Comments You Will Not Hear at the 04-29-07 WT Study (March 15, 2007, pages 21-25)(ANGELS)
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www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bibleWT publications
www.reexamine.orgWT child abuse
www.silentlambs.orgBlood issue
www.ajwrb.orgUnited Nations
http://www.randytv.com/secret/unitednations.htm
ANGELS--HOW THEY AFFECT MANKIND
"After these things I saw another angel descending from heaven, with great authority ... And he cried out with a strong voice, saying: 'She has fallen! Babylon the Great has fallen!"'- REVELATION 18:1, 2.
Opening Comments
Angels are a topic that many books have been written about. While the Bible only mentions Michael and Gabriel, many other religious and historical sources mention others.
***
w9511/1p.5TheTruthAboutAngels***While Michael and Gabriel are mentioned in the Bible, the names of Raphael and Uriel appear in the Apocryphal books, which are not part of the Bible canon.
According to the WTS, angels
- are mortal but do not grow old and get sick
- are genderless but when materializing, materialize as human males
- can no longer materialize without God’s permission since the deluge
- can fly quickly but not instanteously from one point in the universe to the next
- transport prayers from humans to God
START OF ARTICLE
Q1, 2) What shows that Jehovah uses angels in carrying out his will?
- While in exile on the island of Patmos, the aged apostle John is favored with prophetic visions. He beholds thrilling events as "by inspiration" he comes to be in "the Lord's day." That day begins with the enthronement of Jesus Christ in 1914 and runs clear down to the end of his Thousand Year Reign.-Revelation 1:10.
"...1799 definitely marks the beginning of 'the time of the end'.... 'The time of the end' embraces a period from A.D. 1799, as above indicated, to the time of the complete overthrow of Satan's empire....we have been in 'the time of the end' since 1799" (The Harp of God, 1928 ed., pp. 235-36, 239).
The Lord’s Day
Does it start in 1874
*** Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence May 1 1881 ***
We would like to correct this misapprehension once for all, by stating that we do not expect Jesus to come this year, nor any other year, for we believe that all time prophecies (bearing upon Jesus’ coming) ended at and before the fall of 1874, and that He came there, and the second advent is now in progress and will continue during the entire Millennial age. We believe that his presence will be revealed to the eyes of men’s understandings gradually during this ‘Day of the Lord,’ (forty years - from 1874 to 1914,) as it now is to ours; except that we, discern it through the word of prophecy revealed by the Spirit, and they will recognize his presence by His judgment upon Nominal Zion, and the World.
Does it start in 1914
That day begins with the enthronement of Jesus
In 1914
In 1878
***
jvchap.28p.632TestingandSiftingFromWithin***Based on the premise that events of the first century might find parallels in related events later, they also concluded that if Jesus’ baptism and anointing in the autumn of 29 C.E. paralleled the beginning of an invisible presence in 1874, then his riding into Jerusalem as King in the spring of 33 C.E. would point to the spring of 1878 as the time when he would assume his power as heavenly King.
*** Studies in the Scriptures Vol.2, 1906 p.101 ***
The Kingdom of God is already begun, which is pointed out in prophecy as due to begin the exercise of power in A.D. 1878, and that the "battle of the great day of God Almighty" which will end in 1914 with the complete overthrow of the earth’s present rulership, is already commenced.
2) Jehovah God did not give this revelation directly to John. He used a channel. Revelation 1:1 states: "A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place. And he sent forth his angel and presented it in signs through him to his slave John." Jehovah, through Jesus, used an angel to make known to John the wonderful things regarding "the Lord's day." At one point, John also "saw another angel descending from heaven, with great authority." What was this angel's assignment? "He cried out with a strong voice, saying: `She has fallen! Babylon the Great has fallen!"' (Revelation 18:1, 2) This powerful angel was privileged to make an announcement about the fall of Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion. Thus, there can be no doubt that Jehovah uses angels in an important way in carrying out his will. Before examining in detail the role that angels play in God's purpose and how we are affected by them, let us consider the origin of these spirit creatures.
How Did Angels Come to Exist?
How did God give the revelation to John per the WTS.
God to Jesus to an angel to John
Based on this, do the angels give revelations to the "John class" which the WTS names the anointed?
*** w89 4/1 p. 12 par. 8 Hear What the Spirit Says to the Congregations ***
Today, this remnant makes up a John class that lives to see and participate in the fulfillments of many parts of Revelation.
*** w88 12/15 p. 13 par. 14 Angelic Messages for Our Day ***
to the anointed John class and its companions today.
