WATCHTOWER - SEPTEMBER 15, 1996

 

Page 4: The fruitage of God-approved worship must confirm to Jehovah God's standards.

Note: God's standards are revealed to us by the Holy Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23.

 

Page 6: Instead, the religion that God approves loyally advocates his Kingdom under Jesus Christ and declares the good news concerning that heavenly government.

Correction: The good news is 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.

Note: The Watchtower preaches a false gospel or good news.

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel (good news) to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:8.

 

Page 7: True religion changes warlike people into lovers of peace. This was foretold in these words: "They will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore."

Correction: The Watchtower misapplies a future prophecy about the future reign of Jesus Christ on the earth to their religion.

Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. Revelation 19:15.

 

Page 7: Those practicing true religion strive to live by the high standards of Jehovah God; refusing to adopt immoral life-styles.

Note: God works with individuals not with a religion.

Page 7: And yet that is what some of you were. But you have been washed clean, but you have been sanctified, but you have been declared righteous in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the spirit of our God.

 

Page 7: If you wish to practice religion that pleases God, why not get better acquainted with Jehovah Witnesses? The accompanying chart lists some of their beliefs, along with Scriptural reasons for these. (Page 5)

 

Page 5: God's name is Jehovah.

Correction: The name of God is not Jehovah.

Jehovah, name of the God of the Hebrew people as erroneously transliterated from the Masoretic Hebrew text. The word consists of the consonants JHVH or JHWH, with the vowels of a separate word, Adonai (Lord). Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia, Volume 15, page 24.

 

Page 5: The soul ceases to exist at death.

Correction: The soul continues after the body is dead.

When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" Revelation 6:9-10.

 

Page 5: Hell is mankind's common grave.

Correction: At death the souls of true Christians depart to be with Jesus Christ.

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. Philippians 1:21-24.

 

Page 5: Resurrection is the hope for the dead.

Correction: Jesus Christ is the hope of the dead.

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." John 11:25-26.

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope. 1 Timothy 1:1.

 

Page 5: Christ gave his earthly life as the ransom for obedient humans.

Correction: Jesus died for everyone.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:16-17.

 

Page 5: Prayers must be directed only to Jehovah through Christ.

Correction: Prayers should be directed to the Father through the Son. John 14:13.

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

Note: Jesus never prayed using the name of God or else he would have prayed in part to himself.

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him." John 17:1-2.

 

Page 5: Christ's presence is invisible.

Note: The Watchtower says that Jesus Christ will not return in a visible manner.

Correction: Jesus Christ corrects the ignorance of the disciples question at Matthew 24:3.

"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." Matthew 24:30.

 

Page 5: A "little flock" is to rule in heaven with Christ.

Correction: There is only one flock of true believers in Jesus Christ.

"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 10:16.

 

Page 5: Others whom God approves will receive eternal life on a paradise earth.

Correction: All true Christians will be in heaven.

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" Revelation 7:9-10.

Note: All true Christians will return to the earth with Jesus Christ. Revelation 19:14.

And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.

 

Page 9: Doubtless, Jesus' post-resurrection appearance to Peter strengthened the apostle. (1 Corinthians 15:5) As a result, Peter's faith did not give out. Within a short time, he was boldly preaching. So, then, he preached not only at Pentecost but for the rest of his life.

Correction: The Holy Spirit gives people boldness to preach Jesus Christ.

"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.

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8.

 

Page 11: Although Jehovah permitted Satan to have access to heavenly courts for a period thereafter, the Bible book of Revelation foretold that in God's due time, this wicked one would be cast down to the vicinity of the earth. Evidence indicates that this took place shortly after Jesus Christ received Kingdom power in 1914.

Correction: 1914 is based on the bogus date of 607 BCE for the destruction of Jerusalem.

In 588 BC Zedekiah led a revolt against Chaldea, and two years later Nebuchadnezzar's army destroyed Judah and razed Jerusalem. Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia, Volume 15, page 57.

