JW1983 - JWs are NOT false prophets
Jehovah’s Witnesses, in their eagerness for Jesus’ second coming, have suggested dates that turned out to be incorrect. Because of this, some have called them false prophets. Never in these instances, however, did they presume to originate predictions ‘in the name of Jehovah.’ Never did they say, ‘These are the words of Jehovah.’ The Watchtower, the official journal of Jehovah’s Witnesses, has said: “We have not the gift of prophecy.” (January 1883, page 425) “Nor would we have our writings reverenced or regarded as infallible.” (December 15, 1896, page 306) The Watchtower has also said that the fact that some have Jehovah’s spirit “does not mean those now serving as Jehovah’s witnesses are inspired. It does not mean that the writings in this magazine The Watchtower are inspired and infallible and without mistakes.” (May 15, 1947, page 157) “The Watchtower does not claim to be inspired in its utterances, nor is it dogmatic.” (August 15, 1950, page 263) “The brothers preparing these publications are not infallible. Their writings are not inspired as are those of Paul and the other Bible writers. (2 Tim. 3:16) And so, at times, it has been necessary, as understanding became clearer, to correct views. (Prov. 4:1
Have not Jehovah’s Witnesses made errors in their teachings?
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not claim to be inspired prophets. They have made mistakes. Like the apostles of Jesus Christ, they have at times had some wrong expectations.—Luke 19:11; Acts 1:6.
The Scriptures provide time elements related to Christ’s presence, and Jehovah’s Witnesses have studied these with keen interest. (Luke 21:24; Dan. 4:10-17) Jesus also described a many-featured sign that would tie in with the fulfillment of time prophecies to identify the generation that would live to see the end of Satan’s wicked system of things. (Luke 21:7-36) Jehovah’s Witnesses have pointed to evidence in fulfillment of this sign. It is true that the Witnesses have made mistakes in their understanding of what would occur at the end of certain time periods, but they have not made the mistake of losing faith or ceasing to be watchful as to fulfillment of Jehovah’s purposes. They have continued to keep to the fore in their thinking the counsel given by Jesus: “Keep on the watch, therefore, because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.”—Matt. 24:42.
Matters on which corrections of viewpoint have been needed have been relatively minor when compared with the vital Bible truths that they have discerned and publicized. Among these are the following: Jehovah is the only true God. Jesus Christ is not part of a Trinitarian godhead but is the only-begotten Son of God. Redemption from sin is possible only through faith in Christ’s ransom sacrifice. The holy spirit is not a person but is Jehovah’s active force, and its fruitage must be evident in the lives of true worshipers. The human soul is not immortal, as the ancient pagans claimed; it dies, and the hope for future life is in the resurrection. God’s permission of wickedness has been because of the issue of universal sovereignty. God’s Kingdom is the only hope for mankind. Since 1914 we have been living in the last days of the global wicked system of things. Only 144,000 faithful Christians will be kings and priests with Christ in heaven, whereas the rest of obedient mankind will receive eternal life on a paradise earth.
Another factor to consider regarding the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses is this: Have these truly uplifted people morally? Are those who adhere to these teachings outstanding in their communities because of their honesty? Is their family life beneficially influenced by applying these teachings? Jesus said that his disciples would be readily identified because of having love among themselves. (John 13:35) Is this quality outstanding among Jehovah’s Witnesses? We let the facts speak for themselves. - Reasoning Book.
Why have there been changes over the years in the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses?
The Bible shows that Jehovah enables his servants to understand his purpose in a progressive manner. (Prov. 4:18; John 16:12) Thus, the prophets who were divinely inspired to write portions of the Bible did not understand the meaning of everything that they wrote. (Dan. 12:8, 9; 1 Pet. 1:10-12) The apostles of Jesus Christ realized that there was much they did not understand in their time. (Acts 1:6, 7; 1 Cor. 13:9-12) The Bible shows that there would be a great increase in knowledge of the truth during “the time of the end.” (Dan. 12:4) Increased knowledge often requires adjustments in one’s thinking. Jehovah’s Witnesses are willing humbly to make such adjustments. - Reasoning Book
TODAY’S PROPHETIC MESSAGE
The basic message of the ancient Hebrew prophets applies even today. As in the past, Jehovah God does not look with approval upon the lawlessness, violence, injustice and oppression that continue to increase in various parts of the earth. In his Word, Jehovah God has decreed to bring all wickedness to its end. Says the Bible: “God’s wrath is being revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who are suppressing the truth in an unrighteous way.” (Rom. 1:1
Is this news not something to be proclaimed today? But who should be making it known? Would you not expect the ones doing so to be persons who conduct themselves much like the ancient Hebrew prophets? They should be persons who themselves uphold the righteous standards of God’s Word and urge others to do the same. They should be giving warning about the coming execution of wickedness and should be pointing to a glorious future in a righteous new order.
