Dear A & W,
I haven't been on the forum for a few days, so I am late to read your request for information. I haven't taken the time to read everyones reply, but you may find this informatin very helpful (Thanks to Shauns research!!), as there are many places that you can click on the large "dot" and see the scan of where the Society put in print some interesting statements on this topic. I hope this helps. We will all be anxiously awaiting to hear how it goes. Perhaps you could tape it with a pocket voice activated tape recorder. We got ours at Best Buy. Anyhow..good luck!!
http://www.jwfiles.com/false-prophets.htm
Sincerely,
Lady Liberty
When you see this button
The quotes in Purple and Red are from me.
The quotes in Black and Blue are from the Watchtower Society.
The Watchtower Society says
they are not a False Prophet
The Society published an article in the March 22, 1993 Awake magazine titled " Why So Many False Alarms", in the article the Society tried to explain why they are not a false prophet. Lets take a look at the article and see their explanations and what they have been claiming all through their history.
William Miller, generally credited with founding the Adventist Church, is quoted as saying: “I am fully convinced that sometime between March 21, 1843, and March 21, 1844, according to the Jewish mode of computation of time, Christ will come.” Does the failure of such predictions to come true convict as false prophets those who made them, within the meaning of Deuteronomy 18:20-22?That text reads: “The prophet who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded him to speak or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die. And in case you should say in your heart: ‘How shall we know the word that Jehovah has not spoken?’ when the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah and the word does not occur or come true, that is the word that Jehovah did not speak.”
There are some who make spectacular predictions of the world’s end to grab attention and a following, but others are sincerely convinced that their proclamations are true. They are voicing expectations based on their own interpretation of some scripture text or physical event. They do not claim that their predictions are direct revelations from Jehovah and that in this sense they are prophesying in Jehovah’s name. Hence, in such cases, when their words do not come true, they should not be viewed as false prophets such as those warned against at Deuteronomy 18:20-22. In their human fallibility, they misinterpreted matters.
They were told not only to be on the watch and to be prepared but also to watch with eagerness. Romans 8:19 says: “For the eager expectation of the creation is waiting for the revealing of the sons of God.” Human nature is such that when we fervently hope and yearn for something and wait in eager expectation of it, a powerful temptation arises within us to see it at the door even when the evidence is insufficient. In our eagerness false alarms may be sounded.
[Footnotes]
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. 4:18)”—February 15, 1981, page 19.
Awake 3/22/1993 Pages 3 & 4
The Society said in the above article: " Never did they say, 'These are the words of Jehovah.' " Is this a true full statement? Lets take a look at some of their literature to find the answer.
The Society claims to speak in Jehovah's name.
11 So God’s servants know what this world’s rulers do not. They know Jehovah’s purposes and his seasons. First Peter 1:11 says that, in the past, God’s servants “kept on investigating what particular season or what sort of season the spirit in them was indicating.” With God’s spirit indicating this, the apostle Paul could say to true fellow worshipers: “You people know the season.” (Romans 13:11) Since Jehovah’s servants of today obey him as ruler,God’s holy spirit also reveals to them what season it is from his viewpoint. Amos 3:7 says: “The Sovereign Lord Jehovah will not do a thing unless he has revealed his confidential matter to his servants the prophets.” Watchtower 86 4/15/1986 Page 18, Par 11
27 For nearly 60 years now the Jeremiah class have faithfully spoken forth Jehovah’s Word. Of its own self that Word has not burned up the combustible organizations of Christendom; nor has it smashed to pieces the mountainlike system of things. Yet the divine Word as proclaimed by the Jeremiah class is not a failure. When, at Jehovah’s due time, in the “great tribulation,” that spoken Word is carried out by him, then his own question will be answered affirmatively: “‘Is not my word correspondingly like a fire,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘and like a forge hammer that smashes the crag?’” (Jer. 23:25) So let us keep faith in that Word. 28 Unlike the clergy class, those of the Jeremiah class have been sent by Jehovah to speak in his name. Nevertheless, the clergy prophets also claim to speak in his nameand, hence, to tell the Bible truth. In this way Christendom’s religious leaders really ‘steal’ away the force and effect of the calamitous message proclaimed by the Jeremiah class. True, the Jeremiah class back up their message by quoting the words, “This is what Jehovah has said.” But the clergy try to add weight and the ring of truth to what they preach by affixing the words, “An utterance!” Seemingly they speak from God. So they may use a Bible text as a pretext for preaching about politics or even war propaganda. Yet Jehovah is against such clergy prophets whom he did not send forth from his intimate group and who ‘steal’ words from his Bible in order to make a wrong application of them.—Jer. 23:30, 31. Watchtower 9/1/1979 Pages 29 & 30, Par 27, 28, More accurately, was there any group on whom Jehovah would be willing to bestow the commission to speak as a “prophet” in His name, as was done toward Ezekiel back there in 613 B.C.E.? What were the qualifications? Watchtower 3/15/1972 Page 189
