Despre Martorii lui Iehova, de ascultat urmatoarea predica:
http://www.fiti-oameni.ro/predici/vladimir-pustan/martorii-lui-iehova/
Archive for the ‘Informatii’ Category
Vladimir PUSTAN – despre martori
aprilie 1, 2016Cum au ajuns iehovistii in Romania?
ianuarie 18, 2010Gasim urmatoarea informatie pe saitul „oradereligie.uv.ro”:
Se datorează unui ardelean pe nume Ion Sima, plecat în America din dorinta de a se îmbogăti. Ajuns în Pensylvania, în schimbul ajutorului este “reevanghelizat” de iehovisti si trimis înapoi în România pentru a câstiga prozeliti(1920). Evident că nu i-au lipsit la întoarcere mijloacele materiale deosebite, pentru a-i convinge pe cei slabi în credintă. Din Ion-crestinul, acum si-a luat titulatura de John-profetul sau profetul-lider.
Din fericire, Sima se trezeste la timp si părăseste gruparea(1927), demascând faptul că secta iehovistă este străină de preocupările religioase, interesul material primează la întemeietorii grupării, este răzbunătoare, are planuri anarhice s.a. Prin acestea a demostrat fără dubiu, pericolul moral si social pe care îl reprezintă secta pentru orice societate.
Cititi tot articolul aici.
Joel B. Groat: despre „martorii lui Iehova”
ianuarie 18, 2010Martorii lui Iehova. Aproape toata lumea s-a confruntat cu prozelitismul lor agresiv din usa-n usa! Organizatia pe care acestia o reprezinta, cunoscuta sub numele de Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (W.T.B. & T.S.), este renumita pentru accentul pe care-l pune asupra profetiilor vremii sfîrsitului, însa de mai multe ori profetind gresit sfîrsitul lumii. In acelasi timp, Organizatia Turnului de Veghere exercita un control sever asupra Martorilor lui Iehova si le interzice acestora participarea la activitati sociale cum ar fi sarbatorirea zilelor de nastere, a Craciunului, a Pastelui, sau a Zilei Mamei, sau le interzice salutul drapelului national, votatul, serviciul militar, sau transfuziile de sînge. Prin aceste restrictii Organizatia Turnului de Veghere creeaza un zid de izolare a Martorilor fata de restul societatii.
Trecutul istoric
Organizatia Turnului de Veghere si Societatea Tractatului pretinde cu îndrazneala sa fie singura organizatie pe care Dumnezeu o foloseste în zilele noastre pentru a învata adevarul Lui si a vorbi în Numele Lui. [1] Conform Organizatiei Turnului de Veghere toti ne-Martorii lui Iehova vor fi distrusi la Armaghedon, un eveniment al judecatii divine cu a carui iminenta ameninta tot timpul. Societatea Turnului de Veghere tipareste saptamînal peste 15 milioane de copii ale revistelor ei în 120 de limbi iar peste 5 milioane de Martori ai lui Iehova (cunoscuti sub numele de „pionieri/vestitori”) îi raspîndesc doctrinele în 230 de tari. In cele ce urmeaza vom reda cîteva lucruri elementare pe care fiecare om ar trebui sa le cunoasca despre trecutul si crezurile Martorilor lui Iehova.
Cititi continuarea articolului si concluziile sale aici:
http://www.razboiulnevazut.org/articol/85/Despre-Martorii-lui-Iehova
O carte scrisa de un fost martor [3]
iulie 7, 2009[Grieshaber, Erich and Jean Grieshaber. „I. Guide to Documentation,” Exposé of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Blue Letter Bible. 1 Sep 2002. 7 Jul 2009.
http://blueletterbible.org/study/cults/expose/chap1.cfm] – Guide to Documentation
On the following pages will be found an outline of key claims and beliefs of the Watchtower Society. Under each topic heading appears certain questions and explanations that will lead the student into examining that issue for himself. The outline format has been selected in order to save time and provide a rapid reference system.
1. Is the Society* a true prophet of God?
- 1A. How does the Society define „true prophet?”The three essentials given through Moses were:
1) …Speak in Jehovah’s name…
2) The things foretold would come to pass…
3) His prophesying must promote true worship being in harmony with God’s Word and the prophets.”
- 1B. How does the Society test the true prophet’s message?„The best method of proof is to put a prophecy to the test of time and circumstance. The Bible invites such a test…the Bible…establishes the rules for testing a prophecy at Deuteronomy 18:20-22.”
- 1C. Does the Society believe that a true prophet exists today?Yes. In fact, the Society says, „It is of importance to every individual on earth to identify the group that Jehovah has commissioned as His servant’ or messenger.”
- 1D. Does the Society believe that a true modern prophet would have the same authority as the Old Testament prophets?Yes. Society members are told that there existed such a group and then they were asked to look for it-„…any group on whom Jehovah would be willing to bestow the commission to speak as a ‘prophet’ in His name, as was done toward Ezekiel…”
- 1E. Does the Society claim to be the present day true prophet?Yes. „Who is this prophet? …not one man, but a body of men and women…known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah’s Christian Witnesses.”
- 1F. Where does the Society/Prophet claim to get its direction?„Jehovah’s Witnesses today make their declaration of the good news of the kingdom under angelic direction and support.” In other words, angels tell the Society what to say and do.
- 1G. Does the Society desire and expect Christendom to treat the Society as a prophet of God?Yes. The Society fully anticipates this: „…regardless of how Christendom views or regards this group of anointed witnesses of Jehovah, the time must come, and that shortly, when those making up Christendom will know that really a ‘prophet’ of Jehovah was among them.”
- 1H. What role does the Society claim for a prophet in these days? What should a prophet be doing?The Society spells this out in three ways:
1. „The modern-day counterpart of Ezekiel”
2. „Do the will of Jehovah”
3. „Serve as the mouthpiece and active agent of Jehovah”
- 1I. Does the Society claim that it has been prophesying for God today?Yes. „The facts substantiate that the remnant of Christ’s anointed disciples (the Society [see context]) have been doing that prophesying to all nations.” They claim God’s Spiritis „poured out” on them. They ask: „Why argue about it?”
