Page 4: When Tomoe told the neighbor how worthless she felt, the neighbor showed her a text from a book. It read: "The eye cannot say to the hand: 'I have no need of you'; or, again, the head cannot say to the feet: 'I have no need of you.' But much rather is it the case that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary." Tears welled up in Tomoe's eyes as she realized that everyone has a place in the world and is needed.
Correction: In context, all Christians have a place within the of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body; whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free; and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."
Note: Only Jesus Christ can resolve your long-term emotional problems.
Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Page 7: The Bible reveals the Source of the wisdom found in it when it says: "All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial." (2 Timothy 3:16) It also tells us that "the word of God is alive and exerts power." (Hebrews 4:12) That is why the wise words found in the Bible are timely and effective for us today. Jehovah's Witnesses would be delighted to help you to learn about this generous Giver, Jehovah God, so that you can come in line for being a beneficiary of the "bagful of wisdom" contained in the Bible - the book of wisdom with a message for people today.
Correction: The Watchtower will only enslave you since it leads you away from 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 10: The fifth-century B.C.E. Greek philosophers Socrates and Plato are credited with being among the first to advance the belief that the soul is immortal. Yet, they were not the originators of the idea. Rather, they polished and transformed it into a philosophical teaching, thus making it more appealing to the cultured classes of their day and beyond.
Note: God is the originator of the immortal soul since He has one.
Psalm 11:5 The LORD tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.
Isaiah 1:14 Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them.
Page 11: In any case, the pages of history reveal that following the Flood, the birthplace of the teaching of the immortality of the soul was Babel, or Babylon.
Note: Satan will always steal Godly concepts and twist them.
2 Corinthians 11:14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
Pages 11-12: In this way Babylonish religious teachings - including that of the immortality of the soul - spread across the face of the earth and became the foundation of the major religions of the world. Thus a world empire of false religion was founded, appropriately described in the Bible as "Babylon the Great, the mother of the harlots and of the disgusting things of the earth."
Note: Any religion that kills true Christians in word or in deed is part of "Babylon the Great."
Revelation 17:5-6 And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.
Page 12: Most influential among these are Taoism, Confucianism, and Shinto. In this way the belief that life continues after the body dies has come to dominate the religious thinking and practices of the vast segment of humanity in that part of the world.
Note: Only in Jesus Christ is there life with God after death.
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 12: The ancient Jews believed in the resurrection of the dead and not in inherent human immortality. (Matthew 22:31, 32; Hebrews 11:19) How, then, did the doctrine of the immortality of the soul enter Judaism?
Note: This doctrine entered by way of the Holy Bible!
Ezekiel 32:21 The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with those who help him: They have gone down, they lie with the uncircumcised, slain by the sword.
Page 13: Genuine Christianity began with Jesus Christ. Concerning Jesus, Miguel de Unamuno, quoted earlier, wrote: "He believed rather in the resurrection of the flesh, according to the Jewish manner, not in the immortality of the soul, according to the Platonic manner."
Correction: Jesus Christ believed in immediate life after death.
Luke 16:22-23 "So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom."
Page 13: In view of this, we can see why the apostle Paul strongly warned the first-century Christians against "the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ." - Colossians 2:8.
Note: Are you grounded in Jesus Christ or in an organization based in New York?
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.
Page 14: "THE theory of everlasting suffering is inconsistent with belief in God's love for created things....To believe in the eternal punishment of the soul for the mistakes of a few years, without giving it a chance for correction, is to go against all the dictates of reason," observed Hindu philosopher Nikhilananda.
Note: The Watchtower is basing its theology on Hindu philosophy.
Rev. 20:10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Page 14: The Hebrew word translated "soul" is ne'phesh, and it occurs 754 times in the Hebrew Scriptures. What does ne'phesh mean?
Note: The Watchtower refuses to view various meaning of a word in light of Scriptural context.
The Hebrew word ne'phesh may mean literally a breathing creature or figuratively as immaterial attributes of a person. The literal meaning would encompass animal, beast, body, breath, creature, and man. The figurative meaning would include appetite, desire, contentment, ghost, greed, lust, pleasure, or self.
Pages 14-15: This is borne out by the Bible's description of the soul at Genesis 2:7: "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." Note that the first man "came to be" a soul.
Note: God created mankind in a unique way whereby we are more than just animals.
Note: Genesis 2:7 simply notes the creation of Adam by God.
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 15: The word translated "soul" (psykhe') appears more than a hundred times in the Christian Greek Scriptures. Like ne'phesh this word often refers to the whole person.
Note: The Watchtower refuses to view various meaning of a word in light of Scriptural context.
The Greek word psykhe' literally means breath or spirit. Figuratively, the word means heart, life, mind, or personality.
Page 15: Clearly, psykhe', like ne'phesh, refers to the whole person. According to scholar Nigel Turner, this word "signifies what is characteristically human, the self, the material body having God's ruah (spirit) breathed into it....The emphasis is on the whole self."
Note: Mankind is unique among God's creation due to us having a body, spirit, and soul.
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 16: The condition of the dead is made clear at Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10, where we read: "The dead know nothing ... There is no pursuit, no plan, no knowledge or intelligence, within the grave." ( Moffatt) Death, therefore, is a state of nonexistence.
Note: The context or theme of Ecclesiastes is the pursuits of this material world is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 1:2 "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."
Ecclesiastes 1:14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.
Ecclesiastes 2:17 Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind.
Ecclesiastes 3:19 For what happens to the sons of men also happens to animals; one thing befalls them: as one dies, so dies the other. Surely, they all have one breath; man has no advantage over animals, for all is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 12:8 "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher, "All is vanity."
Note: In the context of Ecclesiastes, are you living joyfully?
