Ready to Make a Defense
“...always ready to make a defense before everyone that demands of YOU a reason for the hope in YOU...”
1 Peter 3:15
The e-Watchman Mailbag Collection
Overview
Since first opening to the public, e-Watchman has received countless letters and emails supporting the efforts being made to keep Jehovah's modern-day people awake to Bible prophecy and to warn of Jehovah's impending judgment against his organization--but especially against those who have acted wickedly against the covenant that Jehovah's Witnesses enjoy today. In addition to the letters of support and encouragement, e-Watchman has had the privilege of responding to various letters of concern, doubt, and accusation. Those letters are being made available here, for the reading public.
Stay current with the e-Watchman Mail Blog!
Mailbag Collection
2002
- December 29
- You seem to want it both ways, i.e. it is Jehovah's Organization (which Jehovah is a God of Truth etc.,) and then you say they are erroneous in their teachings, which teachings are the basis and foundation of the organization and the faith of the JW. How can anyone in good conscience encourage people to believe in what is in reality a lie?
- If ALL the anointed think the same thoughts regarding God's purposes, with the aid of the holy spirit, how is it that the Society never considers the input of anointed ones outside of Bethel?
- How come not more of the anointed are used in a spiritual teaching capacity in Brooklyn?
- Does the Society ask the anointed for help when they are discussing doctrinal matters?
- If the Society has got so many things wrong, is it correct to assume that they represent the thoughts of all the anointed ones?
- Are the anointed allowed to pass on all their 'interpretations' to the great crowd or to 'keep silent' until the right time?
- As the 1st century congregation became affected by apostate teachings there would have been newer ones who would have accepted these teachings as true not knowing any better. Would Jehovah still have accepted them as anointed ones despite their wrong views?
- It has been said that there are minority non-Trinitarian religions that while having errors in their teachings have fewer errors than the Watchtower. Would the worship of these ones be acceptable to Jehovah and will he refine and cleanse them as part of his organization?
- In Revelation there are two riders on white horses. The watchtower identifies both of these riders as Jesus Christ though their appearances seem to differ. Who really are these two riders?
- If 1935 was the year all the anointed were gathered, why hasn't the end come after almost 70 years?
- December 15
- Given the prophecy that the weeds would grow together with the wheat, by what reasoning do we split from the Catholic and Orthodox churches, which gre directly out of the original congregations that the Epistles were written to?
- The Catholic and Orthodox churches claim that their legitimacy and claim to authority come from their unbroken line of transmission of the traditions mentioned at 2 Thessalonians 2:15. Since Jehovah's Witnesses have thrown out all traditions, in their efforts to not place the "traditions of man" above the Bible, how do they know that they haven't thrown out some of those oral traditions mentioned in the Bible, which Paul exhorted the Thessalonians to stand firm in?
- December 8
- If the locusts in Jole's prophecy are to attack Jehovah's people [Christ's brothers] how is it evident that the locusts in Revelation 9 are Jehovah's people [Christ's brothers]?
- In what way can it be said that Jesus FELL from heaven?
- Is it true that earlier publications of Jehovah's Witnesses identified the star/angel as Satan?
- What is the purpose of life?
- If Jesus is only mediator of the 144,000, the rest of mankind especially the so-called earthly class would be praying through whom, the watchtower organization?
- While Christians are commanded to preach and make disciples, there is no direct command recorded in the scriptures to go from door to door. Why is this a requirement for Witnesses when the scriptures say to not go beyond what is written?
- Just when did the Christian congregation cease to be the true Christian congregation? When did the true Christians see the need to follow the scriptural advice to "get out from among them" and where did they go to for spiritual association?
- I cannot understand how the collective Governing Body who are supposed to be Jehovah's channel have made such fundamental errors and why have they not reasoned out the arguments such as presented on this site. What is the reason for this?
- Who founded the watchtower and when did it begin?
- I must ask, would not my views, like yours on certain subjects, be considered apostasy?
