Examining Our Beliefs

Jehovah's Witnesses (Hereafter referred to as JW's) invite others to examine their own beliefs in order to make sure that they are in harmony with the Bible:

Your choice of religion should be an informed one based on a careful examination of the Scriptures. In the first century, certain educated people did more than simply accept the apostle Paul's words at face value. They 'carefully examined the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so.' (Acts 17:11

NIV ¹¹ Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. KJV ¹¹ These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
1 John 4:1

NIV ¹ Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. KJV ¹ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
) Why not do the same yourself?

Each individual is responsible before God to make an examination of his religious beliefs in the light of Bible truth. If such an examination reveals that one's religion does not agree with the Bible, what should he do? – Awake, November 8, 1973, page 28

Can there be false religion? It is not a form of religious persecution for anyone to say and to show that another religion is false. It is not religious persecution for an informed person to expose publicly a certain religion as being false, thus allowing persons to see the difference between false religion and true religion. – The Watchtower, November 15, 1963, page 688.

How will you respond when pointed statements are made about false religious teachings and corrupt practices? Will you immediately condemn the person or organization making the expose? . . . Contrary to what some think, it is not unkind and unloving to lay bare falsehood and corruption. – The Watchtower, March 1, 1966, page 132.

When persons are in great danger from a source that they do not suspect or are being misled by those they consider their friends, is it an unkindness to warn them? They may prefer not believe the warning. They may even resent it. But does that free one from the moral responsibility to give that warning?" – The Watchtower, January 15, 1974, page 35.

We need to examine, not only what we personally believe, but also what is taught by any religious organization with which we may be associated. Are its teachings in full harmony with God's Word, or are they based on the traditions of men? If we are lovers of the truth, there is nothing to fear from such an examination. – The Truth That Leads To Eternal Life, (1968), page 13.

Now all this is wonderful, in fact magnificent, advice. We ask the JW's:

"Why wont you do that?"
"Why don't you practice what you preach?"
"Why don't you?"
"Would you rather have the truth covered over?"
"Or, do you want to know the facts?"

The JW answer is contradictory – really it is quite hypocritical. They want everyone else to examine their religion but they wont do the same when challenged themselves.

The JW Blindly Follow the Watch Tower

Unfortunately, the JW's smugly believe that the Watch Tower is God's organization and that through it alone God speaks to the world today. How about this?

Consider, too, the fact that Jehovah's organization alone, in all the earth, is directed by God's holy spirit or active force. (Zechariah 4:6

NIV ⁶ So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. KJV ⁶ Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
) Only this organization functions for Jehovah's purpose and to his praise. To it alone God's Sacred Word, the Bible, is not a sealed book. Many persons of the world are very intelligent, capable of understanding complex matters. They can read the Holy Scriptures, but they cannot understand their deep meaning. Yet God's people can comprehend such spiritual things. – The Watchtower, July 1, 1973.

Once having accepted this type of thinking the JW is not open to consider anything said or written by any but their mentor, the Watch Tower Society, which they believe has been appointed by God. Notice their following quotations that reinforce this position:

Since the Master Jesus Christ had appointed this "slave" class to be "over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time," the famine-relief spiritual food could come only through this one "channel," this appointed "slave" class, the Elijah class. – Let Your Name Be Sanctified (1961), page 302.

The Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization, not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible. For this reason the Bible cannot be properly understood without Jehovah's visible organization in mind. – The Watchtower, October 1, 1967, page 587.

Sounds strangely like the Roman Catholic religion doesn't it?

Unless we are in touch with this channel of communication that God is using, we will not progress along the road to life, no matter how much Bible reading we do. – The Watchtower, December 1, 1981, page 27.

To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it. – The Watchtower, February 15, 1983, page 12.

When our heavenly Father, Jehovah God, speaks, whether through his Word, the Bible, or through his earthly organization, it is all the more important for us to listen and obey... – The Watchtower, April 1, 1988.

To turn away from Jehovah and his organization, to spurn the direction of "the faithful and discreet slave," and to rely simply on personal Bible reading and interpretation is to become like a solitary tree in a parched land. – The Watchtower, June 1, 1985, page 60.

