The Proper View of the Importance of God’s Name
Regarding the Bible Students’ early years, The Watchtower of March 15, 1976, noted that they gave “overbalanced importance” to Jesus. In time, though, Jehovah helped them to discern the prominence that the Bible gives to God’s personal name. – par. 9
This excerpt summarizes the points being made in the first part of this week’s congregation Bible Study.
- Jehovah’s Witnesses are now giving God’s name the importance it is due, and;
- It was Jehovah himself who revealed what this balanced view was to be.
These points—along with pretty much every point made in this week’s study—come to us as raw assertions, free of supporting scriptural and historical references. We must, in good conscience and on general principle, question any such unsubstantiated claim. This particular study has more than its fair share.
Is it accurate to say that the emphasis Jehovah’s Witnesses place on the divine name reflects a balance founded in Scripture? Are we doing it the way Jehovah wants it done?
It seems to be in the nature of human society to go to extremes. For example, from the April 1, 2009 The Watchtower, page 30, under “Vatican Seeks to Eliminate Use of the Divine Name”, we have this:
THE Catholic hierarchy is seeking to eliminate the use of the divine name in their church services. Last year, the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments sent instructions on this matter to Catholic bishops’ conferences worldwide. The step was taken “by directive” of the pope.
This document, dated June 29, 2008, decries the fact that despite instructions to the contrary, “in recent years the practice has crept in of pronouncing the God of Israel’s proper name, known as the holy or divine tetragrammaton, written with four consonants of the Hebrew alphabet in the form יהוה, YHWH.” The document notes that the divine name has variously been rendered “Yahweh,” “Yahwè,” “Jahweh,” “Jahwè,” “Jave,” “Yehovah,” and so forth. However, the Vatican directive seeks to reestablish the traditional Catholic position. That is to say, the Tetragrammaton is to be replaced by “Lord.” Moreover, in Catholic religious services, hymns, and prayers, God’s name “YHWH is neither to be used or pronounced.”
Witnesses argue that if the author sees fit to insert his name thousands of times in his own book, who are we to remove it? This is a valid argument…but it swings both ways. If the author sees fit not to use his name in any part of his writings—as is the case with the Christian Scriptures—who are we to insert it where it doesn’t belong?
Just as the Catholic Church chooses the extreme of eliminating God’s name entirely, have Witnesses gone to an extreme of their own? Before we answer this question, let us go to the second assertion. The book we are studying claims that our view and usage of God’s name has been revealed to us by Jehovah God himself.
How did Jehovah prepare those early Bible Students to become bearers of his name? – par. 7
In looking back at the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, we see how Jehovah gave his people a clearer understanding of important truths related to his name. – par. 8
In time, though, Jehovah helped them to discern the prominence that the Bible gives to God’s personal name. – par. 9
Now, Jehovah’s time had come to give his servants the honor of publicly bearing his name. – par 15
How did “Jehovah prepare those early Bible Students”? How did ‘Jehovah give his people a clearer understanding’? How did ‘Jehovah help them discern’?
When you stop to think about it—very few Witnesses ever have—you arrive at a startling realization: Virtually all the doctrines that define us as Witnesses come from the Rutherford era. Whether the 1914 presence of Christ or the 1919 appointment of the faithful slave or the 1914 start of the last days or the “this generation” calculation or the emphasis on Jehovah’s name or adopting the name "Jehovah’s Witnesses” or the creation of the Other Sheep class or the door-to-door preaching work—all are the children of J. F. Rutherford. With the exception of the “No Blood” doctrine, which also had its roots in Rutherford’s time, there have been no major new doctrines to define us. Even the 2010 Overlapping Generations doctrine is just a redefining of the pre-existing interpretations of Matthew 24:34. It seems that Jehovah did all his revealing to J.F. Rutherford.
Exactly how did that come about?
Why not let J. F. Rutherford, the Editor in Chief of The Watchtower and "Generalissimo" of the Organization until his death in 1942, tell us himself?[i]
Here is an excerpt from an excellent article written by Apollos [Underline added]:[ii]
First let us consider the correct channel of enlightenment according to our Lord:
“But the helper, the holy spirit, which the Father will send in my name, that one will teach you all things and bring back to your minds all the things I told you.” (John 14:26)
“However, when that one comes, the spirit of the truth, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak of his own initiative, but what he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things to come. That one will glorify me, because he will receive from what is mine and will declare it to you.” (John 16:13,14)
Very clearly Jesus said that the holy spirit would be the guiding force in teaching Christians. This evidently began at Pentecost 33 C.E. There would appear to be no scripture indicating that this arrangement would change before the end of the Christian era.
