Changes

The Tobacco Bombshell

2009-01-18T17:57:33Z

Early in the decade of the 70’s, all JW’s were notified (in the tobacco-growing district) of a special meeting at the Kingdom Hall. Three representatives from WTS, a District Overseer and two Circuit Overseers delivered a symposium that brought an abrupt end for all JW’s working in the tobacco industry (whether selling cigarettes, manufacture, tobacco machinery, etc.) or farmers producing tobacco.

Governing Body Casts Its Ballot for "New Light" on Voting

2009-01-18T18:20:58Z

Can you imagine being brutally beaten by government officials because you believed that God would rather have you beaten than vote in a political election? Jehovah’s Witnesses can, because this is exactly what happened in the spring of 1970 in Cameroon, Africa.

In the Oct. 15, 1970 issue of The Watchtower, we learn about this awful persecution in an article entitled "Cameroon says ‘No!’ to Freedom of worship." The article describes how JWs in Cameroon were beaten, starved, arrested, imprisoned, tortured, and consigned to slave labor because of their refusal to vote in political elections. It explains that "the witnesses refrain from participation in political affairs in all countries of the world" because of their "Bible-trained consciences" and their "Bible-based stand." Much of what is described in the article is comparable to what took place in Nazi concentration camps. When JWs suffered this persecution, they thought they were honoring God by obeying His organization. Their loyalty has been betrayed 30 years later by a simple flick of the "new light" switch. (the Watchtower’s excuse for doctrinal changes) Before examining this new teaching, let’s thoroughly examine what the Watchtower has said in the past regarding voting.

Historically, Jehovah’s Witnesses have been forbidden to participate in politics. They interpret John 17:14 "because they are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world" to mean that God absolutely will not allow His followers to mix with "this world." They are to recognize Jehovah God only as their ruler, but not earthly governments. Participating in politics, and particularly voting, has been classified as a sin that makes one worthy of disfellowhipping. ( Pay Attention to Yourselves and All the Flock, 1977 p. 57-59.) A disfellowshipped Jehovah’s Witness is totally ostracized by his family and friends and considered as if he were dead.

Over the past 30 years, the Watchtower Society has made many statements regarding how offensive voting is to God. In WT 12/1/89 p. 13-14 the Society states that those who reject truth,

"can even vote for one of the political parties of the 'wild beast.' (Revelation 13:1,7) Thus, as unsteady souls, some have been seduced and misled from the straight path of accurate knowledge by those who, while ‘promising them freedom, are themselves existing as slaves of corruption.' 2 Peter 2:15-19."

This quote indicates that those who vote are "unsteady," "seduced," "misled," and "slaves of corruption." Does this lead the Witness to believe that this doctrine may change someday?

Obedient Jehovah’s Witnesses are described as follows:

"They do not seek or offer compromises…To serve in the army, to vote, or to give the Hitler salute would have meant a recognition of the claims of this world as dominant over the claims of God." (WT 9/1/86 p. 21.)

This clearly states that a JW who chooses to vote is recognizing the claims of this world as dominant over the claims of God. The Watchtower rhetorically asks JWs if they will, "vote for political leaders or support nationalistic schemes, will we compromise and get disqualified and sidetracked from the race for life?" This statement indicates that if a JW votes, they are "compromising" and being "disqualified and sidetracked from the race for life." (WT 8/15/75 p. 496-7.) Would this be an acceptable condition for a Jehovah's Witness?

Lastly, the article "Earth’s Rulers for a Thousand Years" from p. 741 of the Dec. 15, 1973 Watchtower describes the "spiritual brother" as follows:

"They do not have the "mark upon their forehead and upon their hand. That is, they do not have the identification as slaves of the state and do not lend an active hand in carrying on its worldly activities, often beastly. They do not run for political offices, or vote for political candidates."

Does this mean, then, that if Witnesses ever voted, they would have the mark of the beast that identified them as "slaves of the state?"

