WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WATCHTOWER ERRORS?
by Thomas Carl McCaskey
*EXCUSES, EXCUSES, EXCUSES*
Most, if not all Jehovah's Witnesses today attempt to dismiss criticism of
the Watchtower's numerous mistakes with such excuses as "they are only
human" or "the light of truth was not ****ning upon it at the time" or
"they
don't claim to be inspired." All of these excuses fall flat not only upon
closer examination and in light of what the Watchtower itself has said via
its own publications, but most im****tantly by Jehovah God's own words.
Another excuse Jehovah's Witnesses are taught to use is that the
Watchtower
shouldn't be held to its past errors because Biblical prophets and
apostles
made mistakes and they weren't condemned for being false. In fact one of
their favorite "examples" cited to sup****t this excuse is the prophet
Nathan. According to the Watchtower (Reasoning From The Scriptures {1989},
pg. 134), when King David wanted to build a house of wor****p for God,
Nathan
told David to do as he wished. Later on, however, God told Nathan to
inform
David that he was not to be the one to build the temple. Even though
Nathan
erred, he wasn't condemned by God nor anyone else. In fact, God continued
to
use Nathan because he humbly corrected the matter when God made it plain
to
him. This story is only partially true as set out by the Watchtower
because
they twisted the scripture to suit their own needs by neglecting to point
out that Nathan's original message to David about building the house was
_not_ claimed by Nathan to be instructions from God, however his
subsequent
message about not building the house _was_ claimed to be instruction from
God. Since the Watchtower has made the claim that their messages come
directly from God, the Watchtower's "example" (via their scriptural
twisting) becomes irrelevant.
*INSPIRED?*
When asked what they mean by "inspired", Jehovah's Witnesses are taught to
explain that the Watchtower is written by men who are imperfect and if it
were written by God, then it would be inspired just like the Bible. In
other
words, the Jehovah's Witnesses claim to not blame Jehovah for all the
mistakes, false prophecies and doctrinal errors made by the Watchtower
throughout its history. At least that is what the average Jehovah's
Witness
will _attempt_ to explain. However upon closer examination, evidence will
clearly show that the Watchtower actually made the claim that Jehovah God
is
responsible for _ALL_ information in the Watchtower.
*WHO DID THE WATCHTOWER CLAIM WAS RESPONSIBLE?*
Let's look at the historical and do***entable facts.
Firstly, in a 1943 court case, then Watchtower Vice-President Frederick
Franz was asked the following:
Q: At any rate, Jehovah God is now the editor of the paper
[Watchtower magazine], is that right?
Franz: He is today the editor of the paper.
Q: How long has He been editor of the paper?
Franz: Since its inception He has been guiding it.
Later, in the same court case, then Watchtower President Nathan Knorr was
asked about the im****tance of the Watchtower magazine:
Q: In fact, it [Watchtower magazine] is set forth as God's word,
isn't it?
Knorr: Yes, as His word.
Q: Without any qualification whatsoever?
Knorr: That is right.
These answers were given _under oath_, so unless both men committed
perjury,
it must be assumed that their claims of the Watchtower's information
coming
directly from Jehovah God were at least quite sincere.
This is further substantiated by the Watchtower magazine itself. In the
May
1, 1938 edition of the Watchtower {pg. 143}, it was written
"The interpretation of prophecy, therefore, is
not from man, but is from Jehovah; and Jehovah
causes events to come to pass in fulfillment of
the prophecy in due time."
Since these claims have never been officially rescinded by the "Governing
Body" over the subsequent years, then it can only be assumed that they are
still in effect.
In addition, the Watchtower made the following claim
"...Jehovah's Witnesses today make their declaration
of the good news of the kingdom under angelic direction
and sup****t"
(Watchtower, April 1, 1972, pg. 200)
So when did God give the responsibility of editor****p to His angels? The
Watchtower has never made this clear, but instead have used this as one of
their more recent excuses for their errors. Unfortunately it is an
erroneous
excuse and without merit as I shall later prove.
