Table of Contents
History
The group of Jehovah’s Witnesses emerged from a Bible Student movement whose roots began in Pennsylvania and in New York, founded in the late 1870’s by Charles Raze Russell. This eventually led to the formation of the ‘Zion’s Watchtower Tract Society,’ and lead to severe biblical doctrinal changes by Joseph Franklin Ruthford in their group.
The name ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses’ is derived from Isaiah 43.10-12, and was adopted by the society in 1931 to distinguish themselves from other groups.
In 1870, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, Charles Russell (born 1852 in Pennsylvania – died 1916; age 64) began largely disputing many of the common doctrines of the bible and began to form his own religion and started what was known as the Bible Student movement. Charles was a very charismatic person that never claimed any special revelation to him by any divine being.
Charles Russell was born in Pennsylvania to a family of Scottish-Irish Americans. He only attended school for 7 years, and afterwards was privately tutored. His father owned a few clothing stores and Charles helped in writing business contract for him. At age 16 he began to question and develop many self-perceived views on many of the primary beliefs of the Christian faith, conducts and creeds, medieval traditions, and history of church as having faults. At age 18, Charles began to be heavily indoctrinated by the teachings of an Adventist named Jonas Wendell, whom begun predicting Christ’s return would happen in the year 1873.
He was further indoctrinated by the teachings of George Storrs and George Stetson who had many writings that reinterpreted many of the basic scriptural truths; this also resulting in changes in their doctrinal understanding concerning the nature of God, hell, the soul, and many others. During a trial against J.J. Ross in 1912, Charles admitted he never studied Hebrew or Greek, or attended a theological seminary or any school of higher learning. One of Charles Sermons reveals that he was a Freemason lodge member.
Charles died at age 64 from Cystitis (inflammatory disease of the bladder) while on a ministerial tour in the Southwest U.S. Ignoring advice to get medical treatment, Charles continued on the tour with a severe fever and died.
What JW’s Believe
The Church
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that they are the only one true church, organized into what is now known as the Watchtower Organization; and that everyone else will not partake of the rewards God will offer when He judges the world.
Þ See Jehovah’s witness Watchtower claims
Their church (of Jehovah Witness) is the self-proclaimed prophet of God – The Watchtower, April 1, 1972, p. 197.
Who is God?
According to Jehovah’s Witnesses, There are many gods, but the supreme creator god is Jehovah. Jehovah is the one represented in the Old Testament and in the New Testament is the father of Jesus.
The do NOT believe that God has revealed Himself as three persons in One [Let God be True, 2nd Ed., pp. 100-101; Should You Believe in the Trinity? p. 7]
They believe the Holy spirit is a force, not a person [Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, pp. 406-407.]
There is one God in one person, – Make Sure of All Things, p 188
“Yes, we believe our Lord Jesus while on earth was really worshiped, and properly so. While he was not the God, Jehovah, he was a God.” – Watchtower 7/15/1898, p. 2337)
[Their interpretation contradicts Isaiah 43.10 which says “No God was formed before me, nor will be after me, I am Jehovah, and there is no other Savior but me]
Who is Jesus?
JW’s believe Jesus was created by God – [Aid to Bible Understanding, p. 390-391]
Jesus is the Archangel Michael?
JW’s believe that Jesus is not God, but is rather an angel, specifically the archangel Michael, or the angel Abaddon.
Jesus was the archangel Michael who became a man. – The Watchtower, May 15, 1963, p. 307; The New World, 284.
“Michael the Archangel, the first creation of Jehovah, before He came to earth and returned to the identity of Michael after his resurrection.” – Aid To Bible Understanding, p. 1152
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe this based on 3 points in scripture:
- Jesus has the voice of an archangel.
- Jesus and Michael are both referred to as Princes.
- Jesus and Michael both make war against the Devil.
The first point to be made by JW’s is the name Michael means in Hebrew “who is like God.”
Rebuttal: many of the names all throughout scripture uses Gods name and attributes but never does it mean that they are God in any way (like the name Micah that means ‘who is like YHVH)!
Voice of the Archangel
In Thessalonians it is written that Jesus will come with the voice of the Archangel, which doesn’t mean that He IS an archangel, but is simply coming with the voice of one, But for some reason they also seem to miss that He comes with the trumpet of GOD!
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: – 1 Thesselonians 4.16
Jehovah my God shall come, and all the holy ones with thee – Zech 14.5-6
The Prince
Now JW’s use the title ‘prince’ throughout the scriptures and correlates how it is applies to both Jesus and Michael in an attempt to unify their persons. In the original Hebrew, the word for prince form Isa 9.6 is Sar, meaning the head person, chief, ruler, governor, or prince. What is funny about this is that those who examine Jesus title in Isaiah 9.6 seem to overlook all the other titles such as Mighty God, Everlasting Father that in no way should or ever could be applied to an angel!
Notice how the context refers to Michal as ‘one of the chief princes.’ Now this is obviously a title given to a specific ‘class,’ or so to speak, of angel, as obviously there MUST be more than one! In Daniel 10.20-21, we also find that Daniel is told that Michael is ‘your’ prince. This would be a reference to Michael being either the Jewish Nations or Daniel personal Prince; further implying that if Michael is ‘Daniels’ angelic ‘prince’, there must be a ‘prince’ for every other nation/person, but Jesus is the Ruler (Prince) of ALL NATION Rev 19.15)!
