A Christian Response to Jehovah’s Witnesses (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society)

Charles Taze Russell was raised in a Presbyterian home in Pennsylvania. In 1868, at the age of 16, he was a member of a Congregational church, where he was heavily influenced by an Adventist preacher, Jonas Wendell, whose family was part of the Day of Disappointment of 1844. Young Charles Taze Russell was not discouraged by William Miller’s failed prophecy; in fact, he only became further involved in the Adventist movement, awaiting another day of Christ’s coming in the fall of 1874.

With no visible return of Christ occurring in 1874, the Adventist magazine Herald of the Morning hailed that Christ had come as predicted, only that He came invisibly. Russell financially supported the magazine until he started his own magazine, Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. Russell eventually left the Adventists and started his own movement. Russell’s followers referred to themselves as Bible Students and named their organization the International Bible Students Association (IBSA). The general public referred to them as Russellites.

Jehovah’s Witness Belief #1:
Charles Taze Russell began this cult religion in 1879. Russell died in 1916 and was succeeded by Joseph F. Rutherford, who coined the term “Jehovah’s Witnesses” for the group in 1931. Rutherford died in 1942 and was succeeded by Nathan H. Knorr, under whose leadership the Watchtower’s own New World Translation of the Bible was produced. Knorr died in 1977 and was succeeded by Frederick W. Franz, the spokesman for the translation committee of the New World Translation.

Christian Response #1:
Jehovah’s Witnesses has a history plagued by false prophecies, including: the failed return of Jesus in 1914, the failed coming of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in 1925, and the failed prophecy that Armageddon would occur in 1975.

Jehovah’s Witness Belief #2:
There are two classes of Jehovah’s Witnesses:
[1] The Anointed Class. This is made up of 144,000 people who belonged to the organization by 1935. Due to the 144,000 mentioned in Revelation 14, there exists the belief that these are the only people who get to go to Heaven.
[2] The Great Crowd. This group is made up of everyone who has become a Jehovah’s Witness since 1935. By following Watchtower teachings, this group is awarded Paradise Earth for eternity. It is basically a substitute for Heaven. However, this group must obey Jehovah perfectly or be annihilated.

Christian Response #2:
For the former (Anointed Class), if only 144,000 people make it into Heaven, salvation would be more of a sweepstakes or marketing scheme in which only a limited number of ‘golden tickets’ were given out. With such limited capacity for salvation, followers would enlist out of fear of missing out on the deal of a lifetime — or in this case, eternity. After all, there is [an estimated] nearly 8 billion people on Earth right now at this present time in 2017. Even if the the ‘golden tickets’ were given out today, only 0.0018% of the world population would be granted access into Heaven. That’s not close to even reaching one percent. And that’s just for today alone. But the ‘golden tickets’ weren’t even handed out today; rather, they were given away by 1935. Thus, every single person who was born after 1935 never even had an opportunity to compete for a ‘golden ticket.’ Therefore, the only option is to bargain our way into the Great Crowd by performing works perfectly in hopes of not being annihilated. The latter (Great Crowd) is an obvious addition of compromise that was created so that the religion can grow rather than die off and fall into obscurity. However, all of this is contrary to GOD’s loving nature. GOD desires for everyone to be saved. Further, we simply cannot put a limit on a limitless GOD. In fact, GOD’s Word tells us that all things are possible with GOD. How is it possible that a GOD who created the entire universe only has enough room in Heaven for 144,000 people? (see Matthew 19:25-26; Mark 10:26-27; Luke 1:37; 18:27; Acts 10:34-35; Romans 2:10-11; 1Timothy 2:3-4; 2Peter 3:9)

Jehovah’s Witness Belief #3:
All teachings of the Christian churches are wrong. The New World Translation of the Bible was completed by Jehovah’s Witness leaders in 1961; it is the only acceptable translation of the Bible. Other writings that are acceptable include Reasoning from the Scriptures, You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, or the Watchtower and Awake! magazines.

Christian Response #3:
The New World Translation (NWT) contains numerous translation errors and there exists many documented changes over the years. The NWT lacks consistency in translations and it reflects a dangerously deceptive and intellectually naïve leadership at the Watchtower that should neither be followed nor trusted. In addition, being forced to accept only certain writings approved by Watchtower is controlling, which is a sign of leadership in a cult.
For a detailed response regarding the Bible, read my other article: “Is the Bible Reliable and Accurate?”

