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.
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Brenda, In all the 30 years you have spent as one of Jehovah's Witnesses, have you ever tested the WTBTS' "New Light" over the last 130 plus years (1John 4:1) to see if that this "Prophet" was preaching and prophesying "truth," as you regard the WTBTS as "Jehovah's Organization"?
To test the imformation of the WTBTS' teachings, and to give me a clear & honest answers ... all you need is your Bible, and a serious "test" of reviewing the WTBTS publications in your very own Kingdom Hall Library.
Are you aware of the first "New Light" of Charles Taze Russell, the founder of the WTBTS, buried in Pittsburg, PA., at a Masonic Cemetary, with the infamous representation of the Tower of Babel (Pyramid) adjacent to his grave marker with the inscription "Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society" ... that He taught from 1879 till 1914 (35 years) that Jesus had return "invisbily" in 1874, and prophesied that Armeggedon was coming in 1914? Are you aware that this date was "whispered by angels" into the ears of WTBTS Founder and Present C.T. Russell? And that the "New Light" would be changed by "Jehovah" pertaining to the prophesied dates would later be changed to 1918, 1919, 1925, 1975, 2000 ... and that the "invisble" return of Christ would later be changed to 1914? Are you aware that C.T. Russell was originally taught by the Adventists that Jesus "invisible return" was an even earlier date prior to his creation of the WTBTS in 1879? And that they originally prophesied Armeggeson to come in 1873, then in 1874?
In the very first Watch Tower Magazine ever printed, written by the hand of C.T. Russell, pages 8 & 9 of the bound volume; under the subtitle "What Is Truth?" You may note that C.T. Russell took the side of Satan, stating the opposite of Jesus Christ (John 8:44); slandered real Christians (2Timothy 3:1-13) ... defended infidels ... the opposite of what Apostle Paul said to do, and contradicting God Himself in 2Corinthians 6:14-18!
Have you thoroughly researched this information to qualify yourself as an expert on Jehovah's Witnesses, and to know, if you were teaching the same Jesus, preaching the same gospel as the Apostles? (2Corinthians 11:3-4, 13-15) Do you know Who the real truth is? (John 14:6) Do you know Whom the scriptures testify of and why? (John 5:38-40) What is the primary bebifit of knowing the Holy Scriptures? (2Timothy 3:14-17) Do you really know the condemnation of your sinful state and to Whom you must place your faith in to be saved? (John 3:14-21)(John 1:3-17,) Can you honestly say that with all the failed prophecies of the WTBTS, that they are truly God's Chosen Prophet? Should we believe the WTBTS "New Light" (2Corinthians 11:13-15) or the True Light Jesus the Holy Christ?
Patient and looking forward to your honest answers,
Josh.
Answer -
I do not speak to apostates.
I want you to know, that first of all, I forgive you of your slander, and express that with sincerity & Christian love.
Moreover, I am not an "apostate," (Jehovah's Witness) as I am a Christian carrying the doctrine of Christ. (2John)
I have provided facts, and have qualified the resources. My post to you is done in honesty and truth! All you have to do is read your own Watch Tower literature, as C.T. Russell, along with all the rest of the WTBTS, has changed the "New Light" over and over and over again.
Do you believe the Bible to be the Word of God?
Have you thoroughly tested the spirit of the WTBTS, as Apostle John said to test all spirits? (2John 4:1)
With all of the decades past of "New Light" becoming "mistakes" & "ERROR" by the WTBTS ... Will you ever accept the True Light Jesus Christ? And repent from the idolatry of this false prophet?
All throughout the New Testment of the Bible, nowhere does Jesus say that man knows the day and the hour of His return! Jesus did not return in 1914 "invisbly," just as He didn't in 1874!
If you were alive in the late 1800's ... and became of "prosylite" of 27 year old, C.T. Russell ... sold all that you had, gone from door to door preaching that Jesus returned "invisbly" in 1874, & that "Armeggedon" was coming in 1914 ... & after 35 years ... would you have waited around for "Armeggedon" to come in 1918, 1919, then later in 1925?
