Examining the Scriptures Daily Commentary Archive for December, 2023

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“Be dressed and ready and have your lamps burning, and you should be like men waiting for their master to return from the marriage, so when he comes and knocks, they may at once open to him.” – Luke 12:35-36

Saturday, Decemer 2 – All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.—Rom. 3:23.

The apostle Paul had been a headstrong, harsh persecutor of Christians. But later, he acknowledged his shortcomings and was willing to change his attitude and personality. (1 Tim. 1:12-16) With Jehovah’s help, Paul became a loving, compassionate, humble shepherd. He chose to trust in Jehovah’s forgiveness rather than dwell on his failings. (Rom. 7:21-25) He did not expect to be perfect. Instead, he worked hard to improve his Christian personality and humbly relied on Jehovah’s help to accomplish his work. (1 Cor. 9:27; Phil. 4:13) Elders are not appointed because they are perfect. Jehovah, though, does expect them to admit their mistakes and to cultivate a Christian personality. (Eph. 4:23, 24) An elder should examine himself in the light of God’s Word and make any needed adjustments. Then Jehovah will help him to be happy and successful.—Jas. 1:25. w22.03 29-30 ¶13-15

Just think of the blessings that would result if the Governing Body would take the lead and set an example for elders and circuit overseers by acknowledging their errors. I am sure that as individuals high-ranking men in the organization would readily admit to having personal shortcomings. But it is the institution of the Watchtower and the Governing Body that is regarded as unerring. But how can that be? How can an organization run by fallible individuals be perfect? There is an underlying reason.

The apostles set a good example in this regard. Peter was one of Jesus’ closest friends. Peter was one of only three apostles who saw the transfiguration. Jesus appointed Peter as the keeper of the keys of the Kingdom. He was the spokesman for the fledgling congregation on Pentecost and beyond. And yet Peter made a terrible mistake that probably stumbled some believers. Even though he baptized the first non-Jewish Christians, he later withdrew from associating with them due to pressure from Jewish hardliners. Paul called Peter out for his hypocrisy. So, it wasn’t all about organizational unity back then. The truth really mattered. That is why Peter’s error is written down in the Bible as a matter of public record.

So why do Watchtower loyalists zealously pretend that the Governing Body is the faithful and discreet slave even though Jesus said that the faithful and discreet slave will not be distinguished until after the Son of man comes like a thief in the night to inspect his house of slaves? Why do the Watchtower’s spokesmen claim that even when the Watchtower is wrong there is no need for any sort of apology? The reason is, the Watchtower is an idol. Idols must be protected and guarded from being damaged. Worse, the Governing Body has been elevated to the status of a god and gods do not make mistakes.

According to no less authority and prophet than the apostle Paul, Jehovah will permit an operation of Satan to wield a deceptive influence through a man of lawlessness, ultimately developing into outright apostasy and opposition to Christ. Writing to anointed Christians who would be on earth prior to the second coming, the inspired apostle said of him: “Let no one lead you astray in any way, because it will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction. He stands in opposition and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits down in the temple of God, publicly showing himself to be a god. Do you not remember that when I was still with you, I used to tell you these things?” – 2 Thess 2:3-5

Identifying the man of lawlessness as the “son of destruction” connects him to Judas, whom Jesus also called the “son of destruction.” This places the man of lawlessness within Christ’s congregation, just as Judas was an appointed apostle and intimate associate of Jesus and the other apostles. The fact that he sits down in the temple of God showing himself to be a god places him as the most prominent object in the temple, above all others.

Please remember that we are not talking about a physical temple. Paul explained that anointed Christians are a spiritual temple. So, the man of lawlessness, or should I call him “the man of flawlessness”, presides over Christ’s congregation. To be sure, the presence of the man of lawlessness exists in the form of Masonic initiates. Masons have been part of the Watchtower from the beginning. According to Masonic doctrine, upper-level Masons are ascended masters. They are the enlightened ones, the sons of the dawn, the light bearers, or Lucifer if you prefer the King James. As an example of the trickery employed by him, the Watchtower, of course, identifies the man of lawlessness as the clergy. And to make it work the WT teaches that the man of lawlessness only claims to sit down in God’s temple. No wonder Paul sternly warned us not to let anyone lead us astray in any way.

How will the man of lawlessness ultimately be exposed? Keep in mind that the claim to legitimacy for the man of lawlessness institution is their assumed ecclesiastical authority in declaring that the parousia has begun and the day of Jehovah is here. That has been the Watchtower’s message from day one. The question then becomes, since the foundational teaching of the Watchtower is a lie what will happen when Christ actually comes and the day of Jehovah begins? The Watchtower will be discredited beyond repair. What about the man of lawlessness? He will become an outright opposer of Jesus Christ, making himself an antichrist. No doubt he will be one of the sources of disinformation then declaring the Christ to be here, in the inner chambers.

Although the Watchtower has assured the flock that all the signs of the last days have been fulfilled and like a human fingerprint, cannot be duplicated in the future, World War Three, accompanied by widespread food shortages and pandemics, no doubt brought on by global financial collapse, is a certainty.

Sunday, December 3 – Stop judging.—Matt. 7:1.

What should we do if we detect that we have judged a fellow believer? We must remember that we are to love our brothers. (Jas. 2:8) We should also earnestly pray to Jehovah, begging him to help us to stop judging. We can work in harmony with our prayers by taking the initiative to speak with the person we have been critical of. We might ask him to work with us in the field ministry or to join us for a meal. As we get to know our brother better, we can try to follow the example of Jehovah and Jesus by looking for the good in him. In this way, we show that we are listening to the fine shepherd’s command to stop judging. Just as literal sheep listen to the voice of their shepherd, Jesus’ followers listen to his voice. Whether we are part of the “little flock” or the “other sheep,” may we continue to listen to and obey the voice of the fine shepherd.—Luke 12:32; John 10:11, 14, 16. w21.12 19 ¶11; 21 ¶17-18

Jesus illustrated how it works in the 10th chapter of John, likening himself to a shepherd and his people to sheep: “Most truly I say to you, the one who does not enter into the sheepfold through the door but climbs in by another way, that one is a thief and a plunderer. But the one who enters through the door is the shepherd of the sheep. The doorkeeper opens to this one, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought all his own out, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice. They will by no means follow a stranger but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus spoke this comparison to them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

The Jews were in expectation of the Messiah. Their national identity was wrapped up in the Hebrew prophecies, many of which foretold that their leader and king would one day come. Except, his coming and manifestation were not what they expected. John the baptizer was the doorkeeper who introduced Jesus to the nation. However, the religious leaders did not accept John as any sort of prophet. Nor did they accept Jesus as the foreordained King. But those who did were led out of the pen so to speak. After Jesus was resurrected and returned to heaven holy spirit was poured out on those sheep who had followed the shepherd to that point.

As the apostles died off the anointing was gradually curtailed. As the last surviving apostle John wrote of this when he said: “Young children, it is the last hour, and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared, from which fact we know that it is the last hour.” – 1 John 2:18

Back then the “last hour” was the concluding period of the light of truth. The end of the anointing. The antichrists began to breed prolifically, primarily calling into question the relationship between the Father and the Son. By the 4th century, Emperor Constantine inserted himself as the arbiter of the phony theological debate. The emperor ruled that Jesus was the same as God, paving the way for the fabrication of the Trinity myth. He then declared Christianity the official religion of the pagan Roman Empire. The antichrist had come.

With the appearance of C.T. Russell and the Bible Students the light began to shine again and with it the anointing. Something else appeared too. Other sheep with an earthly hope. This was a novel thing. Up until this moment, the Watchtower has served as the sheep pen. However, as I have pointed out repeatedly, that will not always be the case. Another last hour has arrived and another antichrist is coming, this time in the form of the man of lawlessness. Like Judas, who was a literal thief, the man of lawlessness has climbed over the protective wall to steal and plunder. Of him, Jesus went on to say: “Most truly I say to you, I am the door for the sheep. All those who have come in place of me are thieves and plunderers; but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the door; whoever enters through me will be saved, and that one will go in and out and find pasturage. The thief does not come unless it is to steal and slay and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance. I am the fine shepherd; the fine shepherd surrenders his life in behalf of the sheep. The hired man, who is not a shepherd and to whom the sheep do not belong, sees the wolf coming and abandons the sheep and flees—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them— because he is a hired man and does not care for the sheep.”

As the daily text implies, Jesus’ voice has come through through the organization. But did not the good shepherd say that he will lead his sheep out? In the first century, he led them out of what was Jehovah’s earthly organization to a new and better pasturage. This is a pattern for what is to come. Although the man of lawlessness has tried to condition Jehovah’s sheep to expect to receive “life-saving instructions” from the Watchtower during the critical time to come, that is a trap. Jesus has already given his sheep life-saving instructions. They are recorded for us in Matthew, Mark and Luke. Here is what Matthew wrote: “Therefore, when you catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken about by 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 pick up his outer garment….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.”

The Watchtower has no insight into Jesus’ life-saving instruction. Bethel has deluded the flock into believing that antitypical Jerusalem is Christendom. If that were true, though, why would it be necessary for Christians to flee for their lives? Again, pointing out the obvious, Jerusalem was the center for pure worship even during the apostolic era. Did not the apostles preach in the temple daily?

So, during the conclusion, Jesus will lead his sheep out of the Watchtower pen, away from the plunderers and thieves, to greener pastures.

Monday, December 4 – He rejected the advice that the older men gave him.—1 Ki. 12:8.

When Rehoboam became king of Israel, his subjects came to him with a request. They asked him to lighten the load that his father, Solomon, had laid upon them. Commendably, Rehoboam consulted with the older men of Israel to see how he should reply to the people. The older men advised the king that if he did what the people asked, they would always support him. (1 Ki. 12:3-7) Apparently, Rehoboam was not satisfied with that advice, so he consulted the men who had grown up with him. They counseled him to add to the burdens of the people. (1 Ki. 12:9-11) Rehoboam could have asked Jehovah which advice he should follow. Instead, he listened to the younger men. The consequences were disastrous for Rehoboam and for the people of Israel. In our case, the advice we receive may not always be what we want to hear. Still, if it is based on God’s Word, we should accept it. w22.02 9 ¶6

The writers at Bethel seem to have lost the plot, as the saying does. Seriously, how could the GB be so obtuse? The issue was not that Rehoboam didn’t follow the advice of the older men or seek counsel from God through a prophet. Jehovah had already determined to rip Israel apart. The disaster had already occurred when Solomon refused to listen to Jehovah and married hundreds of foreign wives. As he grew older they seduced him into building temples to their gods. Jehovah became furious with Solomon, to whom he had appeared on two occasions. Solomon became an apostate. And his apostasy had disastrous consequences for the people of Israel. In chapter 11 Jehovah’s prophet ripped his garment into 12 shreds and awarded Jeroboam 10 pieces, symbolizing that God was going to give 10 tribes to Jeroboam. It didn’t matter whose counsel Rehoboam listened to. The die was cast.

The leadership of the Watchtower organization is in a similar position as Rehoboam. The apostasy has already occurred, at least the beginning phase of it. There is nothing anyone can do to reverse Jehovah’s intention to rip the organization apart. The Governing Body has listened to some bad counsel. They have made ill-advised decisions that are certain to have disastrous consequences. Whose idea was it to join the Watchtower to the United Nations in a political partnership? Lloyd Barry? Who was behind building an assembly hall in Denmark laid out like the eye of Horus? Whose idea was it to claim Jehovah provided the vaccines? Did the GB follow the orders of the board of directors when they oversaw the dispossession of tens of thousands of JWs who were evicted from their Kingdom Halls so the Watchtower could flip the property for cash? Whose brilliant idea was it to protect pedophiles from prosecution and persecute their victims?