Rutherford however, thought differently. In the Watchtower of September 1st 1930 he released an article entitled “Holy Spirit”. John 14:26 (quoted above) was used as the theme scripture. The article starts off well enough, describing the role of the holy spirit in pre-Christian times and then how it would act as advocate and comforter for Jesus’ followers once he was no longer with them in person. But from paragraph 24 the article takes a sharp turn. From here Rutherford claims that once Jesus had come to his temple and gathered his chosen ones (an event that supposedly had already occurred according to Rutherford) then “the advocacy of the holy spirit would there cease”. He continued:
“It would seem there would be no necessity for the ‘servant’ to have an advocate such as the holy spirit because the ‘servant’ is in direct communication with Jehovah and as Jehovah’s instrument, and Christ Jesus acts for the entire body.” (Watchtower Sept 1st 1930 pg 263)
Next he moves on to the role of angels.
“When the Son of man arrives in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne.” (Matt 25:31)
Since Rutherford interpreted this scripture as already having been fulfilled (a doctrine that would mislead the organization for decades), he used it to support his view of the role of angels at the time.
“If the holy spirit as a helper were directing the work, then there would be no good reason for employing the angels … the Scriptures seem clearly to teach that the Lord directs his angels what to do and they act under the supervision of the Lord in directing the remnant on earth concerning the course of action to take.” (Watchtower Sept 1st 1930 pg 263)
Rutherford therefore believed that the bridge between God, his Son and himself was no longer the holy spirit as helper, but rather direction from angelic messengers. We must ask why he would think this unless he personally felt that he was being communicated to in such a way. To publish this in 1930 would have meant that he felt that such communication had been in operation for over a decade. The passage of scripture cited in support of the claim that “the Scriptures seem clearly to teach” this is Rev 8:1-7. Bearing in mind that Rutherford believed that the seven angels blowing the trumpets were being fulfilled through his own declarations and resolutions at conventions, it would seem that he was convinced that he was receiving this information directly from spirit creatures.
The 1931 book “Vindication” bears this out:
“These invisible ones the Lord uses to put in the hand of his ‘faithful servant’ class, that is, the man clothed with linen, the fiery message of his Word, or judgements written, and which is to be used as directed. The resolutions adopted by conventions of God’s anointed people, booklets, magazines, and books published by them, contain the message of God’s truth and are from the Lord Jehovah and provided by him through Christ Jesus and his under-officers.” (Vindication, 1931, pg 120; also published in Watchtower May 1st, 1938 pg 143)
That in itself is surely cause for concern, unless of course you also believe that God really did have the angels communicate new truths directly to Rutherford.
He certainly didn’t lose his conviction that the angels were communicating with him.
“Zechariah talked with the angel of the Lord which shows that the remnant are instructed by the angels of the Lord” (Preparation, 1933, pg 64)
“God uses angels to teach His people now on the earth.” (Golden Age, Nov 8th 1933, pg 69)
It is of note that Rutherford claims that those in the organization “were able to see afar off” from 1918 onwards as a result of this communication, while others outside of the organization were in darkness.
We have clear Bible direction—as Apollos shows above—as to how the holy spirit works to reveal truths found in God’s word to all Christians. Additionally, we are warned about angelic revelations. (2Co 11:14; Ga 1:8) Furthermore, there is no evidence that Christians are still getting angelic visions such as occurred in the first century. (Re 1:1) Nevertheless, even if that should occur, the criteria used to identify an angel of the Lord from one sent by Satan is adherence to Bible truth itself.
Jesus, God’s own son, always spoke by referencing Scripture. “It is written…” are words he often used. What man or group of men have the right to make bald-faced, unsubstantiated assertions, expecting other humans to accept them prima facie?
With that in mind, consider this sampling from just one paragraph of this week’s study:
Faithful early Bible Students viewed the ransom arrangement as the Bible’s main teaching. That explains why the Watch Tower often focused on Jesus. For example, in its first year of publication, the magazine mentioned the name Jesus ten times more than the name Jehovah. Regarding the Bible Students’ early years, The Watchtower of March 15, 1976, noted that they gave “overbalanced importance” to Jesus. In time, though, Jehovah helped them to discern the prominence that the Bible gives to God’s personal name. – par. 9
Let’s break it down.
