Four SURE SIGNS Jehovah’s Witnesses are a CULT!

A CULT IS “an organized group whose purpose is to dominate cult members through psychological manipulation and pressure strategies. Cults are usually headed by a single powerful leader or a group of leaders who isolate members from the rest of society,” Quote from "Very Well Mind" found here.

As a religious Cult, JWs know to maintain control of it members, they must keep them ignorant of what the Bible really teaches. 

SIGN #1. Cults Publish their own Bible. 

Why was a new translation needed? 

According to JW.ORG, “the need to produce a new translation that would better help people to learn the “accurate knowledge of truth, which is God’s will for everyone.”

According to XJW4Jesus (that would be the authors of this Channel): “With their own Bible, the leaders can change verses, to hide the fact that their doctrines are not in an accurately translated Bible.”

Other Examples of Religious groups that publish their own Bibles. (1) Mormons publish their Book of Mormon; (2) Islam publishes their Koran; (3) LaVeyan Satanism publish their own Satanic Bible.

SIGN #2. Translators of the Cult's Bible are Unknown.

Pinning your eternal life to a Bible that is translated by people that want to remain anonymous, therefore, their qualifications to translate ancient languages cannot be determined, is akin to boarding a plane piloted by someone who may not have a pilot’s license and you have no way of finding that out. Ask a JW to name the translators of their “superior Bible” (The New World Translation) and wait for their answer. Be prepared for a long, long wait.

I personally use The New American Standard Bible. A list of translators can be found here.

SIGN #3. Abusers of children and/or adults are protected from criminal liabilities by the leader(s) of the cult.

In the case of JWs, this was done so as not to “besmirch Jehovah’s organization.”

JWs respond: “Lies perpetrated by Apostates and haters of Jehovah’s Earthly Organization.” NOT SO. Go to “SilentLambs.com” for a plethora of information on this topic.

WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN TO THE ABUSER? Should the Elders be informed? YES! BUT AFTER A CALL IS MADE TO THE POLICE. If someone has been abused, the abuser is now a criminal. He/she is outside the boundaries of the authority of the church. That abuser is a law breaker and the authorities that God has put in place, as his ministers for justice, SHOULD BE CALLED. That abuser is a criminal and hshe needs to be dealt with, first by the earthly justice system and then by the Elders of their local church 

JWs have a habit of first making sure that the “Organization” is not viewed in a negative light by the “World.” Unfortunately, this usually means NOT GOING TO THE GOD ORDAINED CIVIL AUTHORITIES.

SIGN #4. The Leader/Organization is right at all times. Members are discouraged from voicing opinions contrary to Official Doctrine. 

As Proof, I offer WT statements. These are not just suggestions—these come from Jehovah himself, via the Governing Body, (my comments are in RED).

"Those who are convinced that The Watchtower is publishing the opinion or expression of a man should not waste time in looking at it at all. . . God uses The Watchtower to communicate to his people;” (The Watchtower, January 1, 1942, pg 5.) OK, now that the ground work has been laid (Jehovah uses the WT to speak to his people) what does Jehovah say.

“Avoid independent thinking . . . questioning the counsel that is provided by God’s visible organization.” The Watchtower, January 15, 1983, pg 22. Jehovah not only wants to control what you wear, how you look, what you read and watch BUT WHAT YOU THINK.

“Heavy research . . . is not necessary.” The Watch Tower has done it for you. “The very best and most beneficial studying you do is that done when you read a new Watchtower or Awake! or a new book.” The Watchtower, June 1, 1967, pg 338. Jehovah says, “don’t waste your time studying, like the Bereans, let the WT do the research. You just read and believe what they publish.”

“Meekly go along with the Lord's theocratic organization and wait for further clarification, rather than balk at the first mention of a thought unpalatable and proceed to quibble and mouth criticisms and opinions as though they were worth more than the slave's provision of spiritual food." The Watchtower, February, 1952, pgs 79-80. Jehovah says, “If you have a criticism or even a negative  opinion, about my Organization, keep it to yourself, I don’t want to hear it. Get in line and go along with WATEVER the WT says.”

