Jehovah's Witnesses?

Question

Is there someone out there who can help me with the teachings of J/W's. I am curious about them and want to talk to one.

Answer 1

If you are really interested then you should examine it from all angles. You'll hear view points from JW's and non JW's and as for my self an Ex-JW.

In a six page tract published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (WBTS), entitled What Do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe? a select few of their teachings are mentioned. Among other things, the reader should be aware of the following:

(1) Their denial of the deity of Christ is based on Scripture which shows the true humanity of Christ while avoiding or distorting other Scriptures which affirm His true deity such as Jesus' statement after His resurrection that he has all 100% authority or power in Heaven and on earth (Mt. 28:18). Notice: Jesus, not the Father, has all authority in Heaven! Remember, Jesus humbled himself when he came to the earth, taking the very nature of a servant, even though his nature is God (Phil. 2:5-8).

(2) The Jehovah's Witnesses (JW's) have their own Bible translation called the New World Translation (NWT), which has inconsistently translated the Greek word which shows that Jesus received worship from His disciples. In that translation, if it can be properly called such, Jesus is said to have received "obeisance" and not "worship." Among other places, please see Mt. 28:9. That same Greek word found there is properly translated at other passages as "worship" in their Greek English Interlinear called the Kingdom Interlinear Translation (1969 edition). To be exact, in Mt. 2:11; 14:33; 28:9 and 28:17 the Greek word is translated obeisance because it refers to the Lord Jesus, but when the same exact Greek word is used at Rev. 5:14; 7:11; 11:16; 19:4; 20:4 and Jn. 4:20 it is rendered worshiped because it doesn't refer to Jesus. This is not good scholarship, neither is it being consistent, as they claim in the foreword of their translation.

(3) Another striking characteristic of the NWT is their usage of "Jehovah." They have done this over 6,000 times in their Bible! But in other literature that they have published, they have gone on record as stating that Yahweh is "the more correct way" to render God's name! Their actual quote is:

While inclining to view the pronunciation "Yah.weh" as the more correct way, we have retained the form "Jehovah" because of people's familiarity with it since the 14th century (The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures (KIT), 1969 ed., p. 23).
Furthermore, they admit that no one ever used the Latinized word "Jehovah" until the thirteenth century. This word is of Catholic origin:
By combining the vowel signs of 'Adho.nay and 'Elo.him' with the four consonants of the Tetragrammaton the pronunciations Yeho.wah' and Yehowih' were formed. The first of these provided the basis for the Latinized form "Jehova(h)." The first recorded use of this form dates from the thirteenth century C.E. Raymundus Martini, a Spanish monk of the Dominican Order, used it in his book Pugeo Fidei of the year 1270. Hebrew scholars generally favor "Yahweh" as the most likely pronunciation (Aid to Bible Understanding, 1971, pp. 884, 885).(26)
(4) Another unique characteristic of the JW's belief system is their strange view that only 144,000 will enter Heaven. Please know that the 12,000 from the 12 tribes of Israel (equaling 144,000) as mentioned in Rev. 7:4-8 and 14:1-3 does not state that they will be the only ones that will enter Heaven!
Let's take a look at two passages by focusing in on the words "before the throne":

Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. (Rev 14:1) And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. (Rev 14:2) And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. (Rev 14:3)
The second passage is:
After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. (Rev 7:9) And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." (Rev 7:10) All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, (Rev 7:11) saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" (Rev 7:12) Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?" (Rev 7:13) I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Rev 7:14) Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. (Rev 7:15)
Please note, according to Rev. 14:1-3, the 144,000 are "before the throne." If they are in Heaven, then there are many others in Heaven as well because that same phrase "before the throne" is also found in 7:9 and refers to a great multitude that no man can count, which is a different group from the 144,000!
Further, please remember this: the JW's take part of the Rev. 14:1-3 passage literally and part of it figuratively. In other words, the number they take literally but they figuratively interpret the Israelite tribes to mean something other than Israelite tribes!

