“And the Lord kept Sending His Messengers the Prophets”

Almighty God Jehovah spoke to Ezekiel the son of Buzi. God told him to go to the King, priest, prophets, court officials, and all the people of Israel and speak to them ALL the words Jehovah the God of Israel was telling them. You can read the account yourself to clearly understand what circumstances God was placing the prophet in. Understanding these things will offer you a soul-searching opportunity to look at where you stand in the stream of time and events in God’s sight.

Ezekiel was chosen by God to be His messenger while Ezekiel was living as an exile. A key kernel of understanding is to remember that Ezekiel was in exile through no fault of his own. But rather, it was because of the sin of the nation that they all had been sold into slavery. Since he was in exile already, Jehovah’s punishment against the apostate nation was already under way. However, this was however before the complete desolation and destruction of Jerusalem had occurred. We know this because it was after this he was called to prophesy concerning its coming fall.

The Biblical narrative shows that they were being punished because they had rebelled against Jehovah God and had broken the covenant they had taken with Him. The nation had an ongoing history of this kind of conduct over time. They committed sins against God repeatedly. By studying the Bible we know that the Holy Scriptures are a text of patterns and recurring themes that are being amplified over time until the final conclusion.  Since this scenario has been played out in the past we can be absolutely sure that it is being played out today in our times. These are the “last days”, the climax, and the time for the Final Rebellion and the end of the present system of things.

Today modern-day “Jerusalem” is under attack; being besieged from every side. But not as a result of persecution for its devotion and obedience to God, but rather as a result of God’s punishment for its transgressions and failure to be obedient to Jesus Christ.

If you read the Bible book of Ezekiel, you can get a real view of the state of the condition of the Christian church today.

Quoting from the Good News Translation, below are the words God spoke to the prophet Zechariah found at Zechariah 7: 11-14.

“But my people stubbornly refused to listen. They closed their minds and made their hearts hard as rock. Because they would not listen to the teaching which I sent through the prophets who lived long ago, I became very angry. Because they did not listen when I spoke, I did not answer when they prayed. Like a storm I swept them away to live in foreign countries. This land was left a desolate place, with no one living in it.”

Clearly what made the land desolate was their apostatizing from obedience to Jehovah by their stubbornly refusing to listen to Jehovah’s warnings through His chosen messengers.

Let’s now read from the GNT translation as well, God’s words of instruction to the prophet Ezekiel as he commissioned him to be His message bearer. These verses also shed light on Jehovah God’s personal thoughts and feelings about His covenant people. Below are verses found at Ezekiel 2:3-7.

“Mortal man, I am sending you to the people of Israel. They have rebelled and turned against me and are still rebels, just as their ancestors were. They are stubborn and do not respect me, so I am sending you to tell them what I, the Sovereign Lord, am saying to them. Whether those rebels listen to you or not, they will know that a prophet has been among them.

But you, mortal man, must not be afraid of them or anything they say. They will defy and despise you; it will be like living among scorpions. Still, don’t be afraid of those rebels or of anything they say. You will tell them whatever I tell you to say, whether they listen or not. Remember what rebels they are.”

So Ezekiel became an emissary as a message bearer, to a hostile respondent in the people of the land of Israel. Likened to scorpions, they would be striking at the prophet who bore God’s messages. Nevertheless, God made clear to the prophet his personal responsibility in the commission he was being given. Jehovah God spells out Ezekiel’s obligation as recorded in Ezekiel 3:16-21. Jehovah called him a “watchman”. If he failed to speak these messages of warning that he had been given, he would be held liable for his failure to do so.

Because Ezekiel’s concern was based upon a true love for God and a desire to render Him exclusive devotion, he was quite willing to take the assignment God had given him. Ezekiel did what he was supposed to do; he prophesied. He prophesied about the siege and destruction of what remained of Jerusalem calling it a whore being punished for her sins.

He prophesied about God having seen the continued idolatry in Israel, even though  it was practiced secretly in hidden places. Jehovah God showed him in vision the “disgusting idol” the priest had erected right next to an altar for sacrificing to Him. The prophet says that when he looked,

“I looked, and there near the altar by the entrance of the gateway I saw the idol that was an outrage to God” (Ezekiel 8:5 GNT). These disgusting things and the like were leading to her desolation. Do you believe they were not aware of their offenses before Jehovah or that they did not realize to what extent they were sinning against Him? Either way they paid for their transgression as history proves. God tells the prophet that the actions of the nation are driving Him, “farther and farther away from my holy place”.

God continues to show the prophet scenes to open his eyes to what has been going on in secret. He told Ezekiel to bore a hole through a wall so he could enter an inner room. He did so and immediately saw drawings of unclean reptiles, snakes, other unclean animals, and other unclean things (unclean according to the Law). He sees the Israelites worshiping them and included are some of the leaders of Israel. He recognizes one to be Jaazaniah, son of Shaphan the court secretary. They were burning incense in incense holders that each one of them were holding. God said to Ezekiel, “Mortal man, do you see what the leaders of Israel are doing in secret? They are all worshiping in a room full of images. Their excuse is: “Jehovah does not see us! He has abandoned the country”.”

The prophet saw more. He in his second vision he also saw the women weeping over the ritualistic death of the false god Tammuz; a Sumerian/Babylonian god (Ezekiel 8: 13,14). And then God showed him even more apostasy. From chapter 8 of Ezekiel beginning with verse 16, we read:

“So he took me to the inner courtyard of the Temple. There near the entrance of the sanctuary, between the altar and the porch, were about twenty-five men. They had turned their backs to the sanctuary and were bowing low toward the east, worshiping the rising sun.

The Lord said to me, “Mortal man, do you see that? These people of Judah are not satisfied with merely doing all the disgusting things you have seen here and with spreading violence throughout the country. No, they come and do them right here in the Temple and make me even more angry. Look how they insult me in the most offensive way possible. They will feel all the force of my anger. I will not spare them or show them any mercy. They will shout prayers at me as loud as they can, but I will not listen to them.”

These were the kind of people God’s messenger would be confronted by. They were not worshiping Jehovah exclusively and were in a full-throttle apostasy trying to mix pure worship with that of demons. Ezekiel would be ostracized, insulted, and persecuted because of his obedience in delivering God’s messages of impending disaster. People don’t like to hear bad news. Especially if it is about their failure and that bad consequences are coming. Can you imagine a thief tolerating some following him as he goes about his larceny shouting “You’re bad and you’re gonna get caught?” Neither do bad people like to be reminded of their badness. Adulterers do not want to hear that they are adulterers. It interferes with the ‘mood’ by pricking at their conscience. The nation’s reaction was clear enough indication that they had no intentions of repenting and turning around.

Blackmail and Compromise

The dynamics of this situation are not something unusual in history of the prophets. God’s true prophets as a pattern were always treated this way, with the exception of a small few who did not. This was true in the days of the Great Prophet, the son of man, Jesus Christ. It also held true for the faithful apostles. Holy Scripture bear witness to this fact.

As God’s teaching pattern dictates, it must be true concerning His prophetic messengers today, as this is the ‘Great Expose’ and the ‘Finale’. Also true is the same internal dysfunction of His chosen people today.

Many who claim to be Jehovah’s true witnesses have been rendered speechless due to their compromising to protect the security they have in this world. We’ve all heard the expression used, “don’t make waves”. Those familiars with it need no explanation of its implications. “Don’t rock the boat” is another. What is inferred is that if you go against the expressed wishes and direction of the person or group making the statement or being referred to, the will be trouble for you.

It is like the example of many a noble-minded employees who became a ‘whistleblower’, only be ostracized and attacked by the rest of their fellow employees and even by others. Suddenly, he doesn’t get that promotion he was expecting, or the bank has become less friendly to him, or his neighbors start giving him the cold shoulder.

