This is a mirror of ""Jehovah's Witnesses" Are Not Jehovah's Witnesses" by Darwin Fish. i
All Biblical quotations in this report are taken from the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, copyright 1984. Although we do not believe the NWT is a good translation, we thought it best to show that the "Jehovah's Witnesses" own Bible does not support their own doctrine. Also, all info on this report has been hard copied for our records.
The religious organization that bears the name of "Jehovah's Witnesses" with their "Kingdom Halls" and "Watchtower" claims, as of August 2001, to have over 6 million practicing members worldwide with 93,154 "congregations." ii According to the King James Bible, God's name is indeed Jehovah, iii but these people are not His witnesses; yet they claim to be. On their web site, speaking of themselves, they write,
Jehovah's Witnesses? Yes, that is the way they refer to themselves. It is a descriptive name, indicating that they bear witness concerning Jehovah, his Godship, and his purposes. iv
This is a lie. "Jehovah's Witnesses" bear false witness concerning Jehovah, His Godship, and His purposes.
I. Jehovah
Lie #1. "Jehovah's Witnesses" v claim that Jehovah created Jesus.
In their book entitled Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life vi on page 62 they write,
As we have previously learned in this book, Jesus had a prehuman existence. He is called God's "only-begotten Son" because Jehovah created him directly.
On the JW's official web site in the article Is God Always Superior to Jesus? they write,
God is always the superior, Jesus the lesser one who was created by God. vii
Although it is true that God the Father is always superior to Jesus, viii it is a lie to say Jesus was created by God. This is a man-made doctrine nowhere taught in all of Holy writ. ix Jesus was never created. x He has always been. xi This is evident in the words of Hebrews 7:3. Speaking of Melchizedek, it says,
In being fatherless, motherless, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor an end of life, but having been made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually. xii
Here Melchizedek is likened to the Son of God xiii who has no "beginning of days." As Micah 5:2 says,
And you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, the one too little to get to be among the thousands of Judah, from you there will come out to me the one who is to become ruler in Israel, whose origin is from early times, from the days of time indefinite. xii
"Time indefinite" is eternity past with no beginning xiv since Jesus had no "beginning of days." xv
Compounding their lie, JW's use the truth of Jesus' first born status as an argument for His supposed creation. On the JW's official web site in the article Who Is Jesus Christ? they write,
Jesus lived in heaven as a spirit person before he came to earth. He was God's first creation, and so he is called the "firstborn" Son of God. (Colossians 1:15; Revelation 3:14) Jesus is the only Son that God created by himself. Jehovah used the prehuman Jesus as his "master worker" in creating all other things in heaven and on earth. (Proverbs 8:22-31; Colossians 1:16, 17) xvi
In their book, Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life, on page 39 JW's write,
Jesus was called God's "only-begotten Son" because Jehovah created him directly. (John 3:16) As "the first-born of all creation," Jesus was then used by God to create all other things. (Colossians 1:15; Revelation 3:14)
Nowhere in Scripture is it described as the JW's proclaim. ix The "first-born of all creation" xvii is explained further in Colossians as having to do with Him "being first in all things." xviii It is never described as Him being created by God at some time. Moreover, JW's claim God created Jesus and then Jesus created "all other things." Scripture does not teach this anywhere. ix The JW's have added "[other]" to Colossians 1:16-17 which supports this false doctrine, but the "other" isn't there in the original language; and the JW's knew this; that's why it is in brackets. If the JW's addition to the word of God is left out xix the truth becomes very clear. Speaking of Christ it says,
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; because by means of him all things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All things have been created through him and for him. Also, he is before all things and by means of him all things were made to exist. xx
Also, this "all other things" idea is contrary to John 1:3. Speaking of Jesus, John 1:3 states,
All things came into existence through him, and apart from him not even one thing came into existence. xii
If the Father xxi created Jesus, then Jesus would be "one thing" that came into existence without it being "through him." xxii
Lie #2. JW's claim that Jesus is not God. xxiii
Obviously akin to the above deceit, JW's deny that Jesus is Jehovah God. In their article, What Does the Bible Say About God and Jesus? JW's write,
Even the demons, who "believe there is one God," knew from their experience in the spirit realm that Jesus was not God. xxiv
A little later,
The disciples viewed Jesus as the "one mediator between God and men," not as God himself. xxv
In the article, Is God Always Superior to Jesus? they state that "Jesus was not God" in more ways than one stating near the end of the article,
The fact is that Jesus is not God and never claimed to be. xxvi
The JW's own Bible proclaims Jesus to be God in John 1:1.
