Hello everyone,
I was quite impressed by the some of the comments, on this board, concerning a recent WTBS Inc. ' article published in ?The Watchtower? February 15 th , 2004, page 16 §§ 6-8 . A very interesting statement was made at the beginning of paragraph 8 :
? What methods do apostates use to achieve their aim? They often resort to distortion, half-truths, and outright falsehoods.?
Quite a claim indeed, if we keep in mind that it originates from the WTBS Inc. , the same mighty corporation /organization who wrote in in the year 1933 :
'The Golden Age' January 18th, 1933 page 252
"If the message the Jehovah's Witnesses are bringing to the people is true, then it is of greatest importance to mankind . If it is false, then it is the duty of the clergymen and others who support them to come boldly forward and plainly tell the people wherein the message is false."
in the year 1984 :
*** g84 8/22 p. 28 From Our Readers ***
You all loved it, didn?t you? You couldn?t resist taking a shot at the Catholic Church, could you? I will never forgive the way you mercilessly tore down the Pope. If Jehovah?s Witnesses must refer to cheap shots in attempting to bring down other religions, they?re in more trouble than the Catholics.
M. C., Florida
We surely were not trying to take cheap shots at the pope or the Catholic Church, nor were we criticizing Catholics. The Catholic Church occupies a very significant position in the world and claims to be the way of salvation for hundreds of millions of people. Any organization that assumes that position should be willing to submit to scrutiny and criticism. All who criticize have the obligation to be truthful in presenting the facts and fair and objective in assessing such. In both respects we try to live up to that obligation.?ED.
in the year 1990
*** w90 12/15 p. 26 ?Seeking Delightful Words, Correct Words? ***
In our day the Greater Congregator, Jesus Christ, has provided spiritual resources far beyond those enjoyed by God?s people under ancient Israelite kings. (Matthew 12:42)
For over a century, delightful, correct words of truth covering every aspect of life have been presented in the Watch Tower Society?s publications and widely distributed in many languages.
In the year 1991
*** w91 12/1 p. 7 Is Any Religion Good Enough? ***
How to Choose the Right Religion
What will guide us in choosing the right religion? The Encyclopædia Universalis is correct when it highlights the importance of truth. A religion that teaches lies cannot be true. The greatest prophet that ever walked on earth stated: ?God is a Spirit, and those worshiping him must worship with spirit and truth.??John 4:24.
a nd quite recently, in the year 2002
"The Watchtower" May, 1 st , 2002 page 16, paragraph 9
"Comparably, for more than a century now, the anointed brothers of Christ, those with the heavenly hope, have served as " a holypriesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God." (1 Peter 2:5) They have taken the lead in dispensing Bible truths to others. As you have learned truths that they teach, have you not found from experience that the very law of truth has proved to be in their mouth? They have helped to turn many back from religious error, so that now ther are millions throughout the world who have learned Bible truths and who have the hope of everlasting life. These, in turn, have the privilege of teaching the law of truth toyet other millions.- John 10:16; Revelation 7:9 .-"
Having well set in front of us such reminders, to illustrate the point , let?s take an example from a WTBS Inc. recent publication, the book:
' Worship the Only True God ',
published in the year 2002, by the WTBS Inc.
More precisely , focusing the attention a rather casual and short statement , which was part of the material assigned, for worldwide teaching, in ALL congregations , for the 'Congregation's book study,.
The study was scheduled for the week beginning on January 19th, 2004 - only last week - , chapter 14th ' How does Jehovah Direct His Organization? ' page 131 §8:
" Since the slave class was loyally doing the Master's work at his invisible return in 1914 there is evidence that it was entrusted with enlarged responsabilities in 1919'
Now the phrase is written and presented,in a typical WTBS Inc.?s fashion, as a matter of fact.
In mho, it looks like an immense, awe inspiring iceberg, with its beautiful, shining pinnacle?but what lies under? in the?deep waters below the glittering, cool and smooth surface?
Let's begin :
"?. the slave class was loyally doing the Master's work at his invisible return in 1914?"
Unfortunately, there is already already a major problem, because according to the WTBS Inc.'s own publications Jehovah and Jezsus Christ, in the matter concerning ? the temple inspection? had a rather different if not opposite opinion, concerning the spiritual condition of the ?' Naomi remnant '
*** w72 2/1 79 Fully Accepting the Challenge of Jehovah's Service
JEHOVAH IS DISPLEASED WITH HIS WOMAN
The Naomi remnant came into a condition like that, particularly in the year 1918, when they were, in a sense, exiled from Jehovah God's favor. In that year Jehovah God came to his temple suddenly, accompanied by the messenger of the covenant, the Lord Jesus Christ.
