The “Evil Slave” Who Usurped His Master’s Role And Mistreated His Fellow Servants

Posted by Brother John Jones on December 16, 2025
Posted in: Antichrist, apostasy, Bible Standards, Charles Taze Russell, Christian behavior, governing body, Religion. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
“But if that servant should say in his heart, ‘My Lord is delayed’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eat and drink with drunkards…” Matthew 24:48,49

The Evil Slave

Jesus’ parable found in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 24 verses 48 through 51 is a cautionary story that contrast the difference between the conduct of a good servant and a wicked servant that were given the responsibility of caring for his fellow servants within his master’s household.

The good servant lovingly cares for his fellow servants remembering that he is a lowly servant himself and that he and his fellows belong to his master. The wicked or evil servant lords himself over his fellow servants as if he is their master and instead of caring for them, begins to abuse them. The evil slave positioned himself as a lord over his fellow servants…a position his master did not appoint him to.

This is why the apostle Peter counseled church elders:

1 Peter 5:2-3

2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, as God wants; a not for dishonest gain, but willingly;

3 neither as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock. (NHEB)

Jesus’ parable was directed to the anointed or elect members of the church who were to take the lead among their brothers and sisters. Jesus’ parable brings the question to mind, Is there an intermediary between Christ and his disciples on Earth? To answer that question, we should look what the Bible teaches concerning the matter. Let’s begin with the pattern of God’s temple arrangement.

The High Priest has always served as Mediator between God and man. This has been the consistent pattern from the times of the priesthood God established with biblical Israel.

Beyond the High Priest never has there been mentioned a ‘middleman’ or some lessor that serves as a ‘go-between’ or some other ‘channel of God’.

Paul’s words found in 1 Timothy 2:5 are very clear:

1 Timothy 2:5 (KJV)

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”

1 Timothy 2:5 (HCSB)

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, Himself human,”

1 Timothy 2:5 (GNT)

“For there is one God, and there is one who brings God and human beings together, the man Christ Jesus,”

Despite what is taught in the Bible on the matter, the Governing Body of “Jehovah’s Witnesses” have placed themselves as the intermediary between God and man.

Not only have they done this, but they have also all but eliminated any reference to Jesus Christ as the one and only High Priest. Thus, they have usurped Christ exclusive role before God.

In ancient Israel, when one needed to offer sacrifices for forgiveness or they needed to appeal to God for aid, they when directly and stood before the High Priest who was the only one capable of making such offerings.

They did not go to a group of temple workers who acted as middlemen, as intermediaries, as intercessors, as go-betweens, as liaisons.

Even within the physical Temples of God’s covenant people there was but one High Priest, but one Mediator.

The Governing Body of “Jehovah’s Witnesses” fulfill the Scriptures that speak of an “evil slave” who while his master was absent, usurped his master’s role and began to behave as the Master himself.

It was Christ himself who spoke of such an “evil slave” that was to appear on the scene in the Last Days.

Matthew 24:

48 “But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

49 And shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth”. (KJV)

The False Prophet

For those who belong to the Watchtower Society (Jehovah’s Witnesses), the Lord must certainly be delaying. They have been claiming that Jesus returned over 100 years ago, but nothing has happened to match what the Bible says will occur on that day.

He is not delaying all. They, being false prophets, did exactly what Jesus said the false prophet would do and that is to declare his second coming before its true time.

Within this very same discussion that Jesus was having with his disciples, Jesus had previously warned them to be on guard for false prophets who would proclaim his return before its time:

Matthew 24:22-27

22 Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved. But for the sake of the chosen ones, those days will be shortened.

23 ”Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Christ,’ or, ‘There,’ do not believe it.

24 For there will arise false Christs, and false prophets, and they will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.

25 “See, I have told you beforehand.

26 If therefore they tell you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; ‘Look, he is in the inner chambers,’ do not believe it.

27 For as the lightning flashes from the east, and is seen even to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. (NHEB)

“Jehovah’s Witnesses” are most noted for declaring the Second Coming of Christ in 1919 A.D. They claim it was an “invisible presence” or coming only discerned by certain men. The Bible teaches nothing about an invisible coming of Christ.

But note both what Jesus says in Luke 17 verse 23 and also what he says that is recorded in the Book of Revelation.

Revelation 1:7

“Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen”.

Since no such events have occurred to fulfill Jesus’ words, it is impossible for his Second Coming to have already occurred.

In the meantime, the leadership of the Watchtower Society has had to fend off questions as to the reliability of their proclaiming Christ has returned. To them, Jesus seems to be “delaying” when in actuality he is not.

They became just as the “evil slave” Jesus described and they began abusing their fellow brothers while wickedly raising themselves above the Lord’s other body members as if they were the Master of their fellow brothers.

The prophecy of Christ has become reality and there is no reason to disbelieve that his last words on the matter will not also be fulfilled:

Matthew 24:

51 “And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth”.

The leaders of “Jehovah’s Witnesses” apply the question Jesus asked as recorded at Matthew 24:45 literally:

Matthew 24:45

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season?”

They claim that Jesus returned invisibly in the year 1919 and appointed them to this role. Its very odd that at that time no one was making such a claim.

That false teaching came latter. Just a few years earlier Charles Taze Russell was preaching that the battle of Armageddon would occur in the year 1914. There would have been no expectation nor need for such an appointment in 1919.

Rather than being a “faithful and wise slave”, the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses have proven themselves to be a false prophet and to be the “wicked slave” Lord Jesus prophesied would appear in the Last Days.

To keep control, they have beaten their fellow believers in a spiritual sense, who refuse to treat them as if they are the Master Jesus.

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Calloused Consciences and Hardened Hearts

Posted by Brother John Jones on July 23, 2025
Posted in: Antichrist, apostasy, Bible Standards, Religion. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

“Now the Spirit says clearly that in the last times some people will abandon the faith by following deceitful spirits, the teachings of demons.”

Calloused Consciences and Hardened Hearts

1 Timothy 4:1-2

1 Now the Spirit says clearly that in the last times some people will abandon the faith by following deceitful spirits, the teachings of demons,

2 and the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences have been burned by a hot iron.

The phrase “burned with a hot iron” refers to a conscience that has become hardened and insensitive to moral truth. It’s a metaphor for a condition where a person’s ability to discern right from wrong is severely diminished due to repeated exposure to falsehood and sin. Often, it is demonstrated in an apathetic response to a situation that normally should cause a visceral reaction.

The most general meaning of the hard heart is a heart that lacks ordinary feelings of tenderness and compassion. An example is the lack of natural empathy for the suffering of the people in Western Asia due to the persecution of the Zionist entity and other inhumane terrorists minded factions in that region. Another example is the conscious-less devotion to slaughter of hundreds of thousands of otherwise innocent men, women, and children for the sake the greedy/selfish ambitions of the elite ruling classes of world societies in other regions of the world.

Such behavior is sociopathic in nature. ‘Sociopathic’ is a term often used interchangeably with ‘antisocial personality disorder’ referring to a pattern of behavior characterized by a disregard for the rights and feelings of others, a lack of empathy, and manipulative or deceitful tendencies.

In the Holy Bible, the term ‘heart’ is often used to signify the core of a person’s personality, producing the characteristics we ordinarily ascribe to the ‘mind’.

