[A Review of the August 15, 2014 Watchtower article,
”Hear Jehovah’s Voice Wherever You Are”]
“13 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you shut up the Kingdom of the heavens before men; for you yourselves do not go in, neither do you permit those on their way in to go in.
15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you travel over sea and dry land to make one proselyte, and when he becomes one, you make him a subject for Ge·hen′na twice as much so as yourselves.” (Mt 23:13-15)
“27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you resemble whitewashed graves, which outwardly indeed appear beautiful but inside are full of dead men’s bones and of every sort of uncleanness. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Mt 23:27, 28)[i]
A hypocrite pretends to be one thing while masking his true self. The scribes and Pharisees pretended to provide the way to God’s Kingdom, yet they really blocked access to it. They demonstrated zeal in proselytizing, yet they only made their converts twice as likely to end up in Gehenna. They gave the appearance of upstanding, spiritual, godly men, but they were dead inside.
How we love to look down on them as Jehovah’s Witnesses. How we love to draw parallels between them and the leadership of the other religions of Christendom.
The scribes and Pharisees said: “If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have shared with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.” Jesus used this to condemn them saying, “Therefore, you are testifying against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Well, then, fill up the measure of your forefathers.” He then called them, “Serpents, offspring of vipers”. – Mt. 23:30-33
Are we, as Jehovah’s Witnesses, guilty of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees? Have we fooled ourselves into thinking that we would not have treated Jesus the way they did? If so, then let us remember the principle by which he condemned the goats to death at Mt. 25:45.
“Truly I say to YOU, To the extent that YOU did not do it to one of these least ones, YOU did not do it to me.”
If withholding good from one of the least of Jesus’ brothers results in “everlasting cutting-off”, what hope is there for those who actually do bad toward them?
Has the leadership of our Organization from the Governing Body on down to the level of the local elders begun to persecute sincere Christians for calling attention to false doctrines being repeatedly taught in the congregations?
These are all sobering questions with life-and-death answers. Perhaps a review of this week’s Watchtower study article will help us to find the answers.
Hear Jehovah’s Voice Wherever You Are
The article introduces the idea of two voices.
“Since it is practically impossible to listen to two voices simultaneously, we need to ‘know the voice’ of Jesus and listen to him. He is the one whom Jehovah appointed over His sheep.” – par. 6
“Satan tries to influence the thinking of people by providing false information and deceptive propaganda….In addition to printed material, the globe—including remote parts of the earth—is blanketed with broadcasts via radio, TV, and the Internet.” – par. 4
How can we tell whether the voice we hear through the printed page or TV or the internet is Jehovah’s or Satan’s?
How can we tell who’s speaking to us?
The article answers:
“God’s written Word contains essential guidance that enables us to distinguish truthful information from deceptive propaganda….“Essential to distinguishing right from wrong is listening to Jehovah’s voice and shutting out the incessant din of satanic propaganda.” – par. 5
There’s a problem here if we’re not very careful. You see, both the Pharisees and the Apostles used God’s written Word. Even Satan quoted from the Bible. So how are we do know if the men speaking to us and teaching us are using God’s voice or Satan’s?
Simple, we go to the source. We cut the men out of the equation and go to the source, God’s written Word. True disciples of Jesus will encourage us to do this.
“Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thes·sa·lo·ni′ca, for they accepted the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” (Ac 17:11)
“Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.” (1Jo 4:1)
“However, even if we or an angel out of heaven were to declare to you as good news something beyond the good news we declared to you, let him be accursed.” (Ga 1:8)
By contrast, pretenders—hypocrites—will act like the Pharisees did. They believed their teachings were above reproach. Because of their self-assumed status as God’s chosen ones, they believed the average Joe had no right to question their teachings. They would say, “Do you think you know more than the Governing Body?” (For they were the governing body of that time.)
“47 In turn the Pharisees answered: “You have not been misled also, have you? 48 Not one of the rulers or of the Pharisees has put faith in him, has he? 49 But this crowd who do not know the Law are accursed people.”” (Joh 7:47-49)
Recognizing the Hypocrisy of the Pharisee
The article says:
“In effect, Jesus also conveys Jehovah’s voice to us as he directs the congregation through “the faithful and discreet slave.” [the 7-member Governing Body]” – par. 2
“We need to take this guidance and direction seriously, for our everlasting life depends on our obedience.” – par. 2
This may be true. On the other hand, it may be a lie.
Since not just our life, but our everlasting life, hangs in the balance, it is absolutely vital that we know which it is.
In the great card game of life, with the pot holding life eternal, the Pharisees would have us believe they have the winning hand. Do they or are they bluffing? Fortunately, they have a tell.
If challenged, they do not discuss amiably and reasonably, using the Scriptures to “discern thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12) Instead, they cajole, insult, intimidate, demean, threaten, and lash out.
For example, Stephen proved from God’s Word that they were just like their forefathers who killed the prophets. How did they answer this charge? By reasoning from the Scriptures to show Stephen he was mistaken? No. They answered by proving his point. They stoned him to death. (Acts 7:1-60)
Do we act like them or like the Apostles?
In this very issue, the “Questions from Readers” uses sound Scriptural reasoning to prove that our previous understanding of Luke 20:34-36 was wrong all along. For fifty years many sincere Bible students knew it was wrong based on this same Scriptural reasoning, but they remained silent. Why? Because they knew that if they were to show up the error of the previous interpretation publicly, they would have been stoned—err, disfellowshipped.