Lastly, always remember and never forget:

 

“Don't associate with outsiders (non-Jehovah's Witnesses). You are too busy for that!” The Watchtower, 2/1/74, pg 93.

 

“Remember, you are to have no association with non-Jehovah's Witness friends or relatives. If they are honest and moral, that still does not make any difference.” The Watchtower, 2/15/60, pgs 112-113.

A goal of the WT is to physically isolate all JWs, especially new JWs, from friends and family members who might otherwise provide a reality check. The WT routinely isolates its members from outside information. Books, Newspapers, TV, and Web access are all restricted, ensuring that the only reality JWs get to experience is the one presented by the WT.

My 1st Blog on this topis is "Seven Signs the WT is a CULT!" here

Is God's name Jehovah? Part 4

What is the correct name for the One we worship, Yahweh? or Jehovah? or does it even matter?* According to Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 2 page 5 here, a WT publication, the name "Jehovah  is the best known English pronunciation of the divine name.” 

God's name comes from the Hebrew letters pronounced Yod He Waw He. These four letters are known as the Tetragrammaton (Greek “four letters”) and correspond to the English YHWH. Based on Hebrew and Greek manuscripts, the most accurate transliteration of YHWH is “Yahweh.” See my blog Is God's Name Jehovah? Part 2 here.

Yahweh’s Name appears nearly 7,000 times in the Hebrew Old Testament. Exodus 20:7 reads, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain." The word “vain” comes from the Hebrew לשווא transliterated "shav," translation: falsehood, nothingness, emptiness of speech, lying, and worthlessness.

Why would this be a command? Why would God command us to be careful how we use His name? Why would He punish people who take His name in vain?

The answer is simple.  It is because God is Holy, pure, perfect, and righteous. To use His name is to bring attention to who He is. To use His name means that you are acknowledging His existence. To use His name is to call upon the One who has proclaimed who and what He is by His name.

God's name comes from the Hebrew verb "to be." In Exodus 3:14, Moses was at the burning bush and he asked God what His name was.  God replied, "I AM WHO I AM"; and He said, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you." God is the infinite being.  He is the one who inhabits eternity. Psalm 90:2 says, "Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." God is the one who inhabits eternity. He did not say his name was Ashtorith, Baal, Molec, or Allah, which are all names people give to false god’s. His name is the transcendent, the eternal, the continuously present and holy pronouncement of "I AM". In English we see this as Yahweh (see my blog What is God’s Name Part 2 here.)

When you call upon His name, you are calling upon Him. Using His name in any form should be taken with great seriousness. The name of God is Holy because it is self given. It comes from God's own mouth and God is holy. God did not adopt the name that some group of people gave to Him. He disclosed His own name.

Adam was given dominion over the animals and He was given the right to name them. But no one has dominion over God.  No one has the right to name God. God has always existed and He knows who He is. He is the eternal one. He is the creator.  He is the one who has always been.  He is the one who was existing before the creation of the universe and before time existed.  He is the great, "I AM." Out of God's own nature, out of His own heart, He disclosed His holy name to us.  It is self -given.  His name is Holy and is not to be used in a vain way. God commands us not to use His name in vain. 

To misuse God's name means literally, "to lift it up to or attach it to emptiness. To use it incorrectly." No one is to use the Lord's name in this manner. God wants you to guard your words and make sure you are not using God’s name in vain even in normal conversation.

When we ignore His Name we are breaking this commandment. Also, according to the Old and New testaments, those who call upon Yahweh’s Name will be saved, Joel 2:32 and Acts 2:21. Beyond the scriptural significance, people prefer being called by their personal names and not by a replacement someone may randomly choose. Our Creator is no different. He too desires to be called by His personal revealed Name, Yahweh.

For more information on this topic see, The Yehovah Deception here and Yahweh or Jehovah here.