He had a “prophet” to warn them. 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. They are still proclaiming a warning, and have been joined and assisted in their commissioned work by hundreds of thousands of persons who have listened to their message with belief. Watchtower 4/1/1972 Page 197
16....Whom could the real "chariot" of Jehovah's organization roll up to and confront that He might bestow upon this qualified one the commission to speak as a prophet in the name of Jehovah? Ah, there was a group whose members had suffered religious persecution during World War I. Who were they? The Modern-Day "Ezekiel"
17 They were a small minority group of men and women who had dedicated themselves to Jehovah.....
"The Nations shall know that I am Jehovah" -How? 1971 Pages 58-62,
The Society claims they have special knowledge and angelic transmission.
...transmission of information to God’s anointed people...the angels transmit this information, we know that they do it; the scriptures and the facts show that it is done.....convey the thoughts to their minds........To all on the outside of the organization of Jehovah his is a secret organization.
....Preparation 1933 Pages 36,37 & 64
See the original scanned copy of the quote for yourself : ANGELIC TRANSMISSION.
The Society said in the March 22, 1993 Awake magazine " In their human fallibility, they misinterpreted matters" and "The brothers preparing these publications are not infallible. Their writings are not inspired. " Why is it, when the Society gets caught making false predictions, suddenly they are just human and simply make mistakes?
THE Creator, Jehovah God, knows exactly what will take place in the future. He is “the One telling from the beginning the finale.” (Is. 46:10) Being “perfect in knowledge,” he knows the details about the “finale” of this system of things at the coming “great tribulation.” (Job 37:16; Matte. 24:21) Because he is a God of love, he reveals enough of these details to those who serve him loyally that they can be properly informed,upbuilt and protected. The Bible states: “The Sovereign Lord Jehovah will not do a thing unless he has revealed his confidential matter to his servants the prophets.”—Amos 3:7. 2 Thus, God gives his humble servants special knowledge that others do not have. As the apostle Paul said: “This wisdom not one of the rulers of this system of things came to know . . . For it is to us God has revealed them through his spirit.” (1 OCR. 2:8-10) Having advance knowledge from Jehovah, his servants are equipped—indeed, commissioned, by God—to herald throughout the world the warning of this systems approaching end, along with the comforting message of the new order.—Matt.24:14. Watchtower 10/15/1980 Page 17
See the article on SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE
The Society claims they are our Mother and the beloved wife of Jehovah.
15 When we consider the tender care of our heavenly Father as manifested through his loving, motherly organization, how can our hearts but be refreshed and warmed with an overflowing appreciation? When we taste the rich and sumptuous food he provides and observe the careful attention to detail with which our mother has served it, how can we speak anything but praise for such worthy parents? And when we truly see the great motherly organization of God arrayed with the heavenly light of truth and righteousness, walking in the pathway of divine light, with perfect organizational light brightening and adorning her mind, how happily we can exclaim: ‘This woman is the spouse of the universal King of whom it is written, “God is light,” and in her heavenly position she can worthily bring forth his royal heavenly creation.’ What a privilege to be her children and to share in the beautiful name she bears, “Jehovah our righteousness”! (Jer. 33:16, AS) And what a joy is ours in reflecting on high the divine light beaming down upon us from her royal person as we welcome all lowly-hearted ones from the dark corners of the world to come out into the brightness of Jehovah’s pleasure and bask in the warmth of his smiling approval! 16 With thankful hearts we acknowledge God’s mercy and gratefully and willingly show our respect for Jehovah’s organization, for she is our mother and the beloved wife of our heavenly Father, Jehovah God. Watchtower 5/1/1957 Pages 284 & 285 Par 15 & 16 These words were addressed to God’s “woman”, that is to say, Jehovah’s Theocratic organizationcalled “Zion” which brings forth those who become the spiritual children of God. Watchtower 9/1/1950 Page 279
The Father is the great Provider of spiritual food, and he delegates to his organization the duty of preparing and serving this life-sustaining “meat in due season”. The table is the Lord’s, he sits at the head, and the children seated at the table are waited on and served and helped by the mother organization. Watchtower 9/15/1950 Page 326
The Society claims Jehovah has touched their lips and put his words in their mouths.
