THE FALSE TEACHINGS OF THE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
INTRODUCTION
Today’s sermon is a part of the exposing Satan series, and I would like to start by reading a scripture from the book of (1 John 4:1-3) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
The title of my sermon today is the false teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses: And the purpose of my sermon is to expose the true teachings of the Watch Tower and Bible tract society, otherwise known as the Jehovah’s Witnesses. I will explain to you the origin of this religion, and expose their many failed predictions of the second coming of Jesus Christ. I will also expound to you their core belief system, and their false gospel of salvation by works. I will show you the unbiblical lies that they teach about Jesus, and show you from the Bible proof that the Jehovah’s witness religion is a corrupt tree planted by the devil, to keep people from the truth of Salvation, through believing the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Bible says in (Matthew 7:15-16) Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.
The first part of this sermon, will focus on a man named Charles Taze Russell, who was the founder of the Watch Tower Society Bible and Tract Society, and I will document his association to freemasonry, and the occult. I will also document the Jehovah’s Witnesses history of failed prophecy and predictions of the return of Jesus Christ. I hope by doing this, it will help you to better understand the history and origins, of the false teachings and lies of the Jehovah’s Witness religion. And I would like to start out by giving you a brief overview the early History of the Jehovah’s Witness organization.
CHARLES TAZE RUSSEL
In the year 1881 Charles Taze Russel established an organization known as Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society, but In 1896, the society was renamed the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. This organization was allegedly started by Russel in order to study true Bible and correct false doctrines, however the truth is that Charles Taze Russell was a Luciferian 33rd degree Freemason, of the Order of the Knights Templar. And while Russell claimed he was attempting to study, and spread true Bible doctrine, his association with such a satanic organization would suggest otherwise. Now many people will try to deny that the founder of the Jehovah’s Witnesses was a Freemason, however, the fact that Russell is buried on the grounds of the Pittsburgh Masonic Centre, should be proof enough. However if this is not convincing enough, Russell’s tomb is alongside a monument in honour of the Watch Tower Society, in the shape of a masonic pyramid, that is decorated with the cross and crown, which just happens to be a symbol of the Satanic order of the Knights Templar. I would also like to mention that Russell was an occult practitioner who openly taught pyramidology. Russell openly claimed that the Great Pyramid in Egypt, stood as a stone witness of Bible interpretation and end time events, he claimed the Great Pyramid was the key to understanding Bible Prophecy, and many of the Jehovah’s Witnesses failed predictions of the second coming of Christ, were based on Russell’s occult belief in pyramidology.
FAILED PREDICTIONS
Now when it comes to the subject of the time of the return of Christ the Bible says in (Matthew 24:36) But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
This scripture did not stop Russell, and the Watch Tower Society, claiming that Jesus would return in the month of October 1914. Russell assured his followers that Christ's return was imminent, many of them sold everything they owned in preparation for Christ's supposed return to earth, but with the outbreak of World War 1, it became evident that Jesus had not returned. Mr Russell then claimed that Armageddon had begun, and Christ would actually return in October 1915, however once again Christ did not return, and Charles Taze Russell died as a false prophet shortly after in 1916, but before his death, he reaffirmed his conviction that the end of this world was close hand. After the death of Charles Taze Russell, he was succeeded as leader of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, by a man named Joseph Rutherford, and just like Charles Russell, Rutherford went on to predict the time of the return of Jesus Christ. He first predicted Christ’s return in the year 1918, and when Christ failed to show up, he tried again predicting Christ’s return in 1925. But after many failed predictions and unfulfilled prophecies, rather than just admitting they were wrong, the Watch Tower Society declared that although Jesus did not physically return as King on this earth at any of the predicted dates, they began to claim that in 1914, Jesus returned secretly ending what they call “the appointed times of the nations”.
They claim that at this time Jesus Christ was installed as God’s heavenly King, and that as a result, Jesus established the Watch Tower Societies Governing Body in 1919, to be the faithful and discrete slave, responsible for teaching the only source of Biblical truth. So to summarize the information I have just given you, the Jehovah’s Witnesses have wrongly predicted the return of Christ a number of times, and as a result of these failed predictions, they believe that the second coming of Jesus Christ has already occurred in 1914. They believe that they were chosen in 1919 by Jesus, to be the only true Christian religion and the only source of biblical truth, and the Physical manifestation of God’s Kingdom on earth. And finally the Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that anyone outside of their organization, cannot receive salvation, or enter into God’s Kingdom.
FALSE DOCTRINES
Now with all that in mind, I would like to make you aware of the unbiblical doctrines being taught by the Jehovah’s Witnesses. The first and possibly most disturbing doctrine of the Jehovah’s Witnesses is their belief that Jesus is a created being, and in fact they believe that Jesus is the Arch Angel Michael. The Watchtower Society is steadfast in its disregard and disdain for the traditional Christian doctrine of the Trinity, and denies it the truth of (1 John 5:7) For there are three that bear record in heaven the Father, The Word, and the Holy Ghost and these three are one.
Now as I just mentioned the Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe that Jesus was God in the flesh, and they certainly do not believe that Jesus is eternal, now while the Trinity doctrine is often misunderstood, make no mistake the Bible says clearly in (John 1:1) In the beginning was the Word, (Which is Jesus) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Bible also teaches clearly in (John 1:14) the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. Now these scriptures tell us clearly that the Word (Jesus) is God, and God walked amongst his creation as a man, and this in contrast to the Jehovah’s Witnesses doctrine that Jesus is the arch angel Michael a created being.