Those who have developed a calloused mind and conscious exhibit a hardened heart. The most common meaning for “hardness of heart” is a heart that cannot be touched and moved and made to feel natural tender emotions (empathy or sympathy) toward suffering. Their figurative hearts have become like a stone; it can’t feel what it ought to feel.

The term ‘hard-hearted is plainly meant to suggest an unaffected heart, or a heart not easy to be moved with virtuous affections. It is similar to a rock; insensible, unintelligent, unmoved, and hard to be impressed.

Its easy to identify the most outrageous manifestations of hard-hearted behavior. But, there are those who manifest sociopathic, callous-minded, hard-heartedness in more passive ways that often go unnoticed. I am referring in this case to what is called ‘bystander apathy’.

‘Bystander apathy’ is a social psychological phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present. Essentially, the more bystanders there are, the less likely any one of them is to intervene in an emergency or situation requiring assistance.

In some instances a person may worry about how they will be perceived by others if they intervene. They might fear embarrassment or negative judgment if they interrupt a situation or if their attempt to help is unsuccessful. Intervention may cause them some kind of loss such as peer acceptance or some kind of material loss.

Such a person may stand apathetically on the sidelines as it were, observing horrific things they know are wrong for the sake of continuing to being part of a group. Whatever the reason, this is also a demonstration of a hard heart and a calloused mind. If they were in the same situation as the people they are apathetically watching from a distance, they would undoubtedly want someone to help them.

Instead of empathy, a callous-minded person will often display their apathy. There have been plenty of scientific surveys on this subject. When people are asked whether they would spontaneously assist a person in an emergency situation, almost everyone will reply positively “Certainly!”. Although we all imagine ourselves heroes, the fact is that many people refrain from helping in real life, especially when they place a high value on the of the reaction other people around them. Status for them becomes the overarching concern. What a shame it is to allow someone to languish in pain or even die for such selfish concerns! And yet, this thinking and behavior is far too common in the world we live in.

The apostle Paul in his Second letter to the disciple Timothy, fore told that many would have a hard heart in the Last Days.

2 Timothy 3:1-5

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Notice verse three. Paul foretold that there would be a loss of ‘natural affection’ in the Last Days. In addition to the waning of expressions of filial love within the family unit, there has also been the waning of fellow feeling for our fellow human beings. Instead of having some sort of empathy for people we see daily being murdered by bombs,firearms, and starvation in Palestine, most of the world turns its head away and focuses on often mundane, unimportant matters. They seem to be quite fine ignoring these things as a man-made famine is killing people on a daily basis.

Probably the most heinous of all are those who claim to be God-fearing Christians who support this genocide. They have no compunction whatsoever in supporting the slaughter of innocent human beings. And what is even worse, they have convinced themselves that they are doing God’s will. Their minds are seared as if with a branding iron; they have no conscience and their hearts have become stone. To attribute their conduct to the Eternal God is blasphemy of the worse order and they will be judged adversely for it.

The apostle Paul’s statement found at 1 Timothy Chapter 4 Verses 1 and 2 were not directed toward people who do not claim to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Let’s reread this passage:

1 Timothy 4:1-2

1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Paul is speaking about some who would abandon true faith and turn toward what he called “doctrines of devils”.

Devilish false prophets and teachers have led many to believe falsely (1) that they are Christians and, (2) that supporting Zionism is the will of God. So these people delight in the murder of innocent people, grabbing other peoples land with smiles on their faces. And there are others among them that have not been misled, but are doing what they are doing with full understanding.

The man Titus was a close companion of the apostle Paul. When writing to Titus concerning the proper qualification for church leaders, Paul warned fellow Christians of his day not to be seduced into believing teachings contrary to the Gospel.

Titus 1:7-15

7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.

12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

In Titus 1:14, the phrase “Jewish fables” refers to teachings or stories that deviate from the truth of the gospel and promote unbiblical doctrines. These fables are contrasted with the truth of God’s word and are associated with those who turn away from it. Many of such fables arise from rabbinical teachings found in the Jewish Talmudic writings.

The teaching that there exist two Covenants between God and mankind is one of such Jewish fables that Christian even in the 1st century came to believe and promote. But such belief is counter to the Gospel teachings.

Jesus’ clearly has stated:

John 14:6

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”.

Jesus presents himself as the sole way path to God the Father. This is the Gospel teaching.

The apostle Peter preached this same Gospel he received from Jesus.

Acts 4:8

8 Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders:

9 If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a disabled man—by what means he was healed—

10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead—by Him this man is standing here before you healthy.

11 This Jesus is the stone rejected by you builders,which has become the cornerstone.

12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people, and we must be saved by it.”

Because many have believed in what the apostle Paul called “Jewish fables” they have abandoned true faith based solely on the Gospel message. As a result, their consciences have been seared into a unsensitive state and they wholeheartedly support inhumane behavior while convinced they are doing God’s will.

There is only one Covenant and only one Mediator of that Covenant.

1 Timothy 2:5

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Many, perhaps the majority, of those who support the mass murder occurring in Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria are people the apostle Paul described at 1 Timothy 4: 1 and 2. They call themselves ‘Christian Evangelicals’ or ‘Christian Zionist” inferring that they subscribe to Christian beliefs and ethics. But their actions demonstrate that if they ever truly were Christian believers, they have “abandoned the faith by following deceitful spirits, the teachings of demons,”. As a result, their consciences have become calloused as if seared with a branding iron and their hearts have become hard lacking any natural human feeling.

Others too show a numbness toward the suffering they can see occurring with their own eyes. Their consciences are as numb as the scar tissue that develops when a person suffers a severe burn wound. These show no empathetic concern as they turn their attention toward mundane and unimportant interest. Both of these groups manifest sociopathic tendencies.

As Christian believers the question for us individually is whether or not we will allow ourselves to fall into these two categories or will we hold fast to the Gospel as written in Holy Scripture.

Will we as individuals demonstrate a hard-hearted attitude and a calloused conscience that reflects a falling out of grace with God?

Paul’s remarks referred to here, were specifically directed to the Christian church. But non believers also have show a callousness of mind and a hardness of heart concerning the troubling circumstances outlined in this brief discussion. These also, can benefit by reflecting on themselves and their individual attitudes and behaviors.

The Restoration Promises Found in the Old Testament-When Were They Fulfilled?

Posted by Brother John Jones on July 1, 2025
Posted in: Religion. Leave a comment

The restoration prophecies found in the Old Testament of the Bible were written before an during the period that the Hebrews were either in exile or in captivity in Babylon.

The Book of Lamentations bears that name for a specific reason. It’s wrong to believe that the Books of the Old Testament are positioned in chronological order.

This video examines the time period in which several of the prophets who conveyed the restoration promises God gave to the Hebrews and what those promises were in reference to.

False teachers have led millions into believing that these promises by God are about things that they are not.

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1975 Speculation or Were They Taught to Believe?

Posted by Brother John Jones on June 29, 2025
Posted in: Religion. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

During the latter 1960’s, Watchtower publication regularly implied that Armageddon would arrive in 1975.

However, if you ask most “Jehovah’s Witnesses” about this date today, they will tell you that there were no such statements.

Most of they weren’t part of the group in the 1960’s and 70’s. I was.

If you know someone who denies that Watchtower leaders and Watchtower publications made these implications, encourage them to watch this video.

During the latter 1960’s, Watchtower publication regularly implied that Armageddon would arrive in 1975.

