Jehovah’s Witnesses

When the doorbell rings and you peer out the window to see a pair at your door with pamphlets in their hands, most of the time, our first instinct is to move away from the door and windows as not to be seen. Some Christians may open the door just to let them know that they are already saved and then move forward with their day. Besides the stereotype of Jehovah’s Witnesses going door to door, would you say you know what they believe? Many Jehovah’s Witnesses claim to be Christians, but do their beliefs align with the biblical core tenants of Christianity? As Christians, we are likely to encounter Jehovah’s Witnesses, and instead of hiding from the front door, we should be prepared to give an answer and defense of our faith (1 Pet. 3:15).

Defining Jehovah’s Witnesses

The official name for Jehovah’s Witnesses is the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (Hodge & Patterson, 191). The name “Jehovah’s Witnesses” comes from Isaiah 43:10 (Hodge & Patterson, 191). The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ translation, the New World Translation (NWT), reads: “‘You are my witnesses.’ declares Jehovah, ‘Yes, my servant whom I have chosen'” (Hodge & Patterson, 191-92). It is an international religious organization that is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York (Hodge & Patterson, 191).

The society’s roots formed in the late 19th century when 18-year old Charles Taze Russell, having lost many family members at a young age, struggled with the doctrine on hell (Melissa Dougherty). He started a Bible class in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania called “the Millennial Dawn Bible Study” where he shared what would later become the core of the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ theology (Hodge & Patterson, 192). This was a mix of Adventists and the Bible (Melissa Dougherty). They denied hell, the Trinity, and immortal soul, amongst other heresies (Melissa Dougherty). They called themselves “The Bible Students” (Melissa Dougherty). “Russell rejected the concept of eternal torment and joined a group of ‘Second Adventists’ who taught that the wicked do not suffer in hell, but cease to exist when they die” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). These “Second Adventists” are what are known today as Seventh-Day Adventists (Melissa Dougherty). Scripture is clear on eternal punishment (Matt. 10:28,25:46; Luke 16:22-29; Rev. 20:10-15).

In July 1879, the first editions of the Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence were published upon Russell’s split from the Adventists (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). Once he formed his own publications, he told his students to stop studying the Bible and to study what he had written instead (Mike Winger). In his publications, Russell declared Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society was created in 1881, formally incorporated as Watchtower Bible and Tract Society in 1884.

When Russell died in 1916, Joseph Franklin Rutherford (Judge Rutherford) stepped in as president (Hodge & Patterson, 193). This led to 75 percent of Russell’s original students to drop out in 1930 due to “conflicting doctrinal positions” (Hodge & Patterson, 193). This is when a lot of the changes occurred that morphed into what Jehovah Witness doctrine is today  (Melissa Dougherty). Those who remained became known as “Jehovah’s Witnesses” (Hodge & Patterson, 193).

Today, the Watchtower and Tract Society has nearly 20 million members in over 113,000 congregations worldwide (Hodge & Patterson, 192). The Jehovah’s Witnesses put much effort into their expansion program, instructing each congregation to commit to monthly contributions, “even though they themselves have no legal or financial control over the buildings they pay for or construct” (Hodge & Patterson, 193). The monetary contributions continue to increase in amount as “the end of this wicked system of things” nears (Hodge & Patterson, 193).

Contrastingly, “the endeavor of the New World Bible Translation Committee has been to avoid this snare of religious traditionalism” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). They view that the only correct way to properly interpret the Bible is to use publications prepared by “the faithful and discreet slave” (Hodge & Patterson, 196). One “does not advocate or insist on personal opinions or harbor private ideas when it comes to Bible understanding. Rather, he has complete confidence in the truth as it is revealed by Jehovah God through His Son, Jesus Christ, and ‘faithful and discreet slave” (Hodge & Patterson, 196). Instead of conforming themselves to the Bible, Jehovah’s Witnesses edited God’s Word to conform to them. This is very similar to Progressive Christianity.

The NWT is anonymous work of a Watchtower Society committee (Hodge & Patterson, 206). The anonymity is said to exist to ensure credit goes to God alone, but there are “the added benefits of shielding the translators from accountability for their errors and preventing independent scholars from checking their academic credentials” (Hodge & Patterson, 206). The translators have been identified as a group of six men, five of whom had no formal training in biblical languages (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). The head of the committee, Frederick Franz was just a “knowledgeable amateur” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). The NWT has never been endorsed by a biblical scholar but has received a lot of heat  (Melissa Dougherty). The sources used to create and support this translation are translations created by channeled Bibles, made by a spiritist (Melissa Dougherty):

This anonymity is especially strategic in light of their additions to God’s Holy Word, which have no textual authority and take Scripture out of context. Some examples include adding the word “Jehovah” to the New Testament 237 times, adding the article “a” to John 1:1 to read “and the Word was a god, and adding “other” after “all” to Colossians 1:16 to read “Because by means of him all other things were created…” (Hodge & Patterson, 206). They also have numerous doctrinally biased renderings, including but not limited to: Matthew 25:46: “And these will depart into everlasting cutting off,” rather than “punishment,” because “Witnesses don’t believe the wicked will be punished forever” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). Luke 23:43: “Truly I tell you today, You will be with me in Paradise” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). “The NWT has the comma after ‘today’ because Witnesses don’t believe human beings exist as spirits after death (Jesus’ frequent use of ‘Truly I tell you’ makes it certain that ‘today’ goes with what follows)” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). 1 Corinthians 15:44: “It is sown a physical body,” “Instead of ‘natural,’ because Witnesses believe that Jesus was not raised in a physical body (The same word is used in 1 Cor. 2:14, where the NWT also incorrectly has ‘physical’)” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). Lastly, 1 Timothy 4:1: “However, the inspired utterance says,” instead of “the Spirit,” because “Witnesses don’t believe that the Holy Spirit is a person” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses).

Additionally, in 1969, the Watchtower published The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures (KIT), “a literal word-for-word translation into English under the Greek text” and claims that by using KIT, “the accuracy of any modern translation can be determined”  (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). The KIT actually shows obscurities of the NWT  (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses):

John 8:58: “Before Abraham came into existence, I have been” (NWT)/ “Before Abraham to become I am” (KIT)

John 14:14: “f you ask anything…” (NWT)/ “If ever anything you should ask me….” (KIT)

Colossians 1:16-17: Christ created “all [other] things” (NWT) / Christ create “all (things)” (KIT)

Colossians 2:9: “all the fullness of divine quality” dwells in Christ (NWT)/ “all the fullness of the divinity” dwells in Christ (KIT).

“Every day, hundreds of thousands of copies of their two magazines, Watchtower and Awake! are printed and distributed in nearly two hundred languages” (Hodge & Patterson, 192). In these resources, the Watchtower misquote people in order to make their arguments. Witnesses wouldn’t know that the quotes are misquoted since they do not have access to the originals (Melissa Dougherty). It’s underhanded manipulation of information that is in every single copy of these publications (Melissa Dougherty).

The reason why Witnesses will give the same answer is because they are taught the same things across the board (Melissa Dougherty). There is a booklet called Reasoning from the Scriptures, which is essentially the script used to defend their doctrine. This resource cites The Imperial Bible-Dictionary but takes the definitions out of context, cherry-picking which parts to use to make their argument (Melissa Dougherty). Witnesses do not know this because The Imperial Bible-Dictionary is not an approved source, only what the Governing Body says (Melissa Dougherty).

Society Leadership

Jehovah’s Witnesses claim their authority comes from Jehovah God through Jesus, who appointed them as “His sole channel of communication to the world” (Hodge & Patterson, 196). The “earthly part of Jehovah’s organization” hierarchy is as follows: the Governing Body, Branch Committees, Traveling Overseers, Bodies of Elders, Congregations, and Individual Publishers (those who personally distribute the literature) (Hodge & Patterson, 193, 196). This comes from the false notion that throughout history, starting with Israel, God has led His people through visible organizations (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). When the Israelites rejected Jesus as the Messiah, God “ordained a new, prophetic ‘channel of communication’: the Christian congregation (that is, the church)” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses).

After the Christendom “became apostate,” God fulfilled the prophecy in Matthew 24:45-47 that a “‘faithful and discreet slave’ would dispense ‘spiritual food’ to Jehovah’s people in the last days” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). The Watchtower Society thinks they have fulfilled this and that the Governing Body is the mouthpiece for God: “We cannot claim to love God, yet deny his word and channel of communication,” (Watchtower, Oct. 1, 1967, p. 591). The true context of Matthew 24:45-47 is Jesus using the faithful slave whose master returns unexpectedly to provide His disciples a warning to be alert for His return (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). No where does the passage indicate that this only pertains to an organization (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). This passage is addressed to the individual.

