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Introduction THIS booklet picks up where Index of Watchtower Errors leaves off, listing relevant new quotes from JW publications. Quotes are listed both chronologically (in the order of their appearance) and by subject matter. Whereas Index of Watchtower Errors: 1879-1989 fills a book of 138 pages with quotes spanning 110 years, this present booklet fills 40 pages with new quotes mainly from the past 5 years. Quotes have been selected from the standpoint of their usefulness in exposing the real nature of The Watchtower organization. As Jesus said, "by your words you will be condemned." (Matt. 12:37) |
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Chronological Listing [Gen. 9:3-4; Lev. 17:13-14; Acts 15:19-21] "While these verses are not stated in medical terms, Witnesses view them as ruling out transfusion of whole blood, packed RBCs, and plasma, as well as WBC and platelet administration. However, Witnesses’ religious understanding does not absolutely prohibit the use of components such as albumin, immune globulins, and hemophiliac preparations; each Witness must decide individually if he can accept these....Techniques for intraoperative collection or hemodilution that involve blood storage are objectionable to them. However, many Witnesses permit the use of dialysis and heart-lung equipment (non-blood-prime) as well as intraoperative salvage where the extracorporeal circulation is uninterrupted..." Awake!, June 22, 1982, pp. 25-26 "It is fitting, then, that one of the 24 elders, representing anointed ones already in heaven, should stir John’s thinking...(Revelation 7:13, 14a) Yes, that elder could locate the answer and give it to John. This suggests that resurrected ones of the 24-elders group may be involved in the communicating of divine truths today." Revelation-Its Grand Climax At Hand!, p. 125 (emphasis in original) Compare: [Rev. 8:3] "This verse shows that, though Pastor Russell has passed beyond the veil, he is still managing every feature of the Harvest work." The Finished Mystery (1917), p. 144 "we hold that he supervises, by the Lord’s arrangement, the work yet to be done." The Finished Mystery (1917), p. 256 "Hence our dear Pastor, now in glory, is without doubt, manifesting a keen interest in the harvest work, and is permitted by the Lord to exercise some strong influence thereupon." Watch Tower, Nov. 1, 1917, p. 6161 [Society’s reprints] "No one of the temple company will be so foolish as to conclude that some brother (or brethren) at one time amongst them, and who has died and gone to heaven, is now instructing the saints on earth and directing them as to their work." Jehovah (1934), p. 191 "For the visually impaired, spectacles or contact lenses are often prescribed....Others have been helped by corneal transplants." Awake!, 8/22/1989, p. 6 "Seventh-Day Adventists: This is the largest of some 200 Adventist denominations. Their name is based on belief in the second coming, or advent, of Christ. The Adventists stem from Baptist lay minister William Miller’s movement of the early 1840’s." Awake!, 10/22/1989, p. 18 "25 cents (U.S.) a copy" "$5.00 (U.S.) per year" [The April 1, 1990, Watchtower no longer carries a price, in response to 1/17/1990 ruling in which the U.S. Supreme Court ignored a Watchtower Society brief and ordered Jimmy Swaggart Ministries to pay California sales tax.] The Watchtower, 3/15/1990, p. 2 "25 cents (U.S.) a copy" "$5.00 (U.S.) per year" [The April 8, 1990, Awake! no longer carries a price, in response to 1/17/1990 ruling in which the U.S. Supreme Court ignored a Watchtower Society brief and ordered Jimmy Swaggart Ministries to pay California sales tax.] Awake!, 3/22/1990, p. 4 [regarding Jehovah’s Witnesses] "They do not dodge taxes or seek to evade inconvenient laws..." The Watchtower, 4/1/1990, p. 20 "False Christs can make only a visible appearance. In contrast, Jesus’ presence will be invisible." The Watchtower, 4/1/1990, p. 24 "When an interested person cannot give a donation and a subscription is placed, the publisher who obtained the subscription may have an increased responsibility and privilege to honor Jehovah with his valuable things." Our Kingdom Ministry, 4/1990, pp. 1-7 "J. F. Rutherford...was not making forecasts based on science or medicine. His discussion was based on the Bible." Awake!, 4/22/1990, p. 6 "The word "monarch" comes from the Greek words mo« nos, meaning ‘alone,’ and ar•khe« , meaning ‘rule.’" Awake!, 8/22/1990, p. 16 "We cannot take part in any modern version of idolatry-be it worshipful gestures toward an image or symbol or the imputing of salvation to a person or an organization." The Watchtower, 11/1/1990, p. 26 "identifying themselves with Jehovah’s organization is essential to their salvation." Our Kingdom Ministry, 11/1990, p. 1 "Let us face the fact that no matter how much Bible reading we have done, we would never have learned the truth on our own." The Watchtower, 12/1/1990, p. 19 "Jesus Christ further deserves honor because he is Jehovah’s chief angel, or archangel." The Watchtower, 2/1/1991, p. 17 "God did not send some angel to rescue mankind. He made the supreme sacrifice of sending his only-begotten Son..." The Watchtower, 2/15/1991, p. 14 "Christ Superior to Angels...Angels do obeisance to him..." The Watchtower, 2/15/1991, p. 24 "Back in 1919, there were not even 10,000 who strove to serve God faithfully." The Watchtower, 3/1/1991, p. 19 "True, no early surviving Greek manuscript of the ‘New Testament’ contains the personal name of God. But the name was included in the New World Translation for sound reasons, not merely on a whim." The Watchtower, 3/1/1991, p. 28 "...1919. Spiritually, God’s heavenly organization got in touch with the anointed remnant in that year, to revive them as Witnesses of Jehovah to all the world." The Watchtower, 3/15/1991, p. 11 "...God’s visible organization did not create or appoint itself. It did not spring from human will or effort." The Watchtower, 3/15/1991, p. 14 "If we are keeping pace with the chariotlike angelic organization, we will promptly comply with direction and instructions received through God’s visible organization." The Watchtower, 3/15/1991, p. 17 "Why do we conclude that Jesus is the archangel Michael? God’s Word mentions only one archangel, and it speaks of that angel in reference to the resurrected Lord Jesus" The Watchtower, 4/15/1991, p. 28 "Indeed, in the high-pressure environment in which gangs operate grudges easily develop. Differences of opinion can be interpreted as disloyalty." Awake!, 6/8/1991, p. 17 "How strenuously should a Christian resist a blood transfusion that has been ordered or authorized by a court?...‘fight any court-authorized transfusion with all the strength she could muster, that she would scream and struggle, that she would pull the injecting device out of her arm and would attempt to destroy the blood in the bag over her bed’...If a court-authorized transfusion seemed likely, a Christian might choose to avoid being accessible for such a violation of God’s law. ...authorities might consider him a lawbreaker or make him liable to prosecution." The Watchtower, 6/15/1991, p. 31 "...Charles T. Russell, the first president of the Watch Tower Society. His wife severed her ties with the Society and abandoned him in 1897, after nearly 18 years of marriage. She filed for legal separation in 1903, and it was issued in 1908." The Watchtower, 10/1/1991, p. 12 "The fact is, many things are needed to be a real Christian. ...Moreover, a Christian has to recognize the authority of ‘the faithful and discreet slave.’" The Watchtower, 10/1/1991, p. 20 "Reading the Bible does not in itself guarantee that a person can properly use the information gained, any more than reading a book about the human brain qualifies him to be a brain surgeon." Awake!, 10/8/1991, p. 12 "Thus, we are enlightened by God’s answers to present-day problems, answers that reveal where we are in the stream of time and how we can successfully plan for the future. Those answers come to us through the channel of ‘the faithful and discreet anointed slave’ class, which uses The Watchtower Society as its publishing agency." Awake!, 10/8/1991, p. 13 "If we hope to win eventual salvation, we must submit to a test of endurance as part of the necessary preparation for that salvation." The Watchtower, 11/1/1991, p. 9 "Of course, we make no prediction as to how much time is still left, and we are not fixing any specific date." The Watchtower, 11/1/1991, p. 13 "In May 1949, I informed headquarters in Bern that I planned to marry Marthe and that we desired to remain in full-time service. The reaction?...Many no longer greeted us, treating us like disfellowshipped persons, even though we were pioneers." he Watchtower, 11/1/1991, p. 29 "No other organization on earth enjoys an intimate relationship with the Creator. ...Clearly, those who desire to serve God can only turn to the one organization that enjoys Jehovah’s spirit and blessing. ... No other organization on earth enjoys God’s special care and protection." The Watchtower, 11/1/1991, pp. 30-31 "...the exclusion of over 40,000 erring individuals from fellowship with the Christian congregation during the past service year..." The Watchtower, 11/15/1991, p. 9 "God disposed of Jesus’ body, not allowing it to see corruption and thus preventing its becoming a stumbling block to faith." The Watchtower, 11/15/1991, p. 31 "A religion that teaches lies cannot be true." The Watchtower, 12/1/1991, p. 7 "False Christs can make only a visible appearance. In contrast, Jesus’ presence will be invisible." The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 4th page of ch. 111 "‘The universality of the flood accounts is usually taken as evidence for the universal destruction of humanity by a flood...’...So we can confidently conclude that the Flood legends confirm the reality of the Biblical account." The Watchtower, January 15, 1992, p. 8 Compare: "Throughout the ancient world, as far back as Babylonia, the worship of pagan gods grouped in threes, or triads, was common...