***
*** g91 10/8 p. 13 Why Study the Bible? ***
"Therefore, following the example of the ancient Beroeans, it is important that we not only read God’s Word but also study it—“carefully examining the Scriptures”—so as to get the meaning of what is said. In this way we can deepen our appreciation for the Bible, and we too become, like Timothy, persons able to ‘save both ourselves and those who listen to us.’"
The Beroeans did not doubt the message they were receiving from Paul, but rather were optimistically looking in the scriptures to confirm what he said to be true. Thus, the effects of examining the scriptures led them to being baptized, and strengthened their faith in what they were learning. Their desire to understand the deep things of God, along with the willingness to be open to what Paul taught, allowed them to draw closer to Jehovah. We can expect the same faith strengthening when we examine the Watchtower.
Obviously the message that Paul was reciting to the Beroeans was truth, and had a solid foundation that he confidently expected them to find in the scriptures when they examined them. Essentially, Paul's words paralleled what the scriptures expressed to the Beroeans as they carefully looked into the matter. The readiness of the Beroeans to give ear to their message, and their diligence in examining the Scriptures in search of confirmation of the things learned, earned them the commendation found at Acts 17:11.
The Watchtower Society should also feel confident when we examine the scriptures, in order to come to a fuller understanding of what is being taught. But what if there is a fault, an error, a contradiction in the publications that doesn't coincide with what the scriptures teach? The following post will show that the Watchtower Society is in error regarding portions of their understanding in Revelation and the beasts contained within.
The Watchtower Society should also feel confident when we examine the scriptures, in order to come to a fuller understanding of what is being taught. But what if there is a fault, an error, a contradiction in the publications that doesn't coincide with what the scriptures teach? The following post will show that the Watchtower Society is in error regarding portions of their understanding in Revelation and the beasts contained within.
Recently, in a June 15 Watchtower study article, there was a discussion of the beasts of Revelation, and the final scenario these beasts have in regards to the final days we are living through. Although the article goes into quite a lot of detail explaining to the reader the who is, and the when and where of many of the symbolic references in Revelations, it unfortunately had a glaring error in it.
The article was called "Jehovah Reveals "What Shortly Must Take Place"" and begins on page 14 of the June 15, 2012 Watchtower. You can download the article here in pdf format.
There is quite a bit I want to discuss about this article, however I am going to merely focus on the false teaching that the society has done in this Watchtower. To be honest, if it wasn't so blatant, I would probably just let it go, however I just don't understand how the society could misapply something that is obviously written to say something else.
There is quite a bit I want to discuss about this article, however I am going to merely focus on the false teaching that the society has done in this Watchtower. To be honest, if it wasn't so blatant, I would probably just let it go, however I just don't understand how the society could misapply something that is obviously written to say something else.
In paragraph 13 of the study we are told of the image of the beast in Revelation. The article relates how John sees a vision where the image of the beast "appears, disappears, and would rise again". Here is the paragraph quoted from the Watchtower article:
"This wild beast promotes the making of an image of the wild beast. John wrote that the image of the beast would appear, disappear, and then rise again.That is exactly what happened to an organization promoted by Britain and the United States, one that was intended to unite and represent the world’s kingdoms. This organization appeared after World War I and was known as the League of Nations. It disappeared with the onset of World War II. During that war, God’s people declared that according to the prophecy in Revelation, the image of the wild beast would ascend again. And rise it did—as the United Nations.—Rev. 17:8."
Did John really write that the image would appear, disappear, and then rise again? To unwind this interpretation for what it is, we first go to the scriptures to identify what the society is trying to explain.
First is the 7 headed beast found in Revelation 13 which represents the world powers that have succeeded up through the history of the scriptures. The seven heads of the beast represent Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo/Persia, Greece, Rome, and finally the Anglo/American dyad as the seventh head.
In the verses at Revelation 13:1-8, we are told that one of the heads is slaughtered, but is then healed.