 

Page 11: What a fine example has been set by God's Son, Jesus Christ! As a perfect man on a par with Adam, Jesus was delighted to do the divine will. He was also glad to be held accountable for compliance with Jehovah's law.

Correction: Jesus Christ created Adam and thus could not be on par with him.

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. Colossians 1:16.

Correction: The law of Jehovah is the law of Christ.

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2.

 

Page 11: Despite the hateful opposition that Jesus experienced, he did God's will and maintained integrity to death on a torture stake.

Correction: The torture stake is a fable.

The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!" Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." John 20:25-27.

Page 11: Hence, on the eve of his death, Jesus could confidently pray: "I have glorified you on the earth, having finished the work you have given me to do. So now you, Father, glorify me alongside yourself with the glory that I had alongside you before the world was." (John 17:4, 5)

Note: Jehovah does not share His glory with anyone.

I am the LORD, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images. Isaiah 42:8.

 

Page 11: The apostle Paul said: "Why do you judge your brother? Or why do you also look down on your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written: ' "As I live," says Jehovah, "to me every knee will bend down, and every tongue will make open acknowledgment to God." ' So, then, each of us will render an account for himself to God."

Note: Paul connects Jesus with Jehovah.

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, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11.

 

Page 11: Jehovah's holy spirit, or active force, is an added source of strength and guidance.

Correction: A personal pronoun are used to describe a person not a force in grammar.

"But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me." John 15:26.

 

Page 12: Finally, the Edomites had to account for their urging the Babylonians to destroy Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. (Psalm 137:7)

Correction: Jerusalem was destroyed in 586 BCE.

In 588 BC Zedekiah led a revolt against Chaldea, and two years later Nebuchadnezzar's army destroyed Judah and razed Jerusalem. Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia, Volume 15, page 57.

 

Page 13: The Bible cites many cases of personal accountability to Jehovah God.

Note: Our accountability should always be to God never to a man-made organization.

 

Page 15: Christian women today similarly 'abound in good deeds and gifts of mercy.' They are also delighted to have an active share in proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom and making disciples.

Correction: True Christian women today tell people about Jesus Christ.

Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her. John 20:18.

 

Page 16: Jehovah's servants have all the help needed for rendering a fine account to him. Why? Because they have a close relationship with God as part of his earthly organization.

Correction: True Christians have a close relationship with God thanks to the Holy Spirit.

"And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever; the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." John 14:16-17.

 

Page 18: Since we are Jehovah's dedicated servants, 'necessity is laid upon us to declare the good news.' It is our commission to preach the Kingdom message.

Correction: The good news is 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.

Note: The Watchtower preaches a false gospel or good news.

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel (good news) to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:8.

 

Page 18: Kingdom preaching is also a principal way to demonstrate love for God, for his Son, and for our neighbors.-Luke 10:25-28.

Correction: To demonstrate our love to God we should abide in Jesus Christ and love one another.

And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 1 John 3:23.

 

Page 28: As a result, Paul and Silas were beaten with rods and thrown into prison. (Acts 16:16-24) In such a climate, openly worshipping Jehovah, the God of the Jews, called for courage.

Correction: Paul and Silas were preaching the good news of Jesus Christ.

Acts 16:31-34 So they said, " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.

 

Page 31: Of course, a Christian will stay away from any rites or customs based on the belief in the immortality of the human soul.

Correction: Jesus Christ disagrees with the Watchtower.

Luke 16:22-25 "So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented."

 

Backcover: Accordingly, Jehovah's Witnesses have long been preaching that the devastating wars of this century, along with numerous earthquakes, pestilences, food shortages, and other developments, collectively supply proof that we are living in the "the last days"-the period of time following Christ's installment as King in heaven in the year 1914.

Note: The date 1914 is based on the bogus date of 607 BCE for the fall of Jerusalem.

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