At this year's Give God Glory International Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses, the featured prophecy centered on the book of Amos. An hour-long, three-part symposium, entitled Amos—Its Meaning for Our Day, naturally focuses most of God's prophetic denunciation against Christendom. However, in the spirit of the apostolic counsel not to believe every seemingly inspired expression, it seems appropriate to test the truthfulness of the expressions to see if they actually have originated with God.

First, some skeptical readers may wonder why the book of Amos, or any ancient Hebrew prophecy for that matter, has to have a modern application in the first place. Why shouldn't we just suppose that Amos was simply fulfilled back then and then just leave things well enough alone?

For one thing, all the prophetic books are intertwined with overlapping themes, and many of them directly foretell events having to do with the ultimate coming of God's kingdom and the end of this present system. So, if any of them have modern applications—they all do. It is Jehovah's preferred means of communication to establish patterns that are to be later repeated in different settings and circumstances. Essentially the prophecies make up the pre-recorded judicial decisions of Judgment Day for God's people; as well as the unbelieving world.

As an example, at Acts 15:16-17, James and the apostles quoted directly from the book of Amos and applied it to the 1st century Christian congregation. Those verses read: "After these things I shall rebuild the booth of David that is fallen down; and I shall rebuild its ruins and erect it again, in order that those who remain of the men may earnestly seek Jehovah, together with people of all the nations, people who are called by my name, says Jehovah, who is doing these things, known from of old."

One point worth noting, immediately, is that Jehovah was "known from of old" in the 1st century; whereas Jesus was a relative newcomer at that time. So, any later fulfillment would similarly involve a people called by the name of Jehovah. At any rate, we know that the "booth of David" has reference to Christ's kingdom. The house of David fell to the Babylonians in the 6th Century B.C.E., but Jesus, being a son of David and an heir to David's kingdom, erected it again when he fulfilled the messianic prophecies and began to rule as king over spiritual Israel. It is clear, then, that the so-called minor prophecy of Amos had import for followers of Christ in the 1st Century—far beyond the time when the prophecy was initially fulfilled.

But the prophecy also lends itself to a final fulfillment during the ultimate unveiling of Christ's kingdom. How can we be sure of that? The actual prophecy of Amos, from which the apostles quoted, went on to say of the newly-erected "booth of David": '"To the end that they may take possession of what is left remaining of Edom, and all the nations upon whom my name has been called;' is the utterance of Jehovah, who is doing this..." However, by the time of the 1st century, the nation of Edom no longer existed; there was nothing "left remaining of Edom"—it had been annihilated out of existence, even as others of the prophets had foretold.

However, students of prophecy recognize that Edom, along with Ammon and Moab, have prophetic significance. This is evident from the book of Daniel, where Edom, Ammon, and Moab are mentioned in connection with the incursions of the king of the north during the time of the end. Daniel 11:41 says of the exploits of the king of the north: "He will actually enter into the land of Decoration, and there will be many lands that will be made to stumble. But these are the ones that will escape out of his hand, Edom and Moab and the main part of the sons of Ammon."

Since the prophecy at Daniel 11:41 had no minor fulfillment in ancient times, but specifically foretells events that are to occur during "the time of the end," long after Edom, Ammon and Moab ceased to exist, it is evident that Edom, Moab and Ammon have significance in relation to spiritual Israel—"the land of Decoration."

The prophecy of Amos denounces Edom for killing his brother, saying: "On account of three revolts of Edom, and on account of four, I shall not turn it back, on account of his pursuing his own brother with the sword, and because he ruined his own merciful qualities, and his anger keeps tearing away forever; and his fury—he has kept it perpetually."

The Watchtower correctly points out that Edom, Ammon and Moab were closely related to the Hebrews. The Edomites were the descendants of Esau—Jacob's twin brother. Ammon and Moab were the two sons that Lot had by his daughters when they were reduced to living a caveman-like existence after the destruction of Sodom.

The three nations that descended from Esau, Moab and Ammon had similar customs and languages and were geographic neighbors to the sons of Jacob. What is the significance of that as it applies to the prophetic Edom, Ammon and Moab? The Watchtower offers no interpretation—for reasons that will become apparent. But, it should be evident that Christendom is well-symbolized by those three nations, in that, all sects of Christendom today have evolved from the three main branches of Catholicism, Orthodoxy and Protestantism. And, just as Edom was the most dominate nation of the three and is mentioned most frequently in prophecy in relation to Jacob, it seems to picture the Catholic Church specifically.

Relative to spiritual Israel, Christendom has similar customs and speaks a comparable language of scripture, so to speak, in that they recognize and use the Bible and profess Jesus to be their spiritual father—even as ancient Edom, Moab and Ammon recognized Abraham as their father. (Although Abraham was Lot's uncle, they had a father/son relationship) Because Jehovah's Witnesses share a common heritage with Christians of all denominations, generally biblical stories and principles are not foreign concepts to modern-day spiritual Edomites and Moabites.

It is crucial to recognize the relationship between ancient Israel and Edom, Moab and Ammon because it has significance for the ordering of events in the judgment to come. How so?

