Page 4: Still others are appalled by Christendom's history of bloodshed, oppression, disunity, and ungodly behavior. Such individuals see no reason for paying any attention to writings held sacred in Christendom. They feel that works that have produced a hypocritical religion cannot by anything more than useless fables.
Page 4: Should the ungodly record of Christendom make you question the reliability of the Gospels?
Correction: Only one half of Christendom is false.
Matt. 25:1-2 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish."
Note: The Watch Tower will never tell you about World Vision, Catholic Charities, etc.
Page 6: Instead, the Gospels writers simply describe him as standing in front of his disciples. Then he asked: "Young children, you do not have anything to eat, do you?" (John 21:5)
Note: Jesus was resurrected with a physical body contrary to Watch Tower theology.
Luke 24:37-39 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have."
Page 8: But historian Wells realized that there is a huge gap between the teachings of Jesus as presented in the Gospels and those of Christendom. He wrote: "There is no evidence that the apostles of Jesus ever heard of the Trinity - at any rate from him.....
Correction: Historian Wells is not a Christian or a Biblical student.
John 15:26 "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me."
Note: Are you a Jesus Witness?
Page 8: Therefore, one cannot judge the value of the Gospels on the basis of the teachings of Christendom.
Correction: Was Mother Teresa wrong for showing mercy toward the poor of India?
Luke 10:36-37 "So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?" And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
Page 9: If you carefully examine the Bible and apply its counsel, you will see how it can change your life for the better. (John 6:68) This is especially true of Jesus' saying recorded in the Gospels.
Note: Contrary to Jesus' sayings, most Jehovah's Witnesses do not partake of Holy Communion.
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 9: What is more, therein you can learn about the wonderful future in store for obedient mankind. - John 3:16; 17:3, 17.
Note: True obedient Christians place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
John 3:18 "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
Page 10: JEHOVAH does not keep knowledge of future events to himself. Rather, he is the Revealer of secrets. In fact, he wants all of us to know that we are deep in "the time of the end."
Correction: True Christians will not be overly concerned by "end time" events.
Acts 1:7 And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority."
Page 10: The expressions "the time of the end" and "the appointed time of the end" appear six times in the book of Daniel. (Daniel 8:17, 19; 11:35, 40; 12:4, 9) They pertain to "the last days" foretold by the apostle Paul. (2 Timothy 3:1-5) Jesus Christ referred to this period as his "presence" as enthroned King in heaven.-Matthew 24:37-39.
Correction: The "return" of Jesus Christ is after "the time of the end" not before or 1914.
Matthew 24:29-30 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 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 (erchomai) on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."
Note: The Watch Tower misinterprets return for invisible presence that occurred at Pentecost.
Page 11: In this time of the end, many faithful Christians have 'roved about' in the pages of God's Word, the Bible. The result? With Jehovah's blessing on their efforts, true knowledge has become abundant.
Correction: True Biblical knowledge has always been abundant for true Christians.
1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
Page 11: For instance, anointed Witnesses of Jehovah have been blessed with insight, enabling them to understand that Jesus Christ became heavenly King in the year 1914.
Correction: Jesus Christ was heavenly King long before 1914.
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."
Page 11: In keeping with the apostle's words recorded at 2 Peter 1:19-21, such anointed ones and their loyal companions are 'paying attention to the prophetic word' and are absolutely certain that this is the time of the end.
Correction: Peter was writing about prophecies fulfilled by Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:19-21 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
Note: Beware of "private interpretations" of Biblical prophecies made by the Watch Tower.
Page 12: One of the rulers might be called a warrior who built an empire. As Babylon's crown prince, he and his army shattered the forces of Egyptian Pharaoh Necho at Carchemish. But a message compelled the victorious Babylonian prince to leave mopping-up operations to his generals. Learning that his father, Nabopolassar, had died, this young man named Nebuchadnezzar took the throne in 624 B.C.E.
Page 12: Let us now pick up some prophetic strands in the book of Daniel. During the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign as world ruler of Bible prophecy (606/605 B.C.E.), God sent him a terrifying dream.
Correction: The Watch Tower has its dates all wrong.
