The 15th verse of the last chapter in the Bible issues Jehovah's condemnation upon "everyone liking and carrying on a lie." Since there is no doubt that many teachings of the WTBTS are not true, why would True Christians want to have anything to do with them? Doesn't dressing up the teachings of the WTBTS as coming from Jehovah amount to "carrying on a lie". The scriptures show that Jehovah will not refine or cleanse those "carrying on a lie" but destroy them. What do you think?

The elders seem to be making an effort to visit all in the congregation in order to "encourage them", but it seems that they are asking many leading questions to draw out those who do not agree with all the teachings of the organization. Is this happening in other congregations? What is the best way to respond when asked a question that would highlight your thinking is not in line with Watchtower teachings?

Do you communicate to others in your congregation the same "truths" you are revealing on this website or do you keep silent? Do others share your views? How do you manage to sit at the meetings and listen to discourses and study watchtower articles that contain so many false teachings?

Not a question, but an observation. While reviewing your statements concerning the Watchtower's involvement with the UN, I also reviewed the article sent from the Awake, which you claimed was in support of the UN. I did not read every word but I did read through much of the article. And I do remember having read the same article when it was released. Yes indeed there is numerous reference to the UN and quotes from the same. But these articles do this all the time in their endeavors to make various points. This does not however constitute support of those whom are referred to.

Does the WTBTS own/trade in shares? If so, what companies do they hold shares in? I've heard a rumor that they hold shares in defense/arms companies.

a Jehovah's Witness once told me that it is not easy to follow and love Jehovah- should it be this difficult though?

How does the WBTS interpret Jesus' words to the Saducees re the resurrection when he told them that in the resurrection there will be no marriages because we will be like angels and angels do not marry.

Watchman, I find it difficult to answer the question of the numbers of 'anointed' that partake of the emblems. The previous 10 years or so show a fairly constant number around 8000 +. It would seem logical that because of their average age (most quite elderly) there would be a steep decline in numbers. It suggests that new 'anointed' are being appointed to that group. It has been suggested to me that new ones are appointed because the Watchtower Society still believes that many 'anointed' will pass through Armageddon. What are your thoughts on that please?

What we should all appreciate is that the Watchtower has absolutely nothing to do with the anointing by holy spirit. It is the sole work of Almighty God. Jesus likened the anointing of the spirit with the way the wind blows where it wants to, so that no man can say where the wind comes from or where it is going. Put another way: Jehovah picks and chooses whomever he wishes to and no man can place limits upon God's activities or fathom the complexities of the mind of God.

There are indeed numerous newly anointed individuals in our midst, who see themselves as the 11th-hour hired ones of Jesus' parable at Matthew the 20th chapter. Generally, though, they are viewed by the Society with disdain and suspicion, which in reality is what the prophecy of the 11th-hour hired ones calls for. As for the idea that some of the chosen ones will remain on earth after Armageddon, there are no Scriptures that support that notion. On the contrary, there are numerous aspects of prophecy that reveal just the opposite; namely, that every single anointed one will be martyred during the tribulation. For example, Revelation the 6th chapter records events that transpire after the opening of the first six seals. The 11th verse refers to the brothers of Christ, saying: "...until the number was filled also of their fellow slaves and their brothers who were about to be killed as they also had been."

That is a difficult situation. First, you must consider the possibility that you are in error as well. When Jesus wrote to the seven congregations of his anointed ones, he twice mentioned that he hated the deeds of the sect of Nicolaus. Since Jesus' words were actually directed to the remnant of the anointed ones who would be living during the Lord's day, it indicates that there is a sectarian influence within the organization up until the time that Christ removes "all person doing lawlessness." Since such a divisive influence is not commonly recognized in the Society presently, it makes everyone more susceptible to it. Clearly, though, Jesus intended to alert his disciples to the danger of being misled from within the congregation. "Let he who has an ear hear what the spirit says."

Since Nicolaus was apparently a prominent person, he must symbolize an influential individual today that has a following within Christ's congregation. Unquestionably, Ray Franz and his sympathizers fit the profile of the modern day sect of Nicolaus. He, being a former member of the Governing Body, has an insider's credibility that he has used to draw thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses out of the organization. The modern-day sect's issues with the Watchtower are: 1914, blood transfusions, and disfellowshipping, etc.

So, since the spirit reveals to those with ears to hear that there is a sectarian influence in the organization up until Jehovah's judgment is leveled, and since that sect's influence is in evidence to those with eyes to see, it would be wise on your part to make sure that you have not fallen victim to the evil influence of the modern day sect of Nicolaus.

The main thing for all of us, whether in the truth or out of the truth, as the expression goes, is to have a close personal relationship with Jehovah and strong faith. Being disfellowshipped or disassociated, or alienated from the congregation in some other way, doesn't necessarily mean that we are also disfellowshipped from God, nor does it mean that we are disqualified from salvation or cut off from God. When Paul advised the Corinthian congregation to remove the wicked brother from their midst, he said that the purpose of that drastic action was for the 'destruction of the flesh so that the spirit might be saved.' So, according to Paul being expelled from the congregation, while harsh, was not a death sentence provided that the individual took the discipline and, in effect, destroyed his fleshly desires that had led him into sin.