This would associate them not only with the government rulers, but also with Satan himself. The position taken by the Watchtower Society was that voting is strictly forbidden by God. It was not an issue that was up for debate…until…

November 1, 1999 Watchtower p.28-29

The section is entitled "Questions from Readers" and the question that is presented asks "How do Jehovah’s Witnesses view voting?" Although the answer given by the Watchtower Society gives 5 negative factors to be considered, the overall tone of the answer leaves the decision up to the individual JW. This is so drastically different than the staunch stand against voting that is so graphically laid out and demonstrated in the article about Cameroon, Africa mentioned earlier.

The 1999 article states six times that the JW has to make their own personal decision regarding whether or not to vote in a political election.

If this is the case, why did so many dedicated followers of Jehovah have to suffer such physical brutality in the spring of 1970?

The article mentions the same "Bible-trained conscience" that the JWs are to use to make this "personal decision." What has changed in the Bible’s teachings in the last 30 years that now gives the JW freedom to vote? Would the Witnesses in Cameroon have subjected themselves to this persecution, if they knew then what they know now? Did those who suffered in Cameroon know that "in matters of individual conscience such as this, each Christian has to make his own decision before Jehovah God?"

The question each JW must consider is whether or not something that they are willing to die for today will be changed tomorrow. What a tragedy for those JWs who have lost friends and loves ones because of the Watchtower’s past rulings, only to have these rulings softened or completely overturned in 1999. These Witnesses suffered for nothing! Since the God of the Bible is unchanging, obviously, these actions were not inspired by the true and living God, but by the sinful, fallible humans who govern the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Keith and Becky Walker are the founders of Evidence Ministries, a missionary outreach to Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons. They can be reached at:

Evidence Ministries, P.O. Box 690371, San Antonio, TX 78269

210-340-TRUE or keith@evidenceministries.org

New Light On What Baptism Means

2008-10-24T20:11:08Z

Once upon a time the Watchtower Society recognized that Christians are not dedicated to an organization:

... when we dedicate our lives to Jehovah. We do not dedicate ourselves to a religion, nor to a man, nor to an organization. No, we dedicated ourselves to the Supreme Sovereign of the Universe, our Creator, Jehovah God himself. [Oct. 1, 1966 Watchtower, pp. 603-4]

The Jan. 15, 1970 Watchtower (pp. 37-41) emphasized this by asking, "Which Comes First Your Church or God?" Speaking mainly to Catholics and Protestants it said:
With some, God comes first and their church is merely a means used to worship him. With others, their church has become an end in itself, taking priority over God and his Word, the Bible. Where do you stand? In your own heart and mind, which comes first your church or God?

The article argued that the proper Christian course is to give up on your religion if it doesn't follow the Bible, and it invited dissatisfied people to become Jehovah's Witnesses. In its usual fashion, the Society does not follow its own advice. Even though it has said that Christians do not dedicate themselves to an organization, it tells Witnesses that salvation does not come apart from the Watchtower organization.

For example, the Mar. 1, 1979 Watchtower (p. 18) said:
Devoted Witnesses have kept their faith in Jehovah's organization. They know which one of all organizations on earth the Almighty God has used to give the greatest witness to his name and kingdom in all Christian history... Is there any cause for us to lose faith in Jehovah's visible organization because of mounting difficulties in this world? Those who believe that Jehovah will never desert his faithful witnesses answer, "Absolutely not!" In demonstration of such faith, we will keep on sticking to it and working with it without slacking the hand. Our unwavering faith will be rewarded with victory and the crown of life!

In line with these sentiments, in 1985 the Society changed the baptismal vows such that new Jehovah's Witnesses committed themselves not only to God, but to the Watchtower Society. This is evident from the baptismal vows published over the years.

The baptismal questions from the Aug. 1, 1966 Watchtower (p. 465) were:
(1) Have you recognized yourself before Jehovah God as a sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him, the Father, through his Son Jesus Christ?
(2) On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation, have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightening power of the holy spirit?

