Looking for quote from WT...please help

by mavie 16 Replies latest watchtower bible

  • UnDisfellowshipped
    UnDisfellowshipped

    The Watchtower Society puts out two (or more) views on nearly all of their controversial teachings. That way they can emphasize the one view to their members (i.e.: If you leave the Watchtower Organization you will be destroyed), but they can also show the other view to outsiders in order to look more mainstream, more like a regular non-cult religion (i.e.: Other people may be saved, it is up to God, not us, to judge).

    Here is a quote from their brochure from 2000 called "Jehovah's Witnesses -- Who Are They? What Do They Believe?", Page 29:

    "Do they believe that they are the only ones who will be saved?

    No. Millions that have lived in centuries past and who were not Jehovah’s Witnesses will come back in a resurrection and have an opportunity for life. Many now living may yet take a stand for truth and righteousness before the “great tribulation,” and they will gain salvation. Moreover, Jesus said that we should not be judging one another. We look at the outward appearance; God looks at the heart. He sees accurately and judges mercifully. He has committed judgment into Jesus’ hands, not ours.—-Matthew 7:1-5; 24:21; 25:31."

    Compare that quote with this quote:

    "Our Kingdom Ministry", November 1972, Page 8:

    "The Bible makes plain that it is only those calling on “the name of Jehovah” who will be saved. But, “how will they call on him in whom they have not put faith? How, in turn, will they put faith in him of whom they have not heard? How, in turn, will they hear without someone to preach?”-—Rom. 10:13, 14."

    Here are some more quotes which say that ONLY Jehovah's Witnesses will be saved:

    The Watchtower, February 1, 1981 Issue, Pages 23-24:

    "However, is it only those who claim to be Christian who are facing the threat of destruction at the end of this system of things? No, but all other religionists are, also those who refuse to join any part of organized religion. Earth’s Creator, Jehovah God, knows this. He would rather not destroy the world of mankind. His prime desire is that as many of them as possible should be saved from eternal destruction and should prove worthy of life in his righteous new system of things. In that behalf he has had his warning sounded out far and wide.

    13 Mercifully he notified first the “slave” class, as pictured by Ezekiel. Thus he made this class his composite “watchman.” This “watchman” class is especially charged with sounding the divine warning. Because of their timely warning more and more people are being enabled to hear and to act upon what they hear, with hope of being spared clear through the old world’s end. As for those refusing to heed the God-given warning, their blood will be upon their own heads."
    ------------------------------------------------------------

    The Watchtower, November 1, 1997 Issue, Page 7:

    "Would you like to live in such a world? Only those who adhere to God’s requirements will do so, and his requirements are clearly set out in the Bible. (John 17:3; Acts 2:38-42) Jehovah’s Witnesses will be happy to help you to learn what God requires so that you can hope to enjoy life forever in a truly united world."
    -----------------------------------------------------

    The Watchtower, August 1, 1992 Issue, Page 30:

    "The best place to be during the stormy times that lie ahead is within Jehovah’s organization, safe under his protection. Only those who take refuge in Jehovah have a firm hope of being hidden from his wrath on the great day of his anger.—-Zephaniah 2:2, 3."
    -----------------------------------------------------

    The Watchtower, March 1, 1991 Issue, Page 7:

    "This coming expression of God’s anger, which the Bible calls Armageddon, will unquestionably demonstrate that he does indeed exist. Only those who accept his sovereignty will survive that event."
    -----------------------------------------------------

    The Watchtower, February 1, 1987 Issue, Page 11:

    "How would you react if you knew that many people, including some who were close to you, would soon perish in that tribulation? Would you be eager to help? Recall Ezekiel’s prophetic vision of the man with the secretary’s inkhorn. He was told that only those who had received the symbolic mark on their forehead would survive the destruction of Jerusalem, and he was the one to administer that lifesaving mark. How did he respond? “I have done just as you have commanded me,” he reported.—Ezekiel 9:1-11.

    Are you manifesting the same willingness and eagerness as the man clothed with linen, doing just as Jehovah has commanded? What has Jehovah commanded? Through his Son, Jesus Christ, he has given the order: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, . . . teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19, 20) This is as much a lifesaving work as the symbolic marking of the foreheads in Ezekiel’s day. Anyone who does not respond and become a disciple of Jesus Christ will suffer destruction at the hand of God’s Chief Executioner. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-8) Do you sense the urgency? Do you show it by manifesting an eagerness to declare the good news?"
    -----------------------------------------------------

    The Watchtower, December 15, 1987 Issue, Page 7:

    "Being at the “corners” of the earth, the angels are in position to loose destructive “winds” from all directions. No area of the earth will be spared, which will mean “harm,” or destruction, for this wicked system and all its supporters. God’s angels are thus described as ready to go into action when the signal is given!-—Revelation 7:3; 19:11-21.

