Posts by processor

Finally a man appeared in Egypt; his name was Moses. And he was stopped by the police because his donkey had been too fast, and the policeman said to him: “Stick your hand, please, into the upper fold of your garment.” So he stuck his hand into the upper fold of his garment. When he drew it out, why, here his hand was stricken with leprosy like snow! After that the policeman said: “You are arrested for drug possession and for riding under the influence of drugs.” And Moses tried to defend his rights in court, but he was slow of mouth and slow of tongue. So he was sentenced to forty years in prison.

At the end of ten years Moses issued a request by saying: “Send me away, for the prison here is flooded with frogs!” But then it happened, before the King could decide about the request, that a power outage caused a gloomy darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days. So Moses was able to flee, and he hid at the Red Sea.

Finally Moses meandered around there. He resolved that if he would ever return to a civilized life, he and his descendants would follow these ten commandments:

You must not install any mirrors, so that you shall not see your ugly face.

You must not use the beer in a worthless way, for the brewery will not leave the one unpunished who uses its beer in a worthless way.

Remembering the Monday, the Tuesday, the Wednesday, the Thursday, the Friday, the Saturday, and the Sunday to hold it sacred, you must not do any work, you nor your washing machine nor your dishwasher nor your vacuum cleaner nor your lawn mower.

Honor your cow and her butter in order that your cakes may prove tasty.

You must not murder, except for persons you dislike.

You must not marry, then you cannot commit adultery.

You must become rich, then you do not need to steal.

You must not use your testicles falsely, for example, in the house of your fellowman.

You must not desire the debts of your fellowman who has built a house and married a wife.

Finally Moses wandered about for forty years, first through the wilderness of Sinai, then through the land of Canaan and through Asia Minor. There he settled among the Turks for a while, sold kebap with unfermented bread, and raised a family. Many centuries later his descendants moved on to the United States, and they began to say: “How we remember the fish that we used to purchase at the Market in Turkey, the cucumbers and the watermelons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic! But now our soul is dried away. Our eyes are on nothing at all except the Walmart!”

While the sons of Moses were continuing to live in the United States, they once found a man going into the ministry on Saturday. Then those who found him offering Watchtower magazines brought him up to the whole assembly. So they committed him into custody, because it had not been distinctly stated what should be done to him. In time one of the elders said to them: “Strictly speaking, the man should be put to death, the whole assembly pelting him with stones outside the city. But being limited by the laws of the worldly nation in which we live, we can take action against apostates only to a certain extent.” So they kept holding the man in custody.

And during the night a vision appeared to the man: a certain Muslim man was standing and entreating him and saying: “Step over into Afghanistan and help us.” Now as soon as he had seen the vision, he asked for permission to go to Afghanistan to preach the Good News of JW.ORG there. So they let him go and brought him to the Afghan embassy, where he got a Visa.

Now when the elder returned to his apartment, look, there was a hare escaped from its cage, causing dirt everywhere. And the elder proceeded to say to the hare: “Because you have done this thing, you are the cursed one out of all the domestic animals and out of all the wild beasts of the field. Upon your feet you will scamper and carrots are what you will eat all the days of your life. And I shall put enmity between you and the fox and between your ears and his teeth. He will bruise you in the ears and you will run away from him.”

Consequently the elder saw that the dirt was abundant in his apartment and every item of furniture was full of dust everywhere. And the elder felt regrets that the dust and the dirt were everywhere, and he felt hurt at his heart. So the elder said: “I am going to wipe dust and dirt which has formed off the surface of the furniture, from dresser to bedroom closet, to chair and to sofa, to three-legged table and to four-legged table, because I do regret that I have not done it before.”

Now it came about in spring that the elder wanted to visit a mediaeval market. And he put on his garment and took his sword and was about to leave the house when suddenly two criminal investigation officers stood in front of the door. And they said to him: “You are coming to us with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but we are coming to you with a search warrant on behalf of the Watchtower Society, whose Kingdom Melodies you have downloaded illegally. This day we will gather evidence, and the Watchtower Society will certainly sue you and remove your money off you.”

The Elder, for his part, refused to let the officers into his house. Thus they laid hands upon him and put him in the public place of custody. But during the night a member of the Pirate Party opened the doors of the prison, brought the elder out and said: “Be on your way! I have convinced the court that the Kingdom Melodies are not protectable works within the meaning of the copyright law.”

And the elder came out of prison, and he became older and older. Finally the time came near where he should be gathered to his forefathers. So he called his congregation together, and he said these words: “In the beginning God created moth and rust. Now the moth proved to be the most cautious of all the wild beasts of the night. So it began to dwell in Eves wardrobe. But does not the soul mean more than food and the body than clothing? Observe intently the birds of heaven, because they do not go to work or purchase groceries, but they steal their food from your fields. Are you not more important than they are? Who of you by going to work can add one cubit to his life span? So never be anxious and say, ‘What are we to fuel?’ For your heavenly Father created the rust, because he knows your cars need it.

And he went to the toilet, and when he returned, he continued to say: “Gods invisible qualities are clearly smelt from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made. And by God’s canalization the odor of the knowledge will be distributed in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the plumber will come. Therefore, when you catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes debt lying in your mailbox, (let the reader remember former craftsmen’s bills,) then let those dwelling there begin fleeing to the inner chambers. Let the man in the basement not come up to open the door to the bailiff.”