According to the established order in the Bible, God's judgment begins first with his people.  For instance, Jeremiah 25:29 says: "For look! It is upon the city upon which my name is called that I am starting off in bringing calamity, and should you yourselves go free of punishment?" That the judgment recorded in Jeremiah extends far beyond the destruction of ancient Jerusalem by the Babylonians is evident a few verses on where Jeremiah says: "Look! A calamity is going forth from nation to nation, and a great tempest itself will be roused up from the remotest parts of the earth. And those slain by Jehovah will certainly come to be in that day from one end of the earth clear to the other end of the earth...as manure on the surface of the ground they will become."

Jeremiah's prophecy is in reality foretelling the global nature of the war of Armageddon. But, the point is that the judgment begins with those who are associated with the sacred name of God. Today, the "city" that is exclusively associated with the distinctive name of Jehovah is of course the Watchtower Society of Jehovah's Witnesses; and specifically the Bethel headquarters of the organization.

Ezekiel 9:6 confirms the same ordering of events where it says: "Old man, young man and virgin and little child and women you should kill off—to a ruination. But to any man upon whom there is a mark do not go near, and from my sanctuary you should start. So they started with the old men that were before the house."

While that prophecy initially applied to the destruction of Solomon's temple, there is a modern counterpart in the spiritual temple that the Scriptures describe. For example, Revelation 11:2 refers to the temple sanctuary associated with Christianity that is to be trampled underfoot by the nations. Jesus himself also prophesied concerning a holy place that is destined to be trampled on by a disgusting thing during the conclusion of the system of things. Also, according to the prophecy of Malachi, which was written after Solomon's temple was destroyed, the messenger of God's new covenant, Christ, is also going to come to inspect and cleanse God's spiritual temple. Malachi 3:1 reads: "Look! I am sending my messenger, and he must clear up a way before me. And suddenly there will come to His temple the true Lord whom you people are, seeking, and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you are delighting. Look! He will certainly come."

That there is no mistaking what the coming of the messenger of the covenant involves, Malachi 3:5 states: "And I will come near to you people for the judgment, and I will become a speedy witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against those swearing falsely, and against those acting fraudulently with the wages of a worker, and with the widow and with the fatherless boy, and those turning away the alien resident, while they have not feared me," Jehovah of armies has said.'"

Since Jehovah's Witnesses are plagued with all the things that Jehovah has resolved to eliminate from among his people, contrary to the Watchtower's dogma regarding God's judgment supposedly taking place in 1919, obviously no such "speedy" judgment has taken place among Jehovah's people—yet. We may therefore conclude, among other things, that the old men in Ezekiel's vision, those who are slaughtered in God's sanctuary, are the evil slaves who presently comfortably reside within God's anointed household and temple.

But, the point is that the Hebrew prophecies confirm what the Christian apostle Peter foretold concerning God's judgment commencing with his own house first. To refresh our memory: the apostle Peter wrote, at 1 Peter 4:17: "For it is the appointed time for the judgment to start with the house of God. Now if it starts first with us, what will the end be of those who are not obedient to the good news of God?"

Our apostle Paul, likewise, confirms for us in the 2nd chapter of Romans that judgment starts with the (spiritual) Jew first and then the Greek (non-anointed) secondly.

Seeing that the Scriptures clearly establish that the judgment begins with God's household, how is it that the Watchtower dogmatically insists that the tribulation begins when Christendom and all of Babylon the Great is destroyed by the 8th king? This writer, again, challenges any knowledgeable Witness of Jehovah or representative of the Watchtower to present the scriptural proof for the oft-repeated and much-publicized idea that the destruction of false religion initiates the global tribulation that the prophecies have foretold.

This brings us back to the relationship between Edom and Israel, and the basis for God's judgment against false religion.

 

"My people in the day of their disaster"

Departing still further from Amos, for the moment, the short prophecy of Obadiah, which follows the book of Amos, is also God's judgment directed upon Edom. The prophet reiterates that the reason God is going to destroy Edom is because he rejoiced when disaster befall the Israelites. Verse 10 says: "Because of violence to your brother Jacob, shame will cover you, and you will have to be cut off to time indefinite." Going on, the 13th verse says: "You ought not to come into the gate of my people in the day of their disaster. You, even you, ought not to peer at his calamity in the day of his disaster; and you ought not to thrust out a hand in the day of his disaster."

For better or worse, the Israelites were God's people. Even when Jehovah brought disaster upon them for their many sins and transgressions, they were still his people. That's why Jehovah calls them "my people." Accordingly, even though God was punishing the Jews for their sins, he also punished others who rejoiced and reveled in their disaster.

One interesting detail in Obadiah is the relationship Edom had with the despoiler. Obadiah 6-8 says: '"O the extent to which those of Esau have been searched out! How his concealed treasures have been sought out! As far as the boundary they have sent you. The very men in covenant with you have all deceived you. The men at peace with you have prevailed against you. Those eating food with you will place a net under you as one in whom there is no discernment. Will it not be in that day?" is the utterance of Jehovah.'

Edom was described by the prophets as dwelling on a lofty, fortified crag... from where it was brought down by the Chaldeans and its great wealth was despoiled. Apparently, Edom felt secure in their good relations with the Babylonians. However, they did not discern that Jehovah had appointed the Chaldeans as the earthly imperial executor of divine judgments.

