JEHOVAH WITNESS CULT - NYOBS 74.15

JEHOVAH WITNESS CULT

The Cross is a pagan Sex symbol – Jesus has already returned - There is no Trinity -

First Word

·         This Word Study is not to Judge the Jehovah Witness denomination, but to express an earnest sorrow for their blind deception, not only for themselves, but for those who they solicit as they go door to door, blindly leading them into this same deception. - They will all fall into the ditch. – It’s in the Book -

·         In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is teaching The Beatitudes which did NOT show a person how to be saved, but shows the characteristics of a person WHO IS SAVED. - They are not promises, but a description. – NYOBS 04.02 – BE-ATTITUDES

• Blessed are those who mourn - This second beatitude really grabs my Spirit. - This mourning is acknowledging my own personal sins with a broken heart before God.  My sins are just too deep to conceal.
• It is weeping in Godly sorrow and compassion over misguided perishing JW souls and anguishing over sins of others; tears of sorrow for injustice and wanting right to prevail.

Matt 5:1-9 – Mourning over those that are misguided

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ESV

Isa 6:5 – Recognizing who I am before God

5 Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. KJV

Ps 119:136 – Mourning for my sin and others sin

136 Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed

CULT

·         CULT - A religious group that 1) meets regularly; 2) has an altar; 3) prays to a deity; 4) points to a different book other than the Bible, and/or 5) points to a prophet or founder who has “special enlightenment” not found in the Bible.

·         Jehovah Witnesses 1) meet regularly, 2) have an altar, 3) pray to a deity; 4) point to the WATCHTOWER for new enlightenment and point to their New World Translation book as the Bible and 5)  point to Charles Taze Russell as their prophet. – ALL FIVE CULT POINTS MET  -

• All cults do not have all the same characteristics.  Some stress moral activities, others lifestyle; the kind of method of proselytizing; manifestation of Spiritual Gifts, Spirit Guides, Self-denial; Rejection of the upper classes values; Chanting, Channeling, Visions, Scientific, Philosophical and Communal methods and Sex freedom religions; then there is bizarre cultic behavior such as Jim Jones. - We simply cannot lump all cults together although they have ONE theme in common; THEY ALL PRESENT A DIFFERENT GOSPEL.

Matt 15:14 – JW are the blind leading the blind into a ditch

14 And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. KJV

Galatians 1:6-7 – Some change so quickly to another Gospel
⁶ I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from Him who called you by the grace of Christ ⌊and are turning⌋ to A DIFFERENT GOSPEL;
⁷ NOT that there is ANOTHER GOSPEL, but there are some who are troubling you and want to change the good news about the Messiah.

Jesus Christ Plus

·         Jesus Christ Plus Rules, Rites, Myths and Traditions – NYOBS 14.02 – ANOTHER GOSPEL

• Immediately, as the Gospel of Jesus Christ was preached; “another gospel” began. - This gospel was that of Jesus Christ “PLUS” customs and rites; (circumcision - hand washing)
• The very first group was called “Judaizers” who sought to make Jewish Law a part of Christianity, later there were splinter groups like the “Nicolaitanes” who added their own legalism.  Today we call these legalistic movements; Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, etc.
• How good is good?  - When are you good enough? –

Salvation is Jesus Christ PLUS nothing else

Titus 1:10-14 – Jesus plus Jewish Myths

10 For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the “circumcision group”.

11 They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach-and that for the sake of dishonest gain.

13 Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith

14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth. NIV

Mark 7:6-7 – Jesus plus Rules

6 He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: "`These people honor me with their lips,

but their hearts are far from me.

7 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'  NIV

Mark 7:13 – Jesus plus Traditions

13 Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that." NIV

Mark 7:8 – Tradition supersedes God’s commands

8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men." NIV

Rev 2:6 – The Nicolaitans – Jesus plus more stuff

6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. NIV

Watchtower Society

• The Watchtower Society and its followers claim they are all PROPHETS of God and their governing body is directed by angels of God.  They are the only source of God’s truth and they alone can interpret God’s word. -There is no salvation apart from following the NWT bible; your soul will be destroyed.
• The Watchtower and Awake Magazine are treated as EQUAL to the Bible. - When the Watchtower Society changes their doctrines, they say it’s because the “light of truth” is getting brighter. – Their light bounces from old views to new views then back to the old views again; About Faces.
• They have their own Bible – The NWT, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.  Four out of the five translators did not know Greek nor Hebrew, but they were “experienced” JW followers who were anointed to do the work.
• For your prayers to be heard you must use the correct name for God, the name Jehovah.

