What Do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe? (1951)
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WHAT DO Jehovah's Witnesses BELIEVE?
Would you ask prejudiced scribes and Pharisees what Jesus believed? Then why listen to prejudiced sources on what the witnesses believe? Let the witnesses themselves tell you!
WHAT DO JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES BELIEVE?
From time to time a religious writer discusses the beliefs of Jehovah's witnesses. However, in view of the unfriendly and critical tone of these discussions it would be a mistake to expect to obtain from such discussions an accurate picture of what Jehovah's witnesses really do believe. We would not expect to
obtain from the scribes and Pharisees a correct picture of what Jesus believed, would we?
Jehovah God and Christ Jesus
Since "there are many 'gods' and many 'lords' ", the true God has a personal name to distinguish him from all other gods: "Thou alone, whose name is Jehovah, art the Most High over all the earth." And referring to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, God said to Moses: "But by my name Jehovah I was not known to them." Jesus made this name known to his followers: "I have made your name manifest to the man
you gave me." Jehovah's witnesses today likewise make known Jehovah's name: "Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and I am God."—Exodus 6:3; Psalm 83:18; Isaiah 43:10-12; John 17:6; 1 Corinthians 8:5.
Jehovah's first creation was his Son: "the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation by God," "the firstborn of all creation." (Colossians 1:15; Revelation 3:14) Before coming to earth he was known as the Word
known as the Word or Logos, and "apart from him not even
one thing came into existence". (John 1:1, 3) Far from claiming to be equal with his Father, he said: "I cannot do a single thing of my own ini-
tiative" and "the Father is greater than I am".
(John 5:30; 14:28) In view of the foregoing, Jehovah's witnesses have no alternative but to reject the doctrine of the trinity as being unscriptural.
Adam and His Penalty
After preparing the earth for man's habitation, "Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Note, man did not receive an immortal soul, he became, he then was, a living soul. God commanded man to "be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it"; also to take care of the garden and not to eat of the fruit of a certain tree.—Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7, 15-17.
Adam's life depended upon his obedience. If he disobeyed, "in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Adam and Eve disobeyed and so they were sentenced. Sentenced to what?
To eternal torment? No, to death: "for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." "The wages sin pays is death." Death is the absence of life. In sheol or the grave "there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom".—Genesis 2:17; 3:19; Ecclesiastes 9:10; Romans 6:23.
Adam was a soul; Adam died. Adam the "living soul" died? Yes, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." "He poured out his soul unto death," foretold the prophet of Jesus. (Isaiah 53:12; Ezekiel 18:4, 20) According to the Scriptures the lower animals also are souls, and so we read: "That which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befall-
eth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath."
There is no misunderstanding these plain statements. (Genesis 1:30, margin; Numbers 31:28; Ecclesiastes 3:19) Therefore Jehovah's witnesses do not believe in the doctrines of eternal torment and immortality of the human soul.
The Issue of Supremacy
To guide and protect man God provided an "anointed cherub that covereth", a guardian angel. This cherub became ambitious to be worshiped like Jehovah God and so turned traitor and caused man to disobey God. (Genesis 3:1-6; Ezekiel 28:13-19; Matthew 4:9) This immediately raised the question: Whose fault was it that man sinned? Had Jehovah God made man weak and yet required of him perfect obedience if he would live? So the Devil contended, boasting that he could turn all men away from God. See Job, chapters 1 and 2.
Jehovah's name and supremacy thus became involved. To prove his supremacy, to prove the Devil a liar, to prove that he could put men on earth that would remain faithful to him in spite of all that the Devil could do, Jehovah permitted the first human pair and the Devil to live. He knew that some of their offspring would remain faithful to him and thus witness to his supremacy. From Abel on Jehovah has had witnesses on earth.—Proverbs 27:11; Hebrews 11.
Christ's Ransom Sacrifice
That his name might be vindicated, that his purpose regarding the earth might be realized, and that men who kept integrity might get life, Jehovah sent his Son into the world: "to give his soul a ransom in exchange for many," and to "bear witness to the truth". (Matthew 20:28; John 17:4; 18:37) Conceived by a virgin, "the Word became flesh," being "produced out of a woman"; thus he was an actual flesh-and-blood creature. (John 1:14; Galatians 4:4) Because of his demonstrating that a perfect man can keep integrity in spite of the Devil, God raised Jesus from the dead, "exalted him to a superior position."
1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Philippians 2:5-11.
Since Pentecost God has been calling and preparing a "bride", a "little flock", a body of 144,000 "purchased from the earth" to share heavenly life and rulership "as kings with [Christ] for the thousand years". These, Christ and his bride, constitute the "kingdom of the heavens".—Matthew 5:10; Luke 12:32; Acts 2; Revelation 14:1-3; 20:5, 6; 21:9.