In a similar pattern, the Vatican enjoys tremendous wealth and is secure in their special position today in relation to the political rulers. Of all the religions of the world, only the Vatican enjoys what is called special observer status at the United Nations. In other words, as Obadiah describes, they have a "covenant of peace" with the very agency that is destined to eventually become the 8th king of Bible prophecy and which Revelation foretells will completely annihilate false religion.

But, again, why are we justified in making modern applications of such ancient prophecies? Like Amos, the prophet Obadiah foretells things that simply did not fit into the original fulfillment. For example, Obadiah 18 says that "the house of Jacob must become a fire, and the house of Esau as stubble; and they must set ablaze and devour them." In actuality, Edom was destroyed by Babylon. The Jews did not directly avenge themselves against Edom as the prophecy suggests. How could they? They were in captivity in Babylon when Edom was destroyed.

Furthermore the prophecy of Obadiah concludes by saying: "And saviors will certainly come into Mount Zion, in order to judge the mountainous region of Esau; and the kingship must become Jehovah's."

The plurality of saviors and judges associated with Jehovah's asserting his own kingship can be none other than the 144,000 true sons of God, as they are depicted in Revelation, standing upon the pinnacle of heavenly Mount Zion to begin the rule of Christ's kingdom over the world. Their judging Edom relates to Christ and his 144,000 avenging themselves upon Babylon the Great for having spilled the blood of God's servants down through the centuries and up to the very moment when the last one of the saints is martyred. Revelation 6:11 indicates that God's judgment of the present system is withheld until the full number of the brothers of Christ, who are about to be killed, have been killed. Presumably, that is when Babylon the Great's sin finally amasses clear up to the heavens and God calls her many acts of injustice to mind.

The reason the Watchtower does not generally recognize Edom, Moab and Ammon as symbolizing Christendom is because to do so would necessitate recognizing that Israel does not represent apostate Christendom in prophecy. And if the prophecies are to be interpreted correctly, instead of Christendom being judged first during the oncoming tribulation, spiritual Israel and those associated with the genuine Christian congregation are brought to ruin with the aid and approval of Christendom.

Apparently, that's why Daniel depicts Edom, Moab and Ammon escaping the initial thrusts of the king of the north, while the land of Decoration succumbs to the tyrannical king. Christendom is only afterwards judged by God, during the tribulation period, for having approved of the atrocities that are yet to be committed against Jehovah's people.

Presently, we can only imagine the shock and humiliation that all of Jehovah's Witnesses will experience when the Watchtower rolls over belly-up, while the churches of Christendom look on in derision. How can we be so sure that's what we are facing? That brings us back to the book of Amos.

 

"A famine, not for bread, and a thirst, not for water"

One of the most often-quoted verses of Amos by the Watchtower is Amos 8:11, which reads: "Look! There are days coming,' is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, 'and I will send a famine into the land, a famine not for bread, and a thirst, not for water, but for hearing the words of Jehovah.'"

The Watchtower always applies that verse to Christendom's supposed spiritually-famished condition. But, let us test the "inspired expression" of interpretation to see if it really does originate with the God of truth. To do so, we merely have to ask the following question: In what way are the churches of Christendom fulfilling the prophecy that calls for a spiritual famine to engulf the land?

Rather than a spiritual famine, the exact opposite seems to be the case; as it is evident that many of Christendom's denominations seem to be experiencing a revival of sorts. Consider a few relevant facts: Compared to the medieval age, when the Catholic Church had a strangle-hold on the Bible and forbade it to be preached or translated into the common languages of Europeans, modern church-goers now have been given much greater access to God's Word. Although the Catholic Church used to oppose the translation of the Bible, more recently there are numerous Catholic Bible translations and commentaries available to the public. Although shrinking in numbers relative to the growing population, where is the evidence of a modern spiritual famine in the Catholic organization?

Evangelical and fundamentalists denominations offer in-depth Bible studies and their numbers are growing rapidly as a result. Those wanting to hear a Bible message do not even have to go to church any more to hear it. The a.m. radio dial is dominated by Bible preachers of various persuasions, and television evangelizers are also quite common. The Internet has literally thousands of Christian websites and online Bible study programs. The rapid growth of the modern evangelical movement, particularly in Latin America, has been described as nothing less than a modern phenomenon. Certainly there is no evidence of spiritual famine among many of the evangelical denominations.

As for the orthodox branch of Christendom, the Russian Orthodox Church has seemingly returned from the grave after having been suppressed for decades by the USSR.  There is no evidence of spiritual famine in the land of the former Soviet Republic, either.

In the past, the Watchtower has pointed to the declining numbers of church-goers as being the fulfillment of prophecy regarding the so-called "waters" of Babylon drying up as a prelude to her complete destruction. The truth is that many religious denominations are much more vibrant today than in the past. While Christendom has never taught the correct doctrines of the Bible, it is simply not in the realm of reality to insist that Christendom is more spiritually impoverished now than before. In a way, the Watchtower has made the same mistake as the communists in that we have prematurely announced the death of Christendom. Here are a few more relevant facts regarding the growth of the world's main religions in recent decades.

On the other hand, the rapid growth among Jehovah's Witnesses that we used to boast about as evidence of Jehovah's blessing has stagnated in many lands. If it were not for the fact that the Watchtower began counting 15-minute per-month publishers for the first time last year there would have probably been a statistical decline of active Jehovah's Witnesses in the United States for the 2002 service year.

