[A Review of the September 15, 2014 Watchtower article on page 23]
“The last enemy death brought to nothing.” – 1 Cor. 15:26
There is an interesting revelation in this week’s Watchtower study article which will likely be missed by the millions of Witnesses participating in the meeting. Paragraph 15, quoting from 1 Cor. 15:22-26 reads:
“By the end of the thousand years of Kingdom rule, obedient mankind will have been liberated from all enemies introduced by Adam’s disobedience. The Bible says: “Just as in Adam all are dying, so also in the Christ all will be made alive. But each one in his own proper order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who belong to the Christ [his joint rulers] during his presence. Next, the end, when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father, when he has brought to nothing all government and all authority and power. And the last enemy, death , is brought to nothing.”
All are made alive in the Christ, but “each one in his own proper order”.
- First: Christ, the firstfruits
- Second: Those belonging to him
- Third: Everybody else
Now those belonging to him are made alive during his presence. We have already proven that didn’t happen in 1914. The resurrection of those belonging to him has not yet occurred. It will happen just before Armageddon. (Mt. 24:31) They are made alive by being granted immortality and freed for all time from the second death. Theirs is the first resurrection. (Re 2:11; 20:6)
The Bible speaks of two resurrections: one for the righteous and one for the unrighteous; a first resurrection and a second one. No mention is made of a third. (Acts 24:15)
Jesus showed that his anointed followers would be in the first, the resurrection of the righteous.
“. . .But when you spread a feast, invite poor people, crippled, lame, blind; 14 and you will be happy, because they have nothing with which to repay you. For you will be repaid in the resurrection of the righteous ones.”” (Lu 14:13, 14)
This creates a conundrum for our JW theology, because we have eight million “other sheep” who we say are righteous friends—not sons—of God. Many have died and await a resurrection. Since the Bible only speaks of two resurrections and we’re saddled with three groups, we are forced to divide the resurrection of the righteous in two. The first—call it the Resurrection of the Righteous 1.1—go to heaven. The second—the Resurrection of the Righteous 1.2—go to earth. Problem solved!
Not quite.
Paul clearly states that those who do not go to heaven to be with Christ are made alive only at the end of the thousand years. This fits with Revelation 20:4-6 which also contrasts those who rule in heaven with the rest who are only made alive when the thousand years are ended.
This creates a real problem for us. Two weeks ago we studied how the reward “for the “other sheep” [is] everlasting life on earth.” (w14 15/09 p. 13 par. 6) But it isn’t, is it? Not really. Actually, when you look at it objectively, the other sheep get no reward at all.
According to paragraph 13, “The majority of Adam’s offspring will be brought back to life.” According to paragraph 14, those of the first resurrection in heaven “will provide assistance to those on earth, helping them to overcome the imperfection that they could not conquer on their own.” (Par. 14)[A]
Let’s illustrate this from a real life experience. Both Harold King (anointed) and Stanley Jones (Other Sheep) endured the tribulation of years of solitary confinement in a Chinese prison. Eventually, both died. Based on our teaching, King is already in heaven with immortality. Stanley will come back in the new world and have to work shoulder to shoulder with the unrighteous and ungodly who are resurrected until both he and they “overcome the imperfection they could not conquer on their own” after a thousand years of slogging in out.
So how does our brother Stanley get a reward that differs from that accorded to, say, Attila the Hun? Are they not both resurrected to the same eventuality? Do they not both have equal prospects? Is a good head start the only reward poor Stanley gets over Attila? Of what value then faith?
We are told:
“. . .Moreover, without faith it is impossible to please God well, for whoever approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.” (Heb 11:6)
It is vital to believe that Jehovah becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him. We have to believe that God is just and that he keeps his promises. Paul alludes to this when he says:
“If like other men, I have fought with wild beasts at Eph′e·sus, of what good is it to me? If the dead are not to be raised up, “let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we are to die.”” (1Co 15:32)
If God isn’t the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him, then what are we enduring for? To illustrate, let’s paraphrase Paul’s words.
“. . .If like other men, I have fought with wild beasts at Eph′e·sus, of what good is it to me? If the dead are to be raised up righteous and unrighteous equally, “let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we are to die.””