… and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isa 9.6
Michael, one of the chief princes – Daniel 10.12-13,
Michael your prince. – Daniel 10.20-21
War in Heaven
Another correlation used from scripture in an attempt to relate Michael and Jesus comes from revelation concerning the time when Michael warred with the dragon and when Jesus comes to make war on earth with the beast. Now we can clearly see from the contexts of both chapters that these are two different wars lead by two difference ‘princes!’
Michael and his angels going forth to war with the dragon; and the dragon warred and his angels; – Rev 12.7 (This is a ‘War in Heaven’)
(Of Jesus) And I saw the heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon called Faithful and True; and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. – Rev 19.12 (This is a War on Earth (All nations)
Angel of the Lord
The Angel of the Lord in the old testament is then used to show a correlation of how God is interchangeably used with this term, but remember now where in the bible is there a reference made saying that the Angel of the Lord is the Archangel Michael.
Christian Theology: There is no base for their theology that Jesus is the archangel Michael. And this idea completely rejects and dishonors who Jesus is
No Angel is Called The Son!
It is very dangerous and in most cases blasphemous to create an entire doctrine using just a few verses especially in light of a plain teaching throughout the rest of the bible, which here we can see that JW’s do. Rather the final argument come from Hebrews that declares God has NEVER said to any of his created beings or angels, that they are His Son:
To which of the angels did God say at any time: You are my Son, this day I have given you begotten You? or, I will be his Father, and he will be my Son? And again, when he is sending his only Son into the world, he says, Let all the angels of God give him worship.
And of the angels he says, Who makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire: But of the Son He says (This now is God the Father literally speaking to The Son), “Your seat of power, O God, is for ever and ever; and the rod of your kingdom is a rod of righteousness. You have been a lover of righteousness and a hater of evil; and so God, your God, has put the oil of joy on your head more than on the heads of those who are with you.” -Hebrew 1.6-9
Here is Hebrews verse 8; God the Father directly calls the Son God! And proceeds to say to Him, God Your God (meaning Himself) has given You the rod! Jesus is not Michael the archangel.
Jesus was Just a Man?
JW’s believe that Jesus was just a perfect man.
Jesus was only a perfect man, not God in flesh, – Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, p. 306
Jesus Wasn’t Resurrected Physically!
JW’s reject the idea that Jesus was raised in a physical body. Jesus did not rise from the dead in his physical body, – Awake! July 22, 1973, p. 4.
[The belief that Jesus didn’t raise physically directly contradicts the Bible:
For many deceivers are gone forth into the world, even they that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. – 2 John 1.7
But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither hath Christ been raised: and if Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain, your faith also is vain. – 1 Corinthians 15. 13-14
(Jesus Speaking) See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye behold me having – Luke 24. 39
And many other verse: John 2.19-21,20.27; Phil 3.21]
Jesus is Abaddon the Destroyer!
According to the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jesus is a created being who is exalted by Jehovah to serve him. They believe that Jesus is both the archangel Michael and also Abaddon the destroyer, without any biblical bases. [Watchtower 12/1/1961, p. 717-720]
Jesus on the Earth
They believe that the kingdom of God has already come to earth, and that Jesus ‘spiritually’ set it up in 1874 as the Watchtower Organization. They believe that Jesus actually come to the earth at this time, and has been reigning over the earth from the Watchtower Organization since 1878.
Jesus began his invisible rule over the earth in 1914, – The Truth Shall Make You Free, p. 300.
“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.” – Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 4, page 621
Who Does Jesus Save
Jesus only Mediates for 144,000 people, if you are not one of those number, you are still dead in your sins!
“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,” – “The Desire for Peace and Security Worldwide,” 1986, p. 10
Spiritual Israel refers to the people that have converted to become Jehovah’s Witness. The Watchtower Society originally believed that once their number hit 144,000 converts, they would all be lifted up into heaven. Once that prophecy failed , they came up with a new belief that it was 144,000 JW’s that will get to go to heaven, and the rest of them will live on earth forever.
Salvation
According to Jehovah Witness, what Jesus did on the cross is not enough for salvation alone, you must work to earn it. They believe this process entails going out and sharing your faith and bringing converts into their church.
Salvation is by faith AND what you do, – Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 1, p. 150,152.
It is possible to lose your salvation, – Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, p.358-359
Only their (Jehovah Witness) church members will be saved, – The Watchtower, Feb, 15, 1979, p. 30.
Good works are necessary for salvation, – Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 1, p. 150, 152.
According to the Watchtower, There are 4 basic requirements to receive salvation and live forever on the earth:
- Know about Jesus,
- Obey God’s Law,
- Associate with the Watchtower,
You are Forced to Witness to others.
- “Jesus Christ identified a first requirement when he said in prayer to his Father: “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.” (John 17:3) Knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ includes knowledge of God’s purposes regarding the earth and of Christ’s role as earth’s new King. Will you take in such knowledge by studying the Bible?