There has been inconsistency in what Witnesses have been taught over the years about the Governing Body. At first, Jehovah’s Witnesses were taught that all “anointed” were part of the faithful and discreet slave (Hodge & Patterson, 203). However, that was recently changed in 2013 with an article in the Watchtower entitled “Who Really Is the Faithful and Discreet Slave?” (Hodge & Patterson, 203). This article puts to the side their notion that the slave was appointed in in AD 33 and instead expounds how Jesus’ words only began to be fulfilled after 1914 (Hodge & Patterson, 203). This has given the Governing Body more power and has limited the faithful and discreet slave to be “a small group of anointed brothers” (Hodge & Patterson, 203). In World Religions and Cults: Volume 1, Got Questions Ministries comments: “It’s strange that Jehovah’s anointed channel of communication managed to get the interpretation of Jesus’ Words so wrong for so long–unless their authority does not come from God but instead from the men who currently make up the Governing Body” (203). “That faithful slave is the channel through which Jesus is feeding his true followers in this time of the end. It is vital that we recognize the faithful slave. Our spiritual health and our relationship with God depend on this channel” (Watchtower, Jul. 15, 2013, p. 20)(Mike Winger).

The Governing Body uses Acts 8:30-31 to justify why an organization is necessary (Melissa Dougherty). No where in Acts or the rest of the Scripture is the word “Governing Body” or “Organization” used (Melissa Dougherty). It’s a very subjective approach to Scripture (Melissa Dougherty).

No Witness is to challenge or questions the Governing Body because Spiritual truth is not given to God’s people individually, but only through His ordained channel (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses, Hodge & Patterson, 196). Witnesses can ask questions, but only certain questions (Melissa Dougherty). Questioning the Governing Body is deemed questioning God Himself (Melissa Dougherty). The Watchtower has published: “We need to obey the faithful and discreet slave to have Jehovah’s approval” and “All of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive [from Jehovah’s organization], whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not” (Hodge & Patterson, 203). No independent thinking is allowed and is deemed dangerous, only group think is allowed (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). A Jehovah’s Witness cannot disagree with what he is told; he must accept the published literature and the word of the elders whose job it is to enforce loyalty. If he does disagree and makes his objection known, he will be disciplined.

Further, individual Bible Study is discouraged. The Jehovah’s Witnesses seek to “maintain a high level of control over what their congregations learn” (Hodge & Patterson, 197). “From time to time, there’ve arisen from among the ranks of Jehovah’s people those, who, like the original Satan, have adopted an independent, faultfinding attitude…They say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But strangely, through such ‘Bible reading,’ they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries aby Christendom’s clergy were teaching…” (Watchtower, Aug. 14, 1981, p. 29). “To turn away from Jehovah and his organization, to spurn the direction of the ‘faithful and discreet slave,’ and to rely simply on the personal Bible reading and interpretation is to become like a solitary tree in a parched land” (Watchtower, Jun. 1, 1985, p. 20). “If the six volumes of SCRIPTURE STUDIES are practically the Bible topically arranged, with Bible proof-texts given, we might not improperly name the volumes–not merely comments on the Bible, but they are practically the Bible itself” and “Furthermore, not only do we find that people cannot see the Divine Plan in studying the Bible by itself, but we see, also, that if anyone lays the SCRIPTURE STUDIES aide, even after he has used them, after he has become familiar with them, after he has read them for ten years–if he then lays them aide and ignores them and goes to the Bible alone…our experience shows that within two years he goes into darkness. On the other hand, if he had merely read the SCRIPTURE STUDIES with their references and had not read a page of the Bible, as such, he would be in the light at the end of the two years, because he would have the light of the Scriptures” (1910 Watch tower, p. 298) (Mike Winger).

The Watchtower has written: “All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the ‘greatly diversified wisdom of God’ can become known only through Jehovah’s channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave,” “False religious propaganda from any source should be the avoided like poison! Really, since our Lord has used ‘the faithful and discreet slave’ to convey to us ‘sayings of everlasting life,’ why should we ever want to look anywhere else?,” and “We may think of study as hard work, as involving heavy research. But in Jehovah’s organization it is not necessary to spend a lot of time and energy in research, for there are brothers in the organization who are assigned to do that very thing, to help you who do not have so much time for this, these preparing the good material in The Watchtower and other publications of the Society. But you do not study enough? Take this suggestion: Often the very best and most beneficial studying you do is that done when you read a new Watchtower or Awake! OT a new book with the joy of getting the new truths and a fresh view” (Hodge & Patterson, 197). Essentially, submission to the Governing Body is equivalent to submission to Christ (Hodge & Patterson, 197). They are not allowed to consume any material outside of the Watchtower, including the internet, especially not “apostate literature,” anything put out by an ex-Jehovah Witness (Melissa Dougherty). All information is tailored and censored, or else you can be considered a weak Witness and/or shunned.

There is no special revelation given to a small, specific group. The Watchtower tries to take the place of God. The Bible is God’s revelation. The Bible teaches that truth is a person and not an organization (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). 1 Timothy 2:5 tells us that Jesus is the only mediator between God and man. The sacrifices through the Israelite priests are no longer needed in order to approach God because Christ was the once for all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:1-18). Jesus is our ultimate High Priest (Heb. 6:20, 7:24). Additionally, we should be testing all things, like the Bereans who were commended for testing Paul’s message in Acts 17:10-11. In 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22, “Christians are encouraged to question prophetic claims (‘examine everything carefully’) and reject what is false (‘abstain from every form of evil’), a pattern begun in the Old Testament (for instance, Deut. 18:21-22)” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses).

Questions to ask to counter the Organization/Governing Body (Melissa Dougherty):

1. Did Philip use Scripture alone talking to the Eunuch or did he have additional literature? If Scripture alone was sufficient for Philip, then why wouldn’t it be sufficient for us?
2. Did you know that the Watchtower used to teach that Russell was the “faithful and discreet slave”? How do you explain this change?
3. Since the Governing Body as an organization claims to be the “faithful and discreet slave,” that alone guides the people in their understanding of Scripture, and since this organization did not come into existence until the late nineteenth century, does this mean that God had no true representatives for many centuries?

Mind Control

“If you can understand mind control, then you can understand the mind of the witness.” Melissa Dougherty. It’s a bit on the longer side, but I recommend watching the video linked here. It’s something that can apply on a larger scale. In the video, she uses the Freedom of the Mind BITE Model to demonstrate how Jehovah’s Witnesses are placed under mind control by the Organization. The BITE Model is Behavior Control, Information Control, Though Control, and Emotional Control. There is a lot of fear tactics that keep people confined to this cult.

Shunning

The ultimate punishment is to be “disfellowshipped” (Hodge & Patterson, 197). Disfellowship means that a member will be shunned and estranged from Witness family and friends (Hodge & Patterson, 197). You can be disfellowshipped for reading anything against the Watchtower (apostacy), for criticizing the Watchtower or Governing Body, for communicating with ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses, for smoking, gambling, getting a blood transfusion, etc. (Melissa Dougherty). Remaining Witnesses are encouraged: “Really, what your beloved family member needs to see is your resolute stance to put Jehovah above everything else–including the family bond. … Do not look for excuses to associate with a disfellowshipped family member” (Hodge & Patterson, 197). “We must hate [the disfellowshipped person] in the truest sense, which is to regard with extreme active averse, to consider [them] as loathsome, odious, filthy, to detest” (Watchtower, Oct. 1, 1952, p. 599). “A simple ‘Hello’ to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship. Would we want to take that first step with a disfellowshipped person?” (Watchtower, Sept, 15, 1981, p. 25). A lot of people stay in the organization not because they believe but because they don’t want to be isolated from loved ones (Melissa Dougherty).

