Proverbs 15:29 NIV “The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.”
I’ve heard people say, “God hears the prayers of all people.” The Bible says that God hears the prayers of the righteous, and that he is far away from the wicked. But does that mean that God does not even hear wicked people’s prayers?
Proverbs 28:9 KJV “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.”
1 Peter 3:12 ESV “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Isiah 59:2 NIV “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.”
James 5:16 NIV “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
John 15:7 NIV “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
Proverbs 21:13 KJV “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.”
1 Peter 3:7 NIV “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”
Jeremiah 11:13-14 AMP “For [as many as] the number of your cities are your gods, O Judah; and [as many as] the number of the streets of Jerusalem are the altars you have set up to the shameful thing, altars to burn incense to Baal. “Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them, for I shall not listen when they cry to Me in the time of their disaster.”
Jeremiah 15:1 AMP “Then the LORD said to me, “Even though Moses and Samuel were to stand before Me [interceding for them], My heart would still not be [turned with favor] toward this people [Judah]. Send them away from My presence and out of My sight and let them go!”
James 4:4 KJV “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
John 3:36 AMP “He who believes and trusts in the Son and accepts Him [as Savior] has eternal life [that is, already possesses it]; but he who does not believe the Son and chooses to reject Him, [disobeying Him and denying Him as Savior] will not see [eternal] life, but [instead] the wrath of God hangs over him continually.”
Amazing isn’t it? Many don’t want to listen to God or do what he says but want Him to listen to them. No relationship works like that. And that’s part of the problem; some don’t see God as a real person. They believe all the mystical crap they’ve been taught about Him. God is not some genie we can conjure up whenever we want who will perform our wishes. He is not some abstract force in the universe that we just need to learn how to tap into, then we can control that great energy and have whatever we want. God is a real person. He originally created mankind in His own image. Yet many either want to control God or be gods themselves. God makes it very clear that if we are wicked He is against us, and HE WILL NOT hear or answer our prayers. The prayers of the wicked are an abomination to God. If we want to be heard we must repent.
Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 ESV “Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.”
How often does something bad happen to us and we blame it on the Devil or think that God is punishing us? A guy asked me, ‘Why every time I try to do something something always happens that prevents me from doing it?’ He then said, “Maybe I’m cursed.” I asked him, “Do you believe in God?” He said, “Yes.” Then I said, “Let’s get the answer from the Bible. Blessed are you if you believe what God says at Ecclesiastes 7:13-14.”
After I read him the passage above I explained that, “God knows what’s best for us. And He sometimes prevents us from doing what will hurt us. We just can’t see how it would harm us like He can. So he’ll make something that’s quote unquote BAD happen that’s really for our ultimate good. That’s written in the Bible.” A guy who was listening to our conversation said, “Yeah, that’s true. I was just reading about that last night in the Bible in the story about Joseph. I was reading the part where he told his brothers, ‘What you did to harm me God did it so that it can work out for my good and the good of many people so that their lives can be saved.’ “ The guy continued, “Yeah Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, from there he found himself in prison, and from there God strategically set him up to become the 2nd most powerful ruler in Egypt next to Pharaoh. I was just reading about that last night.” How cool.😄
After Joseph was placed in his God ordained position (ruler over Egypt 2nd only to Pharaoh), God used him to oversee the distribution of food during a 7 year famine. This important work saved MANY people’s lives, including Joseph’s own people the Israelites.
I had another conversation with the brother who read the story about Joseph the next day. This time someone else overheard us talking and was listening intensely. We shared the same information as yesterday about Joseph, and talked about Moses too this time; how Moses went from Prince of Egypt, to homeless fugitive, to sheep herder (a very lowly job). Then how God took Moses from there and made him leader of his people. God used Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. I then asked the guy, “But what if Joseph had said to himself, ‘Nothing ever good happens to me. Nothing ever goes right. It didn’t go right in the past and it won’t in the future.’ What if he had just given up and lost hope? He never would have became the person God wanted him to be, would he? And what if Moses would have given up after 40 years of being a sheep herder? He too would have never became who God made him to be, would he?” The man listened favorably then humbly said, “Thank you.” I assured him that God’s got him. All he wants from us is an attitude of submission to Him no matter what we’re going through.