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. All the preaching and all the Bible educational work that they have done till now in 175 countries and islands of the sea they confess has been, not by help of a military army, nor by human power, but by God’s spirit, his invisible active force. (Zech. 4:6, AV) It has been because Jehovah thrust out his hand of power and touched their lips and put his words in their mouths. It has evidently been because he commissioned them to be over the nations and over the kingdoms. Happy are all those who have seen what the work of Jehovah God for now is and who have volunteered to do it. Watchtower 1/15/1959 Pages 40 & 41 Par 13 & 14
24 No obstacle put in His way by the enemies will prove to be insurmountable for Jehovah. Just as at Mount Sinai He put his word in the mouth of his chosen people through the mediator Moses and thereafter he led them under the protective shadow of his hand into the Promised Land, so he has done for the remnant of spiritual Israel.He has put his word, his message of the hour, into the mouth of the spiritual remnant for them to confess openly before all the world, for their own salvation and for that of responsive hearers. A “great crowd” of “other sheep” have acted favorably upon what they have heard and have taken God’s word into their mouth. Because all of these have become his Christian witnesses, Jehovah covers them with the shadow of his hand for their protection in this world. Holy Spirit- The Force Behind the Coming New Order! 1976 Pages 175 & 176 Par 24
The Society claims they are the official mouthpiece and channel of Jehovah.
7 Let us now unmistakably identify Jehovah’s channel of communication for our day, that we may continue in his favor. Listen to the inspired answer to the situation, in Matthew 24:45-47 (NW): “Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics to give them their food at the proper time? Happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so. Truly I say to you, He will appoint him over all his belongings.” And has he? Yes, particularly since 1919 has it been true that he has appointed the collective body of the anointed remnant over all the visible interests of the Kingdom. The “slave” then became responsible not only for ministering to the needs of the anointed body members but also for taking on the responsibility of preaching the good news of the established Kingdom to people of all nations. (Matt. 24:14) Such is true not by their determination of it, but because God himself has so directed. “God has set the members in the body, each one of them, just as he pleased,” is the way it is pictured in 1 Corinthians 12:18 (NW). It is vital that we appreciate this fact and respond to the directions of the “slave” as we would to the voice of God, because it is His provision. Watchtower 6/15/1957 Page 370
The Society has made these statements about False Prophets.
22 Jehovah, the God of the true prophets, will put all false prophets to shame either by not fulfilling the false prediction of such self-assuming prophets or by having His own prophecies fulfilled in a way opposite to that predicted by the false prophets. False prophets will try to hide their reason for feeling shame by denying who they really are. Paradise Restored to Mankind By Theocracy 1972, Pages 353 & 354
29 How will Jehovah show that such clergy prophets are fakes? By not fulfilling what they announce to be “an utterance!” or what they presume to speak in his name. He does not back up their falsehood. “‘Here I am against the prophets of false dreams,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘who relate them and cause my people to wander about [going astray] because of their falsehoods and because of their boasting.’ ‘But I myself did not send them or command them. So they will by no means benefit this people,’ is the utterance of Jehovah.” (Jer. 23:32) Too bad for the people! Watchtower 9/1/1979 Page 30, Par 29
The Society itself has been responsible for many predictions of impending destruction, dating from 1914 to the present day. Jehovah has not seen fit to fulfill what they have announced or presumed to speak in his name. Read their claims for yourself.
