Below are several different Threads I have posted on JWD in the past about my Lord Jesus Christ. I have updated them and added more information, and I am posting them all on one big Thread here. I hope you enjoy!
The Watchtower Society says that Jesus Christ is a liar!
By UnDisfellowshipped ( [email protected] ), January 5th 2003 (Updated March 27th 2003).
Here is BIG CONTRADICTION between the Watchtower and the Bible:
The Watchtower Society says that Jesus Christ was Resurrected as a "Spirit Creature" and that He no longer had His Body because Jehovah (The Father) "zapped" His Body out of existence.
The Watchtower Society teaches that Jesus was resurrected as a SPIRIT and WAS NOT resurrected in His Physical Body.
Jesus Christ said: "See My hands and My feet, that it is truly Me. Touch Me and see, for a spirit doesn't have flesh and bones, as you see that I have." (Luke 24:39)
Jesus must have told the Apostles a DIRECT LIE in Luke 24:39 about NOT being a spirit, if the Watchtower is correct.
So, according to Watchtower Doctrine, Jesus "materialized" a fake body with fake holes in His fake hands and a fake hole in His fake side in order to LIE TO and DECEIVE the Apostles into believing that He was resurrected in His Body, but in actuality Jehovah had already zapped Jesus' Body and turned it into gases.
So, Official Watchtower Doctrine says that Jesus Christ LIED to the Apostles.
Try using this when a Jehovah's Witness comes knocking on the door -- I would love to hear their reply.
"The Atonement Between God and Man" ("Studies in the Scriptures" Volume 5), 1899, Page 454:
"...the man Jesus is dead, forever dead..."
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"The Kingdom is at Hand", 1944, Page 259:
"...the bodies in which Jesus manifested himself to the disciples after his return to life were not the body in which he was nailed to the tree."
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"The Watchtower", October 1st 1955 Issue, Page 518:
"...[Jesus Christ's original human body] was disposed of by Jehovah God, dissolved into its constituent elements or atoms."
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"Things in Which it is Impossible for God to Lie", 1965, Page 354:
"The human body of flesh, which Jesus Christ laid down forever as a ransom sacrifice, was disposed of by God's power..."
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Paradise Restored Book (1972), Page 87:
On Nisan 14 of the year 33 C.E., Jesus Christ as a spiritual high priest completed his sacrifice on earth, his dead body of flesh being entombed. On the third day therefrom, on Nisan 16, 33 C.E., he was resurrected from the dead as a spirit person, thus passing beyond the barrier that was pictured by the temple veil between the Holy and the Most Holy, namely, his flesh. Thus he was able to enter into the real Most Holy, into the presence of Jehovah God in heaven itself, there as high priest to present the value of his human sacrifice and make atonement for humankind.—Hebrews 9:23-28; 6:19, 20; 10:19, 20.
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Eternal Purpose Book (1974), Pages 154-155:
20. The apostle Peter, to whom the resurrected Jesus appeared once privately, gives us the explanation for these materializations such as the spirit angels had made in the days of the ancient prophets. Peter says: “Christ also died for our sins once and for all. He, the just, suffered for the unjust, to bring us to God. In the body he was put to death; in the spirit he was brought to life. And in the spirit he went and made his proclamation to the imprisoned spirits.” (1 Peter 3:18, 19, NEB; RS; 1 Corinthians 15:5; Luke 24:34) At his resurrection it was done with him as it is foretold to occur to his faithful disciples at their resurrection:
“It is sown in dishonor, it is raised up in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised up in power. It is sown a physical body, it is raised up a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual one. It is even so written: ‘The first man Adam became a living soul.’ The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
“However, this I say, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit God’s kingdom, neither does corruption inherit incorruption. . . . For this which is corruptible must put on incorruption, and this which is mortal must put on immortality. But when this which is corruptible puts on incorruption and this which is mortal puts on immortality, then the saying will take place that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up forever.’”—1 Corinthians 15:43-45, 50-54.
“For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall certainly also be united with him in the likeness of his resurrection.”—Romans 6:5.
21. Accordingly, the Scriptural evidence proves that Jesus Christ was resurrected as a spirit Son of God in immortality and incorruption. (Acts 13:32-37) So, at his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ did not withdraw his human body as a sacrifice off God’s altar by resuming his human body. (Hebrews 10:1-10) Just as on the annual Day of Atonement the bodies of those animal victims whose blood was taken into the Most Holy for sin were disposed of, so God accepted the sacrifice of Jesus’ human nature and disposed of Jesus’ human body. How? We do not know. (Hebrews 13:10-13; Leviticus, chapter sixteen) Although Almighty God did not resurrect his Son Jesus Christ in a human body, the resurrected Son of God did retain the value or merit of his human sacrifice, which was like the sacrificial blood that the Jewish high priest carried into the Most Holy of the temple so as to make atonement for sin.
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Holy Spirit Book (1976), Page 19:
Jesus Christ made a clarifying statement on the day of his resurrection from the dead. He appeared to his disciples in a locked room in Jerusalem. To do this, he appeared in a materialized body like that in which he had died, but they thought they were seeing a spirit. Well, what did he say to them? This: “A spirit does not have flesh and bones just as you behold that I have.”—Luke 24:36-39.
After conversing with those amazed disciples, the resurrected Jesus vanished. He dematerialized or dissolved that clothed human body. He did not take that body and its clothing into the spirit realm with him. Had it been possible to do so, it would mean that a spirit person in heaven does have flesh and bones, at least in the case of the glorified Jesus Christ.—1 Corinthians 15:50.
Pages 167-168:
So the perfect human body that God miraculously “prepared” for Jesus on earth was the body that Jesus offered to God once for all time in sacrifice. It was given for mankind to feed upon like bread; just as Jesus said: “The bread that I shall give is my flesh in behalf of the life of the world.” (Hebrews 10:1-10; John 6:51) So, after his being “put to death in the flesh,” Jesus, if he were to be raised to life again, had to be “made alive in the spirit,” as a heavenly spirit Son of God.
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Truth Book (1981), Page 52:
15. Jehovah God did not leave his Son dead in the grave, but raised him to life on the third day. He was not given human life again, because that would have meant that he was taking back the ransom price. But he was “made alive in the spirit.” (1 Peter 3:18) During a period of forty days after his resurrection he appeared visibly to his disciples a number of times, in materialized bodies, to prove that he really had been raised from the dead.
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Worldwide Security Book (1986), Page 103:
Since that “great shepherd” laid down his human life for “the sheep,” he could be resurrected from the dead in an immortal, bloodless spirit body but with the value of the blood of the new covenant that is faithfully kept and that is everlasting in its good effects.