Independent Thinking is Thoroughly Condemned

The Watch Tower strongly speaks against its followers practicing independent thinking. They are so enamored with the Watch Tower, so much under its spell, that their minds are locked in to that single channel, the Watch Tower. They wont listen to anyone else. This mindset is reinforced with admonition such as that which follows:

Avoid independent thinking ... How is such independent thinking manifested? A common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God's visible organization. – The Watchtower, January 15, 1983, page 22.

Fight Against Independent Thinking ... Yet there are some who point out that the organization has had to make adjustments before, and so they argue: "This shows that we have to make up our own mind on what to believe." This is independent thinking. Why is it so dangerous? Such thinking is an evidence of pride. – The Watchtower, January 15, 1983, page 27.

In the world, there is a tendency to reject leadership. As one lecturer said: "The rising education level has improved the talent pool such that followers have become so critical that they are almost impossible to lead." But a spirit of independent thinking does not prevail in God's organization, and we have sound reasons for confidence in the men taking the lead among us. – The Watchtower, September 15, 1989, page 23.

How is such independent thinking manifested? A common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God's visible organization. – The Watchtower, January 15, 1983, page 22.

The Watch Tower Merry Dance

After the JW accepts that God speaks through the Watch Tower he/she is led on a merry dance of Flip, Flap, Flop theology. You would rightly expect that if the Watch Tower was being instructed by God that it would be absolutely, beyond dispute, reliable. In fact it is the exact opposite. It is quite acceptable for Christians as individuals and as groups to grow in understanding. This often necessitates amendments to formerly held views, however, they do not usually claim to be the one and only channel of communication from God. It is not acceptable for the Watch Tower to meander all over the place. It's teachings often flip right over. That is, they are going in one direction and then they change to the opposite direction. Sometimes, they then flap back and forth. Often, they flop completely being exposed as entirely fraudulent. It is not a problem to provide some examples. The list could be almost endless. However, we will limit ourselves to the following:

Example of Flips

DID CHRIST HAVE A BEARD?

The Watchtower, May 1, 1968, pages 287, 288 answers the question:

Biblical evidence is the most reliable testimony to be found on this question, and a recent careful review of what it says indicates that Jesus did indeed have a beard.

It could be that this is thought to be a simple matter hardly worth mentioning. Normally, this would be so. However, we are not dealing with a normal situation. We are examining a situation where a group claim to be speaking on behalf of God.

Watch Tower publications used to picture Christ with a beard. For example see Life (1929) page 198. Publications of more recent time show our Saviour clean-shaven. Example From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained, (1958), page 141. Watch Tower theology requires that Christ was the exact counterpart of Adam (their Ransom idea which claims that Christ had to be exactly the same as Adam in order to purchase back what Adam had lost). So, we are not surprised to find pictures of Adam also showing him to be beardless. Example, From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained, (1958), page 32. Since Christ is now said to have been a bearded man, Watch Tower publications also depict Adam as having a fine beard. Example, The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life, (1968), page 30.

The Great Pyramid in Egypt

Early JW were fascinated with the great pyramid in Egypt. Along with some others of that day they thought it had prophetic lessons programmed by God.

The Great Pyramid ... seems in a remarkable way to teach, in harmony with all the prophets, an outline of the plan of God, past, present and future. – Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 3, page 314, edition of 1903.

No longer content with this position The Watchtower, November 15, 1928, page 344 offers the following repudiation:

It is more reasonable to conclude that the great pyramid of Gizeh, as well as other pyramids . . . were built by the rulers of Egypt and. under the direction of Satan the Devil. – The Watchtower, November 15, 1928, page 344.

The Cross of Christ

Early Watchtower magazines clearly had a Cross and Crown symbol on the front cover. Creation(1927), page 265, pictures Jesus crucified on a Cross. The Harp of God (1928), also depicts Jesus on a Cross. Other publications also carried similar pictures.

In recent times Jesus is depicted nailed to a straight upright pole. Awake magazine, November 8, 1972, page 28 claims:

No Biblical evidence even intimates that Jesus died on a cross.

Please read my paper The Watch Tower Cross about the Cross which clarifies what the evidence really is. The Watch Tower was quite in error in making the flip from the Cross to a torture stake.

