Page 6: Describing what lies ahead, the apostle Peter wrote: "There are new heavens (the heavenly Messianic Kingdom) and a new earth (a righteous human society) that we are awaiting according to (God's) promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell." - 2 Peter 3:13.
Correction: The Messianic Kingdom will be upon the earth.
Revelation 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God."
Page 7: You can surely trust the Bible prophecy found at Isaiah 2:2, 3: "It must occur in the final part of the days that the mountain of the house of Jehovah will become firmly established above the top of the mountains ... And many peoples will certainly go and say: 'Come, you people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, ... and he will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths.'" Today, millions of people are indeed embracing Jehovah's elevated worship and are learning to walk in his paths.
Correction: This is a prophecy about the New Jerusalem not about the Watchtower.
Revelation 21:24-26 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.
Page 7: What do you think is needed in order to avoid the impending destruction of the wicked, including those who scoff at the Bible's prophecies? The same psalm answers: "Those hoping in Jehovah are the ones that will possess the earth." (Psalm 37:9)
Note: Have you put your hope in Jesus?
1 Thessalonians 1:10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Page 7: To hope in Jehovah means to put implicit trust in his promises and to conform our life to his standards. - Proverbs 2:21, 22.
Note: Have you put your hope in Jesus?
1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,
Page 9: JESUS CHRIST commanded his followers to "make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit."
Note: Did anyone notice the Trinity? Name is singular not plural in Matthew 28:19.
Page 9: In this "time of the end," Jesus' disciples have the commission to spread "true knowledge" concerning "this good news of the kingdom." (Daniel 12:4; Matthew 24:14)
Correction: The "good news" is about Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the good news which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you; unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures...
Page 9: Their mission coincides with that of the angel who "had everlasting good news to declare as glad tidings to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people." (Revelation 14:6)
Correction: The angel will pronouncing the good news after the start of the great tribulation.
Revelation 6:14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.
Page 9: In this world that is so preoccupied with mundane matters, generally the most effective way to interest people in God's Kingdom and help them to draw close to Jehovah is to tell them about the hope of everlasting life on a paradise earth.
Correction: True Christians tell people about Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:22-24 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Page 10: Jesus stated: "This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ." (John 17:3)
Note: Jesus also stated that you need to know Him first.
John 14:7 "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him."
Page 10: The angel flying in midheaven declares "everlasting good news" and tells those dwelling on the earth: "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of the judgment by him has arrived, and so worship the One who made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters." (Revelation 14:7)
Note: Jesus Christ created the universe.
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
Page 10: Jesus stated: "No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws him; and I will resurrect him in the last day. It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by Jehovah.' Everyone that has heard from the Father and has learned comes to me."-John 6:44, 45.
Note: Have you been taught by Jesus?
John 6:59 These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum.
Page 11: Jehovah draws to himself and to his Son, those seeking Him. (Acts 17:27) These include people who "are sighing and groaning over all the detestable things that are being done" in Christendom and, in fact, throughout the world. (Ezekiel 9:4)
Correction: Watchtower adherents are doing detestable things.
The Orange County Register, Wednesday July 7, 1999, Front-page. Morales, who went door to door as an evangelist for the Jehovah's Witnesses, is due to appear in court today on 23 counts of sexual assault, five counts of kidnapping and two burglary charges. The self-employed construction worker is accused of assaults involving victims - ages 13 to mid-40s - in Huntington Beach, Tustin, Seal Beach, Irvine and Brea.
Page 11: Does Jehovah's drawing of some and not others involve a form of predestination? Absolutely not! God's drawing of people is contingent on their own aspirations.
Correction: Salvation involves the sovereignty of God and personal responsibility.
John 6:37 "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out."
Page 12: As God's fellow workers, we must faithfully plant "the word of the kingdom" in the hearts of people, then water any interest shown by well-thought-out return visits and Bible studies.
Correction: The love of God is planted in Christian hearts by the Holy Spirit through the preaching of Jesus Christ which results in hope.
Romans 5:5-6 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Page 14: If we build in such a manner that love for Christ develops in the hearts of our students, this will logically result in building love for Jehovah God.
Correction: The Father will love you only if you love Jesus Christ.
John 14:21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."
Page 16: "The god of this system of things," doubtless being behind these heinous crimes, has thus created what some call a sect scare, and he is using this against Jehovah's people. (2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 12:12) Some have exploited this situation to arouse opposition to our work.
Note: There have been innocent victims from many different religions.
Correction: True Christians suffer for the name of Jesus.
Matthew 24:9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake."
Page 16: Far from discouraging us, however, opposition should strengthen our conviction that we are practicing true Christianity.
Correction: True Christians do everything in the name of Jesus.
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Page 16: The early Christians were accused of being a seditious sect, and they were "spoken against" everywhere. (Acts 24:5; 28:22)
Note: The early Christians were suffering for the name of Jesus.
Acts 5:41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
Page 16: Similarly, a member of the first-century governing body wrote: "Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet with various trials, knowing as you do that this tested quality of your faith works out endurance.
Correction: We should never view the governing body special, especially if they are in error.
Galatians 2:9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
Page 17: Christians can be sure of their endurance and of the stability of their faith only after weathering storms of tribulation.
Note: True Christians suffer for the name of Jesus.