As regards the spiritual famine the Bible speaks about in Amos, others of the prophets have similarly foretold of a catastrophic spiritual famine that will eventually consume the people of God. (See the essays: Day of the Locust Attack and the Coming Collapse of the Watchtower) Since the prophecy calls for a famine specifically concerning "hearing the words of Jehovah," and since the Watchtower is inseparably linked with the distinctive name of Jehovah, and has for a fact spoken the word of Jehovah to us, and since it is the only channel recognized by Jehovah's Witnesses as offering true spiritual nourishment, the spiritual famine that God's word foretells must relate to the coming collapse of the Watchtower Society.

Virtually every prophecy and many of the Psalms foretell that the coming judgment upon the house of God will result in devastation for the true sons of the kingdom, so that they finish their earthly witnessing dressed in sackcloth, while their enemies rejoice over their demise. Amos is no exception. And it should be noted that the spiritual famine described in Amos is not the result of slow attrition as we might suppose. The verse preceding makes it very plain that the famine is caused by a sudden disaster that Jehovah brings upon his people. Amos 9:9-10 says: "And it must occur in that day,' is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, 'that I will make the sun go down at high noon, and I will cause darkness for the land on a bright day. And I will turn your festivals into mourning and all your songs into a dirge, and I will bring upon all hips sackcloth and upon every head baldness; and I will make the situation like the mourning for an only son, and the end result of it a bitter day."'

But the question arises as to why Jehovah would cause a modern-day spiritual famine to afflict his people? The prophecy of Amos sheds some light on that question.

According to Amos 3:2, the reason that God held the wayward Jews accountable, more so than any other people, is because of the special relationship that Jehovah had with the nation. Of all the peoples and national groups that existed before the time of Christ, Israel is the only nation that Jehovah had direct dealings with. Hence, Jehovah spoke through Amos, saying: "You people only have I known out of all the families of the ground. That is why I shall hold an accounting against you for all your errors."

As Jehovah's Witnesses, we believe that we practice the one true Christian faith. There are without question those among us that are genuinely anointed sons of God, who give evidence of being in a covenant relationship with Jehovah God. Furthermore, it is evident to us that Christendom is completely marinated in the doctrines of ancient Babylon and that her multitude of babbling sects could not possibly have God's recognition. However, if we are Jehovah's people as we profess, in view of the precedent set by Jehovah's dealings with his ancient nation of Hebrew witnesses; are we not likewise more accountable before God than any other people?

Not as faithless faultfinders or unspiritual malcontents, but as people of God with true Christian humility, let us take a closer look at ourselves as we peer deeper into the prophecy of Amos. That is why the prophecy was recorded, and that's why we read at Amos 3:13: '"Hear and give witness in the house of Jacob,' is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah."

As a matter of fact, Jehovah even commanded his prophet to publicize the spoiled spiritual condition of his people to the surrounding nations. At Amos 3:9, it says: Publish it on the dwelling towers in Ashdod and on the dwelling towers in Egypt, and say: "Be gathered together against the mountains of Samaria and see the many disorders in the midst of her and the cases of defrauding inside of her. And they have not known how to do what is straightforward."

 

"You who are turning justice into mere wormwood"

According to the 5th chapter of Amos, Jehovah brings judgment upon his people because they became unjust and acted immorally and unfaithfully. Amos 5:7 says: "O you who are turning justice into mere wormwood, and the very ones who have cast righteousness itself to the earth."

The Scriptures reveal Jehovah God to be a lover of righteousness and justice. He has deep concern for those who are afflicted and disadvantaged and he expects, yes, he demands, that his people, and especially their leaders, follow his laws and principles and always strive to honor God by doing what is right. Because the name and reputation of Jehovah was bound up with ancient Israel, it brought enormous reproach upon God's good name when the Jews became unjust and corrupt.

Similarly, the overseers and Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses today are especially accountable before Jehovah to make sure that the name of God that we bear is not brought into disrepute in same way. Particularly is that so when we consider that Christ Jesus specifically indicated that his faithful slave will bear a heavier judgment according to the principle found at Luke 12:48, where we read: "Indeed, everyone to whom much was given, much will be demanded of him; and the one whom people put in charge of much, they will demand more than usual of him."

But, regrettably, Jehovah's Witnesses have brought tremendous reproach on the name of Jehovah. And our leading men are especially reprehensible. How so?

One aspect of our unfaithfulness has become manifest in the recent widely- publicized reports that have drawn public attention to numerous cases of seduction, rape and child abuse within Jehovah's Witnesses. But, that is not what the real story has been about. As terrible as child sexual abuse is, the underlying issue has to do with the scandalous way in which the Watchtower Society has dealt with the problem over the years.

According to the Watchtower's official spokesmen there is no real problem with the way that child abuse has been handled in the organization. In the view of Brother Brown, the scourge of child abuse is no worse among Jehovah's Witnesses than in other organizations in the world that are grappling with the problem. Ironically, our critics have said all along that Jehovah's Witnesses are no different than other religions. But, should we really take pride in the fact that our supposed "spiritual paradise" is no worse than the world that we often describe as the antitypical Sodom and Gomorrah? Indeed, the account in Genesis concerning Sodom reveals that boys had become corrupted by sexual perversions, just as our children have had their innocence stolen by perverts in our congregations. How fitting Isaiah's words are for our leading men today who smugly content themselves that child abuse is no worse among Jehovah Witnesses than in other organizations: "Hear the word of Jehovah, you dictators of Sodom. Give ear to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah."

