Jehovah’s Witnesses

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Are Jehovah’s Witnesses Children of the Devil?

When I ask if Jehovah’s Witnesses are children of the devil, I’m not trying to provoke an emotional response. The Watchtower leaves me with no other option than to answer that question in the affirmative. I’ve asked many Jehovah’s Witnesses if they’re children of God or children of the devil, and most have refused to answer the question, and none have offered a satisfactory response.

1 John 3:10 (ESV) says, “By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

This verse offers two alternatives. Everyone is either a child of God or a child of the devil. According to the Watchtower:

  • Only the 144,000 are children of God. According to the Watchtower article, “Who are Born Again?” that refers to the 144,000, “More than that, Jehovah now recognized them as his sons. The apostle Paul shows how: ‘For all who are led by God’s spirit, these are God’s sons . . . God’s children’ (Romans 8:14, 16). They were now accepted as part of God’s heavenly family.”
  • Only those certain ones destined for heaven are children of God. In “What Does It Mean to be “Born Again”?” the Watchtower writes, “By thus being born of spirit, those disciples became spirit-begotten sons of God, with the prospect of heavenly life. They are Kingdom heirs in association with Jesus Christ. Commenting on this in his letter to believers at Rome, the Christian apostle Paul wrote: ‘You received a spirit of adoption as sons, by which spirit we cry out: “Abba, Father!” The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are God’s children. If, then, we are children, we are also heirs: heirs indeed of God, but joint heirs with Christ.'”-Rom. 8:15-17.”

I agree with the Watchtower that only those who are born again are children of God (John 1:12-13). But that leaves the millions of Jehovah’s Witnesses who are not of the 144,000 as children of the devil. Do children of the devil inherit the earth? Will they spend eternity on paradise earth? Clearly they will not-unless they choose to repent and trust Jesus alone for their eternal salvation.

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Sermon of the week: “God’s Wrath: Vengeance is Mine, I Will Repay” by John Piper.

piper-pic.jpg Your sermon of the week is a fantastic message by John Piper entitled God’s Wrath: Vengeance is Mine, I Will Repay. This message is a must-hear for Jehovah’s Witnesses and others who deny Hell’s existence. It is also for those who limit the reality of Hell’s punishment, intensity, eternality, severity, etc.

This sermon destroys the “no-such-place-as-Hell” lie being espoused by so many false teachers today.

This sermon will lead you to a better understanding of the holiness, wrath, and fear of God. This message will not sit well with those who believe that God’s love means no wrath, but it will be a refreshing teaching for those who really want to know more of God’s holy and righteous nature, and to understand better God’s judgment, wrath, and the inevitable destination of those who reject Jesus Christ.

You can download the sermon for yourself, watch the video, or read the transcript here. You can also listen to part two of this message found on this post.

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How to witness to a Jehovah’s Witness.

ray-comfort.jpg In this 14 minute audio clip from Way of the Master Radio (WOTMR), Todd Friel plays an audio clip of Ray Comfort witnessing to a Jehovah’s Witness who came to his door. This was not a dramatization nor a reenactment, but the actual conversation recorded as it happened.

It was a great discourse and the gospel was shared so simply yet profoundly that this same approach could be applied to anyone else in any other false religion. I strongly encourage you to listen to this short clip.

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Fun with My 1,000 Closest Jehovah’s Witness Friends

My friend and I had an adventure at the Jehovah’s Witness district convention on the weekend. Our goal was to pass out tracts to those leaving the event.

I was surprised by how large the event was—probably a few thousand people. One person told me all the surrounding states were represented. We sat on a bench outside the venue, waiting for the convention to conclude. After a few minutes, a guy came up to us and asked if we were planning to hand out literature. How he knew why we were there, I’m not sure (there were other events going on in the same area). We answered in the affirmative; he just told us we were wasting our time. Continue reading →

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Bible Reference Notes: “Whose Name?”

The Bible Reference Notes for today are on the subject of Whose Name? I put these together a while back when debating with some Jehovah’s Witnesses on exactly whose name is above all other names. I thought readers would be interested in this (especially if this topic comes up with a JW).