Acts 15:26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Page 17: To Christians in Rome, Paul wrote: "Let us exult while in tribulations, since we know that tribulation produces endurance; endurance, in turn, an approved condition; the approved condition, in turn, hope, and the hope does not lead to disappointment." (Romans 5: 3-5)
Note: Is your hope in Jesus Christ?
1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,
Page 17: Today, apostates, who deviate from the truth, verbally beat "the faithful and discreet slave," in effect biting the hand that had been feeding them spiritually.
Correction: Jesus Christ is the truth not a Pennsylvania corporation called the Watchtower.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Page 17: Some resemble the "evil slave," implicitly saying, "My master is delaying." (Matthew 24: 44-49; 2 Timothy 4:14, 15) They deny that the end of this wicked system of things is near and criticize the spiritually alert slave class for maintaining a sense of urgency among Jehovah's people. (Isaiah 1:3)
Correction: The Watchtower denies the physical return of Jesus Christ and is the "evil slave."
Matthew 24:30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."
Page 18: A few dedicated Christians in some parts of the world appear to have reefed the sails of their ship of faith. The ship is still afloat, but instead of forging ahead in full faith, they have adopted a cruising speed. Drawn by the hope of "Paradise soon," some were prepared to spare no efforts to attain it - zealous in the preaching work and regular in attendance at all meetings, assemblies, and conventions. Now thinking that the realization of their hopes is farther off than they anticipated, they have lowered the price they are willing to pay. This is evident in reduced preaching activity, irregularity at meetings, and willingness to miss parts of assembly or convention programs.
Correction: The Watchtower creates false hope which causes people to lose faith.
Prov 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.
Note: True Christians place their hope in God not "Paradise soon."
Psalm 38:15 For in You, O LORD, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.
Psalm 71:5 For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; You are my trust from my youth.
Pages 18-19: The hope set before anointed Christians is that of immortal life in heaven. Today, the vast majority of Jehovah's servants have the splendid hope of everlasting life on a paradise earth. (Luke 23:43) Without such hope, one can have no faith.
Correction: All true Christians will be in heaven.
Matthew 18:4 "Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Correction: True Christians place their hope in God not "Paradise earth."
Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Page 19: Paul warned Hebrew Christians: "Beware, brothers, for fear there should ever develop in any one of you a wicked heart lacking faith by drawing away from the living God." (Hebrews 3:12) In the Greek text, "drawing away" literally means "to stand off," that is, to apostatize.
Note: The Watchtower is not Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 3:6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.
Page 19: Our faith will not be like a ship tossed about by winds of apostate teaching. (Ephesians 4:13, 14) And with hope as our anchor, we will be able to weather the storms of life as Jehovah's servants.
Note: Apostates are those who have left Jesus Christ and now follow the Watchtower.
Galatians 5:4-5 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
Page 19: Out of gratitude to Jehovah, our primary concern should be, not to gain personal salvation, but to witness the sanctification of his holy name and the vindication of his righteous sovereignty.
Correction: True Christians will naturally be Jesus witnesses.
Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Pages 19-20: The Bible encyclopedia Insight on the Scriptures* states: "Jehovah glories in the fact that his sovereignty and the support of it by his creatures is based primarily on love. He desires only those who love his sovereignty because of his fine qualities and because it is righteous, who prefer his sovereignty to any other. (1Co 2:9)
Correction: The Father desires that everyone love the Son.
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
Ephesians 6:24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Page 20: They choose to serve under his sovereignty rather than try to be independent - this because of their knowledge of him and of his love, justice, and wisdom, which they realize far surpasses their own. (Ps 84:10, 11) - Volume 2, page 275.
Correction: Do you know and serve Jesus Christ?
1 Corinthians 1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Page 20: While our love for God and for his Son is the main impelling force in our lives as Christians, Jehovah provides something else that impels us, energizes us, and gives us strength to go forward in his service. It is his active force, or holy spirit.
Note: The Watchtower teaches: "May the force or farce be with you."
Correction: The Holy Spirit is a person who speaks.
Hebrews 3:7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you will hear His voice,
Rev 2:7,11,17,29;3:6,13 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Page 24: Consider Philip, a first-century Christian missionary. He was not an apostle, yet he was used powerfully in spreading the Kingdom message. In fact, Philip became known as "the evangelizer." (Acts 21:8)
Correction: Philip was preaching Jesus Christ.
Acts 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.
Page 24: It is similar with those who serve as Christian overseers today. Such men are not appointed hastily. (1 Timothy 5:22) They must have "a fine testimony from people on the outside," and fellow Christians should know that they are reasonable and sound in mind.
Note: True Christian overseers will base their faith in Jesus Christ not the Watchtower.
1 Timothy 3:13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Page 25: What can we learn from Philip's ministry involving the Samaritans and the Ethiopian official? Never should we assume that individuals of a certain nationality, race, or social status will not be interested in the good news. Instead, we should declare the Kingdom message to "people of all sorts." (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
Correction: Like Philip, true Christians declare Jesus Christ to "people of all sorts."
Acts 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.
Page 25: Jehovah God used Philip extensively to further Kingdom interests. Philip's zeal enabled him to spread the good news in new territories and to promote a healthy spiritual atmosphere in his home.
Correction: Paul declared in Philip's home that he was willing to die for the name of Jesus.
Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, "What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
Page 28: It takes effort for imperfect humans to "put away the old personality" and clothe themselves with a new Christlike personality. (Ephesians 4:20-24)
Correction: True Christians rely on the Holy Spirit for help.
Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, ...