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Insight on the Scriptures Book, Volume 1 (1988), Page 349:
The physical body of Jesus Christ was not allowed to decay into dust as did the bodies of Moses and David, men who were used to foreshadow Christ. (De 34:5, 6; Ac 13:35, 36; 2:27, 31) When his disciples went to the tomb early on the first day of the week, Jesus’ body had disappeared, and the bandages with which his body had been wrapped were left in the tomb, his body doubtless having been disintegrated without passing through the process of decaying.—Joh 20:2-9; Lu 24:3-6.
After Jesus’ resurrection he appeared in different bodies. Mary mistook him for the gardener. (Joh 20:14, 15) He again appeared, entering a room with locked doors, having a body with wound marks. (Joh 20:24-29) Several times he manifested himself and was recognized, not by his appearance, but by his words and actions. (Lu 24:15, 16, 30, 31, 36-45; Mt 28:16-18) Once a miracle performed at his direction opened his disciples’ eyes to his identity. (Joh 21:4-7, 12) Jesus, having been resurrected as a spirit (1Pe 3:18), could materialize a body for the occasion as the angels did in past times, when they appeared as messengers. (Ge 18:2; 19:1, 12; Jos 5:13, 14; Jg 13:3, 6; Heb 13:2) During the days before the Flood, the angels that “did not keep their original position but forsook their own proper dwelling place” performed an incarnation and married human wives. That these angelic sons of God were not truly human but had materialized bodies is shown by the fact that the Flood did not destroy these angels, but they dematerialized and returned to the spirit realm.—Jude 6; Ge 6:4; 1Pe 3:19, 20; 2Pe 2:4.
Page 352:
After Jesus’ resurrection he appeared to some of his disciples, who thought they were beholding a spirit. To reassure them Jesus said: “Feel me and see, because a spirit does not have flesh and bones just as you behold that I have.” (Lu 24:39) Jesus’ not saying he was flesh and blood has caused some to say that he had a “spiritualized” body of flesh and bones with no blood. There is no foundation for this argument, for the disciples could see that he had bones and flesh, but no blood was running from his body for him to call to their attention. Jesus thereby provided evidence by the mouth of 11 apostles and others assembled with them on that occasion that he was truly resurrected to life and that the disciples were suffering no hallucination in declaring his resurrection.
Page 373:
On one occasion Jesus said to the Jews: “Break down this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (Joh 2:19) The Jews thought he was speaking of the temple of Herod and used this against him at his trial, witnesses against him saying: “We heard him say, ‘I will throw down this temple that was made with hands and in three days I will build another not made with hands.’” (Mr 14:58) Jesus was using figurative speech, referring to “the temple of his body.” He was put to death and on the third day rose again. (Joh 2:21; Mt 16:21; Lu 24:7, 21, 46) He was resurrected by his Father Jehovah God in another body, not one made with hands like the temple of Jerusalem, but a spirit body made (built) by his Father. (Ac 2:24; 1Pe 3:18)
Page 1,197:
Only God’s action prevented the fleshly body of his Son’s earthly existence from seeing corruption in the grave. (Ac 2:31; 13:35-37) That body, however, was not preserved for the use of the resurrected Jesus, since the apostle Peter states that Jesus was “put to death in the flesh, but . . . made alive in the spirit.” (1Pe 3:18) It thus seems evident that God disposed of that body miraculously, thereby not letting it see ruinous decay.
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Insight on the Scriptures Book, Volume 2 (1988), Page 1,083:
On one occasion, when the Jews demanded a sign from Jesus, he replied: “Break down this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews thought he was speaking of the temple building, but the apostle John explains: “He was talking about the temple of his body.” When he was resurrected by his Father Jehovah on the third day of his death, the disciples recalled and understood this saying and believed it. (Joh 2:18-22; Mt 27:40) He was resurrected, but not in his fleshly body, which was given as a ransom sacrifice; yet that fleshly body did not go into corruption, but was disposed of by God, just as a sacrifice was consumed on the altar. Jesus, when resurrected, was the same person, the same personality, in a new body made for his new dwelling place, the spiritual heavens.—Lu 24:1-7; 1Pe 3:18; Mt 20:28; Ac 2:31; Heb 13:8.
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Live Forever in Paradise on Earth Book (1989), Pages 143-146:
5. On the other hand, over 1,900 years ago it was necessary for Jesus to lower himself and become a man. He needed to give his perfect human life as a ransom for us. Jesus once explained it this way: “The bread that I shall give is my flesh in behalf of the life of the world.” (John 6:51) Jesus thus gave up his fleshly body in sacrifice for humankind. For how long was that sacrifice to be in effect? The apostle Paul answers: “We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time.” (Hebrews 10:10) Having given up his flesh for the life of the world, Christ could never take it again and become a man once more. For that basic reason his return could never be in the human body that he sacrificed once for all time.
FLESHLY BODY NOT TAKEN TO HEAVEN
6. However, many persons believe that Christ took his fleshly body to heaven. They point to the fact that when Christ was raised from the dead, his fleshly body was no longer in the tomb. (Mark 16:5-7) Also, after his death Jesus appeared to his disciples in a fleshly body to show them that he was alive. Once He even had the apostle Thomas put his hand into the hole in His side so that Thomas would believe that He had actually been resurrected. (John 20:24-27) Does this not prove that Christ was raised alive in the same body in which he was put to death?
7. No, it does not. The Bible is very clear when it says: “Christ died once for all time concerning sins . . . , he being put to death in the flesh, but being made alive in the spirit.” (1 Peter 3:18) Humans with flesh-and-blood bodies cannot live in heaven. Of the resurrection to heavenly life, the Bible says: “It is sown a physical body, it is raised up a spiritual body. . . . flesh and blood cannot inherit God’s kingdom.” (1 Corinthians 15:44-50) Only spirit persons with spiritual bodies can live in heaven.
8. Well, then, what happened to Jesus’ fleshly body? Did not the disciples find his tomb empty? They did, because God removed Jesus’ body. Why did God do this? It fulfilled what had been written in the Bible. (Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:31) Thus Jehovah saw fit to remove Jesus’ body, even as he had done before with Moses’ body. (Deuteronomy 34:5, 6) Also, if the body had been left in the tomb, Jesus’ disciples could not have understood that he had been raised from the dead, since at that time they did not fully appreciate spiritual things.
9. But since the apostle Thomas was able to put his hand into the hole in Jesus’ side, does that not show that Jesus was raised from the dead in the same body that was nailed to the stake? No, for Jesus simply materialized or took on a fleshly body, as angels had done in the past. In order to convince Thomas of who He was, He used a body with wound holes. He appeared, or seemed to be, fully human, able to eat and drink, just as did the angels that Abraham once entertained.—Genesis 18:8; Hebrews 13:2.