In the church there have been Kingdom ‘whistleblowers’ who have suffered that same fate. This is a means of ‘control’. Today those who have succumb to this control are the ones who have cowardly been rendered speechless due to concern over the loss of the things mentioned in the above paragraph. They well know that if they start ‘rocking the boat’, the waters of their life are going to start to get very choppy and there will be reprisals. Loss of job, home, family, friends, and branded as an outcast. Those who give in prove themselves too weak stand for righteousness sake. If a person can’t sacrifice these things for Christ sake, how can they lead themselves to believe that they would give up their life in loyalty to God and Christ? In the Revelation Christ gave the Apostle John he said the place for, among others, the ‘cowards’ was the lake burning with fire and sulfur (see Revelation 21:8 the Second death). Ponder please, of what ‘cowards’ could he be referring to? This group fits that criteria.

Notice why Ezekiel was the subject of their rejection and abuse? It’s very important. One should never confuse the sufferings that they endure due to their own wrongdoing as being the same suffering Jesus said his true disciples would endure for his namesake. If it were true that the penalty we pay for our wrongdoing amounted suffering in the name of the Lord, then I suppose the worst of criminals would the first in line for admission into the kingdom of God. Sounds foolish doesn’t it?

The prophets like Ezekiel suffered their pains because of a specific cause and that cause was their standing fast with the God of Truth. Apostles like Paul and John, who were also prophets, suffered not for any guilt; but, for being truth-tellers even in the face of power. Remember also that the source of these assaults was centered in the nation/Congregation by those who instigated it. In any event, it was the sin of the nation and the first century church that led to both the guilty and the innocent being led into captivity.

The Lord Jesus was the Greatest of all the prophets sent. The Bible tells us, that in him was found no lie. He led the way and set the pattern of speech his true disciples must also possess of telling the truth, the whole truth, and telling no lie. His example has been rejected by most.

We should not confuse the pains and sufferings common to all humans, as some kind of ‘sign’ or evidence of suffering in the name of Jesus. While it is most certainly true that these can be manipulated by the demons and demonic people either by creating illness or by accentuating them, there needs to be positive proof that these sufferings are not simply a result of something coincidental to all. One can easily misinterpret these tribulations and develop a false sense of well-being in God’s sight; thinking he or she is suffering for the Lord.

Real Christian persecution is going on; though it remains veiled to a largely imperceptible world completely blinded by the demons. As man’s mean have advanced, more covert, insidious measures are employable that have not available in the past. Widespread ‘gang-stalking’ is used on specific ‘targeted’ individuals. There are ways to torture people without leaving visible marks. Through psychological conditioning tactics their plan is to mentally make one submit or destroy them, rendering him none effective. Behind the scene manipulation of everything from jobs, homes, credit, and even medical access and proper care. The denial of these things through manipulation from behind the scene wreaks havoc on the life of those subjected to it. It’s not quite as easy to burn someone at the stake these days, so other methods have to be employed. If the messenger will not stop preaching according to God, then family members, neighbors, coworkers, and people you depend on for services are used. The apostate church tells other members that you are the apostate and they will exclude you as family or congregation members. Jesus did say a “man’s enemies will be members of his own household”. The Devil will do terrible things to create pain for God’s children.

Haven’t you ever wondered: Where is the great wave of persecution upon Christ elect that was described as would occur in the final part of the days? From all public report, only a very small number of Jehovah’s Witnesses are living under extreme persecution. Most I know are living the best of lives. What do you think would happen if you approach the vast majority in the congregation today and asked, ” Recount for me the incidence you recall that you can point to that show you are suffering for your stance with Jesus”? There would be pregnant silence, fumbling, and an anxious desire to move on to some other topic. But there are those who do bear the scars of their obedience to Christ. Christ congregation is being persecuted and probably right under your nose. Perhaps you might be looking in the wrong places at the wrong people.

In the entirety of the Scriptural account, never once did any complete covenant group belonging to Jehovah God ever maintain keeping with the covenant. No complete group ever repented either. That is worth noting. At best they would reform for a brief period; when they were once again satisfied and secure, they quickly return to their God dishonoring practices. Only a small few were faithful to the end. But even so, they too were taken into captivity. Again, the Bible is a Book of patterns designed to inform.

Please compare this scenario to that set to occur at the End when the two horn wild beast appears. Jesus shows John at Revelation 13:7-10 the situation this small faithful remnant would face. Please read His words:

7 It was allowed to fight against God’s people and to defeat them, and it was given authority over every tribe, nation, language, and race.

8 All people living on earth will worship it, except those whose names were written before the creation of the world in the book of the living which belongs to the Lamb that was killed.

9 “Listen, then, if you have ears!

10 Whoever is meant to be captured will surely be captured; whoever is meant to be killed by the sword will surely be killed by the sword. This calls for endurance and faith on the part of God’s people.” GNT

Doesn’t that fit the same circumstances like those that Ezekiel and his contemporaries found themselves in? It was meant by Jehovah’s execution of Divine justice that they all go into captivity. It was not to be avoided. Those who attempted to do so by running to “Egypt” and “Assyria” for refuge met with death by means of sword, plague, or famine. They had no choice but to go into captivity for the appointed time. This would have called for endurance and acceptance of such circumstances back in the period of Exile and Babylonian captivity.

Because of the apostatizing of the leadership of the modern Christian congregation, the whole congregation has gone into captivity or exile. This is because have refused to repent by discarding false teachings. To the opposite, they compounded the sin by continuing to require others to believe and teach lies. Everyone that has preached these false teachings, even if in ignorance, are guilty.

What is real apostasy? What does the term really refer to? Isn’t God and His word the best source to find the answer?

The term the word ‘apostasy’ was first applied to a ‘turning away from God and then one going their own way (see Jeremiah 8:5). The original term was used at Jeremiah 14:7 describing the sin that accused God’s covenant people of  “turning away” from Him many times. We hear God himself saying at Jeremiah 2:19,

“Your own evil will punish you, and your turn from me will condemn you. You will learn how bitter and wrong it is to abandon me, the Lord your God and no longer remain faithful to me. I, the Sovereign Lord Almighty have spoken” (GNT)

Quoting Holman Bible Dictionary under ‘Apostasy’, “The basic narrative of Judges, Samuel, Kings is that Israel fell away from God, choosing selfish ways rather than His ways. Involves doctrinal deception, moral insensitivity, and ethical departures from God’s truth.”

This required that the apostasy be at the highest level occupied by men. Looking at the apostatizing set to be occurring at this time, should one expect it would involve the highest earthly church officials today? With just a bit of reasoning this can be answered Scripturally.

According to Jesus’ prophetic words at John 16:2, some would be “expelled from the synagogues” on account of His name and it would be a test of their faith. Let’s reason on his words: Can you as a congregation member expel another member of the congregation? No, that requires authority. Jesus words must be therefore speaking of a group that has authority in the congregation to “expel”.

In regard to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, its leaders, and subordinate officers are the only ones with the power to expel members. Headed by the “governing body”, they have attempted to spiritually kill their fellow Christians because of their faithfulness to God, Jesus Christ the Head of the congregation, and to the Holy Scriptures. They do this by disfellowshipping them on unrighteous grounds; and false accusation of apostasy. Wasn’t Jesus falsely accused of apostatizing by the religious leaders of his time?  It was a false accusation against him and his brothers have suffered likewise.

Mere acts of men or the words of men will not force the Lord Jesus to abandon his true disciples nor cause him to remove Divine covering from them thereby exposing them to demon attack. It certainly seems as though they believe they have such power and that they can put a some kind of  ‘spell’ on those who resist them and then the demons will be allowed to attack. The demons may do their bidding but they nor the demons can order God or Jesus Christ to do a single thing.  They have no control the fate of the children of God.

It was physical Israel that was first branded ‘apostate’. In each occurrence of their apostatizing it involved every strata of the nation’s population. Most significantly, was the active and passive participation of anointed Priest, Prophets, and Kings. In the case of Ezekiel, as we have been examining, it was the most esteem anointed and appointed leaders who were involved in the most egregious sins against Jehovah. This should dismiss any misconception some have that as long as you do what the leaders tell you, you’ll be all right with God. Has that ever been the case? Didn’t God punish them as He was punishing their leaders?