Watchtower Prophecy

·         Bible - God has a word or two about Prophecy - I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me. - Yes,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, ‘The LORD declares.’ - Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” declares the LORD. “They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I DID NOT SEND OR APPOINT THEM. They do not benefit these people in the least.

·         Let’s look at some of the JW prophecies.

·         1897 Our Lord, the appointed King, is now present, since October 1874. – Didn’t Happen -

·         1899 The battle of “the great day of God Almighty”, which will end in A.D. 1914 with the complete overthrow of earth's present ruler ship, is already commenced," – Didn’t Happen -

·         1916 The Bible chronology herein presented shows that the six great 1000 year days beginning with Adam are ended, and that the great 7th Day, the 1000 years of Christ's Reign, began in 1873. - Well that Didn’t Happen either -

·         1918 Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews 11, to the condition of human perfection – Didn’t Happen -

·         1925 The year 1925 is here. With great expectation Christians have looked forward to this year. Many have confidently expected that all members of the body of Christ will be changed to heavenly glory during this year. This may be accomplished. It may not be. In his own due time God will accomplish his purposes concerning his people. Christians should not be so deeply concerned about what may transpire this year. – Didn’t Happen - In the year 1925, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and other patriarchs were supposed to be back on earth as perfect humans. – Didn’t Happen - The Society built "Beth Sarim", a palatial home for them, BUT since they did not appear, the President of the Society moved in.

·         1931 There was a measure of disappointment on the part of Jehovah's faithful ones on earth concerning the years 1917, 1918, and 1925, which disappointment lasted for a time … and they also learned to quit fixing dates.  – This one was right on; DON’T FIX DATES -

·         1941 Receiving the gift, the marching children clasped it to them, not a toy or plaything for idle pleasure, but the Lord's provided instrument for most effective work in the remaining months before Armageddon. - Well Armageddon didn’t happen -

·         False Prophet - In the NT there was a guy named Bar-Jesus mentioned as a false prophet as well as a woman who called herself a prophet named Jezebel. Then there was Simon the Magician who tried to buy the Holy Spirit. – There was also a Lying Prophet who said he got a message from God through an angel and tricked another Prophet.

·         Test the Prophets; that’s what we are told; that many false prophets have gone out into the world. – There are THREE TEST for a True Prophet.

1.   Doctrines - If they are able to give signs and wonders, but their teaching contradicts the doctrines of Moses concerning the one true God, they are a False Prophet.

2.   Prophecy - If 100% of what they say does not come to pass then they are a False Prophet.

3.   Morals – If their lifestyle is immoral or their message strengthens the hands of the evil doers they are a False Prophet.

·         Bible - Any prophet that speaks on God’s behalf PRESUMPTUOUSLY will DIE – Think about that one; speaking presumptuously of God.

Matthew 24:24 – False Prophets lead elect astray, if possible

²⁴ For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. (ESV)

Deuteronomy 18:20 – Speak words of God presumptuously - DIE
²⁰ But the prophet who SPEAKS A WORD PRESUMPTUOUSLY in My name which I have NOT commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet SHALL DIE.'(NASB)

Jeremiah 23:30-32 – False Prophet steals testimony of others
³⁰ Therefore,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me.
³¹Yes,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, ‘The LORD declares.’
³²Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” declares the LORD. “They tell them and LEAD MY PEOPLE ASTRAY with their RECKLESS LIES, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least,” declares the LORD.

(NIV2011)

1 John 4:1 - Do not believe every spirit - TEST THE SPIRITS
¹ Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many FALSE PROPHETS have gone out into the world. (NIV2011)

Evangelism

·         JW Evangelism is spread door to door, being taught that they are under a biblical command to engage in public preaching.  The distribution of Watchtower literature is the ruse of getting a Bible study started with you. -  They are trained with “flow chart theology” to redirect your questions to verses in the Bible that will eventually drill down in defense of JW dogma… They use their own NWT Bible; the New World Translation that CORRECTS THE ERRORS in the inspired word of God; the KJV Bible.

·         The sole purpose is that the student will be baptized and become a member of the JW or to say it another way; their purpose is to Proselytize and Recruit, not teach the scriptures. The Bible study will be discontinued if it does not show promise for membership.