To find out the purpose and exactly how to use these Bible Reference Notes, check out the explanation in my first installment The Holy Scriptures. I also highly recommend Hell and the Eternal Soul (another good one for dealing with Jehovah’s Witnesses).

 

WHOSE NAME?

Who are we to be witnesses of?

Acts 1:8 Hint… it’s not Jehovah!

Whose name is most important?

Matthew 10:22 Hated because of Jesus’ name

Matthew 12:15-21 Gentiles will hope in Jesus’ name

Matthew 18:5 Whoever Receives a child in Jesus’ name receives Him

Matthew 18:20 Where two or more is gathered in Jesus’ name

Matthew 19:29 Whoever suffers loss for Jesus’ name will receive much

Matthew 24:9 Hated by all nations because of Jesus’ name

Matthew 28:19-20 Baptized in the name of Jesus, the Father and Holy Spirit

Luke 10:17 Demons are subject to Jesus’ name

Luke 24:47 Repentance is preached in Jesus’ name

John 14:13-14 Ask for anything in Jesus’ name

John 15:16 Ask the Father in Jesus’ name

John 16:23-24 Ask in Jesus’ name and you will receive

Acts 16:18 Demon exercised in Jesus’ name

1 Corinthians 1:2 Saints in every place call on Jesus’ name

1 Corinthians 5:4 When we’re assembled in the name of Jesus

Colossians 3:17 Whatever you do, do it in Jesus’ name

Whose name is above all other names?

Acts 4:12 No other name under heaven

Ephesians 1:20-21 Christ above every name

Philippians 2:9 The name which is above every name

Who do we bow down to?

Philippians 2:10 Jesus Christ

Equal honor given?

John 5:22-23 Honor the Son as you honor the Father

Can we pray directly to Jesus?

Acts 7:59 Stephen did

Who was responsible for the resurrection?

Acts 17:31 Jehovah God

1 Thessalonians 1:10 Jehovah God

John 2:18-22 Jesus Christ

Interchangeable terms?

Romans 8:9-11 Spirit of Jehovah and Christ in you

Who dwells in the believer?

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 The Spirit of Jehovah God

1 Corinthians 6:19 The Spirit of Jehovah God

2 Corinthians 6:16 Jehovah God Himself

Galatians 2:20 Jesus Christ (lives in me)

Galatians 4:6 Spirit of Jesus

Ephesians 2:22 God in the Spirit

Ephesians 3:17 Jesus Christ Himself (by faith—no mention of works)

Philippians 1:19-20 Spirit of Jesus / Jesus Himself

Colossians 1:26-27 Jesus Christ Himself (the hidden mystery revealed)

John 14:23 Jehovah God & Jesus Christ

2 Timothy 1:14 Holy Spirit

1 John 4:13, 15, 17 Jehovah God & Holy Spirit

Is Jehovah the only name we can use, or can we be more personal?

Matthew 6:9 Our Father

Mark 14:36 Abba Father

Romans 8:15 Abba Father

Galatians 4:6 Abba Father

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“Don’t bother reading your Bible”

Over the last few years, I’ve noticed a pattern among many false religions and false teachers of the Word.

Catholicism–Don’t bother reading your Bible. You can’t understand it. Let the Magisterium tell you what it means.

Mormonism–Don’t bother reading your Bible. You can’t trust it, it’s been corrupted. Just let the General Authorities tell you what it means.

Jehovah’s Witnesses–Don’t bother reading your Bible. You can’t interpret it. Just let the Watchtower tell you what it means.

Postmodernism–Don’t bother reading your Bible. Nobody can understand. No one knows what it means.

Warrenism–Don’t bother reading your Bible. Unless it’s “The Message” because that’s the only one anybody can understand. Just read your “Purpose Driven Life” and let Rick Warren tell you your purose.

Prosperity “Gospel”–Don’t bother reading your Bible. Satan won’t let you understand it. Just blindly swallow the verses we cherry-pick and take out of context.

Lying Signs and Satanic Wonders Movement–Don’t bother reading your Bible. Only Pharisees try to undertsand it. Just trust the dog-and-pony-show, I mean sleight-of-hand, I mean signs and wonders we perform on stage every night.