Now the elder fell asleep. Meanwhile his wife came home, and all those present said to her: “Your husband is sleeping; leave him alone.” So she said: “Stop taking me for a fool, for he is not sleeping but died.” So, after making a whip of ropes, she drove all those present out of her house. Later she buried her husband at the central cemetery.

10

The (Un)holy Scriptures

by processor in

a while ago i wrote the (un)holy scriptures in german.

originally i considered them untranslatable, but i decided to give it a try.

so here is the first of ten books.. .

processor

A while ago I wrote the (Un)holy Scriptures in German. Originally I considered them untranslatable, but I decided to give it a try. So here is the first of ten books.

https://unzj.wordpress.com/die-unechten-zeugen-jehovas/the-unholy-scriptures/the-book-of-cellulose/

The book of Cellulose

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with man, and the word was a woman. And there came to be evening and there came to be morning, a two-hundred-and-eighty-fourth day. And man went on to say: “It is not good for the woman to continue with me alone. I am going to make a shoe store for her, as a complement of her.” Now the man was forming from every wild beast of the field shoes, and he began bringing them to the woman to see what she would call each one; and whatever the woman would call it, each pair of shoes, that was its name.

So the woman was calling the names of all the flat shoes and high heels and of every sandal, but for man there was found no beverage as a complement of him. And man went on to say: “Let the brewery cause beer to shoot forth, multiple beers according to their types.” And man proceeded to make the two great beer types, the normal beer for dominating the day and the strong beer for dominating the night.

And man went on to say: “Let the woman swarm forth a swarm of tasty dishes, escalope and pork roast and roast potatoes and apple pie.” And it came to be so. That is why a man will leave his father and his mother and he must stick to his wife and they must eat flesh.

Now the woman proved to prepare a dish from fruit trees yielding fruit according to their kinds. And the man began to say to the woman: “Is it really so that God said we must eat vegetables? They might be toxic!” At this the woman said to the man: “We positively will not die. For God knows that vegetables are healthy.”

Consequently the man saw that the woman was something to be longed for to the eyes, yes, she was desirable to look upon. So the eyes of him became opened and he began to realize that she was naked. Later they heard the voice of the mailman delivering the parcels about the breezy part of the day. And the mailman kept calling to the man and saying to him: “Where are you?” Finally he said: “Your voice I heard in the garden, but I was afraid because I was naked and so I had to dress first.” At that he said: “Here is a Zappos delivery for your wife.” With that the man said to the woman: “What is this you have done?” To this the woman replied: “The shoes – they were cheap, and it was a special offer with free shipping!”

Now Adam had intercourse with Eve his wife and she became pregnant. In time she gave birth to Cain and Abel. And Abel came to be a herder of sheep, but Cain became a cultivator of the ground. And it came about at the expiration of some time that Cain proceeded to prepare a dish from fruits and vegetables for his parents. But as for Abel, he prepared a lamb of his flock, even its fatty pieces. Now while Adam was looking with favor upon Abel and his roast lamb, he did not look with any favor upon Cain and upon his vegetable stew. And Cain grew hot with great anger, and he said: “If you eat vegetables, will there not be health?”

In the course of time, Adam and Eve had more children and grandchildren. One of them was Noah, a righteous man. And he listened to Cain’s advice and said: “The end of all flesh has come before me, and here I will start eating nothing but fruits and vegetables.” And Noah proceeded to build a zoo. And he proceeded to build an elephant house, three hundred cubits its length, fifty cubits its width, and thirty cubits its height. And of every living creature of every sort of flesh, two of each he kept in his zoo. And he charged an entrance fee and earned money, and so he could sustain himself and his family. Now God said to the man: “Today is Saturday. Be dreadful and become many and fill the shops and the malls.” And so it came to be.

And Cush made a cushy cushion for his bed and became father to Nimrod. In his time men began to say, each one to the other: “Come on! Let us build ourselves a Watchtower, and since too many carbs are noxious, we will write upon it, ‘Eat fruits, and vegetables, daily.’” Accordingly man ate less bread, and they gradually left off building the city because they became too weak. Finally the King said to his wife: “Hurry! Get three seah measures of fine flour, knead the dough and make round cakes.” Afterwards he caused a cry to pass through his city, saying: “Come here, be gathered together to the great coffee table of the Queen!” And all the people were filled from the cake parts.

Now after these things it came about that the chief of the bakers sinned against the King. And the King said to him: “Have you sinned against your lord, the King, by using chemical additives and ready-to-bake mixes?” Accordingly he charged someone else with bread baking. But the former chief of the bakers he hung up.

And it came about at the end of two full years that Pharaoh was watching TV. And there ascending out of the river Nile were seven stupid cows, and they were beautiful in appearance and skinny. And there were seven other, even more stupid cows ascending after them out of the river Nile. And the King told his dream to Joseph, and then Joseph said to Pharaoh: “The seven stupid cows are seven actresses. And the seven even more stupid cows are seven contestants of talent shows. May the King not be afraid; fourteen crocodiles will come and eat up the seven stupid cows as well as the seven even more stupid cows.”