From what you have seen, are the churches of Christendom really striving to help people to change their ways? Or, have you not, rather, found that clergymen often tolerate all kinds of wrongs among their church members as long as they are receiving their pay?
What about the group known as Jehovah’s Christian witnesses? Many people have come to appreciate that there is a marked difference between Jehovah’s Witnesses and the churches of Christendom. They have found that the Witnesses insist that those actively associating with them live by the Bible. Have you also noted this about Jehovah’s Witnesses? If so, are you acting on what you have observed by sharing with them in helping others to live in harmony with God’s ways? - W76, 9/15, page 15[edit] [delete] Posted at 12:49 - 27/06/2007
amboy50 -
Hi,
Good post. IMHO, the test of false prophets are in the following:
1. Deut 13:1-5 predictions of false prophets may come true. they may even do miracles. But, their fruitage is to lead people away from worshipping Jehovah.
2. Matthew 7:16-23. They call Jesus lord, perform miracles, but do not do the will of his father--instead they do wicked things.
Against these standards, JWs are not false prophets. Our fruitage are for the world to see: former criminals turn around completely. As well, JWs have restored basic biblical teachings and rejected pagan beliefs.
However, opposers have applied to us Deuteronomy 18:20-22 which in essence says:'when a prophet speaks in my name...and what he says does not come true then it is not the LORD's message...do not fear him.' ( Today's English Version)
Then, they mention our "failed prophecies" 1925, 1975, etc.
Yes, you are correct in your observation. Our org did not say that the LORD said that Armageddon or the end of this world will come in 1975. Even some opposers admit that WT did not claim that Jehovah mentioned those dates. These dates are mere fallible--and should we say erroneous calculations--of some brothers.
And, come to think of it even true prophets of God made mistakes like: Jonah, Nathan, etc.
Deuteronomy 29:29,30 (Jerusalem Bible) says: "things hidden belong to Yahweh our God but things revealed are ours and our children's for all time, so that we may observe all the words of this Law...if you return to Yahweh your God..then he will have pity on you and gather you once again out of all peoples where Yahweh has scattered you."
Question to readers: (1) who among the religious organizations of this world has tried to conform their teachings--even correcting erroneous ones--according to the Bible? (2) who among religious organizations in the world today have brought together peoples of different races, nationalites and cultures, and united them in worshipping Jehovah? (3) who among religious organizations can truly be said to conform to the 2 greatest commandments--love God and love your neighbor?[edit] [delete] Posted at 08:13 - 02/07/2007
Setting dates is not being a prophet or prophesying.
Since Deut 18:22 has been fulfilled in Jesus, those believing in Jesus can not be false prophets in fulfillment of it or accusation of it.
APOLOGIES by real JW's: JW's are NOT False Prophets
by Terry 36 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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Terry
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WTWizard
Setting dates is not a prophesy? This may be OK if it was just once and it was by lower members. But how does this explain setting 1874, 1914, 1915, 1918, 1920, 1925, 1941, 1975, and by the time the generation that (saw 1914), (was alive in 1914) all died off as dates for Armageddon? And they had word that it would be wise to sell out, go deep into debt, and pioneer since you will be in the new order before the balloon comes due? This has happened every time! Each time, they blew it.
And they were not merely off by a couple of years, either. They were looking for the end since 1914, and each time they set a new date, the same thing happened. Zilch. All it did was to build up membership ahead of the date (which was what they wanted), only to have it dwindle after (which they blamed the victims for). I wonder how many are locked in this cult because of the 1975 bulls***, including children born in it. Or 1941, or 1925... Remember, children were born in that had no choice, but then could not leave without big punishment coming.
And what about this being the worst time ever? It is true that crime rates are rising today. But they are merely coming back up to levels where they were during the 1800s, not to new highs. And they are nothing like the Dark Ages, when people had to build walled castles with moats to protect themselves, and sometimes still got burgled and robbed, kidnapped, and killed. Diseases were rampant then, and poverty and stagnation were worse then than any other time in history including now. And the wars, famines, and plagues killed more people per 100,000 alive during the Dark Ages than now. I would say that things now are significantly better than they were back in the Dark Ages.
There are whole web sites full of nothing but blown prophesies of the Watchtower Society. Anyone who still thinks the Witlesses are not false prophets, as a group, ought to have a word with Danny Haszard. He will quickly set the matter straight--He himself was a victim of the 1975 scam.
