p. 85

A more recent quote:

Christ to be worshipped as a glorious spirit, victorious over death on the torture stake.

Make Sure of All Things. 1953 p. 85

I wonder why a publication like this is no longer available?

It was changed with the following:

Consequently, since the Scriptures teach that Jesus Christ is not a Trinitarian co-person with God the Father, but is a distinct person, the Son of God, the answer to the above question must be that no distinct worship is to be rendered to Jesus Christ now glorified in heaven.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. January 1, 1954 p. 31

The organization didn’t waste any time by issuing this proclamation in the first issue of the The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom in January of 1954.

Reverent adoration should be expressed only to God. To render worship to anyone or anything else would be a form of idolatry, which is condemned in both the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures. Accordingly, true Christians do well to direct their worship only to Jehovah God, the Almighty.

Awake! April 8, 2000 p.26, 27

So in short, the organization from 1879 until the quote I presented in 1954 shows the organization was engaged in idolatrous, irreverent adoration for 75 years. Those during that time frame were to be condemned. If they were condemned, how was it that this organization was approved by Jehovah in 1919 for teaching “truth?”

The next paragraph says, “How can you know the right way to worship Jehovah? You do not have to study and compare the teachings of all the many religions. You need only learn what the Bible really teaches about true worship.” What Does the Bible Teach? 2005, 2014 ed. p. 144

Therefore, those under the authority of this organization were engaged in true worship since the organization implores members to not look at the bible. When they do, the New World Translation is purposely mistranslated. Searching for the word “worship” in the New World Translation, it uses that word. When Jesus is the subject, the word is now transformed to be “obeisance.” I usually recommend reading the Kingdom Interlinear Translation (1969, 1985 ed.) in the JW Library App but it’s rewritten there as well. Interestingly, Satan can receive worship, yet Jesus who is higher then Satan in the universe receives the lesser honor.

The one point from the third paragraph says: “To have God’s approval, therefore, we must learn what God requires of us and do it. Jesus called those who do not do God’s will ‘workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:21-23)” What Does the Bible Teach? 2005, 2014 ed. p. 145

Interestingly the 22nd verse of Matthew 7:22 says, Many will say to me in that day: ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ (New World Translation). Prophecy is an aspect that the organization doesn’t write off anymore yet tries to put a positive spin on. Regardless, when was the last time the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society ever prophesied something that actually came to pass?

Paragraph four contains the following statement: “True religion leads to everlasting life. False religion leads to destruction.” What Does the Bible Teach? 2005, 2014 ed. p. 145

I’d like to look at the biblical standard for true religion as contained in James 1:27. It says (New World Translation): “The form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself without spot from the world.”

If you’re a Witness reading this, how many widows that you came across within the organization that were taken care of by the society based in Brooklyn, New York? This would be something as simple as getting the elderly out to the meetings up to financial assistance if they needed it. Given that the organization has multiple funding streams, how much do they use to take care of their own? Also, the hot topic is child sex abuse and the organization. Hypothetically, should all cases but one be proven false, that is still one single spot. One spot is one too many as written in Jehovah’s Word.

“Every good tree produces fine fruit” (Matthew 7:16, 17) What Does the Bible Teach? 2005, 2014 ed. p. 146.

In other words, those who practice the true religion would be recognized by their beliefs and their conduct. Although they are not perfect and they make mistakes, true worshippers as a group seek to do God’s will. This fifth paragraph is interesting and is a way the organization excuses past beliefs. Even if they aren’t perfect, why doesn’t this organization give all members free access to past material? Could it be that giving free access to past material would show the present day Jehovah’s Witnesses how much this man made religion is like the foolish man who built his house on the sand as described in Matthew 7:24-27?

The next paragraph says: “God’s servants base their teachings on the Bible” What Does the Bible Teach? 2005, 2014 ed. p. 146

How often have you stopped to consider much of what you learn is not from the bible alone but based on pages from the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society publications? It can be just a random statement as I read above or something specifically mentioned in the “Questions from Readers” section of the Watchtower magazine. A fair question worth asking is how much time reading the Bible compared to Society material do you read?

They believe that the Bible is God’s Word, and they base their teachings firmly on what it says. Here’s just one example of going “beyond what is written:” Blood transfusions. The scriptures the organization cites for support should be prophetic since the first blood transfusion didn’t occur until the 17th century according to this story: History of Blood Transfusions.

Of course, genuine love means more than not killing others. True Christians unselfishly use their time, energy, and resources to help and encourage one another. (Hebrews 10:24, 25) They help one another in times of distress, and they deal honestly with others. What Does the Bible Teach? 2005, 2014 ed. p. 149

They now don't want to agree with killing. However, there was indirect support for the "war machine" with the following:

Some members of the Brooklyn Tabernacle congregation had previously purchased Liberty Bonds.

The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence. May 15, 1918 p. 153

This time period was World War I. Jesus would have known this when he was inspecting all world religions.

They believe in some ways they are dealing honestly even though they can engage in what is called theocratic warfare. Here is a relatively recent reference of where it can be defined:

She was not a liar. Rather, she was using theocratic war strategy, hiding the truth by action and word for the sake of the ministry.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. May 1, 1957 p. 285

True Christians accept Jesus Christ as God’s means of salvation. The Bible says: “There is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved.” (Acts 4:12) What Does the Bible Teach? 2005, 2014 ed. p. 149

This is interesting given that the organization said this:

No doubt, before the “great tribulation” is finished, we will see the greatest witness to God’s name and kingdom in the history of this world. And while now the witness yet includes the invitation to come to Jehovah’s organization for salvation, the time no doubt will come when the message takes on a harder tone, like a “great war cry.”