10. While Jesus appeared to Thomas in a body similar to the one in which He was put to death, He also took on different bodies when appearing to His followers. Thus Mary Magdalene at first thought that Jesus was a gardener. At other times his disciples did not at first recognize him. In these instances it was not his personal appearance that served to identify him, but it was some word or action that they recognized.—John 20:14-16; 21:6, 7; Luke 24:30, 31.
11. For 40 days after his resurrection, Jesus made appearances in a fleshly body to his disciples. (Acts 1:3) Then he left for heaven. But some may ask: ‘Did not the two angels present tell the apostles that Christ “will come thus in the same manner as you have beheld him going into the sky”?’ (Acts 1:11) Yes, they did. But notice that they said “in the same manner,” not in the same body. And what was the manner of Jesus’ leaving? It was quiet, without public display. Only his apostles knew about it. The world did not.
12. Consider how the Bible describes the manner in which Jesus left his apostles on his way to heaven: “While they were looking on, he was lifted up and a cloud caught him up from their vision.” (Acts 1:9) So when Jesus began going into the sky, a cloud hid him from the literal eyesight of his apostles. The departing Jesus, therefore, became invisible to them. They could not see him. Then in his spiritual body he ascended to heaven. (1 Peter 3:18) Thus his return also would be invisible, in a spiritual body.
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God's Word Book (1989), Pages 79-80:
The Empty Tomb
19. Had Jesus been resurrected, or is all this just a fabrication? One thing that people back then would likely have asked is: Is Jesus’ body still in his tomb? Jesus’ followers would have faced a huge obstacle if their opponents could have pointed to his actual corpse still in its burial place as evidence that he had not been resurrected. There is, however, no record that they ever did this. Rather, according to the Bible, they gave money to the soldiers assigned to guard the tomb and told them: “Say, ‘His disciples came in the night and stole him while we were sleeping.’” (Matthew 28:11-13) We also have evidence outside the Bible that the Jewish leaders acted in this way.
20. About a century after Jesus’ death, Justin Martyr wrote a work called Dialogue With Trypho. In this, he said: “You [the Jews] have sent chosen and ordained men throughout all the world to proclaim that a godless and lawless heresy had sprung from one Jesus, a Galilæan deceiver, whom we crucified, but his disciples stole him by night from the tomb, where he was laid.”7
21. Now, Trypho was a Jew, and the Dialogue With Trypho was written to defend Christianity against Judaism. Hence, it is unlikely that Justin Martyr would have said what he did—that the Jews accused the Christians of stealing Jesus’ body from the tomb—if the Jews had not made such a charge. Otherwise, he would have left himself open to an easily verifiable charge of lying. Justin Martyr would have said this only if the Jews really had sent out such messengers. And they would have done so only if the tomb really was empty on Nisan 16, 33 C.E. and if they could not point to Jesus’ body in the tomb as evidence that he had not been resurrected. So since the tomb was empty, what had happened? Did the disciples steal the body? Or was it removed miraculously as evidence that Jesus had really been resurrected?
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Reasoning From The Scriptures Book (1989), Page 217:
Does Jesus have his fleshly body in heaven?
1 Cor. 15:42-50, RS: “So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. . . . It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. . . . Thus it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being’; the last Adam [Jesus Christ, who was a perfect human as Adam had been at the start] became a life-giving spirit. . . . I tell you this, brethren: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.” (Italics added.)
1 Pet. 3:18, RS: “Christ also died for sins once for all, . . . being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit [“in the spirit,” NE, AT, JB, Dy].” (See page 334.)
Illustration: If a man pays a debt for a friend but then promptly takes back the payment, obviously the debt continues. Likewise, if, when he was resurrected, Jesus had taken back his human body of flesh and blood, which had been given in sacrifice to pay the ransom price, what effect would that have had on the provision he was making to relieve faithful persons of the debt of sin?
It is true that Jesus appeared in physical form to his disciples after his resurrection. But on certain occasions, why did they not at first recognize him? (Luke 24:15-32; John 20:14-16) On one occasion, for the benefit of Thomas, Jesus appeared with the physical evidence of nail prints in his hands and a spear wound in his side. But how was it possible on that occasion for him suddenly to appear in their midst even though the doors were locked? (John 20:26, 27) Jesus evidently materialized bodies on these occasions, as angels had done in the past when appearing to humans. Disposing of Jesus’ physical body at the time of his resurrection presented no problem for God. Interestingly, although the physical body was not left by God in the tomb (evidently to strengthen the conviction of the disciples that Jesus had actually been raised), the linen cloths in which it had been wrapped were left there; yet, the resurrected Jesus always appeared fully clothed.—John 20:6, 7.
Pages 334-335:
Was Jesus raised in a body of flesh, and does he have such a body in heaven now?
1 Pet. 3:18: “Christ died once for all time concerning sins, a righteous person for unrighteous ones, that he might lead you to God, he being put to death in the flesh, but being made alive in the spirit [“by the Spirit,” KJ; “in the spirit,” RS, NE, Dy, JB].” (At his resurrection from the dead, Jesus was brought forth with a spirit body. In the Greek text the words “flesh” and “spirit” are put in contrast to each other, and both are in the dative case; so, if a translator uses the rendering “by the spirit” he should also consistently say “by the flesh,” or if he uses “in the flesh” he should also say “in the spirit.”)
Acts 10:40, 41: “God raised this One [Jesus Christ] up on the third day and granted him to become manifest, not to all the people, but to witnesses appointed beforehand by God.” (Why did not others see him too? Because he was a spirit creature and when, as angels had done in the past, he materialized fleshly bodies to make himself visible, he did so only in the presence of his disciples.)
1 Cor. 15:45: “It is even so written: ‘The first man Adam became a living soul.’ The last Adam [Jesus Christ, who was perfect as was Adam when created] became a life-giving spirit.”
What does Luke 24:36-39 mean regarding the body in which Jesus was resurrected?
Luke 24:36-39: “While they [the disciples] were speaking of these things he himself stood in their midst and said to them: ‘May you have peace.’ But because they were terrified, and had become frightened, they were imagining they beheld a spirit. So he said to them: ‘Why are you troubled, and why is it doubts come up in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; feel me and see, because a spirit does not have flesh and bones just as you behold that I have.’”
Humans cannot see spirits, so the disciples evidently thought they were seeing an apparition or a vision. (Compare Mark 6:49, 50.) Jesus assured them that he was no apparition; they could see his body of flesh and could touch him, feeling the bones; he also ate in their presence. Similarly, in the past, angels had materialized in order to be seen by men; they had eaten, and some had even married and fathered children. (Gen. 6:4; 19:1-3) Following his resurrection, Jesus did not always appear in the same body of flesh (perhaps to reinforce in their minds the fact that he was then a spirit), and so he was not immediately recognized even by his close associates. (John 20:14, 15; 21:4-7) However, by his repeatedly appearing to them in materialized bodies and then saying and doing things that they would identify with the Jesus they knew, he strengthened their faith in the fact that he truly had been resurrected from the dead.