    The destructive “harm,” though, is to be on only those who do not respond to the angelically backed message now being preached earth wide. It will not harm those who are searching for God and who listen to the Kingdom message. They will be preserved, as God’s Word says: “Seek Jehovah, all you meek ones of the earth . . . Seek righteousness, seek meekness. Probably you may be concealed in the day of Jehovah’s anger.”-—Zephaniah 2:3. [...]

    So, then, the question you need to ask is: ‘What will be my future?’ The answer depends on how you react to angelic direction. Will you listen and respond when you are presented with the message that they are backing? If you do, you will be among those who can look forward with confidence to the future, having God’s sure promise: “The world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever.”—-1 John 2:17."
    ------------------------------------------------------

    The Watchtower, March 1, 1984 Issue, Page 8:

    "Only those who, as worshipers of Jehovah, have heeded his counsel to “seek peace and pursue it” will be delivered during the great tribulation that will then engulf mankind.—-1 Peter 3:11; Revelation 17:1, 2, 16; 18:24."

  • Hellrider
    Hellrider

    Mavie, this is one of the topics that interests me the most too. Take a look at my thread:

    http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/12/120907/1.ashx

    Jws are lying a lot about this lately. All of a sudden "we don`t know who will survive Armageddon, only Jehovah knows"...but the truth is that this is just the pr-friendly version of "the truth"then one they serve on a silver platter to the media and when confronted with "opposers". The real truth is the one you presented. This whole lying, lying, lying about what they truly believe, is, in my opinion, a direct result of the "theocratic warfare"-crap that they started teaching in the 70s and 80s. From then on, it was ok to lie, lie, lie, as long as it served "the truth". Take a look at my thread, it`s not long.

  • undercover
    undercover
    Here is a quote from their brochure from 2000 called "Jehovah's Witnesses -- Who Are They? What Do They Believe?", Page 29:

    "Do they believe that they are the only ones who will be saved?

    No. Millions that have lived in centuries past and who were not Jehovah’s Witnesses will come back in a resurrection and have an opportunity for life. Many now living may yet take a stand for truth and righteousness before the “great tribulation,” and they will gain salvation. Moreover, Jesus said that we should not be judging one another. We look at the outward appearance; God looks at the heart. He sees accurately and judges mercifully. He has committed judgment into Jesus’ hands, not ours.—-Matthew 7:1-5; 24:21; 25:31."

    This is JW propaganda at its best. Notice the question wasn't, "Do they believe that only they will survive Armageddon?". By phrasing the question the way they did, they were able to sidestep the argument that only JWs will survive Armageddon.

    They leave salvation open for people who existed before JWs (though in the strictest JW teachings, JWs have existed since Abel) and then they leave hope for those that aren't currently JWs but might become one before the big "A"...and then they throw in that bit about not judging people to throw off the criticism.

  • stevenyc
    stevenyc

    Sometimes its easier to direct Jehovah's Witnesses to the official site, so here are a few for you.

    http://www.watchtower.org/library/dg/article_11.htm: God's people are now being trained for everlasting life in the new world. They are learning the spiritual and other skills needed to develop a paradise. We urge you to choose God as Ruler and support the lifesaving work he is having done throughout the earth today. Study the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses, and come to know the God who really cares about you and who will bring an end to suffering. In this way you too can become part of the foundation of the new world. Then you can confidently look forward to gaining God's favor and living forever in that marvelous new world

    http://www.watchtower.org/library/lmn/article_11.htm: Your urgent need now is accurate knowledge. (1 Timothy 2:4; John 17:3) Where can you get this? Can it be found in just any religion? Some people say all religions lead to the same goal, just as all paths on a mountain lead to the summit. How mistaken they are! In order to find the right path, mountaineers use maps, and they hire guides. Likewise, there is only the one religion of truth that will lead to everlasting life, and guidance is needed to find it

    http://www.watchtower.org/library/rq/article_05.htm7: God's original purpose for the earth will thus succeed. Would you like to share in these future blessings? If so, you need to keep learning about Jehovah and obeying his requirements. Attending meetings at the local Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses will help you to do so

    http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2004/6/1/article_02.htm: If you want to please God, religious affiliation is vital—but not with just any religious group or denomination. You need to base your choice of religion on accurate Bible knowledge, not on unproved dogmas or hearsay. (Proverbs 16:25) Learn the requirements for true religion. Compare them with your own beliefs. Then choose accordingly
    The above article references the follow url...

    http://www.watchtower.org/library/rq/article_13.htm: 1. Jesus started one true Christian religion. So today there must be just one body, or group, of true worshipers of Jehovah God.

    http://www.watchtower.org/e/20000215/article_02.htm: May we never be tempted to venture into the danger zone for whatever reason our mind might come up with, since the day we cross the line back into the world could be the day of Jehovah. Take refuge along with Jehovah's people and stay with them.

