Expert: Robert Jones - 10/26/2009

Question
QUESTION: Pastor Russell taught that the pyramids held God's truth, and used them to make prophecies about the date of the return of Jesus. My guess is that would be frowned upon by today's WTBTS, and he'd even be disfellowshipped if he taught such things. So,
1. What is his eternal destiny? And
2. What about those who believed his teachings that we no longer believe?
3. If a person in 1920 was disfellowshipped for believing what we currently teach/believe, what is their eternal destiny?

ANSWER: Well, RK, I have a hard time answering your question because you did not ask me what Jehovah's Witnesses believe about this. I prefer to answer from that perspective because that is what this forum is about, the beliefs and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses. However, the following answers are what I know to be the truth.

1. He is dead. Very dead.
2. They are dead. Very dead.
3. They are either already dead or soon will be dead. Very dead.

If you intended to ask what the official belief of Jehovah's Witnesses are on the these questions, please feel free to restate the questions.
Robert Jones

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Sorry for the confusion. Yes that was my intention. Thanks.
I know he, and they are dead. But, can a person who believes what he taught be a part of the 144,000? That doesn't make any sense to me. What am I missing.

ANSWER: Jehovah's Witnesses believe that if a current JW believes as Pastor Russell did (you mention Russell's teaching about the pyramids holding God's truth) that the JW today would not be in step with "current truth." The truth has progressed, the light has gotten brighter, over the decades since Russell. What was revealed truth at that time has been replaced by clearer, brighter, truth. Those who believed (maybe incorrectly) back then were in step with current truth as revealed at that time. So then...

1. Russell's eternal destiny is heaven where he has been since the early resurrection occurred (the first trump) in 1918. He will rule with Christ as one of the 144,000. Most likely be seated closely to Christ along with the Apostle Paul and the Apostle John.
2. Those who believed his teachings back then were mostly of the "anointed class" and have also received their heavenly reward as Russell did. Those who were eventually identified as in the "great multitude" await their resurrection back to a paradise earth.
3. Those who were disfellowshipped back then for believing as JWs NOW believe might not be resurrected. That is in Jehovah's hands. They were out of step with the organization, running ahead of the "Faithful and Discreet Slave." So there resurrection as a faithful one is unlikely.

I'm sure it all makes perfect sense now!
Robert Jones

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: 1. What verses would the WTBTS use to support the answers you've given?
a. People who died practicing pagan beliefs are in heaven?
b. Russell is likely seated close to Christ?
c. Believing the truth, at the wrong time in history, means your resurrection is "unlikely"?

- It appears that "truth" is whatever the WTBTS is teaching at the current time. Which, of course means truth changes!?!?!

2. What scriptures does the WTBTS use support that teaching?

3. You mentioned "paradise earth", where does that phrase appear in the Bible? (Any translation)

Thanks! Your answers have dome much to help me understand the teachings of "Jehovah's Witnesses."


Answer
I hope you will forgive me for not looking up chapter and verse in defense of the WTBTS teachings. I did that sincerely for 32 years but have long lost the interest. I can assure you that many verses are used to support any teaching. The verses are cherry-picked from across the Bible and used in concert to perfectly fit any teaching. The teaching is then reasoned and expounded in detail in a chapter of a WT publication.

Oh heck, here is a stab at it anyway.
a. Sure, anointed ones who died while practicing pagan beliefs are now in heaven. As long as they died faithful to the organization and cooperated with the faithful slave at the time. This would include Christmas celebrations at Bethel throughout the 1920s.

b. Russell was used mightily by Jehovah to reinvigorate and spearhead spiritual truth in the early days of the organization. It is not specifically said that he will have a seat close to Christ, but he was not just another anointed one either.

c. Being out of step with Jehovah's visible organization at ANY time will make your resurrection unlikely. The example often given is the Israelite who reached out to steady the Ark of the Covenant as it was being transported. He was doing the right thing, but it was against organizational instruction not to touch the ark. He was killed.

3. The Bible says "paradise" and "earth" in many places. All that is required is to quote two separate verses in the same sentence that contain both words and the Bible will say paradise earth. It's sort of like the "great crowd" (Rev 7:9) of "other sheep" (John 10:16). Put the two together and what do you have?

I am so happy to hear that you are understanding the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses. I have been praying for such an honest-hearted one as you.
RJ :-)