Jehovah’s Witnesses: The Cult Whose Name Is A Misnomer

Part I: The Story

One Tuesday in the late morning I returned home from running some errands. Shortly thereafter, there was someone at my door, two middle aged ladies. I opened the door and stood in the doorway as I talked with them. I suspected right away that they were Jehovah’s Witnesses, or so they call themselves, but it is really a misnomer since they do not even know who Jehovah is, seeing that they deny his own words. I quickly saw that they were carrying a New World Translation of the Bible, confirming my suspicions. I thought “O what a great opportunity to witness, God brought these people to my door.”

Before they could say much I first pointed out something upon which we agreed - that neither of us celebrates the unbiblical pagan holidays. I then said that the biggest problem I have with JW’s is that they don’t believe in the deity of Christ (or of the Holy Ghost). I pointed out Isaiah 40:3 and I said that I believe that this is a prophecy of Christ’s coming. The one lady said she agreed that it was, and I told her that Christ is Jehovah. (In the Greek, as well as in the New World Translation, the word LORD in the KJV is actually “Jehovah”) Here she disagreed, but we know that Christ is Jehovah because this prophecy was fulfilled by Christ in Matthew 3:3. John the Baptist was the one preparing the way for Jehovah. John the Baptist was the one who prepared the way for the coming of Jesus Christ. We then discussed some other verses as well.

Both I and the one lady did a fair amount of talking, perhaps she more, I tried to give them a copy of “The Crisis” by Jack T. Chick but she would not take it. I did say that I admired the fact that they went door to door (it’s a Biblical way to get converts). I basically said that I was not prepared to talk to them anymore because I did not have any other Bible references ready to discuss. I think she thought she was getting to me with her false teachings, and so she invited herself back, and we agreed to begin again next Tuesday morning sometime between 11:00 and 11:30.

The next Tuesday morning I woke up shortly after 6:00 and put together three pages of notes, mostly verses, and dug up lots of information on the history of Jehovah’s Witnesses and Westcott and Hort of whose Greek version of the New Testament the JW’s used for their Bible Translation. I also compared some verses between their Bible and ours.

I just knew they were going to come early, and so I gathered all my materials together, my Bible, their Bible, printouts of embarrassing (to them) pages from old watchtower magazines, and my three pages of notes.

I walked out on the porch at 10:45 and planned to wait for them, but no waiting did I. Nearly as soon as I walked out they came, and we began. This time the lead lady brought a different sidekick - an elderly woman. Perhaps I’m a suspicious person, but I believe here that I’m dealing with the devil, and we know his subtle tricks. She came early in an effort to catch me unawares, and she brought with her an old lady to calm my demeanor and arouse sympathy. After all, who would dare criticize a sweet old lady?

Now it is very important to speak gently and recognize verbally when they are correct. Most likely these ladies were well meaning. However, this cannot hold you back from speaking the truth, because Hell is a reality which we can’t suppose men avoid by any means other than that described in and by the word of God. They were pleased to see my copy of their Bible. I did complement on a few of the good features it has, because, after all God’s name is Jehovah, and I don’t think there is anything wrong with translating it for what it is. Before they could say much we immediately got into sharing verses which prove the deity of Christ, and of the Holy Ghost (not what she wanted to talk about). When I mentioned John 10:30 she says “Yes, but what kind of oneness is that?” Very tricky indeed she is. At one point I said “Did you know that the people who write the Watchtower magazine claim to be prophets?” She said “No they don’t.” I said “O really?” I then walked over to the porch step, lifted up the NWT Bible I had setting there and pulled out a copy of an old watchtower magazine and said that in this watchtower issue from 1972 they claim just that. She wrote down the issue date and page and said she would look it up to check it out. I also pointed out that if you read the old watchtower magazines from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s that there are a lot of prophesies that never came true, and that the whole Jehovah’s Witness movement, if you will allow me to call it that, was began by false prophets. I pointed out that the Bible defines false prophets as those who make predictions which fail to come to pass (Deuteronomy 18:20-22). She agreed that that was the right definition of a false prophet. She also made this strange statement; she said that they (JW’s) do not consider those who are “spirit anointed to be divinely inspired.” So I said “So first you say that they do not claim to be prophets, and then when I show you that they do you say that those who are spirit anointed are not considered divinely inspired, it sounds to me like you are saying that the divinely inspired are not divinely inspired, as if they cannot be held accountable for what they say?” She did not have much of a response to that.