- “Many have found the second requirement more difficult. It is to obey God’s laws, yes, to conform one’s life to the moral requirements set out in the Bible. This includes refraining from a debauched, immoral way of life.” 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10; 1 Peter 4:3, 4. [“Accepting the message of salvation and devoting ourselves to God through Christ and being baptized in water is only the beginning of our exercise of faith. It is only the beginning of our obedience to God. It sets us on the way to everlasting life, but it does not mean our final salvation,” (This Means Everlasting Life, p. 181).]
- “A third requirement is that we be associated with God’s channel, his organization. God has always used an organization. For example, only those in the ark in Noah’s day survived the Flood, and only those associated with the Christian congregation in the first century had God’s favor. (Acts 4:12) Similarly, Jehovah is using only one organization today to accomplish his will. To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it.
- “The fourth requirement is connected with loyalty. God requires that prospective subjects of his Kingdom support his government by loyally advocating his Kingdom rule to others. Jesus Christ explained: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth,” (Matthew 24:14) Will you meet this requirement by telling others about God’s Kingdom?
– Watchtower, Feb. 15, 1983, p. 12
Heaven & Hell
144,000 Saved
Jehovah Witness believe only 144,000 people will be saved. Saved refers to those whom will go to heaven because Jehovah’s witnesses cannot account for biblical doctrine that shows all believers will go to heaven. They contradict this by saying only the 144,000 JW’s will get to go to heaven while the remaining believers will live forever on earth.
Only the 144,000 Jehovah’s Witness are born again. – Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, p. 76.; Watchtower 11/15/54, p. 681.
Only 144,000 Jehovah’s Witness go to heaven, – Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, pp. 166-167, 361; Let God be True, p. 121
No Hell or Punishment
Jehovah Witness do not believe there is a hell, because they do not believe a loving God would allow such a place to exist. This belief directly defies and denies the justice of God. They believe that when a non-Jehovah Witness dies, their body will simply decay and their spirit no longer exists.
There is no hell of fire where the wicked are punished, – Let God be True, p. 79, 80
The soul ceases to exist after death, – Let God be True, p. 59, 60, 67.
They gather this belief from their interpretation of scriptures in the Old Testament:
“There is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheol, the place to which you are going.” – Ecclesiastes 9.10 NWT
Once again, the JW’s contradict the overall theme of the bible. Before anyone begins to create doctrinal statements they need to understand the context of the entire bible. This verse points to the fact there is the grave, and in the physical grave where our bodies lay, there is nothing left for us on earth until we are resurrected. Although, there is the spiritual realm in which our spirits will live on forever either in punishment or peace, which is the Biblical doctrine given all throughout scripture:
“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;” – Phil. 1:21-23
“Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight, 8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.” – 2 Cor. 5:6-8.
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep – 1 Thess. 4:13-15
Matt 25.46- sinner go to eternal punishment, Believers to eternal life
Other Beliefs
Old Earth Creationists
The universe is billions of years old, – Your will Be Done on Earth, p. 43.
Satan Oversaw the Creation of the Earth
Satan was entrusted with the obligation and charged with the duty of overseeing the creation of the earth, – Children, p. 55
Blood Transfusions
Blood transfusions are a sin, – Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, pp. 72-73.
Jesus on the Cross
The Cross is a pagan symbol and should not be used, -Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, p. 90-92.
Jesus did not die on a cross but on a stake, – Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, p. 89-90.
Claims of the Jehovahs Witness
False Prophecies
Jehovah’s Witnesses claim to be God’s prophets as a part of God messaging system the Watch Tower; yet they have multiple false prophecies scattered throughout their history, The bible claims that if something is from God, it will have NOT ONE false prophecy (Deut 18.22)
In 1878, the first false prophet believed by Charles Russell and his followers had begun. They believed that on Passover Christ would return spiritual and resurrect all dead believers and take them to heaven. He sold all his clothing stores to publish books on the subject (one book entitles ‘Three Worlds and the Harvest of this World’, published 1877). After the date passed they had no answer to back up the situation. –Ref. A.H. Macmillian, Faith on the march, 1957 page.27
Chronological order of the Watch Towers False Prophecies:
1897 Prophecy
“Our Lord, the appointed King, is now present, since October 1874,” – Studies in the Scriptures, vol. 4, p. 621
1899 Prophecy
“…the ‘battle of the great day of God Almighty’ (Revelation 16:14), which will end in A.D. 1914 with the complete overthrow of earth’s present rulership, is already commenced,” -The Time Is at Hand, 1908 edition, p. 101
1916 Prophecy
“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,” – The Time Is at Hand, forward, p. ii
1918 Prophecy
“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,” – Millions Now Living Will Never Die, p. 89
1925 Prophecy
“The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures than 1914,” – Watchtower, Sept. 1, 1922, p. 262
1925 Prophecy
“Our thought is, that 1925 is definitely settled by the Scriptures. As to Noah, the Christian now has much more upon which to base his faith than Noah had upon which to base his faith in a coming deluge,” – Watchtower, Apr. 1, 1923, p. 106
1925 Retraction!
“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,” – Watchtower, Jan. 1, 1925, p. 3
