If you're a Jehovah Witness, do you believe the Watch Tower society or the Bible?

A typical Jehovah's Witnesses recognizes the Bible as the only infallible inspired means of knowing God's will and purposes. Of course, the tools produced by the various Watchtower entities are valued as truthful research and study aids by many or most Jehovah's Witnesses.

It seems rather obvious that a human must die before he can be resurrected, but his death could be of infinitesimally short duration. There is no contradiction between 1 Cor 15:51 and 1 Cor 15:42,54 because, strictly speaking, a person could endure momentary 'dying'/'death' without having to 'fall asleep in death' (which implies a duration of time during which one continues dead).

.. ..(1 Corinthians 15:42,54) So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised up in incorruption. ...But when this which is corruptible [an earthly body] puts on incorruption [a heavenly body] and this which is mortal puts on immortality, then the saying will take place that is written: “Death is swallowed up forever.”

Formerly Jewish Christians would especially have understood the term 'fell asleep in death' to refer to the duration of time which a person must wait in the grave until his resurrection. Isaiah prophesied that those in the graves would "awake" at the resurrection, and the patient man Job prayed that he could rest in the grave for some duration until his resurrection.

.. ..(Job 14:14) If an able-bodied man dies can he live again? All the days of my compulsory service I shall wait ["asleep"in the grave], Until my relief comes [by means of resurrection].

.. ..(Isaiah 26:19) Your dead ones will live. A corpse of mine—they will rise up. [Implying that those qualifying for resurrection are "asleep"...] Awake and cry out joyfully, you residents in the dust! ...the earth itself will let even those impotent in death drop in birth [resurrected ones will emerge from their graves].

Before Christ's enthronement, every person who died had to wait in the grave (or "rest in peace", or "lay with his forefathers", or "fall asleep in death", or remain "in the memorial tombs") until the resurrection. After Christ's enthronement initiates heavenly resurrections, an anointed Christian who dies does not need to "wait" for any duration of time between his death and resurrection. The apostle Paul pointedly used the expression "fall asleep in death" rather than "die" because he was specifically contrasting that idea with the ones who would be resurrected instantly, rather than after some duration that might be referred to metaphorically as "sleep".

.. ..(1 Corinthians 15:51-52) We shall not all fall asleep in death, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, during the last trumpet

In his letter to the anointed Christians in Thessalonica, Paul pointedly contrasted those who would have to "rest" during the years, decades, or centuries that would have to pass between their deaths and their resurrections soon after Christ's enthronement.

.. ..(1 Thessalonians 4:14-17) Those who have fallen asleep in death through Jesus [that is, 'anointed Christians who have been dead for some duration'] God will bring with him. For this is what we [inspired prophets such as Paul] tell you by Jehovah’s word, that we [anointed Christians with a heavenly hope] the living who survive to the presence of the Lord shall in no way precede [to heaven] those [anointed Christians] who have fallen asleep in death [awaiting the years, decades, centuries until Christ's second 'coming' or presence]; because the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice and with God’s trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first [that is, anointed Christians who are already dead will be resurrected to heaven firstly after Christ's heavenly enthronement]. Afterward we the living who are surviving [that is, anointed Christians who will have not yet died when Christ's second presence begins] will, together with them, be caught away in clouds to meet the Lord in the air [upon death as humans, or eventually at Armageddon]

It is silly when anti-Witnesses pretend that Jehovah's Witnesses are not diligent Bible students. For decades, the very name of the religion was "Bible Students", and their meetings and adherents continue to demonstrate an extraordinary familiarity with the Bible.

Aside from what the JW, the Watchtower or any magazine may say, I personally believe this: Christ IS the meassure of all things, then in His death, the death of the original sin from Adam is paid back in full. So - if you qualify (by God's approval) you will go to heaven immediately "in a blink of the eye" ("in the House of my Father there are many mansions, and I'll go to prepare an abode for you..."). If you don't have God's qualification (either by ignorance, rebellion, etc...) you will sleep in dead, in "sheol" which is the common grave ("and sheol and the sea gave all its dead, some for a resurrection of life others for a resurrection of judgement", happening in His Second comming, with His angels in the clouds - as Rev. says)). All the dead of mankind were waiting for Jesus' resurrection in 'sheol' (Job asked Yahweh to keep him in sheol until His wrath subsided. In the particular case of Lazarus, He was saying something that will happen at His death, because He "sees things to happen as they have already happened", this is true when He said "before Abraham WAS, I AM).

The book of Psalms says the earth will continue for ever, in which the meek will inherit and live for ever too. Somebody has to live here too, right? But of course, this my opinion.

Be aware of conditions created by organizations and groups, because a King brought to his table in Israel a family that did not drink wine - although the all nation was doing otherwise - and at the table they refuse, honoring something they "personnally" had concluded to do. This pleased God.

Do you believe that Daniel was a faithful man?

Daniel 12:13 -

"And as for you yourself, go toward the end; and you will rest, but you will stand up for your lot at the end of the days."