Faithful early Bible Students viewed the ransom arrangement as the Bible’s main teaching.
How do we know it is not the main teaching? How do we know the early Bible Students thought it was?
That explains why the Watch Tower often focused on Jesus.
An unsubstantiated assumption. It could well be that The Watch Tower focused on Jesus because he is our Lord, our King, and our Leader. It could also be that it followed the example of the first century writers who focused on Jesus. We have to bear in mind that while Jesus’ name appears about 1,000 times in the Christian Scriptures, Jehovah’s name does not appear even once!
For example, in its first year of publication, the magazine mentioned the name Jesus ten times more than the name Jehovah.
A statement that to the doctrinally prepped mind of the average JW will imply something negative. Now the reverse is true. For example, in the current study issue (WT Study Issue of Sept. 2016) the ratio is about 10 to 1 favoring “Jehovah” (Jehovah = 106; Jesus = 12)
Regarding the Bible Students’ early years, The Watchtower of March 15, 1976, noted that they gave “overbalanced importance” to Jesus.
The Governing Body is not even being true to their own teaching about God’s progressive revelation of truth. If his name appears in the older Hebrew Scriptures (HS) thousands of times, but in the newer Christian Scriptures (CS) not even once, while Jesus’ name goes from zero occurrences in the HS to about a thousand in the CS, should we not be following suit? Or are we to accuse the the apostles John, Peter, and Paul of giving "overbalanced importance" to Jesus?
In time, though, Jehovah helped them to discern the prominence that the Bible gives to God’s personal name.
Based on the foregoing, would you agree that it was really Jehovah doing the revealing?
Exalting God’s Name
At this point, we do well to pause so that we can analyze a premise upon which all this is based.
Jesus said,
“I have made your name known to them and will make it known, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in union with them.”” (Joh 17:26)
This is something that all Christians should do. Admittedly, the Catholic policy of hiding the divine name is wrong. However, Jehovah’s Witnesses in their zeal to undo the work of the church hide the divine name in a far more damaging way.
We know that Jesus only preached to the Jews. We know that the Jews knew the name of God. So he wasn’t declaring a name (a word, label, or appellation) that was unknown to them. Like the Jews in the time of Moses who also knew God’s name, they didn’t know God. Knowing a person’s name is not the same as knowing the person? Jehovah made his name known to the Jews of Moses’ day, not by revealing it as YHWH, but by powerful acts of salvation that freed his people from slavery. However, they only came to know Jehovah God a little. That changed when he sent his Son to walk among us and we saw a view of God’s glory “such as belongs to an only-begotten son”, one “full of divine favor and truth”. (John 1:15) We came to know God’s name by knowing him who “is the reflection of [God’s] glory and the exact representation of his very being.” (He 1:3) Thus, Jesus could say, “He that has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 16:9)
So if we really want to make the name of God known, we start by revealing the name (appellation) itself, but quickly move on to focus on the one through whom God himself has declared his name, Jesus Christ.
The de-emphasis placed on Jesus' name and role in the publications inhibits our students from a fuller understanding of all that God’s name represents, because the divine person is revealed in the Christ.
Our over-focus on God's name has turned the preaching work into a numbers game and made "Jehovah" into some sort of talisman. Thus it is not uncommon to hear it used anywhere from 8 to 12 times in a single prayer. To put this into perspective, let’s say that your father’s name is George and you are writing a letter to him. Here you are, your father’s son, addressing him not as "dad" or "father", by his given name:
Dear father George, I want to express my love for you George, and I know that many others also love you, George. George, you know that I am weak and need your support. So please hear this petition, George, and do not hold back from giving me your help. If I have offended you in any way, please forgive me, George. Also, bear in mind my brothers, George, who also need your help. There are some who reproach your good name, George, but be assured that we defend you and uphold your name, so please remember us with fondness, our father George.
This may seem silly, but replace “George” with “Jehovah” and tell me that you haven’t heard prayers just like this from the platform.
If you feel that we are incorrect in this assessment that exalting God’s name has become a numbers game, then please consider the box which is part of this week’s study titled, “How The Watchtower Has Exalted God’s Name”.