Jesus

·         JW - MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL was the first thing created by God, who then in turn created the heavens, earth and man.  Michael then came back in human form as baby Jesus.

·         Bible – There is a clear distinction between Angels and Jesus – No Angel is ever worshipped in scripture – Angels are called “Sons of God”; Jesus is called “THE Son of God”. Scripture shows that Michael the Archangel deferred his authority to Jesus.

·         JW - Jesus did not become the Messiah until the age of 30.

·         Bible – Jesus was BORN the Messiah. - For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a SAVIOR, who is Christ the Lord.

• JW When Christ died, His body WAS NOT RESURRECTED, but dissolved into gases and disappeared forever.  After three days he materialized in a FAKE BODY with FAKE NAIL PRINTS just so His disciples would believe.
• Bible - Jesus appeared not to just the twelve disciples, but to OVER 500 Believers at one time and Thomas put his finger in His wounds.
• JW claim Jesus returned INVISIBLY to earth in 1914 and has now returned to heaven until the millennium, when the dead will be resurrected and have a chance for eternal salvation by following the principals of the Jehovah Witnesses.
• Bible – When Christ returns in the clouds he will not be invisible; EVERY EYE WILL SEE HIM.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 - JW - Jesus is the Archangel Michael
¹⁶ For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

(NKJV)

Hebrews 1:5-8 – God never called any angel his begotten Son.
⁵ For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”?
⁶ And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
⁷ Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”
⁸ But of THE SON he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.

(ESV)

Jude 1:9 – Michael defers his authority to Jesus
⁹ But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” (ESV)

Luke 2:11 – Jesus was born the Messiah, not when he turned 30
¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David A SAVIOR, who is Christ the Lord.

(ESV)

JW - The time is at hand – Page 99 – Invisible Return of Christ

We consider it an established truth that the final end of the kingdoms of this world, and the full establishment of the Kingdom of God, will be accomplished by the end of A.D. 1914" … the 'battle of the great day of God Almighty' (Rev. 16:14), which will end in A.D. 1914 with the complete overthrow of earth's present ruler ship, is already commenced"

Revelation 1:7 – Not Invisible - Every eye will see Him -
⁷ Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

(ESV)

1 Corinthians 15:6 – Jesus appeared to 500+ people, not just 12
⁶ Then He appeared to OVER 500 BROTHERS at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep.

(HCSB)

John 20:27-29 - Blessed are those who believe without seeing

²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”
²⁸ My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.
²⁹ Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

(NLT)

Trinity

·         JW theology states that God is a single person not a trinity.  Trinitarianism is a demonic doctrine and the pastors that teach this are anti-Christ’s and their churches are run by Satan.

·         JW find it easy enough to believe that H₂O can present itself in three mediums, Liquid, Ice and steam, but yet reject the Sovereign God who made H₂O, that He cannot present Himself in three persons. – For a deep more than you want to know study; read NYOBS 09.02 – TRINITY

·         Everyone agrees that scriptures says that there is ONLY ONE GOD, but what is in debate is God’s sovereignty to present Himself in THREE other forms of persons.

·         Jesus gave the Great Commission and said to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

• The Father is God – But, the Father is not the Son, nor the Holy Spirit.
• The Son is God – But, the Son is not the Father, nor the Holy Spirit.
• The Holy Spirit is God – But, the Holy Spirit is not the Father, nor the Son.
• The Trinity is The Father, Son and Holy Spirit that are THREE DISTINCT PERSONS of God.

·         Paul embraced the Trinity when he said; “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all”.

• There is a trinity of primary colors; Red, Green, and Blue: All the rest of the colors are a derivation from them.  - Pure White is made up of all the colors – Darkness is the absence of all colors - God’s word contains all the colors. - The more we read God’s Word, the further from darkness we get and the closer to pure white light we become. – SELAH –

·         In the beginning before anything else existed the Trinity was; God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. – It’s in the Book -

John 1:1 – Jesus was in the beginning with God and was God
¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and THE WORD WAS GOD.