(Re 13:1-8) . . .And I saw a wild beast ascending out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, and upon its horns ten diadems, but upon its heads blasphemous names. 2 Now the wild beast that I saw was like a leopard, but its feet were as those of a bear, and its mouth was as a lion’s mouth. And the dragon gave to [the beast] its power and its throne and great authority. 3 And I saw one of its heads as though slaughtered to death, but its death-stroke got healed, and all the earth followed the wild beast with admiration. 4 And they worshiped the dragon because it gave the authority to the wild beast, and they worshiped the wild beast with the words: “Who is like the wild beast, and who can do battle with it?” 5 And a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies was given it, and authority to act forty-two months was given it. 6 And it opened its mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme his name and his residence, even those residing in heaven. 7 And there was granted it to wage war with the holy ones and conquer them, and authority was given it over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. 8 And all those who dwell on the earth will worship it; the name of not one of them stands written in the scroll of life of the Lamb who was slaughtered, from the founding of the world.. . .
In this next set of verses, at Revelation 17:3-8, we are again given a description of a beast who was, but is not, and yet is about to ascend out of the abyss.
(Re 17:3-8) . . .And he carried me away in [the power of the] spirit into a wilderness. And I caught sight of a woman sitting upon a scarlet-colored wild beast that was full of blasphemous names and that had seven heads and ten horns. . . .And so the angel said to me: “Why is it you wondered? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the wild beast that is carrying her and that has the seven heads and the ten horns: 8 The wild beast that you saw was, but is not, and yet is about to ascend out of the abyss, and it is to go off into destruction. And when they see how the wild beast was, but is not, and yet will be present, those who dwell on the earth will wonder admiringly, but their names have not been written upon the scroll of life from the founding of the world.
It should be clear by the two sets of verses, that the underlined portions parallel each other with great clarity. By comparing the two sets of verses at Rev 13:3, and 17:8, we can see that they are talking about the same seven headed beast, lets compare.
Rev 13:3 parallels Rev 17:8.
Rev 13:3 parallels Rev 17:8.
Rev 13:3 "And I saw one of its heads as though slaughtered to death, but its death-stroke got healed, and all the earth followed the wild beast with admiration."
Rev 17:8 " The wild beast that you saw was, but is not[slaughtered to death], and yet is about to ascend out of the abyss[death-stroke healed], and it is to go off into destruction. And when they see how the wild beast was, but is not, and yet will be present, those who dwell on the earth will wonder admiringly... "
Rev 13:8 also parallels Rev 17:8.
Rev 13:8 " And all those who dwell on the earth will worship it; the name of not one of them stands written in the scroll of life of the Lamb who was slaughtered, from the founding of the world..."
Rev 17:8 " but their names have not been written upon the scroll of life from the founding of the world."
The parallel shows us that the beasts being spoken of by John in his vision are the same beast. Each description by John gives us a piece of information regarding the beast and what is destined to occur. The beast in both descriptions receives a death stroke, or as Revelation 17:11 puts it "the wild beast that was but is not", and then is healed(ascend out of the abyss). When this event happens, the healing/coming out of the abyss, the wild beast is now the eighth and final king over all of mankind, and it goes off into destruction.
(Rev 13:3,Re 17:11)"And I saw one of its heads as though slaughtered to death, but its death-stroke got healed, . . .And the wild beast that was but is not, it is also itself an eighth [king], but springs from the seven, and it goes off into destruction."
Up to this point we can easily see that the beasts spoken of at Rev 13:1-8, and Rev 17:3-8, are the same beast. The parallel accounts are too close to be anything else than the same beast being described in different visions by John. This beast becomes the eighth and final king when the head is healed, and comes up out of the abyss, to the wonder and amazement of the entire world which will worship it.
It is very important to understand that it is the seven headed beast that would appear, disappear, and then rise again, not the image as the Watchtower Society has taught in the Watchtower study listed above.
So what about the image? When does it come to exist?
