COMMENTARY ON

Practices & Beliefs

OF THE WATCHTOWER

Watchtower Contradictions

"We cannot take part in any modern version of idolatry-be it worshipful gestures toward an image or symbol or the imputing of salvation to a person or an organization."

The Watchtower, 11/1/1990, p. 26

-OR-

"identifying themselves with Jehovahs organization is essential to their salvation."

Our Kingdom Ministry, 11/1990, p. 1

"Jesus Christ further deserves honor because he is Jehovahs chief angel, or archangel."

The Watchtower, 2/1/1991, p. 17

-OR-

"God did not send some angel to rescue mankind. He made the supreme sacrifice of sending his only-begotten Son..."

The Watchtower, 2/15/1991, p. 14

"A religion that teaches lies cannot be true."

The Watchtower, 12/1/1991, p.

-OR-

-AND-

"At times explanations given by Jehovahs visible organization have shown adjustments, seemingly to previous points of view. But this has not actually been the case. This might be compared to what is known in navigational circles as tacking. By maneuvering the sails the sailors can cause a ship to go from right to left, back and forth, but all the time making progress..." [accompanying "Tacking into the Wind" illustration shows a zigzag course]

The Watchtower, December 1, 1981, p. 27

"(1 Corinthians 9:26)...Hence, to run not uncertainly means that to every observer it should be very evident where the runner is heading. The Anchor Bible renders it not on a zigzag course. If you saw a set of footprints that meanders up and down the beach, circles around now and then, and even goes backward at times, you would hardly think the person was running at all, let alone that he had any idea where he was heading."

The Watchtower, August 1, 1992, p. 17

"Many schools now have student counselors who encourage one to pursue higher education after high school, to pursue a career with a future in this system of things. Do not be influenced by them. Do not let them brainwash you with the Devils propaganda to get ahead, to make something of yourself in this world."

The Watchtower, March 15, 1969, p. 171

-OR-

"...the general trend in many lands is that the level of schooling required to earn decent wages is now higher than it was a few years ago. ...So no hard-and-fast rules should be made either for or against extra education. ...If Christian parents responsibly decide to provide their children with further education after high school, that is their prerogative."

The Watchtower, November 1, 1992, pp. 18-20

oops!

"The Scriptures show that the second presence [of the Lord] was due in 1874. ...This proof shows that the Lord has been present since 1874." Watch Tower, March 1, 1923, p. 67 "Surely there is not the slightest room for doubt in the mind of a truly consecrated child of God that the Lord Jesus is present and has been since 1874." The Watch Tower, January 1, 1924, p. 5

"The Watchtower has consistently presented evidence to honesthearted students of Bible prophecy that Jesus presence in heavenly Kingdom power began in 1914. Events since that year testify to Jesus invisible presence." The Watchtower, January 15, 1993, p. 5

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"Jehovahs Witnesses, in their eagerness for Jesus second coming, have suggested dates that turned out to be incorrect. Because of this, some have called them false prophets. Never in these instances, however, did they presume to originate predictions in the name of Jehovah." Awake!, March 22, 1993, p. 4

"Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the Creators promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away." Awake!, March 22, 1993, p. 4 (Notice this contridiction is on the very same page!)

oops!

"Jehovahs Witnesses have consistently shown from the Scriptures that the year 1914 marked the beginning of this worlds time of the end and that the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men has drawn near." The Watchtower, Aug. 15, 1993, p. 9

"The overthrow of that dominion in 1798 by the French Revolution marked the beginning of the time of the end..." Watch Tower, August 1879, p. 24 Societys reprints "The year 1799 marked the beginning of the time of the end, when various events were to occur." Watch Tower, November 1, 1914, p. 5565 Societys reprints "1799 A. D. beginning time of the end" Watch Tower "Topical Index," 1919, p. 6542, Societys reprints "Twelve hundred and sixty years from A. D. 539 brings us to 1799, which is another proof that 1799 definitely marks the beginning of the time of the end." Creation by J.F. Rutherford (1927) p. 315 early editions (Later editions essentially the same, p. 294)

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"It is fitting, then, that one of the 24 elders, representing anointed ones already in heaven, should stir Johns thinking...(Revelation 7:13, 14a) Yes, that elder could locate the answer and give it to John. This suggests that resurrected ones of the 24-elders group may be involved in the communicating of divine truths today." Revelation-Its Grand Climax At Hand!, p. 125 (emphasis in original)

[Rev. 8:3] "This verse shows that, though Pastor Russell has passed beyond the veil, he is still managing every feature of the Harvest work." The Finished Mystery (1917), p. 144 "we hold that he supervises, by the Lords arrangement, the work yet to be done." The Finished Mystery (1917), p. 256 "Hence our dear Pastor, now in glory, is without doubt, manifesting a keen interest in the harvest work, and is permitted by the Lord to exercise some strong influence thereupon." Watch Tower, Nov. 1, 1917, p. 6161[Societys reprints] "No one of the temple company will be so foolish as to conclude that some brother (or brethren) at one time amongst them, and who has died and gone to heaven, is now instructing the saints on earth and directing them as to their work." Jehovah (1934), p. 191

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