1925 Retraction!
“It is to be expected that Satan will try to inject into the minds of the consecrated, the thought that 1925 should see an end to the work,” -Watchtower, Sept., 1925, p. 262
1925 Self- Contradiction!
“Some anticipated that the work would end in 1925, but the Lord did not state so. The difficulty was that the friends inflated their imaginations beyond reason; and that when their imaginations burst asunder, they were inclined to throw away everything,” – Watchtower, p. 232, 1926
1931 Admit to False Prophecies
“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,” – Vindication, p. 338
1941 Prophecy
“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,” – Watchtower, Sept. 15, 1941, p. 288
1968 Admit to False Prophecies
“True, there have been those in times past who predicted an ‘end to the world’, even announcing a specific date. Yet nothing happened. The ‘end’ did not come. They were guilty of false prophesying. Why? What was missing?.. Missing from such people were God’s truths and evidence that he was using and guiding them,” – Awake, Oct. 8, 1968
1975 Prophecy
“Why are you looking forward to 1975?” – Watchtower, Aug. 15, 1968, p. 494
Watch Tower Society
Many JW’s Will tell you their doctrine is from the Bible alone, but this is untrue. Their doctrine is derived from what the Watchtower says about the Bible.
“Let us face the fact that no matter how much Bible reading we have done, we would never have learned the truth on our own. We would not have discovered the truth regarding Jehovah, his purposes and attributes, the meaning and importance of his name, the Kingdom, Jesus’ ransom, the difference between God’s organization and Satan’s, nor why God has permitted wickedness,” – Watchtower, Dec. 1, 1990, p. 19
“Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization, not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible,” – Watchtower, Oct. 1, 1967, p. 587
“Only this organization functions for Jehovah’s purpose and to his praise. To it alone God’s Sacred Word, the Bible, is not a sealed book,” -Watchtower, July 1, 1973, p. 402
“All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the “greatly diversified wisdom of God” can become known only through Jehovah’s channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave,” – Watchtower, Oct. 1, 1994, p. 8
Founded in 1881 by Charles Russell Ministries, his bible study group had began to publish their first work entitled “food for the thinking Christian.” They now produce the “watchtower magazine” and “Awake magazine.” The Watchtower claims itself to be the ‘ Spiritual Mother’ of her people and in essence gives itself equal authority to ‘Father God.’
The Watchtower claims to be the only interpretation to understanding scripture.
The Bible says that the Holy Spirit gives us understanding to God word (Luke 24.45) and that understanding scripture is spiritually understood. The JW’s Watchtowers claims that they alone are the only way to understand the bible:
“Only this organization functions for Jehovah’s purpose and to his praise. To it alone God’s Sacred Word, the Bible, is not a sealed book,” – Watchtower, July 1, 1973, p. 402
In fact if you try to read the Bible by yourself, you become like the devil (according to JW’s):
“From time to time, there have arisen from among the ranks of Jehovah’s people those, who, like the original Satan, have adopted an independent, faultfinding attitude…They say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such ï’Bible reading,’ they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom’s clergy were teaching 100 years ago…” – Watchtower, Aug. 15, 1981
The Watchtower claims to be Jehovah’s Organization on earth
The Watchtower not only claims to be Gods prophet and organization on earth, but if you don’t accept it you do not love God (according to JW’s).
“It should be expected that the Lord would have a means of communication to his people on the earth, and he has clearly shown that the magazine called The Watchtower is used for that purpose,” – 1939 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses, p. 85
“Make haste to identify the visible theocratic organization of God that represents his king, Jesus Christ. It is essential for life. Doing so, be complete in accepting its every aspect,” – Watchtower, Oct. 1, 1967, p. 591
“We cannot claim to love God, yet deny his word and channel of communication,” – Watchtower, Oct. 1, 1967, p. 591
The Bible vs New World Translation
New World Translation (NWT) Translation Problems
This is one of the main points on how to witness to Jehovah Witness. The NWT has a disclaimer in the front of ever one of their bible that reveals something very interesting that needs to be examined and taken into severe consideration. They have a disclaimer that says ‘any text in brackets ( ), has been ADDED to help YOU understand the text better!
Not only does the Bible tell us that we are to add NOTHING nor take away anything from the bible, let God curse them, but there is nothing man needs to add to the bible to help anyone understand its basic truths. It is also more clear that the JW’s have an agenda based on the very scriptures they have changed to force their interpretations into the scriptures.
The translations of the NWT are scrutinized by all other Greek and Hebrew scholars as ‘Bad Translations.’ Ideas of the JW’s are forced into the words of the translation that simply are not there.
Bad Greek Translations
There are numerous changes and inconsistencies within the translations of the NWT that show that the JW’s influenced the meaning of the text. Many of the words used to translate one meaning from the original Greek, is used to convey an entirely different idea in other texts, while the original Greek remains the same.
Jehovah in the New Testament
Words for Gods name ‘YHVH’ in Hebrew does not appear anywhere in the new testament. Everything in the new testament was written in Greek and the Hebrew letters where not used to translate God’s name.
Thus the NWT substitutes the Greek word (Kurio) meaning Lord with the Hebrew letters YHVH and translate it with the name Jehovah.