In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god. xii
The Word is Jesus Christ xxvii and here He is proclaimed to be "a god." What god is He? 1 John 5:20 tells us.
But we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us intellectual capacity that we may gain the knowledge of the true one. And we are in union with the true one, by means of his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and life everlasting. xii
Jesus Christ is proclaimed here to be the true God and life everlasting. This makes good Biblical sense since Jesus Himself claimed to be the life in John 11:25 and both the truth and the life in John 14:6 and the Lord God in John 20:28-29 where Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" In response Jesus said,
Because you have seen me have you believed? Happy are those who do not see and yet believe. xii
What did Thomas believe? He believed Jesus was his Lord and his God.
Furthermore, Jesus warned the Jews of His day that they would die in their sins xxviii if they did not believe that He was God. xxix In John 8:24 Jesus said,
Therefore I said to you, you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I am [he], you will die in your sins. xii
Who is the "I am [he]" Jesus is referring to? God. The end of the chapter illustrates this.
Jesus said to them: "Most truly I say to you, before Abraham came into existence, I have been." xi
In John 8:58 Jesus speaks of His eternal existence xxx which points Him to being Jehovah God, as Psalm 90 says,
O Jehovah, you yourself have proved to be a real dwelling for us during generation after generation. Before the mountains themselves were born, or you proceeded to bring forth as with labor pains the earth and the productive land, even from time indefinite to time indefinite you are God. xxxi
The Jews understood he was claiming to be God in John 8:58. This is why in the next verse we see them picking up stones to kill him xxxii as they desired to do in John 5:18 when they correctly understood Jesus' claim to be equal with God. When Jesus said, "before Abraham came into existence, I have been" He was declaring Himself to be the "Eternal Father" as Isaiah 9:6 xii declares Him to be.
Furthermore, in the JW's lie about Jesus not being God, they make Jehovah out to be a liar, because Jehovah says,
I - I am Jehovah, and besides me there is no savior. xxxiii
But I am Jehovah your God from the land of Egypt, and there was no God except me that you used to know; and there was no savior but I. xxxiv
Indeed, there is no Savior but God, and this is why Jesus, who is God, is called both God and the Savior.
. . . we wait for the happy hope and glorious manifestation of the great God and of [the] Savior of us, Jesus Christ. xxxv
. . . by the righteousness of our God and [the] Savior Jesus Christ xxxvi
Another text JW's tamper with that reveals Christ's deity is Acts 20:28.
Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed you overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own [Son]. xxxvii
The JW's add the word "[Son]." ix Left as God had it written, xxxviii Acts 20:28 reveals Jesus to be God, because it was God who purchased the church "with the blood of his own."
Lie # 3. JW's claim Jehovah does not have a physical body.
In their book, Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life, which leads to everlasting destruction, on page 24 they write,
. . . "God is a Spirit"; he does not have a physical body. (John 4:24)
This is a lie. Abraham fed God's physical body. xxxix Jacob wrestled with God's physical body. xl Daniel saw God's head, hair, and clothing as He sat on a throne. xli Micah wrote of God walking barefoot and naked. xlii The Scriptures clearly declare Jehovah does have a physical body. This is, at least in part, why the Bible has so many references to the physical body parts of God. xliii
Lie # 4. JW's claim the Holy Spirit is not Jehovah.
In their article entitled, Who Is God? JW's write,
Jehovah lives in heaven, but he can see all things. (Psalm 11:4, 5; John 1:18) What, though, is the holy spirit? It is not a person like God. Rather, it is God's active force. Psalm 104:30. xliv
2 Corinthians 3:17 proves this to be a lie.
Now Jehovah is the Spirit. xlv
II. His Godship
JW's "Godship" is sunk in the despair of deceit. They reject the true God, who is plural in who He is. xlvi In their article, What Does the Bible Say About God and Jesus? they plainly declare that God is "Not a Plural God." xxiv
Yet, the Scriptures reveal that He is a plural God, as Genesis 1:26-27 illustrates.