12

Aug 1/87 WT p 32 - WT Index 1930-1985 has indexed EVERY publication

by berrygerry in

interesting quote on the back page.. "this new book has indexed every publication produced by the watch tower bible and tract society since 1930.".

(also on the cd wt library).

funny then that the life everlasting book (1966) never made it in..

processor

The "Life Everlasting book (1966)" is in the 1930-85 Index. In the printed version as well as in the WTLIB version.

It is NOT, of course, in the "1986-20xx Index" editions.

176

THE ALTERNATIVE DAILY TEXT by The Witchtower editor

by processor in

i have published more than 200 'daily text' comments in german, and will now start translating those into english.

they will be published here:.

http://dailytext2.wordpress.com/.

processor

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=787017271343026&id=114394598605300

http://dailytext2.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/they-will-waste-their-time-they-will-go-from-house-to-house-carrying-stories-they-will-find-fault-with-people-and-say-things-they-should-not-talk-about/

Alternative Daily Text for Tuesday, August 12, 2014

“They will waste their time. They will go from house to house carrying stories. They will find fault with people and say things they should not talk about.” (1 Timothy 5:13, NLV)

It is obvious which group Paul had in mind when he wrote these warning words. Only Jehovah’s Witnesses “call from house to house, approach people on the street, and speak to them over the phone. Whether riding on a bus, walking in a park, or taking a break at their place of secular work, they eagerly look for every opportunity” to “find fault with people.” – “Bearing Thorough Witness” About God’s Kingdom, page 7.

But this ‘finding fault with people’ or “meddling in other people’s business” [NLT] is not limited to outsiders; rather it is very common within the congregation. If someone is not to be disfellowshipped, the currently valid Watchtower doctrines, “not any other pursuit, must become the focal point, or target, toward which his whole life is directed.” (The Watchtower, June 15, 1982, page 5) Jehovah’s Witnesses even meddle with the private life and, for example, dictate what a married couple is allowed to do and what not. – The Watchtower, September 15, 1977, page 558.

In his letter to Titus, Paul wrote that the same group would be “turning whole families away from the truth by their false teaching.” (Titus 1:11, NLT) This surely applies to Jehovah’s Witnesses, too, since “frequently they referred to their … beliefs as ‘present truth.’” (Jehovah’s Witnesses—Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, page 121) Hence their teachings were always true when they expressed them, but the former teachings are now false, and the current teachings had been false previously.

What should we do if we are Jehovah’s Witnesses? Paul reminds us of former brothers who gave a fine example: “Some of them have already left “ (1 Timothy 5:15, MSG) Leave Jehovah’s Witnesses before it is too late!

12

Aug 1/87 WT p 32 - WT Index 1930-1985 has indexed EVERY publication

by berrygerry in

interesting quote on the back page.. "this new book has indexed every publication produced by the watch tower bible and tract society since 1930.".

(also on the cd wt library).

funny then that the life everlasting book (1966) never made it in..

processor

The 1930-1985 Index on the 2013 WTLIB definitely has references to "li" which is the "Life Everlasting" book from 1966

Sorry, can you provide an example?

For example, if I type in "Victim twisted on cross" there is 1 result, which is what I was looking for, the Aug 15, 1987 WT.

The 1930-1985 (!) Index has definitely no reference to the 1987 WT. You are looking in the 1986-2013 Index.

See example here:

12

Aug 1/87 WT p 32 - WT Index 1930-1985 has indexed EVERY publication

by berrygerry in

interesting quote on the back page.. "this new book has indexed every publication produced by the watch tower bible and tract society since 1930.".

(also on the cd wt library).

funny then that the life everlasting book (1966) never made it in..

processor

Funny then that the Life Everlasting book (1966) never made it in.

???

The 1930-1985 Index on the 2013 WTLIB definitely has references to "li" which is the "Life Everlasting" book from 1966.

78

Jesus was a false prophet?

by opusdei1972 in

and he said to them, "i tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of god come with power.

(mark 9:1).

when you are persecuted in one place, flee to another.

processor

NONE of his prophecies has been fulfilled, at least in the way that his listeners must have understood them.

So the definition 'false prophet' fits him ...

4

Zechariahs Prophecy Light for All Jehovahs Witnesses

by processor in

zechariahs prophecy light for all jehovahs witnessesreprint from the witchtower, 6/2010.

as for your fathers, where are they?

and as for the prophets, was it to time indefinite that they continued to live?

processor

this makes my satire look like it was written by a kid.

Who said that my article is Satire???

4

Zechariahs Prophecy Light for All Jehovahs Witnesses

by processor in

zechariahs prophecy light for all jehovahs witnessesreprint from the witchtower, 6/2010.

as for your fathers, where are they?

and as for the prophets, was it to time indefinite that they continued to live?

processor

Zechariah’s Prophecy – Light for All Jehovah’s Witnesses

Reprint from The Witchtower, 6/2010

“As for your fathers, where are they? And as for the prophets, was it to time indefinite that they continued to live?” – Zechariah 1:5

Explorers of the Bible have always been fascinated by prophecies. Such a prophecy is the book of Zechariah, written in the sixth century BCE. It is special because it is fulfilled right before our eyes but does also foretell the near future.

