Saturday, August 6 2022 Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses

[PJ54]

Saturday, August 6 2022​

There is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, foreigner, Scythian, slave, or freeman; but Christ is all things and in all.—Col. 3:11.​

In many congregations, there will be brothers and sisters who are struggling to learn a new language. It might be difficult for them to express their thoughts. Yet, if we look beyond their language skills, we will see their love for Jehovah and their desire to serve him. If we see these beautiful qualities, we will deeply value and respect these brothers and sisters. We will not say “I do not need you” simply because they do not speak our language fluently. (1 Cor. 12:21) Jehovah has given us the wonderful privilege of having a place in his congregation. Whether we are male or female, single or married, young or old or we speak a certain language well or hardly at all, we are precious to Jehovah and to one another. (Rom. 12:4, 5; Col. 3:10) Let us always look for ways to treasure our place and the place of others in Jehovah’s congregation. w20.08 31 ¶20-22
Examining the Scriptures Daily—2022

Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses

Question #48: Why is it that you are called 'Jehovah's Witnesses' but Isaiah 62:2 says God would call his people by a new name (single name, not names) and that new name was already assigned in Acts 11:26? Originally all of Jesus’ disciples were

e-watchman.com

Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses Part 1​

February 16th, 2018​

Question #48: Why is it that you are called ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses’ but Isaiah 62:2 says God would call his people by a new name (single name, not names) and that new name was already assigned in Acts 11:26?

Originally all of Jesus’ disciples were said to belong to The Way. No doubt that is because Jesus said of himself, that he was the way, the truth and the life. In time, however, it became manifest, somehow, that God willed they be called Christians. That name sufficed to distinguish Jesus’ disciples from all others for perhaps a few hundred years.

Presently though, nearly 2,000 years removed from the beginning of Christianity, there are thousands of disparate denominations, sects and cults that all consider themselves to be Christians in some fashion. In fact, as of 2001 there were over 33,000 such groups. No doubt over the years since then many more have sprung up or splintered off from larger sects. To my knowledge not one denomination solely refers to itself as Christians. If they all did it would mean that there would be tens of thousands of denominations, sects and cults called “Christians,” instead of Catholics, First Baptist, Southern Baptist, Methodist, Christadelphians, Jesus Only Pentecost, etc., etc.

Most likely the questioner has some affiliation with a denomination or sect that doesn’t simply call itself Christian. So, there is that element of hypocrisy on his part.

Obviously, all of the various sects and groups are called different names to distinguish themselves from others. Jehovah’s Witnesses are no different. But, to clarify a point, the official name now is the Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. So, if one wishes to be technical, Jehovah’s Witnesses are officially called Christians, in keeping with the first century designation.

But as for Isaiah 62:2, the questioner really doesn’t know what he is talking about. The “new name” God will give is not the name “Christians.” The 62nd chapter of Isaiah pertains to the Second Coming of Christ. That is evident by reason of the fact that the context depicts the marriage of Christ and his bride —otherwise known as the congregation of the firstborn. The 4th verse goes on to relate: “But you will be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land will be called the Married One. For Jehovah will take delight in you, and your land will be as one married. For just as a young man marries a virgin, your sons will marry you. With the rejoicing of a bridegroom over a bride, your God will rejoice over you.”

The new name God will give is “My Delight Is in Her” —a prophetic name that expresses Jehovah’s satisfaction with the organization known as the Kingdom.

In the human sphere marriage between a man and woman is considered a sacred bond. The wedding itself is a most joyous occasion. So, God uses marriage to illustrate the joy that will arise when all of those who are called to Christ’s Kingdom are finally united with him. The 19th chapter of Revelation depicts this very thing as well. By the way, that is when a great crowd of angels erupt with shouts of Hallelujah! That marriage will mark the end of Christianity, because God will have accomplished his purpose to produce 144,000 holy ones in union with Christ.

The new name God will designate is in keeping with the fact that the new covenant will then be concluded. It will have produced a new creation. The members of which will sing a new song. Even as individuals, Christ will give each member of the heavenly kingdom a new name. (Rev. 2:17) The new heavens will then go into operation, which Christ will use to make all things new. It will be a new day in a new world.

Question #49: Ignoring the deception, lies, and false prophecies of your organization, why is it that you are called ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses’ if you do not even meet the basic criteria defined in the Bible at Isaiah 43:10-12 and Isaiah 44:8?

Jehovah’s Witnesses have a work to do —an assignment to fulfill. Of all the tens of thousands of sects that lay claim to being Christian, only Jehovah’s Witnesses have taken up the work of preaching the Kingdom good news.

While the average “Christian” has no idea what the Kingdom of God even is, or what it will do, Jesus foretold that the good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world. Surely, the masses of deluded churchgoers who have no understanding about even the basic relationship between Jehovah God and Jesus, what happens at death, or even the most elemental things concerning God’s purpose for the earth, could not possibly qualify to preach and teach what God would have us know, even if they were willing to do so.