No. There is nothing the Governing Body or any of their helpers can do. They have kindled the fire of Jehovah’s anger and now it is just a matter of time before the full fury of his wrath is unleashed. “You will forfeit, of your own accord, your inheritance that I gave you. And I will make you serve your enemies in a land you do not know, for you have kindled my anger like a fire. It will burn for all time.” – Jeremiah 17:4

At this point, my advice to the GB is to just go ahead and throw another log on the fire.

Tuesday, December 5 – The glory of young men is their strength.—Prov. 20:29.

A person who is humble and modest will focus, not on the inexperience of young ones, but on their strengths. He will view them, not as competitors, but as fellow workers. Older ones view younger ones as gifts from Jehovah for which they are grateful. As their energy decreases, older ones are thankful that those who have the strength of youth are willing and able to fill the need and serve the congregation. The Bible character Naomi is an excellent example of an older one who gratefully accepted help from a younger one. At first, Naomi urged her widowed daughter-in-law Ruth to return to her own people. However, when Ruth insisted on accompanying Naomi back to Bethlehem, she accepted Ruth’s loyal support. (Ruth 1:7, 8, 18) And what a blessing that was for both women! (Ruth 4:13-16) Humility will move older ones to follow Naomi’s example. w21.09 10-11 ¶9-11

I do wonder if this daily text was intentionally placed after yesterday’s text because the messaging is a little confusing. Yesterday the lesson was that we should not listen to the younger men–only to the wise counsel of the older men. But today the message is that young men are gifts from God to be trusted and honored. Given all the Watchtower’s gaslighting of late, I wonder if it is a lame attempt to intentionally create cognitive dissonance in the minds of Jehovah’s Witnesses. I wouldn’t doubt it.

As regards youth, with all its strength and energy, the Bible says that young men will stumble and fall. You’ve probably read it before, but here it is: “Do you not know? Have you not heard? Jehovah, the Creator of the ends of the earth, is a God for all eternity. He never tires out or grows weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the tired one and full might to those lacking strength. Boys will tire out and grow weary, and young men will stumble and fall, but those hoping in Jehovah will regain power. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not tire out.” – Isaiah 40:28-31

The Watchtower frequently quotes this passage above and applies it to the present time. That is not to imply that God does not give power to the weary. He does. But in what way do young men stumble and fall? I thought the glory of young men was their strength?

The problem is, at least as far as the Watchtower’s application is concerned, the prophecy is not talking about present, normal times. Beginning with the 40th chapter of Isaiah the book contains God’s words to be spoken in the future, when Christ returns. Specifically, after the tribulation is cut short and the parousia begins. For example, Isaiah 40:3-4 says: “A voice of one calling out in the wilderness: “Clear up the way of Jehovah! Make a straight highway through the desert for our God. Let every valley be raised up, and every mountain and hill be made low. The rough ground must become level, and the rugged ground a valley plain.”

In prophecy mountains symbolize institutions, be they governments, big business, religions or even the Watchtower. Obviously, in the aftermath of a nuclear exchange cut short by divine intervention, the system will be in a state of collapse. This is to prepare for Jehovah’s grand entry onto the world’s stage. The next verse states: “The glory of Jehovah will be revealed, and all flesh will see it together, for the mouth of Jehovah has spoken.” How will the glory of Jehovah be revealed? In the form of the parousia of the Son of man—Jesus Christ who is coming in the glory of his Father. Luke 17:29,30 states: “But on the day that Lot went out of Sodʹom, it rained fire and sulfur from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be the same on that day when the Son of man is revealed.” How will all flesh see it? All flesh refers to those who see the secondary reflection of Jehovah’s glory when the sons of God are revealed following the revelation of Christ to them.

Experiencing a global catastrophe that brings mankind face-to-face with extinction will clear the way for Jehovah. Everyone on earth will be made painfully aware of their transitory nature and helplessness. That is why the next passage in Isaiah says: “Listen! Someone is saying: “Call out!” Another asks: “What should I call out?” “All flesh is green grass. All their loyal love is like the blossom of the field. The green grass dries up, the blossom withers, because the breath of Jehovah blows upon it. Surely the people are but green grass. The green grass dries up, the blossom withers, but the word of our God endures forever.”

Notice verses 10-11, which confirm that the prophecy relates to the coming of Christ: “Look! The Sovereign Lord Jehovah will come with power, and his arm will rule for him. Look! His reward is with him, and the wage he pays is before him. Like a shepherd he will care for his flock. With his arm he will gather together the lambs, and in his bosom he will carry them. He will gently lead those nursing their young.” In the last chapter of Revelation Jesus spoke of the reward being with him: “Look! I am coming quickly, and the reward I give is with me, to repay each one according to his work.” Also, Jesus, also called the fine shepherd, spoke of the final gathering of the chosen ones from the four corners of the earth.

So, how does this tie in with young men stumbling and falling while those hoping in Jehovah rise up and soar as if with the wings of an eagle? The book of Joel speaks of a final outpouring of God’s spirit upon not only the sons and daughters of God but also on the menservants and maidservants. In other words the chosen and the great crowd. During that concluding period, marked by blood and fire and columns of smoke (think mushroom clouds) the chosen will be brought before governors and kings with a special message. God will empower them like he did Elijah when he ran faster than Ahab’s chariot.

Wednesday, December 6 – God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed.—Heb. 6:10.

Our heavenly Father understands our individual circumstances. Maybe you can do more than many whom you know and love. Or you may not be able to do as much as others do, perhaps because of your age, health, or family responsibilities. Do not be discouraged. (Gal. 6:4) Jehovah will not forget your work. As long as you are giving your best and with the right motive, he will be pleased. Jehovah sees even the intentions of your heart. He wants you to be happy and satisfied with the worship you are able to give him. We already have peace of mind because we know that Jehovah helps his worshippers when they experience problems. (Isa. 41:9, 10) We certainly have good reasons to be happy as we worship our loving Father, who is worthy “to receive the glory and the honor” from all his creation!—Rev. 4:11. w22.03 24 ¶16; 25 ¶18

Is the Watchtower trying to conserve space by omitting the rest of the phrase “for his name,” or is there something more sinister in the works? Isn’t the point of Paul’s remarks to remind the Hebrew Christians that Jehovah would not forget the love they showed for his name? Doing a quick search of the Watchtower’s use of the divine name there is a definite trend to use the name Jehovah less. For example, in the 12 issues of the 2022 study edition of the Watchtower, the name appeared 2,092 times. However, in 2023 the name only appears 1,150 times — almost half. What is the point?

The 23rd chapter of Jeremiah is a denunciation of the shepherds who scatter God’s sheep and the prophets who prophesy in falsehood. Of them, God says: “They intend to make my people forget my name by the dreams they relate to one another, just as their fathers forgot my name because of Baʹal.” (27)

Some may be inclined to assume that the prophecy has no relevance for our time, especially since it speaks of ancient Baal worship. However, notice that verse 20 places God’s intervention in the final part of the days: “The anger of Jehovah will not turn back until he has carried out and accomplished the intentions of his heart. In the final part of the days you will clearly understand this.” This means the negligent shepherds and false prophets are Christian elders. Indeed: “Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares Jehovah. – Jeremiah 23:1

Now consider verse 15-17: “For from the prophets of Jerusalem apostasy has spread throughout the land.” This is what Jehovah of armies says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you. They are deluding you. The vision they speak is from their own heart, Not from the mouth of Jehovah. They are saying again and again to those who disrespect me, ‘Jehovah has said: “You will enjoy peace.”’And to everyone who follows his own stubborn heart they say, ‘No calamity will come upon you.'”

The apostle Paul foretold that the presence of Christ will not occur unless the apostasy comes first. Apostasy always begins among the leaders and influential men. The apostasy that occurred in the fourth century is hardly an immediate prelude to the manifestation of Christ. No, apostasy is what is occurring in the leadership of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society right now. In the same context, Paul warned of a deluding influence that would be part of an operation of Satan — even as Jehovah stated in Jeremiah: “they are deluding you.” Everything I have ever published establishes the Watchtower as the source of the deceptive influence that has falsely announced the beginning of the parousia and the final part of the days. True to Jehovah’s words in Jeremiah the Watchtower has prophesied lies in God’s name. It has assured the flock that no calamity will come upon the organization. There is peace. After all, the organization is a spiritual paradise. Jehovah is on our side. No weapon formed against Jehovah’s organization will have any success whatsoever. Or, at least that is what they say.

The Governing Body is not paying attention, as verse 18 says: “For who has stood in the inner circle of Jehovah to see and hear his word? Who has paid attention to his word in order to hear it?”

I can assure you that the Watchtower is not going to lead the flock into paradise. A word to those who have not been destroyed by the Watchtower but only scattered, meaning no longer part of the organization — keep the faith; keep up your Bible reading. Keep praying. Try to help others. If you have an opportunity to speak about the truth seize it. And don’t be shy about explaining how the Watchtower’s apostasy is the fulfillment of Bible prophecy and a sure sign the final part of the days is about to begin in a big way. And never be ashamed of the name of Jehovah. Just because the Watchtower has brought reproach upon the name is not Jehovah’s fault and it is no reason to avoid using the Name. Always remember that God is not unrighteous so as to forget the love you have shown for his name.

Friday, December 8 – Some things in them are hard to understand.—2 Pet. 3:16.

One way that Jehovah provides direction to his people today is by means of his Word, the Bible. If we take the time to ponder over what Jehovah is teaching us, we will be able to follow his direction and accomplish our preaching work. (1 Tim. 4:15, 16) Another way that Jehovah provides direction is by means of “the faithful and discreet slave.” (Matt. 24:45) At times, this slave may give direction that we do not fully understand. For example, we may receive specific instructions designed to prepare us to survive a natural disaster that we think is unlikely to occur in our area. What should we do if we feel that the instructions given are not practical? Think about Bible accounts that we have read. Sometimes God’s people received direction that did not appear to be practical from a human standpoint but turned out to be lifesaving.—Judg. 7:7; 8:10. w22.03 18-19 ¶15-16

The things the apostle is referring to that are hard to understand are doctrinal matters; issues such as Christ’s mediatorship over those in the new covenant, the ransom, and the second coming and parousia and the seed of Abraham really being those who are anointed, even non-Jewish persons. Peter specifically refers to the letters of Paul, which make up the bulk of the Greek Scriptures.

On the one hand, it is perfectly proper for the Watchtower to direct the preaching work in an organized way. But why ought their instructions seem “impractical”? It is hard to understand why Bible instructors and taskmasters should concern themselves with making predictions of possible weather-related disasters. What insight could the Governing Body possibly have that the civil authorities do not? Are they implying that Jehovah miraculously imparts information to them that no one else is privy to? This business of having a “go-bag” is not something the Watchtower came up with. Preppers have been preaching disaster preparedness for much longer than the Watchtower. Again, why should instructions on disaster preparedness seem impractical? It is hard to understand.

As far as receiving life-saving instructions, there is no evidence that getting jabbed with mRNA has saved anyone from even being infected with COVID-19. Supposedly, those who were vaccinated and who later contracted the virus had milder symptoms than those who were not injected. However, other less dangerous medicines also lessen the severity of COVID-19. Why hasn’t the Governing Body recommended the use of Ivermectin, for example, which has proven to be a potent antiviral drug?