Jehovah’s Witness Belief #4:
God is one person, called Jehovah. Jesus is the first thing Jehovah created; Jesus is a created being. Jesus is not God. Before Jesus lived on Earth, he was Michael, the archangel. Jehovah made the universe through him. On Earth, he was a man who lived a perfect life. After dying on a stake (not a cross), he was resurrected as a spirit; his body was destroyed. Jesus is not coming again; he already returned invisibly in 1914 in spirit. Very soon, he and the angels will annihilate all non-Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Christian Response #4:
[4.a] Jesus is not a created being; He has always existed; Jesus is GOD. (John 1:1-5,14; 8:58; 1Corinthians 8:6; Philippians 2:6; Colossians 2:9) Multiple biblical figures all viewed Jesus as GOD: Isaiah, John, Thomas and Paul. We have seen that the doctrine of Christ’s deity carried from the biblical writers to their successors, the Apostolic Fathers such as Polycarp who knew the apostles and Ignatius who most likely did as well. The doctrine did not stop there, but continued through the Church Fathers who succeeded them such as Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origen, and Hippolytus.

[4.b] Jesus died on a cross, not a stake. (Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26; John 20:25; 21:18-19; Galatians 6:14; Philippians 2:8) The Romans conquered the Greeks. The Romans crucified thousands of people, and there is abundant evidence of this means of execution. The English word ‘crucifixion’ comes from the Latin, the language spoken by the Romans. The Latin word ‘crucifixio’ means ‘to fix to a cross’ and it is formed from the prefix ‘cruci’ from the Latin word ‘crux’ (‘cross’) and the verb ‘figere’ (‘to fix or attach’). There is not the tiniest amount of doubt concerning the meaning of these words, nor concerning the form of the cross. Crucifixion consisted of forming a cross with two wooden beams, one vertical and the other horizontal. The person condemned to death was nailed to the cross, with nails through his hands or wrists and through his feet. The cross was placed in a hole in the ground, with the condemned person hanging by his hands. This usually caused death by asphyxiation, although sometimes people being crucified took days to die. The only respite, to help himself to breathe, was that the condemned person could (as long as he had strength!) push with his feet in order to raise the body a little and thus reduce the force with which the extended arms were pulling, constricting the chest, and in this way it was possible to take a further breath. Sometimes, when a person who was being crucified was taking a long time to die, the Romans broke his legs, and thus he died sooner, asphyxiated, when not because of the trauma to the whole body.  There are numerous descriptions of crucifixions in antiquity. There are images of crucifixions carved into rocks of the same time period. There is archaeological evidence. For instance, nails have been found that not only attached the condemned person to the cross, but also fixed the horizontal beam to the upper part of the vertical one.

[4.c] Jesus’ resurrection was in a physical body. (John 20:27; 1Corinthians 15:6,12)

[4.d] Jesus could not have returned in 1914. Prophecy of His return has yet to be fulfilled; therefore, it is not possible that Christ has already returned. (Matthew 24:15-31; Mark 13:14-27) Further, if Christ did return in 1914, what would be the purpose? Has Christ just been relaxing somewhere in a tropical location, hanging out with people? What would be the purpose of His return if nothing happened from His return? If Christ already returned and something did already happen, then what are we experiencing right now? What is this life we live if Christ already returned? It simply doesn’t make sense.

[4.e] Annihilationsim versus Hell: Hell exists (Matthew 5:22,29-30; 23:33; Luke 12:5). Justice demands the existence of Hell. Not all justice is accomplished in this life. A GOD of love (1John 4:8) cannot force people to love Him. Forced love is not love; it is rape. Those who do not choose to love GOD must be allowed not to love Him. Those who do not wish to be with Him must be allowed to be separated from Him. Hell allows separation from GOD. Human free choice demands a Hell. There must be an ultimate separation, or else good will not triumph over evil. As in society, punishment for evil is necessary that good might prevail. Christ’s death is robbed of its eternal significance unless there is an eternal separation from GOD from which people need to be delivered. But Hell is not a torture chamber. All torment would be self-inflicted. Torment is living with the consequences of our own bad choices. Those in Hell know that the pain they suffer is self-induced. Annihilation would not be a punishment, but a release from all punishment. Annihilation of the wicked is contrary to both the nature of GOD and the nature of humans made in His image (immortality). It is not consistent with an all-loving GOD to snuff out those who do not do His wishes. As C.S. Lewis wrote in Screwtape Letters, “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’ ”
Were GOD to annihilate human beings He would be attacking Himself, for we are made in His image (Genesis 1:27), and GOD is immortal. For GOD in His wisdom and goodness would not allow anyone to go to Hell whom He knew would go to Heaven if He gave them more opportunity (2Peter 3:9). And without separation, there could be no Heaven. Evil is contagious (1Corinthians 5:6) and must be quarantined. Like a deadly plague, if it is not contained it will continue to contaminate and corrupt. The only way to preserve an eternal place of good is to eternally separate all evil from it or annihilate the souls who will not be in Heaven. However, it has already been established that annihilation is contrary to GOD’s nature. Thus, separation (not annihilation) is the answer. Further, GOD’s Word states that Hell exists and it’s already been established that the Bible is inspired and is the word of Truth.