The justification for shunning is taken from 2 John 2:10 and 1 Corinthians 5:11 (Melissa Dougherty). We never see Jesus or His apostles shun people to this extreme where they don’t make eye contact with them or act like they’re dead (Melissa Dougherty). Jesus spent time with sinners to call them to repentance. Jehovah’s Witness shunning reminds me of the attitude of the Pharisees in Luke 15. The true context of 1 Corinthians 5:11 is “He does not forbid the Christians the like commerce with scandalously wicked heathens…. Your Gentile neighbours are generally vicious and profane; and it is impossible, as long as you are in the world, and have any worldly business to do, but you must fall into their company. This cannot be wholly avoided” (Matthew Henry Commentary). This is more about having boundaries and being on guard against anyone who is making bad decisions and can include some Christians who are habitually living in sin. 2 John 2:10 is referring to false teachers who would travel and stay in people’s homes and receive support from them (Melissa Dougherty). It is not saying not to have someone who is not Christian in your home (Melissa Dougherty).

Questions to ask about shunning  (Melissa Dougherty):

1. Give me an example in Scripture where Jesus shuns someone.
2. What did Jesus do with the woman caught in adultery (John 8)? This is taken out of their NWT Bibles.
3. What did Jesus say about the Good Samaritan?
4. Since the organization has been around since Old Testament times, why do we never see this type of action taken on anyone in the Old Testament?

Worship Practices

Jehovah’s Witnesses’ churches are called Kingdom Halls (Hodge & Patterson, 194). The word “church” is associated with Christianity, which many Jehovah’s Witnesses, if they do not lump themselves in with Christianity, consider to be a false religion (Hodge & Patterson, 194). They meet in Kingdom Halls several times a week for worship and “Bible Study” (Hodge & Patterson, 194). It’s a big deal if a Witness doesn’t attend.

The buildings are purposely small and modest (Melissa Dougherty). Kingdom Halls have no stained glass windows, images or statues, candles, pews, choir, organ, baptistery, alter or communion table, liturgical garb, and no crosses, for the cross is considered a pagan symbol (Hodge & Patterson, 194). Witnesses do not want anything associated with “Christendom,” a derogatory term for anyone outside of Jehovah’s Witnesses (Melissa Dougherty). In the back of the Kingdom Hall, there is a room that is separated from the rest by a glass window (Melissa Dougherty). This is for the shunned deplorables that were disfellowshipped, who are not supposed to be associated with or looked at (Melissa Dougherty). These people are “earning their way back into the good graces of Jehovah’s organization” by attending every single meeting (Melissa Dougherty).

The people are required to dress up each meeting, and the children stay with their parents the entire meeting (Melissa Dougherty). Every meeting is started and ended with a song and prayer to Jehovah in Jesus’ name (Hodge & Patterson, 194). They also do not sing Psalms or hymns but use their own “Kingdom Song Book” (Hodge & Patterson, 194). They do not take a formal offering, deeming it unscriptural (Melissa Dougherty). Collection boxes are in the back of the Hall (Melissa Dougherty).

The meeting itself has a “talk” or “public discourse” by an elder instead of a sermon by a pastor (Melissa Dougherty). They don’t have a singular person that gives a talk at the meeting but rotate elders (Melissa Dougherty). The chairman introduces the subject and the speaker, and then the speaker gives an hour-long talk (Melissa Dougherty). After the prayer to end the meeting, there is an hourlong “Bible Study” of a Watchtower edition, different from what is given to the public (Melissa Dougherty). The Bible is used as a prop (Melissa Dougherty). Each Witness knows what will be gone over that Sunday since they were given a study the previous week to complete (Melissa Dougherty). There were no open-ended questions but a recitation of how the Watchtower wanted you to answer (Melissa Dougherty).

Baptism

Jehovah Witnesses are baptized into the organization (Melissa Dougherty).. They spend six months to a year studying the questions asked during the baptism (Melissa Dougherty). The Bible Study they do is Watchtower publications to make sure “they are prepared for Jehovah’s organization” (Melissa Dougherty). Answering “yes” to these questions leads them to believe they are in good heart condition to be baptized (Melissa Dougherty). They argue that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are involved: Jesus is not God but part of it because He died for half their sins, Jehovah is the Father, and He used the spirit to direct (Melissa Dougherty). This is false. Once you’re baptized, it’s very difficult to get out of the organization (Melissa Dougherty).

The Old Baptism questions are as follows:

1. On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?
2. Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s spirit-directed organization?

The New Baptism questions (as of 2019) are as follows:

1. Have you repented of your sins, dedicated yourself to Jehovah, and accepted his way of salvation through Jesus Christ?

2. Do you understand that your baptism identifies you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with Jehovah’s organization?

Creation & Evolution

Similarly to Christians, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in the creation account in Genesis, rejecting Darwinian evolution (Hodge & Patterson, 197). However, they believe in a form of evolution where God created various “kinds” that then diversified within their kind, while still remaining “remarkably different from one another” (Hodge & Patterson, 197). In Studies in the Scripture, VI, Charles Taze Russell wrote: “In the beginning we have merely the physical forces out of which the grand structure is made by a gradually unfolding, or if one prefers to say so, an ‘evolutionary’ process. . . . that there is a divine plan of evolution, appears on the face of the whole chapter” (Hodge & Patterson, 197).

Additionally, contrasting from Christianity, they believe in astronomical and geological evolution, holding that the earth is billions of years old (Hodge & Patterson, 197). Witnesses hold that the six days in the creation account are actually “epochs,” each a period of 7,000 years, and that the earth existed indefinitely before the creation of life began (Hodge & Patterson, 198). They base this belief on Genesis 1:1 stating “in the beginning” (Hodge & Patterson, 198).

End of the World & Other False Prophecies

The length of a creation day being 7,000 years is central to Jehovah’s Witnesses’ doctrine. They think that the Millennial reign of Christ will take place during the final 1,000 years of Jehovah’s 7,000-year-long “day of rest” (Hodge & Patterson, 198). The calculations are that Adam was created in 4026 BC, and the year 1975 was 6,000 years since Adam was created. Therefore, “Jehovah’s seventh day of rest must now have little more than 1,000 years left to go” (Hodge & Patterson, 198).

This is why you often will hear a Witness talking about how the end is near. Jehovah’s Witnesses have predicted the end of the world to occur in 1914, 1925, 1975, and talks about 2012, yet the year is 2023, and we are all still here (Hodge & Patterson, 204). Along with these predictions have come dangerous encouragements to young people to not plan their futures: “No doubt, school counselors sincerely believe that it is in your best interests to pursue higher education and to plan for a secular career. Yet, their confidence lies in a social and financial system that has no lasting future” (Hodge & Patterson, 204). They openly taught that “Millions Now Living Will Never Die” (first proclaimed in 1920) (Hodge & Patterson, 205). Today’s Jehovah’s Witnesses deny this, despite witnesses alive during at least 1975 and the internet archives (Melissa Dougherty).

A part of these end times predictions has come from their core teaching that Jesus “took up His throne and started ruling (invisibly) from heaven in 1914,” and that World War I “proved that Satan has been ousted from heaven, which was supposed to be the first act of the new King” (Hodge & Patterson, 204). 1914 is when Jesus allegedly came back invisibly and is the core of their kingdom message (Melissa Dougherty). They come up with 1914 from changing the Fall of Jerusalem to 607 BC (Melissa Dougherty). Jehovah’s Witnesses have acknowledged that they’ve gotten a lot wrong concerning end times and the Tribulation: “In the past, we thought that the great tribulation began in 1914 when World War I started. We thought that Jehovah ‘cut short’ those days in 1918 when the war ended so that the remaining anointed ones on earth could preach the good news to all nations. Then we realized that a part of Jesus’ prophecy about the last days has two fulfillments. So we needed to change the way we understood some parts of the prophecy” (Hodge & Patterson, 205).

In 1918, Judge Rutherford predicted that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would return in 1925 and even had a house built for them in 1929 to prove it would happen eventually: “Our thought is, that 1925 is definitely settled by the Scriptures. As to Noah, the Christian now has much more upon which to base his faith then Noah had upon which to base his faith in a coming deluge” (Watchtower, Apr. 1, 1923, p. 106); “The year 1925 is a date definitely and clearly marked in Scriptures, even more clearly than that of 1914;…” (Watchtower, Jul. 15, 1924, p. 211) (Melissa Dougherty).

