>From: mccaskey@core.symnet.net (Carl and
Nancy McCaskey)
Who Is Responsible For Watchtower Errors?
by 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 shining 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 importantly 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 support 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 worship 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 documentable
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 importance 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 support” (Watchtower,
April 1, 1972, pg. 200)
So when did God give the responsibility of editorship
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 opportunity”
(Plan of the Ages“”, page 110)
“Sodom and Gomorrah will receive no second opportunity”
(Watchtower, Feb. 1954, page 85)
“Sodom and Gomorrah will receive a second opportunity”
(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 shining 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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