Thursday, August 18 2022 The Idolization of ‘Jehovah’s Visible Organization’

PJ54

Well-known member

Thursday, August 18 2022​

I will give you insight and instruct you in the way you should go.—Ps. 32:8.

Jehovah takes great pleasure in educating his people. He wants them to know him, to love him, and to live forever as his beloved children. All of this would be impossible without the education he provides. (John 17:3) Jehovah used the first-century Christian congregation to educate his people. (Col. 1:9, 10) Holy spirit—the “helper” that Jesus had promised—played a major role. (John 14:16) It gave the disciples more insight into God’s Word, and it brought back to their mind the many things Jesus said and did, as later recorded in the Gospels. This knowledge strengthened the early Christians’ faith as well as their love for God, for his Son, and for one another. Jehovah foretold that “in the final part of the days,” people of all nations would flock to his figurative mountain to be instructed about his ways. (Isa. 2:2, 3) We are seeing that prophecy being fulfilled. w20.10 24 ¶14-15
Examining the Scriptures Daily—2022
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The Idolization of ‘Jehovah’s Visible Organization’​

September 22nd, 2007​

(From 2004 – slightly revised) The issue of worship dates back to the Garden of Eden; when Adam and Eve were originally presented with a convenient alternative to the exclusive worship of Jehovah God. Since that time Satan the Devil has continually tempted Jehovah’s people with countless diversions in an effort to subvert or pervert our worship. His most insidious efforts by far, though, seem to be the subtle exaltation and self-glorification of God’s own organization and spokesmen.

We might recall the occasion in the Bible when, after many years of humble leadership, Moses rashly declared himself to be the miraculous provider of water for the Israelites. This angry and immodest boast, from the man that Jehovah himself described as the meekest of all men, tragically cost him the privilege of entering the Promised Land.

In the knowledge that Satan is ever on the alert to insinuate himself into our midst through deception, it seems particularly timely, to call attention to a somewhat rash and immodest statement recently made by the Watchtower. In the July 2003 edition of Our Kingdom Ministry there is an article entitled: “New Circuit Assembly Program.” The article gives a brief overview of the upcoming 2004 assembly program. In conclusion the last paragraph says:
“Jehovah himself has prepared this banquet of spiritual food. Come! Eat! We will cry out joyfully if we are present to benefit from the entire program.”

Obviously, most of Jehovah’s Witnesses would not find the above statement to be at all offensive towards God. Indeed, on the surface it appears as a positive statement merely intended to give credit to God. But, we might ask in what way “Jehovah himself has prepared” a supposed “banquet of spiritual food”? How exactly did Jehovah go about preparing the program for the 2004 circuit assembly? Was it by inspiration? If Jehovah himself prepared the Watchtower’s assembly program does that mean it is error-free? The truth is that the Watchtower produced the program outline and format and various brothers and sisters with assembly assignments have rehearsed the script to be presented.

The article, of course, doesn’t specify just how Jehovah himself may have prepared the assembly program. Each of Jehovah’s Witnesses is left to draw their own conclusion. But the impression we are inevitably left with is that everything the Watchtower publishes is from the very mouth of God. That ought to be somewhat unsettling.

Granted, in his absence Christ appointed certain of his slaves to provide his household with spiritual food at the proper time for it. But the very fact that the Master of the house is ultimately going to judge his appointed servants as to their faithfulness in carrying out their assigned kitchen duties indicates that Jehovah does not personally prepare or serve the spiritual food of his servants. It would seem more appropriate, certainly more modest, if the Watchtower would instead credit Jehovah for having provided the Bible and the arrangement or provision, whereby older men offer God’s people spiritual encouragement.

Israelites worship golden calf Given the deeply ingrained historic tendency for humans to desire some sort of visible representation (idol) of the invisible God, the Watchtower ought to be extremely guarded about exalting itself in such subtle ways. Regrettably, the Watchtower not only has failed to caution Jehovah’s Witnesses about placing too much importance upon the organization, it encourages the very exaltation of itself as Jehovah’s visible representative. But, instead of giving Jehovah glory, crediting Jehovah for doing something that is merely a human endeavor only serves to blur the distinction between God and a mere earthly institution.

