Page 5: Jesus could have been proud and harsh around his disciples. He was a perfect man, the Son of God, dealing with imperfect, impulsive, impetuous followers.
Correction: Jesus was the perfect God-man.
Micah 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting."
Page 5: Do we always endeavor to follow Jesus' example? Or do we find ourselves being harsh, unbending, despotic, unmerciful, proud? Like Jesus, try to refresh, not oppress. Resist the corrosive effect of pride.
Note: Jesus was harsh to self-righteous religious leaders.
Matthew 23:13 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in."
Page 6: Although he was the Son of God, he endured the humiliations heaped upon him by his religious enemies. He kept his composure during his trials, even though capable of calling to his aid legions of angels. - Matthew 26:53.
Note: Jesus was fulfilling Bible prophecy!
Isa. 53:7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.
Page 6: Finally, Jesus hung in disgrace on the torture stake, yet remained faithful to his Father. Thus, Paul could write of him: "Keep this mental attitude in you that was also in Christ Jesus, who, although he was existing in God's form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God. No, but he emptied himself and took a slave's form and came to be in the likeness of men. More than that, when he found himself in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient as far as death, yes, death on a torture stake."
Note: Jesus Christ was equal with the Father according to Philippians 2:6!
Correction: The torture stake is a fable since there was one nail for each hand.
John 20:25 The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe."
Page 8: Similarly today, in these "critical times hard to deal with," millions of people have 'prepared their hearts' to search for the true God, Jehovah. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
Page 8: Yes, how true the words of King David have proved to be in many instances: "If you search for (Jehovah), he will let himself be found by you." - 1 Chronicles 28:9.
Note: Your search will end when you come to Jesus Christ.
Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Luke 18:16-17 But Jesus called them to Him and said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."
John 5:39-40 "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life."
Page 9: A master-piece of his creation was our first parent, Adam. The Bible tells us: "Jehovah God proceeded to form the man out of dust from the ground and to blow into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man came to be a living soul," that is, a "breathing creature."
Correction: The body is not the soul. Please note the trinity of man in the following verse.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Page 9: That first human creation was perfect, formed in the very image of God, an evidence of His divine wisdom and love of true righteousness and justice.
Note: Since God is Spirit, image refers to the spirit of man.
John 4:24 "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
Page 11: As 2 Peter 1:16 warns us, we must avoid following "artfully contrived false stories," or according to Knox's Roman Catholic version, "fables of man's invention." These would include many of apostate Christendom's teachings and festivals.
Correction: The Watchtower has violated the Word of God!
Colossians 2:16-17 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
Page 11: Jehovah is having the Kingdom message preached. Our hearts have responded to the good news and to his further leadings with appreciation. Through his organization he extends to us various privileges related to preaching the good news; let us take hold of these and cherish them. - Philippians 1:9-11.
Note: True Christians preach Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
Page 11: What benefits we all receive, too, through our associations in the Christian congregation, in our meetings together, and especially by our participation in the weekly Watchtower study!
Corrections: True Christians study the Scriptures.
Acts 17:11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
Page 13: A family program for "building one another up" can be invaluable in molding our youth. (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Proverbs 22:6) Daily Bible reading and study, using suitable Society publications, could be a fine help.
Correction: True Christians build each other up in Jesus Christ.
Colossians 2:6-7 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
1 Peter 2:4-5 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Page 13: In order to mold us, Jehovah gives counsel from his Word and through his organization. Never resist such godly counsel!
Correction: The Watchtower organization is not the Holy Spirit!
John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."
Page 14: By submitting to such molding, Jesus triumphed over the world. He also emboldened his apostles to become conquerors. (Acts 4:13, 31; 9:27, 28; 14:3; 19:8)
Correction: Jesus Christ never had to be molded.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Page 15: In 607 B.C.E., Nebuchadnezzar devastated Jerusalem with its temple and carried off the surviving Jews into captivity in Babylon.
Correction: Jerusalem was destroyed in 586 B.C.E.