Now this does pose a problem throughout their translations when you examine their Greek versions as you will find that it does indeed call Jesus Kurio (NWT ‘Jehovah’) many times, but in their English version they just simply translate it back to the word ‘Lord!’ As you can see in the example below:
Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. – 1 Corinthians 12.3 (NKJV)
διοG1352 CONJ γνωριζωG1107 V-PAI-1S υμινG4771 P-2DP οτιG3754 CONJ ουδειςG3762 A-NSM-N ενG1722 PREP πνευματιG4151 N-DSN θεουG2316 N-GSM λαλωνG2980 V-PAP-NSM λεγειG3004 V-PAI-3S αναθεμαG331 N-NSN ιησουςG2424 N-NSM καιG2532 CONJ ουδειςG3762 A-NSM-N δυναταιG1410 V-PNI-3S ειπεινG3004 V-2AAN κυριοςG2962 N-NSM ιησουςG2424 N-NSM ειG1487 COND μηG3361 PRT-N ενG1722 PREP πνευματιG4151 N-DSN αγιωG40 A-DSN (Westcott-Hort Greek New Testament w/ Strong’s Numbers)
According to this verse, the original Greek translation from Kurio (κυριος) is Lord, calling Jesus Kurio
In the Law it is written: “‘With the tongues of foreigners and with the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and yet not even then will they give heed to me,’ says Jehovah.” – 1 Corinthians 14.21 (NWT)
ενG1722 PREP τωG3588 T-DSM νομωG3551 N-DSM γεγραπταιG1125 V-RPI-3S οτιG3754 CONJ ενG1722 PREP ετερογλωσσοιςG2084 A-DPM καιG2532 CONJ ενG1722 PREP χειλεσινG5491 N-DPN ετερωνG2087 A-GPM λαλησωG2980 V-FAI-1S τωG3588 T-DSM λαωG2992 N-DSM τουτωG3778 D-DSM καιG2532 CONJ ουδG3761 CONJ-N ουτωςG3779 ADV εισακουσονταιG1522 V-FDI-3P μουG1473 P-1GS λεγειG3004 V-PAI-3S κυριοςG2962 N-NSM (Westcott-Hort Greek New Testament w/ Strong’s Numbers)
God is Jesus Throne
Heb. 1:8 and Psalm 45:6, “God is thy throne.”
“But with reference to the Son: ‘God is your throne forever and ever, and [the] scepter of your kingdom is the scepter of uprightness’” – Hebrew 1.8 (NWT)
In this verse God the Father is speaking to Jesus (The Son). And legitimately, the Greek allows the construction of the verse to be interpreted two ways, the read must interpret it according to the context of the original writers intent:
θρονοςG2362 N-NSM σουG4771 P-2GS οG3588 T-NSM θεοςG2316 N-NSM
Thronos su hay theos
throne your the God
In this particularly interesting verse, God is addressing the Son. The Greek construction of Hebrews 1:8 allows the text to be translated in two legitimate ways:
“God is your throne forever and ever…. (NWT)
or
“Thy Throne O God, is forever and ever…” (KJV)
It would not make since that God would be Jesus Throne! Even if God was Jesus seat of power wouldn’t that still make Him God? But this would be a grammatically incorrect statement. A further clue comes to us from the original Hebrew text in Psalms 45.6, which reveals the interpretation showing the Son is Jehovah according to the NWT:
“Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: A sceptre of equity is the sceptre of thy kingdom”
The Angels Do ‘Obeisance’ to Jesus?
God alone is allowed to be worship in the Bible. This poses another problem for JW’s as Jesus is worshipped all throughout scripture the same way that God is worshiped. The word for worship in the Greek is proskenuo, it literally means to ‘kiss towards.’
Heb. 1:6, “Let the angels do obeisance (proskenuo) to him.”
The correctly translated word in Greek for proskenuo is ‘worship.’
Any creature that belongs to God, including the holy angels, never allow any other being to worship them, because they know that God alone is to be worshiped! But in Heb 1.6 when the word is used for the angel to ‘Worship’ Jesus, the JW’s choose to translate it to ‘obeisance,’ to obscure the idea that Jesus is worshiped! We know from other verse that no one who is of God accepts worship because all worship is meant to be for God alone.
In acts 10.25- Peter told the man not to worship (proskenuo) him because he was just a man.
The Angel is Revelation does not accept worship :
And he saith unto me, See thou do it not: I am a fellow-servant with thee and with thy brethren the prophets, and with them that keep the words of this book: worship God. – Revelation 22.9
Jesus also accepts worship (proskenuos) in the following verses: Matt 2.2, 2.11; 14.33; 28.9; John 9.35-38.
The Watchtower did not always reject Jesus being worshipped:
“Question: The fact that our Lord received worship is claimed by some to be an evidence that while on earth he was God the Father disguised in a body of flesh and not really a man. Was he really worshiped, or is the translation faulty? Answer: Yes, we believe our Lord Jesus while on earth was really worshiped, and properly so…It was proper for our Lord to receive worship in view of his having been the only begotten of the Father, and his agent in the creation of all things, including man.” – Watchtower Magazine; page 216 of the July 15, 1898 edition
Did Jesus create all [other] things…?