Remember God has said, “Each one will be judged according to their own deeds”.
(Psalm 62:12) ( Proverbs 24:12)

Romans 2:6-11:

6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

We are responsible for our own deeds. Those who receive the mark of the beast and its image will receive the same judgement as the False Prophet, The Harlot, and the beast. That is clear in Scripture.

Revelation 14:9-11:

9A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand,

10they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.

11And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.”

And yet today Jehovah’s Witnesses have adopted a definition of the word ‘apostasy’ that is completely foreign to the original, God-given definition of apostasy. According to the teaching they accept and live by, an apostate is anyone who does not support and obey the dictates of the Watchtower Organization Governing Body.  This teaching and belief is according to the traditions of men.

We need to examine something very important that has changed over the last 30 years. It has to do with baptism. The Bible teaches that the earliest disciples were baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus himself gave this instruction and Jehovah’s Witnesses use this Scripture all the time. But they only see the part about the commission to preach the good news. They obviously can’t read His command to …”baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and teach them to obey all the things I have commanded you”(Matthew 28:19). Baptism is a sacred bonding sealed in Heaven (the act of dedication and baptism) and nothing should be or can be added to it without voiding it. It is a contract with God.

Contrary to this knowledge, in 1984 the Watchtower changed the questions baptismal candidates were asked prior to baptism to include a question that requires the candidate to vow of acceptance of the Watchtower as Jehovah’s only channel on Earth. They insert themselves between Christ Jesus and his disciple. Since this change, all that have been baptized with this added question have sworn allegiance to Jesus Christ and at the same time sworn an oath to something else. That is not a pure unadulterated dedication to Jehovah. Adding these words was clearly stepping way outside Christ’ command given. Such a baptism is invalid in God’s sight.

The largest part of this post 1984 group seems to be the ones that provide the popular support of the new human definition of apostasy. They are quite happy living up to what they dedicated themselves to…the Watchtower Organization God and not Jesus Christ. They would rather betray both God and Christ than to stand up and address this issue and make it right. They aid those who continue to suppress the truth and allow themselves to be used to persecute the true Christians among them.  They present themselves ritualistically with an appearance of godly devotion. But a more critical and less superficial examination reveals that it is not founded on the source of true godly devotion. As Paul warned Timothy, “it proves false to its source” (2 Timothy 3:5). True Godly devotion can only be rendered through and in obedience to Lord Jesus Christ and the operation of the Holy Spirit. Any deviation makes one’s efforts a meaningless ritual to go through because it is meaningless to Him.

Anyone who has studied human conditioning and social group interaction, knows the value of the ‘labeling’ process for the ‘in’ group and the effects it has on the person(s) to be marginalized; then excluded as an ‘out’ group. We see this tactic employed across the broad spectrum of social interaction. The word ‘apostasy’ has become an effective label to use to control the spiritually blind. They do not even care if their use of the term apostasy is accurate anymore than a bigot cares if an ethnic or racial slur is valid. It is what they want to believe.

Jesus himself said concerning Jerusalem that they were the “Killers of the prophets”.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I wanted to gather your children as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.” Luke 13:34 (New Living Translation)

It wasn’t the foreign nations that rejected the prophets, had them sawn into, decapitated, stoned, and crucified by a foreign nation. It was the covenant people of God and their leaders. The Revelation presents a seeming paradox. Let’s examine the Lord’s word to John found in Revelation 18:24 (NIV). These words are spoken of concerning not Jerusalem, but Babylon the Great City.

“In her was found the blood of the prophets and of God’s holy people, of all who have been slaughtered on earth.”

This city, also called the Great Whore or Harlot, must depict something in connection with apostate Jerusalem. It is the same speaker, Lord Jesus, in both instances. And since the Revelation is concerning the “last days”, it exists today. It poses such an unsavory thought that most current members of Jehovah’s Witnesses will not accept it. And sadly, some have come to realize the extent to which they have been betrayed and have come to the realization that they are associated with the monstrous “unclean thing” (two-horned wild beast and its image) and as a result of the shock have committed suicide. That is how real all of this is. The Watchtower organization and its continued adherents seem not to care at all about the misery and death that has occurred because of the Watchtower’s false doctrines. This reflects the attitude mention in the Holman Dictionary we discussed earlier. The Great Harlot is in the pattern of ‘adulterers’ of the Scriptures. Jehovah used this expression to describe those who broke the covenant with Him because it was like a wife breaking her marital bond (Scripturally, women often signify covenants). Jehovah called Israel an adulterating ‘whore’. He described both the two-tribe kingdom of Judah and the ten-tribe kingdom of Israel in terms of two whorish sisters that slept with everybody. Strange whores who paid their lovers instead of what normally happens in prostitution. And this is but one of many examples in Scripture of what Jehovah calls harlotry. The harlot is unfaithful to her Husbandly owner and the bond they have. Betrayal is at the heart of this as it has been through all history we know. This betrayal is manifest today by the leaders of the congregation and their army of unanointed spiritually gentile overseers.

Some understanding as to why both apostate Jerusalem and Great Babylon are the same in the Lord’s view is found in a mysterious vision the prophet Zechariah saw by Holy Spirit. You can read it directly from Scripture at Zechariah 5:1-11. (NIV)

“Then the angel who was speaking to me came forward and said to me, “Look up and see what is appearing”.

I asked, “What is it.” He replied, “It is a basket.” And he added, “This is the iniquity of the people throughout the land.”

Then the cover of lead was raised, and there in the basket sat a woman! He said, “This is wickedness” and he pushed her back into the basket and pushed its lead cover down on it.

Then I looked up – And there before me were two women, with the wind in their wings! They had wings like those of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between heaven and earth.

“Where are they taking the basket?” I asked the angel who was speaking to me.

He replied, “To the country of Babylonia to build a house for it. When the house is ready, the basket will be set there in its place” (GNT “to be worshiped”).

Notice that the basket represented the sin of the nation. And what was in the basket? There was found wickedness. Obviously the lead lid was secured to insure that what was in the basket would not escape to roam and engulf everything; so it refers to containment. The basket was Israel’s sin and its wickedness that were to be carried off to Babylonia where there it becomes, not an object of contempt nor condemnation, an object of adoration and a temple would be built for it. We see the ultimate daughter of Babylonian harlotry combined with the ultimate daughter of harlotries against Almighty God in the same place as well today. It was most appropriate for Jesus to use them synonymously.

The prophet Zechariah saw deep into the future to the last days. Today, what used to be a source of drawing people to God and Christ (as you might remember Jerusalem was to be a shining light for the nations upon a mountain), has become the foremost of the daughters of Babylon the Great. When referring to Babylon in the Revelation, Jesus is not referring to a group outside the congregation. Those outside are in no position to betray an oath binding them to God. There are none that God recognizes. This has to refer to the adulterousness of someone in a wife-like a covenant. These would be the modern-day Oholah and Oholibah who picture the ten-tribe and the two-tribe kingdoms of Israel. These one have prostituted themselves to the rulers of this world; mostly in secret like the behavior of the leader of Israel Ezekiel saw in the vision Jehovah gave him; worshiping demons in secret. And they (Satan’s Beast) have been granted their power, including the demonic, with the thought of destroying the true chosen by Christ Jesus. The most important reason for the existence of this massive façade is to fool the holy ones. It has been largely successful.

We are in the time of the Final Rebellion. It should be no wonder that Satan is employing his most devious of deceptions. The Book of Revelation tells that Satan desires most importantly to deceive the chosen ones. He is using the entire world and his demons to achieve his aim. He makes things appear to be opposite of what they truly are. What looks like Jerusalem is really Babylon. What appears to be an organization purely pursuing Christian goals is really an organization teaching more than anything else, godless apostasy and teaching God’s children to practice what He has forbidden. And they are a stumbling block to the nations, failing to be the light to spiritual gentiles God intended them to be. They teach them to eat things sacrifice to demons and to touch and eat blood.

