Collection of articles on various topics
From the very beginning, the tiny Bible study group that formed around C.T. Russell believed that Jesus had already returned. When they were sorting out the elementary biblical doctrines from all the rubbish taught by the churches, they were also captivated by the notion of an invisible parousia, which was an idea promoted by George [...]
The rapture is a so-called eschatological concept peculiar to American evangelicalism consisting of an end-times event when all believers in Christ, both the dead and the living, will be bodily resurrected. (Wikipedia) The notion of the rapture has been around since the Bible was made available to the English. In the 1800’s, though, it [...]
Quite a bit is made of the fact that the Greek Scriptures, the so-called New Testament, does not use God’s personal name, such as it appears in the Hebrew Scriptures thousands of times, most commonly translated as Jehovah. However, even the most ancient Greek texts are copies, perhaps even copies of copies. The oldest fragments [...]
Lea este artículo en español The book of Zechariah might be called the Revelation of the Hebrew Scriptures. There are many similarities between the two prophetic books. For one, both were written after Jerusalem was destroyed; yet, they point forward to God renewing "Jerusalem" and to another judgment of God’s house concurrent with the [...]
This is the third installment of a series on Joel. The world has been in a near-constant state of war for thousands of years —really, since Satan became the god of this world. Europe, especially, has experienced one war after the other, going back to the Hundred Years War between England and France. And as [...]
It may sound odd, but if there is anything that proves Jehovah’s Witnesses are the true faith it is the presence of an evil within. Ironically, an expression of that evil is the belief imposed upon Jehovah’s Witnesses by the leadership of the Watchtower that there is no evil presence. Jehovah’s Witnesses are supposed [...]
The “second coming” of Jesus Christ is a commonly used expression, especially among various Adventists groups, LDS and the many evangelical sects. Catholics, Orthodox, Methodist, etc, not so much. Oddly, though, the phrase “second coming of Christ” does not resonant with Jehovah’s Witnesses at all. And there is a very good reason why that is [...]
A common thread that runs through most of the books known as the prophets is the exile and repatriation of the Israelites and the Jews. Through Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, the so-called major prophets, to Micah, Amos, Hosea, Zephaniah and Joel, the theme is the same. God used both the Assyrian and Babylonian empires [...]
This article was originally published as the introduction to the Final Edition of Jehovah Himself Has Become King. The Bible is unique in many ways. It provides a succinct account of the beginning of creation —even the existence of a world that preceded ours in the spirit dimension. From the happy start of Adam and [...]
When the Israelites crossed the Jordan after their 40 year wilderness trek the first fortified city they encountered in the Promised Land was Jericho. As a vivid demonstration that the invaders had the support of a powerful God the protective walls of the city fell flat when the priests blew their trumpets. What confidence that [...]
Since I have been online these past 15 years I have received dozens, probably hundreds, of emails from Jehovah’s Witnesses asking the same basic question: Should I stay or should I leave the organization? There are many and various reasons why Jehovah’s Witnesses might come to the point of questioning their faith. But usually it [...]
Babylon was the third empire of Bible prophecy. It came into the dominant position after overthrowing the Assyrian capital of Nineveh around 632 B.C.E. About seven years later the combined armies of Assyria and Egypt were decisively defeated at the battle of Carchemish, not far from the modern Syrian city of Aleppo that has been [...]
Transcript of video (below) Once there was nothing. Just the blackness of oblivion. Then, in an instant of time, from a mere dap of concentrated matter, it began —Creation. Scientists have euphemistically dubbed that beginning — the Big Bang. The Big Bang theory harmonizes with the truth expressed in the opening words of the [...]
Over the past few years a new and significant dynamic has emerged in the world in the form of the Russia/China alliance. Other nations are orienting themselves to the newly emerging power, including Iran, Turkey, Japan, the Philippines and many nations of Asia. Up until last year America acted as the world’s sole hegemon, that [...]
They are a cult! No, they are God’s earthly organization! They are false prophets and antichrists! No, Jehovah’s Witnesses are Kingdom proclaimers —the true religion. They protect child molesters! No, “we abhor child abuse.” These are just a sampling of the accusations against and claims made by the Watchtower. One thing is certain: The Watchtower [...]