- 1J. Does the Society claim that prophesying and preaching are the same ministry?No. The Society claims that their members have been „preaching and prophesying from house to house and city to city…”, thus clearly distinguishing between the two ministries. Both preaching and prophesying are regular activities of the Society.
- 1K. Does the Society/Prophet claim any special knowledge concerning the Bible?Yes. The Society published a six-volume work entitled Scripture Studies which it described as „the Bible in an arranged form.” It amounted to a running commentary on the Bible. The Society claims that if someone were to „ignore” the Scripture Studies „and goes to the Bible alone, though he has understood his Bible for ten years…within two years he goes into darkness.” The Society further claims that if a student „had merely read Scripture Studies with their references, and had not read a page of the Bible, as such, he would be in the light at the end of the two years, because he would have the light of the Scriptures.”
- 1L. Does the Society believe that it is the only organization that has God’s Spirit or can understand the Bible?Yes. It has made this clear when it said, „…Jehovah’s organization alone, in all the earth, is directed by God’s holy spirit or active force … To it alone God’s sacred Word, the Bible, is not a sealed book.” Furthermore, it claims that „God by his holy spirit” has directly „revealed” things to its „early Bible students…far in advance.”
- 1M. Has the Society ever prophesied concerning the future and had that prophecy fail the test of „Time and circumstance” (see 1B. above)?Yes. In fact there are many such „failed” prophecies (see False Prophecy Fact Sheet). Keep in mind, as you study these prophecies that the Society…
1) Claims to be God’s one and only prophet today
2) Claims to have revelations from God
3) Claims to be the only group that understands the Bible
4) Claims to be the only Spirit-empowered organization on earth today.
2. Has the Society made false prophecies?
- 2A. Does the Society claim to be a true prophet of God, and does it ask that we examine its prophecy record?Yes. The Society states this explicitly when it says: „So, does Jehovah have a prophet to help…and to declare things to come? These questions can be answered in the affirmative. Who is this prophet? …This ‘prophet’ was not one man, but was a body of men and women…known…as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah’s Christian Witnesses…” It should be noted that even from its earliest beginnings the Society considered itself to be a true prophet of God. The Society does not expect others to just trust that it is a true prophet: „Of course, it is easy to say that this group acts as a ‘prophet’ of God. It is another thing to prove it. The only way that this can be done is to review the record. What does it show?”
- 2B. Has the Society predicted that 1914 A.D. would mark the end of earthly rulership?Yes. The Society made such a prediction in 1908: ” ..the ‘Battle of the Great Day of God Almighty’ (Rev. 16:14), which will end in A.D. 1914 with the complete overthrow of earth’s present rulership, is already commenced” (i.e., it began before 1908).
- 2C. Has the Society declared that the earthly arrival of King Jesus took place in October, 1874?Yes. „Our Lord, the appointed King, is now present since October, 1874, A.D.”
- 2D. Has the Society declared that the Millennium—the 1,000-year reign of Christ—began in 1873?Yes. „The Bible chronology herein presented shows that the six great thousand-year days beginning with Adam are ended, and that great Seventh Day, the thousand years of Christ’s reign, began in 1873.”
- 2E. Has the Society predicted that the visible, physical return to earth of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob would take place in 1925?Yes. „…Since other Scriptures definitely fix the fact there will be a resurrection of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and other faithful ones of old…we may expect 1925 to witness the return of these faithful men of Israel from the condition of death, being resurrected and fully restored to perfect humanity and made the visible, legal representatives of the new order of things on earth.”
- 2F. How certain, in the minds of the Society, was the 1925 resurrection date?As certain as any date could be. This is evident by various statements including the following:
1) „The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures because it is fixed by the law God gave to Israel.”
Watchtower, Sept 1, 1922, p.262
2) „Our thought is, that 1925 is definitely settled by the Scriptures, marking the end of the typical jubilees.”
- 2G. When 1925 arrived did the Society begin to back down on its prophecies about the significance of that year?Yes. „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 the year. This may be accomplished. It may not be. In his own due time, God will accomplish his purposes concerning his own people. Christians should not be so deeply concerned about what may transpire during this year that they would fail to joyfully do what the Lord would have them to do.”
- 2H. As the year 1925 progressed, did the Society indicate even more doubt about 1925 being the resurrection year—the year the new order begins?Yes. Rather than suggest that a mistake was made or that God changed His mind, the Society subtly began to back down even further: Typical of this erosion process is the following:
„It is to be expected that Satan will try to inject into the minds of the consecrated the thought that 1925 should see an end of the work, and that therefore it would be needless for them to do more.”
- 2I. Was there disappointment among the Society members because of the failures concerning the predicted dates?Yes. Most definitely and so much so that public admissions were printed: „There was a measure of disappointment on the part of Jehovah’s faithful ones on earth concerning the years 1914, 1918 and 1925, which disappointment lasted for a time.”
- 2J. Did the Society attempt to deflect criticism by clinging to the dates even though the prophecies concerning them went unfulfilled?Yes. Basically the Society clung to the position that the dates were valid in spite of the lack of fulfillment: „Later the faithful learned that those dates were definitely fixed in the Scriptures . . . ”
- 2K. Did the Society indicate that as a result of disappointments it had decided to quit setting dates?Yes. They seemed ready to give up the practice of fixing dates: „…they also learned to quit fixing dates for the future and predicting what would come to pass on a certain date, but to rely (and they do rely) upon the Word of God as to the events that must come to pass.”
- 2L. Did the Society, nevertheless, continue to imply that certain times and years were scheduled for Armageddon?Yes. This was done with great care but the implication was always clear: Armageddon was only „months away,” that is, less than a year. A typical example of the subtlety of these suggestions is seen in the following report: „Receiving the sift, the marching children clasped it to them, not a toy or plaything for idle pleasure, but the Lord’s provided instrument for most effective work in the remaining months before Armageddon.”