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He Will Rule the Nations with an Iron Rod

Posted by Brother John Jones on June 22, 2025
Posted in: Bible Standards, Charles Taze Russell, Jehovah's Witnesses, JW.org, International Bible Students Association, Religion. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment
Revelation chapter 19 verse 15 states:

“And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”

How as the term ‘rule with an iron rod been used in the past? How is Jesus ruling the nations with an iron rod? Who is responsible for the tribulations the world is confronted with today and why?

The Lord’s Day began when he started exercising his authority by direct intervention into the affairs of the kingdom of man here on Earth.

This intervention by Christ commenced at the expiration of a period of time commonly called the “gentile times” and the “appointed times of the nations”. What were the gentile times and when did the gentile times actually start and when did they end? What are some of the misconceptions that Charles Taze Russell and the International Bible Students had about what was to occur at the end of the appointed times of the nations?

Part 1

Part 2

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The Dangers of Group Think and the Hive-Mind

Posted by Brother John Jones on November 25, 2024
Posted in: apostasy, Bible Standards, ex-jehovah's witnesses, faith, Religion. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment
One must be cautious when thinking about becoming part of any group. Religious groups are no exception. There is the real and present danger of being swept up in groupthink and abandoning the use of one’s own perceptive capabilities to discern right from wrong

Individuality and agency are an essential part of the human experience. These are lost when we give control to the ‘hive’. The dangers of the “hive-mind” as a concept, also applies to religious faith and to religious organizations.

Some religious organizations insist on a groupthink hive mind mentality. Organizations like these discourage what they call ‘independent thinking’. One such religious organization is the Watchtower Society. Yet, its own Bible translation translates Hebrews 5:14 in these words:

“But solid food belongs to mature people, to those who through use have their powers of discernment trained to distinguish both right and wrong.” (New World Translation)

Some level of indoctrination exists in all so-called ‘Christian’ organizations. Many of these groups such as “Jehovah’s Witnesses” as they call themselves, discourage any use of independent critical thinking that allows a person to pose questions. Critical thinking is a product of a trained mind. The trained mind has developed the perceptive power to do the critical thinking to “distinguish both right and wrong” as Hebrews 5:14 states is an indication of spiritual maturity.

Strong faith is developed by critical thinking. One is assuring that they will remain spiritually immature by failing to think critically and failing to ask critical questions. Such a person accepts beliefs that they have no proof of with regard to the validity of those beliefs. They allow the subordination of their own critical thinking in lieu of unquestioning belief in whatever the hive mind tells them they must believe. When a person accepts this sort of thinking, they become vulnerable prey to all kinds of manipulation and gaslighting. Their ‘faith’ is based on the belief that some other human will supply them accurate spiritual understanding and direction.

The Bible teaches:

Psalm 146:3-4

“Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish”.

The hive mind has a corrosive affect that inhibits development toward Christian maturity. The hive mind is often based upon a foundation of fear, and it is maintained by stoking ever increasing fear of any disobedience to the dictates of its leadership.

Since many would be Christian disciples refuse to grow spiritually by training their perceptive powers, they seek certainty and security in the group think of hive mentality. This is exactly what the Psalmist at Psalm 146:3 warns us not to do.

There is another biblical verse that warns against putting one’s trust in another human being’s word that tells us what God’s view is of anyone who does so:

Jeremiah 17:5

“The LORD says, “I will condemn those who turn away from me and put their trust in human beings, in the strength of mortals.” (GNB)

New World Translation

Jeremiah 17:5

“This is what Jehovah says: “Cursed is the man who puts his trust in mere humans, Who relies on human power, And whose heart turns away from Jehovah.”

One ceases to use their own perceptive powers, which can be guided by God’s Holy Spirit, when they put their trust entirely in the reasoning of another individual. This is what happens when a person become a party to hive-minded group thinking. But this is exactly what the Watchtower Organization demands of its members. And as the Book of Jeremiah tells us, God considers such a person accursed.

The Bereans were a group of people in the Bible who lived in the city of Berea in Macedonia. They are known for their humble reception of the gospel message, and for their eagerness to examine the Scriptures to see if what Paul and Silas taught was true. They were commended by the apostle Paul.

Acts 17:10-11

10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue.

11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. (ESV)

New World Translation

10 Paul and Silas to Be·roeʹa. On arriving, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thes·sa·lo·niʹca, for they accepted the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

Paul did not criticize the Bereans who used their independent perceptive capabilities to examine the teachings that he and Silas were teaching them in the light of what they could read for themselves from the Holy Scriptures. The writer of the Book of Acts actually called them “noble minded” for having done so.

“Jehovah’s Witnesses” discourage any use of independent critical thinking that allows a person to pose questions. Since many would be Christian disciples refuse to grow spiritually by training their perceptive powers, they seek certainty and security in the group think of hive mentality.

“Jehovah’s Witnesses” use Acts 17:10-11 regularly when they are proselytizing in an effort attempting to convert people from their existing religious beliefs to the beliefs of their group. But once they have gained that person as a member, they imply that such Berean-like conduct is negative “independent thinking”.

“Jehovah’s Witnesses” use these Bible verses regularly when they are proselytizing in an effort attempting to convert people from their existing religious beliefs to the beliefs of their group. But once they have gained that person as a member, they imply that such Berean-like conduct is negative “independent thinking”. They only use Acts 17:10-11 as an appealing hook to draw people into their group. Once hooked in, their members are expected to plug into the “Borg”, so to speak, of hive-minded group thinking without questioning whether or not what they are being taught is actually biblically based.

This behavior is so ingrained in the psyche of people who have been members of “Jehovah’s Witnesses” that even after having left the group, they continue to promote hive-minded thinking in the Bible study groups they create after exiting the Watchtower. This is particularly true of those men who were once elders, ministerial servants, and so-called “pioneers” while they were Watchtower members. Their groups almost always resort to a facsimile of the hierarchy and hive-minded mentality that they criticize the Watchtower elite for fostering in its group.

I call this “Elder Syndrome”. Such men have become so accustomed to being in charge and being looked up to that they continue to crave being someone of elevated status among what should be peers. I see videos and blogs in which they proudly advertise themselves as “former elder”, “former pioneer”, etc. as if that is a badge of honor that should make a reader or listener perk up and pay more than the usual attention to their teachings. But, is it really a badge of honor that they once held these titles? Not really.

To rise to the hierarchical level of ‘elder’ or ‘ministerial servants in the Watchtower Organization requires a lot of compromising of Biblical principles and teachings. It is impossible to maintain integrity and at the same time do what is necessary to rise to such roles. If a person doesn’t conform to the groupthink as dictated by the Organization’s governing body, they will not be allowed to be an elder or ministerial servant in the group. Therefore, compromise of Biblical principles and teachings is necessary. Men who rose to such levels of leadership have disgraced themselves even more so than the common congregant. And they bear great responsibility for their treatment of and their misleading of congregation members into an accursed state in God’s sight. But rather being chastened by what they have done, many ex-witness leaders want to start their own study groups and act as if they are reliable teachers as if the past never happened. They lack the ability to understand the gravity of the damage done by their past actions. Rather than attempting to be some sort of leader, perhaps they should be contrite in spirit and behavior letting someone with clean hands lead the Bible study group less people be misled again.

