So, Does Jehovah have a prophet to help them, to warn them of dangers to come?

"IDENTIFYING THE PROPHET"

These questions can be answered in the affirmative. Who is this prophet?

This prophet was not one man, but a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah's Christian witnesses.

Of course, it is easy to say that this group acts as a "prophet" of God. It is another thing to prove it. The only way that this can be done is to review the record. What does it show? WT. 4/1/72 p 197 (see Deut. 18::21)

• John Aquila Brown: published in book, Even-Tide (1823), his interpretation of the "seven times' of Daniel, by means of the day year formula, to produce 2520 years, in exactly the same way as the Watchtower Society does today, except he started with 604 BC and ended up with 1917 AD. This, 29 years before C. T. Russell was born, 47 years before C.T. Russell started his Bible study group, and 50+ years before the book "Three Worlds" was written.

• William Miller: New England Baptist, end time prophet, in 1818 AD predicted the advent of Christ in 1843-1844. Quit the movement he founded when his predictions, called the "great disappointment of 1844', failed.

• Millerites established the "right date-wrong event" idea used by Jehovah's Witnesses (JWs) post 1914.

• Ellen G. White: member of Miller movement (Millerite), split off after the disappointment of 1844 and founded the Second Advent movement, the present Seven-Day Adventist group.

• Charles Taze Russell: (1852-1916) Raised Presbyterian & member of Congregational Church. In 1869 young Russell attended meeting by Jonas Wendell, Second Adventist preacher, after which he led a Bible study class that evolved into a separate movement. Russell was heavily influenced by George Stetson and George Storrs in 3 year relationship. Jan. 1876, allied with Second Adventists N. H. Barbour & J. H. Paton.

• George Stetson: Spiritual descendent of William Miller and an Advent Christian minister.

• George Storrs: Millerite, minister in Methodist Episcopal church, & major founder of the Life and Advent Union, foremost American proponent of "conditionalism," that man does not have an immortal soul but can earn salvation, and of the teaching that the dead are unconscious or asleep until the resurrection. Published newspaper called the Bible Examiner. taught earthly resurrection of the ignorant dead to be educated with knowledge of Christ then judged accordingly. Russell learned the doctrines of the ransom atonement of Christ, the restitution of mankind to a paradise earth, and the doctrine of conditionalism directly from Storrs and his associates. The practice of celebrating the Lord's Supper once a year on 14 Nisan came from Storrs.

• Nelson Barbour: Second Adventist, after teaching that the earth would burn up in 1874, became "main author" of 1877 end time prophetic book, "Three Worlds," paid for & co-published by C. T. Russell, in which, Barbour now asserted that date(1874) to mark Christ's invisible return in 1874 and the "day of wrath" in AD1914.

• Charles Taze Russell: First Watch Tower president, broke away from Barbour and his Second Advent mentors in 1879 to publish his own journal, Zion's Watch Tower and Hera!d of Christ's Presence. Russell enlarged on the proof of the end time date of 1914 by lengthy argumentation in his books (STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES Vol. 1-6) and the Watch Tower magazine from 1879 until his death in 1916.

One of his most interesting features was his claim to prophetic insight, and proof of the 1914 date, by measuring the chambers of the Great Pyramid of Gizeh, calling it "God's Bible in stone' and "God's stone witness". Russell became "pastor" to an increasing group of supporters called "Bible Student's.* His ministry survived a divorce, a "Miracle Wheat" scandal, complete with law-suit, which he lost, the issue of "the vow", the 1914 failure and ended with another prediction; Armageddon in 1918.

• Joseph Franklin Rutherford: (1869-1942) an attorney and substitute judge, became second Watch Tower president amid Bible Student chaos when Russell neglected to make his four hand-picked successors legal board members. Three groups of Bible Students broke off by the spring of 1918. "He had a streak of self-righteousness which caused him to regard anyone who opposed him as of the Devil,"* was moody, rude, profane, had a violent temper, prone to physical violence, smoked cigars & was alcoholic.

