This is a recent Morning Worship video on JW.org that nicely demonstrates to the world which god Jehovah’s Witnesses worship. Their god is the one they submit to; the one they obey. This Morning Worship talk, innocently titled, “Jesus’ Yoke Is Kindly,” was delivered by Kenneth Flodin:
Let’s repeat that: “The Governing Body could be likened to the voice of Jesus, the head of the congregation. So, when we willingly submit to the faithful slave [another term for the Governing Body], we are ultimately submitting to Jesus’ authority and direction.”
When I heard that, I immediately….well, not immediately….I had to pick my chin up off the floor first, but right after that, I thought of something Paul wrote to the Thessalonians. Here it is:
Let no one lead you astray in any way, because it will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction. He stands in opposition and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits down in the temple of God, publicly showing himself to be a god. (2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4 NWT)
Am I suggesting that by giving the Governing Body the voice of our Lord Jesus, Kenneth Flodin is revealing that the Governing Body is the man of lawlessness, the son of destruction, a god?!
Why don’t we let the Governing Body answer that question for us?
In an article titled “Identifying ‘the Man of Lawlessness’” in the February 1, 1990, Watchtower we are told:
It is vital that we identify this man of lawlessness. Why? Because he is intent on undermining our good standing with God and our hope of eternal life. How? By getting us to abandon the truth and to believe falsehoods in its place, thus diverting us from worshiping God “with spirit and truth.”
Inspired by God’s spirit, the apostle Paul wrote: “Let no one seduce you in any manner, because [Jehovah’s day of destruction of this wicked system] will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed.” (w90 2/1 p. 10 pars. 2, 3)
Jehovah’s day of destruction was predicted to come in 1914, then the Governing Body under Rutherford predicted it would come in 1925, then the Governing Body under Nathan Knorr and Fred Franz predicted it would come around 1975! Just a little food for thought. Continuing with the Watchtower’s identification of the Man of Lawlessness, we have this:
4 Who originated and supports this man of lawlessness? Paul answers: “The lawless one’s presence is according to the operation of Satan with every powerful work and lying signs and portents and with every unrighteous deception for those who are perishing, as a retribution because they did not accept the love of the truth that they might be saved.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10) So Satan is the father and sustainer of the man of lawlessness. And just as Satan is opposed to Jehovah, His purposes, and His people, so is the man of lawlessness, whether he realizes it or not.
5 Those who go along with the man of lawlessness will suffer the same fate as he does—destruction: “The lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will do away with . . . and bring to nothing by the manifestation of his presence.” (2 Thessalonians 2:8) That time for the destruction of the man of lawlessness and his supporters (“those who are perishing”) will come shortly “at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels in a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance upon those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus. These very ones will undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction.”—2 Thessalonians 1:6-9.
(w90 2/1 pp. 10-11 pars. 4-5)
Okay, now that is very sobering, isn’t it? Everlasting destruction comes upon not only the Man of Lawlessness, but also upon those who support him, because they did not come to know God and they did not come to obey the good news about our Lord Jesus.
This is no simple academic discussion. Getting this wrong could very well cost you your life. So who is this guy, this Man of Lawlessness, this son of Destruction? He can’t be a simple human because Paul indicates he was already at work in the first century and that he would continue until done away with by Jesus at the “manifestation of his presence.” The Watchtower explains that “the expression “man of lawlessness” must stand for a body, or class, of people.” (w90 2/1 p. 11 par. 7)
Hmm…”a body,”…”a class, of people.”
So, who is this lawless “body of people” according to the Watchtower which is published by a Governing Body of people? The Watchtower article continues:
Who are they? The evidence shows that they are the body of proud, ambitious clergymen of Christendom, who over the centuries have set themselves up as a law unto themselves. This can be seen by the fact that there are thousands of different religions and sects in Christendom, each with its clergy, yet each conflicting with the others in some aspect of doctrine or practice. This divided state is a clear evidence that they do not follow God’s law. They cannot be from God….What all these religions have in common is that they do not hold fast to the Bible’s teachings, having violated the rule: “Do not go beyond the things that are written.” (w90 2/1 p. 11 par. 8)
So, the Organization claims that the Man of Lawlessness corresponds to the proud, ambitious clergymen of Christendom. Why? Because these religious leaders are “a law unto themselves.” Their various religions have one thing in common: “They do not hold fast to the Bible’s teachings.” They go beyond the things that are written.
Personally, I agree with this assessment. Perhaps you don’t, but to me it fits. The only problem I have with it is in its scope. It appears that the Governing Body with its army of circuit overseers and its legions of appointed elders, does not consider themselves to be a “body of proud, ambitious clergymen.” But what is a clergy man and what is a clergy class?
According to the dictionary it is “the body of all people ordained for religious duties.” Another similar definition is: “The group of religious officials (as priests, ministers, or rabbis) [one would easily add pastors, deacons, and yes, elders] specifically prepared and authorized to conduct religious services.”