Is God's Name Jehovah? Part 1 here

NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES—JEHOVAH or JESUS?

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES ARE BORN! On July 26, 1931, at a convention in Columbus, Ohio, Judge Rutherford, the Watch Tower Society’s Second President, introduced the Society’s new name, ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses,’ based on Isaiah 43:10: “You are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah, “Yes, my servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and have faith in me And understand that I am the same One. Before me no God was formed, And after me there has been none.” (NWT).

JW’s promote the Name Jehovah but rarely mention the name Jesus. In their book, Good News From God! pg. 4, Point 3. “Does God have a name?. . . Although God has many titles, he has only one name. . . In English it is usually pronounced 'Jehovah.'"

On page 20, Point 3 “How can you recognize true worshippers?” “Consider these five identifying marks.”  Mark #2 page 21, “Jesus’ true followers honor God’s name, Jehovah.” Mark #4. “Can you identify the true religion? Which religion bases all its teachings on God’s Word and honors God’s name.” The unspoken answer to the rhetorical question, “JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES.”

 

CONSIDER: Philippians 2:9-11. “For this very reason, God exalted him to a superior position and kindly GAVE HIM (JESUS) THE NAME THAT IS ABOVE EVERY OTHER NAME, so that in the name of JESUS every knee should bend—of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground—and every tongue should openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.” (NWT)

 

QUESTION—In the Bible, what name does Jehovah want us to exalt above every other name?

 

ANSWER—J E S U S !

CONSIDER: Acts 11:26, “It was first in Antioch that the disciples were BY DIVINE PROVIDENCE CALLED CHRISTIANS.” (NWT)

 

QUESTION: God (Jehovah) wants his followers to be called “Christians,” not “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” If God wanted the name ‘Jehovah’ to be highly exalted, why did he, IN HIS DIVINE PROVIDENCE, have the early believers called ‘Christians’ instead of 'Jehovah’s Witnesses.'

CONSIDER: In the following verses the name Jesus is highly exalted. Jesus when speaking, emphasized his own name. He could have said “THE NAME JEHOVAH” instead of “MY NAME”. BUT HE DIDN’T!

 

Matthew 10:22: “And you will be hated by all people on account of MY NAME, but the one who has endured to the end will be saved.”

Matthew 19:29: “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of MY NAME will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit everlasting life.”

Matthew 24:9: “Then people will hand you over to tribulation and will kill you, and you will be hated by all the nations on account of MY NAME.”

Luke 21:12, 17: “But before all these things happen, people will lay their hands on you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors for the sake of MY NAME… 17 and you will be hated by all people because of MY NAME.”

Acts 9:15-16: “But the Lord said to him: ‘Go! because this man is a chosen vessel to me to bear MY NAME to the nations as well as to kings and the sons of Israel. For I will show him plainly how many things he must suffer for MY NAME.’”

Rev. 2:3: “You are also showing endurance, and you have persevered for the sake of MY NAME and have not grown weary."

CONSIDER: John 5:22-23: Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son JUST AS they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.”

What does John 5:23 teach? The WT would have you believe that the word ‘just as’ implies giving some honor to Jesus but not equal to the honor given to the Father.

 

Look up John 5:23 in the WT’s own Kingdom Interlinear Bible, 1969, Purple Cover. Look on the Greek side of John 5:23 and look at the Greek word translated ‘according as.’ It looks like this: καθως Its root word looks like this καθ.

 

These two Greek words can be found in the following verses:

 

II Cor. 11:12 – “Now what I am doing I will still do, that I may cut off the pretext from those who are wanting a pretext for being found equal (καθως) to us in the office of which they boast.”

 

The Greek word καθως is translated on the English side (which is the NWT) of the KIT as “EQUAL.” At John 5:23, let us put in this alternative meaning for the word. John 5:23 now reads: “in order that all may honor the Son EQUAL as they honor the Father. He that does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.” DO JW'S DO THIS? Is the honor they give the Son EQUAL to the honor they give the Father.