The future can be different. Many examples in the Bible like Joseph’s and Moses’ prove it. After encouraging the young man I immediately felt the Holy Spirit urging me to apply everything I had just mentioned to him. I too have had many setbacks in this life. The past is the past. We must look with hope towards the future. No matter how many times we get knocked down we must get back up. Knowing that we can’t control everything, that it’s all up to God should give us humility. For who can defy the will of God? Who can make straight what He has made crooked? This should produce in us patience, and contentment in all circumstances. And likewise no one can shut a door when Jesus the son of the living God decides to open it:
Revelation 3:7-8 KJV “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; [8] I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”
Isaiah 22:22 KJV “And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.”
John 8:32 ESV “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses have taught for years and in their publications that the origin of things matter. Where a thing comes from or originated is how you can tell whether it is good or bad. Hence why they do not celebrate major Holidays like Christmas, Easter, or even their own birthdays. Yes, I was raised a JW and never celebrated a birthday in my life. I’ve gotten so used to it by now it doesn’t matter. Some things JWs teach about Holidays is true. But this doctrine that the origin of things (everything) matters, does this same principle apply to Jehovah’s Witnesses? In other words when confronted with the origins of their religion do we find a double standard here? In this article I will share a few facts about the origins of Jehovah’s Witnesses. In this article is information that anyone can check out for themselves. Most of the information can be found right in Jehovah’s Witnesses own publications. I heavily encourage you to do your own research. There’s so much more info than what I’m sharing with you here.
PASTOR RUSSELL
First, why is the founder of the Jehovah’s Witnesses (Charles Taze Russell) buried under a tombstone that reads, “Pastor Russell,” “The Laodicean Messenger?” I was taught that Jehovah’s Witnesses didn’t believe in any religious titles like, “Pastor,” “Reverend,” “Bishop,” “Pope,” and the like. And yet, “Pastor, Russell” is engraved on the founders tombstone? And the title, “The Laodicean Messenger?” What’s that all about? Let’s let the preface to one of Jehovah’s Witnesses own publications answer that question for us. The book is titled, “The Finished Mystery:”
“The great Master laid special emphasis on the importance of the messenger to the seventh, or Laodicean, period of the Church, saying that such an one would be ‘a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord would make ruler over all His Household, to give them meat in due season.’ “
“Those consecrated Christians who have read and fully appreciated the Truth as contained in the preceding six volumes of STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES [books written by Charles Taze Russell] readily see and agree that Charles Taze Russell was the messenger of the Church of Laodicea.In the mind of every one who believes the Bible the evidence set forth in this volume will establish that fact beyond the question of a doubt.
“… Pastor Russell being the messenger to the Laodicean Church, and occupying the position of the Lord’s special servant to give the Household of Faith meat in due season, it was to be expected that he would bring forth from the Lord’s great “Storehouse” the needed spiritual food for the Church, in harmony with God’s will.
“… The examination of the contents of this book will disclose the fact that it deals with Revelation and Ezekiel; that the Lord long ago caused to be recorded therein, in symbolic language, a history of the Church, particularly the closing earthly experiences thereof; …; and that the earthly creature made prominent therein above all others is the messenger of the Laodicean Church — “that wise and faithful servant” of the Lord — CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL.”
And on page 53 of this book, “The Finished Mystery” it reads:
“The special messenger to the last Age of the Church was Charles T. Russell, born February 16, 1852. He has privately admitted his belief that he was chosen for his great work from before his birth.”