“And when he got nearby, he viewed the city and wept over it, saying: ‘If you, even you, had discerned on this day the things having to do with peace—but now they have been hidden from your eyes. Because the days will come upon you when your enemies will build around you a fortification [...]
1.) For a long time Jehovah’s Witnesses had been taught that Jesus’ parable of the wise and foolish virgins was fulfilled in 1918. But the July, 2013, Watchtower adjusted the coming of the bridegroom to a point in the future. Previously the Watchtower had explained that the International Bible Students had “nodded off” during the [...]
This article was prompted by a question from a reader. For more questions from readers see the Mailbag. If Christ's presence didn't begin in 1914 like Jehovah's witnesses teach, how do we explain the chronology Jehovah's witnesses use to lead up to 1914, that is, the seven times, or 2520 days? _____________________ It seems reasonable that [...]
“On this account be glad, you heavens and you who reside in them! Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing that he has a short period of time.” ___________________ The world we all inhabit is about to change in ways that [...]
(This article was contributed by one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Edited by Robert King) In the near future those who love and worship Jehovah God, and who desire to follow and obey his Son, will have a life and death decision to make. Their lives and the lives of their children and their families will hang [...]
With the recent developments in Ukraine, developments intended by the Empire to push Russia into war, a war that will unavoidably go nuclear, it seems timely to consider the phenomenon known as EMP (Electromagnetic pulse). Since the USSR was disbanded 20-some years ago the defensive posture of the Anglo-American powers has subtly shifted from defensive [...]
This article is part two of a response to a question regarding the meaning of the 14th chapter of Zechariah.
Because of its important role in the outworking of God’s purpose Jerusalem and Zion are used as symbols. Jehovah’s Witnesses are blessed to understand this important truth. However, the Watchtower Society has perverted the actual message of prophecy associated with the symbol of Jerusalem. Consider Zechariah 14:1. It states: “Look! There is a day coming, belonging to Jehovah, and the spoil of you will certainly be apportioned out in the midst of you. And I shall certainly gather all the nations against Jerusalem for the war; and the city will actually be captured and the houses be pillaged, and the women themselves will be raped. And half of the city must go forth into the exile; but as for the remaining ones of the people, they will not be cut off from the city.”
SHIELDS GAZETTE - DAILY MAIL ONLINE - THE JOURNAL - THE SUNDERLAND ECHO "CHURCH officials hushed up a child sex scandal in their ranks and refused to co-operate with police." Over the years the Watchtower Society has been accused over and over by hundreds of child abuse victims and their advocates of enforcing policies upon congregation elders that result [...]
Over the past 10 years the Watch Tower Society has been rocked by allegations of covering up child sexual abuse among Jehovah’s Witnesses. After paying out millions in low-profile out-of-court settlements, in 2012 the Watchtower lost a widely publicized lawsuit in what has amounted to the largest dollar judgment in any case of this kind – being socked for a staggering $28 million. A jury found that the leadership of the organization instituted policies that provided cover for a known sex offender.
In the aftermath of that massive judgment against them one would imagine that Bethel would change their policies and try to be more proactive in preventing these horrific crimes from being committed against the children of Jehovah's Witnesses under their watch. But according to the latest communiqué with the elders in the United States, not much has changed. Here is an excerpt from the attached PDF:
Since the rebellion in Eden God’s purpose has been to produce a seed. Because of his faith Abraham was chosen as the one through whom the seed would eventually come. Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, whose name God changed to Israel, had twelve sons that produced the twelve tribes of Israel. For that reason in later centuries God referred to the nation as “Jacob” and more commonly “Israel.”
Eventually, Judah produced the Christ and after that others were anointed to become part of the seed along with Jesus. Because they are to be the actual seed of blessing God promised would come through Abraham, the Christian seed is the real Israel of God. Paul explained these things in his letter to the Galatians.
At any rate, the Christian Israel of God became corrupt too, just like Israel had before it – even as the founding apostles foretold would occur. But before the conclusion of the system a new generation of anointed persons would appear in the world, thus constituting the Israel of God in modern times. Since its inception the Watchtower Society has been the seedbed for anointed Christians (and consequently the weed patch as well) first called the International Bible Students and since 1931, Jehovah's Witnesses; making Bethel a sort of capital city for the spiritual nation that has formed.
It is being called an unprecedented ruling. And it has gone against the Watchtower Society.