On the other hand, the Bible tells us that even the words of the Old Testament alone are enough to lead us into truth. “from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2nd Timothy 3:15). And we have the Holy Spirit, of whom Jesus said, “He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). So we don’t need a Magistreium, or General Authorities, or a Watchtower, or lying signs and Satanic wonders to lead us into truth. By the leading of the Holy Spirit in opening His Scripture to us, He will lead us into the truth.

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Download your free cult flyer here.

It was the spring of 2006 and I kept seeing Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses going door to door throughout the neighborhoods of my community. It got me thinking: What are the local Christian Churches doing to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to combat the spread of false doctrine in our community? Additionally I pondered about what I could personally do.

I then came across the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry website (www.CARM.org). They had a downloadable cult warning flyer. Eureka! This was exactly what I didn’t know I was looking for and exactly what we needed here in my town. I quickly went to work on my own version of a flyer and several months later, the new flyer was birthed.

Now, in the spring of 2008, I have updated and produced the second version of the cult flyer and am now offering it for you to download for free to distribute in your neighborhood.

Flyer: Who’s Really Knocking at Your Door?

For those who prefer a more professional look, a brother in the Lord from Australia produced a professional version of the flyer for me to make available to all of you. You can download it here.

I also encourage you to download my free tracts to insert in each of the flyers. There are three different tracts (front and back) on one sheet of paper.
Tract: 3 Things You Won’t Find in the Bible  /  Are You Self-Righteous?  /  Priceless
Simply print the cult flyer on 11 x 14 paper (front and back). Then print the tract (also front and back on 11 x 14 paper). Cut the tract into three, fold the cult flyer and insert one tract into each flyer. Then put a hole in the top with a hole punch, put a rubber band through it and it’s ready to be hung on doors.
I am currently working on six new tracts to download and insert in the cult flyer and will make them available in the near future.

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JW’s on creation

The following is the jist of an exchange I had on another blog with a Jehovah’s Witness about the roles of the Father and the Son in the work of creation.

Suppose a fellow named William Taylor is telling me how a house got built.

William Taylor: Yep, I know the fellow that built that house. Did it all by himself. Every step of the way. And not a soul to help him.

Me: Wow! That’s amazing! You mean he did everything?

WT: Yep, everything. Drew up the plans, mixed the concrete, milled the lumber. Framed it, built the roof tresses, nailed every shingle on the roof. Wired it, plumbed it. Yep, he did everything!

Well, then the man’s son comes along, and says,

Son: So, how do you like the house I built?

Me: What do you mean YOU built it? William, I thought you said his father built it.

WT: His father DID build it!

Me: But the son here did all the work!

WT: Yep!

Me: Then how can you say the father did all the work?

WT: Because he did it through his son.

Me: Huh? You said the father did it all by himself, and that no one helped him.

WT: That’s right!

Me: But the son did the work. The father was NOT by Himslef.

WT: Yes he was. He told his son what to do.

Me: So the father didn’t do the work of building?

WT: Sure he did. He did every single thing by himself–through his son.

I think you get the picture. This is how the Jehovah’s Witnesses see the relationship of the Father and the Son in creation. They claim that when John said “not one thing was made that was not made by [Christ]” (John 1:3), that the apostle meant, “Other than Himself, nothing was made that was not made by Him,” even though the apostle John NEVER makes that distinction. However, when we view creation through the lens of the orthodox view of the Trinity, then it makes sense.

YHVH tells us in Isaiah 44:24–“Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb: ‘I am the LORD, who makes all things, Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself…” In fact, the New World (mis)Translation adds these words of YHVH–“Who was with Me?” Indicating that NO ONE did ANYTHING in creating ANYTHING besides YHVH. He did not “work through” an angel. In fact, this is ludicrous to even think it. This would mean that an angel created everything for himself! (Colossians 1:16).

YHVH created all things. But when we remember that YHVH is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and we understand that each one had a role in creation (Genesis 1:1-2; Neh. 9:6; Psalm 33:6, 102:25-27; Isa. 44:24, 45:18; John 1:1-3; Col. 1:15-17) then this Tri-unity lends sense and credibiilty to our understanding of creation. We may not understand “how” but we will understand “who.”

