Collection of essays examining Watchtower Magazine articles
As Jehovah’s Witnesses consider the Bible book of Joel this week in the Life and Ministry meeting, hopefully, some at least, will give the prophecy more than a cursory reading. It is, after all, a prophecy concerning the events leading up to the great and very awe-inspiring day of Jehovah. We should all give it [...]
From the time of J.F. Rutherford the Watchtower has explained the book of Joel in the most absurd way imaginable. The locusts and creeping caterpillars supposedly represent Jehovah’s Witnesses who devour the harvest of Christendom’s fertile fields of operation, forcing the terrified clergy to beseech Jehovah for relief from the hordes of unstoppable ministers who [...]
The February, 2017, Study Edition of the Watchtower carries an article entitled: “Who Is Leading God’s People Today?” The publishers seem intent to equate themselves with the apostles, cleverly doing so by repeatedly referring to the apostles as “the governing body.” (Note small case “g” and “b”) Below is a compilation of 10 references to the [...]
This is a review of the congregation Bible Study material for the week of November 7-13. There is a stark contrast between the Watchtower’s insight into Jehovah’s past dealings —his purpose and covenants and history of the ancients, and their interpretation of prophecies tied to the modern world. It is as dissimilar as day and [...]
This is the fourth installment of the consideration of the Bible study material for the week of October 17-23. This series of articles are archived under the WT Review category. There is no question that the sudden appearance of a group of anointed Christians in the late 1800’s, who were fired with the desire to [...]
This is a continuation of commentary on the God’s Kingdom Rules! Bible study material for the week of October 10th, 2016. Jehovah’s Witnesses well know the power that lies can have over people. Anyone who has ever taken up the Bible and gone out to try to engage householders, or who has simply had a [...]
This is a consideration of the study material for the congregation Bible study covering chapter two of God's Kingdom Rules! DO YOU ever wonder what it might have been like to live during some great turning point in history? Many do. But consider: If you had lived in such a momentous time, would you have [...]
This week the midweek book study begins in the new book entitled God’s Kingdom Rules! At the request of a few readers The Watchman’s Post will feature a weekly commentary based upon each lesson. This article actually considers the information presented in the first two lessons. Subsequent articles will appear under the WT Review category. [...]
This article appears in WT Review category At the October, 2015, Annual Meeting of Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Governing Body put forward yet another revision, in what has become an annual, piecemeal revision of prophetic interpretation. All of which is attached to 1914 in one way or another. The most recent “adjustment” has to do with [...]
Back in 2013 I posted an article in the Watchtower Review entitled The Evil Slave, in which I speculated that the Governing Body was preparing Jehovah’s Witnesses for the eventual repudiation of 1914. I could not have been more wrong. It seems that the leadership of the organization have actually doubled-down, as the saying goes; [...]
The August, 2015, Watchtower, published an article entitled Keep in Expectation. This post is a brief criticism of it. There is no disputing the fact that the prophets, apostles and Jesus Christ himself, exhorted us to stay awake and in expectation of the execution of God’s judgment. But the question that I urge all to [...]
Wt False Stylus download right click save as "The wise have been put to shame. They have become terrified and will be caught. Look! They have rejected the word of Jehovah, and what wisdom do they have?" - Jeremiah 8:9 (This article appears in the WT Review section.) In late Summer of 2015 [...]
(Download, right click and save as Facing the end of the WT) This essay is a brief review of the Watchtower article entitled: “Facing the End of This Old World Together.” On what basis do Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that we are facing the end of this old world? According to the Watchtower [...]
This article appears under WT Review The concluding study article of the March 2015, Watchtower, entitled Loyally Supporting Christ’s Brothers discusses Jesus’ illustration of the sheep and the goats. Basically, the article reiterates that the sheep and the goats are not separated until some point in the future; specifically, after the great tribulation. This is [...]
This article is categorized under Watchtower Review "Right in the middle of the night there was a shout: ‘Here is the bridegroom! Go out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins got up and put their lamps in order." __________ The leading study article of the March 2015, Watchtower relates the instance when Jesus became [...]
"Again the Kingdom of the heavens is like a dragnet let down into the sea and gathering fish of every kind. When it was full, they hauled it up onto the beach, and sitting down, they collected the fine ones into containers, but the unsuitable they threw away. That is how it will be in the conclusion [...]
From the very beginning the Watchtower Society has taught that Jesus returns invisibly; in fact, one of Russell’s first and most widely circulated articles back in the 1877 was entitled: “The Object and Manner of Our Lord’s Return.” This first week of April (2014) all congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses will be considering the information on [...]
Jehovah surely is a God of organization and order. The physical heavens as well as the armies of the invisible realm give testimony to that, as the May 2014, Watchtower, article asserts. The instances of Noah and his family, as well as Moses and the Israelites, and the original Christian society, are also examples of [...]