He examined the remnant here upon earth; he was displeased with them. (Mal. 3:1, 2) For a time they were not fully accepting the challenge of Jehovah's Kingdom service that had opened up to them.
They were holding back, through fear of man and were not properly keeping themselves "unspotted from the world." (Jas. 1:27, Authorized Version) Therefore Jehovah let them go into bondage to Babylon the Great and her political associates."
So, here we have the clear statement, made in the year 1972:
"? JEHOVAH IS DISPLEASED WITH HIS WOMAN "
Be patient, do not be surprised , because only 1 year later, in 1973 the WTBS Inc. publishes the following:
From the book : " God's Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached "
*** ka chap. 17 pp. 349-351 The "Slave" Who Lived to See the "Sign" ***
TIME OF INSPECTION BY THE SLAVE'S MASTER
38 Without a question of doubt, it was a real time for inspection of the Master's "slave" class. All the facts of the case argue that the Master came for the work of inspection at the time. Such a thing was to be expected according to the prophecy of Malachi 3:1-5. Of course, the sectarian churches of Christendom had made a wartime record for themselves, an open record that had a heavy bearing on their claim to be disciples and slaves of Jesus Christ. Could they, by even their latest record down till 1919 , prove that they themselves were the composite "faithful and discreet slave" class of the heavenly Lord and Master, Jesus Christ? He as Judge would indicate what his findings were by the way he thereafter dealt with the hundreds of religious sects of Christendom. Appropriately, now, our attention focuses upon those sincere, Bible-studying Christians who, during World War I, were persecuted for their obedience to Christ and who became "objects of hatred by all the nations" on account of Christ's name. Since they also came under divine inspection, what did the Master show to be his decision on them?
39?. Rather, he wanted to make sure that his domestic affairs were in the right condition. Had his appointed slave done as he was assigned to do, namely, give to the "domestics" their "food at the proper time"? The master needed to make an inspection.
40 The serving of food, the right sort of food, at the proper time was the issue. It had to be according to this that a decision must be rendered by the returned master . Well, then, what about that body of Christians internationally hated and persecuted? (Matthew 24:9) Down to 1919 C.E. they had endeavored to give "food at the proper time" to the "household of faith" or the "domestics" of the heavenly Master. They did this despite interference by persecutors and the warring nations. Not only was the regularity in serving the spiritual food a problem, but the quality of the food itself was to be considered. In this respect the body of hated, persecuted Christians, who always sought to be faithful slaves of Jesus Christ, met the test.
It is clear, according to the WTBS Inc. 'material, published in 1973, the
bodu of anointed ?' met the test ' .
The same conclusion was reached 10 yeazrs later in 1983 :
*** w83 9/15 pp. 19-20 "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism" ***
19 ? To that end, their "master" appointed a collective "faithful steward" class, the body of anointed Christians on the earth since Pentecost 33 C.E. Since the "master" found the remaining ones of this body faithfully and discreetly giving out "food supplies" when he arrived for inspection in 1919, he appointed them "over all his belongings." (Luke 12:42-44) The facts show that since 1919 this "steward" has faithfully cared for these "belongings."
The moist astonishing and contraddicting stament comes, in the year 1993,
i.e. 21 year after the expression concerning J'ehovah's viewpoint:
"? JEHOVAH IS DISPLEASED WITH HIS WOMAN "
'The Watchtower' February 1st 1972, page 79
Here it is:
* ** w93 5/1 17 Expanded Activities During Christ's Presence
6 From the time Christ's presence began and down to 1918, the slave class, despite unpopularity, persecution, and even some confusion, had been seeking to give timely food to the domestics. This is what the Master found when his inspection began. The Lord Jesus was pleased , and in 1919 he pronounced that faithful approved slave class happy.
What was the slave's delightful reward for doing what his Master had appointed him to do? A promotion! "
How it is possible to reconcile such contrary statements?
Remember it was clearly written that the 'remnant class' was
found giving out ?.faithfully and discreetly ?.
"food supplies"!!!
So the question is: what infact was t he real spititual conditions onf " the remnant class?" from the time Christ's presence began and down
to 1918, and I would add, even for many, many years after that date?
There is only one way to find out searching and ysung the WTBS Inc.'s own publications, their own witten history!!!
