Does John 15:19, 20 Apply to Jehovah's Witnesses?

Question

Doing some research, and I didn't know that JW's were persecuted, imprisoned and killed in concentration camps from refusing to defect their religion and side with Hitler. Catholics in Italy during the 1980's had also banned JW's, attacking them and spreading leaflets about them to prevent their preaching. In Russia, they were sent off into large numbers into Siberia, where they were left to die. According to a JW, they have been persecuted, attacked throughout the world (even in the U.S.), while other religious groups have not experienced this scope.

Even today, JW's are being attacked in Georgia (in europe), for practicing their beliefs by the Greek orthodox church.

Your thoughts please.

Answer 1

Jehovah's Witnesses endured terrible persecution at the hands of Satanic agents in Nazi Germany, Stalinist Russia, and elsewhere.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20030301/
http://watchtower.org/e/19980708/
http://jw-media.org/edu_videos/vcfi_e.htm

Answer 2

Georgia? Southwestern Asia... Fiction most likely.

Georgia is Christian Orthodox 75% (Georgian Orthodox 65%, Russian Orthodox 10%), Muslim 11%, Armenian Apostolic 8%, unknown 6%.

The Catholic variations have always (Roman. Greek, Eastern Orthodox, Assyrian Church of the East, Oriental Orthodoxy aka Coptic) always attacked and thwarted any other belief system whenever they can get away with it.

There may be some Greek Orthodox but not many.
Persecution exists and this is not just the JWs.

JWs have bore the brunt of many recent era secular and sectarian purges. Percentage wise is even greater than others particularly in the second great war.

Answer 3

Jesus' words could apply to all who believe and follow him, not just JW's and the passage ought not be interpreted to foretell the arrival of the JW's and their persecution by numerous governments.

Just because a Nebraska judge was influenced by the founder of the JW's does not imply that the religion is sanctified. JW's do not believe in the Holy Spirit but cannot explain why the dove descended upon Jesus at his baptism nor even why the dove didn't bother coming back to Noah's Ark after the flood receded.

Finally, JW's do not believe that Jesus was the son of God so Chapter 15, verse 8 is considered heretical by the JW's.

Answer 4

Yes, John 15:19, 20 applies to Jehovah's Witnesses. Also in France we are being subjected to extremely high taxes when no other religion is having to pay these.
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not enjoy being persecuted. However, in obedience to God’s command to all Christians, they cannot and will not stop speaking about the things they have heard. They endeavor to be good citizens. Where there is a conflict between God’s law and man’s law, however, they must obey God as ruler.
If God allows us to be persecuted, he will always give us the strength to endure persecution. 1 Cointhians 10:13 -  "No temptation has taken YOU except what is common to men. But God is faithful, and he will not let YOU be tempted beyond what YOU can bear, but along with the temptation he will also make the way out in order for YOU to be able to endure it."
That is my goal, to continue to endure all trials and tribulations and keep telling people the good news!

Answer 5

The Scriptures tell us that Satan is the god of this world, and that the whole world is lying in his power. Also, that in the last days Satan would wage war upon those bearing witness to Jesus, who, in turn, bore witness to his Father, Jehovah.

Jesus called the men who persecuted him the sons of "your father, the Devil," saying that they carried out the desires of that one.

It is therefore not surprising that evil deeds are directed against those who are not part of Satan's world, but whose allegiance is to God's Kingdom and its King, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Devil has no need to persecute those who already belong to him.

Answer 6

No. It doesn't. A lot of the persecution they face is of their own making and is interpreted as persecution. If they stand up and say something, then we have the right to stand up and set the record straight and tell the truth.

Answer 7

They suffered much persecution in the United States also, most of it was prompted by the other religious organizations. (Some things never change.)

Answer 8

Lots of Christians have suffered abuse..for that matter, lots of people have suffered abuse.......

In Yahoo answers they are to ones who are name calling and intolerant. They are nice to you if you agree with their beliefs, but , watch out if you call them on their theology.......

http://waltermartin.com
You will see the JW history, and their issues with persecution in Germany, also their support of the early Nazi party....Not a pretty past, most Christians have to own it, sad but true.

Answer 9

all of what you said is true, JWs could have gotten out of concentration camps simply by renouncing their faith

look at this http://www.watchtower.org/e/19980708/article_01.htm

Answer 10

You have to examine their beliefs first. Are they really being persecuted for Christ or do they cry persecution when someone points out their false teaching. They have a persecution complex and it's a defense mechanism they've learned to use well.

JW’s have their magazines, watchtower books, and the nwt which is a neutered satanic translation. These are additions to Scripture.

You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Deut. 4:2

Beware of the scribes. Luke 20:46

Jesus was Michael the archangel who became a man, The Watchtower, May 15,
1963, p. 307; The New World, 284.

Scripture says…

For to which of the angels did He ever say: “ You are My Son. Heb. 1:5

Jesus was only a perfect man, not God in flesh, Reasoning from the Scriptures,
1985, pp. 306.

Scripture says…

For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 2 John 7

Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 2 John 9

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Phil. 2:5-8

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Gal. 4:4-5

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. Heb. 2:9

For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Col. 2:9

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

There is no Trinity, Let God be True, p. 100-101; Make Sure of All Things, p.386.

Scripture says…

Then God said, “Let Us make man in OUR image, according to OUR likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Gen. 1:26

I and the Father are one. John 10:30

For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 1 John 5:7

Good works are necessary for salvation, Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 1,
pp. 150, 152.
Salvation is by faith and what you do, Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 1, pp.
150,152.

Scripture says…

But we are all like an unclean thing,
And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;
We all fade as a leaf,
And our iniquities, like the wind,
Have taken us away. Isaiah 64:6

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Eph. 2:8-9

It is possible to lose your salvation, Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, pp.
358-359.

Scripture says…

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Eph. 2:8-9

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Romans 11:29

The Holy Spirit is a force, not alive, Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, pp.
406-407.

Scripture says…

1. Jehovah's Witnesses teach that the Holy Spirit is an active force like radar. They deny that He is alive, that He is a person. This is, of course, because they deny the Trinity. Yet, if the Holy Spirit is simply a force then...
1. Why is He called God (Acts 5:3-5)?
2. How is it that He can teach (John 14:26)?
3. How can He be blasphemed (Matt. 12:31,32)?
4. How can be the one who comforts (Acts 9:31)?
5. How is it possible for Him to speak (Acts 28:25)?
6. How then can He be resisted (Acts 7:51)?
7. How can He be grieved (Eph. 4:30)?
8. How can He help us in our weaknesses (Rom. 8:26)?
2. If the Holy Spirit is a force, then how is it possible that the above mentioned phenomena are attributed to Him? A force doesn't speak, teach, comfort, etc.
3. Nor can you blaspheme against a force.

There is no hell of fire where the wicked are punished, Let God be True, p. 79, 80.

Scripture says…

But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Rev. 21:8

Luke 16:19-31

In no way, shape, or form does JW doctrine align with the Bible.

And the LORD said to me, “The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them; they prophesy to you a false vision, divination, a worthless thing, and the deceit of their heart. Jer. 14:14

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. Gal. 1:6-9

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. 2 Cor. 11:13-15

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 Pet. 2:1

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim. 3:16-17

To JW’s

Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth? Gal. 4:16