Got Questions Ministries poses some questions: “Why did Jehovah allow them to get the message wrong in the first place, and why did it take almost 100 years for them to realize they got it wrong?” (Hodge & Patterson, 205). The Governing Body blamed Witnesses for making life changes in response to these prophecies and for “misunderstanding them” (Melissa Dougherty). The Watchtower is just a group of false prophets, and have called themselves “prophets” in previous publications (Melissa Dougherty). The Watchtower has 100% failure to predictions (Melissa Dougherty). Jesus warns against end time predictions in Matthew 24:23-27: “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.“

Questions to ask about false prophecies (Melissa Dougherty):

1. Didn’t the organization say to sell your homes in 1975? (Have a photocopy of proof)
2. Ask about Beth-Sarim (House of Princes).
3. Ask about 1914. Christ’s presence supposedly started World War I. Christ’s presence didn’t start until the autumn of 1914, but World War I began the summer of 1914.
4. When Jesus came in 1914 to choose the true religion, a lot of what the Watchtower believed at that time are considered by Witnesses as Pagan now. Then are they further away from the religion that Christ supposedly chose?

Armageddon & Resurrection to Paradise Earth

The timeline for Armageddon is that they are currently doing theocratic work (Melissa Dougherty). Armageddon is going to come, and take out the worldly system of things (Melissa Dougherty). Only the faithful Jehovah’s Witnesses will be left after Armageddon to rebuild paradise earth  (Melissa Dougherty). They rebuild paradise earth. God resurrects most, and then they are going to give them the Kingdom message to those who didn’t hear it to give them a second chance (Melissa Dougherty). The only ones who are not resurrected are those who die at Armageddon, Adam and Eve, apostates, people who died at Sodom and Gomorrah, and Judas (Melissa Dougherty). All those who accept will be faithful to Jehovah (Melissa Dougherty). One thousand-year reign is during this time (Melissa Dougherty). After this one thousand-year reign by Jesus, Witnesses are finally told whether they have been faithful (Melissa Dougherty). If not, then you will be annihilated (Melissa Dougherty).

Jehovah’s Witnesses are likened to a “Doomsday Cult” because they believe that Armageddon can come at any time (Melissa Dougherty). Are they good enough to survive? They are afraid that they are going to die in Armageddon (Melissa Dougherty). Propaganda images are used to keep Witnesses in line  (Melissa Dougherty). This fear is one that many ex-Witnesses struggle with for years to come, resulting in many having nightmares (Melissa Dougherty).  

Questions to ask pertaining to the resurrection and paradise earth (Melissa Dougherty):

1. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that everyone who is resurrected to Paradise Earth will get four acres of land. If you were to take everyone from the beginning of time and resurrect them to paradise earth and give them four acres of land, how does this work mathematically?
2. If Jehovah is to destroy every single worldly thing (people, grocery stores, hospitals, etc.) and the few faithful are to rebuild it all, how are they going to do so without supplies? Why aren’t they making preparations for the end of the world?
3. How do you know you’re righteous? Are you righteous? Will you inherit the land? Romans 3: what makes a person righteous. It’s faith in Jesus and no mention of an organization.

New Light

“New Light” is justification for the Watchtower’s mistakes (Melissa Dougherty). When something doesn’t happen as predicted or a doctrine is wrong, the justification is that Jehovah changed His mind and that the apostles got things wrong (Melissa Dougherty). Changes and adjustments are made when core teachings turn out to be incorrect and are swept away by using Proverbs 4:18 as an attempted justification to say “the light gets brighter” (Hodge & Patterson, 205). In context, Proverbs 4 is about good behavior and how to be wise in that behavior (Melissa Dougherty).

Does this not sound like Progressive Christianity, which holds that the Bible is not inerrant due to our progressive knowledge about God? These numerous modifications in publications remind me of George Orwell’s novel 1984, where the protagonist’s job was to go back into the newspapers and to fix anything that turned out to be incorrect, as if they always had it correct in the first place. The Watchtower has been republished to appear as if they had been correct all along. For example, in 1989, the Watchtower asserted that the Christian missionary work begun in the first century would “be completed in our 20th century” (Hodge & Patterson, 205-06). However, the Watchtower was republished in bound volumes, and “in our 20th century” was replaced with “in our day” to be less specific (Hodge & Patterson, 206). Witnesses do not even realize the changes that are constantly being made (Melissa Dougherty). Truth is not fluid and cannot change (Melissa Dougherty). If it changes, then it wasn’t true in the first place (Melissa Dougherty).

Questions about new light (Melissa Dougherty, The Truth Hurts):

1. How do you get new light?
2. Is it true that when new light comes that the old light was always false?
3. Can Jehovah lie? Even for a short time before he provides truth? Is it really possible that Jehovah was behind past truth? Then why should we trust any of the current teachings or doctrine?
4. Is it possible for a god who does not change and cannot lie to really be behind new light?

Satan & Demons

Witnesses are afraid of and believe they can become demon possessed (Melissa Dougherty). They are very afraid of Satan and demons (Melissa Dougherty). We as Christians do not fear Satan because we know that God is more powerful. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not share this belief (Melissa Dougherty). They believe Satan can pounce on them (Melissa Dougherty).

Trinity

Jehovah’s Witnesses deny and misrepresent the trinity. They deny the existence of a personal Holy Spirit and the truth of the pre-incarnate Christ as the eternal Word of God (John 1) (Hodge & Patterson, 199). They claim it is a pagan doctrine, comparable to the triadic ‘gods’ of Babylonian and Egyptian mythology: “Christendom’s unchristian doctrine of a Trinity of ‘God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Ghost’ will be rejected by all enlightened mankind as being a blasphemous pagan lie” (Paradise restored to Mankind – By Theocracy, p. 388) and “Christendom has copied the heathen, pagan nations of Asia in teaching that God is a trinity, three Gods in one Person” (Watchtower, Apr. 15, 1962) (Melissa Dougherty; 10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). The reason why they don’t believe in the Trinity is because the word “Trinity” is not in the Bible and the Bible’s emphasis of one God” (ESV Study Bible).

They cherry-pick verses and misquote scholars to support their scarecrow of the Trinity: the Father (Jehovah) and Son (Jesus) are separate “gods,” Jesus being an inferior “god” to Jehovah, the “only true God,” and the Holy Spirit is an invisible force, comparable to radio waves or electricity (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). “The Watchtower claims that Clement of Alexandria considered Jesus ‘not equal’ to the Father. Yet Clement actually praised Jesus as ‘the Divine Word, He that is truly most manifest Deity, He that is made equal to the Lord of the universe.’ He further explained: ‘I understand nothing else than the Holy Trinity to be meant; for the third is the Holy Spirit, and the Son ins the second, by whom all things were made according to the will of the Father….the Word itself, that is, the Song of God, who being, by equality of substance, one with the Father, is eternal and uncreated’ (The Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 2, 202, 468, 574)” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses).

There is one God (Isa. 44:6,45:18,46:9; John 5:44; 1Cor. 8:4; James 2:19), and it is also true that the Father (1 Pet. 1:2), Son (Jesus) (John 20:28, Heb. 1:8), and the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4) are the three separate persons in one God (Matt. 28:19) (ESV Study Bible). They are all God but operate distinctly from one another (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses).” Each of these three possesses the attributes of deity, including omnipresence (Ps. 139:7; Jer. 23:23-24; Matt. 28:20), omniscience (Ps. 147:5; John 16:30; 1 Cor. 2:10-11), omnipotence (Jer. 32:17; John 2:1-11; Rom. 15:19), and eternality (Ps. 90:2; Heb. 9:14; Rev. 22:13) (ESV Study Bible). Further, each also is involved in divine works, such as creating the universe: the Father (Gen. 1:1; Ps. 102:25), the Son (John 1:3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2), and the Holy Spirit (Gen. 1:2; Job 33:4; Ps. 104:30).

Objections to the Trinity tend to center on the “‘subjection’ of the Son to the will of the Father and Jesus’ statement that the Father is ‘greater’ than He (John 14:28)” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). This is referring to greater in position and not equality in nature (Melissa Dougherty). Jesus took on a human form in addition to his divine person. God the Father was in a greater position than Jesus was while Jesus was in His humanity (again, still retaining divinity). This is the kenosis of Philippians 2:7.

The top Scripture Witnesses will try to use to disprove Jesus is God is Luke 18:18-19, which says: “And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.” This verse in context is Jesus saying He is God. Jesus never said He wasn’t good. The point He is making is that the ruler is calling Jesus good and only God is good, so the logical implication is that Jesus is God  (Melissa Dougherty). Another objection often used by Witnesses is who Jesus was praying to in the garden. Jesus was not praying to Himself, but to the Father. Jesus is the Son, not the Father (Melissa Dougherty).

