Before we begin our reply in regards to this subject we should first like to note some of what the Society has to say on the issue.
The following was taken from the website: Facts About Jehovah's Witnesses
Watchtower Development
Imagine for a second that Watchtower is not the true religion.
As a Jehovah's Witness, do you think it would be fair that God is going to destroy you, because circumstances led you to being involved with the wrong religion?
Would a loving God be planning to devote billions of people to a violent and everlasting death?
A God that is willing to slaughter Seven billion people is certainly not the God Pastor Russell described when starting the Bible Students. Russell left the Presbyterians because he could not believe in the injustice of a God willing to destroy the majority of humankind.
"We reasoned that, if Christ's coming was to end probation and bring irrevocable ruin upon ninety-nine in a hundred of mankind, then it could scarcely be considered desirable, neither could we pray with a proper spirit, "Come, Lord Jesus, Come quickly!" (Zion’s Watch Tower, And “Herald of Christ’s Presence” July 1st 1889)
Similarly, Russell could neither accept the salvation of only Adventists.
"Russell wrote: "We felt greatly grieved at the error of Second Adventists, who were expecting Christ in the flesh, and teaching that the world and all in it except Second Adventists would be burned up."(Proclaimers p.45; Reprint 1214)
“Under Pastor Russell, the Watchtower used to teach that irrespective of religion, most people would survive Armageddon. His understanding on 'future probation' was that the masses of humanity would survive Armageddon and be educated on earth by Christ during the 1000-year reign, before receiving (their final) judgment. The resurrection was for all who have died, Adam included. Yet the religion he (supposedly) founded (see our last post) now claims even more than "ninety nine of a hundred will be destroyed."
Globally there is only one Witness for every 1,000 people on earth. Therefore, on current statistics the Watchtower teaching is not that 99 out of 100 will be ruined, but rather Jehovah will eternally destroy 99.9 out of 100.
It was during the leadership of Rutherford that this genocidal doctrine evolved, with the teachings of 'irrevocable ruin' and 'judgement periods' introduced, concepts Russell tried to avoid. In the Watchtower dated 1923 pp.310-311, it was shown that the clergy would not be saved.
Note that reference here is made to the new Watch Towers, not those written by the Pastor and those associated with him during his life time. The old Watch Towers were published between 1879-1916 and are the only ones used by Bible Students.
In 1930, pp.275-281 Rutherford proclaimed that those who disagreed with him, apostates, would be in line for everlasting destruction (Second Death). The Watchtower 1939 p.170 claimed those from prior judgement periods, such as Sodom and Gomorrah would not be in line for a resurrection; neither would Adam and Eve, Solomon or the Scribes and Pharisees.” The Scriptures adamantly contradict this thought altogether.
Some other statements made by the organization with regards to their beliefs:
As taken from the Watchtower dated September 1st 1989 p.19
"Only Jehovah's Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the "great crowd," as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil."
As taken from the Watchtower dated February 15th 2001 p. 14
"In fact, with God’s Day of judgment so near today, all the world should 'keep silent before the Sovereign Lord Jehovah' and hear what he says through the "little flock" of Jesus' anointed followers and their companions, his "other sheep." (Luke 12:32; John 10:16) Annihilation awaits all who will not listen and who thereby set themselves against rule by God's Kingdom."
"During the final period of the ancient world that perished in the Flood, Noah was a faithful preacher of righteousness. (2 Peter 2:5) In these last days of the present system of things, Jehovah's people are making known Gods righteous standards and are declaring good news about the possibility of surviving into the new world. (2 Peter 3:9-13) Just as Noah and his God-fearing family were preserved in the ark, survival of individuals today depends on their faith and their loyal association with the earthly part of Jehovah's universal organization (That is to say, only those in the security of the Ark, the Jehovah’s Witness Organization, will be saved from the devastation of Armageddon and every other human being on the planet will be eternally destroyed.”). " Watchtower 2006 May 15 p.22 "Are You Prepared for Survival?"
"The majority of people living today will probably be alive when Armageddon breaks out, and there are no resurrection hopes for those that are destroyed then." Kingdom Ministry 1968 Mar p.4
"Is it presumptuous of Jehovah's Witnesses to point out that they alone have God's backing? Actually, no more so than when the Israelite's in Egypt claimed to have God's backing in spite of the Egyptians' belief, or when the first-century Christians claimed to have God's backing to the exclusion of Jewish religionists." Watchtower 2001 Jun 1 p.16
"Similarly, Jehovah is using only one organization today to accomplish his will. To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it." Watchtower 1983 Feb 15 p.12
Personally, I believe that this particular doctrine has become a stumbling block for the organization.