Separating the Sheep From the Goats

For most of last century the Society taught that from 1919 on the JW's have been separating humanity into two groups – sheep and goats. They were doing this by their witnessing work. This was their claim to fulfill Matthew 25:31

NIV ³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. KJV ³¹ When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
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However, The Watchtower, October 15, 1995, pages 22 and 23 spoilt all that. It admitted that for all those years they had been wrong for this separating will not take place until Christ comes again. This is another clear example of a "flip." The Watch Tower leaders have been faced with a real dilemma. They had taught, for as long as any current member would be able to remember, that the generation which saw 1914 would not pass away before the end came. Except for a few feeble ancients, that generation has passed away. The dilemma was to decide whether to throw 1914 out or scrap their "this generation" concept. 1914 is so important to their existence that it could not be touched, the "this generation" teaching had to go. Along with it the change of their understanding of the sheep and goats parable has also been publicized.

The poor ordinary JW has had to change step again, or would it be better to describe it in Scriptural terms and say that they are once again being blown about by every wind of doctrine?

Worship of Jesus

As strange as it may seem today, the Watch Tower used to teach that it is quite in order to worship Jesus:

You must worship and bow down to Jehovah's chief one, namely Jesus Christ. – The Watchtower, October 15, 1945, page 313.

But that endorsement for the worship of Jesus has now been withdrawn. We now read such statements as:

No distinct worship is to be rendered to Jesus Christ, now glorified in heaven. – The Watchtower, January 1, 1954, page 31.

Was the Watch Tower once guilty in leading its followers to be idolaters? Or, is it guilty today of depriving Jesus of the worship due to Him?

Shunning of Departed Members

The JW's go door knocking and are all over you when they are trying to convert you. Once they get you into the Congregation you are under very strict rules of conduct. If you do something wrong they revert from door knocking to head knocking – you will be disfellowshiped. Not only that but close relatives or anyone else who is a JW will also be disfellowshiped if they have association with you. Here are some of the statements which reveal their stand on this matter.

I doubt that any Christian would find much fault with the following advice found in The Watchtower of March 1, 1919, page 6397:

Treating the brother for a time as "a heathen man and a publican" would not mean to do him injury, to castigate him, pillory him, or expose him to shame or contempt before the world ... In the meantime the brother may merely be treated in the kindly, courteous way in which it would be proper for us to treat any publican or Gentile.

This admonition sounds decidedly Christ like. Here is another statement offering a reasonable attitude:

We would not refuse to treat one as a brother because he did not believe the Society is the Lord's Channel. – The Watchtower, April 1, 1920, page 100.

Unfortunately, the Watch Tower is not Christ like, neither is it reasonable, so it soon flipped from the position described above. Today, we read harsh unchristian admonition such as that which follows:

Is it proper for a Christian witness of Jehovah to have business relationships with one who has been disfellowshiped? ... Generally speaking, it would be desirable for us to have no contact with disfellowshiped persons, either in business or in social and spiritual ways. – The Watchtower, December 1, 1952, page 735.

Would upholding God's righteousness and his disfellowshiping arrangement mean that a Christian should not speak at all with an expelled person, not even saying "Hello"? ... And we all know from our experience over the years that a simple "Hello" to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship. Would we want to take that first step with a disfellowshiped person? – The Watchtower, September 15, 1981, pages 24 and 25.

We should not see how close we can get to relatives who are disfellowshiped from Jehovah's organization, but we should "quit mixing in company" with them. – The Watchtower, July 15, 1963, page 444.

As we have noted in another place, the Watch Tower uses discipline as a means of silencing ex-members. If someone leaves because they can no longer support the Watch Tower teachings, they can then expose the Watch Tower for what it really is. "Cut them off completely," that is the Watch Tower solution. This is their 21^st^ century way of burning people at the stake. They have the same attitude as the 1^st^ century Pharisees. There is no grace only strict judgment in the Watch Tower camp. Jesus, on the other hand showed mercy and grace – for example in the case of the woman caught in the act of adultery – John 8:11

NIV ¹¹ “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” KJV ¹¹ She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Examples of Flaps

The People of Sodom, Will They Be Resurrected?

It is just as well that these people are unaware of the prospects the Watch Tower has held out for them. A more confused situation would be hard to imagine.