Questions to Ask about the Trinity (Melissa Dougherty):

1. Do you believe that a human son is less human than their father? How can Jesus as God’s Son be less God than His Father?

God

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that by calling God “Jehovah” in their prayers, congregational singing, preaching, and Bible Study, they can easily be identified as God’s true followers (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). If “Jehovah” isn’t used, then many Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the prayer may go to some other “god” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). In Scripture (Matt. 6:9-13), Jesus instructs us to address God as “Father” in the Lord’s Prayer. Interestingly enough, in the NWT, the name “Jehovah” does not appear in their translation of the Lord’s Prayer either (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). “For Jesus, sanctifying God’s name has more to do with honoring what it stands for than with pronouncing His name. He also shows that His disciples are now ‘adopted’ into God’s family. As ‘sons’ of God they now have the right to call God ‘Father,’ whereas before they could only refer to Him by His formal titles or name” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses).

The Witnesses explain that “Jehovah” came from the ancient Jews’ superstition of mispronouncing the divine name (Melissa Dougherty). Instead of pronouncing the divine name, they replaced it with “Adonai,” which is “Lord” (Melissa Dougherty). Eventually, the fearful scribes just took the vowels from “Adonai” and put it with the Tetra (“YHWH”) (Melissa Dougherty). This was latinized to get “Jehovah” (Melissa Dougherty). YHWH would be a much better attempt at God’s name than Jehovah (Melissa Dougherty). There is no “J” in Hebrew; it would have been a “Y” (Melissa Dougherty). No one fully knows how to pronounce God’s name or what it really is, but the closest thing we do have is YHWH (Melissa Dougherty). Nevertheless, “Jehovah” itself is not the problem but rather the added use and an idolatrous view of the name (Melissa Dougherty).

“Where nearly all other Bibles have ‘Lord’ for God’s name in the Old Testament, the NWT renders if ‘Jehovah’–and even ‘restores’ the divine name to the New Testament” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). They use Proverbs 30:6 and Revelation 22:18-19 to justify that others translations are not trustworthy by taking away God’s name by inserting “Lord” where it should say “Jehovah” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). “Of the 5,000 Greek manuscripts we possess today of the New Testament, not a single one contains God’s full name. (The expression ‘Hallelujah’ in Revelation 19:1-6 contains a shortened form of the name, ‘Jah.’). Essentially, by inserting ‘Jehovah’ where the New Testament writers did not intend to use God’s name, Jehovah Witnesses are adding to God’s Word and are distorting Jesus’ identity by instituting an artificial divide between Him and Jehovah God” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). Many Witnesses do not realize that “Jehovah” is not used in the Greek New Testament (Melissa Dougherty). When you show them in their own Greek Scriptures publication, they are mind blown (Melissa Dougherty).

Similarly to Christians, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that God is holy (Isaiah 6:3), loves justice (Psalm 37:28), is all-powerful, Creator of all things (Revelation 4:11), Most High (Revelation 15:3), and is merciful and compassionate (Exodus 34:6). However, they view God’s love and love of justice as not including punishment for sins (Hodge & Patterson, 199). Further, they don’t believe that God is omniscient or that He knows from beginning to end (Hodge & Patterson, 199). Essentially, they attempt to bring God to man level and assign moral judgment that it would have been wrong for God to create Adam and Eve knowing they would sin and the consequent results of sin (Hodge & Patterson, 199). Instead, Witnesses think that God did command Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but chose not to know how they would respond and was surprised by their disobedience (Hodge & Patterson, 199).

We are to use God’s divine Word to learn about His attributes. Not only are we to use Scripture to define God but also we are to use Scripture in context. Jehovah’s Witnesses will say they use the Bible to make their claims about God and who He is, but they add man-made reinterpretations for the aspects of God they do no like or agree with. You can’t reinterpret the Bible to reassign traits to God. This is creating a false god in their own image and violating the commandment (Exodus 20:4).

Questions to ask about Jehovah (Melissa Dougherty):

1. Anyone can self-publish a Bible and put Jehovah’s name in it. Does it make that translation superior?
2. Read out loud John 17:11-12 and ask them what it means. How does Jesus have God’s name now? Is this the reason why we don’t see Jehovah’s name at all in the Greek Scriptures?
3. Why doesn’t Jesus ever use the name Jehovah? Why does He always call God “Father” instead?

Sin

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that death acquits personal sin (Hodge & Patterson, 200). They believe that if you have sinned, you confess it to the Governing Body (Melissa Dougherty). You tell them everything you can, so that they can keep track of you as a Witness (Melissa Dougherty). It can be used against you later on (Melissa Dougherty). If you don’t come clean right away, you can be disfellowshipped for being unrepentant (Melissa Dougherty). The Watchtower has published: “So, if doubts, complaints, or apostasy threaten to contaminate you spiritually, cut them away quickly! (Compare Matthew 5:29,30). Get help from the congregation elders” (Oct. 1, 1989, p. 18), “It is certainly not easy to confess to others deeds that one feels ashamed of and to seek forgiveness. It takes inner strength” (Jun. 1, 2001, p. 31), and “If he does not do this within a reasonable period of time, concern for the cleanness of the congregation should move you to report the matter to the elders” (Oct. 15, 1989, pp.14-15).

Heaven & Hell

Witnesses believe that since he is so loving and just, Jehovah would never punish people for eternity (Hodge & Patterson, 199). Despite of Jesus’ multiple warning about eternal punishment (Luke 16:19-31), Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the Bible does not provide any basis for belief in hell (Hodge & Patterson, 199). Instead, the dead are in a state of “soul sleep” and know nothing, trying to use Ecclesiastes 9:5-6,10 and Psalm 146:4 as their support (Hodge & Patterson, 199). We simply cease to exist once we die (Hodge & Patterson, 200). However, the Bible does provide basis for hell being a “real place of conscious, eternal suffering (Matt. 5:22,25:41,46; Jude 7; Rev. 14:11,20:10,14) (ESV Study Bible).

They don’t believe in a heaven or hell. Souls are not immortal in this view, which they base on their translation of Ezekiel 18:4 (Hodge & Patterson, 199). They believe that the spirit or “life-force” returns to Jehovah (meaning any hope of future life rests with him) and does not actually travel to heaven (Hodge & Patterson, 199). Jehovah will bring the dead back to life at the resurrection by giving them a new body and by putting the life-force into it (Hodge & Patterson, 199). However, Witnesses take Luke 12:5 to means that not all will be resurrected and that “some of the dead are currently in Gehenna, which they consider a symbol of everlasting destruction or non-existence” (Hodge & Patterson, 200). The Bible points to the soul as being “man’s immaterial self that consciously survives death” (Gen. 35:18, Rev. 6:9-10) (ESV Study Bible). “Unbelievers are in conscious woe (Matt. 13:42,25:41; Luke 16:22-24; Rev. 14:11), while believers are in conscious bliss in heaven (1 Cor. 2:9; 2 Cor. 5:6-8; Phil. 1:1-23; Rev. 7:17; 21:4)”(ESV Study Bible).

Jehovah’s Witnesses take the Gospel and flip it on its head. They believe that on the 1000-year “day of judgment,” those who are resurrected are given a second chance for salvation (Hodge & Patterson, 200). They suppose that those who didn’t know about God will be given time to get to learn how to serve God (Hodge & Patterson, 200). This directly contradicts Scripture, which says in Hebrews 9:27 (KJV): “And as it is appointed unto men once to die” (Hodge & Patterson, 200).

Jesus

Witnesses have an incorrect view about who Christ is. You will hear Witnesses refer to Jesus as the “Son of God,” but they take this literally, instead of that Jesus means that He is of the same nature and essence of God and is God Himself. They do not believe that He is God but believe that the pre-human Jesus was the “spirit creature” Michael the Archangel, created by Jehovah (Hodge & Patterson, 200). He was the first creation and was used to to create everything else (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). This belief comes from Jesus being referred to as God’s “Firstborn over creation.” In context, this is not referring to Jesus being created but a place of preeminence over creation (Melissa Dougherty).

After the Virgin Mary was impregnated, the spirit of Michael the Archangel entered Jesus” (Hodge & Patterson, 200). Others believe that Jesus ceased to exist as Michael and become a perfect human  (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). Since Satan (a created angel) is called ‘god’ at 2 Corinthians 4:4, they also believe that the “spirit Son” should be regarded a “god”  (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses).