*
Continuing on in Revelation, the second beast spoken of by John is the two horned beast that speaks like a dragon at Rev 13:11-15. This beast exercises all the authority as the first wild beast, who is now the eighth king, meaning that the two horned beast has just as much power as the eighth king.
(Re 13:11-14) . . .And I saw another wild beast ascending out of the earth, and it had two horns like a lamb, but it began speaking as a dragon. 12 And it exercises all the authority of the first wild beast[eighth king] in its sight. And it makes the earth and those who dwell in it worship the first wild beast, whose death-stroke got healed. 13 And it performs great signs, so that it should even make fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the sight of mankind. 14 And it misleads those who dwell on the earth, because of the signs that were granted it to perform in the sight of the wild beast, while it tells those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the wild beast that had the sword-stroke and yet revived[that was, but is not, and yet will ascend out of abyss]...
Remember that according to the society, the image is the one that would appear, disappear, and then rise again. This is simply not possible because the beast that appears, disappears, and rises again is the eighth king as was shown in the first part of this post. The image of the beast only comes to exist until after the eighth king comes to power, and nowhere in the scriptures does it say the image would disappear.
For the Watchtower to reason that the verses in Revelation 17 are the image, as the society has done, means the society is now placing its own interpretation of these verses, and forcing it upon the scriptures.
As we can see at Rev 17:8, it was the 7 headed beast that "would appear, disappear, and then rise again", not the image, of which the above Watchtower article boldly claims. To be more specific, it is the seventh head that disappears when it receives the death stroke, and then rises again as it comes out of the sea/abyss as the eighth king.
For the Watchtower to reason that the verses in Revelation 17 are the image, as the society has done, means the society is now placing its own interpretation of these verses, and forcing it upon the scriptures.
As we can see at Rev 17:8, it was the 7 headed beast that "would appear, disappear, and then rise again", not the image, of which the above Watchtower article boldly claims. To be more specific, it is the seventh head that disappears when it receives the death stroke, and then rises again as it comes out of the sea/abyss as the eighth king.
The image of the beast does not appear until AFTER the head that is slaughtered rises again as Rev 13:14 clearly states:
Rev 13:14 "while it tells those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the wild beast that had the sword-stroke and yet revived..."
The society has misapplied the "appearing, disappearing, and rising again" to the image, when it is actually the 7 headed beast that this prophecy should be applied to. In doing so, they have added to the prophecy(Rev 22:18-19), thus producing an understanding that is not to be found in Revelation truth.
To sum it up, the societies error stems from the fact that they have mistakenly attached the identity of the beast, spoken of in Revelation 17, to be the image of the beast(Rev 13:14). This error has caused one entity, the eighth king, to be viewed as two different identities. Also, by incorrectly applying the image identity to the beast in Rev 17, the
society has created two different time patterns, of which neither is correct,
because they are trying to force historical events, and their own private
interpretation, into prophecy. The result is a conundrum of bible truth that will not stand.
*
To clearly illustrate what the society has done, here are two articles from the same year.
* w88 12/15 pp. 19-20 par. 3 “Fear God and Give Him Glory” ***"During the world war of 1914-18, Great Britain, as the seventh world power, received a “sword-stroke” that could have been fatal. But the United States of America came to her rescue."
According to this understanding the seventh world power was only Great Britain in this explanation, and apparently the United States comes to the rescue thus forming the eighth king? This would mean that the seventh head, which is supposed to be the Anglo/American dyad, was just the Anglo, singular, and that the head suffered a death stroke during WW1, and then became the eighth king when America rescued[revived] Great Britain from it's death stroke. So, according to the society, sometime between 1914-18, Great Britain as the seventh world power receives the death stroke, and then the eighth king came to power. Then we have this:
*w88 6/1 p. 27 Part 8—The Long March of the World Powers Nears Its End **"As the prophecy had stated, this eighth king “was” from 1920 until 1939. It ‘was not’ from 1939 until World War II ended in 1945. Then it ascended “out of the abyss,” reactivated as the League’s successor, the United Nations."