- If I were to be disfellowshipped for having these views, how would my family and myself be able to serve Jehovah from outside his protected organization?
- If Jesus did not come invisibly in 1914, and then he didn't appoint the "faithful and discreet slave over all his belongings and to dispense food at the proper time, etc., then: (1) By what authority do Jehovah's Witnesses claim to be Jehovah's organization? (2) What then distinguishes them from Christendom? (3) If it is Jehovah's organization, is it the "only" channel through which Jehovah and Jesus communicate to us? (4) Are all the anointed on earth today baptized Jehovah's Witnesses?
- December 1
- What scriptural proof is there that there would be a gathering together into one religion.
- What are the differences between mainstream Christianity and Jehovah's Witnesses?
- Why does the organization teach that Jesus is only the mediator of the 144,000?
- Do you think that the role of women in the organization is balanced?
- Do the scriptures really say that Christians must go from door to door or is this a man made teaching?
- In view of Jehovah's acceptance of Cornelius, should those who are employed by "Caesar" in a military capacity be required to change profession before being allowed association with the Christian congregation or should this be a personal decision?
- Have I understood you correctly? The king of the South is the Anglo-American world power. The king of the north is the United Nations.
- Why do you advise those who are aware of the false teachings of the "Slave" to continue to associate with the organization that it controls and keep silent about what they know? What are your scriptural reasons for this stance?
- What would be the sign of the conclusion of this system?
- Paul said that even if an angel were to reveal truths to the anointed but with a different message from the one he preached, they were not to believe it. Does this mean that all the truths we actually need during the last days are in the Bible?
- Is the NWT really as accurate and unbiased as the Watchtower says it is?
- In view of the words of Peter and Paul, when did the last days actually begin?
- Who is the angel who fell from heaven and was given the key of the abysss?
- In one of your answers you say: "Jehovah's Witnesses actually play in prophecy." My question is can you point to any such prophecy?
- Is the WTBTS the antitype of the Pharisees?
- Will all those who die, believing errors, before judgment day begins receive a resurrection?
- November 24
- Do you speak to your family and close friends in the congregation about your differing views from the Watchtower teachings?
- If we do not speak out how will they ever know the "Truth"?
- If speaking the Truth could be a stumbling block to those "in the truth" then not speaking the truth could be an even greater stumbling block. Why speak the truth at all?
- You say that because most of Jehovah's Witnesses do not have issues with what they believe and they trust the Watchtower to be truthful, we should not tell them about the errors. How does that mesh with scripture?
- In your essay "We have concluded a covenant with death" you seem to suggest that the Watchtower and those who cling to it are to be destroyed by Jehovah and that Jehovah will then refine a remnant. Do you mean to suggest that the majority of Jehovah's Witnesses will lose their lives because of their loyalty to those who control the Watchtower Society?
- Is it possible that the apostate elements, which were able to gain control of the congregations by the end of the first century, are as active today?
- What do you think of Greg Staffor's new book?
- In the two study books on Isaiah, the slave class interpret the prophecies that originally applied to God's covenant people, Israel, not only to Spiritual Israel but also to Christendom. Should not all the prophecies apply to only those who Jehovah considers to be his covenant people?
- Can Jehovah's Witnesses expect to receive the judgments mentioned in Isaiah that the slave class attribute to Christendom?
- Do you think there is an unbalanced emphasis and almost idolatrous importance bestowed on The Watchtower & Awake?
- What are your credentials for dispensing your, admittedly, reasonable and thought provoking answers and essays?
- How long have you been studying and what makes you feel that you have the right answers that you assert so boldly?
- Do you consider yourself to be one of the Anointed?
- Why was Jesus called the Ruler of the Kings of the earth in Revelation chapter 1 if he was as you suggest only the King of those who accepted him as Ruler of the Christian Congregation?
- If the "slave" that turns out to be "wicked" has the controlling influence in the organization, will we all recieve the same judgment, i.e. death, if we continue to follow the counsel given to us by that slave?