 

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What did it take?

What did it take for God to save us? To put it into human terms, I would say this:

Suppose I broke into your house, tied you up, and made you watch as I beat your son, killed your wife, and stole everything you owned. You call the police, they come and arrest me, and I am sentenced to die. In the meantime, I am free on bail. So, to stay your wrath, which is firmly upon me, I mow your grass, do your laundry, paint your house and take out the garbage. However, none of these “good deeds” make up for the fact that I have committed such vile offenses against you. There is nothing I can do to cover over my atrocities, and hide them from your sight. Your wrath abides upon me still.

As the day of my execution approaches, you remember your mercy. For no reason other than the fact that you have so desired in your heart, you make me an offer. In order to spare me from death, you will allow your only son to be strapped to that table, have the needles inserted in his arms, and take the penalty that I deserved. Not only that, but you will then adopt me into your family as your son. I plead with you, saying, “No! No! No! I don’t like that idea! I have a better idea! Let me do good things for you! Let me earn my pardon! Let me do enough good things that I don’t have to accept THAT offer!” You look at me and say, “Either my son dies for your crimes–or you pay for them yourself forever. Which is it?”

This is the dilemma facing every single human being who will ever walk the face of the earth. They have all committed horrific acts against the LORD of all the earth. They have walked through His creation, stolen from Him, blasphemed His name–and have rightly earned His wrath.

Everyone.

EVERY.

ONE.

The only way to avoid the eternal punishment we deserve is to accept His offer of His Son, the blood that He shed, to hide our sins from the sight of the Father. Oh, but how many? How many do not bow their knee and confess salvation is through Christ alone! They rather say, “No, God! I have a better idea! I’ll do good things for You! I’ll do such good things that You won’t have any choice but to pardon me!” And they think they are bringing Him gifts of gold, silver, and precious stones. When in fact they are bringing Him a big, stinking pile of used Kotex. Have these people not read the words of the prophet Isaiah? “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.”

Used tampons.

Sorry to be so blunt, but I feel the translators were much too kind. All of our righteousnesses are as filthy as the cloths a woman has used during her period of uncleanness. They are drenched with the stain and odor of our own uncleanness. And they are good for nothing but to be thrown into a pile and burned. And yet how many people will approach the throne of God, holding them in their hands as their most prized possession, thinking that the Lord will be pleased with such an offering. And He will say, “Get out of My sight! I can’t stand to look at you and all that waste you have brought Me! Who do you think I am that I can be bartered with such filth? Do you think I would be pleased with all your uncleanness? In fact, who are you? I don’t even know you! I never have! So be gone! Be gone! NEVER approach Me EVER AGAIN! You dirty, filthy, vile miscreant! Be burned with everlasting fire, that I never have to be reminded of you ever again!!”

Friend, if you are reading this, and you have been gathering up used menstrual cloths as an offering to God to bribe Him into letting you into His kingdom–I beg you to stop right this minute. Because what you are telling God is this–that the blood in those bloody cloths you are offering Him is better than the blood that was shed by His dear and precious Son. You cannot assuage the wrath of God with your own filthy garments. Do you think that God is under some kind of obligation to overlook your sins because you have earned enough “attaboys” and have done enough “good deeds?” How much is enough? Who decides? You? Are you the final arbiter of how much good is enough? Don’t even think for a moment that you have the keys of the kingdom of God–those are in the Hands of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the one who opens the door to the kingdom, for He is the Door. He opens it, and no one can shut it. But, friend, He also shuts it, and no one can open it.

You have sinned against Almighty God. The only offer there is for your pardon is to accept the sacrifice of His Son on the Cross, and to be adopted into His family as His son. No amount of mowing, laundry, painting, or any other little trinket of a deed you can offer Him will ever take away the fact that you are a sinner. Only the blood of Jesus. That’s what it took.