And God went on to say: "Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and the domestic animals and all the earth and every moving animal that is moving on the earth." And God proceeded to create the man in his image, in God's image he created him; xii
In verse 26 God says, "Let us make man in our image," and whose image is man created in? God's image, as verse 27 plainly declares. There is no one else in view, not even the angels are mentioned. It was God's image that man was made in, and this image is plural. xlvii
III. His purposes
A. In suffering
In their book, Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life, JW's lie when they say,
The Bible assures us that the suffering we see around us is not caused by Jehovah God. xlviii
Isaiah 45:6-7 declares,
I am Jehovah, and there is no one else. Forming light and creating darkness, making peace and creating calamity, I, Jehovah, am doing all these things. xii
Jehovah says He is the one who is creating the calamity, as Romans 11:36 states,
Because from him and by him and for him are all things. xii
Romans 1:18 declares, "God's wrath is being revealed," xii and this is why there is so much suffering on the earth. "Jehovah is a Killer," xlix and He is good at what He does. l
In this same vein, JW's write,
How comforting it is to learn from the Bible that God does not torture anyone! - Jeremiah 7:30,31. li
It's amazing they say this when their own Bible says,
If anyone worships the wild beast and its image, and receives a mark on his forehead or upon his hand, he will also drink of the wine of the anger of God that is poured out undiluted into the cup of his wrath, and he shall be tormented with fire and sulphur in the sight of the holy angels and in the sight of the Lamb. lii
The JW's perverted view of Jehovah on this accord liii is so bad they outright reject the Biblical teaching of hell. In The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom February 15, 1997 publication on the back page they write,
Jehovah's Witnesses have long held that hell, as the Bible teaches it, is simply the common grave of dead mankind - not a place of fiery torment.
Jesus has some radically serious words for "the common grave" "where their maggot does not die and the fire is not put out." liv This foolish and damning JW lie holds no place for the rich man lv who presently is "existing in torments." lvi Likewise, the Sodomites know otherwise for they are "undergoing the judicial punishment of everlasting fire." lvii
B. In Authority
JW's also lie when they reject the rulership of Jehovah. In their article, Who Really Rules the World? they write,
Many people would answer the above question with a single word - God. But significantly, nowhere does the Bible say that either Jesus Christ or his Father are the real rulers of this world. On the contrary, Jesus said: "The ruler of this world will be cast out." And he added: "The ruler of the world is coming. And he has no hold on me." - John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11. lviii
Indeed, Satan is called the ruler of this world lix and does rule via deception, lx but,
Jehovah himself has firmly established his throne in the very heavens; and over everything his own kingship has held domination. lxi
. . . the Most High is Ruler in the kingdom of mankind. lxii
Come, you people, and see the activities of God. His dealing with the sons of men is fear-inspiring. He has changed the sea into dry land; through the river they went crossing over on foot. There we began to rejoice in him. He is ruling by his mightiness to time indefinite. lxiii
Note also that Jesus is "The Ruler of the kings of the earth" lxiv
C. Seeing God
JW's write,
Though it is true that humans will never be able to see the true God, he has kindly had recorded for us in the Bible many details about his personality. lxv
Matthew 5:8 says,
Happy are the pure in heart, since they shall see God. lxvi
Conclusion
JW's are not pure in heart. They are liars. lxvii Not all the lies of JW's are given in this report, but just a few that you might be warned of their deceit. lxviii All who follow after this false religion will, despite their unbelief in such a place, spend forever in the lake of fire, because they were "unbelieving." lxix
a true church, P. O. Box 130, Moodys, OK 74444
1-800-HOW-TRUE; www.atruechurch.info
- October 2002 ^
- www.jw-media.org/people/statistics.htm ^
- e.g. Psalm 83:18 ^
- www.watchtower.org/library/jt/index.htm ^
- JW's ^
- which is also a lie ^
- www.watchtower.org/library/ti/article_06.htm
This same false doctrine can be found in the article What Does the Bible Say About God and Jesus? where they write,
What comes through very clearly to an impartial reader is that God alone is the Almighty, the Creator, separate and distinct from anyone else, and that Jesus, even in his prehuman existence, is also separate and distinct, a created being, subordinate to God. (www.watchtower.org/library/ti/article_05.htm)
A little later they write,
Thus, Jesus had an existence in heaven before coming to the earth. But was it as one of the persons in an almighty, eternal triune Godhead? No, for the Bible plainly states that in his prehuman existence, Jesus was a created spirit being, just as angels were spirit beings created by God. Neither the angels nor Jesus had existed before their creation. (ibid.)