***
rechap.3p.16par.6ThingsThatMustShortlyTakePlace***God had a channel for communicating Revelation in John’s day, and John was the earthly part of that channel. Likewise, God has a channel for giving spiritual nourishment to his ‘slaves’ today. In his great prophecy concerning the conclusion of the system of things, Jesus identified the earthly part of this channel as "the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time." (Matthew 24:3, 45-47) He uses this John class in unlocking the meaning of the prophecy.
Babylon the Great has fallen
Now one can argue all day about the 1st statement and not get anywhere, but it is the 2nd one that concerns us: Is it really so that this so-called "watchman class", those Bible Students who the Society now classes as "anointed Christians", announced in 1919 that "Babylon the Great has fallen"? No, it is not. The fact is that the Watchtower Society taught nothing about this whatsoever until 1963, when the book Babylon the Great Has Fallen! God's Kingdom Rules! was published. Thus it was in 1963, not 1919, that for the first time the Society began teaching that "Babylon the Great" fell in a spiritual sense in 1919. Therefore if one can say anything about this so-called "watchman class" and 1919 and "Babylon the Great", it would have to be that in 1963 the "watchman" announced that Babylon the Great fell in 1919. But since the above-quoted Watchtower gives the nearly certain impression that the "watchman" announced this in 1919, we can see that the WTS writer has told a baldfaced lie.
http://corior.blogspot.com/2006/02/latest-wts-lies.html
Q3) What misconception about angels do many people have?
3) Millions of people today believe that angels exist. But many have mistaken ideas about them and their origin. For example, some religious people think that when a loved one dies, that person is called to join God and becomes an angel. Is that what God's Word teaches about the creation, the existence, and the purpose of angels?
Some religious people believe that when a loved one dies….becomes an angel.
What does the Bible say? That Christians have the hope of being resurrected to live as spirits in heaven with God. The WTS also teaches that the 144,000 while becoming spirits after death have authority greater than angels.
(1 Corinthians 6:3) Do YOU not know that we shall judge angels?
Q4) What do the Scriptures tell us about the origin of angels?
4) The angel foremost in power and authority--the chief angel--is named Michael the archangel. (Jude 9) He is none other than Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 4:16) Countless ages ago when Jehovah purposed to be a Creator, the very first of his creations was this angelic Son. (Revelation 3:14) Later, through this firstborn Son, Jehovah created all other spirit creatures. (Colossians 1:1517) Referring to these angelic creatures as his sons, Jehovah asked the patriarch Job: "Where did you happen to be when I founded the earth? Tell me, if you do know understanding.... Who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars joyfully cried out together, and all the sons of God began shouting in applause?" (Job 38:4, 6, 7) Clearly, the angels are God's creation, and they came into existence long before humans.
Angel foremost in power and authority—the chief angel—is named Michael the archangel.
First, does anywhere in the Bible does it connect Michael and "archangel"?
(Jude 9) 9 But when Mi´cha·el the archangel had a difference with the Devil and was disputing about Moses’ body, he did not dare to bring a judgment against him in abusive terms, but said: "May Jehovah rebuke you."
Has the WTS taught that there is only one archangel?
Watchtower taught that very thing which they have subtly changed: 'Archangel is the name given to some of God's spirit creatures, which name signifies "first in rank"'. [Creation, 1927, 1,100,000 ed., p. 19]
The Strong's Dictionary defines Michael as an archangel [Strong's# 3413] and Gabriel as an archangel [Strong's# 1043].
But does it connect Jesus with the word "archangel"?
Another verse the Watchtower uses to prove that Jesus is Michael is found in 1Thessalonians 4:16. Here is what they say about that verse: 'At 1 Thessalonians 4:16 the voice of the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ is described as being that of an archangel, suggesting that he is, in fact, himself the archangel.' [INSIGHT TO THE SCRIPTURES, VOLUME 2, PAGE 393] The Watchtower has misinterpreted this text by suggesting Jesus is the archangel. Here is what that verse says: 'For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.' [1Thessalonians 4:16] Paul who wrote this epistle identifies three things happening in this verse at the same time when Jesus returns. Here Jesus shouts, a trump of God sounds, and the voice of an archangel is present with the Lords descension. The Watchtower says that Jesus and the archangel here are the same. If that is so, then not only is Jesus the archangel, but Jesus then would also be a trump of God.
http://www.livingwaters.com/witnessingtool/jehovahswitnesseswitnessingtips.shtml
Since the Watchtower Society speaks of "Jesus Christ, whom we understand from the Scriptures to be Michael the archangel" (The Watchtower, February 15, 1979, p. 31), put the JW on the spot and ask him to show you "the Scriptures" that say Jesus is Michael. There are none.