Right at the beginning, it points out which group of people is its main topic. An angel says regarding the protagonists: “These are the ones whom Jehovah has sent forth to walk about in the earth.” (Zechariah 1:10) They confirm this and say: “We have walked about in the earth.” (Zechariah 1:11) Clearly they are people who “walk about in the earth” on behalf of Jehovah – Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Public Ministry

Indeed, their public ministry is the major feature of Jehovah’s Witnesses. (1998 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses, page 108) Zechariah describes their proceeding: “Look! there were four chariots … In the first chariot there were red horses; and in the second chariot, black horses. And in the third chariot there were white horses; and in the fourth chariot, horses speckled, parti-colored.” (Zechariah 6:1, 2) Most Jehovah’s Witnesses drive into their territories by car; though horse chariots are no more in use, the power of car motors is still measured in “horsepower.” In former times, people rode different-colored horses; today they are driving different-colored cars.

The publishers work in different territories: “The chariot with black horses goes toward the north, the chariot with white horses goes toward the west, and the one with spotted horses goes toward the south.” (Zechariah 6:6, CEV) The prophet fittingly describes the publishers driving to their assignments after the field service meeting.

One group though distinguishes itself: “As for the parti-colored ones, they must go forth and keep seeking where to go, in order to walk about in the earth … And they began walking about in the earth.” (Zechariah 6:7) These publishers do not go into the ministry only once a week; rather they “keep seeking where to go.” Obviously they are the pioneers and missionaries, for whom public ministry is a full-time job. Usually they have little money and have to drive old, botched cars, reminding a bit of parti-colored horses.

Many people are still asleep when Jehovah’s Witnesses ring their bell. The same happened to Zechariah; he reports: “The … [person] who was speaking with me proceeded to come back and wake me up, like a man that is awakened from his sleep” (Zechariah 4:1) But not enough that he woke the homeowner up, the publisher continues: “I will awaken your sons!” (Zechariah 9:13) Indeed a fitting description of Jehovah’s Witnesses who offer the magazine “Awake!” of all things at these morning visits.

Organizational Structure

The hierarchical structure of Jehovah’s Witnesses is exactly depicted in the prophecy too. First, Zechariah mentions the lowest level: “Look! there were four horns” (Zechariah 1:18) Sheep have two horns; hence the “four horns” resemble two “other sheep.” (John 10:16) They stand for the total number of Jehovah’s Witnesses who are counted as part of the “great crowd.” – Revelation 7:9.

The other group of Jehovah’s Witnesses, which is superior to the “other sheep,” is also mentioned. Zechariah explains: “What do these two olive trees on the right side of the lampstand and on its left side mean? … These are the two anointed ones.” (Zechariah 4:11, 14) The “anointed ones” who form the “faithful and discreet slave” stand on the right side and on the left side of “the lampstand” – the place where the “brighter light” and the other “spiritual food” emerges. – The Watchtower, March 1, 2004, page 10.

Why are the anointed likened to olive trees? The prophet Joel “used olive oil in describing … prosperity.” (The Watchtower, March 1, 1993, page 24) Though many of the “anointed” are seemingly poor, they are cherished by the “other sheep” and generously supported with donations. But “olive trees” were also a major source of fat in Israel; hence the verse indicates that many anointedare overweight.

Besides the “other sheep” and the “anointed,” there is someone else playing a role in the Watchtower organization. Zechariah reports regarding the angel who showed him the vision: “He proceeded to show me Joshua the high priest … and Satan standing at his right hand.” (Zechariah 3:1) In ancient Israel, the priest was the mediator between God and men; hence “Joshua the high priest” represents the Governing Body who claims to be the representative of the “faithful and discreet slave” and “God’s channel of communication.” In actual fact they are guided by Satan the Devil, as Zechariah’s prophecy clearly reveals.

Building of Kingdom Halls

The worldwide building activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses has been foretold by Zechariah too. He stated:“Furthermore, Jehovah showed me four craftsmen.” (Zechariah 1:20) Since the Watchtower organization has no regard for its followers and continues building during bad weather, Zechariah said about the construction workers: “They must become like mighty men stamping down in the mire.” – Zechariah 10:5.

Only God’s spirit could enable Zechariah to foresee even the working conditions at Jehovah’s Witnesses’ construction sites. He said, in “those days there were no wages for mankind made to exist … there was no such thing.” (Zechariah 8:10) The workers really get no wages, though the Kingdom Halls belong to the Watchtower Society or one of its corporations when they are completed.

Since responsibility is usually delegated according to “spirit-mindedness” or gender, but not according to skills, quarrels at the construction sites are bound to occur. Thus Zechariah adds: “To the one going out and to the one coming in there was no peace.” – Zechariah 8:10.

There were no fluorescent tubes in Zechariah’s day; yet God’s spirit made him prophesy about the Kingdom Halls built by Jehovah’s Witnesses: “Its seven lamps are upon it, even seven; and the lamps that are at the top of it have seven pipes.” (Zechariah 4:2) Indeed most Kingdom Halls are equipped with fluorescent tubes which remind of “pipes.” The number seven represents the total number of lamps in the building.