‘Three gods are combined and treated as a single being, addressed in the singular’...‘the divine trinity...can be found in all the ancient [pagan] religions.’" Should You Believe in the Trinity?, p. 11 "The following experience of a faithful young man should encourage other young ones to keep their integrity as they serve Jehovah. In Argentina an 11-year-old boy and his younger brother studied... Immediately, the boys’ parents manifested opposition, and they forbade the boys to go to meetings at the Kingdom Hall. For a time, in order to attend meetings, the boys escaped through the bathroom window, jumped onto the patio, and from there went over the wall onto the neighbor’s patio and on to the Kingdom Hall. ...without his parents’ knowledge." The Watchtower, 3/1/1992, p. 22 "...it has been decided to invite several helpers, mainly from among the great crowd, to share in the meetings of each of the Governing Body Committees, that is, the Personnel, Publishing, Service, Teaching, and Writing Committees. ...Under the direction of the Governing Body committee members, these assistants will take part in discussions and will carry out various assignments given them by the committee." The Watchtower, April 15, 1992, p. 31 "It is unlikely that someone who simply reads the Bible without taking advantage of divinely provided aids could discern the light. That is why Je- hovah God has provided ‘the faithful and discreet slave,’ foretold at Matthew 24:45-47. Today that ‘slave’ is represented by the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses." The Watchtower, May 1, 1992, p. 31 "(1 Corinthians 9:26)...Hence, to run ‘not uncertainly’ means that to every observer it should be very evident where the runner is heading. The Anchor Bible renders it ‘not on a zigzag course.’ If you saw a set of footprints that meanders up and down the beach, circles around now and then, and even goes backward at times, you would hardly think the person was running at all, let alone that he had any idea where he was heading." The Watchtower, August 1, 1992, p. 17 Compare: "At times explanations given by Jehovah’s visible organization have shown adjustments, seemingly to previous points of view. But this has not actually been the case. This might be compared to what is known in navigational circles as ‘tacking.’ By maneuvering the sails the sailors can cause a ship to go from right to left, back and forth, but all the time making progress..." [accompanying "Tacking into the Wind" illustration shows a zigzag course] The Watchtower, December 1, 1981, p. 27 "...the general trend in many lands is that the level of schooling required to earn decent wages is now higher than it was a few years ago. ...So no hard-and-fast rules should be made either for or against extra education. ...If Christian parents responsibly decide to provide their children with further education after high school, that is their prerogative." The Watchtower, November 1, 1992, pp. 18-20 Compare: "Many schools now have student counselors who encourage one to pursue higher education after high school, to pursue a career with a future in this system of things. Do not be influenced by them. Do not let them ‘brainwash’ you with the Devil’s propaganda to get ahead, to make something of yourself in this world." The Watchtower, March 15, 1969, p. 171 "...a longtime Witness of Jehovah said: ‘If one thing has been most important to me, it has been the matter of keeping close to Jehovah’s visible organization. ...I decided to stay by the faithful organization. How else can one get Jehovah’s favor and blessing?’ There is nowhere else to go for divine favor and life eternal." The Watchtower Nov. 15, 1992, p. 21 "Years ago a few elders lacked such appreciation. One observer noted that these men ‘were critical of the articles in The Watchtower, not wanting to accept it as...God’s channel of truth, always trying to influence others in their way of thinking.’ However, loyal elders never try to influence others to reject any of the spiritual food provided by God through the faithful slave." The Watchtower, November 15, 1992, pp. 19-20 (ellipsis in original) "The Watchtower has consistently presented evidence to honesthearted students of Bible prophecy that Jesus’ presence in heavenly Kingdom power began in 1914. Events since that year testify to Jesus’ invisible presence." The Watchtower, January 15, 1993, p. 5 Compare: "The Scriptures show that the second presence [of the Lord] was due in 1874. ...This proof shows that the Lord has been present since 1874." Watch Tower, March 1, 1923, p. 67 "Surely there is not the slightest room for doubt in the mind of a truly consecrated child of God that the Lord Jesus is present and has been since 1874." Watch Tower, January 1, 1924, p. 5 "The speaker concluded: ‘Let all zealously continue to support the faithful and discreet slave. It is only by doing this that someday very soon all sheeplike ones will be able to hear the happy words: "Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom..."’" The Watchtower, January 15, 1993, p. 18 "From Our Readers...‘Thank you very much for the feature "From Our Readers." Far from being a medley of statements chosen to support your point of view, it is a collection of touching human experiences. The readiness with which you publish readers’ criticism and, on occasion, the editor’s corrections is a clear proof of your humility.’" Awake!, January 22, 1993, p. 30 "Although Jehovah God used him more mightily than any of the other apostles, Paul never acted independently." The Watchtower Feb. 1, 1993, p. 13 "...today ‘the faithful and discreet slave’ is associated with Jehovah’s Witnesses and represented by the Governing Body of these Witnesses." The Watchtower Feb. 1, 1993, p. 16 "Some islands are so isolated that they can be reached only by boat." The Watchtower March 1, 1993, p. 30 "Who will guide us through these difficult times?...For a whole generation in the West, Dr. Benjamin Spock was the foremost adviser in the matter of educating children. Then he admitted that his advice had been mistaken!" The Watchtower March 1, 1993, p. 32 "There is no Biblical basis for making a distinction between insemination by intercourse and insemination artificially by donor implantation. Therefore, in either case, fornication or adultery is committed when insemination is accomplished by a male other than the woman’s legal husband." Awake! March 8, 1993, p. 27 "Jehovah’s Witnesses, in their eagerness for Jesus’ second coming, have suggested dates that turned out to be incorrect. Because of this, some have called them false prophets. Never in these instances, however, did they presume to originate predictions ‘in the name of Jehovah.’" Awake!, March 22, 1993, p. 4 Compare (on the same page!): "Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator’s promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away." Awake!, March 22, 1993, p. 4 "...they should not be viewed as false prophets...In their human fallibility, they misinterpreted matters." Awake!, March 22, 1993, p. 4 "The practice of baptism, however, predates the Christian faith. It was employed in Babylonia and in ancient Egypt, where the cold waters of the Nile were thought to increase strength and bestow immortality." The Watchtower April 1, 1993, p. 4 "A local legal association has been formed that is registered as ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses of South Africa.’" The Watchtower April 1, 1993, p. 23 "Today, God does not speak to his servants directly as he did to Job. Instead, he reproves them by means of his Word and his spirit-directed organization." The Watchtower June 1, 1993, p. 21 "...the sheep were ‘purchased with the blood of [God’s] own Son.’ (Acts 20:28)" The Watchtower July 15, 1993, p. 27 Compare: "...which he purchased with the blood of his own [Son]." Acts 20:28 Kingdom Interlinear Trans., English column "...which he reserved for self through the blood of the own (one)." Acts 20:28 Kingdom Interlinear Trans., interlinear reading "...which he hath purchased with his own blood." Acts 20:28 King James Version "...which he bought with his own blood." Acts 20:28 New International Version "And vaccination for smallpox is no longer available because, as mentioned earlier, a worldwide program of vaccination has wiped out this deadly disease." Awake! August 8, 1993, p. 23 "Blood in the Production of Vaccines...Since these passive immunizations are those of concern regarding the issue of blood, what stand would be taken by the conscientious Christian? Previous articles in this journal and its companion, The Watchtower, have presented a consistent position: It would be up to the Bible-trained conscience of the individual Christian as to whether he would accept this treatment for himself and his family." Awake! August 8, 1993, p. 25 "Jehovah’s Witnesses have consistently shown from the Scriptures that the year 1914 marked the beginning of this world’s time of the end and that ‘the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men’ has drawn near." The Watchtower, Aug. 15, 1993, p. 9 Compare: "The overthrow of that dominion in 1798 by the French Revolution marked the beginning of the ‘time of the end’..." Watch Tower, August 1879, p. 24 Society’s reprints "The year 1799 marked the beginning of the ‘time of the end,’ when various events were to occur." Watch Tower, November 1, 1914, p. 5565 Society’s reprints "1799 A. D. beginning time of the end" Watch Tower "Topical Index," 1919, p. 6542, Society’s reprints "Twelve hundred and sixty years from A. D. 539 brings us to 1799, which is another proof that 1799 definitely marks the beginning of ‘the time of the end’." Creation by J.F. Rutherford (1927) p. 315 early editions (Later editions essentially the same, p. 294) "...Jehovah provides regular spiritual food to strengthen his people. All of us need such food, but where can we receive it apart from God’s organization and its meetings? Nowhere." The Watchtower, Aug. 15, 1993, pp. 9-10 "Thus, to the extent that we work to qualify