The Denarius and a Day’s Work
In Jesus’ illustration of the denarius, some workers labored the whole day while others for only one hour, yet all got the same reward. (Mt 20:1-16) Some thought that was unjust, but it was not, for they all got what they were promised.
However, our theology requires that all work the same amount, but some get a wondrous reward, while the rest, the majority, get no reward—for the “reward” they do get is also given to everyone who didn’t work at all. To change Jesus’ illustration to fit our theology, a few workers get the denarius, but the majority get a contract that stipulates if they work an additional two weeks and if the master likes their work, they get the originally promised denarius. Oh, and everyone who didn’t work at all on that day, also gets the same contract.
Our Hellfire Doctrine
We have argued that the doctrine of Hellfire dishonors Jehovah; and so it does! A God who would torture people for all eternity for a brief lifetime of sin, or even a single sin, cannot be just. But is not our dual-hope teaching also a God-dishonoring doctrine? This is our very own Hellfire doctrine?
If Jehovah doesn’t reward those who are faithful in a world of ungodly men, then he is unjust and cruel. If the same reward given to those who labor out of faith in the hot sun of oppression and persecution is also given to those who disobey God and live a life of licentiousness, then God is unjust.
Since Jehovah can never be unjust, it is our teaching that must be false.
“Let God be found true, even if every man be found a liar.” – Romans 3:4
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[A] This statement creates a paradox, for if the resurrected earthly righteous ones also need help to overcome imperfection that they could not conquer on their own, how is it that the resurrected heavenly righteous ones never needed such help? They are resurrected and transformed into incorruptible beings immediately. Those alive at the end are transformed in the twinkling of an eye. What is so special about those righteous ones destined for heaven that distinguishes them from earthbound righteous ones?
Hi all, I’m new to this site and have been reading non stop. I’m a bit confused however as to this point. The belief section of this site states as follows: RESURRECTION There are two resurrections, one to life and one to judgment. The first resurrection is of the righteous, to life. The righteous are resurrected as spirits, in the manner of Jesus. The unrighteous will be resurrected to earth during the millennial Reign of Christ. According to Rev.20:5-6 the second resurrection doesn’t happen until the end of the 1000 years. This doesn’t tally with point 4 above. If all… Read more »
Hi! i am also new to this site. Reading your comment, however, I had a doubt too. Are you sure the unjust will be destroyed in Armaghedon? can you show me in a write up? thanks.
Actually, the “other sheep” are rewarded, if we follow the true interpretation of the scriptures in identifying them as Gentiles. They are brought into union with the Jews, and adopted as Christ’s brothers who receive a heavenly reward. We have to trash Rutherford’s outdated interpretation for it to make sense. The Bible will interpret itself!
Now c’mon Anonomous, how can we trash the Judge’s interpretation after all wasn’t he the faithful discreet slave that God chose as his channel of communication. Who else was there, didn’t he get rid of the body of directors and the writing dept. No seriously! As witnesses we are still entrenched in the teachings of this man. Certainly bible doctrines have been altered down through the years but never the main significant ones that we still cling to and constantly have to shore up as our knowledge of the scriptures grow. Like for example the two sheep classes Jesus mentioned… Read more »
The witnesses base this theory that a person just has to have faith in god for salvation .they qoute the accounts of those who died before the christian era .before the initiation of the new covenant .but consider hebrews 9 v 15 he is the mediator of a new covenant so that death having taken place for a redemption of the transgressions against the first covenant .and consider this in a way the hebrews did partake of the christ in a way every passover which was a shadow of his greater sacrifice .1 corinthians5 v 7 also 1 corinthians 10… Read more »
kev, I think the problem that we all have is that we have been so misled by all the false teachings from the Society, and we feel so let down. And it goes on for a while because you go on to discover more and more false teachings than you could have ever have thought possible. What helped me was talking to Jesus and reading about him in the book of Matthew, and finally learning what it really means to be his follower – that was where I started, and it was then that the scriptures began gradually to open… Read more »
Thanks jannai ill start doing that .in our bible study .had plans to go through one of the gospels .thanks for the encouragement . And its true what you said .every single week in our study i now see things that are at odds with what we have been taught . Cheers kev
“Actually, when you look at it objectively, the other sheep get no reward at all.”