The Watchtower Society New World Translation (NWT) mentions Michael five times as: 1) "one of the foremost princes" (Dan. 10:13); 2) "the prince of [Daniel’s] people" (Dan. 10:21); 3) "the great prince who is standing in behalf of the sons of [Daniel’s] people" (Dan. 12:1); 4) "the archangel" who "had a difference with the devil and was disputing about Moses’ body" but "did not dare to bring a judgment against him in abusive terms" (Jude 9); and 5) a participant in heavenly conflict when "Michael and his angels battled with the dragon" (Rev. 12:7).
Ask the Jehovah’s Witness which one of these verses says that Michael is Jesus Christ. Help him to see that it is necessary to read Scripture plus a complicated Watchtower argument to reach that conclusion. Rather than being merely "one of the foremost princes," Jesus Christ is "Lord of lords and King of kings" (Rev. 17:14, NWT) and is "far above every government and authority and power and lordship and every name named, not only in this system of things, but also in that to come" (Ephesians 1:21, NWT). And, unlike "Michael who did not dare condemn the Devil with insulting words, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’" (Jude 9, Today’s English Version), Jesus Christ displayed His authority over the devil when He freely commanded him, "Go away, Satan!" (Matthew 4:10, NWT).In arguing that Jesus is Michael the archangel, the Watchtower Society also points to another verse that does not use the name Michael but says that "the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice and with God’s trumpet . . ." (1 Thessalonians 4:16, NWT). However, the expression "with an archangel’s voice" simply means that the archangel, like God’s trumpet, will herald the coming of the Lord, not that the Lord is an archangel. Point out to the JW that none of the verses he has attempted to use as proof-texts even comes close to stating that Jesus Christ is Michael the archangel. In fact, Scripture clearly teaches the opposite: namely, that the Son of God is superior to the angels. The entire first chapter of Hebrews is devoted to this theme.
Angelic sons, sons of God….did you know that the other sheep are not considered sons of God?
*** it-1 p. 605 Declare Righteous ***
So, because of his faith, Abraham was declared righteous asafriendofGod, not as a son of God because of being "born again" with heavenly life in view.
*** it-2 p. 999 Son(s) of God ***
Since Paul says that "the creation" is waiting for this revealing, and will then be "set free from enslavement to corruption and have the glorious freedom of the children of God," it is apparent that others aside from these heavenly "sons of God" receive benefit from their revelation in glory. (Ro 8:19-23)
*** w55 10/15 p. 629 par. 25 The Triumphant Message of "The Kingdom" ***This must mean, then, that the revelation of the sons of God in glory opens the way for others of the human family to enter into a relationship of actual sonship with God and to enjoy the freedom that accompanies such relationship.—See DECLARE RIGHTEOUS (Other Righteous Ones); GREAT CROWD.
There are also prospectiveearthly sons of God with us today, a constantly growing "great crowd" of them, who hope for life as His children in the glorious paradise of the "new earth."
*** w66 12/1 p. 726 par. 28 Freedom of Worship ***
Then in the new order under God’s kingdom there will be full, unhindered freedom for the worship of the true God through Jesus Christ. This true worship will give obedient men the liberty of the earthly sons of God, forever!*** w85 12/1 p. 18 pars. 19-20 Declared Righteous as a Friend of God ***
*** su chap. 13 p. 104 par. 14 A Time of Re-Creation ***Immediately after the Millennium, Christ will hand over to his Father a perfect human race. (1 Corinthians 15:28) "Satan will be let loose" for a decisive test of mankind. (Revelation 20:7, 8) The names of any who fail under test will not be "found written in the book of life." They will symbolically be "hurled into the lake of fire," which "means the second death."—Revelation 20:15; 21:8. Those who prove loyal to Jehovah will have their names indelibly written in the "book of life," as being perfect in integrity and worthy of the right to everlasting life on earth. Jehovah himself will then declare them righteous in the complete sense. (Romans 8:33) They will have been justified to life eternal. God will adopt them as his earthly sons, and they will enter into the promised "glorious freedom of the children of God." (Romans 8:20, 21)
Then, after passing a final test at the end of the thousand years, they will be adopted by Jehovah God through Christ as God’s own sons, as part of His perfect universal family.