(ESV)

Eph 4:4-6 – ONLY ONE GOD = the Father, Son & Holy Spirit

4 There is one body and one SPIRIT- just as you were called to one hope when you were called-

5 one LORD (Jesus), one faith, one baptism;

6 One God and FATHER of all, who is over all and through all and in all. NIV

Matthew 28:19 – Great Commission – Father, Son & Holy Spirit
¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the FATHER and of the SON and of the HOLY SPIRIT,

(ESV)

Matt 3:16-17 –Jesus – Spirit of God – Voice from Heaven

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the SPIRIT of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.

17 And a VOICE (Father) from heaven said, "This is my SON, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

NIV

2 Cor 13:14 – Lord Jesus Christ – God – The Holy Spirit

14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

NIV

Acts 2:38-39 – Jesus Christ – The Holy Spirit - God

38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call." NIV

1 Cor 12:4-6 – Same Spirit – Same Lord – Same God

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same (Holy) Spirit.

5 There are different kinds of service, but the same (Son) Lord.

6 There are different kinds of working, but the same (Father) God works all of them in all men.

NIV

Eph 4:4-6 – One Spirit – One Lord – One God

4 There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to one hope when you were called-

5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. NIV

1 Peter 1:2 – God the Father – The Spirit – Jesus Christ

2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood:

NIV

Jude 20-21 – The Holy Spirit – God – Lord Jesus Christ

20 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.

21 Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

NIV

John 15:26 – The Counselor – The Father – Jesus Christ

26 "When the Counselor (Holy Spirit) comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me (Jesus).

NIV

Ps 102:25 – Before Creation existed – God the Father

25 In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,

and the heavens are the work of your hands. NIV

Col 1:16 – Before Creation existed – God the Son

16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. NIV

Gen 1:2 – Before Creation existed – God the Holy Spirit

2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. NIV

2 Corinthians 13:14 – Paul embraces the Trinity
¹⁴ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (ESV)

The Cross

·         The Greek and Latin words corresponding to "crucifixion" applied to many different forms of painful execution: impaling on a stake into their private parts; picture a sharp pole impaled up the buttocks into the torso of the body – Then there was the simple affixing to a tree, or affixing to an upright pole and then there was the combination of affixing the person to an upright pole and a crossbeam.  Some have the condemned affixed with their head down to the ground while others stretch out their arms above their head on the gibbet which was only one vertical stake, called in Latin “crux simplex”.

·         JW do not use the cross in worship because they believe Jesus died on a stake, not a cross and furthermore the cross is a pagan SEX SYMBOL of worship; ALL buildings or persons displaying the cross are likewise pagan.

·         JW believes that pagans used the cross as a religious symbol before the time of Christ. 

·         Bible - Although this is true, there is no evidence that Christians intentionally borrowed the cross from any cultic pagan religion.  Two intersecting lines are simple and are very common throughout all of history. – You can see it in a plow, an anchor and a sail mast. – The Christian Cross is a “distinct feature” of Christian art.

·         JW reject the notion that Jesus was crucified on a cross in favor of an upright pole or stake using Paul’s expression of Jesus dying “on a tree” as their defense.

·         JW further point out that for the first 300 years after the death of Christ that there is no evidence of Christians utilized the cross in worship. - It was when the PAGAN Emperor Constantine became a convert to the faith that the cross was promoted as a Christian symbol.

·         JW literature states that “apparently the cross was used to make it easier for pagans to accept Christianity”. – NYOBS 72.02 – THE CROSS - ICHTHUS

·         JW believe that True Christians do not use the Cross in worship because it is of pagan origin and linked with nature worship and pagan sex rites. –– HOWEVER ––

·         Most historians believe that the cross was most likely an upright vertical beam that was already set in the ground at the place of execution.   It was already notched on the top to accept a “cross beam” that the condemned would be tied to.  It would then be hoisted up and dropped securely onto the fitted notch which would then formed a “T” shape.

·         In some cases, the condemned was forced to carry the crossbeam to the place of execution. A whole cross would weigh well over 300 pounds, but the crossbeam would not be quite as burdensome, varying in weight between 40 to a 100 pounds. – Wikipedia -

• Normally only the horizontal crossbeam of the Roman cross was carried strapped across the shoulders. – We don’t know if it was this beam or the whole cross that Jesus labored and struggled under.  NYOBS 18.18 – THE WAY OF THE CROSS

·         Recent "new light" in the Watchtower now admits they are not certain about the cross, but will continue to deny it anyway. NOTE; originally the watchtower claimed it WAS a cross...