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heretic
*** Watchtower 1972 April 1 p.197 'They Shall Know that a Prophet Was Among Them' ***
People today can view the creative works. They have at hand the Bible, but it is little read or understood. So, does Jehovah have a prophet to help them, to warn them of dangers and to declare things to come?IDENTIFYING THE "PROPHET"
These questions can be answered in the affirmative. Who is this prophet? ... This "prophet" was not one man, but was a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah's Christian witnesses. ... Of course, it is easy to say that this group acts as a "prophet" of God. It is another thing to prove it. The only way that this can be done is to review the record.*** Watchtower 1959 January 15 pp.39-41 Down with the Old—Up with the New! ***
... but, Who will be Jehovah's prophet to the nations, to speak to them everything that He should command? Who will be the modern Jeremiah? ... So who will prophesy with his message in this time of the end of the nations of this world? ... How was the question answered? ... The fact that decides the answer to the question is, not, Do all the clergy of Roman Catholicism and of Protestantism agree that Jehovah's witnesses have been and are God's prophet to the nations? but, Who discerned the divine will for Christians in this time of the world's end and offered themselves to do it? Who have undertaken God's foreordained work for this day of judgment of the nations? Who have answered the call to the work and have done it down till this year 1958? Whom has God actually used as his prophet?
14 By the historical facts of the case Christendom is beaten back in defeat. Jehovah's witnesses are deeply grateful today that the plain facts show that God has been pleased to use them. ... It has been because Jehovah thrust out his hand of power and touched their lips and put his words in their mouths...
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heretic
the problem is everytime you hear about the 1975 or 1925 predictions being fobbed off, 1914 is always mentioned and talked about like its set in stone and this great insider info theyve got. the point being how could someone who knows nothing about the witnesses but is reading up on them possibly think about joining when they weigh up this track record. 607? 1914? it could all be wrong. It just cant be proved wrong yet.
name one prediction/date/prophesy whatever that HAS come true, thats my challenge.
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Bonnie_Clyde
Thanks Terry for finding that. That Watchtower was quoting from Fred Franz' talk during the 1958 international convention in New York City. I sat there for 8 mind-numbing days believing I was in a spiritual paradise. And I spent another 40 mind-numbing years following the dictates of this silly religion.
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Bonnie_Clyde
Whoops! It was Heretic that I was responding to his quote from the January 1959 WT.
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bethlehem
"Are we to assume from this study that the battle of Armageddon will be all over by the autumn of 1975, and the long-looked-for thousand-year reign of Christ will begin by then? Possibly. . . . It may involve only a difference of weeks or months, not years."
--Watchtower 8/15/1968, p.499
according to them : Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the righteous is like the bright morning light, growing brighter and brighteruntil full day.OK it is as simple as this:
before sunrise you see on hill something like a Cube....more light...its a house....more light.. it has six windows...more light ....windows are blue...etc.
they see a cube.. more light...no its a pyramid...more light...it is a cube with three red windows...more light..it is a pyramid with ten blue windows...does this make sense?
when the light is brighter you see the same thing onle clearer, not a completely different thing.
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OnTheWayOut
Watch for definitions like these:
Pedophile- a child molester that does not seek Jehovah's Kingdom. Those molesters
that do serve Jehovah are merely "off the mark" of perfection, awaiting Jehovah's removal
of their imperfection.Discreet- humbly able to admit the need to call yourself "not infallible" and to say that
anything I say today is "spirit directed" but anything I said yesterday is "not inspired." -
DannyHaszard
Jehovah's Witnesses have predicted the end of the world many times,when they deny they lie. http://jehovahwitness.vox.com/ http://www.dannyhaszard.com/colitis.htm
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Pubsinger
Matters on which corrections of viewpoint have been needed have been relatively minor when compared with the vital Bible truths that they have discerned and publicized. Among these are the following:
Jehovah is the only true God.
Jesus Christ is not part of a Trinitarian godhead but is the only-begotten Son of God.
Redemption from sin is possible only through faith in Christ’s ransom sacrifice.
The holy spirit is not a person but is Jehovah’s active force,
and its fruitage must be evident in the lives of true worshipers.
The human soul is not immortal, as the ancient pagans claimed; it dies, and the hope for future life is in the resurrection.
God’s permission of wickedness has been because of the issue of universal sovereignty.
God’s Kingdom is the only hope for mankind.
Since 1914 we have been living in the last days of the global wicked system of things.
Only 144,000 faithful Christians will be kings and priests with Christ in heaven, whereas the rest of obedient mankind will receive eternal life on a paradise earth.
Not particularly wanting to debate doctrine, but 5 out of 10 points could easily be wrong from a believers perspective.