“WHAT IS ONE OF THE MOST AGGRESSIVE AND FASTEST GROWING NON-CHRISTIAN RELIGIONS IN THE UNITED STATES? THE ANSWER MAY SURPRISE YOU, FOR IT IS THE CULT CALLED – THE JEHOVAH’s WITNESSES”

 I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about this one religious organization that may knock on your door asking for your soul…

… There may be no religious organization that engages in more publishing, proportionately to its membership, than the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (Also known as: Watch Tower Society or WS for short)—the publishing arm of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Each month JW’s  (Jehovah’s Witnesses) distribute millions of books, magazines, and pamphlets, in dozens of languages. Many of these publications are written for unbelievers to try to convert them, but others are intended for Witnesses themselves to continue to be indoctrinated. In fact,

“One of the most aggressive and fastest growing cults is the Jehovah's Witnesses. Today they have a worldwide organization that numbers about 3.5 million members operating in 205 countries. Several factors account for this rapid growth. The first is their zealous door-to-door evangelism. Second, Christians have failed to make a solid defense of the faith against their attacks when they have come to the door. The result is, the Witnesses continue unchallenged in the propagation of their organization and deceive many. Third, the rise of the cults are a fulfillment of the prophetic warnings given by Jesus and the Apostles.”

 So writes Patrick Zukeran in his essay “Jehovah’s Witnesses: Witnessing to the Witnesses” at Probe Ministries. This rising religious organization I believe is the most aggressive of all in the United States that reaches into homes and hearts of people drawing them into their complicated web of spiritual error. It is for this reason I’ve dedicated this broadcast as a short expose, to apprise you of such errors of spirit and truth, and equip you with what to what to say when the door bell rings with the Jehovah’s Witnesses calling. But first let’s pause once more and listen to this…

…Have you ever been at home, heard the knock on the door, and found one or possibly two people wanting to give you a free magazine entitled “Awake!” or “Watchtower?”  I know I have. Why just this past week, as I was home recuperating from recent surgery, the doorbell rang and there they were. These people are Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the message they have to share is a dangerous perversion of Christianity.  We are living in a day of unparalleled deception. Untold tens of thousands of unsuspecting people are deceived each year by false religious cults, many claiming to be Christian. However, this has been predicted in the Bible which tells us that prior to the return of Jesus Christ, a rise of anti-Christian cults will begin to flourish and spread their soul-destroying teachings over all the earth. The Bible warns of this in various passages such as,

Mat 24:3-5 (NIV)  As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives , the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" 4 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, ' and will deceive many.

Scriptures go on to predict that many religious deceivers coming in the Name of God, will attempt to actually enter your homes and carry you away spiritually into their false doctrines and errors of spirit. John the Lord’s apostle writes,

2 John 1:7-11 (NIV)  Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist… 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into our house or welcome him. 11 Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.

Yes, the New Testament is full of many other warnings and predictions that false prophets and teachers, representing God and Jesus Christ, will appear at the end of the age and will increase as that time period draws to a close. The JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES are such “master’s of deception.”

Now who exactly are the Jehovah’s Witnesses? They do claim to be Christians; however, they are not. Rather, they’re a religious sect or cult that began in the 1870’s. The history of the Jehovah's Witnesses begins with the founder of the organization Charles Taze Russell who at that time was a member of the Congregational Church. He studied the bible and became convinced the Christian doctrines of an everlasting Hell and the eternal punishment of the wicked were error. In 1870, with no formal education, he began a Bible society fellowship which he led for years as teaching pastor of the group. In 1884, he founded Zion 's Watchtower and Tract Society in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , which is now the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society headquartered in Brooklyn , New York .  Today this member organization claims more than 3.5 million followers in the United States and is one of the fastest growing religious cults of all time.