Then I finally got around to 1 John 5:7. I said that “I think part of the problem here is your translation.” I said “I know this verse isn’t in your Bible but I’m going to read it for you anyhow.” She says “I know what it says.” Then I read it “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” She said “That’s a spurious verse.” I said “O really, do you know anything about how your Bible was translated?” She said “well it was translated from the best copies of the originals.” I said “well that’s what you’ve been told.” I said “do you know what Greek text was primarily used for the translation of your Bible’s New Testament?” She did not know. I said that “the Greek text used was the one put together by Westcott and Hort, do you know who they were?” She did not know. I said “they supported the Roman Catholic Church.” She said “well everyone did, but there were those who knew the truth.” I said “did you know that these people did not even believe that the scripture was inspired, and you trust them to put a text together?” I said “did you know that these people based their text off two or three percent of the copies of scripture that were in existence?* And that they disregarded the majority of scripture. Just because the copies they chose may have been older, it does not mean that they were original.”

We also discussed John chapter 1 which their Bible badly mistranslates, as well as some other verses. I noticed her looking at her watch. She tried to get onto another subject, but I would not let her, and then I mentioned the fact that she was denying Christ for her failure to accept his divinity. She again tried to move onto another subject and I said “Well it is time for you to go,” and I motioned and pointed with my hand toward their van. She said “Hans you did this on purpose!” She tried to talk some more and I said “We have nothing else to talk about, because you deny Christ." I pointed to her van and said “You can leave now.” She said “well you read such and such a verse.” And I said “and you can read 2 John 1:7-11, and then you’ll know why I don’t let you in the house.” As they began to walk away I said “I pray you repent.” And I spent some time praying for them shortly thereafter.

Some explanations of this account

There were more details to our discussion/debate than I have written above, since writing every detail would be too time consuming. I have also written it as I remember, and it is possible that some of it is out of order or paraphrased. You can read Part II (the meat of the argument), which includes references for the facts shared in this account, as well as more arguments against the Jehovah’s Witness cult. When she said “Hans you did this on purpose!” I assume she was referring to the fact that I had planned for them to come back so that I could witness to them, and to the fact that I never let her get on to any other subject but that Glorious subject of our Lord Jesus Christ. I believe that it would have been an insult to God to let her speak a word after failing to recognize Christ in such a way as she did. Further, if she could not recognize Christ, I found it doubtful that she would be able to recognize anything else. You can't move on in Christian theology with people who do not even believe in something so basic as our Lord Jesus Christ.

Also see a related Post > The Godhead (Holy Trinity)

Delivered Unto Satan: Proving Whose Child We Are

How is 1 Corinthians 5:5 meant to be understood?

“To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” - 1 Corinthians 5:5

There is a man whom I consider to be a prophet and evangelist, or at the very least a man who has done much for God. He told a story of his experience which is recorded below the way I remember it and with the meaning I got from it.

He shared that his one daughter came to visit him one day. He had been praying for her for seven years because she was raised as a Christian, but had been living in disobedience to the scripture, both by her lifestyle and the way she dressed. He told her that he just could not pray for her anymore, but that he prayed for God to remove the hedge of protection from her. He desired her to see trouble in the flesh so that she might repent and be saved (or perhaps to repent and revive Christ as the center of her life). That her trouble in the flesh may wake her up from her spiritual slumber. She thought he did not love her when he told her that he prays for God to take his protection away from her. He told her that it is because he loves her that he prayed in that manner. He also said that if he did not pray that way that it would just kill him. He could not bear to grieve over her any longer. Finally, after hearing him share that with her she repented, and changed her life.

When I heard this story I immediately thought of 1 Corinthians 5:5 and 1 Timothy 1:20. I believe that this is the same approach which the apostle Paul took with certain believers(?) when he used the phrase “delivered unto Satan.”

There are also two other portions of scripture (in Job and in Luke) which come to mind, which may be useful to bring into our consideration on this subject (also perhaps Psalms 109:6 and Acts 26:18).

Below we can read Job 2:3-7 and see how God allowed Job to be delivered unto Satan, with the stipulation that his life was not entirely destroyed. However, the life which he knew was destroyed. His own body was diseased and pained, and he lost all of his worldly wealth and much of his family. And yet he remained faithful to God and received by his life’s end more than he formerly had (Job 42:1-17). By this example we see what the experience and result of being delivered unto Satan may be. It is to prove whether we be a child of God or a child of the devil (1 John 3:10, 4:4, John 8:44, Romans 8:14-17, Romans 9:11, 26-27).

“And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.” - Job 2:3-7

In a sense this is also what we see happening to Peter in Luke 22:31-34.

