About Brandon Harper Expertise I was raised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses and was baptized for 21 years. I was a 4th generation Jehovah's Witness both paternally and maternally and am qualified to answer many questions regarding doctrine, doctrinal changes, historical basis for various doctrines, as well as offer rebuttal responses from the perspective of a former Jehovah's Witness. I can also answer questions from the perspective of an ardent Jehovah's Witness.
Experience I am 33 years old, became a publisher and gave my first public talk at age 4, was baptized at age 12, became an inactive publisher at age 32, and disassociated myself at age 33. My father has served as a congregation servant/elder continuously from the age of 17 on. Of my 9 uncles, 6 are elders. Of my 9 aunts, four are regular pioneers. My father is the presiding overseer of a congregation. When I began seriously investigating this religion I had to prepare for conversations with a very large extended family steeped in the history and doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses. I have thoroughly studied many Watchtower Society publications that most Jehovah's Witnesses have never even read, if they have heard of them at all, seeking the origins of various doctrinal points. I knew I would need to have this knowledge to discuss the issues in detail with my family when I decided to disassociate myself.
Education/Credentials I read every Watchtower and Awake! magazine from at least age 8 through age 32. According to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society I have the equivalent of several four-year degrees (Reference available on request). I would hope that education would qualify me as an expert.
Question I am not a JW by any means I think that they are nice ppl but the have been lied to. can you help me at on 607 BC not BCE. I know its wong and there get 1914 from it. if you have any other in put let me know and if I may ask you. Do you you think JESUS is GOD now or not why or why not? I think you for your time.
Answer 3r1,
You wrote: "I am not a JW by any means I think that they are nice [people] but [they] have been lied to. can you help me [out] on 607 BC not BCE. I know [it is wrong] and [they] get 1914 from it."
I would be happy to. Let me start by setting out their doctrine and the basis they use for it.
They accept secular chronology as being correct in its determination of the date for the fall of Babylon (539 BC). Due to their interpretation of the Bible, they believe the Jews were released from exile in 537 BC. They teach that 2 Chronicles 36:17-21 indicates that 70 years was the period of desolation, which period they interpret as beginning with the last exile of the Jews into Babylon and the destruction of Solomon's Temple. Therefore, 537 BC + 70 years = 607 BC.
Interpretations are required at several points in arriving at 607 BC as the date for the destruction of Solomon's Temple. However, both Scripturally and secularly there are severe problems with this interpretation of history.
In the process of arriving at 1914 AD from 607 BC there are even more severe problems, beginning with the use of a prophecy that does not require a second fulfillment (Daniel 4), using a starting point that doesn't make any sense at all (607 BC), applying methods of interpretation from other books of the Bible that are clearly not indicated by the context, and most remarkably (in my opinion) placing Nebuchadnezzar as an ante-type of Jehovah in their interpretation.
But then there is the problem of what 1914 was originally supposed to have been. Initially, Zion's Watchtower was a publication heralding Christ's presence begun in 1874, and his kingdom corronated in 1878. The first dramatic act of this kingdom of Christ was supposed to be the destruction of all God's opposers at Armageddon in 1914.
You asked: "Do you you think JESUS is GOD now or not why or why not?"
I don't like to address doctrinal points directly regarding my personal beliefs, but I will say I find it very interesting that the Old Testament repeatedly makes clear that there is only one God, stipulating that all others are false gods. From the texts, I cannot understand why John would write that Jesus "was a god" or "was God" as John 1:1 writes: "In the beginning." Surely this specifies Jesus' godship PRIOR to resurrection.
There is ONLY one true God. Jesus is a true God. He has been one since "in the beginning." As opposed to false gods like Satan, Baal, Dagon, Horus, or Zeus. If we can agree there is only one true God, then that agreement removes any ambiguity from John 1:1 unless we first assert that Jesus was a false god "in the beginning."
Whether or not that means the trinity is true, at the VERY least Jehovah's Witnesses do not ascribe to Jesus the position the Bible says he holds. They reduce him to a messenger boy for carrying prayers to the Father. They say that he is King, High Priest, redeemer, savior, etc. but they cannot talk with him or appeal to him.