1. Zion’s Wt,1/15/1892,pg1355reprint ... “battle” is definitely marked in Scripture as October, 1914. 2. The Time is at Hand 1908,pg101 ....the “battle of the great day of God Almighty” (Rev.16:14) which will end in A.D. 1914, with the complete overthrow of earth’s present rulership, is already commenced. 3. The Finished Mystery 1917, pg 398,399,485 .... ........the people who are the strength of Christendom shall be cut off in the brief but terribly eventful period beginning in 1918 A.D. A third part are “burned with fire in the mist of the city.” .....After 1918 the people supporting churchianity will cease to be its, supporters, be destroyed as adherents,...Also in the year 1918, when God destroys the churches wholesale and the church members by the millions.... 4. Vindication 1, 1931,pg146,338,339 ..... ....years 1914,1918 and 1925 ..... they also learned to quit fixing dates for the future and predicting what would come to pass on certain dates.... 5. Wt,9/15/41,pg288 ...in the remaining months before Armageddon. 6. Wt,5/1/68,pg273 Chart of dates 1975 end of 6th 1000-year day...2975 end of 7th 1000-year day.... 7. Aw,1/22/69,pg16 Other Bible prophecies clearly foretell God’s purpose to bring this wicked system to an end in a few years. 8. Aw,5/22/69,pg15 If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will never grow old in this present system of things. .....all evidence in fulfillment of Bible prophecy indicates that this corrupt system is due to end in a few years. ....as a young person you will never fulfill any career that this system offers. If you are in high school and thinking about a college education, it means at least four, perhaps even six or eight more years to graduate into a specialized career. But where will this system of things be by that time? It will be well on the way toward its finish, if not actually gone! 9. Wt,10/15/69,pg622,623 ....seventh millennium from man’s creation by Jehovah God would begin in less than ten years. 10. The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah,1971,pg 216 Shortly, within our twentieth century, the "battle in the day if Jehovah" will begin against modern antitype of Jerusalem, Christendom. 11. Wt,1/1/89,pg12The apostle Paul was spearheading the Christian missionary activity. He was also laying a foundation for a work that would be completed in our 20th century. (This quote was later changed in the WT bound volume to: He was also laying a foundation for a work that would be completed in our day.) 12.In 1995 the generation of 1914 that would not pass away has changed to a contemporary generation.
The Society acknowledges that Christendom is not inspired.
Over the years, as adjustments have been made to that body of truth, it has become ever more wonderful and applicable to our lives in these “last days.” Bible commentators of Christendom are not inspired either. Despite their claims to great knowledge, they have failed to highlight even basic Bible truths—such as the coming Paradise earth, the importance of God’s name, and the condition of the dead. Watchtower 2/15/81 Page 19
The part about Christendom not being inspired, is very interesting, because, the Society still refers to Christendom as a False Prophet. The use of the word either implies that the Society is not claiming to be inspired, any more so than other Bible commentators are inspired. The article in the March 22, 1993 Awake says the Society is not inspired:
Footnote Section: “TheWatchtower 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 ....
Awake 3/22/1993 Page 4
The Society said others who predicted the end of the world are guilty of false prophesying.
True, there have been those in times past who predicted an “end of the world”, even announcing a specific date. Some have gathered groups of people with them and fled to the hills or withdrawn into their houses waiting for the end. Yet, nothing happened. The "end" did not come. They were guilty of false prophesying.
Awake 10/8/68 page 23
Society says they are not a false prophet even though they made false predictions.
They do not claim that their predictions are direct revelations from Jehovah and that in this sense they are prophesying in Jehovah’s name. Hence, in such cases, when their words do not come true, they should not be viewed as false prophets such as those warned against at Deuteronomy 18:20-22. In their human fallibility, they misinterpreted matters.
[Footnotes]
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.