Witnesses claim they do not have a clergy. They claim that all baptized Jehovah’s Witnesses are ordained ministers. That would include women, wouldn’t it? Women are ordained ministers, yet they cannot pray or preach in the congregation as men do. And come on, are we expected to believe that the average congregation publisher is the same as a congregation elder?
The power and control that elders, circuit overseers, and the Governing Body have over the lives of all witnesses demonstrates that saying there is no clergy class, doesn’t make it so. In fact, saying there is no JW clergy is a big, fat lie. If anything, Witness clergymen, i.e., congregation elders, have far more power than the average minister or priest in other Christian denominations. If you are an Anglican, Catholic, or Baptist, can your local priest or minister cut you off socially from all your family and friends around the world like Witness elders can? Pinochio’s nose is growing.
But what about the other criteria the Watchtower shares with us to prove that the clergy of other Christian denominations is the Man of Lawlessness? The Watchtower claims that teaching false doctrines and going beyond what is written makes the religious leaders of those churches into the Man of Lawlessness.
Even today, the Governing Body is quick to condemn others for the sin of “going beyond what is written.”
In fact, they do so yet again in the July Watchtower Study Edition of this year, in Article 31.
At times, we might reason that the direction Jehovah gives us is not sufficient. We might even be tempted to “go beyond the things that are written.” (1 Cor. 4:6) The religious leaders in Jesus’ day were guilty of this sin. By adding man-made rules to the Law, they imposed a heavy burden on the common people. (Matt. 23:4) Jehovah gives us clear direction through his Word and through his organization. We have no reason to add to the instruction he provides. (Prov. 3:5-7) Therefore, we do not go beyond what is written in the Bible or make rules for fellow believers about personal matters. (July 2023 Watchtower, Article 31, paragraph 11)
I do agree that we shouldn’t add man-made rules to the law of God. I do agree that we shouldn’t burden our brothers with such rules. I do agree that doing so is going beyond what is written. But the irony is that such instruction is coming from the very men who are the source of all the man-made rules that make up the written and oral law of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Jesus once had this to say about the scribes and the Pharisees, but I’m going to read you his words and substitute “The Governing Body” to see if it still fits.
“The Governing Body have seated themselves in the seat of Moses. 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. 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.” (Matthew 23:2-4)
1 Corinthians 11:5, 13 tells us that women can pray and prophecy (preach God’s word) in the congregation, but the Governing Body goes beyond what is written and says, “No they can’t.”
The Bible tells a woman to dress modestly, but the Governing Body tells her what she can and cannot wear when she is out preaching or attending meetings. (No, pantsuits, please!) Jesus had a beard, but the Governing Body tells men they cannot have a beard and serve in the congregation. Jesus said nothing about denying yourself a higher education, but the Governing Body preaches that seeking to expand your knowledge in college or university sets a bad example. The Bible tells a parent to provide for his family, and tells children to honor their parents, but the Governing Body says that if a child or parent resigns his or her congregation membership, they are to be totally and utterly shunned. I could go on, but you can see the similarity between these men and the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.
Holding the organization up to its own standard for identifying the man of lawlessness doesn’t bode well for the Governing Body and its army of elders. Nevertheless, our measuring rod should be the Bible itself, not the Watchtower magazine, so let’s take another look at what Paul says to the Thessalonians.
He says that the Man of Lawlessness “sits down in the temple of God, publicly showing himself to be a god” (2 Thessalonians 2:4
What is Paul referring to by the expression, “the temple of God”? Paul himself explains:
“Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that the spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him; for the temple of God is holy, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16, 17)
"Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit." (Ephesians 2:20b-22 BSB)
So, if the children of God are “the temple of God,” what does it mean to “sit down in that temple and show oneself to be a god?
What is a god in this context? Biblically, a god does not have to be a supernatural being. Jesus referred to Psalm 82:6 when he said:
“Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said: “You are gods”’? If he called ‘gods’ those against whom the word of God came—and yet the scripture cannot be nullified— do you say to me whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?” (John 10:34-36)
Those rulers were called gods because they had the power of life and death. They passed judgment. They issued commands. They expected to be obeyed. And they had the power to punish those who disobeyed their commands and ignored their judgments.
Based on this definition, Jesus is a god, just as John tells us:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.” (John 1:1)
A god has authority. Jesus revealed about himself following his resurrection that “all authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth.” (Matthew 28:18)
As a god entrusted by the Father with all authority, he also has the power to judge people; to reward with life, or condemn with death.
“For the Father judges no one at all, but he has entrusted all the judging to the Son, so 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. Most truly I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes the One who sent me has everlasting life, and he does not come into judgment but has passed over from death to life.” (John 5:22-24)
Now what happens if a man or a group of men begin to act like a god? What if they expect you to obey their rules even if their rules conflict with what Jesus tells you to do? Would Jesus, the Son of God, just give them a free pass? Not according to this Psalm.
“Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” (Psalm 2:12 NIV)
The phrase “kiss his son” refers to the way in which a king was honored. One bowed before a king. The word in Greek for “worship” is proskuneó. It means “to kiss the ground when prostrating before a superior.” So, we must submit to, or worship, the son if we do not want God’s anger to flare up against us so that we perish –not submit to the Governing Body or submit to the Governing Body.
But the man of lawlessness does not submit to the Son. He tries to replace the son of God and promote himself instead. He becomes an antichrist, that is a substitute for Christ.
“Therefore, we are ambassadors substituting for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us. As substitutes for Christ, we beg: “Become reconciled to God.”” (2 Corinthians 5:20 NWT)
No other Bible version besides the New World Translation talks about substituting for Christ—i.e., replacing Christ. Neither the word nor the concept of “substituting” appears in the interlinear. Typical is the way the NASB renders the verse:
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20 NASB)
This is how the members of the Governing Body see themselves, as substitutes for Christ, speaking with the voice of Jesus as Kenneth Flodin admitted in his Morning Worship talk.
That is why they have no problem making rules for Jehovah’s Witnesses as their god. As the July 2023 Watchtower claims, Witnesses should follow the “clear direction Jehovah gives…through his organization.
There is nothing written that says we should follow the direction or rules of an organization. The Bible doesn’t speak of an organization. The phrase “Jehovah’s Organization” does not appear in the word of God. Nor, for that matter, does the concept appear in Scripture of a Christian organization speaking with the voice of God or the voice of his Son.
Jesus is a god. Yes indeed. And all authority has been entrusted to him by God Almighty, our heavenly Father. For any human or body of humans to claim that they speak with the voice of Jesus is blasphemy. To expect people to obey you claiming that you speak for God, that you speak with the voice of Jesus who is called “the word of God,” is to put yourself on God’s level. You are showing yourself to be “a god.”
What happens when a man speaks with the voice of a god? Good things or bad things? What do you think?
No need to speculate. That Bible tells us what happens.
Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they sent a delegation to make peace with him because their cities were dependent upon Herod’s country for food. The delegates won the support of Blastus, Herod’s personal assistant, and an appointment with Herod was granted. When the day arrived, Herod put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to them. The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, “It’s the voice of a god, not of a man!” Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died. (Acts 12:20-23 NLT)
This is a warning for all who think that they can rule as a god in place of Jehovah’s appointed Son. But notice that before he was struck down, the people were praising King Herod with a great ovation. No man can do this, proclaim himself to be a god either overtly or by his conduct, unless he has the support of a people. So the people are to blame as well for putting their trust in men instead of God. They may do this unknowingly, but that doesn’t absolve them of guilt. Let’s reread Paul’s warning on the matter:
“This takes into account that it is righteous on God’s part to repay tribulation to those who make tribulation for you. But you who suffer tribulation will be given relief along with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels in a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance on those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus. These very ones will undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction from before the Lord and from the glory of his strength,” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9 NWT)
So Jesus righteously condemns the supporters of the Man of Lawlessness to eternal destruction because they “do not know God” and “do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus.”
The fact that they do not know God doesn’t mean they are not Christians. Not at all. Quite the contrary in fact. Remember, the Man of Lawlessness sits down in the temple of God, which is the body of Christ, the Christian congregation. Just as the original temple in Jerusalem was perverted from a place of pure worship into a “dwelling place of demons,” so the spiritual temple of God has been converted into a place “full of unclean spirits.” (Revelation 18:2)
So while claiming to know God, these so-called Christians do not know him at all. They lack true love.
If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. (1 John 2:4-6 NLT)
No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. (1 John 4:12 NLT)
The proof that these followers and supporters of the Man of Lawlessness do not know God is that they make tribulation on the true children of God. They persecute true Christians. They do this thinking they are serving God and doing his will. When a true Christian rejects the false teachings of the Governing Body, Jehovah’s Witnesses, in obedience to their god, the Governing Body, shun them. This is persecuting the children of God who will not follow men, but who only follow our Lord Jesus. These Jehovah’s Witnesses have been seduced by the Man of Lawlessness because they do not understand the love of God, nor do they love truth.
“They exchanged the truth of God for the lie and venerated and rendered sacred service to the creation [self-appointed men] rather than the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen.” (Romans 1:25)
They think they have “the truth,” but you cannot have truth unless you love truth. If you do not love truth, you are easy pickings for anyone with a tall tale to tell.
“The lawless one’s presence is according to the operation of Satan with every powerful work and lying signs and portents and with every unrighteous deception for those who are perishing, as a retribution because they did not accept the love of the truth that they might be saved.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10)
These followers of the Man of Lawlessness even boast proudly of belonging to him. If you are one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, then you have surely sung song 62. But have you ever thought to apply it to the one who sets himself up within the congregation as a god, demanding you obey him and claiming to speak with the voice of Jesus?
To whom do you belong?
Which god do you now obey?
Your master is he to whom you bow.
He is your god; you serve him now.
You cannot serve two gods;
Both masters can never share
The love of your heart in its ev’ry part.
To neither you would be fair.
2. To whom do you belong?
Which god will you now obey?
For one god is false and one is true,
So make your choice; it’s up to you.