In 588 B.C.E. Zedekiah led a revolt against Chaldea, and two years later (586 BC) Nebuchadnezzar's army destroyed Judah and razed Jerusalem. Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia, Volume 15, page 57.
Page 15: However, by the first century C.E., the nation had again abandoned the Great Potter, and finally it stooped to the ultimate crime of murdering God's own Son.
Correction: The Watchtower missed the purpose for the death of Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:8-9 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
Note: The phrase "God's Son" is not in Scripture.
Page 15: The resurrected Jesus later made known that these "vessels of mercy" would number 144,000. (Revelation 7:4; 14:1)
Correction: The vessels of mercy in Romans 9:23 does not represent a limited number.
Romans 9:33 As it is written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, and whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."
Page 15: Since natural Israel had not supplied that complete number, Jehovah extended his mercy to people of the nations. (Romans 11:25, 26)
Correction: The 144,000 will be Jews called only during the "great tribulation" or after 1914.
Revelation 7:2-4 Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads." And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:
Page 15: The fledgling Christian congregation expanded rapidly. Within 30 years the good news was being "preached in all creation that is under heaven." (Colossians 1:23)
Correction: This is a reference to the "Roman" world.
Luke 2:1 ...from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. (Asia & America?)
Page 15: Jesus had prepared 12 apostles to become an initial governing body, training them as well as others for the ministry. (Luke 8:1; 9:1,2; 10:1,2)
Correction: The Watchtower forgot that Judas was a member of the original 12 disciples.
John 6:70 Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?"
Pages 15-16: At Pentecost 33 C.E., the Christian congregation was established, and in due course its governing body was expanded to include "the apostles and older men in Jerusalem." Over an extended period, Jesus half brother James, though not an apostle, appears to have served as chairman. (Acts 12:17; 15:2, 6, 13; 21:18)
Correction: Paul had no respect for Peter and James when they were wrong!
Galatians 2:11-12 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.
Page 16: Toward the end of the first century, 'the enemy, the Devil,' began to 'sow weeds among the wheatlike heirs of "the kingdom of the heavens." Jesus had prophesied that this sad development would be permitted until harvesttime at "the conclusion of the system of things."
Correction: Satanic problems began immediately after Pentecost.
Acts 5:1-3 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? "
Page 16: These Bible Students, as they came to be called, soon perceived that Christendom had adopted unscriptural pagan teachings, such as the immortality of the soul, hellfire, purgatory, a Trinitarian god, and infant baptism.
Correction: The soul is a persons' personality or essence.
2 Corinthians 5:6-8 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
Correction: The Watchtower declares that Jesus Christ is wrong.
Matthew 5:22 "But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire."
Correction: The name of the Trinity is Jehovah! (name is singular not plural)
Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"
Page 16: More important, though, these lovers of Bible truth restored fundamental Bible teachings, such as redemption through Jesus' ransom sacrifice and resurrection to everlasting life in a peaceful paradise earth under God's Kingdom.
Note: You can't have a Kingdom on earth without the King of kings and Lord of lords!
Job 19:25-26 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God,
Page 16: Above all, emphasis was laid on the imminent vindication of Jehovah God as Sovereign Lord of the universe.
Correction: True Christians place their emphasis on Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:23-24 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 16: An in-depth study of Daniel chapter 4 and other prophecies convinced the Bible Students that Jesus' presence as Messianic King must be at hand.
Correction: The presence of Christ occurred at Pentecost.
Acts 2:1-4 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Matthew 28:20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
Pages 16-17: They perceived that 1914 would be the date for "the appointed times of the nations" to end. (Luke 21:24; Ezekiel 21:26, 27)
Correction: 1914 is based on the bogus date of 607 B.C.E. for the destruction of Jerusalem.
Page 17: To give the Bible Students legal status, Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society was incorporated in 1884 in the United States, with headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its directors served as a central Governing Body, overseeing the global preaching of God's Kingdom
Note: The "Bible Students" were under a curse from God!