The Watchtower leaders prepare a meal of Gospel truths laced with demon inspired expressions. Those looking through the haze of the demonic mind, see what looks like the path to the Kingdom of God; it is in reality, the pathway to the lake of fire.

Only by Divine power through Jesus is one able to see, as He removes the scales from the eyes, heart, and mind. There is only one ‘Door’.  They preach the Watchtower Organization as the means of salvation, not Jesus Christ.

Those Ezekiel was sent to, had been yielded over gradually (probably imperceptible to them) to demonic thinking. They kept resisting Jehovah God. What other alternative could result? They became more and more spiritually, mentally, and morally blind as they obstinately renegaded in disobedience to God’s authority and instruction. They at some point could no longer distinguish the truth from a lie.

Today, there are millions in this self-induced, self-willed condition. In such, they are like those angels the Bible speaks of whom are held in bonds of dense darkness being held for the Day of Judgement. Because of rejecting the laws of Jehovah and becoming a law onto themselves, they are the part of the present day  “man of lawlessness”. They bear the mark of the beast and have bowed down to its image; Scripture speaks of no redemption from bearing this mark.

One thing the Watchtower teachers cannot explain is their applying the exodus of people from Babylon as applying to ‘worldly’ people as they call members of other religious groups, leaving their old religions and joining Jehovah’s Witness. How could this be? Those leaving ancient Babylon were people who had a covenant relationship with Jehovah that then went into exile and were freed. The “getting out of her” today must be directed to a like covenant group and also have the same implications. Great Babylon and freedom from her has to do with God’s covenant people and their sins. It is not about a group that has never had a covenant with God.

How do “Jehovah’s Witnesses” have a covenant to keep with God?

Because Jehovah’s Witnesses have chosen to take upon themselves the bearing His name, they have a covenant obligation to carry it to the standards of He who bears the name. It is the most serious of responsibility a human can have. It is upon this that they will be judged.

I can only imagine how exasperated God’s prophets must have become; repeatedly being sent to speak to a group they knew were not turning back. As a normal human, Ezekiel may have thought, “They deserve it! Let them have it!” But it is not about the will of the messenger is it? How good of a messenger could you possibly be if you were not able to remember that you work for someone else and then remain focused on the task given to you? What if you were unable to keep your personal feelings from obscuring things? God told Ezekiel to speak all His words, whether they listen or not. We are impatient; God the Almighty is not. Lord Jesus today as well will keep sending his messengers for the appointed time period set in Heaven.

Certainly, the Holy Father Jehovah’s mercy and undeserved kindness have flowed in abundance since the beginning of this nightmare in Eden. Even though man has not deserved any favor, He has kept restraining His wrath and kept sending His servants the prophets with warnings to repent, turn around, and be saved. Almighty God did not spare Himself in His acts of loving-kindness. He sent His only son to suffer and die and in doing so also provided a means of salvation and the greatest prophet that ever lived. He has sent His messengers over and over again giving ample time for a repentant heart to be moved to deeds of repentance and true godly devotion. The time of pronouncement is at its end. The Day of Distress is at hand. Very soon the ‘Door’ to salvation will close and seal. After that, all the regrets, crying, and displays of acrimony will not change a thing. (Revelation 14:9-11)

Our God and Father Jehovah and our honorable High Priest and Lord Jesus Christ, particularly over the last twenty years have been ‘waking’ those from the slumber that are being called to salvation. Those who have shared in this marvelous message delivery work are thankful for the honor and privilege to be in service to the Lord. We exert ourselves, not for our sake, but for the sake of those who heed the warnings God has given. Our persistence is for the same reason Ezekiel remained persistent. As a watchman, Ezekiel life did not depend on the messages he delivered being accepted. As long has he fulfilled his commission he was right by God. Stubborn resistance only kills stubborn resistor. Just as they refused to obey Almighty God, so does apostate Israel and Judah today. They refuse to turn around and stop worshiping false gods and stop bowing down to images. They reject teaching from God’s word the Holy Scriptures and refuse to stop the teaching of misinterpretations and lies. They refuse to humble themselves and accept the messengers of Christ that he sends, and choose to take counsel with demons and demonized men, women, and children. In Ezekiel’s time remember what Scripture says about the leader of Jerusalem were thinking? “Jehovah does not see us! He has left the land.” Today the apostate leader of the Watchtower are speaking and acting as if Jesus does not really exist and can see them. In fact they mention obedience to Christ less and less.

The parallels are unmistakable. The pattern shown in The Bible is playing out. We need to constantly examine the Scriptures while praying for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Pay attention to the messages Christ is sending through the true anointed body. Your salvation will require adequate action on your part (Revelation 2:3). God’s word explains your personal obligation to God the same way He has always laid it out up front for any coming into a covenant relationship with Him.

At some point in time this warning call will cease. Heed the warning!

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Tracing the Origin of the Watchtower Society’s View of Apostasy

Mark 7:8-9

“You put aside God’s command and obey human teachings.”

And Jesus continued, “You have a clever way of rejecting God’s law in order to uphold your own teaching. GNT

Over the history of the Watchtower Society (“Jehovah’s Witnesses”), the use of the word apostasy as has had two distinct applications. At times this word has been applied accurately as a deviation from exclusive obedience to Almighty God. And at other times it has been used to describe disobedience to the commands of men, particularly the Watchtower organization and its leadership. This term has a meaning that is derived from Holy Scripture and a meaning that is derived from a human definition.

This article will examine the differences between the definition of apostasy as taught in Holy Scripture and the definition of apostasy according to the Watchtower Society. It will also trace the currently taught view of “Jehovah’s Witnesses” to its origins.

The Watchtower, through its publications, has taught two separate and distinct viewpoints based on whatever the desired effect was at the particular time. When speaking concerning other organized religions, they have tended to use the Biblical view. When speaking to those who are part of their organization, they have chosen to use the tradition humanistic view of apostasy or apostatizing.

The Watchtower’s use of the Biblical (God’s) Definition in the Past

While there are many examples of the Watchtower organization using the definition based on Holy Scripture, time will allow for just a few to be cited here. Anyone with a Watchtower Library CD can for himself or herself search past publications to determine the accuracy of what has been stated in this essay. Lover of truth will do exactly that.

Note: The Watchtower Organization and its legal apparatus have become very shy of any reprinting of their own words. I will quote from its literature with reference notation to the particular publication. If they truly believe that they are the “Truth” and are telling the truth why would be they be fearful to have their words reprinted?

First, let’s examine the use of the word ‘apostasy’ as the writers of Watchtower materials have applied it to the wayward ancient nation of Israel. Those who have been associated with Jehovah’s Witnesses should recall that ancient Israel has at many times been referred to as the “apostate nation of Israel”. If you were to insert this phrase in the search box of the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society’s past Library CD or perhaps at the website [[JW.org]], you will find the reference material we will consider.

According to the reference volumes “Insight on the Scriptures”, under the topic Isaiah, Book of, Historical Background, this is what is written concerning why it is appropriate to view the nation of Israel in the times of Isaiah as an apostate nation:

Historical Background. Isaiah 1:1 informs us that Isaiah visioned these things in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. This was a period of severe international tension and one in which false religious attitudes had a profound effect on the people of Judah. Near the beginning of Isaiah’s career King Uzziah died a leper because of his presumptuousness in taking over priestly duties. (2 Ch 26:16, 19-21) It is reported that during the reign of Uzziah’s son Jotham, while the king did what was right, “the people were yet acting ruinously.”—2 Ch 27:2; 2 Ki 15:34.