Also, the Watchtower of July 1st, 1973 {pg. 402}, claims,
"Consider too, the fact that Jehovah's organization
alone in all the earth is directed by God's holy spirit
or active force."
It is painfully obviously the Holy Spirit did not prompt their false
prophecies, doctrinal errors and other mistakes.
With all of this in mind, it becomes quite clear and unarguable that the
Watchtower claims that their information comes directly from Jehovah God
without qualification. Therefore, whenever they try to dismiss their
errors,
mistakes, false prophecies, etc. they are actually blaming Jehovah God for
their mistakes.
*ERRORS? WHAT ERRORS?*
Let's look at some of their errors:
Did Abraham, Isaac and Jacob return to earth in 1925 as predicted by the
Watchtower?
According to WT publications, the year 1925 _was definitely_ when these
Old
Testament saints were expected to come on the scene. This expectancy is
reflected in the following Watchtower publications:
"we may expect 1925 to witness the return of these
faithful men of Israel from the condition of death,
being resurrected..1925 will mark the return of Abraham,
Isaac, Jacob, and the faithful prophets of old."
(Millions Now Living Will Never Die [1920], pgs. 88-90)
"There will be no slip-up....Abraham should enter
upon the actual possession of his promised inheritance
in the year 1925 A.D."
(The Watchtower, October 15, 1917, pg. 6157)
"1925 is definitely settled by the Scriptures."
(The Watchtower, April 1, 1923, pg. 106)
"The year 1925 is a date definitely and clearly
marked in the Scriptures, even more clearly than
that of 1914."
(The Watchtower, July 15, 1924, pg. 211)
In fact, the Watchtower clearly stated in 1922 their claimed source of
this
chronological information:
"this chronology is not of man, but of God."
(The Watchtower, July 17, 1922, p. 217)
So, if God said it, it _should_ easily pass the test of a true prophet set
forth in Deuteronomy 18:21, 22 which states:
"And if thou say in thine heart, how shall we know
the word which the Lord hath spoken? When a prophet
speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow
not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the
Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it
presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him."
There was no uncertainty expressed anywhere in these predictions made by
the
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society over several years. In fact, the
Watchtower built Beth-Sarim and gave the following explanation for
purchasing the property and building the estate thusly:
"the purpose of acquiring that property and building
the house was that there might be some tangible proof
that there are those on earth today...who believe that
faithful men of old will soon be resurrected by the Lord,
be back on earth, and take charge of the visible affairs
of earth."
(Salvation [1939], pg. 311]
In short, the Watchtower predicted with no uncertainty that Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob would return bodily in 1925, yet they didn't. Doesn't this,
therefore, become a false prediction; a false prophecy? Of course it does.
To be a prophet of God, each and every single one of the prophecies made
_has_ to come _completely_ true or else the prophet making it (in this
case,
the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society) is a false prophet and therefore
is
_not_ of God. However, this is only one of several false prophecies that
the
Watchtower is guilty of.
*CHANGE IS GOOD???*
If it were true that Jehovah God is the editor of the Watchtower and the
Watchtower is set forth as His word without any qualification whatsoever
(as
Franz and Knorr respectively swore under oath in 1943), then there
wouldn't
be any need to change _anything_ published by the Watchtower. However look
at all the inconsistencies found throughout their history.
Look at what the Watchtower published concerning the its prediction of
when
the 6,000 years of human history would end.
6,000 years of human history ended in 1873.
(The Time Is At Hand, p.33)
6,000 years of human history ended in 1972.
(The Truth Shall Make You Free, p. 152, 1943 edition)
6,000 years of human history ended in 1975.
(Awake!, October 8th, 1968)
Then there's the changes in the date for the end of Armageddon.
Armageddon would end in 1914.
(The Time is At Hand, Page 101, 1889 Edition)
Armageddon would end in 1915.
(The Time is At Hand, Page 101, 1915 Edition)
[NOTE: Today, Jehovah's Witnesses expect Armageddon at any minute.]
How about the changes in when they say the millennium began?
The Millennium began in 1873.
(Thy Kingdom Come, page 305)
The Millennium began in 1874.