The eldest son of Nabopolassar (r. 626-605 BC), Nebuchadnezzar commanded a Babylonian army late in his father's reign and in 605 BC triumphed over Egyptian forces at the decisive Battle of Carchemish in Syria, which made Babylonia the primary military power in the Middle East. After his father's death, Nebuchadnezzar returned to Babylon and ascended the throne on Sept. 7, 605 BC. During the next eight years he campaigned extensively in the west against Syria, Palestine, and Egypt and against the Arabs. On March 16, 597 BC, he captured Jerusalem and took Jehoikim, king of Judah, and many of his people captive to Babylonia. He was subsequently troubled by major revolts in Babylonia (594 BC) and in Judah (588-587 BC), which were vigorously punished; many more Jews were exiled to Babylonia.
Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia, Volume 18, page 343.
Page 13: Well, it was ironlike Rome that crushed and shattered the Grecian Empire. Showing no respect for God's Kingdom proclaimed by Jesus Christ, the Romans put him to death on a torture stake in 33 C.E.
Correction: In fulfillment of Bible prophecy, Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world.
Isaiah 53:5-6 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Page 13: In an effort to shatter true Christianity, Rome persecuted Jesus' disciples.
Note: During the first 300 years of Christendom, millions of Christians died for their faith.
The New Foxe's Book of Martyrs, pages 16-17. Polycarp, who was a student of the Apostle John and the bishop of the church in Smyrna, heard that soldiers were looking for him and tried to escape but was discovered by a child. After feeding the guards who captured him, he asked for an hour in prayer, which they gave him. He prayed with such fervency, that his guards said they were sorry that they were the ones who captured him. Nevertheless, he was taken before the governor and condemned to be burned in the market place. After his sentence was given, the governor said to him, "Reproach Christ and I will release you." Polycarp answered, "Eighty-six years I have served him, and he never once wronged me. How then shall I blaspheme my King who has saved me?" In the market place, he was tied to the stake rather than nailed, as was the usual custom, because he assured them he would stand immovable in the flames and not fight them. As the dry sticks placed around him were lit, the flames rose up and circled his body without touching him. The executioner was then ordered to pierce him with a sword. When he did, a great quantity of blood gushed out and put out the fire.
Page 13: However, the iron legs of Nebuchadnezzar's dream image pictured not only the Roman Empire but also its political outgrowth - the Anglo-American World Power.
Note: Using Watch Tower interpretations, Hitler was correct in opposing this World Power.
Page 13: Some present-day governments are ironlike or authoritarian, whereas others are claylike. Despite the fragile nature of clay, of which "the offspring of mankind" are made, ironlike rulerships have been obliged to let the common people have some say in the governments ruling over them. (Daniel 2:43; Job 10:9) Of course, authoritarian rule and the common people stick together no better than do iron and clay.
Note: If the United States is one of the toes, which countries do the other nine toes represent?
Page 13: But God's Kingdom will soon bring an end to this politically fragmented world.
Correction: Jesus Christ will bring an end to the nations of this world.
Revelation 19:15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Page 14: Lasting rulership over "the peoples, national groups and languages" is vested in "someone like a son of man." This points to the time of the end and to the enthronement of the Son of man, Jesus Christ, in the year 1914.
Note: The date 1914 is based on the bogus date of 607 for the destruction of Jerusalem.
Page 14: Consider this significant point: All the prophecies in the book of Daniel have been fulfilled except for a few details. For example, we now see the world situation portrayed by the feet of the dream image of Daniel chapter 2.
Note: If the United States is one of the toes, which countries do the other nine toes represent?
Page 14: The tree stump of Daniel chapter 4 was unbanded by the enthronement of the Messianic King, Jesus Christ, in the year 1914. Yes, as foretold in Daniel chapter 7, the Ancient of Days then gave rulership to the Son of man. - Daniel 7:13, 14; Matthew 16:27-17:19.
Correction: The tree stump was "unbanded" when Nebuchadnezzar was restored.
Daniel 4:20-22 The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong, whose height reached to the heavens and which could be seen by all the earth, whose leaves were lovely and its fruit abundant, in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the heaven had their home; it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your dominion to the end of the earth.
Daniel 4:34-36 And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, "What have You done?" At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me.
Page 14: The 2,300 days of Daniel chapter 8 as well as the 1,290 and the 1,335 days of chapter 12 are all past - behind us in the stream of time.
Correction: The 2,300 days of Daniel are yet future.
Daniel 8:13-14 Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who was speaking, "How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled under foot?" And he said to me, "For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed."
Matthew 24:14-16 "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains."
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
Correction: The 1,290 and the 1,335 days of Daniel are yet future.
Daniel 12:11-12 "And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days."
Matthew 24:13 "But he who endures to the end shall be saved."
