Question for Jehovah's Witnesses?

Question

What does the Watchtower society teach you that "Lord" means? (Lord with a capital 'L').

Christians understand "Lord" (with cap 'L') to mean "God".

When you look at the Jehovah's Witness Bible (the New Word Translation), you will see that Jehovah God is referred to as "Lord Jehovah" (Gen 15:2, Gen 15:8, Isaiah 51:22).

This means that even the Watchtower teaches that "Lord" is the "Divine Title" for God.

The NWT also says that Jesus Christ is Lord. Look at Philipians 3:10-11. "so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend ... and every tongue should openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord ..."

QUESTION:
How can you continue to deny that Jesus is God (the Lord) when your own version of the Bible shows quite clearly Jehovah God is "Lord of lords" (Deuteronomy 10:17) and that Jesus, the "Lamb of God" (John 1:29) is also the "Lord of lords" (Rev 17:14).

If you are Christian, open your heart and call out to Jesus today and saying "my Lord and my God!" (John 20:28).

Arianism : a Christian heresy first proposed early in the 4th century by the Alexandrian presbyter Arius. It affirmed that Christ is not truly divine but a created being.

The Encyclopedia Britannica
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9009410/Arianism

Papa Bear wrote "IT's LORD in all caps"

Perhaps this is true for the version of the NWT you have in your hands, but If you look at the online version of the NWT from the Watchtower society, it's NOT "LORD" in all caps.

Since the Watchtower society continues to change the Bible, there are many versions of the NWT. I have to assume the version online is the most current version.

Please look Gen 15:2 in the online version and you will see that "Lord" is not "all caps"

Chris wrote: "It is clear that Jehovah's name was removed & replaced with LORD "

IF this were true, then the NWT would say "Lord LORD" instead of "Lord Jehovah". But it does not. It says "Lord Jehovah".

Deut 3:24 (NWT)
‘O Sovereign Lord Jehovah, you yourself have ...

Official NWT at the official website:
http://watchtower.org/e/bible/index.htm

Answer 1

The question within this diatribe seems to ask why Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus is distinct from Jehovah, even though both Jesus and Jehovah are referred to as 'lord of lords'.

This is unsurprising, because both Jehovah and Jesus are far superior to any human "lord", and (in fact) Jehovah's Witnesses have never pretended that "lord" is some exclusive title used only by God or Christ.

(1 Corinthians 8:4-6) There is no God but one. For even though there are those who are called “gods,” whether in heaven or on earth, just as there are many “gods” and many “lords,” there is actually to us one God the Father

Learn more about the trinity:
http://watchtower.org/e/ti/index.htm?article=article_05.htm

Answer 2

You seem to believe that these passages of the Bible can't be interpreted in more then one way. Why would couldn't a title like "Lord of Lords" apply to two beings? Of course it could. You are jumping to a conclusion that you don't have enough data to back up.

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Michael the Archangel was born as the Son of God and was named Jesus. They do not believe Jesus is "not divine." They *do* believe that Jesus is subordinate to the Father. I know subordinationism is not believed by westerns Christianity today (Eastern Orthodox believes is today) but it was once widely believed by your very own early Christian fathers. This is a doctrine that has changed (back and forth) over time. You should be open to several points of view here as the Bible is not clear on this point.

I do not think it's wise for you to judge the Jehovah's Witnesses as non-Christian when this very act is a judgment as Christ commands you not to.

>>> Arianism : a Christian heresy first proposed early in the 4th century by the Alexandrian presbyter Arius. It affirmed that Christ is not truly divine but a created being.

I do not understand this argument. Though I do not believe in Arianism and I don't believe Jesus was created, I cannot see how affirming Jesus is a created being would in any way mean He is not divine. This strikes me as an illogical argument. Why couldn't God (who can do anything) create a divine being? Are you putting a limit on God's power?

Answer 3

Gen 15:2 - uiamr(he-is-saying) abrm(Abram) adni(Adonai/Lord) ieue (Yahweh/Jehovah)...


Phl 2:11 - kai(And) pas(every) glOssa(tongue) exomologeO(Should-be-acclaiming) hoti (kurois) iEsous(Jesus) christos(Christ) eis(into) doxa(glory) theos(of-God) patEr(father).

English = Lord
Latin = Dominus (Master)
Greek = Kurois
Hebrew - Adonai

A Lord/Master/King will rule in Heaven on the throne over God's people.

Jehovah God will be LORD forever and ever.
Exd 15:18 The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.

Where Jesus will be given the throne and only reign a short time.

1 cr 15:24 - Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.