They believe Jesus was the one crucified but Michael’s body rose from the dead as the “resurrected Jesus Christ” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). Jesus was apparently able to convince His disciples that He had risen from the dead by “fabricating physical bodies resembling His original body”  (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). It was a fake body (Mike Winger). Since Jesus’ “invisible presence” started in 1914, He has been in heaven reigning and awaiting the battle of Armageddon, when He will “rid the earth of human governments and set up ‘Paradise’ under ‘Jehovah’s Kingdom government arrangement”  (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). John 20:25-28 clearly shows us that Jesus’ physical body resurrected (Mike Winger). This wasn’t a delusion or deceit.

The verses the Watchtower use to attempt to link Jesus and Michael never clearly identify Jesus as Michael (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). There is no Scriptural proof for any of this, but quite the opposite. The context of Hebrews 1 addresses that Christ is supreme over all, including the angels. Hebrews 1:4 (KJV) says: “Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” It is the angels who are to worship Christ, for He is above them (Hebrews 1:6). Further, Jude 9 states that “Michael the Archangel did not have authority to rebuke Satan, yet Jesus did on a number of occasions (for example. Matt. 16:23)” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses).

Like Christians, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus lived a perfect life without sin (Hodge & Patterson, 200). However, they do believe that Jesus had the capability to sin and to fail His mission (Hodge & Patterson, 200). This aligns with their disbelief that Jesus is 100% man and 100% God. Only God does not sin. Although they believe Jesus is the Son of God (not in the essence that He is God), they hold Him as subordinate to and separate from the Father and as not to be worshipped or prayed to (Hodge & Patterson, 200). The truth is that Jesus is God who is never changing. When He came to this earth, He didn’t cease being God (Phil. 2:5-11), but just took on the form of man (see above about the kenosis). Jesus is 100% man and 100% God (Acts 17:31; 1 Tim. 2:5, Luke 24:39, John 2:19-22), and He had to be man to pay for the sins of man and God to not have any sin to pay for. This is the very essence of the atonement.

Witnesses do not believe Jesus to be their Lord and Savior. They only view Jesus as having died on a “torture stake” (not a cross) to atone only for Adam’s sins (Hodge & Patterson, 201). They neglect history that the cross was used by the Romans (Melissa Dougherty). There wasn’t a Greek word for “cross” originally, but it was widely understood that Romans used crucifixion as a means of torture (Melissa Dougherty). Further, John 20:25 tells us that nails were used, whereas Witnesses believe Jesus died with His hands above His head (Melissa Dougherty). Also, Matthew 27:37 says: “And set up over his head his accusation written, This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews.“

Questions to ask about Jesus (Melissa Dougherty):

1. Was David the oldest or youngest of Jesse? (youngest) Then why was he referred to in the Psalms as the firstborn of Jesse? What does that mean? It doesn’t mean he was the first created but that he has preeminence over the other sons of Jesse.

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is an “active force” and not God according to Jehovah’s Witnesses. He’s an impersonal force that “emanates from Jehovah to perform assorted supernatural operations” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). They rationalize that the Holy Spirit is not a person since Scripture says He “dwells” within believers (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses).

Scripture blatantly disproves this view. First, in Acts 5:3-4, the Holy Spirit is confirmed as God when Annias lies to the Holy Spirit and is told, “You have not lied to men but to God” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). Second, 2 Corinthians 3:17 states: “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (emphasis added). Lastly, Acts 28:25-27 “reveals the Holy Spirit as the Lord God of Isaiah 6:8-10)” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses).

Moreover, Scripture teaches that the Holy Spirit is a person. “He is seen as one who testifies (John 15:26), intercedes (Rom. 8:26), teaches (John 14:26), and guides believers (Rom. 8:14). He has a mind (Rom. 8:27) and a will (1 Cor. 12:11). He can be grieved (Eph. 4:30), lied to (Acts 5:3), blasphemed (Matt. 12:31), and tested (Acts 5:9)” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). A common rebuttal to this is that the Holy Spirit is personified in the same way “wisdom” is  (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). However, “wisdom is personified in highly poetic passages in Proverbs, whereas the Holy Spirit is attributed personality in various non-poetic contexts (historical narratives, sermons, epistles)” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses).

Jehovah’s Witnesses also believe that the only ones who can be spirit anointed are those who are a part of the 144,000 (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). They would be surprised to know that the 1939 Watchtower book Salvation proclaimed: “In the year 1918… the holy spirit that had been the guide of God’s people, having performed its function, was taken away” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). This is not something that the modern Watchtower purports (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses).

The 144,000

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe there are two classes of Christians, which comes from a false, out-of-context John 10:16 and Luke 12:32 (Melissa Dougherty). “The 144,000 Christians who were living between Pentecost (c. AD 30) and 1935, called the ‘anointed class’s or ‘little flock,’ will live in Heaven as spirits forever”  (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). This class is the one that is a part of the New Covenant, adopted, have Jesus as their mediator (not Savior), are members of the church, may partake in the “memorial emblems” of Jesus’ last supper, and will rule heaven over the earth  (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). Anyone who became a Jehovah Witness after 1935 and those who never heard of Christ but were “not wicked” are considered the “other sheep” and “will have a chance to live forever as human beings in a paradise on Earth” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). They are also called the “Great Crowd” or “Great Multitude,” which is taken out of context from Revelation 19:1 and Revelation 7:15 (Melissa Dougherty). This class will never see God or Jesus and will remain eternally separated from the other class on earth (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). This does not even make sense considering that Revelation 19:1 says that the Great Crowd is in Heaven and that Revelation 7:15 says that the Great Multitude serves God in Heaven. Ex-Witnesses explain that most don’t want to be part of the ruling class because “you’ll be separated from people here on paradise earth apart from loved ones”  (Melissa Dougherty).

The reference to the 144,000 comes from Revelation 7 and 14. Those who take this number literally also take the twelve Israelite tribes of 12,000 literally (Rev. 7:4-8) (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). It wouldn’t make sense otherwise. That means that the 144,000 would have to be all Jewish men who are virgins. “Christians who take the twelve tribes in the passage as symbolizing the church consistently regard the number 144,000 as symbolic” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). There is no place in Scripture dividing Christians into classes.

The Bible teaches that all believers will live together in the New Heaven and the New Earth. Currently, when Christians die, we go immediately into the presence of Christ (Luke 23:43; Phil. 1:21-24). “All believers from all ages will be resurrected with immortal human bodies like Christ’s (Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 15:42-54; Phil. 3:21) and live together in the New Heaven and New Earth (Matt. 5:5; 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1)” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). All who are redeemed will see God and Christ (Matt. 5:8, 1 John 3:2, Rev. 21:3-4). 1 John 5:1 states: “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.” The “reign” referred to in Rev. 5:10 may be referring to God’s intention for people to exercise dominion on earth (Gen. 1:26,28) (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses).

Moreover, Scripture tells us that all believers are in the new covenant. Christ acts as mediator for all who are redeemed in Him (1 Tim. 2:5-6). Putting your faith in Christ means that you are born again (1 Pet. 1:3; 1 John 5:1). Through Christ, we are adopted into God’s Kingdom (Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 4:4-6; John 1:12-13). All who are saved are part of the church, the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13).

Questions to ask about Jesus (Melissa Dougherty) :

1. Doesn’t the everyone who believes’ truly include everyone and not just a select few of 144,000? If you believe that Jesus is the Christ, does that mean you were born of God?

Salvation

One’s view on salvation is essential to being a Christian. World Religions and Cults: Volume 1 edited by Hodge & Patterson gives a great explanation of what Scripture says about salvation: “The Bible says that salvation is deliverance, by the grace of God, from eternal punishment for sin, granted to those who accept by faith God’s conditions of repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus. Salvation is the result of faith in Jesus’ substitutionary death and bodily Resurrection (Romans 5:10, Ephesians 1:7). Scripture is clear that salvation is the work of God, His gracious underserved gift (Ephesians 2:5,8). Salvation is only available through faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). This faith involves repentance (Acts 3:19) and calling on the name of the Lord (Romans 10:9-10,13)” (201).