Awake 3/22/1993 Pages 3 & 4
As individuals, people make assumptions, state their beliefs, and even make predictions, which may prove to be true or false. When stressing the claims the Society has made, they elevate themselves to a special status, such as "God’s only channel", "God's beloved wife", "God’s woman", "Jehovah’s theocratic organization called Zion", "our mother", "our parents along with Jehovah", and so on. In elevating themselves up on this pedestal and prophesying these untruths such as the 1914, 1915, 1925, 1943 & 1975 predictions for Armageddon, they are guilty of the most serious of sins, false prophesying. When an organization encourages others to accept their dictates as God-given truth and behave according to certain expectations, then promises rewards for doing so, and negative consequences for failure to do so, then that organization assumes at least some responsibility for what happens to the people who actually follow them. Accepting the role of leader implies some responsibility to the followers. The Society claims at times to be acting as God's special representative on earth, but when faced with their failed predictions, then they are just imperfect men, carried away by eager expectation. They claim that Jehovah has "touched their lips and put his word into their mouths". But, the God of the Bible is not a God of confusion; He does not lie; He does not light our paths with blinking, flashing, or partial light. (See scriptures below for Jehovah's perfect attributes.) Jehovah has commanded us from the Bible to stay away from such ones making such false predictions. (For additional information, see my (Research Outline. )
Jehovah's perfect attributes.
*** Rbi8 Numbers 23:19 *** 19 God is not a man that he should tell lies, Neither a son of mankindthat he should feel regret. Has he himself said it and will he not do it,And has he spoken and will he not carry it out? *** Rbi8 Psalm 19:6-9 ***
7 The law of Jehovah is perfect, bringing back the soul.The reminder of Jehovah is trustworthy, making the inexperienced one wise.8 The orders from Jehovah are upright, causing the heart to rejoice;The commandment of Jehovah is clean, making the eyes shine.9 The fear of Jehovah is pure, standing forever. The judicial decisions of Jehovah are true; they have proved altogether righteous. *** Rbi8 Deuteronomy 32:4 ***
4 The Rock, perfect is his activity, For all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness, with whom there is no injustice;Righteous and upright is he. *** Rbi8 Malachi 3:6 ***
6 “For I am Jehovah; I have not changed.
*** Rbi8 Hebrews 6:18 ***
18 in order that, through two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie,
What does the Bible have to say about such ones making false predictions?
*** Rbi8 Deuteronomy 18:20-22 *** 20 “‘However, the prophet who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded him to speak or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet mustdie. 21 And in case you should say in your heart: “How shall we know the word thatJehovah has not spoken?” 22 when the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah andthe word does not occur or come true, that is the word that Jehovah did not speak. Withpresumptuousness the prophet spoke it. You must not get frightened at him.’ ** Rbi8 Matthew 12:36-37 ***
36 I tell YOU that every unprofitable saying that men speak, they will render an accountconcerning it on Judgment Day; 37 for by your words you will be declared righteous,and by your words you will be condemned.” *** Rbi8 1 John 4:1 ***
4 Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspiredexpressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophetshave gone forth into the world. ** Rbi8 Ezekiel 13:8-9 ***
8 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said: “‘For the reason thatYOU men have spoken untruth and YOU have visioned a lie, therefore here I am againstYOU,’ is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah.” 9 And my hand has come to beagainst the prophets that are visioning untruth and that are divining a lie. In the intimate group of my people they will not continue on, and in the register of the house of Israel they will not be written, and to the soil of Israel they will not come; and YOU people will have to know that I am the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, *** Rbi8 Matthew 7:15-16 ***
15 “Be on the watch for the false prophets that come to YOU in sheep’s covering, butinside they are ravenous wolves. 16 By their fruits YOU will recognize them. Never dopeople gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, do they? *** Rbi8 2 Peter 2:1 ***
2 However, there also came to be false prophets among the people, as there will alsobe false teachers among YOU. These very ones will quietly bring in destructive sects andwill disown even the owner that bought them, bringing speedy destruction upon themselves. *** Rbi8 Ephesians 5:6-10 ***
6 Let no man deceive YOU with empty words, for because of the aforesaid things thewrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not becomepartakers with them; 8 for YOU were once darkness, but YOU are now light inconnection with [the] Lord. Go on walking as children of light, 9 for the fruitage of thelight consists of every sort of goodness and righteousness and truth. 10 Keep onmaking sure of what is acceptable to the Lord;
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