.
Let's turn that question around and ask: Why don't "christians" of any denomination go door-to-door talking about Jesus? Or more specifically, Does the author of the 20 questions go door-to-door preaching Christ?
I doubt it. If he does he is an exception.
Another question thinking people might ask is this: Who did Christ preach about when he was on the earth? The answer, of course, is that Jesus preached about Jehovah, his Father. Isn't it reasonable that those who try to follow Christ's footsteps will also do the same?
The fact of the matter is, though, Jehovah's Witnesses do preach about Jesus. The sub-heading of the Watchtower carries the caption: Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom Who is the king of Jehovah's kingdom? Jesus, of course. The Watchtower publishes numerous articles about the life, ministry and kingdom of Christ. Here is a link to the Watchtower's website with articles about Jesus.
Watchtower.org
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Saturday, March 29, 2008
Saturday, June 30, 2007
#8 CAN YOU FIND JUST ONE SCRIPTURE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT THAT SAYS YOU SHOULD TELL EVERYBODY THAT GOD’S NAME IS JEHOVAH?
There is no reason to confine the answer to the New Testament, other than the fact that the questioner wishes to restrict Jehovah’s Witnesses from using the entire Bible to present an answer. But even confining the answer to the Greek Scriptures, the 19th chapter of Revelation uses the expression “Hallelujah.” That expression literally means “Praise Jah.”
Jah is the shortened form of the name Jehovah and it appears dozen of times in the Hebrew Scriptures, especially in the Psalms. (See Wikipedia) So even though Bible translators have gone to great lengths to sanitize their versions of the Bible of all traces of God’s personal name, they have not been entirely successful.
Reasoning on the 19th chapter of Revelation, given the fact that God’s worshippers on earth will be given the rousing exhortation to “Praise Jah” it means that they are familiar with the name of God prior to that event. Undoubtedly, Jehovah's Witnesses will be the ones who respond to the angelic exhortaion to "praise Jah" when he exectues judgment upon Babylon the Great.
Jah is the shortened form of the name Jehovah and it appears dozen of times in the Hebrew Scriptures, especially in the Psalms. (See Wikipedia) So even though Bible translators have gone to great lengths to sanitize their versions of the Bible of all traces of God’s personal name, they have not been entirely successful.
Reasoning on the 19th chapter of Revelation, given the fact that God’s worshippers on earth will be given the rousing exhortation to “Praise Jah” it means that they are familiar with the name of God prior to that event. Undoubtedly, Jehovah's Witnesses will be the ones who respond to the angelic exhortaion to "praise Jah" when he exectues judgment upon Babylon the Great.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Question #7: CAN YOU GIVE JUST ONE SCRIPTURE WHERE JESUS SPECIFICALLY TOLD HIS DISCIPLES TO TELL EVERYONE ABOUT THE NAME OF JEHOVAH?
Of course, the answer is no. But, as with some of the author’s other questions, this question seems intended to primarily prevent Jehovah’s Witnesses from reasoning upon the Scriptures. After all, if a person really wanted to know the truth, why would they phrase questions in such a way that required the answerer to simply cite a verse or two from what Jesus spoke? Persons who are genuinely interested in knowing the truth will be willing to reason upon the Scriptures as a whole.
The truth is, there has been a sustained effort over many centuries by enemies of the truth, both human and superhuman, to conceal the name of God from mankind. It began before the time of Christ, when a Jewish superstition developed that the name of God was too holy to be pronounced. For instance in the 23rd chapter of Jeremiah Jehovah stated: “They are thinking of making my people forget my name by means of their dreams that they keep relating each one to the other, just as their fathers forgot my name by means of Baal.”
Some years after Christ the custom was renewed and the Christian Greek Scriptures were purged of any mention of YHWH. And of course, the vast majority of Bible translations today have followed the satanic practice of not publishing the personal name of the Creator. This was done in order to better promote the outrageous lie that Jesus is God.