It is hard to understand why the GB would recommend an untested vaccine that does not prevent infection or contagion. Surely, they know that these injections are not only ineffective, they are deadly. How many have died because of following the Watchtower’s lifesaving directions? It is more than a few. Jehovah knows.

Why should members of the Governing Body concern themselves with giving medical advice? What expertise do they have? Besides, why should young and healthy individuals for whom COVID posed virtually no risk be subjected to the far greater dangers of an untested vaccine? Exposing oneself to needless risk is not practical at all. I personally knew the mother of a young and healthy JW in his 30s who was injected and shortly thereafter died in his sleep. If the Watchtower takes credit for being the source of lifesaving instructions, they must also accept responsibility for the deaths and injuries that their glowing recommendations of the Pentagon’s mRNA injections have caused among Jehovah’s Witnesses.

The article from which today’s text was extracted offers some commentary on the visions of Zechariah. I must say, the art department created a worthy image for the article, illustrating the two olive trees and the golden lampstand. Oddly, though, while pretending to explain the vision the Watchtower omits the angel’s explanation to Zechariah’s inquiry: “Then I asked him: “What is the meaning of these two olive trees on the right and on the left of the lampstand?” I asked him a second time: “What is the meaning of the two bunches of twigs of the olive trees that are pouring out the golden liquid through the two golden tubes?” So he asked me: “Do you not know what these things mean?” I replied: “No, my lord.” He said: “These are the two anointed ones who are standing alongside the Lord of the whole earth.” – Zech. 4:11-14

The Governing Body surely knows that the two olive trees symbolize the two witnesses of Revelation; whereas Revelation states that they are standing before the Lord of the earth, Zechariah says they are standing alongside the Lord. Standing alongside Jesus conversely means that Jesus is standing alongside them, which is what the word parousia means. And what happened to those two witnesses anyway? Why, at least according to the Watchtower’s official explanation of the meaning of the two witnesses, did the two witnesses have such an insignificant role? It is hard to understand why the Watchtower continues to push the 1914 invisible parousia hoax.

So, what practical instructions might Bethel issue in the future when the Son of man arrives as unexpectedly as a thief in the night to commence the inspection and parousia? I would not expect anything other than what is described in the 29th chapter of Isaiah: “You will be brought low; from the ground you will speak, and what you say will be muffled by dust. Your voice will come from the ground like the voice of a spirit medium, and your words will chirp from the dust.”

Sunday, December 10 – Whoever refreshes others will himself be refreshed.—Prov. 11:25.

Jehovah’s people are strengthened by means of the ministry. When we share Bible truths with others, we feel refreshed and invigorated, whether they respond positively or not. Because of their circumstances, some may feel that they are not able to do much in the ministry. If that is how you feel, remember that Jehovah is pleased if you do your best. Jehovah sees and appreciates our desire to share in the ministry even if we are housebound. He can open opportunities for us to give a witness to caregivers or medical personnel. If we compare our present activity with what we were able to do in the past, we may become discouraged. But if we recognize how Jehovah is helping us now, we will have the strength we need to endure any trial with joy. We do not know which of the seeds of truth that we plant may take root and start to grow.—Eccl. 11:6. w21.05 24-25 ¶14-17

Most people do not know the truth. They have no idea who Jehovah is or what Christ’s Kingdom is or what the Kingdom is going to do when it begins ruling. Most people are unaware that a gang of demons is presently ruling the world, driving mankind to everlasting destruction. True, most people do not want to know. But a few do. So, if we know the truth, we are obligated to tell others. This does not have to be done in a formal way, such as knocking on some stranger’s door. As the daily text points out, we can speak to people we meet in a casual setting.

It is a strange situation to be in, but warning others goes beyond trying to discuss spiritual matters with people who are unacquainted with the Bible’s message. It extends to Jehovah’s Witnesses, especially the leadership. Why do I try to reach out to Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Governing Body with a Bible-based message? Bethel says it best. Below is a quote from the January 15, 1974, Watchtower Magazine entitled Can You Be True to God, Yet Hide the Facts?

WHAT results when a lie is let go unchallenged? Does not silence help the lie to pass as truth, to have freer sway to influence many, perhaps to their serious harm? What happens when misconduct and immorality are allowed to go unexposed and uncondemned? Is this not like covering over an infection without any effort to cure it and keep it from spreading?

When persons are in great danger from a source that they do not suspect or are being misled by those they consider their friends, is it an unkindness to warn them? They may prefer not to believe the warning. They may even resent it. But does that free one from the moral responsibility to give that warning?

If you are among those seeking to be faithful to God, the issues these questions raise are vital for you today. Why? Because God’s servants in every period of history have had to face up to the challenge these issues present. They have had to expose falsehood and wrongdoing and warn people of dangers and deception—not just in a general way, but in a specific way, in the interest of pure worship. It would have been far easier to keep silent or say only what people wanted to hear. But faithfulness to God and love of neighbor moved them to speak. They realized that “better is a revealed reproof than a concealed love.”—Prov. 27:5.

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Jehovah’s Witnesses are in great danger from a source they do not expect. That trusted source is the Watchtower itself. They consider the Governing Body to be holy men of God who would never lie or deceive them. Yet the facts show otherwise.

The truth is fairly simple. It is Bible prophecy that is hard to understand. And because the Watchtower has taken it upon itself to explain prophecy and has convinced the flock that no person outside Bethel’s intimate circle can, it has used its authority to deceive on a grand scale. It would have been easier for me to remain silent and just go along, but I have spent the past two decades and well over $100,000 exposing the Watchtower’s deception, what Paul called “an operation of Satan” emanating from a man of lawlessness.

Of course, the vast majority of Jehovah’s Witnesses resent any criticism leveled at the Watchtower. But that is too bad. I am undeterred by criticism. I know I am right and because I am right I have the moral obligation to sound the warning. How long do I intend to keep up my campaign? “Until the cities crash in ruins without an inhabitant and the houses are without people and the land is ruined and desolate; until Jehovah removes men far away and the deserted condition of the land becomes very extensive.” – Isaiah 6:11-12

And judging by the gathering storm, it shouldn’t be too much longer.

Monday, December 11 – Why did you despise the word of Jehovah by doing what is bad in his eyes?—2 Sam. 12:9.

Greed led King David to forget what Jehovah had given him, including wealth, prominence, and victory over many of his enemies. David gratefully acknowledged that God’s gifts were “too numerous to recount!” (Ps. 40:5) But at one point, David forgot what Jehovah had given him. Although David had several wives, he let an improper desire for another man’s wife develop in his heart. The woman was Bath-sheba, and her husband was Uriah the Hittite. David selfishly had sexual relations with Bath-sheba, and she became pregnant. As if the adultery were not bad enough, David arranged for Uriah to be killed! (2 Sam. 11:2-15) What was David thinking? Did he imagine that Jehovah could not see? That once faithful servant of Jehovah gave in to selfish greed and paid dearly for it. Happily, though, in time David admitted his error and repented. How thankful he was to have Jehovah’s favor again!—2 Sam. 12:7-13. w21.06 17 ¶10

God specifically chose David to be the king of Israel. He was anointed with oil. Jehovah made a covenant with David. Jehovah gave David his spirit, which impelled him to take down Goliath as well as compose songs that are part of the Bible. In this, David prefigured anointed persons who are also chosen by God to be kings along with the son of David, Jesus; and who are in a covenant with God.

David committed a horrible sin. Not only was he guilty of adultery but he had an innocent man killed to cover his crime. It was driven by greed, as the daily text says. While Jehovah forgave David, he suffered for the rest of his life. His own children committed fornication and murder, and one of his sons even usurped the throne and tried to have David killed. God may have intervened to prevent all that palace intrigue and scandal if David had been faithful.

The Governing Body is likewise guilty of spiritual adultery, at least according to their criteria and what they have accused the churches of doing; this is in relation to their political partnership with the United Nations and their continued pandering to it. And with their unabashed advocacy of the experimental vaccines, they are blood guilty. They have despised Jehovah’s word in making a mockery of dedication. Whereas the so-called dedication of a baptized adolescent is considered valid, hundreds of kingdom halls that were similarly solemnly dedicated to God can be sold like common real estate. There is a price to be paid for treating Jehovah so disrespectfully.

Tuesday, December 12 – Not that we of ourselves are adequately qualified . . . , but our being adequately qualified comes from God.—2 Cor. 3:5.

We may lack confidence in our ability to conduct a Bible study. Perhaps we feel that we should have more knowledge or skill as a teacher before we can study with someone. If this is how you feel, consider three factors that can bolster your confidence. First, Jehovah considers you qualified to teach others. Second, Jesus, who has ‘all authority in heaven and on the earth,’ has authorized you to teach. (Matt. 28:18) And third, you can rely on others to help you. Jesus relied on what his Father taught him to say and speak, and so can you. (John 8:28; 12:49) In addition, you can ask your field service group overseer, a qualified pioneer, or an experienced publisher to help you to start and conduct a Bible study. One way you could gain confidence is by sitting in on a Bible study conducted by one of these publishers. w21.07 6 ¶12

The Watchtower has accomplished an extraordinary work. Teaching, training, directing, and motivating millions of Christians to be preachers and teachers of a message that is not well received by the world is quite a task. There should be no doubt that Christ has been at the center of it all along. After all, Jesus foretold that the good news will be preached in all the world and then the end will come. True, some lands have put up barriers that make it nearly impossible for Jehovah’s Witnesses to preach openly, but that does not nullify Jesus’ words.

In the first century, Jesus told his disciples that they would be witnesses for him in Jerusalem and to the most distant part of the earth; yet, there is no evidence that those original disciples actually went to the most distant part of the earth. In fact, in the book of Acts, the historical account states that the holy spirit prevented missionaries from entering into the province of Asia. Of course, the region of Asia then was not the same as the sprawling continent called Asia today; but the point is, that Jesus blocked Christians from entering certain areas. We are not told why. No doubt Jesus had a good reason. Perhaps the same is true today.

Many nations of South and West Asia are deeply entrenched in Islamic and Hindu religions and are not receptive to a Bible-based message, That is certainly one factor. Interestingly, these very same nations are part of what is now called the Global South, which is politically and economically oriented to communist China and taking part in China’s massive Belt and Road infrastructure phenomenon. This reorientation is gaining momentum and is the underlying reason that London is igniting wars here and there, intending to create a conflagration. It is quite likely that many of these nations may be destroyed when the horsemen of the Apocalypse are unleashed. Does not Revelation indicate that a quarter of mankind will be laid low by the horsemen of war, famine, and death?

Concerning being adequately qualified, there is a caveat. Jehovah has not allowed Bethel’s prophets to understand prophecy. Try as they may they cannot. God explains it this way: “For Jehovah has poured a spirit of deep sleep on you; He has closed your eyes, the prophets, and he has covered your heads, the visionaries.” – Isaiah 29:10

The coming of the Son of man will change everything. It will demolish the Watchtower’s whitewashed wall. During the end phase, the chosen will shine as brightly as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father, becoming fully qualified to speak for Christ and give a witness concerning him to the most distant parts of the earth–standing before governors and kings.

Wednesday, December 13 – The person faithful in what is least is faithful also in much, and the person unrighteous in what is least is unrighteous also in much.—Luke 16:10.