The Watchtower of July, 1879, page 8 informs that because of God's grace the people of Sodom will be resurrected. This position was apparently held right down to 1952 when The Watchtower dated June 1, 1952, page 338 stated:

Sodom did not endure its judgment day, had failed completely ... its fate was sealed.

Here was an obvious "flip." However, subsequent statements involve a series of "flaps" back and forth.

Referring to Sodom and Gomorrah The Watchtower, August 1, 1965, page 479 advises:

They will be "judged individually according to their deeds" during the time of judgment. So apparently individuals who used to live in that land will be resurrected. – Revelation 20:12-13

NIV ¹² And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. ¹³ The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. KJV ¹² And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. ¹³ And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

So in 1965 JW's again believed that the people of Sodom would be resurrected. However, in 1988 they all had to change their minds (?) because The Watchtower of June 1, page 31 said:

In this light, Jude 7 would mean that the wicked people of Sodom/Gomorrah were judged and destroyed everlastingly.

In answer to the question "Will the people of Sodom be resurrected?" we have so far learned that they will – then they wont – then they will – then they wont. Obvious flapping back and forth.

Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 2 (1988), page 985 advises that these people will receive a resurrection:

Sodom and Gomorrah were everlastingly destroyed as cities, but this would not preclude a resurrection for people of those cities*

Revelation – Its Grand Climax at Hand (1988) states on page 273:

Jude 7 states that those Sodomites underwent "the judicial punishment of everlasting fire," meaning eternal destruction.

In 1989 the Society published the book You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth. On page 179 we read:

The people of Sodom and of the surrounding cities suffered a destruction from which they will apparently never be resurrected.

(Strangely, or is it really, the 1982 edition of this book, same page, says that they will get a resurrection!).

Well, that seems to be where we are today with two in a row advising there will be no resurrection for the Sodomites. That's the story today – tomorrow? Well, who knows? Maybe the flapping back and forth will continue.

The above information comes to us from what JW's claim to be the one and only channel through which God speaks to the world. This is the channel about which The Watchtower of December 1, 1981, page 27 says:

Unless we are in touch with this channel of communication that God is using, we will not progress along the road to life, no matter how much Bible reading we do.

Well, I am far from impressed. What about you? There is something terribly wrong here. Is it God who is all mixed up? Or, is it the Watch Tower? Not hard to decide is it? If a JW who was thoroughly confused by all this said, "Well, I'll have to try and sort it out for myself and make up my own mind," he would be condemned for being proud. What an amazing situation!

The Higher Powers of Romans 13:1

The Bible makes it crystal clear that Christians must be submissive to the rulers of the country in which they reside. They must obey their laws unless the laws of the land conflict with the law of God. God's law must have top priority – see Acts 5:29

NIV ²⁹ Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! KJV ²⁹ Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
1 Peter 2:13-17

NIV ¹³ Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, ¹⁴ or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. ¹⁵ For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. ¹⁶ Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. ¹⁷ Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. KJV ¹³ Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; ¹⁴ Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. ¹⁵ For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: ¹⁶ As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. ¹⁷ Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
Titus 3:1-2

NIV ¹ Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, ² to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. KJV ¹ Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, ² To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
and 1 Timothy 2:1-3

NIV ¹ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior, KJV ¹ I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; ² For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. ³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
should be consulted in a study of this matter, but no doubt the key passage to be considered is Romans 13:1

NIV ¹ Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. KJV ¹ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
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Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established – (NIV) Romans 13:1

NIV ¹ Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. KJV ¹ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

We have noted above that JW's are under the spell of the Watch Tower Society. Whatever the Society says is truth and anyone who disagrees is in error. Even if what the Society says may seem wrong, the Society must still be obeyed – the alternative is to be disfellowshiped. If the Society changes its teaching all JW's are required to fall into line with the new teaching. To be quite frank on the matter it has to be said that the JW does not really believe anything – not truly believe. He is a follower of the Watch Tower Society. Perhaps we should say that there is at least one thing that he believes and that is that the Society has the authority to tell them what to accept, what to say, and what to do.

We now examine an amazing story which clearly reveals the manipulation of the Bible by the Watch Tower leaders to suit their own ends. The quotations which follow from Society literature further illustrate the muddle JW's have found themselves in by accepting that the information in Watch Tower publications is channeled from Jehovah God. In 1886 the Society said:

Evil as these Gentile governments have been, they were permitted or "ordained of God" for a wise purpose. – Studies in the Scriptures, Series 1, (1916 edition), page 250.

