AGAINST AN APOSTATE NATION
Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 12:06PM Permalink 
A continuation of the consideration of the prophecy of Isaiah.
Audio, also available on watchman Mobile
Jehovah God has a purpose. That is a fundamental truth expressed in Scripture. God is not aimless, haphazard, or uninterested in the goings-on of his wayward creation down here, as some may suppose. On the other hand, neither does he choose to control every detail and facet of life as some religionists believe. To be sure, though, God’s purpose is to set up a kingdom over mankind and destroy the present ruling elements over the world, which are certain to be weighed on the balances and found wanting.
Back in the beginning of the world, on the very day the original humans defected to follow the advice of a God-slandering snake, Jehovah issued the original prophecy, speaking to the original serpent, saying to it: “Because you have done this thing, you are the cursed one out of all the domestic animals and out of all the wild beasts of the field. Upon your belly you will go and dust is what you will eat all the days of your life. And I shall put enmity between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed. He will bruise you in the head and you will bruise him in the heel.”
Because, in their naivete, Adam and Eve apparently imagined that the serpent could actually speak, Jehovah addressed himself to the serpent as if it were the actual source of the misleading statements. Not until many centuries later with the revelation of the foretold primary seed of the woman, Christ Jesus, would the truth be revealed; namely, that the serpent was merely a front for an angel gone bad, who became the original liar and slanderer of Jehovah. But in the concise, albeit cryptic prevision, Jehovah set into motion his dynamic purpose to produce a serpent-stomping, victorious seed.
Several centuries after the great Deluge drowned the nephilic seed of the serpent and forced the rebel angels to retreat into the invisible realm, Jehovah established a covenant with Abraham and revealed that all nations would be blessed through the seed of Abraham, through the line of Isaac and Jacob, also known as Israel. As the descendants of Abraham became populous, after about 500 years God formed the 12 tribes of Israel into a nation and established his covenant with them; giving them his law and setting up an organization of priests. In time the Israelites requested a human king to rule over them, and so God selected David, the son of Jesse and established a covenant with him, signifying that the Christ would be a descendant of David and sit upon Jehovah’s throne on Mount Zion.
Through the prophets of Israel many more details of the coming Messiah were revealed. Concerning him Isaiah confirmed that the Messiah would indeed come through the line of Jesse and that he would judge the nations, save the meek and lowly, and kill off the earthly offspring of the Serpent: “And there must go forth a twig out of the stump of Jesse; and out of his roots a sprout will be fruitful. And upon him the spirit of Jehovah must settle down, the spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the spirit of counsel and of mightiness, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Jehovah; and there will be enjoyment by him in the fear of Jehovah.”
But the same prophecies in Isaiah that foretell the coming of the twig from the stump of Jesse also decreed that the kingdom of David was going to be cut down and the seat of the kingdom, Jerusalem, would be plowed up as a mere field. That is because the enemy seed corrupted Jehovah’s nation. So, how could God fulfill his covenant to produce a kingly messiah through Judah and the line of David? Well, God corrected and restored his people to the homeland and the linage of David stayed entact. But the prophecy considered here pertains to Messiah's second coming. Going on the prophecy states:
“And he will not judge by any mere appearance to his eyes, nor reprove simply according to the thing heard by his ears. And with righteousness he must judge the lowly ones, and with uprightness he must give reproof in behalf of the meek ones of the earth. And he must strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; and with the spirit of his lips he will put the wicked one to death. And righteousness must prove to be the belt of his hips, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.” - Isaiah 11:1-5
The cobra is one of the most venomous and aggressive reptiles known to man. We do not know, but it may well have been a cobra that Satan used to speak to Eve in Eden. In any case, Isaiah goes on to foretell that under the reign of the Messiah the blessed ones of Jehovah will enjoy complete peace and security, such as once existed in Eden: “And the wolf will actually reside for a while with the male lamb, and with the kid the leopard itself will lie down, and the calf and the maned young lion and the well-fed animal all together; and a mere little boy will be leader over them. And the cow and the bear themselves will feed; together their young ones will lie down. And even the lion will eat straw just like the bull. And the sucking child will certainly play upon the hole of the cobra; and upon the light aperture of a poisonous snake will a weaned child actually put his own hand. They will not do any harm or cause any ruin in all my holy mountain; because the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah as the waters are covering the very sea.”