This is a truth that cannot be denied and that is lately being borne out by the cases of many sincere Christian Witnesses who are disproving some core teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses using only the Scriptures. Like those who stoned Stephen, the elders do not counter with scriptural reasoning of their own. Instead, they simply expel the “troublesome” one from the congregation.
These elders do not come by this attitude out of thin air. The idea has been carefully implanted. An oft-repeated phrase at the circuit overseer level when referring to branch letters is: “They instruct us. We don’t instruct them.”
When the man Jesus cured of blindness was before the leaders of the synagogue, he said, “If this [man] were not from God, he could do nothing at all.” Their response was akin to our modern-day idea that “They instruct us. We do not instruct them.”
“In answer they said to him: “You were altogether born in sins, and yet are you teaching us?” And they threw him out!” (John 9:34)
They disfellowshipped him, since this was what they had decreed they would do to any who confessed Jesus. (John 9:22) They could not rule by reason, nor by love, so they ruled by fear.
Today, if it becomes known that we disagree with a teaching of the Governing Body, even if our idea can be backed up from Scripture and even if we do not promote it openly, we can be “expelled from the synagogue” of the modern congregation—simply for believing it.
Given these parallels and given that the Pharisees were labelled as “Hypocrites” and “Serpents” and “Offspring of Vipers” by Jesus himself, how do you feel we fare as an Organization?
A Passive-Aggressive Policy
Paragraph 16 states:
“Although Jehovah makes his counsel freely available, he does not force anyone to follow it.”
This is true of Jehovah. The Governing Body claims to be His voice; His “appointed channel of communication”. As such, they also claim not to force anyone to follow their [God’s] counsel. (See “Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Shun Former Members of Their Religion” on jw.org and this review of that statement.)
Is it true that we do not force people to remain members of our religion?
No one simply leaves the Mafia. There would be serious repercussions to one’s self and one’s family. Likewise, a Muslim living in most Muslim communities cannot leave his faith without risking immediate retaliation, even death.
While not engaging in physical violence to force members to stay, we do use other effective techniques. Since we exercise control over a member’s valuable things in the form of family and social relationships, we can cut him off from everyone he loves. Therefore, it is safer to stay and conform.
Most Jehovah’s Witnesses do not see the true passive-aggressive nature of this approach. They do not see that sincere Christians are being quietly threatened for non-compliance and treated like apostates for simply withdrawing.
Hypocrisy is feigning one thing while doing another. We feign tolerance and understanding, but the reality is that we deal with anyone who simply wishes to resign from the congregation worse than a total stranger or even a known criminal.
Back to the Rebellious Korah Well
Under the subtitle “Overcoming Pride and Greed”, we have this to say about pride.
“Because of pride, the rebels made independent arrangements to worship Jehovah.” – par. 11
Even though we studied about Korah, Dathan, and Abiram only a few weeks ago, we are again returning to that well. It seems the Organization is demonstrably worried because more and more sincere Christian Witnesses are starting to listen to the real voice of God as expressed in the Scriptures.
Yes, wicked Korah and associates made arrangements independent of Jehovah. Yes, they wanted the nation’s worship of Jehovah to go through them, not Moses. However, who does Moses represent today? Both our publications and the Bible show Jesus is the greater Moses. (it-1 p. 498 par. 4; Heb 12:22-24; Ac 3:19-23)
So who today fills Korah’s shoes in trying to get people to worship God through them? Worship means to submit to a higher authority. We submit to Jesus and through him to Jehovah. Is someone today claiming to be included in that chain of command? In Israel, there was only Moses and God. God spoke through Moses. Now there is Jesus and God. God speaks through Jesus. Is someone trying to displace Jesus?
Consider as exhibit A this snippet from paragraph 10:
“A proud person has an exaggerated opinion of himself….So he may feel that he is above the direction and counsel of fellow Christians, the elders, or even God’s organization.”
The chain of command stops with the organization, i.e., the Governing Body. Jesus is not even mentioned in passing.
When sincere Christians try to point out errors in our teachings by quoting directly from Jesus’ words, they are dealt with harshly and often disfellowshipped. Time and again the evidence shows that the words of the Governing Body supplant those of Christ the King.
In the first century, the hypocritical scribes, Pharisees and Jewish leaders persecuted Christians by labelling them apostates. There is growing evidence that we are following in their footsteps.
The Hypocrisy of Greed
Still under the subtitle “Overcoming Pride and Greed”, we come to paragraph 13.
“Greed may start small, but if it is not curbed, it can grow rapidly and overcome a person.”…”Let us therefore ‘guard against every sort of greed.’ (Luke 12:15)”
One definition of greed is wanting more than one’s fair share of something. It is often money, but it can also be prominence, praise, authority, or power. The Pharisees’ hypocrisy was evident in that, while pretending to be caring Godly men who only wished to do Jehovah’s will, their greed kept them from making even the slightest real effort to help others.
“. . .They bind up heavy loads and put them on the shoulders of men, but they themselves are not willing to budge them with their finger.” (Mt 23:4)
What does any of this have to do with our Organization?
A Scenario
Picture yourself at the head of the multibillion-dollar corporation which is the modern Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. You have just told your eight million followers that based on Mt. 24:34 there’s only about 10 (max. 15) years left in this system. You’ve told them the work is life-saving. That if they hold back from preaching, they could incur blood-guilt. You make constant reminders about the need to simplify, to downscale, to sell the big house, give up on the big career and higher education, and get out and preach.
