I really enjoy watching action movies but sometimes my critical thinking gets the better of me. While visiting a science laboratory a young man is bitten by a deadly super spider. His senses are enhanced and he even gains a new one that enables him to sense impending danger. Soon, he is swinging from the tops of tall buildings by a thread and fighting crime as Spiderman.
Why though, is he made powerful by the spider bite instead of being killed by its venom? How is he able to fight against criminals and dodge bullets without any training? Then I tell myself not to bother asking such questions. It accomplishes nothing. The movie is not for instruction but for entertainment. Just sit back and enjoy the show.
In a recent morning worship talk entitled: “Obedience is a Protection”, in which he outlined the chain of developments Jehovah’s Witnesses expect to unfold during the coming Great Tribulation, Hermanus Van Selm asserted that shortly after witnesses face an initial attack of a coalition of nations, those of the anointed, including members of the governing body will be caught away to heaven and will join Jesus Christ in fighting against those nations and protecting God’s people:
This thought was re-emphasized at the 2021 Annual Meeting. Governing body member Samuel Herd in a talk entitled “I Will Never Abandon You” could hardly contain his excitement at the prospect of joining Christ after being caught away to heaven and fighting alongside him as a mighty spirit creature against all of God’s enemies in the battle of Armageddon.[1]
He based this hope on what is said at Revelation 17:14. Here is how that scripture reads according to the New World Translation:
These will battle with the Lamb, but because he is Lord of lords and King of kings, the Lamb will conquer them. Also, those called and chosen and faithful with him [will do so].” (Revelation 17:14)
So, will the governing body really be whisked away to heaven during Armageddon and given weapons for smashing in order to fight as super heroes? If indeed Herd and the other anointed members of Jehovah’s Witnesses are among those called and chosen and faithful, it certainly appears that is what the Bible says.
First of all, however, contrary to the claims of both Herd and Van Selm, there is no indication that Jehovah’s Witnesses will come under attack by a coalition of nations. While Revelation depicts a symbolic harlot as being destroyed by a coalition of nations, the only connection that Revelation makes with Gog of Magog occurs, not during Armageddon but, at the end of the thousand years. (Rev. 17:15,16; 20:7-10) So, the scenario painted by both speakers is not supported scripturally.
Secondly, I believe I have provided enough evidence on this site to prove that the governing body have not been chosen by Jesus and appointed to be the faithful and discreet slave they claim to be.
Thirdly, other Bibles render this verse differently:
New International Version
They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
New Living Translation
Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.”
English Standard Version
They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”
Berean Study Bible
They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones.”
Berean Literal Bible
These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those with Him are called and chosen and faithful.”
King James Bible
These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
New King James Version
These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”
New American Standard Bible
These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”
American Standard Version
These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they also shall overcome that are with him, called and chosen and faithful.
NET Bible
They will make war with the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those accompanying the Lamb are the called, chosen, and faithful.”
Young’s Literal Translation
these with the Lamb shall make war, and the Lamb shall overcome them, because Lord of lords he is, and King of kings, and those with him are called, and choice, and stedfast.’
As can be seen, although mentioning the fact that Jesus is accompanied by his faithful followers, only one of these Bibles, the American Standard Version, actually says that they will overcome with him. But notice it says overcome, not fight.
The word in Greek is νικαο [nikao] According to Strong’s Concordance it is defined as:
Strong’s Greek 3528: To conquer, be victorious, overcome, prevail, subdue. From nike; to subdue.
Hence, the word does not always involve killing an enemy as can be seen in other texts where it occurs:
But when someone stronger than he is comes against him and conquers him, that man takes away all his weapons in which he was trusting, and he divides up the things he took from him. (Luke 11:22)
I have said these things to you so that by means of me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33)
Certainly not! But let God be found true, even if every man be found a liar, just as it is written: “That you might be proved righteous in your words and might win when you are being judged.” (Romans 3:4)
But why do so many other Bible translations render the verse differently?
I’d like to draw your attention again to how Revelation 17:14 is rendered in the New World Translation. Notice that the last three words “will do so” are in brackets. Why is this? In the introduction of the New World Translation Reference Bible on page 7, the translating committee explains the significance of brackets:
“Single brackets [ ] enclose words inserted to complete the sense in the English text.” (The New World Translation Large Print Reference Bible pg. 7)
So, the bracketed words do not appear in the Greek text but are added by the translators. This can be seen in the Kingdom Interlinear Translation:
Rev-17-14-InterlinearHowever, brackets no longer appear in the 2013 Revised New World Translation. Yet the words still appear. So the reader has no indication that words have been added to “complete the sense” which in reality means an interpretive decision has been made for them.