Answer 4

If your argument is so precise, explain why in the OTHER Bibles, the word "lord' appears like this->"LORD" AND this -> "Lord"? It is clear that Jehovah's name was removed & replaced with LORD (All caps) and when it uses "Lord" it's usually referring to Jesus. There are a few instances of 'Lord" speaking of Jehovah since he too is a "Lord." All it means is he Lords over his people. He has authority. But he is the ONLY one who is Almighty. The Bible never once calls ANYBODY (Not even Christ) almighty. Explain that.

Answer 5

New Jerusalem Bible:

Gen 15:1Some time later, the word of Yahweh came to Abram in a vision: Do not be afraid, Abram! I am your shield and shall give you a very great reward.

2"Lord Yahweh," Abram replied, "What use are your gifts, as I am going on my way childless?

In Hebrew there is a word that means Lord and another that means Jehovah or Yahweh.

Lord (0136) GOD (03069) are the Strong's references for Gen 15:2.

#0136 Lord 'Adonay' {ad-o-noy'} means: Lord
Strong's Number 0136 matches the Hebrew 'Adonay

Strong's Number 03069 matches the Hebrew Y@hovih
Means: 1) Jehovah - used primarily in the combination 'Lord Jehovah'

David is called Lord, Abraham is called Lord, Jesus is called Lord,

but Jesus is never called Lord God.

Ps 110:Of David Psalm

1Yahweh declared to my Lord, *Take your seat at my right hand, till I have made your enemies your footstool.* 2Yahweh will stretch out the sceptre of your power; from Zion you will rule your foes all around you.


Here we see a difference in Yahweh (Jehovah in English) and the Lord Jesus.

Jesus sits at Jehovah's right hand.

The context of Rev 17:14 is earthly Lords or rulers, where as the context of Deuteronomy is false gods.

1 Cor 8: We are well aware that all of us have knowledge; but while knowledge puffs up, love is what builds up. 2Someone may think that he has full knowledge of something and yet not know it as well as he should; 3but someone who loves God is known by God. 4On the subject of eating foods dedicated to false gods, we are well aware that none of the false gods exists in reality and that there is no God other than the One. 5Though there are so-called gods, in the heavens or on earth-and there are plenty of gods and plenty of lords- 6yet for us there is only one God, the Father

There is only one God, the Father.

Even your Catholic Bible agrees with the NWT. Why don't you accept it?

Answer 6

1 timothy 2:5
John 14: 6,14
Matthew 6:9
Romans 8:34
Hebrews 7:25

Answer 7

Boy, do you have it backwards. IT's LORD in all caps, not just capital L. It is the location where god's name was removed.

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/2006/11/robertson_says.html

Answer 8

The Greek and Hebrew words rendered "lord" (or such related terms as 'sir,' "owner," "master') are used with reference to Jehovah God, Jesus Christ , one of the elders seen by John in vision, angels and false deities .

"And go, enter in among the exiled people, among the sons of your people, and you must speak to them and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD Jehovah has said,’ regardless of whether they hear or they refrain." -- Ezekiel 3:11

"Not everyone saying to me, ‘LORD, LORD,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will." -- Matthew 7:21

"And in response one of the elders said to me: “These who are dressed in the white robes, who are they and where did they come from?” So right away I said to him: “My LORD, you are the one that knows.” And he said to me: “These are the ones that come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." -- Revelation 7:13,14

"Now the two angels arrived at Sodom by evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot caught sight of them, then he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the earth. And he proceeded to say: “Please, now, my LORDS, turn aside, please, into the house of your servant and stay overnight and have your feet washed. Then you must get up early and travel on your way.” To this they said: “No, but in the public square is where we shall stay overnight."" -- Genesis 19:1,2

"For even though there are those who are called “gods,” whether in heaven or on earth, just as there are many “gods” and many "LORDS"." -- 1 Corinthians 8:5


God's name, Jehovah which means "He Causes to Become" had been replaced in most Bibles with the word "Lord".

"It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there." -- Ezekiel 48:35 (KJV)

"Round about [there will be] eighteen thousand [cubits]; and the name of the city from [that] day on will be JEHOVAH Himself Is There." -- Ezekiel 48:35 (NWT)


Jehovah is the only true God who has no beginnig and no end. Jesus is God's son who has a beginning. The holy spirit is God's active force.