“When I say to someone wicked, ‘You will positively die,’ and you do not actually warn him and speak in order to warn the wicked one from his wicked way to preserve him alive, he being wicked, in his error he will die, but his blood I shall ask back from your own hand.” (Ezekiel 3:17-21; 33:7-9) Jehovah’s anointed servants and the “great crowd” of their companions bear a similar responsibility today. Our witness should be thorough.“ (w86 9/1 p. 27 par. 20 Godly Respect for Blood)
How could you give a thorough witness? There are hundreds of millions living in restricted access high-rise buildings around the globe. You encourage pioneers to preach by mail, but at current postal rates, even one large building would cost a pioneer over a thousand a month in postage. Direct mail would be far, far cheaper. Millions who would never otherwise hear the good news can now be reached by TV and radio ads as well as magazine, newspaper and internet advertising.
Where will the funds come from?
While asking all others to simplify, you still live in a resort-like country manor. You own properties (Kingdom halls, branch offices, and training facilities) worth tens of billions—more than enough to fund the worldwide advertising of the Good News right to your predicted end of the system. To avoid the appearance of hypocrisy and since you’re always teaching that the preaching work is the most important thing there is, you now propose to sell it all. Sure, the brothers will have to leave their cosy, often opulent, Kingdom halls, but it’s only for a few years. We used to rent modest halls back in the 50’s and 60’s, didn’t we? Yet we grew well during that time. Why not save even more and meet in private homes like we did in the early days and in the first century? Even better.
Surely, Bethel families would likewise welcome this simplification and downsizing to more modest living quarters.
Thus, no one could accuse you of hypocrisy and greed were you do all this. And think of the witness that could be given if all those billions were put into advertising rather than luxurious buildings and acres of manicured lawns. Truly, we could “Advertise! Advertise! Advertise! The King and his Kingdom”.
Certainly that would leave no room for the accusation of hypocrite. Additionally, when Jesus comes we could say that we did everything we could to make his name known. No one could charge us with greedily holding on to material things nor privilege nor prominence. If Jesus is indeed coming in the next decade or so, we wouldn’t want him to look at us and say:
“27 “Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU resemble whitewashed graves, which outwardly indeed appear beautiful but inside are full of dead men’s bones and of every sort of uncleanness. 28 In that way YOU also, outwardly indeed, appear righteous to men, but inside YOU are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Mt 23:27, 28)
Of course, there’s still that thing about persecuting Jesus’ brothers to contend with. But one thing at a time.
______________________________________________
[i] All the “Woe to you” condemnations of the Scribes and Pharisees that include the label “Hypocrites!” are found only in the gospel of Matthew. One can’t help but wonder if Matthew having been despised and reviled by these men because he was a tax collector didn’t feel a special revulsion for their hypocrisy once it had been revealed to him by Jesus. What a role-reversal he must have experienced!
Archived Comments
We have moved to the Disqus commenting system. To post a new comment, go to the bottom of this page.
Comment by Dorcas on 2014-10-20 19:02:15
Thank you, Meleti. Your comments are brilliant and touch all the bases. This brought me to tears. The truth really hurts.
Comment by Sargon. on 2014-10-20 20:24:55
I told someone that the door to door preaching work is not effective. They tried to argue with me that it was. I asked them to show me in the bible where any apostle converted someone at the door. They couldn't. Yet the bible shows thousands being converted publicly. If the WT really cared about reaching people they would have used Internet and television along time ago. It's funny how more people knew about Harold Campings end of the world predictions than anything about JWs. Even the new JW.tv is not for "worldly" people. It's for JWs.
Reply by GodsWordIsTruth on 2014-10-22 17:18:32
I never thought about that. Why do JW's need their own channel to preach to themselves? Long gone are the days of C.T. Russell who had no problem with public debates.
It's a one way street with the GB they can dish it out but can't take it. That's cowardly IMO.
Comment by JimmyG on 2014-10-21 03:09:28
The WT of today has its foundation in J F Rutherford. Appropriate enough, as the GB considers him to be the first incarnation of F&DS from 1919. Meleti's example of the WT's wrong understanding of Luke 20:34-36 up until now, is paralleled in this quote by Rutherford in one of his lesser known books and I quote:
“Until quite recently God’s people understood that this scripture, at Romans 13:1, speaking of “the higher powers”, has reference to worldly ruling powers. Those who have withdrawn from the Society still hold this wrongful view. Now, however the faithful remnant see clearly that this scripture has no reference to any part of Satan’s organization but does apply exclusively to God’s arrangement in his organization for his own people. Those who refuse to see this truth and who oppose the statement of The Watchtower concerning it have seized upon such as an excuse for offense and have dropped out and have gone into the dark.” Quote from the book ‘Preservation’ by J F Rutherford, page 98, copyright 1932.
This erroneous teaching first perpetrated by Rutherford in 1929, was corrected in 1962.
Notice Rutherford's practice of using perjoratives and denigrating anyone who disagreed with him, mirrors the approach taken by the GB today. Who had the 'wrongful view' of Romans 13:1 and Luke 20: 34-36? Remember too, that when he wrote this book, he had recently removed the WT's editorial committee, whom he no doubt included in those regarded as having 'withdrawn from the Society'.Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2014-10-21 07:29:55
A great reference to keep in mind, JimmyG. Thanks.
Comment by menrov on 2014-10-21 09:29:10
Thanks Meleti, great assessment.
Regarding the Question from Readers item (I truly wonder if there was a question from a reader. I believe it is just a sneaky way to provide another adjustment in our doctrines).