These "New Light" Prophesies of the WTBTS, are all printed in their literature! They have all failed to come to pass! Do you really think that Jesus would give His authority to these false prophets?
You do not have to be a Jehovah's Witness to read the Watch Tower literature to test these facts!
The WTBTS publication can be located in any public meeting Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall.
And the Last Will and Testament of C.T. Russell can also be found in the Watch Tower bound volumes, of which directs you to his grave site in Pittsburg, Pa. To see his grave site; you can find photos on the internet, and/or get a plane ticket to physically visit it for yourself.
If the Watch Tower lied about the Return of Christ, as well as the false dates ... Can you really trust them with your salvation?
Please read these passages to learn Whom you may receive True Salvation! (John 14:6) (John 5:38-40) (John 3:14-21) In fact, I encourage you to simply sit down in the peace of your own home, and read only the Bible, without the WTBTS literature. Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 10:17 that Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing cometh by the Word of God!
There is no doubt that what I have written to you is discomforting ... I am writing this to you in the spirit of Christian love! (2Timothy 4:1-5)
I challenge you to test these facts ... and to be honest, not only with yourself, but mostly importantly with the True God of the Bible!
With Christian love,
Josh.
Answer “WTBTS, HAS CHANGED THE "NEW LIGHT" OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN.”
Yes I am well aware of that and not at all surprised--Spiritual light gets brighter for God's people as time goes on. (Proverbs 4;18) As we draw much closer to events, our understanding of the outworking of God's purposes becomes clearer. Divine prophecies open up to us as God's holy spirit sheds light upon them.
God is very considerate in the way he makes his purposes known to his servants. Instead of revealing the truth all at once in one blinding flash of light, he enlightens us progressively.--
1. As the end of Jesus earthly life drew near, the disciples still had much to learn. Jesus told them: “I have many things yet to say to you, but you are not able to bear them at present.” (John 16:12) The disciples would continue to grow in understanding of God's truth.
2. After Jesus' death and resurrection, light from God shone more brightly than before. In a vision given to Peter, God revealed that uncircumcised Gentiles could henceforth become followers of Christ. (Acts 10:9-17)
3. Spiritual light continued to shine throughout the first century. But God did not reveal every aspect of his purposes to the early Christians. The apostle Paul told first-century fellow believers: “At present we see in hazy outline by means of a metal mirror.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)
Note that the shining of light on the path of the righteous is progressive. It keeps “shining ever brighter.” Obviously this involves truths changing, as their understanding is progressive.
“DO YOU BELIEVE THE BIBLE TO BE THE WORD OF GOD?”
Of course I do --Paul wrote: “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16) As we grow spiritually, we are taught by God's Word.
“HAVE YOU THOROUGHLY TESTED THE SPIRIT OF THE WTBTS (2JOHN 4:1)”
Yes of course I have, I wasted 19 years of my life attending church and believing everything that Minister said, to be God's word, only to find out later he was preaching man made doctrines, so when I met Jehovah's Witnesses I tested the religion thoroughly, I have never found them to preach man made doctrines. Everything they teach is Bible based.
Btw there is no; “2 John 4;1”
“WILL YOU EVER ACCEPT THE TRUE LIGHT JESUS CHRIST?”
I did that over 30 years ago.:¬) will you?
Those who love the darkness hate Jehovah's light. (John 3:19) Some even try to extinguish that light. This is not unexpected. Even Jesus, “the true light that gives light to every sort of man,” was ridiculed, opposed, and finally killed by his countrymen. (John 1:9) Throughout the 20th century, Jehovah's Witnesses too have been mocked, imprisoned, banned, even killed, as they faithfully reflected Jehovah's light. In recent years, opponents have resorted to spreading lies in the media about those who reflect God's light. Some want to make people believe that Jehovah's Witnesses are dangerous and should be restricted or banned. Have such opposers succeeded? No.
