This article appears in the WatchTower Review section

I have said it before. It bears repeating. Most everything the Watchtower teaches as regards doctrine is true. Conversely, most everything the Watchtower teaches as the modern fulfillment of prophecy is false.

The reason for the disconnect is itself foretold in prophecy. The simple truth is, Jehovah’s Witnesses are under a powerful deluding influence. As the apostle revealed in his inspired letter, an agent of Satan, a man of lawlessness, exerts a misleading influence over Christians.

Paul tried to warn you. He wrote concerning the coming of Christ, saying that he will not come unless the apostasy comes first. Concerning the mystery of lawlessness already at work, Paul forewarned Christians not to be taken in by proclamations and authoritative letters —passed off as coming from the apostles themselves —proclaiming that the presence has begun and the day of the Lord is here. Anyone who is not intent on perpetuating the delusion must admit that the Watchtower is the exclusive source of such announcements and has been since the very beginning.

In proclaiming that Christ has come the Watchtower is placing itself as the city on the hill —the unfailing beacon of light and truth.

Take the January 2020 Watchtower, for example. In an article entitled “We Will Go With You” the Governing Body explains the prophecy found in the 8th chapter of Zechariah as undergoing fulfillment during the present period. Like so much of deception, there is usually an element of truth. In this case, the Watchtower’s interpretation of the prophecy is valid. The “Jew” represents anointed persons, as Paul explained in the 2nd chapter of Romans. The 10 men out of the nations represent non-anointed persons who recognize that God is with the “Jew.” There is the truth part.

Now for the deception.

As the article itself notes, not all anointed “Jews” are faithful. Yes, indeed. How true that is! Jesus himself issued a warning in Revelation revealing that there are those who falsely claim to be Jews but who are a synagogue of Satan. That means they pretend to be anointed. Should we suppose this is any special feat of trickery? No. As Paul revealed in the case of the superfine apostles, Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. It is not surprising that his minions disguise themselves as ministers of light. Obviously, though, these pose a spiritual menace to all.

And here is the dilemma: How are the symbolic 10 men out of all the nations supposed to be able to discern who is the genuine Jew and who are the false Jews whom the Devil has placed among the true? The Watchtower doesn’t say. The implication is, just accept the Watchtower as your guide and that is all you need. Is that it?

No. That poses an even more knotty conundrum. Since even the Watchtower now recognizes that Christ has not come to call his slaves to account, that means an evil slave is yet to be exposed and condemned. That being true, what might be the outcome for the sincere seekers who take hold of the robe of a man who proves to be an evil slave? Not good.

The Watchtower’s interpretation —specifically, the timing of the fulfillment —is off. Therefore, the Watchtower is not a reliable guide in matters having to do with the coming of Christ. 

Consider the setting of the prophecy in question. The prophecy of Zechariah was written after the Jews were released from captivity in Babylon. Jehovah assured them he would protect and support the repatriated Jews in their work to rebuild the city and the temple. Zechariah 8:3 states: “This is what Jehovah says, ‘I will return to Zion and reside in Jerusalem; and Jerusalem will be called the city of truth, and the mountain of Jehovah of armies, the holy mountain.”

The Watchtower could hardly “be called the city of truth.” On the contrary, it is the wellspring of falsehood regarding the phony parousia. And that is why God is going to destroy it and send his people to Babylon. This has been my message from the beginning. 

In saying Jehovah “will return to Zion,” this is a reference to the return of Christ —Jehovah’s foremost representative. Jesus will return to Zion, in that, Jesus literally left this earth from the vicinity of Zion —from the Mount of Olives, where Jesus frequently, secretly, met his apostles, from where he spoke to them of his return and the conclusion of the system. Zechariah chapter 14 also depicts Jehovah (Christ) coming back to the Mount of Olives, this time to destroy the nations.

In the 13th chapter of Matthew Jesus likened the harvest to the conclusion of the system —the Christian system. That is when Christ will dispatch his angels to uproot out of his Kingdom once-and-for-all, the wicked agents of Satan. Then, and only then, the chosen ones will shine as brightly as the sun in the Kingdom of God. That means they will have been unequivocally approved for a place in heaven upon their deaths. 

This phenomenon of shining like the sun is what Paul referred to as the revealing of the sons of God. Then, people of faith from all the nations will follow and support the approved brothers of Christ. God will truly be with them then. 

Related Posts