Next came King Ahaz, who for 16 years set a bad example for the nation, carrying on Baal worship with its rites of human sacrifice. There was “great unfaithfulness toward Jehovah.” (2 Ch 28:1-4, 19) It was at this time that the allied kings of Syria and Israel besieged Jerusalem so that Ahaz, ignoring the counsel of Isaiah the prophet, sent to Tiglath-pileser III, the king of Assyria, for military assistance. (2 Ki 16:5-8; Isa 7:1-12) By this Ahaz ‘made flesh his arm, his heart turning away from Jehovah.’ (Jer 17:5) Assyria agreed to an alliance, but, of course, was interested mainly in expanding its own power. The Assyrian army captured Damascus of Syria and apparently took into exile those inhabitants of religiously apostate Israel that lived E of the Jordan.—1Ch 5:26.

Let the reader note that the apostasy of the nation is directly linked to the behaviors of wicked leaders who had acted unfaithfully toward Almighty God and had deviated from God’s commandments. King Uzziah is mentioned here as deviating when he usurped priestly function for which he was not anointed. King Ahaz is also mentioned as showing “a great unfaithfulness toward Jehovah” by introducing the worship of false Gods (Baal worship).

Here the Watchtower writers at the time gave no difference to the leadership of the nation. In fact the whole nation is referred to as “religiously apostate Israel” from its kings on down. This publication accurately cites Jeremiah 17:5 as it speaks of King Ahaz and his apostatizing.

So the view expressed here of apostasy is not based on disobedience to a human ruler or ruling body. But rather, it is based on a concept that is in agreement with what actions Jehovah God views as apostatizing from Him. It also points out that those of the nation that followed the same course as that of those leaders were viewed as apostates by God as well. They were not able to beg off from their obligation to Jehovah God, saying in effect “Well, we were just following the Kings orders!” No. History shows they were held accountable for their own individual actions. That is no less true today.

Also, from the reference books Insight on the Scriptures, under the topic Apostasy, under the heading Apostasy in Israel we find:

Apostasy in Israel. The first two commandments of the Law condemned all apostasy. (Ex 20:3-6) And before Israel’s entry into the Promised Land, they were warned against the grave danger of apostasy resulting from marriages with the people of the land. (De 7:3, 4) Even though a person who was inciting others to apostasy was a close relative or a marriage mate, he was to be put to death for having “spoken of revolt against Jehovah your God.” (De 13:1-15) The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh were quick to exonerate themselves of a charge of apostasy that arose because of their construction of an altar.—Jos 22:21-29.

Many of the kings of Israel and of Judah followed an apostate course—for example, Saul (1 Sa 15:11; 28:6, 7), Jeroboam (1 Ki 12:28-32), Ahab (1 Ki 16:30-33), Ahaziah (1 Ki 22:51-53), Jehoram (2 Ch 21:6-15), Ahaz (2 Ch 28:1-4), and Amon (2 Ch 33:22, 23). In due time a nation of apostates developed because the people listened to apostate priests and prophets (Jer 23:11, 15) and other unprincipled men who, by smooth words and false sayings, led them into loose conduct, immorality, and desertion of Jehovah, “the source of living water.” (Isa 10:6; 32:6, 7; Jer 3:1; 17:13) According to Isaiah 24:5, the very land became “polluted [cha·nephah′] under its inhabitants, for they have bypassed the laws, changed the regulation, broken the indefinitely lasting covenant.” No mercy was to be granted them in the predicted destruction.—Isa 9:17; 33:11-14; Zep 1:4-6.

Here again the publication writers are spot on in defining what real apostasy is all about. Notice the first sentence and the Scriptural support cited in the second sentence cited in verse 3?

(Exodus 20:1-6).

1 And God proceeded to speak all these words, saying:

2 “I am Jehovah your God, who have brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slaves.

3 You must not have any other gods against my face.

4 “You must not make for yourself a carved image or a form like anything that is in the heavens above or that is on the earth underneath or that is in the waters under the earth.

5 You must not bow down to them nor be induced to serve them, because I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion, bringing punishment for the error of fathers upon sons, upon the third generation and upon the fourth generation, in the case of those who hate me;

6 but exercising loving-kindness toward the thousandth generation in the case of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Under this topic consideration, there is no assertion at all indicating a belief that the term apostasy has anything to do with human authority or anything to do with a failure to be obedient to a lesser authority than Almighty God. Deuteronomy chapter 13 verse 5 is referenced and this scripture speaks concerning a “revolt against Jehovah your God.”

Note: The kings, priest, and prophets were the source of the apostasy. The nation became apostate due to their leadership and example. A reasonable person would have to conclude that true apostasy from God’s viewpoint has nothing to do with failure to follow the edicts/commands of men. Rather, it is a deviation from the righteous commands and standards established by Almighty God himself.

The 1957 Watchtower magazine article entitled “Ancient Israel Backslides”, page 339 appears to contradict the present day teachings of the Watchtower Society:

The religious leaders of the apostate nation not only refused to heed the prophets themselves, they tried to prevent others from heeding the warnings. Like the dog that bites the hand trying to feed it, these religionists persecuted Jehovah’s servants, even killing many of them. The ill-treatment of the prophets by the backsliding religious leaders and the blind masses following them is summarized at Hebrews 11:36-38 (NW): “Yes, others received their trial by mocking and scourging, indeed, more than that, by bonds and prisons. They were stoned, they were tried, they were sawn asunder, they died by slaughter with the sword, they went about in sheep skins, in goat skins, while they were in want, in tribulation, under ill-treatment; and the world was not worthy of them. They wandered about in deserts and mountains and dens and caves of the earth.”

Please observe that the Watchtower article refers to an “Apostate Nation” that includes both backsliding religious leaders as well as the blind masses that followed them. A reasonable person would have to conclude that, while one can be following the leadership of a nation or religious group, they could still be found to be apostate based on failure to conform to God’s commands.

It must be mentioned that some who have left the Watchtower Society have indeed proven themselves to be apostates. Some even refer to themselves as apostates. One large group of former “Jehovah’s Witnesses” have become followers of a man who openly confesses a disbelief in the existence of God. He is an atheist. Others have abandoned all forms of Christian conduct. But they are apostates based on their ungodliness and not because they refused to obey the rules of a man-made religious hierarchy.

Over time, Watchtower has literally limped on two different opinions when it comes to defining apostasy. One is a Biblical, theocratically based definition as mentioned above. The other is an earthly, unscriptural definition that is based on a humanistic interpretation of the term.

Jehovah’s Witnesses use the term pejoratively when speaking about other professed organized Christian groups as Catholics and of Judaism. They relates its usage to mean some deviation from the truth as taught by Holy Scripture. Then when it comes to controlling the conduct of members internally, the word takes on a meaning conforming to the humanistic view. So that if one accepts this second teaching, then wouldn’t their adherents be encouraging members of other religious groups to commit apostasy since they would be rebelling against the hierarchy of their current or present religion? By this latter interpretation, the meaning of ‘apostasy’ becomes quite arbitrary and it’s use quite capricious.

Recent Watchtower magazines and their oral presentations reveal what the current prevailing teaching of the Watchtower Organization’s Governing Body is regarding what constitutes an apostatizing. The basis upon which a great many are being thrown out of the congregation is proof of which definition they have chosen to accept.

But it is important to examine the roots of where this humanistic view of apostasy comes from. Is it possible to limp on diametrically opposed opinions with regard to these two distinct interpretations of this word and still be pleasing to God?

Lord Jesus Christ spoke aptly about the problem:

Matthew 15:1-6

1 Then there came to Jesus from Jerusalem Pharisees and scribes, saying:

2 “Why is it your disciples overstep the tradition of the men of former times? For example, they do not wash their hands when about to eat a meal.”

3 In reply he said to them: “Why is it YOU also overstep the commandment of God because of YOUR tradition?

4 For example, God said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Let him that reviles father or mother end up in death.’

5 But YOU say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother: “Whatever I have by which you might get benefit from me is a gift dedicated to God,”

6 he must not honor his father at all.’ And so YOU have made the word of God invalid because of YOUR tradition. (New World Translation)

One view invalidates the other view. One must make a choice.