However, Jesus also died for his "other sheep", of which there will be many. (Matthew 20:28; John
10:16) To such sheeplike ones the call now goes forth: "Seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye will be hid in the day of Jehovah's anger," the day when "all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of [God's] jealousy", known as "Armageddon". Not the literal earth, of course, for it "abldeth for ever", but this wicked system of things or world of which Satan is the god. (Ecclesiastes 1:4; Zephaniah 2:3; 3:8; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 16:16) Concerning it, Jesus said: "My kingdom is no part of this world," and the disciple James warned: "Friendship with the world is enmity with God." (John 18:36; James 4:4) Therefore Jehovah's witnesses shun it.
Christ's Second Presence and the New World
The present generation is seeing the sign marking Christ's second presence: "Nation will rise against nation . . . there will be food shortages and earthquakes . . . you will be hated by all the nations . . . And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth." (Matthew 24) After de-
stroying this old world like a potter's vessel, Christ will usher in the new world wherein "righteousness is to dwell".—Psalm 2:9; 2 Peter 3:13.
Then no more war, fear or want. (Isaiah 65:21; Micah 4:3, 4) Even the dead will be remembered, for "there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous". All pain, sorrow and crying will be wiped out, and even the enemy death will be destroyed. The earth will be made one vast paradise. Thus Jehovah will be vindicated as his purpose regarding the earth is fully realized.—Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:26; Revelation 21:4.
This, in brief, is what Jehovah's witnesses understand the Bible to teach and what they believe.
Scriptures quoted herein are from the "American Standard Version" or the "New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures".
"Let God Be True"
"Let God be found true, though every man be found a liar." (Romans 3:4) So wrote the apostle Paul, and Jehovah's witnesses today adhere strictly to that principle, even as evinced by the foregoing. For further proof see the Bible study aid "Let God Be True", which discusses such subjects as Jehovah, the Messiah, Satan the Devil, man, the soul, prayer, the sabbath, baptism, salutes and politics, images, etc. Contains 320 pages, with scripture and subject indexes. Bound in beautiful green cover, gold-leaf stamped. Available on a contribution of 50 cents. Write to address given below.
WATCHTOWER
117 ADAMS ST. BROOKLYN 1, N.Y.
PRINTED IN
USA "bear witness to the truth" concerning God's kingdom by Jesus Christ.
(Matthew 20:28; John 18:37) Conceived by a virgin, "the Word became flesh," being produced "out of a woman"; thus he was an actual flesh-and-blood creature. (John 1:14; Galatians 4:4) Because of his demonstrating that a perfect man can keep integrity in spite of the Devil, God raised Jesus from the dead and "exalted him to a superior position."—Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8.
Since Pentecost 33 C.E. God has been calling and preparing a "bride," a "little flock," a body of 144,000 "bought from the earth" to share heavenly life and rulership "as kings with [Christ] for the thousand years." These, Christ and his bride constitute the "kingdom of the heavens."—Revelation 21:9; Luke 12:32; Revelation 14:1-3; 20:5, 6; Matthew 5:10.
However, Jesus also died for his "other sheep," of which there will be many. By means of Christ's ransom sacrifice and God's kingdom, they will receive everlasting life on a Paradise earth. (John 10:16) Thus Jesus Christ becomes an "Eternal Father," since the earthly children to whom he becomes father by means of
his ransom sacrifice will be given the opportunity to live forever on a peaceful earth under his princely rule. (Isaiah 9:6,7) But what of those who have died as a result of Adam's sin? Since "there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous," those of ransomed mankind who have died will enter into this opportunity by means of a resurrection from the dead to life on earth under God's kingdom by Jesus Christ.—Acts 24:15; Luke 23:42, 43.
Christ's Second Presence and the New Order
The present generation is seeing the sign marking Christ's second presence: "Nation will rise against nation . . . there will be food shortages and earthquakes . . . you will be objects of hatred by all the nations . . . And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth." (Matthew 24) Soon now, Jehovah, by means of Jesus Christ, will fight the "war of the great day of God the Almighty" to destroy this wicked system of things of which the Devil is the god, and then the Devil himself will be put out of operation in the abyss. This will show God's power over all his enemies and will vindicate him as the Universal Sovereign. Christ will usher in the new order, wherein "righteousness is to dwell."—Revelation 16:14, 16; 20:1-3; 2 Peter 3:13; 2 Corinthians 4:4.
Then no more war, fear or want. (Isaiah 65:21; Micah 4:3, 4) Pain, sorrow and crying will be wiped out, and even the enemy death will be destroyed, for dead people in the grave will be raised back to life. The earth will be made one vast paradise. Thus Jehovah will be vindicated as his purpose regarding the earth is fully realized.—Revelation 21:4; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26.
This, in brief, is what Jehovah's witnesses understand the Bible to teach and what they believe.
Scriptures quoted herein are from the "New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures," 1961 edition.
It Is Impossible for God to Lie!