Had the book THE FINISHED MYSTERY written & released 1917 in which he infuriated religion and government, ended up getting all eight board members sentenced to prison for treason under the American Espionage Act. In 1919 instituted door-to-door distribution of magazines and in 1920 "class workers" began to report their activities to the Watch Tower Society. Predicted "the end" in 1918, 1920, 1925, &1941. Started the "Millions Now Living Will Never Die' campaign in 1918, released the book in 1920 that predicted the return of the Ancient Worthies in 1925, built them a mansion in San Diego CA in 1929 that he wintered in till he died. Had the use of two 16 cylinder Cadillacs in the 30's when his followers experienced the depression, soup lines, & dust bowls. Was the architect of most present day Watchtower beliefs & practices. Claimed the Holy Spirit quit working in 1918 and that the Lord sent messages for him to write in the Watchtower books and magazines direct to him through thought transference by Angels.

Today he is heralded as "humble as a little child" by group leaders (WT 12-i-'93 p.14). Changed the group name to "Jehovah's witnesses" in 1931, closed the doors to heaven in 1935 for all but 144,000 JWs. *(Apocalypse Delayed, M.J. Penton)

• Nathan Homer Knorr: (1905-1977) Raised in the Dutch Reformed Church, third president, set up training programs for recruiters & group speakers, left doctrinal matters up to vice-president F. Franz. Directed the wave of new recruits flocking to escape the current world end prophecy of 1975. Required members to follow Watchtower medical advice, banned vaccinations, blood transfusions, and organ transplants.

• F. W. Franz: (1893-1992) Presbyterian ministerial student, Bible translator (NWT committee) self-taught in Hebrew, could not speak Hebrew or translate one verse of Hebrew in a court of law. Fourth WT president dealt with the 1975 failed prophecy with denial, circled the spiritual wagons and at 88 years of age led a massive purge of suspected dissenters. Members, including his own nephew, Governing Body member Ray Franz, suspected of "independent thinking" were interrogated, some for hours & hours in secret meetings, then disfellowshipped & shunned.

• Milton G. Henschel: (1921- ) Fifth Society president. "Transplants of hearts and other organs are a form of cannibalism', "Witnesses believe the last generation is dated from the first globular, 1914, and the time is getting near to the end of that generation", and when asked if the Witnesses ever "reform' he answered, "they are always growing in new Bible understanding." [Detroit Free Press July 1968] Nov. 1, 1995 Watchtower "NEW LIGHT" - "This Generation" no longer refers to the year 1914.

Questions for JWs. W. & J. Cetnar: Zion's Watch Tower, 1906 8 1916: Who Was Who in Church History, E.S. Moyer: Watchtower, 1993; Crisis Of Conscience, R. Franz; Apocalypse Delayed, M.J. Penton; 1975 Yearbook of JWs; 1917 ed, The Finished Mystery;

Three Words, N. Barbour; Jehovah's Witnesses in the Divine Purpose, 1959; Thy Kingdom Come, 1912 ed; When Prophecy Fails. L. Festinger; Ellen G. White and Inspiration, M. Barnett; The Early Years, A.L.. White; Comments from the Friends, D. Reed, spring (1993)

Lets check their record further:

1889 ...the battle of the great day of the God Almighty" (Rev. 16:14), which will end in A.D. 1914 with the complete overthrow of the earth's present rulership, is already commenced." The Time Is At Hand, p 101, (1908 ed.)

1897 "Our Lord the appointed King, is now present since October 1874", Studies In The Scriptures, Vol. 4.P 621

1916 "The Bible chronology herein presented shows that the six great thousand -year days beginning with Adam are ended, and that the great Seventh Day, the thousand years of Christ's reign, began in 1873." The Time Is At Hand p. II.

1920 "Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews chapter eleven, to the condition of human perfection." Millions Now Living Will Never Die. p. 893

1922 " The date 1925 is more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures because it is fixed by the law god gave Israel" WT! / 9 / 1 /22 p. 262

1923 "Our thought is, that 1925 is settled by the Scriptures ...As to Noah, the Christian now has much more upon which to base his faith than Noah had upon which to base his faith in a coming deluge." WT 4 / 1 /23 p. 106.

1931 There was a measure of disappointment on the part of Jehovah's faithful ones on earth concerning the years 1914, 1918, and 1925, which disappointment lasted for a time. Later the faithful learned that these dates were definitely fixed in the Scriptures; and they also learned to quit fixing dates for the future and predicting what would come to pass on a certain date," Vindication Vol.1 P. 338.