Notice that exaltation of God’s name is directly tied to how often it is spoken or written. Thus, to a JW, the proper balance is to use “Jehovah” far more often than “Jesus” in writing and in speech. Do that and you exalt God’s name. Easy peasy.
The Right Understanding of the Work Assigned By God
Paragraph 11 states:
Second, true Christians acquired the right understanding of the work assigned by God. Shortly after 1919, the anointed brothers taking the lead were moved to examine the prophecy of Isaiah. Thereafter, the contents of our publications underwent a change in focus. Why did that adjustment prove to be “food at the proper time”?—Matt. 24:45. – par. 11
This paragraph ignores the truth that in 33 C.E., Jesus Christ received from God all the authority there was to be had over all things in heaven and on earth. (Mt 28:18) So it was up to him, not God, to assign the work that was to be done. Was the work to bear witness? Yes indeed, but of whom? Jesus said as a parting instruction before ascending to heaven:
“But you will receive power when the holy spirit comes upon you, and you will be witnesses of me in Jerusalem, in all Ju·deʹa and Sa·marʹi·a, and to the most distant part of the earth.”” (Ac 1:8)
The study paragraph disagrees with this, however. Rutherford had to go back to Israelite times to find a metaphor that had nothing to do with any kind of Christian preaching work, and then use it to justify changing the express command given to us by Jesus himself.
But soon after 1919, our publications began to pay attention to that Bible passage, encouraging all anointed ones to share in the work Jehovah had assigned to them—that of witnessing about him. In fact, from 1925 to 1931 alone, Isaiah chapter 43 was considered in 57 different issues of The Watch Tower, and each issue applied Isaiah’s words to true Christians. Clearly, during those years, Jehovah was drawing the attention of his servants to the work they had to do. Why so? In a way, so that they could be “tested as to fitness first.” (1 Tim. 3:10) Before they could rightly bear God’s name, the Bible Students had to prove to Jehovah by their works that they truly were his witnesses.—Luke 24:47, 48. – par. 12
We know that as Editor in Chief, Rutherford prepared the Bible Students for six years with articles in 57 different Watchtower issues—about six per year—for a new work he had in mind. This work was based not on any command found in the Christian Scriptures, nor in the rest of the Bible either. This work countermanded a direct order from our Lord Jesus to bear witness to him. This work would change the nature and direction of the good news. In addition to this, we’ve just learned that by his own hand, Rutherford declared he was being guided by angels. With that in mind, how should we view the current situation in light of Paul’s warning:
“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. 9 As we have said before, I now say again, Whoever is declaring to you as good news something beyond what you accepted, let him be accursed.” (Ga 1:8-9)
The Importance of the Sanctification of God’s Name
More unfounded assertions are made in the concluding paragraphs of this week’s study. Specifically that “the sanctification of God’s name is the most important issue to be settled.” – par. 13.
By the late 1920s, Bible Students understood that the primary issue was, not personal salvation, but the sanctifying of God’s name. (Isa. 37:20; Ezek. 38:23) In 1929, the book Prophecy summed up that truth, stating: “Jehovah’s name is the most vital issue before all creation.” This adjusted understanding further motivated God’s servants to witness about Jehovah and to clear his name of slander.
While the sanctification of God’s name is a vital issue, to claim it is the most vital one requires some Bible support. Yet, none is provided. What is provided is Isaiah 37:20 and Ezekiel 38:23. These are used to “prove” that sanctification, not personal salvation, is the primary issue. It seems that God is more concerned about his own reputation than the welfare of his children. Yet, when we read the context of these verses, we see that in each case it is speaking of an act of salvation by God on behalf of his people. The message is that by saving his people, God sanctifies his name. Again, the Organization has missed the mark. There is no way for Jehovah to sanctify his name outside of the arrangement for the salvation of humankind. The two are inextricably intertwined.
In Summary
Given all the above, why does the Organization continue to focus on God’s name—not his character, his reputation, his person, but the appellation itself, “Jehovah”? Why does frequency of usage constitute name exaltation to the JW mindset? The answer is actually quite simple and obvious: Branding! By using the name as we do, we brand ourselves and distinguish ourselves from all other religions in Christendom. This helps us to remain separate, but not in the sense of John 15:19, which is a reasonable degree of separation. What is being sought here is isolationism or Milieu Control. This branding of the organization and its members has recently reached new heights with the now-ubiquitous JW.ORG logo.