As the end of this system of things draws near, we need to trust in Jehovah’s way of doing things as never before. Why? During the great tribulation, we may receive instructions that seem strange, impractical, or illogical. Of course, Jehovah will not speak to us personally. He will likely provide direction through his appointed representatives. That will hardly be the time to second-guess the direction or to view it with skepticism, wondering, ‘Is this really coming from Jehovah, or are the responsible brothers acting on their own?’ How will you fare during that crucial time in human history? The answer might be indicated by how you view theocratic direction now. If you trust the direction we receive today and readily obey, you will likely do the same during the great tribulation. w22.02 6 ¶15

More Jehovah’s Witnesses should have asked themselves if the vaccine mandate was coming from Jehovah or if the Governing Body was presumptuously acting on their own. Had more elders stood up and questioned the Watchtower’s strange and illogical advocacy of the experimental injections many more witnesses would still be in the land of the living. Really, why should anyone concern themselves with the vaccination status of someone else? It is not only illogical, frankly, it is idiotic. If the COVID jabs were safe and effective, as the Governing Body assured the flock they were, then those who submitted to the injections should not have to worry about being infected by someone who was unvaxxed.

For the past few years, the Watchtower has been vigorously pushing the notion that during the tribulation the organization is going to be issuing life-saving instructions. (We might inject the disclaimer: You mean like they did during the pandemic?) They are obviously conditioning the rank and file to expect to receive some special message. We ought to wonder why the GB keeps repeating this. Where is it coming from? What biblical support is there for this? Indeed, what does the Bible say?

To put things in perspective, next year, 2024, will mark the 150th year since Charles Taze Russell organized a little Bible study group in Alleghany. Their stated mission was to hammer out the basic doctrines of the Bible. This they did. However, along with it, Russell concocted the fantastical tale that the parousia had begun in the very year he started the Bible study. He was able to convince his naive study group that the parousia is invisible. Incredibly, even after all these years of Bible research, no one has ever questioned it. Or if they did they were silenced.

After Armageddon failed to materialize in 1914 some 15 years later, around 1930, the Watchtower casually flipped the date for the beginning of the parousia from 1874 to 1914. Do you realize the implications of this change? It means for almost a half-century the Watchtower was promoting a false parousia. This is not even open for debate. It is not an accusation by an opposer. It is a fact of theocratic history. This means that the world-changing, powerful presence of Christ is of such little consequence that it can be shifted around from one date to another.

As regular readers know, I have made it my mission to shine a light into some of these dark recesses. First, the Watchtower’s arcane chronology that pretends to divine the year of Christ’s second coming is a fraud. The prophetic period about which Christ spoke in his extensive prophecy concerning his presence, namely the so-called times of the Gentiles, did not begin in 607 B.C.E. Jesus was foretelling a future trampling of Jerusalem by the nations, not something that had begun centuries before when Babylon sacked Jehovah’s city.

Of the utmost profundity, the parousia will not be invisible, at least not to the chosen ones. Now, let me draw your attention to the Watchtower’s statement above: “Of course, Jehovah will not speak to us personally. He will likely provide direction through his appointed representatives.”

The Watchtower would prefer that Christ be mute. They are, after all, Heaven’s exclusive spokesmen, Jehovah’s earthly channel of communication — God’s own mouthpiece. They would be out of business if Jehovah spoke to someone, not in their inner circle. So, God either cannot or will not communicate with anyone personally. And that suits the spokesmen fine. What, might we ask, is the biblical support for this teaching? There is none. Just because Jesus does not audibly speak to anyone now does not mean that is the way it will always be, especially since the presence of Christ has not begun. There are hundreds of instances in the Bible when God spoke to people using angels. Why should we suppose that there will be no direct communication when the Son of man returns?

Furthermore, consider the Transfiguration. Not only was Jesus arrayed in heavenly glory but Moses and Elijah appeared in the vision and they were conversing with Jesus. Years later Peter wrote that the Transfiguration was a fore gleam of the parousia. And Peter was one of three eyewitnesses of Christ’s parousia enactment. The fact that Jesus was conversing with Moses and Elijah prefigures that Jesus will not only appear to the chosen ones but they will converse with him, just as Moses and Elijah did in the vision. And it is no insignificant bit of Bible trivia that the two witnesses, though unnamed in Revelation, are depicted as performing miraculous acts associated with Moses and Elijah.

So, the Watchtower is right in that God will use appointed representatives. The chosen ones whom Christ will come alongside will be appointed as representatives of the Kingdom. They will be the princes whom the King will appoint. (See Isaiah 32) Their appointment will not need to be approved by any Watchtower committee. Although I believe some brothers at Bethel will be chosen, the Watchtower organization will not have anything to do with it. The Watchtower will oppose Christ then. It will become the antichrist. That is because the mysterious man of lawlessness will no longer be a mere lurker but will emerge from the shadows and show himself to be a god. No doubt he will issue strange and illogical instructions and announcements. Jesus forewarned us of this very thing when he said: “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look! Here is the Christ,’ or, ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will perform great signs and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones. Look! I have forewarned you. Therefore, if people say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; ‘Look! He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For just as the lightning comes out of the east and shines over to the west, so the presence of the Son of man will be. Wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.” — Mathew 24:23-28

If those who have been called to be part of Christ’s Kingdom are presently identified as Jehovah’s Witnesses, and hence under the influence and authority of the Watchtower Bible Society, it would be impossible for them to be misled by someone not recognized as being in the truth. Given the fact that the Watchtower has been promoting a faux parousia since its inception, why should we assume that the earthly channel will suddenly see the light? I can assure you by the light of God’s word that it will not.

Just as Jehovah allowed for an opposer in the form of Judas to betray Jesus, the man of lawlessness has a role to play during the actual parousia. Even as Judas betrayed the original anointed one, the man of lawlessness will endeavor to deceive the chosen ones, likely appealing to their organizational loyalty. No doubt the strange, illogical, and impractical instructions will issue from the son of destruction, declaring the Christ to be in the inner chambers of Warwick or some other location. But it will not be possible to deceive those who will see the Son of man in his glory and who personally converse with him.

This is what Jehovah my God says…

No comment on the daily text. Instead, just a brief remark on the lying hypocrisy that is on display on JW dot org. This week’s headliner is about mental health. Here is a little snippet of their weekly drivel:

Without a doubt, we are living in “critical times hard to deal with” that are causing many forms of distress. (2 Timothy 3:1) One study calculated that, worldwide, about one in eight people struggles with a mental health disorder. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an increase in anxiety and major depressive disorders of about 26 and 28 percent respectively.

First, the article repeats the tired old lie that these are the last days. They are not. The last days is a relatively short period of time coinciding with Satan’s ouster from heaven. You will know when that happens because the world will be plunged into war with food shortages and pestilence close behind. The system upon which we all depend will collapse. Then there will be critical times hard to deal with because people have become so ungodly and self-centered.

The Watchtower was at the forefront of amplifying the terror with their monthly updates in which they announced the rising death toll among Jehovah’s Witnesses, heedless to the reality that the hospital system was killing people by the thousands. In one of their Updates, a now-former member of the Governing Body used the Scriptures to lecture us on how reckless and foolish it was to even venture outside. Of course, these spokesmen for God never have to take responsibility for anything they publish. If someone is suffering from a mental disorder because of the fear-induced anxiety that was unnecessarily heaped upon them that is their problem. Jehovah’s earthly channel only provides life-saving instructions. Never mind that the Watchtower’s stringent lockdown was in lockstep with the COVID-19 tyrants globally. If you are now suffering post-lockdown anxiety and depression that is entirely on you. The exalted faithful and discreet slave is not responsible.

Now, I appeal to Jehovah God, the God of truth, to please take note of what these men have published in your name. It is a tiny little asterisk footnote that says: a The Watchtower does not endorse any particular approach. Each individual should carefully evaluate his or her options before making a personal decision.

The Governing Body is brazenly lying. Jehovah surely knows they wholeheartedly endorsed the vaccinations and did so in the name of Jehovah. Or is it just in the area of mental health that the Watchtower does not endorse any particular approach and encourages each individual to carefully evaluate their options? If that is the case maybe the legal department can supply another clarifying footnote, because the Governing Body most definitely endorsed the mRNA injections. They claimed that Jehovah has provided vaccinations for his people because he loves and cares for them so well. Talk about a celebrity endorsement!

The GB even boasted that they directly intervened to provide supplies to be distributed to branches in so-called Third World countries that did not have access to them. The Governing Body threatened elders with judicial proceedings if they dared to voice their opinion that was not in harmony with the Governing Body’s unabashed advocacy of the injections. An elder who might lovingly urge the brothers and sisters to be cautious could be disfellowshipped for causing divisions. If the GB has not unequivocally endorsed the vaccinations how could an elder cause divisions in a congregation by voicing a contrary opinion? Elders were also informed that only vaccinated persons would be allowed to attend the ministry school for elders. There is no room for personal decision in this matter.

I have no doubt the Watchtower received cash payments to endorse and promote the vaccines. I cannot prove it. I do not have the canceled check. However religious leaders were offered big money to use their influence over their parishioners. No doubt the Devil made Bethel an offer they couldn’t refuse. How much was it? $100 per head? $200? Jehovah knows. And Jehovah knows the exact number of those who have died because they listened to the Governing Body.

“This is what Jehovah my God says, ‘Shepherd the flock meant for the slaughter, whose buyers slaughter them and are not held guilty. And those who sell them say, “May Jehovah be praised, for I will become rich.” And their shepherds have no compassion for them.’” – Zech 11:4,5

Sunday, December 17 – Whoever approaches God must believe that he is.—Heb. 11:6.

If you were raised as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, you likely learned about Jehovah from an early age. You were taught that he is the Creator, that he has an appealing personality, and that he has a loving purpose for mankind. (Gen. 1:1; Acts 17:24-27) Many people, however, do not believe that God exists, let alone that he is the Creator. Instead, they believe that life started by chance and then slowly evolved to complex forms of life. Some of these individuals are highly educated. They may claim that science has proved the Bible wrong and that faith in a Creator is for people who are ignorant, weak, or naive. No matter how long we have been one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, we all need to keep building our faith. In doing so, we will not be misled by “the philosophy and empty deception” taught by men who contradict God’s Word.—Col. 2:8. w21.08 14 ¶1-3

If you have been paying attention for the last few years, you will surely be aware of the fact that we here in America and Europe are being subjected to one lie after the other, so much so that it is as if reality has been canceled. Everything is a lie. Stolen elections. A false prosperity created with fake money. A manmade pandemic and a phony panic to sell a deadly cure; people no longer are male and female. You can be punished for not recognizing someone’s preferred fantasy delusion. And then there was the Trump-Russia collusion hoax, the January 6th insurrection hoax, and on and on and on. There is a lie factory run by the British Empire that just churns them out. Everyone is in on it. Lies are everywhere, all the time. Flat Earth, alien invasion, oh, and my favorite — shapeshifting reptilian oligarchs. Oh, and how about the FBI covering up evidence that flying saucers have crash-landed on Earth? Amazingly, these Martians, or whatever, have the technology to zip all around the universe, apparently at the speed of light, and yet they always seem to crash land on our tiny speck of a planet. Then, of course, there is always war propaganda. You have been told Putin invaded Ukraine and he intends to take over all of Europe and that he blew up the Nordstream because, well, it was better than just turning a valve and shutting off the gas. Sheesh.

But even though the world is awash in lies and deception it is really nothing new. We know that there was a time not that long ago when there were no lies or liars. A righteous angel who thought very highly of himself schemed up the first lie in history to elevate himself to become the god of the world, which at that time only consisted of two people. Jesus referred to the cunning cherub as the father of the lie. Incredibly, even that first lie the serpent whispered in Eve’s ear still lives on. Billions of people still believe that we do not die, that we have a soul that survives the death of the body. Virtually every religion teaches some variation of the original lie. Satan really knows how to spin a tale and make it last. Jehovah’s Witnesses are blessed to know the truth about life and death and the two resurrections.

