r
LIMITED OFFER: FREE "KNOCK, KNOCK" EBOOKS --download
THE WATCHTOWER SOCIETY'S DOCTRINE OF SUBMISSION AND FEAR
One of the most important core doctrines of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society concerns "Babylon the Great", the hartlot that rides the scarlet colored beast (Rev. 17: 1-18:34). This is such important informationto know since very few people outside the organization know about it or, if they do, they really don't understand what the full meaning it has to a Jehovah's Witness. In reality, this doctrine serves a two-fold purpose: it solidifies the power & authority of the WTBTS, and at the same time creates a fear within each one that results in isolation from society and into deeper reliance on the Society and other Witnesses.
The Watchtower Society's basic doctrinal concept of Babylon the Great begins with the recognition that there are two powers that rule & reign. On the one hand is Jehovah God with His righteous Kingdom. On the other hand is Satan with his kingdom of sin, evil, and darkness. Each of these powers kingdoms, in J.W. views, exist both in the spiritual and earthly realm with organizations that carry out each rulers plans.
First, they teach that Jehovah has His heavenly Kingdom of the heavenly Jerusalem and filled with spirit beings, angels. At the same time He has the representation of His Kingdom on the earth, a chosen organization that has exclusive revelation and guidance from God: The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, the only true Christian belief. Nearly all of their focus is concentrated on the the earthly organization.
This is a pretty bold belief, so how did they get there? They believe, as the Bible says, that Jesus spoke the Word of Truth and established a pure church when He was on earth. This is true. They also believe, also true, that prophecy stated that apostasy would enter the church through false teachers and teachings. HOWEVER, they believe, not true, that the Church no longer contained the truth and God withdrew His favor, direction, and revelation until a later time--the time of the end, the end of the Gentile times.
According to their doctrine, Jehovah corrected this state of affairs and restored His Truth and True Church just prior to the beginning of the end-times. Thus, they claim that Jehovah made this restoration through Charles Taze Russell who supposedly received special revelations from God concerning the end of the Gentile times, the second coming of Christ (invisible), and the invisible establishment of God's Kingdom. Therefore, they constantly drive it into the minds and hearts of Jehovah's Witnesses that they are the only true church that God has ordained, they have the only true doctrines, the only hope of protection from God's wrath of destruction and annihilation at Armegeddon, the only protection from Satan, and consequently the only hope of life.
Over on the other hand is Satan's kingdoms. He initially rules from heaven (their view, just in earth's outer atmosphere) and has evil, unclean spirits who carry out his agendas. Now here is where things get interesting. What is Babylon the Great? Satan's earthly kingdom is, they believe, Satan's earthly empire of false religions, false teachings, and religious institutions. A harlot because she has prostituted herself with false teachings, sometimes with the disguise of being God's true church.
What about the scarlet colored beast that the harlot rides on? They believe that all national governments, political ideologies, and worldly insitutions. In essence, it is constituted of anything and everything that is outside of the WTS and its followers.
The bottom line is that all religious power is given to the President and board members of the WTS. They are completely authoritarian and make all decisions regarding doctrines, bibilical interpretation, rules, books, literature, dress, structure, leadership, and anything else they deem fit and necessary. None of their decisions on any matter can be questioned or disagreed with by anyone. It is instilled in every J.W. that to disagree/question them constitutes rebellion--not just against the Society but against Jehovah Himself.
At the same time they instill the biblical message that friendship with the world is enmity with God. Therefore, J.W. are not to have anything more to do with people or institutions outside of the Witnesses and the organization than is absolutely necessary. Otherwise, a person may find themselves in opposition to Jehovah and incur His wrath of destruction and annihilation at Armegeddon.
Overall, it is very difficult and inconceivable for most non-J.W.s to understand how someone could willingly and completely submit to a religion that propigates such fear and domination over them. Believe me when I tell you that it is a slow and thorough process that takes place. One finds themselves embroiled in it before they know what happened. Many J.W.s never understand what happened to them and that they are completely devoted to the organization because of fear.
The major source of this fear comes from the WTS's doctrine on Babylon the Great and the scarlet colored beast. It consolidates fear of being outside of the WTS because it is one's only hope for a future. the fear of questioning or disagreeing. The fear to them is real: God doesn't deal with any individual just the top leaders of the organization. They continue to feel they have no power to help themselves. So Sad!
___________________________________________________
HOW THE WATCHTOWER SOCIETY OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES FIT THE CLASSIC CULT STRUCTURE
The term "cult" has been bantered around a lot for the last couple of decades. The term conjures up all kinds of mental perceptions from the far-out and bizarre to the mundane, depending on who is talking about it. However, there is a class profile and structure for a cult that most Christian theologians and bible experts accept: it usually centers around what a belief system's doctrine is about Jesus. Usually one that also calls itself Christian.
Hopefully I will be able to clarify what the major elements of a cult are and how the Watchtower Bible and Tract society fits this profile.