Throughout its history of almost 135 years, it has had five leaders who have exercised one man, absolute authority and rulership. The latest ruler is a man named Milton G. Hershel. Each ruler being an absolute ruler, has left his mark and teachings upon the group as the final Word from God. However, researching the history of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and their organization, much conflict, error, and back-tracking has surfaced as to what is to be believed and taught. Today the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, we’ll call “WS” and the Jehovah’s Witnesses who spread its teachings we’ll call the “JW’s” for ease of print and speech, deny much of their founder’s teachings, as taught by their modern leader. It’s completely puzzling how the society which claims to be God’s faultless mouthpiece on earth, is often confused itself about what God says and doesn’t want from those who follow this organization. So let’s try to list the major teaching errors of this religious cult that claims to be the restored Christian faith of God, specifically Jehovah God as they call him.

THE FALSE TEACHINGS OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

1. THE TRUE NAME OF THE CREATOR GOD IS “JEHOVAH” AND HE IS KNOWN BY NO OTHER NAME 

The Jehovah’s Witnesses constantly hammer home that God’s name is “Jehovah,” and none else shall refer to him. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society teaches that unless one calls upon the true name of God, Jehovah, they cannot be saved. However, the Bible reveals a gross error here on their part. You see the Old Testament Bible’s written in ancient Hebrew and the original writers never placed any vowels in their writings. The Scribes knew what vowels to use in any pronunciation, but much has been lost to us today. So in the 5^th century AD, the “Masoretes” a group of rabbis who compiled a system of critical notes on the external form of the Biblical text, and who effectively determined the precise text of the Bible in the Jewish community, added vowels under the consonants in their version of the Old Testament. Until then the Old Testament name for God was just four letters, “YHWH.” This name was never spoken out loud or uttered. In its place, inserted was the Hebrew name for God, “Adonai, pronounced ”ADONAY,” which mean’s Lord. By combining these two names, later Christian translators mistakenly combined the vowels and produced the name JEHOVAH! Even to this day the Jews never use this name, as it is NOT the Name of the one true God. “Adonai” or as some pronounce it, “Yahweh,”  the true formal Name of the Creator God in the Old Testament. Jehovah’s Witnesses falsely follow Jehovah, a god not named in the entire Bible. Yes, shockingly as this is, Jehovah is not the name of the one true God of the Bible. Yet, there is another reason why “Jehovah” of the Jehovah’s Witnesses is not the God of the Bible. The Jehovah's Witnesses teach that…

2. GOD IS ONE BEING IN PERSON, MIND AND SPIRIT  

Jehovah’s Witnesses through their Watchtower Bible and Tract Society publishing, emphatically teach the God of the Bible is a single monotheistic person. Yet, historic Christianity teaches God is a monotheistic Being, but manifested in three distinct persons known as (1) God the Father, (2) God the Son and (3) God the Holy Spirit. Contrary to Jehovah’s Witnesses teachings that deny Jesus Christ is the Creator God Himself come in human flesh, and that the Holy Spirit is not a person at all, but simply an immaterial and invisible force, the Bible reveals differently. Numerous Scriptures deny Jehovah god as described by the Jehovah's Witnesses, and warn to deny Jesus Christ as the manifestation of the Creator God, the one and only God of the Old and New Testament, is to endanger one’s soul for the perilous punishment of Hell. Jesus himself warned the Jewish leaders with these words,

John 8:24 (NIV)  I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am [HE] the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins."

Now, in order to propagate their false teachings that Jesus is not God, but “a” lesser god, they teach (1) Polytheism rather than the monotheism they claim. Jehovah’s Witnesses literature teaches that all faithful obedient followers of their ‘Jehovah god’ will themselves become little gods.[1] This is a far cry from the Bible’s teachings. (2) They claim Jesus Christ is not God but really a created being found in Scripture as Michael the Archangel .[2] Michael was incarnate in human flesh, and lived as Jesus of Nazareth, but upon death he left the body of Jesus dead on the cross and in leaving was raised as a spirit being again, known as Michael the Archangel . Third in their serious errors we find the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society teaches,

3. HEAVEN IS NOT THE ETERNAL HOME OF THE JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES TODAY 

According to the teachings of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, there are three classes of people who will be saved in eternity. The first class is the (1) “ANOINTED CLASS” also called the “144,000.”[3] This is an exact number of individuals only known to God who have achieved a high working status to be placed in this group. Only these 144,000 special followers are “born again” and will go to Heaven. In future ages, they will rule the earth on behalf of Jehovah god. Most Jehovah’s Witnesses today believe that openings for this group, by zealous work for the society, is over. So what’s left?