Why would the eighth king come to power in 1914-1918 as in the first reference, then in 1920, and then finally in 1945? Is this really how the prophecy is meant to be understood? This simply does not make any sense. It doesn't make sense because there is an error in the application of events attributed to prophecy. What a mess.
Not only do we now have different dates, and events, at which the sword-stroke happens, but apparently the Anglo/American dyad never even gets a chance to form itself as the seventh head of the beast because it supposedly received the sword-stroke during WW1, or 1939 if you go with the second reference. This not only goes contrary to what the scriptures teach, but sound reasoning should tell us that the eighth king does not come to power 3 different times.
Something else that must be considered, is that the seventh head of the beast must be given a chance to have power for a short period of time. It says:
Therefore history must bear witness to this prophecy. If we are to use the reasoning by the society, the seventh head of the beast never really even got a chance to form before it suffered the death stroke in 1914-18, let alone remain a short while. Even worse, if we are to use the answer given in the above article "Fear God and Give Him Glory", the seventh head was only Great Britain. However in almost every other publication written by the society the seventh head is both, the Anglo and the American duo, together as one.
Here is an excerpt from the Revelation: Grand Climax book that adds even more confusion as it completely contradicts what the above reference states:
So now the seventh head isn't just Great Britain, but both Great Britain and America. The more we go to the publications of the society, which we are encouraged to do, the more contradictions we find. The truth will NEVER contradict itself, therefore there is an error in the societies understanding. This is glaringly apparent when we carefully examine the writings of the society with the scriptures.
History will always bear witness to any prophetic event, this is a fact. The question is does the Societys interpretation of the prophecy stand up to history?
The society believes that the League of Nations, which was created in 1919 was the eighth king formed after the apparent fall of the seventh head. Interestingly, the United States never did join the League of Nations, basically for the reason it did not trust Great Britain enough to be a part of the pact of nations, and Great Britain pretty much felt the same.
Not only do we now have different dates, and events, at which the sword-stroke happens, but apparently the Anglo/American dyad never even gets a chance to form itself as the seventh head of the beast because it supposedly received the sword-stroke during WW1, or 1939 if you go with the second reference. This not only goes contrary to what the scriptures teach, but sound reasoning should tell us that the eighth king does not come to power 3 different times.
Something else that must be considered, is that the seventh head of the beast must be given a chance to have power for a short period of time. It says:
(Re 17:10) . . .And there are seven kings: five have fallen[Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo/Persia, Greece] , one is[Rome], the other has not yet arrived[Anglo/American], but when he does arrive he must remain a short while.. . .
Therefore history must bear witness to this prophecy. If we are to use the reasoning by the society, the seventh head of the beast never really even got a chance to form before it suffered the death stroke in 1914-18, let alone remain a short while. Even worse, if we are to use the answer given in the above article "Fear God and Give Him Glory", the seventh head was only Great Britain. However in almost every other publication written by the society the seventh head is both, the Anglo and the American duo, together as one.
Here is an excerpt from the Revelation: Grand Climax book that adds even more confusion as it completely contradicts what the above reference states:
*** re chap. 28 p. 188 par. 7 Contending With Two Ferocious Beasts ***
The huge British Empire, along with the powerful United States of America, held the center of the world stage. This dual world power proved to be the seventh head of the wild beast.
So now the seventh head isn't just Great Britain, but both Great Britain and America. The more we go to the publications of the society, which we are encouraged to do, the more contradictions we find. The truth will NEVER contradict itself, therefore there is an error in the societies understanding. This is glaringly apparent when we carefully examine the writings of the society with the scriptures.
History will always bear witness to any prophetic event, this is a fact. The question is does the Societys interpretation of the prophecy stand up to history?
The society believes that the League of Nations, which was created in 1919 was the eighth king formed after the apparent fall of the seventh head. Interestingly, the United States never did join the League of Nations, basically for the reason it did not trust Great Britain enough to be a part of the pact of nations, and Great Britain pretty much felt the same.