But how likely is it that Jesus and his apostles followed the superstitious customs of the Jewish clergy?
Here’s a question for thinking persons: When Jesus read from the Scriptures or quoted verses where the name of God appeared in the Hebrew text, would Christ have refrained from speaking the personal name of his heavenly Father? That is not likely. Especially in view of the fact that Jesus once said in prayer to God: “I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world.”
And Jesus frequently cited texts in the Hebrew Scriptures where the divine name appeared. For instance, on the occasion when he was tempted by the Devil three times each time that Jesus responded by saying “it is written,” he then went on to quote a verse that contained the personal name of God.
On another occasion in a Jewish synagogue Jesus read from the scroll of Isaiah where it said “The spirit of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah is upon me, for the reason that Jehovah has anointed me to tell good news to the meek ones…to proclaim the year of goodwill on the part of Jehovah.” Jesus read from this prophecy – obviously applying it to himself – at the very start of his earthly ministry.
So, on that occasion Jesus indicated that the good news he was assigned to preach was from Jehovah. He was anointed for the express purpose of declaring the “year of goodwill on the part of Jehovah.” So, if Jesus’ disciples follow in the steps of their Master they too will also preach the good news as emanating from Jehovah.
Is there any evidence that the first century disciples followed Jesus’ example in preaching the name of Jehovah? Yes, there is. Again, though, keeping in mind that the name of God was long ago sanitized from the Greek Scriptures, in the 15th chapter of Acts James quoted from the 9th chapter of the prophecy of Amos, saying: “‘After these things I shall return and rebuild the booth of David that is fallen down; and I shall rebuild its ruins and erect it again, in order that those who remain of the men may earnestly seek Jehovah, together with people of all the nations, people who are called by my name, says Jehovah, who is doing these things, known from of old.’”
Taking into account most translations have substituted Lord for YHWH, the text indicates that the apostles did indeed preach the name of Jehovah – as did Christ. Those able to reason on the Scriptures must concluded that Jesus was not “known from of old” in the first century. Jesus was a relative new-comer to the Jews. Jehovah, however, was known from of old and even though the Jews may not have consented to speak his name they at least were familiar with it and knew Jehovah as the historical God of Israel.
Also, the apostle Paul indicated that Christianity will ultimately accomplish God’s purpose toward it when all anointed persons will no longer teach each other to “know Jehovah,” because they will all know him. In making that statement Paul was quoting from the 31st chapter of Jeremiah. And in that Hebrew text the YHWH definitely appears.
Again, this indicates that the original Christians did indeed know and preach about Jehovah.
The truth is, there has been a sustained effort over many centuries by enemies of the truth, both human and superhuman, to conceal the name of God from mankind. It began before the time of Christ, when a Jewish superstition developed that the name of God was too holy to be pronounced. For instance in the 23rd chapter of Jeremiah Jehovah stated: “They are thinking of making my people forget my name by means of their dreams that they keep relating each one to the other, just as their fathers forgot my name by means of Baal.”
Some years after Christ the custom was renewed and the Christian Greek Scriptures were purged of any mention of YHWH. And of course, the vast majority of Bible translations today have followed the satanic practice of not publishing the personal name of the Creator. This was done in order to better promote the outrageous lie that Jesus is God.
But how likely is it that Jesus and his apostles followed the superstitious customs of the Jewish clergy?
Here’s a question for thinking persons: When Jesus read from the Scriptures or quoted verses where the name of God appeared in the Hebrew text, would Christ have refrained from speaking the personal name of his heavenly Father? That is not likely. Especially in view of the fact that Jesus once said in prayer to God: “I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world.”
And Jesus frequently cited texts in the Hebrew Scriptures where the divine name appeared. For instance, on the occasion when he was tempted by the Devil three times each time that Jesus responded by saying “it is written,” he then went on to quote a verse that contained the personal name of God.