I do not see the explanation is very clear. First, the widower is asking if he can remarry his wife, which presumes his wife will be resurrected. Another assumption is that all resurrected will actually recognize and know each other. Bible does not say that. Not really important may be.
But what is more important is that the Sadducees did not believe in a resurrection at all. For them there was no resurrection. Less a split between heavenly or earthly resurrection. This comment"First, why would Jesus refer to the heavenly resurrection when answering the Sadducees, who probably had in mind an earthly resurrection?" is based on air. The 2 type of resurrection as a concept did not exist when Jesus told this. Jesus explains that those worthy to be resurrected will be like angels, sons of God. In Matthew 5:9 He calls the pacemakers Sons of God.
Now let's look at the answer provided in the magazine:
"They have been declared righteous for life on the basis of the ransom; thus, they do not die as condemned sinners. (Rom. 5:1, 18; 8:1) Such ones are called “happy and holy” and are deemed worthy of a resurrection to heaven. (Rev. 20:5, 6) In contrast, those who are resurrected to life on earth will include “the unrighteous.” (Acts 24:15) Can it be said of them that they are “counted worthy” of a resurrection? "
The magazine shows 2 groups here: a group going to heaven and a group called condemned sinners. The ones resurrected to life on earth include the unrighteous. This group cannot be considered Worthy of a Resurrection.
So, where does this leave the R&F among JW's? The ransom is not for them? They will have to live with the unrighteous? Is that the "paradise" they all look forward too?
Anyway, probably a good topic for the DTT.
Finally, par. 2 of the article is typical: Obey or else.......Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2014-10-21 10:52:00
I honestly can't remember a time when I thought our previous understanding made sense. But back in those days you could openly disagree with something minor like this without repercussions. If a discussion got heated, someone would say, "we shouldn't engage in speculation", and everyone would change the subject. We were the generation that lived through the embarrassment of 1975 and so we knew those taking the lead were just as foolish as the rest of us. It wasn't a big thing in my mind because I never followed men and I understood that we were not supposed to in any case.
Now that is all changed. Now we are to treat these men like the voice of God. Most other Christian denominations don't invest that kind of faith in their leaders. Not even Catholics do that anymore. What we are now doing amounts to idolatry.Reply by Alex Rover on 2014-10-21 13:03:34
Growing up I was free to question doctrine without consequence. So long that I agreed that we had something nice going as a congregation following Christ's example in conduct and we would set aside our differences in the spirit of unity.
Reply by saskawoo on 2014-10-21 20:22:06
Something nice going on? My family was treated like garbage because my dad wasn't "in the truth" and mom couldn't go out in service much because she was doing what she could to help feed and clothe us. I uses to lie awake at night sobbing for all the world people who genuinely seemed to care about me who were nevertheless going to die at Armageddon. I decided at the age of ten that I would rather die with them than live in a kingdom hall world. That was 25 years ago and it still upsets me. Fortunately I have begun to read the bible myself and realize it is richer and more alive than any Watchtower could ever make it.
Comment by Katrina on 2014-10-21 20:38:23
excellent article thank you.
I to remember we could discuss just about anything from the WT among ourselves, quite a few b/s use to meet for a pre WT study and many would give their own bible based knowledge in discussion using other scriptures, I can remember at the WT study we could use other scriptures not cited to bring out more in the paragraph, not allowed anymore as one elder said stick to what is in the paragraph, is all we need.
The book study was also very encouraging after having refreshments, we would talk among ourselves and bring out different view points based on scripture, and at time give our own thought on different scriptures, even the elder would welcome discussions, without any bad feed back, those days are long gone, and now we are spoon feed like babies, even being told that there was no need to think to deeply about anything as the FDS does that for us.
Its laziness or lack of real love for the bible, the WT has replaced the bible.
The organization is by far more important than individuals, and the congregations are subject to the org/GB over Gods word, love, mercy, justice and love of Gods word has been pushed in the back ground with prominence and importance of the org/GB being like some sort of savoir.
At the international we met quite a few from overseas that had already been to theirs, when the new Gods Kingdom Rules book was released a sister and brother said, its better than the Proclaimers, in this book they tell you when Armageddon is coming, I couldn't believe what I had heard, everyone sitting around with JW. org logo's, bags, jewellery, it was just unbelievable never in all my years have I witnessed such out right idolatry of this org and GB, the convention was saturated with JW. org everywhere, on just about every b/s I saw, in the stands, huge JW. org logo signs, crazy.
So sad.Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2014-10-22 08:52:35
We too had a similar Book Study. We'd spend an hour afterwards socializing and it was something we looked forward to every week. Now the Book Study, the closest thing we had to the congregation arrangement of the first century, is no more. They've taken even that away from us.
True, we still had our erroneous doctrines, but Jehovah will overlook doctrinal error if it is not based on pride but genuine ignorance. He can always correct doctrine as he did when Jesus came. What he doesn't make room for is idolatry, and the worship of men. As these men among us continue to promote themselves, it will become increasingly evident to sincere Christians that we are being asked to do something that violates Christian principles. I believe that time is close.Reply by Lawrence L. on 2014-10-22 21:42:05
Meleti,I agree.Since "Jehovah will overlook doctrinal error.....genuine ignorance" that means Jehovah will not annihilate the genuine Christians of the other churches - or even of the J.W. denomination(if I may call the J.Ws as a denomination rather than the only true Christians).