for and to receive holy spirit from Jehovah and to manifest its fruitage, to that extent we can expect to be more self-controlled." The Watchtower, Aug. 15, 1993, p. 22 "...various Catholic commentators explain that the church is an organization made up of imperfect humans..." Awake!, Sept. 8, 1993, p. 6 "Some Catholics have accepted the changes out of faithfulness to the church and continue to practice its rites." Awake!, Sept. 8, 1993, p. 9 "But if we were to draw away from Jehovah’s organization, there would be no place else to go for salvation and true joy." The Watchtower, September 15, 1993, p. 22 "Spacious Kingdom Halls, expensive sound equipment, Assembly Halls, and attractive Bethel homes bring glory to God and offer a silent witness that he is blessing his people." The Watchtower, October 15, 1993, p. 11 [Forgoing transfusions adds] "‘0.5% to 1.5% mortality to the overall operative risk.’" The Watchtower, October 15, 1993, p. 32 "We want to give deserving ones the opportunity to learn of Jehovah’s undeserved kindness and the Kingdom hope." Our Kingdom Ministry, December 1993, p. 7 "Rather than expect miracles in the form of divine intervention of some sort, Jehovah’s Witnesses realize that protection is to be found in their worldwide Christian brotherhood." The Watchtower, December 1, 1993, p. 13 "...Judge Rutherford...once made some dogmatic statements as to what Christians could expect in 1925. When events failed to support his expectations, he humbly told the Brooklyn Bethel family that he had made a fool of himself." The Watchtower, December 1, 1993, p. 18 "Others claim to believe the Bible, but they reject Jehovah’s organization and actively try to hinder its work. When they deliberately choose such badness after knowing what is right, when the bad becomes so ingrained that it is an inseparable part of their makeup, then a Christian must hate (in the Biblical sense of the word) those who have inseparably attached themselves to the badness. True Christians share Jehovah’s feelings toward such apostates; they are not curious about apostate ideas." The Watchtower, October 1, 1993, p. 19 "Through his Word and his organization, he provides us vital instruction so that we are able to do his will." The Watchtower, October 1, 1993, p. 20 "Occasionally, anticult organizations and the media have referred to Jehovah’s Witnesses as a cult. A number of recent newspaper articles lump the Witnesses with religious groups known for their questionable practices." The Watchtower, February 15, 1994, p. 4 [regarding JWs] "‘They are people who are absorbed in humanity.’ And they do not live in communes, isolating themselves from relatives and others." The Watchtower, February 15, 1994, p. 6 "At any rate, the Witnesses are far from being a small fringe cult. In the spring of 1993, more than 11 million people attended the Witnesses’ Memorial of Christ’s death." The Watchtower, February 15, 1994, p. 6 "Of the millions of non-Witnesses who are studying the Bible with the Witnesses or who have studied with them at one time or another, we ask, Were there any attempts to brainwash you? Did the Witnesses employ mind-control techniques on you? ‘No’ would doubtless be your frank response. Obviously, if these methods had been used, there would be an overwhelming number of victims in contradiction to any argument in favor of Jehovah’s Witnesses." The Watchtower, February 15, 1994, p. 6 "...the veneration and idolization of human leaders so characteristic of cults today is not to be found among Jehovah’s Witnesses." The Watchtower, February 15, 1994, p. 7 "We must also be on guard against extended association with worldly people. Perhaps it is a neighbor, a school friend, a workmate, or a business associate. ...What are some of the dangers of such a friendship?" The Watchtower, February 15, 1994, p. 24 "Did Jesus suggest that the evildoer was going to ‘be with him’ in heaven that very day, as certain Catholic and Protestant Bible translations would seem to imply? No, that was not what Jesus meant..." The Watchtower, April 1, 1994, p. 6 "Though they were taught by Jesus for three and a half years, prior to Pentecost 33 C.E. not even his apostles contemplated a heavenly paradise." The Watchtower, April 1, 1994, p. 6 "‘We refer to the organization as "Mama." We feel close, near. It’s beautiful. It’s wonderful!’" [Spanish Witness quoted in] The Watchtower, April 1, 1994, pg. 32 [regarding JWs penetrating remote Alaskan villages] "So we returned with the plane loaded with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, cantaloupes, and other items not easily available locally. The formerly hostile residents were now delighted to see our cargo. While one brother attended the ‘store,’ accepting donations for the fresh goods, several others went from door to door..." The Watchtower, April 15, 1994, p. 24 Compare: "Religion of ‘Flexible Faith’...’the wealth of the Mormon Church has been used as a lever to gain entry into Marxist and Third World countries.’ Dam-building and well-drilling are among the projects supported by Mormon donations. In today’s pleasure-loving and money-hungry world, it is not surprising that such song-and-dance and open-purse tactics have strong appeal. (2 Timothy 3:2, 4) But truly sheeplike ones are attracted by the voice of the Fine Shepherd, Jesus Christ." The Watchtower, April 1, 1992, p. 30 "Jehovah’s Witnesses...Certainly, no one knows their modern-day history better than they themselves do." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 5 "Russell wrote: ‘We felt greatly grieved at the error of Second Adventists, who were expecting Christ in the flesh, and teaching that the world and all in it except Second Adventists would be burned up." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 45 "The expression ‘Watch Tower’ is not unique to Russell’s writings or to Jehovah’s Witnesses. George Storrs published a book in the 1850’s called The Watch Tower: Or, Man in Death; and the Hope for a Future Life. The name was also incorporated in the title of various religious periodicals." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 48 "A brief biography of Russell along with his will and testament was published in The Watch Tower of December 1, 1916, as well as in subsequent editions of the first volume of Studies in the Scriptures." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 64 "Four members of the board of directors of the Society went so far as to endeavor to wrest administrative control from Rutherford’s hands." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 66 "‘We may confidently expect,’ stated the booklet Millions Now Living Will Never Die, back in 1920, ‘that 1925 will mark the return [from the dead] of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old...’" Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 78 "At that time the Jonadabs were not considered to be ‘Jehovah’s witnesses.’" Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 83 "Brother Rutherford was survived by his wife, Mary, and their son, Malcolm. Because Sister Rutherford had poor health and found winters in New York (where the Watch Tower Society’s headquarters were located) difficult to endure, she and Malcolm had been residing in southern California, where the climate was better for her health." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 85 "The Witnesses had long shared the belief that the Thousand Year Reign of Christ would follow after 6,000 years of human history. But when would 6,000 years of human existence end? The book Life Everlasting-In Freedom of the Sons of God, released at a series of district conventions held in 1966, pointed to 1975." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 104 "...1977/78 reflected a decrease in the number sharing in the preaching work. Was the decrease at least partly due to disappointed expecta- tions concerning 1975? Perhaps." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 110 "By 1980, a number of persons who had shared in the activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses for some years, including some who had served prominently in the organization, had been in various ways trying to cause division and oppose the work Jehovah’s Witnesses were doing. To fortify Jehovah’s people against such apostate influence, The Watchtower carried such articles as..." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 111 "The Watch Tower of June 1882 stated: ‘...At this time, therefore, the doctrine of three Gods was invented-God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.’" Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 125 "...the idea that Russell himself was the faithful and wise servant...came to be generally held by the Bible Students for some 30 years." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 143 "Any group or individuals that speak in the name of Jehovah put themselves under obligation to convey his word truthfully." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 157 "...it was not up to them to tell people whether their hope should be a heavenly one or an earthly one. The Lord would direct matters..." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 170 "For some 35 years Pastor Russell thought that the Great Pyramid of Gizeh was God’s stone witness, corroborating Biblical time periods." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 201 "...‘"THE SOCIETY" is the visible representative of the Lord on earth...’" Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 219 Compare: "‘...the Pope of Rome...as Christ’s Vicar upon earth...’" The Watchtower August 1, 1965, p. 478 "Was Rutherford simply trying to gain greater control?...it has been claimed by some that by advocating this organizational change, J. F. Rutherford simply was endeavoring to gain greater control over the Witnesses and that he used this means to assert his own authority." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 220 "This is not a forced conformity; it results from education...they are free to leave the organization." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 232 "Jehovah’s Witnesses are in no sense a secret society." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 248 "...progressive instruction that Jehovah was providing through his visible channel of communication. ...the various volumes of Studies in the Scriptures...What they contained was, indeed, spiritual ‘food at the proper time.’" Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 252 "The relief efforts of the Witnesses are not meant to care for the physical needs of everyone in the disaster area. ...these are intended primarily for ‘those related to them in the faith.’" Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 315 "It was known as the ‘New Light’ Church because those who associated there felt that as a result of reading Watch Tower publications, they had new light on the Bible." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 319 "For many years they referred to their distribution of literature as ‘selling.’ But this terminology caused some confusion, and so beginning in 1929, it was gradually dropped....Where the law construes any distribution of Bible literature as commercial if the distributor suggests a contribution for the literature, Jehovah’s Witnesses gladly leave it with anyone who shows sincere interest and promises to read it....In 1990, because of highly publicized financial scandals in some of Christendom’s religions, coupled with an increasing tendency by governments to classify religious activity as a commercial enterprise, Jehovah’s Witnesses made some adjustments in their activity in order to avoid any misunderstanding." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 349 "There were not enough Bible Students to do it all personally, so they hired others to help." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 405 "...with the assistance of hundreds of young men who were paid for their services, they managed to have 300,000 copies of Food for Thinking Christians distributed in just a short time." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 561 "‘Religion Is a Snare and a Racket’...That wording was based on the understanding that the term religion embraced all worship built on the traditions of men, instead of on God’s Word, the Bible. However, in 1950...that the term religion could properly be used to refer to true worship or false." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 567 "It is only Jehovah’s Witnesses who truly endeavor to reach all the inhabited earth with the Kingdom message..." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 570 "...from 1887 to 1898, he made use of the Tower Publishing Company....This was a firm owned by Charles Taze Russell. In 1898 he transferred assets of the Tower Publishing Company by donation to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 576 "Was God Using a Visible Channel?...It certainly could not be expected that God would use C. T. Russell if he did not loyally adhere to God’s Word. ...Russell was, indeed, used by God..." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 621 "Many who were sifted out at that time clung to the view that a single individual, Charles Taze Russell, was the ‘faithful and wise servant’ foretold by Jesus... Particularly following his death, The Watch Tower itself set forth this view for a number of years." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 626 "...the spring of 1878 as the time when he would assume his power as heavenly King. They also thought they would be given their heavenly reward at that time. When that did not occur, they concluded that since Jesus’ anointed followers were to share with him in the Kingdom, the resurrection to spirit life of those already sleeping in death began then." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 632 Compare: 2 Timothy 2:17-18, "...Hymenaeus and Philetus are of that number. These very men have deviated from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already occurred..." (New World Translation) "...1925. This year was also associated with expectations for resurrection of faithful pre-Christian servants of God with a view to their serving on earth as princely representatives of the heavenly Kingdom." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 632 "This later led to the idea-sometimes stated as a possibility, sometimes more firmly-that since the seventh millennium of human history would begin in 1975, events associated with the beginning of Christ’s Millennial Reign might start to take place then." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 633 "But some of their time calculations and the expectations that they associated with these gave rise to serious disappointments. Following 1925, meeting attendance dropped dramatically in some congregations in France and Switzerland. Again, in 1975, there was disappoint- ment when expectations regarding the start of the Millennium failed to materialize. As a result, some withdrew from the organization." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 633 "‘Probably I look ridiculous to you because I did not go to Heaven, October 1st, 1914...’" prominent Watchtower headquarters worker C. J. Woodworth Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 634 "In 1879, Charles Taze Russell married Maria Frances Ackley...in November 1897 she left him...she was awarded, in 1908, a judgment, not of absolute divorce, but of divorce from bed and board, with alimony." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 645 "Those who make up the one true Christian organization today do not have angelic revelations or divine inspiration." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p 708 "Well, does the fact that Jehovah’s Witnesses have had some premature expectations mean that they are not being led by God? Not any more than the disciples’ question about the imminence of the Kingdom in their day..." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p 709 "In former times thousands of youths died for putting God first. They are still doing it, only today the drama is played out in hospitals and courtrooms, with blood transfusions the issue." Awake! May 22, 1994, p. 2 [Twelve-year-old Lisa Kosack died in Canada after holding off transfusion therapy by threatening that she] "would fight and kick the IV pole down and rip out the IV no matter how much it would hurt, and poke holes in the blood." Awake! May 22, 1994 p. 13 Subject Listing Adventists "Seventh-Day Adventists: This is the largest of some 200 Adventist denominations. Their name is based on belief in the second coming, or advent, of Christ. The Adventists stem from Baptist lay minister William Miller’s movement of the early 1840’s." Awake!, 10/22/1989, p.18 "Russell wrote: ‘We felt greatly grieved at the error of Second Adventists, who were expecting Christ in the flesh, and teaching that the world and all in it except Second Adventists would be burned up." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 45 Apostates "Indeed, in the high-pressure environment in which gangs operate grudges easily develop. Differences of opinion can be interpreted as disloyalty." Awake!, 6/8/1991, p. 17 "Others claim to believe the Bible, but they reject Jehovah’s organization and actively try to hinder its work. When they deliberately choose such badness after knowing what is right, when the bad becomes so ingrained that it is an inseparable part of their makeup, then a Christian must hate (in the Biblical sense of the word) those who have inseparably attached themselves to the badness. True Christians share Jehovah’s feelings toward such apostates; they are not curious about apostate ideas." The Watchtower, October 1, 1993, p. 19 "By 1980, a number of persons who had shared in the activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses for some years, including some who had served prominently in the organization, had been in various ways trying to cause division and oppose the work Jehovah’s Witnesses were doing. To fortify Jehovah’s people against such apostate influence, The Watchtower carried such articles as..." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 111 Bible "Let us face the fact that no matter how much Bible reading we have done, we would never have learned the truth on our own." The Watchtower, 12/1/1990, p. 19 "Reading the Bible does not in itself guarantee that a person can properly use the information gained, any more than reading a book about the human brain qualifies him to be a brain surgeon." Awake!, 10/8/1991, p. 12 "It is unlikely that someone who simply reads the Bible without taking advantage of divinely provided aids could discern the light. That is why Jehovah God has provided ‘the faithful and discreet slave,’ foretold at Matthew 24:45-47. Today that ‘slave’ is represented by the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses." The Watchtower, May 1, 1992, p. 31 Blood, vaccinations, transplants [Gen. 9:3-4; Lev. 17:13-14; Acts 15:19-21] "While these verses are not stated in medical terms, Witnesses view them as ruling out transfusion of whole blood, packed RBCs, and plasma, as well as WBC and platelet administration. However, Witnesses’ religious understanding does not absolutely prohibit the use of components such as albumin, immune globulins, and hemophiliac preparations; each Witness must decide individually if he can accept these....Techniques for intraoperative collection or hemodilution that involve blood storage are objectionable to them. However, many Witnesses permit the use of dialysis and heart-lung equipment (non-blood-prime) as well as intraoperative salvage where the extracorporeal circulation is uninterrupted..." Awake!, June 22, 1982, pp. 25-26 "For the visually impaired, spectacles or contact lenses are often prescribed....Others have been helped by corneal transplants." Awake!, 8/22/1989, p. 6 "How strenuously should a Christian resist a blood transfusion that has been ordered or authorized by a court?...