The Lord Jesus taught:

Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. (John 12:26)
From the above passage, Jesus taught that all of his servants will be in the same place as he is! Hence, since Jesus is in Heaven, all of his servants, which certainly exceeds 144,000, will be in Heaven with him, according to Jesus himself!
(5) While JW's call themselves "Christians," the reader should be advised that not everyone who says, "Lord, Lord" will enter into the kingdom of God (Mt. 7:21). Moreover, the JW's fail the test to identify themselves as being "in the faith." In 2 Cor. 13:5, we read:

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? (2 Cor 13:5)
Since the JW's wrongly teach that Jesus is Michael the Archangel, without any clear Scriptural backing, and since an angel cannot dwell in multitudes of Christians at the same time, then their view of Christ is not only wrong but they would fail the doctrinal test to be in the faith!
(6) So what do JW's want from you and what do they believe about salvation? Let the following quote from their own literature answer this:

Do not conclude that there are different roads, or ways, that you can follow to gain life in God's new system. There is only one. There was just the one ark that survived the Flood, not a number of boats. And there will be only one organization—God's visible organization—that will survive the fast-approaching "great tribulation." It is simply not true that all religions lead to the same goal. (Matthew 7:21-23; 24:21) You must be part of Jehovah's organization, doing God's will, in order to receive his blessing of everlasting life.—Psalm 133:1-3. (You Can Live Forever In Paradise On Earth, 1982, p. 255.)
The JW's want you to spread their false teachings, just as they themselves do. Furthermore, their own literature clearly states you must be part of their organization to receive everlasting life, as you just read. Finally, the JW religion is based on the teachings of a Bible-defined false prophet from their first president, C. T. Russell, on through to the present time. Though they claim the light gets brighter and brighter, their own prophetic track record has consistently remained the same, that is, one false prophecy after another after another! They have made prophecies that have failed about the following years: 1914, 1915, 1918, 1925, 1931, 1941, 1975 and 1995. Though the JW's claim they "admit their mistakes," they refuse to admit their 1975 false prophecy (or "mistake" as they call it). A true prophet does not make false prophecies (Jer. 28:9)!
The Lord Jesus warned that false prophets would arise and would "deceive" many people (Mt. 24:11, 24). Dear reader, don't allow yourself to be a victim of this organization, which is a ravenous wolf in sheep's clothing (Mt. 7:15) but claims of itself to be Jehovah's organization.

Those who will, in the end, enter God's kingdom have a trusting, submitting and enduring faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. Furthermore, such faith in Christ produces holy living and good fruit. And all those "in the truth" today can wholeheartedly agree with the Apostle Thomas who called Jesus both his Lord and his God (Jn. 20:28). For more information, contact:
Evangelical Outreach

To wrap it up, JW's don't study directly from the bible, they study from a magazine called the watchtower. The watchtower tells them how to study. The on;y book i'll study from is called the Bible. Please study this religion throughly before you make any decesions.
This religion ruined my family. And has ruined many others. Curious as to why? resesarch it. Pray about it.

BE BLESSED AND REJOICE IN JESUS!

Answer 2

Here is just a little history the world needs to know so they can make a free will choice as to which religion has done the most good for mankind. Have the paid clergy done the most good? What is the real world truth about that? Look with an clear open mind!

Will this true history re-shap the world law if people saw it as a key to how peace and security has to come?
SHAPING OF OUR U. S. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW AND OTHERS IN OUR DAY-WHO DID IT?

"The activity of Jehovah's Witnesses has, in some lands, been a major factor in shaping the law. Every American law student well knows the contribution made by Jehovah's Witnesses to the defense of civil rights in the United States." "These cases have done much to preserve the liberties not only of Jehovah's Witnesses but also of the entire populace. In a speech at Drake University, Irving Dilliard, a well-known auther and editor, said: "like it or not, the Jehovah's Witnesses have done more to help preserve our freedoms than any other religious group.""-Jehovah's Witnesses-Proclaimers of God's Kingdom-Chapter 30 Page 699. They, did this from a kind golden rule heart free, while the paid clergy from just about every other faith tried every ungodly rule to stop them! Are the paid clergy in it for the money? Fact of history! Revelation 18:4 says, "GOT OUT" of money loving religion! The idea of that is there.