“NOWHERE DOES JESUS SAY THAT MAN KNOWS THE DAY AND THE HOUR OF HIS RETURN!”
That is correct, as a student of the bible I do know that;- Mark 13:32, RS: “Of that day or that hour no ones knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
The Bible does not tell us the exact date when Jesus Christ will come as Jehovah's Executioner against Satan's system of things. However Jesus left over 30 signs to look for as proof the end was near. The foretold Kingdom-preaching work and other features of the sign of Jesus' presence are being fulfilled right now. Hence, the end is near for this wicked system of things. Jesus' prophecy can help us to be ready for “that day and hour.”
JESUS DID NOT RETURN IN 1914 "INVISBLY,"
Oh yes he did return invisibly in 1914, Bible chronology determined that date, not Jehovah's Witnesses—
Jesus spoke of a time during which the leaders of the world would occupy center stage without interference from God's Kingdom. Jesus called that period “the appointed times of the nations.” (Luke 21:24) At the end of those “appointed times,” God's heavenly Kingdom would come to power, with Jesus as its rightful Ruler. At first, Jesus would rule “in the midst of [his] enemies.” (Psalm 110:2) Then, according to Daniel 2:44, the Kingdom would “crush and put an end” to all human governments, and it would stand forever.
“the appointed times of the nations” began with the destruction of Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. and those “times” were 2,520 years in length, bringing us down to 1914 ,marking the end of “the appointed times of the nations.”
World events from 1914 onward confirm that the above understanding based on Bible chronology is correct. Jesus himself said that “the conclusion of the system of things” would be marked by wars, famines, and pestilences. (Matthew 24:3-8; Revelation 6:2-8)
"FALSE PROPHETS?
1. True prophets make known their faith in Jesus.(1 John 4:1-3)
2. True prophets speak in the name of God. Deut. 18:18-20:(Jeremiah 14:14; 28:11, 15.)
If any individuals or organizations claim to represent God but decline to use God's personal name, and make it a practice to express their own opinions on matters, they are not measuring up to this important qualification of a true prophet.
3. What true prophets foretell comes to pass, but they may not understand just when or how it will be Dan. 12:9: 1 Pet. 1:10, 11: 1 Cor. 13:9, 10:
The apostles and other early Christian disciples had certain wrong expectations, but the Bible does not classify them with the “false prophets.”—See Luke 19:11; John 21:22, 23; Acts 1:6, 7.
4. The pronouncements of a true prophet promote true worship and are in harmony with God's revealed will Deut. 13:1-4:
Since the Bible says that “a friend of the world” is an enemy of God, are clergymen who urge their parishioners to get involved in the affairs of the world promoting true worship? (Jas. 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17)
The true God said that the nations “will have to know that I am Jehovah,” and the Bible states that God would take out of the nations “a people for his name,” but are religious organizations that minimize the importance of using God's personal name acting in harmony with this revealed will of God? (Ezek. 38:23; Acts 15:14)
Jesus taught his followers to pray for God's Kingdom, and the Bible cautions against putting one's trust in earthling men, so are clergymen or political organizations that urge people to place their confidence in human rulership true prophets?—Matt. 6:9, 10; Ps. 146:3-6; compare Revelation 16:13, 14.
5. True prophets and the false can be recognized by the fruitage manifest in their lives and the lives of those who follow them. Matt. 7:15-20: “
What characterizes their way of life? “The works of the flesh are . . . fornication, uncleanness, loose conduct, idolatry, practice of spiritism, enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, divisions, sects, envies, drunken bouts, revelries, and things like these. . . . Those who practice such things will not inherit God's kingdom. On the other hand, the fruitage of [God's] spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control.”—Gal. 5:19-23; see also 2 Peter 2:1-3.
Jehovah's Witnesses are easily identified as TRUE prophets.