If you are a child of God, part of the body of Christ, the true temple of God, then you belong to Christ.
“So let no one boast in men; for all things belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things now here or things to come, all things belong to you; in turn you belong to Christ; Christ, in turn, belongs to God.” (1 Corinthians 3:21-23)
If you are a true child of God, you do not belong to the Organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses, nor for that matter, to the Catholic church, the Lutheran Church, the Mormon Church, or any other Christian denomination. You belong to Christ, and he belongs to God and here’s a stunning truth—as a child of God, “all things belong to you”! So why would you want to belong to any church, organization, or man-made religion? Seriously, why? You don’t need an organization or a church to worship God. In fact, religion gets in the way of worshipping in spirit and truth.
Jehovah is the God of love. John tells us that “whoever does not love has not come to know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:8) So, if you are willing to obey the voice of men over the voice of God, or the voice of his Son who is called, “the Word of God,” then you do not have love. How can you? Can you worship another god other than Jehovah and still have the love of which John speaks? Are there two gods who are love? Jehovah and a group of men? Nonsense. And the evidence of that is overwhelming.
Jehovah’s Witnesses have been induced into shunning their friends and family members who strive to imitate the God of love. The man of lawlessness creates an anti-love theology designed to instill fear and obedience in his followers. As Paul said, “The lawless one’s presence is according to the operation of Satan.” The spirit leading him is not from Jehovah nor Jesus, but the opposer, Satan, resulting in “every unrighteous deception upon those who are perishing.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9) It is easy to identify him, because he stands in stark contrast to the God of love who teaches us to pray for our enemies and for those who persecute us. (Matthew 5:43-48)
It is time for us to act upon this knowledge now that the Man of Lawlessness within the JW community has exposed himself.
“Therefore, it is said: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and the Christ will shine upon you.”” (Ephesians 5:14)
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Archived Comments
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Comment by yobec on 2023-04-24 01:11:31
How ironic. The GB says that there is no clergy in the Jehovah's Witnesses but whenever they see fit, they claim clergy status
Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2023-04-25 08:58:55
Very good point, Yobec.
Reply by yobec on 2023-04-25 22:41:50
If confronted with their double talk, they would undoubtedly invoke the "spiritual warfare " with their enemy strategy
Comment by wish4truth2 on 2023-04-24 01:56:12
Not saying the Gb is not accountable to God, but I thought the man of lawlessness was Nero in the first century? Therefore done and dusted?
Reply by Ad_Lang on 2023-04-24 20:29:43
I get this sense that Nero was not quite the only one then. I don't know/remember much of him, but I very well see how modern-day governments are lawless: making up all sorts of rules for their people, but not caring to follow those rules themselves as they continue to do whatever they like as and when it suits them.
I see quite a distinction with people of the nations Paul mentions in Romans 2:12-16, who do not have "the Law", but are nevertheless doing the things of the law. That may well happen through a law code they made themselves. Think of the people who are keeping the man-made laws of their country that tell them they must not steal or murder. A lawless man may do something like bending the rules that define what stealing is, so that they can steal without technically stealing.
Consider as an example James 5:1-6 in the context of stock markets, where people buy and sell shares of corporations. They get rich on speculation about the results those corporations will book, but how do those results come about? Isn't it because of the people (employees) doing the actual work? Couldn't one ultimately conclude that shareholders get rich over the backs of the companies' employees? Is it possible that shareholders steal from those employees, without technically stealing from them (James 5:4-5)?
Reply by Frankie on 2023-04-25 06:32:18
Dear wish4truth2, I have already encountered various attempts to define the Man of Lawlessness. This Man of Lawlessness should meet certain criteria as described in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-11. As for Nero, he cannot be the Man of Lawlessness because Jesus Christ did not destroy Nero with the breath of His mouth at His second coming (2 Thess 2:8).
God bless you. Frankie.
Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2023-04-25 08:58:12
There were many lawless men and many men who claimed to be a god, even before the Christian era. Just being lawless and just claiming to be divine isn't enough to fit the pattern Paul explains to the Thessalonians. The M of L sits in the temple of God. The temple of God is the assembly of anointed children of God. Thus, the M of L must come from within the body of Christ.
Reply by Frankie on 2023-04-26 18:54:29
Dear Eric, regarding the identity of the Man of Lawlessness (MoL), in my opinion, it is not possible to identify GB as MoL with certainty (at least that's what I understood from the transcript of your video). However, this my comment in no way diminish the importance of your video, full of worth thoughts, pointing out the shocking behavior of GB.
The MoL is mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-11 and to identify its identity, the MoL must meet all attributes described by Paul. When describing the MoL in the 1st century, the MoL himself was not yet fully active, because Paul writes that something or someone "is restraining him”, even though "the mystery of lawlessness is already at work" (verses 6 and 7). That is why the MoL was not revealed in the time of Paul.
