AboutBrenda Martin Expertise I have been one of Jehovah`s Witneses now for over 30 years, in those years I have brought up 4 children, teaching each of them the bible.Being one of Jehovah`s Witnesses has helped me cope with my Epilepsy and bring up a daughter with learning difficulties.I have conducted bible studies with people from nearly every denomination i.e. Muslim. Having used the bible all these years to answer peoples questions, I feel I am qualified to give any answer regarding Jehovah`s Witnesses and the bible.
Experience My experience has been one of attending bible lectures 5 times a week,taking part in these lectures in front of an audience and being with thousands of J.W. at conventions where I have seen the bible at work in peoples lives.It is truly a miracle when you see thousands of people meeting together and not one policeman needed, and not even a piece of litter in sight.It is like another world.
Question I was recently talking to a Jehovah’s Witness brother who was doing some carpentry work for me about his take on the mistakes or changes in doctrine the Watchtower has made in the past regarding dates, Beth Serim, the worship of Jesus, etc. His explanation was from Proverbs 4:18 “But the path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established”. (NWT)
I think the words light and truth are interchangeable here, and God would NEVER reveal something that is wrong or false. Did you know there is an old Watchtower (I have a copy, but I couldn't figure out how to attach it to this email) that says, “A new view of truth never can contradict a former truth…but adds to it”? So how can this verse possibly be used as an excuse for mistakes made by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society when even their own Watchtower magazine has said in the past that “New Light” never extinguishes older “light”?
Prov. 4:18: “The path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established.”
Jehovah’s dealings with his chosen servants in Bible times confirm that clear understanding of his will and purposes often comes GRADUALLY--
1. Abraham did not fully understand how Jehovah’s purpose in connection with the “seed” would work out. (Gen. 12:1-3, 7; 15:2-4; compare Hebrews 11:8.)
2. Daniel did not grasp the final outcome of the prophecies he recorded. (Dan. 12:8, 9)
3. Jesus, when on earth, admitted that he did not know the day and hour that the present system of things would end. (Matt. 24:36)
4.The apostles did not at first understand that Jesus’ Kingdom would be heavenly, that it was not to be established in the first century, and that even Gentiles may inherit it.—Luke 19:11; Acts 1:6, 7; 10:9-16, 34, 35; 2 Tim. 4:18; Rev. 5:9, 10.
It should not surprise us that in modern times too, Jehovah has often led his people as a progressive organization, gradually enlightening them as to Bible truths.
**IT IS NOT THE TRUTHS THEMSELVES THAT CHANGE. TRUTH REMAINS TRUTH*.
Jehovah’s will and purpose, as outlined in the Bible, remain fixed. (Isa. 46:10) But their understanding of these truths gets progressively clearer “at the proper time,” Jehovah’s due time. (Matt. 24:45; compare Daniel 12:4, 9.)