If the disciples had actually seen Jesus in the body that he now has in heaven, Paul would not later have referred to the glorified Christ as being “the exact representation of [God’s] very being,” because God is a Spirit and has never been in the flesh.—Heb. 1:3; compare 1 Timothy 6:16.
When reading the reports of Jesus’ postresurrection appearances, we are helped to understand them properly if we keep in mind 1 Peter 3:18 and 1 Corinthians 15:45, quoted on page 334.
Page 342:
Acts 13:34: “He [God] resurrected him [Jesus] from the dead destined no more to return to corruption.” (Human bodies are by nature corruptible. That is why 1 Corinthians 15:42, 44 uses the word “corruption” in parallel construction with “physical body.” Jesus will never again have such a body.)
John 6:51: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread he will live forever; and, for a fact, the bread that I shall give is my flesh in behalf of the life of the world.” (Having given it, Jesus does not take it back again. He does not thereby deprive mankind of the benefits of the sacrifice of his perfect human life.)
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What does the Bible say?:
John 2:18: The Jews therefore answered Him, "What sign do You show us, seeing that You do these things?"
John 2:19: Jesus answered them, "Destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise It up."
John 2:20: The Jews therefore said, "Forty-six years was this Temple in building, and will You raise it up in three days?"
John 2:21: But He spoke of the Temple of His Body.
John 2:22: When therefore He was raised from the dead, His Disciples remembered that He said this, and they believed the Scripture, and the Word which Jesus had said.
Luke 24:36: As they said these things, Jesus Himself stood among them, and said to them, "Peace be to you."
Luke 24:37: But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
Luke 24:38: He said to them, "Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts?
Luke 24:39: See My hands and My feet, that it is truly Me. Touch Me and see, for a spirit doesn't have flesh and bones, as you see that I have."
Luke 24:40: When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.
Luke 24:41: While they still didn't believe for joy, and wondered, He said to them, "Do you have anything here to eat?"
Luke 24:42: They gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb.
Luke 24:43: He took them, and ate in front of them.
Luke 24:44: He said to them, "This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms, concerning Me must be fulfilled."
Matthew 28:5: The angel answered the women, "Don't be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified.
Matthew 28:6: He is not here, for He has risen, just like He said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying.
Matthew 28:7: Go quickly and tell His Disciples, 'He has risen from the dead, and behold, He goes before you into Galilee; there you will see Him.' Behold, I have told you."
Mark 16:5: Entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were amazed.
Mark 16:6: He said to them, "Don't be amazed. You seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen. He is not here. Behold, the place where they laid Him!
Acts 17:31: because He has appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained; whereof He has given assurance to all men, in that He has raised Him from the dead."
1st Timothy 2:5: For there is One God, and One Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus
So, according to Watchtower Doctrine, Jesus "materialized" a fake body with fake holes in His fake hands and a fake hole in His fake side in order to deceive the Apostles into believing that He was resurrected in His Body, but in actuality Jehovah had already zapped Jesus' Body and turned it into gases.
But, if Jesus was really resurrected as a "Spirit Creature", then why would He have even needed to try and prove that His Body was resurrected? Oh, that's right, because IF Jesus' Body was not raised up, then that means Jesus made a False Prophecy in John 2:18-22.
I would love to hear a Jehovah's Witness try and explain this away.
Also, the Watchtower likes to say that Jesus could not have taken His Body into Heaven because it is written "Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God", BUT NOTICE, Luke 24:29 says that Jesus' Resurrected Body was FLESH AND BONES, not Flesh and Blood!
Also, as a side-note, Luke 24:39 shows that the Watchtower is WRONG about demons coming to Earth and having sex with women before the Flood.
Or, if demons really did come to Earth and have sex with women, then that means Jesus used a bad arguement which wouldn't have proved anything.
Well, who do you believe, Jesus or the Watchtower?
I know that Jesus would not have used a bad arguement and Jesus cannot lie, so I'm gonna go with Jesus.
In Luke 24:39, the point Jesus made to PROVE that He was raised in His Body, was that spirits (angels and demons) DO NOT have flesh and bones!
You see, even if demons possessed humans and then caused the humans to have sex with women, it is still the humans who are having sex with each other, not the demons.
The demons could not have actually become human -- which also proves that Jesus is not an angel -- because angels could not become humans.
Only God can become a Human.
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Is Jesus Christ your Mediator?
By UnDisfellowshipped ( [email protected] ), January 9th 2003 (Updated March 27th 2003).
The Watchtower Society teaches that Jesus Christ is the Mediator ONLY for the 144,000 "Anointed" Jehovah's Witnesses and that the "Anointed" Jehovah's Witnesses are the "Mediators" for all of the "Great Crowd" of "Other Sheep".
*** The Watchtower, April 1st 1979 Issue, Page 31 ***
Questions from Readers
Is Jesus the "mediator" only for anointed Christians?
The term "mediator" occurs just six times in the Christian Greek Scriptures and Scripturally is always used regarding a formal covenant.
Moses was the "mediator" of the Law covenant made between God and the nation of Israel. (Gal. 3:19, 20) Christ, though, is the "mediator of a new covenant" between Jehovah and spiritual Israel, the "Israel of God" that will serve as kings and priests in heaven with Jesus. (Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24; Gal. 6:16) At a time when God was selecting those to be taken into that new covenant, the apostle Paul wrote that Christ was the "one mediator between God and men." (1 Tim. 2:5) Reasonably Paul was here using the word "mediator" in the same way he did the other five times, which occurred before the writing of 1 Timothy 2:5, referring to those then being taken into the new covenant for which Christ is "mediator." So in this strict Biblical sense Jesus is the "mediator" only for anointed Christians.
The new covenant will terminate with the glorification of the remnant who are today in that covenant mediated by Christ. The "great crowd" of "other sheep" that is forming today is not in that new covenant. However, by their associating with the "little flock" of those yet in that covenant they come under benefits that flow from that new covenant. During the millennium Jesus Christ will be their king, high priest and judge. For more detailed information, see Aid to Bible Understanding, pages 1129 and 1130 under "Mediator"; also God's "Eternal Purpose" Now Triumphing for Man's Good, page 160, paragraph 10; also The Watchtower issues of February 15, 1966, pages 105 through 123; November 15, 1972, pages 685 and 686, under the subheading "Leading the Way to a New Covenant"; and April 1, 1973, pages 198 and 199, under the subheading "The New Covenant."
