WATCHTOWER - JULY 15, 1996

 

Page 5: For one thing, the very first word tells us to whom our prayers must be addressed-to our Father. Notice that Jesus made no room whatsoever for praying to some other person, image, "saint," or even to him. After all, God had declared: "I will not give my glory to another, nor my praise to graven things."

Correction: It is OK to pray to Jesus. Acts 7:59.

And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

Note: We are to pray in the name of Jesus. John 14:13.

And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Note: The Father shares His glory with the Son.

For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. Matthew 16:27.

When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. Matthew 25:31.

When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it." John 11:4.

And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. John 17:5.

 

Page 6: Over 6,000 times in the "Old Testament," God is identified by the personal name Jehovah.

Correction: Jehovah is not the name of God.

The word consists of the consonants JHVH or JHWH, with the vowels of a separate word, Adonai (Lord). Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia, Volumn 15, Page 24.

 

Page 6: "Jehovah" is a legitimate and long-established way of pronouncing the divine name in English.

Correction: Jesus did not think too much of traditions.

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?" He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' " Matthew 7:5-7.

 

Page 7: Yet, the key is coming to know God-his name, his purposes, his personality. You can accomplish this through study of the Bible.

Note: The key to knowing God is knowing Jesus Christ.

Then they said to Him, "Where is Your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also." John 8:19.

If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." John 14:7.

And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

1 John 5:11

Note: Not knowing Jesus will result in eternal cutting off.

"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' " Matthew 7:23.

Page 9: Many have had success presenting the good news to others while traveling or in other informal circumstances. As a result of the Kingdom-preaching work, each year hundreds of thousands symbolize their dedication to Jehovah God by getting baptized.

Correction: The good news or gospel is about Jesus Christ.

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel (good news) which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.

 

Page 9: Those who are Witnesses of Jehovah enthusiastically direct such new ones to the organization that God is using to accomplish his will.

Correction: True Witnesses of Jehovah will direct people to Jesus Christ.

One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. John 1:40-42.

And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon all. Acts 4:33.

Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Acts 8:35.

 

Page 10: Millions will attest that Jehovah's global family-his visible organization-is an oasis of peace and unity in a worldly desert of strife and disunity.

Correction: True Godly peace only comes from Jesus Christ.

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2.

 

Page 11: by Jehovah's sending his Son into the world to bear witness to the truth and to die a sacrificial death, the way was opened for the formation of the united Christian congregation.

Correction: The way was opened for eternal life by Jesus Christ.

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20.

 

Page 12: Another factor that unifies Jehovah's people is that we have God's holy spirit, or active force.

Note: The active force speaks!

Now the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron. 1 Timothy 4:1-2.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22.

 

Page 12: Similarly, those in the family of Jehovah's worshipers find joy in unitedly doing their Kingdom-preaching and disciple-making work.

Correction: Godly joy is to be found in the Holy Spirit.

For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17.

 

Page 13: Their spirit is like that of Joshua, who urged fellow Israelites: "Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve...But as for me and my household, we shall serve Jehovah."

Note: We should serve God not a organization.

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ. Romans 1:1.

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. James 1:1.

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:1.

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ. Jude 1.

 

Page 13: With the Great Theocrat, Jehovah, as our Judge, Statute-Giver, and King, we have every reason to feel secure.

Note: Jesus Christ is our Judge.

For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son. John 5:22.

Note: Jesus Christ is the Statute-Giver.

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:10-12.

Note: Jesus Christ is the King.

And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Revelation 19:16.

Note: Security is to be found in Jesus Christ.

All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. John 6:37.

 

Page 14: The congregations rejoiced, and precious unity continued, even as it does in God's earth wide family today under the spiritual guidance of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Correction: True spiritual guidance comes from the Holy Spirit.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:26.

 

Page 15: We need to submit to God's will and show deep respect for 'the faithful slave' and the Governing Body.

Correction: The will of God is that everyone place their sincere belief in Jesus Christ.

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. John 6:40.

 

Page 15: Jesus, the Head of the congregation, is fully theocratic and always does his Father's will. (John 5:30) Let us, therefore, follow our Exemplar by theocratically and unitedly doing Jehovah's will in full cooperation with His organization.

Note: Jesus Christ demands the same honor given to the Father.

That all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. John 5:23.

 

Page 16-17: We gladly accept the spiritual food made available by Jehovah through "the faithful and discreet slave." (Matthew 24:45-47)

Note: Is the Watchtower "the faithful and discreet slave" of Jesus Christ?

Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him. Matthew 24:44.

Page 17: Perhaps more information on the subject will be published, and then our understanding will be broadened.

 

Page 17: Instead, our Shepherd, Jehovah, has kept us unified and has taken good care of us.

Note: Jesus Christ is our Shepherd.

I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father, and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:14-16.

 

Page 20: "Once my mind had been resolved on that point, I determined to stay by the faithful organization. How else can one get Jehovah's favor and blessing?"

Correction: One can receive Jehovah's blessing by putting their trust in Jesus Christ.

Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. Psalm 2:12.

 

Page 21-22: How is Bible counsel made available? Through publications such as The Watchtower and its companion journal, Awake! These magazines and Christian meetings even offer special help to those who need extra care, like the lambs and weaker sheep in a flock.

Correction: Bible counsel is made available by reading the Holy Bible.

How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. Psalm 119:9.

Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11.

Let your mercies come also to me, O LORD; Your salvation acording to Your word. So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in Your word. Psalm 119:41-42.

This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life. Psalm 119:50.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105.

My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word. Psalm 119:148

 

Page 23: Jehovah's Witnesses have long understood that the locusts of Revelation chapter 9 portray the anointed servants of God on earth in this century. These Christians have been assigned a particular job to preach the Kingdom message earth wide and make disciples.

Note: According to the Watchtower the anointed servants of God are to hurt men.

Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. Revelation 9:3.

They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. And their power was to hurt men five months. Revelation 9:10.

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