• Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
    • Access to private conversations with other members.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

Watchtower Governing Body: Are They The Exclusive Channel For God??

Desert Snake

Veteran Member
Jehovah's Witness historical worship of Jesus until 1954

"Jehovah's Witnesses worshipped Jesus until 1954, after which they were told such worship was idolatrous. This made them a polytheistic religion for most of their history. The core to religion is God, and to change the God you worship is to change the very essence and basis of the religion."

Worshipping Jesus does not make a religion polytheistic, if Jesu is God.
 

savagewind

Veteran Member
Premium Member
Yep. Therefore? They misunderstood their own theology in the first place, so, the 'correction', is faulty. Reading what you wrote, it is important to point that out.
You should probably preface your post will SW (that is me) as the owner of the thread thinks you might be talking to yourself. To her, I am dead.
 

djhwoodwerks

Well-Known Member
*** w92 11/15 p. 6 Why Some Are Born Again ***

Will you be among those who inherit life on a paradise earth? You can be if you exercise faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ “and” become actively associated with “the” true Christian congregation. It has not been corrupted by philosophies but has remained “a pillar and support of the truth.”


I guess Jesus’ sacrifice and atoning work of the cross isn’t enough anymore to be saved!
 

katiemygirl

CHRISTIAN
What do you think it means to be spirit directed?
How about answering my question first? I posted it to you on Thursday.

You posted the following quote from WT.

WT 2004 May 1st Page 11 pg 14 -15

14 How does Jehovah speak to us? Consider Jeremiah again. Since Jeremiah was a prophet, Jehovah communicated directly with him. Jeremiah describes the effect of God’s words on his heart: “Your words were found, and I proceeded to eat them; and your word becomes to me the exultation and the rejoicing of my heart; for your name has been called upon me, O Jehovah God of armies.” (Jeremiah 15:16) Yes, Jeremiah delighted in the fact that God’s name had been called upon him, and His words were precious to the prophet. Hence, like the apostle Paul, Jeremiah was eager to declare the message entrusted to him.—Romans 1:15, 16.

15 Jehovah does not communicate directly with anyone today. However, we do have God’s words in the pages of the Bible. Hence, if we have a serious approach to our study of the Bible and meditate deeply on what we learn, God’s words will become “the exultation and the rejoicing” of our heart too.

1. Watchtower - "God does not communicate directly with any one today."

2. Watchtower - "We are God's only spirit directed organization."

So which is it?

 

savagewind

Veteran Member
Premium Member
They aren't allowed to research history are they?
They are discouraged from doing independent research. To do so will not be breaking any JW law, but telling others about what you find in your research if it differs from the dogma of the JWs will get the person disfellowshipped......even it it is true.
 

JFish123

Active Member
@JayJayDee You are wrong. The dead are dead and no longer exist. They cannot have thoughts whether of pain or anything else.

Gen 3:19c ...for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
Psa 37:20 ...into smoke shall they consume away.
Psa 69:28a Let them be blotted out of the book of the living... [not be alive for ever in hell]
Psa 34:21 Evil shall slay the wicked... [or how can you believe they are dead and alive in hell at the same time?]
Psa 92:7c ...it is that they shall be destroyed for ever. [anything that is destroyed, no longer exists by anyone's definition]
That word "destroyed" according to Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Definitions (eSword):
H8045
שׁמד
shâmad
BDB Definition:
1) to destroy, exterminate, be destroyed, be exterminated
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be annihilated, be exterminated
1a2) to be destroyed, be devastated
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to annihilate, exterminate
1b2) to destroy

Oba 1:16 ...and they shall be as though they had not been.
Mal. 4:1 compares them to wheat stubble that is thrown into a fire and nothing is left.

Lastly, I must argue that from a rational and reasonable standpoint, Yahweh would not create a place like Hell because He is abounding in mercy. Don't confuse mercy with forgiveness. Mercy is allowing a person to die, cease to exist, and no longer plague the rest of mankind with their sins. Some sin break up homes, some sins start wars, some sins spread disease (Leviticus 18). The person who eats pork/bacon for example becomes infectious with disease and/or parasites that are passed on to others. These diseases, among many others, cause great harm and suffering to people. The mercy of Yahweh is to allow that person's disease to run its course, let them die, and not let them live another life because they did not love their neighbor as themselves.