Regarding this verse the NICNT states:
“The specific role of those who accompany the Lamb in battle is not discussed. They are simply identified as called, chosen, and faithful.” (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)
The IVP New Testament Commentary states:
“Armageddon, in fact, seems to be in view in the angel’s pronouncement that these kings will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers (v. 14). This is the first explicit indication that believers will participate with the Lamb in his victory over the powers of evil. Although they were provisionally “victorious” over the beast in their deaths (Rev_15:2), here they are participants in the final victory, presumably at Armageddon.[113]
But two qualifications must be noted. First, the victory is primarily the Lamb’s, not theirs, for the verb (will overcome) is singular, and Christian believers are mentioned almost as an afterthought. Second, the words called, chosen and faithful are conditions for participating in the victory, each more specific than the one before: first called (compare Rev_19:9), then not only called but chosen (see Mat_22:14), and finally, not only chosen but faithful (as in Rev_2:10, “be faithful, even to the point of death”). The purpose of these adjectives is similar to that of the seven messages of chapters 2—3: to encourage John’s readers to be faithful so as to “overcome” (compare Rev_16:15, in the immediate context of the kings gathering at Armageddon).” (IVP New Testament Commentary)
Are there perhaps any other indications in Revelation that resurrected Christians will participate in the battle of Armageddon? In chapter 2 Jesus promises to give those that conquer authority to rule the nations with an iron rod:
And to the one who conquers and observes my deeds down to the end, I will give authority over the nations, 27 and he will shepherd the people with an iron rod so that they will be broken to pieces like clay vessels, just as I have received from my Father. (Revelation 2:26, 27)
However, commentators are not certain that this shepherding necessarily means destroying ones enemies. Regarding this verse the NICNT states:
Verses Rev_2:26-27 are a free rendering of Psa_2:8-9, which had been interpreted messianically as early as the first century b.c. The Psalms of Solomon (written probably between 70 and 40 b.c.) say of the son of David who is to rule over Israel, “He shall destroy the pride of the sinners as a potter’s vessel. With a rod of iron he shall break in pieces all their substance” (Pss. Sol. 17:23-24). It was a regular feature of Jewish eschatology that the followers of the Messiah would share in his final rule. This feature carried over into Christian thought (1Co_6:3; Rev_5:10).
Christ promises the overcomers that they will rule the nations with an iron scepter. The verb means “to shepherd”[2] and should be taken in the sense of wielding the shepherd’s staff or club to ward off the attacks of marauding beasts. In Rev_12:5 and Rev_19:15 the prerogative of ruling (shepherding) the nations belongs to the conquering Christ. A share in this rule is promised to the overcomers in Thyatira. The description of this rule as the shattering of the potter’s vessel speaks of the absolute power of the victorious Christ and his followers over the rebellious nations. The concluding clause of the verse picks up from Rev_2:26. Christ will give authority to the overcomer just as he has received it from his Father. (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)
The IVP New Testament Commentary states:
“The military tone of the promises at Thyatira echoes the warnings at Pergamum (“I will fight against them with the sword of my mouth,” Rev_2:16). “The Son of God” (v. 18) promises authority over the nations—authority the Son received from his Father—to rule them with an iron scepter (vv. 26-27; compare Psa_2:7-9; Rev_12:5; Rev_19:15). These “overcomers” are conquerors in a military sense, for they will stand alongside the risen Jesus in battle and participate fully in the victory yet to be won (see Rev_17:14; Rev_19:11-21). Whether the military imagery is literal or metaphorical remains to be seen. (IVP New Testament Commentary)
Looking at the context of Psalm 2:8,9 it says that the nations are given to the Messiah as an inheritance. It hardly makes sense then for him to destroy them with his rod. The Septuagint renders the beginning of verse 9 as “you will shepherd them with a rod of iron”. It is understandable then, why the Jews understood this smashing as not destruction but subjugation.
Revelation chapter 19 gives a description of the armies that follow Jesus into battle:
Also, the armies in heaven were following him on white horses, and they were clothed in white, clean, fine linen. 15 And out of his mouth protrudes a sharp, long sword with which to strike the nations, and he will shepherd them with a rod of iron. Moreover, he treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. (Revelation 19:14, 15)
Notice here that Jesus first strikes the nations with, not the rod but rather with the sword which seems to indicate doing away with those that resist his rule. Afterward he shepherds them with the rod of iron which seems to indicate subjugation.
Who make up the armies in heaven that are closely following him? As far as showing whether or not the resurrected chosen ones have a share in fighting, this verse is not conclusive since angels are also described as dressed in clean, fine linen. (Rev. 15:6)
One final scripture the society appeals to for support is found in Paul’s words about the resurrection to the Thessalonians:
For this is what we tell you by Jehovah’s word, that we the living who survive to the presence of the Lord will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep in death; 16 because the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice and with God’s trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first. 17 Afterward we the living who are surviving will, together with them, be caught away in clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we will always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)
However, even though Paul describes a miraculous transformation for Christians living at the time of Christ’s coming, nothing is said about their fighting against their enemies.
Hence, to interpret statements made in a book admittedly filled with signs and symbols and make bold assertions about the timing and nature of the battle of Armageddon, who is to participate, how they will be able to do so without training and who will be destroyed would be highly presumptuous.
For now we see in hazy outline by means of a metal mirror, but then it will be face-to-face. At present I know partially, but then I will know accurately, just as I am accurately known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
But maybe I’m looking at this all wrong. Maybe such statements made in the broadcasts are not for instruction but for entertainment. Maybe I should just sit back and enjoy the show.
[1] See also The Watchtower December 2020 pg. 12 pars. 14-15
[2] Gk. ποιμαίνω in the LXX translates the Hebrew רָצַץ, which means “to break, or destroy.” In Ps 2:9, the LXX, using a difficult vocalization of the original, derived it from the verb
רָעָה, meaning “to tend, or pasture.” While the former meaning would seem preferable in that it parallels συντρίβεται here and πατάξῃ in Rev_19:15, Hemer concludes that the context is against the idea of destroying (Local Setting, 124-25).