As pointed out earlier, ancient Israel transgressed against God by failing to offer Him their exclusive devotion and by their failure to subject themselves in complete obedience to His commandments.
At the time Jesus spoke the words quoted above, the Jewish religious leaders had created a code of conduct based on their own viewpoint of what they felt satisfied God’s righteous requirements. The example that Jesus raised, showed that their tradition invalidated the very intent of God’s commandment requiring children to honor and care for their aged parents. They put on a front as if their motives were based on a desire to please God. But, it was all a screen that covered over their desire to be greedy and stingy while circumventing God’s commands.

That is why Jesus also pointedly stated what is quoted below:

Mark 7:8-9

7 It is in vain that they keep worshiping me, because they teach as doctrines commands of men.’

8 Letting go the commandment of God, YOU hold fast the tradition of men.” New World Translation
These leaders, teachers, and those that followed them had chosen to abandon true worship of Jehovah based on God’s Divine Hierarchy and created and man-made hierarchy owing allegiance to human authority.

By examining some of the Jewish oral teachings that apply to this subject, we can best see the thinking of the teachers of Judaism both then and now. Compare them to the practices and teachings of the Watchtower Society.

Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees

The following oral laws which are still taught by the Jewish Rebbe (Rabbis), seem to lay the foundation for considering deviating from the oral laws as the same as apostasy away from God. The teachers of oral tradition put on even par the teachings of man with the teachings of the Divine One.

Torah (God’s written Law) versus Jewish Oral Tradition (Talmud)Jewish Oral Teaching (Talmud)

Negative Commandment 312

The 312nd prohibition is that we are forbidden from disagreeing with the Sages who pass down the Oral Tradition (may they rest in peace), or from deviating from any of their instructions in Torah matters.

The source of this prohibition is God’s statement (exalted be He), “Do not stray from the word that they declare to you.”

The Sifri says, “The verse, ‘Do not stray…’ constitutes a prohibition.”One who violates this prohibition, i.e. a zaken mam’re, is executed by strangulation if all the conditions described in the end of Sanhedrin are fulfilled. The details of this mitzvah are explained there.
(end of Rebbe’s comments)

The teachers of oral law cite Deut. 17:11 as the basis for this teaching. However if taken in context, the cited versus seems to refer to matters of civil or criminal nature taken before the High Court and does not refer to commands and judgments that deviate from God’s Law.

Deuteronomy 17:8-12

8 “In case a matter for judicial decision should be too extraordinary for you, one in which blood has been shed, in which a legal claim has been raised, or a violent deed has been committed, matters of dispute, inside your gates, you must also rise and go up to the place that Jehovah your God will choose,

9 and you must go to the priests, the Levites, and to the judge who will be acting in those days, and you must make inquiry, and they must hand down to you the word of the judicial decision.

10 Then you must do in accordance with the word that they will hand down to you from that place which Jehovah will choose; and you must be careful to do according to all that they instruct you.

11 In accordance with the law that they will point out to you, and according to the judicial decision that they will say to you, you should do. You must not turn aside from the word that they will hand down to you, to the right or to the left.

12 And the man who will behave with presumptuousness in not listening to the priest who is standing to minister there to Jehovah your God or to the judge, that man must die; and you must clear out what is bad from Israel.” (New World Translation)

Compare

Deuteronomy 17:8-12

8 If cases come before your courts that are too difficult for you to judge—whether bloodshed, lawsuits or assaults—take them to the place the LORD your God will choose.

9 Go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who is in office at that time. Inquire of them and they will give you the verdict.

10 You must act according to the decisions they give you at the place the LORD will choose. Be careful to do everything they instruct you to do.

11 Act according to whatever they teach you and the decisions they give you. Do not turn aside from what they tell you, to the right or to the left.

12 Anyone who shows contempt for the judge or for the priest who stands ministering there to the LORD your God is to be put to death. You must purge the evil from Israel.” (New International Version)

That this Scripture could not apply to directives that disagree with God’s directives is seen by the fact that throughout the history of the Hebrew nation, God held accountable all who chose to be disobedient to Him despite being instigated to do so by leaders (kings, priest, etc.) The words of Deuteronomy speak about civil disputes that needed to be decided judicially and not about blinding obeying higher human authorities no matter what.

Recently, the Watchtower has tried to dispel concerns of continuing members by assuring them that even if they are receiving instruction that disagrees with the Holy Scriptures, they will not be harmed by choosing to follow and by teaching them. These forget that Almighty God has said, “Each will be judged according to their own individual deeds”.

This also brings to mind what Satan told Eve. The devil told Eve that she could break Almighty God’s commandment and still live. The teachers of the Watchtower Society are saying this very thing.
This teaching handed down from the Watchtower governing body merely echoes the taught “traditions of men”.

Let’s consider 173rd positive oral teaching of Judaism. It speaks about obedience to the sages and to the anointed king. While it teaches that the king is to be absolutely obeyed under penalty of death, in the fifth paragraph are the words, “We are required to fulfill any command the king issues unless it contradicts a command of the Torah.” (Torah refers to God’s written law)

Jewish Oral Teaching (Talmud) The 173rd mitzvah

The 173rd mitzvah (oral command) is that we are commanded to appoint over ourselves a Jewish king to speak for us and lead us.

The source of this commandment is God’s statement (exalted be He), “You shall appoint for yourselves a king.”

As we have previously, the statement of our Sages in the Sifri, “The Jewish people were commanded three mitzvos upon entering the Land of Israel: to appoint a king, to build the Holy Temple, and to destroy the descendants of Amalek.” Our Sages also said in the Sifri, 5 “The verse, ‘You shall appoint for yourselves a king,’ constitutes a positive commandment.”

This commandment is explained as follows: 6 “The verse, ‘You shall appoint for yourselves a king,’ means that you must instill in yourselves awe of him.” We should think of him with the greatest possible respect, and awareness of his great and exalted status, to the extent that in our eyes he is greater than any of the prophets of that generation.

8 We are required to fulfill any command the king issues unless it contradicts a commandment of the Torah. If a person transgressed the king’s command and does not fulfill it, the king is allowed to execute him by the sword. Our ancestors, may they rest in peace, accepted this upon themselves when they said [to Joshua], “Whoever rebels against your statement, and does not obey all your commands shall be put to death.” Anyone who rebels against a king who was appointed in accordance with the Torah, may be executed by the king.

All the details of this Mitzvah are explained in the second chapter of tractate Sanhedrin, 10 the first chapter of Kerisus, 11 and the seventh chapter of Sotah.
(end of Rebbe’s comments)

Were kings like Manasseh and Ahaz to be strictly followed and obeyed? Were the priests of Ezekiel’s day to be strictly listened to and obeyed? Whether or not to cooperate with another should involve considering what you are being asked to cooperate with. All authority below Heaven is relative and obedience is therefore conditional. The obedience to be given the king as stated above was on the condition that his edict does not contradict the written commands of God.

The Watchtower teachers are following the established oral tradition as taught in Judaism.

The next two examples from Jewish oral tradition will demonstrate how these traditions are put on equal par with the written commands from God and are even made superior in the matter of obedience.

Oral teaching 174 -The 174th mitzvah

The 174th mitzvah is that we are commanded to obey the Beis Din HaGadol and act in accordance with all their instructions regarding what is prohibited and what is permitted. There is no difference whether it is something they received by Oral Tradition; derived using one of the principle of Torah extrapolation; decreed in order to correct some laxity or in response to some other situation where they found it appropriate and that it would strengthen Torah observance. We are required to obey all such directives and to act in accordance with their words, not to transgress them.

The source of this commandment is God’s statement1 (exalted be He), “You must keep the Torah as they interpret it for you [and follow the laws that they legislate for you].”

The Sifri says, “The verse, ‘Follow the laws that they legislate for you’ constitutes a positive commandment.”