There you have it. It’s easy for me to believe that the early followers of Charles T. Russell once proudly call themselves Russelites as reported. Because as you can see in this book, The Finished Mystery, they were following a man, a man who claimed to be God ‘s special messenger—Pastor Charles Taze Russell. HE ALONE according to the book was Jesus’ special seventh church age Laodicean Messenger. That’s what’s reiterated starting from the preface—before you even get to read the book—throughout the book. Mr. Russell’s job as Jesus’ sole messenger and faithful discreet slave was to dispense spiritual food to the church in this seventh Laodicean church age (they called it). The preface to the book also implies that if you do not agree with this you must not believe the Bible when it says, “Charles Taze Russell was the messenger of the Church of Laodicea.In the mind of every one who believes the Bible the evidence set forth in this volume will establish that fact beyond the question of a doubt.” To this day JWs still use this mind control technique. They make great claims then use scriptures to back them up. If you do not agree with them or their interpretation of the Bible you’re told you must not believe in the Bible.
THE LORD”S SPECIAL MESSENGER?
In 1879 Charles Taze Russell became the publisher of, “Zion’s Watchtower And Herald Of Christ’s Presence.” Today this magazine is still in circulation by Jehovah’s Witnesses known as, “The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.” Listen to a quote made by Pastor Russell in his very first publication of Zion’s Watchtower in July 1879:
“A truth presented by Satan himself is just as true as a truth stated by God.”
• What is Truth? Zion’s Watch Tower, (July 7, 1879).
Woe! Stop the press!!!! 😳 Jesus said that the Devil is a liar and there is no truth in him:
John 8:44 KJV “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because THERE IS NO TRUTH IN HIM. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for HE IS A LIAR, and the father of it.”
But what did Pastor Russell say about the Devil? “A truth presented by Satan himself is just as true as a truth stated by God?” It would take a whole book for me to write everything I’m thinking right now. But let’s listen to what God says about Mr. Russell’s frame of mind:
Isaiah 5:20 NIV “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”
When Mr. Russell put’s God’s truth and what Satan presents as truth on the same level he is, ‘putting darkness for light and light for darkness.’ Woe to him the Bible says. Could someone who thinks like this be Jesus’ special, sole, messenger to any Church? Mr. Russell is putting God and the Devil on an equal plain? Those of you who know a thing or two about occultism knew exactly where Mr. Russell was coming from as soon as you read his comment. This belief is found in basically every mystical religion under the sun. Belief that good and evil, light and darkness, God and Satan both can be equally good and true and one is no greater than the other is garbage. A lot of witches believe in this sort of thing too. Hmmmmm Mr. Russell. 🤔
THE YEAR 1914
1914 was a very special year to Charles Taze Russell as were many other dates but we’ll talk only about 1914. Why? Because in his own writings you will see Pastor Russell predicted that 1914 would usher in the end of the world. Yes, the end of all Gentile (or worldly) governments, and the end of all false religions (of course not his). Also in the year 1914 Mr. Russell said that God would FULLY establish His kingdom rule in the earth. Here are some quotes from Pastor Russell’s book he wrote and published in 1891 titled, “Thy Kingdom Come:”
“THE “Time of the End,” a period of one hundred and fifteen (115) years, from A. D. 1799 to A. D. 1914, is particularly marked in the scriptures.”
“The parallelism continues to the full end of the harvest of this dispensation—until the overflow of the professedly Christian kingdoms, really “kingdoms of the world,” and the full establishment of the Kingdom of God in the earth at A. D. 1914, the terminus of the Times of the Gentiles.”
“A. D. 1878 to the end of A. D. 1914 is 36 1/2 years. And, with the end of A. D. 1914, what God calls Babylon, and what men call Christendom, will have passed away, as already shown from prophecy.”
“Call to mind that the scriptures showed us that the full end of Gentile power in the world, and of the time of trouble which brings its overthrow, will be in the end of A. D. 1914, and some time before that date the last members of the Church of Christ will have been “changed,” glorified.”
A later edition of Thy Kingdom Come changed the above phrase, “Will be in the end of A. D. 1914,” to, “Will follow the end.” Wonder why they changed that? Hmmmm. 🤔 Other phrases and word changes in the book were made as well. I think it’s obvious why these changes were made. What was predicted by Pastor Russell never happened. What does God’s word say about this sort of thing?