One must be cautious when thinking about becoming part of any group and religious groups are no exception. There is the real and present danger of being swept up in groupthink and abandoning the use of one’s own perceptive capabilities to discern right from wrong, what are accurate biblical teachings versus what are inaccurate biblical teachings. One must avoid becoming part of a hive-mind. When you do this, you cease thinking for yourself and begin to put your trust in the thinking of other imperfect human beings.

Again, the biblical counsel is this:

Psalm 146:3-4

“Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish”.

And:

Jeremiah 17:5

“The LORD says, “I will condemn those who turn away from me and put their trust in human beings, in the strength of mortals.”

Be on your guard and shun hive-minded groups that discourage you from using your own perceptive powers. Otherwise, you will never be led and taught by God’s Holy Spirit, and you will never achieve spiritual maturity.

Be on your guard and shun hive-minded groups that discourage you from using your own perceptive powers. Otherwise, you will never be led and taught by God’s Holy Spirit, and you will never achieve spiritual maturity

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Is the Christian Church Part of an Organization?

Posted by Brother John Jones on October 26, 2024
Posted in: Religion. Tagged: , , , , , , . 1 Comment
Nowhere in the Bible does it describe or even call God’s household an organization.

Is the Christian church an organization or Part of an Organization?

Not according to how it is described in the Bible.

1 Timothy 3:15

“But if I delay, this letter will let you know how we should conduct ourselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.”

Although God’s house has order, it is a family arrangement. At its head of course is God the Father. His firstborn son who we know by the name Jesus serves Him as his Chief Servant. He gave us an example of this family arrangement in the manner in which He established biblical Israel.

God holds out the hope to the church to become His “children”:

2 Corinthians 6:17-18

17 And so the Lord says, “You must leave them and separate yourselves from them. Have nothing to do with what is unclean, and I will accept you.

18 I will be your father, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

Jesus said that those who did the will of his Father were his brother, sister, and mother…are his family members.

Matthew 12:50

“Whoever does what my Father in heaven wants is my brother, my sister, and my mother.”

In the Bible Book of Hebrews we are taught that in Christ we are “brothers and sisters”.

Hebrews 10:19-20

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have the confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,

20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, (Christ body)

These teachings fit the pattern of a family arrangement and not that of an organization don’t they?

Nowhere in the Bible does it describe or even call God’s household an organization. But, the apostle Paul did make a statement regarding a family connection to God.

Ephesians 3:14, 15

14 For this reason I fall on my knees before the Father,

15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its true name.

The family arrangement of God is based on the common love of each family member for one another. An organization is simply a hierarchical operating system in which love is not a requirement.

The Watchtower Organization insist on repeating the term ‘God’s (Jehovah’s) Organization’ because they see things from viewpoint of fleshly men and because they have no part in God’s family arrangement. They are just another man-made organizational hierarchy. This is the kind of language one would expect from a business corporation masquerading as a religion.

As 1 Timothy 3:15 tells, the true church members are part of God’s family household and not part of an organization.

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What will you likely be doing when the Lord returns?

Posted by Brother John Jones on September 13, 2024
Posted in: Bible Standards, Christian behavior, Christian-Zionism, Religion. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
Philippians 1:27
“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News;” (NHEB)

What Will You Likely Be Doing When The Lord Returns?

So many are consumed with the behavior of someone other than themselves. They find it more convenient to pass judgement on others than to judge their own conduct. The apostle Paul highlighted the hypocrisy of a person who does this when speaking to his fellow kinsmen in regard to their conduct.

Romans chapter 2

1 Do you, my friend, pass judgment on others? You have no excuse at all, whoever you are. For when you judge others and then do the same things which they do, you condemn yourself.

2 We know that God is right when he judges the people who do such things as these.

3 But you, my friend, do those very things for which you pass judgment on others! Do you think you will escape God’s judgment?

4 Or perhaps you despise his great kindness, tolerance, and patience. Surely you know that God is kind, because he is trying to lead you to repent.

5 But you have a hard and stubborn heart, and so you are making your own punishment even greater on the Day when God’s anger and righteous judgments will be revealed.

6 For God will reward each of us according to what we have done.

7 Some people keep on doing good, and seek glory, honor, and immortal life; to them God will give eternal life.

8 Other people are selfish and reject what is right, in order to follow what is wrong; on them God will pour out his anger and fury.

9 There will be suffering and pain for all those who do what is evil, for the Jews first and also for the Gentiles.

10 But God will give glory, honor, and peace to all who do what is good, to the Jews first and also to the Gentiles.

11 For God judges everyone by the same standard.

12 The Gentiles do not have the Law of Moses; they sin and are lost apart from the Law. The Jews have the Law; they sin and are judged by the Law.

13 For it is not by hearing the Law that people are put right with God, but by doing what the Law commands.

14 The Gentiles do not have the Law; but whenever they do by instinct what the Law commands, they are their own law, even though they do not have the Law.

15 Their conduct shows that what the Law commands is written in their hearts. Their consciences also show that this is true, since their thoughts sometimes accuse them and sometimes defend them.

16 And so, according to the Good News I preach, this is how it will be on that Day when God through Jesus Christ will judge the secret thoughts of all.

17 What about you? You call yourself a Jew; you depend on the Law and boast about God;

18 you know what God wants you to do, and you have learned from the Law to choose what is right;

19 you are sure that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in darkness,

20 an instructor for the foolish, and a teacher for the ignorant. You are certain that in the Law you have the full content of knowledge and of truth.

21 You teach others—why don’t you teach yourself? You preach, “Do not steal”—but do you yourself steal?

22 You say, “Do not commit adultery”—but do you commit adultery? You detest idols—but do you rob temples?

23 You boast about having God’s law—but do you bring shame on God by breaking his law?

24 The scripture says, “Because of you Jews, the Gentiles speak evil of God.”

25 If you obey the Law, your circumcision is of value; but if you disobey the Law, you might as well never have been circumcised.

26 If the Gentile, who is not circumcised, obeys the commands of the Law, will not God regard him as though he were circumcised?

27 And so you Jews will be condemned by the Gentiles because you break the Law, even though you have it written down and are circumcised; but they obey the Law, even though they are not physically circumcised.

28 After all, who is a real Jew, truly circumcised? It is not the man who is a Jew on the outside, whose circumcision is a physical thing.

29 Rather, the real Jew is the person who is a Jew on the inside, that is, whose heart has been circumcised, and this is the work of God’s Spirit, not of the written Law. Such a person receives praise from God, not from human beings.

The world is full of the kind of hypocrisy that Paul points out in the verses cited above. There are many professed Christians who self-righteously pontificate, judging others while they do not follow the commandments contained in the Bible themselves.

They preach to others “do not steal” while stealing themselves. They preach ” do not murder” when their own hands are covered with innocent blood. They say to others “Be moral”, but they exhibit no adherence to Biblical ethics or godly morality themselves.

Some people like this see themselves as performing a ministry that is “saving souls”. But Jesus made a statement that highlights the folly of such thinking:

Matthew 16:26

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Jesus was counseling his listeners that they must deny their fleshly desires if they desired to ” pick up their cross” and follow him. This requires focusing on our own self, our own spiritual needs, and our own shortcomings. What good would it be personally to turn others to repentance if we ourselves failed to repent? We would in the end “lose” our own soul.

When the Lord comes, what will he find your conduct to be? Will we have spent so much of our time judging everyone else’s behavior, that we left no time to judge our own behavior and correct ourselves?