*** uw chap. 24 p. 191 pars. 16-17 Jehovah’s Purpose Attains Glorious Success ***
Now perfected mankind will be given the opportunity to demonstrate that their unchangeable choice is to serve the only living and true God forever. Hence, before adopting them as his sons through Jesus Christ, Jehovah will subject all those perfected humans to a thorough, final test. Satan and his demons will be loosed from the abyss. This will result in no lasting harm to those who truly love Jehovah. But any who disloyally allow themselves to be led into disobedience to Jehovah will be forever destroyed along with the original rebel and his demons.—Rev. 20:7-10.
Jehovah will now lovingly adopt as his sons through Christ all the perfected humans who withstand that final, decisive test. They will then share to the full in the "glorious freedom of the children of God."(Rom. 8:21) They will at last become a part of God’s united, universal family, to all of whom Jehovah will forever be the only God, the Universal Sovereign, and their loving Father. Then all of Jehovah’s intelligent creation, in heaven and on earth, will once again be united in worship of the only true God.
Q5) How are angels organized?
5) "God is a God, not of disorder, but of peace," states 1 Corinthians 14:33. Accordingly, Jehovah has his spirit sons organized into three basic categories: (1) seraphs, who serve as attendants at God's throne, declare his holiness, and keep his people spiritually clean; (2) cherubs, who uphold Jehovah's majesty; and (3) other angels who carry out his will. (Psalm 103:20; Isaiah 6: 1-3; Ezekiel 10:3-5; Daniel 7:10) What are some ways in which these spirit creatures affect humans?-Revelation 5:11.
God is a God, not of disorder, but of peace
Do you know how many ways the WTS uses this scripture to apply to situations that have no scriptural basis?
"As in all the congregations of the holy ones, let the women keep silent in the congregations, for it is not permitted for them to speak."
Does that mean that they cannot comment at the meetings, give talks in the theocratic school? That early female anointed Christians could not prophesy, speak in tongues, or interpret or declare their hope?
*** w06 10/15 p. 20 par. 9 Weddings That Are Honorable in the Sight of God and Man ***
In addition to confirming that the couple have a good reputation, these overseers will make sure that the timing of the wedding will not interfere with the regular meetings and scheduled programs at the hall. (1 Corinthians 14:33, 40) They will also review any preparations of the hall that the couple may request and decide whether there will be an announcement made about its use
*** w98 10/1 p. 20 Local Cultures and Christian Principles—Are They Compatible? ***
Who of us likes to be kept waiting? In some lands this rarely happens because punctuality is considered important. The Bible tells us that Jehovah is a God of order. (1 Corinthians 14:33) Consequently, he has set a "day and hour" to end wickedness, and he assures us that this event "will not be late." (Matthew 24:36; Habakkuk 2:3) Cultures that promote reasonable punctuality help us to be orderly and to show proper respect for other people and their time, which is certainly in line with Scriptural principles.—1 Corinthians 14:40; Philippians 2:4.
*** w96 9/1 p. 20 par. 3 Living by the Law of the Christ ***
Indeed, Christians are obligated to observe all commands in the Bible that are directed to followers of Christ. And there is more. Jehovah’s organization, as well as individual congregations, has to establish necessary rules and procedures in order to preserve good order. (1 Corinthians 14:33, 40) Why, Christians could not even meet together if they had no rules as to when, where, and how to hold such meetings! (Hebrews 10:24, 25)
*** w94 6/15 p. 28 Looking With Appreciation Upon the "House of God" ***
Consistent with the name Bethel, good arrangement and organization characterize each of the departments. This promotes peace, makes effective preaching of the good news possible, and gives the congregations sound reason to hold the "House of God" in the highest esteem.—1 Corinthians 14:33, 40.three basic categories: (1) seraphs, who serve as attendants at God's throne, declare his holiness, and keep his people spiritually clean; (2) cherubs, who uphold Jehovah's majesty; and (3) other angels who carry out his will.
What happened to the 4 th category: archangels?
What Role Do Angels Play?
Q6) How did Jehovah use cherubs in connection with the garden of Eden?
6) The first direct reference to spirit creatures is made at Genesis 3:24, where we read: "[Jehovah] drove the man out and posted at the east of the garden of Eden the cherubs and the flaming blade of a sword that was turning itself continually to guard the way to the tree of life." These cherubs made it impossible for Adam and Eve to reenter their original garden home. That was at the beginning of human history. What role have angels played since then?
Genesis 3:24…posted at the east of the garden of Eden the cherubs
Ask yourself, was it impossible for Adam and Eve to enter Eden from another location?