My wife(baptized J.W.) & I(unbaptized) are now worshiping in a local Baptist church.We don't have to & neither do we care about doctrinal differences or "Baptist traditions".Fortunately,no one there seems to want to force their beliefs on us.Yes,they can & have told us why they believe in the trinity & such - & I must say they do so eloquently with scriptural support.The same goes for the other doctrines.
Well,if they genuinely believe the trinity is right when it is actually wrong,or conversely we believe the trinity is right when it is actually wrong,may Jehovah or Yahweh or Yeshua forgive all of us & accept all of us as His children & give us life eternal in heaven or on earth as He so pleases.For we ask this in the name of our Savior,Jesus,amen.Reply by Lawrence L. on 2014-10-22 21:53:05
Oops!My mistake.I meant to say "conversely we believe the trinity is wrong when it is actually right".Sorry!
Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2014-10-22 23:11:32
By "genuine ignorance" I meant the type of ignorance that does not originate from bad nor willful intentions. When a truth lover learns (is no longer ignorant) that something he formerly believed is untrue, then he will abandon it. He does not "like nor carry on the lie" once he has learned it is a lie. (Re 22:15) After all, the true worshipers worship the Father in spirit and truth. (John 4:24) Jehovah draws those with pure hearts to him. So I'm not excusing wrong beliefs; and the trinity, hellfire and the immortality of the human soul are among the greatest of these. However, those believing such things together with those believing in 1914 or that most Christians do not have the hope of being called God's children and Christ's brothers still have the opportunity to learn the truth. Jehovah is patient, but he is not indulgent. We have to be willing to change when the Lord presents us with the opportunity. Will we be like the Pharisees and stubbornly hold to our false beliefs, or will we be like Saul of Tarsus, to name but one? (2 Peter 3:9)
Reply by saskawoo on 2014-10-23 10:07:33
Meleti, do you think that implies effort? What I mean is, do we sin by just sitting back and letting others make decisions for us, (even if sincerely) rather than using our god-given conscience or making an effort to learn ? (just looking for opinion)
Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2014-10-23 10:35:44
A good question.
At Luke 12:44-48 there are three slaves described. Each is punished. One is assigned a portion with the unfaithful ones. His sin is not forgiven. However, the remaining two seem to remain in the master's service, though they are punished not rewarded. One gets many strokes for he understood the master's will, but did not "do in line with his will". The other is beaten with few strokes, because he did not understand. Sitting back is no excuse. Therefore, there is sin. But there can also be forgiveness.
Comment by smolderingwick1 on 2014-10-22 01:55:44
“The hierarchies of Christianity have seated themselves in the throne of Christ. 3 Therefore, all the things they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds, for they say but they do not practice what they say. 4 They bind up heavy loads and put them on the shoulders of men, but they themselves are not willing to budge them with their finger. 5 All the works they do, they do to be seen by men, for they broaden their scripture-containing dogmas that they teach as safeguards and lengthen the fringes of their speculations. 6 They like the most prominent place at conventions and the most prominent seats in their religious places of worship 7 and the greetings outside in marketplaces and to be called anointed of Christ by men. 8 But you, do not you be called teacher, for one is your teacher, and all of you are brothers. 9 Moreover, do not call anyone your father on earth, for one is your Father, the heavenly One. 10 Neither be called leaders, for your Leader is one, the Christ. 11 But the greatest one among you must be your minister. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
13 “Woe to you, who say you are faithful and discreet, hypocrites! because you shut up the Kingdom of the heavens before men; for you yourselves do not go in, neither do you permit those on their way in to go in. 14 ——
15 “Woe to you, who say you are faithful and discreet! because you travel sea and dry land to make one disciple, and when he becomes one, you make him a subject for destruction twice as much so as yourselves.
16 “Woe to you, blind ones who say, ‘If anyone swears by the anointed, it is nothing; but if anyone swears by the governors of the anointed, he is under obligation.’ 17 Fools and blind ones! Which, in fact, is greater, the governors or the temple of the anointed? 18 Moreover, ‘If anyone swears by the blood of Christ our sacrifice, it is nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift of the governing class, he is under obligation.’ 19 Blind guides! Which, in fact, is greater, the gift of the governing class or the blood of Christ that sanctifies the gift? 20 Therefore, whoever swears by Christ is swearing by him and all the things he gives; 21 and whoever swears by the anointed is swearing by Him and the Kingdom He inhabits with them; 22 and whoever swears by heaven is swearing by the throne of God and his Christ sitting upon it.
23 “Woe to you, who say you are faithful and discreet, hypocrites! because you give so very little of all your resources, but disregard the weightier matters of the Law of Christ, namely, justice and mercy and faithfulness. These things it was necessary to do, yet not to disregard the other things. 24 Blind guides, who strain out the gnat but gulp down the camel!
25 “Woe to you, who say you are faithful and discreet, hypocrites! because you cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of greediness and self-indulgence. 26 Blind governor, cleanse first the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may also become clean.
27 “Woe to you, who say you are faithful and discreet, hypocrites! because you resemble whitewashed graves, which outwardly indeed appear beautiful but inside are full of dead men’s bones and of every sort of uncleanness. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
29 “Woe to you, who say you are faithful and discreet, hypocrites! because you build the graves of Christian martyrs and decorate the tombs of the Reformation, 30 and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of them, we would not have shared with them in shedding the blood of the martyrs.’ 31 Therefore, you are testifying against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered Christ’s true brothers. 32 Well, then, fill up the measure of the brothers of Christ..