God’s original purpose for man and woman was for them to have in loving subjection all the birds of the heavens, the fish of the sea and every animal upon earth. But because Adam and Eve subjected themselves to Satan instead ever since then the world of humankind has taken on an animalistic character. Instead of having in subjection the animal kingdom, men have dominated their fellowman. The cunning dominate the innocent. The aggressive dominate the passive. The wealthy dominate the poor. The strong dominate the weak. Empires dominate nations, and on and on it goes. So, according to Isaiah’s prophecy, Messiah’s rule will establish edenic tranquility among those who accept his reproof.
As Jehovah’s Witnesses realize, the prophecy really speaks of a changed condition among people, not animals. The aggressive, cunning and hurtful tendencies of sinful men and women will be tamed. No one will harm another person; not physically, mentally or emotionally. It will be an entirely new earthly system of things - nothing short of a new world. How wonderful that will be!
As strange as it may seem to the uninformed, though, Jehovah’s Witnesses have been led to believe that this new world of peace and absolute security has already come into existence in the form of the New World Society of Jehovah’s Witnesses. (Incidentally, the condition foretold in Isaiah has been termed by the Watchtower Society as “spiritual paradise,” although that exact phrase does not appear in the Scriptures.) But the so-called spiritual paradise envisioned in prophecy is not brought about by mere doctrinal uniformity, such as exists among Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide.
Spiritual paradise will be characterized by a complete absence of evil, such as existed for a fleeting moment in Eden. Needless to say, no such blissful condition exists presently among Jehovah’s Witnesses; neither did it exist among the original Christians. (See article Spiritual Paradise)
But what is the significance of the fact that the twig of the stump of Jesse (Christ), who will bring about this blessed condition, will do so in the aftermath of the destruction of Israel? Surely, no such paradisiacal society came into existence when the impoverished Jewish exiles returned to Palestine from Babylon, which was before even the twig of the stump of Jesse sprouted! Hold that thought...
AGAINST AN APOSTATE NATION I SHALL SEND HIM
Reverting to the 10th chapter of Isaiah, there God declares his determination to set matters straight with his apostate nation. After issuing a chilling "woe to those enacting harmful regulations," God announces the means through which his denunciation shall be executed, saying: “Aha, the Assyrian, the rod for my anger, and the stick that is in their hand for my denunciation! Against an apostate nation I shall send him, and against the people of my fury I shall issue a command to him, to take much spoil and to take much plunder and to make it a trampling place like the clay of the streets.”
The “apostate nation” and the people of God’s fury were originally the Israelites. In 740 B.C.E. the Assyrians plundered the Israelite capitol, Samaria, and led off into exile the Northern, 10-tribe kingdom of Israel. Emboldened by his conquest of Samaria, about eight years later the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, demanded that the Judean king, Hezekiah, also surrender to him. Isaiah attributed these words to the king of Assyria before ever he initiated his campaign against Israel: “Is not Samaria just like Damascus? Whenever my hand has reached the kingdoms of the valueless god whose graven images are more than those at Jerusalem and at Samaria, will it not be that just as I shall have done to Samaria and to her valueless gods, even so I shall do to Jerusalem and to her idols?’”
The Assyrian made a fatal mistake in assuming that Jehovah was a mere valueless, idol god. It was on that occasion that Jehovah dispatched an angel, who slew 185,000 Assyrian troops in one night; thus thwarting the conquest of Jerusalem. But the fact of the matter is, Jerusalem too had succumbed to idolatry. There were only a few faithful Judean kings - Hezekiah being one of them - who made significant reforms and who were faithful to the God of the covenant. But in that context, Jehovah stated: “And it must occur that when Jehovah terminates all his work in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, I shall make an accounting for the fruitage of the insolence of the heart of the king of Assyria and for the self-importance of his loftiness of eyes.”
As all Bible students surely know, God eventually had Jerusalem destroyed as well by the Babylonians. But why then does God state that all his work in connection with Mount Zion and Jerusalem is terminated when the insolent Assyrian is called to account? Not only that, but the prophecy in the 10th chapter of Isaiah speaks about only the remnant of Jerusalem being saved. These questions are all the more relevant when the 28th chapter of Isaiah is considered. For example, in verse 21 God refers to his strange deed and his work in connection with the destruction of Jerusalem by the nations. Clearly, then, God’s work in connection with Jerusalem did not end with the Assyrian defeat.
Why then does Isaiah 10:12 speak of the termination of all of God’s work in connection with Mount Zion and Jerusalem? Worded differently, why did God prevent the Assyrian from taking Jerusalem only to later sanction the Chaldeans to do so?