On another occasion in a Jewish synagogue Jesus read from the scroll of Isaiah where it said “The spirit of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah is upon me, for the reason that Jehovah has anointed me to tell good news to the meek ones…to proclaim the year of goodwill on the part of Jehovah.” Jesus read from this prophecy – obviously applying it to himself – at the very start of his earthly ministry.
So, on that occasion Jesus indicated that the good news he was assigned to preach was from Jehovah. He was anointed for the express purpose of declaring the “year of goodwill on the part of Jehovah.” So, if Jesus’ disciples follow in the steps of their Master they too will also preach the good news as emanating from Jehovah.
Is there any evidence that the first century disciples followed Jesus’ example in preaching the name of Jehovah? Yes, there is. Again, though, keeping in mind that the name of God was long ago sanitized from the Greek Scriptures, in the 15th chapter of Acts James quoted from the 9th chapter of the prophecy of Amos, saying: “‘After these things I shall return and rebuild the booth of David that is fallen down; and I shall rebuild its ruins and erect it again, in order that those who remain of the men may earnestly seek Jehovah, together with people of all the nations, people who are called by my name, says Jehovah, who is doing these things, known from of old.’”
Taking into account most translations have substituted Lord for YHWH, the text indicates that the apostles did indeed preach the name of Jehovah – as did Christ. Those able to reason on the Scriptures must concluded that Jesus was not “known from of old” in the first century. Jesus was a relative new-comer to the Jews. Jehovah, however, was known from of old and even though the Jews may not have consented to speak his name they at least were familiar with it and knew Jehovah as the historical God of Israel.
Also, the apostle Paul indicated that Christianity will ultimately accomplish God’s purpose toward it when all anointed persons will no longer teach each other to “know Jehovah,” because they will all know him. In making that statement Paul was quoting from the 31st chapter of Jeremiah. And in that Hebrew text the YHWH definitely appears.
Again, this indicates that the original Christians did indeed know and preach about Jehovah.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
QUESTION #6: IF CHRIST RETURNED IN 1914 WHY DIDN’T “EVERY EYE” SEE HIM?
The verse in question says in full: “Look! He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, and those who pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief because of him. Yes, Amen.” – Revelation 1:7
Jehovah’s Witnesses explain that by saying that even though Christ’s presence began in 1914, his manifestation to the world does not take place until during the great tribulation. Even at that, though, every eye will not literally see Jesus. As the Scripture in question says, “those who pierced him” will see him also. Obviously, the Roman soldiers who pierced Jesus’ side with a spear as he hung upon the stake will not be on hand to see Jesus return. So, it is apparent that the verse is speaking symbolically.
As for the 1914 doctrine of the parousia of Christ I have written considerably on that topic on e-watchman.com
Jehovah’s Witnesses explain that by saying that even though Christ’s presence began in 1914, his manifestation to the world does not take place until during the great tribulation. Even at that, though, every eye will not literally see Jesus. As the Scripture in question says, “those who pierced him” will see him also. Obviously, the Roman soldiers who pierced Jesus’ side with a spear as he hung upon the stake will not be on hand to see Jesus return. So, it is apparent that the verse is speaking symbolically.
As for the 1914 doctrine of the parousia of Christ I have written considerably on that topic on e-watchman.com
Thursday, June 7, 2007
QUESTION #5: GIVE JUST ONE SCRIPTURE WHERE IT SPECIFICALLY SAYS THAT IN THE LAST DAYS, YOU SHOULD LOOK TO AN ORGANIZATION FOR THE TRUTH.
Coming from a person that professes to believe in the trinity this sort of question is truly laughable. To demonstrate that, Jehovah’s Witnesses should rightly turn the question back to the questioner and ask them to provide one verse that specifically says that God is a trinity, or even one verse where Jesus specifically said he was God. Of course, there are none.