Col. 1:16-17, “…all [other] things were created by him…”
In Colossians, the JW’s translated the text correctly but inserted a certain word that according to them will “help you understand the text” better. Unfortunately by attempting to help us understand the text, the completely change the meaning of it.
The correct translation form Greek is: In Him all things have been created. Colossians 1.16-17.
The correct translation reveals the Lord Jesus is the creator of all things. But in the NWT it attempts to show that Jesus was also created by adding words to the text. JW’s theology is that Jehovah created Jesus, and then Jesus created everything else, which is contrary to biblical teaching, that God (YHVH) alone was the creator of everything as we see in:
“Thus says the LORD (Jehovah in NWT) , your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, ‘I, the LORD, am the maker of all things, stretching out the heavens by Myself, and spreading out the earth all alone‘” – Isaiah 44:24, NASB
Is Jesus the Firstborn of all creation?
In another attempt to demine the position of Jesus, JW’s point toward the verse in Col 1.5 that says Jesus is the Firstborn over all creation. JW’s will explain that the term firstborn means a ‘created being’ or ‘first created being.’
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” – Col. 1:15
JW’s like to interpret this verse to mean the Jesus is the ‘first created’ because it is consistant with their theology. However this is not consistent with the Bible (John 1.1-14) or the actual text of this verse. Jesus is God and is the creator of all things, and yet was born and became flesh as a man.
In the Greek, there is a word for first created (proto-kitzo) but that was not used here, but rather Paul used the word (proto-tikto) which literally means first-born. The word for first-born can be used to describe a first-born child of a family, but can also be used to translate the word pre-eminence. Firstborn is used as a title for the heir of a fathers household, which is who Jesus is to God the Father.
This is proven when you read the record of what happened in heaven in Heb 1.3-6; as it shows that Jesus is the firstborn of the Father that came to earth as a man, but returned to the glory he had with the Father afterwards John 17.5. This verse is further reference to Jesus dual nature and the appeal to His human nature correlating to our understanding of a Father who gives His inheritance to His Son.
If God the Father gave everything He has to His Son that would make His Son God!
I AM or I Have Been John 8.58
Once again to obscure the truth behind who Jesus is, JW’s will have to reinvent specific bible verses that point to Jesus divinity; this is to keep their translation consistent with their beliefs.
“Jesus said to them: “Most truly I say to you, Before Abraham came into existence, I have been,” – John 8.58 (NWT)
εγωG1473 P-1NS ειμιG1510 V-PAI-1S
ego eimi
I Am
Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you, Before Abraham came into being, I am. – John 8.58 (BBE)
As we can see in the original Greek, the direct translation is ‘I AM.’ This alludes to the Old Testament when God says to Moses; I AM who I AM (Ex 3.14). This is the proclamation that God is self-efficient and self-existent (unlike created beings that all depend on God for their existence).
Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. – John 8.59 (BBE)
As we can see in other verse the Jews wanted to stone Jesus when they thought He was blaspheming, as it was a blasphemy to call yourself YaHWeH, God . This was themed continually in to gospel as Jesus shared who He really was.
This was their answer: We are not stoning you for a good work but for evil words; because being a man you make yourself God. – John 10.33 (BBE)
Examination of the Grammar used in Verse 58:
The words in Greek originally recorded in John 8:58 are “‘prin abraam genesthai ego eimi.” Literally, this is “Before Abraham was existing, I am.” “Ego eimi” is literally, “I am.” This is the present tense. To say “I have been” is to use the perfect tense. In Greek, his would have been “aemane.” But Jesus didn’t use it here. He used the present tense, “ego eimi” which is “I am.”
Other Examples
Throughout the New Testament the Greek present tense of ‘ego eimi‘, “I am”, can be translated into the English perfect tense, “I have been” even though that is not the exact translation of the text. In John 14:9 Jesus says, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me…” In this verse, “Have I been” is originally the Greek present tense, ‘ego eimi‘, but it has been translated in the perfect tense in the english because it is grammatically incorect in the english to say “I am with you so long and you still don’t know me….?”
Thus we have the correct grammer in English translated into the perfect tense to allow the text to make since in English “Have I been with you so long and you have not come to know me….?” Once again the proper translation of the text is highly justified due to the fact that the Jews wanted to kill Jesus after He made this statement because He was elevating Himself to the status of the Great “I AM,” God Himself (John 8.59).