The answer is, the conquest of Israel and the salvation of Jerusalem and the remnant of Israel depicted in the 10th chapter of Isaiah is really a pattern for the Christian Israel of God at the coming of Christ. That ought to be apparent due to the fact, that, as mentioned above, the Messiah comes for judgment in the context of Israel’s downfall.
Interesting too, Isaiah 9:6 introduces the coming Messiah as the Mighty God and Prince of Peace, whereas Isaiah 10:21 states: “A mere remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the Mighty God.”
“The Mighty God” in the context of this passage of prophecy is a prophetic reference to the Christ at his second coming. The “mere remnant of Jacob” that return to him are the so-called anointed remnant - those spiritual Jews remaining on earth after the first resurrection begins, who, together, are the true seed of Abraham.
But, a return to Christ, the Mighty God, by Christians must of necessity mean that they have left off following him. And for an anointed Christian to cease from following Christ would be tantamount to apostasy. Keep in mind that the reason for God’s denunciation in the first place is because his nation has become apostate. But God’s purpose in connection with his apostate nation will ultimately be successful due to the fact that a remnant will be saved. In other words, God’s purpose to establish a world-ruling kingdom composed of formerly sinful humans - transformed by Christ’s mediation and reproof in their behalf - is accomplished by means of the destruction of his earthly organization and the regathering of a chastened remnant into heavenly Zion. No true understanding of prophecy is possible without recognizing that vital fact.
Paul alluded to this truth of God’s purpose when he prophetically stated: “Why, do you not know what the Scripture says in connection with Elijah, as he pleads with God against Israel? ‘Jehovah, they have killed your prophets, they have dug up your altars, and I alone am left, and they are looking for my soul.’ Yet, what does the divine pronouncement say to him? ‘I have left seven thousand men over for myself, men who have not bent the knee to Baal.’ In this way, therefore, at the present season also a remnant has turned up according to a choosing due to undeserved kindness.”
Although Paul was ostensibly speaking with reference to the relatively small number of Israel who accepted Christ in the first century, the 11th chapter of Revelation similarly alludes to a return of “Elijah” and the 7,000 as an immediate prelude to Armageddon.
Not only that, but the prophecy of Malachi addresses itself to the preparatory work of Elijah prior to the end of the system. “Look! I am sending to you people Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah. And he must turn the heart of fathers back toward sons, and the heart of sons back toward fathers; in order that I may not come and actually strike the earth with a devoting of it to destruction.”
If “Elijah” returns to turn the hearts of fathers and sons back to each other, is that not an indication that their hearts have been led astray from Jehovah himself? Surely, such is the case.
While it is readily recognized by Jehovah’s Witnesses that the churches of Christendom are apostate and have been for centuries due to their many worldly entanglements - among other things - the mere suggestion that the Watchtower Society could possibly be judged by Jehovah as being apostate is unthinkable. And yet the prophecy of Isaiah (and all other prophecy for that matter), which constitute the very judgments and judicial decisions of Jehovah for the final part of the days, clearly indicate that God’s purpose is accomplished through the destruction of “Israel” by the "Assyrian."
God always holds the leaders more accountable than the led - or the misled, as the case may be. In the instance of ancient Israel, not only were the judges guilty of enacting harmful regulations that defrauded the lowly, God indicted the leaders for faithlessly making alliances with Israel’s enemies. The purpose of God’s disciplinary action, as stated at Isaiah 10:20, is so that “it will certainly occur in that day that those remaining over of Israel and those who have escaped of the house of Jacob will never again support themselves upon the one striking them, and they will certainly support themselves upon Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, in trueness.”
In their commentary on this chapter of Isaiah the Watchtower Society asks: "Will Jehovah’s faithful Witnesses perish along with Babylon the Great? No. God is not displeased with them. Pure worship will survive."
Thus, Bethel’s Bible interpreters recognize the surviving remnant of “Israel” to be Jehovah’s Witnesses. But according to the Watchtower visionaries Israel represents Babylon the Great. If that were true, though, then how is it that the surviving remnant are part of “Israel” up until the time the modern Assyrian annihilates it? Jehovah’s Witnesses believe they will have gotten out of Babylon long before it is destroyed.
