This is an exact copy of the letter given to me by the guy who was conducting my JW studies. He gave it to me after I told him I no longer wanted to study with the JW's, in part because of their failed predictions and doctrinal changes.
But have not some of the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses undergone adjustments over the years? If they were truly chosen and led by God and if their teachings were backed by Scriptural authority to begin with, why would such changes be necessary?How Jehovah leads his people
Those who make up the one true Christian organization today do not have angelic revelations or divine inspiration. But they do have the inspired Holy Scriptures, which contain revelations of God’s thinking and will. As an organization and individually, they must accept the Bible as divine truth, study it carefully, and let it work in them. (1 Thess 2:13) But how do they arrive at the correct understanding of God’s Word?
The Bible itself says: “Do not interpretations belong to God?” (Gen 40:8) If in their study of the Scriptures a certain passage is difficult to understand, they must search to find other inspired passages that shed light on the subject. Thus they let the Bible interpret itself, and from this they endeavor to understand “the pattern” of truth set forth in God’s Word (2 Tim 1:13). Jehovah leads or guides them to such understanding by means of his holy spirit. But to get the guidance of that spirit, they must cultivate its fruitage, not grieve or work against it, and keep responsive to its proddings. (Gal 5:22,23,25; Eph 4:30). Moreover, by zealously applying what they learn, they keep building their faith, as a basis for gaining clearer and clearer understanding of how they must do God’s will in the world of which they are no part. – Luke 17:5; Phil 1:9,10.
Jehovah has always led his people to clearer understanding of his will. (Ps 43:3) Just how he has guided them may be illustrated this way: If a person has been in a dark room for a long period of time, is it not best if he is exposed to light gradually? Jehovah has exposed his people to the light of truth in a similar manner; he has enlightened them progressively. (Compare John 16:12,13) It has been as the proverb says: “The path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established.” – Prov 4:18
Jehovah’s dealings with his chosen servants in Bible times confirm that clear understanding of his will and purpose comes gradually. Thus, Abraham did not fully understand how Jehovah’s purpose in connection with the “seed” would work out. (Gen 12:1-3,7; 15:2-4; compare Heb 11:8) Daniel did not grasp the final outcome of the prophecies he recorded. (Dan 12:8,9) Jesus, when on earth, admitted that he did not know the day and hour that the present system of things would end. (Matt 24:36) The apostles did not at first understand that Jesus’ Kingdom would be heavenly, that it was not to be established in the first century, and that even Gentiles may inherit it. – Luke 19:11; Acts 1:6,7; 10:9-16, 34, 35; 2 Tim 4:18; Rev 5:9,10
It should not surprise us that in modern times too, Jehovah has often led his people as a progressive organization, gradually enlightening them as to bible truths. It is not the truths themselves that change. Truth remains truth. Jehovah’s will and purpose, as outlined in the Bible, remain fixed. (Isa 46:10) But their understanding of these truths gets progressively clearer “at the proper time,” Jehovah’s due time. (Matt 24:45; compare Dan 12:4,9) At times, because of human error or misguided zeal, their viewpoint may need to be adjusted.For example, at various times in the modern-day history of Jehovah’s Witnesses, their zeal and enthusiasm for the vindication of Jehovah’s sovereignty have led to premature expectations as to when the end of Satan’s wicked system of things would come. (Ezek 38:21-23) But Jehovah has not revealed in advance the exact time. (Acts 1:7) Hence, Jehovah’s people have had to adjust their views in this matter.
Such adjustments in viewpoint do not mean that God’s purpose has changed. Nor do they suggest that the end of this system is necessarily a long way off. On the contrary, the fulfillment of Bible prophecies concerning “the conclusion of the system of things” confirms the nearness of the end. (Matt 24:3) Well, does the fact that Jehovah’s Witnesses have had some premature expectations mean that they are not being led by God? Not any more than the disciples’ question about the imminence of the Kingdom in their day meant that they were not chosen and led by God! – Acts 1:6; compare Acts 2:47; 6:7.
Why are Jehovah’s Witnesses so sure that they have the true religion? Because they believe and accept what the Bible says as to the identifying marks of true worshippers. Their modern-day history, as discussed in earlier chapters of this publication, shows that, not just as individuals but as an organization, they meet the requisites: They loyally advocate the Bible as God’s sacred Word of truth (John 17:17); they keep completely separate from worldly affairs (Jas 1:27; 4:4); they bear witness to the divine name, Jehovah, and proclaim God’s Kingdom as mankind’s only hope. (Matt 6:9; 24:14; John 17:26); and they genuinely love each other. – John 13:34, 35.
I was given this sometime in late 1998. I looked at it and damn near threw it in the trash because it made me sick. Luckily I kept it and posted it on this board for all to get a chuckle.
Who else has gotten this crap from their higher-ups when they were having doubts? I'd be interested to see what other canned defense essays they have out there.
Jer.