Further Details

Zechariah foretold further details about the Watchtower organization’s methods. For example, he explained:“Look! the stone that I have put before Joshua! Upon the one stone there are seven eyes … These seven are the eyes of Jehovah. They are roving about in all the earth.” (Zechariah 3:9; 4:10) Eyes are symbols of observation or surveillance; hence the “seven eyes” mean that Jehovah’s professed organization monitors the whole life of its followers. Of course they put great emphasis on the commitment in public service; in this regard they collect reports from literally “all the earth.” – The Watchtower, June 15, 1990, page 29.

In present times, these reports are usually no more sent by post but submitted through the Internet. Thereby they are also transmitted through copper cables, and Zechariah foretold even that as he saw“copper mountains” near the publishers. (Zechariah 6:1) More and more, the Internet with its copper cables is also used to distribute the magazines.

“Approved association with Jehovah’s Witnesses requires accepting … beliefs that are unique to Jehovah’s Witnesses.” (The Watchtower, April 1, 1986, page 31) One such teaching that is “unique to Jehovah’s Witnesses” was also predicted by Zechariah: “In that day Jehovah will prove to be one.” (Zechariah 14:9) People of former centuries considered Jehovah a triune God, but Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that he is only “one.” As they don’t want to be linked with Jehovah’s Witnesses, most Christians stopped to use the name “Jehovah.” Now, when people hear the name “Jehovah” they do no more think about the triune God of Christianity but about the non-triune God of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Exploiting followers

Zechariah tells us how members of the Governing Body and other “anointed” announce themselves when mixing with ordinary “other sheep” at conventions: “Look! Your king himself comes to you. He is righteous, yes, saved; humble.” (Zechariah 9:9) In fact, the “anointed” claim that they are “destined to ‘rule as kings over the earth.’” (The Watchtower, April 15, 1992, page 17) They also assert that, contrary to the “other sheep,” they have already been “declared righteous” and thus are quasi “saved.” (The Watchtower, January 15, 2008, page 21) Finally they pretend being “humble” by calling themselves “slave” (though they actually act like a master).

Zechariah continues to say about the “anointed” ones, they would be “riding upon an ass, even upon … the son of a she-ass.” (Zechariah 9:9) In fact, most anointed ones, especially those in executive positions, take their ease in their Bethel homes, while they have the asslike “other sheep” perform the painstaking public ministry. Many of these ‘asses’ did not become Jehovah’s Witnesses as adults; rather their parents already belonged to this organization – thus they are, so to speak, ‘sons of she-asses.’ Not for nothing, the Watchtower Society wonders: “What would we do without donkeys?” – Awake!, December 2006, page 26.

The “donkeys” or “asses” – the “other sheep” – also have financial losses. “The wealth of all the nations round about will certainly be gathered, gold and silver and garments in excessive abundance.” (Zechariah 14:14) Indeed, the asslike publishers donate money – the modern “gold and silver” – to the Watchtower Society; their publications particularly mention “the generous gifts of Jehovah’s witnesses around the world.” – 1970 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses, page 48.

But Jehovah’s Witnesses have other expenses besides donations. In fact, all of Jehovah’s Witnesses have “garments in excessive abundance” in their wardrobes, so that “at all meetings” they can “be neatly and appropriately dressed.” (The Watchtower, June 1, 1989, page 20) The Australian writer Jan Groenveld said: “You are likely a Jehovah’s Witness if you earn your living by window cleaning and yet have five suits hanging in your wardrobe.” Another writer said that the demand of a female Jehovah’s Witness to express her belonging to God’s “chosen people” through her clothes can “even dwindle into stress and rivalry.” – Die Kleiderordnung der Zeugen Jehovas.

Sometimes this situation leads to bizarre sights. Zechariah prophesied about a Jehovah’s Witness: “He happened to be clothed in befouled garments.” (Zechariah 3:3) Indeed, in many congregations some publishers formally observe the dress code – that is, men wear ties, women skirts or dresses – but they do not notice that their garments are dirty or damaged, don’t fit or don’t match in terms of color. The elders add to this behavior by accepting every brother as long as he wears a tie (regardless of how dirty or messy his clothing is otherwise), but trouncing every sister wearing a pantsuit (regardless of how neat it is).

Not all followers of the Watchtower Society may donate money, but the dress code and related expenses have effect on “all Witnesses of Jehovah.” (The Watchtower, November 15, 1989, page 14) Zechariah calls the abnormal striving after “well-arranged dress” a “scourge” and states: “The scourge of the horse, the mule, the camel, and the male ass … will prove to be, like this scourge.” (Zechariah 14:15)It really befalls all publishers who can be called ‘horses, mules, camels, and asses’ according to their character.

Water of Life?

Now Zechariah explains the impact of the Watchtower Society’s scribblings on the people: “It will not be day, neither will it be night; and it must occur that at evening time it will become light. And it must occur in that day that living waters will go forth from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea. In summer and in winter it will occur.” – Zechariah 14:7, 8.

Here Zechariah likens the so-called “water of life” which is distributed by Jehovah’s Witnesses with the literal ‘living water’ or “water of life.” This term is usually applied to Vodka, and “in summer and in winter” large amounts of Vodka are exported from Russia “to the eastern sea … and to the western sea,” that is, in all directions. A part of Russia is north of the Arctic Circle where it “will not be day” in winter, but in summer it will not be “night” but “at evening time it will become light.”