All of this is done under the umbrella of “sanctifying God’s name”. But it has not resulted in sanctification. Why? Because we are choosing to worship God our way instead of his. At the transfiguration, Jehovah said “This is my Son, the beloved, who I have approved; listen to him.”
You want to talk about how God has communicated with the Organization to reveal truths, then talk about that revelation. That was no angel, but Jehovah himself speaking. The command was simple: Listen to Jesus Christ.
If we are ever to sanctify God’s name, we have to start by doing it God’s way and by his own words, his way is for us to listen to Jesus. So we need to stop shifting the focus away from the one the Bible calls “the Perfecter of our faith.” (He 12:2)
_________________________________________________________
[i] For the basis for the title “Generalissimo” see the article “Look! I Am with You All the Days”.
[ii] For the full article, see “Spirit Communication”.
Archived Comments
We have moved to the Disqus commenting system. To post a new comment, go to the bottom of this page.
Comment by Leonardo Josephus on 2016-11-23 12:11:41
Well constructed article, Meliti. If we listened carefully to Jesus we could all call ourselves Christians, and we would properly follow his example in dealing with others, especially sinners. Like your prayer, that is exactly how it is, and it sounds just as ridiculous. Fortunately not everyone does this.
I am still waiting for someone to call Jehovah "Our Friend Jehovah", but maybe I have missed it already in the irritation (hope that is not too strong) of hearing the divine name so often.
Comment by Dove on 2016-11-23 15:41:38
Thank you for this excellent analysis! Even as a fully in JW, I never felt comfortable using God's name left, right and center. Now it just gives me shudders, reminding me of cult days and bad memories. I prefer to use the more accurate 'Yahweh' if necessary.
If only I could get my fully indoctrinated husband to read this- he says he will be a 'witness of Jehovah' till the day he dies.Reply by AndereStimme on 2016-11-23 18:13:20
I agree, Dove. I used to counsel over-users in the past. However, that "Yahweh" is more accurate than Jehovah is debatable. There is some fairly good evidence that the Name was 3 syllables and pronounced something like 'Yehowah'. I wouldn't make any dogmatic statements, but I just wanted to alert you to the alternative ideas on the pronunciation. If, as would appear to be the case, God wanted us to focus more on the one whose name means Jehovah is Salvation, then the actual pronunciation of YHWH is a non-issue.
Reply by Dove on 2016-11-24 15:09:06
Good point, thanks for bringing that up. Again, it just the JW's undue obsession with God's name. As others pointed out, if it were that important he would have made sure it were preserved perfectly.
Reply by Menrov on 2016-11-24 04:12:04
Hi Dove, I understand your "shudders". It is a result of over-use. I now avoid the name (J/Yehov/wah or Yahweh or...) where I can and say Father or my creator when referring to my God. AndereStimme is correct that the correct spelling (and pronunciation) of his name is debatable. However, I am now convinced that if our Creator wanted or thought it was life saving / critical / essential to know the correct form and pronunciation of His name, He would have made sure we all would know. He would never allow his human creation, who are even lower than angels, to block or stop Him. I therefore believe that using a name should be a personal matter as NOBODY knows how His real name is spelled or even pronounced. It is like Meleti says, the use of the name JEHOVAH has become a marketing item, a brand. I remember when I was still attending the study meetings that even when a bible verse clearly mentioned Jesus, the comments from the participants mentioned Jehovah. Go figure.
Comment by Nicodemus on 2016-11-23 20:20:32
The WT would do well to consider the following:
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. - John 14:6
that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. - John 5:23
Do they honour the Son just as they honour the Father? Where are the songs and praise of the Son? Rev 5:13,14
Do JWs bow the knee and confess the Son?
So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. - Phil 2:10,10Reply by GodsWordIsTruth on 2016-11-26 19:26:26
Hey All!
Do you think that the MOL is a composite class ....judgement beginning with the Roman Catholic Church?
If She falls every religion follows....
Reading your comments Nicodmeous reminds me of an exchange BObcat and I had .
Meleti I believe you are right about the MOL being the religious establishment in so many words.
John of Patmos said that harlot sits on many waters. I believe the beast that she rides is a conglomerate of political powers....