(Finished Mystery, page 386)
What about the changes the Watchtower made concerning the Book of Ruth?
The Book of Ruth is "not prophetical."
(Watchtower Reprints IV, p. 3110, Nov. 15, 1902)
The Book of Ruth "is prophetic."
(Watchtower Book, "Preservation", pages 169, 175, 176)
Let's now look at the Watchtower's flip-flopping concerning Sodom and
Gomorrah.
"Sodom and Gomorrah will receive a second op****tunity"
(Plan of the Ages", page 110)
"Sodom and Gomorrah will receive no second op****tunity"
(Watchtower, Feb. 1954, page 85)
"Sodom and Gomorrah will receive a second op****tunity"
(Watchtower, Mar. 1965, page 139)
The Watchtower could not even get a historical prediction correct.
"Man cannot by airplane or rockets or other means
get above the air envelope which is about our earthly
globe..."
(The Truth Shall Make You Free, p. 285, 1943 edition)
Admittedly, many people said the same thing, some of them prominent
scientists, but remember, it had been made clear not only by Watchtower
publications, but by the Watchtower's own leaders that their information
came directly from God.
The Watchtower claimed all they published were God's word: therefore it
_had_ to be correct. If true, then how come they flip-flopped on specific
Biblical issues like:
The "higher powers" referred to in Romans 13:1
"Higher Powers" refers to earthly governments.
(The Time is at Hand [1889] p. 81)
"Higher Powers" refers to Jehovah God and Jesus.
(The Truth Shall Make You Free, p. 312)
"Higher Powers" refers to earthly governments.
(Man's Salvation...at Hand p. 326)
[NOTE: Notice how the "brighter light" dimmed back again.]
The Revelation name "Abaddon-Apollyon"
Refers to Satan.
(Studies in the Scriptures, Vol.7)
Refers to Jesus Christ.
(Then is Finished the Mystery of God, Page 232)
[NOTE: That's _quite_ a massive change, isn't it?]
The "Alpha and Omega" of Revelation
Refers to Jehovah God.
(Awake! August 22, 1978, page 28)
Refers to Jesus Christ.
(Watchtower, October 1, 1978, p.15)
[NOTE: That's also _substantial_ change in only two months.]
The "Faithful and discreet slave"
Refers to their founder, Charles Taze Russell.
(Watchtowers from Dec. 1, 1916 to March 1, 1923, p. 68).
Refers to the "Remnant of Spiritual Israelites" (the
supposed remnant of the 144,000 "heavenly class").
(From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained, page 193).
*IN CONCLUSION*
The Bible gives us a simple test for prophets in Deuteronomy, but the Holy
Scriptures have more to say about prophecies and prophesying.
The Bible reveals three sources for prophecy.
First, it could be from God, and inspired by Him.
Secondly, it could be from the Devil and inspired by him.
Or finally, prophecies can come out of "the flesh", or out of our "own
spirit."
History has shown that the Watchtower has made numerous prophecies that
did
not come true. Therefore simple logic and Biblical guidance dictate that
they cannot be prophesying by Jehovah God's direction, nor through His
Holy
Spirit, nor by His angels.
This leaves us with only two other choices for their false prophecies.
They
are either from Satan, or they are from "the flesh".
As pointed out in the beginning of this article, the Watchtower has chosen
the latter, claiming that "they are only human" or "the light of truth was
not ****ning upon it at the time" or "they don't claim to be inspired."
None
of these excuses hold any water as far as Biblical instruction is
concerned.
Jehovah God even made His position on false prophets _extremely_ clear in
Ezekiel chapter 13. This chapter is Jehovah God's righteous condemnation
of
prophets who hope for a fulfillment of their words after prophesying
falsely. In fact, Ezekiel 13:8 states:
"`Because you have spoken falsehood and seen a lie,
therefore, behold, I am against you', declared the
Lord God."
God is very clear and certain in His righteous judgment against false
prophets. The Watchtower has made false prophecies on numerous occasions.
Therefore it can logically be concluded that God, by His _own_ decree, is
_against_ the Watchtower and thereby condemns this cultic organization.
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