"Even from time indefinite to time indefinite you are God." -- Psalm 90:2

"This is what Jehovah has said, the King of Israel and the Repurchaser of him, Jehovah of armies, ‘I am the first and I am the last, and besides me there is no God." -- Isaiah 44:6

"....The Father is greater than I am." -- John 14:28

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation." -- Colossians 1:15

"And I shall have to come down and speak with you there; and I shall have to take away some of the spirit that is upon you and place it upon them, and they will have to help you in carrying the load of the people that you may not carry it, just you alone." -- Numbers 11:17


For more information go to:
http://www.watchtower.org/library/na/diagram_04.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2005/4/22/article_02.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/library/ti/article_05.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/library/ti/article_08.htm

Answer 9

The relative positions of Jehovah God and his Son, Jesus Christ, are made very clear by the apostle Paul when he says: “There is actually to us one God the Father, out of whom all things are, and we for him; and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are, and we through him.” (1 Corinthians 8:6. 12:5, 6.) Writing to the Christian congregation in Ephesus, Paul identified the “one Lord,” Jesus Christ, as being quite distinct from the “one God and Father of all persons.”—Ephesians 4:5, 6.

Although Jesus is now Lord of lords, he is never called God of gods. Jehovah remains supreme over all. In this way, Jehovah will be “all things to everyone.” (1 Corinthians 15:28.)

The Greek and Hebrew words rendered “lord” (or such related terms as “sir,” “owner,” “master”) are often the designation “lord” denotes one who has ownership or authority and power over persons or things. (Ge 24:9; 42:30; 45:8, 9; 1Ki 16:24; Lu 19:33; Ac 25:26; Eph 6:5) This title was applied by Sarah to her husband (Ge 18:12), by children to their fathers (Ge 31:35; Mt 21:28, 29), and by a younger brother to his older brother (Ge 32:5, 6). It appears as a title of respect addressed to prominent persons, public officials, prophets, and kings. (Ge 23:6; 42:10; Nu 11:28; 2Sa 1:10; 2Ki 8:10-12; Mt 27:63) When used in addressing strangers, “lord,” or “sir,” served as a title of courtesy.—Joh 12:21; 20:15; Ac 16:30.

Jehovah God is the “Lord of heaven and earth,” being the Universal Sovereign by reason of his Creatorship. (Matthew 11:25 - Revelation 4:11) Faithful servants of God on earth addressed him as “Sovereign Lord,” and this title appears over 300 times in the inspired Scriptures. (Gen. 15:2; Revelation 6:10.)

Acknowledgment of Jesus Christ as Lord means more than simply calling him “Lord.” It requires that an individual recognize Jesus’ position and follow a course of obedience. (Compare John 14:21.) As Jesus himself said: “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will.”—Matthew 7:21.

The Greek “Kyrios.” This Greek word is an adjective, signifying the possessing of power (ky′ros) or authority, and it is also used as a noun. It appears in each book of the Christian Greek Scriptures except Titus and the letters of John. The term corresponds to the Hebrew ’A·dhohn′. As God’s created Son and Servant, Jesus Christ properly addresses his Father and God (John 20:17) as “Lord” (’Adho·nai′ or Ky′ri·os), the One having superior power and authority, his Head. (Matthew 11:25 - 1 Cor. 11:3.) As the one exalted to his Father’s right hand, Jesus is “Lord of lords” as respects all except his Father, God the Almighty.—Revelation 17:14; 19:15, 16. Compare 1 Cor. 15:27, 28.

But what about the apostle Thomas’ saying, “My Lord and my God!” to Jesus at John 20:28? To Thomas, Jesus was like “a god,” especially in the miraculous circumstances that prompted his exclamation. Some scholars suggest that Thomas may simply have made an emotional exclamation of astonishment, spoken to Jesus but directed to God. In either case, Thomas did not think that Jesus was Almighty God, for he and all the other apostles knew that Jesus never claimed to be God but taught that Jehovah alone is “the only true God.”—John 17:3.

Again, the context helps us to understand this. A few days earlier the resurrected Jesus had told Mary Magdalene to tell the disciples: “I am ascending to my Father and your Father and to my God and your God.” (John 20:17) Even though Jesus was already resurrected as a mighty spirit, Jehovah was still his God. And Jesus continued to refer to Him as such even in the last book of the Bible, after he was glorified.—Revelation 1:5, 6; 3:2, 12.

Just three verses after Thomas’ exclamation, at John 20:31, the Bible further clarifies the matter by stating: “These have been written down that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God,” not that he was Almighty God. And it meant “Son” in a literal way, as with a natural father and son, not as some mysterious part of a Trinity Godhead.

If you would like further information, please contact Jehovah's Witnesses at the local Kingdom Hall. Or visit http://www.watchtower.org