The October 15th, 2004, Watchtower carries a study article, intriguingly entitled: "Paradise—For You?" The article reinforces our long-held belief that Jehovah's Witnesses are living in the biblically foretold spiritual paradise of God's making. However, in the spirit of the apostolic admonition not to believe every inspired expression, it is good that we put forth some counter-arguments to test the seemingly inspired expressions in order to determine if they really do originate with the God of truth.
The article rightly points out that Paul's rapturous vision of the "third heaven" was spiritual in nature. No doubt, Paul was given a foregleam of the spiritual paradise Isaiah prophesied about. We should keep in mind, though, the obvious reason God gave the 1st Century congregation an inspired revelation of paradise in the first place, was because those anointed Christians were not then living in any sort of spiritual paradise. It existed only in a vision—a revelation.
What has changed so that we are now supposedly living in a spiritual paradise even though the apostles and early Christians obviously were not? Is the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses somehow superior to the congregation Christ originally founded? That would certainly be an extraordinary thing if we were.
The article makes the case that spiritual paradise comes about as a result of God bringing his people out of babylonish captivity, which, according to our current understanding, came about gradually, over centuries of time as Christendom apostatized. And although this particular article does not mention the date 1918-19 implicitly, it is implied in the 9th paragraph that God released his people from captivity to Babylon the Great in 1919 and that afterwards a spiritual paradise gradually developed.
However, when God caused the Jews to go into captivity in Babylon, it was not a gradual dispersion—drawn out over hundreds of years. True, the Jewish apostasy itself developed over many centuries of time, but after God gave advance notice through numerous prophets, the Babylonish hordes suddenly swooped down on Judah like an eagle speeding to the prey, so that the desolation of Judah came very suddenly. And just as suddenly, Babylon fell and the repentant Jews entered upon the prophetic Highway of Holiness leading back to their Promised Land. So, it should be noted that our vision of spiritual paradise does not exactly match the pattern that the prophets provided. But, still, just what is it, exactly, that makes us believe we inhabit a spiritual paradise?
The Watchtower article implies that spiritual paradise is merely the result of knowing basic Bible truths.
For example, in the 19th paragraph we read: "However, think of the spiritual paradise that we now enjoy. Compared with the sick condition that we once were in, we have been healed spiritually. And contrast our once-famished state with our present well-fed spiritual state. Rather than struggling as in an arid spiritual land, God's people have his approval and a downpour of blessings. Rather than being blinded in dungeonlike spiritual darkness, we see the light of freedom and of God's favor. Many who were as good as deaf to Bible prophecies have come to hear with understanding what the Scriptures say. For example, millions of Jehovah's Witnesses around the globe have studied Daniel's prophecy verse by verse. Then they considered in depth each chapter of the Bible book of Isaiah. Does not that refreshing spiritual food give evidence of our spiritual paradise?"
According to the Watchtower's reasoning our study of Bible prophecy is one of the evidences of our spiritual paradise.
In keeping with our duty to test the "inspired expressions," we ought to ask a few pertinent questions, such as: if merely studying and even understanding Bible prophecy is evidence of the existence of a spiritual paradise, how come the early Christians did not enjoy such a blessed condition? Paul and Peter, as well as others such as James and Jude, where inspired Christian prophets, who no doubt served the congregations much in the way of thought provoking and "refreshing spiritual food," as the article words it; and yet, those early congregations were not in paradise. Why is that? Surely, Jehovah rained down upon them many spiritual blessings too; why, then, didn't the apostles and 1st Century disciples enjoy a spiritual paradise?
The paragraph quoted above asks us to contrast our spiritual condition before and after we became Jehovah's Witnesses as a proof of our supposed paradisiacal condition now. However, the apostle Paul told the 1st Century Christians that they were once alienated from God and blind to the covenants, but that they were granted by God's undeserved kindness to come into the glorious light of truth—yet, still, they were not described as inhabiting any sort of spiritual paradise. Why is that?