These are the results:
From the book: "Jehovah's Witnesss in the Divine purpose " published by the WTBS Inc. in the year 1959 .
On page 91 it is written concerning the situation and even the "uncleanliness " of " the early Bible students".
Let's roll
1*Believed that there were certain saving qualities in their self-merit;
2*Were guilty of creature worship;
3*They had a democratic form of 'election 'for
congregational oversight (elders and deacons);
4*Had an incorrect view of the " higher powers "
mentioned in Romans 13:1;
£
5*The " early Bible Students " celebrated " pagan "
holydays such as Christmas ;
See the book " Proclaimers?' published in 1993:
*** jv 198-9 14 "They Are No Part of the World" ***
WhentheWorldHadItsHolidays
When Jehovahs Witnesses cast aside religious teachings that had pagan roots, they also quit sharing in many customs that were similarly tainted. But for a time, certain holidays were not given the careful scrutiny that they needed. One of these was Christmas.
This holiday was celebrated yearly even by members of the Watch Tower Societys headquarters staff at the Bethel Home in Brooklyn, New York. For many years they had been aware that December 25 was not the correct date, but they reasoned that the date had long been popularly associated with the birth of the Savior and that doing good for others was proper on any day. However, after further investigation of the subject, the members of the Societys headquarters staff, as well as the staffs at the Societys branch offices in England and in Switzerland, decided to stop sharing in Christmas festivities, so no Christmas celebration was held there after 1926."
6*Celebrated birthdays :
see the book 'Proclaimers ..) *** jv 200 14 "They Are No Part of the World" ***
In their Daily Manna book, Bible Students kept a list of birthdays. But after they quit celebrating Christmas and when they realized that birthday celebrations were giving undue honor to creatures (one reason that early Christians never celebrated birthdays), the Bible Students quit this practice too."
7*Taught , for decades that the Great Pyramid was a strong and corroborative witness to Gods plan ;
See the book "Proclaimers?" *** jv 200 14 "They Are No Part of the World" ***
For some 35 years, Pastor Russell thought that the Great Pyramid of Gizeh was Gods stone witness, corroborating Biblical time periods. (Isa. 19:19) But Jehovahs Witnesses have abandoned the idea that an Egyptian pyramid has anything to do with true worship.
(See Watchtower issues of November 15 and December 1, 1928)
Yet the same book " Proclaimers " , wrote , only 421 pages after:
*** jv 621 28 Testing and Sifting From Within ***
It certainly could not be expected that God would use C. T. Russell if he did not loyally adhere to Gods Word. (Jer. 23:28; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17)
And , always concerning brother Chjarles Taze Russell:
"As Jehovahs Witnesses today review the work that he did, the things he taught, his reason for teaching them, and the outcome, they have no doubt that Charles Taze Russell was, indeed, used by God in a special way and at a significant time."
But of course, another 7 years passed and the WTBS Inc. gave an entirely different picture , about the matter , in the pages of
'The Watchtower ' 1st January 2000, pages 9-10 16-17 :
" Some Bible Students became engrossed with measuring different
features of the pyramid to determine such matters as the day they would be going to heaven ! This so-called Bible in Stone was held in esteem for some decades , until the Watchtower issues of November 15th and December 1st, 1928, made clear that Jehovah needed no stone monument built by pagan pharaohs and containing demonic signs of astrology to confirm the witness given in the Bible. "
8*Taught false dates as if truly coming from God :
i.e. 1874, 1878, 1881
From the book ' Proclaimers?' published in 1993
*** jv 632 28 Testing and Sifting From Within ***
Based on the premise that events of the first century might find parallels in related events later, they also concluded that if Jesus baptism and anointing in the autumn of 29 C.E. paralleled the beginning of an invisible presence in 1874, then his riding into Jerusalem as King in the spring of 33 C.E. would point to the spring of 1878 as the time when he would assume his power as heavenly King. They also thought they would be given their heavenly reward at that time. When that did not occur, they concluded that since Jesus anointed followers were to share with him in the Kingdom, the resurrection to spirit life of those already sleeping in death began then. It was also reasoned that the end of Gods special favor to natural Israel down to 36 C.E. might point to 1881 as the time when the special opportunity to become part of spiritual Israel would close.
9* Started teaching from the year 1918 :
"In this year on February 24, the discourse :
"The World Has Ended -- Millions Now Living Will Never Die"
is first delivered in Los Angeles, CA. ,by brother Rutherford.