Jehovah's witnesses are convinced of that. But what about you? For proof of God's truthfulness, obtain and read the Bible-study aid "Things in Which It Is Impossible for God to Lie." This inspiring volume has 22 chapters on such subjects as "God Lives! How We Know It," "How Could One Man Die for the World of Mankind?" "God's Permission of Wickedness Soon to End," "Freeing the Dead People from Ha'des," "Earth's Future as a Paradise in God's Purpose" and "God Vindicated as Being No Liar." This 416-page illustrated book is yours on a contribution of 50 cents.
WATCHTOWER
117 ADAMS ST. BROOKLYN, N.Y. 11201 6
Printed in U.S.A.
Would you ask prejudiced scribes and Pharisees what Jesus believed? Then why listen to prejudiced sources on what the witnesses believe? Let the witnesses themselves tell you!
WHAT DO JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES BELIEVE?
From time to time a religious writer discusses the beliefs of Jehovah's witnesses. However, in view of the unfriendly and critical tone of these discussions, it would be a mistake to expect to obtain from such discussions an accurate picture of what Jehovah's witnesses really do believe. We would not expect to obtain from the scribes and Pharisees a correct picture of what Jesus believed, would we?
Jehovah God and Jesus Christ
Since "there are many 'gods' and many 'lords,'" the true God has a personal name to distinguish him from all other gods: "You, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth." Jesus made this name known to his followers: "I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me." Jehovah's witnesses today likewise make known Jehovah's name: "'You are my witnesses,' is the utterance of Jehovah, 'and I am God.'"'—1 Corinthians 8:5; Psalm 83:18; John 17:6; Isaiah 43:10-12.
Jehovah's first creation was his Son, "the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation by God," "the first-born of all creation." (Revelation 3:14; Colossians 1:15) Before coming to earth he was known as the Word or Logos, and "apart from him not even one thing came into existence."
(John 1:1,3) Far from claiming to be equal with his Father, he said: "I cannot do a single thing of my own initiative," and "the Father is greater than I am." (John 5:30; 14:28) In view
of the foregoing, Jehovah's witnesses worship Jehovah, the only true God, and they are followers of His Son. They have no alternative but to reject as unscriptural the doctrine of the trinity, which teaches that the Father, the Son and the holy spirit are all coequal.—John 17:3.
Adam and His Penalty
After preparing the earth for man's habitation, "Jehovah God proceeded to form the man out of dust from the ground and to blow into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man came to be a living soul." Note, man did not receive an immortal soul, he became, he then was, a living soul. God commanded man to "be fruitful and become many and fill the earth and subdue it"; also to take care of the garden and not to eat of the fruit of a certain tree.—Genesis 2:7; 1:28; 2:15-17.
Adam's life depended upon his obedience. If he disobeyed, God said, he would "positively die." Adam and Eve disobeyed God and so they were sentenced. Sentenced to what?
To eternal torment? No, to death: "for dust you are and to dust you will return." "The wages sin pays is death." Death is the absence of life. In Sheol or the grave "there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom."—Genesis 2:17; 3:19; Romans 6:23; Ecclesiastes 9:10.
Adam was a soul; Adam died. Adam the "living soul" died? Yes, "the soul that is sinning—it itself will die." "He poured out his soul to the very death," foretold the prophet about Jesus. (Ezekiel
18:4, 20; Isaiah 53:12) According to the Scriptures, the lower animals also are souls, and so we read: "As a tax for Jehovah you must take away from the men of war who went out on the expedition one soul out of five hundred, of humankind and of the herd and of the asses and of the flock." (Numbers 31:28) There is no misunderstanding that plain statement. Therefore Jehovah's witnesses do not believe in the doctrines of eternal torment and immortality of the human soul but they believe that "your soul" is really you.
The Issue of Sovereignty
Unseen at the garden of Eden there was a spirit angel. This angel became ambitious to be worshiped like Jehovah God and so turned traitor, made himself the Devil and caused man to disobey God. (John 8:44; Genesis 3:1-6; Matthew 4:8, 9) This immediately raised the question of sovereignty in heaven and earth: Can God rule all heaven and earth with the willing submission of living persons? Would the Devil be able to take away the universal sovereignty from the true God? The Devil boasted that he could turn all men away from God.—See Job, chapters 1 and 2.
Jehovah's name and sovereignty thus became involved. To prove that God could put men on earth that would willingly remain faithful to him in spite of all that the Devil could do, Jehovah permitted the first human pair and the Devil to live. This has made it possible for us today to come into existence and to gain salvation. God knew that some of Adam's offspring would remain faithful to Him and thus witness to his sovereignty. From Abel on, Jehovah has had witnesses on earth.—2 Peter 3:9, 15; Hebrews 11.
Christ's Ransom Sacrifice
That his name might be vindicated, that his purpose regarding the earth might be realized, and that men who kept integrity might get eternal life, Jehovah sent his Son into the world, "to give his soul a ransom in exchange for many," and to