Paul himself contrasted his life before and after his conversion. His spiritual blindness as a Pharisee was so extreme it was only remedied by a close encounter with a manifestation of the glorious Lord, so that scales literally fell off from his blinded eyes a few days after the encounter. Surely, no one alive today can recount such a radical life-altering experience as Paul; and yet, even though Paul experienced such a miraculous transformation he still could only envision the spiritual paradise we claim to enjoy.
Another line of reasoning presented in the Watchtower as proof we are living in a glorious spiritual paradise is the personality transformation that many of us have made. The 11th paragraph states: "Think, too, of the changes in traits as sincere ones of all backgrounds have striven to understand and apply God's Word. Basically, they have worked to put away animalistic traits that used to characterize them."
Jehovah's Witnesses are well aware that the Bible's truth has a transforming affect upon us when we apply its counsel. But does that in itself make for a spiritual paradise? Surely, we recognize that 1st Century Christians also made remarkable changes as well. Paul wrote to the Corinthians reminding them that some of them were once fornicators, revilers, and homosexuals, drunkards and greedy persons, but that they had been washed clean. As extraordinary a transformation that many of those early Corinthians made in their personal lives, they still did not enjoy the blessings of a spiritual paradise. Why is that?
The Watchtower comments further on in the 11th paragraph, saying: "Hence, as you associate with a congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, you are with people who have become more peaceable and pleasant. No, they are not yet perfect, but they could hardly be described as ferocious lions or rapacious wild beasts. What does this pacific spiritual fellowship indicate? Clearly, we enjoy a spiritual condition that we rightly call a spiritual paradise."
According to the Watchtower's line of reasoning presented above, we enjoy spiritual paradise because everyone has made a radical personality transformation. But is that really true?
Consider for a moment some of the problems in the early Christian congregations. As previously stated, even though many of the Corinthians had made remarkable changes, there were still many problems that marred the peace of the congregation. For one, there was the well-known sex scandal involving a brother living with his father's wife; a deplorable situation, which the Corinthian brothers apparently tolerated.
Then there was the problem of cult-like worship of Paul and Cephas that Paul addressed in his letter. There was also the distressing state of affairs as a result of the "superfine apostles" in the congregation; whom Paul revealed were actually covert agents of the Devil who had made a transformation—not into the image of Christ—but into phony "ministers of righteousness." For good reason, Paul did not boast of the Corinthians as if they were living in a spiritual paradise.
It seems, in fact, that Paul spoke of his supernatural vision of spiritual paradise to the Corinthians because they were so dysfunctional as a congregation—far removed from the paradise Paul envisioned.
Then there were the Galatians. Paul's counsel to the Galatian congregation indicates that not everyone there had made a complete spiritual transformation. Even though they had knowledge of Christ, Paul, out of sheer despair, addressed them as "O senseless Galatians"!
Because of their fleshly frame of mind Paul warned the Galatians, saying: "If, though, you keep on biting and devouring one another, look out that you do not get annihilated by one another." The act of "biting and devouring one another" is hardly something that will occur in spiritual paradise, is it? The Galatians gave evidence that they still possessed certain unchristian, animalistic characteristics. Clearly, the Galatians could not honestly boast of enjoying "pacific spiritual fellowship"—such as the Watchtower claims Jehovah's Witnesses presently enjoy. Can any honest observer today claim that the congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses are not similarly afflicted by numerous incidents of "biting and devouring" behavior?
If we are honest, brothers, we will admit that our congregations are plagued with the very same problems that confronted the early Christian congregations. Like the Corinthian Congregation, many of Jehovah's Witnesses practice various forms of sexual immorality. So much so that the Watchtower even admits that tens of thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses have to be evicted from our "spiritual paradise" annually because of immoral behavior.
If we are modest and honest, we will also admit that Jehovah's Witnesses are plagued by a form of organizational idolatry. Just as some of the Corinthians claimed to belong to Paul, Cephas or Apollos, so, too, Jehovah's Witnesses virtually worship the so-called anointed faithful slave in the form of the Watchtower organization. So much so, it is considered blasphemous to even question any aspect of their authority or teaching.
When the Watchtower makes the statement that no one in our congregations "could hardly be described as ferocious lions or rapacious wild beasts," are they really being honest? What about the tens of thousands of children of Jehovah's Witnesses who have been sexually abused by others who call themselves Jehovah's Witnesses? Haven't they, in affect, been set upon by cunning rapacious wild beasts? Haven't they had their innocence devoured by animalistic predators?