Does the WTS teach that the tree life was literal or symbolic?
*** w85 12/1 p. 14 par. 4 Declared Righteous as a Friend of God ***
*** g76 4/22 pp. 8-9 What Man’s Maker Has in Mind ***under test, he would have received the right to everlasting life on earth. It would have been as if God had declared, or gone on record as stating, that Adam merited endless life. In symbol of this, Jehovah no doubt would have led him to "the tree of life" and allowed him to eat of its fruit.—Genesis 2:9, 16, 17; 3:22.
A "tree of life" in their delightful parklike home served as a symbolof the Creator’s unchangeable guarantee of life to those whom he judged worthy of partaking of its fruit.—Gen. 2:9; 3:22.
Wasn’t Jesus supposed to be with God when creation of humans began?
What about Lucifer, later called Satan and Devil, wasn’t he the covering cherub according to the WTS? Does the WTS teach that Satan is Lucifer today?
*** w50 6/1 p. 173 A Completely New World for This Globe ***
Covetousness and lawlessness entered the heart of the "anointed cherub", and since then he has been known by such names as the Devil, Satan, Dragon, Serpent and Lucifer.
*** w73 4/1 p. 209 par. 6 "Handling the Word of the Truth Aright" ***
Q7) What does the meaning of the original-language words for "angel" show about one of the roles angels play?Jehovah’s people, too, need to be cautious in the applying of scriptures so that they correctly present God’s Word in their preaching and teaching activity. As an example, take the statement that is sometimes made that one of the names given to Satan the Devil is Lucifer. It would not be correct to say that Satan the Devil is the one here called Lucifer as though it were one of his names.
7) Angels are mentioned nearly 400 times in the Bible. Both the Hebrew and the Greek words for "angel" can be translated "messenger." Angels have thus served as a means of communication between God and mankind. As noted in the first two paragraphs of this article, Jehovah used an angel to deliver his message to the apostle John.
Can be translated "messenger"…served as a means of communication between God and mankind
Notice how there was no need for the Messiah, Jesus, to act as a channel of communication; or did Jesus in his pre-human, angel days act as a means of communication per the WTS?
Why do angels not communicate with humans today face to face as they did with Abraham, Moses, and Manoah, and John?
(Genesis 18:1-3) 18 Afterward Jehovah appeared to him among the big trees of Mam´re, while he was sitting at the entrance of the tent about the heat of the day. 2 When he raised his eyes, then he looked and there three men were standing some distance from him. When he caught sight of them he began running to meet them from the entrance of the tent and proceeded to bow down to the earth. 3 Then he said: "Jehovah, if, now, I have found favor in your eyes, please do not pass by your servant.
Q8, 9) (a) How did visits from an angel affect Manoah and his wife? (b) What can parents learn from Manoah's encounter with God's angel?
8) Angels are also used to give support and encouragement to God's servants on earth. Back in the time of the Judges in Israel, for example, Manoah and his barren wife earnestly desired a child. Jehovah sent his angel to inform Manoah's wife that she would have a son. The account tells us: "Look! you will be pregnant, and you will certainly give birth to a son, and no razor should come upon his head, because a Nazirite of God is what the child will become on leaving the belly; and he it is who will take the lead in saving Israel out of the hand of the Philistines."-Judges 13:1-5.
Angels are also used to give support and encouragement to God's servants on earth
Once again angels appeared personally to humans…does the WTS suggest that angels do that today? To individual JWs; to anointed JWs?
*** w06 1/15 p. 5 Angels—How They Affect Us ***
Of course, since we do not see the angels, we cannot determine to what extent God uses them in helping people with various matters. But we know that Jehovah does "show his strength in behalf of those whose heart is complete toward him."Yet the WTS says they are unable to give a personal witness to each person even with the help of over 200 million angels .
*** w06 1/15 p. 6 Angels—How They Affect Us ***
Jehovah’s Witnesses see evidence of angelic direction as they carry out their door-to-door preaching work. They often contact individuals who were just praying for someone to help them understand God’s purposes
*** w97 8/15 p. 14 par. 11 Living for Today or for an Eternal Future? ***
*** w00 1/15 p. 13 par. 17 "Keep on the Watch" ***True, untouched territories still exist, and perhaps in Jehovah’s due time, a door of opportunity will open. (1 Corinthians 16:9) Still, Jesus’ words recorded at Matthew 10:23 are sobering: "You will by no means complete the circuit of the cities of Israel until the Son of man arrives." While the good news will surely be announced throughout the earth, we will not in person reach all parts of the earth with the Kingdom message before Jesus "arrives" as Executioner.