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*** The Watchtower, December 15th 1982 Issue, Page 19 ***
"Down to the spring of 1935 the dedicated, baptized witnesses of Jehovah had entertained in true faith the 'one hope' that was set before them in Ephesians 4:4-6, as follows: 'One body there is, and one spirit, even as you were called in the one hope to which you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all persons.' But in that memorable year of 1935, at the convention held in Washington, D.C., the 'great multitude,' as visualized at Revelation 7:9-17 (Authorized Version), was identified as being composed of the Fine Shepherd's 'other sheep' of John 10:16."
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*** The Watchtower, February 15th 1991 Issue, Pages 15-20 ***
"You Were Bought With a Price"
8 Hence, the ransom sacrifice is fundamental to the new covenant, of which Jesus is the Mediator. Paul wrote: "There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all - this is what is to be witnessed to at its own particular times." (1 Timothy 2:5, 6) Those words especially apply to the 144,000, with whom the new covenant is made.
[...]
11 Nevertheless, in a preliminary way, the great crowd have already "washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." (Revelation 7:14) Christ does not act as Mediator of the new covenant toward them, yet they benefit from this covenant through the work of God's Kingdom. Christ still acts toward them, however, as High Priest, through whom Jehovah can and does apply the ransom to the extent of their now being declared righteous as God's friends. (Compare James 2:23.) During the Millennium, they will gradually "be set free from enslavement to corruption [until finally they] have the glorious freedom of the children of God."-Romans 8:21.
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*** The Watchtower, February 1st 1998 Issue, Pages 20-22 ***
"The Other Sheep and the New Covenant"
10 "Everyone" who "exercises faith in the Son" will benefit from the ransom sacrifice. (John 3:16, 36) Paul said: "The Christ was offered once for all time to bear the sins of many; and the second time that he appears it will be apart from sin and to those earnestly looking for him for their salvation." (Hebrews 9:28) Today, those earnestly looking for Jesus include surviving anointed Christians of the Israel of God and the millions making up the great crowd, who also have an everlasting inheritance. Both classes thank God for the new covenant and for the life-giving blessings associated with it, including the greater Atonement Day and the ministry of the High Priest, Jesus, in the heavenly Most Holy.
[...]
13 What happens when the last of the 144,000 realize their heavenly hope? Will the new covenant cease to apply? At that time, there will be on earth no remaining member of the Israel of God. All participants in the covenant will be with Jesus "in the kingdom of [his] Father." (Matthew 26:29) But we remember Paul's words in his letter to the Hebrews: "The God of peace . . . brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an everlasting covenant." (Hebrews 13:20; Isaiah 55:3) In what sense is the new covenant everlasting?
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*** The Watchtower, March 15th 1954 Issue, Page 187 ***
"Who may partake of the Lord's evening meal? All sincere Christians? No. Why not? Because the context of the record of Jesus' institution of the Memorial as well as the testimony of other scriptures show that it is limited to those who have the hope of sharing heavenly glory with Jesus Christ, which number the Scriptures show to be limited to 144,000. ... All men of good will, however, are welcome and should come and observe the celebration. How often and when should the Lord's evening meal be celebrated?
Regardless of how often others may profess to do so, there is no Scriptural warrant for doing so more than once a year, even as the Passover, commemorating the deliverance from Egypt, was observed once a year, and that on the night of their deliverance, Nisan 14. Since Jesus instituted his evening meal on the night of Nisan 14, it is but fitting that we continue to celebrate it on the same date."
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*** The Watchtower, April 1st 1960 Issue, Page 199 ***
"The Memorial's unique feature is the passing of the unleavened bread and red wine to all in attendance. But do all in attendance partake of them? No; in fact, in many if not in most instances today no one will partake. Why is that? Because the Scriptures show that Jesus instituted the Memorial of his death with those with whom he had made a covenant for his heavenly kingdom"
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*** The Watchtower, February 15th 1985 Issue, Page 17 ***
"There is only a remnant of such spiritual sons now living, and these are the ones who properly partake of the emblems. This, then, accounts for the vast majority of Jehovah's Witnesses being observers and not partakers."
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The Bible says Jesus is the ONE Mediator for all MEN:
1st Timothy 2:5: For there is One God, and One Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus
Hebrews 7:22: By so much has Jesus become the Collateral of a Better Covenant.
Hebrews 7:23: Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by death.
Hebrews 7:24: But He, because He lives forever, has His Priesthood unchangeable.
Hebrews 7:25: Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:26: For such a High Priest was fitting for us: Holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the Heavens;
Hebrews 7:27: who doesn't need, like those high priests, to daily offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For this He did once for all, when He offered up Himself.
Hebrews 7:28: For the Law appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the Word of the Oath which came after the Law appoints a Son forever who has been perfected.
Hebrews 8:6: But now He [Jesus] has obtained a more excellent ministry, by so much as He is also the Mediator of a Better Covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.
Hebrews 9:13: For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify to the cleanness of the flesh:
Hebrews 9:14: how much more will the Blood of Christ, who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the Living God?
Hebrews 9:15: For this reason He is the Mediator of a New Covenant, since a death has occurred for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the First Covenant, that those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
Hebrews 12:24: to Jesus, the Mediator of a New Covenant, and to the Blood of sprinkling that speaks better than that of Abel.
Here are some of most confusing parts of Watchtower Doctrine on Jesus as the Mediator for the 144,000:
The Watchtower Society teaches that Jesus Christ is the Mediator between God and the 144,000 "Anointed Ones" ONLY.
Why then does the "Great Crowd of Other Sheep" pray to Jehovah in the Name of Jesus Christ?
The "Great Crowd" should pray in the name of the "144,000", and then the "144,000" should pray to Jehovah in the name of Jesus Christ.
Oh, and this is all Bible-Based(TM).
The Watchtower Society teaches that Jesus Christ is the Mediator for the "Anointed Ones".
But, the Watchtower Society also teaches that JW's SHOULD NEVER pray TO Jesus Christ.
So, in order for Jesus to mediate the prayers of the "Anointed" to Jehovah, here's how it works:
The "Anointed Ones" pray to Jehovah through the Name of Jesus, then Jehovah receives the prayer and gives the prayer to Jesus, so Jesus can then mediate the prayer back to Jehovah.
Here are some great comments by JWD User "Artful" from January 9th 2003:
This is one of the biggest problems that I have with JW theology!
In response to 1Tim 2:5, here is the WTS official position:
"The people of all nation who have the hope of everlasting life on earth benefit even now from Jesus' services. Though he is not their legal Mediator, for they are not in the new covenant, he is their means of approaching Jehovah." WT August 15, 1989 p 31
Although the WTS doesn't go so far as to say that the "anointed" are the mediators for the "great crowd", there is really no other conclusion to draw from their doctrine. Because, if Jesus is ONLY a mediator to God for the "anointed", then by extension, the "great crowd" must go through the "anointed" to Jesus who then acts as mediator to God.