“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.”

Here Peter is tested, and he fails the test. But realizing his mistake he repents, and is only then finally converted into a more faithful disciple.

Another thought echoed by many commentators is that “delivered unto Satan” simply means to cast out of the church fellowship - to excommunicate. Since one is casting them out of God’s Kingdom and into Satan’s. I object to this idea, as it infers that men have power to say who is and who is not in God’s Kingdom. I do not believe any man has that power. I see that power as belonging to Christ alone (Romans 8:34). Though I am sure the Pope of Rome would claim that power since he claims to be the vicar of Christ (the substitute for Christ). Also, that would not fit Paul’s description of the flesh being destroyed in order for the spirit to be saved. The idea of someone reentering Christ’s Kingdom after being cast out of Christ’s kingdom is most absurd (Hebrews 6:4-8). This opinion falsely equates the institutional churches to the true church (the bride of Christ). It should be obvious that the institutional churches are not the same as God‘s true church. There have been, are, and will continue to be saints shunned by the institutional churches, as well as children of the devil who are accepted by (and perhaps leading) the institutional churches.

So then, regarding the interpretation of the phrase “delivered unto Satan” I agree with John Chrysostom as can be evidenced by reading his homily (sermon) on 1 Timothy 1:20, and with the comments of Jamieson, Fausset and Brown regarding 1 Corinthians 5:5. Further, I believe that there are faithful servants of God in this present day who have the power through the Holy Ghost to deliver men unto Satan. As faithful men (I mean mankind) in service to God they will know God's will in particular matters and be instruments of God to declare his will and to put in effect His judgment, just as the Apostle Paul did. The gifts of the Spirit are in God’s people just as they have always been. The Holy scriptures to not teach otherwise. If you doubt this consider John 14:12, and how that after Christ went to the Father the Holy Ghost was sent to earth to be with us until Christ’s return. This is plainly known by all who know the scriptures.

Two Recollections

There are many experiences I have that convince me of the reality of God, and the fact that he is very actively working today. There are many amazing accounts that have been written by many people, but here I will share two experiences which served to strengthen my faith. Now these are only two of the many happenings. I see God at work in many things, and if I wrote them all down I would not have enough paper (or megabytes of storage). Though these stories are simple and only about ordinary happenings they are nonetheless meaningful to me.

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A year ago I needed to get so many hours of night flying to meet a requirement. So here I was flying at night by myself in a small single engine airplane (a Cessna 172, that plane had nice equipment also). It was May 12, 2009 as I know from my pilot logbook. I enjoy flying at night because it is very peaceful, and quite (when wearing a headset). The flight went well and if I remember correctly the airport was deserted or at least nearly so after I returned. (It’s an uncontrolled airport, no tower.) Something about feeling all alone at night put me in the mood of thankfulness and of wanting to seek more of a closeness to God. I had about an hour drive home from this airport and decided that I wanted to listen to some Christian music, which at that time I rarely did. I only have a radio in my car so I was searching through the stations looking for some Christian music. I was slightly surprised and frustrated that I could not find anything good, and I prayed that I would. I had certain classic rock stations programmed into my radio. I thought to myself that God is so awesome that if he wanted to he could even make a classic rock radio station play Christian music. (and that’s exactly what he did!) I checked my regular classic rock stations and the third station was now playing Christian music! I praised God and from that time forth to today that station, 107.5 now plays Christian music. It used to be “Frank FM” but is now WBYN FM. Some of the “Christian” music on there is made to glorify the musician or the tune rather than God, but they do also play some good Christian music. Moreover I discovered “Truth for Life” and “Walk in the Word” which are generally good Biblical programs from what I have heard of them. I enjoy listening to them when I happen to be in the car when they are on, which does not happen much now.

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The past couple of months I have been riding bicycle nearly everywhere and I generally only drive my car once a week, just to make sure it still runs well, especially considering the colder weather now. (why I ride bicycle now is a story for another day on another blog) When I ride my bicycle there is a traffic light shortly before I get to work. If anyone has experience riding bicycle or even motorcycle than one knows that traffic lights often are not aware of their existence. This means that I was always hoping for a car to be there so that the light will change in order for me to go. Often there is no car around so I make a right turn on the red light, and then make a U-turn and go my merry way. Well one day as I approached the light and began to make the right turn I thought to myself, if God wanted to he could change the light for me. As soon as I thought this I saw the light turn green and I continued and was able to go left instead of right and then making a U-turn. I Praise God for this! And to this day the traffic light always changes for my bicycle. I even used to ride my scooter (legally a motorcycle) there and the light never changed for it, and it is larger and much heavier than my bicycle.