The May 15, 1970 (p. 309) and May 1, 1973 (p. 280) issues printed slightly revised vows. The newest baptismal questions were set forth in the June 1, 1985 (p. 30) Watchtower:

(1) On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?
(2) Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization?

Note how different the second vow is from the earlier versions. The Society has managed to get newer members to, in effect, join a worldly club from which their membership can be terminated at any time by the Society (disfellowshipping) while at the same time convincing these newcomers that they have only dedicated themselves to their Creator. Can any actions be more devious?

When a person becomes a JW, he or she is not told about the legal ramifications of joining the club. If the person decides to quit and says, "Hey, I dedicated myself to God and not to an organization," the Society may write a letter saying something along these lines:
`From the date of your baptism and your joining the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses, you professed the Christian faith, agreed to adhere to the doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses and agreed to submit to the rules and procedures of the ecclesiastical government of Jehovah's Witnesses.'

Note the legalistic phrase "ecclesiastical government." The WT Society never applies this to itself in any literature for public consumption. Instead it uses euphemistic phrases like "theocracy" to lull the sensibilities of the rank and file. The change in baptismal vows protects the Society from legal challenges but is obviously completely un-Christian. The insidious thing is that, when challenged, the Society uses the legal ploy that it is a voluntary association, like a club, but then claims that a person has repudiated the entire Christian faith if he leaves the club.

Technically, the Society gives a person two choices when leaving the club: disassociation or disfellowshipping. In practice a third choice is to leave the person alone. This is common and occurs when the elders do not feel threatened by the person's leaving, or when the person is able to threaten the elders personally with legal action.

Most longtime Witnesses are surprised to learn about the changes in the baptismal vows, in particular what these commit a person to and the legal obligations he takes on. Again we find dishonesty suffused through the Watchtower organization like water in a melon.

--contributed

Summary of 1993 Watchtower Convention Talks - The 1995 Generation Change

2009-02-22T06:08:13Z

Note: This is an early interpretation, published in 1993, of the changes that were later altered and finalized in the October 15 and November 1, 1995 issues of the Watchtower magazine. You can jump to an article summarizing the final changes (as if any doctrines are final in this organization!) at the end of this section.

Two special talks, "What Will Be The Sign of Your Presence?" and "Tell Us, When Will These Things Be?" were given on Saturday afternoon of the Divine Teaching District Conventions of Jehovah's Witnesses this year, apparently to prepare the way for "new light" on the teaching that we are living in the generation that will see the end of the world, with a view to overturning such understanding. These are a few notes regarding this new position.

For several decades now, the Watchtower magazine (henceforth designated as WT) has taught that 1914 marked the invisible presence of Christ, and that the generation that saw the world events that occurred since 1914 would be the one to witness the end of the earthly governments and the establishment of God's Kingdom on earth. The May 1, 1985 WT (p. 4) makes the statement that "Before the 1914 generation completely dies out, God's judgment must be executed." Originally, it was taught that those who were old enough to understand the events that occurred in 1914 comprised such a generation [See WT 01/10/78 p.31, 10/15/80, p. 31], but in more recent years the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses hinted that those who were born around 1914 comprised this generation (apparently to buy out more time until the end--see WT 05/15/84, p. 5)

There has been some vacillation on the part of the Watchtower's Governing Body in recent years on this matter, however. With the January 8, 1987 issue of the Awake! magazine, the masthead on p. 4 discontinued the statement saying that the generation that saw 1914 would not pass away, only to resume the statement with the March 8, 1988 issue. Apparently some readers were alarmed regarding its absence. One of the more subtle changes that few Witnesses noticed was the statement in the January 1, 1989 WT (p. 12) that "He (the apostle Paul) was also laying a foundation for a work that would be completed in the 20th century" that was changed to "...would be completed in our day" by the time it was printed in the archival bound volumes of the Watchtower issues for 1989. Apparently the Society was not so sure that Armageddon would occur in the 20th century after all.