Historian David Reynolds observes: ‘For most of the period since 1919, Anglo-American relations had been cool and often suspicious. America’s “betrayal” of the League of Nations was only the first in a series of US actions—over war debts, naval rivalry, the 1931-2 Manchurian crisis and the Depression—that convinced British leaders that the United States could not be relied on.’
Equally, as President Truman's secretary of state, Dean Acheson, recalled: 'Of course a unique relation existed between Britain and America—our common language and history ensured that. But unique did not mean affectionate. We had fought England as an enemy as often as we had fought by her side as an ally."
As mentioned, although the unique relationship existed between the two countries, simply being allies during a war does not form a world power. Had there been a mutual trust between the two countries, the United States would have most likely joined the League of Nations, however it did not. It would therefore be unwise to use this historical event as the proof for the Anglo/American dyad forming the seventh head of the beast, for the United States never joined the League of Nations due to a lack of trust with Great Britain.
Realise that the seventh head didn't even come to power until 1946 with the "Special Relationship" between American and Great Britain. Yet according to the society the beast climbs out of the abyss in 1945 as the eighth king. So the current understanding has the eighth king formed 1945, before the seventh had even had a chance to "remain a short while" as it isn't even formed until 1946
In part one of this essay, it was shown that the society is forcing their interpretation onto prophetic events, and here is the result of their labors. Note the three references above, and then note the dates for which the beast comes out of the abyss. Then there is this:
Again the society has made a huge error in the interpretation of Revelation, and it has done so under an article entitled "Divine Blessing for "the Ones Having Insight"". The question is what kind of insight are they showing, for according to the Watchtower the fulfillment of this prophecy(Rev 11:7) actually occurred two different times, essentially saying that the beast comes out of the abyss on two separate occasions.
The first time is when the beast apparently ascended out of the abyss in 1918, when the preaching work was stopped, and the principle servants were imprisoned. The second time the prophecy was fulfilled is when the beast came out of the abyss in 1945 as the United Nations. For those who are supposed to be the "Ones Having Insight" it is a little disconcerting when they don't even agree on their own interpretations. Also, to boldly state that the 1918 event actually fulfilled the prophecy doesn't border on blasphemy, it is blasphemy.
The same goes for the Questions from Readers in the the 2014 Watchtower. To say that the prophecy was fulfilled back in the 1914 is a false interpretation of prophetic events that history does not bear witness with.
How then can it be said that the society is teaching accurate knowledge when it doesn't even have harmony within it's own interpretation of fulfilled prophetic events? It can't, and that's the whole point of the original referenced Watchtower at the top of this essay. In what way is the society contributing to an accurate knowledge of truth, and ultimately to worshiping Jehovah God in an acceptable manner? It isn't.
In conclusion, if we are to apply the Watchtowers own words in that it is impossible to worship Jehovah acceptably without an accurate knowledge, and deep love for the truth, then what does that mean when we have to submit to the false teachings of the faithful and discreet slave in order to maintain good standing in the congregation? Would Paul have felt confident in bringing the knowledge provided by the society to the Beroeans?
Even though the Watchtower has gone to great lengths to explain the details provided within Revelation, it is clear that Jehovahs spirit has not directed them to the truths contained within this prophetic book. If we continue to listen to the society, it will be impossible to worship God in an acceptable manner. However, by exposing the errors, perhaps Jehovah will truly give us insight into the deep things of God, and allow us to not only worship in spirit, but also in truth.(John 4:22, 23)
In fact it wasn't until the end of the second world war that the United States, and Great Britain, truly cemented their relationship as one world power. Under the term "special relationship" given in a speech titled "The Sinews of Peace" on March 5,1946 by Winston Churchill, the seventh head of the beast was now solidly formed. Here is a small excerpt from that speech:
"Neither the sure prevention of war, nor the continuous rise of world organization will be gained without what I have called the fraternal association of the English-speaking peoples. This means a special relationship between the British Commonwealth and Empire and the United States. This is no time for generalities, and I will venture to be precise. Fraternal association requires not only the growing friendship and mutual understanding between our two vast but kindred systems of society, but the continuance of the intimate relationship between our military advisers, leading to common study of potential dangers, the similarity of weapons and manuals of instructions, and to the interchange of officers and cadets at technical colleges. It should carry with it the continuance of the present facilities for mutual security by the joint use of all Naval and Air Force bases in the possession of either country all over the world. This would perhaps double the mobility of the American Navy and Air Force. It would greatly expand that of the British Empire Forces and it might well lead, if and as the world calms down, to important financial savings."