1940 "The year 1940 is certainly to be the most important yet, because Armageddon is very near. Informant . May 1940

1941 "Receiving the gift, the marching children clasped it to them, not a toy or plaything for idle pleasure, but the Lord's provided instrument for the most effective work in the remaining months before Armageddon." WT 8/ 15 /41 p. 288

1968 "True there have been those in times past who predicted an "end" to the world, even announcing a specific date. Yet nothing happened. The "end" did not come.They were guilty of false prophesying. Why? What was missing? Missing from such people were God's truths and the evidence that he was using them... But what about today? Today we have the evidence required, all of it." Awake 10 / 8 / 68 p.23

1968 "Why Are You Looking Forward To 1975?" WT 8 /15 /68 p. 494

SOURCE OF INFORMATION

1936 "The Lord through !his angels sees to it that the information is given to his people in due time, and he brings to pass the events in fulfillment of his prophecy..." Riches 1936 edition, P. 316

1942 "Those who are convinced that the "Watch Tower" is publishing the opinion of a man should not waste their time looking at it at all... Those who believe that God uses "The Watch Tower" as a means of communicating to his people, or of calling their attention to his prophecies, should study "The Watchtower" with thankfulness of heart..." WT 1 / 1/ 42 p. 5

1973 "...Jehovah's organization alone, in all the earth, is directed by God's holy spirit or active force." WT! 7 / 1 / 73 p 402.

IS THIS CLAIM TRUE ?

The Watch Tower has consistently proved itself dependable" NWT! 1950 ed. p. 793

Please read on......

• The WT once taught that 6000 years of Human History ended in 1872. Check their book "Daily Heavenly Manna" This was wrong.

• Then they said that 6000 years of Human History ended in 1873. This was wrong. WT book "The Time Is At Hand" p.33

• J.W.'s were also taught that 6000 years of Human History ended in 1972. WT book "The Truth Shall Make You Free". p. 152, 1943 ed. This was not correct.

• Now J.W.'s are told that 6000 years of Human History ended in 1975. Awake Oct. 8, 1968

• Watch Tower readers were told the "The Time Of The End" began in 1799. WT book "The Kingdom Come" p. 129, 1914 ed. This was an error.

• Watch Tower supporters were told that Jesus died on a cross. "The Harp Of God". p. 113. This they no longer believe.

• The WT taught an 1878 resurrection from the dead. This was false WT book Thy Kingdom Come p 234.

• The Millennium Began in 1873. Ibid p. 305. This was wrong

• Armageddon would end in 1914. This was false prophecy. The Time Is At Hand" p.101, 1889 ed.

• Armageddon would end in 1915. This was another false prophecy. The Time Is At Hand". p.101,1915 ed.

• The WT taught that Christ returned in 1874. WT book "The Finished Mystery" p.386, 295, 1917 ed. This was false.

• The WT predicted that the Churches would be destroyed in 1918. This was another false prophecy. Finished Mystery p. 485, 513.

• The WT taught that the Millennium began in 1874. Today they teach that it did not begin in 1874. The Finished Mystery. p.386.

• They said Jesus was the "Almighty "of Rev. 1:8 This time they were correct, but have since changed their minds. Finished Mystery p. 15.

• They once taught that Abraham would come out of his grave in 1925, 1925 and live in San Diego, California. This was a false prophecy. "Millions Now Living Will Never Die." p.89 & 90 and "Salvation" pgs. 310 - 312.

• WT readers were encouraged to buy War Bonds. WT April 1918.

• Abaddon means "A Bad One". Apollyon means "Satan the Devil", Finished Mystery. p.159. Now JW's are taught the Abaddon & Apollyon are Jesus Christ. "Then Is Finished The Mystery Of God". p. 232

• At one time the WT taught it was proper to worship Jesus Christ. WT Reprints p. 2337. July 15, 1898

• Now the WT tells us NOT to worship Jesus Christ. WT Jan 1, 1954, p 31. Compare Heb. 1:6. Would all the JW's that worshipped Jesus before 1954 be idol worshipers?

• The WT taught that Rev. 14:20 referred to the Railroad Station in Scranton Penn. Finished Mystery p 230.

Jesus taught his disciples that false prophets can be identified by the bad fruit they produce. Mt. 7: 15 - 20. Also compare Deut. 18: 20-22

Is what you just read good fruit or bad fruit? Did it come from a good tree or a bad tree? What did Jesus teach us to do with bad trees? Mt. 7:19. .... Cut them down!

THE WATCH TOWER SOCIETY CLAIMS TO:

• Be a prophet of God. WT 4/1/72 p.197

• They have claimed that the dates in their publications are "God's Dates". WT Reprints II, p 1677, Jan. 1, 1894.