Of course, these verses also disprove the doctrine of the eternal soul. Did you know that you have to sign a form stating, among other things, that you believe in the eternal soul if you want to become a Freemason? The idea of the eternal soul does not originate with Christianity, nor is it taught in the Hebrew manuscripts. It is of pagan origin and is older than the Earth. The very first thing Satan told Eve was "Did Yahweh really say that? You won't really die! You'll live forever and it doesn't matter what you do." Of course I paraphrased it somewhat. If you want to get better insight into what was really being said there, try (with a grain of salt) reading The Hebraic Tongue Restored, by Fabre d'Olivet, Part Second on the Cosmology of Moses. Like the King James Version, it too is full of error, but in many ways it is also more accurate.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I can believe in the resurrection of the dead and final absolute death at the same time because Yahweh breathes life into dust. It's not like I have some soul wandering around waiting for my body to be made new again. To Yahweh, we are nothing more than a computer with the ability to use similitude, and reason among ourselves until we "work out our own salvation with fear and trembling." Man's greatest scientific minds see a far distant goal of creating life. This is possible WITH Yahweh. In the Book of Ezk. and chapter 37 Yahweh describes, in part, how and who will perform the resurrection. The Earth is defiled, and if you study and believe the Law, neither Yahweh nor Yahshua can set one foot on Earth until it is restored to its' former beauty - the way Yahweh originally created it.

Isa 65:17 For, behold, I createH1254 newH2319 heavens and a new earth...

H1254 does mean to create, but it also means to cause to be, to shape, to fashion, to mold, to transform, to perform a miracle
H2319 does not mean new though, it actually means "renew" or to make "fresh"
I only looked at those two words, so properly translated this verse should read something like...or more like... "For, Behold! I am bringing about the restoration and renewingView attachment 9916 of the Heavens and the Earth..." [Indicating that He is, and has been in the process of doing this since sin was introduced through Adam and Eve. He does this through the Plan, the blueprint for success or pattern given to mankind and specifically to Mosheh in Ex. 25:40]
View attachment 9916
Your right, your god would not create a place like hell. That's because your god doesn't exist. You created your own god in your mind to make you feel more comfortable about this idea of hell instead of seeing what Scripture truly says. That's idolatry.
There is indeed a gel. Jesus actually spoke more about hell then He did heaven, and you believe heaven exists I'm sure right?
One scripture the Watchtower likes to point to is Matthew 25:46. Many translations of the Word of God say something to this effect as in the ESV, "and these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." Notice that this translation has the words "eternal punishment" instead of the New World Translations "everlasting cutting-off" the Greek words in question are aionios (eternal) and kolasis (punishment).
Regarding the second word, it is true that the stem of kolasis (kalazoo) originally meant "pruning." But well known Greek scholars agree that there is no justification for the translation "cutting-off" in Matthew 25:46. The meaning is confirmed by the authoritative "Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament", "The Vocabulary of the Greek New Testament", "Theological Dictionary of the New Testament" as well as many others.
The punishment spoken of in Matthew 25:46 cannot be defined as a non suffering extinction of conscience. Indeed, of actual suffering is lacking then so is punishment. Let us be clear on this: PUNISHMENT ENTAILS SUFFERING, and SUFFERING NECESSARILY ENTAILS CONSCIENCE. One can exist and not be punished; but no one can be punished and not exist. Annihilation avoids punishment, rather than encountering it.
So, how do we know that the punishment in Matthew 25:46 does not entail an extinction of conscience and annihilation? There are many evidences. For example, consider the Fact that there are no DEGREES of annihilation. After all, one is either annihilated or one is not. In contraT, Scripture teaches that there will be degrees of punishment on the day of judgment (Matthew 10:15, 11:21-24, 16:27; Luke 12:47-48; John 15:22; Hebrews 10:29; revelation 20:11-15, 22:12, etc...)
The very Fact that people will suffer varying degrees of punishment in hell shows that annihilation or the extinction of conscience is not taught in Matthew 25:46 or anywhere else in Scripture. These are incompatible concepts.
 

kjw47

Well-Known Member
Please explain this to me. How can a group of imperfect human, mortal men be and exist greater than their Creator?

JW's think the idea of the Creator, Who is perfect, immortal, Holy, all powerful existing as a trinity is just blasphemy. But when a group of sinful, mortal, imperfect men say they exist as a composite slave, you all accept that as truth. You honor them as God's whatever. That is blasphemy, making sinful men greater than God.