Ray Franz, former Governing Body member of the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society notes in his book Crisis of Conscience that the Watchtower has attempted to buy out more time for Armageddon for a number of years, as their expectations failed, particularly with regards to the prediction that 1975 would bring Armageddon. According to Franz, they even considered changing the start of such generation to 1957, but such a change was rejected by popular vote in the secret Governing Body sessions. (Crisis, p. 218)

However, it appears the Governing Body has found a solution to the dilemma, and are "seeding the ground," giving Witnesses a taste of the change to come, without telling them what the change will actually mean. Few Witnesses understood the Saturday afternoon talks at all, let alone foresaw the vast changes it might mean in the Society's understanding. I had to read the transcript of the talk three times in order to get the point, and I consider myself as fairly well-versed on Watchtower methodology, having served at their headquarters for six years as an elder and factory overseer, and being a keen observer of Watchtower trickery over the last 15 years. Though the following is still speculation at this point, I do believe that soon it will become reality, as the new position appears to be very clever and even more stable than the previous understanding.

What Remains the Same

As has been previously taught but not always understood by some Witnesses, the Governing Body teaches that the events mentioned in Matthew 24: 5-14 had their initial or primary fulfillment in the first century, including the events surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. They acknowledge that there were major insurrections (wars), famines, pestilence, etc. during this time. Yet because there appear to be predictions in the subsequent verses of Matthew 24 as well as Luke 21 and Mark 13 that were NOT fulfilled during that time, they have stated repeatedly that there must be a greater, or secondary fulfillment in our time, culminating in the Great Tribulation and Armageddon. They still believe that Christ returned invisibly in 1914, and that we are living in the time of the signs mentioned in Matt. 24:4-14.

Whether they will still call this the "time of the end" remains to be seen (for years they taught that the beginning of the time of the end was the year 1799!). In the manuscript talks, the Governing Body says that "informed people" acknowledge that the composite sign foretold at Matt. 24:7-12 and Rev. 6:2-8 has been manifest since World War I.

Changes in Understanding

The changes or "clarifications" being made by the Governing Body with regards to their understanding of Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13 are as follows:

1) When Matt. 24:14 says "then the end will come" this initially refers to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., and so verse 21 that says, "for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world's beginning until now, no, nor will occur again" WAS IN REFERENCE TO THE JEWISH SYSTEM OF WORSHIP, and like the rest of the previous verses, had its initial fulfillment in 70 A.D. Previously, they had a hard time applying this "end" to the first century events. Verse 14 was understood as applying primarily in our day, and not to the end of the Jewish system. The 8/1/83 WT (p. 24) said that Jerusalem's destruction was NOT a fulfillment of this prophecy. But as will be seen, the efforts are to make more of the verses in question apply to the first century than were previously acknowledged. They have actually adopted a more consistent position than previously held.

2) The application of Matt. 24:29 which says, "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heaven will be shaken" has been changed to a more "realistic" interpretation. Previously, "immediately after" actually meant almost 2000 years later, meaning that the celestial events did not occur until our day! The celestial events were interpreted to mean the proliferation of rockets, satellites, etc. that made the heavens appear ominous (see WT 3/1/83, p. 27). But now, the Governing Body is saying that the celestial events had their initial fulfillment during the time of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., but will also have a greater fulfillment after the start of the great tribulation.

Since the Governing Body recognizes Acts 2:14-21 to be an account similar to Matt. 24:29, they now interpret both in somewhat the same way. Since the events that occurred in Acts surrounding Pentecost did not seem to include "the sun being turned into darkness and the moon into blood," this apparently referred more to the events that occurred a few years later in 70 A.D., where Josephus the Jewish historian records the occurrences of "rain, lightning, and darkness" as accompanying the destruction of Jerusalem. Yet, these signs would occur even more so in the secondary, or contemporary fulfillment of events. When the great tribulation starts (with an attack on Babylon the Great and Christendom), this will include an attack against the "luminaries" of Christendom. Prominent clergymen will be "exposed and eliminated by the ten horns" of the nations comprising the United Nations. "More than likely," supernatural celestial signs will occur as well!