The details of this mitzvah are explained in the end of tractate Sanhedrin.2
(end of Rebbe’s comments)

Here it is stated that there is to be no distinction made from teaching handed down through oral tradition and those derived directly from the Torah. According to this teaching God’s commands and man’s commands have the same weight when it comes to obedience.

Earlier, it was mentioned that the Watchtower governing body is teaching that their commands have to be followed even though what they are teaching is in contradiction to the commandments of God. They have often identified themselves as a “John class” or prophetic channel of God. As such, they demand the final say as to how Scripture is to be interpreted. If a person disagrees with this governing body’s interpretation, the Watchtower’s Governing Body’s thoughts and behaviors mirror those found in the 172nd Jewish oral teaching. This oral tradition also applies to the “prophet”. It states that if the prophet’s words must be followed even if this temporarily requires one to transgress the written commands from God:

Oral Teaching 172-The 172nd Mitzvah

The 172nd Mitzvah is that we are commanded to obey each of the Prophets, may they rest in peace, and to fulfill all their instructions. Even if his instructions contradict one or many of these commandments, [we are commanded to obey him] as long as his instructions are temporary. This does not apply, however, if he permanently adds or subtracts [from the commandments], as we explained in the Introduction to our Commentary on the Mishneh.

1 The source of this commandment is God’s statement (exalted be He), 2 “To him you must listen.” In the words of the Sifri: “The verse, ‘To him you must listen,’ means that even if he tells you to temporarily transgress one of the commandments of the Torah, you must listen to him.”

One who transgressed this mitzvah is punished by Mita bidei shamayim, as it says in God’s statement (exalted be He) 4 “If any person does not listen to My word that he declares in My name, I will punish him.” It has been explained in tractate Sanhedrin that three are punished by mita bidei shamayim: one who disobeys the prophet, a prophet who disobeys his own prophecy, and a prophet who conceals his prophecy. All of them are derived from the phrase, “If any person does not listen.” Our Sages said, “The phrase, lo yishma [‘does not listen’] can also be read, lo yishamei [‘does not listen to himself’] and lo yashmia [‘does not make others listen’].”The details of this mitzvah have been explained in the end of tractate Sanhedrin.
(end of Rebbe’s comments)

As is the case among current Jehovah’s Witnesses today, the threat of death, albeit spiritual, is held out as a consequence of failing to following their spiritual leaders with godly obedience.

If one were to adopt this humanistic view of what an apostate is, then they would have also agreed with those who persecuted Lord Jesus Christ to death. He would not subject himself to the authority of the then ruling priesthood, he was branded as an apostate in their terms.

They accused him of blasphemy for stating that the Temple would be thrown down. However, he was undeterred in his obedience to God and doing God’s will. He gave exclusive devotion and obedience to the Father.

This pattern is the same one that has been being played out since the first human renegade Eve made a choice to deviate from God’s righteous requirements.

It always invariably involves a choice to listen to someone or something else other the voice of the commands of God. Almighty God scolded the first man Adam for listening to the voice of someone else. Before sentencing him, God said, “Because you listened to the voice of your wife….”

Jesus stated regarding the temple priestly class, “Letting go the commandment of God, You hold fast the tradition of men”.

As professed disciples of Jesus Christ, we should follow his lead. We should have his view of what apostasy really is and not that of the traditions of men.

The Apostle Paul wrote to be on guard against deceptive reasoning:

Colossians 2:8

8 Look out: perhaps there may be someone who will carry YOU off as his prey through the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ; (New World Translation)

It is true that this tradition has not only affected Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Watchtower organization. After the first century, it did not take long before Christendom was formed based on honoring a human hierarchical organization. But it all can be traced back to the deviant traditional teaching taught in the Talmud that contradict Torah teachings.

It has been no accident that throughout the entire history of the Bible Students/Watchtower/Jehovah’s Witnesses era there have existed two distinct entities within. One is of members who were and are truth seekers and wish to be part of the Christian congregation. The other is a hierarchical corporate structure and its blind followers who are bent on maintaining and worshiping a human institution.

As is evident by the publications from the Watchtower that were cited in this post, there have been periods when those who were intent on teaching truth held sway. There have been other periods when the teachings were at best skewed. The organizational forces won that struggle. This fit with the outcome the Bible foretold would occur.

The Watchtower uses the word ‘apostasy’ in the sense that conforms to Jewish oral tradition and which has no basis of validity according to Holy Scripture. Like Jewish oral tradition, their teachings must be accepted as having equal weight with God’s even when theirs are in conflict with God’s written word. To teach such is to teach an apostatizing. And this is what Jehovah’s Witnesses will readily tell you; if it is about someone else. How could one be rendering exclusive devotion and obedience to God while living and teaching contrary to His word?

We will all have an accounting with Almighty God on the central question, “Whom will you obey?”

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The Restoration Promise

This post will examine the restoration promises God had made through the prophets; first looking at the time periods the prophesies were made, when they were fulfilled, and how important to their fulfillment was due diligence on the part of His people.

It will also discuss the necessity for the faithful servants of God not to give up or to give out before completing the work He has set before us by examining the events that happened when the Israelite captives had been freed by King Cyrus in 537 B.C.E and they and the exiles had returned to their then desolate homeland.

Finally, we will look at the experience of one key person, High Priest Joshua, and how the devil resisted him with allegations of unworthiness in order to discourage him.

The Restoration Promises To Israel

Important in understanding the restoration prophesies found in the Old Testament is dating when they were written and the circumstances that existed when they were written. There are many who teach and believe that the prophecies concerning restoration that are written in the Old Testament are yet to be fulfilled as God promised. But, is this true?

Below is a list of Bible Books that contain restoration promises God made:

The Book Of Deuteronomy written between 15th and 7th centuries B.C.E.

The Book of Psalms written between the 10th and 9th centuries B.C.E.

The Book of Isaiah written 740-701 B.C.E.

The Book of Lamentations written 587-575 B.C.E.

The Book of Ezekiel written 593-573 B.C.E.

The Book of Jeremiah written 630-580 B.C.E.

The book of Amos written 788-743 B.C.E.

Please note the time periods in which these Books were written. The dates are very important in understanding the fulfillment of the restoration promises.

The prophetic writings in these Books detail two things:

(1) God promises that He would both free the Israelites from captive bondage and

(2) that He would restore the land of Israel.

These two events are the basis for the restoration promises mentioned in all of the Bible Books that were listed above.

The Israelites were taken into bondage by the gentile King Nebuchadnezzar. The bondage officially began when faithful king Josiah’s son, Jehoahaz was dethroned and taken into captivity around 606 B.C.E. This began the 70 yearlong captivity God had promised due to the nations transgressions.

As stated earlier, the captivity ended precisely 70 years after in 537 B.C.E when the Persian king Cyrus overthrew the Babylonian Empire in a daring night raid.

The foretold 70 years of desolation began later at the destruction of Jerusalem in 587 B.C.E.

The desolation was then set to end approximately in the year 517 B.C.E.

Contrary to King Cyrus’ decree, something different happened after the people returned to their homeland that put the restoration of the land in jeopardy.

Upon returning home, the returning Israelites were very quick to rebuild their individual home while neglecting to rebuild the Temple, the House of God.

This was an important development since the rebuilding of the Temple was prerequisite to God ending the period of desolation and restoring the land.

In fact, King Cyrus had made a decree to the effect that the freed captives were to return home and immediately begin to rebuild the Temple of God:

Ezra 1:2-3

2 “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he has commanded me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

3 Whoever there is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel (he is God), which is in Jerusalem.

Once the people had rebuilt their private homes, they felt self-satisfied and begged off from rebuilding the Temple as commanded. It would be over 14 years later before construction began or about 521 B.C.E. God became vex toward them for their failure.