However, although the questioner wishes to reduce the task of reasoning on the Scriptures to a simpleton’s exercise of quoting isolated verses from the Bible, every serious Bible student knows that the truth is not derived by that method. Wise king Solomon advised us to search for wisdom as for buried treasure. We don’t find diamonds and rubies paying around on the ground. Likewise, no one can comprehend the truth unless they are willing to expend the effort to honestly reason upon the Scriptures. That involves more than offering up a single verse that is supposed to encompass the truth.
Consider the method of the Apostle Paul as recorded in the 17th chapter of Acts, where we read: “So according to Paul’s custom he went inside to them, and for three sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving by references that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying: ‘This is the Christ, this Jesus whom I am publishing to you.’”
As stated in the book of Acts, Paul reasoned from the Scriptures and used biblical references to prove that Jesus was the foretold Messiah. However, if the Jews had asked Paul to provide one verse from the Hebrew Bible that specifically says Jesus is the Christ, Paul could not have done so. That’s because there is not one verse in the entire Hebrew Bible that specifically says Jesus is the Christ. No, Paul proved Jesus was the Messiah by reasoning with the Jews from the Scriptures. That proves the fallacy of this type of question. Phrasing a question in such a way and demanding that it be answered with one verse that uses the same phrase as the question does not promote reasoning but is a method of deception.
No, there is no verse that says “in the last days you should look to an organization for the truth.” In fact, the word “organization” does not appear in the Bible. But is that the end of it? No, not at all. The simple truth is: Christ has a congregation over which he is Lord and King. Furthermore, his people are not scattered among the thousands of diverse sects of Christendom. Jesus, in fact, hates sectarianism. The purpose of the congregation is to serve as a holding pen for Christ’s sheep.
Although not referred to as an organization in modern translations the New Testament uses the Greek word “adelphos,” which means a family of brothers, a brotherhood, or as the New World Translation words it: “association of brothers.” What is an association of brothers if not an organization? For example, the primary dictionary definition of “association” is “an organization of people with a common purpose and having a formal structure.”
Did first century Christianity have a common purpose and a formal structure? Absolutely. No reasonable person can deny that. Although most translations do not use the phrase “association of brothers” to translate “adelphos,” preferring instead to use “brotherhood,” a dictionary definition of “brotherhood” also relates to a fraternal organization.
Having established that true Christianity is a unified organization the only question is whether Christ's organization exists in the last days. According to Paul it does. Consider Hebrews 10:24-25, which says: “And let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near.”
Reasoning on the verses above, it should be evident that the command to gather together indicates that there is only one organization that Christ recognizes as belonging to himself. Paul’s exhortation to encourage one another “and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near” is in reference to the day of Jehovah. In other words – the last days.
So, we have it on the authority of the apostle that there will be an association of true Christians on hand to behold the day of Jehovah as it draws near.
Reasoning on the Scriptures further, at 1 Timothy 3:15 Paul said that God’s household functions as “a pillar and support of the truth.” So, if Christians are expected to gather together into a brotherhood that is described as “a pillar and support of the truth,” and that brotherhood is in existence as the end draws near, then it should be obvious, at least to sensible persons, that in the last days there will be an organization that God will provide for truth seekers.
Of course, there are many other lines of reasoning we could take but this should suffice in order to demonstrate that Jehovah's Witnesses can easily answer this question.
However, although the questioner wishes to reduce the task of reasoning on the Scriptures to a simpleton’s exercise of quoting isolated verses from the Bible, every serious Bible student knows that the truth is not derived by that method. Wise king Solomon advised us to search for wisdom as for buried treasure. We don’t find diamonds and rubies paying around on the ground. Likewise, no one can comprehend the truth unless they are willing to expend the effort to honestly reason upon the Scriptures. That involves more than offering up a single verse that is supposed to encompass the truth.
Consider the method of the Apostle Paul as recorded in the 17th chapter of Acts, where we read: “So according to Paul’s custom he went inside to them, and for three sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving by references that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying: ‘This is the Christ, this Jesus whom I am publishing to you.’”