Galatians 3:13 – JW - Not a Cross, it was a tree
¹³ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is HANGED ON A TREE”—

(ESV)

Deuteronomy 21:22 – JW - Hang on a tree, not a cross
²²And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you HANG HIM on a TREE,

(ESV)

144,000 JW

·          JW - Jesus Christ, is NOT the Mediator between Jehovah God and ALL mankind. He is the Mediator between his heavenly Father, Jehovah God, and the nation of SPIRITUAL ISRAEL.

·          Spiritual Israel is limited to only 144,000 "anointed" JW members, who will be resurrected or transferred at death, to live in heaven and rule over earth with Christ; they will have IMMORTAL LIFE and spirit bodies.

·         Bible - But to ALL who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. – NYOBS 144,000 THE MARK -- NYOBS 66.30 – 144,000 REVISITED

·         JW In addition to the 144,000; a SEPARATE CLASS of JW members known as the "great multitude," will have just EVERLASTING LIFE and resurrected bodies which still need to eat and drink and will live in a paradise restored on earth.

·         By implication, the millions of other professing Christians; will remain dead in their sins.

·         Bible – There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and ALL men, the man Christ Jesus. – The 144,000 are God’s special End Time Evangelist on EARTH, they are not in heaven and they are ALL Jews, not Gentiles. – It’s in the Book  -

JW – Desire for Peace and Security

Page 9-12 – Jesus is Mediator to only the limited 144,000

It is as the apostle Paul wrote to his Christian fellow worker: "There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5).  Was Moses the mediator between Jehovah God and mankind in general? No, he was the mediator between the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the nation of their fleshly descendants. Likewise, the Greater Moses, Jesus Christ, is not the Mediator between Jehovah God and all mankind. He is the Mediator between his heavenly Father, Jehovah God, and the nation of spiritual Israel, which is limited to only 144,000 members.

1 Timothy 2:5 - One mediator between God & man; Christ Jesus
⁵ For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, (ESV)

Hebrews 9:15 – Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant.
¹⁵ For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. (NIV2011)

Rev 7:4-8 – Tribes of Israel - 144,000 – ALL Hebrews - JEWS

4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.

5 From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000,

6 from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, (** half tribe)

7 from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,

8 from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.

John 1:12 – All who receive Him; right to become God’s children
¹² But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, (ESV)

Legalism – Rules

• JW have self-made traditional legalistic restrictions:
• Must not participate in politics.
• Must refuse to vote.
• Must refuse to join the military.
• Must refuse to salute the flag because it is a symbol of idolatry.
• Must refuse to sing the national anthem. 
• Must refuse to celebrate birthdays or Christmas or civil events; otherwise it brings on the condemnation of God.
• Must have a schedule to canvass door to door and solicit contributions and turn in reports.
• Must use the name of the true God JEHOVAH for their prayers to be heard; no salvation is possible without using the name JEHOVAH.
• If you leave the organization, you are an apostate and are to be shunned; your remaining family will not be allowed to speak to you.
• Bible – Jesus gave us a new Covenant, to be free of the legalism of the 630 laws of the Old Covenant – The Apostle Paul asked;  why would you turn back again to the weak and beggarly elements, and desire to be in bondage to legalism again?

Galatians 4:9 – Free from the weak & beggarly elements of legalism
⁹ But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to THE WEAK AND BEGGARLY ELEMENTS, to which you desire again to be in BONDAGE? (NKJV)

Blood Transfusions

·         JW refuse blood transfusions, which they consider a violation of God's law based on their interpretation of the scriptures. – If a JW takes a blood transfusion willingly, it results in his eternal death.

·         Bible – Scripture speaks of VIOLENCE and SLAUGHTER of an animal’s blood, not the FREE WILL giving of blood to save a life. – When a blood transfusion is given, no one lost their life, but a life might be saved by the process. – Eating blood and a blood transfusion are not morally equivalent; they are opposite.

·         Jesus said “Then are you also WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING? Do you NOT see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters NOT HIS HEART but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.)

·         A transfusion of blood is different, the blood stays blood, bringing life and oxygen to the body, it is not broken down in the digestive system; eating blood and blood transfusions are not even remotely the same thing. – It’s a sad thing to ponder how many needless lives are lost because of this false teaching.

Acts 15:28-29 – JW - Abstain from Blood
²⁸ For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements:
²⁹ that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

(ESV)

Genesis 9:4 – JW - Don’t eat flesh with blood
⁴ But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.

