About Michael O`Flaherty (Expert=8663) Expertise Did you know that the Bible does talk about the concept of the trinity? Did you know that Jesus did claim to be God, and that unless He washes you, you will not get into heaven? If you want a spirited debate about your beliefs in relation to the Bible, please ask. I will warn you; you might be challenged. Friendly debate only!
Expert: Michael O`Flaherty (Expert=8663) - 8/9/2006
Question Why do JWs continue to predict the end of the world when they have clearly been in error five times? Also, are JWS encouraged to believe that the current crises in the Middle East follows an Armageddom paradigm; i.e. "non believers" are only escalating conflict and hastening the destruction of the world. It seems to me a spiritually questionable position at the very least to take when one is revelling in the crisis and pain taking place in other countries that house people of different belief systems.
Answer Hi Sparrow!
JWs attempt to draw power from fear and an appearance of having all of the answers. However, it is a double-edged sword. For example, in 1975 when the world did not end, they lost many members. (People were actually selling their homes and quiting jobs in preparation.)
Jesus was clear that we need to watch out for false prophets (JWs for example), that the gospel will be preached to the whole world (our responsibility as ambassadors to Christ), and that we need to stand firm:
MT 24:3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" 4 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, `I am the Christ, ' and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. 9 "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Paul tells us (Christians) how we are to approach the end:
1TH 5:1 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
So yes, they attempt to take advantage of world events to further their cause. We should do the same—not with specific dates, times, or world events, but with the announcement and belief that Jesus will some day return. When this happens, the present earth will pass away. As Peter alludes to in 1 Peter 3, you must be on board the ark (baptism into Jesus) to survive the coming storm. Those who were outside the ark could not board once it started raining and the door was closed. So we need to convince people to board the ark before it is too late.