The Watchtower insists that there is an effective Bible-based policy in place to deal with child abuse and the victims are given the highest priority. However, since as an organization and as individuals we are accountable to God for the way we deal with the afflicted ones among us, shouldn't we examine the Watchtower's claims more closely? If Jehovah is in fact going to judge his people, is it not our responsibility to honestly evaluate our position before God? After all, at Amos 5:6, Jehovah pleads with his people to repent of their wickedness and keep living. But, how is that possible unless we take a good hard look at ourselves?

Amos 5:6 reads: "Search for Jehovah and keep living, that he may not become operative just like fire, O house of Joseph, and it may not devour, and Bethel may not be with no one to extinguish it, O you who are turning justice into mere wormwood..." Surely those who fear Jehovah cannot dismiss such divine warnings as if applying to the other guy—Christendom. Our searching for Jehovah means that we must seek to gain his viewpoint on matters of importance and that we must adopt his values as our own. That requires that we use our thinking ability to honestly reason upon things and arrive at correct conclusions. 

Take the matter of the Watchtower's policy regarding two witnesses: According to the Law of Moses at Deuteronomy 19:15, "No single witness should rise up against a man respecting any error or any sin... At the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses the matter should stand good."

Although in other areas, the Watchtower is quick to point out that Christians are not bound by the law that God gave exclusively to the ancient Hebrew nation, strangely we have come to view this "two witness" aspect of Jewish law as more than a mere principle—but rather a binding law upon us. However, if we read further on in the Law at Deuteronomy 19:16-18, one reason that God gave them a law regarding two witnesses was so that it might work as a safeguard to prevent wicked individuals from falsely accusing another. That's why the law went on to say: "In case a witness scheming violence should rise up against a man to bring a charge of revolt against him, the two men who have the dispute must also stand before Jehovah, before the priest and the judges who will be acting in those days. And the judges must search thoroughly, and if the witness is a false witness and has brought a false charge against his brother, you must also do to him just as he had schemed to do to his brother."

Analyzing the above verse, notice, please, that in case there were not the mandatory two or three witnesses to substantiate the charges, then, the judges and priests were under obligation to "search thoroughly" and make a determination. How could the judges know if the accuser was scheming against his brother? They were to make a thorough investigation in order to find the truth. The case wasn't simply to be dropped because there were no other witnesses. It was up to the men serving as judges to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused; and consequently the guilt or innocence of the accuser as well. So, if we are going to pretend to follow Jewish law in the administration of our Christian affairs, are we not obligated to follow the whole law, even as Paul wrote at Galatians 5:3?

Of course, Jesus Christ invoked the two witness principle contained in the Law of Moses when he instructed his followers on how to resolve problems in the Christian brotherhood. At Matthew 18:15-18 the Lord Jesus said: "If your brother commits a sin, go lay bare his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two more, in order that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every matter may be established. If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you as a man of the nations and as a tax collector."

Jesus outlined a three-step process that is intended to make peace between Christian brothers. However, it is apparent that the judicial process is not primarily intended to establish the guilt of the accused. It is already a given that there has been a sin committed, even as Jesus said: "If your brother commits a sin, go lay bare his fault." The intent of the inquest is to convince the guilty party of his guilt; laying bare his fault in order to move him to repentance. Jesus did not say that the one or two outside witnesses that are brought in had to be witnesses to the specific act that caused offense. The accuser brings along one or two witnesses to witness the process of the inquiry, and to be witnesses to the validity of the charges, and to give additional reproof to the wrongness of the act committed. It should be noted that the third step in the process does not establish guilt either. It is the burden of the accused to listen to the reproof of the congregation or else face ostracism. At any step along the way, if the accused admits to the accusations and takes appropriate steps toward repentance, the accuser regains his lost relationship with his brother. If the accused refuses to accept guilt or responsibility, the congregation may withdraw their hand of friendship.

The Watchtower claims to follow this legal precept of Christ and so therefore insists that in the absence of a confession there must be at least two witnesses to the actual crime of child abuse in order to substantiate the claim of the abused individual making the accusation. Furthermore, without a second witness and without the confession of the accused, no judicial action may be taken against the accused abuser. The matter is just dropped, and as the Watchtower is so very fond of saying, the victim is told to go suffer in silence and "wait on Jehovah" to set things straight. This appears to be a gross misapplication and perversion of Christ's law to the congregation.

According to Jesus, even if the accused refuses to acknowledge the reproof of the congregation he is to be viewed as being guilty as accused. The matter was not simply dropped because the offender refused to take responsibility for his offense or because there were not several witnesses.

Congregation elders must use their own judgment and the power of their office to protect the flock that they have been given charge over. How naïve for us to expect a devious sexual predator to simply come clean and confess his crimes when called to account. True, some do confess, but obviously most do not. How appropriate is Paul's rhetorical question to the anointed Corinthian elders: "I am speaking to move you to shame. Is it true that there is not one wise man among you that will be able to judge between his brothers...?"