This inconsistency of interpretation and lack of understanding on the part of the leaders of God’s people prior to the coming of Christ is ironically a significant feature of the prophecy of Isaiah itself. For example, Isaiah 29:10-12 states: “For upon you men Jehovah has poured a spirit of deep sleep; and he closes your eyes, the prophets, and he has covered even your heads, the visionaries. And for you men the vision of everything becomes like the words of the book that has been sealed up, which they give to someone knowing the writing, saying: ‘Read this out loud, please,’ and he has to say: ‘I am unable, for it is sealed up’; and the book must be given to someone that does not know writing, somebody saying: ‘Read this out loud, please,’ and he has to say: I do not know writing at all.’”
In terms of their understanding the judgments of Jehovah yet to be unveiled the prophecy of Isaiah is a closed book to the leadership of Jehovah’s Witnesses - sealed up, as it were.
In modern times the Watchtower Society has supported itself upon the modern “Assyrian.” This has been manifested in the disgusting compromise the Watchtower Society made with the United Nations, in consigning Jehovah’s Witnesses to serve as mere couriers for UN, globalist propaganda between the years 1992-2001. (See Strange Bedfellows) Even in the aftermath of that fiasco Bethel has spawned numerous subsidiary NGOs for the purpose of influencing European policy makers and courts and the OSCE in particular; even joining with Scientology and other NGOs to petition for human rights issues with the OSCE. (See Perimeno letters)
And undeniably, too, because of the inordinate place the Society and Governing Body hold in the minds and hearts of Jehovah’s Witnesses, a condition constantly reinforced by Bethel, from Jehovah’s standpoint the organization has become an idol. (See article: Jehovah's Witnesses and the Watchtower Idol)
Most recently the Watchtower Inc. has apparently become involved in hedge fund activity. (See article: The Watchtower Society Hedge Fund)
Some of Jehovah’s Witnesses may be inclined to rationalize and justify the Watchtower’s apparent move into the world of Wall Street hedge funds. After all, Jesus’ illustration of the slaves entrusted with their master’s money condemns the slave who did not deposit his master’s money in a bank so that his master might collect the interest. But to put things in perspective, Jesus’ illustration is not about money at all. Money is merely a symbol of the gifts and responsibilities Jesus gives to his slaves in expectation of their using their gifts in his behalf.
Moreover, as regards the literal money donated to the Watchtower by hard working Jehovah’s Witnesses and other generous donors, the Watchtower treasury has heretofore deposited those monies with the banks and have drawn a modest amount of interest on those monies.
The unseemly side of the hedge fund world is discussed in the article cited above, but in addition to the aforementioned, the entire Wall Street investment bank and hedge fund world is an extension of London’s monetary and financial empire over the world. And London’s empire is a hereditary extension of the Assyrian and Babylonian, Persian, Grecian and Roman empires of prophecy. That is why the book of Revelation and Daniel depict the symbolic beasts as being composites made up of a collection of successive empires. Empires by nature are supranational. And that is certainly the intent of the London monetary empire of today. That is evident when we take note of the fact that nations may issue their own currency, but it is from the privately owned central banks that they must borrow money in the form of debt sales, and it is the bankers who reap the interest from tax payers.
Also a sovereign nation’s financial affairs are often overridden by private banks and their imperial institutions, like the IMF. In recent years the financier’s power has been vividly displayed as the empire has forced nations into drastic austerity. People indispensable to a functional society, like teachers, police, nurses, firefighters and emergency responders, are being axed in order to pay off the financiers’ bad gambling debts. And hedge funds have been an integral part of the apparatus used by the empire to plunder nations.
The Watchtower is the proud recipient of the proverbial widow’s mite and the donated lunch money of school children who wish to contribute to the work sponsored by the kingdom of Christ. All indications are that the Watchtower is now intent on using a portion of those funds to share in the plunder of nations. The fact that the Watchtower Society is now intimately associated with the core appendages of the imperial system is an overt act of apostasy and faithlessness.
So, it is the Watchtower Society itself that is the “apostate nation” of Isaiah’s prophecy.
But what is the significance of Assyria’s success in conquering Israel and Jehovah’s subsequent defense of Judah and Jerusalem? That represents an important aspect of what is to occur. Israel symbolizes the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses presently due to the presence of anointed persons who are in the covenant of God, through Christ. As Jesus foretold, a disgusting thing is due to make desolate a place once considered by God to be holy. The takedown of the earthly organization, however, will coincide with the establishment of the heavenly Zion. The surviving remnant making up the seed of Israel will be gathered to heavenly Mount Zion. While they are still upon the earth following the desolation of the holy place the beast will make an attempt to exterminate them entirely. In that respect Jehovah will defend “Jerusalem,” that is, the heavenly, New Jerusalem, then represented on earth by the remnant. His purpose will then be fully accomplished as the kingdom will then go into operation to crush the seed of the serpent out of existence. It is also during that period, in the aftermath of the removal of all persons doing lawlessness from Christ's kingdom, from his congregation, that the spiritual paradise will come into existence.