Will the Watchtower please make some sort of an acknowledgment and explain how thousands of child sexual abuse atrocities can take place in spiritual paradise?
As the most recent example: In North Carolina one of Jehovah's Witnesses facing trial for raping his own daughter, slashed the throats of three of his children, and then apparently killed his wife and himself. Evidently, Brother Meza was in "good standing" in the Rock Hill Congregation in North Carolina. Presumably, he was standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the brothers and sisters in the local congregation—enjoying "pacific spiritual fellowship" in our exclusive "spiritual paradise"—up until the moment he committed this horrific crime and then committed suicide.
Is it honest for the Watchtower to brush these horrible acts of wickedness off as mere human imperfections?
There have also been several cases where even appointed elders betrayed their sacred trust in highly publicized scandals. In Montana, an elderly sister, 100-years old, was defrauded out of millions of dollars by two scheming elders, who were subsequently sentenced to prison by the authorities. Another similar case involving a con artist elder occurred in Florida. We might naturally wonder if the brothers and sisters in those congregations that were preyed upon by those treacherous elders would share the Watchtower's view that no rapacious-like individuals can be found in our "spiritual paradise."
And, of course, there are many, many other instances where Jehovah's Witnesses have committed horrible crimes. As the apostle Paul might say, our reasons for boasting are not fine. Will it take a serial-killing spree by one of Jehovah's Witnesses to force the Watchtower to face reality and stop lying and boasting about our supposed righteous condition?
At this point the question must be raised: Just what is spiritual paradise anyway? Since the early Christians did not enjoy such a blessed condition; and contrary to the Watchtower's baseless assertions, Jehovah's Witnesses obviously are not in any sort of spiritual paradise either—what does it mean to be in spiritual paradise? Will there ever be such a wonderful thing as a spiritual paradise?
It is best to let the Bible speak on the matter. The 35th chapter of Isaiah reveals that spiritual paradise is a condition associated with the revelation of Jehovah's glory and salvation. For example, in connection with the parched land blooming into paradisiac beauty, we read in the 2nd verse: "There will be those who will see the glory of Jehovah, the splendor of our God."
Can anyone of Jehovah's Witnesses today honestly claim to have seen the "glory of Jehovah"? If God's glory and splendor is reflected in our organization today, what a disappointment that is!
The 4th verse indicates that the revelation of God's glory is directly related to his vengeance and the salvation of his people. It reads: Say to those who are anxious at heart: "Be strong. Do not be afraid. Look! Your own God will come with vengeance itself, God even with a repayment. He himself will come and save you people."
The Watchtower claims Jehovah's people were released from Babylon the Great in 1919. If that were true, then where is the evidence that Jehovah God executed his vengeance or made repayment to his enemies? Does the mere fact that eight Watchtower officials made bail after a brief period of incarceration constitute the grand salvation the Bible promises? What rational person can believe such a thing?
It is obvious that Jehovah's Witnesses have been blinded by the Watchtower's own teachings. No doubt, that is why after the coming discipline, those who are blessed by Jehovah will have their spiritual eyes and ears opened in a truly marvelous way. That's why the next verse in context reads: "At that time the eyes of the blind ones will be opened, and the very ears of the deaf ones will be unstopped. At that time the lame one will climb up just as a stag does, and the tongue of the speechless one will cry out in gladness."
"At that time," used twice in the verse above, indicates that God opens the eyes and ears of his people suddenly, en masse, at a specific time—not gradually over decades, or individually, as when persons come into the truth.
When does Jehovah perform this eye-opening, ear-unstopping miracle? It takes place when Jehovah executes his judgment against the tyrants and braggarts who dominate and rule over Jehovah's people. Hence we read Jehovah's judicial decree at Isaiah 29:17-20: "Is it not yet but a very little time and Lebanon must be turned into an orchard and the orchard itself will be accounted just as a forest? And in that day the deaf ones will certainly hear the words of the book, and out of the gloom and out of the darkness even the eyes of the blind ones will see. And the meek ones will certainly increase their rejoicing in Jehovah himself, and even the poor ones of mankind will be joyful in the Holy One of Israel himself, because the tyrant must reach his end, and the bragger must come to his finish, and all those keeping alert to do harm must be cut off, those bringing a man into sin by his word, and those who lay bait even for the one reproving in the gate, and those who push aside the righteous one with empty arguments."