- November 17
- 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?
- 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 view?
- How do you manage to sit at the meetings and listen to discourses and study watchtower articles that contain so many false teachings?
- How is it that you think that the Awake magazine's references to the UN are reason for concern?
- Does the WTBTS own or trade in shares? If so, what companies do they hold shares in? I've hear 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?
- What are your thoughts on the anointed, and the number of anointed in the organization?
- Can you suggest how disfellowshipped or disassociated ones might get reinstated without lying or losing their integrity when they do not believe certain doctrines the Watchtower teaches as Bible based?
- How is it that you say, in so many words, that we must put up or shut up when we remain in the organization but at the same time you say "It is because of the Watchtower's own dereliction that it becomes necessary for someone to speak out in behalf of the truth"?
- Why did Jesus say HE would raise HIMSELF up at John 2:18-21?
- Why do Jehovah Witness believers not want blood transfusions?
- 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 receive a heavier judgment?
- When did Jesus become King of God's Kingdom?
- When the early Christian congregations became influences 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?
- November 3
- How is it possible to speak "the truth" and still remain in good standing in the Congregation? How do you deal with this problem?
- If one is disfellowshipped as an apostate (or finds it necessary to disassociate oneself before this happens) for disagreeing with certain incorrect teachings of Jehovah's witnesses, how would one be viewed by Jehovah?
- Who killed Goliath in the NWT? 1 Samual 21:9 says David; 2 Samuel says Elhanan.
- Can you explain how you came about with such an idea (for this site) when you imply you are one of Jehovah's Witnesses? Are you in disagreement? What is your motive and do you still remain in good standing in the Congregation?
- Why don't Jehovah's Witnesses say the Pledge of Allegiance?
- In many ways the Watchtower is emphasized over Christ. How can this be?
- In order for Jehovah to chastise his people to the proper degree and correct their wrong thinking, will He not have to remove the WTBTS and all those who are part of its organizational structure?
- What is your view of the WBTS's disfellowshipping arrangement?
- October 27
- What guilt does Pilate have in condemning Jesus to die after the Jew's refusal to allow Jesus' release?
- Why do Jehovah's Witnesses keep child molestation a secret?
- What makes you an exception to the Society's advisement against having a website?
- What are a few beliefs that Jehovah's Witnesses have about people and the world?
- What are the dietary practices of the Jehovah's Witnesses?
- Do you believe that we are in the end times?
- How can one use the publications of the WTBTS for bible study and discern what is or is not "the truth"?
- Is it possible to continue associating with the watchtower society and not also receive the same judgment from Jehovah?
- What are your current beliefs regarding traditional medicaine and blood transfusions?
- What doctrine would be lost if all believers were parties to the new covenant?
- If, on account of conscience, one feels unable to attend meetings because of certain incorrect teachings how should they be treated? Can they still be considered as a Brother or Sister? How does Jehovah view such ones?
- October 20
- Who is the Alpha and the Omega in Revelation 22:12-13 and Revelation 22:20?
- Why don't Jehovah Witnesses celebrate birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter or Halloween?
- How do I explain to my children that what the Watchtower is teaching about 1914 is wrong?
- Is it right to be made to deceive other people when we are supposed to be serving a "God of Truth"?
- Aren't we as teachers going to be held accountable for every false word we speak?
- Should brothers continue to try to "reach out" in the congregation and become elders and above?
- What advice would you have for brothers in those positions who want to assist those in the congregation?
- When was the Temple destroyed? 607 or 609?
- October 13
- How do you feel about the Watchtower misquoting scholars and the Church Fathers?
- Do the prophecies about restoration of Israel have fulfillment today?
- When did the Jehovah Witness church start?
- When did the watchtower tract society start?
- How does one get on the watchtower staff?
- Why do Jehovah's Witnesses translate the "glorious ones" in Jude to be the elders?
- What scriptural proof do you have that anyones goes to heaven other than Jesus?
- October 6
- September 29