CLASSIC CULT STRUCTURE
1. IT IS FOUNDED BY A CHARASMATIC LEADER
The original founder of the belief system later known as The Watchtower Bible & Tract Society was Charles Taze Russell in the 1870's.
2. BELIEF THAT GOD HAS ESTABLISHED THE LEADER BY SPECIAL REVELATION
Russell and his followers believed that he had received special knowledge concerning prophecies on the end of the gentile times, the invisible second coming of Christ, and the invisible establishment of God's
Kingdom.
3. DOCTRINES AND BELIEFS DIFFER FROM ESTABLISHED DOCTRINES OF CHRISTIANITY
Although all of today's J.W. doctrines are completely different from Christianity's, the most important one focuses on their Jesus doctrine:
Jesus, in their belief, was the first created being that Jehovah ever made, the Archangel Michael. Hence, the first-born of all creation, God's Son. Michael existed for perhaps billions of years before the earth's creation. However, at the proper time, Jehovah transplanted the life force of Michael into the virgin Mary's womb. When Jesus was born, he was born a mere human man (not God, no part God). He lived, preached, taught, and died just as a man. It was necessary in their view that he die just as a perfect human man so he could be the exact counterpart to what Adam lost, perfection in human body. Thus, little or no emphases is put on blood atonement.
They teach that Jesus was put to death, but not on the traditional cross because it is a pagan religious symbol that God would never use; rather, they say he was put to death on a tree, which they refer to as a "torture stake" that was one upright wood beam. They never use the words crucify, crucifixion, or cross--they use impale, impaled, and impalement. The instument of death is the torture stake.
They belief that Jesus did die and was in the grave for parts of three days. Then he was resurrected with a spiritual body (his body evaporated or some such thing) that he could materialize into different human forms, whenever he felt like it.
The bottom line: their doctrine states that Jesus never was, is, or ever will be any part God. He never was, is, or will be all-knowing, all-powerful, or ever-present everywhere.
4. EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP
The WTS does not just let anyone become a J.W., i.e. you can't just wake up one morning and say, "today I'm going to become a J.W". There are three requirements that an individual must meet first: study w/a J.W. so you can get accurate knowledge of the now restored truth as "revealed" to the WTS; going into service (the door-to-door ministry); and baptism. You can associate yourself with their organization or members but all three must be met, absolutely baptism. Then they consider you a J.W. for life as long as you remain in the Society and adhere to all rules and doctrines.
5. USUALLY A WORK BASED ORGANIZATION
A J.W. must engage in street evangelism. It proves to them and Jehovah that you truly are His servant and it helps you on your way to salvation of everlasting life.
6. AUTHORITARIAN
This, in my opinion is the second most important aspect of the WTS because authoritariaism equal control. If you control the mind, you control the person. The WTS does this by strongly governing or mandating a person's thoughts: no independent thinking or decision making on what to believe, how to interpret biblical passages, etc. They also govern a person's emotions: no deep grieving over the loss of a loved one, for instance. If it occurs, you will be counseled and sometimes strongly ostracised. One cannot be angry over an injustice that an elder or other leading official commits against you--you will be considered in rebellion and having a lack of forgiveness. There is something wrong w/you, the leaders are just human and make mistakes. Usually no apologies are forth-coming for these mistakes. They control how you behave/choices you make: they have dress codes of how you should dress when coming to the Kingdom Hall or going out in the street ministry; they strongly suggest who you should associate with; the types of music, tv, and movies to watch.
Last, but not in the least, is the WTS controls the information that you receive. They tell you what to believe and how to believe it. They advocate reading the Bible and say everything concerning the Society is Bible based. However, rarely does anyone have the time for independent Bible study or reading. One is too busy reading their other publications, e.g., books and magazines, in which they promote their teachings and authority.
The bottom line: the WTS control results in a J.W.'s complete submission to the governing authorities--The Watchtower Bible & Tract Society in NYC.
Overall, the classic structure of a cult fits perfectly with the Watchtower Society. From the Society's beginning with a "special chosen one" and following through to complete power and authority over each individual, ultimately and collectively, making the Jehovah's Witness membership.
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
ABOMINABLE DECEPTIVE METHODS: THE WATCHTOWER SOCIETY
Nearly everyone one on earth has been in contact with a Jehovah's Witness at one time or another. Perhaps you have a relative, neighbor, or co-worker who is a J.W. Most likely, you have been called upon at your home by a member of the Watchtower Society. If you are an average person or average Christian, you're probably not aware of one of the most deceptive methods they employ when talking to you: the terminology that they use. It is important for each and every person to know about and to understand how they use this method. Why? Because it misleads you into thinking that they are just other Christians doing God's work. The deception lies in what these terminologies are and how they use them.
TERMINOLOGIES/PHRASES
Many people are unaware that Jehovah's Witnesses use the same terminologies as Christians do. The most common ones used in their door-to-door ministries are: God/Jehovah God; Jesus; spirit; Bible/scriptures. They use these terms to deceive in three ways:
Deception #1: When J.W.s use these core Christian terms it gives one the perception that they are just other Christians that belong to yet another Christian denomination.