‘fight any court-authorized transfusion with all the strength she could muster, that she would scream and struggle, that she would pull the injecting device out of her arm and would attempt to destroy the blood in the bag over her bed’...If a court-authorized transfusion seemed likely, a Christian might choose to avoid being accessible for such a violation of God’s law. ...authorities might consider him a lawbreaker or make him liable to prosecution." The Watchtower, 6/15/1991, p. 31 "And vaccination for smallpox is no longer available because, as mentioned earlier, a worldwide program of vaccination has wiped out this deadly disease." Awake! August 8, 1993, p. 23 "Blood in the Production of Vaccines...Since these passive immunizations are those of concern regarding the issue of blood, what stand would be taken by the conscientious Christian? Previous articles in this journal and its companion, The Watchtower, have presented a consistent position: It would be up to the Bible-trained conscience of the individual Christian as to whether he would accept this treatment for himself and his family." Awake! August 8, 1993, p. 25 "In former times thousands of youths died for putting God first. They are still doing it, only today the drama is played out in hospitals and courtrooms, with blood transfusions the issue." Awake! May 22, 1994, p. 2 [Twelve-year-old Lisa Kosack died in Canada after holding off transfusion therapy by threatening that she] "would fight and kick the IV pole down and rip out the IV no matter how much it would hurt, and poke holes in the blood." Awake! May 22, 1994 p. 13 Children "The following experience of a faithful young man should encourage other young ones to keep their integrity as they serve Jehovah. In Argentina an 11-year-old boy and his younger brother studied... Immediately, the boys’ parents manifested opposition, and they forbade the boys to go to meetings at the Kingdom Hall. For a time, in order to attend meetings, the boys escaped through the bathroom window, jumped onto the patio, and from there went over the wall onto the neighbor’s patio and on to the Kingdom Hall. ...without his parents’ knowledge." The Watchtower, 3/1/1992, p. 22 "...the general trend in many lands is that the level of schooling required to earn decent wages is now higher than it was a few years ago. ...So no hard-and-fast rules should be made either for or against extra education. ...If Christian parents responsibly decide to provide their children with further education after high school, that is their prerogative." The Watchtower, November 1, 1992, pp. 18-20 Compare: "Many schools now have student counselors who encourage one to pursue higher education after high school, to pursue a career with a future in this system of things. Do not be influenced by them. Do not let them ‘brainwash’ you with the Devil’s propaganda to get ahead, to make something of yourself in this world." The Watchtower, March 15, 1969, p. 171 Cult "Occasionally, anticult organizations and the media have referred to Jehovah’s Witnesses as a cult. A number of recent newspaper articles lump the Witnesses with religious groups known for their questionable practices." The Watchtower, February 15, 1994, p. 4 [regarding JWs] "‘They are people who are absorbed in humanity.’ And they do not live in communes, isolating themselves from relatives and others." The Watchtower, February 15, 1994, p. 6 Compare: "We must also be on guard against extended association with worldly people. Perhaps it is a neighbor, a school friend, a workmate, or a business associate. ...What are some of the dangers of such a friendship?" Watchtower, Feb. 15, 1994, p. 24 "At any rate, the Witnesses are far from being a small fringe cult. In the spring of 1993, more than 11 million people attended the Witnesses’ Memorial of Christ’s death." The Watchtower, February 15, 1994, p. 6 "Of the millions of non-Witnesses who are studying the Bible with the Witnesses or who have studied with them at one time or another, we ask, Were there any attempts to brainwash you? Did the Witnesses employ mind-control techniques on you? ‘No’ would doubtless be your frank response. Obviously, if these methods had been used, there would be an overwhelming number of victims in contradiction to any argument in favor of Jehovah’s Witnesses." The Watchtower, February 15, 1994, p. 6 "...the veneration and idolization of human leaders so characteristic of cults today is not to be found among Jehovah’s Witnesses." The Watchtower, February 15, 1994, p. 7 "This is not a forced conformity; it results from education...they are free to leave the organization." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 232 "Jehovah’s Witnesses are in no sense a secret society." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 248 Dates, historical "...1919. Spiritually, God’s heavenly organization got in touch with the anointed remnant in that year, to revive them as Witnesses of Jehovah to all the world." The Watchtower, 3/15/1991, p. 11 "The Watchtower has consistently presented evidence to honesthearted students of Bible prophecy that Jesus’ presence in heavenly Kingdom power began in 1914. Events since that year testify to Jesus’ invisible presence." The Watchtower, January 15, 1993, p. 5 Compare: "The Scriptures show that the second presence [of the Lord] was due in 1874. ...This proof shows that the Lord has been present since 1874." Watch Tower, March 1, 1923, p. 67 "Surely there is not the slightest room for doubt in the mind of a truly consecrated child of God that the Lord Jesus is present and has been since 1874." Watch Tower, January 1, 1924, p. 5 "Jehovah’s Witnesses have consistently shown from the Scriptures that the year 1914 marked the beginning of this world’s time of the end and that ‘the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men’ has drawn near." The Watchtower, Aug. 15, 1993, p. 9 "The overthrow of that dominion in 1798 by the French Revolution marked the beginning of the ‘time of the end’..." Watch Tower, August 1879, p. 24 Society’s reprints "The year 1799 marked the beginning of the ‘time of the end,’ when various events were to occur." Watch Tower, November 1, 1914, p. 5565 Society’s reprints "1799 A. D. beginning time of the end" Watch Tower "Topical Index," 1919, p. 6542, Society’s reprints "Twelve hundred and sixty years from A. D. 539 brings us to 1799, which is another proof that 1799 definitely marks the beginning of ‘the time of the end’." Creation by J.F. Rutherford (1927) p. 315 early editions (Later editions essentially the same, p. 294) "...the spring of 1878 as the time when he would assume his power as heavenly King. They also thought they would be given their heavenly reward at that time. When that did not occur, they concluded that since Jesus’ anointed followers were to share with him in the Kingdom, the resurrection to spirit life of those already sleeping in death began then." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 632 Compare: 2 Timothy 2:17-18, "...Hymenaeus and Philetus are of that number. These very men have deviated from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already occurred..." (New World Translation) Dates, prophetic (see Prophecies) Dishonesty "The Watchtower has consistently presented evidence to honesthearted students of Bible prophecy that Jesus’ presence in heavenly Kingdom power began in 1914. Events since that year testify to Jesus’ invisible presence." The Watchtower, January 15, 1993, p. 5 Compare: "The Scriptures show that the second presence [of the Lord] was due in 1874. ...This proof shows that the Lord has been present since 1874." Watch Tower, March 1, 1923, p. 67 "Surely there is not the slightest room for doubt in the mind of a truly consecrated child of God that the Lord Jesus is present and has been since 1874." Watch Tower, January 1, 1924, p. 5 "From Our Readers...‘Thank you very much for the feature "From Our Readers." Far from being a medley of statements chosen to support your point of view, it is a collection of touching human experiences. The readiness with which you publish readers’ criticism and, on occasion, the editor’s corrections is a clear proof of your humility.’" Awake!, January 22, 1993, p. 30 "Jehovah’s Witnesses have consistently shown from the Scriptures that the year 1914 marked the beginning of this world’s time of the end and that ‘the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men’ has drawn near." The Watchtower, Aug. 15, 1993, p. 9 Compare: "The overthrow of that dominion in 1798 by the French Revolution marked the beginning of the ‘time of the end’..." Watch Tower, August 1879, p. 24 Society’s reprints "The year 1799 marked the beginning of the ‘time of the end,’ when various events were to occur." Watch Tower, November 1, 1914, p. 5565 Society’s reprints "1799 A. D. beginning time of the end" Watch Tower "Topical Index," 1919, p. 6542, Society’s reprints "Twelve hundred and sixty years from A. D. 539 brings us to 1799, which is another proof that 1799 definitely marks the beginning of ‘the time of the end’." Creation by J.F. Rutherford (1927) p. 315 early editions (Later editions essentially the same, p. 294) [regarding JWs] "‘They are people who are absorbed in humanity.’ And they do not live in communes, isolating themselves from relatives and others." The Watchtower, February 15, 1994, p. 6 Compare: "We must also be on guard against extended association with worldly people. Perhaps it is a neighbor, a school friend, a workmate, or a business associate. ...What are some of the dangers of such a friendship?" Watchtower, Feb. 15, 1994, p. 24 [regarding JWs penetrating remote Alaskan villages] "So we returned with the plane loaded with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, cantaloupes, and other items not easily available locally. The formerly hostile residents were now delighted to see our cargo. While one brother attended the ‘store,’ accepting donations for the fresh goods, several others went from door to door..." The Watchtower, April 15, 1994, p. 24 Compare: "Religion of ‘Flexible Faith’...’the wealth of the Mormon Church has been used as a lever to gain entry into Marxist and Third World countries.’ Dam-building and well-drilling are among the projects supported by Mormon donations. In today’s pleasure- loving and money-hungry world, it is not surprising that such song-and-dance and open-purse tactics have strong appeal. (2 Timothy 3:2, 4) But truly sheeplike ones are attracted by the voice of the Fine Shepherd, Jesus Christ." The Watchtower, April 1, 1992, p. 30 "Jehovah’s Witnesses...Certainly, no one knows their modern-day history better than they themselves do." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 5 "A brief biography of Russell along with his will and testament was published in The Watch Tower of December 1, 1916, as well as in subsequent editions of the first volume of Studies in the Scriptures." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 64 Compare: [Jehovah’s Witnesses] "have never published a biography of Pastor Russell." Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Divine Purpose, p. 63 "Any group or individuals that speak in the name of Jehovah put themselves under obligation to convey his word truthfully." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 157 Doctrinal flip-flops "(1 Corinthians 9:26)...Hence, to run ‘not uncertainly’ means that to every observer it should be very evident where the runner is heading. The Anchor Bible renders it ‘not on a zigzag course.’ If you saw a set of footprints that meanders up and down the beach, circles around now and then, and even goes backward at times, you would hardly think the person was running at all, let alone that he had any idea where he was heading." The Watchtower, August 1, 1992, p. 17 Compare: "At times explanations given by Jehovah’s visible organization have shown adjustments, seemingly to previous points of view. But this has not actually been the case. This might be compared to what is known in navigational circles as ‘tacking.’ By maneuvering the sails the sailors can cause a ship to go from right to left, back and forth, but all the time making progress..." [accompanying "Tacking into the Wind" illustration shows a zigzag course] The Watchtower, December 1, 1981, p. 27 "Who will guide us through these difficult times?...For a whole generation in the West, Dr. Benjamin Spock was the foremost adviser in the matter of educating children. Then he admitted that his advice had been mistaken!" The Watchtower March 1, 1993, p. 32 "Some Catholics have accepted the changes out of faithfulness to the church and continue to practice its rites." Awake!, Sept. 8, 1993, p. 9 "At that time the Jonadabs were not considered to be ‘Jehovah’s witnesses.’" Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers..., 1993, p. 83 "For some 35 years Pastor Russell thought that the Great Pyramid of Gizeh was God’s stone witness, corroborating Biblical time periods." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 201 "‘Religion Is a Snare and a Racket’...That wording was based on the understanding that the term religion embraced all worship built on the traditions of men, instead of on God’s Word, the Bible. However, in 1950...that the term religion could properly be used to refer to true worship or false." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 567 Faithful and discreet slave "The fact is, many things are needed to be a real Christian. ...Moreover, a Christian has to recognize the authority of ‘the faithful and discreet slave.’" The Watchtower, 10/1/1991, p. 20 "Thus, we are enlightened by God’s answers to present-day problems, answers that reveal where we are in the stream of time and how we can successfully plan for the future. Those answers come to us through the channel of ‘the faithful and discreet anointed slave’ class, which uses The Watchtower Society as its publishing agency." Awake!, 10/8/1991, p. 13 "It is unlikely that someone who simply reads the Bible without taking advantage of divinely provided aids could discern the light. That is why Jehovah God has provided ‘the faithful and discreet slave,’ foretold at Matthew 24:45-47. Today that ‘slave’ is represented by the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses." The Watchtower, May 1, 1992, p. 31 "The speaker concluded: ‘Let all zealously continue to support the faithful and discreet slave. It is only by doing this that someday very soon all sheeplike ones will be able to hear the happy words: "Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom..."’" The Watchtower, January 15, 1993, p. 18 "...today ‘the faithful and discreet slave’ is associated with Jehovah’s Witnesses and represented by the Governing Body of these Witnesses." The Watchtower Feb. 1, 1993, p. 16 "...the idea that Russell himself was the faithful and wise servant... came to be generally held by the Bible Students for some 30 years." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 143 "Many who were sifted out at that time clung to the view that a single individual, Charles Taze Russell, was the ‘faithful and wise servant’ foretold by Jesus... Particularly following his death, The Watch Tower itself set forth this view for a number of years." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 626 Heaven/Earth "Did Jesus suggest that the evildoer was going to ‘be with him’ in heaven that very day, as certain Catholic and Protestant Bible translations would seem to imply? No, that was not what Jesus meant..." The Watchtower, April 1, 1994, p. 6 "Though they were taught by Jesus for three and a half years, prior to Pentecost 33 C.E. not even his apostles contemplated a heavenly paradise." The Watchtower, April 1, 1994, p. 6 "...it was not up to them to tell people whether their hope should be a heavenly one or an earthly one. The Lord would direct matters..." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 170 Holy Spirit "Thus, to the extent that we work to qualify for and to receive holy spirit from Jehovah and to manifest its fruitage, to that extent we can expect to be more self-controlled." Watchtower, Aug. 15, 1993, p. 22 Jehovah "True, no early surviving Greek manuscript of the ‘New Testament’ contains the personal name of God. But the name was included in the New World Translation for sound reasons, not merely on a whim." The Watchtower, 3/1/1991, p. 28 Jesus Christ "False Christs can make only a visible appearance. In contrast, Jesus’ presence will be invisible." The Watchtower, 4/1/1990, p. 24 "The word "monarch" comes from the Greek words mo« nos, meaning ‘alone,’ and ar•khe« , meaning ‘rule.’" Awake!, 8/22/1990, p. 16 "Jesus Christ further deserves honor because he is Jehovah’s chief angel, or archangel." The Watchtower, 2/1/1991, p. 17 "God did not send some angel to rescue mankind. He made the supreme sacrifice of sending his only-begotten Son..." The Watchtower, 2/15/1991, p. 14 "Christ Superior to Angels...Angels do obeisance to him..." The Watchtower, 2/15/1991, p. 24 "Why do we conclude that Jesus is the archangel Michael? God’s Word mentions only one archangel, and it speaks of that angel in reference to the resurrected Lord Jesus" The Watchtower, 4/15/1991, p. 28 "God disposed of Jesus’ body, not allowing it to see corruption and thus preventing its becoming a stumbling block to faith." The Watchtower, 11/15/1991, p. 31 "False Christs can make only a visible appearance. In contrast, Jesus’ presence will be invisible." The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 4th page of ch. 111 "...the sheep were ‘purchased with the blood of [God’s] own Son.’ (Acts 20:28)" The Watchtower July 15, 1993, p. 27 Compare: "...which he purchased with the blood of his own [Son]." Acts 20:28 Kingdom Interlinear Trans., English column "...which he reserved for self through the blood of the own (one)." Acts 20:28 Kingdom Interlinear Trans., interlinear reading "...which he hath purchased with his own blood." Acts 20:28 KJV "...which he bought with his own blood." Acts 20:28 NIV Marriage "In May 1949, I informed headquarters in Bern that I planned to marry Marthe and that we desired to remain in full-time service. The reaction?...Many no longer greeted us, treating us like disfellowshipped persons, even though we were pioneers." The Watchtower, 11/1/1991, p. 29 "There is no Biblical basis for making a distinction between insemination by intercourse and insemination artificially by donor implantation. Therefore, in either case, fornication or adultery is committed when insemination is accomplished by a male other than the woman’s legal husband." Awake! March 8, 1993, p. 27 Necromancy "It is fitting, then, that one of the 24 elders, representing anointed ones already in heaven, should stir John’s thinking...(Revelation 7:13, 14a) Yes, that elder could locate the answer and give it to John. This suggests that resurrected ones of the 24-elders group may be involved in the communicating of divine truths today." Revelation-Its Grand Climax At Hand!, p. 125 (emphasis in original) Compare: [Rev. 8:3] "This verse shows that, though Pastor Russell has passed beyond the veil, he is still managing every feature of the Harvest work." The Finished Mystery (1917), p. 144 "we hold that he supervises, by the Lord’s arrangement, the work yet to be done." The Finished Mystery (1917), p. 256 "Hence our dear Pastor, now in glory, is without doubt, manifesting a keen interest in the harvest work, and is permitted by the Lord to exercise some strong influence thereupon." Watch Tower, Nov. 1, 1917, p. 6161 [Society’s reprints] "No one of the temple company will be so foolish as to conclude that some brother (or brethren) at one time amongst them, and who has died and gone to heaven, is now instructing the saints on earth and directing them as to their work." Jehovah (1934), p. 191 Oddities "False Christs can make only a visible appearance. In contrast, Jesus’ presence will be invisible." The Watchtower, 4/1/1990, p. 24 "A religion that teaches lies cannot be true." The Watchtower, 12/1/1991, p. 7 "False Christs can make only a visible appearance. In contrast, Jesus’ presence will be invisible." The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 4th page of ch. 111 "Although Jehovah God used him more mightily than any of the other apostles, Paul never acted independently." The Watchtower Feb. 1, 1993, p. 13 "Some islands are so isolated that they can be reached only by boat." The Watchtower March 1, 1993, p. 30 "Spacious Kingdom Halls, expensive sound equipment, Assembly Halls, and attractive Bethel homes bring glory to God and offer a silent witness that he is blessing his people." The Watchtower, October 15, 1993, p. 11 "We want to give deserving ones the opportunity to learn of Jehovah’s undeserved kindness and the Kingdom hope." Our Kingdom Ministry, December 1993, p. 7 "It is only Jehovah’s Witnesses who truly endeavor to reach all the inhabited earth with the Kingdom message..." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 570 Organization "We cannot take part in any modern version of idolatry-be it worshipful gestures toward an image or symbol or the imputing of salvation to a person or an organization." The Watchtower, 11/1/1990, p. 26 "identifying themselves with Jehovah’s organization is essential to their salvation." Our Kingdom Ministry, 11/1990, p. 1 "Back in 1919, there were not even 10,000 who strove to serve God faithfully." The Watchtower, 3/1/1991, p. 19 "...God’s visible organization did not create or appoint itself. It did not spring from human will or effort." The Watchtower, 3/15/1991, p. 14 "If we are keeping pace with the chariotlike angelic organization, we will promptly comply with direction and instructions received through God’s visible organization." The Watchtower, 3/15/1991, p. 17 "The fact is, many things are needed to be a real Christian. ...Moreover, a Christian has to recognize the authority of ‘the faithful and discreet slave.’" The Watchtower, 10/1/1991, p. 20 "Thus, we are enlightened by God’s answers to present-day problems, answers that reveal where we are in the stream of time and how we can successfully plan for the future. Those answers come to us through the channel of ‘the faithful and discreet anointed slave’ class, which uses The Watchtower Society as its publishing agency." Awake!, 10/8/1991, p. 13 "No other organization on earth enjoys an intimate relationship with the Creator. ...Clearly, those who desire to serve God can only turn to the one organization that enjoys Jehovah’s spirit and blessing. ... No other organization on earth enjoys God’s special care and protection." The Watchtower, 11/1/1991, pp. 30-31 "...it has been decided to invite several helpers, mainly from among the great crowd, to share in the meetings of each of the Governing Body Committees, that is, the Personnel, Publishing, Service, Teaching, and Writing Committees. ...Under the direction of the Governing Body committee members, these assistants will take part in discussions and will carry out various assignments given them by the committee." The Watchtower, April 15, 1992, p. 31 "It is unlikely that someone who simply reads the Bible without taking advantage of divinely provided aids could discern the light. That is why Jehovah God has provided ‘the faithful and discreet slave,’ foretold at Matthew 24:45-47. Today that ‘slave’ is represented by the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses." The Watchtower, May 1, 1992, p. 31 "...a longtime Witness of Jehovah said: ‘If one thing has been most important to me, it has been the matter of keeping close to Jehovah’s visible organization. ...I decided to stay by the faithful organization. How else can one get Jehovah’s favor and blessing?’ There is nowhere else to go for divine favor and life eternal." The Watchtower Nov. 15, 1992, p. 21 "Years ago a few elders lacked such appreciation. One observer noted that these men ‘were critical of the articles in The Watchtower, not wanting to accept it as...God’s channel of truth, always trying to influence others in their way of thinking.’ However, loyal elders never try to influence others to reject any of the spiritual food provided by God through the faithful slave." The Watchtower, November 15, 1992, pp. 19-20 (ellipsis in original) "A local legal association has been formed that is registered as 33 ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses of South Africa.’" The Watchtower April 1, 1993, p. 23 "Today, God does not speak to his servants directly as he did to Job. Instead, he reproves them by means of his Word and his spirit-directed organization." The Watchtower June 1, 1993, p. 21 "...Jehovah provides regular spiritual food to strengthen his people. All of us need such food, but where can we receive it apart from God’s organization and its meetings? Nowhere." The Watchtower, Aug. 15, 1993, pp. 9-10 "...various Catholic commentators explain that the church is an organization made up of imperfect humans..." Awake!, Sept. 8, 1993, p. 6 "Spacious Kingdom Halls, expensive sound equipment, Assembly Halls, and attractive Bethel homes bring glory to God and offer a silent witness that he is blessing his people." The Watchtower, October 15, 1993, p. 11 "Through his Word and his organization, he provides us vital instruction so that we are able to do his will." The Watchtower, October 1, 1993, p. 20 "‘We refer to the organization as "Mama." We feel close, near. It’s beautiful. It’s wonderful!’" [Spanish Witness quoted in] The Watchtower, April 1, 1994, pg. 32 "The expression ‘Watch Tower’ is not unique to Russell’s writings or to Jehovah’s Witnesses. George Storrs published a book in the 1850’s called The Watch Tower: Or, Man in Death; and the Hope for a Future Life. The name was also incorporated in the title of various religious periodicals." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 48 "...‘"THE SOCIETY" is the visible representative of the Lord on earth...’" Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 219 Compare: "‘...the Pope of Rome...as Christ’s Vicar upon earth...’" The Watchtower August 1, 1965, p. 478 "...progressive instruction that Jehovah was providing through his visible channel of communication. ...the various volumes of Studies in the Scriptures...What they contained was, indeed, spiritual ‘food at the proper time.’" Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 252 "The relief efforts of the Witnesses are not meant to care for the physical needs of everyone in the disaster area. ...these are intended primarily for ‘those related to them in the faith.’" Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 315 "It was known as the ‘New Light’ Church because those who associated there felt that as a result of reading Watch Tower publications, they had new light on the Bible." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 319 "Those who make up the one true Christian organization today do not have angelic revelations or divine inspiration." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p 708 Pagan doctrines "‘The universality of the flood accounts is usually taken as evidence for the universal destruction of humanity by a flood...’...So we can confidently conclude that the Flood legends confirm the reality of the Biblical account." The Watchtower, January 15, 1992, p. 8 Compare: "Throughout the ancient world, as far back as Babylonia, the worship of pagan gods grouped in threes, or triads, was common...‘Three gods are combined and treated as a single being, addressed in the singular’...‘the divine trinity...can be found in all the ancient [pagan] religions.’" Should You Believe in the Trinity?, p. 11 "The practice of baptism, however, predates the Christian faith. It was employed in Babylonia and in ancient Egypt, where the cold waters of the Nile were thought to increase strength and bestow immortality." The Watchtower April 1, 1993, p. 4 Prophecies "Of course, we make no prediction as to how much time is still left, and we are not fixing any specific date." The Watchtower, 11/1/1991, p. 13 "Jehovah’s Witnesses, in their eagerness for Jesus’ second coming, have suggested dates that turned out to be incorrect. Because of this, some have called them false prophets. Never in these instances, however, did they presume to originate predictions ‘in the name of Jehovah.’" Awake!, March 22, 1993, p. 4 Compare (on the same page!): "Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator’s promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away." Awake!, March 22, 1993, p. 4 "...they should not be viewed as false prophets...In their human fallibility, they misinterpreted matters." Awake!, March 22, 1993, p. 4 "...Judge Rutherford...once made some dogmatic statements as to what Christians could expect in 1925. When events failed to support his expectations, he humbly told the Brooklyn Bethel family that he had made a fool of himself." The Watchtower, December 1, 1993, p. 18 "‘We may confidently expect,’ stated the booklet Millions Now Living Will Never Die, back in 1920, ‘that 1925 will mark the return [from the dead] of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old...’" Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 78 "The Witnesses had long shared the belief that the Thousand Year Reign of Christ would follow after 6,000 years of human history. But when would 6,000 years of human existence end? The book Life Everlasting-In Freedom of the Sons of God, released at a series of district conventions held in 1966, pointed to 1975." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 104 "...1977/78 reflected a decrease in the number sharing in the preaching work. Was the decrease at least partly due to disappointed expectations concerning 1975? Perhaps." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 110 "...1925. This year was also associated with expectations for resurrection of faithful pre-Christian servants of God with a view to their serving on earth as princely representatives of the heavenly Kingdom." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 632 "This later led to the idea-sometimes stated as a possibility, sometimes more firmly-that since the seventh millennium of human history would begin in 1975, events associated with the beginning of Christ’s Millennial Reign might start to take place then." