From E-Watchmen Q&A
The Questions:
If someone disassociated themselves from the Watchtower Society due to research that convinced them that The Watchtower was erroneous on many issues and yet still felt convinced that Jehovah is much more gracious with regards to salvation than what we learned through the Watchtower, is it possible for such a one to get reinstated, even if they did not believe numerous things that the Watchtower teaches?
But is this possible if someone still does not believe that certain doctrines the Watchtower teaches are Bible based (i.e.: 1914, blood transfusions, disfellowshipping, etc)? Can you suggest how disfellowshipped or disassociated ones might get reinstated without lying or losing their integrity?
The Answer:
That is a difficult situation. First, you must consider the possibility that you are in error as well. When Jesus wrote to the seven congregations of his anointed ones, he twice mentioned that he hated the deeds of the sect of Nicolaus. Since Jesus' words were actually directed to the remnant of the anointed ones who would be living during the Lord's day, it indicates that there is a sectarian influence within the organization up until the time that Christ removes "all person doing lawlessness." Since such a divisive influence is not commonly recognized in the Society presently, it makes everyone more susceptible to it. Clearly, though, Jesus intended to alert his disciples to the danger of being misled from within the congregation. "Let he who has an ear hear what the spirit says."
Since Nicolaus was apparently a prominent person, he must symbolize an influential individual today that has a following within Christ's congregation. Unquestionably, Ray Franz and his sympathizers fit the profile of the modern day sect of Nicolaus. He, being a former member of the Governing Body, has an insider's credibility that he has used to draw thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses out of the organization. The modern-day sect's issues with the Watchtower are: 1914, blood transfusions, and disfellowshipping, etc.
So, since the spirit reveals to those with ears to hear that there is a sectarian influence in the organization up until Jehovah's judgment is leveled, and since that sect's influence is in evidence to those with eyes to see, it would be wise on your part to make sure that you have not fallen victim to the evil influence of the modern day sect of Nicolaus.
The main thing for all of us, whether in the truth or out of the truth, as the expression goes, is to have a close personal relationship with Jehovah and strong faith. Being disfellowshipped or disassociated, or alienated from the congregation in some other way, doesn't necessarily mean that we are also disfellowshipped from God, nor does it mean that we are disqualified from salvation or cut off from God. When Paul advised the Corinthian congregation to remove the wicked brother from their midst, he said that the purpose of that drastic action was for the 'destruction of the flesh so that the spirit might be saved.' So, according to Paul being expelled from the congregation, while harsh, was not a death sentence provided that the individual took the discipline and, in effect, destroyed his fleshly desires that had led him into sin.
Since sectarianism is also considered a work of the flesh, it would be well for persons who find themselves in the predicament that you describe, to reevaluate their situation and put forth an effort to humbly trust God to set all matters straight within his organization.
Your Response:
Gar