A review of the November 2013, Watchtower study edition The main body of the Watchtower material presents an informative account of the historical developments leading up to the invasion of Judah by the Assyrians under their king, Sennacherib. The article points out that the king of Israel joined forces with Syria and was intent on [...]
This is part three of the review of the January, 2014, Watchtower. Are you willing and able to use your mind to reason? If so, I invite you to reason upon what is published under the sub-heading Wickedness Advancing from Bad to Worse: 8) There is a second reason why we know that it will [...]
When Jesus Christ performed his brief ministry in Israel some 20 centuries ago, on several occasions he opened the eyes of blind men. Once he even gave sight to a man who had been born blind, who had never before seen the light of day. But Jesus also opened the minds of people to “see” [...]
This article was originally written in October, 2013, but has not been updated as of October, 2014. As all of Jehovah’s Witnesses realize - and many others besides - 2014 marks 100 years since the kingdom of God is purported to have begun ruling. And apparently the Society is not waiting for October to do [...]
The leading article of the December, 2013 Watchtower entitled – Avoid Being Quickly Shaken from Your Reason – states in the opening paragraph:
Hoaxes, scams, and deception are all too common in the present system of things. This should not surprise us. The Bible makes it plain that Satan the Devil is an accomplished deceiver, and he is the ruler of this system.
To be sure, Satan is an accomplished deceiver and the god and ruler of this present system, as the Scriptures reveal. However, we should not suppose that the old serpent has no influence over true Christians – and not just emanating from the outside world as the Society intimates, but from within the organization – from the highest level. Consider the scriptural precedents that follow.
This is the last article of an eight part series examining
the July
2013, Watchtower Magazine.
The
entire series is available as a PDF without illustrations and
hyperlinks to other Watchman articles to facilitate sharing of the
information during the month of September when Jehovah's Witnesses will
be studying the July articles. ( Click here for PDF)
Overall, it seems that the Governing Body are in the process of subtly de-emphasizing 1914 in preparation for 2014, which will mark a century since Jesus is supposed to have begun ruling. They probably intend to completely walk away from 1914 by next year and hope that the majority of Jehovah's Witnesses will not notice. There is no question that the process is well underway.
It can be painful and traumatic to come to terms with deliberate deception, especially when it is discovered that the deceit emanates from a person of whom we may be fond, or an institution with which we may be associated.
We see it all the time. People cannot believe their trusted political leaders can be so two-faced and treacherous. Churchgoers simply refuse to consider the possibility that nearly everything they are told by their clergy is a lie. And it is especially hard for Jehovah's Witnesses to come to grips with the fact that the Watchtower has dealt treacherously with them and has misled them, particularly as regards the supposed return of Jesus Christ in 1914. After all, Jehovah's Witnesses have the truth. All the error and falsehood exists outside the protective organization. Right?
This is a continuation of the consideration of the July 2013, Watchtower.
In the fifth paragraph under the subheading of A Messenger Clears Up The Way, the concluding sentences state:
Jesus was the second messenger. He cleansed the temple in Jerusalem twice—first at the start of his ministry and second toward the end. (Matt. 21:12, 13; John 2:14-17) Hence, Jesus’ cleansing work involved a period of time.
The Watchtower is here implying that Jesus did a cleansing work of the Jewish temple for the whole duration of his ministry. This is simply not true. It is true that Jesus chased off the moneychangers and robbers on two separate occasions – both when he attended the festival of the Passover, but it was not an ongoing process. (Not coincidently, the prophetic time periods when God’s judgments are brought about during the time of the end are roughly equal to the duration of Jesus’ earthly ministry. See article: Regarding Times and Seasons)
MP3 Download file “Look! I Am With You All The Days” is the title of the second study article in the July 2013, Watchtower, and is a
consideration of Jesus’ parable concerning the wheat and the weeds. This blog
entry is intended to examine the Watchtower’s teaching – testing it for
authenticity.
In order to keep the 1914 myth intact the Watchtower has since then promoted the notion that Jesus has two thrones. Supposedly, he sat down on his kingly throne in 1914, but he has not really commenced the work of a king in carrying out any sort of judgment within the earthly realm of his domain.
The reason the Watchtower is compelled to fabricate a secondary throne for Jesus is because in his parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31) emphasis is placed upon the Son of man arriving with all of his angels as he sits down upon his glorious throne.
MP3 Download (Due to minor editing audio does not match printed, exactly) This is part three of a continuation of the consideration of the July, 2013 Watchtower. Specifically, a response based upon the graphic published in the lead article. (Click on illustration to enlarge)
Those who have studied and compared the Hebrew prophecy of Daniel and the book of Revelation know that they are many similarities. For example, the series of empires that have dominated God’s people are symbolized by various beasts in Daniel’s prophecy. Revelation depicts a single composite beast with seven heads composed of the various parts of the individual beasts presented in Daniel.