This is followed by another one , in March 31, in Boston ,MA.-"
"Jehovah's Witnesss in the Divine purpose "
published by the WTBS Inc. , in 1959 , pages 76, 77, 93, 98, 104, 140
Many things were written in the 128- pages book : " Millions Now Living Will Never Die " like the expectations about the year 1925 ."
From the Yearbook 1980 , page 62 :
"The book Millions had been widely used in the French field since 1921 and on the basis of its contents, much was expected of 1925. But when 1925 came and went without the anticipated happening coming to pass, those on the outside who had read the book made fun of the brothers. Worse still, the faith of some of the brothers themselves was shaken. Some expected to go to heaven that year."
Concerning the publicity given , the book :
"Jehovah's Witnesss in the Divine purpose " page 140
stated : " ..the campaign Millions Now Living Will Never Die
from 1918 to 1921 was a step in the direction of reaching this
class destined one day to populate the earth.
As a further proof, read what was written , even in the year 1919,
there is a good one in:
" The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence "
December 15th, 1919 n 24 Vol. XL, page 373:
"The public seems eager to know something about the times in which
we are living and the meaning of all these wonderful phenomena. It a
great comfort to the hearts of many people to hear the message ,
" Millions Now Living Will Never Die," which the Lord's people can
confidently " announce, knowing that many of the generation now
upon the earth shall not pass away but live on until the Lord's Kingdom is fully established . They have in mind the words of the Master that ' were not the days of tribulation shortened there would be no flesh saved , but that for the elect's sake much flesh will be saved'; and that thus these millions will be brought through the time of trouble and have the opportunity of accepting the blessing of life under the terms of the New Covenant."
10*Expecting the return of " ancient worthies" and preparing a place for them!
By the way in 1919, it was not yet " Beth-Sarim" but simply the Bethel Home " in Brooklyn New York.
As a matter of fact this was written in " The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence " December 15 th , 1919 n 24 Vol. XL, page 374 :
"The Bethel Home is a spot dear to all the saints on earth. The name Bethel
means the house of God. It was founded by that wise and faithful messenger
of Laodicea, our dear Brother Russell, as the home from which the message of truth was to be sent forth. In the autumn of 1918 it was dismantled and stood vacant for some time. Many a heart turned longingly toward Bethel, praying that if it might be the Lord's will it would be restored , so that his people in this land
might have one place to which they could look as a temporary resting place in the
earth. The Lord opened the way to restore it and after a few months' strenous
effort it is with pleasure that we are able to announce that the Bethel has been
refurnished and the offices moved into it. The decoration throughout have been
changed, symbolizing the incoming age. While most of the furniture is plain, yet comfortable, the drawing-room and the parlors have been neatly and comfortably
furnished. Some might find occasion to criticize the expenditure of money in
furnishing these, but it has been thought not improbable that the Lord would be pleased to preserve this place and in due time some of the ancient worthies would find here an abiding spot."
* Concerning the particular teaching ( about the year 1925,) since the year 1918, also the book:
" Proclaimers " furnishes evidences:
*** jv 632 28 Testing and Sifting From Within ***
"In the lecture Millions Now Living Will Never Die, delivered by J. F. Rutherford on March 21, 1920, at the Hippodrome in New York City, attention was directed to the year 1925.
On what basis was it thought to be significant? In a booklet published in that same year, 1920, it was pointed out that if 70fullJubilees were calculated fromwhatwasunderstoodtobethedatewhenIsraelenteredthePromisedLand (instead of starting after the last typical Jubilee beforetheBabylonianexile and then counting to the beginning of the Jubilee year at the end of the 50th cycle), this could point to the year 1925.
On the basis of what was said there, many hoped that perhaps the remaining ones of the little flock would receive their heavenly reward by 1925.
This year also was associated with expectations for resurrection of faithful pre-Christian servants of God with a view to their serving on earth as princely representatives of the heavenly Kingdom.
If that really occurred, it would mean that mankind had entered an era in which death would cease to be master, and millions then living could have the hope of never dying off the earth. What a happy prospect! Though mistaken, they eagerly shared it with others. "
11*Used Masonic symbols like cross and crown :
*** jv 200 14 "They Are No Part of the World" ***
"For years, Bible Students wore a cross and crown as a
badge of identification, and this symbol was on the front
cover of the Watch Tower from 1891 to 1931.
But in 1928 it was emphasized that not a decorative symbol but ones
activity as a witness showed he was a Christian.