Deuteronomy 18:20-22 NET “But if any prophet presumes to speak anything in my name that I have not authorized him to speak, or speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die. Now if you say to yourselves, ‘How can we tell that a message is not from the LORD?’ – whenever a prophet speaks in my name and the prediction is not fulfilled, then I have not spoken it; the prophet has presumed to speak it, so you need not fear him.”
THE PYRAMID
Here are some more quotes from Charles Taze Russell’s book, “Thy Kingdom Come:”
“As correct the testimony from the Great Pyramid, that the last members of the “body” or “bride” of Christ will have been tested and and accepted and will have passed beyond the vail before the close of A. D. 1910.”
The testimony from the great pyramid regarding the body of Christ? 😳 What’s that all about? I didn’t know that the great pyramid had a testimony about Jesus Christ’s body. But Mr. Russell sure believed it did. Here’s more pyramid quotes from his book, “Thy Kingdom Come:”
“The four years from 1910 to the end of 1914, indicated thus in the Great Pyramid, will be quite sufficient for the extreme of all that trouble; for when it reaches it’s terrible climax it cannot last long; and “Except those days should be shortened there should no flesh be saved.—Matt. 24;22.”
This time Mr. Russell says that his 1914 end of the world date is, ‘Indicated IN the great Pyramid.’ Something IN the great pyramid made Charles Taze Russell believe that the year 1914 would be the end of the world. He taught this vigorously and misapplied scriptures like Jesus’ words at Matthew 24:22 to prove his point. Here’s another Pyramid quote:
“As we have yet seen, indicate; but this date, 1910, indicated by the Pyramid,seems to harmonize well with the dates furnished by the Bible. It is but four years before the full close of the time of trouble which ends the Gentile times.”
Mr. Russell is saying in his above statements that something IN the Pyramid and in the Bible is in harmony with one another that spells doom (God’s Judgment) for the world in 1914. I had heard in the past that Mr. Russell got his many prophetic dates from the Pyramid of Giza. After reading this yah think? 😳
“THE TESTIMONY FROM THE GREAT PYRAMID”
In his own words Mr. Russell says that the Great Pyramid is telling us something regarding the date 1914; the end of the world. The more I listen to Pastor Russell’s words I just have to ask myself, “Was Mr. Russell an occultist?” Mr. Russell wrote another book titled, “The Divine Plan Of The Ages As Shown In The Great Pyramid.” And guess what’s on the cover? That’s right, a Pyramid. And what looks like an outline of the great pyramid of Giza with the upper king’s chamber and the lower queen’s chamber the whole bit. Mr. Russell sure liked pyramids. Hmmmm 🤔
Believe it or not just a few feet away from Mr. Russell’s tombstone is a pyramid shaped shrine believed to be erected in his honor. Some Jehovah’s Witnesses will argue with you that it’s not. But this too is another thing that a simple Google or YouTube search will reveal. And further investigation shows that one of the inscriptions on the pyramid reads, “Watchtower Bible And Tract Society.” Hmmmm, that’s the corporation Charles Taze Russell started now known as Jehovah’s Witnesses. This name was incorporated in 1896. In 1955 the corporate name of Jehovah’s Witnesses was changed again to Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. Not much difference in the name change but what are the chances that the founder of an organization has a monument erected with the name of his corporation on it right next to his grave site, shaped like an object he made many favorable references to (a Pyramid), and this monument has nothing at all to do with him? 😳
But wait a minute, the pyramid has a cross on it. I thought Jehovah’s Witnesses didn’t believe in crosses and prohibit their members from wearing them. They call them pagan symbols. And I’ve even heard Witnesses say that crosses are symbols of witchcraft. Yet there is a cross on a pyramid shaped monument just feet away from Mr. Russell’s tombstone? And this is no ordinary cross. This is a cross inside of a crown. In Freemasonry this symbol is known as The Knights Templar. This symbol is inscribed on the Pyramid right above the words, “Watch Tower Bible And Tract Society.” Why is the Knights Templar symbol and, “Watchtower Bible And Tract Society,” both inscribed on a pyramid just feet away from the tombstone of the founder of the Watch Tower Bible And Tract Society? Hmmmm. 🤔 Don’t believe me? Look it up. Just Google or YouTube it.
