Searching for the Truth How Christianity Compares to World Religions Jehovah's Witnesses Teacher: Tony Griffies

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Jehovah’s Witnesses

The Back-story

• In the early 1980’s, JW’s claimed to have 500,000 members in the U.S.; 2.25 million worldwide.
• In their 1998 report, JW’s claimed to have over 1 million members in the U.S.; just under 5.9 million worldwide.
• Numbers are attributed to successful door-to-door campaigns and increased mission efforts.
• Officially called The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (WTBTS)
• In 1997, their semimonthly magazine Awake!, designed to attract nonmembers, hit 18+million copies worldwide.
• The Watchtower, a semimonthly magazine designed to instruct the members in doctrine and practice, hit 21+million copies worldwide.

Some core beliefs

• All witnessing efforts are designed to contradict and oppose biblical doctrines and teachings.
• Scripture has been twisted to fit The Watchtower Society’s views
• Those that disagree are not just wrong but are mortal enemies who will be destroyed by Jehovah in the battle of  Armageddon, which is yet to come.
• JW’s are closely watched and taught by The Watchtower Society.
• The Watchtower Society teaches it’s members they cannot interpret scripture on their own.
• Independent thinking is highly discouraged—you must never question The Watchtower.

Movers and Shakers

• Charles Taze Russell is credited w/ starting the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society in 1879 in Pennsylvania (current headquarters is in New York).
• Joseph F. Rutherford, a lawyer for the WTBTS became its 2nd president in 1917.
• Rutherford pushed through the adoption of a new name—JW, which is taken from Isaiah 43:10 (KJV)
• Another innovation of Rutherford’s was the door-to-door visitation programs JW’s are famous for.
• Increased membership was achieved by teaching that only 144,000 were going to be saved.
• Presidents to follow:  Nathan Knorr (1942-1977); Fredrick Franz (1977-1992); Milton G. Henschel (1992-present)

View of God

• JW’s do not believe in the concept of “Trinity” saying it is an insult to God-given reason and intelligence.
• Would argue that God is not the author of confussion—therefore “Trinity” is a lie from Satan.
• God is only made up of one part—God.

What about Jesus?

• Because there is no believe in the Trinity nature of God, there is no belief in Jesus being God in flesh.
• Jesus was Michael the Archangel in human form—lived perfect life while on earth.
• Once Jesus died, his body was annihilated and Michael’s spirit returned to Michael’s body in heaven.

Salvation

• Jesus was a “fair trade” for Adam’s sin—thus making it possible for all mankind to be saved.
• JW’s will be saved by works and perfect obedience to Jehovah.
• No hope of heaven (144,000 are only ones going there).
• Saved ones today are working towards earthly paradise that will be governed by Christ (or Michael) and the 144,000 for all eternity.

The Last Days

• 99.9% of mankind will be destroyed during Armageddon and Millennium begins.
• During the Millennium the earth will be repopulated with JW’s who survived Armageddon and with resurrected people—all of whom will be taught “the truth”
• At the close of the Millennium, Satan and his forces will be let loose on the earth to test everyone.
• Those who remain faithful will inherit earthly paradise.
• Those who are led astray will be cast into the lake of fire where they will be annihilated (wiped forever from existence).

Important Writings

• The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
• The Watchtower (semimonthly magazine for believers)
• Awake! (semimonthly magazine for prospective members)

Bible Focus

• Acts 5:29
• I John 2:26-27
• Philippians 2:5-11
• I Peter 2:24
• Ephesians 1:17-23

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