One of the most pervasive lies is evolution. There is not a shred of evidence to prove that organisms spontaneously spring from lifeless matter or that one species changes over time into another sort. It is utter nonsense dressed up as an unquestionable scientific fact. Everyone has been indoctrinated with this lie. No one even questions it. Nature programs that delve into the amazing complexity and harmony in the natural world spout off about how all of these wonders just happened by chance. Intelligent design is never even considered to be possible. How unintelligent they are! I wish I had the time and resources to produce documentary-type videos to dismantle evolution. I know JW dot org has little snippets exploring the question “Was it designed?” but it is not enough. Oh well. It’s probably too late now anyway.

Jehovah’s Witnesses call their religion “the truth.” JW’s will ask another how they found the truth or how long they have been in the truth. Or they might say that brother so-and-so left the truth. And then there is the exJW crowd who claim to know the truth about “the truth.” Actually, Jesus coined that expression when speaking about the father of the lie, saying of him that “he did not stand fast in the truth.” Think of it. Satan the Devil was once “in the truth.” But the Devil is far more clever than most realize. Having been in the truth Satan is quite the Bible student. He still knows the truth and uses that knowledge to twist things to create a passable false truth, otherwise known as a lie. He is so good at packing lies as truth that Paul said of him that he disguises himself as an angel of light. Pretty clever disguise, no? And this angel of light has a lie just for Jehovah’s Witnesses. And it is a whopper! While the Watchtower has championed the long-lost truth of the Bible and published the good news of the Kingdom, it is also the source of a unique lie packaged especially for Jehovah’s Witnesses. It is the 1914 invisible parousia lie.

I have tried for the last two decades to overturn this lie with very little success. Jehovah has allowed for this operation of Satan so that those who know the truth might get to believe the lie. What lie? That Jesus has come, that the Kingdom is reigning, that Satan and his demons have been thrown down, that the organization is a spiritual paradise, that the Watchtower is going to issue life-saving instructions during the great tribulation, and many, many more. There are in fact hundreds of lies and half-truths that have been built upon the 1914 hoax. The WT has written volumes interpreting Bible prophecy. Nearly all of it is a fabrication. I suppose that is why there are over 1,400 articles on e-watchman. I forget how many computers I have used up over the past 22 years. There are more lies than I can keep up with. But why? Why does God allow a lie to be the foundation of “the truth”? To test our love of the truth. It is not good enough to be in the truth or be around the truth. We must love the truth. Being physically in and mentally out ain’t gonna to cut it either.

A world built upon lies will not last. Neither will an organization founded upon a lie. Speaking to those who have been called into the Kingdom, Paul warned of the firey text that will result when Christ suddenly arrives and lights the world on fire. The apostle explained it with an illustration: “According to the undeserved kindness of God that was given to me, I laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, but someone else is building on it. But let each one keep watching how he is building on it. For no one can lay any other foundation than what is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will be shown for what it is, for the day will show it up, because it will be revealed by means of fire, and the fire itself will prove what sort of work each one has built. If anyone’s work that he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward; if anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved; yet, if so, it will be as through fire.” – 1 Cor. 3:10-15

Jesus said of himself that he is the way and the truth and the life. That is something. Since Jesus is “the truth” his second coming will incinerate every lie that Christians have been deluded into accepting as golden nuggets of truth. Those who have whole-hearted believed the 1914 delusion will have their faith shaken to the core and their love of the truth tested. The Watchtower’s invisible parousia will prove to be so much hay and straw before the fire of Christ. Did not the Lord warn his little flock of this very thing: “I came to start a fire on the earth, and what more is there for me to wish if it has already been lit?” – Luke 12:49

Monday, December 18 – You are worthy, Jehovah our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power.—Rev. 4:11.

Abel, Noah, Abraham, and Job demonstrated their respect and love for Jehovah by means of their obedience, faith, and sacrifices. They clearly did their best to honor Jehovah, and their worship was acceptable to him. Jehovah then gave the Mosaic Law to Abraham’s descendants. This series of laws included instructions about how to worship Jehovah in a way that he approved. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, Jehovah no longer required obedience to the Mosaic Law. (Rom. 10:4) Christians were to follow a new law, “the law of the Christ.” (Gal. 6:2) They could obey this “law,” not by adhering to a long list of dos and don’ts, but by imitating Jesus’ example and following his teachings. Today, too, Christians do their best to follow the Christ in order to please Jehovah and “find refreshment” for themselves.—Matt. 11:29. w22.03 20-21 ¶4-5

Jehovah has always had the glory and the power. No one gave God his glory and power. It is beyond human comprehension, perhaps even the ability of angels to understand how God could have always existed. Evidently, Jesus knows since he said no one knows the Father except the Son. Nevertheless, here is something to consider: God created intelligent creatures who could appreciate his glory, power, and wisdom and give him the honor. God may have well not even existed in his eternal loneness. Who would have missed him? Worded differently, the only reason God became the Creator is to be worshipped. That may sound egotistical of God as if he has some self-centered craving to be admired and worshipped. In reality, it is our highest calling. Why? Because Jehovah is the only one who is worthy to be praised and honored. Any other form of worship is degrading. And do not be deluded. Every human worships something or someone.

Given the fact that God is worthy to receive all of the honor and praise of his intelligent creation, it is all the more remarkable, even astonishing that Jehovah, the One whom Jesus called “the only true God,” has decreed that someone other than himself is to be worshipped. That “someone” is none other than Jesus Christ. Of course, Trinitarians and the Jesus-only Pentecostals have no appreciation for this; the reason being, that Jesus is not God. Jesus is a creature just like everyone else. True, he is the first creation, the only begotten Son, and Michael the highest ranking angel was honored by his Father to be given powers to create everything and serve as God’s spokesman, the Word; still, though, he is a creation.

Because a presumptuous angel who coveted God’s worship for himself accused Jehovah of being self-centered and unworthy of receiving honor and glory; who withholds knowledge and power from his creatures because he does not trust them, Jehovah has responded to the slanderer. Because Michael willingly divested himself of his own divinity and privileged place in heaven and became human and allowed himself to be tortured and executed by Satan, God has honored the Son by giving him his throne. Not only that, Jehovah gave the Son immortality, something he did not possess before he was resurrected. When does the Son take up the throne and receive the honor of being worshipped? Paul explains: “For example, to which one of the angels did God ever say: “You are my son; today I have become your father”? And again: “I will become his father, and he will become my son”? But when he again brings his Firstborn into the inhabited earth, he says: “And let all of God’s angels do obeisance to him.” Also, he says about the angels: “He makes his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.” But about the Son, he says: “God is your throne forever and ever, and the scepter of your Kingdom is the scepter of uprightness. You loved righteousness, and you hated lawlessness. That is why God, your God, anointed you with the oil of exultation more than your companions.” – Hebrews 1:5-9

Because Jehovah’s Witnesses have strenuously worked to overturn the monstrous lie known as the Trinity the translators of the NWT evidently could not bring themselves to render verse six as “worship”, preferring the somewhat archaic word “obeisance” instead. Other translations however say “worship,” for instance, the Emphasized Bible, which the WT publishes, says: “But whensoever he again introduceth the first-begotten into the habitable earth he saith—And let all God’s messengers worship him!” One may argue that obeisance, or bowing low before another, is not the same as worship. Keep in mind though that when receiving the visions of Revelation John twice tried to do obeisance to an angel and he was sternly warned not to and admonished to worship God. So, the angel certainly understood that John’s bowing before him was an act of worship.

Here is a question for Jehovah’s Witnesses to ponder: Has Jehovah brought his Firstborn into the world again? The Watchtower insists that he has, back in 1914. If that were true that would mean that all of God’s messengers in heaven have begun to worship the Son. And if that is true, then why are not Jehovah’s Witnesses honoring the Son the same way? Since God authorizes the worship of his Son it is not improper or idolatrous. On the contrary, the worship of the Firstborn will become what the Watchtower calls True Worship. That being true, why doesn’t the Watchtower, God’s earthly mouthpiece, advocate “true worship”? The answer is very simple: God has not yet brought his Firstborn into the world again.

This presents a potentially insurmountable stumbling block for those who imagine that they are practicing true worship now. Essentially, the Watchtower disallows the second coming of Christ and all that his coming entails. And there is another serious problem with the Watchtower’s “true worship.” When Jehovah again brings his Firstborn into the world Satan will be permitted to bring his wild beast back from the abyss. The Devil will demand our worship. He will not be polite either. If we do not bow before his beastly monstrosity and honor it in some yet unforeseen way, we will be cut off from the economic system, unable to buy or sell. Of course, everyone who worships the beast and its demonic backers will be destroyed with no resurrection.

Try and talk to Jehovah’s Witnesses about the mark of the beast. It is not possible. The Watchtower has deluded them into imagining that the beast crawled out of the abyss a long time ago and that everyone who salutes a flag or joins the military or casts a vote or who merely thinks the UN is a good idea, has already been marked with the 666 and condemned to everlasting death. It is impossible to disabuse Jehovah’s Witnesses from this delusion. Logic and reason have no effect. The spell is too strong. Such is the power of the Watchtower’s “true worship.”

Tuesday, December 19 – He often went into the desolate areas to pray.—Luke 5:16.

Jehovah listens to his children. He heard many prayers offered by his Son when he was on earth. He heard Jesus pray about weighty decisions, such as when he selected his 12 apostles. (Luke 6:12, 13) Jehovah also heard Jesus pray when he was in distress. Just before his betrayal, Jesus fervently prayed to his Father concerning the difficult test he was about to face. Jehovah not only heard Jesus’ prayer but also sent an angel to strengthen His dear Son. (Luke 22:41-44) Today, Jehovah continues to listen to the prayers of his servants, and he answers them at the right time and in the best possible way. (Ps. 116:1, 2) Consider how a sister in India personally experienced this. She had been dealing with severe emotional problems, and she earnestly prayed to Jehovah about the matter. She writes: “The May 2019 JW Broadcasting® program about how to deal with worry and anxiety was just the right thing for me. It was an answer to my prayers.” w21.09 21-22 ¶6-7

I do not doubt that God answers sincere prayers. There have been many instances where people prayed for an answer, for help to know the truth, and then a couple of JWs knocked on their door. It happens a lot, or at least it used to. As far as God answering a sister’s prayer through a JW Broadcast presentation, that is probably coincidental and not an instance of God directly answering an individual’s prayer. The WT publishes a lot of info over the course of a month so it should not be surprising if some JWs or interested persons find some of the information timely.

But does Jehovah always work through the Watchtower? I don’t think so. During the 22 years I have been online I have had quite a few JW’s and others relate how finding my site or YouTube videos was an answer to a prayer. I do not doubt it. The reason is because the Watchtower has stumbled many thousands, perhaps millions of JWs and interested persons. The information I present can rescue a person from the fires of doubt and help them make sense of some of the things going on in WatchtowerLand.

I am disappointed my work has not had more of an impact, but I trust that Jehovah makes sure that the people who are seeking answers that the Watchtower cannot or will not provide will find something to grab onto to fortify their faith. Who knows what Jehovah will make of it in the future? When things start blowing up, as in nations rising against nations, all of Jehovah’s Witnesses including the Bethel leadership, are going to be confronted with an unavoidable challenge to their faith. Perhaps then e-watchman will go viral, as they say.