Since sectarianism is also considered a work of the flesh, it would be well for persons who find themselves in the predicament that you describe, to reevaluate their situation and put forth an effort to humbly trust God to set all matters straight within his organization.

You say, in so many words, that to remain in the organization we must put up and shut up. But then you say, and I quote: "It is because of the Watchtower's own dereliction that it becomes necessary for someone to speak out in behalf of the truth." The whole WT thing is a paradox. We are not allowed to believe what the bible says but must believe what the WT says the bible says. Even when the Bible is clearly at odds with the WT we have to believe the WT... How can all of this be the 'truth'? Is not Jehovah a God of Truth and order?

Yes, it is a paradox. That's precisely the point. That's how Jehovah teaches and refines us: by presenting before us perplexing paradoxes. The Bible presents us with many such paradoxes. For example, the first century Christians were the light of the world. They had been granted the inestimable privilege of understanding the long-hidden sacred secrets of God. Paul referred to anointed Christians as being "enlightened once for all time." Yet, Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying: "We are perplexed, but not absolutely with no way out." How is it that we can be simultaneously enlightened and yet perplexed?

Obviously, it is Jehovah's will for his people to be subjected to uncertainty in order to allow a test of our faith. Not in order that we may fall, but in order to silence the Accuser once and for all. Indeed, how can Jehovah's Witnesses have the truth when we are at the same time subjected to error? That's a perplexing dilemma that eventually all will have to face. What may help us to work our way through such perplexity, even now, is knowing Jehovah's Word. For example, 2 Thessalonians 2:11 says that "God lets an operation of error go to them, that they may get to believing the lie, in order that they all may be judged because they did not believe the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness."

Here is a paradox. It plainly says that Jehovah allows an operation of error to pass as truth in order that all may be judged. That means that we all are individually responsible to God to believe the truth regardless of what anyone else does or doesn't do. Of course, the judgment hasn't commenced yet. That's why Paul said: "Hence do not judge anything before the due time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring the secret things of darkness to light and make the counsels of the heart manifest..." (I Corinthians 4:5) So, during that judgment phase it will require that each of us make a stand. But, until then, we are best advised to be discreet.

Why did Jesus say HE would raise HIMSELF up at John 2:18-21?

Because Jesus had absolute control over his own destiny, that's why. Whereas imperfect men must depend upon Jehovah's undeserved kindness and mercy in order to receive a resurrection from the dead, Jesus did not. Since Jesus was sinless, all he had to do to qualify for a resurrection was to remain faithful to God. Since death is the wages of sin, if Christ died sinless, Jehovah would be obligated by justice not to allow his Son to remain in the grave. Jehovah would give him his life back, not because of undeserved kindness, but because Jesus didn't deserve to die in the first place. So, the reason that Christ could make the statement that he would raise himself up is because it all depended upon his course. If Jesus would have chosen to disobey God he would have become a sinner and forfeited any hope of a resurrection.

While Christ's isolated comment may cause some confusion because of the Trinity; there are many places in Scripture that plainly say that God resurrected Jesus. Jesus didn't resurrect himself. For example, at Acts 3:15 Peter said: "Whereas you killed the Chief Agent of life. But God raised him up from the dead."

Why do Jehovah Witness believers not want blood transfusions?

the latest watchtowers (sept.oct. issues) talk allot about OBEDIENCE, AND FROM THE PODIUM A SPEAKER WAS TALKING ABOUT,"NOT HAVING DOUBTS", THEN HE MENTIONED JIM JONES, I WROTE IN MY WATCHTOWER, IF SOME HAD DOUBTED JIM JONES, HOW MANY WOULD STILL BE ALIVE TODAY? ARE ALL DOUBTS OF SATAN, AND SHOULD WE OBEY IN ALL THINGS? SCRIPTURE REFERENCES PLEASE!

Good point. If the local congregation passes around cyanide-laced wine on Memorial night, my advice is as follows: Don't drink it! Follow the example of Jesus, where it is written of him in prophecy: "But for food they gave me a poisonous plant, and for my thirst they tried to make me drink vinegar." (Psalms 69:21) Of course, Jesus refused.

Seriously, though, the Scriptures specifically warn against following any man who claims to be Christ, as Mr. Jones claimed. There is no biblical basis for putting faith in such con men. On the other hand, the letter of Jude admonishes elders to deal understandingly with those having doubts, "snatching them out of the fire." The bottom line is that we must know our God and his Word. Doubting Jehovah's word and purpose is not good. James says that those who have doubts are like a wind-driven wave on the sea.