‘Believe’ or ‘Practicing Faith Towards’
Another consistent bad translation all throughout the JW Bible the NWT is the translation of ‘Believing’ into ‘Practicing Faith Towards.’ JW believe in salvation by works, meaning that you have to continually do good deeds in order to get into heaven, or to be saved, they once again change their Bible and translate the text to fit their belief systems, even though it is inconsistent with both scripture and the verses they put it in. They continually change the word in the Greek New Testament from ‘believe,’ into ‘practicing faith towards’ as we will see in many instances doesn’t even make sense in the contexts its used:
This is the work of God, that you exercise faith in him whom that One sent forth. – John 6.29 (NWT)
He that comes to me will not get hungry at all, and he that exercises faith in me will never get thirsty at all. – John 6.35 (NWT)
The Greek word they are poorly translating is ‘Pisteo,’ which literally mean ‘to believe.’ A good example of this is in John 20.27, if they would have been consistent in their translation this verse would have made no sense, so they had to use the correct translation for believe:
Put your finger here, and see my hands, and take your hand and stick it into my side, and stop being unbelieving but become believing. – John 20.27 (NWT)
A consistent translation of the NWT using the word Pisteo would have read like this:
Put your finger here, and see my hands, and take your hand and stick it into my side, and stop not exercising faith, but start exercising faith. ( – consistent NWT translation)
Dangerous Doctrines of Jehovah Witness
Jehovah Witness are in danger because they call God a liar for all the things he has already told us, and attempt to redefine it. They have changed His word which is a destructive blasphemy. They are in danger of Hell because they do not rely completely and solely upon Jesus payment for their sins to go to heaven. They believe they have to work to earn salvation and thus when they stand before God and show their righteousness that is as filthy rags before God, He will cast them out for relying on their own good work to enter heaven and not on God’s grace.
Verses Jehovah’s Witnesses Twist
Was the Word A god? John 1.1
The Bible describes that Jesus is the word of God. This poses a problem for the JW’s theology as the verse in John 1.1 literally says the Word IS God! Therefore, JW’s translate this phrase to match their theology.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God – John 1.1 KJV
In the beginning was the word and the word was with God, and the word was a god – John 1.1 NWT
καιG2532 CONJ θεοςG2316 N-NSM ηνG1510 V-IAI-3S οG3588 T-NSM λογοςG3056 N-NSM
and God was the Word
– Greek Translation
Is there a new god that suddenly appears here at the beginning of creation? Does the bible affirm that there are multiple gods? No, we can see that the literal translation does not allow for multiple gods in this verse, but rather a statement that the Word is God:
The actual Greek word for word translation goes like this: “In beginning was the word, and the word was with the God, and God was the word.”
And the correct English translation is … and the Word was God, because there is only one definite article (ho=the). In the clause two nouns are the nominatives (“subject”) form (Theos and logos). Then the noun with the definite article (ho) is the subject. In this translation “ho logos” is “the word,” as the subject of the clause, and ‘the word was god’ becomes the correct translation.
Who Is The Only True God? John 17.3
JW’s will use this verse in attempt to say that Jesus, was in essence, saying that he was not God, but rather God the Father is the only God.
We need to be consistent with the entire bible and not build an entire doctrine off of only one verse.
Why did Jesus call His Father the only true God? Because He is, there is only one God. It is not wrong for the human side of Jesus to refer to God or even pray to God (talking to the Father), even though we know that the fullness of God dwelt in Jesus bodily (Col 2.9). As a man, Jesus made himself subject to God the Father.
We know that Jesus is also referred to as the Only True God:
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. – 1 John 5.22
“The Father is Greater Than I” John 14.28
Jesus said the Father is greater than himself. This was a true statement once again as Jesus was both man and God. Man has a lower position than God, yet as God He is still equal.
The Father is Greater than I – John 14.28
We must remember that for a little while He was made a little lower than angels, but after His resurrection He was returned to His former Glory with the Father, as we can see his servitude in the following verses:
“I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me – John 5.30
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” – Phil 2.5-8
But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” – Gal 4.4-5
But we do see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone – Hebrew 2.9
And after He returned to the Father, He was reinstated His former Glory:
He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. – Ephesians 4.10
(Jesus speaking to the Father)I glorified thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which thou hast given me to do. And now, Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was – John 17.4-5
Did Jesus make Himself Equal with God? – John 5.18
For this cause therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only brake the sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God. – John 5.18 (BBE)
“For this cause therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God,” (John 5:18, NASB).
ισονG2470 A-ASM εαυτονG1438 F-3ASM ποιωνG4160 V-PAP-NSM τωG3588 T-DSM θεωG2316 N-DSM
Equal Himself Made the God
– Greek Translation (GNT-TR+)
JW’s comment, saying that this verse is simply reference this is a point that John is making that this is only what the Jews though Jesus was trying to say, not what Jesus was actually claiming. This claim in not consistent at all with the text of the entire chapter. We can clearly see that the context begins with the narrative of the writer, who is writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, starting with verse 16 states that the Jews had turned against Him because of the works He was performing on the Sabbath, and in verse 18 continues with the narrative stating that Jesus was making Himself equal with God.
There is nothing in the context to indicate that the verse refers ‘only’ to what the Jews believed, rather than it being a statement from the apostle John about Jesus Divinity. John consistently corrected misinterpretations and cleared up misunderstanding that he wrote about in his gospel.
“This saying therefore went out among the brethren that that disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, ‘If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?’ – John 21:23, NASB
“The Jews answered and said to Him, ‘Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon? 49Jesus answered, ‘I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me,” – John 8:48-49
Why wouldn’t he clear up such a huge doctrinal misunderstanding in his gospel, especially if it was such a tremendous blasphemy as this, claiming someone to be God is breaking one of the 10 commandments. Yet we find neither he nor Jesus corrected the issue but rather the narrator clearly defines Jesus claiming himself to be equal with God.
Was Jesus Worshiped The Same Way King David Was?
JW’s doctrine cannot allow Jesus to be worshipped the same way that God the Father is worshipped because it would directly contradict their theology; so they shift the scriptural interpretations around their own beliefs.
We have seen his star in the east and have come to give him worship. And they came into the house, and saw the young child with Mary, his mother; and falling down on their faces they gave him worship; – Matt. 2:2,11;
And those who were in the boat gave him worship, saying, Truly you are the Son of God. – Matt 14:33;
And on the way, Jesus came to them, saying, Be glad. And they came and put their hands on his feet, and gave him worship. – Matt28:9;
…And he said, Lord, I have faith. And he gave him worship… – John 9:35-38
And again, when he is sending his only Son into the world, he says, Let all the angels of God give him worship. – Heb. 1:6.
JW’s cannot not deny scripture teaches that Jesus was bowed down before the same way that God the Father would be bowed down before. They point out the following verse to show that other people where worshipped:
And David said to all the people, Now give praise to the Lord your God. And all the people gave praise to the Lord, the God of their fathers, with bent heads worshipping the Lord and the king. – 1 Chron 29.20 (BBE)
JW’s say that because king David was worship, it is possible to worship other things to a lesser degree than God. Following this they state that Jesus can be worshipped to a lesser degree then God the Father.
1 Chron obviously cannot be translated to mean that king David was worshipped the same as God, this would be blasphemy. It would be more accurate to translate this Hebrew word “shachah” as pay homage or bow down.
When you read the context of the entire chapter of 1 Chronicles, you can clearly get the picture of what is going on: the Hebrew people are NOT worshipping David but rather literally, in the place they are at, falling down paying God and the king Homage, in recognition as their superiors. This verse is a reference to the literal actions of the people. In contrast, Jesus is worshipped all throughout the entire bible not only by men, but all of heaven (Heb 1.8) showing that He alone is God, as the angel says in revelation:
And I, John, am he who saw these things and to whose ears they came. And when I had seen and given ear, I went down on my face to give worship at the feet of the angel who made these things clear to me. And he said to me, See you do it not; I am a brother-servant with you and with your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book: give worship to God. – Revelation 22.8-9
Angels are obviously superior to men, but here is shows that ONLY God is to be worshiped. This is also confirmed in the JW’s own scripture as they do NOT translate the word as worship but rather it is translated as prostrate:
“And David went on to say to all the congregation: “Bless, now, Jehovah YOUR God.” And all the congregation proceeded to bless Jehovah the God of their forefathers and bow low and prostrate themselves to Jehovah and to the king,” – 1 Chron 29.20 (NWT).
Translation of the Word Worship
The JW’s retranslate the same Greek word for worship ‘proskenutos’ differently throughout their text. If the verse is speaking about God the Father, they translated it to say worship, but in reference to Jesus they always translate it as obeisance, once again to preserve their own belief system:
Same word (proskenuos) in reference to the Son:
And again, when he is sending his only Son into the world, he says, Let all the angels of God give him worship. – Hebrew 1.6 (BBE)
But when he again brings his Firstborn into the inhabited earth, he says: “And let all God’s angels do obeisance to him. – Hebrew 1.6 (NWT)
Same word (proskenuos) in reference to the Father:
And he said to me, See you do it not; I am a brother-servant with you and with your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book: give worship to God. – Revelation 22.9 (BBE)
But he tells me: “Be careful! Do not do that! All I am is a fellow slave of you and of your brothers who are prophets and of those who are observing the words of this scroll. Worship God – Revelation 22.9 (NWT)
Who will the Jew Look Upon? Zech 12.10
Another bad translation in the NWT from the JW’s is the verse in zechariah where God says “they will look upon me, who they have pierced.” This is obviously a direct word from God says that He will be pierced but due to the direct contradiction to the JW’s doctrine, they change what the text says to “they will look upon the one whom they have pierced.”
Zechariah 12.10 (comparison)-
God speaking “They will look upon me, the one they have pierced (KJV)
“They will look upon the one they have pierced (NWT)
Conclusion
The entire Jehovah’s Witness movement has been shown form the beginning to be nothing more than one man’s beliefs combined with scriptures to make a religious belief system based on human ideas, without the involvement of God. Proven not only through al the false prophecies but more simply through examination of the JW’s ‘reediting’ of scriptures and bad translation from the original Greek translations.
The god of the Jehovah’s Witnesses should not be feared because it is a god who will not punish sin, but rather cause people to sleep forever when they die. It has no wrath or mercy or justice because it is a false god of the imagination that can do nothing.
For those Jehovah’s Witnesses that do believe in the one true God of the bible, they should be in great fear for calling Him a liar (redefining what He already told us) and need to come to His saving grace.
Resources
CH0 – Introduction – Jehovah Witness – Use their own Literature Against Them
Ch1- Examine Your Own Religion
CH3 – Trust in the Organization
CH8 – Jesus is the Organization
CH9 – Don’t Follow False Prophets
CH11 – Interlinear – Christ is God
CH12 – Interlinear Other Scripture
CH13 – Watchtower is Salvation
CH14 – FiDs Organization or Russell
References
Masonic References: Sermon title: “The Temple of God”, Charles Russell; Convention Report Sermons pages 359–365