There is no doubt the Governing Body and branch overseers know about my message. I have mailed them many Kingdom Bulletins, brochures, and books over the years. It doesn’t matter if they read anything or not. I suspect most of what I send goes directly into the recycle bin. No matter. For the most part, the leaders are like uninterested householders who turn JWs away without even listening for a minute. But that is on them. In the end, they will be forced to acknowledge that the message was from Jehovah. Of that, I have no doubt. It says so in the book: “I am sending you to sons who are defiant and hardhearted, and you must say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says.’ As for them, whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will certainly know that a prophet was among them.” – Ezekiel 2:5-6

Wednesday, December 20 – [Flee] to the mountains. —Luke 21:21.

Can you imagine how difficult it was for those first-century Christians to leave almost everything they had and start over? It took faith on their part to rely on Jehovah for their basic needs. But they were not without help. Five years before the Romans surrounded Jerusalem, the apostle Paul gave the Hebrews some valuable advice: “Let your way of life be free of the love of money, while you are content with the present things. For he has said: ‘I will never leave you, and I will never abandon you.’ So that we may be of good courage and say: ‘Jehovah is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” (Heb. 13:5, 6) No doubt those who took to heart Paul’s advice before the Roman invasion found it easier to adapt to what might have been a modest lifestyle in their new home. They were certain that Jehovah would care for their basic needs. w22.01 4 ¶7, 9

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It is difficult for Jehovah’s Witnesses to imagine, but those Christians in Jerusalem left more than their homes and possessions. They left their religion. It is hard for Jehovah’s Witnesses to grasp because the Watchtower has obfuscated the truth for reasons that this post will try to shed light upon. To be sure, it will require some brain juice to understand, but let’s give it a go.

Although Paul’s name is not attached to the letter of Hebrews there is no reason to doubt that the missionary/apostle wrote it. He was somewhat of an outsider as an apostle, being called to be an apostle to the nations as opposed to Peter and the others who ministered to the Jewish Christians. The apostles were headquartered in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is where Christianity began when 120 Jewish disciples were anointed with holy spirit. In his letter to the Hebrews Paul explained various features of the Jewish temple worship and how those things foreshadowed different aspects of Christ’s sacrifice and priesthood. Paul stressed that the Law and all the things attached to it had served its purpose and had become obsolete.

Paul especially emphasized the point that Jerusalem, even though it was the city where Jehovah caused his name to reside, was not the real holy city. Concerning Abraham, the forefather of their nation, Paul wrote: “For he was awaiting the city having real foundations, whose designer and builder is God.” – Hebrews 11:10

What was the real city that God had build? Paul explained in the 12th chapter: “But you have approached a Mount Zion and a city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem, and myriads of angels  in general assembly, and the congregation of the firstborn who have been enrolled in the heavens, and God the Judge of all, and the spiritual lives of righteous ones who have been made perfect, and Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and the sprinkled blood, which speaks in a better way than Abel’s blood.” (12:22-24)

To drive home the fact that earthly Jerusalem was no longer the center of true worship and was doomed to destruction Paul pointed out that Jesus figuratively led the way out of Jehovah’s earthly city, being executed outside the city. Hebrews 13:12-14 says: “Therefore, Jesus also suffered outside the city gate in order to sanctify the people with his own blood. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the reproach he bore, for we do not have here a city that remains, but we are earnestly seeking the one to come.”

Bible students surely know that the destruction and restoration of Jerusalem is the central theme of virtually all the Hebrew prophecies. Even Revelation, which was written after Jerusalem was destroyed for the second time, foretells the holy city being trampled by the nations for 42 months. And, of course, the desolation of Jerusalem was the focus of Jesus’ own extensive end-times prophecy.

If true Christians today are earnestly seeking the heavenly city to come that must mean there is an antitypical city-like organization that will not remain, a “city” that has served as a center of true worship to which Christians have been attached but which will be violated by a disgusting thing. Since we are to follow Christ, we too will have to leave the safety and familiarity of the “city.” What is this antitypical Jerusalem today? It is the Watchtower. It is the symbolic city that will not remain.

Thursday, December 21 – [Jehovah’s] mercy is evident in all his works.—Ps. 145:9.

When we think of a merciful person, we may picture someone who is kind, warmhearted, compassionate, and generous. The story Jesus told about the neighborly Samaritan may come to mind. That man of another nation “acted mercifully toward” a Jew who had fallen among thieves. The Samaritan “was moved with pity” for the injured Jew and lovingly arranged for his care. (Luke 10:29-37) This illustration highlights a beautiful quality of our God—mercy. That quality is a facet of God’s love, and he displays it each day in the way that he deals with us. There is another aspect of mercy that may come to mind. It involves holding back punishment when there is a basis for doing so. In that sense, Jehovah has certainly been merciful toward us. “He has not dealt with us according to our sins,” the psalmist said. (Ps. 103:10) At other times, though, Jehovah may provide firm discipline to an erring one. w21.10 8 ¶1-2

We are all in need of God’s mercy, but perhaps no one has greater need than the leadership of the Watchtower. That is because of the principle Jesus stated when speaking about the slaves whom he appointed to feed his sheep, saying of them: “Indeed, everyone to whom much was given, much will be demanded of him, and the one who was put in charge of much will have more than usual demanded of him.” – Luke 12:48b

The prophecy of Isaiah spells it out. Speaking to the leaders of his people God says: “Hear the word of Jehovah, you dictators of Sodom. Pay attention to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah.” (1:10) Why would God speak to his people in such an unflattering manner? God goes on to say: “And when you spread out your palms, I hide my eyes from you. Although you offer many prayers, I am not listening; your hands are filled with blood. Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove your evil deeds from my sight; stop doing bad. Learn to do good, seek justice, correct the oppressor, defend the rights of the fatherless child, and plead the cause of the widow.” (15-17)

There is no use denying the facts. The dictators of Sodom are the leaders of the Watchtower. Their hands are filled with the blood of those who have died because they followed the directives of the Governing Body and submitted to mRNA injections. And it is well known that the Watchtower has a long history of coddling pedophiles and persecuting their victims, besides dispossessing tens of thousands of JWs from their congregational homes, many being elderly widows. Despite their wickedness though, Jehovah is willing to forgive, provided they repent. That is what Jehovah goes on to say: “Come, now, and let us set matters straight between us,” says Jehovah. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be made as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson cloth, they will become like wool. If you show willingness and listen, you will eat the good things of the land. But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword, for the mouth of Jehovah has spoken it.”

For those inclined to disregard this prophecy as applying to ancient times, think again. The very next chapter of Isaiah explains when God intends to set matters straight. It is in fact an oft-cited passage, albeit misapplied: “In the final part of the days, the mountain of the house of Jehovah will become firmly established above the top of the mountains…For law will go out of Zion, and the word of Jehovah out of Jerusalem. He will render judgment among the nations and set matters straight respecting many peoples.”

These are not the final part of the days. That will become apparent going forward when the world is plunged into war and chaos as never before. We are on the cusp of global war now. Then those who refuse to bow before Christ will be devoured by the sword. Did not Jesus himself forewarn certain members of the symbolic Pergamum congregation of this very thing when he said: “So repent. If you do not, I am coming to you quickly, and I will war against them with the long sword of my mouth.” – Rev 2:16

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Friday, December 22 – My loyal love will not be removed from you.—Isa. 54:10.

Jehovah shows his loyal love only to those who have an approved relationship with him—his servants. This is evident from statements made by King David and by the prophet Daniel. For example, David said: “Continue showing your loyal love to those who know you.” “The loyal love of Jehovah is for all eternity toward those who fear him.” And Daniel declared: “O Jehovah the true God, [who] shows loyal love to those who love him and keep his commandments.” (Ps. 36:10; 103:17; Dan. 9:4) According to these inspired expressions, Jehovah shows loyal love to his servants because they know him, fear him, love him, and keep his commandments. Jehovah reserves his loyal love for his people, his true worshippers. Before we began serving Jehovah, we received the love that God shows to mankind in general. (Ps. 104:14) However, as his worshippers, we also benefit from his loyal love. w21.11 4 ¶8-9

Context is everything. Pulling a snippet from a verse in a book of prophecy and using it to project the future can be misleading. And when it comes to the Watchtower, you can be certain that it is misleading. To put things in perspective, let us consider the context of the 54th chapter of Isaiah. Verse eight also uses the expression “loyal love.” It says: “In a flood of indignation I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting loyal love I will have mercy on you,” says your Repurchaser, Jehovah.”

No one in their right mind would want to provoke God to indignation. Yet, that is what the Jews did. And they were punished severely for it. But, Jehovah repurchased the Jews from Babylon via Persia. Except, the prophecy of Isaiah is not about the past. God’s past dealings with Israel are only a pattern of things to come having to do with Christians. The original Christians recognized this. Paul quoted from the 54th chapter of Isaiah explaining who the barren woman was. The Watchtower also has taught that the “woman” of Isaiah’s prophecy has to do with the mother who gives birth to anointed Christians. But if the destruction of Jerusalem, as if by a flood, is a pattern, when/what is the future fulfillment? The Watchtower’s Isaiah commentary says it was in the recent past. (Paragraph 17)

Earthly Jerusalem is inundated by “a flood” of God’s indignation when the Babylonian forces attack in 607 B.C.E. Her 70 years in exile might seem a long time. Still, such trials last “for but a moment” when compared with the eternal blessings in store for those who respond well to the discipline. Similarly, the anointed sons of “Jerusalem above” felt as if they had been overwhelmed by “a flood” of divine wrath when Jehovah allowed them to come under attack by political elements at the instigation of Babylon the Great. But how brief that disciplinary measure later seemed, in contrast with the era of spiritual blessings that have followed since 1919!

How strange that God became indignant with a handful of Bible Students. Why did Jehovah become so enraged with them? It was once believed that God punished the Bible Students because they compromised by calling for a day of prayer during the Great War. That is odd though, considering that Paul exhorted Timothy to pray for men in high stations as well as kings, so that Christians may go on living a calm and quiet life. Nothing odious about praying for peace to prevail. Actually, new light® has shone. Since 2015 the Watchtower no longer teaches that Jehovah became indignant with the Bible Students. (See first article below) So, when is the prophecy fulfilled? They don’t say. They have essentially nullified it.

In reality, the Watchtower’s clever nullification of these prophecies is not only the fulfillment of prophecy, it is a big reason why Jehovah’s indignation is going to be expressed like an unstoppable flood. Appropriately the book of Isaiah explains: “Look! Jehovah has someone strong and mighty. Like a thundering hailstorm, a destructive windstorm, like a thunderstorm of powerful floodwaters, He will forcefully hurl it down to the earth.” – Isaiah 28:2 Who is this “someone” whom God is calling upon to express his indignation? It is the eighth king.

By placing the “flood” in the past and then deleting it altogether the leaders of the Watchtower are fulfilling Isaiah 28:15, which says: “So hear the word of Jehovah, you boasters, you rulers of this people in Jerusalem, for you men say: “We have made a covenant with Death, and with the Grave we have made an agreement. When the raging flash flood passes through, it will not reach us, for we have made a lie our refuge and we have hidden ourselves in falsehood.””

The Watchtower’s boastful covenant with Death is expressed as an expectation that the great tribulation will begin when the UN sweeps away false religion. Jehovah’s Witnesses have been deluded into believing that the raging flood will simply pass them by leaving them high and dry. But since the metaphoric flood of global tyranny is an expression of Jehovah’s indignation toward his people, particularly the “rulers of this people,” the “flood” is certain to sweep away the falsehoods, (think 1914) as Jehovah goes on to state: “And I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the leveling tool. The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters will flood out the hiding place. Your covenant with Death will be dissolved, and your agreement with the Grave will not stand. When the raging flash flood passes through, you will be crushed by it. As often as it passes through, it will sweep you away; for it will pass through morning after morning, during the day and during the night. Only terror will make them understand what was heard.”