- 2M. Does the Society admit that such prior date setting activities amounted to false prophesying?Yes. In its own literature it reveals its attitude toward such activities: „True, there have been those in times past who predicted an ‘end to the world,’ even announcing a specific date. Some have gathered groups of people with them and fled to the hills or withdrawn into their houses waiting for the end. Yet, nothing happened. The ‘end’ did not come. They were guilty of false prophesying. Why? What was missing?
„Missing was the full measure of evidence required in fulfillment of Bible prophecy. Missing from such people were God’s truths and the evidence that he was guiding and using them.”
- 2N. Has the Society concluded its date-setting activities or has it prophesied other dates such as 1975?It continues submitting new dates. A classic example is an entire article devoted to a prophecy concerning the year, 1975. This was calculated to be the year of the end of this present age. Its title: „Why Are You Looking Forward to 1975?”
- 2O. Has the Society confirmed the 1975 date as accurate?Yes. „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.”
- 2P. What did the Society members believe about the 1975 date? Would it be the end of the present system of things?Yes. According to Erroll Burton, spokesman for the Paradise Valley Unit of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Arizona, the 1975 date would mean „‘A change in the political system of things,’ when ‘all presently existing influences must be eliminated. After 6,000 years of the deterioration of mankind, there will be 1,000 years of refining mankind…’ ‘At the end of that period, man will be perfect, as Adam and Eve were before the fall.'”
The Society clearly has instructed its followers that 1975 represents „…the end of the world as we have known it,” and it predicts that the „…thousand-year reign of Christ will begin.”
- 2Q. Did the Society members begin to get rid of their possessions and make special sacrifices in order to prepare for 1975? Did the Society condone this activity?Yes. In various ways this information was reported and evaluated. The Society’s attitude is revealed in the following: „Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world’s end.”
3. Has the Society admitted to and covered up false prophecies?
- 3A. First, does the Society believe that a false prophet could. exist today, and, does it believe that such a prophet coud be an organization rather than just an individual?Yes. It has gone into some detail in describing the false prophet’s activities and purpose: „Similarly, the ‘false prophet’ is not a person, but is a system or an organization. A ‘prophet’ claims to have inspired information for the direction of others. A ‘false prophet’ would mislead others, to turn them away from God and toward false worship.”
- 3B. Does the Society believe that God will reveal false prophets? If so, how will he do this?Yes. The Society expects God to uncover the true character of false prophets. He „will put all false prophets to shame either by not fulfilling the false prediction of such self assuming prophets or by having His own prophecies fulfilled in a way opposite to that predicted by the false prophets.”
- 3C. How does the Society anticipate false prophets to react to exposure?„False prophets will try to hide their reason for feeling shame by denying who they really are. They will try to avoid…being pronounced spiritually dead by Jehovah’s loyal worshipers.”
- 3D. Has the Society admitted to making false prophecies?Yes. They admitted to looking „forward to 1914 with joyful expectation. When that time came and passed there was much disappointment.” In other words, their predicted date concerning the end of the age had come and gone without fulfillment (see II.B. above). They became the subject of criticism „because they had said so much about 1914, and what would come to pass, and their ‘prophecies‘ had not been fulfilled.”
Here we have an example of the Society stating categorically that it had delivered a prophecy that time and circumstance demonstrated to be false.
- 3E. Is the admission of making false prophecies an isolated item, or has a Society leader—under oath in court—ever admitted that the Society made such prophecies?H.C. Covington, the then Vice President of the Society was on the witness stand in Scotland in 1954. When asked if the Society had „promulgated (i.e., set forth or taught publically) a false prophecy,” Covington said „I agree to that.” He was then asked if this false prophecy „had to be accepted by Jehovah’s Witnesses,” to which he replied, „That is correct.”
- 3F. Has the Society tried to reverse itself (on its well-established claim to be a true prophet) since its 1975 prophecy failure?Yes. The Society now teaches that „Jehovah’s Witnesses as modern-day Christians are working hard to get this good news preached to every individual. They do not claim infallibility or perfection. Neither are they inspired prophets.”
This is an amazing reversal! For almost 100 years the Society has claimed to be a „true prophet of God” and now they reveal that they are not inspired-leaving us to conclude that their many prophecies have not come from God.
4. Has the Society altered any of its chronological calculations over the years?
- [Note: We must realize that the society has placed a tremendous amount of emphasis on chronology during the century of its existence. Precise calculations of the dates of certain events—especially of those related to the beginnings of mankind—have been the basis for many of the Society’s predictions. The creation date of Adam and the creation date of Eve have been the subject of particular attention because they relate—according to past Society literature—to the calculation of the beginning of the Millennium, or 1,000-year reign of Christ.]
- 4A. According to the Society, is the creation date of Eve important for calculating the date of the Millennium?Yes. The exact date of Eve’s creation was the beginning of God’s „rest day” because (logically) Eve was God’s last creation.
- 4B. Does the Society know when Eve was created?No. According to the Society, the biblical record „shows a time lapse between the creation of Adam and that of his wife, Eve.” Why was there a time lapse? What, for example, was going on? „During that time, God had Adam name the animals? Whether that period amounted to weeks or months or years we do not know?” No date can be established—even approximately—for Eve’s creation date?
- 4C. Has the Society ever given a date for Eve’s creation?Yes. „According to reliable Bible chronology, Adam and Eve were created in 4026 B.C.E”
- 4D. Has the Society been able to predict a date for Eve’s creation in spite of the reports of Adam’s activities before her creation? On what basis do they do this?Yes. The Society reasoned that „. . .it is logical that He (God) would create Eve soon after Adam, perhaps just a few weeks or months later in the same year, 4026 B.C.E.”
- 4E. Has the Society tried to explain the obvious contradiction between an unknown creation date and a 4026 B.C.E. creation date for Eve in its authoritative Bible study aid?No. The study aid only confirms the impossible: it says that Society knows Eve’s creation date!
1. At 130 years Eve gave birth to Seth.
Aid to Bible Understanding (1969), p.533
2. Adam was 130 years old when Seth was born?
- [Note: Before the 1975 prediction date of Christ’s return, the society authoritatively supports a specific creation date for Eve. Afterwords they conveniently back down on their calculation.]