Nevertheless, the Bible does not state that Jehovah will wait until every individual on earth has received a personal witness. Rather, the good news must be preached to Jehovah’s satisfaction. Then the end will come.—Compare Matthew 10:23.
9) The wife of Manoah eventually gave birth to a son, Samson, who became famous in Bible history. (Judges 13:24) Before the child was born, Manoah requested that the angel return to them to instruct them as to what they ought to do in the upbringing of the boy. Manoah asked: "What will become the child's mode of life and his work?" Jehovah's angel repeated the instructions he had given to Manoah's wife. (Judges 13:6-14) How encouraged Manoah must have felt! Angels do not visit individuals in the same way today, but like Manoah, parents can seek Jehovah's mind when training their children.-Ephesians 6:4.
Did Manoah "request" or "pray" to the angel? Why did the angel give the instructions to the wife and why did they wife not share it with her husband?
Why do angels not visit individuals in the same way today? After all, he had the Law code.
How do the angels communicate with Christians or JWs today? They evidently talked to John, Mary Magdalene, John, etc., in the early Christian congregation?
*** w06 3/15 p. 14 Highlights From the Book of Job ***
1:7;2:2—DidJehovahspeaktoSatandirectly? The Bible does not give much detail about how Jehovah communicates with spirit creatures. However, the prophet Micaiah had a vision in which he saw an angel communicate directly with Jehovah. (1 Kings 22:14, 19-23) It would seem,then, that Jehovah talked to Satan without an intermediary.*** w91 5/1 pp. 10-11 par. 2 Become United by the Pure Language ***
Some years later the Christian apostle Paul spoke of "the tongues of men and of angels." (1 Corinthians 13:1) What does this indicate? Why, it shows that not only humans but also spirit persons have language and speech! Of course, God and the angels do not communicate with one another by using voices and language audible and understandable to us. Why not? Because an atmosphere such as that surrounding the earth is needed to propagate vocal sound waves that humans can hear and understand.more from an angel or a book that has been for more than 1,000 years at Manoah’s time.Do you think you would believe God’s words
*** w88 2/15 p. 13 par. 16 "Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled" ***
On occasion, Abraham enjoyed the privilege of communicating with Jehovah through angels. (Genesis 22:11-18; 18:1-33) Though that does not occur today, we are blessed with powerful aids that Abraham lacked. One is the complete Bible—an inexhaustible source of guidance and comfort. (Psalm 119:105; Romans 15:4)
[Picture on page 22] Manoah and his wife were encouraged by an angel
Q10, 11) (a) How were Elisha and his servant affected by the invading Syrian army? (b) How can we benefit from contemplating this event?
10) There was an impressive example of angelic support in the days of Elisha the prophet. Elisha was staying in Dothan, a city in Israel. One day when Elisha's servant got up early in the morning and looked outside, he saw that the city was surrounded by horses and war chariots. The king of Syria had sent a powerful military force to capture Elisha. How did Elisha's attendant react? Fearful, perhaps panic-stricken, he cried out: "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" To him, all seemed lost. But Elisha answered: "Do not be afraid, for there are more who are with us than those who are with them." What did he mean?-2 Kings 6:11-16.
Why was Elisha’s attendant the only one blessed with this vision. Hadn’t he see fire come down and consume the sacrifice and the Baal worshippers put to death? What about JWs today, what visions are they given? Do JWs get visions? Do they see the angels on war chariots surrounding the city? What about Malawi, Mozambique, Nazi Germany?
11) Elisha was aware that angelic hosts were present to support him. However, his servant saw nothing. So "Elisha began to pray and say: `O Jehovah, open his eyes, please, that he may see.' Immediately Jehovah opened the attendant's eyes, so that he saw; and, look! the mountainous region was full of horses and war chariots of fire all around Elisha." (2 Kings 6:17) The attendant could then see the angelic hosts. With spiritual insight, we too can perceive that angels, all under the direction of Jehovah and Christ, lend support and protection to Jehovah's people.
Why did his servant see nothing? Had he not seen the miracles of Elisha and Elijah? Will God open the eyes of JWs giving them spiritual insight? The attendant saw and did not just perceive.
What about the promise so many JWs were told, that they would live through Armageddon and never die?