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Yes, you should believe in the Trinity

From Tower To Truth Ministries, they show us a couple of ways to answer the Jehovah’s Witnesses and their booklet Should You Believe In The Trinity? In this dialogue, Chris is the Christian, John is the Jehovah’s Witness. Here is an excerpt from the full article:

Chris: In fact, I found [the booklet] to be full of so many interesting quotations that I decided to go down to the library to locate some of the source material. Maybe you can help me, John. I’d like to run a few things by you that I discovered concerning this magazine.

John: Go ahead.

Chris: On page 4 of the Trinity booklet, it says that “The Encyclopedia Americana notes that the doctrine of the Trinity is considered to be ‘beyond the grasp of human reason”.

John: And it really is, Chris. I mean, who can comprehend a three- headed god?

Chris: I’d like you to take a look at this photocopy of the actual page from where the Watchtower quoted volume 27 of The Encyclopedia Americana. I’d like you to read this quote in the context of the original article. It’s right here on page 116.

John: Okay. It says, “It is held that although the doctrine is beyond the grasp of human reason, it is, like many of the formulations of physical science, not contrary to reason, and may be apprehended (though it may not be comprehended) by the human mind”. (underline ours)

Chris: Did you see that, John? It said that the doctrine of the Trinity is “….not contrary to reason and may be apprehended….by the human mind”. John, after reading the full statement from the encyclopedia, has the Watchtower quoted this article in context?

John: Well, sure. The Watchtower did use the exact words right from the article.

Chris: Yes, but has the Watchtower left out words that change the author’s viewpoint?

John: Chris, there are a hundred quotes in this magazine that prove the Trinity is false. Why are you making a fuss over this one? Didn’t you look at any others?

Chris: As a matter of fact, I did. On page 6 of the Trinity booklet it says, “Jesuit Fortman states: ‘The New Testament writers. . . give us no formal or formulated doctrine of the Trinity, no explicit teaching that in one God there are three co-equal divine persons…”. Here is a photocopy of the introduction of The Triune God, 1972, where this quote was taken from. The Watchtower quotes four words from page 15; “The New Testament writers”. They then pick up the next sentence of the quote from page 16. But read some of the highlighted text that falls between the two quotes.

John: “They call Jesus the Son of God. Messiah. Lord. Savior, Word. Wisdom. They assign Him the divine functions of creation, salvation, judgment. Sometimes they call Him God explicitly. They do not speak as fully and clearly of the Holy Spirit as they do of the Son, but at times they coordinate Him with the Father and the Son and put Him on a level with them as far as divinity and personality are concerned. (underline ours)

See how tricky and selective the Watchtower Society is with their quotes? Do not be fooled by their tactics.

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Only 144,000 In Heaven (Give Or Take a Billion)

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that none of the Old Testament saints are going to heaven. Only 144,000 good Jehovah’s Witnesses (who have lived since Jesus’ death) will be in heaven. The Old Testament saints and today’s generation of JWs will eventually live on paradise on earth. If there’s one verse saying that anyone from the Old Testament will be in heaven, not only does the doctrine of the 144,000 crumble, but the entire religion crumbles and it becomes simple to explain how none of them will go to any sort of paradise.

Matthew 8:11 (NWT) says, “But I tell YOU that many from eastern parts and western parts will come and recline at the table with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of the heavens.”

Luke 13:28 says, “There is where [YOUR] weeping and the gnashing of [YOUR] teeth will be, when YOU see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves thrown outside.”

Hebrews 11:16, referring to Old Testament people says, “But now they are reaching out for a better [place], that is, one belonging to heaven. Hence God is not ashamed of them, to be called upon as their God, for he has made a city ready for them.

Matthew 8:11 is particularly clear. I really don’t think there’s any way around the plain teaching of these verses: The Old Testament saints are in heaven.

Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that only the 144,000 are are born again (based on John 3:3). Most JWs are not part of the 144,000, and will readily admit that they are not born again, and if someone says they’re not born again, I believe them. The only alternative to being born again (or raised from spiritual death) is to be dead in sin, and those who are dead in their sins are sadly going to hell. (I wrote a tract on this topic called A Choice For Life, which you can download.)

