QUESTION: I’m an active JW, for about 37 years now and ex-elder that has a lengthy story to tell, and now find myself at the crossroads to where I can’t even use anything but the Bible in the ministry, with possibly parts of the “Reasoning” book. The meetings are a struggle, now that I’m fully awake concerning the “operation of error” present in the WTBS, and the lingering pagan and occult symbols left over from Freemasonry. And I am sick to my stomach about the 10 year association with the UN. Please, I need help on where to go from here. Intense and fervent prayer have gotten me this far.


 

QUESTION: The thing to keep in perspective is that all of the issues you mentioned are stumbling blocks that have a common source; namely, the leadership of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Whereas, Jehovah’s Witnesses themselves ought to be seen as victims of deception and not the culprits. Of course, that is the point of view of the growing ex-JW crowd too. They wish to “rescue” Jehovah’s Witnesses from the evil cult. However, that has never been my intent.

But, the real problem is the underlying idolization of the Society by Jehovah’s Witnesses. And it is because Jehovah’s Witnesses have been induced to place the organization upon the pedestal of worship that it comes as a jarring shock to many when they are confronted with the treachery and hypocrisy of their idol.

Is it not true that the many who have left the truth consider these matters to be deal-breakers as regards their continuing in their faith? But if we abandon our faith because of the error and hypocrisy of certain men are we not confirming that we were merely following men all along? Of course, such persons may falsely reason that the existence of error and hypocrisy is proof that the organization is not “the truth” as advertised. Such persons, though, do not understand the judgments of Jehovah.

Consider, for example, the prophecy of Zephaniah, earmarked for fulfillment during the fiery day of Jehovah, when God rises up to the booty and gives the change to a pure language. However, leading up to that momentous event the prophets explains God’s relationship to those who are due to come under his judgment, saying: “Woe to her that is rebelling and polluting herself, the oppressive city! She did not listen to a voice; she did not accept discipline. In Jehovah she did not trust. To her God she did not draw near. Her princes in the midst of her were roaring lions. Her judges were evening wolves that did not gnaw bones till the morning. Her prophets were insolent, were men of treachery. Her priests themselves profaned what was holy; they did violence to the law. Jehovah was righteous in the midst of her; he would do no unrighteousness. Morning by morning he kept giving his own judicial decision. At daylight it did not prove lacking. But the unrighteous one was knowing no shame.”

Notice, please, that leading up to God’s judgment of those who call upon Jehovah as their God that he is “in the midst of her.” God does not abandon his people. Instead, his purpose is to correct, discipline, refine and ultimately save those who seek him.

With that knowledge we ought to be able to make wise decisions.

To emphasize the point, if God is in the midst of her trying to correct and adjust up until the day of Jehovah commences, then why should we feel we have leave and go somewhere else? When the time comes God is going to simply remove the unrighteous one – a reference to the man of lawlessness – and silence the eminently exultant ones and allow a lowly people to remain.

See the commentary on Zephaniah

Related question from one of Jehovah’s Witnesses 10 years ago.  

 

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