A California jury has ruled against the Fremont North congregation elders, and also against the Watchtower in New York, and awarded damages totaling $28 million to Candace Conti, who was sexually abused by a congregation member when she was nine years old.
Jim McCabe, the losing attorney for Jehovah’s Witnesses, said he was stunned and called the ruling “outrageous” - vowing to appeal. However, in a press release Bill Bowen, the founder of Silentlambs, called it “a watershed moment for children’s safety in the Jehovah’s Witnesses.”
“And I will give portents in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun itself will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah.” A new dark age is coming – characterized as a breakdown of [...]
The apostle exhorted Christians to “make sure of all things.” The Watchtower Society even published a minister’s handbook by that title that is intended to aid Jehovah’s Witnesses to help others see the falsity of many of Christendom’s teachings. However, ought not Jehovah’s Witnesses also make sure of what the Watchtower teaches, particularly with regards [...]
On the night of Jesus’ arrest and trial he forewarned his apostles that they, one and all, would be stumbled in fulfillment of prophecy. When Peter protested and vowed that even if all the others should fall he would never do so, Jesus issued his own prophecy, of sorts, foretelling that Peter would deny him three times before a cock crowed to herald the dawn. And of course, both prophecies came true. All the apostles scattered in fear and Peter three times vehemently denied he even knew Jesus.
Jesus also foretold that during the conclusion “many will be stumbled.” What did Jesus mean? Was he referring to true Christians?
The belief that an invisible presence of Christ began in 1914 is undoubtedly the centerpiece of the Watchtower Society’s teachings. The importance of the parousia doctrine to the theology of Jehovah’s Witnesses cannot be understated. It is, in fact, the basis for the Watchtower Society's ecclesiastical authority, as well as the organization’s very existence. [...]
In the Revelation the apostle John was transported by inspiration to the Lord's Day not only to witness, but also to directly participate in a dramatic prophetic vision with Christ, similar to his transfiguration experience. In the 10th chapter of Revelation, John witnessed a powerful angel coming down from heaven and standing astride the [...]
In the Revelation chapter of Jehovah Himself Has Become King the idea was put forward that the opening of the seventh seal and the blowing of the first four angelic trumpeters has to do with the judgment upon the house of God, after the final sealing has taken place. That all of the chosen ones have been [...]
Although Jesus indicated that the desolation of Jerusalem in the 1st century would result in a great tribulation unlike any before, he also went on to say that the tribulation will be a time of unprecedented distress upon all the nations of the earth (not just Jerusalem), of such severity that the continued existence of humanity will [...]
It is not uncommon for persons to suppose that living forever in paradise would be boring. This is an edited reprint of a previous Mailbag question from the week of April 20th, 2003, discussing the topic. I feel really depressed and mixed up because I have this feeling that maybe the New [...]
Jehovah’s Witnesses have been taught and whole-heartedly believe that the sign of Christ’s parousia has been evident since 1914. In fact, according to the Watchtower 1914 is the most important date in all human history. But in spite of the belief that Jesus Christ has been invisibly present in some fashion for over a century now, [...]
Whether or not you believe in the Second Coming of Christ, most people throughout the world at least know something of the concept—even those who do not even consider themselves to be Christians. Perhaps even more widespread than the various forms of Christian eschatology, though, is the knowledge of Noah’s Flood. Again, whether persons believe [...]
When Jesus walked the earth during his brief three and a half year ministry he explained to his closest followers that although the Hebrew prophecies foretell that the Messiah would reign forever, and Jesus was indeed the appointed Messiah, or Christ, he must first 'go away.' But later he would return. The disciples did not [...]
A consideration of a portion of the prophecy of Zechariah The temple of Jehovah in Jerusalem was one of the grandest structures of the ancient world. It also had the unique distinction of being the only edifice on earth (other than the portable tabernacle) where God maintained a visible manifestation of his presence. There, [...]
A subliminal image is a picture within a picture – a graphic cleverly imbedded within another image that is intended to bypass the conscious mind undetected, but which is perceived on a subconscious level. How a person might be affected subconsciously is a matter of debate. I first became aware of subliminals back in the early 1970’s, [...]
Fear can be a good thing. Or it can be bad. It can motivate us in the right way, or it can be paralyzing or tempt us into a fatal compromise. Jesus spoke of both kinds of fear when he said the following: “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his [...]