CAN YOU REALLY TRUST THEM WITH YOUR SALVATION?
I would not be so silly as to trust ANY human with my salvation. The Bible advises us: “Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs.” (Psalm 146:3) Why not? The Bible answers: “To earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.” (Jeremiah 10:23)
Yes I agree-- Only through Jesus, “the way,” can we approach God in prayer and have an approved relationship with Him. (John 15:16)
John 5; 38-40--Jesus was showing his Jewish listeners their insincerity or their inconsistency. They realized that the Scriptures could guide them to everlasting life, but the very Scriptures that they were searching also should have led them to the Messiah, Jesus. Nonetheless, they refused to accept him. Studying was thus of no profit because they were not sincere, teachable.—Deuteronomy 18:15; Luke 11:52; John 7:47, 48.
How different the picture was with Jesus' disciples, including the apostles! They studied “the holy writings, which are able to make [one] wise for salvation.” (2 Timothy 3:15) In this they were like the earlier prophets who made “a diligent inquiry and a careful search.” Those prophets did not consider that search to be just one zealous burst of study for a few months or a year. The apostle Peter says that “they kept on investigating,” particularly about the Christ and what glories were involved in his saving role for mankind. .—1 Peter 1:10, 11.
John 3)-- The Scriptures make it clear that Jesus Christ is now ruling as King. Because of his coming to power in 1914, wonderful prophecies will yet be fulfilled. To experience their fulfillment, we must prove to be meek ones who “exercise faith” in Jesus Christ, repenting of sinful works and of sins committed in ignorance. Of course, those who love darkness will not receive everlasting life. -John 3:19-21.
Spiritual light has come into the world by means of Jesus, and listening to him is vital.
Jehovah's Witnesses understand that perfectly.
“SIMPLY SIT DOWN IN THE PEACE OF YOUR OWN HOME, AND READ ONLY THE BIBLE”
:¬) You really don't know Jehovah's Witnesses do you, that is what we spend our lives doing.-
“His delight is in the law of Jehovah, and in his law he reads in an undertone day and night.”—Ps. 1:2.
As God's servants, we ‘delight in the law of Jehovah.' When possible, during periods of personal study and meditation, we may read “in an undertone,” sounding out the words. Doing this when reading any portion of the Scriptures will help to make a lasting impression on our mind and heart. Because of a keen desire to become better acquainted with Jehovah's message for mankind, we may well read the Bible “day and night”—yes, even when we cannot sleep for some reason. The apostle Peter urged us: “As newborn infants, form a longing for the unadulterated milk belonging to the word, that through it you may grow to salvation.” (1 Pet. 2:1, 2)
ROMANS 10:17 FAITH COMETH BY HEARING, AND HEARING COMETH BY THE WORD OF GOD!
Faith follows the thing heard. In turn the thing heard is through the word about Christ.” (Romans 10:14-17) It follows, then, that if we want more faith, we must hear and take in knowledge of the Scriptures. This is what Jehovah's Witnesses spend their lives doing and then they preach to others, as Jesus commanded (Matthew 24;14)
WHAT I HAVE WRITTEN TO YOU IS DISCOMFORTING ... (2TIMOTHY 4:1-5)
Not at all, I merely didn't want involved with someone who critisizes the WTBS, if you have questions regarding the bible, or our beliefs, I will be more than happy to answer you.
Satan tries to break our integrity through the sowing of doubts about what we have been taught. Today, as in the first century, apostates and others seek to destroy the faith of guileless ones. (Galatians 2:4; 5:7, 8) Sometimes they use the media to spread distorted information or even outright lies about the methods and motives of Jehovah's people. Paul warned that some would be turned away from the truth. “There will be a period of time,” he wrote, “when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories.”—2 Timothy 4:3, 4.
Jehovah's Witnesses are NOT the ones who have been “turned aside by false stories” As Christians we wisely “test out the words” of religious stories to see if they are in harmony with the Bible.—Job 12:11.
