Does not apply retroactively the disassociation to offenders of organization of the Watchtower ?

Greetings,

The accusation that Jehovah's Witnesses have claimed to be inspired prophets or have tried to foretell the future is absolutely false and a misrepresentation. Questions like this are like the prejudicial question: "Have you stopped beating your wife." Since they are based on a false assumption they are logically invalid.

The flat-out truth is that the Watchtower Society has NEVER claimed to give prophesies, to be inspired or to be infallible. These accusations are deceptive because they blatantly rip the Watchtower's words out of context.

Notice this sentence in the "Purpose" statement that appeared in EVERY issue of the Watchtower up to the mid- 70's: ***"No, The Watchtower is no inspired prophet, but it follows and explains a Book of prophecy..."***

"The Watchtower does not claim to be inspired in its utterances, nor is it dogmatic. It invites careful and critical examination of its contents in the light of the Scriptures. Its purpose is to aid others to know Jehovah and his purposes toward mankind, and to announce Christ's established kingdom as our only hope."---- Watchtower, 15 August 1950

"It is not our intention to enter upon the role of prophet to any degree, but merely to give below what seems to us rather likely to be the trend of events—giving also the reasons for our expectations." Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's, March 1904, reprint, 3327 (emphasis added).

There are scores of similar Watchtower quotes that go back to the 1800's many qualifying the *interpretations* of Bible prophecy they discuss.

Neither Russell, the Watchtower nor any JW's has EVER claimed to give prophecies nor to be inspired. They never claimed infallibility in their teachings. Quite the contrary, they have always been willing to change as they gained knowledge. What a contrast to any religion which would continue to insist on believing doctrines which even their own scholars admit are not Scriptural!

On the other hand, I can show you several well known Evangelical ministers of Christendom who have claimed direct communication from God (usually when they need more money, or to claim God has forgiven them for moral sins).

The "Father of Protestantism" himself, Martin Luther taught Christ would return by 1564. Does that mean that all Protestants are false prophets? No, of course not. But they are if we equally apply the reasoning of those who accuse JW's.

Irish Bishop James Ussher's prediction was for 1996. Puritans Issac Watts, Joseph Mede and the Mathers in America were date-setters. The most famous one was actually a Baptist....William Miller who predicted 1843.

Pat Robertson announced it for 2007 (in a novel)

Elizabeth Claire Prophet announced it for 1989

Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California predicted the Rapture in 1981.

Hal Lindsey, author of The Late Great Planet Earth, predicted the Rapture would occur in 1988.

Dr. Jack van Impe has speculated that the end will come between September 1999 and 2000.

Philip B. Brown has stated that the millennial reign of Christ will begin April 6, 2008.

Dr. Harold Camping, president of Family Radio, expected the end of the world in 1994.

All you have to do is pick up a book called "Apocalypses (Eugen Weber)" from your local book store and you will see how busy Christendom has been at picking dates in the past...and they are still SPECULATING! See also various books by Paula Fredriksen.

Now, did early JW's (Bible Students) have incorrect understandings of Bible prophesy? Yes, of course, as did nearly every other religion of that age.

Jesus didn't say you would identify the true religion because they never misunderstood prophesy (indeed that would exclude the apostles). He said that you would discern the true Christian Organization from the false "by their fruits," or the results of their Biblical teaching (Mat.7:16,20). Notice, this Scripture says Christians would identify "false prophets" BY THEIR FRUITAGE not by their infallibility. Now, who has the historical record of bloodthirsty wars, immorality, sectarian violence and factional splits?-- (Mat.7:21-23, 2Tim3:5, Gal.5:19-23)

When you consider the Witnesses "stability" in the essentials of Christian teaching and activity you get very solid evidences of True Christianity. From WW1 to Rwanda, Witnesses have imitated Christ while other religions continue to even kill members of their own church in warfare. JW's have continued to bring their beliefs into agreement with Scripture. When they were wrong about interpretations of prophecy, they were more than eager to admit it and change. This is in contrast to most other religions. For instance it took hundreds of years for Catholicism to admit it was wrong about Galileo! Protestants are just now (barely) admitting error in their support of Hitler.

Sincerely,

BAR-ANERGES

1) Does not apply retroactively the disassociation to offenders of organization of the Watchtower ?

To be blunt: the question is so confusing as to be incomprehensible to me. I realize that English is not your first language, but...can you explain more clearly what it is you are asking?

2) Did not punish Jehovah the King David long after he committed adultery with a woman and killed the husband of the woman he committed adultery?

We don't know that it was "long after" - but it seems that the murder of Uriah was the primary motivation for God's punishment of King David. His punishment - it seems - followed shortly after news of Uriah's death had reached David, not "long after" as you suggest.

3) For example, those who prophesy falsely, bringing reproach upon the Name of Jehovah. Why were not disfellowshipped? Why was not notified its disassociation to its members in general?

A valid question. I am not a Witness and so do not know any answer.

4) But David he had to be warned that it would receive the punishment for to repent, was not it?

David repented once he realized that punishment was imminent - that is true. However, that is not necessarily true of all people, who knowingly act wrongly and then knowingly repent without need for warning of imminent punishment.

- Jim, http://www.bible-reviews.com/

That forgiveness thing is a good point.

But the Jehovah's Witnesses never admitted wrong-doing and never apologized for all of the false prophecy that they have done. Instead they make up excuses about a changing light and claim it is getting brighter. What about all of the people who's lives were ruined because they sold their houses and so forth? No apologies, no nothing.

You forgot to add a very important part of the whole scenario of King David. King David got back into God's good graces and was totally forgiven by Jehovah God. King David loves God and he repented and showed remorse and humbled himself in front of God. Forgiveness is a important part about God. God loves and God forgives. Don't forget to include the good things of the Almighty God. He does appreciate that. Love you Lord my God Jehovah.

If people are good only because they fear punishment and hope for a reward. Then we are a sorry lot indeed. = Albert einstin

Yoda? Is that you?