5. Has the society distorted the record of any of its past activities?
- [Note: Beth-Sarim, which means „House of Princes” in the Hebrew language, was a handsome estate built in San Diego in 1930 by the Watchtower Society. Its history is variously represented by the Society.]
- 5A. What was the purpose of the construction of Beth-Sarim?Beth-Sarim was, according to a recent Society yearbook, built as a home for one of the Society’s presidents: „…a direct contribution was made for the purpose of constructing a house in San Diego for Brother Rutherford’s use.”
- 5B. Did the Society, at an earlier date, give an entirely different purpose for constructing Beth-Sarim?Yes. „…the purpose of acquiring that property and building the house was that there might be some tangible proof that there are those on earth today…who believe that faithful men of old will soon be resurrected by the Lord, be back on earth, and take charge of the visible affairs of earth.”
- 5C. Did the Society actually believe that certain resurrected Old Testament saints would come back and live in Beth-Sarim?Yes. „…those faithful men of old may be expected back from the dead any day now…in this expectation the house was built…it is now held in trust for the occupancy of those princes on their return.”
- 5D. Does the deed to the Beth-Sarim property reveal the Society’s original purpose for the estate?Yes. While it is true that Rutherford was to have „exclusive possession” of the house during his lifetime, it was also true that that possession was to be relinquished upon the soon anticipated arrival of „David,” „Joseph,” „Samuel,” etc. to the earth „for the express purpose of being used by those who are servants of Jehovah God.”
Page iii of the deed indicates other Society members could equally make use of the property „until the same be taken possession of by David or some of the other men herein named [from Hebrews chapter eleven] and this property and premises being dedicated to Jehovah and the use of his kingdom it shall be used as such forever.”
It is interesting to note that the Society later sold the house.
6. Has the Society distorted or misquoted various reference sources in an attempt to support its position on the Trinity?
- 6A. Did the Society misquote and misrepresent well-known Greek scholars H. E. Dana and J. R. Mantey?Yes. The Society quotes Dana and Mantey out of context by asserting that their grammar (A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament) supports the translation „the word was a god” at John 1:1.
In a letter to the Society authored by Mantey himself we read: „…Because you have been quoting me out of context, I…request you not to quote the Manual Grammar…again, which you have been quoting for 24 years.” He also asked them to „publicly and immediately apologize” for their misrepresentation.
Why was Mantey so disturbed? His conclusion (found both in his Grammar and his letter) is that John 1:1 should be translated either „the word was deity” or „the word was God,” not „the word was a god.” Mantey estimates the evidence „to be 99% against” the Society’s translation.
- [Note: A word about John 1:1 is appropriate here. In this passage an important principle of Greek grammar is evident which has been a source of confusion for English readers.
- Note first the order of the Greek words as seen in the Greek text (consult The Emphatic Diaglott or The Kingdom Interlinear, both Society publications):
- KAI THEOS ÊN HO LOGOS
- And God Was The Word
- In Greek there is no written indefinite article („A” or „AN”)—just the definite article („the”). The indefinite article is often implied before a noun even though nothing is actually written down to tell the reader it is there. But this is not always the case. The word theos standing alone without the definite article might be translated „a god” if it were not for another principle of grammar. That principle is discussed in Mantey’s letter to the Society.
- And what does that principle mean? E. C. Colwell discovered that when a predicate noun (in this case theos) is in the nominative case (that is, in the same case as the subject of the sentence—the subject being logos) and is placed before the verb (instead of after the verb as is usually the case), it has no article—even when it is needed. In fact, Colwell also discovered that it is indefinite (i.e., with „a” or „an”) only when the context demands it. (see Journal of Biblical Literature, Vol. LII (1933) pp. 12-21 from which Mantey quotes.)
- Harner (see Journal of Biblical Literature, Vol. XCII (1973)) went on to discover that in 53 passages in John’s Gospel, the Apostle John used this type of word arrangement to „express the nature of [the] character of the subject.” Thus Mantey is right when he suggests the translation „the word was diety” or „the word was God” which stresses nature.
- The translation „a god” inserts an indefinite article that is unwarranted by either grammar or context. The translation „a god” makes Jesus another God, makes John the Apostle a polytheist, and makes a mockery of Deuteronomy 32:39 which reads „there is no other god with me”—that would make Jesus a god against the Father!”]
- 6B. Did the Society quote the famous Bible translator Westcott out of context?Yes. The Society gives the impression that Westcott supports the concept that John 1:1 should be translated „the Word was a god” (note the small „g”).
Watchtower, Jan. 15, 1975, p.63
But as can be seen, Westcott holds to an entirely different view based on the grammar:The Word was God „…simply affirms the true deity of the Word.” He held to the triunity of God, not the polytheism of „the word was a god.”
- [Note: A consultation with virtually any commentary on John 1:1 or any Koine Greek grammar on the use of the article in the New Testament will lead to the same conclusion reached by Westcott: The statement „simply affirms the true deity of the Word.”]
- 6C. Did the Society misrepresent the New Catholic Encyclopedia on its position concerning the trinity?Yes. The Society suggests that the New Catholic Encylopedia denies the historic trinity: It teaches that…this doctrine was unknown to the Hebrew prophets and Christian apostles…it also admits that the doctrine must be dated as from about three hundred and fifty years after the death of Jesus Christ.”
The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life, p. 22
A simple reading of page 306 of the New Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. XIV, will demonstrate that both conclusions by the Society were erroneous. Clearly, Paul and the Gospels taught the triunity of God and the Catholics hold to this belief.
- 6D. Does the Bible actually teach the doctrine of the trinity—a doctrine the Society strongly denies?Yes. The trinity is the only explanation for the relationship given in Scripture between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
7. Does the Society deny the Biblical teaching that Jesus Christ is worthy of worship?
- 7A. Does the Society teach that Jesus rejects worship?Yes. „Do not erroneously conclude that Christians are to worship Christ; that is not what he taught.”