You are mistaken--We listen to Gods advice--did you miss this--Luke 10:16--- if one listens to the anointed teachers( imperfect mortals) its the same as listening to Jesus and God--and the opposite as well--if you reject Jesus' anointed teachers then that one is rejecting Jesus and God as well.
There is 0 trinity god in existence, just as the many other gods do not exist--satan is posing as all the false gods in all the false religions. So in reality if one serves a non existent false god they are actually serving satan. He transforms into an angel of light( 2Cor 11:12-15)--- that means he uses, love, sharing whatever it takes to deceive.
Take the valentines day celebration--love and sharing--but the world added --Cupid--a real life false god worshipped by humans for centuries--does cupid exist--No it is satan posing.
this gets one to break Gods #1 commandment--thou shalt not have any other gods before me-- its the same done daily by those worshipping non existent false gods.
 

savagewind

Veteran Member
Premium Member
Your right, your god would not create a place like hell. That's because your god doesn't exist. You created your own god in your mind to make you feel more comfortable about this idea of hell instead of seeing what Scripture truly says. That's idolatry.
There is indeed a gel. Jesus actually spoke more about hell then He did heaven, and you believe heaven exists I'm sure right?
One scripture the Watchtower likes to point to is Matthew 25:46. Many translations of the Word of God say something to this effect as in the ESV, "and these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." Notice that this translation has the words "eternal punishment" instead of the New World Translations "everlasting cutting-off" the Greek words in question are aionios (eternal) and kolasis (punishment).
Regarding the second word, it is true that the stem of kolasis (kalazoo) originally meant "pruning." But well known Greek scholars agree that there is no justification for the translation "cutting-off" in Matthew 25:46. The meaning is confirmed by the authoritative "Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament", "The Vocabulary of the Greek New Testament", "Theological Dictionary of the New Testament" as well as many others.
The punishment spoken of in Matthew 25:46 cannot be defined as a non suffering extinction of conscience. Indeed, of actual suffering is lacking then so is punishment. Let us be clear on this: PUNISHMENT ENTAILS SUFFERING, and SUFFERING NECESSARILY ENTAILS CONSCIENCE. One can exist and not be punished; but no one can be punished and not exist. Annihilation avoids punishment, rather than encountering it.
So, how do we know that the punishment in Matthew 25:46 does not entail an extinction of conscience and annihilation? There are many evidences. For example, consider the Fact that there are no DEGREES of annihilation. After all, one is either annihilated or one is not. In contraT, Scripture teaches that there will be degrees of punishment on the day of judgment (Matthew 10:15, 11:21-24, 16:27; Luke 12:47-48; John 15:22; Hebrews 10:29; revelation 20:11-15, 22:12, etc...)
The very Fact that people will suffer varying degrees of punishment in hell shows that annihilation or the extinction of conscience is not taught in Matthew 25:46 or anywhere else in Scripture. These are incompatible concepts.
You are assuming Matthew 25 is about the end of this life. Can you prove it?
 

JFish123

Active Member
You are mistaken--We listen to Gods advice--did you miss this--Luke 10:16--- if one listens to the anointed teachers( imperfect mortals) its the same as listening to Jesus and God--and the opposite as well--if you reject Jesus' anointed teachers then that one is rejecting Jesus and God as well.
There is 0 trinity god in existence, just as the many other gods do not exist--satan is posing as all the false gods in all the false religions. So in reality if one serves a non existent false god they are actually serving satan. He transforms into an angel of light( 2Cor 11:12-15)--- that means he uses, love, sharing whatever it takes to deceive.
Take the valentines day celebration--love and sharing--but the world added --Cupid--a real life false god worshipped by humans for centuries--does cupid exist--No it is satan posing.
this gets one to break Gods #1 commandment--thou shalt not have any other gods before me-- its the same done daily by those worshipping non existent false gods.
Luke 10:1-16 Jesus is talking directly to His 70 disciples before they went out in pairs. Does this mention at all any anointed followers of a sect 1,900 years later that holds views contrary to what He taught about Himself being God and the Trinity? He warns us of false teachers, not commands us to listen to them.
 