The Watchtower has announced to the public that Jehovah's Witnesses abhor child abuse, but our actions belie that claim. Instead of allowing congregation elders to make their own thorough investigation of these abhorrent crimes, as was called for in the Jewish law, the Watchtower's legal department has used the very law of God to tie the hands of our congregational elders and has therefore denied justice to thousands of victims of sexual abuse, and as a result, has further exposed other innocent children to the depredations of child molesters in our midst.

In some cases reported by the Silentlambs organization, the courts have found the crimes committed by some of Jehovah's Witnesses, so-called, to be so heinous that they were convicted and sentenced to long prison terms. Yet, in spite of that, some perpetrators remain in "good standing" as Jehovah's Witnesses, even though they are presently serving time behind bars as convicted pedophiles. Evidently some elders and other Jehovah's Witnesses have even stood as character witnesses in behalf of convicted pedophiles during the sentencing phase. What a disgrace!

While the Watchtower refuses to disfellowship convicted pedophiles if there are not two witnesses to their hideous crimes, in what can only be described as an outrage and gross perversion of justice, some abuse victims and their advocates have been disfellowshipped because they have refused to suffer in silence as the Watchtower requires them to do! The Watchtower is indeed guilty of turning the very justice of Jehovah into the bitterness of wormwood!

 

"In the gate they have hated a reprover"

If Jehovah is to judge his people and call them to account for their stiff-necked refusal to do justice, then obviously we cannot expect to read about this in the Watchtower magazine. But, yet, we ought to be able to appreciate the need for God to take the drastic measures that are outlined in the prophecies once we are aware of certain conditions within the organization.

According to the law of Christ discussed above, the offended party must go lay bare the fault of his brother in private. If that is unsuccessful, then, the brother is obligated to call upon at least one or two others to serve as witnesses to the wrongdoer. Ironically the Watchtower has been called to account in private by many individuals who have suffered due to its wicked child abuse policy. However, the Watchtower has so far refused to listen.

In September of 2002, over one-hundred abuse victims and advocates showed up literally at the gates of the Bethel headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses in Brooklyn, to give witness to the Watchtower's injustice in these matters. Again, the Watchtower refused to listen. Instead of humbly receiving those who have legitimate complaints, the Watchtower locked the gates of Bethel and refused to even meet with its accusers, contrary to what Christ counseled us to do.

Through Amos, Jehovah perfectly describes the present situation. Amos 5:10 reads: "In the gate they have hated a reprover, and a speaker of perfect things they detest." Who can deny that anyone who dares to correct the Watchtower is held in contempt by its leadership?

Down a few verses, Amos 5:12-13 records these additional words of our God: "For I have known how many your revolts are, O you showing hostility toward someone righteous, you who are taking hush money, and the ones who have turned aside poor people even in the gate. Therefore the very one having insight will in that time keep silent, for it will be a calamitous time."

There is no barrier to Jehovah's penetrating vision. Time is no obstacle for him either, as he is able to peer down through the centuries of time to see and address conditions long before they even occur. Jehovah's laser-like vision is able to see behind any façade or pretense that may be erected by men. We may therefore rest assured that Jehovah sees what is happening among his people today. Hence, Jehovah is fully aware of the fact that not only has the Watchtower crushed the plaintive cry of the poor abused ones in our midst and arrogantly scoffed at any criticism of its unrighteousness, but as the prophecy indicates, it is also "taking hush money." How so?

As the outcry of complaint against the Watchtower Society grows louder and louder, and as the number of lawsuits mount, the organization has enlisted the help of Jehovah's Witness lawyers, as well as non-JW lawyers, in order to defend its financial interests. As everyone knows who is familiar with how the legal system works, the first consideration of defense lawyers is to keep a lawsuit from going to court in the first place; where the potential is much greater for a jury or judge to award a large sum to the plaintiff.

Typically lawyers could not care less about what is the right, just, or ethical thing to do in any given case. It is all about winning. And in order to win, lawyers will seek any advantage and try any way they can to discredit their opponent, as well as any witnesses on the opposing side. That is just how the game is played. Of course, if it appears that the plaintiff has a good case, then lawyers usually try to cut their loses and make some sort of out-of-court settlement. Has the Watchtower done that? Yes, they have.

Whereas, Amos says that God's people have taken hush money, sources that have had legal dealings with the Watchtower have indicated that the Watchtower makes out-of-court settlements with abuse victims. We are also informed that it is the standard practice in such cases to bind the recipient with a so-called "gag order" that legally prevents them from disclosing the terms and details of the settlement. Basically, it means that the Watchtower has paid off abuse victims with hush money to prevent a public spectacle and possibly paying out much more if the case were to be decided in a court. In effect, the Watchtower not only pays out hush money but it receives it as well; in that, out-of-court settlements save the Watchtower money and give it a legal pretext to keep such matters undisclosed. All the while, the rank-and-file among us are kept in the dark and led to believe that all the accusations against the Watchtower are nothing more than media lies.

The right and honorable thing to do would be to publicly acknowledge the immense pain and suffering that so many of Jehovah's Witnesses have endured at the hands of sexual molesters in our congregations, and to make some sort of above-board public restitution to the victims for our negligence. But, instead of ministering to Jehovah's battered sheep in any meaningful way, by first apologizing for the way that abuse victims have been treated, the Watchtower is now bent on crushing their faith completely; abusing the victims again by unleashing their stable of attorneys to attack the character and discredit the claims of any plaintiffs that dare to seek legal recourse for their anguish.