Please, notice that the prophecy describes paradise conditions, whereby the orchard becomes a veritable forest. At the same time the meek suddenly have their eyes opened and their ears unstopped. Concurrent with that, the tyrant and the braggart come to their end. Now, think about this: The Watchtower claims that Jehovah's Witnesses have been in spiritual paradise since being set free from clergy domination; yet why is it that no one can point to any evidence that the tyrants and braggarts of this world have already come to their end?
The tyrants and braggarts of Isaiah's prophecy are those who are described in the context as being spiritually intoxicated, and so they are unable to coherently read from the scroll that has been handed them. This perfectly describes the leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses. Incredibly, in the October 15th Watchtower under discussion here, the Governing Body even boasts of our supposed understanding of Isaiah as one of the proofs we are in spiritual paradise. But, clearly the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses does not understand Jehovah's judgments in Isaiah at all. If they did, they would not immodestly brag about living in spiritual paradise. The meek ones will have their eyes opened to that fact.
So, what is spiritual paradise?
Spiritual paradise is the blessed condition that Jehovah will bring about after he repurchases his people from the captive condition they will find themselves in during the tribulation. That paradise will be characterized by the complete absence of any sort of wickedness.
Jesus said that such a condition will come about during the conclusion of the system of things, when God's mighty angels remove from Christ's kingdom "all things that cause stumbling and persons who are doing lawlessness, and they will pitch them into the fiery furnace."
The result will be that not even one wicked person will be found among Jehovah's meek ones. Isaiah 35:8-10 read: "And there will certainly come to be a highway there, even a way; and the Way of Holiness it will be called. The unclean one will not pass over it. And it will be for the one walking on the way, and no foolish ones will wander about on it. No lion will prove to be there, and the rapacious sort of wild beasts will not come up on it. None will be found there; and the repurchased ones must walk there. And the very ones redeemed by Jehovah will return and certainly come to Zion with a joyful cry; and rejoicing to time indefinite will be upon their head. To exultation and rejoicing they will attain, and grief and sighing must flee away."
In the real spiritual paradise that Jehovah will provide for the meek ones of his people, as a prelude to their entering the new world, there will be no unclean slithering pedophiles—not even one. There will be no faithless apostates or fornicators in paradise—none! There will be no braggarts who boast of being "big trees of righteousness," while tyrannically disfellowshipping anyone who questions their absurd interpretations of prophesy.
Jehovah's angels will debar animalistic people from entering the Highway of Holiness just as surely as the cherubs at the gates of paradise prevented Adam and Eve and their offspring from stealing back into Eden.
That the Governing Body would boast of ruling over a spiritual paradise, in spite of all the God-dishonoring problems that the organization is plagued with identifies them as the braggarts of prophecy.
They resemble the Jewish establishment on the eve of Jehovah's judgment in Jeremiah's day, of whom Jehovah said: "And they try to heal the breakdown of my people lightly, saying, 'There is peace! There is peace!' when there is no peace."
Even though Jehovah's Witnesses obviously do not inhabit spiritual paradise today, the shrill insistence on the part of the Governing Body claiming that all is well is ironically a sure indication that Jehovah's onrushing judgment is near to silencing the persistent blare of their vain boasting.
In the aftermath of the execution of Jehovah's awesome judgment, spiritual paradise will become a reality! Zephaniah 3:11-12 assures us that the haughty boasters will never again dominate Jehovah's organization—only the meek and humble will remain to inherit the real paradise.
"For then I shall remove from the midst of you your haughtily exultant ones; and you will never again be haughty in my holy mountain. And I shall certainly let remain in the midst of you a people humble and lowly, and they will actually take refuge in the name of Jehovah."
Copyright © 2004, by Robert King
All Rights Reserved.