JFish123

Active Member
Quick as in now or quick as in short? Short I might be able to do but now I can't. I am getting ready to be away for a couple of days. I shall think about it.
No I didn't mean you :) I meant my reply was quick. Wherever you go for the couple of days I'll be praying your safe and sound though :)
Also some more about an immaterial nature...
The New World Translation renders Luke 23:43, "And he said to him: 'Truly I tell you today, you will be with me in Paradise.'" This is contrast to most, if not all other translations which render the verse: "Truly I say, Today you will be with me in Paradise."
It is helpful to observe how the phrase "Truly I say to you" is used elsewhere in Scripture. This phrase, which translates the Greek words "amen soy lego" occurs 74 times in the Gospels and is always used as an introductory expression. It is somewhat similar to the Old Testament phrase "Thus says The Lord." Jesus used this phrase to introduce a truth that was very important.
In 73 out of 74 times the phrase occurred in the Gospels, the New World Translation places a break (such as a comma) immediately after the phrase, "Truly, I tell you." Luke 23:43 is the only occurrence of this phrase in which the New World Translation does not place a break after it. Why? Because if a break, such as a comma, was placed after "Truly I say to you" the word "today" would then belong to the second half of the sentence, indicating that "today" the thief would be with Jesus in Paradise. But this would go against Watchtower theology. Hence they relocated the comma.
Any Jehovahs Witness can see for themselves by looking at all the "Truly I say to you" phrases Jesus said and that in only one place does the NWT not put it directly after the phrase. One must wonder why?
"Truly I say to you today" does not even make good sense: it would have been needless to say, "Today, I am telling this to you." Of course He was! What other day would He have been speaking to the thief on? Jesus never added the word 'today' when speaking to anyone. Would Jesus ever say anything so redundant?
This thief believed that Jesus would eventually come into His Kingdom at the end of the world. He therefor asked to be remembered by Jesus at that time. Jesus' reply however, promised him more than he had asked for: "Today (not just at the end of the world) you will be with me in Paradise."
It is clear that Luke 23:43 argues strongly against the Watchtower position that there is no immaterial nature that consciously survives death. As true with other Bible verses, a thorough look at the text unmasks the Watchtower deception.
 

Pegg

Jehovah our God is One
Yes some did fizzle out but others are still in existence. If you are going to use the fallacy of blessing, time of existence, and the extent of preaching the gospel (the gospel is much more than just the kingdom) as a gauge for the "true" church, I can think of a few who far surpass your organization in one and or all three. The point is Rutherford, your current sects founder, apostasized from the teachings of Russell and formed his own church. The very concept for which you condemn Christendom! That is being hypocritical to say the least. The very character trait condemned by Christ of the Pharisees. And as has been demonstrated in a prior reply to JD, (point 20 here) that is indicative of the character your organization exemplifies.

Some teachings of the Rutherford era were later altered by those who came after him...things have always been changing. We dont even have a single director today as they did in the past....does that mean that we have apostatized from them?

Not at all. It means our organsiation and its leading men are willing to submit to newer understandings and better ways of doing things. Its a progressive organisation. Its not stagnant like the churches who are still stuck in the dark ages with their stubborn traditions, old ideas and stale ruling elite. I believe our organsiation is led by holy spirit...i believe it follows that leading which is why it changes and improves along the way.
 

Pegg

Jehovah our God is One
Lol, I couldn't have expected any less of a JW. Look at my post very carefully, did I say Jesus didn't know God's name? I said He never used it. It never came out of His mouth. As recorded in the scriptures.

I agree with your evidence of the devine name, but it wasn't JEHOVAH, that is not God's name! The word JEHOVAH never came out of the mouth of anyone in the 1st century.

Well no of course not. they spoke Hebrew and Greek

The name of God in those languages is יהוה and Ιεχωβά
 

Pegg

Jehovah our God is One
LMBO!! Your "EVIDENCE"

*** w08 8/1 p. 20 Should the Name Jehovah Appear in the New Testament? ***


Early Jewish writings indicate that Jewish Christians used the divine name in their writings. The Tosefta, a written collection of oral laws completed by about 300 C.E., says with regard to Christian writings that were burned on the Sabbath: “The books of the Evangelists and the books of the minim [thought to be Jewish Christians] they do not save from a fire. But they are allowed to burn where they are, . . . they and the references to the Divine Name which are in them.” This same source quotes Rabbi Yosé the Galilean, who lived at the beginning of the second century C.E., as saying that on other days of the week “one cuts out the references to the Divine Name which are in them [the Christian writings] and stores them away, and the rest burns.” Thus, there is strong evidence that the Jews living in the second century C.E. believed that Christians used Jehovah’s name in their writings.


You know in your heart this cannot be used as "TRUE" evidence. It could be "adjusted" tomorrow. Nothing the WT publishes can be used as proof of anything, because they could receive "NEW LIGHT" at any time.

NO, the Tosfefta law book of the jews is not going to change. This reference to the Christian writings with the divine name contained in them is still going to be there in years to come.
 
Top