- 7B. Does the Bible reveal the worship of Christ as an appropriate and acceptable activity?Yes. No one is rebuked for worshipping Christ in Scripture.
- 7C. Does the Society attempt to cover up the worship of Christ in Scripture in order to deny this teaching?Yes. The word proskuneo is translated as worship (when used with reference to Jehovah) 22 times in the Society’s New World Translation. The same word when used with reference to Christ is translated „obedience,” „reverence,” and „homage.” The Bible clearly teaches the worship of Jesus, but the Society in an effort to obscure this fact has avoided the ususal and normal translation of proskuneo.
- 7D. Has the Society ever contradicted its position by encouraging Jesus worship?Yes. „Christ (is) to be worshipped as a glorious spirit, victorious over death on the torture stake.”
8. Is the name „Jehovah” actually the name of God?
- 8A. Does the Society believe that „Jehovah” is the name of God?Yes. They have used it for more than 50 years and state categorically that it is „a translation of God’s name, in Hebrew YHWH.”
- 8B. God’s name?No. They hold that „there is no such name as Jehovah.” The name of God as it appears in Scripture is without appropriate vowels so, „no Hebrew can pronounce it today.”
- 8C. Where did the mistranslation „Jehovah” come from?„‘Jehovah’ is generally held to have been the invention of Pope Leo X’s confessor, Peter Galatin.”
The Jewish Encyclopedia, p. 88
„‘Jehovah’ is a mispronunciation…almost entirely disregarded by the Jews…of the Hebrew ‘YHWH’ the…name of God…this pronunciation is grammatically impossible; it arose through pronouncing the vowels…of ‘Adonay’ (the Lord)…with the consonants of ‘ YHWH. ”
- 8D. Is there any basis for the Society using „Jehovah” as the name for God?No. „The pronunciation Jehovah has no authority at all and appeared only in late medieval times; it is an attempt to vocalize the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) usinq the vowels written under it by the scribes, which vowels however were never intended to be combined with the four consonants of this word.”
- 8E. If „Jehovah” is incorrect and not the name of God, what is the correct name?It is Yahweh. „That the pronunciation in ancient times was Yahweh is concluded from transcriptions in the early Christian fathers.”
9. Has the Society altered the Scriptures to suit its own particular needs?
- 9A. Where has the Society altered the text?Take any Greek text or modern translation and compare it with the New World Translation (a Society publication) at:
John 1:1 (Note the added „a”)
Colossians 1:15, 17 (Note the inserted „other”)
Colossians 2:9 (Note the change from „deity” to „divine quality”)
Titus 2:13 (Note the change from „God our Savior” to „God and our Savior”)
Revelation 3:14 (Note how „of” is changed to „by”)
These are just a few examples of the alterations.
- 9B. To what can we attribute the mistranslations by the Society?In court and under oath F. W. Franz, current president of the Society and one of the admitted translators of the New World Translation, lied about his ability to translate Scripture. He admitted he could not translate „a Bible verse.” Lack of integrity and preparation, along with a marked theological bias has led to a number of outrageous errors in translation.
10. Does the Society err in its teaching about the cross of Christ?
- 10A. According to the Society, how did Jesus die?The Society claims that Jesus was impaled on an upright, single-pieced „torture stake.”
- 10B. How does the Society support its claim that Jesus died on a „torture stake” instead of a „cross”?The Society quotes 16th century writer Justus Lipsius in his De Cruce Liber Primus.
- 10C. What does Justus Lipsius say is the method of Christ’s death?While it is true the Lipsius pictures the death of a man on a tree, he points out rather emphatically and in considerable detail that this was not the way Jesus died. In fact, he even includes a picture of Christ’s death on the cross a few pages later. Reading from his text we find: „In the Lord’s cross there were four pieces of wood, the upright beam, the cross-bar, a tree trunk (piece of wood) placed below, and the title (inscription) placed above.” The Society has completely misrepresented Lipsius’ drawing and findings.
- 1OD. Does the Bible teach that Jesus died on a cross?Yes, without any doubt. Consult the Bible at John 20:25; 21:18-19, Matt. 27:37, Mark 15:27, etc.
11. Has the Society ever altered its publications without notice to suit its changing prophecies?
- Yes. Quietly the Society shifts its position when an embarrassing prophecy is made and then remains unfulfilled. For example, a crucial change was made in the 1923 version of Studies in Scriptures in order to bring it into line with the Society’s changing prophecies. The earlier version has:”…the deliverance of the saints must take place some time before 1914 is manifest…”
- The 1923 version has:”…must take place very soon after 1914 is manifest…”
12. Given the strange twists and contradictions of the Society over the years, is there any relationship between the Society and mental illness?
- Yes, unfortunately. Members of the Society, according to an Australian study are „three times more likely to be diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia and nearly four times more likely from paranoid schizophrenia than the rest of the population at risk.”
- Why? Either the Society „tends to attract an excess of pre-psychotic individuals who may then break down, or else being a Jehovah’s Witness is itself a stress which may precipitate a psychosis. Possibly both of these factors may operate together.”John Spencer, The Mental Health of Jehovah’s Witnesses
13. If Jehovah’s Witnesses are not the truth, then what is?
- The truth is found in the Bible and not in the Watchtower Society (as has already been demonstrated.) Two steps must be taken:
- First, Jesus Christ must be given rightful Lordship in our life.For instructions, CLICK HERE
- Second, the Society member must break his ties with the Watchtower Society, as has the author of this ExposéResignation Letter
*For purposes of clarification and brevity, the name, „Watchtower Society” has been shortened to „Society” throughout this outline.
Watch Tower – Profetul Mincinos
iulie 2, 2009[Iata o lista, in engleza, a erorilor WT, din publicatiile proaspete. Informatiile sunt preluate de pe nicenetruth.com]
1877 ‘The End Of This World; that is the end of the gospel and the beginning of the millennial age is nearer than most men suppose; indeed we have already entered the transition period, which is to be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation Dan. 12:3.” (N.H. Barbour and C.T. Russell, Three Worlds, and the Harvest of This World, p. 17).