33 “Serpents, offspring of vipers, how will you flee from the judgment of divine destruction? 34 For this reason, I am sending to you more martyrs to persecute, wise men and public instructors. Some of them you will disown, shun and excommunicate, and others you will ban from your places of meeting, persecuting them from city to city, 35 so that there may come upon you all the righteous blood spilled on earth, from my own blood to all whom you murdered until I arrived again. 36 Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
swReply by Meleti Vivlon on 2014-10-22 08:44:47
Thank you for that, sw. Based on your "special" rendering :) the words of vs. 8, 9 and 10 hit home. One indeed is our teacher, but by requiring us to accept their teachings unquestioningly, the Governing Body members have become the collective teacher of Jehovah's Witnesses in lieu of Christ. This is the same thing the Catholic church has done and the same of pretty much every other Christian hierarchy.
While we eschew the title of Father, we readily accept that unscriptural designation of Mother, then used it to support our human lawmaking. (Pr 1:8) As for being called leaders, while not blatantly accepting the title, they have referred to themselves as our leadership, and have become our de facto leaders. (w12 4/15 p. 18 p. 2; w08 1/15 p. 26 par. 6)
So, while sticking, barely, to the letter of Christ's law by avoiding blatant titles, we have violated its spirit in all three categories: for we have become the substitute teacher, parent, and leader, displacing God and Christ from their respective roles.
Reply by smolderingwick1 on 2014-10-23 13:59:14
Hi Meleti,
In case I haven’t mentioned it lately, I truly appreciate this site. It's a shelter from the windstorm coming. The more this world ramps up to the true second arrival of Christ, the more Pharisaical our organization has become. We celebrate our chosen status, building our synagogues and temples containing not just our perfectly translated holy writings but the endless Talmudic interpretations we claim to be directed by Jehovah and Jesus—despite the need to correct these while conveniently forgetting they were supposed to have come through them. How Pharisaical is that?
I notice that many go away from this site wondering what to do next—where to go from here. After all, for so many of us this was the religion we grew up with, and running to another religious group is kinda like jumping from the frying pan into the fire. I get that! Me? None of my family see it my way—some might more than others. Then I think back to where I once was and have another word with myself. Everyone is on a learning curve—with lessons we might not even have learned after going full circle. Which means I must accept why my wife and I are divided and all of my kids and grandkids, being raised to believe this was the only true religion, are disillusioned with me presently. Yet I know the greater disillusionment will come when their lights go on. So I wonder which is better? To be disillusioned with me or with an entire belief system that must crash and burn before the real truth is revealed.
So I maintain a holding pattern. To me I’m a plane with no place to land. My fuel is from God and Christ, and my tanks are refilled daily. Yes there are times I hit storms and my faith wavers as I fly through clouds of uncertainty, but where else can I go? From the frying pan into the fire? Am I throwing the baby out with the bathwater by joining another group? Why would I if what is being taught is even further from the truth I now have come to know? I’ve spent all of my life separating the wheat from the chaff so I must ask myself—what would be my main reason for going elsewhere? To find fellowship? What is fellowship anyway but a two-edged sword—one side to cut through the lies and the other to lop off what I might need yet to learn?
Personally, I prefer the kind of life Jesus lived. Perhaps we should all begin reading our Bible that way—the way Jesus build his life amid the hypocrisy surrounding Judaism, the only true religion of his day. Did he not say to the Samaritan woman, “We worship what we know” and “Salvation originates with the Jews?” and so I say both cautiously and innocently because I know as Jesus knew that each individual needs to learn the spirit of the Law in their own time. He couldn’t push the truth. He drew it out so the meek would see it and the proud wouldn’t, so while we might have no need of the Law today, we do need the law of Christ for all decisions we make after prayerful consultation with him.
Some here worry that if they join another group they’ll be compromising their dedication to God and Christ. To me, association is a lot different than joining. Which faction did Jesus favour? When asked, “Who is my neighbour?” on the matter of love, how did he respond. Personally, I believe we are entering a severe period of test as Jesus poises for his second arrival. Some of us more lowly will be called upon to do the Samaritan thing—to rescue the beaten, wounded Jew. History might repeat itself but the issues remain the same, and have gotten bigger to now include an entire world as the Islamic community becomes the new Samaritan, our new neighbours who might just turn out to be more neighbourly than we’ve been led to believe until now despite their factions of terrorism.
So if we truly belong to Christ—if he is truly our brother and friend and Jehovah being the Father of us all, what can be simpler than keeping a holding pattern for as long as it takes? Don’t push the envelope. Don’t invite the inquisitors. Following Christ in everything he did also means being obedient to the Laws of supreme love in the face of a severely compromised religion teaching this growing hypocrisy.
swReply by BeenMislead on 2014-10-24 09:15:01
Well put sw!!
I can relate to your holding pattern example.
Reply by DrewM on 2014-10-24 11:27:26
SW
I've been reading this site for a few years and have never posted. But you have put down in words exactly how I feel "a holding pattern". No one in my family sees what I see. It is so frustrating to go to meetings and not believe anymore. The only reason I go is to keep piece with my wife.Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2014-10-24 12:07:23
Welcome, DrewM.
Reply by on 2014-10-25 11:37:22
Drew,
I am exactly in the same situation, my wife after witnessing my fade over 4 yrs. from Elder/pioneer to a seat warmer at the hall has made it perfectly clear that if I leave the "truth" she leaves me (cult speak)
I appreciate this site over others, as all on here seem to be focused on scripture and not on anger or negative talk.
But this is a fact, we are all out of the "cell" mentally but still living in the prison of the organization.