See also The Watchtower January 1 st , 2000 page 9 15:
For example , in the 1920s many Bible Students wore a pin
featuring a cross-and-crown emblem, and they celebrated
Christmas and other pagan holidays. "
12*Used of "The Ancient Egyptian Winged Sun Disk Symbol" on
the book "Finished mistery " published from the year 1917;
(see front cover of the book)
Se also an enlarged picture of "The Ancient Egyptian Winged Sun
Disk Symbol" from this link
: http://wingedsundisksymbol.homestead.com /
13* Taught and believed that C.T. Russell was the "faithful and discreet slave"
From the book : "Jehovah's Witnesss in the Divine purpose "
published by the WTBS Inc. , in 1959 , page 95 stated :
Some insisted on living on the past, in the time of Pastor Russell, when the brothers in general had viewed him as the sole channel of Scriptural
enlightenment. It was the published and accepted thought down till 1927 that he was that servant of Matthew 24 :45. (footnote : w. 1927, pp.55,56)
and :
*** jv 626 28 Testing and Sifting From Within ***
ClearingUptheIdentityoftheFaithfulandWiseServant
Many who were sifted out at that time clung to the view that a single individual, Charles Taze Russell, was the faithful and wise servant foretold by Jesus at Matthew 24:45-47 (KJ), which servant would distribute spiritual food to the household of faith. Particularly following his death, The Watch Tower itself set forth this view for a number of years. In view of the prominent role that Brother Russell had played, it appeared to the Bible Students of that time that this was the case.
He did not personally promote the idea, but he did acknowledge the apparent reasonableness of the arguments of those who favored it. He also emphasized, however, that whoever the Lord might use in such a role must be humble as well as zealous to bring glory to the Master, and that if the one chosen by the Lord failed, he would be replaced by another.
In 1881, Brother Russell himself had expressed the view that that servant was made up of the entire body of faithful spirit-anointed Christians. He saw it as being a collective servant, a class of persons who were united in doing Gods will. (Compare Isaiah 43:10.) This understanding was reaffirmed by the Bible Students in 1927.
Jehovahs Witnesses today recognize the Watchtower magazine and kindred publications to be the ones used by the faithful and discreet slave to dispense spiritual food. They do not claim that this slave class is infallible, but they do view it as the one channel that the Lord is using during the last days of this system of things.
14* Taught and believed that C.T.Russell ,who died in 1916, was granted
the privilege.to exercise some strong influence on the Harvest work.:
" The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence " November 1 st ,
1917 page 325 :
"Hence our dear Pastor, now in glory, is without doubt, manifesting a keen interest in the Harvest work, and is permitted by the Lord to exercise some strong influence thereupon. (Revelation 14:17) It is not unreasonable to conclude that he has been privileged to do, in connection with the Harvest work, things which he could not do while with us. Although we recognize that the Lord is the great Master and Director of the Harvest, yet we recognize that He would privilege the saints beyond the veil to have a part in the work on this side; and thus all the saints, both in Heaven and upon earth, are now given the honor of concluding the work on this side, preparatory to the full establishment of the Kingdom of Glory."
Btw this kind of teaching was confirmed, without specific names, and
applied to the all the resurrected anointed, in the year 1988, with the
publication by the WTBS Inc. of the book:
"Revelation It's Grand Climax At Hand! " page 125
"And in response one of the elders said to me: 'These who are dressed in the white robes, who are they and where did they come from?' So right away I said to him: 'My lord, you are the one that knows.'" (Revelation 7:13, 14a) Yes, that elder could locate the answer and give it to John. This suggests that resurrected ones of the 24-elders group may be involved in the communicating of divine truths today."
All the WTBS Inc.?s material quoted above, gives ample evidences that before special year 1918, and in 1919 and ? even many, many years after, the " early Bible Students " - or better the WTBS Inc.?s organization, was quite removed and distant from the « truth « which is contained in the ?Word of God. teaching of the Word of God.
Really then, under that immense, awe inspiring iceberg, with its shining pinnacles and beautiful smooth cristal clear surfaces there are only deep waters with great darkness?the realm of falsehood.
Whenever we take God?s Word as the standard of truth , who can also be included , among all those who :
? ?resort to distortion, half-truths, and outright falsehoods?.??
The answer is quite simple::
the mighty publishing corporation called
?Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania and New York Inc. ?
Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
" Nescit vox missa reverti" ( Horatius, ars poetica, 390)
(A word, once spoken, cannot be recalled back)
P.S. As for the claim of ' ? collective "faithful steward" class..' see this link: