Page 4: Because the Bible is inspired by our loving Creator, "the God of all comfort," the One "who comforts us in all our tribulation." (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4) He is 'the God who supplies comfort.' (Romans 15:5)
Note: Have you come to Jesus Christ?
Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Page 4: The Bible describes Jehovah as the one "who daily carries the load for us, the true God of our salvation." (Psalm 68:19)
Note: Have you come to Jesus Christ?
Matthew 11:29-30 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Note: The Watch Tower has mistranslated Psalm 68:19.
Psalm 68:18-19 You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men, even from the rebellious, That the LORD God might dwell there. Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation! Selah
Pages 4-5: God-fearing humans can confidently say: "I have placed Jehovah in front of me constantly. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be made to totter." - Psalm 16:8.
Note: Is Jesus Christ "first place" in your life?
Colossians 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Page 5: Such Bible passages show the deep love that Jehovah God has for us humans. It becomes clear that he has the heartfelt desire - as well as the ability - to provide abundant comfort and to ease our pain in times of distress. "He is giving to the tired one power; and to the one without dynamic energy he makes full might abound." (Isaiah 40:29) How, then, can we take comfort in Jehovah's strength?
Answer: Become a Jesus Witness!
Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Page 5: Paul made clear the link between true hope and comfort when he wrote: "May ... God our Father, who loved us and gave everlasting comfort and good hope by means of undeserved kindness, comfort your hearts and make you firm in every good deed and word." ( 2 Thess. 2:16, 17) This "good hope" includes the prospect of perfect, happy, and unending life on a paradise earth. - 2 Peter 3:13.
Note: The Watch Tower wants you to place your hope in the reward not the Rewarder.
1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,
Page 6: In order to qualify for life in that Paradise, Laimonis made great changes. He turned from liquor, and his transformation has not gone unnoticed by his neighbors and acquaintances. He now conducts several Bible studies, sharing with others the comfort that Bible-based hope gives.
Correction: The only qualification for eternal life is sincere faith in Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Page 6: When our heart is in pain for some reason, we can find comfort by praying to Jehovah. That can take the load off us.
Note: Have you sincerely prayed to Jesus?
John 14:13-14 "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."
Page 6: On the night before his death, Jesus made it clear to his apostles that he would soon be leaving them. This troubled and grieved them. (John 13:33, 36; 14:27-31) Recognizing their need for continued comfort, Jesus promised: "I will request the Father and he will give you another helper (or, comforter) to be with you forever." (John 14:16; footnote) Jesus here was referring to God's holy spirit.
Note: The Holy Spirit is a real person just like Jesus Christ.
John 15:26 "But when the Helper (parakletos) comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
Parakletos defined: intercessor; consoler; advocate; comforter.
Page 6: Among other things, God's spirit comforted the apostles during their trials and strengthened them to continue doing God's will. - Acts 4:31.
Note: Are you suffering for the name of Jesus?
Acts 5:40-41 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
Page 7: Spiritual brothers and sisters in the congregation are moved to be kind, comforting, and tenderly compassionate. - Ephesians 4:32.
Note: The Watch Tower never has compassion for those outside "the Kingdom."
Luke 10:33-37 "But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.' So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves? And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
Page 7: This is how one of the psalms describes him as providing comforting shelter: "With his pinions he will block approach to you, and under his wings you will take refuge." (Psalm 91:4)
Note: Have you taken refuge in Jesus Christ?
Matthew 23:37 "How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!"
Page 10: The initial fulfillment of Isaiah 65:17-19 involved the ancient Jews who, as Isaiah accurately predicted, did return to their homeland, where they reestablished pure worship. (Ezra 1:1-4; 3:1-4) You realize, of course, that they returned to a homeland on the same planet, not somewhere else in the universe. That realization can help us to see what Isaiah meant by new heavens and a new earth.
Note: The Watch Tower inconsistently interprets the earth literally and then allegorically.
Psalm 46:1-2 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Page 10: But Isaiah 65:17 also mentions "new heavens." If the "earth" represents a new society of people of people in the Jews' homeland, what are the "new heavens"?
Note: IF you believe the Watch Tower Tract and Bible Society, you have been brainwashed.
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
Page 10: When the Jews returned to their homeland, they gained what might be called a new system of things. There was a new ruling body. Zerubbabel, a descendant of King David, was governor, and Joshua was high priest. (Haggai 1:1, 12; 2:21; Zecariah 6:11) These constituted "new heavens."
Note: Zerubbabel and Joshua are not figuratively the sun and the moon.
Page 11: As one of Jesus' apostles, Peter was writing to the followers of Christ, "the Lord" mentioned at 2 Peter 3:2. In verse 4, Peter brings up Jesus' "promised presence," which makes the prophecy very pertinent today. Ample evidence shows that since World War I, Jesus has been present in the sense of having authority as Ruler in God's heavenly Kingdom.
Note: The WT is violating the Bible by observing the "Memorial Supper."
1 Corinthians 11:26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. (arrives)
Correction: Jesus physically returns to the earth after "the tribulation" not before or 1914.
Matthew 24:29-30 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."
Page 11: You may already have learned that Jesus in heaven is the key Ruler in the "new heavens." (Luke 1:32, 33) Yet, other Bible texts indicate that he does not rule alone. Jesus promised that the apostles and some others like them would have a place in heaven.
Note: The ruling will be on the earth by the apostles.
Matthew 19:28-29 "... that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life."
Page 11: Then what did Peter mean by the term "new earth"? As with the ancient fulfillment - the return of the Jews to their homeland - the current fulfillment of 2 Peter 3:13 involves people who submit to rulership by the new heavens.
Correction: There will be a "new earth" after this earth is destroyed by God Almighty.
2 Peter 3:11-12 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
Page 11: You can find millions today who are gladly submitting to such rulership. They are benefiting from its educational program and striving to follow its laws found in the Bible. (Isaiah 54:13) These make up the basis of "a new earth" in the sense that they form a global society of all nationalities, languages, and races, and they work together in submission to the reigning King, Jesus Christ.
Correction: There will be a "new earth" after this earth is destroyed by God Almighty.
Isaiah 24:20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall totter like a hut; Its transgression shall be heavy upon it, and it will fall, and not rise again.
Page 11: In verse 7, Peter mentions that "the heavens and the earth that are now," both the rulerships and the masses of people, are reserved for "the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men." This confirms that the phrase "the heavens and the earth that are now" refers, not to the material universe, but to humans and their rulerships.
Correction: The new heaven and earth occurs after the judgment not before or 1914.
Rev. 20:15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
Rev. 21:1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.
Page 12: Two chapters before, in Revelation chapter 19, we find described in vivid symbolism a war - but not a war between hostile nations. On one side is "The Word of God." You likely recognize that as a title of Jesus Christ. (John 1:1, 14) He is in heaven, and this vision depicts him with his heavenly armies. Battling against whom? The chapter mentions "kings," "military commanders," and people of various ranks, both "small ones and great." This battle involves the coming day of Jehovah, the destruction of wickedness. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10)
Note: Jesus will return to earth from heaven for the coming "day of Jehovah."
Revelation 19:11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Page 12: The apostle John begins with the thrilling words: "I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more." Based on what we have in Isaiah chapter 65 and 2 Peter chapter 3, we can be sure that this does not mean replacing the literal heavens and our planet, with its watery deep.
Correction: There will be a "new heaven and earth" after the present ones are destroyed.
Isaiah 51:6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look on the earth beneath. For the heavens will vanish away like smoke, the earth will grow old like a garment, and those who dwell in it will die in like manner; But My salvation will be forever, and My righteousness will not be abolished.
Note: The Watch Tower loves to twist the Scriptures.
2 Peter 3:15-16 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
Page 12: We are assured of this as we move into this wonderful prophecy. The end of verse 3 speaks of the time when God will be with mankind, turning his beneficent attention toward people doing his will. (Ezekiel 43:7)
Note: Are you truly doing the will of God?
John 6:40 "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
Page 14: Reflect on what the preceding article established as to the Bible's promises of new heavens and a new earth. Isaiah foretold such a new system, and his prophecy had a fulfillment when the Jews returned to their homeland and reestablished true worship.
Note: True worship was not reestablished until the temple was dedicated in 516 BCE.
The 70 years refers to the exile, spiritual apathy and rebuilding of the temple. The country was still lying waste from the havoc of the Chaldean wars, and the emigrants despaired at the enormous task confronting them. The resulting apathy of the returned Jews was alleviated by the work of two religious leaders, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, who held out the rewards of spiritual life as the ultimate goal. The Jews turned their attention to rebuilding, and in 516 BC the Second Temple was completed. The latter date is regarded, in the Jewish tradition, as the true end of the exile in Babylon, which thus endured 70 years (586-516 BC). Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia, Volume 15, page 58.
Pages 14-15: True Christians have faced vicious persecution, even fanatical efforts to wipe them out. (John 16:2; Acts 8:1) Yet, even very powerful enemies of God's people, such as Roman Emperor Nero and Adolph Hitler, have not been able to eradicate God's loyal ones, who bear his name.
Note: True Christians suffer for the name of Jesus.
John 15:21 "But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me."
Page 15: Similarly, those faithful to God as part of the new earth, the society of true worshippers in the new world, will keep standing individually because they will be rendering pure worship to the Creator of all things.
Note: Have you been faithful to Jesus Christ?
Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Note: Jesus Christ is the Creator of all things.
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
Page 15: So Isaiah 66:23 points to regular, ongoing worship of God, week after week and month after month. Atheism and religious hypocrisy will not exist then. "All flesh will come in to bow down before" Jehovah.
Note: The religious hypocrisy of the Watch Tower will cease to exist in the future.
Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Jehovah), to the glory of God the Father.
Page 15: Isaiah 66:24 assures us that the peace and righteousness of the new earth will never be in danger. Wicked people will not ruin it.
Note: Have you put on the righteousness of God?
Romans 3:21-22 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.
Page 15: The Great Judge guarantees us that his day will be a destruction of the ungodly.
Note: The Great Judge is Jesus Christ.
John 5:22 "For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,"
Note: The "day of Jehovah" is the "day of Christ."
2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.
Page 15: The surviving righteous ones will see that God's prophetic word is true. Verse 24 foretells that "the carcasses of the men that were transgressing against" Jehovah will be proof of his judgment.
Note: The Watch Tower misses the connection with Revelation.
Revelation 19:20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Note: A future religious leader will deceive people into worshipping a future political leader.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
Page 16: When this was first fulfilled on Isaiah's people, it meant that the babes in the land were safe. No enemies were coming in, as the Babylonians once did, to carry off sucklings or to cut down men who were in the prime of their life. (2 Chronicles 36:17, 20)
Correction: The prophecy of Isaiah 65:20 will only be fulfilled in the future.
Nehemiah 1:3 And they said to me, "The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire."
Page 18: It is not presumptuous to imagine living in God's new world. He invites, even urges, us to worship him in truth now and to qualify for life when 'they will do no harm nor cause any ruin in all his holy mountain.' (Isaiah 65:25)
Note: Are you worshipping the Father and the Son together in the power of the Holy Spirit?
Revelation 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: "Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!"
Page 18: "The knowledge of Jehovah." When God makes all things new, earth's inhabitants will have accurate knowledge of him and of his will.
Correction: You can know God know by knowing Jesus Christ.
John 14:7 "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him."
Page 19: INDEED, we should care about the feelings of others. Especially must we as Christians, ordained ministers of Jehovah God, have a healthy concern about how others view us.
Note: True Christians are ministers of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:23 Are they ministers of Christ?; I speak as a fool; I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.
Page 21: Honesty is such a quality - one that is given high priority by many employers. Like the apostle Paul, we want to "conduct ourselves honestly in all things." (Hebrews 13:18)
Note: When will the Watch Tower admit to being dishonest with Biblical interpretation?
Watchtower 1/1/2000 Page 10: As the years pass, Jehovah continues to give us further clarification of truth, including a clearer understanding of his prophetic word. (Proverbs 4:18) In recent years, we have been encouraged to look again with deeper understanding at - among other things - the generation that will not pass away before the end comes, the parable of the sheep and the goats, the disgusting thing and when it will stand in a holy place, the new covenant, the transfiguration, and the temple vision of the book of Ezekiel. It may be difficult at times to understand such updated explanations, but the reasons for them become clear in due course.
Page 21: Now more than ever, mature men are needed to take the lead in the Christian congregation. The reason? Isaiah prophesied: "Make the place of your tent more spacious. And let them stretch out the tent cloths of your grand tabernacle." (Isaiah 54:2) In fulfillment of this prophecy, Jehovah's worldwide congregation keeps on experiencing growth.
Note: There are no publishers in Red China according to the 1/1/2000 Watchtower magazine.
Page 21: How can a man today 'reach out for an office of oversight' in an appropriate, godly way? Certainly not by campaigning for appointment but by cultivating the spiritual qualities needed for such responsibilities. (1 Timothy 3:1-10, 12, 13; Titus 1:5-9)
Note: True godly men are those willing to die for the name of Jesus Christ.
Acts 15:24-26 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, "You must be circumcised and keep the law"; to whom we gave no such commandment; it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Page 21: He can also show that he is "desirous of a fine work" by having a full share in the preaching and disciple-making work. (Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20)
Note: True Christians will be willing to die for the name of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 24:9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake."
Page 28: At the global Flood, the rebellious angels dematerialized and returned in disgrace to the spirit realm. God punished them by prohibiting them from again materializing human bodies.
Note: The rebellious angels will be allowed to torture people during the "great tribulation."
Revelation 9:7-11 The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. They had hair like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth. And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle. They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months. And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.
Page 28: Today, gods and demigods no longer walk the earth. Nevertheless, violence abounds. Today's men of fame are glorified in books, movies, television, and music. Far be it from them to turn the other cheek, to love their enemies, to seek peace, to forgive, or to walk away from violence. (Matthew 5:39, 44; Romans 12:17; Ephesians 4:32; 1 Peter 3:11)
Note: The Watch Tower does not love the clergy of Christendom.
4/1/2000 Watchtower, page 10: As you can imagine, though, such exposing of false teachings angered the clergy of Christendom. Eager to hold on to their influential positions, many Catholic and Protestant clergymen organized campaigns aimed at discrediting Russell.
Note: The Watch Tower will not forgive Adolph Hitler.
Pages 9-10: Yet, even very powerful enemies of God's people, such as Roman Emperor Nero and Adolph Hitler, have not been able to eradicate God's loyal ones, who bear his name.
Page 29: Rather than resorting to violence or angelic protection, Jesus allowed himself to be seized by those who killed him. Why?
Answer: Jesus Christ had to die for true Christians to be redeemed from their sins through faith.
Romans 3:24-25 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith,
Hebrews 9:15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
Hebrews 10:10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.