Christians should recognize the true character of these kingdoms, and, while they keep separate from them, should render to them due respect and obedience, because God has permitted them to rule. As Paul teaches, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers; for there is no power but of God. – Studies in the Scriptures, Series 2, (1889), page 81.

The fact that the "higher powers" are the Governments of this world was taught by the Society right up to the year 1929. In June 1929, The Watchtower carried an article entitled "The Higher Powers." In this article it was stated:

There has been a decidedly improper application of the words of the Apostle Paul when applied to the governments of this world. When he says, "The powers that be are ordained of God", does he have any reference whatsoever to the Gentile nations of the earth? Is it not more reasonable that he directs his words exclusively to the powers possessed and exercised in God's organization, and not to those that are exercised in Satan's organization? – Cited in the Watch Tower book Jehovah's Witnesses in the Divine Purpose, page 124.

A reading of Watch Tower literature for the 1920s and 1930s makes it obvious that at that time there was a great power struggle going on among JW's. The leaders of the Society were endeavoring to assume total power. All organizations outside of the one headed by the Society leaders were branded as Satan's organization and JW's were being arranged under what they like to call the "Theocracy." It is interesting to note that it was during this period that the Society even became the conscience of JW's, telling them that they were worshiping if they saluted the flag or stood when the National Anthem was played. The next quotation illustrates the emphasis upon organization during these years:

From 1922 forward almost every year's report mentioned the subject of organization. Then 1932 saw The "elective elders" replaced in the congregation by a group of mature brothers called a "service Committee", who were elected by the congregation to assist the local service director appointed by the Society. It was not until 1938, however, that the final change to strictly theocratic order took place. – Jehovah's Witnesses in the Divine Purpose, page 148.

It was difficult to remain a JW during the years of the power struggle unless you were willing to be regimented by the Society. Those who were not willing to conform were severely castigated in the Society's publications:

If you observe some in your company that do not appreciate the organization of the Lord and who are not willing and anxious to obey organization directions, and who insist on following their own way, you may know at once that such are outside of the temple. – World Recovery, (1934), page 52.

Some claiming to be fully devoted to Jehovah find it difficult to learn to be obedient to organization instructions. This is strong proof that such are not in the temple. – Ibid. page 54.

Over the entire organization is Jehovah; and as Jehovah and Christ Jesus are one, so likewise must all of the organization be one. Jehovah has answered the prayer of Christ Jesus and made all one who are of His organization. These things being true, then if one in the organization receives directions, and those directions come through the place designated to give instructions, then the instructions should be obeyed as unto the Lord. – Ibid. pages 54, 55.

It is imperative that the remnant follow organization instructions because the Lord is directing His own affairs. – Ibid. page 57.

The clear directions of Romans 13:1 were "flipped" by the Society and a new twisted interpretation was used as a weapon in the power struggle.

Those who profess to be consecrated to God and who hold that "the higher powers" means the ruling powers of this world deceive themselves and deceive others. Many of the elders of the ecclesias or Bible classes insist that "the higher powers", described by the apostle in Romans thirteen, means the ruling powers of this world. Being selfish, they have become blind to the revelation of God's truth. "God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie." (2 Thessalonians 2:11

NIV ¹¹ For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie KJV ¹¹ And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
) These also fail to see the organization of Jehovah. – Vindication, Vol. 1, (1931), page 81.

Jehovah is the great King, and Christ Jesus, God's anointed King, Who performs His will. Such are the "higher powers", as stated in the Scriptures. Until quite recently God's People understood that this scripture, at Romans 13:1

NIV ¹ Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. KJV ¹ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
, speaking of "the higher powers", has reference to worldly ruling powers. Those who have withdrawn from the Society still hold this wrongful view. Now, however, the faithful remnant see clearly that this scripture has no reference to any part of Satan's organization but does apply exclusively to God's arrangement in His organization for His own people. Those who refuse to see this truth and who oppose the statement of the Watchtower concerning it have seized upon such an excuse for offense and have dropped out and have gone into the dark. – Preservation, (1932), page 98.

The Watchtower, in June 1929, set forth for the first time the truth of an concerning the "higher powers", and then the flies began to bite Satan's crowd because the truth exposed that wicked organization. – Jehovah, (1934), page 78.