In a transferred sense, spiritual Vodka is exported from Brooklyn, the antitypical “Jerusalem,” to the entire world. The publications of the Watchtower Society make their readers spiritually drunk; this spiritual alcohol “deadens the senses so that one’s judgment is impaired, and one loses control of one’s mind.” (The Watchtower, August 1, 1975, page 468) Whoever consumes too much of it might eventually accept a “Bible Study” with Jehovah’s Witnesses and hence be befallen by the “scourge.” – Zechariah 14:15.

Zechariah confirms this idea; he sees “a flying scroll” and explains: “This is the curse that is going forth over the surface of all the earth.” (Zechariah 5:3) Like ‘flying scrolls,’ new Watchtower issues spread with lightning speed “over the surface of all the earth” and become a “curse” for everyone believing in their content.

Wickedness

In another vision Zechariah saw an additional feature of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He reports: “It is a basket … the heavy lead cover was lifted off the basket, and there was a woman sitting inside it.” (Zechariah 5:6, 7, NLT) Who is this mysterious woman in the basket? An angel explained: “This is their aspect in all the earth … This is Wickedness.” – Zechariah 5:6, 8.

Why is “wickedness” depicted as a “woman?” Throughout history, God’s worshippers considered women to be the source of evil. The Apocrypha say: “From garments cometh a moth, and from women wickedness. Better is the churlishness of a man than a courteous woman.” (Ecclesiasticus 42:13, 14, KJV) Centuries later Pope Pius II wrote: “When you see a woman, consider it the devil! She is a kind of hell!”

Jehovah’s Witnesses also hold the view that wickedness basically emanates from women. For example, they wrote: “The congregation in Thyatira was tolerating idolatry, false teaching, and sexual immorality. In their midst was ‘that woman Jezebel’ – perhaps a group of women with traits like those of wicked Queen Jezebel … Let no self-appointed prophetess seek to manipulate others in the present-day Christian congregation!” (The Watchtower, May 15, 2003, page 18) On another occasion they advised women: “Godly women avoid being like Jezebel or any of her kind.” – The Watchtower, September 15, 1997, page 18.

Everyone who spent some time with Jehovah’s Witnesses knows that “wickedness” is abounding in their congregations. Of course this is not only due to women – but the Watchtower literature is written or at least checked by men. That is why their magazines continue to picture women as the origin of evil: “Christian women were to be in subjection to their husbands … They were also to respect the elders appointed within the congregation, all of whom were men … Christian women were to leave public teaching in the congregation to such appointed ‘older men’ and refrain from publicly contradicting such teachers … Any improper feminine influence within a congregation would incur Christ’s unfavorable judgment.” – The Watchtower, September 1, 1986, page 16.

Zechariah prophesied regarding the “king,” the “anointed” managerial elite of Jehovah’s Witnesses: “He will actually speak peace to the nations; and his rulership will be from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.” (Zechariah 9:10) Granted, Jehovah’s Witnesses “speak peace to the nations” – they keep talking of a “peaceful new world.” (Life in a Peaceful New World, cover page) But in actual fact they are ruling “from sea to sea,” and “the wicked are … the sea.” (Isaiah 57:20) Hence they are ruling over “the wicked” in their congregations.

The “rulership” of the Governing Body is also “from the River to the ends of the earth” – what does that mean? The “River” is without doubt the Euphrates in Babylonia, which proves that the Watchtower Society is part of “Babylon the Great.” (Revelation 14:8) Joseph F. Rutherford, a famous judge, pointed out who is behind this “River” when he said: “Satan the Devil, represented by the great Dragon … said: ‘My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself.’” – Light, volume I, page 291.

The Watchtower Society’s rule reaches “to the ends of the earth,” and the Bible says: “The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19) Hence the “faithful and discreet slave” himself is “the wicked one,” collaborating with Satan and ruling over a nation of wicked ones.

Would there ever be an end to wickedness in the congregation? Zechariah “saw two women flying … gliding on the wind … They picked up the basket and flew into the sky. ‘Where are they taking the basket?’ … ‘To the land of Babylonia, where they will build a temple for the basket. And when the temple is ready, they will set the basket there on its pedestal.’” (Zechariah 5:9-11, NLT) Hence “wickedness” would not cease, but even an own temple for it would be established in “Babylonia” – the dwelling place of “Babylon the Great.” Indeed, all false religions – including Jehovah’s Witnesses – would excel in yielding wickedness.

The Condition Exposed

The Watchtower organization’s poor spiritual condition does not remain concealed. God says: “I will send your prisoners out of the pit in which there is no water … you prisoners of the hope.” (Zechariah 9:11, 12) Jehovah’s Witnesses are indeed “prisoners of the hope” for a new world that never comes. But since so far all of the Watchtower Society’s predictions have failed to fulfill, some Jehovah’s Witnesses become “disillusioned or tired of waiting for Armageddon.” (The Watchtower, January 1, 1998, page 9) They realize that the “other sheep” (which they belong to) are a “flock meant for the killing,” that is, they will die before Armageddon “although they are not held guilty.” – Zechariah 11:4, 5.