Both prophecies reveal that there is to be a last king who will tyrannize the world and subjugate God’s people. And, Daniel and Revelation both specifically name Michael the archangel, placing him in the role designated for Jesus. (See article: Is Jesus Michael the Archangel?) And lastly, Daniel and Revelation indicate that these things will take place during a specified period of time, which the 12th chapter of Revelation indicates is “a short period of time.”
MP3 download This article is a continuation of the July 2013 Watchtower Review for Jehovah's Witnesses.
In the previous article it was established that the Watchtower’s interpretation of the holy place, about which Jesus foretold would be desolated during the great tribulation, is in error. That may be easily discerned from the fact that the Watchtower derives its interpretation from a private source; meaning, what they have presented simply does not harmonize with prophecy.
At the 2012 annual meeting of the Watchtower Society the Governing Body announced yet another adjustment and clarification – a continuation of a long line of many such adjustments and clarifications. It was also announced at that October meeting that a future edition of the Watchtower Magazine would expound upon what Jehovah’s Witnesses generally believe to be new flashes of divine light. And the July issue of the study edition of the Watchtower is now available online.
In the previous article the Watchtower’s teaching regarding the beast of Revelation having already received the death-stroke was put to the test and demonstrated to be untrue. This blog entry more closely scrutinizes the brief comments from the September 15th, 2012, Watchtower, and Jehovah's Witnesses belief that the holy place destined for desolation is Babylon the great.
In accord with the wise apostle’s exhortation, again, let us put this “inspired expression” to the test. Here is an excerpt from paragraph five of the leading article:
What yet unseen event will take place next? Paul stated: “Whenever it is that they are saying: ‘Peace and security!’ then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them.” The first phase of this “sudden destruction” is the attack against “Babylon the Great,” the world empire of false religion, also known as “the harlot.” (Rev. 17:5, 6, 15) That attack against all forms of false religion, including Christendom, is the start of the “great tribulation.” (Matt. 24:21; 2 Thess. 2:8)
The article merely cites Matthew 24:21, the context of which says: “Therefore, when you catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place, (let the reader use discernment,) then let those in Judea begin fleeing to the mountains. Let the man on the housetop not come down to take the goods out of his house; and let the man in the field not return to the house to pick up his outer garment. Woe to the pregnant women and those suckling a baby in those days! Keep praying that your flight may not occur in wintertime, nor on the sabbath day; for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again. In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short.”
Clearly, Jesus' words of warning were directed to his followers who would be living during times of judgment and who would be required to obey his command to abandon what had been held to be sacred when a certain development occurs.
Whenever they are saying "peace and security."“Earthshaking events will soon occur,” states the opening words of the September 15, 2012, Watchtower study edition. The article enumerates several developments that Jehovah Witnesses expect to occur in the near future. What are they, exactly?
Number one, the beginning of the day of Jehovah, which, as Paul foretold, will arrive as unexpectedly as a sneaking thief in the night – “whenever it is they are saying ‘peace and security.’”
The Watchtower surmises, that, included among the “they” who will be saying “peace and security” are the clergy, and then “they” will experience the foretold “sudden destruction.” The reasoning behind that is the belief that the day of Jehovah begins with the great tribulation and the tribulation will begin when the United Nations will suddenly, violently, eradicate organized religion throughout the entire world. For many decades Jehovah’s Witnesses have been in a state of expectation of this event as the next major fulfillment of prophecy. The article continues:
The October 15th, 2011, study edition of the Watchtower Magazine carries the leading article, entitled: Keep on the Watch - Why So Important?
As all of Jehovah’s Witnesses well know, it is vitally important to be ready for the coming of the day of Jehovah, or the day of the Lord as it is alternatively termed, even as on several occasions Jesus Christ exhorted his followers to stay on the watch and keep ready. But ready for what, exactly?
The May 1st, 2011, issue of the Watchtower Magazine for the public carries an article entitled Six Bible Prophecies You Are Seeing Fulfilled.
What are they? The six are: Earthquakes, famines, disease, lack of love, ruination of the earth and a global preaching work.
First, it must be pointed out that earthquakes, famines and disease are not separate, individual prophecies. They are simply different features that make up one complete sign – the sign of Christ’s presence and the conclusion of the system. Jehovah’s Witnesses are, of course, well aware of this fact, because that is what the Watchtower Society teaches. Evidently, though, the public version of the magazine is less straightforward.
This is a continuation of the previous blog entry on this page considering the July 15th Watchtower study article. Paragraphs 12 and 13 of the same article correctly make the point that the day of Jehovah suddenly erupts “whenever it is that they are saying: ‘peace and security!’” But thinking Jehovah’s Witnesses would do well [...]
July 15, 2010, Watchtower carries a study article that all congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses throughout the world will be studying the first week of September. The article is entitled: What Jehovah’s Day Will Reveal? For those long-time readers of e-watchmen this blog entry will cover some familiar ground, but in view of the fact that this information is [...]