The Jehovah’s Witnesses version of the Gospel is quite different. They believe that Jesus died as a “ransom sacrifice” to “buy back what Adam lost: the right to perfect life on earth” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). Witnesses “deny three foundational tenants of the Christian faith: that Jesus is God Incarnate, that Jesus died to cleanse us of our personal sins, and that Jesus rose bodily from the dead. . . . Denying Jesus’ actual Resurrection contradicts the very foundations of biblical faith” (Hodge & Patterson, 201). 1 Corinthians 15:17 (KJV) states: “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.“

Further, they believe only Jehovah’s Witnesses will be saved (Hodge & Patterson, 201). Most hope they will be “found worthy enough to be ‘saved’ from destruction in the future battle of Armageddon” and to “survive into God’s new earthly system of rule, when ‘paradise’ will be restored to Earth” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). Their view of salvation depends on human works and obedience, which is why they push high standards of morality and strive to follow a strict set of rules (Hodge & Patterson, 201). Some of their rules ban what God forbids in Scripture, such as lying, sexual immorality, gambling, etc. However, there are also man-made prohibitions that are not supported by Scriptures, such as not being allowed to celebrate birthdays or holidays and not saluting flags (Hodge & Patterson, 201).

This reminds me of the Pharisees who held their man-made traditions and rules to the same level as God’s Word. This is legalism. There is no way we can be saved by our works because even our best works are tainted with sin. Witnesses acknowledge the holiness of God, which means they should also acknowledge the perfect standard of righteousness before a Holy God. In order to save ourselves, we would need to meet a perfect standard. Due to our sin nature, this would be impossible to do (see Matthew 19:16-26). As Isaiah 64:6 (KJV) says: “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.“

Instead, Scripture teaches us that good works cannot save you. Our good deeds are like filthy rags before the Lord (Isa. 64:6), and we all fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). There is absolutely nothing we can bring to the table. As Jonathan Edwards once said: “You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary.” Good works are the fruit and not the root of salvation. Good works are evidence of a changed, repentant heart. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe they must “prove their faith by doing everything the Governing Body tells them to do–attend the meetings, spend a minimum amount of time each month distributing literature and conducting home studies, and pledge to support the worldwide building program financially” (Hodge & Patterson, 202). Another method of good works is only for the “anointed remnant.” Only the “anointed remnant” are allowed to partake in the Lord’s Evening Meal, the annual memorial service of the death of Jesus, while everyone else can only watch (Hodge & Patterson, 202).

The Watchtower provides four requirements Witnesses must meet in order to be saved:

1. Take in knowledge of God and Jesus by studying the Bible.
2. Obey God’s laws, especially with regard to being moral.
3. Associate with God’s channel, His organization (there is only one), and serve God as part of it.
4. Support God’s government by loyally advocating God’s Kingdom rule to others.

“Nowhere in Scripture does it suggest that God is using Jehovah’s Witnesses as His sole channel of communication, that the Society is His exclusive earthly organization, or that you must belong to this organization to be saved. Such exclusivism is a mark of a cult” (Hodge & Patterson, 204). It is Christ who acts as our mediator, and He alone reconciles us back to God through His atonement. 1 Timothy 2:5 (KJV) says: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.“

To Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jesus’ atonement only paid for the sins of Adam, while our personal sin is still our responsibility (Hodge & Patterson, 202). The Watchtower explains: “Since a perfect human life [Adam’s] was lost, no imperfect human life could ever buy it back. What was needed was a ransom equal in value to what was lost. . . . In a sense, Jesus stepped into Adam’s place in order to save us. By sacrificing, or giving up, His perfect life in flawless obedience to God, Jesus paid the price for Adam’s sin. Jesus thus brought hope to Adam’s offspring” (Hodge & Patterson, 201-02). “According to this, faith does not guarantee salvation; it simply opens the possibility of salvation” (Hodge & Patterson, 202). A person is only acquitted when he dies, not when he believes in Christ as his Lord and Savior (Hodge & Patterson, 202). The rationale behind this is taking Romans 6:7 to be discussing a physical death and not in the correct context, which is spiritual death (Hodge & Patterson, 202). While Christians believe in a sin nature, starting with Adam, that Jesus paid the price for, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that “Jesus only died to take care of inherited sin, to give people hope of being saved” (Hodge & Patterson, 202). They believe this must be by their own works and not by the precious grace through Christ’s propriation. Thus, Witnesses do not consider themselves “Children of God” but only “Friends of God” (Melissa Dougherty).

“The ransom is totally undeserved. But by exercising faith in it, millions today have become friends of God, with the hope of everlasting life on a paradise earth. Becoming Jehovah’s friends, however, is not an assurance that we will remain in such a relationship with him. To escape God’s future day of wrath, we must keep on showing our deep appreciation for ‘the ransom paid by Christ Jesus.’ -Rom 3:24” (Examining the Scriptures Daily, Feb. 25, 2012).

For their entire lives, Witnesses have no real assurance of whether or not they are saved (Hodge & Patterson, 202). They believe they must “work toward perfection throughout this life, and then throughout Christ’s 1,000-year reign on earth. Next, they must pass the final test of Satan (during which Satan is released from the pit to tempt all faithful Witnesses one last time) before God will grant them eternal life. If they fail at any point, they are at risk of annihilation (eternal destruction)” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses).

1 John 5:10-13 grants us assurance of salvation for those who are saved. Our assurance rests in Jesus and only because of Jesus “will we rise from death, made perfect in Christ” (Heb. 10:10,14; John 5:24). Besides the salvaic heresy, this whole premise is incorrect. Revelation 20:5 teaches that “those who are not part of the first resurrection will ‘not come to life until the thousand years’ are completed” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). There isn’t a Scriptural foundation for a 1,000-year period for people who have died to be given a “second chance at perfection” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). Revelation 20:15 reveals to us that “whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” “After final judgment, God will bring about the New Heaven and New Earth with no trace of sin’s curse (2 Pet. 3:7; Heb. 1:10-12; Rev. 21) (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses).

Witnesses have placed a burden on themselves to meet a standard they can never meet. No human can be perfect. It must be a terrible burden to not have a true assurance but to carry the burden of thinking salvation depends on yourself. At any moment, their “hope of living forever in the restored earthly paradise” can be taken away (Hodge & Patterson, 202). It’s bound to happen since we all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) and are bound to sin. “The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ view of salvation could be summed up by this short statement (from an edition of the watchtower from the 2000): ‘Yes, to gain salvation it is not enough to have faith'” (Hodge & Patterson, 203). In contrast, Ephesians 2:8-9 states: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.“

Man-made Rules

The Watchtower Society has an intricate level of standards and rules that are not specified in the Bible. The example Melissa provides is that no beards are allowed, for they are viewed as worldly. They are not allowed to listen to any kind of Christian music because that’s also seen as worldly and Satanic. Singing about Jesus is considered idolizing Jesus over Jehovah. The Governing Body dictates who Witnesses spend time with, for association matters because it reflects on their standing in the organization. They want them to avoid others in the world, so they aren’t exposed to the truth. How you spend your time is also very rigid, for Witnesses are put on a tight schedule for witnesses and going to the Kingdom Hall. You will be monitored if you do not attend Kingdom Hall. In fact, spying and snitching on one another in encouraged (Melissa Dougherty).

Jehovah’s Witnesses try to use Genesis 9:2-6 and Leviticus 17:11 to forbid their members from getting blood transfusions (Hodge & Patterson, 207). “We know that blood transfusions aid in the preservation of life. When we use someone’s blood to keep life going, we uphold the principle of the sanctity of life. However, Jehovah’s Witnesses turn the symbol of life (blood) into something more important than what it symbolizes” (Hodge & Patterson, 207). Additionally, Witnesses also base this notion off of an incorrect interpretation of Acts 15:20 (Hodge & Patterson, 208). The correct context of this verse is discussing still eating meat with the blood still in it (Hodge & Patterson, 208). During a blood transfusion, blood is transplanted, not absorbed, ingested, or taken as food (Hodge & Patterson, 208). “Hospital liaison committees” will intervene and “apply a great deal of pressure to the family of Witnesses who may face a life-or-death decision about blood transfusions” (Hodge & Patterson, 208). The Governing Body used to teach that organ transplants were a form of cannibalism and that they would transmit the personality of the person it came from (Hodge & Patterson, 208). Nevertheless, this prohibition has been inconsistent and what is considered acceptable has changed over the years (Hodge & Patterson, 208).