A famous quote from Thomas Paine that we all face,
"It is necessary for the happiness of man to be mentally faithful to himself, for infidelity does not consist in believing or disbelieving but in professing to believe what he does not"
Although he was a Deist as many of the "founding" fathers of U.S. were, some very wise words that I think about regularly and especially while attending meetings.
Reply by Andrew on 2014-10-25 15:45:03
SW:
Speaking of a holding pattern, here is an experience you may be able to relate to (and others may as well). Many years ago I knew a brother was unusually kind and compassionate. He was known throughout the area for his Christlike personality. I never thought about it until recently, but something he often said at the door stands out to me now. When a householder would ask him to identify himself, he would sometimes say "I'm a Christian, associated with the local congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses." In all likelihood, I remember him saying this because he was the first one I ever went out in service with, and I always looked forward to working with him, because his kind and gentle nature made service enjoyable.
I am very close friends with several of his grandchildren, and recently, I asked two of them (both of whose age is about 55) if they ever recall him saying this. Probably because they know I am a freeethinker, and am not a judgmental person, both of them confided in me that when they were young, their grandfather told them that he had serious reservations about key doctrines such as 1914, the other sheep, 144,000, etc. Because of this, he thought it very important to identify himself as a Christian first, and a Witness second. He felt his primary responsibility was preaching the good news, and following the example of Christ as best he could. He was as staunch and solid as a Witness as I ever knew, and yet he continued to serve for many decades, evidently keeping his doubts to himself and following Christ to the best of his ability. This knowledge makes me wonder how many other "old-timers" felt as he did, but maintained a holding pattern so that they could serve others in the congregations. I, for one, am very grateful that he did. Much of what I know and practice in my service to others I learned from him and his example. I think about him often.
He became a Bible Student about 1910. So he lived through the disappointments of 1914, 1925, 1975, etc. No doubt he could have left the organization, thinking that being a Christian meant he could not stay with a clear conscience. But he stayed. And when I think of the thousands of lives he impacted, including mine, I'm glad he made that decision. Now that I realize he had a problem with several of our key doctrines, it makes me wonder if he stayed because he felt he could help others by doing so. Maybe he realized that revealing his doubts would have made it more difficult to maintain his position of shepherd.
As I am writing this post, something he said to me many years ago just came to mind. After service one day, he looked me in the eye and said:
“The truth is always about people. Don’t ever forget that.”
Now that I know what he went through keeping his doubts to himself, his words have greater meaning to me. Maybe he was trying to give me a message that I would only appreciate many years later. Many of us are in a holding pattern, just as he was. My memory of him has now grown even fonder.
Andrew
Comment by life2come on 2014-10-25 10:58:29
After being a long time reader here, I feel the need to "come out of the closet", at least to express my thanks for everyone's free and heartfelt expressions. This is so refreshing since we cannot express ourselves freely, in a cordial manner, amongst our brothers and sisters, if we do not agree wholeheartedly with current doctrine and practices. I have been amazed how many of us here have reached the same conclusions on many matters by simply reading the bible.
Reply by kev c on 2014-10-26 01:09:33
Thats a nice experience andrew ..I think if a person is just allowed to get on with it quietly without any interference its ok we could just use the religion as a vehicle to help us to do gods will . I think times may have changed though .They seem to be rooting out people who have any sort of variance with the GB .it seems a person has to comply with everything that emerges from the organisation .even if its against a their conscience .. thats the question i had rifled at me if the GB asked you todo something would you do it . Reply .not if i thought it was against the bible or my conscience .. result exit stage left . Kev
Reply by menrov on 2014-10-26 07:15:06
This phrase:".. use the religion as a vehicle to help us to do Gods will" sounds to me like we need an organisation to do Gods will. Do we?
Joh 6:40 For this is the will of my Father – for everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him to have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
To do this, we make use of a bible.
Gal 6:2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
We can comply by looking after our neighbors and after those that are your brothers.
How to enter the kingdom: Matt.19:16.... But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 “Which ones?” he asked. Jesus replied, “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.”
We can do all these things mentioned here.
Yes, meeting or gathering as Christians is very helpful as objective is to motivate and encourage (Heb.10:25). But it is not needed to do Gods will, in my view.Reply by kev c on 2014-10-30 01:04:33
Fair enough menrov im not in the congregation anymore . what i was thinking was about loving the brothers and sisters .its difficult when nearly all who ive known as my spiritual family shun me .kev
Reply by menrov on 2014-10-30 11:18:05
Kev, I do understand and I feel very sorry for you. Apologies if my words sounded harsh. I did not mean that.
Reply by GodsWordIsTruth on 2014-11-16 17:51:38
Welcome life2come!
I love your screen name!
Comment by Katrina on 2014-10-26 00:13:52
Just on a side issue here, did anyone spot in the WT study article "Hear Jehovah's Voice wherever you are"
They quoted Proverbs 11:9) NWT says, By his mouth the one who is an apostate brings his fellowman to ruin, but by knowledge are the righteous rescued.
all other translations use godless or irreverent instead of apostate, they used this scripture to highlight the thought that if we are listening to Jehovah we will not have any apostate thoughts, the elder giving the study really drove this point home.
so apostate is Godless to the WT apostate is one who disagrees with the GB interpretation of scripture, or apostate thoughts doubting the GB or organization, or anything they teach, so that is a far cry from being Godless, or being immoral, behaving in a Godless manner.Reply by Lawrence L. on 2014-10-26 02:48:57
Katrina,in my N.I.V. Bible,Proverbs 11:9 says " godless",too.I usually use the NWT & ESV versions in church.To be fair,occasionally the NWT has better renderings,e.g. in Matthew 5:3 where the NWT says "Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need" which I feel is better than the NIV's "Blessed are the poor in spirit".