Jesus said the great tribulation would be cut short on account of the chosen ones. That is when Jehovah will confirm his love for the sons of the woman. The post-tribulation period will be like the aftermath of Noah’s Flood to Jehovah. That is why in the very next verses of the 54th chapter of Isaiah, Jehovah states: “This is like the days of Noah to me. Just as I have sworn that the waters of Noah will no more cover the earth, so I swear that I will no more become indignant toward you or rebuke you. For the mountains may be removed and the hills may be shaken, but my loyal love will not be removed from you, nor will my covenant of peace be shaken,” says Jehovah, the One having mercy on you.”

The symbolic mountains certainly will be removed when the sixth seal of Revelation is unsealed. That is why the angels are holding back the four winds even after the tribulation. Once Jehovah establishes his covenant of peace with the remnant of Christ’s congregation who survive the “flood” the Lord Jesus will destroy the nations that war against them, beginning with Babylon the Great.

Saturday, December 23 – It is Jehovah your God you must worship.—Matt. 4:10.

Come what may, we are determined to obey Jesus’ words above. Today many follow charismatic church leaders. Enthusiasm for such men sometimes borders on idolatry. People pack their churches, buy their books, and donate heavily to the causes these leaders promote. Some individuals hang on to their every word. It is hard to imagine that these churchgoers could be more excited if Jesus himself were to appear to them! In contrast, true worshippers of Jehovah have no clergy. Although we respect those who are taking the lead, we accept Jesus’ clear teaching: “All of you are brothers.” (Matt. 23:8-10) We do not idolize men, whether they are religious leaders or political rulers. And we do not support their causes. Rather, we remain neutral and separate from the world. In these areas, we stand out as different from the many groups of professed Christians.—John 18:36. w21.10 20 ¶6-7

Where to begin? It seems to me the WT is responding to my accusation against them of promoting idolatry. Why criticize the Evangelicals for practicing what JWs do in another form? Do not JWs also pack assembly halls, read WT books, and donate heavily to the organization? Do not JWs hang on every word spoken by those claiming to be the faithful and discreet slave? There may not be a charismatic leader who stands out or any individual for that matter, but the organization, the Governing Body as a group, have exalted themselves to an inordinate place in the theocratic arrangement. The very fact that they would disparage mega churches for their idolatry is in itself an effort to elevate the faithful slave above them. And isn’t that what Paul forewarned the man of lawlessness would do, that he “exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits down in the temple of God, publicly showing himself to be a god”?

And this comment about a hypothetical appearance of Jesus. This is a very odd statement. Bizzare. Are Watchtower writers warming up to the idea of a visible parousia or are they mocking? Perhaps turn the question around. Would Jehovah’s Witnesses get excited if reports circulated among them that certain brothers and sisters have claimed to have seen Jesus? Would they be believed? Or would they be persecuted and thrown from the synagogue? Actually, it is not hypothetical. Jesus is going to make an appearance. And no, contrary to the Evangelical delusion every eye will not literally see him. Everyone will see the sign of the Son of man in heaven, meaning they will know that it is not an alien invasion or Allah or whatever. But only those pre-selected, born-again, adoptees will experience the manifestation of Jesus. Will the Watchtower accept the witness given by those who will see and speak to Christ? No. Only individuals will. The organization will oppose Christ.

The apostle wrote concerning the man of lawlessness who will stand in opposition: “And now you know what is acting as a restraint, so that he will be revealed in his own due time. True, the mystery of this lawlessness is already at work, but only until the one who is right now acting as a restraint is out of the way. Then, indeed, the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will do away with by the spirit of his mouth and bring to nothing by the manifestation of his presence.”

The question has come up, who is acting as a restraint? Would it not be Jesus himself? Jesus said that he would be with his disciples until the conclusion. That indicates that a fundamental change will occur during the short period of time known as the conclusion or time of the end. Up until the conclusion the wheat and the weeds grow together and are virtually indistinguishable. Jesus explained that the weeds are persons doing lawlessness, no doubt following the pattern of the man of lawlessness. But the concluding harvest will result in the removal of all such persons and all stumbling blocks.

Sunday, December 24 – I am Jehovah your God . . . You must not have any other gods besides me.—Ex. 20:2, 3.

Every Christian who wants to become holy must ensure that nothing or no one comes between him and his relationship with his God. And because we bear the name Jehovah’s Witnesses, we are determined to avoid any actions that would disgrace or profane his holy name. (Lev. 19:12; Isa. 57:15) For the Israelites, recognizing Jehovah as their God involved keeping many laws. Leviticus 18:4 says: “You should carry out my judicial decisions, and you should keep my statutes and walk in them. I am Jehovah your God.” Chapter 19 includes some of those “statutes” for Israel. For example, verses 5-8,21, 22 deal with animal sacrifices. Those were to be made in a way that would not ‘profane a holy thing of Jehovah.’ Reading those verses should move us to want to please Jehovah and to offer him acceptable sacrifices of praise, as Hebrews 13:15 urges us to do. w21.12 5-6 ¶14-15

The Watchtower has declared itself to be holy and righteous. The priests have cleverly used the Scriptures to bestow upon themselves Jehovah’s irrevocable approval. Has not the Watchtower boldly proclaimed that pure worship has been restored at last? But has it? For example, the third chapter of Malachi foretells the coming of the messenger of the covenant who is to prepare a way for Jehovah’s entrance. Concerning this messenger, we read: “And suddenly the true Lord, whom you are seeking, will come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant will come, in whom you take delight. Look! He will certainly come,” says Jehovah of armies.”

Despite what the Watchtower says, the true Lord is Jesus Christ. And just as Jesus came to the Jewish temple to inspect it, he will come to the spiritual house of God to judge it. This is no revelation for Jehovah’s Witnesses as the Watchtower has always taught this. But there’s a problem. When does the true Lord come to his Father’s spiritual temple? Jesus said no one knows the day and hour of his coming. The Watchtower claims it is a done deal already, that the messenger of the covenant came in 1914. Here is what the simplified Watchtower stated as recently as 2016 (para 14):

Malachi 3:1-3 explains what happened to the Bible Students between 1914 and early 1919. Jehovah God, “the true Lord,” and Jesus Christ, “the messenger of the covenant,” came to inspect the “sons of Levi,” who represented the anointed. After Jehovah had corrected and cleansed them, they were ready to receive a new assignment. In 1919, Jesus appointed a “faithful and discreet slave,” who was assigned to guide and instruct all of God’s servants. (Matthew 24:45) God’s people were finally free from Babylon the Great. Since then, they have been learning more about God’s will, and their love for him has grown even deeper. How grateful they are for his blessing!—See endnote.

Following the apostolic exhortation to make sure of all things and to test the “inspired expressions” to see if they really do originate with God, let us consider just a couple of pertinent questions. If Jesus “corrected and cleansed” the Bible Students, how is it that they continued celebrating Christmas for more than a decade after Christ cleansed them of their Babylonish practices? Indeed, if Christ came to the temple with whip in hand, why did he allow the sons of Levi to continue to celebrate the pagan feast of Saturnalia?

Perhaps few JWs realize it, but the Watchtower originally taught that the parousia began in 1874 and Jesus began ruling in 1878. It was not until around 1930 that the Watchtower “readjusted” the dates for the parousia and the coming of the Kingdom, syncing them to 1914. But again, if God’s messenger came in 1914 why did it take 15 years for the Bible Students to get the message? Is not this finagling the facts and juggling dates evidence of falsehood? It surely is.

The next span of verses poses an important question: “But who will endure the day of his coming, and who will be able to stand when he appears? For he will be like the fire of a refiner and like the lye of laundrymen. And he will sit as a refiner and cleanser of silver and will cleanse the sons of Levi; and he will clarify them like gold and like silver, and they will certainly become to Jehovah people presenting a gift offering in righteousness.”

What and when is “the day of his coming.” It is impossible for the Watchtower to completely nullify the day of his coming—consigning it completely to yesteryear irrelevancy—so, to make it work Jehovah’s Witnesses have been deluded into believing that there is more than one coming of Christ. Yes, Jesus has already come, but he is coming again. Right. 

But if the anointed Bible Students were able to stand before the Lord back in 1919, and that generation has died off entirely, does that mean that their successors inherited their good standing by default? Not hardly. Jesus warned his followers not to be weighed down with anxieties and overindulgences so that the day of his coming will not come upon us as a trap and that we may stand before him. Here, here is what Jesus said verbatim: “But pay attention to yourselves that your hearts never become weighed down with overeating and heavy drinking and anxieties of life, and suddenly that day be instantly upon you as a snare. For it will come upon all those dwelling on the face of the whole earth. Keep awake, then, all the time making supplication that you may succeed in escaping all these things that must occur and in standing before the Son of man.” – Luke 21:34-36

Since even the Watchtower is forced to recognize that the passage above has to do with a future day of reckoning when we will either stand or fall before the Son of man, every friend of the truth must acknowledge that the Bible Students did not endure the day of his coming nor did they stand before him when he appeared. Indeed, the fire of the refiner is yet to be applied and that truth may be verified by a comparison with Isaiah 1:24,25, which states: “Therefore the true Lord, Jehovah of armies, the Powerful One of Israel, declares: “Ah! I will rid myself of my adversaries, and I will take revenge on my enemies. I will turn my hand against you, I will smelt away your dross as with lye, and I will remove all your impurities.”

Did Jehovah rid himself of his enemies back in 1919? If so, what evidence is there? Laughably, the WT claims that the harvest took place then and that the angels removed all lawless persons and stumbling blocks from Christendom in 1919. This is the sort of nonsense that JWs are required to believe in order to speak the pure language of truth. But try as they might the prophets of Bethel cannot deny that Christ’s coming in the future will initiate the judgment of the house of God. That is when the master will call his appointed slaves to make an accounting. And according to no less an authority than the messenger of the covenant some slaves will be judged to be incorrigably wicked and will be thrown out into the outer darkness where they will weep and gnash their teeth. They will not endure the day of the coming of the true Lord.

Tuesday, December 26 – We all make mistakes many times.—Jas. 3:2, ftn.

James kept the right view of himself. James did not feel that his family background or his privileged assignments made him special or placed him above his brothers and sisters. He referred to his fellow worshippers as “my beloved brothers.” (Jas. 1:16, 19; 2:5) He did not give the impression that he was perfect. The lesson: Remember that we are all sinners. We must not think that we are somehow superior to those whom we teach. Why not? If we give our student the impression that we are flawless, he may conclude that he could never measure up to God’s requirements. But when we honestly admit that it has not always been easy for us to follow Scriptural principles and we explain how Jehovah has helped us to overcome our challenges, we will help our student to see that he too can serve Jehovah. w22.01 11-12 ¶13-14

No doubt all of Jehovah’s Witnesses, including even the Governing Body, would admit to being sinners. It is just the human condition. No use denying the obvious. However, individuals are one thing, when it comes to the organization it is an entirely different matter. To my knowledge, the spokesmen for the Watchtower Bible Society have never admitted to wrongdoing of any kind. They have never said they are sorry for anything. Whenever corrections are made in teaching or policies it is a mere adjustment or a brilliant flash of new light. You will never hear anyone admit they were wrong. When entire congregations are dispossessed of their Kingdom Halls there is never a word of apology. Congregants are just herded like dumb animals to another holding pen miles away. When the media report on the the Watchtower’s atrocious handling of child abuse it is always cast as persecution from Satan’s minions. Any exposure of hypocrisy and deceit is always the work of opposers and apostates.