Similarly, Matt. 24:30, 31 is interpreted as occurring after the beginning of the great tribulation. After its beginning (verse 29), the "sign of the Son of man that appears in heaven, the tribes of the earth beating themselves, and the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and glory" will be manifest. This sign is still invisible, since the Watchtower

teaches that Jesus is no longer in human form, but the sign is supposedly "obvious" due to the cataclysmic nature of events that are occurring. In other words, Jehovah is making it clear that his Son is now in destruction mode. No new change here, but a clarification is made with regards to verse 31: The angels are sent forth to gather the chosen ones (the remaining "anointed") during this time period, and not before! So, technically, the "gathering" of the anointed has not happened yet. The choosing has already occurred (as previously understood), but not the gathering of the "remnant." The point is, verses 29-31 technically apply only during the great tribulation!

In review thus far, the Governing Body points to Matt. 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13 as indicating this ORDER OF EVENTS:

a) the start of the great tribulation with the attack on Christendom (Matt. 24:29; Mark 13:24,25; Luke 21:25, 26)

b) the appearing of the sign of the Son of man (Matt. 24:30; Mark 13:26; Luke 21:27)

c) the gathering of the "anointed" (Matt. 24:31; Mark 13:27; Luke 21:28)

d) the final destruction of this wicked system

3) The most significant change lies in the understanding of what "this generation" might really mean. Since in all three gospel accounts the saying that "this generation will by no means pass away until all things occur" FOLLOWS the verses which the Governing Body is applying to events that occur strictly during the great tribulation, it logically follows that their yet unstated interpretation of "this generation" is THE ONE THAT SEES THE START OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION!

Since the Watchtower has not provided a new year for the start of the great tribulation, this leaves the door wide open for WHEN the great tribulation will occur, and the START of "this generation." With this new interpretation, it could be delayed for a hundred years!

In Conclusion

The Governing Body has been careful not to say too much in these talks given at all the conventions this year. They realize the tremendous blow this would be to those who have believed they are part of the generation that would see the end... over 10 million people who have associated themselves with the Witnesses at this time (taken from their "Lord's evening meal"

attendance), not to speak of the perhaps millions of disfellowshiped Witnesses who attend no meetings but who still believe in what they teach. It is my belief that many, many Witnesses will be shaken who have not been moved by previous changes in doctrine, while the Watchtower will simply say, "Where else can we go?" Hopefully they will come to study the Bible as Christians have for centuries, knowing that "no man knows the day or the hour," and perhaps, not even the century of His return. (Mark 13:32)

Watchtower Baptismal Question Change

2008-10-24T21:21:09Z

Note the following change in the baptismal questions made in 1985 to further attempt to isolate their members from Christianity by promoting loyalty to the Watchtower organization, rather than to the "elusive" Christ:

WT (The Watchtower) 1973 5/1 page 280 Baptizing Follows Discipling
(1) Have you repented of your sins and turned around, recognizing yourself before Jehovah God as a condemned sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him, the Father, through his Son Jesus Christ?
(2) On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation, have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightening power of the holy spirit?

Change to:

WT 1985 6/1 page 30 Subjecting Ourselves to Jehovah by Dedication
...Thus the decision to be baptized is by no means a sudden emotional reaction. Rather, each one has 'proved for himself the good and acceptable and perfect will of God' and wishes to submit to that will.-Romans 12:2.

At the close of the convention baptism talk, the baptism candidates will be in position to answer with depth of understanding and heartfelt appreciation two simple questions that serve to confirm that they recognize the implications of following Christ's example.

The first question is:
On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?

