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.
I have a question that's been puzzling to me for some time and perhaps you can help. A while back, I was reading an old Watchtower magazine (Feb. 15, 1983, p. 12-13) and it says:
"A third requirement is that we be associated with God's channel, his organization. God has always used an organization...Jehovah is using only one organization today to accomplish his will. To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it."
What bothered me was that Pastor Russell says in really early edition of the Watchtower (Sep 1, 1893, p. 266):
"There is no organisation today clothed with such divine authority to imperiously command mankind. There is no organisation doing this today; though we are well aware that many of them in theory claim that they ought to be permitted to do so; and many more would like to do so...This was the fatal mistake into which the church began to fall in the second century"
If he's claiming that there was no organization in his day, how can we make sense of the Society's statement that “God has always used an organization”? And if we need to identify with God's organization to receive everlasting life, why does Pastor Russell describe it as a “fatal mistake”?
Answer WATCHTOWER MAGAZINE (FEB. 15, 1983, P. 12-13) ONE ORGANIZATION;WATCHTOWER (SEP 1, 1893, P. 266):"THERE IS NO ORGANIZATION “
Just as the light of the sun continues to get brighter from dawn until “the day is firmly established,” so the path of the righteous ones, illuminated by godly wisdom, gets lighter and lighter. (Pr 4:18)
What we know today, we did not know back in 1893
“1925: It was clearly discerned that there are two distinct and opposing organizations—Jehovah's and Satan's.
1931: The new name Jehovah's Witnesses was adopted.
1935: The “great crowd” of Revelation 7:9-15 was identified as a class having an earthly destiny.
1941: The rightfulness of the universal sovereignty of Jehovah was shown to be the primary issue raised by Satan's challenge.
1962: The “superior authorities” of Romans 13:1 were properly identified as being the secular governmental authorities, to whom Christians are to be in relative subjection.
1986: It was appreciated that both the remnant and the “great crowd” must figuratively partake of Jesus' flesh and blood by accepting his sacrifice in order to be in harmony with him.—John 6:53-56.
How have God's people responded to such progressive enlightenment? All along, there have been a few who could not accept certain adjustments. These were ‘winnowed out.' (Matthew 3:12) On the other hand, how happy Jehovah's loyal servants are for such spiritual enlightenment!