An interesting parallel exists in the Scriptures, which, as Paul said, were written as instructive warning examples for Christians. One such instructive example is the account in Exodus about the golden calf. The Bible record relates that when Moses was in the mountain for 40 days receiving the Law from Jehovah, the people felt like Moses had abandoned them and so they demanded that Aaron fabricate a golden calf and lead them in worshipping it. The parallel exists in the fact that Moses represents Christ, in that instance. Consider that Moses was the mediator of the Law covenant, just as Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant. Moses came down from the mountain glowing like the sun, just as Jesus is going to come down from heaven in glory to finalize God’s covenant. Jehovah appointed Aaron as the nation’s high priest and spokesman under Moses. Jesus appointed his brothers to serve as his under priests and ambassadorial spokesmen.

The 32nd chapter of Exodus relates that the Israelites reasoned that Moses had been gone a long time and they didn’t know if he was ever coming back down from the mountain, so they demanded to have a new god to lead them through the Wilderness. As the God-appointed high priest, Aaron acquiesced to the demands of the people and made them a golden god and presented it to them as their God that led them out of Egypt and he declared that a festival be held in Jehovah’s honor.

In our day it seems that Jesus has been a long time in coming. Evidently some assume that Christ is going to be a no-show. In the interim the faithful and discreet slave/priest has been called upon by Jehovah’s Witnesses to step into the perceived void and provide leadership, and in so doing it seems that the Watchtower institution has gradually been transformed into our very own organizational golden calf.

Just as with the ancient Israelites, the golden calf was seemingly not intended to replace God; it was merely used as a visible representation of him. In the same manner the Watchtower constantly refers to itself as “Jehovah’s visible organization.” Subtly, the Watchtower has become the visible representation of Jehovah in the eyes and hearts of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Contrary to Paul’s revelation that Christians are walking by faith not by sight, we ought to be on guard against attaching such high honors to any earthly organization.

At this point such subtle idolatry appears relatively benign. But, we might ask, given the fact that Jehovah’s Witnesses are expected to give the organization their unquestioning obedience, what happens if, during the critical time of upheaval and tumult, the Watchtower becomes completely controlled by “superfine” satanic agents from within? What then? Is that unlikely? Not really. It would be a most fitting final test of our loyalty and faith in Jehovah.
 
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White Stone

Well-known member
View attachment 1700

The Idolization of ‘Jehovah’s Visible Organization’​

September 22nd, 2007​

(From 2004 – slightly revised) The issue of worship dates back to the Garden of Eden; when Adam and Eve were originally presented with a convenient alternative to the exclusive worship of Jehovah God. Since that time Satan the Devil has continually tempted Jehovah’s people with countless diversions in an effort to subvert or pervert our worship. His most insidious efforts by far, though, seem to be the subtle exaltation and self-glorification of God’s own organization and spokesmen.
We might recall the occasion in the Bible when, after many years of humble leadership, Moses rashly declared himself to be the miraculous provider of water for the Israelites. This angry and immodest boast, from the man that Jehovah himself described as the meekest of all men, tragically cost him the privilege of entering the Promised Land.

In the knowledge that Satan is ever on the alert to insinuate himself into our midst through deception, it seems particularly timely, to call attention to a somewhat rash and immodest statement recently made by the Watchtower. In the July 2003 edition of Our Kingdom Ministry there is an article entitled: “New Circuit Assembly Program.” The article gives a brief overview of the upcoming 2004 assembly program. In conclusion the last paragraph says:


Obviously, most of Jehovah’s Witnesses would not find the above statement to be at all offensive towards God. Indeed, on the surface it appears as a positive statement merely intended to give credit to God. But, we might ask in what way “Jehovah himself has prepared” a supposed “banquet of spiritual food”? How exactly did Jehovah go about preparing the program for the 2004 circuit assembly? Was it by inspiration? If Jehovah himself prepared the Watchtower’s assembly program does that mean it is error-free? The truth is that the Watchtower produced the program outline and format and various brothers and sisters with assembly assignments have rehearsed the script to be presented.