The relationship that came to exist between the two powers molded the second half of the century with the clear impression that Great Britain, and America, were united as one world power. Two countries on the opposite side of the earth from one another, working together to form the most powerful union the world had ever seen. Truly it can be said, with history as our witness, in 1946 the seventh head of the beast was now ruling over mankind.
As a side note while doing research this was quite interesting This sign, or poster, was shown on Wikipedia
showing Uncle Sam and Britannia arm in arm. When I typed in "special relationship" I thought it was very interesting because even after this much hyped alliance of the two countries, the United States still refused to be a part of the League of Nations. I then thought of the scripture regarding the many signs, and portents, that Satan would use to bolster the man of lawlessness into Gods congregation. How fitting it was that an actual sign/poster was used as propaganda to express the notion that the two countries had indeed formed the seventh head. Obviously there is much more involved in Satans scheme to infiltrate the temple of God than just posters, but it helps us to see the processes used to capture the minds of those who would be eventually deceived into believing that the seventh head had fully formed by WW1.
However, moving on we find that, according to the society, the seventh head had already suffered the death-stroke, and the beast that ascends out of the abyss(the eighth king) actually came to power in 1920 as the League of Nations, and then as the United Nations in 1945. Here are a few references from the society that detail the teachings we have been led to believe.
As a side note while doing research this was quite interesting This sign, or poster, was shown on Wikipedia
showing Uncle Sam and Britannia arm in arm. When I typed in "special relationship" I thought it was very interesting because even after this much hyped alliance of the two countries, the United States still refused to be a part of the League of Nations. I then thought of the scripture regarding the many signs, and portents, that Satan would use to bolster the man of lawlessness into Gods congregation. How fitting it was that an actual sign/poster was used as propaganda to express the notion that the two countries had indeed formed the seventh head. Obviously there is much more involved in Satans scheme to infiltrate the temple of God than just posters, but it helps us to see the processes used to capture the minds of those who would be eventually deceived into believing that the seventh head had fully formed by WW1.
(2Th 2:9) “. . .But the lawless one’s presence is according to the operation of Satan with every powerful work and lying signs and portents. . .”
However, moving on we find that, according to the society, the seventh head had already suffered the death-stroke, and the beast that ascends out of the abyss(the eighth king) actually came to power in 1920 as the League of Nations, and then as the United Nations in 1945. Here are a few references from the society that detail the teachings we have been led to believe.
*w88 6/1 p. 27 Part 8—The Long March of the World Powers Nears Its End *
*** dp chap. 15 p. 269 par. 24 The Rival Kings Enter the 20th Century ***"As the prophecy had stated, this eighth king “was” from 1920 until 1939. It ‘was not’ from 1939 until World War II ended in 1945. Then it ascended “out of the abyss,” reactivated as the League’s successor, the United Nations."
“The wild beast,” however, was “to ascend out of the abyss.” This it did when the United Nations, with 50 member nations including the former Soviet Union, was established on October 24, 1945. Thus “the disgusting thing” foretold by the angel—the United Nations—was put in place.
*** re chap. 34 p. 248 par. 6 An Awesome Mystery Solved ***
The scarlet-colored wild beast did indeed climb out of the abyss. On June 26, 1945, with noisy fanfare in San Francisco, U.S.A., 50 nations voted to accept the Charter of the United Nations organization.