ZION’S WATCHTOWER MAGAZINE
There are certain copies of the Watchtower magazine JWs will never bring to your door. One reason is many Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t even know they exist. The other is they have the Knights Templar symbol on them in the upper left corner on the cover of the magazine. Yes, the editor of Zion’s Watchtower, Charles Taze Russell, had this and other occult symbols placed on his magazines, his books, etcetera. Look at the Winged Sun Disc below (associated with the Egyptian God Horus, sun worship, and magic) on the cover of Pastor Russell’s book we talked about earlier, The Finished Mystery.
Occult symbols and Pyramids is something Charles Taze Russell, the founder of the Jehovah’s Witnesses organization was all too familiar with. What can of worms does this open? 🤔 Who really was Mr. Charles Taze Russell? Did he believe in hidden, occult, esoteric knowledge? And are some of these beliefs (though hidden) instilled in Jehovah’s Witnesses teachings today? Hmmmm.
The purpose of this article is not to bash Freemasonry, magic, the occult, esoteric knowledge, etcetera. The intent is when I look at Jehovah’s Witnesses; who they say they are, and when I look at how their religion got started, I see something totally different. And they are the ones who are always bashing other religious organizations! 😳 But when we look into their history there’s one thing that the Jehovah’s Witnesses are 100% right about: ORIGINS DO MATTER!
Is it really surprising though to learn these things? Isn’t it always those who do the most finger pointing that have the biggest problems? Jesus put it this way:
Matthew 7:4-5 ESV “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”
Here Jesus is saying, ‘How can you help open others eyes when your own eyes haven’t been opened yet,’ Jehovah’s Witnesses? ‘You have a big big log in your own eye.’ It has blinded you from the real truth. Most of you don’t even know what your religion is really all about. The reason I know that is because I too was a JW. I was very active in the religion: a regular pioneer (so was my wife), and a ministerial servant. At age 26 they (the elders) were talking to me about becoming an elder. You know the legal age for elders is 30, but I was told the Society would make an exception for qualified brothers when there is a special need. I had all kinds of duties in the congregation, and thought too that I knew and possessed the truth. Only later to find out I really didn’t know what I had gotten into. The founder of this religion was steeped in occult, witchcraft practices? He was hailed as God’s or Jesus’ sole, special, messenger, but falsely predicted the end of the world in 1914. By God’s definition that makes him a false prophet. He also taught that, “truth presented by Satan himself is just as true as a truth stated by God.” (What is Truth? Zion’s Watch Tower, July 7, 1879) That’s a total contradiction of Jesus Christ who says that Satan is a liar and has no truth in him. (John 8:44) MANY of this man’s teachings are still taught in JWs congregations today disguised as teachings from the Bible but are clever twistings of the scriptures.
I remember how exclusive and special being a JW made me feel. Hah hah hah. Until one day God busted my proud bubble and showed me I was wrong. That experience hurt me more than I can right now explain. But I’m so thankful that it happened. So I understand how hard it is to come to grips with the truth about your religion. I understand what it’s like to be shunned by your family members because you left the organization. I remember the fearful thought, “If I leave how will I make it, I don’t know nobody, I’m all alone.” Don’t you see, that’s part of the mind control trick to keep you in there? Fear is a powerful weapon of the Devil.
Those of us who have come out or never were in but know that Jesus is the only truth, the way, and the life (John 14:6) let’s keep praying for those in that religion who are really seeking God. There are some. Upon writing this I am crying for them literally. My only consolation is that those who are really honest hearted, those who are really seeking God and the truth which is Jesus Christ, will see the many follies of this religion and come out.
John 10:27-30 NET “My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; NO ONE [not even Watchtower] will snatch them from my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can snatch them from my Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”
John 14:6 KJV “Jesus saith unto him, I AM the way, the truth, and the life: NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER, BUT BY ME.”