• The Watch Tower's first president was Charles T. Russell. The WT claimed that the material in Russell's books " All came from God." Finished Mystery p 387.

• JW's are supposed to be directed by Angels. WT 4/1/72 p. 200.

• They claim to be the only ones on earth that are directed by God's Holy Spirit. WT 7/1/73. Pg. 402

• WT literature is called "Divinely provided light." JW's In The Divine Purpose pg. 46.

• In WT books we are told we'll find "God's Truth Not Man's Truth" WT book Preservation pg. 104.

• They have claimed to be directed & supervised by Jesus Christ. Prophecy p 203.

• If you repudiate Pastor Russell and his work, this is equivalent to a repudiation of the Lord! WT 5/1/1922 p. 132. ( Repudiate means "to reject as untrue".)

• The WT once published a book called "Riches". On p. 178 of that book we are told that " if you find doctrines that are contrary to God's word that these doctrines are lies and they come from the devil".

• Have you found any doctrines that are contrary to God's word? According to the WT's rule these false WT doctrines came from the devil?If WT doctrines are really "God's Truth" then they should be correct all of the time, because God cannot lie. Titus 1:2.

• 1 John 5:1 "Whosoever believes that Jesus is the Christ HAS BEEN BORN OF GOD". Not just the 144,000 are born again as the WT teaches 2 /1/82, p. 22

• The WT has put into print hundreds of errors, yet they claim they're receiving this information "FROM GOD". Be not deceived.

• Are you aware that if people do not desire to worship God that! it is due to the shape of their brain?WT !3/15/13 p. 84.

• The WT which claims to publish "God's Truth" stated that "man cannot by airplane or rockets or by other means get above the air envelope which is about our earthly globe... "The Truth Shall Make You Free. p. 285, 1943 ed.

• The WT magazine of 7/15/06 p. 229, claims that Pastor Russell was the faithful and wise servant foretold in MT. 24: 45-47. Now the WT does not believe or teach this anymore.

• The Book of Ruth is "not prophetical" WT Reprints IV p.3110, Nov.15, 1902.

• The Book of Ruth "Is prophetic" WT Book Preservation. p. 169, 175, 176.

• Adam! May be Awakened. WT book Reconciliation p. 323, 324.

• Adam and Eve will not be resurrected Paradise Lost. pg. 236.

• On page 63 of "JW's in the Divine Purpose" (1959 ed). we find a statement that teaches that the WT has never published Pastor Russell's Biography. But in the "Divine Plan of the Ages" p. 1-30, ( 1925 ed). we find Russell's biography

• They said that "vaccination has never saved a human life. It does not prevent Smallpox". WT book The Golden Age. p 294. 2/4/31,44. Vaccination is a direct violation of the everlasting covenant that God made with Noah after the flood." Ibid. p. 293.

• While the WT claimed to be directed and supervised by Jesus Christ they taught Military Service in the Army was allright WT Reprints p. 3179, 3180, 4/15/03.

• According to the WT the word "Jehovah" was first formed by a Catholic monk in 1270 A.D. "Aid Book" p. 844 & 885.

• According to the Bible Jesus rose Himself from the dead. John 2:19. Ask the next JW you meet if they believe it.

• According to the WT Adam and Eve were both created in the same year. Awake p. 4, 10/8/68. This they no longer believe

• Yet the WT claims to "Gleam with Scriptural and Prophetic Truth" p. 348 of index.

• The Bible teaches that Jesus was "The Christ" on the first day of His birth. Lk. 2:11, Mt. 2:4. But this is denied by JW book "IMPOSSIBLE LIE" p. 211. Now compare II John 1:7, I John 2:22.

By now you can see that the WT cannot be trusted to interpret the Bible correctly, why not become a Born Again Christian by receiving Jesus into your heart by faith today. John 3:3-7, Rev. 3:20, John 1:2, Rom. 10:9.

Remember: "A new view of truth NEVER can contradict a former truth". "New Light never extinguishes older light". WT Feb. 1881, p. 188.

Would you trust a surgeon to operate on you who has had over 300 malpractice suits?

We invite Jehovah's Witnesses and individuals studying with them to examine the quotations listed in the original publications in their local Kingdom Hall Library. Then apply these scripture passages to determine if the Watchtower Society is a true of false prophet. Deuteronomy 18: 20-22 Matthew 7: 15 - 23.