And a little later,
Yes, Jesus was created by God as the beginning of God's invisible creations. (ibid.)
- John 14:28; 1 Corinthians 15:28; Hebrews 13:8 ^
- Proverbs 30:5-6 ^ ^ ^ ^
- Hebrews 13:8, NWT ^
- John 8:58, NWT ^ ^
- NWT ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
- Jesus ^
- i.e. no creation ^
- Hebrews 7:3, NWT ^
- www.watchtower.org/library/rq/article_03.htm ^
- Colossians 1:15 ^
- Colossians 1:18, NWT ^
- as it ought to be ^
- Colossians 1:15-17, NWT without the added "[other]" ^
- Jehovah ^
- i.e. through Jesus ^
- i.e. Jehovah ^
- www.watchtower.org/library/ti/article_05.htm ^ ^
- ibid. ^
- www.watchtower.org/library/ti/article_06.htm
This same error can be found in their article What Does the Bible Say About God and Jesus? where they write,
The temptation of Jesus would make sense only if he was, not God, but a separate individual who had his own free will, one who could have been disloyal had he chosen to be, such as an angel or a human. On the other hand, it is unimaginable that God could sin and be disloyal to himself. "Perfect is his activity . . . A God of faithfulness, . . . righteous and upright is he." (Deuteronomy 32:4) So if Jesus had been God, he could not have been tempted. - James 1:13. (www.watchtower.org/library/ti/article_05.htm)
This makes for good worldly wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:20; 3:19), but not Biblical truth (Proverbs 3:5-6; Romans 11:33). ^
- see John 1:14 ^
- i.e. go to hell ^
- by the way, this is true for all, not just the Jews ^
- "before Abraham came into existence, I have been" ^
- Psalm 90:1-2, NWT ^
- John 8:59 ^
- Isaiah 43:11, NWT ^
- Hosea 13:4, NWT ^
- Titus 2:13, NWT; note also Titus 1:3, 4; 2:10; 3:4 and 6 ^
- 2 Peter 1:1, NWT, note the JW's added "[the]" to this text ^
- Acts 20:28, NWT ^
- 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21 ^
- Genesis 18:1-8, NWT ^
- Genesis 32:24-30, NWT ^
- Daniel 7:9, NWT ^
- Micah 1:8, NWT ^
- e.g. heart, hands, head, eyes, ears, mouth, feet, nostrils, waist, etc., see our report, The Lord Is A Man ^
- www.watchtower.org/library/rq/article_02.htm ^
- 2 Corinthians 3:17a, NWT ^
- e.g. Genesis 3:22; 11:6-8; Matthew 28:19 ^
- "us," "our" ^
- p. 71 ^
- 1 Samuel 2:6, NWT ^
- Nahum 1:7, NWT ^
- Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life, p. 88 ^
- Revelation 14:9-10 ^
- i.e. He doesn't torture anyone or cause suffering ^
- Mark 9:43-48, NWT, "gehenna" = hell, e.g. see KJV ^
- Luke 16:19-31 ^
- Luke 16:23, NWT ^
- Jude 7, NWT ^
- www.watchtower.org/library/t22/who_rules.htm ^
- John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11 ^
- 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 12:9 ^
- Psalm 103:19, NWT ^
- Daniel 4:17, NWT; see also Daniel 4:25, 32; 5:21 ^
- Psalm 66:5-7a, NWT; see also Psalm 22:28; 59:13 ^
- Revelation 1:5, NWT ^
- www.watchtower.org/library/g/1999/2/8/article_04.htm ^
- NWT, see also 1 John 3:1-2 ^
- 1 John 2:4 ^
- Ephesians 5:11, NKJV ^
- Revelation 21:8 ^
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