As stated in the book of Acts, Paul reasoned from the Scriptures and used biblical references to prove that Jesus was the foretold Messiah. However, if the Jews had asked Paul to provide one verse from the Hebrew Bible that specifically says Jesus is the Christ, Paul could not have done so. That’s because there is not one verse in the entire Hebrew Bible that specifically says Jesus is the Christ. No, Paul proved Jesus was the Messiah by reasoning with the Jews from the Scriptures. That proves the fallacy of this type of question. Phrasing a question in such a way and demanding that it be answered with one verse that uses the same phrase as the question does not promote reasoning but is a method of deception.
No, there is no verse that says “in the last days you should look to an organization for the truth.” In fact, the word “organization” does not appear in the Bible. But is that the end of it? No, not at all. The simple truth is: Christ has a congregation over which he is Lord and King. Furthermore, his people are not scattered among the thousands of diverse sects of Christendom. Jesus, in fact, hates sectarianism. The purpose of the congregation is to serve as a holding pen for Christ’s sheep.
Although not referred to as an organization in modern translations the New Testament uses the Greek word “adelphos,” which means a family of brothers, a brotherhood, or as the New World Translation words it: “association of brothers.” What is an association of brothers if not an organization? For example, the primary dictionary definition of “association” is “an organization of people with a common purpose and having a formal structure.”
Did first century Christianity have a common purpose and a formal structure? Absolutely. No reasonable person can deny that. Although most translations do not use the phrase “association of brothers” to translate “adelphos,” preferring instead to use “brotherhood,” a dictionary definition of “brotherhood” also relates to a fraternal organization.
Having established that true Christianity is a unified organization the only question is whether Christ's organization exists in the last days. According to Paul it does. Consider Hebrews 10:24-25, which says: “And let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near.”
Reasoning on the verses above, it should be evident that the command to gather together indicates that there is only one organization that Christ recognizes as belonging to himself. Paul’s exhortation to encourage one another “and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near” is in reference to the day of Jehovah. In other words – the last days.
So, we have it on the authority of the apostle that there will be an association of true Christians on hand to behold the day of Jehovah as it draws near.
Reasoning on the Scriptures further, at 1 Timothy 3:15 Paul said that God’s household functions as “a pillar and support of the truth.” So, if Christians are expected to gather together into a brotherhood that is described as “a pillar and support of the truth,” and that brotherhood is in existence as the end draws near, then it should be obvious, at least to sensible persons, that in the last days there will be an organization that God will provide for truth seekers.
Of course, there are many other lines of reasoning we could take but this should suffice in order to demonstrate that Jehovah's Witnesses can easily answer this question.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Question #4: WHY DOES THE WATCHTOWER SOCIETY SAY THAT THE GREAT CROWD WILL LIVE ON EARTH, WHEN REVELATION 19:1 SAYS THAT THE GREAT CROWD IS IN HEAVEN?
Here is what Revelation 19:1 says: “After these things I heard what was as a loud voice of a great crowd in heaven. They said: “Praise Jah, you people! The salvation and the glory and the power belong to our God, because his judgments are true and righteous. For he has executed judgment upon the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication, and he has avenged the blood of his slaves at her hand.” And right away for the second time they said: “Praise Jah, you people! And the smoke from her goes on ascending forever and ever.”
Although Jehovah’s Witnesses refer to “the great crowd” the Bible does not use the definite article before “great crowd” either in the 7th chapter of Revelation or in the verse above. It uses the indefinite article – “a great crowd.” That means that there is not a specific great crowd. Depending on the context it may be a great crowd of angels in heaven or a great crowd of people on earth.
In the case of Revelation 19:1, as well as Revelation 19:6, that great crowd is obviously in heaven. However, a careful reading of the passages in question ought to make it plain that that great crowd is different than the great crowd that comes out of the great tribulation. How so? Because the great crowd in the 19th chapter are exhorting people to praise Jah. People are not angels. People are human. The fact that the great crowd are said to be in heaven yet speaking to Jehovah's people on earth indicates that they are a great crowd of angels. After all, before Jehovah created people he bore the title of Jehovah of armies. The reason being he is the commander of an army of spirit creatures – a great crowd of angels indeed!