Page 14: A study of Daniel chapter 11 shows that the conflict between "the king of the north" and "the king of the south" has reached its final stages.
Correction: The Seleucids and the Ptolemies are pictured in verses 4 through 34.
He (Antiochus IV) then came to the places about Memphis, and when he had taken them, he made haste to Alexandria in hopes of taking it by siege, and of subduing Ptolemy, who reigned there. But he was driven not only from Alexandria, but out of all Egypt, by the declaration of the Romans, who charged him to let that country alone. Accordingly, as I have elsewhere formerly declared, I will now give a particular account of what concerns this king, - how he subdued Judea and the temple. Antiquities of the Jews, Chapter 5, Verse 2, Josephus.
Daniel 11:30 "For ships from Cyprus (the Romans) shall come against him; therefore he (Antiochus IV) shall be grieved, and return in rage against the holy covenant, and do damage. So he shall return and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant."
Correction: The future antichrist world leader is pictured in Daniel 11:36-45.
Daniel 11:44-45 "But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him."
Revelation 16:12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.
Revelation 19:20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Page 15:"Because of the promise of God (Abraham) did not waver in a lack of faith"and neither did other pre-Christian witnesses of Jehovah who "did not get the fulfillment of the promise." (Romans 4:20, 21; Hebrews 11:39) Instead, they maintained faith in God's prophetic word.
Correction: They placed their faith in God and were rewarded with heaven.
Hebrews 11:16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
Page 16: "Seventy weeks of years" began in 455 B.C.E. when Persian King Artaxerxes I 'sent forth the word to rebuild Jerusalem.' (Daniel 9:20-27; Moffatt; Nehemiah 2: 1-8)
Correction: The "seventy weeks" began on March 14, 445 B.C.E.
The task of rebuilding proceeded slowly, and about 445 BC Nehemiah, a Jewish favorite of Artaxerxes I, king of Persia (r. 465-425 BC), was given permission to direct the reconstruction.
Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia, Volume 15, page 58.
Page 16: The Messiah would come after 7 weeks plus 62 weeks. These 483 years ran from 455 B.C.E. to 29 C.E., when Jesus was baptized and God anointed him as the Messiah, or Christ.
Correction: Biblical prophecy is based on a 360 day, not the modern 365 day calendar
Matthew 21:9-10 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: "Hosanna to the Son of David! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' Hosanna in the highest!" And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, "Who is this?"
Psalm 118:24-28 This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I pray, O LORD; O LORD, I pray, send now prosperity. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We have blessed you from the house of the LORD. God is the LORD, And He has given us light; Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You.
Note: On Palm Sunday, April 6th 32 A.D., Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Page 16: Jesus 'finished off sin' by giving his life as a ransom in 33 C.E. (Mark 10:45) What sound reasons for having faith in God's prophetic word!
Correction: True Christians will place their faith in Jesus Christ.
Galatians 2:16 ... knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
Page 16: Daniel next beheld Jehovah, "the Ancient of Days," sitting gloriously enthroned. Judging the beasts adversely, he took rulership away from them and destroyed the fourth beast. Lasting rulership over "the peoples, national groups and languages" was then vested in "someone like a son of man." (Daniel 7:9-14) What a wonderful prophecy relating to the enthronement of "the Son of man," Jesus Christ, in the heavens in the year 1914! - Matthew 16:13.
Correction: Jesus Christ was enthroned long before 1914!
Acts 10:36 "The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ; He is Lord of all;"
Ephesians 4:10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)
Page 17: "In the days of those kings," said the prophecy, "the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite." (Daniel 2:44) When "the appointed times of the nations" ended in 1914, God established the heavenly Kingdom under Christ. (Luke 21:24; Revelation 12:1-5)
Note: It has been years not days or 42 months since 1914. (42 months X 30 days = 1,260 days)
Daniel 8:14 And he said to me, "For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed."
Rev. 11:2 "But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months."
Page 17: "The prophetic word" apparently includes not only Hebrew Scripture prophecies about the Messiah but also Jesus' statement that he would come "with power and great glory."
Note: Jesus returns after the tribulation not before or 1914.
Matthew 24:29-30 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 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 17: Very soon, his revelation in glory will mean destruction for the faithless and blessings for those exercising faith. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10)
Note: The exercising of Christian faith is the glorifying of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Page 17: As Jehovah's Chief Executioner, Michael, who is Jesus Christ, stands ready to bring an end to this wicked system of things during the "great tribulation." (Matthew 24:21; Daniel 12:1)
Correction: Jesus Christ is not Michael the archangel.