Any religious organization that claims unless you join them you cannot get to God is an impostor. Because Jesus plainly says He is the way to God, that’s His job. Jesus is the only way to God, He is the only truth, He is the only eternal life! Hence we have a problem. Every religious organization on earth claims to be the way. Jehovah’s Witnesses call themselves, “THE TRUTH,” they stole Jesus’ title (The Truth). Those who run the Catholic church say they are the way (they’re thieves too). Guess what? None of them are! That’s right, all of the world’s religions are fake, phony, frauds! They all bicker with one another, show up each other’s faults, and highlight their perceived strengths to make themselves look good. That’s part of the sales game to win converts. They all follow men not Christ. Their leaders claim to be representatives of God or Jesus but they make that claim void by saying you must go through them to get to God. They are contradicting Jesus’ words in John 14:6 that says, ‘He is the way the truth and the life, and no one can come to God but by HIM alone.’ They are putting themselves in the place of Jesus Christ when they say you must join their religion to receive God and are thus denying Him. These my friends are the true apostates. They have renounced the faith which is Christ Himself.
Titus 1:16 KJV “They profess that they know God; but IN WORKS THEY DENY HIM, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”
2 John 1:9-11 KJV “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. [10] If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: [11] For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”
Wow! God says not to even greet someone who brings you a teaching other than the doctrine of Jesus Christ! And anyone who greets such a person is a partaker of his/her evil deeds. That’s serious! 😳 God’s not playing with this. Should he? Are people’s souls something to play with? Would you play with your own soul? If you are following a man-ran religion indeed you are. Jesus said:
Matthew 15:14 KJV “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”
Would you purposely drive your car into a ditch? What about your soul? The ditch Jesus is talking about that souls fall into a tow truck can’t pull you out of. You can find yourself stuck there forever.
When I was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses I told people I was trying to recruit lies all the time, and yet we called ourselves, “THE TRUTH.” In fact this title (The Truth) is used by Witness members to refer to the organization more than their official title, “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Imagine what calling yourself, “The Truth,” psychologically does to your mind over the years. You begin to believe it. And you can never be wrong. Hmmmmm. 🤔 This explains why no matter how many times they’ve flip flopped on their teachings, no matter how many times they’ve given dates predicting the end of the world and it never happened they’re never wrong and they’re not false prophets. Yet the Bible clearly says the true test of a prophet is whether what they say comes true or not:
Deuteronomy 18:22 ESV “When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.”
Deuteronomy 18:20 KJV “But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses apply the 2 above passages to every other denomination but themselves. Whenever they they change their position on one of their false doctrines or attempt to clean up their false prophecies they simply say, “Jehovah gave us new light,” not that we were wrong. They’re never wrong.
One of the lies I told people when I was a Witness was that our religion is just like the Bereans in the Bible. That we’re the only religion that goes by what the Bible says. Let’s see in Acts chapter 17 verse 11 what the Bereans did:
Acts 17:11 NIV “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and EXAMINED THE SCRIPTURES EVERY DAY TO SEE IF WHAT PAUL SAID WAS TRUE.”
The Bereans, ‘Examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul was teaching them was true or not.’ When Paul (who was a real preacher) preached the gospel to them they didn’t just take his word for it. No no no, they shrewdly checked the scriptures as their reference point to see if what Paul was saying was legit. Is that what I did when I became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses? And is that what other Witnesses do? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! I and other Witnesses had a regular Bible study (we called it) with a Jehovah’s Witness teacher assigned to us at least once a week. And we had to attend 5 church meetings per week with the rest of the congregation. They told us what was true or not, and we accepted what they said. The Bible was not our reference point for examining the truth. We believed what other Witnesses told us, people we thought knew the Bible better than we did. These so-called Bible studies can last anywhere from 6 months to years before one is considered worthy to become an official Jehovah’s Witnesses member and is baptized. We did not study the Bible like the Bereans did. We studied other books the Witnesses call, “Bible Aids,” books that are supposed to explain what the Bible says. Yep, that’s what I and every Jehovah’s Witness member did. So when JWs tell people that their religion is just like the Bereans in the Bible they are lying.