BLASPHEMY
In fact the Jehovah’s Witnesses claim, that Jesus is a created being is not only unbiblical, but it is easily proven false, The Bible when speaking of Jesus in (Hebrews 7:3) Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
When speaking of Jesus in (Micah 5:2) But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
And lets no forget that Jesus himself said in the book of (Revelation 1:8) I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
So from those scriptures you can clearly see that the Bible teaches that Jesus is from everlasting, with no beginning, or end of days, therefore He cannot be a created being. And although the Bible shows a clear distinction between God the Father, and God the Son (1 John 5:7) and many other scriptures tell us, that the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit are the one and only Almighty God.
JESUS IS JEHOVAH
Now I would also like to point out, that Bible scripture dismisses the false doctrine that Jesus is the Arch Angel Michael, or any angel for that matter. It says in (Hebrews 1:5-8) For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
Now I would like to point out that this scripture clearly says that no angel was ever called God’s son, and Jesus is known in scripture as the Son of God. These verses also make a clear distinction between Jesus and the angels. It's important to also know, that in (Hebrews 1:8) where it says Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever is quoting (Psalm 45:6) which is a scripture referring to Jehovah God Almighty, therefore (Hebrews 1:8) is a scripture declaring that Jesus, is Jehovah God.
There are so many scriptures that I could mention that show the clear teaching of Christ’s divinity, but I only listed these few for the sake of time. Many people would argue that believing that Jesus is God, is not of great importance, or essential for salvation, however I would caution you if this is your point of view and what you believe, by quoting what Jesus said to the Pharisees in the book of (John 8:24) I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
HE HAS RISEN
The Next unbiblical heresy being taught by the Jehovah’s Witnesses, is the false doctrine that Jesus Christ was not Physically resurrected from the dead. The Jehovah's Witnesses believe and teach, that the body of Jesus was buried in a tomb, where it was not raised to life again after three days and three nights, as according to scripture, but rather totally destroyed by God forever. They believe and teach that Jesus was then recreated by the Father in spirit form, and before going to heaven, the Spirit of Jesus materialized in different bodies, on different occasions, to convince his disciples and others, that Jesus had really been resurrected. Yes believe it or not, the Watchtower Society denies the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ, and essentially believes that those who witnessed the resurrected Christ, did not at all witness this amazing miracle, but rather were sent a strong delusion by God, to believe something the Jehovah's claim never actually took place.
But the Bible teaches in (John 2:19-22) Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
So from this scripture we can see two very important things, first of all, we see that Jesus declared his physical body would actually be risen from the dead, not a spirit as taught by the Jehovah's Witnesses, and the second thing we see from this scripture, is that by denying the actual physical resurrection of Christ, the Bible is declaring the Watchtower Society to neither believe in the Holy Scriptures, or the words of Jesus Christ. Because it says in (John 19:22) When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
I would like to now illustrate just how important it is to believe in the Physical bodily resurrection of Christ, and anyone who rejects this doctrine is unsaved, because they do not believe in the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches in (1 Corinthians 15:14-17) And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
So from this Bible scripture, you can clearly see that without the physical body of Christ being raised from the dead, there is no forgiveness of sin, and because the Jehovah's witnesses deny the resurrection of Christ, their faith is in vain and they remain unforgiven of their sins. In order to receive forgiveness from God you must believe in the True Gospel, which includes believing, and confessing the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.
It says in (Romans 10:9-10) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
SALVATION
And the final aspect of the false teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses that I would like to cover in this sermon, is their doctrine of salvation by works. The Bible clearly teaches in (Ephesians 2:8-9) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
However the Jehovah's Witnesses reject this clear teaching, and claim that in order to gain salvation, you must exercise faith in Jesus, by obeying the commandments. They claim that the Bible teaches that you must have works, and acts of obedience, to prove your faith, and they always misusing the scripture found in (James 2:24-26) to support this false doctrine. The Jehovah's Witnesses also believe that salvation can be lost. They teach that a person who has been saved from sins, but fails to keep exercising their faith, could lose their salvation. However I would like to point out that Bible teaching is in opposition to their Doctrine, because it says in (Romans 4:4-5) Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
The Bible also says in (Galatians 2:16) Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
So you can see from those two scriptures, that the Jehovah’s Witnesses teaching on the subject of Salvation is unbiblical. The Jehovah’s Witnesses have created a doctrine that teaches that a man’s faith and justification before God, is measured by their own works obedience to the Law, but as I just mentioned the Bible teaches that we can only be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE
The Bible establishes clearly how we are justified and brought close to God, and there is no mention of exercising of faith, or any works as we as people can do, but rather it focuses on the actions of Jesus Christ, the Bible gives all glory to Jesus for our salvation, and as Christians we should too. It says in (Ephesians 2:13-16) But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Now with all this noted, I would like to make my final and most important point about the false teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. As Christians it is vital for us to understand the true Gospel of Christ, because understanding the Gospel is essential to our salvation. What we believe about Jesus, and what we trust in to be saved, is the difference between being Justified before God, or being condemned, it is the difference between being forgiven for our sins, or having them imputed unto us, what we believe, is the difference between believing in the true Gospel of Christ and going to heaven, or believing in a false gospel and going to hell. To believe in the true Gospel you must believe in a physical resurrection of our Saviour, and you must believe in Salvation by faith alone in Jesus Christ, because without these two fundamental teachings, you are believing in a different Gospel and a different Jesus, and millions of people are now believing in a different Jesus, and a different Gospel, because of the false teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Watchtower society teaches that they are the true way to Salvation and that they are the only way to God. But Jesus said in (John 14:6) I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
And I would like to finish today’s sermon, with one final scripture from the book of (Galatians 1:6-9) I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
