To Summarize the Below First ....
(Before you read.. this can all be very Intimidating, the Watchtower has really made things Complicated. If I can help you better understand the Contradiction's & Lies please PM me or post a Reply. I will be happy to assist anyone to fully understand this Apostasy from the WT)
1.Revelation 19:20 & 21, Verse 20 is discussing the Wild Beast and the False Prophet, then in verse 21 The Inhabitants of the earth who have been deceived by these 2 entities.
2. In Ezekiel 31:17, it symbolically disusses the Inhabitants of the Earth that are Deceived by the symbolic "Phar′aoh king of Egypt"
3. In The 1978 Watchtower 1/15, identifies this symbolic "Egypt" as the "worldwide political system of things of our day"
4. The current insight book confirms that the "worldwide political system of things of our day" is The Wild Beast.
5. In Ezekiel 31:17 the inhabitants who are deceived are "Slain by the Sword" and go down to "Sheol".
6. WT 2005 5/1 13-17 Confirms that those in Sheol receive Resurrection.
Based on this.. why does the w05 1/15 page 19-20 par 18 make this statement when referring to Revelation 19:21?
"Out of his mouth there protrudes a sharp long sword, that he may strike the nations with it.” This invincible “King of kings” will rescue Jehovah’s loyal worshipers and annihilate all their enemies. " (FYI - When they say Annihilate, they are referring to Gehhena /Lake of Fire)
The Watchtower frequently quotes from Revelation 19:21 - to support their Doctrine that anyone Destroyed at Armageddon will be Annihilated.. By quickly glancing over this chapter, it is easy to see how one might take it to mean this.
The scripture says : " But the rest were killed off with the long sword that proceeded out of the mouth of the one seated on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh. "
The Watchtower Says :
"All others who were not directly part of government but who were nevertheless an irreformable part of this corrupt world of mankind are likewise “killed off with the long sword of the one seated on the horse.” Jesus will pronounce them deserving of death. Since in their case the lake of fire is not mentioned, are we to expect that they will have a resurrection? Nowhere are we told that those executed by Jehovah’s Judge at that time are to be resurrected. As Jesus himself stated, all those who are not “sheep” go off “into the everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels,” that is, “into everlasting cutting-off.” Reasoning Book Chap 39 p286 par 25
Out of his mouth there protrudes a sharp long sword , that he may strike the nations with it.” This invincible “King of kings” will rescue Jehovah’s loyal worshipers and annihilate all their enemies. - w05 1/15 page 19-20 par 18
So it it the Organizations Doctrine that all whom are not Jehovah's Witnesses at Armageddon are Annihilated.
In order to understand this Scripture better, we can examine the Individual words used, and reference them to other Scriptures.
Sword - Here are a few Applicable Scriptures to "Sword"
Ephesians 6:17 : "Also, accept the helmet of salvation,and the sword of the spirit, that is, God’s word." (Sword = Word of God)
Hebrews 4:12 -"For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword , and pierces even to the dividing of soul* and spirit." (Sword = Word of God)
Isaiah 49:2 " He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword ." (Sword compared to words of Judgement)
Psalms 64:3 - "They sharpen their tongue just like a sword ; They aim their cruel words like arrows." (Sword is the Tongue which makes cruel words)
Proverbs 25:18 18 "Like a war club and a sword and a sharp arrow Is a man bearing false witness against his neighbor" (Sword is the Tongue which makes false words)
By these Scriptures, we can see that the Sword is The Word of God used as a strong Denunciation.
Now.. let's look at some other instances that "Sword" is used.
Speaking of Mary - Luke 2:35 - " (yes, a long sword will be run through you ), in order that the reasoning's of many hearts may be revealed.”
Quote from the WT regarding this Scripture .. " With reference to Mary, Simeon said: “Yes, a long sword will be run through the soul of you yourself.” The sword mentioned here is not literal. There is no Scriptural indication that Mary had an actual sword run through her. But what Simeon said did indicate that one day Jesus’ mother would be smitten with sorrow. The rejection of Jesus Christ by many Jews must surely have distressed her. But she certainly experienced poignant grief when she saw her son dying upon the torture stake."- Watchtower 1966 4/15 255 - End Quote (If this Watchtower uses the Reasoning, "There is no scriptural indication that this was an actual Sword, how can they take a Different Stance regarding the Long Sword in Revelation 19:21?)
Now.. The Most Important Scripture regarding the Sword..
Ezekiel 31:17 - " They have gone down to the Grave * with him, to those slain by the sword, + together with his supporters * who lived in his shadow among the nations." (The word Grave here is she·'o·v·lah or Sheol)
The Watchtower Explains Ezekiel 31:
Watchtower 78 1/15 "
"The literal land of Egypt is not what is meant in the modern antitypical fulfillment of Ezekiel chapter 31. Rather, the application is to the worldwide political system of things of our day. How so? Ancient Egypt was a prominent military power that, like a huge tree, was trying to spread its dominating influence world wide so as to affect all peoples. Comparably, there is today a worldwide political organization that can be likened to a tall cedar on the mountainside of Lebanon, under which many nations take refuge."
Of "worldwide political system of things of our day" The current Insight book confirms they are the Wild Beast " The Wild Beasts of Daniel and of Revelation. That the beasts described in these books represent political kingdoms or governments, exercising rulership and authority, is clearly stated. http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/pc/r1/lp-e/1200004775/966/0
w04 4/1 pp. 4-7 - " The composite beast of Revelation 13:1, 2 symbolizes the worldwide political system , empowered and controlled by Satan."
Watchtower Explanation on Sheol - What, then, are the prospects for those in Sheol (Hades) and those in Gehenna? Simply put, resurrection for the former; eternal destruction—nonexistence—for the latter. -WT 2005 5/1 13-17 http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2005323?q=sheol&p=par