Deception #2: When you use other Christian core terms that J.W.s never use at all (e.g. cross, crucified), they seldom refute them on the spot. I'm talking if it is a peaceful contacts, not if it has developed into an argument. Rather, they wait until they have called upon you over a period of time to gradually and gently break the "news."
Deception #3: What most people don't know is that the mere stating of these words is where the similarities between Christianity and the The Watchtower Bible & Tract Society ends. The Society has applied a completely different doctrine, alternate terms and phrases, and uses to the above terms, as well as to other Christian words. Here is a sample of that list with their alternate meanings and uses:
Christian Term
God
Watchtower Terms:
Always uses Jehovah. They say it is God's name and should always be used.
CT:
Jesus
WTS:
They use the name Jesus because the original manuscript calls him by this name, his human name. They believe, however, that Jesus was the embodiment of the Archangel Michael while his "life force" was in a human body.
CT:
Holy Spirit
WTS:
Mainly uses just the term "spirit; the doctrinal application as it applies to man is that is mere human breath. As it relates to Jehovah, it is His "active force," which is God's power like electricity or lightning.
CT:
Bible
WTS:
Seldom uses the term "bible" and refers to the holy writings as the "scriptures." They believe that all other intrepretations and translations are errant and have developed their own translation: The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. Note that the word bible is not used in the Society's title.
CT:
Hell
WTS:
They basically have and use three terms for "hell,"
and rarely use the English word at all. It is not believed to be an eternal place of torment. Rather:
1. They belive that it should always be rendered and understood only one way when used in regards to humans: the place where the dead are interred, the common grave. Hence, they always use the Hebrew word "sheol" and the Greed word "hades." It is used in all materials distributed by the Society.
2. Tartarus: the place where Jehovah imprisoned the evil spirits.
3. Gehenna/Lake of Fire. Usually used synonymously with each other. Refers to God's complete and eternal destruction of all humans not J.W.s and evil spirits.
CT:
Cross
WTS: Jehovah's Witnesses will never use the term, but will not contradict you at the beginning. They believe it was a religious pagan symbol, and has not place in true worshiip. Any use of the cross constitutes idolatry. They always use the term "torture stake."
CT:
Crucify, crucified, crucifixion
WTS:
Never uses these three words. They use "impale, impaled, and impalement.
There are other Christian terminologies that the WTS have given different doctrinal interpretations and alternate terms and phrases. However, these are perhaps the terms that are the most commonly used and could have the highest grade of deceptive value and perception. The Society relies on the skill and timing of a Witness in replacing the terms in their conversations-that is "to feed milk and gradually progress to more solid food." They also rely on newly interested people reading some of their materials which use their terminologies.
I sincerely hope that I have adequately explained the deceptive value of this J.W. method as regards non-Witnesses. There is, however, another aspect of this method to be explored: how does the Watchtower Society use their terms and meanings to the utmost degree within the organization?
People must realize that the WTS is a very highly organized and effective organization. They hinge everything on an around one precept: to be truly Christian you must be totally different and separated from the world. I'll try to explain this in as simple and painless fashion as I can in a brief article.
They believe that they are exclusively Jehovah's favored ones, and the only true Christians. Since every other religion is not favored by Jehovah, then they must be different from them. They have done this, not only by differing on every doctrine of the Christian Church, but by changing the terms they use.
The Society stresses that constant vigilance should be exercised by every J.W. to promote the perception of being "different" and "separated" from all the world, i.e. anyone and everything non-Witness. Each Witness consequently tries to do his best to present himself in this way at all times. The indoctrinating method to instill this thought process into others begins with the contacts that he makes in the "field." Or, to put it another way, when you are contacted by them when they are in the "field."
Once you have given them your ear, the WTS's "differentness" is consistently and constantly planted into your mind. I call it "replacement theology." They take whatever beliefs you have and replace it with the Society's doctrines, values, rules, and even their replacement terminology. These terminologies are used in most of all the conversations that the Witnesses have among themselves, and it is always in all of the WTS's literature. The pressure never lets up. This goes on year after year. These terms may seem strange to a person at first, but their constant usage makes them common, familiar, "normal."
As I said above, Witnesses understand these terms and use them on a daily basis. One can easily get the feeling of being "unique" and having knowledge that no one else has. In fact, it would be rare for an average person to have the vaguest idea of what was being said at a Kingdom Hall during a Watchtower study.
Overall, each person should be aware of the deceptive methods that the Watchtower Society endorses to be used the J.W.s' ministry. The most important information should be in connection with their uses of common Christian doctrines. This is the first method J.W.s employ during initial contacts with homeowners, and it is the most dangerous. If a person does not heed this warning, then heis in peril of constant separation from everything that a normal Christian would say and do in this world.
Thank you for reading this article and God Bless you.
______________________________________________________________________________
copyright 2008 by Ruth Baker, author of "Knock, Knock: Shedding light on Jehovah's Witness at the door, copyright 2007. Website: .