But as regards the crash of the Watchtower Society, their apparent move into hedge funds may very well be the means of their undoing. As it stands presently London’s monetary system is rapidly approaching a dead end. Trillions upon trillions of dollars and pounds, and whatever else, have been created in recent years and thrown into the system to stave off collapse. But the moneymakers know that that is an end game, terminal strategy, which at some point will create an even bigger blowout of the system. But when the system blows there will be winners and there will be losers. Those with the actual title to the means of production will be the winners. Those holding worthless scraps of paper will be the losers.
The eighth chapter of Daniel depicts the last king as a king fierce in countenance who will bring the mighty ones to ruin, along with the people made up of holy ones. The 29th chapter of Isaiah portrays God’s spokesman-like nation being silenced at the critical time of the empire’s last campaign. Returning to the 10th chapter of Isaiah these are the words attributed to the Assyrian: “‘With the power of my hand I shall certainly act, and with my wisdom, for I do have understanding; and I shall remove the boundaries of peoples, and their things stored up I shall certainly pillage, and I shall bring down the inhabitants just like a powerful one. And just as if a nest, my hand will reach the resources of the peoples; and just as when one gathers eggs that have been left, I myself will gather up even all the earth, and there will certainly be no one fluttering his wings or opening his mouth or chirping.’”
The prophecies harmoniously envision the same development. So, when Jehovah terminates his work at Zion and Jerusalem and turns to the insolent Assyrian, the boastful words above that are attributed to the last kingdom verify that the empire is destined to crush and pillage all the nations, including that which belongs to Jehovah, removing national borders and plundering the middle class as well as the wealthy. Certainly, that is the stated intention of the London-centered empire today and their capacity for causing financial ruin has already been demonstrated in the latest crisis.
Not unlike the arrogant Assyrian, the CEO of Goldman Sachs, one Lloyd Blankfein, boasted a couple of years ago that he was doing "God's work." We may assume that his fellow financiers are also doing God's work too. As it turns out, ironically, God may indeed have one last assignment for the empire's plundering agents. In all likelihood, the looming global financial blowout will bankrupt the Society and cause their properties to be seized by their creditors. However it comes about, the fabled presses of Bethel are certain to roll to a standstill, soon. In this way "Ariel" will be silenced and humbled by means of the imperial stick that Jehovah will wield against his "apostate nation."
To be continued...
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Reader Comments (35)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZtbASCE7ZY
Robert, great article...
In the very last para you refer to what can be said of those being used to do “God’s work” and also further up, to the Assyrian empire that is destined to crush and pillage all the nations, including that which belongs to Jehovah.
In the book of Joel we are told about a military force that Jehovah calls his and it is said to do what you describe up above. This military force is mention as a variety of insects, being a nation mighty and without number and also referred to as the northerner.
So would you say that this Assyrian empire repersents the military force that in mention in Joel and is doing God’s work in way of what Nebuchadrezzar (whom Jehovah referred to as my servant) did?
Haha I'm glad I clicked your link Anthony.... lol.
I believe the watchman has answered your question in the "Joel" chapter of his book, and yes, I believe you are right that the "locusts" are the "king of the north".
I may be wrong of course, check it out.
Gods word the bible does not say that the watchtower represents the nation of Israel in modern times. That thought is not Gods, but some mans interpretation. If it is Gods thought then he would say it in his word. The watchtower is simply one of the many of the harlots daughters she has produced. Just because one names his religion Jehovah's witness, it does not make him a modern spiritual Israel. From information available for all to find and see, Jehovah is a name which came out from Babylon, is it not? The name Jehovah is inscribed on temples and relics from religions that are considered to be part of Babylon. FACT: Yahushua while on the Earth never called on the name Jehovah, not one time. " In fact, to this course you were called, because even Christ suffered for you, leaving you a MODEL for you to FOLLOW his steps CLOSELY. " (1 Peter 2:21) The warning found in Revelation 22:18-19 could not be any clearer for all those that say, " It doesn't matter, he knows I'm talking about him." "To obey is better than to sacrifice."
Lowly servant
You are just one of many clueless individuals who do not know the judgments of Jehovah. The prophets in fact indict Jehovah's nation as being a harlot.