For a fantastic opportunity to witness to Jehovah’s Witnesses, check out their 2008 convention schedule. One of the reasons they think they are in the true church is because they think they are the only ones who are out witnessing. You can help refute that idea for possibly hundreds of them by showing up at a convention and passing out tracts or witnessing. Even if you’re shy, or don’t know what to say to them, you could put tracts on their cars while they’re all inside.

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Jehovah’s Witnesses: When admitting that you’re a false prophet seems so natural.

“True, there have been those in times past who predicted an “end to the world,” even announcing a specific date. Some have gathered groups of people with them and fled to the hills or withdrawn into their houses waiting for the end. Yet, nothing happened. The “end” did not come. They were guilty of false prophesying.” Awake! October 8, 1968 Page 23

– 1897 “Our Lord, the appointed King, is now present, since October 1874,” Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 4, page 621.

-1916 “The Bible chronology herein presented shows that the six great 1000 year days beginning with Adam are ended, and that the great 7th Day, the 1000 years of Christ’s Reign, began in 1873.” The Time Is at Hand, page ii, (forward).

– 1899 “…the ‘battle of the great day of God Almighty’ (Revelation 16:14), which will end in A.D. 1914 with the complete overthrow of earth’s present rulership, is already commenced.” The Time Is at Hand, page 101 (1908 edition).

– 1918 “Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews 11, to the condition of human perfection.” Millions Now Living Will Never Die, page 89.

– 1922 “The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures than 1914.” The Watchtower 9/1/22, page 262.

– 1923 “Our thought is, that 1925 is definitely settled by the Scriptures. As to Noah, the Christian now has much more upon which to base his faith than Noah had upon which to base his faith in a coming deluge.” The Watchtower, page 106 4/1/23.

– 1925 “The year 1925 is here. With great expectation Christians have looked forward to this year. Many have confidently expected that all members of the body of Christ will be changed to heavenly glory during this year. This may be accomplished. It may not be. In his own due time God will accomplish his purposes concerning his people. Christians should not be so deeply concerned about what may transpire this year.” The Watchtower, 1/1/25, page. 3.

– 1925 “It is to be expected that Satan will try to inject into the minds of the consecrated, the thought that 1925 should see an end to the work.” The Watchtower, Sept, 1925 page 262.

– 1926 “Some anticipated that the work would end in 1925, but the Lord did not state so. The difficulty was that the friends inflated their imaginations beyond reason; and that when their imaginations burst asunder, they were inclined to throw away everything.” The Watchtower, page 232.

– 1931 “There was a measure of disappointment on the part of Jehovah’s faithful ones on earth concerning the years 1917, 1918, and 1925, which disappointment lasted for a time…and they also learned to quit fixing dates.” Vindication, page 338.

– 1941 “Receiving the gift, the marching children clasped it to them, not a toy or plaything for idle pleasure, but the Lord’s provided instrument for most effective work in the remaining months before Armageddon.” The Watchtower, 9/15/41, page 288.

– 1968 “Why are you looking forward to 1975?” The Watchtower, 8/15/68, page 494.

Thanks to C.A.R.M. for the above resources.

But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die. You may say in your heart, “How will we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?” When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.

Deuteronomy 18:20-22

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Debates with a Jehovah’s Witness.

Knock, Knock A Jehovah’s Witness by the name of TJ has been going “door to door” in cyberspace. Actually he’s been going “blog to blog” with his messages of Hath God really said?

I engaged him on one blog regarding the physical, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ (which he denies occurred). If you’re interested in some good reading you can check out that interaction here. You can also find him spreading the poisonous doctrines of the Watchtower on the following topics as well:

Is the Watchtower Jesus Adequate?

Admitting Your Need of the Savior.

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Bible Reference Notes: “Hell and the Eternal Soul.”

Your Bible reference notes for today are on the topic of Hell and the eternal nature of the human soul. I composed this in 2006 during my four-week debate with Jehovah’s Witnesses as they argued that Hell is fictional and that the sinner’s soul simply ceases to exist after death.

Additionally, in light of the fact that more and more “theologians” are denying Hell’s existence, I figured this would be an important resource to pass on.

If you’re unsure of what Reformation Nation’s Bible Reference Notes are all about and how to use them, see my first installment for an explanation.