I believe John saw the beginnings of the marriage between church and State.
Maybe?
Love,
GWIT
Comment by lazarus on 2016-11-24 00:56:44
Excellent article Meleti, like your reasoning point on inserting Gods Name, you said,"Witnesses argue that if the author sees fit to insert his name thousands of times in his own book, who are we to remove it? This is a valid argument…but it swings both ways. If the author sees fit not to use his name in any part of his writings—as is the case with the Christian Scriptures—who are we to insert it where it doesn’t belong?" Gd Point! I enjoyed reading Apollos article also, in combining both, and in light of his (Rutherford's)inspiration is tainted with another light source, besides Jesus, then one should immediately STOP and re-examine, all of Rutherfords Doctrines under the Banner of IBSA and JW. I was somewhat shocked to read that! No doubt he shows no sign of Humility in those writings. But Pride!
Talk about extremes in highlighting one Jesus and now Jehovah, where's the balance. Maybe that tells us something about the Organisation. The emphasis on the Preaching work continues to this day, I'm sure the organised book says that also, that the Congregation is set up to primarily preach the Good News!
I'm glad your Analysing this book.
Comment by stephen on 2016-11-24 08:43:56
I have a question, the article makes sense, but why would God allow a group of men, (WT) to insert the name Jehovah into the bible and mislead a group of 8 million sincere followers?
Reply by Nicodemus on 2016-11-24 09:13:26
"Sometime during the second or third century C.E. the scribes removed the Tetragrammaton from both the Septuagint and the Christian Greek Scriptures and replaced it with Ky´ri·os, "Lord" or The·os´, "God."" New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures - With References p.1564 1D The Divine Name in the Christian Greek Scriptures
This is an admission that the word of God is not inerrant and infallible (it was changed by man). This casts doubt on the entire Bible (why did the scribes just change YHWH, how can we know they did not alter other things?).
Unfortunately there is not one piece of manuscript evidence to place YHWH in the NT
By WT own admission the Bible is not inerrant and infallible - God's name was 'removed' (it wasn't)
When using Jehovah the New World Translation translators use the J versions as justification in preference to the ancient Greek. For example, the New World Translation Reference Bible footnote to Matthew 1:24 cites;
24* Jehovah J1-4, 7-14, 16-18, 22-24; Lord AB
Why did the NWT translators put more trust the wording of Bible translations written over one thousand years after the death of Jesus in preference to the Ancient Greek manuscripts they were taken from? This is similar to a translator choosing to include the spurious wording of 1 John 5:7 as found in the King James Version "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one" in favour of what actually appears in the Greek manuscripts.
Why would we trust Medieval translations over Greek manuscripts within just a few generations of Christ?
The use of YHWH in the NT is totally inappropriate unless you are willing to admit that the Bible was altered by humans (which casts doubts on it in its ENTIRTY). Mormons use the same reasoning that 'the Bible was changed' when it contracts the Book of Mormon and TPGP.
There is actually very little evidence that Jesus or first century Jews used the divine name - the Jews of the first century did not use the name as a matter of practice (not that I agree with that tradition - I fully support the proper rendering of YHWH when we have the manuscript evidence as in the OT).
The disappearance of the name in the NT actually makes perfect sense. The first 4/5th of the Bible uses Jehovah 7000 times. The last 1/5th uses the name Jesus 1200 times (even the NWT can only get in Jehovah 237 times). Just by the numbers the Bible is placing as much emphasis on Yeshua as Yahweh.
In fact the name did not disappear at all - it is still there as Yeshua means Yahweh is Salvation. No need to look for it more than the 1200 times it is in Yeshua's name. This is further compounded by the following:
For whose name would Christians be hated? (Matt. 10:22)
By whose name would people receive holy spirit? (John 14:26)
By whose name would people be named? (Isa. 62:2; Acts 11:26)
By whose name would people be reconciled to God? (Rom. 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:18)
By whose name would people be forgiven their sins? (Matt. 26:28; Acts 2:38; Eph. 1:7)
In whose name would people be judged? (John 5:27)
By whose name would people be resurrected (John 5:28)
In whose name would people be baptized? (Acts 2:38, 8:16, 10:48, 19:5, 22:16)
In whose name were people to put faith? (John 2:23)
In whose name was Saul/Paul commissioned to preach? (Acts 9:14-16)
For whose name would Christians be reproached? (1 Peter 4:14)
In whose name were Christians to gather together? (Matt. 18:20)
For whose name would Christians make sacrifices? (Matt. 19:29)
For whose name would Christians be persecuted and killed? (Luke 21:12,16,17)
In whose name will every knee in heaven and on earth bend? (Philippians 2:10)
In whose name would people be declared righteous? (1 Cor. 6:11)
The Bible is clear that Jesus name is the one and ONLY name needed for salvation Acts 4:12
Why does Jehovah disappear in the NT? Because he is revealed for the first time in the person of His Only Son (John 1:14,18). We now know him as Father a relation that the Israelites did not enjoy.
Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2016-11-24 10:14:13
You ask a valid question, Stephen.
We might also ask, why would he allow the clergy of Christendom to remove his name from the Bible entirely, and thus mislead hundreds of millions?
There is no single reason, but one key component is found at Romans 9:22-24:
"What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— 24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?" (Ro 9:22-24 ESV)
Our Father is looking to refine a chosen few for the work ahead. The rest will be corrected in due time.
1 Corinthians 4:5 says "Therefore, do not judge anything before the due time, until the Lord comes. He will bring the secret things of darkness to light and make known the intentions of the hearts, and then each one will received his praise form God." (NWT)Reply by stephen on 2016-11-24 17:03:11
Thanks for your reply Meleti, I will ponder your answer.
Reply by THE DRIFTER on 2016-11-25 12:48:22
Someone gave you a thumbs down on that post but did not follow up with the why, ...odd. Apparently my vote got you back to zero.
Your welcome!
:)
I lean towards your opinion and have said as much to several as we digress into an occasional cup of coffee. It does seem as if something is going on and there is a sifting taking place.
I could cite several who upon "waking up" couldn't leave fast enough and then there are those rare few who after waking up, after dealing with the shock and the reality, have decided to stay with the intent to do no harm to another's hope but to, coin a phrase, "wait on Jehovah."
In my case, I really feel as if I was personally awoken by God himself or his spirit if you will and that there is very little I can do to awaken another. In fact, I think I could have the opposite affect especially with the staunchiest of our dear friends.
I think God can handle this.
Don't know if there will be any cataclysmic event anytime soon, wouldn't even venture a guess. It doesn't really matter anyway.
I do pray that those earnestly seeking will be found approved and continue to be strengthened.
What else is there?
Comment by stephen on 2016-11-24 09:56:13
Thanks for the reply Nicodemus, that was interesting about using versions instead of the Greek manuscripts.
You said;
“This is an admission that the word of God is not inerrant and infallible (it was changed by man). This casts doubt on the entire Bible (why did the scribes just change YHWH, how can we know they did not alter other things?).”
So my question is this; how can we trust any bible or any translation on the market, the majority of the people on this earth don’t know how to read ancient Greek, or have the time and resources to learn the language, or have access to the Greek Manuscripts available? All it takes is one wrong thought written in the scriptures (like the example of Jehovah inserted in the bible) and every teaching crumbles.
It’s like a complicated math equation. You can have lines and lines of calculations, but if you mess up on only ONE variable, the entire formula will be wrong and worthless. This is one of the reasons why we still can’t find a cure for cancer, we can’t find the exact sequence and correct amounts of the prescribe dosage of chemicals.
Comment by simplyme on 2016-11-24 16:04:11
I have to admit as one who was raised a witness I put so much emphasis on Jehovah that I ended up (in reality) excluding Jesus. As Meleti artfully brought out, this is what was taught by the organization. In my opinion they will have to answer for this.
For me personally, I am hanging on to that pendulum that has swung too far one way and trying to gently let it swing back to center.
As Meleti brought out in his article and Nicodemous in his comments, if we give Jesus the due respect and honor and obedience the scriptures tell us to, we are also giving the respect, honor, and obedience to Jehovah too.
It is clear to me that Jehovah has allowed His Word to be altered to a certain extent. All we have to do is compare the Septuagint to the Masoretic text. Even so, a person can still come to know Jehovah (our Father) and Jesus and their qualities. The relationship they want with us and how we should treat our fellow man.
It is true that none of the manuscripts we have of the Greek Scriptures have Jehovah's Name in them. We still have to keep in mind the earliest fragments of the Greek Scriptures are from around 200 C.E. Which is 100 to 150 years after the originals. Just look at what has happened in our history in the past 150 years.
