I never sent my previous resposne after my phone conversation with my Dad. I have written this response instead:
I read through your comments and considered them carefully.
I want to focus on one issue – who will die at Armageddon.
Last year when I said that the Watchtower teaches only Jehovah’s Witnesses will survive Armageddon, you said that your understanding was different to mine. When I spoke to you on the phone on Monday and I asked if the Watchtower teaches that only Jehovah’ witnesses will survive Armageddon you replied ‘No’.
I believe you are wrong - the Watchtower does teach that only Jehovah’s Witnesses will survive Armageddon and it can proved with its publications.
In 1989 the Watchtower states in clear language that only Jehovah’s Witnesses have any hope surviving Armageddon:
"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." Watchtower 1989 Sep. 1 p.19
In 1983 the Watchtower stated that to receive everlasting life a person must identify Jehovah’s organisation and serve as part of it.
"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." Watchtower 1983 Feb. 15 p.12
The Watchtower clearly identifies itself as Jehovah’s organisation and to state otherwise would be disingenuous.
The above quotes quite clearly show that the Watchtower teaches only Jehovah’s Witnesses will survive Armageddon. You have told me that you do not have to be a Jehovah’s Witness to survive Armageddon.
Is you understanding of the Bible different to the Watchtower’s understanding?
If this is no longer the Watchtower’s understanding and teaching then you have to be able to demonstrate this to me with references to more recent Watchtower publications.
This quote from 2006 suggest that it is still a current teaching:
"During the final period of the ancient world that perished in the Flood, Noah was a faithful preacher of righteousness. (2 Peter 2:5) In these last days of the present system of things, Jehovah’s people are making known God’s righteous standards and are declaring good news about the possibility of surviving into the new world. (2 Peter 3:9-13) Just as Noah and his God-fearing family were preserved in the ark, survival of individuals today depends on their faith and their loyal association with the earthly part of Jehovah’s universal organization." (Watchtower 2006 May 15 p.22 "Are You Prepared for Survival?)
In fact, I included this 2006 Watchtower quote in my previous email and in your response, directly beneath it, you wrote ’correct’ indicating that you agree ‘survival depends on loyal association with Jehovah’s earthly organisation’.
This contradicts what you told me on the phone and in your previous email. If you do not have to be a Jehovah’s witness to survive Armageddon then how does survival depend on associating with the earthly part of Jehovah’s organisation?
These statements are contradictory
A) You do not have to be a Jehovah’s witness to survive Armageddon (your words)
B) Surviving Armageddon depends on loyal association with Jehovah’s earthly organisation
Please explain to me how you can hold two mutually exclusive beliefs?
I tried to keep it focused on one issue - like some of you have suggested. I have tried not to leave any wiggle room and used Watchtower quotes that talk in more certain terms.
The only thing I think he might say is try and side step the question by saying that generally the Watchtower's teaching often changes..
Any suggestions to tighten up the above?