1879 „Christ came in the character of a Bridegroom in 1874…. at the beginning of the Gospel harvest.” (Watchtower, Oct 1879, p. 4)
1880 „We need not here repeat the evidences that the „seventh trump” began its sounding A.D., 1840, and will continue until the end of the time of trouble, and the end of „The times of the Gentiles,” A.D., 1914, and that it is the trouble of this „Great day,” which is here symbolically called the voice of the Archangel when he begins the deliverance of fleshly Israel. „At that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince (Archangel) which standeth for the children of thy people and there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation.” Dan. xii. 1. Nor will we here, again present the conclusive Bible proof that our Lord came for his Bride in 1874, and has an unseen work as Reaper of the first-fruits of this Gospel Age. (Zion’s Watchtower November, 1880 p. 1)
1886 „The outlook at the opening of the New Year has some very encouraging features. The outward evidences are that the marshaling of the hosts for the battle of the great day of God Almighty, is in progress while the skirmishing is commencing. … The time is come for Messiah to take the dominion of earth and to overthrow the oppressors and corrupters of the earth, (Rev. 19:15 and 11:17, 18) preparatory to the establishment of everlasting peace upon the only firm foundation of righteousness and truth.” (Zion’s Watchtower, January, 1886;Watchtower reprints I, p. 817)
1888 „In this chapter we present the Bible evidence proving that the full end of the times of the gentiles, i.e., the full end of their lease of dominion, will be reached in A.D. 1914; and that the date will be the farthest limit of the rule of imperfect men. And be it observed, that if this is shown to be a fact firmly established by the Scriptures, it will prove; Firstly, that at that date the Kingdom of God, for which our Lord taught us to pray, saying, Thy Kingdom come, will obtain full, universal control, and that it will then be set up, or firmly established, in the earth, on the ruins of present institutions.” (The Time Is At Hand, 1888, p. 76, 77)
1889 „Be not surprised, then, when in subsequent chapters we present proofs that the setting up of the Kingdom of God is already begun, that it is pointed out in prophecy as due to begin the exercise of power in A.D. 1878, and that the ‘battle of the great day of God Almighty (Rev. 16:14) which will end in A.D. 1914 with the complete overthrow of earth’s present rulership, is already commenced. The gathering of the armies is plainly visible from the standpoint of God’s word.” (Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 2, The Time Is At Hand, 1889 Ed., p. 101. The 1915 Edition of this texts changed „A.D. 1914” to read ‘A.D. 1915′)
1889 „Here we furnish the evidence that from the creation of Adam to (but not including) A.D. 1873 was six thousand years. And though the Bible contains no direct statement that the seventh thousand will be the epoch of Christ’s reign, the great Sabbath Day of restitution to the world, yet the venerable tradition is not without a reasonable foundation.” (Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 2, p. 39. 1889)
1889 „If, then, the seventh thousand-year period of earth’s history be an epoch specially noted as the period of Christ’s reign, we shall by showing that it began in 1873, be proving that we are already in it.” (Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 2, p. 40. 1889)
1889 „In the coming 26 years, all present governments will be overthrown and dissolved.” (C.T. Russell, Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 2, p. 98-99, 1889)
1889 „In this chapter we present the Bible evidence which indicates that six thousand years from the creation of Adam were complete with A.D. 1872; and hence that, since A.D. 1872 are chronologically entered upon the seventh thousand or the Millennium.” (Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 2, p. 33, 1889)
1889 „Remember that the forty years’ Jewish Harvest ended October A.D. 69, and was followed by the complete overthrow of that nation; and that likewise the forty years of the Gospel age harvest will end October, 1914, and that likewise the overthrow of ‘Christendom,’ so-called, must be expected to immediately follow.” (Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 2, p. 245)
1894 „Seventeen years ago people said, concerning the time features presented in Millennial Dawn, They seem reasonable in many respects, but surely no such radical changes could occur between now and the close of 1914: if you had proved that they would come about in a century or two, it would seem much more probable. What changes have since occurred, and what velocity is gained daily? ‘The old is quickly passing and the new is coming in.’ Now, in view of recent labor troubles and threatened anarchy, our readers are writing to know if there may not be a mistake in the 1914 date. They say that they do not see how present conditions can hold out so long under the strain. We see no reason for changing the figures-nor could we change them if we would. They are, we believe, God’s dates, not ours. But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble.” (Zion’s Watchtower, Can It Be Delayed until 1914? C. T. Russell July 15, 1894, Also in Watchtower Reprints, l894 p. 1677)
1894 „A few more years will wind up the present order of things, and then the chastened world will stand face to face with the actual conditions of the established Kingdom of God. And yet the course of the Church is to be finished within the space of time that intervenes.” (Watchtower p. 56, 1894)
1894 „We see no reason for changing the figures – nor could we change them if we would. They are, we believe, God’s dates, not ours. But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble.” (Watchtower July 15, 1894, p 266; p 1677 reprints)
1894 „We see no reason for changing the figures nor could we change them if we would. They are, we believe, Gods dates, not ours. But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble.” (Watchtower, July 15, 1894, Reprints p. 1677)
1897 „…this measurement is 3416 inches, symbolizing 3416 years…. This calculation shows A.D. 1874 as marking the beginning of the period of trouble….” (Russell, Studies in the Scriptures: Thy Kingdom Come, Series III, p. 342, 1897 edition [1916 edition changed to read: „We find it to be 3457 inches, symbolizing 3457 years…. Thus the Pyramid witnesses that the close of 1914 will be the beginning of the time of trouble….”] note: the measurement was the length of an interior passageway discovered inside the Pyramids. It has no reference in Scripture.)