(ESV)

Leviticus 17:10 – JW - Anyone who eats blood will be cut off
¹⁰ If any one of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people (ESV).

Mark 7:18-19 – JESUS - Blood enters the stomach & is expelled
¹⁸ And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him,
¹⁹ since it enters NOT HIS HEART but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) (ESV)

At Death

·         JW The human soul ceases to exist at death; eternal punishment of the lost is annihilation.  A loving God would not send anyone to burn in hell fire for eternity.

·         Annihilationism is the belief that the final judgement will result in unsaved souls being completely destroyed rather than being subjected to eternal punishment.

·         Bible - The accursed will go away into ETERNAL PUNISHMENT and the righteous will go into eternal life

Genesis 3:17-19 – At death you still exist; not annihilated
¹⁷  And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;
¹⁸  thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.
¹⁹ By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you RETURN TO THE GROUND, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and TO DUST YOU SHALL RETURN.”

(ESV)

Matthew 25:46 – The accursed will go into eternal punishment
⁴⁶ And these (accursed) will go away into ETERNAL PUNISHMENT, but the righteous into eternal life.” (ESV)

The Return of Jesus

·         JW - Jesus has already returned, it happened October 1874 AD and Christ is already gathering His elect. – “Consequently the Kingdom, as represented in our Lord, and the sleeping saints already fitted and prepared and found worthy to be members of "his body," the "bride", was set up in 1878 AD”.

·         Bible - If anyone tells you, “There He is, out in the desert”, DO NOT GO OUT; or, `Here He is, in the inner rooms”, DO NOT BELIEVE IT. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. - Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.  - DON’T LET ANYONE DECEIVE YOU in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, (the Anti-Christ) the man doomed to destruction. – NYOBS 21.18 – ANTI-CHRIST -- NYOBS 45.02 – RETURN -PRE -MID -POST

JW Studies in Scripture

Page 621-622 - Jesus Christ returned October 1874 AD

But now we are in the end of this Gospel age, and the Kingdom is being established or set up. Our Lord, the appointed King, is now present, since October 1874, A.D., according to the testimony of the prophets, to those who have ears to hear; and the formal inauguration of his kingly office dates from April 1878 A.D.: and the first work of the Kingdom, as shown by our Lord, in his parables and prophecy (the gathering of "his elect"), is now in progress. "The dead in Christ shall rise first, "explained the Lord through the Apostle; and the resurrection of the Church shall be in a moment* Consequently the Kingdom, as represented in our Lord, and the sleeping saints already fitted and prepared and found worthy to be members of "his body," the "bride," was set up in 1878; and all that remains to be done for its completion is the "gathering together unto the Lord' of those of the "elect" who are alive and remain--whose trial is not yet complete.

Matt 24:3 – SIGNS - End of the age – Olivet Discourse

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"

NIV

Matt 24:24-27 – All will see His return – Olivet Discourse

24 For false Christ’s and FALSE PROPHETS will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect-if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time.

26 "So if anyone tells you, `There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, `Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it.

27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. NIV

Matthew 25:13 – You will know neither the day nor the hour
¹³ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour (ESV)

2 Thessalonians 2:3 – Christ not come till Anti-Christ revealed
³ Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, (The Anti-Christ) the man doomed to destruction. (NIV2011)

Last Thoughts

·         WHAT DOES GOD SAY about someone who brings a different Gospel to your home?

·         Exclude from the fellowship those who speak contrary to the Gospel and cause divisions and offenses. - AVOID these people who deceive the hearts of the simple. - It is possible for folks to look like they are supporting the Gospel of Christ when actually that are possessed by an evil spirit.

·         Withdraw from “Brothers in Christ” who are deceived and drawn away from the Gospel.  Do not count them as the enemy yet, but WARN them so that they will return to the truth. There are many deceivers in the world who no not confess that Jesus is the Son of God, they are of the Antichrist.

·         Don’t even “do lunch” with people in the fellowship who talk a different Gospel. - Do not even sit at the same table with them for lunch. - If a man calls himself a brother in Christ, but lives in sin, have nothing to do with him.  - Cast them out of the body, leave them to Satan’s followers that thy might see the light and their spirit be saved. -  Purge them out, that the body of Christ might be pure.  