You stated that the main responsibility lies with the Governing Body on the current teachings. How then do you explain James 3:1 which states that teachers (of the Society's current teachings) shall have a heavier judgement? Jesus stated clearly at Rev. 22: 18 & 19 what would happen to ones who added to or took away from the words of prophecy and the judgement that they received. We should all be repenting and begging Jehovah God's forgiveness for spreading falsehoods. The elders should be the foremost ones to stand together united against this apostasy. To direct ones to continue these teachings that they know are clearly wrong goes contrary to our Christian conscience. I can not continue to offer the magazines that I know have been and continue to be contaminated with U.N. propaganda. Can you?

Elders do receive a heavier judgment. But, the faithful slave receives the heaviest judgment, based upon the principal that Christ laid down in this connection: "the one whom people put in charge of much, they will demand more than usual of him."

Your interpretation of Revelation 22:18-19 does not seem to apply to Jehovah's Witnesses. We have not added or subtracted anything from the prophecy of Revelation or any other Bible book. Misinterpreting a prophecy is not what brings Jehovah's curse. If that were the case the apostles would have been condemned since they originally had many erroneous ideas regarding Christ. As for elders taking a stand against apostasy, they have; at least according to what they consider to be apostasy. Most elders are simply not aware, at this time anyway, of many of the issues that are affecting the organization that may be considered as apostasy from Jehovah's standpoint.

As far as offering the Watchtower and Awake magazines, personally I have been using a few brochures that just present the Bible's simple message. If a person cannot conscientiously offer any Watchtower literature, they may just use the Bible in their ministry. The thing is, we ought not to disallow others from making their own choice.

When did Jesus become King of God's Kingdom? Was it in 1914 or when he was resurrected and ascended to heaven when told his disciples that all authority in heaven and on earth had been given to him?

Jesus becomes king in progressive stages. The legal basis for Christ's kingdom is rooted in what is called the Davidic kingdom. Jesus was the son of David and so David's accession to the throne of Israel provides a messianic pattern. For example, David was originally anointed to become king when he was a mere boy. Afterwards he slew Goliath and became a national war hero. Yet, even though he was the king-designate, he had to wait on Jehovah's due time.

Eventually David was forced to live as a fugitive because of King Saul's maniacal jealousy. During that time David collected to himself a ragtag army of men who recognized David as their king. After Saul was killed in battle, David was anointed as king over the single tribe of Judah while Ishbosheth inherited Saul's kingdom over the remaining 11 tribes. Finally, seven years later all Israel made David their king. When once David's power was consolidated, he subdued all of Israel's enemies. His most outstanding victory was in capturing the Jebusite stronghold of Jerusalem, which he made his capital city. 2 Samuel 5:10 says of David's kingdom: "Thus David went on getting greater and greater, and Jehovah the God of armies was with him."

Jesus' kinship follows a similar pattern as David's. First, he is anointed as king designate but he must remain in subjection to the Jewish system of worship and only a relatively few loyal disciples recognized his royal authority. After Christ's resurrection, though, he is given all authority over the Israel of God. He becomes the king of every anointed Christian that recognizes his authority. During the concluding phase of this system Jesus' kingship extends over non-anointed individuals who accept the message of his ambassadors. Finally, his long wait at his Father's side is over when all his enemies are positioned as a stool for his feet, at which point, according to Revelation, "the kingdom of the world becomes the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ." That initiates the critical changing of the guard that ultimately results in the cataclysmic destruction of Satan's world and the commencement of Jesus' uncontested 1,000-year reign from heavenly Jerusalem.

When the early Christian congregations became influenced and then eventually controlled by apostate elders and their teachings, would the True Christians have continued to associate with them, reasoning that there was still some truths taught, or would they have heeded the Bible's counsel to get out from among them?

There is only one true Christian congregation. According to Jesus, though, his congregation would be infiltrated with satanic agents. Jesus spoke of this phenomenon in the illustration of the wheat and the weeds. Also, Jesus said that his faithful slave and evil slave would coexist in the same household up until the time that the master of the house dismisses the evil slave. At no time did Jesus advise his faithful slaves to vacate God's household and abandon it to the evil ones.

In Jesus' counsel to the seven congregations, nearly every congregation was afflicted with apostate infiltrators and false apostles. Again, Jesus never advised his loyal ones to abandon the congregation despite the apostate influences present. Instead of Christians leaving the congregation, God's judgment will eventually purge Jehovah's organization of apostates. Isaiah 32:5-6 says: "The senseless one will no longer be called generous; and as for the unprincipled man, he will not be said to be noble; because the senseless one will himself speak mere senselessness, and his very heart will work at what is hurtful, to work at apostasy and to speak against Jehovah what is wayward, to cause the soul of the hungry one to go empty, and he causes even the thirsty one to go without drink itself."

While apostates may not be presently manifest, for now being viewed as generous and noble men, Jehovah's judgment will eventually unmask all the charlatans and hypocrites in our midst.