|
Printer
Friendly Version - opens in separate window *** Article first
posted 06 June 2007 ***
In this article we look
at what the Watchtower Society say concerning The Messiah We also look
at the changes made to the Society's Book Revelation - Its Grand
Climax At Hand.
THE MESSIAH
In Watchtower Review 9 we looked at several
aspects of the Society's teaching on Jesus but this time we want to
begin with a look at a specific aspect of their doctrine. The Watchtower,
February 15 2006, is all about the Messiah and I want to look more closely
at this issue. There is no doubt the Society teach that Jesus is the
Messiah - the Anointed One but, as we showed in the previous article,
they believe that He did not receive this commission until His baptism,
even though Scripture shows otherwise.
First, in general terms, the Society on the one hand teach that Jesus
is the Messiah - the Anointed One (Christ) - but that He is also Michael
the Archangel, a lesser God. Is it possible to teach these two things
without contradiction? Before we go any further, we should give a definition
of the word 'Messiah':
"The word for 'Messiah' comes from the Hebrew root word, 'Msh' which
to 'touch lightly' or 'rub with oil' this word is applied to Priests
(Exodus 28:41), Kings (I Kings 19:16), and Prophets (I Samuel 12:5)
who were chosen by God to accomplish specific tasks." - http://www.truthnet.org/Apologetics/10/
In the Greek we have the word Christos, The Christ, and this
refers to the Anointed One, the Messiah. Could this promised One, this
Messiah, be an angel? There is so much in the Old Testament concerning
this but here are just three things prophesied about the Messiah.
Begotten by the Father - NOT created
"I will declare the decree: The LORD
has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.'" - Psalm
2:7
An Eternal being
"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." - Micah 5:2
The Messiah has to be an eternal Being - angels are created beings.
John 1:1,3 as we often have shown before also clearly teaches that Jesus
had no beginning and everything that was created came into being through
Jesus. Thus showing that Jesus is not a created being but the eternal
uncreated God.
This One is God with us!
"Therefore the Lord Himself will give
you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall
call His name Immanuel." - Isaiah 7:14
Using just these three Scriptures we see that calling Jesus the Messiah,
the Society have denied the fact that Jesus is not an angel, thus proving
themselves to be false teachers.
Do we Need a Messiah?
The Watchtower of February 15 2006, first has a short article
starting on p.3, entitled, 'Do We Need a Messiah?' The answer of course
is, 'yes' and it is followed by an article entitled, 'We have Found
the Messiah', showing the Messiah is what we need. Unfortunately, these
two short articles are full of error and misunderstanding that whoever
follows the reasoning put forward here will not find the true Messiah.
On p.3. they begin by suggesting that Satan encouraged them to believe
that God was too restrictive. That seems to miss the main point; the
real temptation was that man could be like God and did not need to bow
the knee to the Creator God. He could do it by himself.
That still seems to be the temptation that the Society are offering
today - if you do certain things you will be in the Kingdom. They do
not appear to even be aware of the main problem and so it is doubtful
if they can ever find a clear answer in the Messiah.
The next area that appears not to be understood from the original Scripture
is what happened next. The article indicates that once Adam and Eve
sinned, Jehovah planned the answer. This, of course, demotes God's omniscience
and foreknowledge; but if God is eternal, having no beginning or end,
He always 'IS' and He would know what was going to happen. Indeed, Scripture
clearly indicates that God knew and already had planned the redemption
of mankind through Jesus.
The Society again would concur with the way God determined to save mankind
but describe it as follows:
"He would accomplish reconciliation by means
of what would later be a legal principle in the Mosaic Law - like for
like. (Deuteronomy 19:21; 1 John 3:8)"
Deuteronomy 19:21 is actually about the punishment you will receive,
not the answer to man's sin. 1 John 3:8, on the other hand, does show
that Christ was manifested to bring to naught the works of Satan. But
can you really use the phrase, "like for like"? Adam was a man, which
means that Jesus had to be a man - albeit a perfect one. This gives
two interesting insights; first, there is no way that the Messiah could
be a created angel with the potential for rebellion as this would not
be like for like! Second, how would you ever get a perfect man when
from this point on all were born in sin? Obviously by not using the
seed of man but God Himself placing the seed in Mary's womb. Was He
thus just like any other man? No! Thus the phrase 'like for like' is
not appropriate and not applicable and the teaching of the Society once
again is shown to be in error.
We have in many publications dealt with the Witness error of teaching
that Jesus is a created being from verses such as Revelation 3:14 and
Colossians 1:15, yet the Society still insist this is so - see Awake!
March 2006 (since January 2006 only one a month). But if they really
want to continue to teach this then they must realise that in their
'theology' there can be no Messiah as predicted by the Old Testament.