The Bereans studied and examined THE SCRIPTURES ONLY to see if Paul was telling the truth. The Jehovah’s Witnesses on the other hand have assigned teachers for their new converts and study Bible Aids (other books) with them way more than they study their own Bible. That’s right, I said THEIR OWN BIBLE. The Jehovah’s Witnesses printed and reproduced their own Bible called the, “New World Translation Of The Holy Scriptures.” Wait a minute: You have assigned teachers telling you what’s true about God and what’s not, you study Bible Aids MANY books written by men (JW leaders), these books are studied way more than the Bible and are supposed to explain what the Bible says, and again these so-called “Bible Aids” explain the Bible that the Jehovah’s Witnesses organization printed and rewrote, in other words they produced their own Bible. And you go around telling people that your religion is just like the Bereans in Acts chapter 17 verse 11? If you believe this I got a bridge to sell you for $10.00.
There’s SO MUCH I can tell you about this cult but that’s not the purpose of this article. ANY RELIGION that claims to be the only way to God is a farce. Do what Jesus says; “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind.” (Matthew 15:14 KJV) Truly do what the Bereans did: study, EXAMINE THE BIBLE FOR YOURSELF to find out the truth about God. He will lead you if you trust Him. Don’t depend on men and their writings (so-called Bible Aids). The only helper or aid we need in understanding scripture is the Holy Spirt. That is what’s written in God’s word. 😊 The Holy Spirit will aid you and lead you into all truth if you truly seek God with all your heart:
John 16:13 NLT “When THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH comes, HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.”
John 14:26 ESV “But THE HELPER, THE HOLY SPIRIT, whom the Father will send in my name, HE WILL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
1 Corinthians 2:11 ESV “For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”
1 John 2:27 ESV “But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and YOU HAVE NO NEED THAT ANYONE SHOULD TEACH YOU. But as HIS ANOINTING TEACHES YOU ABOUT EVERYTHING, AND IS TRUE, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.”
Jeremiah 29:13 ESV “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
Hebrews 2:14-15 KJV “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; [15] And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”
Today I had the most interesting conversation with an older man. While waiting on the bus we greeted each other. When I asked how he was doing he smiled and said, “I woke up this morning, that’s a good thing.” As we walked on the bus and sat down I asked him, “So is it a bad thing when we go to sleep and never wake up again?” He said with a terrifying look on his face, “That would be a problem.” I said, “No it won’t if you know him,” pointing to the sky. “In fact that will be the best day of your life. You won’t have to deal with this evil world anymore. One of the best tricks Satan has played on people is telling them, ‘You’re blessed because you woke up this morning.’ It’s a lie. Seven and a half billion that’s BILLION people besides you woke up this morning too. Are they all blessed just because they woke up? According to God’s word most of them are cursed because they have rejected Him. Think about how tricky that is: I’m blessed only because I woke up. I don’t have to do anything, I don’t have to change my life, just keep waking up and I’m blessed only for that. That is a lie from the Devil! You and me are gonna be checking out of here soon,” I told him, “The best thing we can do is tell God we’re sorry for our sins, and make some changes in our lives. Get what we need to get (Jesus) before we leave here then dying won’t be a problem for us.” The man listened, so did others who were on the bus, reluctantly though.
We soon came to my stop. As I was getting off the bus I told him, “It’s free, all you have to do is ask.” I hope he accepts the invitation:
Revelation 22:17 NIV “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the FREE GIFT of the water OF LIFE.”
