WATCHTOWER - NOVEMBER 15, 1998

 

Page 4: GOD'S Word confirms the existence of angels. It tells us that there are millions of these spirit creatures. Jehovah God's servant Daniel had a vision of heavenly things about which he wrote: "There were a thousand thousands that kept ministering to (God), and ten thousand times ten thousand that kept standing right before him." - Daniel 7:10.

Correction: Daniel 7:10 is a vision of the final judgment of mankind by Jesus Christ.

Daniel 7:10 A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened.

Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.

John 5:22-23 "For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 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."

 

Page 5: Angels are spirit creatures - invisible, powerful, intelligent.

Note: The Watchtower contradicts itself on angels being invisible but also appearing to people.

Page 5: Angels are certainly messengers. You may be familiar with the Bible account about the time when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary.

 

Page 5: An angel also appeared to some shepherds who were in the field. He announced: "There was born to you today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:8-11)

Note: The angels celebrated the birthday of Jesus Christ.

Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

 

Page 5: When Samson's parents asked an angel for his name, he said: "Just why should you ask about my name, when is a wonderful one?" (Judges 13:17, 18)

Correction: Manoah and his wife saw Jesus Christ.

Judges 13:21-22 When the Angel of the LORD appeared no more to Manoah and his wife, then Manoah knew that He was the Angel of the LORD. And Manoah said to his wife, "We shall surely die, because we have seen God!"

John 1:18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

 

Page 6: The Scriptural view is this: We are not to call on angels or pray to them, but we should prayerfully approach the Creator of the angels, God himself. His name is no mystery, and there is no need for a visionary to reveal it. Though attempts have been made to obscure the divine name, it appears in the Bible record over 7,000 times.

Correction: True Christians pray in the name of 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."

John 16:23-24 "And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full."

 

Page 6: Contrary to what is often portrayed in the media, angels do not judge people. That is fitting, for angels are not authorized to judge humans. Jehovah is "the Judge of all," though "he has committed all the judging to the Son," Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 12:23; John 5:22)

Note: Jesus Christ is not an angel.

Hebrews 1:5-6 For to which of the angels did He ever say: "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You"? And again: "I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son"? But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him."

 

Page 6: Clearly, if we want God's angels to help us, we need to know what God's will is and earnestly strive to do it.

Note: The will of the Father is that everyone will put their trust in Jesus Christ.

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."

 

Pages 6-7: When the king looked into the furnace, he saw "four able-bodied men," and said that "the appearance of the fourth one (was) resembling a son of the gods." (Daniel 3:25)

Correction: The NWT incorrectly translates Daniel 3:25 which refers to Jesus Christ.

Daniel 3:25 "Look!" he answered, "I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."

Matthew 28:20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

 

Page 7: Present-day servants of Jehovah God are fully convinced that God's invisible angelic forces are real and are able to provide protection, as they did for Elisha and his attendant.

Note: It was the will of God that the attendant of Elisha see the angelic beings.

2 Kings 6:17 And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

 

Page 7: Do you want to know the content of this "everlasting good news"? If so, ask Jehovah's Witnesses. They will be glad to share it with you.

Note: True Christians recognize the "everlasting good news" is about Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the 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,

 

Page 10: The Supreme One of the universe invites all of us to serve him. What an awe-inspiring privilege it is to do so and to cultivate a close relationship with Jehovah, the almighty God!

Note: True Christians serve Jesus Christ.

Rom 14:18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.

Colossians 3:23-24 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

 

Page 11: Jehovah uses 'the faithful slave' to provide spiritual instruction by means of Bible - based publications, Christian meetings, and the free home-Biblestudy arrangement. God also helps his people to understand his Word by means of his holy spirit. - 1 Corinthians 2:10-16.

Correction: The Watchtower does not know God.

1 Corinthians 2:11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.

 

Page 11: As we study God's Word, we learn about God himself - his name, his personality, his purpose, and the way he deals with humans.

Correction: We learn about the assurance of being children of God through Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Page 11: But accurate knowledge of God's Word maps out a different course for us so that we can "walk worthily of Jehovah to the end of fully pleasing him." (Colossians 1:10)

Note: That different course is based on the forgiveness of sins through blood of Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

 

Page 12: It is by a similar exercise of our power of reason that we make a dedication to Jehovah God. After learning what is involved and reasoning carefully on the matter, we willingly and joyfully dedicate our life to God. - Psalm 110:3.

Correction: It is through faith in Jesus Christ we are dedicated to God.

1 John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world; our faith.

 

Page 12: Later, Jesus commissioned his followers to make disciples and baptize them. Therefore, dedication and baptism are essential steps for any who wish to walk with Jehovah.

Correction: Without Jesus Christ, no one can spiritually walk with God.

John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

 

Page 13: As we follow Christ's example, we too should strive to understand God's Word, getting the sense, or spirit, of it. By doing so, we may become divinely approved workers who are able to 'handle the word of the truth aright.' - 2 Timothy 2:15.

Correction: By abiding in Jesus Christ we produce a spiritual harvest and the Father is glorified.

John 15:7-8 "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples."