Jehovah is a name which came out from Babylon, is it not? The name Jehovah is inscribed on temples and relics from religions that are considered to be part of Babylon
Lowly servant, if you could provide links to this it would be most interesting!
Greetings watchman!
The judgments from Yahuwah are written for everyone to see in his word. Are you becoming like the governing body that you condemn, in judging your brothers? "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are, if you judge; for in the thing in which you judge another, you condemn yourself, in as much as you that judge practice the same things."(Romans 2:1) 'The prophets in fact indict Jehovah's nation as being a harlot.' Were in Gods word does it say that the watchtower is his nation? Where is that scripture located? These are very simple questions.
LS
You may read the judgements of Jehovah and you may even pretend that you understand them, but that does not mean that you do. And you may pretentiously pretend to pronounce God's name in Hebrew or you may pretend to be my brother; whatever, please don't let me interfere with your pretensions. LOL
I'm sorry anonymous. I don't know how to set up links for you, I would if I could. This should help you, Google St. Martinskirche Olten, Switzerland. What a coincidence it's in Germany! Maybe someone should have shown this to Hitler! It's all pure propaganda my friends. Purple triangle or pyramid was the mark given the Jehovah's witnesses in Nazi concentration camps in Germany. This allowed them to be enshrined over in D.C. on National Mall next to all the rest of the monuments. Didn't Yahushua say," My kingdom is NO PART of this world?" (John 18:36) Also, watchtower leaders used the persecution for their benefit, they boastfully cite how they were persecuted while most other religions were supporting the war.While not one of their leaders have given up their lives to the death from persecution in their history. Does God protect them in the United States, or is it the constitution? Yahuwah talks about the stubborn sons that take shelter in the stronghold of Pharaoh and that take refuge in the shadow of Egypt in Isaiah 30:1-5. The leaders of the watchtower believe that America is the modern day king of the south,Egypt. "Turn aside from the way; deviate from the path. Cause the Holy One of Israel to cease just on account of us." (Isaiah 30:11) This is one reason why they accept the name Jehovah.
watchman
All any of us can do is try. One thing I do know is that God did not say his name is Jehovah. I know that there's no YHWH in the name Jehovah. That's very clear to see. I'm not pretending to understand, I'm striving to understand. I'm not pretending to be your brother either. Pretending would make me a liar. God hates liars. I know to 'love your neighbor as yourself' is one of the greatest commandments. I'll show love to you just as I show love for my natural brothers. I know that 'love conquers all things.' It would be nice if you will answer my simple questions.
LS
Jehovah is an english approximation of YHWH. Very few people on earth speak or read Hebrew. Very few Jews even know Hebrew. English pronounces and spells names differently than Greek and Hebrew. Jehovah has been in use as long as modern English has existed. It appeared in the original King James Version. And the construction of Jehovah follows the way other proper Hebrew names are spelled and pronounced in English. Watch my You Tube video called YHWH Chalk Talk
LS
Although the Divine Name was probably pronounced Ya-h'wĕh in Hebrew, remember that the names of Jesus (Yĕh-sous) and his disciples such as Peter, James, and John (Petro, Ya-ka-bu, and Yo-han-oi) are also commonly mispronounced in English, as are almost all Bible names and terms. So, we have the rule of using the common English pronunciation here, with many bible translations
To my thinking its so odd; Bible translators translate every name (into what ever language) from the Hebrew and Aramaic BUT when it comes to YHWH _”Shrouded in Mystery” If you really think about it, rabbinical Jews for centuries have condemned the actual annunciation of the divine name; we have to know this is what some of the hubbub is all about.
But the proper pronunciation of almighty God’s name is really not the issue to your contention L.S.
Though; this quote from Watchman’s article IS the actual contention.
“is accomplished by means of the destruction of HIS EARTHLY ORGANIZATION and the regathering of a chastened remnant into heavenly Zion. ***** “No true understanding of prophecy is possible without recognizing that vital fact” *******.
Watchman absolutely believes “His Earthly Organization” was the IBS “international bible students” – the “watchtower” or “Jehovah’s Witnesses” any name or title you would like to describe the little group of men headed by “Charles Taze Russell” from 1870’s until our present date.
Watchman argues scripturally (just like the watchtower) :-) that there would be a people “Known By His Name” (YHWH) in the time of the end. Chapter 43 of Isaiah is the principle prophetic building block to the understanding that indeed there will be a people called by His name, or at least calling themselves by that name. But if you read versus 22 – 28 of the same chapter 43, we understand a problem arises with his servant Jacob or the people called by His name.