 

Look for root word καθ at Acts 27:25 which reads, "So take courage men, for I believe God that it will be EXACTLY (καθ) as I was told." Also look at 2 Cor. 3:18 which reads, "And all of us, while we with unveiled faces reflect like mirrors the glory of Jehovah, are transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, EXACTLY (καθ)  as it is done by Jehovah the Spirit."

At John 5:23, let us put in this alternative meaning for the word. John 5:23 now reads: “in order that all may honor the Son EXACTLY as they honor the Father. He that does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.” DO JW'S DO THIS? Is the honor they give the Son EXACTLY the same honor they give the Father.

 

At Philippians 2:9-11, Jehovah (author of all scripture) gave Jesus a name that is to be “ABOVE EVERY OTHER NAME.”

 

At John 5:22-23, Jehovah (author of all scripture) wants believers to give Jesus the EXACT SAME HONOR THAT THEY GIVE JEHOVAH.

 

Can the WT say that they honor the Son and the Father EQUALLY, EXACTLY THE SAME. The WT says the Father is Almighty God. Is the son? Does the WT honor the Son by calling him Almighty? The Father is from everlasting to everlasting. Is the Son?

If you are familiar with WT doctrine, the answer to  the above questions is NO. The father is Almighty, the son only mighty. The father is eternal, the son was created by the father and therefore had a beginning and is not eternal.

 

Nowhere in the Bible does the word καθως or its root word καθ mean anything other than TOTAL EQUALITY.

The WT should change their doctrine to align with scripture instead of ignoring scripture in favor of their doctrine.

HOW & WHY THE WT USES BAIT & SWITCH

CLASSIC BAIT & SWITCH occurs when customers are “BAITED”  by merchants' advertising products or services at a low price, but then, when they visit the store, those customers discover that the advertised goods are not available and are pressured by salespeople to purchase similar but higher-priced products ("SWITCHING").

THE WATCH TOWER BAIT & SWITCH TAKES PLACE WHEN they place an offer for a “Free Home Bible Study” (THE BAIT) either On Line or in Publications.  This creates an appealing but deceptive offer of a service (Study the Bible), which the WT does not actually intend to fulfill. If the BAIT is taken, when the “Bible Study” starts, the student will find that the JW has brought a WT book, which will be studied from “cover to cover,” about the Bible, (THE SWITCH). The “student” will be able to use their Bible (whatever translation) for this study. However, the JW will constantly promote the WT’s “New World Translation,” as a superior translation, and push the “student” to switch to the NWT. The initial offer or appeal (Study the Bible) is made in order to gain the trust or attention of the audience, but the offer is later changed.

Synonyms: dishonest, hoax, fraud, scam, trickery, cheat. 

*The FTC has issued a Notice that it has determined that BAIT & SWITCH sales practices are unfair or deceptive trade practices, and violate the FTC Act.

Why the Switch?

How many people would jump at the chance to read a WT book, cover to cover? Probably, few if any! However, a number of people might accept a “Free Home Bible Study.” After all, the people making the offer are sincere, clean cut, polite and soft spoken. They would never knowingly lie to the home owner.

WT Leaders know that a person does not become a JW by studying the Bible (shown on the next slide). They become a JW by studying WT publications about the Bible. Thus the need to switch to studying a WT book about the Bible, instead of just the Bible. And not just any Bible. As previously mention, JWs push for the study to be done with the JW Bible, The New World Translation (where the WT has conveniently changed verses that contradict WT doctrine.)

It may interest you to know that a person does not become a Mormon by studying the Bible, a person becomes a Mormon by studying Mormon Literature.