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 633 "But some of their time calculations and the expectations that they associated with these gave rise to serious disappointments. Following 1925, meeting attendance dropped dramatically in some congregations in France and Switzerland. Again, in 1975, there was disappoint- ment when expectations regarding the start of the Millennium failed to materialize. As a result, some withdrew from the organization." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 633 "‘Probably I look ridiculous to you because I did not go to Heaven, October 1st, 1914...’" r headquarters worker C. J. Woodworth Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 634 "Well, does the fact that Jehovah’s Witnesses have had some premature expectations mean that they are not being led by God? Not any more than the disciples’ question about the imminence of the Kingdom in their day..." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p 709 Relationship with God "Today, God does not speak to his servants directly as he did to Job. Instead, he reproves them by means of his Word and his spirit-directed organization." The Watchtower June 1, 1993, p. 21 "Spacious Kingdom Halls, expensive sound equipment, Assembly Halls, and attractive Bethel homes bring glory to God and offer a silent witness that he is blessing his people." The Watchtower, October 15, 1993, p. 11 "Rather than expect miracles in the form of divine intervention of some sort, Jehovah’s Witnesses realize that protection is to be found in their worldwide Christian brotherhood." Watchtower, Dec. 1, 1993, p. 13 "‘We refer to the organization as "Mama." We feel close, near. It’s beautiful. It’s wonderful!’" [Spanish Witness quoted in] The Watchtower, April 1, 1994, pg. 32 Russell "...Charles T. Russell, the first president of the Watch Tower Society. His wife severed her ties with the Society and abandoned him in 1897, after nearly 18 years of marriage. She filed for legal separation in 1903, and it was issued in 1908." The Watchtower, 10/1/1991, p. 12 "...the idea that Russell himself was the faithful and wise servant...came to be generally held by the Bible Students for some 30 years." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 143 "Was God Using a Visible Channel?...It certainly could not be expected that God would use C. T. Russell if he did not loyally adhere to God’s Word. ...Russell was, indeed, used by God..." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 621 "Many who were sifted out at that time clung to the view that a single individual, Charles Taze Russell, was the ‘faithful and wise servant’ foretold by Jesus... Particularly following his death, The Watch Tower itself set forth this view for a number of years." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 626 "In 1879, Charles Taze Russell married Maria Frances Ackley...in November 1897 she left him...she was awarded, in 1908, a judgment, not of absolute divorce, but of divorce from bed and board, with alimony." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s ..., 1993, p. 645 Rutherford "J. F. Rutherford...was not making forecasts based on science or medicine. His discussion was based on the Bible." Awake!, 4/22/1990, p. 6 "...Judge Rutherford...once made some dogmatic statements as to what Christians could expect in 1925. When events failed to support his expectations, he humbly told the Brooklyn Bethel family that he had made a fool of himself." The Watchtower, December 1, 1993, p. 18 "Four members of the board of directors of the Society went so far as to endeavor to wrest administrative control from Rutherford’s hands." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 66 "Brother Rutherford was survived by his wife, Mary, and their son, Malcolm. Because Sister Rutherford had poor health and found winters in New York (where the Watch Tower Society’s headquarters were located) difficult to endure, she and Malcolm had been residing in southern California, where the climate was better for her health." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 85 "Was Rutherford simply trying to gain greater control?...it has been claimed by some that by advocating this organizational change, J. F. Rutherford simply was endeavoring to gain greater control over the Witnesses and that he used this means to assert his own authority." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 220 Sale of literature "25 cents (U.S.) a copy" "$5.00 (U.S.) per year" [The April 1, 1990, Watchtower no longer carries a price, in response to 1/17/1990 ruling in which the U.S. Supreme Court ignored a Watchtower Society brief and ordered Jimmy Swaggart Ministries to pay California sales tax.] The Watchtower, 3/15/1990, p. 2 "25 cents (U.S.) a copy" "$5.00 (U.S.) per year" [The April 8, 1990, Awake! no longer carries a price, in response to 1/17/1990 ruling in which the U.S. Supreme Court ignored a Watchtower Society brief and ordered Jimmy Swaggart Ministries to pay California sales tax.] Awake!, 3/22/1990, p. 4 [regarding Jehovah’s Witnesses] "They do not dodge taxes or seek to evade inconvenient laws..." The Watchtower, 4/1/1990, p. 20 "When an interested person cannot give a donation and a subscription is placed, the publisher who obtained the subscription may have an increased responsibility and privilege to honor Jehovah with his valuable things." Our Kingdom Ministry, 4/1990, pp. 1-7 "For many years they referred to their distribution of literature as ‘selling.’ But this terminology caused some confusion, and so beginning in 1929, it was gradually dropped....Where the law construes any distribution of Bible literature as commercial if the distributor suggests a contribution for the literature, Jehovah’s Witnesses gladly leave it with anyone who shows sincere interest and promises to read it....In 1990, because of highly publicized financial scandals in some of Christendom’s religions, coupled with an increasing tendency by governments to classify religious activity as a commercial enterprise, Jehovah’s Witnesses made some adjustments in their activity in order to avoid any misunderstanding." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 349 "There were not enough Bible Students to do it all personally, so they hired others to help." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 405 "...with the assistance of hundreds of young men who were paid for their services, they managed to have 300,000 copies of Food for Thinking Christians distributed in just a short time." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 561 "...from 1887 to 1898, he made use of the Tower Publishing Company....This was a firm owned by Charles Taze Russell. In 1898 he transferred assets of the Tower Publishing Company by donation to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society." Jehovah’s Witnesses-Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 576 Salvation "We cannot take part in any modern version of idolatry-be it worshipful gestures toward an image or symbol or the imputing of salvation to a person or an organization." The Watchtower, 11/1/1990, p. 26 "identifying themselves with Jehovah’s organization is essential to their salvation." Our Kingdom Ministry, 11/1990, p. 1 "If we hope to win eventual salvation, we must submit to a test of endurance as part of the necessary preparation for that salvation." The Watchtower, 11/1/1991, p. 9 "The speaker concluded: ‘Let all zealously continue to support the faithful and discreet slave. It is only by doing this that someday very soon all sheeplike ones will be able to hear the happy words: "Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom..."’" The Watchtower, January 15, 1993, p. 18 "But if we were to draw away from Jehovah’s organization, there would be no place else to go for salvation and true joy." The Watchtower, September 15, 1993, p. 22 Shunning "...the exclusion of over 40,000 erring individuals from fellowship with the Christian congregation during the past service year..." The Watchtower, 11/15/1991, p. 9 Trinity "‘The universality of the flood accounts is usually taken as evidence for the universal destruction of humanity by a flood...’...So we can confidently conclude that the Flood legends confirm the reality of the Biblical account." The Watchtower, January 15, 1992, p. 8 Compare: "Throughout the ancient world, as far back as Babylonia, the worship of pagan gods grouped in threes, or triads, was common...‘Three gods are combined and treated as a single being, addressed in the singular’...‘the divine trinity...can be found in all the ancient [pagan] religions.’" Should You Believe in the Trinity?, p. 11 Works "Thus, to the extent that we work to qualify for and to receive holy spirit from Jehovah and to manifest its fruitage, to that extent we can expect to be more self-controlled." The Watchtower, Aug. 15, 1993, p. 22 "We want to give deserving ones the opportunity to learn of Jehovah’s undeserved kindness and the Kingdom hope." Our Kingdom Ministry, December 1993, p. 7 © 1994 by David A. Reed, originally published as a 40-page booklet by Comments from the Friends P.O. Box 819, Assonet, MA 02702 The foregoing material is a supplement updating the book Index of Watchtower Errors: 1879-1989. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PRINT THIS WEBSITE MATERIAL FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION. |
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Baker Digital Reference Library CD-ROM |
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The 22 books on this CD total 9000 pages and would cost $400.00 in book form. The disk includes Logos Library System 2.1 program to run with Windows 3.1 or above on a 486 or better PC with 8MB RAM (16MB recommended). Includes Overview Guide & Users Guide (Also on disk but LOCKED: New International Version, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation -- MAY BE UNLOCKED by phoning Logos and paying with credit card.) |
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