So then the other sheep (misquoted by the Society from John 10:16) are not even in the Bible. What a serious and dangerous environment the Society has provided for millions of unsuspecting JWs. Let us pray for them that our Heavenly Father and our Brother, Jesus Christ will open their eyes and help them to find a way out.
If a testimony is based on an assumption, the whole testimony becomes vague. Looking at par. 14, it reads: Jehovah provided for a Kingdom government made up of “the last Adam” and chosen associates from among mankind. (Read Revelation 5:9, 10.) Those associated with Jesus in heaven will have experienced what it means to be imperfect It is assumed that if a JW reads these verses, that JW person will think it is the 144.000. But it hat same person would start reading in chapter 4, as that is where the whole scene starts, it becomes clear that the ones… Read more »
“There is going to be a resurrection of the righteous and of the unrighteous” Acts 24:15. I have some very dear friends who are JWs, and a few of them have very kindly stayed in contact with me even though I have left. It bothered me to think that these ones will, if they are not in the first resurrection will then be included in the resurrection of the unrighteous, and so I looked up the definition of the word, and as far as I can see “unrighteous” in relation to the scripture doesn’t necessarily imply badness, though of course… Read more »
I’ve read that Scripture before, but it never jumped out at me before. Thanks Jannai40.
That’s exactly right. We are all inherently wicked according to scripture. Romans says no one is righteous, not even one. (Rom 3:10, Ecl 7:20). If we were righteous by our deeds, we wouldn’t need the sacrifice of Christ. Indeed, our “righteous” deeds are like filthy rags in Gods eyes. (Isaiah 64:6) Now from a Human standpoint, sure, I will agree a lot of witnesses are living a more wholesome, righteous life, then man others. But even the BEST witness morally has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, which is punishable by dead. It is only through Christ… Read more »
Perfection is relative to God. Jesus once stated emphatically, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.” Luke 18:19 [NIV] So even Jesus perfection was relative to his Heavenly Father. And our perfection therefore would be relative to Jesus, being a follower of his. But we all strive to be perfect as the Heavenly Father. Matthew 5 43“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be children of your Father in heaven.… Read more »
An excellent point. Perfection is another English word which is overloaded in meaning. Apollos has had some interesting thoughts on the subject. I’ve also thrown in my two-cents worth. I used the words “perfect” and “perfection” in this article more in line with the common understanding of JWs so as not to detract from the main article point, but really when Jehovah’s Witnesses speak of being perfect what they are most often referring to is being sinless. I do believe that sinlessness can be and must be granted. Just as Adam went from being sinless to sinful with a single… Read more »
I had a recent discussion with a very well respected brother about Matt 5:48 “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” He complained that a WT article was misapplying the meaning of the word “perfect”.Which ended up putting unnecessary loads on the reader. To be perfect tends to mean, fully committed, complete.,fully assured, whole. To say it would take a thousand years to be fully committed (perfect) does not make sense to me.In reality, it may take some time for us to realise the futility of sin.Then ,there has to be a turning point of understanding and genuine… Read more »
“…..this statement creates a paradox, for if the resurrected earthly righteous ones also need help to overcome imperfection that they could not conquer on their own…” Say we agreed with the GB on this teaching… In line with the statement above Meleti this teaching dishonors Jesus IMO. No mention of the ransom sacrifice follows these kind of statements in our publications. It is not by special mightiness or the survival of the fittest that anyone will “grow to perfection “. Nor is it by the TMS, Gilead etc. that the JW’s will have the extraordinary ability to teach someone to… Read more »
Good observation, GodsWordIsTruth. Our doctrine dishonors Jesus by treating his sacrifice as of little or no value. The very thought that we can “work toward perfection” has always troubled me. If the kindness God extends is truly undeserved, there can be no “working toward it” as if we can earn it to even a small degree. To say otherwise is to imply that the kindness of God is at least partially deserved. Even if done with the best of intentions, we are still undermining the teaching of God.