The errors that they have over the prophecies of the first coming are
compounded and developed when it comes to the second coming. This is
seen clearly on p.7 of The Watchtower article where they state
that a careful study of prophecies show that Jesus came back in 1914.
It is no surprise that, having made so many mistakes over His first
coming, they would make even more glaring errors over His second coming!
ADJUSTMENTS TO THE REVELATION BOOK
A few months ago the Society sent out a
PDF file of changes and deletions that could be cut and pasted on
various pages in their 1988 publication Revelation Its Grand Climax
At Hand. A number of these were simply quoting more up-to-date Watchtower
publications and the latest stats they had quoted and as such were not
seen as a problem. But there were a number of changes which show just
how the theology of the Society can be altered by paper and glue!
One oft-repeated change is that all references to the separating work
of Matthew 25 are removed because the book talked of them in the past
but now the Society say it will be future.
Originally, when the Revelation book was first published, the teaching
was:
"Yes, since Christ returned and sat down
on his heavenly throne, all humankind has been on judgment. This present
'day of judgment' comes before the 1,000-year Judgment Day begins. During
the present judgment people are being separated as 'goats' to Christ's
left hand or as 'sheep' to his right. The 'goats' will be destroyed
because they fail to help Christ's anointed 'brothers' in their service
to God. In time, these 'goats' show themselves to be unrepentant sinners,
wicked, hardened in their practice of unrighteousness. The 'sheep' on
the other hand, will be blessed with life under the Kingdom rule because
they support Christ's 'brothers' in every way" - You Can Live Forever
in Paradise on Earth, p.183.
Now:
"Understanding the parable of the sheep and
the goats in this way indicates that the rendering of judgment on the
sheep and goats is future. It will take place after 'the tribulation'
mentioned in Matthew 24:29-30 breaks out and the Son of man 'arrives
in glory'" - The Watchtower, 15 October 1995, p. 23.
This is one major change that occurs several times in the book and another
repeated one is that in the original publication there would definitely
be some of the 144,000 alive on earth at Armageddon, but now this is
prefixed with an 'IF'.
We now reproduce below some of the other interesting changes and some
you will note constitute major changes in Watchtower thinking. It has
to be in Watchtower thinking because God does not change His mind; how
sad to belong to a Society that needs to correct its theology like this.
The first quote, in the pairs below, is as it is in the original 1998
edition and the second shows relevant changes in ITALICS.
"In May 1918 Christendom's clergy instigated
the imprisonment of officials of the Watch Tower Society, but nine months
later these were released. Later, they were completely exonerated of
the false charges against them." - p.32.
"In May 1918 Christendom's clergy instigated the imprisonment of officials
of the Watch Tower Society, but nine months later these were released.
Later, THE FALSE CHARGES AGAINST THEM WERE DROPPED."
________________________________________________
"Almost 40 years ahead of time, they pointed to 1914 as the year marked
in Bible prophecy as the end of the times of the Gentiles, when civil
and ecclesiastical powers would be shaken." - p.69.
"Almost 40 years ahead of time, they pointed to 1914 as the year marked
in Bible prophecy as the end of the times of the Gentiles, ACCOMPANIED
BY STARTLING DEVELOPMENTS ON EARTH."
________________________________________________
"Some scientists forecast mathematically that an accidental nuclear
war is virtually certain to take place within 25 years - let alone a
planned nuclear conflagration!" - p.94.
"Some scientists SPEAK OF THE POSSIBILITY OF an accidental nuclear
war is virtually certain to take place within 25 years - let alone a
planned nuclear conflagration!"
________________________________________________
"Satan's world system has been rocked and shaken by this global warning
(judgments since 1919)" - p.107.
"Satan's world system has been PUT ON NOTICE by this global warning."
________________________________________________
"But to goatlike people, this is bad news." - p.160
"But to OPPONENTS this is bad news."
________________________________________________
"As we shall see, the reference here is the literal 42 months extending
from October 1914 into 1918, when all professing Christians were put
to a severe test." - p.162.
"As we shall see, the reference here is the literal 42 months extending
from DECEMBER 1914 TO JUNE 1918, when all professing Christians
were put to a severe test."
________________________________________________
"Roman historian Tacitus reports that when Jerusalem was conquered in
70 C.E. and Cnesius Pompeius entered the sanctuary of Herod's temple,
he found it was empty." - p.175 footnote.
"Roman historian Tacitus reports that when Jerusalem was conquered in
63 B.C.E. and Cnesius Pompeius entered the TEMPLE SANCTUARY,
he found it was empty."
________________________________________________
"This persecution finally ended in 1970, when a change of government
led to the lifting of the ban on Jehovah's Witnesses." - p.185 box.