*** w06 3/1 p. 12 Knowing What Is Right and Doing It ***
IN 1925, when I was three years old, my parents attended a Bible talk in our hometown of Newcastle, Australia. The talk, "Millions Now Living Will Never Die," convinced my mother that she had found the truth,
*** w05 4/15 p. 5 Taking in Knowledge—Now and Forever ***
All evidence shows that this "day" is very near, which means that you may "never die at all."—John 11:25-27.
*** w96 2/1 p. 31 My Lifelong Hope—Never to Die ***
Will I realize my lifelong hope of never dying? That, of course, remains to be seen.
*** w96 11/1 p. 12 par. 2 Sharing the Comfort That Jehovah Provides ***
How did you feel when you first learned of the possibility of never dying but of surviving into that coming earthly Paradise?
Angelic Support in the Time of Christ
Q12) What support did Mary receive from the angel Gabriel?
12) Consider the support that the virgin Jewess Mary received when hearing the news: "You will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you are to call his name Jesus." Just before delivering this startling message, the angel Gabriel, who was sent forth from God, said to her: "Have no fear, Mary, for you have found favor with God." (Luke 1:26,27,30,31) How Mary must have been encouraged and strengthened by these words that assured her of divine favor!
How would JWs today feel to have direct communication with an angel? What if a JW told the elders they had had direction communication with an angel today?
Q13) How did angels support Jesus?
13) Another instance of angelic support occurred after Jesus resisted the three temptations that Satan placed before Him in the wilderness. The account tells us that at the conclusion of the tests, "the Devil left him, and, look! angels came and began to minister to him." (Matthew 4:1-11) Something similar happened on the night before Jesus was to die. In anguish, Jesus bent his knees and began to pray, saying: "'Father, if you wish, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, let, not my will, but yours take place.' Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him." (Luke 22:42, 43) But what kind of angelic support do we have today?
The angels came to minister to Jesus. Yet, people today have to suffer persecution, stress and pressure without visually having any communication or contact with angels when pressured by Satan. Did Job have that kind of support?
[Picture on page 23] "There are more who are with us than those who are with them"
Angelic Support in Modern Times
Q14) What persecution have Jehovah's Witnesses had to endure in modern times, and what has been the result?
14) When we consider the modern-day history of the preaching work of Jehovah's Witnesses, do we not see evidence of angelic support? For example, Jehovah's people were able to withstand the onslaught of Nazism in Germany and Western Europe before and during World War II (1939-45). Under Catholic Fascist regimes in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, they had to withstand persecution even longer. And for decades, they endured persecution in the former Soviet Union and its satellite nations. Not to be overlooked is the persecution that the Witnesses have endured in some African nations.* (Footnote: * For detailed accounts of these waves of persecution, see the Yearbook o f Jehovah's Witnesses for 1983 (Angola), 1972 (Czechoslovakia), 2000 (Czech Republic), 1992 (Ethiopia), 1974 and 1999 (Germany), 1982 (Italy), 1999 (Malawi), 2004 (Moldova), 1996 (Mozambique), 1994 (Poland), 1983 (Portugal), 1978 (Spain), 2002 (Ukraine), and 2006 (Zambia).) In more recent times, Jehovah's servants have suffered ferocious persecution in the country of Georgia. Satan has done everything in his power to put an end to the activity of Jehovah's Witnesses. Yet, as an organization, they have survived such opposition and have prospered. This is, in part, due to the protective shield that the angels have provided.-Psalm 34:7; Daniel 3:28; 6:22.
Were the JWs (Bible Students" the only ones who withstood terrible persection, beatings, starvation, beheadings, hangings, shoved into ditches alive?
As an organization, they have survived as have other organizations and prospered. How arrogant are "Jehovah’s servants (only JWs)" when it comes to thinking they are the only religious groups that have been true to God.
Q15, 16) What angelic support do Jehovah's Witnesses receive in their worldwide ministry?
15) Jehovah's Witnesses take to heart their commission to preach the good news of God's Kingdom earth wide and to make disciples by teaching Bible truth to interested people everywhere. (Matthew 28:19, 20) However, they are well-aware that they cannot fulfill this commission without support from the angels. Therefore, what is stated at Revelation 14:6, 7 has been a constant source of encouragement to them. There we read: "I [the apostle John] saw another angel flying in midheaven, and he had everlasting good news to declare as glad tidings to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people, saying in a loud voice: `Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of the judgment by him has arrived, and so worship the One who made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters."'
Do they take to heart their commission to preach?
They are well-aware that they cannot fulfill this commission without support from the angels.