We live at a time when many people believe they can be a disciple of Christ, while they at the same time are leading a godless, immoral life. They have convinced themselves this is true and even have had false teachers tell them that they can defy Biblical commandments and still receive salvation through Christ. Since the advent of so-called ‘New Age Christianity’ many have been misled into this false belief.

But, the Bible tells us there is but one faith and only one gospel. And we are told that our conduct in life should reflect our Christian standards.

Philippians 1:27

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News;” (NHEB)

Here is the same passage translated in more expressive language:

“Most importantly, as fellow believers in Christ, conduct yourselves just like you learned you should do when you heard the message about Christ. Do that in order that whether I come and see you, or whether I am away from you and people tell me about you, what I hear or see will make me happy. They will tell me that you are unitedly and cooperatively resisting those who oppose the message about Christ (OR, oppose you). I will know that you are not allowing others to influence you to believe a message that is different from the gospel about Christ”. T4T

If someone is attempting to convince you that you don’t need to repent from sin and turn to leading a life in obedience to God’s commandments, then they are not teaching you the same gospel found in the Bible. The apostle Paul calls such teachers “accursed”.

Galatians 1:8 9

8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should proclaim to you a “good news” other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed.

9 As we have said before, so I now say again: if anyone preaches to you a “good news” other than that which you received, let him be cursed.

If you follow these false teachers, you will not receive Christ’ approval when he comes.

Stop judging others and start judging yourself as Jesus and Paul admonished us to do. Doings so according to the gospel we learn from the Bible.

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Babylon Now

Posted by Brother John Jones on August 26, 2024
Posted in: Babylon, Babylonian confusion, Bible Standards, Religion. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

Babylon Now

What are some Babylonian traits of behavior?

When examining the pattern of ancient Babylon and then comparing the traits found in modern day “Babylon the Great”, the subject of reasoning capability plays a significant role. Do you find yourself dazed confused?

Back in the days of ancient Babylon, God put the men who were building the tower of Babel into a ‘confused’ state in order to break up their works. Because they were no longer able to converse with one another because God changed their one language to many different languages, they became confused and could not continue their plan. They were unable to ‘reason’ with one another through conversation. (Genesis 11:1-9)

Later on in Daniel’s time, God caused the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, to go out from his palace and live as the ‘unreasoning’ beast of the fields for 7 years. He exhibited the behaviors of like a ‘wild beast’ and he thought unreasonably. (Daniel 4:25-33)

Today, we see humankind on a grand scale behaving in a confused, unreasoning manner. They think and act as the unreasoning wild beast do. Who is causing the state of confusion that exists today?

In this time, the Last Days, it is Satan and the other fallen angels who are causing mass confusion on a global scale. What occurred at the Tower of Babel and what occurred to Nebuchadnezzar was a result of God’s will. What is happening today is by the devil’s design and will continue to affect all who remain under demonic control.

Many professed Christians claim that they have ‘escaped’ “Babylon the Great”. But reason says that that cannot be true. While many have escaped the clutches of false worship, they have not escaped the global reach of Satan’s influence. His influence effects more than organized religion. The devil’s empire has its tentacles of influence in all aspects of society.

While a person can free themselves from living the lifestyle of the world that follows the devil, they cannot end his empire. It was not until King Cyrus came and overthrew the Babylonians that the captives were truly freed.

There is a big distinction between being ‘free’ from the corruption of the devil’s empire (not touching the unclean thing) and being out from under its global influence and its ability to affect you. Satan’s empire encompasses the entire globe. There is no physical place a person can flee to in order to be totally out of its reach.

Therefore, we remain ‘physical’ captives of Satan’s global empire until the time the “Greater Cyrus”, who is the resurrected Jesus Christ, appears and breaks once and for all times the Babylonian yoke of slavery.

Again, a person cannot just simply, as it were, ‘walk’ out of “Babylon the Great”. One cannot just simply, “get away”. Was that to be expected? Think of Jesus’ words in the Revelation He gave to John.

In the vision Christ Jesus gave to John that is recorded as the Book of Revelation, it opens by stating that John was by Spirit given a vision of things to occur in “the Lord’s Day”:

Revelation 1:10

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,”
When John tells us that he was in the Lord’s Day, he is seeing events in the Last Days, near the time of Christ return.

At Revelation 1:11 we read:

“Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea”.

Those of the churches Christ is writing these letters to are human souls alive at this time. These are members of the elect or body of Christ.

In His words to the church in Pergamum, Jesus describes their environment and their current living circumstances clearly.

The Letter to Pergamum

12 “Write to the angel of the church in Pergamum: “The One who has the sharp, double-edged sword says:

13 I know where you live—where Satan’s throne is! And you are holding on to My name and did not deny your faith in Me, even in the days of Antipas, My faithful witness who was killed among you, where Satan lives.”

The Lord’s indicate an ongoing struggle against ungodly thinking and behavior in an extremely vulnerable proximity to the center of the devil’s operation.

He did not instruct them to move somewhere else. Just as being under the dominance and control of the city-state world empire Babylon did not require one to be within the city’s ‘official’ walls (where the throne of the king was), a person can still be near the devil’s center on the far-flung edges of his empire Babylon the Great.

Continued close association with godless people makes it impossible to be cleansed from corruption. Jesus likened such behavior as a “dog returning to is vomit. Each time the Lord mercifully cleanses such an individual, they go right back to unclean people with ungodly, unclean practices.

God counseled the unfaithful nation of Israel to separate themselves and quit touching what was unclean in His eyes. The apostle Paul reminded the disciples in Corinth of God’s command:

2 Corinthians 6:17

Therefore, “Come out from among them, and be ye separate,” saith the Lord. “And touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you,

We today must heed these words by separating ourselves from those who practice wickedness. If we do not, God’s holy Spirit will not dwell in us and without it we will be like the vacant house that Jesus describes at Matthew 12:43-45:

43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

When we continue to associate with people void of God’s spirit, we open ourselves to demonic influence. We will share the same unreasonable thinking and behaviors as those who willfully have chosen the mark of the beast.

Until the time when Jesus returns, we must be vigilant in our efforts to resist the devil and stay morally and ethically clean.

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Tracing the Origin of the Watchtower Society’s View of Apostasy

Posted by Brother John Jones on July 10, 2024
Posted in: apostasy, Bible Standards, Christian-Zionism, Religion. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Tracing the Origin of the Watchtower Society’s View of Apostasy

Mark 7:8-9

“You put aside God’s command and obey human teachings.”

And Jesus continued, “You have a clever way of rejecting God’s law in order to uphold your own teaching.” GNT

Over the history of the Watchtower Society (“Jehovah’s Witnesses”), the use of the word ‘apostasy’ as has had two distinct definitions. At times this word has been applied accurately as a deviation from exclusive obedience to Almighty God. And at other times it has been used to describe disobedience to the commands of men, particularly the Watchtower organization and its leadership. This term has a meaning that is derived from Holy Scripture and a meaning that is derived from a human definition.

This essay will examine the differences between the definition of apostasy as taught in Holy Scripture and the definition of apostasy according to the Watchtower Society. It will also trace the currently taught view of “Jehovah’s Witnesses” to its origins.

The Watchtower, through its publications, has taught two separate and distinct viewpoints based on whatever the desired effect was at the particular time. When speaking concerning other organized religions, they have tended to use the Biblical view. When speaking to those who are part of their organization, they have chosen to use the tradition humanistic view of apostasy or apostatizing.