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,
Galatians 1:8-9 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other good news to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other good news to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
Page 17: On June 21, 1918, Brother Rutherford and seven other leading Bible Students were jailed, with multiple concurrent sentences of 10 or 20 years. The Bible Students fought back.
Correction: The "Bible Students" were not Bible students. (I love Watchtower history!)
Matthew 5:39-42 "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away."
Mark 11:26 "But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."
Page 17: Prophetic light from the Scriptures flashed forth, giving honor to Jehovah and focusing on Jesus Messianic Kingdom.
Note: In heaven the Father and the Son and honored together!
Revelation 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: "Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!"
Page 17: In 1931 the Bible Students rejoiced to accept the new name, Jehovah's Witnesses.
Correction: True Bible students are 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."
Page 17: In the 1930's the number of "those called and chosen and faithful," the 144,000, appeared to be filled. (Revelation 17:14; see box on page 19.) We do not know how many of the anointed were gathered in the first century and from among the "weeds" during the dark centuries of Christendom's great apostasy.
Correction: None of the 144,000 will be from the first century.
Revelation 6:17 "For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"
Rev. 7:1 After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree.
Page 18: As a group, they would "come out of the great tribulation" alive, to inherit the earthly Paradise where "death will be no more."
Correction: True Christians will be killed during the "great tribulation."
Revelation 13:7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.
Page 18: The year 1938 was crucial in clearly identifying the two classes. The March 15 and April 1, 1938, issues of The Watchtower presented the two-part study "His Flock" and made clear the relative places of the anointed remnant and their companions, the great crowd.
Correction: The two classes of peoples are Jews and Gentiles.
Romans 3:29-30 Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.
Page 18: The report in the 1939 Year Book of Jehovah's Witnesses stated: "The anointed followers of Christ Jesus now on earth are few in number, and never will their number be greater. These are designated in the Scriptures as 'the remnant' of the offspring of Zion, God's organization. (Rev. 12:17)
Correction: The "remnant" refers to believing Jews.
Micah 2:12 "I will surely assemble all of you, O Jacob, I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together like sheep of the fold, Like a flock in the midst of their pasture; They shall make a loud noise because of so many people."
Romans 9:27 Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, the remnant will be saved."
Page 18: The Lord is now gathering to himself his 'other sheep,' who will form the 'great multitude'. (John 10:16)
Note: The "remnant" and the "other sheep" will form one flock in heaven.
John 10:16 "And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd."
Revelation 19:1 After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!"
Page 19: No longer could one man serving as president give thorough oversight to the Kingdom work earth wide. The Governing Body, with a rotating chairman, was enlarged to 18 anointed members, almost half of whom have by now finished their course on earth.
Note: Raymond Franz was on the Governing Body and wrote two books titled "Crisis of Conscience" and "In Search of Christian Freedom."
Page 19: And as the last aged anointed Witnesses finish their earthly course, princely sa-rim' of the other sheep will have been well trained to carry out administrative duties as the chieftain class on earth. - Ezekiel 44:3; Isaiah 32:1.
Correction: Isaiah 32:1 is a prophecy about Jesus Christ and His disciples.
Isaiah 32:1 Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice.
Matthew 19:28 So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
Page 19 Box: Who, then, are the few newly associated ones who are partaking of the Memorial emblems? If they are of the remnant, they are replacements! They are, not additions to the ranks of the anointed, but replacements for those who may have fallen away."
Correction: True Christians do not fall away from their faith in Jesus Christ.
Jude 1:24-25 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
Page 30: However, by the first century C.E., a superstition about God's name had developed.
Correction: True Christians were focused on the name of Jesus.
Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."
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 31: No doubt the scholarly debate will continue. Jews stopped pronouncing the name of the true God before the Masoretes developed the system of vowel pointing. Thus, there is no definitive way to prove which vowels accompanied the consonants YHWH.
Correction: True Christians will focus on the name of Jesus.
1 Cor 1:2-3 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.