The article, of course, doesn’t specify just how Jehovah himself may have prepared the assembly program. Each of Jehovah’s Witnesses is left to draw their own conclusion. But the impression we are inevitably left with is that everything the Watchtower publishes is from the very mouth of God. That ought to be somewhat unsettling.

Granted, in his absence Christ appointed certain of his slaves to provide his household with spiritual food at the proper time for it. But the very fact that the Master of the house is ultimately going to judge his appointed servants as to their faithfulness in carrying out their assigned kitchen duties indicates that Jehovah does not personally prepare or serve the spiritual food of his servants. It would seem more appropriate, certainly more modest, if the Watchtower would instead credit Jehovah for having provided the Bible and the arrangement or provision, whereby older men offer God’s people spiritual encouragement.

Israelites worship golden calf Given the deeply ingrained historic tendency for humans to desire some sort of visible representation (idol) of the invisible God, the Watchtower ought to be extremely guarded about exalting itself in such subtle ways. Regrettably, the Watchtower not only has failed to caution Jehovah’s Witnesses about placing too much importance upon the organization, it encourages the very exaltation of itself as Jehovah’s visible representative. But, instead of giving Jehovah glory, crediting Jehovah for doing something that is merely a human endeavor only serves to blur the distinction between God and a mere earthly institution.

An interesting parallel exists in the Scriptures, which, as Paul said, were written as instructive warning examples for Christians. One such instructive example is the account in Exodus about the golden calf. The Bible record relates that when Moses was in the mountain for 40 days receiving the Law from Jehovah, the people felt like Moses had abandoned them and so they demanded that Aaron fabricate a golden calf and lead them in worshipping it. The parallel exists in the fact that Moses represents Christ, in that instance. Consider that Moses was the mediator of the Law covenant, just as Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant. Moses came down from the mountain glowing like the sun, just as Jesus is going to come down from heaven in glory to finalize God’s covenant. Jehovah appointed Aaron as the nation’s high priest and spokesman under Moses. Jesus appointed his brothers to serve as his under priests and ambassadorial spokesmen.

The 32nd chapter of Exodus relates that the Israelites reasoned that Moses had been gone a long time and they didn’t know if he was ever coming back down from the mountain, so they demanded to have a new god to lead them through the Wilderness. As the God-appointed high priest, Aaron acquiesced to the demands of the people and made them a golden god and presented it to them as their God that led them out of Egypt and he declared that a festival be held in Jehovah’s honor.
In our day it seems that Jesus has been a long time in coming. Evidently some assume that Christ is going to be a no-show. In the interim the faithful and discreet slave/priest has been called upon by Jehovah’s Witnesses to step into the perceived void and provide leadership, and in so doing it seems that the Watchtower institution has gradually been transformed into our very own organizational golden calf.

Just as with the ancient Israelites, the golden calf was seemingly not intended to replace God; it was merely used as a visible representation of him. In the same manner the Watchtower constantly refers to itself as “Jehovah’s visible organization.” Subtly, the Watchtower has become the visible representation of Jehovah in the eyes and hearts of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Contrary to Paul’s revelation that Christians are walking by faith not by sight, we ought to be on guard against attaching such high honors to any earthly organization.

At this point such subtle idolatry appears relatively benign. But, we might ask, given the fact that Jehovah’s Witnesses are expected to give the organization their unquestioning obedience, what happens if, during the critical time of upheaval and tumult, the Watchtower becomes completely controlled by “superfine” satanic agents from within? What then? Is that unlikely? Not really. It would be a most fitting final test of our loyalty and faith in Jehovah.
As the Lord Jesus said: “If they do these things when the tree is moist, what will occur when it is withered?”(Luke 23:31) If even during the time of prophets and apostles there are apostates inside the congregation with great authority, how much more will be during our time?
 