"YOU WILL REST"

"YOU WILL STAND UP"

"AT THE END OF THE DAYS"

This scripture does not match anything you are stating. How does this scripture fit into anything you are teaching? It would help me to understand what your thinking is on Daniel. Then I could better understand your question for others who have died.

Could you please give the references, book, magazine, page, paragraph, etc. for Jehovah's Witnesses believing in "soul sleep" and "rapture"?

It is hard to refute without the reference. Once I see the information, I'll be glad to share an explanation.

EDIT:

Big Guy -

Could you please also give the book, magazine, page, paragraph, etc that states that the "remnant" is the Governing Body? I'm interested in where that is located.

EDIT:

Mr. Freeman - I am one of those who do have the higher education. And it is not so uncommon to have those with higher education to be Jehovah's Witnesses. In fact, one of my pioneer partners is a lawyer who works part-time. Do not make assumptions without being aware of the facts. Quite a few of the Witnesses have extra education and degrees.

They believe in the Bible in its re-interpretations or in its re-translations, masterly but falsely controlled by the Watch Tower group of old men! A state of unconsciousness only occurs when the brain is functioning! If the brain conducts no current of electricity and declared brain dead, there is no unconsciousness nor is there any consciousness, not to be confused with the spirit! The JWs rarely look into the science of biology since they rarely if ever had a higher education!

Thumb-up for the Big Guy! I rarely give any ups or downs for anybody!

I also sense some teeth-clattering, white knuckle-cracking on keyboards, just the usual frantic scribblers and scrabblers!!! :-)

When I was a Jehovah's Witness, I believed in soul annihilation - that when you're dead, you're dead and know nothing. It was actually a comforting thought because if you don't survive Armageddon, you won't be punished. I believed in everything the Governing Body told me.

Now I realise that soul annihilation is a heresy. Why did Jesus speak so much about the eternal torment awaiting those who are lost? Why was Jesus at such pains to warn us of the eternal dangers awaiting those who rejected him? Why would a holy and just God turn a blind eye to sin and wickedness? What was the point in Jesus laying down his life to save sinful humanity if there was nothing for sinful humanity to worry about after death?

Now I am no longer a J.W. I believe the Bible.

P.S. Why do Jehovah's Witnesses quote Revelation so much, claiming it's all symbolic except for the number of the 144,000 which they say is literal? If the fiery lake of sulphur (reserved for Satan and his demons and all the 'lost') is a metaphor, then so must heaven be a metaphor, and so must the number 144,000. Can't have it both ways!

The entire premise of your Q, is void.

Because of the flaws.

The Watchtower magazine adheres Strictly to the Bible.

So, whatever is in the magazine, is FROM the Bible.

We do not, nor does the Bible say "soul sleep," What is That?!?

We do not, nor the Bible teach 'rapture.'

This, I do not know, since it is Not taught in the Bible.

It must come out of false Christianity / Christendom.

You shouldn't bother to waste your time,

praying to your false god(s) concerning Jehovah's servants.

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!

Galatians 1:7-9

Paul said if we, or an angel from heaven preaches a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, HE IS TO BE ACCURSED !!!

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Paul was one of the 144,000 correct?

If only the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses had this same spirit and attitude towards the scriptures, things would be a lot different today for their organization.

The Governing Body preaches a different Gospel.

Paul never taught that Jesus is Michael the Archangel. Paul taught that God was manifest in the flesh.

1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Many Jehovah's Witnesses are leaving this organization. The Holy Spirit has revealed to them that the governing body has mislead them.

Jesus said you must be born again. No where in the bible did Jesus say only 144,000 are to be born again.

Man should listen to GOD and not man.

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;

John 10:26-28

Love a born again Christian

To be absent from the body and living with the lord actually means.. If you are living in the Spirit.. Filled with Jesus, and being righteous, then you are with God.. When you live in flesh and are part of the world, living in the flesh, then you are absent from the Lord. God cannot be with sinners.. In order to be present with God you must be absent of sin..

I can't answer the JW perspective, as I am not a JW

Yes I can believe in it. Jehovah said " he's an and earth will be done away with, before my word " meaning we can trust everything Jehovah tells us, putting my complete faith in him. I have no doubt in Jehovah is is God almighty , and he backs the watchtowers society that's why it's expand as far as it has, who can doubt that., no one can.

Ted- with all Sincerity your Questions come off as persistently dull & monotonous. You ask a Question of a JW- then you proceed to " lecture" or come off that we Wrong and you & your ilk are Right. Qouting Scriptures proves Nothing.You have to live by them. Even Satan Qouted scripture to Jesus. ( Matt 4:6)

Here are some Known Facts: JW study the Bible to a larger degree than the vast Majority of People who call themselves christians. When you go to your Soccer or Football game on a Saturday or Sunday- JW are emersed in some fashion with the Word of God.

