"A blasphemous counterfeit "
There can be no question that the Watchtower was required to follow the same procedure as all other NGO applicants. That being the case, Bethel would have had to submit “evidence of an active information programme relevant to the UN.”In order to fully comply, each prospective NGO must submit “at least six (6) different types of samples of the organization’s most recent information materials.”That unavoidably means the Society would have had to present samples from the Watchtower and Awake! magazines. But, here is where the relationship of the Watchtower and the United Nations truly becomes a case of strange bedfellows. For instance, the following is a selection of comments taken from various Watchtower publications in recent decades dealing with the United Nations:
“Rather, that divine Kingdom will destroy the United Nations, no matter how many heavenly angels may be needed to do this!”— Watchtower 2-1-1985
“Then, in 1945, the United Nations organization emerged, to be praised and adored by the clergy of Christendom as mankind’s hope for peace…Today few people believe that the UN has the ability to prevent wars and conflicts from erupting. Its existence does little to allay the fear of a third world war or a nuclear holocaust.” – Watchtower 2-15-1985
“Originally it was the League of Nations. Now it is the United Nations. In effect it is a conspiracy against God’s Kingdom. It aims to do what only God’s Kingdom can do—establish permanent peace….What does this graphic language forebode? That political elements, represented in the United Nations, will turn against the world empire of false religion to destroy it. But this means they will also eventually turn against the true representatives of God’s Kingdom by Christ, namely, Jehovah’s Witnesses. What will be the result?”— Awake 4-8-1985
“As a successor to the League, the United Nations came into being on October 24, 1945. Later, the popes of Rome hailed the United Nations as “the ultimate hope for harmony and peace” and “the supreme forum of peace and justice.” Yes, the League of Nations, along with its successor, the United Nations, truly became an idol, a “disgusting thing” in the sight of God and of his people.” –- Watchtower 6-15-1996
“In the major fulfillment of the sign, the disgusting thing is the League of Nations and its successor, the United Nations. This world peace organization is viewed by Christendom as a substitute for God’s Kingdom. How disgusting! In time, therefore, the political powers associated with the UN will turn on Christendom (antitypical Jerusalem) and will desolate her.” – Watchtower 3-15-1990
“At Revelation 17:16, it is foretold that a figurative scarlet-colored wild beast, which has proved to be the United Nations…” – Watchtower 6-1-1996
“At first, great hopes were expressed for the UN…Earth’s dwellers have admired this new colossus, operating from its imposing headquarters on New York’s East River. But true peace and security have eluded the UN…The UN does not have the answers. And why? Because the Giver of life to all mankind is not the UN’s life-giver. Its life span will be short, for according to God’s decree, “it is to go off into destruction.” The UN’s founders and admirers do not have their names recorded in God’s scroll of life…The UN is actually a blasphemous counterfeit of God’s Messianic Kingdom by his Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ…”—Revelation Grand Climax, page 250
It is no secret that according to the Watchtower’s interpretation of Bible prophecy, the United Nations is the scarlet-colored beast of Revelation and a “disgusting thing” in God’s sight. Jehovah’s Witnesses have distributed millions of copies of Watchtower publications around the world expressing the view that the United Nations is a counterfeit of God’s kingdom, and that eventually the UN will take the lead in destroying all organized religion throughout the earth, before it is finally destroyed by God’s incoming kingdom.
Clearly, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not support the principles of the United Nations. Needless to say, the Watchtower did not submit any of the above articles as samples of their sharing the same ideals as the UN. Strangely, though, apparently the DPI was not even aware of the Watchtower’s view of United Nations. Or maybe they were. That remains to be seen. Nevertheless, what is apparent is that in order to qualify as an NGO the Watchtower Society was compelled to take a more accommodative position towards the UN, and at least write some positive articles about the United Nations in order to be able to submit them to the DPI as a sampling of their commitment to the principles of the United Nations.