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There are many times when events and circumstances seem to go my way even when by all reason they should not. I attribute these happenings to the grace of God and his tender mercies. (Psalm 40:11) What I am talking about are reminders and pleasant surprises which barely happen, or things which easily might not have been nor resulted if things had just been a little different. Also, over and over again there are circumstances and events which are pieced together so carefully and out side of my control that I have no other conclusion than that they were put together that way by God for a purpose. Often I am convinced that they are the result of my or others prayers but however it is; it is God working for his purposes and he is working in a way so that all things work together for good to those that love him and are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) Though we must be careful not to rely only on outward events as evidence of God’s approval. For Satan may be allowed to deceive us thereby. Consider Job. And consider that the physical blessings of riches tend to lead one astray (Revelation 3:17, Matthew 19:23, Proverbs 30:8-9).

Don’t get pricked by the needle!

At the farm where I sometimes work we have a syringe to which a needle is attached which is used to give oxytocin injections to certain cows. There is one fellow who used to work there who appeared to think outside the box a bit more than others. One day he said “Here” as he threw to me the syringe with the attached needle. I was attempting to catch it, but at the last moment I stepped back and withdrew my hands because I thought that if I caught it I would surely prick my hand. He was pleased that I did not attempt to catch it at all costs. Because of course I did not have to catch it, though at first I assumed I did, but before it was too late I realized I did not. He said that the last person he threw it to caught it and got pricked. (Perhaps he should not be throwing needles at people, but the point was made).

I share this because in many ways we will be in a dangerous situation if we make assumptions or if we believe everything we hear. This story was not really a dangerous situation. But if we consider its parts; the needle, the thrower, the message of “Here” and the assumption that we must catch it, and us, and our reaction, and the results of our action. We could imagine the needle as sin (which leads unto death) and its thrower as Satan and the message and its accompanying assumption as the doctrines of men. Then also there is us; that is, each one of us and our reaction, and the results. So this could be compared to Satan deceiving men so that they work for him by spreading messages which leads others to sin, and we who are deceived by these messages sin (catch the needle) and receive death (Hell) as the consequence of believing (being deceived by) Satan. The reason we “catch the needle” is because we believe the lie that we must catch it. I guess I’d better give an example. One false doctrine taught by men (who believe Satan) is that any true thing cannot offend many “Christians.” Some actually believe (make-believe) that if a particular teaching is judgmental to many who call themselves Christians that that particular teaching is a lie. This of course is a logical fallacy, appealing to the common misconception that “if everyone else is doing it, it must be alright” The danger is that if the Bible teaches a thing which many who call themselves Christians do not believe, than we assume that we do not have to believe it either, so we don’t believe it. In doing this we deny the scripture, and its words condemn us because we don’t yield to it. And this brings us to another common lie; that God would not be so cruel as to deny us life simply because we were believing other Christians (rather than the word of God). We’ll here is a news flash; WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE ? Remember that we deserve nothing but Hell and God Loves us so much. Cannot we lay down our pride and selfishness for just a moment to seek him? Where the scriptures written is vain? Is the word of God for naught? So now you know what I mean when I say Don’t get pricked by the needle!

Part of the solution is that we need to be able to think out side the box. (in the sense that we are unconformed to the world and only conformed to Christ (Romans 8:29, 12:2)) God does not confine himself to working inside a box (neither indeed can he). Likewise, it is impossible for us to put God in a box. (By in a box I mean restricting who God is in opposition to what the scriptures teach, we do this by believing lies, any lie we believe gives us a false picture of reality, and lies are taught everywhere, we can only renew our minds and look to God to teach us) When we do put God in a box then God becomes god. Then he is no longer the God of the Prophets and Apostles, no longer the God of the Holy scriptures, no longer the God of reality. Then he becomes a god of our imagination who cannot save us, nor empower us, nor ultimately do any thing for us except inflate our bent to sin.

“With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright. With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury. And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down. For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness. For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God? God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places.” 2 - Samuel 22:26-34

“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” -Proverbs 30:5-6

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” - Isaiah 40:8

And Jesus Said;

“And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.” -Luke 8:21

“But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” -Luke 11:28

I’ll tell you what a tragedy is

While contemplating the inevitable but hopefully distant death of my physical body I thought of this… It came to me very quickly at work one day (7/26/2010) and I wrote it down after I had returned home later that evening.