The Watchtower’s use of the Biblical (God’s) Definition In the Past

While there are many examples of the Watchtower organization using the definition based on Holy Scripture, time will allow for just a few to be cited here. Anyone can visit the Watchtower website can search for themself past publications to determine the accuracy of what is being stated in this essay. A real lover of truth will do exactly that.

I will include quotes from its literature with reference notation to the particular publication.

First, let’s examine the use of the word ‘apostasy’ as the writers of Watchtower materials have applied it to the wayward ancient nation of Israel.

Those who have been associated with Jehovah’s Witnesses should recall that ancient Israel at many times were referred to as the “apostate nation of Israel”. If you were to insert this phrase in the search box of the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society’s past Library CD or perhaps at the website [[JW.org]], you will find the reference material we will consider.

According to the reference volumes “Insight on the Scriptures”, under the topic Isaiah, Book of, Historical Background, this is what is written concerning why it is appropriate to view the nation of Israel in the times of Isaiah as an apostate nation:

“Historical Background. Isaiah 1:1 informs us that Isaiah visioned these things in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. This was a period of severe international tension and one in which false religious attitudes had a profound effect on the people of Judah. Near the beginning of Isaiah’s career King Uzziah died a leper because of his presumptuousness in taking over priestly duties. (2 Ch 26:16, 19-21) It is reported that during the reign of Uzziah’s son Jotham, while the king did what was right, “the people were yet acting ruinously.”—2 Ch 27:2; 2 Ki 15:34.

Next came King Ahaz, who for 16 years set a bad example for the nation, carrying on Baal worship with its rites of human sacrifice. There was “great unfaithfulness toward Jehovah.” (2 Ch 28:1-4, 19) It was at this time that the allied kings of Syria and Israel besieged Jerusalem so that Ahaz, ignoring the counsel of Isaiah the prophet, sent to Tiglath-pileser III, the king of Assyria, for military assistance. (2 Ki 16:5-8; Isa 7:1-12) By this Ahaz ‘made flesh his arm, his heart turning away from Jehovah.’ (Jer 17:5) Assyria agreed to an alliance, but, of course, was interested mainly in expanding its own power. The Assyrian army captured Damascus of Syria and apparently took into exile those inhabitants of religiously apostate Israel that lived E (east) of the Jordan. —1Ch 5:26.”

Let the reader note that the apostasy of the nation is directly linked to the behaviors of wicked leaders who had acted unfaithfully toward Almighty God and had deviated from God’s commandments. King Uzziah is mentioned here as deviating when he usurped priestly function for which he was not anointed. King Ahaz is also mentioned as showing “a great unfaithfulness toward Jehovah” by introducing the worship of false Gods (Baal worship).

Here the Watchtower writers at the time gave no deference to the leadership of the nation. In fact the whole nation is referred to as “religiously apostate Israel” from its kings on down. This publication accurately cites Jeremiah 17:5 as it speaks of King Ahaz and his apostatizing.

So the view expressed here of apostasy is not based on disobedience to a human ruler or ruling body. But rather, it is based on a concept that is in agreement with what actions that God views as apostatizing from Him. It also points out that those of the nation that followed the same course as that of those leaders were viewed as apostates by God as well.

They were not able to beg off from their obligation to God, saying in effect “Well, we were just following the Kings orders!” No. History shows they were held accountable for their own individual actions. That is no less true today.

Also, from the reference books ‘Insight on the Scriptures’ under the topic Apostasy, under the heading Apostasy in Israel we find:

Apostasy in Israel. The first two commandments of the Law condemned all apostasy. (Ex 20:3-6) And before Israel’s entry into the Promised Land, they were warned against the grave danger of apostasy resulting from marriages with the people of the land. (De 7:3, 4) Even though a person who was inciting others to apostasy was a close relative or a marriage mate, he was to be put to death for having “spoken of revolt against Jehovah your God.” (De 13:1-15) The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh were quick to exonerate themselves of a charge of apostasy that arose because of their construction of an altar. —Jos 22:21-29.

Many of the kings of Israel and of Judah followed an apostate course—for example, Saul (1 Sa 15:11; 28:6, 7), Jeroboam (1 Ki 12:28-32), Ahab (1 Ki 16:30-33), Ahaziah (1 Ki 22:51-53), Jehoram (2 Ch 21:6-15), Ahaz (2 Ch 28:1-4), and Amon (2 Ch 33:22, 23). In due time a nation of apostates developed because the people listened to apostate priests and prophets (Jer 23:11, 15) and other unprincipled men who, by smooth words and false sayings, led them into loose conduct, immorality, and desertion of Jehovah, “the source of living water.” (Isa 10:6; 32:6, 7; Jer 3:1; 17:13) According to Isaiah 24:5, the very land became “polluted [cha·nephah′] under its inhabitants, for they have bypassed the laws, changed the regulation, broken the indefinitely lasting covenant.” No mercy was to be granted them in the predicted destruction. —Isa 9:17; 33:11-14; Zep 1:4-6.

Here again the publication writers are spot on in defining what real apostasy is all about. Notice the first sentence and the Scriptural support cited in the second sentence:

Exodus 20:1-6

1 And God proceeded to speak all these words, saying:

2 “I am Jehovah your God, who have brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slaves.

3 You must not have any other gods against my face.

4 “You must not make for yourself a carved image or a form like anything that is in the heavens above or that is on the earth underneath or that is in the waters under the earth.

5 You must not bow down to them nor be induced to serve them, because I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion, bringing punishment for the error of fathers upon sons, upon the third generation and upon the fourth generation, in the case of those who hate me;

6 but exercising loving-kindness toward the thousandth generation in the case of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Under this topic consideration, there is no assertion at all indicating a belief that the term apostasy has anything to do with human authority or anything to do with a failure to be obedient to a lesser authority than Almighty God.

Deuteronomy chapter 13 verse 5 is referenced and this scripture speaks concerning a “revolt against Jehovah your God.”

Note that it was the kings, priest, and prophets were the source of the apostasy. The nation became apostate due to their leadership and example. A reasonable person would have to conclude that true apostasy from God’s viewpoint has nothing to do with failure to follow the edicts/commands of men. Rather, it is a deviation from the righteous commands and standards established by Almighty God himself.

The 1957 Watchtower magazine article entitled “Ancient Israel Backslides”, page 339 appears to contradict the present-day teachings of the Watchtower Society:

“The religious leaders of the apostate nation not only refused to heed the prophets themselves, they tried to prevent others from heeding the warnings. Like the dog that bites the hand trying to feed it, these religionists persecuted Jehovah’s servants, even killing many of them. The ill-treatment of the prophets by the backsliding religious leaders and the blind masses following them is summarized at Hebrews 11:36-38 (NW): “Yes, others received their trial by mocking and scourging, indeed, more than that, by bonds and prisons. They were stoned, they were tried, they were sawn asunder, they died by slaughter with the sword, they went about in sheep skins, in goat skins, while they were in want, in tribulation, under ill-treatment; and the world was not worthy of them. They wandered about in deserts and mountains and dens and caves of the earth.”

Please observe that the Watchtower article refers to an “Apostate Nation” that includes both backsliding religious leaders as well as the blind masses that followed them. A reasonable person would have to conclude that, while one can be following the leadership of a nation or religious group, they could still be found to be apostate based on failure to conform to God’s commands.