Jehovah’s Witness Belief #5:
The doctrines of the Trinity and Jesus’ equality with the Father are false. Satan is the originator of the doctrine of the Trinity. The “holy spirit” is not God, but rather an invisible, active force from Jehovah.

Christian Response #5:
[5.a] The Trinity is Truth, albeit difficult to comprehend. There are over 60 passages in the Bible that place the three persons together. (see Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19; John 3:34-35; 14:10-11,16,23,26; 15:26; 16:13-15; Romans 14:17-18; 15:13-17,30; 1Corinthians 6:11,17-19; 12:4-6; 2Corinthians 1:21-22; 3:4-6; 13:14;  Galatians 2:21-3:2; 4:6; Ephesians 2:18; 3:11-17; 4:4-6; 5:18-20; Colossians 1:6-8; 1Thessalonians 1:1-5; 4:2,8; 5:18-19; 2Thessalonians 3:5; Titus 3:4-6; Hebrews 9:14; 1Peter 1:2; 1John 3:23-24; 4:13-14; Jude 20,21)

[5.b] To say that the Holy Spirit is not the third person in the Trinity is to blaspheme the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 12:32; Mark 3:29; Luke 12:10; Acts 5:3; 1Corinthians 2:10-11)

Jehovah’s Witness Belief #6:
To become a Jehovah’s Witness and receive salvation, believers must be baptized into the organization, regularly attend meetings at a Kingdom Hall, study [only accepted] material, and share their faith with others (most often door-to-door).

Christian Response #6:
Jehovah’s Witnesses cannot receive salvation into Heaven because the [supposed] maximum limit of 144,000 has already been reached. Thus, the only hope a new convert has is to never make a mistake in fear of being annihilated. This is a belief based on works, motivated by fear. But it’s already been established in point number two that we cannot put a limit on a limitless GOD and that all things are possible with GOD. Furthermore, we are saved by grace, not by works. (Ephesians 2:4-9)

Jehovah’s Witness Belief #7:
Jehovah’s Witnesses are prohibited from participating in certain worldly activities, including voting in elections, saluting the flag, joining the military, celebrating birthdays or holidays, and getting life-saving blood transfusions. Also, since it is believed that the end of the world is very near, attending college or getting involved with non-Jehovah’s Witnesses is also discouraged.

Christian Response #7:
To live life in such a way as described is not truly living; rather, it’s merely existing. In fact, existing in this manner is to avoid life. Martin Luther once wrote, “Live as if Christ died yesterday, rose this morning and is coming back tomorrow.” The key word in that sentence is “live.” It’s acceptable to expect Christ’s return; however, we need to live every day to the fullest [for Christ] until He returns. In fact, GOD’s Word tells us that His return will interrupt life as we know it and expect it to be. We will be eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage. We are commanded to be alert and to be ready, but Christ is coming at an hour we will not expect. Life is going to be interrupted. It’s going to happen. So live life until Christ returns and interrupts us. Until that Hour, we have work to do for the Kingdom of GOD. Those who refuse to attend college and get an education out of fear of His return are only hindering and harming themselves. Those who refuse to vote in elections are part of the problem, not the solution. (see Matthew 24:36-44; Luke 17:22-37)

Summary:
Like Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses may be nice people; however, good intentions can still travel in the wrong direction. The teachings they follow are not biblical; in fact, their doctrines oppose Christianity in almost every area. Jehovah’s Witnesses are a modern-day religious sect that is Gnostic in its beliefs and legalistic in its practices. They are dogmatic eschatologists with an urgent message warning of Armageddon, which is the reason for their repeated “prophetic” date-setting of the world’s end. They blatantly ignore biblical Christine doctrine and teach “a different gospel” (Galatians 1:6), which has earned them the status of religious cult. Jehovah’s Witness is a cult and must be rejected as Truth.

Conclusion:
I am a Christian; I am not a Jehovah’s Witness. Jehovah’s Witnesses and Christianity are incompatible. To see why I am a Christian, start from the beginning and read my article, “Why I Am A Christian.”