The widespread apostasy will accompany the appearance of the MoL and then:
a) He will oppose and exalt himself above everything divine (what is called god),
b) He takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God
c) His tool will be lies, Satan's power, and lying wonders (miracles),
d) Only then will Jesus kill him with the breath of his mouth.
But if we want to define the GB as MoL, we will face several difficulties.
First - Paul said that something or someone is restraining the Mol. So there was some factor, something (perhaps someone) preventing the revelation of the MoL. The Christians in Thessalonica then knew very well what it was (v. 6). But we don't know for sure that and it is certainly not Satan as the WT claims - that's ridiculous. So are we able to determine what factor ceased to operate for GB to be revealed as MoL in our time? And was it for an individual (Russel, Rutheford, Franz) or for GB later? When did this restraining factor stop working?
Second - It is not clear to me from Paul's description whether the MoL will be a collective body (group of people) or some individual. In my opinion, the assumption of a group of people is the WT theory. The sentence "Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way" rather indicates a person (verses 6 and 7).
Third - The MoL will proclaim himself to be God (v. 4). Here is wrong NWT translation - not "a god" but "God", as all translations say so in Bible Hub and in interlinear translations as well as in my various translations. The MoL will exalt himself above all gods, the pagan ones. This could mean that the MoL will not arise from anointed Christians (scattered across all Christian religions - John 10:27), but IMO either from the clergy environment of all false religions, or from the secular environment, because it will try to eliminate all religions ("who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship") and probably establishes the only religion of which god he (they) will be (something like New Age) and will try to replace Almighty God Jehovah. This may be related to the fall of Babylon the Great. I already observe such tendencies now (e.g. statement of the representative of the WEF - "God is dead"). I think the revelation of the MoL will be directly related to a massive worldwide attack on world religions and especially on Christians.
The problem is that GB has not yet declared themselves to be any god or God. The fact that they declared themselves to be the "spokesman" of Jesus Christ “only” does not mean for me that they declared themselves to be God.
Fourth - GB members do not perform lying miracles (there is no indication that Paul is referring to figurative miracles). By the term "wonder, miracle", Christians in the first century certainly understood that as literal miracles, performed by Satan’s power and deceiving people (v. 9).
Fifth - apostasy. In identifying the GB as the MoL, we would have to determine when started a marked apostasy that precedes the appearance of the MoL. The time periods from the great apostasy, to the arrival of MOL and to its destruction by Jesus are not clear from 2 Thessalonians and their determination can vary depending on various logical considerations.
I may be right and I may be wrong (1 Corinthians 13:12). But I think it is highly unlikely that the GB is the MoL and I believe that MoL is yet to be revealed in the near future.
And one more thing. In conclusion, you said: "It is time for us to act upon this knowledge now that the Man of Lawlessness within the JW community has exposed himself."
But no group within the JW community has identified themselves as MoL - so they not exposed themselves. You exposed them based on their own quotes and your biblical evidence.
We should be careful here, because it is not our business to label anyone as worthy of eternal destruction (and it does not matter if it is Adam, people of Sodom, GB identified with MoL or anyone else). Only Jesus Christ will decide that (2 Corinthians 5:10) and we can only pray for everyone (even for our enemies - Luke 6:28) that everyone finally finds grace in God's eyes, just as Saul, the zealous persecutor of Christians found it.
You know, I may have different opinions, but you are still my beloved brother in Christ. And maybe one day we will sit together with Jesus Christ to a cup of wine in the Kingdom of God :-), when all things will be made clear (Matt 26:29).
God bless you Eric.
FrankieReply by Meleti Vivlon on 2023-04-27 08:13:34
Hi Frankie,
The Man of Lawlessness has been around since the days of the apostles. Just like the seed or offspring of Satan is not confined to one group of his ministers at a given point in time, but rather all who have been his children since the beginning of time, so the man of lawlessness represents a type of Christian. Any group of Christian leaders who presume to sit in the temple of God and rule it as a god comprise this man of lawlessness. That "man" has existed for 2,000 years. LIkewise, the evil slave is not restricted to a man nor a group of men at any particular time, but to all men who act as that slave does.Reply by ZbigniewJan on 2023-04-27 18:16:01
Hello Dear Eric!!!
Thank you for your interesting response to the outrageous words of a member of the Governing Body. These men feel like ambassadors replacing Christ. the translation of 2 Cor. 5:20 is the pride and arrogance of JW leaders. They have allowed almost every public prayer in religious gatherings to revolve around gratitude to GB. Demand unconditional obedience to their provisions testifies to the usurpation of divine law.
We condemn such behavior.
At the same time, I agree with Brother Frankie's warning that we do not have the right to judge to eternal death people who become antichrists and with their attitude, statements, become like a man of lawlessness. Our Father has entrusted the judgment to the Son. Jesus is our Lord and we should not tell him who to destroy. In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus says that not everyone who says Lord Lord will enter the Kingdom of God. In verse 23, he says, "And then he will say to them openly: I never knew you: Depart from me, you workers of iniquity." How he will judge them, we cannot be sure. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus describes in a parable how he will reward faithful slaves and how he punished the infidels. We must strive with all our might to please our Lord. If our Lord sees our efforts to worship his Father in spirit and truth, he will be pleased with us.