1897 „Complete destruction of the ‘powers that be’ of ‘this present evil worlds – political, financial, ecclesiastical – about the close of the Time of the Gentiles; October A.D. 1914.” (C.T. Russell, Studies in the Scriptures, IV, p. 622, 1897)
1897 „Our Lord, the appointed King, is now present, since October 1874, A.D….and the formal inauguration of his kingly office dates from April 1878, A.D.” (Studies in the Scriptures, Vol.4, p.621, 1897)
1897 „The distillery, the brewery, the saloon, the brothel, the pool-room, all time-killing and character-depraving business will be stopped; and their servants will be given something to do that will be beneficial to themselves and others. „Similarly, the building of war-vessels, the manufacture of munitions of war and defense will cease, and armies will be disbanded. The new Kingdom will have no need of these, but will have abundant power to execute summary justice in the punishment of evil doers… „The banking and brokerage business, and other like employment’s, very useful under present conditions, will no longer have a place; for under the new conditions the human race will be required to treat each others as members of one family, and private capital and money to loan and to be needed will be things of the past. Landlords and renting agencies will find new employment also, because the new King will not recognize as valid patents and deeds now on record. „…namely, that with present conveniences, if the whole people were put to work systematically and wisely, not more than three hours labor for each individual would be necessary.” (Studies, Vol. IV, pp. 633-635, 1897)
1902 „In view of this strong Bible evidence concerning the Times of the Gentiles, we consider it an established truth that the final end of the kingdoms of this world, and the full establishment of the kingdom of God, will be accomplished by the end of A.D. 1914.” (The Time Is At Hand, 1902 edition, p. 99)
1903 „When Uranus and Jupiter meet in the humane sign of Aquarius in 1914, the long-promised era will have made a fair start in the work of setting man free to work out his own salvation, and will insure the ultimate realization of dreams and ideals of all poets and sages in history.” (Watchtower, May 1, 1903, p. 130-131; p3184 Reprints)
1904 „According to our expectations the stress of the great time of trouble will be on us soon, somewhere between 1910 and 1912, culminating with the end of the ‘Times of the Gentiles,’ October, 1914.” (The New Creation, Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 6, p. 579, 1904)
1908 „In view of this strong Bible evidence concerning the Times of the Gentiles, we consider it an established truth that the final end of the kingdoms of this world, and the full establishment of the Kingdom of God, will be accomplished at the end of A. D. 1914.” (The Time Is At Hand; 1889; 1908 ed.; p. 99)
1908 „True, it is expecting great things to claim, as we do, that within the coming twenty-six years all present governments will be overthrown and dissolved” (The Time Is At Hand; 1889; 1908 ed.; p. 99)
1914 „Even if the time of our change should not come within ten years, what more should we ask? Are we not a blessed, happy people? Is not our God faithful? If anyone knows anything better, let him take it. If any of you ever find anything better, we hope you will tell us.” (Watchtower, Dec 15, 1914, p. 376.)
1914 „Studying God’s Word, we have measured the 2520 years, the seven symbolic times, from that year 606 B.C. and have found that it reached down to October, 1914, as nearly as we were able to reckon. We did not say positively that this would be the year.” (Watchtower, November 1, 1914, p. 325)
1914 „While it’s possible that Armageddon may begin next Spring, yet this purely speculation to attempt to say just when. We see, however, that there are parallels between the close of the Jewish age and this Gospel age. These parallels seem to point to the year just before us part particularly the early months.” (Watchtower Reprints, VI, Sept 1, 1914, p. 5527)
1914 „There is absolutely no ground for Bible students to question that the consummation of this Gospel age is now even at the door, and that it will end as the Scriptures foretell in a great time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation. We see the participants in this great crisis banding themselves together… The great crisis, the great clash, symbolically represented as a fire, that will consume the ecclesiastical heavens and the social earth, is very near.” (Watchtower Reprints, VI, May 1, 1914, p. 5450)
1915 „The present great war in Europe is the beginning of the Armageddon of the Scriptures Rev 19:16-20). It will eventuate in the complete overthrow of all the systems of error which have so long oppressed the people of God and deluded the world. We believe the present war cannot last much longer until revolutions shall break out” (C.T. Russell, Pastor Russell’s Sermons, p. 676, Sometime during World War I)
1915 Here we furnish the evidence that from the creation of Adam to A.D. 1873 was six thousand years. And though the Bible contains no direct statement that the seventh thousand will be the epoch of Christ’s reign, the great Sabbath Day of restitution to the world, yet the venerable tradition is not without reasonable foundation. (The Time Is At Hand; 1889; 1915 ed.; p. 39)
1915 If, then, the seventh thousand-year period of earth’s history be an epoch specially noted as the period of Christ’s reign, we shall, by showing that it began in A.D. 1873, be proving that we are already in it. (The Time Is At Hand; 1889; 1915 ed.; p. 40)
1915 Firstly, that at that date [1914] the Kingdom of God, for which our Lord taught us to pray, saying, „Thy Kingdom come,” will begin to assume control, and that it will then shortly be „set up,” or firmly established, in the earth, on the ruins of present institutions. (The Time Is At Hand; 1889; 1915 ed.; p. 77)
1915 „In view of this strong Bible evidence concerning the Times of the Gentiles, we consider it an established truth that the final end of the kingdoms of this world, and the full establishment of the kingdom of God, will be accomplished near the end of A.D. 1915. (The Time Is At Hand, 1915 edition, p. 99)
1915 „Be not surprised, then, when in subsequent chapters we present proofs that the setting up of the Kingdom of God is already begun, that it is pointed out in prophecy as due to begin the exercise of power in A.D. 1878, and that the ‘battle of the great day of God Almighty’ (Rev. 16:14), which will end in A.D. 1915, with the complete overthrow of the earth’s present rulership, is already commenced.” (The Time Is At Hand; 1889; 1915 ed.; p. 101)
1915 „As in the type that date – three and a half years after the death of Christ – marked the end of all special favor to the Jew and the beginning of favor to the Gentiles, so we recognize A.D. 1881 as marking the close of the ‘high calling,’ or invitation to the blessing peculiar to this age – to become joint-heirs with Christ and partakers of the divine nature.” (The Time Is At Hand; 1889; 1915 ed.; p. 235)