Andrew,the problem with saying "I'm a Christian,associated with the local congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses" when going door-to-door is the inability to use Christian publications that are widely available.You'd still be stuck with the WTBTS publications.Unless,of course,you dare to pull out of your field service bag the so-called "apostate" material.
Perhaps,saying "I'm a Christian" or "I'm a non-denominational Christian" might be better.And a supply of various Christian publications - WTBTS's included.Reply by kev c on 2014-10-26 16:04:13
I used to say that to people im a christian and the brother behind me then always used to chip in actually we are jehovahs witnesses . They wouldnt seem to leave it at that to my annoyance . Kev .
Reply by Lawrence L. on 2014-10-27 11:40:48
Kev,I think you'd call that "product differentiation".In the door-to-door preaching when you say you're a Christian,chances are that the people you meet will think you are just another Christian - nothing to show that you're a "true" version of one.
But when "J.W." is mentioned people who've never heard of it usually become curious & likely will want to know more.That was exactly my reaction when I first heard of J.W. & especially after hearing that they knew God's name,that they didn't participate in wars,& the assurance that they too believed in Jesus as our personal Savior,etc.
Of course,I now believe that true Christians are saved individually rather than "as a group".So what if some members - even the pastors/elders in the church I worship in decide to join the army & actually go to war.The ones that I know of certainly have no such intention,anyway.That's their business.
The pastor & elders in the local Baptist church that I attend are sincere people & they welcome all frank comments.The pastor even said :" we agree to disagree".So that means we can worship & share opinions without the threat of shunning & disfellowshiping.
Reply by menrov on 2014-10-26 04:16:30
The Hebrew word originally meant “impious, godless, polluted, profane.” It later developed the idea of a “hypocrite” (Dan 11:32), one who conceals his evil under the appearance of godliness or kindness. This one is a false flatterer.
Reply by billy on 2014-10-28 16:02:07
Hi Katrina, interesting to see how the org has rewritten their translation of the bible to suit their key word triggers - Hebrews 10:24 has been changed from ....gathering ourselves together.... to ...meeting together... i acknowledge other translations use the word meeting as well but i cant help thinking the wt purposely changed from gathering to meeting to trigger the minds of the b&s to reinforce the constant emphasis on attending "meetings"
Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2014-10-28 16:14:52
I agree, Billy.
Comment by Katrina on 2014-10-26 05:14:15
thank your Lawrance and menrov for your replies appreciate!
Comment by GodsWordIsTruth on 2014-11-03 04:14:11
Hi meleti :)
"God’s written Word contains essential guidance that enables us to distinguish truthful information from deceptive propaganda….“Essential to distinguishing right from wrong is listening to Jehovah’s voice and shutting out the incessant din of satanic propaganda.” – par. 5"
In light of your the recent article "Logos (Part 1: The OT Record) " what does the society mean by the expression "God's written word"? The Bible? Is there such a thing ? There appears to be a distinction between the word of God and scripture.
It seems that the early Christians viewed the Word of God as the scripture ( the OT, the Law of Moses, the Psalms and the Prophets)not Jesus ( Matt 15:6 Mark 7:13 2 Tim 3:16 ) Was John's words a new revelation that Jesus in the flesh was the word of God (Old Testament )personified? ( John 1:14a ) Apollos has suggested (correct me if I'm wrong Apollos ) that the book of John may be have been a reintroduction to Christ but I'm not so sure now...
Since your article I'm also having trouble with these scriptures( To name a few):
Acts 17:11
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, to see whether these things were true.
John 2:22
"Therefore when he had risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this to them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had spoken."
Kings 19:9
"Then he came to a cave and lodged there; and behold, the word of the LORD came and said to him, "What are you doing here."
Daniel 9:2" in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. "
Ephesians 6:17
"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God"
John 10:35
"So he called them gods, men to whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; "
In your view is the "word of God " that is being referred to in these scriptures Jesus?
Also it seems that since "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being," like the Father he too sustains "all things by his powerful word" ( Heb 1:3 ).see also John 5:24 John 6:63 John 6:68 John 15:7 John 4:50 vs Isaiah 55:11
Additionally do you think it is nearly blasphemous for Christendom (including the JW's )to refer to the "Bible " as the word of God in light of John's words /revelation ?
I'm hoping that you can make some sense of my scattered thoughts. Your article has made me rethink the meaning of my Alias ;) I pride myself on loving the word of God recognizing it as Truth. But I have been referring to the Bible itself . However in light of your article is that just another way of saying I love Jesus? (John 14:6)
AgapeReply by GodsWordIsTruth on 2014-11-03 04:19:05
BTW I reposted these questions on discussthetruth.com since I quoted so many scriptures. I thought it might be easier to read because of the hovering over the scripture thingy I love so much.
Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2014-11-03 09:39:50
You ask many thought provoking questions. Rather than answer them here, I will continue my research and incorporate them into a subsequent article in the series on Logos. Thanks for giving me more material to work on as it will benefit the end product.
Reply by GodsWordIsTruth on 2014-11-03 16:16:47
Meleti -
I really appreciate you taking the time to answer, address or even touch on any of those questions. I am eagerly awaiting your next article.
Agape