The underlying assumption of the apostasy is that if the Watchtower falls short to a significant degree then it cannot be Jehovah’s organization. That’s why apostates are hopeful that if enough fault can be found with the organization and brought to the attention of the faithful, then they too will accept the conclusion that Jehovah’s Witnesses are not who we say we are. Unquestionably, many have been stumbled over a multitude of stumbling blocks. But, when faced with error or hypocrisy within the organization the question, though, ought to be: Does the mere existence of a potential stumbling block mean that the Jehovah’s Witnesses do not have God’s backing? The only persons that can really answer that question are Jehovah and Christ.
According to Jesus stumbling blocks are inevitable. That means that there are going to be errors and transgressions that have the potential to stumble others off the path. Furthermore, Jesus said that things that cause stumbling would exist within his kingdom up until the time that he sends forth his angels to take care of business. Matthew 13:41 says that during “the conclusion of the system of things the Son of man will send forth his angels, and they will collect out from his kingdom all things causing stumbling and persons doing lawlessness.” That prophecy proves that there will be numerous things that cause stumbling within the true religion right up until the moment that Christ arrives for the judgment of his household.
Jehovah’s judgment of his organization is in recognition of the fact that his people have caused others to stumble. For example, Ezekiel 36:15 says: ‘“And I shall cause no further humiliating talk by the nations to be heard concerning you, and reproach by the peoples you will no more bear, and your nations you will no more cause to stumble,’ is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah.”’ Jehovah’s word is consistent with the reality before us. Because of numerous failed prophetic interpretations, the bad publicity due to mishandled child-abuse cases, the Watchtower’s association with the United Nations as an NGO, and any number of other scandals, have surely provided the basis for all sorts of “humiliating talk” concerning Jehovah’s Witnesses---both now and going forward. As the prophecy foretells, so we see, that such things constitute enormous stumbling blocks for the very people of the nations that we seek to convert to our faith.
What’s the solution? Before God grants entry into his new world, His purpose is to judge his people and administer the proper degree of punishment and ultimately to purge his organization of all corruption. Jeremiah 46:28 is Jehovah’s assurance that he will not abandon His people because of their transgressions, it reads: “As for you, do not be afraid, O my servant Jacob…for I am with you. For I shall make an extermination among all the nations to which I have dispersed you, but with you I shall make no extermination. YET I SHALL HAVE TO CHASTISE YOU TO THE PROPER DEGREE, AND I SHALL ABSOLUTELY NOT LEAVE YOU UNPUNISHED.” Gulp!
But, for those who want to remain in the faith, but who are having a hard time reconciling all the inconsistencies and error that we are confronted with, the Bible provides a satisfying answer. Given the fact that God’s prophetic word recognizes that his witnesses in covenant with him inadvertently cause some to stumble due to our own folly and error, it completely demolishes the reasoning of our apostate enemies. Rather than our many errors proving that we are a false religion, as our enemies contend, because of the fact that God’s word foretells this very scenario, instead it lends weight to the evidence that we are serving God’s purpose. No doubt the apostate will insist that the Watchtower is evil and cannot possibly be Jehovah’s organization and protest that the Bible can be used to prove anything. But, the truth is that Jehovah’s judicial decisions regarding His people are simply incomprehensible to our enemies. So, while God’s word plainly states how God is going to deal with his somewhat wayward organization, apostates are by no means guilt free. Proverbs 4:16 is right on the mark in assessing the way apostate Dubs think, where it says: “Their sleep has been snatched away unless they cause someone to stumble.” While the Watchtower has undeniably set numerous potential stumbling blocks before the brothers, apostates are zealous to exploit and advertise these in an effort to set the stumbling blocks before as many as possible.
In Jesus’ prophecy of the last days he foretold that many would be stumbled, and yet the Psalms says that for those loving God’s law there is no stumbling block. That means that the very thing that stumbles some doesn’t faze others. Truly, God’s law recognizes that His organization is not measuring up to his standards and it outlines how Jehovah proposes to rectify the situation. So, those who love God’s law can look beyond the error that Satan wants us to focus on, and can see the solution to the paradox that confronts us.
/ You Know