And this is what Watchman has been drawing attention to, for anyone with spiritual eyes near 15 years..
This is just my opinion; I do indeed believe that some or many from the other “Harlot Daughters” are parts of this “People for His Name” they just don’t recognize things YET it’s still a bit fuzzy at present, for “EVERYONE”.
But take heart!
“you will know the truth and the truth will set you free”
&
“you will know my disciples by the LOVE they demonstrate to one another”
The herald of Revelation to “Get Out of Her my People” will take on an adjusted understanding for spirit anointed “sons and daughters”
scripture shows that when Christ returns he will judge the seven churches, how can the those who belong to a single church or orgnisation actually represent the seven?
The Watchtower Society has vehemently opposed Christendom by dubbing it the most reprehensible part of Babylon the Great. Not only that the Society views Christendom as a modern version of unfaithful Jerusalem, applying all the unfavorable prophecies directed to apostate Jerusalem to Catholicism and Protestantism.
It should also be noted that the various denominations or tribes of apostate Christendom function incoherently. However, they are united by some common beliefs which unite and identify them as belonging to the apostasy that developed after the death of the apostles. So apostasy and rebellion broke out in Christianity just as it did in ancient Jerusalem, and it has not stopped to flourish since Constantine fused Paganism with Christianity in the fourth century.
Since the Watchtower Society later broke away from many traditions and false teachings of the Churches of Christendom, they fittingly began to see their organization as God’s sole channel of communication. This gave them enough confidence to form a theocratic organization, from which they have lavished favorable prophecies on themselves.
Thus Jehovah’s Witnesses often refer to their organization as “the truth” and their belief system as the cramp road and narrow gate to life, while all others are on the broad road that leads to destruction. (Mat 7:13 -14)
It is upon this basis in fact that the Society has built an organization that is by all accounts controlling and self-imposing upon its members, which is every bit as oppressive as its forebear, the city of Jerusalem in the time of Christ and the apostles. It is no wonder that Christ said concerning that city:
Matthew 23:37-38
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the killer of the prophets and stoner of those sent forth to her, how often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks together under her wings! But YOU people did not want it. Look! YOUR house is abandoned to YOU.
Jehovah’s Witnesses are fond of saying that their brand of religion represents God’s visible organization on Earth. This is because the leadership of the Society has gone to great lengths in keeping themselves separate from the world.
Nonetheless, as a result of human failures, they have developed an oppressive form of religion, which is every bit oppressive as the pharisaic system of worship that handed Jesus over to the Romans to be impaled.
Therefore, God has an accounting not just with the nations of Christendom, but also with the nation that bears his name.
Elihu
I would say that’s the point the wheat are mingled with the weeds at this time.
Also of note the #7 represents spiritual completeness as it is speaking of the Body of Christ.
I believe things are still a little cloudy concerning precisely where the wheat like Christians are located.
Jesus posed the question “WHO really is the Faithful and Discreet Slave”?
Did Jesus not say that he made his Fathers name known,and would make it known? why is it not in The Bible where He did this?........anyone?
Mr. Peaceable
Are you implying this “declaring” is yet future?? Or debating whether Jesus was telling the truth ;-) lol just kidding;
Not sure if I’m tracking with your question MP ???
Whether we use Jehovah or Yahweh or any other pronunciation for the Tetragrammaton, is not the real issue.
It is what we do in this name that is the real issue.
I prefer to call my God "Heavenly Father", but if others prefer to call him "Jehovah" the anglicized version of God's name or Yahweh the Jewish name for God, then who am i to judge.
I myself have reservations about using Jehovah as God's name because it is too close to the Roman God Jupiter, for my liking.
Most people probably are not aware that the phrase "by Jove" is both linked to both the name Jehovah and the Roman God Jupiter.
As well as that the entire system of Jupiter and it's moons are often referred to as the Jovian system.
There is another worry that I'm concerned with and that is that the last part of God's name "hovah" in the strongs dictionary has an unflattering meaning.
Original Word: הֹוָה
Transliteration: hovah
Phonetic Spelling: (ho-vaw')
Short Definition: disaster
Word Origin
from havah
Definition
a ruin, disaster
NASB Word Usage
disaster (3).
mischief
Another form for havvah; ruin -- mischief.
see HEBREW havvah
But most of us here would use God's name "Jehovah" or "Yahweh" in good faith as the Almighty God and Creator of our universe, so I do think that God will accept this and not judge anyone as to how they pronounce his name.