Dear Eric, I appreciate your work, your effort, and your very interesting and inspiring attempts to understand the difficult passages and prophecies of God's word. I am very happy that you are bursting with energy but at the same time I am asking you not to forget about the emergency brake. The announcement of the destruction of GB and all his admirers sounds like the announcement of the destruction of all people except JW in Armageddon.
I am not able to pray for GB that they come to their senses and convert to Christ, although I should probably try. It's easier for me to throw stones of accusation at them. I take comfort in the fact that noticing these problems is already a success.
I wish you, Eric, a lot of strength, health and joy in working for the Lord.
Zbigniew
Reply by Northernexposure on 2023-04-28 11:50:23
Hi Frankie...Very well said, researched, and I agree...
Interpretations abound throughout Christianity on this. Paul in 2Thes.2.3, and 1Jn.2.18 where John speaks of many "antichrist". Many believe these are one in the same. I have the benefit of a long history of Non Denominational, Baptist, teachings, as well as the JW's, and others. Each have their legitimate points, and I select what I believe are the closest to script, and Tho I believe these 2 entities are the same, I've not written that in stone. The Bible is vague in some areas. I agree there are many who can fulfill the M o l or antichrist role in history, one most notably is the "Pope" however in part thanks to my Non D background, I also believe we still await the appearance of the AC just before, or during the 7 year great tribulation. I also believe when we consider the current events, and rapid recent downfall of biblical values that time could be very near indeed...
We also should consider that John wrote to the Jew's , and Paul to the gentiles, thus they used somewhat different prose.
I ditto word for word your last two paragraphs!
Eric, and the Beroean Pickets are a delightful Bible study group, and a godsend to former JW associates like myself, and it is pleasing to come to a better unscripted understanding of the Bible.
God Bless...
Comment by ironsharpensiron on 2023-04-24 07:46:37
I made my stand 2 days after the memorial. I am putting in my last report. Thanks for this video I am going to show it to a non witness friend.
Comment by arnon on 2023-04-24 15:02:11
have 2 questions:
1). Does the bible prohibit smoking drugs or cigarettes? The book does not say anything about them, but it is clear that it harms health.
2). I did not find in the Bible a prohibition against lesbianism or masturbation. There is no doubt that these things were known during the time of the Bible.Reply by Ad_Lang on 2023-04-24 20:12:06
I would suggest to take your mind away from the rules, onto the principles that apply. Jesus gave us few hard rules and quite a number of principles to go by. These principles were further explained by the apostles. I can think of two that are appropriate here:
2 Corinthians 7:1 contains the principle coming closest to your question about drugs and cigarettes. But it may be useful to investigate a bit further. For example, cigarettes do not only contain tobacco, but many other harmful chemical substances. Drugs can be divided between those that occur naturally and synthetic drugs. I have come across indications that some naturally occurring drugs, like marijuana, have healing properties and can be helpful in moderate doses. To put that in perspective: even drinking water can kill, if you have too much of it in a short span of time.
Regarding lesbianism, I think that would be an example where the principles and hard boundaries for men (homosexual practices) also apply to women.
On masturbation, I never accepted the reasoning of Jehovah's Witnesses on why that should be forbidden. However, I do see a relationship with the harmful practice of watching pornography and in doing so, supporting the evil that happens in the world around the production of such material. Think of human trafficking as an example.
Likewise, you could ask yourself if masturbation is helpful toward remaining loyal to a single spouse or not. For myself, I concluded it is not, because it would likely get me in a habit of being used to desiring more than one woman. On the other hand, one might have a spouse who for some reason is not able to provide for their sexual desires (or needs). I can imagine this would be a situation where there may be a useful application. The advice of Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:5-7 may be helpful in such circumstances.
Apart from these things, I would like to encourage you to not be excessively concerned with the things we might not be allowed to do. Continuously finding fault with ourselves is very disempowering, and not what Jesus came for. He came to make up for our flaws to be occupied with what we can do, to the best of our ability, whatever our circumstances might be. That is empowering and may even inspire hope that comes from faith.
In 2 Peter 1:2-11 we find Peter directing us to the much more constructive way of focussing our minds on the things we ought to have an abundance of. When we do so, we will not only succeed, but also be granted entrance into the Kingdom of Jesus. Being busy doing the things he points at not only stops us doing harmful things. By means of holy spirit, this course of life can even transform us into the kind of person who, as John puts it in 1 John 3:9, are born of God and therefore cannot practice sin. It is part of the gift of holy spirit, given to all who accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.Reply by Northernexposure on 2023-04-25 09:31:01
Agreed! ditto...On every point. You certainly provide logic in Biblical reasoning here.
Reply by Northernexposure on 2023-04-25 11:02:05
Ad_Lang says it all so well...I ditto that!!