Individuals understand that in a spiritual sense “there is no water” in the Watchtower but Vodka, making its readers drunk. (Zechariah 14:7) Through Zechariah God tells them: “Run! … Hey there! Hey there! Flee, then, you people! … Make your escape, you who are dwelling with the daughter of Babylon! … Keep silence.” (Zechariah 2:4, 6, 7, 13) By their unbiblical doctrines as well as their collaboration with the United Nations and other political organizations, Jehovah’s Witnesses made themselves a part of “Babylon the Great.” (Revelation 14:8) Everyone who grasped that should no longer be “dwelling with the daughter of Babylon” by remaining in the Watchtower organization but rather ‘run, flee and escape.’ He should ‘keep silence’ instead of preaching the “Good News” of an upcoming annihilation.

Zechariah then encourages such persons: “The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth month, and the fast of the seventh month, and the fast of the tenth month will become … an exultation and a rejoicing and good festal seasons.” (Zechariah 8:18) Of course this statement does not refer to literal fasting; it rather encourages people to stop reading the Watchtowerand listening to the boring speeches at meetings and conventions. Whoever starts spiritual fasting will soon ‘rejoice’ and realize what a burden is gone from him!

Forefathers

Among those realizing the truth about the “truth” are many children of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Zechariah addresses them: “Jehovah grew indignant at your fathers – very much so … Do not become like your fathers to whom the former prophets called, saying: ‘This is what Jehovah of armies has said …’” (Zechariah 1:2, 4) Their fathers listened to “the former prophets” – the Watchtower Society’s writers who foretold Armageddon for 1914 and 1975 as well as the resurrection of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for 1925. God “grew indignant” at them because they allowed such lying prophets to delude them and didn’t notice at all that it was not “Jehovah of armies” who “has said” what the Watchtower printed.

Then the prophet hits the nail right on the head, asking:“As for your fathers, where are they? And as for the prophets, was it to time indefinite that they continued to live?” (Zechariah 1:5) Indeed, where are the earlier Bible Students and Jehovah’s Witnesses now? In the paradise that was established on earth in ~~1914~~, ~~1925~~, ~~the 1940s~~, ~~1975~~, ~~before 1995~~, the 20 th century? And “as for the prophets” – Charles Taze Russell, Joseph F. Rutherford, Nathan H. Knorr (and his ghostwriter F. W. Franz) – where are they today? Are they ruling over mankind from heaven? Do people at least still read and cherish their books?

God urges children of Jehovah’s Witnesses: “Don’t be like your parents! … Leave!” (Zechariah 1:3, MSG)“Paul himself had changed his religion … when he found that the ‘traditions of his forefathers’ were not in harmony with the Scriptures.” (The Watchtower, October 1, 1970, page 581) Everyone who has been raised as a Jehovah’s Witness should do the same.

At another occasion, Zechariah reminds again of the numerous false forecasts by the Watchtower prophets:“The practicers of divination, for their part, have visioned falsehood, and valueless dreams are what they keep speaking, and in vain they try to comfort … Against the goatlike leaders I shall hold an accounting.” – Zechariah 10:2, 3.

Indeed, all the prophecies in the countless publications of Jehovah’s Witnesses – “falsehood and valueless dreams” they have proved to be. “In vain” the elders “try to comfort” those who are disappointed for that reason. But Zechariah predicted regarding these: “They will certainly depart.” (Zechariah 10:2) Many are unsatisfied with the flimsy excuses and leave the organization.

Discussing with Elders

Some realize immediately that the Watchtower organization is based on lies and leave right away. Others though are only bothered about individual issues and try to talk to the elders about their doubts. Some of them read old Watchtower publications, such as the books by Charles Taze Russell and Joseph F. Rutherford or the Golden Age. They are appalled by the doctrine about the Great Pyramid, the attitude towards war, the expectations for 1925, or the medical advice that God’s channel of communication propagated at that time, and say to the elders: “Don’t you know the message which Jehovah proclaimed through the former prophets?” – Zechariah 7:7, Luther.

Zechariah also predicted how the elders would react to such questions: “The prophets will become ashamed, each one of his vision when he prophesies … for the purpose of deceiving. And he will certainly say, ‘I am no prophet.’” (Zechariah 13:4, 5) The same excuse, which is surely cited by the elders in such a situation, is used by the faithful and discreet slave: “Today, Jehovah does not inspire prophets as in the past; instead, he has commissioned a faithful slave class … How important, therefore, that we have an obedient attitude toward that ‘slave!’” – The Watchtower, October 1, 2002, page 17.

God jibes at the elders and instructs them through Zechariah: “Take yet for yourself the implements of a useless shepherd.” (Zechariah 11:15) As many elders do not have a strong inner conviction but are merely good heelers, they are usually lacking arguments when discussing with doubters. Then they consult “the implements of a useless shepherd,” likely their books and the Watchtower Society’s letters which contain detailed instructions for all possible situations.

It could be though that the “implements of a useless shepherd” refer to the threat which many elders utter during such discussions. They threaten the doubter with the spiritual (and later literal) death by disfellowshipping if he dares to talk to anyone about his doubts. Indeed a “useless” sanction – which loving shepherd would kill one of his sheep or ban it from the flock?

Now at the latest, many Jehovah’s Witnesses grasp that the Watchtower Society is a false prophet and that they have wasted their previous life to a lie. God foretold through Zechariah: “In that day … I shall strike every horse with bewilderment and its rider with madness.” (Zechariah 12:4) Indeed some are ‘bewildered’ when they become aware of the truth about the “truth.” They don’t really know what to do now. Others go ‘mad’ when they realize that they squandered their whole life to a group of senile liars.