"This persecution finally ended in 1970, when AS A RESULT OF THE
GOVERNMENT'S CHANGE OF POLICY TOWARD NON-CATHOLIC RELIGIONS, JEHOVAH'S
WITNESSES WERE ALLOWED TO BECOME LEGALLY REGISTERED."
________________________________________________
"The 144,000 are… adopted as spirit sons of God…" - p.202
"The 144,000 are… adopted as (SPIRIT HAS BEEN REMOVED) sons of
God…"
________________________________________________
"Well, what resulted in 539 B.C.E. when ancient Babylon fell?" - p.206.
"Well, what resulted AFTER 539 B.C.E. when ancient Babylon fell?"
________________________________________________
"In the 1870's anointed Christians began…" - p.209
"BY the 1870's anointed Christian (sic) began…"
________________________________________________
"Satan is even now maneuvering the nations toward making that false
proclamation of 'Peace and Security!'" - pp.231/232
"Satan is BEHIND ANY SUCH false proclamation of 'Peace and Security!'"
________________________________________________
"Significantly, the pope made no mention of Jesus Christ or of God's
Kingdom in his speech." - p.243.
"Significantly, the pope GAVE VERY LITTLE ATTENTION TO Jesus
Christ or to God's Kingdom in his speech."
________________________________________________
"What form will this significant cry of 'Peace and security!' take?
It is here mentioned as being outstanding just before the sudden destruction
of those making the cry. Hence, it will have to be something more pronounced
than any previous declarations by world leaders. No doubt it will be
on an earth-wide scale. Yet it will be no more than a façade. Underneath,
nothing will really have changed. Selfishness, hatred, crime, family
breakdown, immorality, sickness, sorrow and death will still be here.
That is why the coming cry will mislead those who are not awake to Bible
prophecy. But it need not mislead you, if you have been awake to the
meaning of world events and have heeded the prophetic warnings in God's
Word." - p.251.
"IN RECENT YEARS, POLITICIANS HAVE USED THE PHRASE 'PEACE AND SECURITY!'
TO DESCRIBE VARIOUS HUMAN SCHEMES. DO SUCH EFFORTS BY WORLD LEADERS
CONSTITUTE THE BEGINNING OF THE FULFILMENT OF 1 THESSALONIANS 5:3? OR
WAS PAUL REFERRING ONLY TO A SPECIFIC EVENT OF SUCH DRAMATIC PROPORTIONS
THAT IT WILL CLAIM WORLD ATTENTION. SINCE BIBLE PROPHECIES ARE OFTEN
COMPLETELY UNDERSTOOD ONLY AFTER THEY ARE FULFILLED OR IN COURSE OF
FULFILMENT, WE WILL WAIT AND SEE. (Ed: Remember
that next time the Witnesses tells you about future events!)
MEANWHILE, CHRISTIANS KNOW THAT WHATEVER PEACE AND SECURITY THE NATIONS
MAY APPEAR TO HAVE ACHIEVED, BASICALLY NOTHING WILL HAVE changed.
Selfishness, hatred, crime, family breakdown, immorality, sickness,
sorrow and death will still be here. THAT IS WHY NO CRY OF 'PEACE
AND SECURITY' NEEDS TO mislead you, if YOU REMAIN awake to the meaning
of world events and have heeded the prophetic warnings in God's Word."
________________________________________________
"In 1914 'the Son of man arrived in his glory,' and since that time
Jesus, installed 'on his glorious throne' in the heavens, has been exercising
authority…" - p.259.
"In 1914 JESUS BECAME A HEAVENLY KING, AND SINCE THAT TIME HE
has been exercising authority…"
________________________________________________
"…since the first world war, the influence of Babylonish religion has
declined remarkably on a global scale. In Russia, the Bolshevik Revolution
has continued to stifle the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church.
In Japan…" - p.260
"…since the first world war, the influence of Babylonish
religion has declined remarkably on a global scale. (MENTION OF RUSSIA
REMOVED).
________________________________________________
In Japan…" "Previous to that date (1914), 'the Lamb' was
not enthroned as Messianic King. Additionally, since the river runs
through the broad way of New Jerusalem, the time of the vision's fulfilment
must be after the destruction of Satan's world, when New Jerusalem 'comes
down out of heaven from God.'" - p.311
"DURING THE TIME OF THE END, THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE HAVE BEEN INVITING
RIGHTLY DISPOSED ONES TO TAKE LIFE'S WATER FREE. WATER FROM THIS RIVER
WILL CONTINUE TO BE AVAILABLE TO SUCH ONES RIGHT UP TO THE END OF THIS
SYSTEM OF THINGS AND, THEREAFTER, ON INTO THE NEW WORLD, when New
Jerusalem 'comes down out of heaven from God.'"
________________________________________________
"Those trees, well watered by the river, may additionally picture the
144,000…" - p.312.
"Those trees, well watered by the river, may INCLUDE the 144,000…"
|