Jehovah's prophet appears to precisely address the situation by saying at Amos 8:4: "Hear this, you men snapping at someone poor, even in order to cause the meek ones of the earth to cease..."

Appropriately, Jehovah also says through Amos that his judgment will come against the leaders of his people: "on account of their selling someone righteous for mere silver, and someone poor for the price of a pair of sandals. They are panting for the dust of the earth on the head of lowly persons; and the way of meek people they turn aside; and a man and his own father have gone to the same girl, for the purpose of profaning my holy name."

How many meek seekers of God have been or will yet become stumbled by these wicked doings?

Furthermore, it is now well known that the Watchtower allows even known child molesters to go out in the public ministry door-to-door; with the only stipulation being that they must work with another publisher, as if that should make the householder more comfortable with the idea that perhaps only one of the ministers that shows up at their door, offering them a free in-home family Bible study, is a pedophile. But, is not our accompanying a pedophile "minister" a case of our becoming sharers in the sins of others?

While some responsible governments and neighborhoods are taking measures to make the names and whereabouts of sexual predators available to the public in order to offer some sort of protection for local residents, the Watchtower actually sends known sexual predators into unsuspecting neighborhoods to preach the Good News! Whereas our pioneers have been instructed to use alternate means of contacting not-at-home householders, through letter writing and telephone witnessing and such, the Watchtower insists that pedophile ministers have the right to go door-to-door representing the Watchtower Society. How very irresponsible of the Watchtower Society, since often parents send their little ones to answer the door for them. The sacred name of God associated with our ministry has definitely been profaned. How many meek people and prospective disciples have been turned away because of such wickedness, as the prophecy describes?

In the verse quoted above, Jehovah makes a connection between the immorality of prostitution, whereby father and son paid homage to the same temple prostitute, and the selling of lowly persons for mere money. Today among Jehovah's Witnesses, instead of temple prostitution between presumably consenting adults, Jehovah's name has been profaned by the even more morally repugnant child rape and molestation. Similar to Jehovah's condemnation of Israel in ancient times, Jehovah's rebuke applies to us today in that we have tolerated and coddled molesters and persecuted their victims and advocates; selling the victims down the river, as the saying goes, in order to protect the kingdom's coffers.

Thus, the Watchtower's main concern does not appear to be the spiritual welfare of those whose faith has been shattered, but of merely keeping the status quo. Above all other things, the financial welfare of the vast Watchtower institution itself appears to be the primary consideration of Bethel these days. Therefore, it seems that these words of Amos are directed toward those who are ensconced as Bethel princes in the organization at the expense of others: "You men that are lying down on couches of ivory and are sprawling on their divans, and are eating the rams out of a flock and the young bulls from among fattened calves." And again, the prophet confirms that judgment begins at God's house, as Amos goes on to say: "Therefore now they will go into exile at the head of those going onto exile, and the revelry of sprawling ones must depart." (Amos 6:4-7)

In spite of persistent sexual immorality, increasing divorces, cases of fraud, petty tyrannies, and all sorts of backbiting among the brothers, as well as pedophilia in our congregations, and lying and defrauding on the part of our leading men, the Watchtower still immodestly boasts about our being "Jehovah's clean people" and a "spiritual paradise."

As is typical, at this year's annual convention, Governing Body speakers forcefully insisted that Christ came in 1914 and that Jehovah's Witnesses are presently basking in that "spiritual paradise" and bound for even greater glory. Instead of humbly seeking God's favor in view of our transgressions, the Watchtower made a hypocritical pretext of giving God glory. The greatest irony was that the Watchtower went through the charade of interpreting the prophecy of Amos. But, how ironic that Jehovah's denunciation at Amos 5:21 seems to be describing our very gatherings, where it says: "I have hated, I have rejected your festivals, and I shall not enjoy the smell of your solemn assemblies."

In view of our self-serving Bible interpretations and the self-righteousness, endemic to the entire organization, no wonder further on Amos 6:8 says: '"The Sovereign Lord Jehovah has sworn by his own soul,' is the utterance of Jehovah of armies, 'I am detesting the pride of Jacob, and his dwelling towers I have hated, and I will deliver up the city and what fills it."'

From Jehovah's standpoint, we have become so enamored with the Watchtower that it has become our organizational golden calf. We no longer look to Jehovah as we ought, but instead our devotion is centered on the "faithful and discreet slave" and "the Society." Just as the Israelite cities of Bethel and Gilgal became centers of calf worship, these words of God should eventually take on real meaning for Jehovah's Witnesses in the near future: "For this is what Jehovah has said to the house of Israel, 'Search for me, and keep living. And do not search for Bethel, and to Gilgal you must not come...as regards Bethel, it will become something uncanny. Search for Jehovah and keep living, that he may not become operative just like fire..."

It would also appear as if the words of Amos 3:15 apply to that which is called "Jehovah's organization" today. The verse reads: "I will also hold an accounting against the altars of Bethel...And I will strike down the winter house in addition to the summer house, and the houses of ivory will have to perish, and many houses will have to come to their finish."