The Watchtower has literally limped on two different opinions when it comes to defining apostasy. One is a Biblical, theocratically based definition as seen above. The other is an earthly, unscriptural definition that is based on a humanistic interpretation of the term.

Jehovah’s Witnesses use the term pejoratively when speaking about other professed organized Christian groups as Catholics and of Judaism. They relate its usage to mean some deviation from the truth as taught by Holy Scripture.

Then when it comes to controlling the conduct of members internally, the word takes on a meaning conforming to the humanistic view. So that if one accepts this second teaching, then wouldn’t their adherents be encouraging members of other religious groups to commit apostasy since they would be rebelling against the hierarchy of their current or present religion by following Jehovah’s Witnesses and their teachings? By this latter interpretation, the meaning of ‘apostasy’ becomes quite arbitrary, and it’s use quite capricious.

In recent decades, many Watchtower Magazines in addition to their oral presentations reveal what the current prevailing teaching from the Organization’s Governing Body is regarding as to what they consider constitutes apostasy. The basis upon which many are being thrown out of the congregation is proof of which definition they have chosen to accept.

But it is important to examine the roots of where this humanistic view of apostasy comes from. Is it possible to limp on diametrically opposed opinions with regard to these two distinct interpretations of this word and still be pleasing to God?

Lord Jesus Christ spoke aptly about the problem:

Matthew 15:1-6

1 Then there came to Jesus from Jerusalem Pharisees and scribes, saying:

2 “Why is it your disciples overstep the tradition of the men of former times? For example, they do not wash their hands when about to eat a meal.”

3 In reply he said to them: “Why is it YOU also overstep the commandment of God because of YOUR tradition?

4 For example, God said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and ‘Let him that reviles father or mother end up in death.’

5 But YOU say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother: “Whatever I have by which you might get benefit from me is a gift dedicated to God,”

6 he must not honor his father at all.’ And so YOU have made the word of God invalid because of YOUR tradition. New World Translation

One view invalidates the other view. One must make a choice.

As discussed earlier, ancient Israel transgressed against God by failing to offer Him their exclusive devotion and by their failure to subject themselves in complete obedience to His commandments.

At the time Jesus spoke the words quoted above, the Jewish religious leaders had created a code of conduct based on their own viewpoint of what they felt satisfied God’s righteous requirements. The example that Jesus raised, showed that their tradition invalidated the very intent of God’s commandment requiring children to honor and care for their aged parents. They put on a front as if their motives were based on a desire to please God. But, it was all a screen that covered over their desire to be greedy and stingy while circumventing God’s commands.

That is why Jesus also pointedly stated what is quoted below:

Mark 7:8-9

7 It is in vain that they keep worshiping me, because they teach as doctrines commands of men.’

8 Letting go the commandment of God, YOU hold fast the tradition of men.” New World Translation

These leaders, teachers, and those that followed them had chosen to abandon true worship of God based on His own God’s hierarchy and created and man-made hierarchy owing allegiance to human authority.

By examining some of the Jewish oral teachings that apply to this subject, we can best see the thinking of the teachers of Judaism both then and now. Compare them to the practices and teachings of the Watchtower Society.

Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees

The following oral laws which are still taught by the Jewish Rebbe (Rabbi’s), seem to lay the foundation for considering deviating from the oral laws as the same as apostasy away from God. The teachers of oral tradition put on even par the teachings of man with the teachings of the Divine One.

Torah (God’s written Law) versus Jewish Oral Tradition (Talmud)Jewish Oral Teaching (Talmud)

Negative Commandment 312

The 312nd prohibition is that we are forbidden from disagreeing with the Sages who pass down the Oral Tradition (may they rest in peace), or from deviating from any of their instructions in Torah matters.

The source of this prohibition is God’s statement (exalted be He), “Do not stray from the word that they declare to you.”

The Sifri says, “The verse, ‘Do not stray…’ constitutes a prohibition. “One who violates this prohibition, i.e. a zaken mam’re, is executed by strangulation if all the conditions described in the end of Sanhedrin are fulfilled. The details of this mitzvah are explained there.

end of Rabbi’s comments

The teachers of oral law cite Deut. 17:11 as the basis for this teaching. However, if taken in context, the cited versus seems to refer to matters of civil or criminal nature taken before the High Court and does not refer to commands and judgments that deviate from God’s Law.

Deuteronomy 17:8-12

8 “In case a matter for judicial decision should be too extraordinary for you, one in which blood has been shed, in which a legal claim has been raised, or a violent deed has been committed, matters of dispute, inside your gates, you must also rise and go up to the place that Jehovah your God will choose,

9 and you must go to the priests, the Levites, and to the judge who will be acting in those days, and you must make inquiry, and they must hand down to you the word of the judicial decision.

10 Then you must do in accordance with the word that they will hand down to you from that place which Jehovah will choose; and you must be careful to do according to all that they instruct you.

11 In accordance with the law that they will point out to you, and according to the judicial decision that they will say to you, you should do. You must not turn aside from the word that they will hand down to you, to the right or to the left.

12 And the man who will behave with presumptuousness in not listening to the priest who is standing to minister there to Jehovah your God or to the judge, that man must die; and you must clear out what is bad from Israel.” New World Translation

This is how the text of these verses read from another Bible translation.

Deuteronomy 17:8-12

8 If cases come before your courts that are too difficult for you to judge—whether bloodshed, lawsuits or assaults—take them to the place the LORD your God will choose.

9 Go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who is in office at that time. Inquire of them and they will give you the verdict.

10 You must act according to the decisions they give you at the place the LORD will choose. Be careful to do everything they instruct you to do.

11 Act according to whatever they teach you and the decisions they give you. Do not turn aside from what they tell you, to the right or to the left.

12 Anyone who shows contempt for the judge or for the priest who stands ministering there to the LORD your God is to be put to death. You must purge the evil from Israel.” New International Version

That this Scripture could not apply to directives that disagree with God’s directives is seen by the fact that throughout the history of the Hebrew nation, God held accountable all who chose to be disobedient to Him despite being instigated to do so by leaders (kings, priest, etc.) The words of Deuteronomy speak about civil disputes that needed to be decided judicially and not about blinding obeying higher human authorities no matter what.

Recently, the Watchtower has tried to dispel concerns of continuing members by assuring them that even if they are receiving instruction that disagrees with Scripture they will not be harmed by choosing to follow and by teaching them. These forget that God has said, “Each will be judged according to their own individual deeds”.

This also brings to mind what Satan told Eve. The devil told Eve that she could break Almighty God’s commandment and still live. The teachers of the Watchtower Society are saying this very thing.

This teaching handed down from the Watchtower governing body merely echoes the taught “traditions of men”.

Let’s consider 173rd positive oral teaching of Judaism. It speaks about obedience to the sages and to the anointed king. While it teaches that the king is to be absolutely obeyed under penalty of death, in the fifth paragraph are the words, “We are required to fulfill any command the king issues unless it contradicts a command of the Torah.” (Torah refers to God’s written law)

Jewish Oral Teaching (Talmud)

The 173rd mitzvah (oral command)is that we are commanded to appoint over ourselves a Jewish king to speak for us and lead us.

The source of this commandment is God’s statement (exalted be He), “You shall appoint for yourselves a king.”

As we have previously, the statement of our Sages in the Sifri, “The Jewish people were commanded three mitzvos upon entering the Land of Israel: to appoint a king, to build the Holy Temple, and to destroy the descendants of Amalek.” Our Sages also said in the Sifri, 5 “The verse, ‘You shall appoint for yourselves a king,’ constitutes a positive commandment.”

