The New Testament presents a rich set of images to describe the people of God: a mother, a city, a bride, a nation, and even a persecuted woman. At first glance, these images—especially Paul’s “Jerusalem above” (Galatians 4:26), the “heavenly Jerusalem” (Hebrews 12:22), the “New Jerusalem” (Revelation 21:2), and the woman of Revelation 12—can appear […]
Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught that only a special few (144,000) of them are anointed, which means specifically chosen by God to be adopted as his sons. One of their chief proof texts for this is Romans chapter 8 verses 14 and 15How does that teaching compare with what the verse actually says?
Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught to believe that there are two classes of Christians. A little flock of special anointed Christians having the hope of ruling with Christ in heaven numbering 144,000 and an unnumbered great crowd of other sheep, Christians having the hope of living on earth in paradise under that rulership. They arrive at […]
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Now Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. (Jas 2:23 NET) Regarding this the Watchtower states: How Abraham Was Accounted Righteous “The case of Abraham deserves particular attention. His being declared righteous is mentioned by two writers of […]
Then a great sign was seen in heaven: A woman was arrayed with the sun, and the moon was beneath her feet, and on her head was a crown of 12 stars, 2 and she was pregnant. And she was crying out in her pains and in her agony to give birth. 3 Another sign was seen […]
For if we have faith that Jesus died and rose again, so too God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in death through Jesus. 15 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 […]
(1 Timothy 2:5, 6) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all—this is what is to be witnessed to in its own due time. The Watchtower society teaches that Jesus Christ is the mediator of a new covenant between […]
Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired statement, but test the inspired statements to see whether they originate with God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1 In 1820 at 14 years of age, Joseph Smith received his first vision alone in the forest. Commenting on this, The Watchtower […]
In part 1 which traced the historical development of the Watchtower society’s interpretation of texts referring to the calling of Christians to be the children of God it was seen that this resulted in creating a false dilemma of distinguishing between some Christians that are considered anointed and others that are not. Since 1935 the […]
According to Ephesians 4:4 all Christians have one hope: One body there is, and one spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling; Ephesians 4:4 What is that hope? If it is to live forever ruling with Jesus in heaven, then all Christians share that hope. If it is to […]