Time will tell if this aspect of Jehovah's denunciation applies specifically to the sprawling proverbial "ivory towers" of Bethel headquarters and the lavish Patterson complex, as well as dozens of other assembly halls and branch "houses" around the world. Interestingly, one very expensive assembly hall recently built outside of Houston, Texas, complete with gigantic retractable big-screen television monitors on stage, was so extravagant that some brothers dubbed it the "Taj Ma-hall." Houses of ivory, indeed!

The Watchtower frequently applies to itself the verse of Amos 3:7, which reads: "For the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will not do a thing unless he has revealed his confidential matter to his servants the prophets." But as is evident, Jehovah's "confidential matter" actually had to do with bringing his wayward nation into judgment. And as the Bible record testifies, Jehovah did indeed notify numerous individual Hebrew prophets in regards to his intentions. However, the nation and its institutions did not accept the message of Jehovah's prophets. That's why Jehovah said through Amos: "But you kept giving the Nazirites wine to drink, and upon the prophets you laid a command, saying: "You must not prophesy."

Amos was personally confronted with an enraged priest that commanded him to stop prophesying about the city of Bethel's coming downfall. Amos was told: "O visionary, go, run your way off to the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and there you may prophesy. But at Bethel you must no longer do any further prophesying, for it is the sanctuary of a king and it is the house of a kingdom."

In a similar manner today, the Watchtower is actually proud of the fact that it allows no place in the organization for individuals, whom, from Jehovah's standpoint, may actually serve a function similar to the biblical prophets of old. Those whom Jehovah may anoint to serve as special modern Nazirites, who try to set God's confidential matter more clearly before the brothers, will find themselves rebuked and marginalized by the institutional "priests." As in the days of Amos, the modern Bethel establishment considers itself to be the hallowed "sanctuary of a king and...the house of a kingdom." No Bethel outsider is allowed to speak Jehovah's prophetic word within the organization except in the manner in which it has been carefully scripted by the priests of Bethel. As a result, the Watchtower's message has become completely sanitized from any of God's rebuke and prophetic judgments against his people.

Tragically, the prevailing mindset among Jehovah's Witnesses today is perfectly described at Amos 9:10, as those who are saying: "The calamity will not come near or reach as far as us." (That same sentiment is described by the prophet Isaiah and is discussed in the Essay entitled:  "We Have Concluded a Covenant with Death")

 

"The booth of David that is fallen"

The very next verse of Amos says: "In that day I shall raise up the booth of David that is fallen..." As discussed previously, the "booth of David" has reference to Christ's kingdom. So, the prophecy connects the restoration of God's kingdom to a time when calamity befalls God's people. Even though the inspired Christian spokesman directly quoted from this prophecy and applied it to the 1st century establishment of Christ's kingdom over the congregation, it is evident that certain aspects of the prophecy have a much broader application. That's because by the time when David's kingdom was restored in the person of Christ the calamity that God had originally wrought upon Judah and the Davidic kingdom was centuries into the past. Yet the prophecy says "in that day," meaning in the day when Jehovah brings calamity on those who are saying that 'no calamity will come near us.'

The calamity that Jehovah refers to serves as a means of sifting those who are God's people. Amos 9:9 reads: "For, look! I am commanding, and I will jiggle the house of Israel among all the nations, just as one jiggles a sieve, so that not one pebble falls to the earth." Surely, no reasonable person would insist that the difficulties of the Bible Students back during the First World War fulfilled the prophecy that calls for a final decisive calamity to rock God's household.

The prophecy at Haggai 2:6-7 says that Jehovah is going to rock the very heavens, earth, and all the nations, so that "the desirable things," meaning godly people, come in to glorify God's restored house. Paul quoted Haggai at Hebrews 12:27 and explained that the prophecy has reference to the institutions of this system of things being shaken into oblivion. Needless to say, WWI did not prove to be this system's undoing. The great shaking is coming. Therefore, the "jiggling" to sift God's people has not occurred yet either. But it, too, is coming.

The coming crash of the "booth of David" apparently parallels the many other prophecies that foretell that the actual coming of Christ into his kingdom to rule over the earth results first in the spiritual house of his chosen ones being devastated. For example, in regards to the king of fierce countenance, Daniel 8:11 says that the presumptuous king confronts the prince of God's kingdom in direct confrontation so that "the constant feature was taken away, and the established place of his sanctuary was thrown down."

The next verse says that the reason that God allowed the king of fierce countenance to have success against Christ's interests on earth is "because of transgression." The Watchtower wrongly interprets the transgression as applying to the king of fierce countenance. Obviously, though, the transgression is that of the sons of the kingdom, who must be disciplined and made to atone for reproaching the name of Jehovah.

So the rebuilding of the booth of David has to do with the grand salvation, spiritual healing and recovery that will take place during the tribulation period.

Many places in the Bible Jehovah glorifies his great name and expresses his indignation that his insignificant servants have not given him the respect and glory that he rightly deserves and have instead reproached their own God. Amos is no exception.

In view of the reproach that Jehovah's Witnesses have brought upon the name of Jehovah, fearers of Jehovah ought to take to heart the blood-chilling declaration of our God at Amos 4:12: "As a consequence of the fact that I shall do this very thing to you, get ready to meet your God, O Israel. For, look! The Former of the mountains and the Creator of the wind, and the One telling to earthling man what is mental concern is, the One treading on earth's high places, Jehovah the God of armies is his name."

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Copyright © 2003, by Robert King
All Rights Reserved.