Realise that the seventh head didn't even come to power until 1946 with the "Special Relationship" between American and Great Britain. Yet according to the society the beast climbs out of the abyss in 1945 as the eighth king. So the current understanding has the eighth king formed 1945, before the seventh had even had a chance to "remain a short while" as it isn't even formed until 1946
In part one of this essay, it was shown that the society is forcing their interpretation onto prophetic events, and here is the result of their labors. Note the three references above, and then note the dates for which the beast comes out of the abyss. Then there is this:
*** w87 7/1 pp. 21-22 pars. 4-5 Divine Blessings for “the Ones Having Insight” ***
"In 1914 the truth of their message was dramatically confirmed when the first world war broke out, and the “pangs of distress” foretold by Jesus began. (Matthew 24:7, 8) Nevertheless, their religious enemies used the war hysteria to persecute them until finally, in 1918, their preaching work was virtually stopped, and principal servants of the Watch Tower Society were unjustly imprisoned. This caused great rejoicing in some quarters. It also fulfilled the prophecy recorded in the book of Revelation: “And when they have finished their witnessing, the wild beast that ascends out of the abyss will make war with them and conquer them and kill them.”—Revelation 11:7.
*** w14 11/15 pp. 28-30 Questions From Readers, The Watchtower (2014)
"In each case, the account refers to God’s anointed ones who took the lead during a difficult time of testing. So in the fulfillment of Revelation chapter 11, the anointed brothers who took the lead at the time of the establishment of God’s Kingdom in heaven in 1914 preached “in sackcloth” for three and a half years.
Again the society has made a huge error in the interpretation of Revelation, and it has done so under an article entitled "Divine Blessing for "the Ones Having Insight"". The question is what kind of insight are they showing, for according to the Watchtower the fulfillment of this prophecy(Rev 11:7) actually occurred two different times, essentially saying that the beast comes out of the abyss on two separate occasions.
The first time is when the beast apparently ascended out of the abyss in 1918, when the preaching work was stopped, and the principle servants were imprisoned. The second time the prophecy was fulfilled is when the beast came out of the abyss in 1945 as the United Nations. For those who are supposed to be the "Ones Having Insight" it is a little disconcerting when they don't even agree on their own interpretations. Also, to boldly state that the 1918 event actually fulfilled the prophecy doesn't border on blasphemy, it is blasphemy.
The same goes for the Questions from Readers in the the 2014 Watchtower. To say that the prophecy was fulfilled back in the 1914 is a false interpretation of prophetic events that history does not bear witness with.
How then can it be said that the society is teaching accurate knowledge when it doesn't even have harmony within it's own interpretation of fulfilled prophetic events? It can't, and that's the whole point of the original referenced Watchtower at the top of this essay. In what way is the society contributing to an accurate knowledge of truth, and ultimately to worshiping Jehovah God in an acceptable manner? It isn't.
(Isa 59:14-15) “. . .And justice was forced to move back, and righteousness itself kept standing simply far off. For truth has stumbled even in the public square, and what is straightforward is unable to enter. 15 And the truth proves to be missing, and anyone turning away from badness is being despoiled.. . .”
In conclusion, if we are to apply the Watchtowers own words in that it is impossible to worship Jehovah acceptably without an accurate knowledge, and deep love for the truth, then what does that mean when we have to submit to the false teachings of the faithful and discreet slave in order to maintain good standing in the congregation? Would Paul have felt confident in bringing the knowledge provided by the society to the Beroeans?
*** w97 2/15 p. 27 Agreement Between “God’s Temple” and Idols in Greece? ***
Jesus said to the Samaritan woman: “We worship what we know. . . . The true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed, the Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship him.” (John 4:22, 23) Notice that worship with truth is a must! It is therefore impossible to worship God acceptably without accurate knowledge of and a deep love for the truth. The true Christian religion must be founded on truth, not on traditions and practices borrowed from paganism. We know how Jehovah feels when people attempt to worship him in the wrong way."
No comments:
Post a Comment