Jude 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord (kurios) rebuke you!"
Jude 1:17-18 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord (kurios) Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.
Matthew 4:10 Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'"
Romans 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God
Colossians 3:23-24 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord (kurios) and not to men, knowing that from the Lord (kurios) you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord (kurios) Christ.
Page 17: Surely we were thrilled when we first learned about the fulfillments of God's prophetic word. But since then has our faith diminished and our love cooled off? May we never become like the Christians in Ephesus who 'left the love they had at first.' (Revelation 2:1-4)
Note: Have you ever been in love with the Lord Jesus Christ?
Ephesians 6:24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Page 17: Regardless of how long we have served Jehovah, we can suffer such loss unless we 'keep on seeking first God's kingdom and his righteousness' so as to store up treasures in heaven.
Note: True Christians will be enjoying the heavenly treasures in heaven.
Philippians 3:20-21 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
Page 18: Diligent Bible study, regular participation in Christian meetings, and zealous Kingdom preaching activity will help us to maintain our love for Jehovah, for his Son, and for the Scriptures. (Psalm 119:105; Mark 13:10; Hebrews 10:24, 25)
Correction: God will "maintain" Christians who center their love and faith in Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
Page 18: For instance, Christ's presence in Kingdom glory is now a reality, and anointed Christians who were faithful to death have experienced the fulfillment of the prophetic promise: "To him that conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." (Revelation 2:7, 10; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17)
Correction: The presence of Jesus Christ has been a reality since Pentecost.
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."
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.
Page 18: What a grand reward for their undying love of God and unwavering faith in his prophetic word!
Correction: True Christians place their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Galatians 3:22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Page 18: Shortly after faithful dead anointed ones were resurrected into the heavenly "paradise of God," the remnant of spiritual Israel on earth was liberated from "Babylon the Great," the world empire of false religion. (Revelation 14:8; Galatians 6:16)
Correction: "Babylon the Great" will kill true Christians during the "great tribulation."
Revelation 14:12-13 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."
Page 18: In them the foundation of the "new earth" was laid. (Revelation 21:1) "A land" was thus brought forth, and it was built up into a spiritual paradise that flourishes earth wide today.
Correction: "Spiritual paradise" is found in the Holy Spirit not Jehovah's Witnesses.
Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Pages 18-19: What are the prospects of loyal supporters of the anointed? They too have faith in God's prophetic word, and their hope rest on entering the earthly paradise. (Luke 23:39-43)
Correction: True Christians place their hope in the Lord 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 19: If you have such a wonderful hope, may you continue to demonstrate deep love for Jehovah and faith in his prophetic word. May you be among those who experience the unbounded joy of everlasting life in the Paradise earth.
Correction: The Father will not love you unless you love the Lord 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 19: When God's Kingdom rules unopposed and his will is done on earth as it is in heaven, no vicious humans - no, not even animals - will "do any harm or cause any ruin."
Correction: When the Lord Jesus Christ rules, sinful unbelievers will be destroyed.
Revelation 19:15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Page 19: Even the common grave of mankind will be emptied as deaths give way to resurrections. The righteous man Job had such a hope. (Job 14:14, 15)
Correction: Job placed his hope in seeing the Lord Jesus Christ.
Job 19:26-27 And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!
Page 19: Daniel served God faithfully until the end of his life. Now he is resting in death, but he will "stand up" in "the resurrection of the righteous ones" during Christ's Millennial Reign.
Note: Daniel is in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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.
Page 19: What about you and your lot? If you have faith in God's Word, the Bible, very likely you yearn for life in the earthly Paradise.
Correction: Have placed your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?
Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Page 19: After all, Paradise is where mankind belongs. God created the first human pair to live in such a place. (Genesis 2:7-9) And he wants obedient humans to live forever in Paradise. Will you act in accord with the Scriptures so that you can be among the billions who will eventually live on the Paradise earth?
Note: The Watch Tower pictures people on "Paradise earth" with clothes on.
Genesis 2:25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Page 20: JEHOVAH told the prophet Samuel: "Not the way man sees is the way God sees, because mere man sees what appears to the eyes; but as for Jehovah, he sees what the heart is."
Note: God doesn't care if you wear suits and nice clothing.
Matthew 3:4 And John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
Page 20: What, though, of a youth who has no father to instruct him? Eleven-year-old Jason, for example, became fatherless at the age of four. When a Christian elder asked him what was the most troubling aspect of his life, Jason quickly replied: "I miss having a father. Sometimes it really gets me down."