You going after the Watchtower Society like you know more about the Arrangement of Spiritual things, yet you Obvious Ignorant of the fact that even in the first Century there was a " Governing Body" in Jerusalem. Perhaps you could learn a Lesson from the fact that even the Apostle Paul got directions from the " Older Men" in Jerusalem- Such a structure exists with the JW of this Day.

Pay Heed: Some 16 years after Pentecost 33 C.E., Barnabas was involved in a history-making episode regarding the circumcision issue. “Certain men came down [to Antioch of Syria] from Judea and began to teach the brothers: ‘Unless you get circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’” Barnabas and Paul knew from experience that this was not so, and they disputed the point. Rather than asserting their authority, they recognized that this was a question that had to be settled for the good of the whole association of brothers. So they referred the question to the governing body in Jerusalem, where their reports helped to settle the issue. Thereafter, Paul and Barnabas, described as “loved ones . . . that have delivered up their souls for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” were among those assigned to communicate the decision to the brothers in Antioch. When the letter from the governing body was read and discourses were delivered, the congregation “rejoiced over the encouragement” and was “strengthened.”—Acts 15:1, 2, 4, 25-32.

That same spirit exists in the Brothers taking the lead nowadays.

Your lack of knowledge & education of the Watchtower Society shows your Foolishness.

If you feel you have found the " Way to Life" then proceed on that way.

As a JW I believe the Bible, the whole Bible and not just parts that suit me.

It is easy to take an isolated text and make it say what ever we want. We need to look at the context of the verse, consider the audience being spoken too and what they may have already known.

We also need to put the theme of the complete Bible into the context.

First we do not believe in the Rapture. We believe in a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous (Acts 24:15: “I have hope toward God . . . that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.”)

Both those who lived in harmony with God’s righteous ways and people who, out of ignorance, did unrighteous things will be resurrected. The Bible does not answer all our questions as to whether certain specific individuals who have died will be resurrected. But we can be confident that God, who knows all the facts, will act impartially, with justice tempered by mercy that does not ignore his righteous standards.

That passage you referer too is referring to the resurrection

In brief the audience that Paul was speaking ta select few that have the responsibility of being chosen to rule with Jesus as kings and priests

Luke 12:32: “Have no fear, little flock, because your Father has approved of giving you the kingdom.” (These do not include all who have exercised faith; the number is limited. Their being in heaven is for a purpose.)

Rev. 20:4, 6: “I saw thrones, and there were those who sat down on them, and power of judging was given them. . . . Happy and holy is anyone having part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of the Christ, and will rule as kings with him for the thousand years.”

Jesus when on earth demonstarted a general reserection

John 11:11, 14-44: “[Jesus said to his disciples:] ‘Lazarus our friend has gone to rest, but I am journeying there to awaken him from sleep.’ . . . Jesus said to them outspokenly: ‘Lazarus has died.’ . . . When Jesus arrived, he found he [Lazarus] had already been four days in the memorial tomb. . . . Jesus said to her [Martha, a sister of Lazarus]: ‘I am the resurrection and the life.’ . . . He cried out with a loud voice: ‘Lazarus, come on out!’ The man that had been dead came out with his feet and hands bound with wrappings, and his countenance was bound about with a cloth. Jesus said to them: ‘Loose him and let him go.’”

Let me ask you a question.. If Jesus had thus called Lazarus back from a state of bliss in another life, that would have been no kindness. But Jesus’ raising Lazarus up from a lifeless state was a kindness both to him and to his sisters. Once again Lazarus became a living human.

Mark 5:35-42: “Some men from the home of the presiding officer of the synagogue came and said: ‘Your daughter died! Why bother the teacher any longer?’ But Jesus, overhearing the word being spoken, said to the presiding officer of the synagogue: ‘Have no fear, only exercise faith.’ . . . He took along the young child’s father and mother and those with him, and he went in where the young child was. And, taking the hand of the young child, he said to her: ‘Tal′i·tha cu′mi,’ which, translated, means: ‘Maiden, I say to you, Get up!’ And immediately the maiden rose and began walking, for she was twelve years old. And at once they were beside themselves with great ecstasy.”

When the general resurrection takes place on earth during Christ’s Millennial Reign, doubtless many millions of parents and their offspring will be overjoyed when they are reunited.

So yes we belive the entire Bible, Above is just a very small portion ofwhat the Bible says about the resurrection.

Does the Bible teach an unconscious state of the dead?

(Ecclesiastes 9:5) 5 For the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all, neither do they anymore have wages, because the remembrance of them has been forgotten.

What was it Jesus said about Lazarus. He said that he was "sleeping iin death" telling us that death is a sleep like state from which we can be awwaken. Are we conscious of the tings around us when we are asleep"

(John 11:11-14) 11 He said these things, and after this he said to them: “Laz′a·rus our friend has gone to rest, but I am journeying there to awaken him from sleep.” 12 Therefore the disciples said to him: “Lord, if he has gone to rest, he will get well.” 13 Jesus had spoken, however, about his death. But they imagined he was speaking about taking rest in sleep. 14 At that time, therefore, Jesus said to them outspokenly: “Laz′a·rus has died,