Additional Details

1 hour ago
See what Jesus said about hate toward his followers at John 15:17-25 and think about the facts above. And note Matthew 6:24 about the two things people make their master or rule their lives!

1 hour ago
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Answer 3

http://www.knocking.org/

Setting aside any Bible issues, my guess is that some of the irritating issues people have with them could be:

They believe in obeying the law, even the inconvenient ones, such as speed limits when late for work.

They believe in paying taxes, even though there are many ways they could avoid them, as most religions do.

They believe in keeping their word, such as to the IRS that they will not promote politics in the church, and they actually mean it.

They teach their youth that waiting until marriage is preferable to using protection, and for the most part, the youths actually believe it. As a result, they have the lowest rates of out-of-wedlock births and STDs. Yes, there is the occasional ones who would rather have their fun now than wait, but there are far more who choose to wait.

They treat their youth with respect, not just "do what you're told!"

Youths are taught side by side with the adults, the Bible as a whole, and not just Bible stories. The very young may not understand what they are being taught, but by the time you reach the age of understanding, they have a good basic knowledge of the scriptures.

The congregations never get so large that the individual gets lost in the crowd. Since everyone is taught the same, it is easy to start a new congregation, with a set of elders.

Everyone knows everyone, whether in their congregation, or in their circuit. When Katrina happened, every Jehovah’s Witnesses, along with neighbors, living in New Orleans could be found in Texas, with every witness accounted for. How many other religions could say for certain they knew that none of those left behind belong to one of their churches?

They believe their Kingdom Halls should compliment a neighborhood, and not overwhelm it, so they are small and don’t include a lot of expensive decorative features. Each KH can hold up to four congregations.

They encourage all their members to read the Bible and submit their thoughts. This was before the NWT and when they were using the KJV, or Authorized Version. It should be noted that this version of the KJV was not the first, but the fifth. It took four revisions over a 150 year period, before it was approved by the Church of England.

JW may have their own Bible, but it came about as a result of reading the KJV by thousands of people and noting the contradictions as a result of errors in translation. A good example is the scripture that says “The Word” is a Mighty God. A Mighty God gets its power and existence from an Almighty God. As for revisions, to my knowledge, it had not been revised since it came out in the 50s. My mother still has her first JW Bible, though it is worn like all the others she has used since them. Witnesses generally wear out a Bible every few years, whereas those in Christendom may have the same Bible for generations.

The greatest difference between JWs and the rest of Christendom can be answered with just one question.

WHAT DAY DO YOU OBSERVE THE MEMORIAL ON?

Everyone else will falter around and perhaps come up with a day in May, but all JWs will say at sunset on Nasin 14, which falls on the first full moon after the vernal equinox, the Memorial of the Last Supper. This is the only day, aside from wedding anniversaries, that Christ said to continue keeping, yet Jehovah's Witnesses are the only Christian organization that does.

Whatever you may say about whether it is right or wrong to observe the man-made holidays created since the first congregations, the fact remains that Christendom does not observe the one day Christ said to keep. What does that say for the leaders of Christendom, that they ignore that one important day of the year, and don't even know what day it falls on?

The question of holidays gets asked a lot, yet the facts of why are clearly evident. Even the Churches of Christendom recognize that the holidays and observances are not in keeping with Bible teachings, yet they fear that doing anything about it will jeopardize their positions and power. Check any religious encyclopedia about the holidays and their history.

So the question is not why don't witnesses celebrate the holidays, but why does Christendom celebrate something not taught in the Bible? Further, why don't they know what day Christ said to observe and why don't you observe it on that day?

Whatever you may think of any of the other beliefs of JWs, you have to ask yourself is the need to observe these holidays more important than observing the day Christ said to keep?