Ironically, in this same article the WTS parallel the Law Covenant with the New Covenant to support their doctrine. However, when we analyze the Law Covenant we notice the following:
1. The Law Covenant was mediated by a priestly group (Levites).
2. ALL of Israel was under the Law Covenant NOT just the priestly class.
3. The Law Covenant was the ONLY arrangement that God provided for those who wanted to have his approval.
This then begs the questions:
1. "If the New Covenant replaced the Law Covenant who is the new mediator"
Answer: Jesus (1 Tim 2:5)
2. "If all of Israel was under the Law Covenant then why would ONLY a so-called priestly class (144K) be under the New Covenant?" and...
3. "If the New Covenant is the ONLY means that God has provided for our salvation and the "Great Crowd" are not "in" this Covenant, what OTHER arrangement (according to the scriptures) has God provided for them?
Answer: There is no other arrangement. We are either "in" the New Covenant or not.
Ask a JW question 3 and watch them squirm! I recently asked my brother (a devout dub) this question and he wasn't even aware that the WTS taught that Jesus is not their mediator! This is a very sad doctrine!!
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Did the Apostles and Disciples Pray to Jesus Christ?
By UnDisfellowshipped ( [email protected] ), January 18th 2003 (Updated March 27th 2003).
The Watchtower Society forbids all Jehovah's Witnesses from praying to Jesus Christ!
Insight on the Scriptures Book, Volume 2 (1988), Pages 667-668:
Though some claim that prayer may properly be addressed to others, such as to God’s Son, the evidence is emphatically to the contrary. True, there are rare instances in which words are addressed to Jesus Christ in heaven. Stephen, when about to die, appealed to Jesus, saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Ac 7:59) However, the context reveals a circumstance giving basis for this exceptional expression. Stephen at that very time had a vision of “Jesus standing at God’s right hand,” and evidently reacting as if he were in Jesus’ personal presence, he felt free to speak this plea to the one whom he recognized as the head of the Christian congregation. (Ac 7:55, 56; Col 1:18) Similarly, the apostle John, at the conclusion of the Revelation, says, “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus.” (Re 22:20) But again the context shows that, in a vision (Re 1:10; 4:1, 2), John had been hearing Jesus speak of his future coming and thus John responded with the above expression of his desire for that coming. (Re 22:16, 20) In both cases, that of Stephen and that of John, the situation differs little from that of the conversation John had with a heavenly person in this Revelation vision. (Re 7:13, 14; compare Ac 22:6-22.) There is nothing to indicate that Christian disciples so expressed themselves under other circumstances to Jesus after his ascension to heaven. Thus, the apostle Paul writes: “In everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to God.”—Php 4:6.
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The Watchtower, December 15th 1994 Issue, Page 25:
By not directing prayers to Jesus personally, we are not degrading his position. Rather, Jesus is honored when we pray in his name. And just as children honor their parents by being obedient, we honor Jesus Christ by obeying his commandments, especially the new commandment to love one another.—John 5:23; 13:34.
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What does the Bible say about praying TO Jesus?
2nd Corinthians 12:8: Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
2nd Corinthians 12:9: He has said to me, "My grace [unearned favor and kindness] is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
2nd Corinthians 12:10: Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.
Acts 7:59: They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!"
Acts 7:60: He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, don't hold this sin against them!" When he had said this, he fell asleep [in death].
1st John 5:11: The Testimony is this, that God gave to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
1st John 5:12: He who has the Son has the life. He who doesn't have God's Son doesn't have the life.
1st John 5:13: These things I have written to you who believe in the Name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the Name of the Son of God.
1st John 5:14: This is the boldness which we have toward Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He listens to us.
1st John 5:15: And if we know that He listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of Him.
1st Timothy 1:12: And I thank Him who enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He counted me faithful, appointing me to service;
1st Corinthians 1:2: to the congregation of God which is at Corinth; those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints [holy ones], with all who call on the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, both theirs and ours
Romans 10:9: that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:10: For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:11: For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed."
Romans 10:12: For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all who call on Him.
Romans 10:13: For, "Whoever will call on the Name of the Lord will be saved."
Revelation 22:20: He who testifies these things says, "Yes, I come quickly." Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus.
Revelation 22:21: The grace [unearned favor and kindness] of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints [holy ones]. Amen.
1st Corinthians 16:21: This greeting is by me, Paul, with my own hand.
1st Corinthians 16:22: If any man doesn't love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. Come, Lord!
1st Corinthians 16:23: The grace [unearned favor and kindness] of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
2nd Thessalonians 3:16: Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all.
2nd Thessalonians 3:17: The greeting of me, Paul, with my own hand, which is the sign in every letter: this is how I write.
2nd Thessalonians 3:18: The grace [unearned favor and kindness] of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
2nd Corinthians 13:14: The grace [unearned favor and kindness] of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.
Romans 1:7: to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints [holy ones]: Grace [unearned favor and kindness] to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 16:20:...The grace [unearned favor and kindness] of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Romans 16:24: The grace [unearned favor and kindness] of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all! Amen.
Galatians 6:18: The grace [unearned favor and kindness] of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
Philippians 4:23: The grace [unearned favor and kindness] of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
1st Thessalonians 1:1: Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the Congregation of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace [unearned favor and kindness] to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1st Thessalonians 5:28: The grace [unearned favor and kindness] of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Philemon 1:25: The grace [unearned favor and kindness] of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
John 14:14: If you ask Me for anything in My Name, I will do it." (Watchtower's The Kingdom Interlinear Translation, New International Version, New American Standard Bible, International Standard Version, 1965 Bible in Basic English, Contemporary English Version, 1899 Douay-Rheims Bible, The Good News Bible, GOD'S WORD Translation, English Standard Version, Holman Christian Standard Bible, New Revised Standard Version, New Century Version)
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Who is "The One who searches and examines the hearts and minds" of humans?
By UnDisfellowshipped ( [email protected] ), January 18th 2003 (Updated March 27th 2003).
Revelation 2:23: ...all the congregations will know that I [Jesus] am the One who searches and examines the minds and hearts. I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.
Jeremiah 17:10: I, Jehovah, search and examine the mind, I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.
John 2:24: But Jesus didn't trust Himself to them, because He knew everyone,
John 2:25: and because He didn't need for anyone to testify concerning man; for He Himself knew what was inside of men.
John 21:17: ...[Peter] said to [Jesus], "Lord, You know everything...
John 16:30: Now we know that You know all things, and don't need for anyone to question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God."