    And the OFFICAL belief is this:

    They believe that there is only ONE religion. However, the dead will be resurected and judged, and INDIVIDUALS of existing religions MAY survive if God feels that their heart condition warrents it. The distiction is subtle, and has been used resently by Mr Brown.

    http://www.watchtower.org/library/jt/article_08.htm
    Do the Witnesses believe that their religion is the only right one?
    Anyone who is serious about his religion should think that it is the right one. Otherwise, why would he or she be involved in it? Christians are admonished: "Make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine." (1 Thessalonians 5:21) A person should make sure that his beliefs can be supported by the Scriptures, for there is only one true faith. Ephesians 4:5 confirms this, mentioning "one Lord, one faith, one baptism." Jesus did not agree with the modern, relaxed view that there are many roads, many religions, all leading to salvation. Instead, he said: "Narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it." Jehovah's Witnesses believe that they have found it. Otherwise, they would look for another religion.—Matthew 7:14.

    Do they believe that they are the only ones who will be saved?
    No. Millions that have lived in centuries past and who were not Jehovah's Witnesses will come back in a resurrection and have an opportunity for life. Many now living may yet take a stand for truth and righteousness before the "great tribulation," and they will gain salvation. Moreover, Jesus said that we should not be judging one another. We look at the outward appearance; God looks at the heart. He sees accurately and judges mercifully. He has committed judgment into Jesus' hands, not ours.—Matthew 7:1-5; 24:21; 25:31.

    steve

  • Hellrider
    Hellrider

    Undercover: Yup, and to the trained eye, that passage actually confirms the doctrine that you have to be a jw to survive Armageddon! Let`s look at this part in particular:

    No. Millions that have lived in centuries past and who were not Jehovah’s Witnesses will come back in a resurrection and have an opportunity for life. Many now living may yet take a stand for truth and righteousness before the “great tribulation,” and they will gain salvation.

    What this passage says is that: "Millions living in centuries past and who were not jws, will be ressurected. After all, they died before Armageddon came, and have, by their death, paid for their sins. Death is the wages of sin. And so, they will be ressurected and given another chanse. And "Many now living may yet take a stand for truth and righteousness before the “great tribulation,” and they will gain salvation", and taking "a stand for truth" means one and one thing only: To become a Jehovahs Witness.

    Oh, how sickening this twisting of words is! It literally turns my stomach! This sneaky, sneaky detestable way of twisting their "truth" when presenting it to outsiders, is a relatively new development among the jws. My grandmother, who became a jw in the 50s, was never like this. She was very clear on it, always, only jws would survive, according to her. She never lied about her belief. But then came the "theocratic warfare-strategy" in the 70s and 80s, and everything turned even more sinister.

  • Little Bo Peep
    Little Bo Peep

    Just posted this information to another question about "salvation". Hope some of it helps.

    *** w50 6/1 176 Letter ***

    The Battle of Armageddon will be likewise a physical catastrophe to this present evil world, and not something just spiritual. The ark of salvation that we enter is not a literal ark but is God’s organization;

    *** w81 11/15 21 'Stay Awake and Keep Your Senses' ***

    18 We can expect a similar expansion of our preaching activity now, at this climax of the ages. No doubt, before the "great tribulation" is finished, we will see the greatest witness to God’s name and kingdom in the history of this world. And while now the witness yet includes the invitation to come to Jehovah’s organization for salvation...

    *** w83 2/15 12-13 You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth-But How? ***

    A third requirement is that we beassociatedwithGod’schannel, his organization. God has always used an organization. For example, only those in the ark in Noah’s day survived the Flood, and only those associated with the Christian congregation in the first century had God’s favor. (Acts 4:12) Similarly, Jehovah is using only one organization today to accomplish his will. To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it.

    *** w90 11/1 26 Our Relative Subjection to the Superior Authorities ***

    We cannot take part in any modern version of idolatry—be it worshipful gestures toward an image or symbol or the imputing of salvation to a person or an organization. (OOPS! Where did this come from???)

    *** w93 9/15 22 They Compassionately Shepherd the Little Sheep ***

    But if we were to draw away from Jehovah’s organization, there would be no place else to go for salvation and true joy.

  • Dismembered
    Dismembered

    Greetings mavie,

    (bangs head against wall)

    Hopefully it's padded, as you'll be doing that often in trying to "shovel shit against the tide" a.k.a reason with dubs.

    Dismembered

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