Answer 4

Did you know that the bible says that in the last days God's people will be persecuted.
"Before all these things people will lay their hands upon you and persecute you , delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, you being haled before kings and governors for the sake of may name " Luke 21:12

Matt 5:11-"Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my [Jesus'] account."

Matt 10:22-"and you will be hated by all for my name's sake"

Matt 24:9-"you will be hated by all nations on account of My name"

Mark 13:13-"and you will be hated by all on account of My name"

You may have wondered why so many people seem to be against Jehovah's Witnesses with no real cause for doing so.

Jehovah's witnesses have been persecuted (executed and imprisoned) in over 50 nations for their preaching work.

Answer 5

My advice to you AFTER having studied much of their material is to stop being curious about them.

Do you have a Bible?

Please open it up and read 2 verses.
Read Deuteronomy 18:20-22

Jws have made numerous prophecies of specific dates for Armageddon throughout their years as an organization. Yet NONE of those prophecies has taken place. God makes it very clear in Deut. 18:20-22 that if someone says they are speaking God's word and it doesn't take place then we should conclude that those who spoke are not speaking for God. Don't even listen to them.

Answer 6

What they *DON'T* say is what should concern you.

For instance, do they tell you that if you decide to study and are eventually baptized, that one of the affirmations you will make is that you subject yourself to their organization? In other words, you are not just being baptized in confirmation of a commitment to God, but pledging loyalty to the Watchtower's 'Faithful & Discreet Slave' and any of their doctrines, and their appointees.

They also won't tell you that that vow of loyalty to the organization will prevent you from voicing sincere disagreement or criticism of them. They silence free speech, and it can cost a devotee dearly in a future time.

Answer 7

The video clip below provides a brief history on this organization, which most current Jehovah Witnesses are not aware of. There is a website listed if you'd like more details.

Answer 8

IF you really want to talk to one of us the best way is in the real world where you can see who you are talking to and can verify where they are getting their info.

I suggest you call your local Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Answer 9

Jehovah's Witnesses understand the Scriptures to teach that God's Kingdom will soon replace all earthly governments.
(Daniel 2:44) God of heaven will set up a kingdom... It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite

That Kingdom will rule over the vast majority of mankind, most of whom will have been raised from the dead after Armageddon.
(John 11:23,24) Jesus said to her: “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him: “I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.”
(Acts 24:15) There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.

Until that resurrection, there is no suffering in "hell", or the grave. Sometime after the resurrection, death and "hell" will themselves be destroyed.
(Ecclesiastes 9:5) For the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all
(Ecclesiastes 9:10) there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheol ["hell"]
(Revelation 20:14) And death and Hades ["hell"] were hurled into the lake of fire

While a limitted number of humans will be resurrected to heaven to share in ruling over mankind, the vast majority (literally more than 99.9%) of Jehovah's Witnesses expect an EARTHLY hope, the same hope given to Adam and Eve.
(Genesis 1:28) God blessed them and God said to them: “Be fruitful and become many and fill THE EARTH and subdue it [caps added]
(Genesis 2:17) You must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will positively die [so never eating from that tree means never dying]

Interestingly, the Scriptures are full of references to this earthly hope.
(Psalms 37:11) 'the meek will possess the earth'
(Proverbs 2:21) 'upright will reside in the earth'
(Isaiah 45:18) 'God formed the earth to be inhabited'
(Matthew 5:5) 'the mild will inherit the earth'
(Revelation 21:3) The tent of God is with mankind

Answer 10

I'm assuming you've gotten a ton of information by now. If not...add me to the list of those who said you can feel free to email! Just go to my profile and click to email me. Thanks for asking!

Answer 11

Sure you can go to your local kingdom hall and ask or go to their official website.

Find out for yourself first hand what they are all about, don't let others dictate to you what they want you to think.

Jehovah's Witnesses conduct well over 6 million personal home Bible studies worldwide. Discover for yourself the real truth about why.