DON’T BE RULED BY THE FEAR OF DEATH
Hebrews 2:14-15 says that Jesus came into this world as a human being, and through his death He destroyed the one who had the power of death, which is the Devil. And He (Jesus) set free those who all their lives were held in bondage by the fear of death. We know that the man I spoke with is still in bondage because of his great fear of death. Hopefully that will change. There are BILLIONS just like him who are in bondage. They are horrified at the thought of dying. Satan bullies them all their lives through this fear. It is a powerful weapon in his hands. May we accept Jesus by obeying His teachings so that we can live a life that’s ANXIETY FREE. “You will know the truth,” Jesus says, “And the truth will make you free.” (John 8:31-32) Free from all fear. (1 John 4:18) Free from the Devil’s tyranny. Then even death won’t be a problem for us like it is for so many:
John 3:16 KJV “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Isaiah 57:1-2 NIV “The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. [2] Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.”
John 11:25-26 NIV “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; [26] and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
1 Corinthians 15:51-55 ISV “LET ME TELL YOU A SECRET. NOT ALL OF US WILL DIE, but all of us will be changed— 52 in a moment, faster than an eye can blink, at the sound of the last trumpet. Indeed, that trumpet will sound, and then the dead will be raised never to decay, and we will be changed. 53 For what is decaying must be clothed with what cannot decay, and what is dying must be clothed with what cannot die. 54 Now, when what is decaying is clothed with what cannot decay, and what is dying is clothed with what cannot die, then the written word will be fulfilled: “Death has been swallowed up by victory!” 55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
For the many who reject Jesus Christ yes death will be a problem. But for believers who fall asleep it is the answer or solution to all of our problems.
Matthew 24:37-39 NIV “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. [38] For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; [39] and THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN until the flood came and took them all away. THAT IS HOW IT WILL BE AT THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN.”
You and I know what the future holds, we know a secret. It’s not the utopian picture painted by the world. God’s judgment is coming on the earth just as it did in the days of Noah. And the world doesn’t have a clue. Clueless then clueless today, but willingly though:
2 Peter 3:5-7 KJV “For this THEY WILLINGLY ARE IGNORANT of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: [6] Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: [7] But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”
“THEY WILLINGLY ARE IGNORANT,” of what happened in the past and what WILL happen in the future God says. And anyone who reminds them of it is an enemy that must be destroyed. If what believers in Christ preach about the future and what happened to the world in the past are just fables why the harsh treatment? Other storytellers aren’t treated so bad. People who tell us stories about Santa Claus and the good tooth ferry aren’t treated that way. Why not? Because it’s not the truth. People love lies instead of the truth. The truth has a way of stinging people. And they will do anything not to have to feel that stinging sensation, including murder. (Revelation 11:7-10)
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
Plan as you may but know it is the counsel of the Lord that stands at the end of the day:
Proverbs 19:21 NET “There are many plans in a person’s mind, but it is the counsel of the LORD which will stand.”
Proverbs 16:9 ISV “A person plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.”
Psalm 33:10-11 NET “The LORD frustrates the decisions of the nations; he nullifies the plans of the peoples. 11 The LORD’s decisions stand forever; his plans abide throughout the ages.”
God is in charge, not us. Plan as we may, it is the counsel of the Lord that will have the final say. Don’t believe all the hype this world promotes about the future. Satan’s world is going out with a big bang!!! And that is not a theory.
Matthew 13:44-46 NIV “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. [45] “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. [46] When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
As we go through life all of us are searching for pearls. To some that treasure is having as much fun as we can until we die. And we don’t mind or are too ignorant to know that it will cost us everything we have. To others the treasures of life is winning awards; accolades, affirmations and recognition from men (fame). And this too will cost us everything we have. Having as much sex we can enjoy is the ultimate pleasure and treasure to some. And yes this too will cost us everything we have. People don’t mind spending whatever it cost on their pleasures and treasures. But oh how sad many will be when they find out what they were looking for all along was really Jesus Christ. How miserable they will be (forever) once they learn that He was the only thing; the only person that could give them true happiness and contentment. Their misery will be so overwhelming because it will be too late.
Our world is hostile to Jesus. But He is the hidden Pearl. Those who find Him find life (eternally). The many who reject Him find utter misery (eternally). Jesus is the hidden pearl worth the highest price; including our lives. He alone is worth giving up everything in order to attain Him:
Matthew 19:29-30 KJV “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. [30] But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.”
Like The Bereans 