May I also add, 1Cor.6.12...Paul says in so many words...all things may be lawful, yet not beneficial. Each individuals conscience is the determining factor, and is between ones self, and God. Each situation may be different. What may be OK for one individual may not be OK for another's conscience, and we don't want to stumble a person of weaker faith.
If you confess your concern...say a questionable, or bad habit, God may remedy it... or not, as, Paul brings out in 2Cor12.7-10..."A thorn in the flesh" can take many forms, and may be there to keep us humble. As long as we confess or sins, his "grace" is sufficient, and his Spirit will empower us to change if God deems it so.
Rules, and laws are not so much the criteria, as Love, and whether it hurts others in any way.
Reply by a watcher on 2023-04-25 16:51:10
Lesbianism is condemned in Romans 1:26 and likened to male homosexuality in verse 27.
Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2023-04-26 16:53:30
On lesbianism and homosexuality, there is this:
For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. (Romans 1:26, 27)
Comment by Ireneo on 2023-04-24 15:26:59
Buen día Eric
Esta es la primera vez que escribo aquí
He disfrutado tu articulo
De hecho usaste muchos textos que vinieron a mi mente mientras estaba escuchando el tema de Flodin
Es cierto que Cristo dijo " el que los desatiende a ustedes me desatiende a mi "
Pero los discípulos JAMAS agregaron nada a las palabras de Jesús , ellos enseñaron " lo que el mando"
Es lamentable lo que está ocurriendo en las congregaciones
Te comentare algo que ha significado un antes y un después para muchos (incluida mi esposa )
Durante la pandemia nosotros decidimos no vacunarnos contra el covid y utilizar remedios naturales
Como seguidores de cristo respetamos a quien desea vacunarse , de hecho Romanos capítulo 14 dice claramente que en cuestiones de conciencia no debemos obligar a nadie a seguir nuestras ideas
Por eso nunca tratamos de convencer a los demás ya que nos dimos cuenta enseguida que podía ser un tema polémico y generar conflictos en la congregación porque perturbaría la paz(las contiendas son obras de la carne)
Sin embargo el cuerpo gobernante DECIDIO sobre los CUERPOS de todos los hermanos y empezó mediante los informes a presionar a que los hermanos se vacunen
En mi congregación quedamos solo yo ,mi esposa y mi hija sin vacunar
Fuimos despreciados y maltratados
Se me acuso de no obedecer la voz de cristo y no tener fe en el por no vacunarme
También de dejarme engañar por satanás
Eso me dolió profundamente
Renuncie como anciano después de eso
Mi nombre fue mancillado y ensuciado a pesar de explicarles que yo era verdaderamente neutral ya que jamás obligue a nadie a seguir mis ideas medicas
En los informes se torcieron las escrituras descaradamente y en forma escandalosa para OBLIGAR a los hermanos a vacunarse
Nunca sentimos tanta presión y maltrato
Para asistir a las escuelas de ancianos y precursores se debe estar vacunado es obligatorio
El que no lo esta se pierde la reunión
Es gravísimo obligar a los demás a aceptar nuestra ideas personales sobre los tratamiento médico y es blasfemo decir que nuestros consejos son los de Dios
Lo que hizo el cuerpo gobernante es transformarse en un falso profeta que usurpa el papel de cristo
Muchos hermanos han tenido efectos adversos y algunos hasta se han muerto lo he visto con mis propios ojos
Lo más grave es que no querían vacunarse pero se sintieron obligados porque "JEHOVA" lo pedía
Sencillamente en esos casos hay culpa de sangre ya que fueron inducidos contra su voluntad
Estarían vivos si hubieran decidido por si mismos
Para muchos la postura tomada con la vacunación por el cuerpo gobernante los ha despertado y es el preludio de cosas peores
Disculpa si me extendí demasiado solo quería aportar otro ejemplo que como ellos se creen la voz de Cristo y lo peligroso que es dejar que otros decidan por nosotros
Saludos desde ArgentinaReply by Meleti Vivlon on 2023-04-25 08:54:54
Yo, sí, me vacuné, pero respeto que sea una decisión personal. La organización solía condenar todas las vacunaciones en los años trienta. Ahora se han pasado al otro bando. Sin embargo, están yendo más allá de su autoridad y metiéndose en la vida personal de los demás. Están actuando como un dios, tomando decisiones morales y personales por los demás.
I did get vaccinated, but I respect that this is a personal decision. The organization used to condemn all vaccinations back in the 30s. Now they have switched over to the other side. However, they are going beyond their authority and inserting themselves into the personal lives of others. They are acting like a god, making moral choices and personal choices for others.
Comment by Ad_Lang on 2023-04-24 19:40:07
On my way out of the JWorg organisation, I recognised that Christian denominations are illegitimate, because of Matthew 18:20. The Christian congregation is an assembly of two or more individual Christians, because that is where Jesus will be with them. No matter where or when that assembly takes place. That is as far as something like "Jehovah's Organization on earth" applies to Christians.