There is evidence that Jehovah's Name was originally there in places.
I will try to put this in words how it was explained to me because I am not a Greek scholar.
In Greek the word "ho" is "the" in English. This was the definite article.
Greek did not have indefinite articles like "a" or "an". So if they put "ho" or "the" it was on purpose with definite meaning. If they left "ho" out it was on purpose for meaning.
If originally the writer wrote "the God" or "the Lord", the word "ho" or "the" would be there. For example " ho theos" or "ho kurios".
If they were using YHWH and writing it down, they would not write "the Jehovah" or "ho YHWH". It would have been just "YHWH".
There are many instances in the manuscripts where we find "theos" or "kurios" without the word "ho" or "the" there when it is referring to God.
The omission of this word lends to the evidence that originally it was YHWH there because it would have been written "ho theos" or "ho kurios" or "the God" or "the Lord".
In the end is it really that important one way or another. I don't know. If it was I think it would be made clear and maybe in time it will. I think it is better not to be dogmatic one way or another and be
balanced. I personally am trying to be much more respectful of the position and authority Jesus now has and be subjective and live in harmony with that knowledge.Reply by tyhik on 2016-11-24 17:22:27
Hi simplyme. Your explanation about the missing "ho" indicating removal of JHVH is clear. Could you please post here a few of these verses as examples.
Reply by simplyme on 2016-11-24 22:24:57
Hello tyhik,
Here are a few:
Matthew 1:20
John 1:6
Romans 10:2
Jude 21
Comment by tyhik on 2016-11-24 18:07:39
Many JWs are so lost with that name stuff. They kind of know, if reminded by a WT publication, that for hebrews the name meant much more than just a label. But then they seem to forget that and think that just knowing the name, saying it out loud or telling it to others is sanctifying His name.
A comment along these lines was given by an elder at our this week's CLAM meeting: "It is not an issue at all for me if, after I have said at a door that we are JWs, the door is closed with "No thanks", because I have made Jehovah's name known, I have already sanctified it."
"Faithful early Bible Students viewed the ransom arrangement as Bible's main teaching". It was shocking for me to learn that Bible Students were apparently wrong with that. Unbelievable, how lost the Org is. Ransom is the ultimate expression of God's love, the demonstration that God is love. Love constitutes the main part of His holy name. Love your neighbours, brethren, enemies, that's how you can sanctify God's name.
Comment by lazarus on 2016-11-26 02:00:46
Well Meleti, I never heard anyone start a prayer with "Our Friend Jehovah " , until today, the public speaker in his concluding prayer did just that, he never mention Jehovah as Father, only as friend throughout his Prayer and his words came across that way. By the way, He did a great job in his public talk.
At the same time last week's speaker, he used father right through.
I'll just leave it at that.Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2016-11-26 08:33:18
In a local congregation during this past week's CLAM bible study, the phrase was used--twice!--that since 1919 the Bible Students turned away from Jesus. Astonishing how the Governing Body has orchestrated this apostasy, for that is what the denial of Jesus is.
Reply by lazarus on 2016-11-26 15:53:57
It is actually, a denial of Jesus, its an error which Christ allows them to believe their own lie of reasoning. By their own words (GB)they are being Judged! You just wrote about that. The Public Talk yesterday, the illustration used was , that if you handed a glass of Syrup to someone to drink, after 1 sip, the taste would disgust them and be hard to swallow or continue drinking, but if you mixed it with water, the taste would be pleasant and easy to swallow. This illustration fits in with the teachings of the GB. It reminds me of 1 John 4:2-3 (ESV)
2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already..
I agree with your comment of the apostasy. Faith in Christ is required for sure.
Comment by GodsWordIsTruth on 2016-11-26 08:42:31
Beautifully written !!!
Meleti theres a lot of inspiring insights in this article and it is a 2 layer cake;)
A spiritual layer and a "physical "layer".
There is a huge difference between practicing demonic spiritism vs. communicating with the Spirit of Jesus of Nazareth the Christ who is our Divine King ,Lord and only Messiah!!!!!!
Our Master did rise on the 3rd day so it's not necromancy!!(someone actually suggested that to me once!!!!!
Smh!
He Lives!!!Adonai Echad!
Love.
GWIT