The second group or class of followers is called (2) “THE OTHER SHEEP.” This comprises the vast majority of all who become Jehovah’s Witnesses and actively and aggressively follow the demands of the cult. Their place in eternity is to be resurrected from the dead on a newly refurbished earth and will live their forever, provided they continue to maintain a “good Watchtower Bible and Tract Society works record.”  Now, this leaves only one other class of people who conditionally might spend eternity with Jehovah’s Witnesses god.

The third group is nondescript except that it is composed of (3) NON-JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES who were not against or rejectors of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society  teachings and outreach; and, lived a life good enough to be given a second chance by being raised from the dead. These potentially and future saved unbelievers, will be placed in a period called the Millennium and given a chance to obey the Watchtower Bible and Tract Societyand the 144,000 ruling the earth for these 1000 years. If they are obedient for the entire period, they will be allowed to live on for eternity on the earth as a Jehovah’s Witness.[4] Now a forth major error taught is,

4. SALVATION ONLY COMES THROUGH THE WATCHTOWER SOCIETY AND FULL OBEDIENCE TO ITS RULES FOR LIFE AND LIVING 

This is what makes it a cult of course, along with the other marks of a cult such as:  Authoritative Messianic Leadership, Extra-Biblical Revelations, Religious Exclusivism, Defective Christology, Financial Exploitation, and Works Oriented Salvation. Now know this, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society has lied to their people saying that God only accepts them on the basis of the merits of their faithful obedient work on earth to build Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. Furthermore, if any Jehovah’s Witnesses backslides and fails to continue working, through witnessing door to door, distributing literature, attending meetings for more indoctrination from the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society literature, they forfeit their salvation. No Jehovah’s Witness has any assurance of God’s acceptance, or promise of eternal life in this life or even the next for that matter.

Now there are many more errors of teaching that have no basis of truth found in the Bible. Such as the teachings that:

a) Blood transfusions are evil, soul destroying acts;

b) Celebrating any holidays whether they be personal birthdays or religious holidays are sinful and unbiblical,

c) Civil allegiance pledges, and patriotism or voting is forbidden;

d) Reading the Bible without Watchtower Bible and Tract Society instructions and interpretation, or any other religious literature is forbidden and will result in loss of eternal life to come.  

These are some other requirements to be strictly maintained or the threat of disfellowship and future annihilation will result. These teachers of religious error are indeed Master’s of Deception. Yet, all one needs to do is read their literature, given for instructions to Jehovah’s Witnesses will reveal that. However, the literature given out to unbeliever is carefully chosen to teach only basic truths, methodically avoiding their controversial teachings. By doing this, you will agree with their writer’s thoughts about life and eternity, and when hooked, you will then be fed the damnable lies that come from the teachings of demons which inspire them. What then is biblical truth? Well here are some major points to consider:

1. ONLY THE BIBLE IS AUTHORATATIVE, AND NO EARTHLY ORGANIZATION OR ITS SPIRITUAL LEADER IS INFALLIBLE OR CALLED BY GOD TO LEAD YOU  - Every true believer follows God through His Word alone, and gathers with people of like faith to uphold the historic teachings of the New Testament Word of God. Nothing takes the place of the literal grammatical historical interpretation of the Word of God.
   

2. GOD HAS DEVISED A PLAN TO SAVE US FROM THE PERIL OF SIN AND DEATH THAT AWAITS LOST MANKIND. THIS PLAN IS REVEALED AS THE SUBSTITUTIONARY DEATH OF GOD HIMSELF FOR SINNERS – Indeed, Scripture tells is that Jesus Christ is the infinite God/Man, the Creator Himself come in human flesh to die in our place by paying the penalty of our sins. In so doing, Jesus Christ offers a way back to God for all lost sinners who believe in His Person and work on our behalf.
   