The point at which the angelic crowd say “praise Jah you people” is immediately following the destruction of the infamous harlot of Babylon, which occurs as a prelude to the marriage of the Lamb. The fact that the context refers to the Lamb’s bride as well as a people who praise Jah harmonizes with what is conveyed in the 7th chapter concerning two separate groups composed of the 144,000 and a great crowd. In the case of the great crowd that comes out of the great tribulation they are said to be thanking God and Christ for their salvation. Since the 19th chapter of Revelation indicates that there is a group of people on earth that will praise Jehovah as the source of salvation they must be the same as the great crowd previously mentioned that attribute their salvation to God.
It is noteworthy that the great crowd in the 19th chapter does not attribute their salvation to God. That’s because angels do not need to be saved from sin and death.
So, the answer to the question is that there are two great crowds. There is a great crowd of angels in heaven that praise Jehovah and there will be a great crowd of people on earth that will respond to the angelic exhortation to praise Jah.
Although Jehovah’s Witnesses refer to “the great crowd” the Bible does not use the definite article before “great crowd” either in the 7th chapter of Revelation or in the verse above. It uses the indefinite article – “a great crowd.” That means that there is not a specific great crowd. Depending on the context it may be a great crowd of angels in heaven or a great crowd of people on earth.
In the case of Revelation 19:1, as well as Revelation 19:6, that great crowd is obviously in heaven. However, a careful reading of the passages in question ought to make it plain that that great crowd is different than the great crowd that comes out of the great tribulation. How so? Because the great crowd in the 19th chapter are exhorting people to praise Jah. People are not angels. People are human. The fact that the great crowd are said to be in heaven yet speaking to Jehovah's people on earth indicates that they are a great crowd of angels. After all, before Jehovah created people he bore the title of Jehovah of armies. The reason being he is the commander of an army of spirit creatures – a great crowd of angels indeed!
The point at which the angelic crowd say “praise Jah you people” is immediately following the destruction of the infamous harlot of Babylon, which occurs as a prelude to the marriage of the Lamb. The fact that the context refers to the Lamb’s bride as well as a people who praise Jah harmonizes with what is conveyed in the 7th chapter concerning two separate groups composed of the 144,000 and a great crowd. In the case of the great crowd that comes out of the great tribulation they are said to be thanking God and Christ for their salvation. Since the 19th chapter of Revelation indicates that there is a group of people on earth that will praise Jehovah as the source of salvation they must be the same as the great crowd previously mentioned that attribute their salvation to God.
It is noteworthy that the great crowd in the 19th chapter does not attribute their salvation to God. That’s because angels do not need to be saved from sin and death.
So, the answer to the question is that there are two great crowds. There is a great crowd of angels in heaven that praise Jehovah and there will be a great crowd of people on earth that will respond to the angelic exhortation to praise Jah.
QUESTION #3: SO DO JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES TEACH A LIE THAT THE GREAT CROWD WILL LIVE ON THE EARTH?
This seems like a wasted question. The answer is no. Jehovah’s Witnesses teach the truth as regards the great crowd being the earthly survivors of the great tribulation. The fact is, the Bible teaches that the meek will inherit the earth. Even if God intended the great crowd of the 7th chapter of Revelation to symbolize a heavenly group we are still left with the fact that the Scriptures clearly teach that God is going to destroy the present system of things and replace it with a new system – otherwise known as a new earth. The new earth is not a new planet but pertains to a new society of righteous persons who will take over the earth after God destroys the wicked. Whether a person chooses to call them the great crowd or the new world society or some other name does not matter. What does matter is the truth and the truth is, that, God’s purpose encompasses the salvation of both a heavenly and an earthly group.
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