Similarly, in Revelation 1:12-20, John sees something like a model of the relationship between the seven congregations he is directed to write to and Jesus. There are angels involved. There is no need to even identify who or what these angels are, because the important point is clear: there is one for each congregation. There is no angel (or anything else other than Jesus) in authority or with responsibility over the group of the congregations. Christian denominations tend to put men in some form of authority over multiple congregations, like the Catholic Church, the Anglican Church or, indeed, the JWorg organisation with it's governing body, branch committees (including Service Departments etc) and circuit overseers.
What struck me in this video is the grim message to the supporters of such arrangements. This message is nothing new. In Revelation 18:4-8, each individual Christian is called to get out of Babylon the Great, an organisation. For being in it, individuals make themselves guilty of sharing in her sins and thus subject to also receiving part of her plagues.
This call also takes my mind to the gift given to those of us who have been thrown out of religious organisations (most being former Jehovah's Witnesses). While painful and for some beyond painful, it is also liberation from the fate that many of us were unknowingly in line for. The lesson I draw personally is that I may have to be a bit more radical that Christians should not be part of any denomination. Like a Jehovah's Witness, a catholic Christian for example may well be a true Christian, but still in subjection and part of Babylon the Great and needing to sever the ties with their denomination. But careful not to be found with yet another one, as happened with many of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Thank you, Eric (and your team), for in effect highlighting where the main share of our ministry should be: to our Christian brothers still in bonds of darkness through their following of the men within their Christian denomination and those already having come out or coming out of it now (Galatians 6:10).Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2023-04-25 08:50:40
It's good to have you with us, Ad_Lang.
Reply by Ad_Lang on 2023-04-27 20:15:15
I love being among the group and making myself useful. I had some concerns when I left the organisation about how I would be able to apply Hebrews 10:24-25, in particular the part on "inciting to love and fine works". I take it as a continued response to my prayers that have gone back longer than my disfellowshipping, that my presence may be a blessing to the congregation, wherever I go. There is a point in the phrase "it is better to give than to receive" that is easily missed in the sense of having purpose and being appreciated - basic human needs, if you ask me.
Likewise in reverse, the videos have been very helpful questioning the teachings I was expected to repeat and straightening out my own reasoning. The meets help as well when it comes to using different perspectives.
One example of an answered question that comes to mind at this moment is the man at the marriage feast in Matthew 22:11-13. He was thrown out because he did not wear a marriage garment. I had been pondering several times: what is the difference between the marriage garments and his own, and why is it important? In time (I don't remember how or when) there were comments made about the true meaning of faith in Jesus' ransom versus trying to earn our salvation through works, as also JWs (often unwittingly) get dragged into. These comments helped me take my mind to the white robes given in Revelation 7:9-14, and I have so far come to conclude that the man without a marriage garment may have attempted to "earn" his salvation by works, such as keeping the sabbath and teaching other Christians they need to do this to be saved. I doubt I would've come to that clear conclusion without help from others.Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2023-04-29 07:41:35
Thanks for sharing that insight, Ad_Lang
Comment by Northernexposure on 2023-04-25 11:34:50
Meleti
I too was floored at the Society's claim to be "the voice of Jesus". I rewound it 5 or 6 times to confirm what I thought they said. So glad you covered this so quickly after it aired on the JW.org web site.
I immediately emailed my family (all are JW's) indicating my dismay, and asking for an explanation. I also thought it a good time to remind them of my total break, and departure from the JW religion. I await their reply, but I'm not holding my breath.
The Society's ongoing claim has been to be "God's channel", yet they seem to be more emboldened as time goes on.
Well Presented!Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2023-04-26 16:49:44
Emboldened indeed, in fulfillment of prophecy. "...evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." (2 Timothy 3:13)
Comment by Frankie on 2023-04-26 05:57:39
Thank you Eric for important information. Kenneth Flodin's speech only indicates that the WT organization is becoming an increasingly obvious religious cult. It is a direct denial of 1 Tim 2:5. GB puts itself on the level of Jesus Christ. How far are these "spokesmen" of Jesus able to go? In this context, only the text of Revelation 18:4 comes to my mind.
Dear Eric, you have written a message for all Jehovah's Witnesses to consistently uphold our Lord Jesus Christ as the only leader of the Christian congregation (Matt 23:10) and the head of every Christian (1 Corinthians 11:3). And so that they are not afraid to point out in the assembly the true meaning of Jesus in our lives and clearly confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is our Lord (2 Peter 1:14). And to keep repeating publicly that Jesus is the only mediator between a Christian and Jehovah (1 Tim 2:5) and no human being.
And you, my brothers and sisters in the JW congregations, if you will be beaten for all of this, then rejoice that you were persecuted for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 5:41). If you are disfellowshipped for this, then our Lord's prophecy has been fulfilled upon you (Matt 10:34-38; Luke 6:22; John 6:2; 2 Corinthians 12:10). Peter wrote to us: “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21).
But above all, our Lord Jesus Christ will be always with you, and He will always console you: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27).
Frankie
Comment by Psalmbee on 2023-04-26 09:09:15
I recognize their voice to be among the hungry greedy wolves.
(Jn 10:16)
Psalmbee