But the fact is that he will judge us according to what we do in his name.
And that is what really matters.
This was Jesus main concern was the sanctification of his Father's name, as this is what he first mentioned in the "Lord's prayer".
thegoodshepherd
I think you nailed it!!!!
So now what do we do??? HuMMM
Do you ascribe to the notion that anointed reside amongst other religions besides JW’s; despite doctrinal false hood?
I often wonder is doctrinal false hood e.i. trinity, hellfire, immortality of the soul… worse or better than false prophesy e.i. destroying a mans faith in God due to raising false expectations, establishing mans authority under false pretence, lying about an invisible presence of Jesus Christ as King ????????
I don’t know it may be a toss up ;-)
Futureman
It’s interesting of note that when the bible students started there publishing, the majority of the focus was on the name “Jesus Christ”. They have even made note of that in articles, expressing the fact as so. But as time ticked along the emphases started shifting to “Jehovah” and He and his name became dominate into which are worship should be directed.
I suppose the shift came after the Jonahdab (sp) class was identified and the bride class was considered filled; circa- 1935
Just a thought, for pondering.
I was just saying from the pick and choose verses that the wtbts has taught us all,Jesus gave us the model prayer.First thing, our Father who art in Heaven let your name be sanctified.Jesus made his Fathers name Known,and will make it known.Why do we not have in the Bible Jesus Mentioning the almightys'name,not even once using any form of the tetragrammaton ?
peace
The "Good shepherd" ,, well hello Stone, interesting comment there explaining the history of the WT organ...the truth is
YHWH doesn't NEED an earthly organisation of imperfect men to lead His people astray..the so-called 7million (fudged no)
of "WT slaves" have been CONNED for ...how long, would YOU say..?? Jesus said in Matthew 23: 37,38 "Jerusalem,..killer of the (GODs)prophets, stoner of those, sent forth to her..etc llLook! your HOUSE (organ) is abandoned to you, & you & you..." the opposers of GODs TRUTH with their 'human failures' were the "hired men" in John 16: that Jesus said would scatter His sheep, they did not come through the true "door" but used Gods NAME to
mislead the masses who were/are seeking the TRUE GOD.. It is now up to YOU to reveal the WHOLE TRUTH to those
"lost sheep" as the Master asked Peter,,,"Do YOU love me?".."feed my sheep" X 3 times for emphasis....Nos is the TIME to PROVE our LOVE for the True God, YHWH & His Beloved SON.
watchman
I went to your You Tube video called YHWH Chalk Talk; I watched, and listened to your opinion. I went to the bible to examine the word tradition, to see what God has to say about this word. 55 seconds into the video is where you use the word tradition. I paused the video there, and got my bible out. "Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world."(1 John 4:1) Please bear with me, but the only way I know how to test anything is to go to the bible. "Then there came to Jesus from Jerusalem Pharisees and scribes, saying: 'Why is it your disciples overstep the tradition of the men of former times?' "(Matthew 15:1-2) Pharisees and scribes opinion was to keep tradition of men of former times. Your opinion in your video is, "Using a J to spell Jehovah is in keeping with the centuries old tradition of translating Hebrew." "In reply he said to them: 'Why is it you also overstep the commandments of God because of your tradition?' "(Matthew 15:3) "And so you have made the word of God invalid because of your tradition. You hypocrites, Isaiah aptly prophesied about you, when he said, 'This people honors me with their lips, yet their heart is far removed from me. It is in vain that they keep worshiping me, because they teach commands of men as doctrines.' "(Matthew 15:6-9) "Further, he went on to say to them: 'Adroitly you set aside the commandment of God in order to retain your tradition. ' " (Mark 7:9) "And thus you make the word of God invalid by your tradition which you handed down." (Mark 7:13) "Look out: perhaps there may be someone who will carry you off as his prey through the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men." (Colossians 2:8) "For you know that it was not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, that you were delivered from your fruitless form of conduct received by tradition from your forefathers."(1 Peter 1:18) This what I found in Gods word about tradition of men, and it's not good. Why would we want to keep tradition of men when Gods words speaks like this about tradition? Also, in this video YHWH Chalk Talk, I noticed that the bullet points that you use, look exactly like the All Seeing Eye. Just to let you know. I still would like to know when the watchtower was chosen as Gods nation, and where in the bible does it say the watchtower is his nation?
Okay, LS I can see you prefer blindness. That is fine.