Additionally, Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t celebrate holidays or birthdays (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). The reasons why are that Witnesses consider them to have pagan origins and that Jesus only commanded the celebration of His death, so “true Christians do not commemorate anything but Jesus’ death (and their own wedding anniversaries)” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). They use Genesis 40, where the Pharaoh hung the chief of bakers on his birthday, even though Pharaoh also released the cupbearer, and Matthew 14 , where Herod had John the Baptist beheaded on his birthday (Melissa Dougherty). Birthdays are thus considered evil. Abraham celebrated Isaac’s birthday (Gen. 21:8) and the angels celebrated Christ’s birth (Melissa Dougherty). Also, the main reason why Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas is because of their devaluing of Jesus (Doreen Virtue). Many customs do not have Pagan origins or have excluded the Pagan aspects. The same principle of Christian freedom Paul gives in Romans 14 “when addressing the subject of holiday celebrations and eating pagan sacrificial meat should hold true for all Christians” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). Romans 14:5-6 says: “One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.“

Further, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe that true Christians should be involved in politics, vote in elections, salute national flags, or fight in wars (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). This is because they are to have “no part” in the world’s “wicked system” (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses). Truly, in Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus encourages Christians to be “salt” and “light.” Many prominent Biblical figures engaged in war and were politically active, including Daniel (Babylon), the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 (treasurer), and Cornelius of Acts 10 (soldier) (10 Q&A Jehovah’s Witnesses).

Questions to ask about man-made rules (The Truth Hurts):

1. If true Christians should avoid all pagan practices, why do Jehovah’s Witnesses adopt practices such as excommunication, shunning, and wedding rings?

Scandals of Pedophilia and Abuse

The Watchtower has a two-witness rule taken from Deuteronomy 19:15 and Matthew 18:15-16 (Melissa Dougherty). To the Witness, this means that if Brother _________ does something completely inappropriate and wrong with a child and a child goes to the parent, who then goes to an elder, the elders will say “Did anyone witness this happening? If nobody witnessed it, then we can’t do anything about it. We need to have more than one witness to this event” (Melissa Dougherty). They document these accusations and send it headquarters but don’t go to the authorities (Melissa Dougherty). The justification is that Jehovah will work it out, and that they don’t want to bring reproach on Jehovah’s organization (Melissa Dougherty). This same logic also applies to acts of domestic violence (Doreen Virtue). Ex-witnesses have finally been opening up the past decade (Melissa Dougherty).

In one account, the abuse was happening by an elder, who continued his duties for the ten years before the abuse came to light (The Truth Hurts). He was doing home and away public talks, saying prayers on behalf of small groups of brothers and sisters and the congregation, completing shepherding visits on families with small children, and participating in judicial committees (The Truth Hurts)

This video (WARNING: graphic description of abuse) talks in-depthly about the sex trafficking/pedophile ring.

Trying to Leave

Melissa Dougherty equates the relationship between the Witness and the Governing Body to a toxic relationship. There’s manipulation, and Witnesses stay out of fear, guilt, and spiritual gaslighting. The Organization puts shame and guilt on the Witness trying to leave and does” not take responsibility.

How to Witness to them Effectively (Melissa Dougherty)

1. Use the Socratic method and ask a series of intellectual questions that leads them to come a conclusion. Let them defend their position. They aren’t going to listen to what you have to say. Get them to think

2. Because Witnesses are used to conditional love and fear, show kindness and patience

3. Prayer

4. Get them to look at parts of Scripture that they don’t get to look at

5. Keep them focused on the Watchtower organization. If you get them to doubt the organization, then they will doubt everything else they believe in because they’re so tied together. This is because Witnesses believe the organization is the channel through which God speaks to humankind.

6. Use their own literature and Bible against them. Remember anything not from the organization is apostacy, and apostates are worse than Satan to a Jehovah’s Witness. This is a great video on how to do that.

7. Use their terminology

8. Don’t bring up the Trinity, Hell, or the Immortal Soul too soon. They are taught to loathe it, so there is both an emotional and mental block. They are extremely trained to refute this topic.

9. Have patience because they are extremely deceived

10. Don’t tell them they’re in a cult because this feeds into the martyr mentality taught

11. Don’t give them tracts because they will just throw them out

Jehovah’s Witnesses Terms Summary (Melissa Dougherty)

1. Grace (cannot be earned, only accepted) = undeserved kindness (must be earned by doing what Watchtower tells you)
2. Salvation (Jesus alone) = Jesus only died for Adam’s sin and Witnesses have to do the rest through theocratic work (strictly adhere to organization)
3. The Bible (the Word of God as it is) = NWT (added)
4. Heaven = where God dwells and where only 144,000 will go
5. Holy Spirit (God, part of Trinity) = impersonal force used by Jehovah God
6. Eternal Life (forgiveness of sins and will live with God personally) = on paradise earth and only for Witnesses
7. Godhead (The Trinity–Father, Son, Holy Spirit) = just the Father
8. Jesus (God in the flesh, Savior of the World, not a spirit creature, not an angel) = not God but Michael the Archangel
9. Atonement (Jesus took our place on the cross to pay for our sins, cannot add) = makes it possible for earning our salvation
10. The Gospel (Christ alone) = The Good News of the Kingdom on Earth (paradise earth, Jesus throned invisibly in 1914)
11. Armageddon (place mentioned once in Revelation) = when Jesus will come and destroy the entire world system with brimstone and fire and bring in the new system, all worldly things will be destroyed
12. Baptism = into the organization, not in the name of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit
13. Bible Study = Watchtower Study
14. Hell = no Hell; Jehovah God would never do something like that; believe in annihilation; upon death, in a sleep of non-existence unless deemed worthy or need to be given a second chance (Hades)
15. Trinity (1 God in 3 distinct, separate persons) = three separate gods
16. Sin (Jesus pays for alone) = Jesus only paid for inherited sin from Adam not personal sin, pay for through death (why can be resurrected) and through theocratic works
17. The Organization = the Governing Body (slave class)
18. The Great Crowd = every Jehovah’s Witness that is not of the anointed class
19. Paradise Earth =  a belief that there will be a new earth separated from Heaven and God, taken out of context from Matthew 6:10, 5:5, and Psalm 37:9

Conclusion

One thing that I hope you take away from this article is the importance of knowing what Scripture says. If Scripture is taken out of context, then it’s not God’s Word anymore. Since the beginning, Satan has been twisting God’s Word and deceiving man into a false assurance and religion. The Jehovah’s Witness Governing Body is similar to the Pharisees in that they both add man-made rules and attribute them to God. The Jehovah’s Witness cult is a works- and fear–based religion with no promise of hope, peace, or salvation. Grace is a gift granted by faith and not by works. Witnesses lack assurance and think Armageddon is imminent. Additionally, Witnesses are not allowed to question the Organization and are isolated from the outside world and from their loved ones if they do question the Organization. “People in a cult seldom realize they are in a cult until they try to leave. The price to be paid for walking out is sometimes so great that Witnesses will keep their fears and thoughts to themselves and go through the motions just to avoid being disfellowshipped and shunned” (Hodge & Patterson, 210). The changing rules and mind control leave Witnesses lost without even knowing it. Let us have compassion for these lost people and witness to them the true Gospel that brings true salvation.

Summary Chart

Doctrine	Jehovah’s Witnesses
God	Deny the Trinity; Jehovah is the only god; Jesus was created as Michael the Archangel and became the Son at His baptism; the “holy spirit” is an impersonal force of Jehovah
Authority/Revelation	The New World translation of the Bible; the Governing Body and its publications, which contain new revelations (“increasing light”)
Man	A created being with a free will who must choose to obey Jehovah
Sin	Transgression of Jehovah’s commands as well as other legalistic restrictions announced by the Governing Body; an individual’s sins are removed at death
Salvation	Salvation comes from obeying laws and by doing good works; Jesus died to atone only for Adam’s sin, not the sins of individuals; there is no concept of hell or eternal punishment; eternal paradise will be obtained by only a select few while others will have their souls annihilated
Creation	The Genesis account is acknowledged, but with a day-age understanding; the earth and universe are billions of years old; biological evolution to some extent is allowed, but man was specially created

Hodge & Patterson, 210

Further Resources

–jwfacts.com

–4jehovah.org

-Witnessing to a Jehovah Witness

-Living Waters

Resources

– World Religions and Cults (Volume 1) by Bodie Hodge & Roger Patterson (link here)

– 10 Q&A on Jehovah’s Witnesses by Rose Publishing (link here)

– ESV Study Bible (link here)

–Melissa Dougherty

-Matthew Henry Commentary (link here)

-Mike Winger

-Doreen Virtue

–The Truth Hurts

–Fixing My Faith (ExJw)