This commandment is explained as follows: 6 “The verse, ‘You shall appoint for yourselves a king,’ means that you must instill in yourselves awe of him.” We should think of him with the greatest possible respect, and awareness of his great and exalted status, to the extent that in our eyes he is greater than any of the prophets of that generation.

8 We are required to fulfill any command the king issues unless it contradicts a commandment of the Torah. If a person transgressed the king’s command and does not fulfill it, the king is allowed to execute him by the sword. Our ancestors, may they rest in peace, accepted this upon themselves when they said [to Joshua], “Whoever rebels against your statement, and does not obey all your commands shall be put to death.” Anyone who rebels against a king who was appointed in accordance with the Torah, may be executed by the king.

All the details of this Mitzvah are explained in the second chapter of tractate Sanhedrin, 10 the first chapter of Kerisus, 11 and the seventh chapter of Sotah.

(end of Rabbi’s comments)

Were kings like Manasseh and Ahaz to be strictly followed and obeyed? Were the priests of Ezekiel’s day to be strictly listened to and obeyed? Whether or not to cooperate with another should involve considering what you are being asked to cooperate with. All authority below Heaven is relative and obedience is therefore conditional. The obedience to be given the king as stated above was on the condition that his edict does not contradict the written commands of God.

The Watchtower teachers are following the same established oral traditions that are taught in Judaism.

The next two examples from Jewish oral tradition will demonstrate how these traditions are put on equal par with the written commands from God and are even made superior in the matter of obedience.

Oral teaching 174

The 174th mitzvah is that we are commanded to obey the Beis Din HaGadol and act in accordance with all their instructions regarding what is prohibited and what is permitted. There is no difference whether it is something they received by Oral Tradition; derived using one of the principle of Torah extrapolation; decreed in order to correct some laxity or in response to some other situation where they found it appropriate and that it would strengthen Torah observance. We are required to obey all such directives and to act in accordance with their words, not to transgress them.

The source of this commandment is God’s statement1 (exalted be He), “You must keep the Torah as they interpret it for you [and follow the laws that they legislate for you].”

The Sifri says, “The verse, ‘Follow the laws that they legislate for you’ constitutes a positive commandment.”

The details of this mitzvah are explained in the end of tractate Sanhedrin.2

(end of Rabbi’s comments)

Here it is stated that there is to be no distinction made from teaching handed down through oral tradition and those derived directly from the Torah. According to this teaching God’s commands and man’s commands have the same weight when it comes to obedience.

Earlier, it was mentioned that the Watchtower governing body is teaching that their commands have to be followed even though what they teach is in contradiction to the commandments of God. They have often identified themselves as a “John class” or prophetic channel of God. As such, they demand the final say as to how Scripture is to be interpreted. If a person disagrees with this governing body’s interpretation, the WT governing body’s thoughts and behaviors mirror those found in the 172nd Jewish oral teaching. This oral tradition also applies to the “prophet”. It states that if the prophet’s words must be followed even if this temporarily requires one to transgress the written commands from God:

Oral Teaching 172 the 172nd Mitzvah is that we are commanded to obey each of the Prophets, may they rest in peace, and to fulfill all their instructions. Even if his instructions contradict one or many of these commandments, [we are commanded to obey him] as long as his instructions are temporary. This does not apply, however, if he permanently adds or subtracts [from the commandments], as we explained in the Introduction to our Commentary on the Mishneh.1

The source of this commandment is God’s statement (exalted be He), 2 “To him you must listen.” In the words of the Sifri: “The verse, ‘To him you must listen,’ means that even if he tells you to temporarily transgress one of the commandments of the Torah, you must listen to him.”

One who transgressed this mitzvah is punished by Mita bidei shamayim, as it says in God’s statement (exalted be He) 4 “If any person does not listen to My word that he declares in My name, I will punish him.” It has been explained in tractate Sanhedrin that three are punished by mita bidei shamayim: one who disobeys the prophet, a prophet who disobeys his own prophecy, and a prophet who conceals his prophecy. All of them are derived from the phrase, “If any person does not listen.” Our Sages said, “The phrase, lo yishma [‘does not listen’] can also be read, lo yishamei [‘does not listen to himself’] and lo yashmia [‘does not make others listen’].”The details of this mitzvah have been explained in the end of tractate Sanhedrin.

(end of Rabbi’s comments)

As is the case among current Jehovah’s Witnesses today, the threat of death, albeit spiritual, is held out as a consequence of failing to following their spiritual leaders with godly obedience. If a person doesn’t strictly obey the dictates of its governing body, they will be cast out and even their family members who are in the organization will disown them

If one were to adopt this humanistic view of what an apostate is, then they would have also agreed with those who persecuted Lord Jesus Christ to death. He would not subject himself to the authority of the then ruling priesthood, he was branded as an apostate in their terms.

They accused Jesus of blasphemy for stating that the Temple would be thrown down. However, he was undeterred in his obedience to God and doing God’s will. He gave exclusive devotion and obedience to God our Father.

This pattern is the same one that has been being played out since the first human renegade Eve made a choice to deviate from God’s righteous requirements.

It always invariably involves a choice to listen to someone or something else other the voice of the commands of God. Almighty God scolded the first man Adam for listening to the voice of someone else. Before sentencing him, God said, “Because you listened to the voice of your wife….”

Jesus stated regarding the temple priestly class of his time, “Letting go the commandment of God, You hold fast the tradition of men”.

As professed disciples of Jesus Christ, we should follow his lead. We should have his view of what apostasy really is and not that of the traditions of men.

The Apostle Paul wrote to be on guard against deceptive reasoning:

Colossians 2:8

8 Look out: perhaps there may be someone who will carry YOU off as his prey through the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ; New World Translation

It is true that this tradition has not only affected Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Watchtower organization. After the first century, it did not take long before Christendom was formed based on honoring a human hierarchical organization. But it all can be traced back to the deviant traditional teaching taught in the Talmud that contradict Torah teachings.

It has been no accident that throughout the entire history of the International Bible Students, the Watchtower Society, Jehovah’s Witnesses era, that there have existed two distinct entities within it. One is of members who were and are truth seekers and wish to be part of the Christian congregation. The other is a hierarchical corporate structure and its blind followers who are bent on maintaining and worshiping a human institution.

These routinely speak of “God’s organization”. Nowhere in the Bible will you find that term. God’s arrangement is a ‘family arrangement’ in terms of it’s structure. It is not an organization.

As is evident by the publications from the Watchtower that were cited in this essay, there have been periods when those who were intent on teaching truth held sway. There have been other periods when the teachings were at best skewed. The ‘organizational’ forces won that struggle. This fit with the outcome the Bible foretold would occur.

The Watchtower uses the word ‘apostasy’ in the sense that conforms to Jewish oral tradition and which has no basis of validity according to the Torah nor any of the Holy Scriptures. Like Jewish oral tradition, their teachings must be accepted as having equal weight with God’s even when theirs are in conflict with God’s written word. To teach such is to teach an apostatizing. And this is what Jehovah’s Witnesses will readily tell you; if it is about someone else.

How could one be rendering exclusive devotion and obedience to God while living and teaching contrary to His word?

We will all have an accounting with Almighty God on the central question, “Whom will you obey?”

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