1915 So it was in this harvest also up to A.D. 1878 the time prophecies and the fact of the Lord’s presence, substantially as here presented, though less clearly, was our message. Since then the work has widened, and the view of other truths has become brighter and clearer; but the same fact and scriptures, teaching the same time and presence, stand unchallenged and incontrovertible. (The Time Is At Hand; 1889; 1915 ed.; p. 236)
1915 The Gentile Times prove that the present governments must all be overturned about the close of A.D. 1915; and Parallelism above shows that this period corresponds exactly with the year A.D. 70, which witnessed the completion of the downfall of the Jewish polity. (The Time Is At Hand, 1915 edition, p. 242)
1915 We are already living in the seventh millennium – since October 1872. (The Time Is At Hand; 1889; 1915 ed.; p. 363)
1915 The Battle of Armageddon, to which this war is leading, will be a great contest between right and wrong, and will signify the complete and everlasting overthrow of the wrong, and the permanent establishment of Messiah’s righteous kingdom for the blessing of the world. … Our sympathies are broad enough to cover all engaged in the dreadful strife, as our hope is broad enough and deep enough to include all in the great blessings which our Master and his Millennial kingdom are about to bring to the world. (Watchtower Reprints, VI, April 1, 1915, p. 5659)
1915 To our understanding the general call to this joint heirship with our Redeemer as members of the New Creation of God, ceased in 1881. (The New Creation; 1899; 1915 ed.; p. 95)
1916 „The Bible chronology herein presented shows that the six great 1000 year days beginning with Adam are ended, and that the great 7th Day, the 1000 years of Christ’s Reign, began in 1873.” (The Time Is At Hand, Foreword, p 2, 1916)
1916 We see no reason for doubting, therefore, that the Times of the Gentiles ended in October, 1914; and that a few more years will witness their utter collapse and the full establishment of God’s kingdom in the hands of Messiah.” (Watchtower Reprints, VI, Sept 1, 1916, p. 5950)
1917 ‘There will be no slip-up…Abraham should enter upon the actual possession of his promised inheritance in the year 1925’ (Watchtower Oct. 15, 1917, p. 6157)
1917 The Spring of 1918 will bring upon Christendom a spasm of anguish greater even than that experienced in the Fall of 1914…. The travail that is coming is to be upon nominal Zion- „Christendom” … „Babylon”; and it will be a great and sore affliction- „A Time of Trouble such as was not since there was a nation.” (The Finished Mystery p. 62 [stated to be the „Posthumous Work of Pastor Russell” on p. 2])
1917 ‘No doubt Satan believed the Millennial Kingdom was due to be set-up in 1915…Be that as it may, there is evidence that the establishment of the Kingdom in Palestine will probably be in 1925, ten years later than we once calculated.’ (Studies In The Scriptures, Vol 7, The Finished Mystery, p. 128)
1917 Some interesting developments in connection with the setting up of the Kingdom may occur in 1920, six years after the great Time of Trouble began. It would not be strange if this were so, when we recall that after forty years wandering in the wilderness the Israelites came into possession of the land of Canaan after a further six years. As these matters are still future we can but wait to see. We anticipate that the „earthquake” will occur early in 1918, and that the „fire” will come in the fall of 1920. [The Finished Mystery, 1917, p. 178, Comments on Revelation 11:13. [The 1926 ed. reads: „and that the ‘fire’ will follow in due course.”])
1917 „And the mountains were not found. Even the republics will disappear in the fall of 1920. And the mountains were not found. Every kingdom of earth will pass away, be swallowed up in anarchy.” (The Finished Mystery, 1917 edition, p. 258)
1917 Pastor Russell’s mission, in large part, was to advise Christendom of its impending end, in the time of world-wide trouble. It is the Divine judgment upon the nations. … There will be no chance of escaping from destruction, through the nations. … The trouble is due to the dawning of the Day of Christ, the Millennium. It is the Day of Vengeance, which began in the world war of 1914 and which will break like a furious morning storm in 1918.” (The Finished Mystery, 1917, p. 404)
1917 „Until 1878 the nominal church had been in a sense God’s sanctuary or temple; but He was from then on, culminating in 1918, to remove it with a stroke or plague of erroneous doctrines and deeds Divinely permitted. The Church was the strength of Christendom, that about which its life centered, and around which its institutions were built. It was the desire of the eyes of the people, that which all Christians loved. Nevertheless, God was to make manifest the profanation which ecclesiasticism had made of the Christian Church, and to cause the church organizations to become to Him as one dead, an unclean thing, not to be touched, or mourned. And the ‘children of the church’ shall perish by the sword of war, revolution and anarchy, and by the Sword of the Spirit be made to see that they have lost their hope of life on the spirit plane – that ‘the door is shut.”‘ (Studies in the Scriptures, vol. 7, 1917 p. 484.)
1917 Also, in the year 1918, when God destroys the churches wholesale and the church members by million, it shall be that any that escape shall come to the works of Pastor Russell to learn the meaning of the downfall of Christianity. (The Finished Mystery, 1917 edition, p. 485)
1917 As the fleshly-minded apostates from Christianity, siding with the radicals and revolutionaries, will rejoice at the inheritance of desolation that will be Christendom’s after 1918, so will God do to the successful revolutionary movement; it shall be utterly desolated, „even all of it.” Not one vestige of it shall survive the ravages of world-wide all embracing anarchy, in the fall of 1920. (Rev. II: 7-13) (The Finished Mystery, 1917, p. 542, [The 1926 ed. reads: „in the end of the time of trouble.”])
1917 This vision of the prophet Ezekiel depicts the established theocratic Kingdom of God on earth, civil and religious, spiritual and earthly. . . . The Temple . . . is a type and symbol of „better things to come,” after the wars, revolutions and anarchy of the period from 1914 to 1925 have passed. (The Finished Mystery, 1917, p. 569 [The 1926 ed. reads: „of the time of trouble have passed.”])
1918 „Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews 11, to the condition of human perfection.” (Millions Now Living Will Never Die, p. 89)
1920 ‘…we may expect 1925 to witness the return of these faithful men of Israel from the condition of death, being resurrected’ (Millions Now Living Will Never Die, 1920, p. 88)
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