The second is:
Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization?

[Added footnotes]
1 Those familiar with the WT procedure will know that some time prior to the day of the baptism, a number of questions are put to the candidates. However, according to the published list of questions, the above two questions are omitted. So these candidates are not given advanced notice of what could be the most important questions asked of them in their whole lives. Would this "sudden" imposition give them time for "understanding and heartfelt appreciation? Please notice if you read the whole article, from the above mentioned WT, that there is no explanation as to why the questions were changed.

2 Observe the crucial change of verb in Romans 12: 2. Paul was talking to baptised Christians: he entreats them, by saying "that you may prove (future) to yourselves" God's will. The WT says: "has proved"
This change introduces a false premise, per se. But it is extremely wrong in its present context when introducing perhaps the most blatant U turn of all: the substitution of the "ORGANIZATION" for God's Word the "Bible" and God's "holy spirit". Furthermore, this is a secondary and not a main study article where the congregations have the opportunity to express their comments, even if closely monitored. Therefore it is not open for discussion.

Paul says, "may prove" and the WT says, "has proved"? What is the difference and is it crucial? The WT is addressing unbaptised ones. Paul is addressing baptised ones. He is inviting them to continuously "prove" the viability and efficacy of God's will in their lives. The WT is trying to 'ride two horses at the same time' They want to be seen as applying the scripture but also they want to promote their own agenda. They are saying that these novices have already ' "proved" this for themselves' in, maybe a few weeks of WT type study. Would this not be 'suddenly'? It would be, relatively: the very thing that the WT has ruled out. Paul's disciples are encouraged to apply Christian principles throughout their lives. Whereas WT disciples have been instructed in WT doctrine and have presumably proved it by academic study. Would the foregoing quotes from their magazine be representative examples of their teaching?

Martin Luther says on this verse, Romans 12:2:
" he [Paul] is preaching to those who are already Christians and godly through the faith in the new man, who are not to be forced with commands but to be admonished to do willingly what is to be done in regard to the sinful old man. For he who does it not willingly, solely as a result of admonition, he is no Christian, and he who compels it from the unwilling with laws, he already is no Christian preacher or ruler but a worldly clubwielder." A lawdriver insists with threats and penalties; a preacher of grace lures and incites with divine goodness and compassion shown to us; for he wants no unwilling works and reluctant services, he wants joyful and delightful services of God" Please see Matthew 12: 34-37 (bold, italics and brackets added)

- Charles Stanley

A Study in Manipulation: How the Governing Body Feeds Their Sheep

2009-05-21T18:59:24Z

The Watchtower Society has often been accused of sidestepping issues of fundamental importance, leaving Witnesses unprepared for charges that God is unloving or that the Society is a charlatan. Apparently the Society feels that by never discussing contrary evidence, it avoids inducing doubts in the faithful. It almost always mentions only the virtues of a position it has taken. Where a problem exists, it is only mentioned if a good argument can be given in explanation.

Aristotle vs The Watchtower Society

2009-04-13T20:42:26Z

We all crave a degree of certainty in our everyday lives. We like to know our alarm clock is going to ring at the time we set it; the car is going to start and that our paycheck isn't going to bounce. Beyond that, we also want to know whether something we are told is true or not. If a doctor presribes a medicine; we want to have confidence that it will hurry along the healing process. If the weatherman tells us the weekend will be filled with sunshine; we don't want our outdoor picnic ruined by hail and thunder.

Every Wind of Doctrine

2009-05-12T15:22:39Z

It is a serious matter to represent God and Christ in one way, then find that our understanding of the major teachings and fundamental doctrines of the Scriptures was in error, and then after that, to go back to the very doctrines that, by years of study, we had thoroughly determined to be in error. Christians cannot be vacillating - 'wishy-washy' - about such fundamental teachings. What confidence can one put in the sincerity or judgment of such persons? –The Watchtower, May 15, 1976, page 298.