Matthew 9:3: Behold, some of the Scribes said to themselves, "This Man blasphemes."
Matthew 9:4: Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts?
Matthew 12:25: Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.
John 6:64: ...Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who didn't believe, and who it was who would betray Him.
1st Kings 8:39: ...(for You [Jehovah], even You only, know the hearts of all the children of men;)
1st Chronicles 28:9: ...Jehovah searches and examines all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts: if you seek Him, He will be found of you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.
Psalm 7:9: ...Their minds and hearts are searched and examined by the Righteous God.
1st Samuel 16:7: ...Jehovah sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but Jehovah looks at the heart."
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When did Jesus become The Christ?
By UnDisfellowshipped ( [email protected] ), January 28th 2003 (Updated March 27th 2003).
The Watchtower Society says that Jesus became "The Christ" at His Baptism:
The Watchtower, October 15th 1965 Issue, Page 619:
32. And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water, and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him. And behold a voice from heaven, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.Dy. See also John 1:29-34.
33. There Jesus became the Christ, for there God his Father anointed him with the holy spirit. From then on he could be called Jesus Christ.
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The Watchtower, November 1st 1967 Issue, Page 647:
Jesus was anointed at his baptism in 29 C.E. and became the Christ or Messiah!
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The Watchtower, April 15th 1972 Issue, Page 237:
17. In order to symbolize his presenting of himself to act as the Seed of Gods woman, Jesus got baptized in water. Then God anointed him with holy spirit and so Jesus became the Christ or anointed one. Hence he was called Jesus Christ.--Luke 3:21-23.
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"Holy Spirit - The Force Behind the Coming New Order" Book (1976), Page 90:
"When did this Jesus become actually 'Christ the Lord'? Not on the eighth day of his birth, when he was circumcised. He was not anointed on that day. It was when he was thirty years old."
Page 113:
"Jesus was anointed with holy spirit after his baptism in water and he thus became Christ or Anointed One, so too with his disciples."
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Insight on the Scriptures Book Volume 2, Page 70:
"Insight" Book Volume 2, Page 70:
Jesus had been Gods Son from the time of his birth, even as the perfect Adam had been the son of God. (Lu 3:38; 1:35) The angels had identified Jesus as Gods Son from his birth onward. So, when, after Jesus baptism, his Fathers voice was heard saying, You are my Son, the beloved; I have approved you (Mr 1:11), it seems reasonable that this declaration accompanying the anointing flow of Gods spirit was more than just an acknowledgment of Jesus identity. The evidence is that Jesus was then begotten or brought forth by God as his spiritual Son, born again, as it were, with the right to receive life once more as a spirit Son of God in the heavens.--Compare Joh 3:3-6; 6:51; 10:17, 18
Pages 1000-1001:
"Jesus of course, continued to be God's son when born as a human, even as he had been in his prehuman existence...However, about 30 years after his birth as a human, when he was immersed by John the Baptizer, God's spirit came upon Jesus and God spoke, saying, 'You are my Son, the beloved; I have approved you'...Evidently Jesus, the man, was then 'born again' to be a spiritual Son with the hope of returning to life in heaven, and he was anointed by spirit to be God's appointed king and high priest."
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What does the Bible say?:
Luke 2:10: The angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for behold, I bring you Good News of great joy which will be to all the people.
Luke 2:11: For there is born to you, this day, in the City of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
1st Corinthians 10:1: Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
1st Corinthians 10:2: and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
1st Corinthians 10:3: and all ate the same spiritual food;
1st Corinthians 10:4: and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a Spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.
Matthew 2:2: "Where is He who is born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him."
Matthew 2:3: When Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Matthew 2:4: Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born.
That is amazing!
The "Wise Men", and even the Pharisees, knew that He would be Born on Earth as the Christ and also the King of the Jews!
Yet -- the Watchtower Leaders don't even teach this simple Biblical truth! How can they possibly be teaching the truth about more complex harder-to-understand things?
So, that means either the "Astrologers" and the Pharisees knew more about the Scriptures than the Watchtower Leaders, OR it means that the Watchtower Leaders know the truth of the Scriptures, and they are intentionally lying and deceiving their followers.
Either way, it's not a good thing.
As a side-note:
The Watchtower Society teaches that the "Star of Bethlehem" was put in the sky by Satan the Devil.
Here are some interesting Scriptures about stars in connection with Christ:
Numbers 24:17: I see Him, but not now; I see Him, but not near: There shall come forth a Star out of Jacob, A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, Shall strike through the corners of Moab, Break down all the sons of tumult.
Malachi 4:2: But to you who fear My Name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in Its wings. You will go out, and leap like calves of the stall.
Luke 1:78: Because of the tender mercy of our God, Whereby the Rising Sun from On High will visit us,
Luke 1:79: To shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; To guide our feet into the way of peace."
Revelation 22:16: I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify these things to you for the congregations. I am the Root and the Offspring of David; the Bright Morning Star."
2nd Peter 1:19: We have the more sure Word of Prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the Day Star arises in your hearts
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Is Jesus Christ the same Person as Michael the Archangel [Chief Angel], as the Watchtower Society teaches?
By UnDisfellowshipped ( [email protected] ), January 22nd 2003 (Updated March 27th 2003).
What does the Bible say?
Here are ALL of the Scriptures that mention Michael the Archangel:
Daniel 10:13: But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; but, behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me: and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
Notice: That Verse says that Michael is "one of the chief princes", which must mean that there are more than one "chief prince" LIKE Michael is.
The Bible says that Jesus Christ is the Unique, One-And-Only Begotten Son of the Father!
Daniel 10:21: But I will tell you that which is inscribed in the writing of truth: and there is none who holds with me against these, but Michael your prince."
Daniel 12:1: "At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands for the children of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who shall be found written in the Book.
Notice: That Verse shows that Michael is the angel who "stands up" for the Jews. In other words, the angel who is assigned to protecting and helping faithful Israelites.
Jude 1:9: But Michael, the archangel, when contending with the Devil and arguing about the body of Moses, did not dare bring against him an abusive condemnation, but said, "May the Lord rebuke you!"
Notice: That Verse shows that Michael did not have the authority to rebuke Satan the Devil, but instead Michael said "May the Lord rebuke you!".
Jesus Christ, the Lord of Heaven and Earth, who created Satan and all of the angels, while on Earth (after He had "emptied Himself" of glory, honor, and power), rebuked Satan and the demons several times, so if Jesus is Michael, why would He have LESS authority to rebuke Satan in Heaven than on Earth?
Jesus while on Earth, prayed to the Father and asked that the Father restore the glory to Jesus that He had while in Heaven, so it seems obvious to me that Jesus had MORE authority while in Heaven, than on Earth.