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What is being read to you now was written by me before I died with the hope that this would be read at my funeral. You may be surprised at this as it is not generally done, but you won’t speak ill of the dead will you? Some of you here today only step foot in a church for a funeral so while you are in a church, why would we waste the time discussing a mere man as myself when you could hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ? It was once said, “never waste a good tragedy.”

Well here you are at my funeral. This may be considered a tragedy of sorts. Though I know not how I shall die as I write this I believe my death was not a tragedy. Why? Because I have Faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. You can see the evidence of this saving faith by my actions and way of life, and yet God alone judges the intents and motives of the heart of a man. I pray that when this is read it is read to those who do not need to hear it. But if lack of faith in the Word of God continues to grow the way it is now this will be in need of hearing.

So what is a tragedy ? I’ll tell you what a tragedy is.

A tragedy is when men live their lives as though they cannot understand who God is, when all they have to do is read the scriptures.

A tragedy is when one who professes to be a Christian is living the same as those of the world.

A tragedy is when one hears God’s voice and refuses to obey it.

A tragedy is when one calls themselves a Christian merely because of their upbringing rather than personally knowing Jesus Christ.

A tragedy is when men forfeit their witness of Christ for the sake of worldly gain.

A tragedy is when one stores up treasures on earth rather than in heaven.

A tragedy is every day that a man fails to yield himself to God.

A tragedy is when one lets the years pass by knowing that they have not done God’s will.

A tragedy is when men profess with their mouth to know Christ, but in works they deny him.

A tragedy is when the world looks at the Christian church and is unconvinced that it is the true religion because they can see no difference between “Christians” and other religious peoples.

And perhaps the greatest tragedy of all is when a man brings unto himself death and damnation by so hardening his heart his whole life long, dying in sin and never knowing the mercy, grace and bountiful blessings which God bestows on those who deny themselves take up their cross daily and follow him. (Luke 9:23) (Pause)

Now in contrast to tragedy; the joyous life can be ours through Christ Jesus.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is this;

Man is lost in sin and cannot save himself. The penalty for this sin is death and hell. But God sent his son Jesus Christ who died for us taking the penalty for our sin. That believing in him we may have eternal life. We are saved and receive life when we repent of our sins and place our faith in Jesus Christ accepting God’s gift of grace. This grace which we cannot earn by our own doing and which we do not deserve, is only a gift from God, so that we may be saved by faith in Jesus Christ. Christ, whose shed blood and death on the cross was the final sacrifice for the sins of all men who come to God repenting of their sin acknowledging that they are lost and can only by saved through Him. Trusting God to save them from their sin repenting of it and placing their faith in him. (Pause) Will you be saved? (Pause)

Now I have one small request. I request that before my coffin is lowered into the earth that if you have not accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour that you would spit on my coffin. This is a small request... for this is what you do to God everyday that you turn from him, everyday which you disbelieve the Holy Bible. Just think of all that God has done for you,... though you may fail to claim those richest blessings. So this one small request… After all I am only a man… if you can spit in the face of God neglecting so great a gift as he has given, then it is but a small insignificant thing for you to spit on a dead man’s grave.

For God Almighty is a Most Holy God. Amen.

Sage Parable

The other day I went to a greenhouse to buy a sage plant. After searching through the herb section of the green house I was disappointed as I did not find any sage. As I was leaving I passed by a table of plants with a big sign reading “Free.” I thought I might as well take a look at what was there. I shortly realized that most of the plants on the “free” table were in fact sage. Just what I was looking for! I looked over them; they were dry, unhealthy and all but dead. Then my eyes saw one that had moist soil, it was green, alive and healthy, even with some pretty purple flowers. I could not believe the best plant there was free! I looked at that plant on the table and at the “free” sign, and then I happily took that free sage plant home to my garden.

The second day thence it occurred to me: This could be a parable.

The plants represent the things people fill their lives with. The herbs represent the things we are looking for. The sage plants represent religions. My eyes represent the Holy Spirit, as it is only through the Holy Spirit that we can tell true religion from false. The Sage plant that was alive represents true Christianity. Christianity being the only religion that leads to life.

This is just how we are. We look for things to fill our lives to bring us happiness. But we waste time looking because we look for the wrong things. The best thing, and the only thing that can fill us and make us whole (Col 2:10) is FREE (at the same time we must count the cost see Luke 14:25-34). Let us not overlook God’s free gift. That free gift of Grace by Faith - Faith in Jesus Christ. (Eph. 2:8, Gal 2:16)