HELL AND THE ETERNAL SOUL

Hell

Daniel 12:2 Everlasting Abhorrence

Matthew 5:22 Go Into Fiery Hell

Matthew 5:29-30 Maimed / Heaven & Whole/ Hell

Matthew 8:12 Darkness, Weeping, Teeth Gnashing

Matthew 10:28 Fear Who Destroys Body/Soul in Hell

Matthew 24:51 Weeping, Teeth Gnashing

Matthew 25:30 Darkness, Weeping, Teeth Gnashing

Matthew 25:41 Eternal Fire

Matthew 25:46 Eternal Punishment / Eternal Life

Mark 9:42-48 Better Millstone Thrown Into the Sea

Mark 9:43-48 Unquenchable Fire Worm Doesn’t Die

Luke 3:17 Unquenchable Fire

Luke 16:19-28 Rich Man in Hell and Beggar

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 Eternal Destruction Away From God

Jude 7 Punishment of Eternal Fire

Jude 13 Darkness Reserved Forever

Revelation 14:10-11 Torment & No Rest

Revelation 19:20 Lake of Fire Burning With Brimstone

Revelation 20:1-3 The Abyss

Revelation 20:13-15 Lake of Fire

Degrees of Punishment

Matthew 10:15 More Tolerable for Sodom

Matthew 11:22, 24 More Tolerable for Sodom

Matthew 16:27 Repay According to Man’s Deeds

Luke 12:47-48 Many Lashes vs Few Lashes

Hebrews 10:29-31 Severer Punishment / Terrifying God

Revelation 22:12 Repay According to What Man Did

The Soul (nephesh): The Living Person or Being

Genesis 2:7 Adam a Living Soul

Ezekiel 18:4 Soul That Sins Dies

The Soul (nephesh): Separate Inner Man

Genesis 42:21 Is Distressed

Deuteronomy 28:65 Feels Sad

2 Kings 4:27 Troubled Within

Job 3:20 Is Bitter

Job 30:25 Is Grieved

Psalm 13:2 In Pain

Psalm 42:6 In Despair Within

Psalm 43:5 Despair & Disturbed Within

Psalm 86:4 Is Cheered

The Soul (nephesh): Survives After Death

Matthew 10:28 Fear Who Destroys Body/Soul in Hell

Acts 7:59 Receive my Spirit

Luke 16:19-28 Rich Man in Hell & Beggar

Luke 20:37-38 God of the Living…Live to Him

Romans 2:8-9 Evil Soul: Wrath, Distress, Tribulation, etc.

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 Home in Body / Absent in Lord

Philippians 1:21-23 To Die is Gain With Christ

Revelation 6:9-10 Souls of Those Slain Cry Out

 

 

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Book review: Winning the Witnesses by Daniel Rodriguez.

winning-the-witnesses.gif I just got through reading the brand new book Winning the Witnesses by Daniel Rodriguez (Evangelist to Jehovah’s Witnesses for over 22 years). It was a very good book; quick and easy read. This 107-page book deals with evangelizing Jehovah’s Witnesses using an entirely different method than suggested previously by such men as Walter Martin and Bill Cetnar.

In this book, Daniel Rodriguez explains why the old approach of throwing Scripture back and forth is mostly ineffective by outlining why no matter what verses you quote, the JW is conditioned to not accept what you’re saying. This is because they consider it to be your interpretation, not the Watchtower’s. And since you are viewed as a pagan under the influence of Satan, you can quote Scripture all day long to no effect because they will refuse to accept what you say, even if it’s printed in black and white in their own Bible.

The author’s approach is to sever the JW’s lifeline, the source of all their “truth” and understanding: Their utter dependence and blind obedience to the Watchtower Society. Rodriguez says that if you can help the JW to see that the Watchtower Society is not inspired, you can begin to make great progress with the JW. Rodriguez then provides simple insight on how to show them that the Watchtower Society is not only not inspired, but that they’ve never claimed to be and why they never can claim to be.

For those who want help in their evangelism efforts to JWs, this book is a must-have in your library and makes a great resource for future quick-reference.

I would love to put this author’s evangelism technique to the test, but unfortunately my house has been red flagged by the JWs.