That message has declared and continues to declare, particularly unto "Christendom", the truth of and concerning what constitutes the "higher powers". (Romans 13:1-7

NIV ¹ Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ² Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. ⁴ For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. ⁵ Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. ⁶ This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. ⁷ Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. KJV ¹ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. ² Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. ³ For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: ⁴ For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. ⁵ Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. ⁶ For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. ⁷ Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
) Prior thereto, the people, including the followers of Christ, understood and believed that the "higher powers" mentioned in the Scriptures are made up of the visible rulers of this world. The Lord has enlightened His people, and by His grace they now clearly see and declare to the world that "the higher powers" means Jehovah and Christ." Ibid, page 76.

The "flap" back to the original position.

Today, the Society teaches that the "higher powers" of Romans 13 are "the ruling powers of this world" again. In 1931 the elders of the ecclesias or Bible classes were accused of being deluded and deceivers because they taught this. Is the Society deluded and deceiving because it teaches what the elders taught back there? Or, was it deluded and deceiving back in 1931? Seeing that the teaching during the time of the power struggle is now claimed by the Society to be false, was it "The Lord" who "enlightened" them back there? Obviously not! Then who was it seeing that they admit being guided?

It is now a long while since 1938 when the Society established "strictly theocratic order". The distorted teaching on Romans 13:1

NIV ¹ Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. KJV ¹ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
had served its purpose and so in 1962 the Society reverted to its original teaching. In 1962 it said:

By God's permission during His time allowance for it we have had the so-called Higher Powers or "superior authorities" in political control of the earth till today. These have been established by God's permission according to His arrangement of man's affairs. – The Watchtower, October 15, 1962, page 615.

As soon as the Watch Tower said this all JW fell into line and now teach in harmony with what the Society now says. What confusion! Does error become truth just because an organization which claims to be a communication link with God puts it forth? Does truth change? Can something be truth today, error tomorrow, and then truth again if it is being taught by God? How could anyone ever know that he has the truth when he follows the Watch Tower Society? A JW may strongly defend a point tonight as truth and find in the morning that the Society now says it is error.

Examples of Flops

A good deal of space could be devoted to this aspect of our discussion but we have labored the point quite a bit already. The Watch Tower Society is a blind guide. It has seized authority and unfortunately millions of people are content, zombie like, to follow in its train. To rescue these people is far from being easy. There can be no doubt that unless the hold of the Society on them can be weakened to the point where they have the scales removed from their eyes and are willing to be taught by Scripture under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, there is not much hope for them.

Many of the flops have to do with the desire of the Society to set dates. Here are some of the failures:

They taught for years that Christ returned invisibly in 1874.
They taught that the world would end in 1914.
Armageddon would take place in 1975.
They flopped on their teaching that the generation that saw 1914 would not pass before the end of things.
They are wrong on so many things and these are all flops. Things such as no blood transfusion. No Cross of Christ. No Trinity. The list that could be constructed would be quite enormous. However, we will leave it at that for now being satisfied that the material above exposes quite clearly what the Society really is.

Conclusion

It is possible, more than probable, that my paper will not be seen by a JW. However, I trust that its contents will be invaluable in someone else helping one or more of them. Nevertheless, I will offer my final remarks as though I am addressing a JW directly. I will do so by using a picture and comments from the Watch Tower book You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, 1982, pages 32, 33:

There cannot be two sets of truth when one does not agree with the other. One or the other is true, but not both. Sincerely believing something, and practicing that belief, will not make it right if it really is wrong. How should you feel if proof is given that what you believe is wrong? For example, say that you were in a car, traveling for the first time to a certain place. You have a road map, but you have not taken time to check it carefully. Someone has told you the road to take. You trust him, sincerely believing that the way he has directed you is correct. But suppose it is not. What if someone points out the error? What if he, by referring to your own map, shows that you are on the wrong road? Would pride or stubbornness prevent you from admitting that you are on the wrong road? Well, then, if you learn from an* examination of your Bible that you are traveling a wrong religious road, be willing to change. Avoid the broad road to destruction; get on the narrow road to life!

Dear Jehovah's Witness,

You have no right to preach this message to others if you are not willing to practice it yourself. God will abundantly bless you if you are willing to let Him do so.