Note: The Watch Tower has never founded a orphanage.
James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
Page 20: Yet, comforting advice is available for youths lacking parental direction. Jason and others like him can seek and receive fatherly advice from the elders and other mature ones in the Christian congregation. - James 1:27.
Note: Have you come to the Lord Jesus Christ in prayer?
Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
James 1:5-6 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
Page 21: Why is wisdom "the prime thing"? Wisdom means putting knowledge and understanding to work in a way that brings forth good results.
Note: Do you have the "wisdom of God?"
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 21: Knowledge - acquaintance or familiarity with facts gained by observation and experience or by reading and study - is fundamental to wisdom. But it we do not have the ability to put it to good use, our knowledge would be of little value. We must not only regularly read the Bible and the Bible-based publications provided by "the faithful and discreet slave" but also endeavor to apply what we learn from them. - Matthew 24:45.
Note: The Watch Tower discourages people from attaining higher education.
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.
Page 22: True, discipline is usually difficult to accept and may seem restrictive. (Hebrews 12:11) Yet, the wise king assures us that if we take hold on discipline, our path will be conducive to our making progress. Just as proper training permits a runner to move ahead at optimum speed without falling or injuring himself, taking hold of discipline allows us to continue on the road to life at a steady pace without stumbling.
Correction: The "road to life" is found in the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 15:5-6 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 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 23:The meaning or significance of Bible prophecies also unfolds progressively. Prophecies become clear to us as Jehovah's holy spirit sheds light upon them and as they are fulfilled by world events or in the experiences of God's people. Rather than impatiently resorting to speculations about their fulfillment, we need to wait for 'the light to become lighter and lighter.'
Correction: Avoid organizations like the Watch Tower given over to change.
Prov 24:21 My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate with those given to change;
Page 23: What about those who reject God's guidance by refusing to walk in the light? "The way of the wicked ones is like the gloom," says Solomon. "They have not known at what they keep stumbling." (Proverbs 4:19) The wicked are like a man who stumbles in the dark without knowing what stumbled him. Even when the ungodly seem to prosper because of their unrighteousness, their apparent success is only temporary. Concerning such ones, the psalmist sang: "Surely on slippery ground is where you place them. You (Jehovah) have made them fall to ruins." - Psalm 73:18.
Note: The wicked are those who are not following and serving the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
Page 24: Are we successfully safeguarding our figurative heart? How can we know the condition of the inner person?
Answer: Are you grounded in love? Are you focused on the Lord Jesus Christ?
Ephesians 3:14-19 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height; to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Page 24: Above all, may 'our eyes look straight ahead.' Let us keep them fixed on the goal of rendering whole-souled service to our heavenly Father. (Colossians 3:23)
Note: Service to God is accomplished by being a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:7-8 as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.
Page 27: As offspring grow older, they also have a share in bearing fruit and supporting their parents, who rejoice to see their children serving Jehovah alongside them. - Proverbs 15:20.
Note: True Christians will serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
Page 27: To help us cope with such a family tragedy, the Bible assures us that there will be a resurrection. - John 5:28, 29; 11:25.
Note: The resurrection does not guarantee eternal live.
John 5:22-23 "For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him."
Note: Are you honoring the Lord Jesus Christ as Jehovah?
Page 28: Being born into the Jewish nation was not in itself a requirement for obtaining divine favor. Jesus' earliest disciples, however, were all Jews, and they had the privilege of being the first humans selected by God to make up the promised seed of Abraham. (Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:29) Paul likened these Jewish disciples to branches of a symbolic olive tree.
Note: Are you a abiding in the Lord Jesus Christ?
John 15:4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me."
Page 28: The majority of the natural Jews rejected Jesus, disqualifying themselves as future members of the "little flock," or "the Israel of God." (Luke 12:32; Galatians 6:16)
Correction: In context, the "little flock" referred to the disciples.
Luke 12:22 Then He said to His disciples, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on."
Correction: The "Israel of God" refers to Jews versus Gentile Christians.
Galatians 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them (Gentiles), and upon the Israel of God (Jews).
Page 29: To become a luxuriant olive tree in God's house, we must obey Jehovah and be willing to accept the discipline by which he "prunes" us so that we can bear more Christian fruitage.
Note: Christian obedience is sincere belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 3:18-19 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Gal 3:1-2 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?