How can we maintain a waiting attitude
I guessed from the title of this article of the Watchtower, they are going to come up some reason as to why everyone has been waiting so long for Armageddon. After all it has been nearly 100 years since the “last days” begun!
From paragraph 1 we get an insight as to the theme of the article:
“The last days of satan’s system began in 1914 when Christ was made king in heaven. Have we become impatient while we wait for Jehovah to bring satan’s system to an end?”
That’s right Jehovah’s Witnesses! It’s not the fact that 1914 was prophesied falsely, it is because you are being impatient! If you would like to know the truth concerning 1914 please visit www.1914changes.co.uk
The Watchtower then goes on to say that we should apply the example of Micah and patiently wait on Jehovah.
“What a difficult thing it is to endure the ridicule and opposition of family members who do not share our faith! If we face such a trial, let us not cave in to family pressure. Instead, may we remain loyal and wait patiently for Jehovah to resolve matters.”
We do not write articles such as this one, or stand outside Watchtower conventions to “ridicule” Jehovah’s Witnesses, we do it because we love them and we do not want them to succumb to the false teachings of the Watchtower. It is the Watchtower we born again Christians are opposed to, not the individuals themselves. Also if you want to see what real opposition is, look at true Christians have to put with :-
http://www.christianfreedom.org/the-christian-winter/persecution-in-syria/
We also need to take into account 2 Corinthians 13:5 :-
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you.
How can you test yourself if you never allow yourself to be challenged? Whether you are a Jehovah’s Witness, born again believer, Mormon or Atheist etc., I would encourage this. As a Christian I can accept any challenge presented by any other faith it’s a real shame the Watchtower does not have the same attitude…. Rather their answer is “wait patiently for Jehovah to resolve matters”
The article goes on to say “Micah died before he could see the fulfilment of all the prophecies”, however the faithful prophet trusted in Jehovah”.
The problem is the Jehovah’s Witnesses do not put their faith in Jehovah, they put their faith in the Watchtower. They trust that the Watchtower is correct regarding 1914. But why? A quote from your Watchtower: Our chronology, however, which is reasonably accurate (but admittedly not infallible), at the best only points to the autumn of 1975 as the end of 6,000 years of man’s existence on earth. It may involve only a difference of weeks or months, not years.” Watchtower 1968 Aug 15 p.499
They did not just say this once, but time and time again. http://www.quotes-watchtower.co.uk/1975. This failed, so how and why should we trust they are right concerning 1914? Good Question to ask a Jehovah’s Witness.
Paragraph 8 continues – “He has set a day when he will judge mankind “by a man whom he has appointed,” Jesus Christ. But before then, God is giving all sorts of people the opportunity to gain “an accurate knowledge of truth,” to act on that knowledge, and to be saved”.
Two big issues here, the Watchtower calls Jesus “a man” which is blasphemy, “God is giving all sorts of people the opportunity to gain “an accurate knowledge of truth,” to act on that knowledge, and to be saved”. I wonder if Jehovah’s Witnesses have ever seen these verses:
Matthew 1:23 – “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
Isaiah 9:6 – For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Revalation 1:8,9 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
Either Jehovah once died, or Jesus IS the First and the last, he IS God…Not just a man.
What about the issue of salvation through the knowledge they have? The bible says:-
Ephesians 2:8 – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Galatians 2:16 – nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified.”
Mark 16:16 – He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned
Titus 3:5 – Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost
We are saved through grace, by knowing that we are a sinner and invite Jesus in our lives…not by knowledge of Watchtower teaching.
The article continues to tell us when we may know that Armageddon is coming. They say it will be when the world claims we have peace and security when we do not. While there is some truth in this, it does not really say a great deal else. If you are interested in “the signs related to Armageddon” I would recommend Jehovah Witnesses to watch a DVD called “The Daniel Project” by Jacob Prasch this will help you see what the prophecies actually mean.
The advice then turns to the Elders who tell them to help ones who have become inactive and no longer serve Jehovah, in the hope they will come back and be saved.
I quote from paragraph 16 – Help those who have become inactive. Jesus said that there is joy in heaven when just one lost sheep is found. (Matt. 18:14; Luke 15:3-7) Obviously, Jehovah cares deeply about all those who have expressed love for his name, even if they are not actively serving him at present
Funny really, I have not had anyone come to me since I decided leave the congregation and made Youtube videos exposing the Watchtower’s failed prophecies, but there you go!
Finally Paragraph 19:
“Now is not the time to fight against our brothers. Now is the time to draw close to one another to overlook the imperfection of our brother”
Overlook imperfections yes, but to overlook false prophecies….
Jesus warned us in Matthew 24:3-5 – Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
What if YOU are in one of these false religions? Remember 2 Corinthians 13:5 :-
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you.
Turn to Christ, forget the Watchtower….. be saved
Blessings in our Lord
Jason