In our next post we will see what our friend Victor had to say in regards to these matters and our reply.
The following was taken from the website: Facts About Jehovah's Witnesses
Watchtower Development
Imagine for a second that Watchtower is not the true religion.
As a Jehovah's Witness, do you think it would be fair that God is going to destroy you, because circumstances led you to being involved with the wrong religion?
Would a loving God be planning to devote billions of people to a violent and everlasting death?
A God that is willing to slaughter Seven billion people is certainly not the God Pastor Russell described when starting the Bible Students. Russell left the Presbyterians because he could not believe in the injustice of a God willing to destroy the majority of humankind.
"We reasoned that, if Christ's coming was to end probation and bring irrevocable ruin upon ninety-nine in a hundred of mankind, then it could scarcely be considered desirable, neither could we pray with a proper spirit, "Come, Lord Jesus, Come quickly!" (Zion’s Watch Tower, And “Herald of Christ’s Presence” July 1st 1889)
Similarly, Russell could neither accept the salvation of only Adventists.
"Russell wrote: "We felt greatly grieved at the error of Second Adventists, who were expecting Christ in the flesh, and teaching that the world and all in it except Second Adventists would be burned up."(Proclaimers p.45; Reprint 1214)
“Under Pastor Russell, the Watchtower used to teach that irrespective of religion, most people would survive Armageddon. His understanding on 'future probation' was that the masses of humanity would survive Armageddon and be educated on earth by Christ during the 1000-year reign, before receiving (their final) judgment. The resurrection was for all who have died, Adam included. Yet the religion he (supposedly) founded (see our last post) now claims even more than "ninety nine of a hundred will be destroyed."
Globally there is only one Witness for every 1,000 people on earth. Therefore, on current statistics the Watchtower teaching is not that 99 out of 100 will be ruined, but rather Jehovah will eternally destroy 99.9 out of 100.
It was during the leadership of Rutherford that this genocidal doctrine evolved, with the teachings of 'irrevocable ruin' and 'judgement periods' introduced, concepts Russell tried to avoid. In the Watchtower dated 1923 pp.310-311, it was shown that the clergy would not be saved.
Note that reference here is made to the new Watch Towers, not those written by the Pastor and those associated with him during his life time. The old Watch Towers were published between 1879-1916 and are the only ones used by Bible Students.
In 1930, pp.275-281 Rutherford proclaimed that those who disagreed with him, apostates, would be in line for everlasting destruction (Second Death). The Watchtower 1939 p.170 claimed those from prior judgement periods, such as Sodom and Gomorrah would not be in line for a resurrection; neither would Adam and Eve, Solomon or the Scribes and Pharisees.” The Scriptures adamantly contradict this thought altogether.
Some other statements made by the organization with regards to their beliefs:
As taken from the Watchtower dated September 1st 1989 p.19
"Only Jehovah's Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the "great crowd," as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil."
As taken from the Watchtower dated February 15th 2001 p. 14
"In fact, with God’s Day of judgment so near today, all the world should 'keep silent before the Sovereign Lord Jehovah' and hear what he says through the "little flock" of Jesus' anointed followers and their companions, his "other sheep." (Luke 12:32; John 10:16) Annihilation awaits all who will not listen and who thereby set themselves against rule by God's Kingdom."
"During the final period of the ancient world that perished in the Flood, Noah was a faithful preacher of righteousness. (2 Peter 2:5) In these last days of the present system of things, Jehovah's people are making known Gods righteous standards and are declaring good news about the possibility of surviving into the new world. (2 Peter 3:9-13) Just as Noah and his God-fearing family were preserved in the ark, survival of individuals today depends on their faith and their loyal association with the earthly part of Jehovah's universal organization (That is to say, only those in the security of the Ark, the Jehovah’s Witness Organization, will be saved from the devastation of Armageddon and every other human being on the planet will be eternally destroyed.”). " Watchtower 2006 May 15 p.22 "Are You Prepared for Survival?"
"The majority of people living today will probably be alive when Armageddon breaks out, and there are no resurrection hopes for those that are destroyed then." Kingdom Ministry 1968 Mar p.4
"Is it presumptuous of Jehovah's Witnesses to point out that they alone have God's backing? Actually, no more so than when the Israelite's in Egypt claimed to have God's backing in spite of the Egyptians' belief, or when the first-century Christians claimed to have God's backing to the exclusion of Jewish religionists." Watchtower 2001 Jun 1 p.16
"Similarly, Jehovah is using only one organization today to accomplish his will. To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it." Watchtower 1983 Feb 15 p.12
Personally, I believe that this particular doctrine has become a stumbling block for the organization.
In our next post we will see what our friend Victor had to say in regards to these matters and our reply.