On the other hand, Jehovah’s Witnesses have gone to the ends of the earth to reach people with a message of hope. For centuries the Catholic Church forbid non-priests from even reading the Bible. It was, in fact, an offense deserving of death to even own a Bible. The Church of England was no different. Only God knows how many meek seekers of truth were tortured and murdered by trinitarian authorities in those dark days.

Now, though, those very same institutions and their myriads of splinter groups, all lay claim to being the way and the truth, even though none of them have taken up the Lord’s command to go teach others.

The Watchtower, on the other hand, has provided Bibles in over 100 languages, and simple to understand explanations of the Bible’s teaching in over 700 languages! And millions of individual ministers have taken the tools provided and gone to the ends of the earth —from festering ghettos to tropical jungles and all points in between —seeking out those who wish to know the truth.

Are there stumbling blocks? Yes. Jesus forewarned that there would be. But by God’s spirit operating through Christ we may be certain that God’s work will be accomplished —at which point the end will come. Then what? Then the judgment phase begins. Jesus referred to it as the conclusion of the system.

One aspect of the judgement Christ will render has to do with those who falsely claim to be Christians. Of these Jesus said: “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but only the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. Many will say to me in that day: ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ And then I will declare to them: ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’”

 

[PJ54]

Part 2​

Trinitarians and others who suppose Jesus is God would do well to note that the “many” whom Christ will reject claim to “prophesy in your name” —that is to say in Jesus’ name. But according to Jesus himself, the criteria for entry into the Kingdom is doing the will of the Father in heaven. True to the illustration trinitarians are big on Jesus, calling him “Lord, Lord,” but they go to great lengths to avoid recognizing Jehovah as the Father. And they strictly avoid doing the work of public preaching and teaching, which, of course, is the will of the Father. In other words, they want to be Christians on their own terms and not according to God’s will. Surely, that is the case with the hundreds of millions today who call themselves Christians.

In contrast with those who exclaim “Lord, Lord,” Paul encouraged Christians that God “will not forget your work and the love you showed for his name.” (Hebrews 6:10) Since even trinitarians readily admit that God has a name, but which they claim is not really important since Jesus has been given the name above every other name, obviously those who refuse to honor God’s name cannot possibly be those whom Jehovah will reward for the love they have shown for his name.

But what about Jehovah’s Witnesses? Do they receive a free pass? No. The Scriptures reveal that those who comprise the real congregation of Christ come under judgment first. That is because even in Christ’s congregation there are those who falsely claim to be Christians. The same demons who inspired the trinity and injected a host of pagan doctrines into what passes for Christianity have also infiltrated and influenced Jehovah’s Witnesses, at least to an extent. Of these demonic agents Jesus spoke, when he referred to the weeds that Satan sowed among the wheat. Paul also foretold that a man of lawlessness would perform an operation of Satan within the spiritual temple of God, even presenting himself as a god, at least up until the manifestation of Jesus brings him to nothing.

So, as regards the passage in the 43rd chapter of Isaiah, God is speaking to his people after the purge —after the wicked ones are removed. That is evident by reason of the fact that God says of his witnesses, “I am the One who declared and saved and made known when there was no foreign god among you. So you are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah, “and I am God.

So, what about the deception, lies and false prophecies? The fact is, most of Jehovah’s Witnesses are oblivious to such. But from God’s standpoint those who serve as his witnesses, his servants, are also blind and deaf to a certain truth; namely, the future presence of Christ. That is why in the 42nd chapter of Isaiah God addressees them in prophecy, to be unveiled in the future, when God poses the question: “Who is blind except my servant, so deaf as the messenger I send? Who is so blind as the one rewarded, so blind as the servant of Jehovah? You see many things, but you do not keep watch. You open your ears, but you do not listen.”

Jehovah’s Witnesses have seen many things, truths from God’s word. They have been blessed and rewarded in many ways. But they have not kept on the watch. They have embraced the lie that Christ came in 1914. As a consequence all of their interpretations are distorted. But their being blind does not exclude them from serving as Jehovah’s witnesses in the future —when Christ reveals himself. That is what the context of the 43rd chapter is about, part of which states: “I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not hold them back. Bring my sons from afar, and my daughters from the ends of the earth, everyone who is called by my name and whom I created for my own glory, whom I have formed and made.’ Bring out a people who are blind, though they have eyes, and who are deaf, though they have ears.”

Let the trinitarians take note that those whom Jehovah recognizes as his sons and daughters are “called by my name.” They are called by the name of Jehovah. And their blindness will be remedied by the revelation of Christ. Too bad for them, there will be no such cure for the abject blindness that trinitarians embrace.

Jesus spoke of the future gathering of the chosen ones from the four corners of the earth that will take place during the conclusion. That is most certainly what Isaiah relates to, when God gathers his scattered ones and they become true witnesses of his and give the world a final witness as a prelude to its destruction.