The Watchtower’s dishonesty is almost laughable. For example, when the London Guardian published an expose on the Watchtower’s 10-year NGO partnership with the United Nations the Watchtower claimed that a clerk at the UN told them they had to become an affiliated NGO to access the library. It was a bald-faced lie. Worse, when Jehovah’s Witnesses are stumbled by the Watchtower’s hijinks and shenanigans it is always the fault of the ones who were stumbled, not those who laid the stumbling blocks.

The reason for this blatant dishonesty ought to be clear. The Watchtower is presented as the Kingdom of God, the Knower of all truth, the shining city on the hill, and the source of pure worship®. To maintain the illusion of being the prettiness of perfection the maintainers of the idol must never admit to an error of any kind. The idol must be held high and polished to a high gloss sheen.

Because the organization is the focal point of true worship®, and portrayed as the symbolic mountain where true worshippers from all nations stream, for that reason it must be laid low, toppled, and discredited, in order to prepare the way of Jehovah. And the haughty promoters of impure worship, who stand as big trees of righteousness, must bow down in terror.

“Enter into the rock and hide yourself in the dust
Because of the terrifying presence of Jehovah
And his majestic splendor.
The haughty eyes of man will be brought low,
And the arrogance of men will bow down.
Jehovah alone will be exalted in that day.
For it is the day belonging to Jehovah of armies.
It is coming upon everyone who is haughty and lofty,
Upon everyone, whether exalted or lowly,
Upon all the cedars of Lebanon that are lofty and exalted
And upon all the oaks of Bashan,
Upon all the lofty mountains
And upon all the high hills,
Upon every high tower and every fortified wall,
Upon all the ships of Tarshish
And upon all desirable boats.
Man’s haughtiness will be brought down,
And the arrogance of men will bow low.
Jehovah alone will be exalted in that day.
The worthless gods will completely disappear.
And people will enter into the caves of the rocks
And into the holes in the ground,
Because of the terrifying presence of Jehovah
And his majestic splendor,
When he arises to make the earth tremble in terror.
In that day men will take their worthless gods of silver and of gold
That they had made for themselves to bow down to
And throw them away to the shrewmice and to the bats,
In order to enter into the holes in the rocks
And into the clefts of the crags,
Because of the terrifying presence of Jehovah
And his majestic splendor,
When he arises to make the earth tremble in terror.
For your own sakes, quit trusting in mere man,
Who is only the breath in his nostrils.
Why should he be taken into account?’ – Isaiah 2:10-22

Wednesday, December 27 – Keep this mental attitude in you that was also in Christ Jesus.—Phil. 2:5.

The more we think like Jesus, the more we will act like him and the more successful we will be in reflecting his personality. (Heb. 1:3) We may think: ‘Jesus is perfect. I will never be completely like him!’ If you feel that way, remember these facts. First, you were designed to be like Jehovah and Jesus. So you can choose to imitate them, and you can succeed at least to some degree. (Gen. 1:26) Second, God’s holy spirit is the most powerful force in the universe. With its help, you can accomplish things that you could never do on your own. Third, Jehovah does not expect you to display the fruitage of the spirit perfectly now. In fact, our loving Father has set aside 1,000 years for those with an earthly hope to become perfect. (Rev. 20:1-3) What Jehovah requires of us now is to try our best and to rely on him for help. w22.03 9 ¶5-6

Before becoming human Jesus had it all. He was the Father’s firstborn Son. Even in human families that is a big deal, even more so in ancient times. Sons of wealthy and powerful people have opportunities and privileges ordinary people do not. Rarely do the sons of wealthy and prominent men have to serve in the military and risk their lives. They are protected from all that. So, when we think of the archangel, the most privileged creature in existence, it is extraordinary that he willingly divested himself of everything and allowed himself to be disappeared from the heavenly realm and be reduced to a lowly human, even to emerge, not as a materialized mighty spirit as some angels have, but as a helpless infant in a cattle stall. Furthermore, Jesus could not simply dematerialize and return to the spirit realm as angels can do. His only path back home was to submit to a torturous death—trusting that his Father would bring him back from the dead.

Having Jesus’ mental attitude will be all the more important during the time of the end. In order to follow in Christ’s footsteps to the end, anointed Christians will be required to leave everything behind and undergo persecution perhaps even at the hands of family and former spiritual brothers and ultimately face a violent death. Jesus warned us “Whoever finds his soul will lose it, and whoever loses his soul for my sake will find it.”

Thursday, December 28 – There is not a word on my tongue, but look! O Jehovah, you already know it well.—Ps. 139:4.

Prayer is not the only avenue we can use to strengthen our bond with Jehovah. A study of God’s Word and attendance at congregation meetings can also help us to draw closer to God. Is there anything you can do to make the best use of study periods and the time you spend at congregation meetings? Ask yourself, ‘What tends to interfere with my concentration during the meetings or when I am trying to study?’ Could it be receiving calls, emails, or text messages on your smartphone or on some other electronic device? When you notice that your mind is wandering during a study period or a congregation meeting, ask Jehovah to help you focus. It may not be easy to set your concerns aside and focus on spiritual things, but it is essential that you do so. Pray for the peace that will guard not only your heart but also your “mental powers.”—Phil. 4:6, 7. w22.01 29-30 ¶12-14

It is amazing. Jehovah knows everything. It is even more amazing that he is willing to share himself with us down here and really help us. They say that the human brain is the most complex thing in the universe. That makes sense since Jehovah designed the human mind to be able to ponder the depths of God’s unfathomable mind.

Satan has a brilliant mind too. Ezekiel describes him as being full of wisdom. But he became haughty. The Devil is waging a war against our minds. There are innumerable lies that people believe. After all, Revelation reveals that Satan is misleading the entire world.

But it is worse than just lies and deception. The demons are intent on destroying our minds, or at least crippling our ability to think clearly and to be able to reason effectively and to just be happy. At the forefront of their assault on our brains is serving up nutrition-depleted food and fake foods that have no nutrient value and are laden with toxic chemicals. The brain is very sensitive and cannot function properly when it is overloaded with toxins and heavy metals. The plague of mental illness, depression, anxiety, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and a growing list of neurological disorders is evidence of the effectiveness of the demonic assault on our physical brains. Then there is the informational overload designed to not only distract us but clutter our minds with useless trivia. Turn the TV off is a good place to start in defending ourselves.

We need heaven’s help to safeguard our mental powers now more than ever. “Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus.” – Phil 4:6,7

Friday, December 29 – Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise.—Prov. 22:17.

King Uzziah rejected counsel. He entered a section of Jehovah’s temple where only the priests were allowed to be, and he attempted to offer incense. The priests of Jehovah said to him: “It is not proper for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to Jehovah! It is only the priests who should burn incense.” How did Uzziah react? If he had humbly accepted the counsel and left the temple immediately, Jehovah might have forgiven him. Instead, “Uzziah . . . became enraged.” Why did he reject the counsel? He evidently felt that as king, he had the right to do whatever he wanted. But Jehovah did not see it that way. As a result of his presumptuous act, Uzziah was struck with leprosy and “remained a leper until the day of his death.” (2 Chron. 26:16-21) Uzziah’s example teaches us that, no matter who we are, if we reject Bible-based counsel, we will lose Jehovah’s approval. w22.02 9 ¶7

Uzziah was considered a good king. He became such when he was only 16 years old. JW’s might say he was raised in the truth. He had success in waging theocratic war. He also built many cisterns and loved agriculture. In other words, he provided protection, food, and water for the people. He reigned for over a half-century. No doubt, because of his success as a king, Uzziah became haughty. He was no longer content to serve as monarch of Judah he wanted to become the high priest too. He wanted all the glory bestowed upon Jehovah’s organization. However, the Law of Moses strictly separated the kingship and the priesthood. Because Jehovah struck him with leprosy, he was debarred from going anywhere near the temple.

Uzziah pictures the evil slave. Just as Uzziah was appointed by God and had Jehovah’s blessing for many years, so too are those who Christ appoints to provide food at the proper time. Because he was appointed to such a high station with no human higher than himself, Uzziah became haughty. He refused to listen to the high priest who was the guardian of the temple. Similarly, the evil slave becomes arrogant and associates with the drunkards of the world. He beats his fellow slaves because he is enraged that his master is delaying. When the master arrives, the evil slave will be removed and debarred from entering the cleansed temple. That is where the weeping and the gnashing of his teeth will be.

Sunday, December 31 – With humility consider others superior to you.—Phil. 2:3.

Elders, look for the good qualities that your brothers and sisters possess. Each one is imperfect; yet, each one has qualities we can admire. True, elders may from time to time need to adjust the thinking of a brother or a sister. But like the apostle Paul, elders should strive to look beyond a person’s irritating words and actions. Instead, they do well to focus on that individual’s love for Jehovah, his endurance in serving God, and his potential for doing good. Elders who have a positive view create a warm and nurturing environment in the congregation. Remember that Jehovah is not asking you to be perfect; he is asking you to be faithful. (1 Cor. 4:2) You can be sure that God also values what you do in his service. Jehovah will never “forget your work and the love you showed for his name by ministering and continuing to minister to the holy ones.”—Heb. 6:10. w22.03 31 ¶19, 21

Humility is a godly quality. Jehovah is humble. If he wasn’t we would have no hope. Happily, Jehovah lowers himself to have dealings with us. Sadly, though, God does not see the sort of humility on earth that he desires. However, as a wise Father, Jehovah knows how to administer discipline to the proper degree to produce in his people true humility. True, as the apostle said, no discipline is joyous. It is painful. But it is necessary to endure what is coming in order to receive the blessings to follow.

Speaking to the boastful rulers of his people who imagine that they have made a covenant with death and will see no hardship when the judgment begins, God says: “Give ear and listen to my voice; pay attention and listen to what I say. Does the plower keep plowing all day before he sows seed? Does he continually break up and harrow his ground? When he has smoothed out its surface, does he not then scatter black cumin and sow cumin, and does he not plant wheat, millet, and barley in their places and spelt around the edges? For He teaches him the right way; His God instructs him. For black cumin is not crushed with a threshing sledge, and a wagon wheel is not driven over cumin. Rather, black cumin is beaten out with a rod, and cumin with a staff. Does a person crush grain for bread? No, he does not thresh it incessantly; and when he drives the roller of his wagon over it with his horses, he does not crush it. This also comes from Jehovah of armies, whose counsel is wonderful and whose achievements are great.” – Isaiah 28:23-29

The illustration is intended to explain God’s strange deed and unusual work mentioned in verse 21. What exactly is this strange and unusual work of God? Read the entire 28th chapter. While you are at it skip on over to chapter 29 too. God’s strange deed has to do with Jehovah destroying his earthly organization in order to humble the haughty by crushing them but not destroying them entirely. When does this strange deed take place? At the second coming of Jesus Christ, an event that the Watchtower claims took place in 1914. How do we know? Read verse 16. Here: Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says: “Here I am laying as a foundation in Zion a tested stone, the precious cornerstone of a sure foundation. No one exercising faith will panic.”

The coming of Christ will take the form of a flood of tyranny — the overthrow of Western civilization. Why do you think a quarter of a million people per month are flooding into America? Are they all just looking for work or a free handout? No. Many of them are trained military men who have a mission. Even people who know nothing about Bible prophecy realize that the present system is being undermined with the intent to cause civilization to collapse. Where will the boasters be when their spiritual paradise is inundated by Jehovah’s mighty military force?

“Now do not scoff, so that your bonds may not be further tightened, for I have heard from the Sovereign Lord, Jehovah of armies, that an extermination has been determined for all the land.” (vs 22)