3. THIS PLAN OF SALVATION THAT CHRIST DIED FOR US AND RECEIVEING HIM AS LORD AND SAVIOR GRANTS US FULL FORGIVENESS OF OUR SINS. THIS IS GRACE SAVING US NOT ANY WORKS AT ALL! – Yes, true Christianity is not a “do” religion, but a “done” religion. Christ as done all, and offers us free and clear, His loving salvation paid in full on the cross. All one needs to do is believe the Bible’s offer and place their trust in Jesus Christ alone as God and Savior, and God grants you eternal life, and the power and living presence within you, of the Second Person of the Triune Godhead, the Holy Spirit.
   

4. THERE IS A HELL TO COME AND IT IS A PLACE OF ETERNAL PUNISHMENT – Contrary to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society’s teachings that there is no Hell, and at death one is annihilated, Scripture and God Himself teach there is and everyone should do everything in his or her power to cancel their ticket to Hell. This can only be done by God the Son Jesus Christ becoming one’s Savior and Lord.
   

5. THERE IS COMING A DAY OF JUDGMENT WHEN GOD HIMSELF WILL RETURN IN THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST TO JUDGE THE WICKED AND THE DEAD. At the end of the seven year Tribulation period many unbelievers will be sent alive to Hell to suffer punishment for the next 1000 years. At the end of the Millennium, God will raise the unsaved dead before His “Great White Throne,” and sentence them all to the Lake of Fire . This is the eternal penitentiary for lost unsaved souls who will live forever in torment and suffering without God’s presence.

Yes, the Jehovah’s Witnesses are a seriously erroneous cult that leads people away from the one true God, Jesus Christ, and damn their souls for eternity while serving the gods of demons who are behind the Watchtower Society and its leadership. So, the next time your doorbell rings and either one or more representatives from the WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY are there. Politely tell them you are not interested in their false prophecies and teachings. Do not take their literature; nor invite them into your home, no matter how they try to convince you. Once in the door,k they come with supernatural powers given to them by Satan himself, and for the unsaved, their persuasions can lead you to a Christless eternity in Hell. Friend, if you want to be assured that you are right with the one true God of the Bible, the Creator of everything, then just pray this prayer:

“Dear God, I’m perplexed about religious matters. I want to be in a right relationship with you and want to love you and serve you. Open my eyes to see your Son my Savior Jesus Christ clearly. I confess I am a sinner and have broken your Laws and teachings. I now believe Jesus’ words that ‘You must be born again… believe in God but believe also in Me for I am He.’ On this basis I now proclaim Jesus Christ to be my Lord God and Savior. I understand He died on the cross and paid my sin penalty and offers me free and full pardon upon acceptance of Him. I receive You now as my God and I commit my life to You to use as you see fit. Please help me to understand this, and to know You accept me, based on my sincere profession of faith. I pray this prayer in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

If you prayed that prayer and were absolutely serious and meant it,  then listen to Jesus’ own words to you now.

John 6:47 (NIV)  I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.

John 11:25-26 (NIV)  Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

 Notice Jesus did not say you must work for this, follow an organization’s or hierarchal teachings. Do you believe this, He said, and it’s that simple. It can be all summed up in the words of the apostle Paul who cried out:

Acts 16:31 (NIV)  "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."

… Jehovah’s Witnesses are following the wrong god who is no god at all. Even their name is erroneous, as is all their teachings that deny the Bible’s truths found within the pages of Scripture. Ask the Lord to open your spiritual eyes to see Jesus clearly. He always answers a true seeking soul.

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[1] Watchtower, December 1881, 1919 repr.

[2] “Reasoning From Scriptures,” p.218 and “You can Live Forever in Paradise on the Earth,” 1982, p.21

[3] “God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached,” 1973, p.342

[4] “You May Survive Armageddon into God’s New World ,” 1955, P.356