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. November 15, 1981 p. 21

So which should you as a Witness believe? Should you place your faith in the organization or Jesus? If the organization is right, there was no one who would be considered to have been in a saved condition from the death of John in the year 96 until 1879 when the organization was founded by Charles Taze Russell.

And while God’s true worshippers are neutral regarding politics, they are law-abiding. What Does the Bible Teach? 2005, 2014 ed. p. 149

This is an interesting statement. Perhaps you have heard of the Amish. The Amish still maintain their simplistic ways. They are further “no part of the world” in that they don’t pay taxes, nor embrace much in the way of technology. They are also law abiding too. Regarding this, it looks like the Amish in comparison to those within the organization are further removed from the world. Even though they do not run for office, there is one early believer listed in Romans 16:31-Erastus: the city steward or treasurer depending on your translation.

Jesus’ true followers preach that God’s Kingdom is mankind’s only hope. Jesus foretold: “This good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14) What Does the Bible Teach? 2005, 2014 ed. p. 150-151

They haven’t fully stated that Watchtower Jesus took kingdom power in 1914. If they did, how would that be within the bible? This is a great contrast since we have the following statement: Only Jehovah’s Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the “great crowd,” as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil. (Revelation 7:9-17; 2 Corinthians 4:4) They will make up the “flesh” that Jesus Christ said would be saved through the worst tribulation of all human history.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. September 1, 1989 p. 19

This is saying as long as one is part of the organization they have a hope. This is a caveat that isn’t spoken of much.

Also, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society is not in every inhabited country. North Korea and the Middle Eastern countries are conspicuously absent when you look at the Yearbook. The organization is still not fulfilling the biblical requirement.

Of all the religious groups on earth, which one meets all these requirements?’ The facts clearly show that it is Jehovah’s Witnesses.—Read Isaiah 43:10-12. What Does the Bible Teach? 2005, 2014 ed. p. 151

Based upon the circular reasoning contained within this chapter, they fit their own standard.

Since ancient Babylonian worship spread throughout the earth, modern-day Babylon the Great can properly be identified as the world empire of false religion.

This is what groups do, encourage the “us vs. them” mentality. We have that here. Look at this statement form the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons): My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right--and which I should join. I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong, and the personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in His sight: that those professors were all corrupt…”

Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Vol. 1, p. 5-6

Revisiting "Bible based" teachings, here are some statements I’d like to read that were used at one point or another in the organization:

According to this trustworthy Bible chronology six thousand years from man’s creation will end in 1975, and the seventh period of a thousand years of human history will begin in the fall of 1975 C.E.

Life Everlasting in Freedom of the Sons of God. 1966 p. 28

And there was war in heaven-between the ecclesiastical powers, Pagan Rome and Papal Rome. Michael-“who as God,” the Pope.

The Finished Mystery. 1917 p. 188

The Holy Scriptures show that the term “morning stars” refers to two mighty creatures of heaven, namely, Michael (the Logos) and Lucifer. These two mighty creatures were brothers; both sons of God.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. March 1, 1932 p. 76

The beast that THEN ascendeth out of the [bottomless pit] ABYSS.—The government without a foundation; revolutionary France during the "Reign of Terror."

The Finished Mystery. 1917 p. 174

What Jehovah has in store for these “sons of God” who became disobedient, the Scriptures do not reveal, but if at Armageddon any of them do take a positive and unequivocal stand on the side of Jehovah and gladly leave it to Jehovah where to place them, they may be recovered and return to some place in his organization.

Angels. 1934 p. 43

The Elijah work ended in 1918. Any attempt to carry on the Elijah work thereafter would be an attempt to revive a dead thing, and hence out of harmony with the Lord.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. May 15, 1933 p. 154

Was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.—The number of the Great Company –will apparently exceed one hundred millions. Num. 4:46-48 and Ex. 28:1 indicate but one priest to each 2,860 Levites, which would make the number of the Great Company approximate 411,840,000.—T118, 119; Dan. 7:10.

The Finished Mystery. 1917 p. 103

Furthermore, since Christ Jesus is the Head or Husband to his church when he appears at the temple of Jehovah for judgment, and gathers his own to himself, there would be no necessity for a substitute for Christ Jesus, such as the holy spirit; therefore the office of the holy spirit as an advocate, comforter and helper would cease. The angels of Christ Jesus forming his retinue of servants at the temple, invisible indeed to man, are given charge over members of the temple company yet on the earth. “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”-Ps. 91:11.

Preservation. 1932 p. 202, 203

Contrast the Holy Spirit being taken away with the words of Jesus Christ in John 14:16, 17 (New World Translation)-And I will request the Father and he will give YOU another helper to be with YOU forever, the spirit of the truth, which the world cannot receive, because it neither beholds it nor knows it. You know it, because it remains with YOU and is in YOU.

Picture of C.T. Russell’s gravestone saying he is the Laodecian Messenger.

Proclaimer’s of God’s Kingdom. 1993. p. 64

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

The organization proclaims to be the only one engaged in “Worship that God Approves.” However, I submit to you that based upon the statements within its history, the past proves otherwise. If we allow the practices in the past to determine the future, it is highly improbable that this organization will engage in worship that God approves any time soon. As always, I ask that you place down that uninspired man made material and read the Bible alone.

Categories

Schisms in the Watchtower Society

The Watchtower Society and Paganism

Creation. 1927 p. 265

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom. May 1, 1983 p. 17

Knowledge That Leads To Everlasting Life. 1995 p. 35 Mirror Image

Revelation-It's Grand Climax at Hand! 1988. p. 52

The Watchtower Society’s Worship That Jehovah Approves