*** w00 1/15 p. 13 par. 17 "Keep on the Watch" ***
Nevertheless, the Bible does not state that Jehovah will wait until every individual on earth has received a personal witness. Rather, the good news must be preached to Jehovah’s satisfaction. Then the end will come.—Compare Matthew 10:23.
Even with 200 million angels the WTS will not be able to reach each person.
*** w97 8/15 p. 14 par. 11 Living for Today or for an Eternal Future? ***
Still, Jesus’ words recorded at Matthew 10:23 are sobering: "You will by no means complete the circuit of the cities of Israel until the Son of man arrives." While the good news will surely be announced throughout the earth, we will not in person reach all parts of the earth with the Kingdom message before Jesus "arrives" as Executioner.These words clearly show that the great worldwide evangelizing work of Jehovah's Witnesses has angelic backing and direction.
A Dramatic Role in the Near Future
Q17) How did the Assyrians fare against just one angel?
17) In addition to serving as messengers and strengthening aids to Jehovah's worshippers, angels serve another purpose. In times past, they carried out divine judgments. Back in the eighth century B.C.E., for example, Jerusalem was threatened by a vast horde of Assyrian soldiers. How did Jehovah respond? He said: "I shall certainly defend this city to save it for my own sake and for the sake of David my servant." The Bible account tells us what happened: "It came about on that night that the angel of Jehovah proceeded to go out and strike down a hundred and eightyfive thousand in the camp of the Assyrians. When people rose up early in the morning, why, there all of them were dead carcasses." (2 Kings 19:34, 35) How puny man's armies are when compared with the strength of just one angel!
Angels serve another purpose…carried out divine judgments.
Yes, they will kill the 6.5 billion non-JWs, men, women, and children that they were unable to direct JWs to.
Yes, the angels can kill 185,000 people in one night, soldiers armed to kill the Israelites, but not save 6.5 billion men, women and innocent children.
Q18, 19) What dramatic role will angels play in the near future, and how will that affect mankind?
18) Angels will serve as God's executional forces in the near future. Very soon now, Jesus will come "with his powerful angels in a flaming fire." Their mission will be to bring "vengeance upon those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus." (2 Thessalonians 1:7,8) What an effect this action will have on mankind! Those who refuse to respond to the good news of God's Kingdom now being declared earth wide will suffer destruction. Only those who seek Jehovah, righteousness, and meekness will be "concealed in the day of Jehovah's anger" and be unharmed. -Zephaniah 2:3.
Yes, angels will execute the 6.5 billion non-JWs, men, women, and innocent babes who do not know the biblical interpretation of the WTS. And what about the bloodguilt of the WTS who have failed to warn excusing themselves as not being able to reach everyone even with the help of over 200 million angels.
Yes, if you are not a JW be aware that you are doomed for destruction as well as your children.
*** w57 7/1 p. 416 Announcements ***
It is only true worshipers of Jehovah today,those who learn of God’s gracious provision for safety and act on it, who will receive his protection at the war of Armageddon. To be under that protection means life; to be outside it means death.
*** w89 9/1 p. 19 par. 7 Remaining Organized for Survival Into the Millennium ***
Only Jehovah’s Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the "great crowd," as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil. (Revelation 7:9-17; 2 Corinthians 4:4) They will make up the "flesh" that Jesus Christ said would be saved through the worst tribulation of all human history.
*** w51 10/15 p. 616 Jehovah’s War of Armageddon ***
The carnage and destruction of Armageddon will be so awesome that it will defy human description. Already the carrion birds and wild beasts of the forest and zoos have been invited to banquet upon the many millions of carcasses of men, women and children of the high and mighty as well as of those who slavishly serve them
*** w60 1/15 p. 55 This Is a Time of Judgment ***
Parents who reject the good news of the Kingdom and who ignore the good principles and wonderful purposes of Jehovah God cannot expect their minor children to survive the execution of divine judgment.What Did You Learn?
• How did angels come into existence?
• How were angels used in Bible times?
• What does Revelation 14:6, 7 reveal about the activity of angels today?
• What dramatic role will angels play in the near future?
Concluding Comments
So many questions and so few answers from the WTS. Did angels convey words of Rutherford books? What about the book about Angels? Do you have a copy? Not me. If you have some old quotes, please share them.
Angels (booklet): w34 322
Isn’t there another book from an outside source.
'Archangel is the name given to some of God's spirit creatures, which name signifies "first in rank"'. [Creation, 1927, 1,100,000 ed., p. 19]If you have some accounts of how non-JW groups have shown courage, please do.
Love, Blondie