Great thoughts Meleti! I never understood the gradual “perfection” teaching. Adam and Eve didn’t gradually become “imperfect” once they sinned . The only way that this has been explained to me throughout the years was by comparing it to when Jesus healed the blind man. Jesus lovingly ( but gradually! )restored that man’s eyesight. Based on our current theology , Job will strive for perfection for a 1000 years and once he attains it he will subject to be annihilated for one transgression . (despite his record of faithfulness and obedience under intense trial by the devil ) On the… Read more »
Responding to the ressuerection of the righteous and unrighteous it’s hard to imagine people like Abraham who was a shining example of faith and loyalty having the same reward in the new system along with Attilla the hun as has already been mentioned. JW’s do not address this. Yes ok he would have a “head start” but Abraham just like Attilla would still have to wait 1,000 years to gain eternal life (when the last enemy death is brought to nothing). Doesn’t seem fair does it.Yet the annointed get there reward immediately at the end of the tribulation. The annointed… Read more »
Sorry just another thought, If armageddon were to happen tomorrow what would be the criteria for survival. Would it be allegiance to the GB or would it be adherence to the two greatest commandments – Love. Do JW’s alone have the “franchise on Gods love, do they alone have the franchise on the “truth” Did Mother Theresa of Calcutta love God and her neighbor as herself. Does any religion fully have the truth. It beggars the question, who really are the righteous and unrighteous Ok then, Just for a moment supposing a person today is fully following everything in the… Read more »
You said “Is it possible we have the whole bible concept wrong, are we still influenced from years of Jw doctrines which may still be influencing our thinking.” I tend to agree. I feel that very often we start to view a doctrine on the basis of what we have learned as a JW, not as one who just opens the bible for the first time, has no religious background and starts to read unbiased. For example, why do we think Abraham is not one who goes to rule with Jesus? He was declared righteous based on his faith. Isn’t… Read more »
To add, the same with the over attention to Armageddon. As we need to survive Armageddon. But that is not what the bible teaches. The great crowd needs to survive the great tribulation, which happens before and is separate from Armageddon, which is a was between kings/armies and God.
Prematurely claiming that the resurrection has already taken place has certainly produced the mother of all paradoxes.Essentially JWs are knocking on doors inviting people to the second resurrection.A resurrection that is reserved for those who reject the first and which they would need no invite anyway.
It makes me wonder.Most JWs seem to have genuine faith and repentance, would God grant them the first resurrection regardless?
I wondered about that too, but John 3:3-5 says “unless a person is born again he cannot see/enter the Kingdom of God.” JWs (who believe themselves to be of the other sheep class) do not consider themselves to be born again or Christ’s brothers and sisters.
Yes.There is a turning point, when we are led by Gods spirit.
In reality what they are saying is correct there is no difference beetween the vast majority jehovahs witnesses and the people of the world who lack faith because they are not part of the new covenant and do not proclaim allegiance with him by parting of his flesh and blood through the emblems .they are there fore still in thier sins and will get the same reward as the unrighteous . I just hope they get a second chance but im not so sure about that either .hebrews 10 v 15 to 18 hebrews 9 v 20 . These verses… Read more »
Yes that is so true Meleti. Why do we teach that the “great crowd” are subject to double jeopardy? We say that the “144, 000″ who prove faithful until death or who are faithful through the tribulation are rewarded with eternal life. However, those of the “great crowd” or other sheep who prove faithful through the exact same tribulation or until death do not receive eternal life, but must once again prove themselves worthy at the final test! This seems unfair. Why do the 144, 000 get to “pass Go and Collect $200”, but the other tribulation survivors must wait… Read more »
Have you ever asked yourself what is the reward for being obedient to Jehovah in this life just to be presented with the same judgement-trial as those who didn’t know Jehovah in the millennium? Why be obedient in this life to end up under the same trial as those who werent servants of Jehovah? Are we raised to everlasting life as John 5:28,29 says? It has two groups of people righteous and unrighteous. What’s our reward to being righteous. If we are under the judgement trial becasue we are on earth then are we unrighteous when resurrected? Unless we come… Read more »