Truth_Seeker

Well-known member
"In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe, who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word. When he had accomplished purification from sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high, as far superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs." Hebrews 1:1‭-‬4

"Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain; but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus said to her, “Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You people worship what you do not understand; we worship what we understand, because salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him. God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Anointed; when he comes, he will tell us everything.” Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who is speaking with you.”
John 4:20‭-‬26
 

Truth_Seeker

Well-known member
"Stand in the gate of Jehovah’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of Jehovah, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship Jehovah. Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah, are these. For if ye thoroughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye thoroughly execute justice between a man and his neighbor; then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, from of old even for evermore. Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. and come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered; that ye may do all these abominations? Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I, even I, have seen it, saith Jehovah. therefore will I do unto the house which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I did to Shiloh. And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim."
Jeremiah 7:2‭-‬5‭, ‬7‭-‬8‭, ‬10‭-‬11‭, ‬14‭-‬15

"For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel. See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns us from heaven. And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:18‭, ‬22‭-‬29
 

PJ54

Well-known member
There were other articles I was tempted to use but they have been used before. Plus, there some podcasts too but they tend to be geared towards multiple subjects. I'll link them here if you wish to look at them!

 

kirmmy

Well-known member
I find it interesting that a calf was chosen to represent Jehovah. The Israelites just left Egypt after 400 years of bondage and slavery. Among the many beasts the Egyptians chose to make images of and worship was the bull(Apis). The isrealites would have been exposed to this worship daily. A bull comes from a calf and perhaps it's by this fact that they thought it a fitting symbol of a "new" religion.


Jehovah being represented by one of Satan's false gods would have been extremely offensive to him.

I wonder, though, if there is a modern day equivalence to this? What thing that the world worships today has been adopted subtly by the WBTS?
 

PJ54

Well-known member
@PJ54 Thank you for posting this article. It really fits with where my head has been lately.

@Watchman Thank you for articles like this one. You wrote this 18 years ago! I cannot imagine laboring for so long wondering who would read it. In retrospect, working for so long has built up a collection of material ready for the moment when many would begin waking from the slumber of WT. There may yet be many more.

Does anyone have an idea on how to download all of these articles for an offline resources should the interwebs go dark at some point? I keep a variety of WT material stored on micro SD cards hidden throughout my home. I would like to include this material as well.
Normally I do the copypasta approach when putting an article on here. You can download the podcasts & some videos too (depending on the channel author & platform with its policies on the matter). You could use certain software to copy the video (like the ones streamers use). As for the articles, either using a snipping tool or copying & pasting on a word document can work too.
 

kirmmy

Well-known member
Thank you. Looks like it's the manual route for me. I've tried a couple of automated tools but they don't work correctly. I'll build a single Word doc and export that to PDF for archival. Should make it easier to search offline, too.

I do have a vid downloader that works fine for YT.
For some media on web pages this works (Firefox...different with other browsers):

Right click on the page and select "page info". Or hit the alt key and then when the menu pops up at the top of the page select tools->page info. A box like this will pop up:
1660868047670.png

Select the media tab and scroll through
1660868091061.png
You can sometimes find video, audio files there. Click on the file you want and click the "save as" button.

It's the same in every browser just a bit different way to get there.

Try this as well:

Works nearly every time. If it opens the video/audio an another page right click the media and click save as.
It's lately begun incorporating ads though...bleech.

If you encounter a pay wall you can try this:

I've had much less success with this though.

Hopefully some of this will help you in your task.
 

Sundial

Well-known member
Wouldn't it be expedient to have someone upload the masters to Bitchute or Odyssee as a backup plan?
 
M

Man from Berea

Guest
View attachment 1700

The Idolization of ‘Jehovah’s Visible Organization’​

September 22nd, 2007​

(From 2004 – slightly revised) The issue of worship....

Ezen a ponton az ilyen finom bálványimádás viszonylag jóindulatúnak tűnik. De feltehetjük a kérdést, tekintettel arra a tényre, hogy Jehova Tanúitól elvárják, hogy megkérdőjelezhetetlen engedelmességet adjanak a szervezetnek, mi történik, ha a felfordulás és zűrzavar kritikus időszakában az Őrtornyot belülről teljesen „szuperfinom” sátáni ügynökök irányítják? Akkor mit? Ez valószínűtlen? Nem igazán. Ez lenne a Jehovába vetett hűségünk és hitünk legmegfelelőbb utolsó próbája.
The closing questions are very good! Almost like a spotlight, they shine a light on today's events within the organization.
 
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