The End is near

Zechariah foretold: “There will no more prove to be a Canaanite in the house of Jehovah.” (Zechariah 14:21) The name “Canaan” means “Merchant Land” or “Land of the Tradesman;” hence the ‘Canaanites’ are merchants, tradesmen, and other educated people.(Insight on the Scriptures, volume I, page 399) Soon they all will no more be “in the house of Jehovah,” that is, the Kingdom Hall, but they will have left the Watchtower organization.

Before long, the Kingdom Halls will look like prophesied by Zechariah: “Very old people with walking sticks will … sit around.” (Zechariah 8:4, CEV) All young and smart people will have disassociated themselves. The remaining elderly ones too may have realized that they have been misled, but they don’t want to start a new life. They prefer to be lulled by the latest Armageddon forecasts week after week until they pass away peacefully.

Last Try

The Governing Body will get worried about this development. The old geezers will refuse to believe that their writing is on the wall, but rather they will comfort each other: “It will yet be that peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will come … saying: ‘Let us earnestly go to soften the face of Jehovah and to seek Jehovah.’” (Zechariah 8:20, 21) They will still believe in a large increase.

They will wonder what they did wrong, so that the increase fails to appear. Finally they will come across the following Bible verse: “It will be in those days that ten men out of all the languages of the nations will take hold, yes, they will actually take hold of the skirt of a man who is a Jew.” (Zechariah 8:23) They have always applied this prophecy to themselves: “[This] man who is a Jew … represents the remnant of spirit-anointed Christians” –The Watchtower, February 15, 2009, page 27.

In one of their meetings, the scales will fall from their eyes: How should the people “take hold of the skirt of a man” who is a Jehovah’s Witness while we forbid men to wear skirts? Immediately they will commission a Watchtowerarticle that introduces a new dress code based on Zechariah 8:23. All brothers will have to wear skirts in public service, so that the homeowners have an occasion to fulfill the prophecy.

“Then the end will come”

God foretold through Zechariah: “I shall certainly gather all the nations against Jerusalem for the war; and the city will actually be captured and the houses be pillaged, and the women themselves will be raped.” (Zechariah 14:2) Indeed, “all nations” will take action against the cult leaders from Brooklyn, the antitypical “Jerusalem,” and their followers in the different countries. They will ban this organization; their “houses” – the Bethel homes, Kingdom Halls and other facilities – will be “pillaged” and made available for charitable purposes.

How will “the women … be raped?” Not literally. But “since the Bible puts abstaining from blood on the same moral level as avoiding fornication, to force blood on a Christian would be … rape.” (How Can Blood Save Your Life?, page 20) Zechariah’s statement means that no one will have to fear reprisals for accepting a blood transfusion.

The printing plants of Jehovah’s Witnesses will cease their activities, too. “On that day there will be no light.” (Zechariah 14:6, NIV) There won’t be a writing department making up “brighter light” anymore. Zechariah also prophesied regarding God’s executioner: “The hoofs of the sheep he will tear off.” (Zechariah 11:16) The “hoofs of the sheep” represent the shoes worn by the “other sheep” in public service. But then, public service will be no more.

Jehovah instructs his executioner: “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.” (Zechariah 13:7, NIV) Punishment will come only over the “shepherd,” the leaders of the Watchtower Society. The “[other] sheep will be scattered” and take control of their own lives. “In that day there will come to be a well opened … to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for an abhorrent thing.” (Zechariah 13:1) The former cult victims are now free to organize their life by their own standards. They even can do things that Jehovah’s Witnesses called “sin” or “an abhorrent thing,” such as celebrating birthdays, reading Lord of the Rings, or buying a ticket from a charity lottery.

What will become of “the spiritual estate inhabited by God’s [professed] people” after the Watchtower organization’s destruction? Zechariah foretold: “The whole land will be changed like the Arabah, from Geba to Rimmon.” (Zechariah 14:10) Mistakenly, the words in this verse have been translated as personal names; the correct rendering would be: “The whole land will be changed into a desert plain, from the hill to the pomegranate tree.” (see Insight on the Scriptures) The fertile “land” that had sustained the Watchtower leaders with donations and conveniences for more than hundred years will become “a desert plain” with nothing for them.

Mourning

These remaining cult leaders will remember the profit that they are missing now, “and they’ll weep – oh, how they’ll weep! Deep mourning as of a parent grieving the loss of the firstborn child. The lamentation in Jerusalem that day will be massive.” (Zechariah 12:10, MSG) Now they have to earn their living by themselves, something they had not done for decades.

The annihilation of Jehovah’s Witnesses will be permanent. Zechariah prophesied: “They will no more be remembered; and also the prophets … I shall cause to pass out of the land. And it must occur that in case a man should prophesy anymore, his father and his mother … must also say to him, ‘You will not live, because … you have spoken in the name of Jehovah.’ And his father and his mother … must pierce him through because of his prophesying.” – Zechariah 13:2, 3.

Indeed, whoever may try to revive the Watchtower religion will be put to death immediately. What splendid prospects!