 

Page 13: Jesus did not keep his knowledge of God's Word to himself. Even his enemies addressed him as "Teacher," because everywhere he went he talked to others about Jehovah and His purposes. (Matthew 12:38)

Correction: He went declaring the truth about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

John 12:26 "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor."

 

Page 13: Those who follow Jesus' example also find many places and ways to teach others about Jehovah God and his marvelous purposes.

Correction: True Christians will teach others about Jesus Christ.

Acts 4:1-2 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

 

Page 14: Jesus obeyed Jehovah in everything. He said: "My food is for me to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work." (John 4:34) Christ also said: "I always do the things pleasing to (God)." (John 8:29)

Correction: Jesus obeyed the Father who bore witness of the Son.

John 8:18-19 "I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me." 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."

 

Page 14: Jesus loved his heavenly Father so much that "he humbled himself and became obedient as far as death, yes death on a torture stake. (Philippians 2:8)

Correction: Jesus Christ did not carry a telephone pole to Golgotha.

John 19:17-18 And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center.

 

Page 14: In turn, Jehovah blessed Jesus, exalting him to a position of authority and honor second only to Jehovah himself. (Philippians 2:9-11)

Correction: The Father and the Son are given identical glory and honor from the redeemed.

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 14: He prayed at his baptism. (Luke 3:21) Before choosing his 12 apostles, he devoted the entire night to prayer. (Luke 6:12, 13) Jesus taught his disciples how to pray. (Luke 11:1-4)

Note: Don't forget to pray in the name of Jesus!

John 15:16 "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you."

 

Page 14: Knowledge of Jesus also draws us closer to Jehovah. After all, Jesus was a perfect reflection of his heavenly Father. So intimate was he with Jehovah that he could say: "He that has seen me has seen the Father also." - John 14:9.

Note: Jehovah is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

John 14:11 "Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me,"

 

Page 15: JEHOVAH GOD did not have a beginning. He is fittingly called "the Ancient of Days," since his existence stretches endlessly into the past. (Daniel 7:9, 13) Jehovah will also enjoy an eternal future. He alone is the "King of eternity." (Revelation 10:6; 15:3)

Note: The existence of Jesus Christ stretches endlessly into the past.

Micah 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting."

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

 

Page 15: How fitting, then, that we focus our hopes and plans on serving Jehovah with eternity in view. While we want to keep "the day of Jehovah" close in mind, it is vital to remember that our goal is to walk with God forever. - 2 Peter 3:12.

Note: True Christians are servants of Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

 

Page 16: More than 1,900 years ago, the apostle Paul was inspired to say that God "has set a day in which he purposes to judge the inhabited earth in righteousness." - Acts 17:31.

Note: The judge will be Jesus Christ.

Acts 17:30-31 "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead."

 

Page 16: Jehovah will bring an end to this wicked system of things, for his name is being reproached in today's world.

Correction: The name of Jesus is being blasphemed by non-Christians.

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Page 16: God has determined exactly when this will occur, and the fulfillment of Bible prophecies makes it clear that we are now living in "the time of the end." (Daniel 12:4)

Correction: End-time Bible prophecies have not been fulfilled since there is no temple in Jerusalem from which a future world ruler will declare himself God.

Daniel 12:11 "And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days."

Matthew 24:15-16 "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains."

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 worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

 

Page 17: Though Jesus knew that this request would be answered, he did not know the precise timing of matters. In his great prophecy regarding the end of this system of things, he said: "Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father." (Matthew 24:36)

Note: Jesus Christ did not know when He would return since He had become a man.

Philippians 2:5-7 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

 

Page 18: Although the Kingdom was not 'restored to Israel' as the disciples had wrongly expected and it was not established in heaven during their lifetime, they kept on serving Jehovah zealously with eternity in view.

Correction: The Kingdom will be established with Israel during the reign of Jesus on the earth.

Zechariah 14:16 And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.

 

Page 18: Our main concern, however, is not our deliverance into God's promised new world. We want to see Jehovah's name sanctified and his sovereignty vindicated.

Correction: True Christians will be witnesses of Jesus Christ.

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."

 

Pages 19-20: The fulfillment of Bible prophecy eloquently testifies to the nearness of that day. This century has been characterized by wars, pestilences, earthquakes, and food shortages, along with the persecution of true Christians and the global preaching of the good news of God's Kingdom. All of these are features of the time of the end of this wicked system of things.

Note: Localized wars, pestilences, earthquakes, famines, and persecution of true Christians has been happening every century since Jesus Christ ascended into heaven. Global wars, pestilences, earthquakes, famines, and persecution of true Christians is yet future.

Revelation 6:8 So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth (1.25 billion people), to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.

 

Page 20: In these critical last days, life is difficult for us as Jehovah's servants. How we yearn for the day when Jehovah's Kingdom will sweep away all badness!

Correction: Jesus Christ will sweep away all evil.

Revelation 1:7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

 

Page 20: Those faithful ones were "reaching out for a better place under the rulership of God's Messianic Kingdom. We may be sure that God will reward them with life eternal in that better place - the earthly Paradise under Kingdom rule. - Hebrews 11:39, 40.

Correction: The Old Testament faithful were looking forward to heaven.

Hebrews 11:16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country.

 

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