Charles Taze Russell, 1^st  President & founder of                   today’s Jehovah’s Witnesses

The WT emphasizes that studying their material is superior to studying the Bible. The founder and first President, Charles Taze Russell wrote a series called “Studies in Scriptures.” About these “Studies” the Watchtower states, “Furthermore, not only do WE FIND THAT PEOPLE CANNOT SEE THE DIVINE PLAN IN STUDYING THE BIBLE BY ITSELF (that is because the WT’s divine plan can only be understood by studying WT material), but we see, also, that if anyone lays the 'Scripture Studies' aside, even after he has used them, after he has become familiar with them, after he has read them for ten years - if he then lays them aside and ignores them and goes to the Bible alone, though he has understood his Bible for ten years, our experience shows that within two years he goes into darkness. On the other hand, if he had MERELY READ THE 'SCRIPTURE STUDIES' WITH THEIR REFERENCES, AND HAD NOT READ A PAGE OF THE BIBLE, AS SUCH, HE WOULD BE IN THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TWO YEARS, because he would have the light of the Scriptures." (Zion’s Watchtower—later renamed The Watchtower, Sep. 15, 1910, p. 298.)

According to the WT, a JW would be better off spiritually, to lay the Bible aside and read only WT materials.

Why You Cannot Understand the Bible Without                      Watch Tower Publications

 “Jehovah God caused the Bible to be written in such a way that one needs to come in touch with His human channel before one can fully and accurately understand it.” The WT, Feb. 15, 1981, p. 17

“God has not arranged for that Word to speak independently or to shine forth life giving truths by itself. It is through his organization God provides this light.” The WT, May 1, 1957, p. 274 

“He wants his earthly servants united, and so he has made understanding the Bible today dependent upon associating with his organization.” The WT, Nov. 1, 1967, p. 668 

From a new JW, “What would I do with my recently obtained Bible if I did not use The WT to understand it?” 1983 Yearbook, p. 21

“It is through the columns of The Watchtower that Jehovah provides direction and constant Scriptural counsel to his people . . . “The WT, May 1, 1964, p. 277 

“With the Bible alone many parts can be seen, but with the aid of the WT publications a much more complete picture of Jehovah’s purposes comes into view.” The WT, March 15, 1954, p. 164

 "All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the ‘greatly diversified wisdom of God’ can become known only through Jehovah's channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave." The WT, October 1, 1994, p. 8

 

A FIVE QUESTION GOSPEL QUIZ FOR JW'S.

#1. The Gospel of the WT, preached World Wide, by all JW’s is:

q The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

qGod's heavenly kingdom was established by the enthronement of his Son Jesus Christ at the end of the Gentile Times in 1914. The Watch Tower, 5/1/81, p. 17.*

#2. The Gospel received by the Apostle Paul, which he passed on, by which we are saved is**

q  The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

q God's heavenly kingdom was established by the enthronement of his Son Jesus Christ at the end of the Gentile Times in 1914.

**1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (NWT). “Now I remind you, brothers, of the good news that I declared to you, which you also accepted, and for which you have taken your stand. Through it you are also being saved if you hold firmly to the good news I declared to you, unless you became believers for nothing. For among the first things I handed on to you was what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that he was buried, yes, that he was raised up on the third day according to the Scriptures;

 

#3. The Gospel preached & believed by born-again Christians is “the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.” When it is compared to the Gospel preached by JW’s, it is:

q  The Same Gospel. 

q  A Different Gospel.

 

#4. The WT’s Gospel and the Apostle Paul’s Gospel are:

 

q  The Same Gospel.

q  Different Gospels.

 

#5. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that the result of preaching a different Gospel will be*** 

q  Everlasting Life. 

q  Everlasting Condemnation.

***Galatians 1:8-9 (NWT): “However, even if we or an angel out of heaven were to declare to you as good news something beyond the good news we declared to you,

                LET HIM BE ACCURSED.

As we have said before, I now say again, Whoever is declaring to you as good news something beyond what you accepted,

                LET HIM BE ACCURSED.”**** 

****Google search for "Bible meaning of ACCURSED" 6-30-24: “damned forever with no hope of redemption.” 

_________________

Thanks to Personal Freedom Outreach for the Information in this Video. I purchased 100 of their tracts to be given out at a WT Regional Convention in the 1980’s.