Begging Off Before Completing the Lord’s Work

According to the Book of Haggai, God confronted them by sending His prophet to then governor Zerubbabel to say:

Haggai 1:1-4

1 In the second year of Darayavush (Darius) the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai, the prophet, to Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying,

2 “This is what the LORD of hosts says: These people say, ‘The time hasn’t yet come, the time for the LORD’s house to be built.’”

3 Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai, the prophet, saying,

4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies waste?

But they seemed to be oblivious to the fact that although they had rebuilt their homes, they were still in want because the land was still unproductive. Note what He says through the prophet:

Haggai 1:5, 6

5 Now therefore this is what the LORD of hosts says: Consider your ways.

6 You have sown much and bring in little. You eat, but you do not have enough. You drink, but you aren’t filled with drink. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm, and he who earns wages earns wages to put them into a bag with holes in it.”

He goes on to tell Zerubbabel what is necessary to remedy their plight:

Haggai 1:7, 8

7 This is what the LORD of hosts says: “Consider your ways.

8 Go up to the mountain, bring wood, and build the house. I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified,” says the LORD.

It wasn’t that they were not trying to sustain themselves; that was their problem. It was God that was thwarting any effort they attempted to make.

Haggai 1:9-11

9 “You looked for much, and, look, it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the LORD of hosts, “Because of my house that lies waste, while each of you is busy with his own house.

10 Therefore for your sake the heavens withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit.

11 I called for a drought on the land, and on the mountains, and on the grain, and on the new wine, on the oil, and on all what the ground produces, and on men, and on livestock, and on all the labor of the hands.”

When Zerubbabel heard this, he repented. He repented, as well as the High Priest, and all of the remnant who returned became obedient to the word of Jehovah.

Haggai 1:12-15

12 Then Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD, their God, and the words of Haggai, the prophet, as the LORD, their God, had sent him; and the people feared the LORD.

13 Then Haggai, the LORD’s messenger, spoke the LORD’s message to the people, saying, “I am with you,” says the LORD.

14 The LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,

15 in the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darayavush (Darius) the king.

Do Not Call Anything Impure That God Has Made Clean

The quote above can be found in the Book of Acts chapter 10 verse 15. But these same words applied in the case of Joshua the High Priest mentioned in verse 12. In what is recorded in Haggai chapter two tell us that God place His hand of anointment on both Zerubbabel and Joshua the High Priest due to their faithfulness.

Haggai 2:1-5

1 In the seventh month, in the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying,

2 “Speak now to Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying,

3 ‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Isn’t it in your eyes as nothing?

4 Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the LORD. ‘Be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the LORD, ‘and work, for I am with you,’ says the LORD of hosts.

5 This is the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit lived among you. ‘Do not be afraid.’

God continues by telling them that He will bless them and their obedience would bring blessings for the people and the land.

Haggai 2:6-9, 23

6 For this is what the LORD of hosts says: ‘Yet once more, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens and the earth a and the sea and the dry land;

7 and I will shake all nations, and they will come with the treasures of all nations, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts.

8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,’ says the LORD of hosts.

9 ‘The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts; ‘and in this place will I give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.”

23 In that day, says the LORD of hosts, will I take you, Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says the LORD, ‘and will make you as a signet, for I have chosen you,’ says the LORD of hosts.”

High Priest Joshua would come attack by Satan himself because of his repentance from disobedience to God. Satan would challenge Joshua’s worthiness in a vision played out in Heaven before the throne of God. Let’s turn our attention to the Book of Zechariah Chapter 3.

The prophet Zechariah had an most usual vision of a scene acted out in Heaven. This is what he saw:

Zechariah 3:1, 2

1 He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to be his adversary.

2 The LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan. Yes, the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you. Isn’t this a burning stick plucked out of the fire?”

The prophet sees God anointed High Priest and he see the devil standing beside him as his adversary. The bible tells us that Satan is the false accuser of our brothers. (Revelation 12:10)

Well, this is what he is poised to do in regard to Joshua by declaring Joshua is unclean given his past sin and therefore, he unworthy of the service God has entrusted him with.

In verse two, God has already rebuked Satan. Then Jehovah God poses a question to the devil. He ask Satan, ” Isn’t this a burning stick plucked out of the fire?’

In the vision, Joshua is described as being in unclean clothes:

Zechariah 3:3

3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the angel.

But God has obviously forgiven Joshua as the next verses reveal:

Zechariah 3:4-5

4 He answered and spoke to those who stood before him, saying, “Take the filthy garments off of him.” To him he said, “Look, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with rich clothing.”

5 I said, “Let them set a clean turban on his head.” So they set a clean turban on his head, and clothed him; and the angel of the LORD was standing by.

Satan was calling impure what God had made clean. Many today will not accept those God has anointed bringing up prior sins that God has forgiven them for. While they are unforgiving, God is not to those who truly repent as High Priest Joshua did. Such people put their judgments above God’s. But it is God’s judgment that matters.

Jesus said this:

Mark 2:17

“When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

The righteous angel of God who was also present, reminds Joshua that he must continue to be faithful and to walk in righteousness in order to be worthy to continue in God’s service and keep his garments clean.

Zechariah 3:6-10

6 The angel of the LORD protested to Joshua, saying,

7 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘If you will walk in my ways, and if you will follow my instructions, then you also shall judge my house, and shall also keep my courts, and I will give you a place of access among these who stand by.

8 Hear now, Joshua the high priest, you and your fellows who sit before you; for they are men who are a sign: for, look, I will bring forth my servant, the Branch.

9 For, look, the stone that I have set before Joshua; on one stone are seven eyes: look, I will engrave its engraving,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.

10 In that day,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘you will invite every man his neighbor under the vine and under the fig tree.’”

Satan became upset when he couldn’t stop God’s temple from being rebuilt. Faithfulness to God irritates the devil. He had done everything he could to stop the Temple from being reconstructed. Everything from creating a spirit of self-satisfaction among the returned remnant to using organized groups to undermine attempts to rebuild.

Summary

The Restoration Promises

God fulfilled the promises he made to restore the nation of Israel when he brought the Israelites out of Babylonian bondage in 537 B.C.E. and when He restored the land to productivity in 517 B.C.E.

There is no commitment to a future restoration of a physical Jewish nation despite the teaching by many that the Bible promises one.

All the Old Testament restoration prophecies were written prior to the 537 B.C.E. release from captivity and well before the restoration of the desolate land in 517 B.C.E. They were all fulfilled.

The restoration promises mentioned in New Testament scriptures have to do with all humankind.

New Testament Restoration Promises

Acts 3:21

21 Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

2 Corinthians 5:17

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 13:9-11

9 We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored.

10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Acts 3:19-21

19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.

21 Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

These Scriptures have to do with the release from captivity from Satan’s power and his system of things. They have to do with release from captivity to sin and death. Again, these promises are the prospect for all repentant humans and not just for one national group as it was in the past.

These promises are about the restoration of the Earth back to its original perfection before Adam’s fall and God place a curse on the ground. They are not about the restoration of one region of the Earth.

Do Not Beg Off From Completing The Lord’s Work

We cannot expect full blessings from Jehovah God if we do not fully meet His requirements. If we become self-satisfied like those who returned from Babylonian captivity originally did, then Jesus words found at Revelation 3:2 will apply:

Revelation 3:1, 2

1 “This is the message from the one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know what you are doing; I know that you have the reputation of being alive, even though you are dead!

2 So wake up and strengthen what you still have before it dies completely. For I find that what you have done is not yet perfect in the sight of my God.”

While we may experience some measure of benefit, we cannot expect to receive God’s full blessings.

Do Not Call Anything Impure That God Has Made Clean

It is God who declares who is righteous and who is unrighteous. While other human beings may put themselves in judgment, they are not in the judgment seat of God. God has given that authority to the eternal High Priest Jesus Christ. The devil remains the false accuser of God’s children and attacks them trying to stop them from finishing the work that God has set before them to accomplish.

Do not allow the devil, his angels, nor his wicked human seed to judge you or impede you from fully accomplishing the will of God.

Revelation 3:4

“Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.”

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