In October of 2001, the Guardian newspaper in Britain broke the story that the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society had been secretly affiliated with the United Nations as an NGO for over ten years. Following a flood of inquiry by Jehovah's Witnesses, the Watchtower quickly withdrew its membership and released an official explanation stating that they became an NGO (non-governmental organization) simply to have access to research materials at the UN headquarters' library.

However, such an explanation does not go nearly far enough in explaining the seemingly inexplicable. According to Paul Hoeffel, a UN official, in order to become recognized by the United Nations as a non-governmental organization, the applicant must demonstrate "support and respect of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and commitment and means to conduct effective information programmes with its constituents and to a broader audience about UN activities."

Every year each NGO must reapply for membership and submit proof to the UN that it is using its influence to disseminate UN propaganda in its sphere of influence. Has the Watchtower done that? Apparently it has. As the most egregious example of how the Watchtower Society has dutifully discharged its contractual obligation as an NGO, the November 22, 1998 , Awake! featured several articles praising the UN's Commission on Human Rights. This was done to commemorate the 50th year since the signing of the UN's human rights charter. Evidently that issue of the Awake! was submitted to the United Nations by the Watchtower Society and is listed on the UNCHR web site along with many other NGO supporters of the UN.

As Jehovah's Witnesses are well aware, for decades we have lambasted the churches of Christendom for their political involvement. Many times, the Watchtower has pointed to the statements of the clergy hailing the League of Nations as being "the political expression of the kingdom of God ," as indicative of Christendom's apostate condition. Yet for the past 10 years, the Watchtower has had a "secret" adulterous affair with the very organization that we had previously denounced as a counterfeit of God's kingdom.

Apparently, the Watchtower's status as an NGO gave them political clout and was useful in currying favor with governments where our work has been under ban. Even so, the Watchtower's hypocrisy on this matter is truly staggering. Tragically, the organization's desired advantages have already resulted in many of Jehovah's Witnesses leaving the truth in shock and disgust.

The Watchtower's illicit liaison with the United Nations makes a rhetorical question by James, a first-century Christian and Bible book writer, all the more relevant. James speaks to us today, asking in shocked disbelief:  "What, do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?"  The letter of James is addressed to the "12 tribes of Israel that are scattered about."  That such counsel is directed to the citizens of spiritual Israel seems to anticipate the very defection that has taken place. What could account for the Watchtower going out of its way to court the rulers of this system in an obvious attempt to establish itself as a friend of the United Nations Organization? Well, down a few verses James writes: "God opposes the haughty ones, but he gives undeserved kindness to the humble ones."

But should we really be surprised that an organization that starts off dedicated to doing God's work should become corrupt and have an adulterous relationship with the world? After all, when have Jehovah's organized people ever been consistently faithful to Him for any length of time? The Devil has infected every organization Jehovah has ever used, including his heavenly family of angelic sons. Why should anyone suppose that the Watchtower is incorruptible?

The Bible's historical record of Israel documents in great detail how the nation and their leaders repeatedly brought disgrace and ruination upon themselves by rebelling against God and succumbing to the corrupting influence of the surrounding nations---even making alliances with enemy nations for political advantage. Some of Israel 's most upright leaders, like Moses, David, Solomon, and Hezekiah all stumbled and brought Jehovah's rebuke upon themselves. Not even the pure and beautiful truth that Jesus delivered to his apostles in the first century could prevent Christianity from eventually becoming completely apostate.

None of us should be so naïve as to believe that the most upright Christian could not become haughty and bring himself under Jehovah's adverse judgment. But let us not lose sight of who the real enemy is here. The real enemy is the age-old adversary of God and his servants: Satan the Devil. That's why a few verses later James writes: "Subject yourselves, therefore, to God; but oppose the Devil, and he will flee from you."

Our beloved apostle, Paul, revealed that due to Satan's insidious influence within the Corinthian congregation there were those whom he sarcastically called the super-fine apostles. These characters arrogantly posed as apostles, but Paul exposed them as being "false apostles, deceitful workers," satanic agents who were merely "transforming themselves into apostles of Christ." It should be noted that those false apostles did not operate outside of the congregation, such as the clergy do today in relation to Jehovah's people. No, what made those deceitful men so dangerous to the spiritual welfare of the Corinthian brothers of Christ was that the false apostles were evidently presuming to replace the real apostles, not physically, but in the exercise of authority and influence over the congregations. 

Paul pointed out that it is no great feat for men under Satan's power to successfully pretend to be something they are not. The scripture explains the phenomenon, saying: "And no wonder, for Satan himself keeps transforming himself into an angel of light. It is therefore nothing great if his ministers also keep transforming themselves into ministers of righteousness." (2 Corinthians 11:14-15) Really, should it come as any kind of shock to us when we come across the telltale slimy trail of the old serpent within the Christian brotherhood?

As noted above, Satan has enjoyed considerable success in tempting God's people into apostasy in the past. After all, Satan is the original apostate. And make no mistake about it: we are talking about apostasy here. Wicked and arrogant men operating within the Bethel establishment have unquestionably subverted the Watchtower into apostasy. If we doubt the Devil's ability to insinuate himself into the intimate group of Jehovah's people, we merely have to recall the ignominious Judas Iscariot, whom Satan the Devil entered into even as Judas sat at the Passover table with the Lord Jesus on the last night of Jesus' earthly life.

Not uncharacteristically, the faithful apostles were blind to what was happening at the time. Even when Jesus handed Judas the morsel and told him to get done more quickly the evil that Satan planted in his heart, the apostles still could not grasp what was going on. Only after Jesus was raised up were they able to discern the prophecies had foretold that one of Christ's intimate associates would betray him. The apostles surely were encouraged when they finally grasped the Scriptures that foretold Judas' wicked course because, doubtless, it reassured them that Jehovah is always the master of every situation. The present situation is no different. We must merely consult Jehovah's word to reassure our hearts that God truly does see all things---even thousands of years in advance.

"He will lead into apostasy by means of smooth words"