Ecclesiastes 9:7-9 Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has already accepted your works. Let your garments always be white, and let your head lack no oil. Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life,....
Page 16: The psalmist wrote that when a person dies, "he goes back to his ground; in that day his thoughts do perish." (Psalm 146:4) The dead are unconscious, inactive.
Correction: Dead bodies are inactive while souls are alive!
Revelation 6:9-10 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"
Page 16: What, though, about the statement at Genesis 35:18 regarding the tragic death of Rachel, which occurred as she gave birth to her second son? There we read: "As her soul was going out (because she died) she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin." Does this passage imply that Rachel had an inner being that departed at her death? Not at all. Remember, the word "soul" can also refer to the life that a person possesses. So in this case Rachel's "soul" simply meant her "life." That is why other Bible translations render the phrase "her soul was going out" as "her life was ebbing away" ( Knox), "she breathed her last" ( JB), and "her life went from her" ( Bible in Basic English). There is no indication that a mysterious part of Rachel survived her death.
Correction: Yes, Rachel's soul did leave her dead body.
Philippians 1:22-24 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.
Note: Watchtower theology places Jesus Christ in the grave beyond His resurrection!
Page 16: The Bible says that when a person dies, "his spirit goes out, he goes back to his ground." (Psalm 146:4) Does this mean that a disembodied spirit literally departs and lives on after a person's death? That could not be, for the psalmist next says: "In that day his thoughts do perish" ("all his thinking ends," The New English Bible).
Correction: The thoughts of a human body do perish at death and the soul departs.
Ezekiel 32:31 "Pharaoh will see them and be comforted over all his multitude, Pharaoh and all his army, slain by the sword," Says the Lord GOD.
Page 17: What, then, does it mean when Ecclesiastes 12:7 states that when a person dies, "the spirit itself returns to the true God who "gave it"? Does this mean that the spirit literally travels through space into God's presence? Nothing of the sort is implied.
Correction: The Watchtower declares that Paul is wrong!
2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
Page 18: Thus, resurrection involves raising the person from the lifeless condition of death - restoring and reactivating the life pattern of the individual.
Note: The soul will rejoin the body at the time of the resurrection.
Acts 2:30-31 "Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption."
Page 18: In fact, Jesus Christ said: "The hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his (Jesus') voice and come our." (John 5:28, 29) Yes, Jesus Christ promised that all those in Jehovah's memory will be resurrected.
Correction: Everyone will be resurrected at the command of Jesus to eternal life or death.
John 5:28-29 "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. "
Page 18: Those who pursued a righteous course as Jehovah's servants will be resurrected.
Correction: Those who are in Jesus Christ will be resurrected to eternal life.
Acts 4:1-2 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
Page 18: Yet, millions of other people have died without showing whether they would comply with God's righteous standards. They either were ignorant of Jehovah's requirements or lacked sufficient time to make needed changes. These others too are in God's memory and thus will be resurrected, for the Bible promises: "There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." - Acts 24:15.
Correction: There won't be any second chances for unrighteous people after the resurrection.
Romans 1:20-21 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Page 18: The apostle John had a thrilling vision of resurrected ones standing before the throne of God. Describing it, he wrote: "The sea gave up those dead in it, and death and Hades gave up those dead in them, and they were judged individually according to their deeds. And death and Hades were hurled into the lake of fire. This means the second death, the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:12-14) Think of what that means! All the dead who are in God's memory will be released from Hades, or Sheol, mankind's common grave. (Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:31) Then "death and Hades" will be hurled into what is called "the lake of fire," symbolizing complete destruction. The common grave of mankind will cease to exist.
Correction: Everyone will be resurrected for judgment by Jesus Christ.
Rev. 20:15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
Page 19: In fact, the last book of the Bible speaks of "a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues," coming out of "the great tribulation." (Revelation 7:9-14) Yes, a great multitude will survive the great tribulation in which the present wicked world ends, and they will enter God's new world.
Correction: This "great crowd" will die during the great tribulation and go to heaven!
Revelation 19:1 After these things I heard a loud voice of a great crowd in heaven, saying, "Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!"
Revelation 19:14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
Page 19: Thus, the "great crowd" need never experience death. What a unique prospect!
Correction: The future antichrist will prevail against the saints for a period of time.
Daniel 7:21-22 "I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom."
Daniel 7:25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time.
Revelation 6:11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.
Page 19: Now is the time to learn what God's will is and be resolved to live in harmony with it. Then you, along with millions of others already doing God's will, can live forever in Paradise on earth.
Note: The will of the Father is that you put your total trust into Jesus Christ to be resurrected.
John 6:40 "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
Page 22: We all need Jehovah's guiding influence. (John 17:3) Be like the psalmist David, who prayed: "Make me know your own ways, O Jehovah; teach me your own paths." (Psalm 25:4)
Note: Jesus Christ declared Himself to be the path!
John 14:6-7 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him."
Page 31: How might we lose faith and slowly draw away from the living God? (Hebrews 3:12) We could gradually lose the appreciation we formerly had for meetings and assemblies. Such an attitude betrays a lack of confidence in Jehovah's provision of spiritual "food at the proper time." (Matthew 24:45-47)
Correction: Are you feasting on the Word of God which is centered on Jesus Christ?
John 6:53-54 Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
Page 31: But by remaining loyal to our God and to his principles, we can look forward to the time when false worship will disappear forever.
Correction: Are you abiding in Jesus Christ?
John 15:6 "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned."
Page 31: Just as the worship of Jehovah prevailed over Baal worship, so we can be sure that soon "the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah as the waters are covering the very sea." - Isaiah 11:9.
Note: The knowledge of God is the knowledge of Christ. (Colossians 2:2)