Also, in Jude 1:4 (in the oldest Manuscripts), it says that Jesus Christ is "Our Only Sovereign Ruler and Master". Would the Bible say that a created angel, who did not even have the authority to rebuke a fallen angel in Heaven, is "Our Only Sovereign Ruler"?
Revelation 12:7: There was war in Heaven. Michael and his angels made war on the Dragon. The Dragon and his angels made war.
Revelation 12:8: They didn't prevail, neither was a place found for him any more in Heaven.
Revelation 12:9: The Great Dragon was thrown down, the Old Serpent, he who is called the Devil and Satan, the Deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the Earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
1st Thessalonians 4:16: For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God's trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first,
1st Thessalonians 4:17: then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever.
Notice: The Watchtower Society likes to use that Verse to "prove" that Jesus is Michael.
The Watchtower claims that since Jesus will descend from Heaven "with the voice of the archangel", it must mean that Jesus is the archangel!
My response is: Jesus will also descend with "a shout" and "God's trumpet". Does that mean that Jesus is a shout? Does that mean that Jesus is a trumpet?
Also, if that Verse was saying that Jesus was Michael, why didn't it read like this:
"For the Lord Himself, the archangel, will descend from Heaven with a shout, with His voice, and with God's trumpet."
Also, when you look up 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17 in the New World Translation Reference Bible, it says that the "Lord" in those Verses is JEHOVAH -- So according to Watchtower Teachings, that means that JEHOVAH is Michael the Archangel!
Hebrews 1:1: God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the Prophets at many times and in various ways,
Hebrews 1:2: has at the end of these days spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed Heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.
Hebrews 1:3: His Son is the Radiance of His Glory, the Very Image of His Substance, and upholding all things by the Word of His Power, when He had by Himself made purification for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty On High;
Hebrews 1:4: having become so much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent Name than they have.
Hebrews 1:5: For to which of the angels did He say at any time, "You are My Son, Today have I become your Father?" and again, "I will be to Him a Father, And He will be to Me a Son?"
Hebrews 1:6: Again, when He brings in the Firstborn into the world He says, "Let all the angels of God worship Him."
Hebrews 1:7: Of the angels He says, "Who makes His angels winds, And His servants a flame of fire."
Hebrews 1:8: but of the Son He says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your Kingdom.
Hebrews 1:9: You have loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your fellows."
Hebrews 1:10: And, "You, Lord [Yahweh in the Old Testament], in the beginning, laid the foundation of the Earth. The Heavens are the works of Your hands.
Hebrews 1:11: They will perish, but You continue. They all will grow old like a garment does.
Hebrews 1:12: As a mantle You will roll them up, And they will be changed; But You are the same. Your years will not fail."
Hebrews 1:13: But of which of the angels has He said at any time, "Sit at My right hand, Until I make Your enemies the footstool of Your feet?"
Hebrews 1:14: Aren't they all ministering spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?
The Bible says that Jesus Christ is Unique from created angels for several reasons:
1: Jesus Christ is God Almighty, the Supreme Being [Omnipotent] (John 1:1-3; John 20:28-29; Hebrews 1:6, 1:8, 1:10; Psalm 45:6; Psalm 102:25; Titus 2:13; Romans 9:5; Colossians 2:9)
2: Jesus Christ is Eternal -- He has always existed and always will exist (Isaiah 9:6; 1st Thessalonians 6:14-16; Micah 5:2; Revelation 1:17; Revelation 2:8; Revelation 22:13; John 8:58)
3: Jesus Christ created ALL things for Himself, including angels and humans, and the Heavens and the Earth (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17; Ephesians 3:9; Hebrews 1:10)
4: Jesus Christ knows all things and can read human minds and hearts [Omniscient] (Revelation 2:23; John 2:24-25; John 21:17)
5: Jesus Christ is in more than one place at the same time [Omnipresent] (Matthew 18:20; Matthew 28:20; John 14:18-23; Acts 18:9-10)
6: Jesus Christ resurrected Himself (John 2:19-22; John 10:17-18)
7: Jesus Christ is Equal in Nature, Attributes, and Qualities with the Father (Colossians 2:9; Philippians 2:6)
8: Jesus Christ is prayed to as God (Acts 7:59-60; 1st Corinthians 1:2; 2nd Corinthians 12:8-10; 1st John 5:13-15)
9: Jesus Christ is worshiped as God (John 5:23; Revelation 5:8-14; Hebrews 1:6)
10: However, Jesus Christ is NOT The Father (John 14:28; John 14:24)
11: However, Jesus Christ is NOT The Holy Spirit (John 14:16; John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:13-14)
12: The Father does have a "Greater" Position over Jesus, because Jesus willingly submits to The Father's final decisions (Philippians 2:6-8; Luke 22:42; John 14:28; 1st Corinthians 11:3; 1st Corinthians 15:24-28)
Some More of My Comments:
Michael is called "One of the Chief Princes".
Jesus Christ is called KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS!
Where does the Bible say that Jesus was "one of the chief princes" before He became Human? The only Verse that I know of which could be taken to mean that, is the one about Michael, but you would have to already have a pre-conceived belief that Michael was the Pre-Human Jesus in order to say that the Pre-Human Jesus was "one of the chief princes".
Let me make an illustration:
If I were to say "one of the chief Pharisees" would you think that I was talking about THE chief Pharisee?
If I were to say "one of the chief demons" would you think that I was talking about THE chief demon?
Jesus Christ is called the Only-Begotten and Unique Son of the Father, who is in the Bosom of the Father.
In Hebrews Chapter 1 God The Father called Jesus Christ "God" and "Lord" ("Yahweh" in the Old Testament Scripture which was quoted by the writer of Hebrews).
In Hebrews Chapter 1, God The Father said that Jesus Christ created Heaven and Earth.
In Hebrews Chapter 1, God The Father commands all angels to worship Jesus Christ.
Hebrews Chapter 1 says that God The Father NEVER said to ANY angel the following statements:
"You are My Son, Today have I become your Father?"
"I will be to Him a Father, And He will be to Me a Son?"
"Sit at My right hand, Until I make Your enemies the footstool of Your feet?"
So, what do YOU think -- is Jesus Christ Michael?
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I would love to hear your comments.
I encourage everyone to ask any questions that you want to, and I encourage everyone to point out any mistakes I have made.
I also welcome any and all attempts to refute the statements above -- please use the Bible when refuting any of my statements above.
I want to make this very clear -- ALWAYS TEST EVERYTHING I SAY and make sure that it is in harmony with the Holy Scriptures. If it is not, then PLEASE let me know about it, and also DO NOT EVER believe what I say if it is not in harmony with the Bible.
If there is anything that you want more information about that I posted, please let me know and I will be glad to help.
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