·         Don’t let them in your house - If someone life does not live in the doctrine of Christ, then he doesn’t have God in his life. - If he brings a different doctrine, do not let him into your house. - Don’t even shake his hand; if you welcome him, you share in his evil deeds. - If you want to be friends with those who do not receive the PURE Gospel, then you make yourself an enemy of God.

·         CURSE any man or Angel that preaches a JESUS “PLUS” Gospel. - Satan uses the scriptures against the Christian by quoting, “Blessing and Cursing” should not come out of a Christian’s mouth, but I say to you this is in reference to people made in the likeness of God.  Any person that teaches a different Gospel is not walking in the likeness of God and should be cursed, he is an antichrist.

·         NOTE: In the last days; because the JW did not receive the love of the Gospel of Christ; God will send a strong delusion to those that desire these lying wonders and signs and they will ultimately be condemned and separated from God. – It’s in the Book –

1 Cor 16:22 – The unbeliever is cursed.

22 If anyone does not love the Lord-a curse be on him. Come, O Lord!

2 Cor 6:14-15 – Do not be in partnership with an unbeliever.

14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? NIV

Rom 16:17-18 – Watch out for smooth talk and flattery

17 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.

18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. NIV

Acts 16:16-18 – Evil spirits will seek validation by association.

16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling.

17 This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved."

18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her. NIV

2 John 7 – You are an antichrist if you do not acknowledge Christ

7 Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. NIV

2 Thess 3:6 – Keep away from brothers who live after the world

6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. NIV

2 Thess 3:14-15 – Don’t associate with brothers that rebel.

14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed.

15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

1 Cor 5:1-7 – Excommunicate one who is in sin – to save his soul.

1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: …

5 hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on THE DAY OF THE LORD.

6 … Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?

7 Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast-as you really are.

1 Cor 5:11 – Don’t even have lunch with the deceiver

11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man DO NOT EVEN EAT. NIV

2 John 9-11 – Don’t let them in your house

9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God;.

10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching,

DO NOT TAKE HIM INTO YOUR HOUSE or welcome him.

11 Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work. NIV

James 4:4 – The world is the enemy of God

4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God NIV

James 3:10 – Blessing and cursing

10 Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. KJV

Gal 1:6-12 – Let him be eternally condemned; Damned

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to

A DIFFERENT GOSPEL

7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you,

LET HIM BE ETERNALLY CONDEMNED!

9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted,

LET HIM BE ETERNALLY CONDEMNED!

11 I want you to know, brothers that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up.

12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. NIV

In the multitude of counselors,

there is wisdom.

Proverbs 11:14

I am grateful to those that went before me providing concepts, ideas, historical

information, and scripture verses.  Because of them I can stand on their shoulders

and see further that I otherwise ever could have.

                                                                                                                                     

A Commentary; Critical, Experimental and Practical - Eerdmans

All the Women of the Bible – Edith Deen

Antiquity of the Jews – Flavius Josephus Matthias

Apocrypha – Goodspeed

Baker Commentary on the Bible – Elwell

Bible Almanac; The – Packer-Tenney-White

Bible Commentary – F.B. Meyer

Bible Dictionary – Harper and Row

Bible Dictionary – Nelson’s

Bible Hub.com

Dake’s Annotated Bible – Dake

English Standard Version Bible – ESV

Expositor’s Bible Commentary – Frank E. Gaebelein

Forgotten Books of Eden; The – World

Illustrated Bible Dictionary; The – Tyndale

Interlinear Greek-English New Testament - Baker

King James Version Bible – KJV

Lost Books of the Bible; The - World

Lost Books of the Bible; The - Bell

Matthew Henry’s Commentary - Zondervan

Missing Books of the Bible; The – Halo Press

Mysteries of the Bible – Readers Digest

Nag Hammadi Library; The – James M. Robinson

Nave’s Topical Bible - Zondervan

New International Dictionary of the Bible; The – Douglas - Tenney

New International Version Bible (2011) – NIV

NOTE: The “new” NIV has been corrupted & made gender neutral.  AVOID IT.

Secrets of the Dead Sea Scrolls – Hugh J. Schonfield

Thru the Bible – J. Vernon McGee

Vincent’s Word Studies of the New Testament – Mac Donald

Who’s Who in the Bible – Paul D. Gardner

Wycliffe Bible Commentary; The – Pfeiffer & Harrison

Wikipedia –

Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible; The – Tenney