International Bible Teaching Ministries
Jehovah Witness
Question 1: What are some teachings of the Jehovah's Witnesses?
ANSWER: This organization, previously known by many names, had it's beginning in the later 1800's under the direction of one Charles Taze Russell. He died in 1916 after falsely prophesying that Jesus was to return in 1914. Joseph "Judge" Rutherford then became head of the group. He, too, immediately began to falsely prophesy about Christ's return; this time He was to come in 1925 (Matthew 24:36). After a period of doctrinal development, accompanied by much false teaching and prophesying (which has become a trademark of the “Watch Tower” people), they officially, in the early 1930's, adopted the name of "Jehovah's Witnesses."
This organization blindly rejects the biblical doctrine of the "Trinity;" the "Godhead" (Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20). They reject Christ as God (John 1:1-3) and contend that He is a created being (Micah 5:2). They falsely teach that the kingdom of Christ was established in 1914 (Mark 9:1); that man does not possess a spirit or soul (Matthew 10:28; I Thessalonians 5:23); that there is no hell (Matthew 25:41, 46); and that the earth will not be destroyed at the Second Coming (II Peter 3:10), but (according to their vain and foolish imaginations) will be renovated as a home for faithful JW's who are not quite good enough to be among a select 144,000 (maximum number) chosen to inherit heaven!
There are many other false doctrines taught by this group, but these should suffice to show that it is of men and not of God.
Question 2: On the basis of Matthew 5:5, the Jehovah's Witnesses teach that we will be on the earth forever. Is this true?
ANSWER: No! The phrase "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth" has absolutely nothing to do with how long the earth will stand. It simply means that the "meek" (those who humbly accept the teachings of Christ) will inherit great blessings. The word translated "earth" here would have been more appropriately translated "land." Thus, the reading would be "for they shall inherit the land." Since one of the greatest blessings to Jewish people was that they "inherited the land" of Canaan, this phrase came to denote any great blessing that might be forthcoming. So it is in Matthew 5:5!
The Jehovah's Witnesses also misapply the phrase "new heavens and new earth" in this way. They say that this phrase teaches that the earth will be rebuilt and we will live here forever. But God's Word teaches differently! In II Peter 3:10, we find that the "heavens and earth, which are now, are by the same word (God's Word) kept in store, reserved unto fire . . ." In this same verse, Peter tells us that these heavens and earth will pass away. Then, in Verse thirteen, he says that Christians are not to forget the Lord's promise of the "new heavens and the new earth."
Man could not live without the atmosphere (heavens) that helps provide the air that we breathe and the earth that provides our food. He could not be sustained without either. So, in this passage, Peter simply says that Jesus has promised us a new place, where we will be sustained eternally, after the old passes away. Symbolically, he calls it a "new heavens and new earth," as compared with the old! It is that place referred to in John 14:1-3, where Jesus promised, "I go to prepare a place for you." This place is the "new heavens and the new earth." It is the future abode of the faithful Christian, following Judgment!
Question 3: My brother is a Jehovah's Witness who says that Mark 12:25 is applicable only to the people who were there at that time. Is this true?
ANSWER: No! Your brother is attempting to avoid the truth in favor of a foolish man made doctrine developed by an irrational religious cult! He is in reality saying that God is a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34); that God will prohibit some from having wives in heaven, but He is going to allow the Jehovah's witnesses to keep their wives! This is absurd! Jesus is speaking of the general resurrection of the dead (Vs.23; John 5:28-29); of all the dead! As relates to marriage, all that rise will be "as the angels, which are in heaven." Since the angels "neither marry, nor are given in marriage," such will be the case with all that rise!
Question 4: What is the true name of God? The Jehovah’s Witnesses say, based on Psalms 83:18, that it is Jehovah, not Lord, Almighty, or Father. Does it really matter?
ANSWER: In the original Hebrew Old Testament the designation used in reference to the Godhead was “Yhvh.” This word is called a “tetragram,” or a word of four letters. The word contained all consonants and no vowels. It is believed that the original pronunciation by the Jews was “Yahweh,” since similar forms of “Yah” were used in other proper names such as Jehoshaphat and Joshaphat. The custom among the early Jews was to refer to the Godhead by use of the words “Adonay” (Lord) and “Elohim” (God). The word “Jehovah,” as found in our English translations, was of European invention in approximately 1518AD. This word was developed by inserting the vowel points of “Adonay” and “Elohim” into the tetragram “Yhvh.” Thus the derivation of the word “Jehovah.” To suggest, as the Jehovah’s Witnesses do, that “Jehovah” is the only name or title that can be applied to God is foolish. If this were the case, it would have to be assumed that there was no proper designation and no way to refer to Him before 1518AD. Moses asked God at the burning bush (Exodus 3:11-15), ‘When the children of Israel ask me what Your name is, what shall I tell them?’ God responded by saying, “I AM THAT I AM. Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent you.” In the next verse (15), He says, “This is my name forever.” Certainly then, it would not be wrong to refer to God as the “I AM.” God said, “This is my name!” Neither is it wrong to refer to God as the Father (Matthew 28:19), nor Lord (Exodus 20:2), nor Almighty (Genesis 17:1), nor Jehovah (Exodus 6:3), nor Rock, Shield, Fortress, Deliverer, Tower, Refuge, or Savior (II Samuel 22:2-3)! All of these are fitting designations for the Godhead made up of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When we address Him by any of these biblical designations, He knows of whom we speak. One does not need the Jehovah’s Witnesses to make that determination for him.
Question 5: The Jehovah’s Witnesses claim the Father is called the Almighty God and the Son is called the Mighty God, thus there is a difference in equality. Is this true?
ANSWER: No, it is not! The phrases are used interchangeably. If calling Christ the “mighty God” makes Him less than deity, then the same thing would have to be true of the God of the Old Testament who is also called the “mighty God” in Jeremiah 32:18 and Isaiah 10:21. The J.W.’s want to have it both ways. Such is unethical and deceitful! One who can read Isaiah 9:6 where Jesus Christ is called, “Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father (which means the Father of eternity, one who possesses the eternal nature), and The Prince of Peace and then conclude that Jesus Christ is not God is foolish and blasphemous! The same prophet said in Isaiah 7:14 that His name would be called Immanuel. This prophecy is gloriously fulfilled in Matthew 1:22-23 where that inspired writer interprets the name Immanuel as meaning “God with us!” Only the irrational cultist trying to prove the unproveable could make the senseless claim that Christ was not God, but rather a created being!