The Magnificence of Jehovah's Celestial Throne

After Christ concluded relating his messages to the seven congregations John is invited into the heavens. The 4th chapter of Revelation opens with these words: “After these things I saw, and, look! an opened door in heaven, and the first voice that I heard was as of a trumpet, speaking with me, saying: “Come on up here, and I shall show you the things that must take place.”

Next john writes: "After these things I immediately came to be in the power of the spirit: and, look! a throne was in its position in heaven, and there is one seated upon the throne. And the one seated is, in appearance, like a jasper stone and a precious red-colored stone, and round about the throne there is a rainbow like an emerald in appearance.”

The Watchtower Society believes that the Lord’s day began in 1914. They also believe that the anointed remnant comprises a John class; that is to say, they re-enact the actual fulfillment of what John only saw in vision. So, if the Lord’s day began in 1914 then what evidence is there that the anointed remnant experienced anything paralleling the rapturous heavenly vision John received?

Stated differently, if the visions of Revelation had really begun to be unveiled back in 1914 shouldn't we, at the very least, expect God to have enlightened his people as to the meaning of Revelation back then? After all, that’s what revelation means – an unveiling. And no doubt that is what is portrayed in the fact that John is invited into heaven itself. In other words John was enlightened. And by the time the revelation to him was concluded there were no more sacred secrets hidden from him, and by extention to any of God’s chosen ones living during the Lord's day.

But, the realty is, the International Bible Students were woefully ignorant of much of Revelation long after 1914. Consider, that, in 1917 the Watchtower published the book called The Finished Mystery. The book has long since been discarded by the Watchtower – and for good reason. It is littered with childish nonsense. And even though much of the silliness has been refined out of their latest Revelation commentary, the embarrassing fact is the Watchtower still does not understand Revelation. For example, how reasonable is it that judgment day began in 1919 with the advent of the League of Nations and then again in 1944 with the institution of the United Nations? Indeed, is it sensible that mankind has already been given the mark of the beast and doomed to everlasting destruction simply for passively supporting or even being ambivalent towards the United Nations? Most sensible people can quickly see the foolishness of such a view, and yet the Watchtower teaches that very thing at the present moment. (See the chapter on Revelation in the book Jehovah Himself Has Become King.)

No, the vision of Revelation has not been unveiled yet. It remains sealed until the Lord removes the seven seals and the apocalypse begins. First though, the evil and foolish slaves must be expelled from the midst of the congregation, just as was envisioned in Christ’s letters to the seven congregations. Then indeed Jehovah will invite the remaining approved ones to “come up here!”

(Incidentally, the term “remaining ones,” or “remnant” in some translations, applies to those who are remaining over on earth after the harvest removes the lawless ones and the first resurrection begins. Since neither the harvest nor the first resurrection has begun yet it is inappropriate to refer to the anointed as the remnant.)

BUY GOLD REFINED BY FIRE

The study assignment for the first two weeks of May is chapter 13 of the Grand Climax book, which discusses Christ’s counsel to the congregation in Laodicea.

Like their commentary on Christ’s messages to the other congregations, the Watchtower applies Jesus’ words to both Christendom as well as to Jehovah’s Witnesses. But how can that be? The letters to the seven congregations are addressed to those who are actually part of Christ’s congregation – not those who merely claim to be part of Christ’s congregation. Elsewhere in their writings the Watchtower unequivocally states that Christendom is not, nor was it ever Christian. So, the question naturally comes to mind as to why Jesus would address himself to them. Obviously, he doesn’t. Jesus is speaking to those who have been called by God to rule with Christ but who are in danger of missing out on the final choosing of the chosen ones.

Although it may be hard for Jehovah’s Witnesses to accept, Jesus’ rebuke directed to the Laodiceans applies more to individuals within the leadership of the Watchtower Society then they would ever admit.

Consider the particulars of Christ’s rebuke of those whom he says are merely lukewarm in their service to God: “Because you say: ‘I am rich and have acquired riches and do not need anything at all,’ but you do not know you are miserable and pitiable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire that you may become rich, and white outer garments that you may become dressed and that the shame of your nakedness may not become manifested, and eyesalve to rub in your eyes that you may see.”

In the 8th paragraph the Society applies Jesus’ words to the rank and file Jehovah’s Witness who may become materialistic. But is that really who Jesus is speaking to? Are the imagines “acquired riches” necessarily material riches? That may be one aspect of the reason for the Laodiceans self-confidence, but Paul’s writings to the Corinthians show that more than likely Jesus meant that the Christians in Laodicea felt that they had already acquired spiritual riches. At 1 Corinthians 4:8-12 Paul wrote: “You men already have your fill, do you? You are rich already, are you? You have begun ruling as kings without us, have you? And I wish indeed that you had begun ruling as kings, that we also might rule with you as kings. For it seems to me that God has put us the apostles last on exhibition as men appointed to death, because we have become a theatrical spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools because of Christ, but you are discreet in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are in good repute, but we are in dishonor. Down to this very hour we continue to hunger and also to thirst and to be scantily clothed and to be knocked about and to be homeless and to toil, working with our own hands.”

As should be apparent, Paul intended to say that some of the Corinthians felt spiritually fulfilled. They didn’t need any more. On the other hand, Paul and the other apostles did not share their good fortune.

However, what about the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses today? Do they not claim to have possession of spiritual riches? Are they not honored and held in high esteem by the organization, like those Corinthians? And although Bethelites are now required to take a vow of poverty certainly the Governing Body live like kings, in that their every need and expense is taken care of by the organization.

Embarrassingly, the Governing Body even boasts of their imagined spiritual riches in the very lesson under discussion. In the 11th and 12th paragraphs the Society states that C.T. Russell and the Bible Students purchased refined spiritual gold from Christ, which is evidenced by their knowing, among other things, that God is not a trinity and that the Gentile Times ended in 1914! But does our merely knowing the basic doctrinal truths mean that we are no longer spiritually blind? The Society seems to think so, stating in the concluding sentence of the 14th paragraph that the pages of the Watchtower, and not Christ, is the source of the healing eyesalve.

Also, in the 21st paragraph the Society boasts of understanding the prophecies. They write: “As a result, from 1919 onward their eyes have been opened to the meaning of Bible prophecies. They have enjoyed a period of great enlightenment.” But alas, their eyes are not as opened as they imagine. For example, consider the Society’s ridiculous interpretation of Joel or their blasphemous interpretation of Habakkuk. Virtually everyone of the Society’s prophetic interpretations are in varying degrees of error – as can be seen by a critical analysis of their teachings, which numerous essays on e-watchman have undertaken to present. (See essay Who is Blind as the Servant of Jehovah? )

In view of the falsity of the foundation teaching of 1914 and a host of other prophecies that have been built upon it, it is the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses who are unaware that it is they who are pitiable, naked and blind.

Appropriately, Jesus concludes his message to the Laodiceans and all the congregations with the very similar admonition with which he concluded the parable of the wheat and the weeds: “Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations.”

They will bow down to you

At Revelation 3:9 Jesus said: “Look! I will give those from the synagogue of Satan who say they are Jews, and yet they are not but are lying—look! I will make them come and do obeisance before your feet and make them know I have loved you.”

Who are those whom Jesus depicts as belonging to “the synagogue of Satan”? The Society says that they are simply Jews that become Christians. In the 11th paragraph we read: “Perhaps, as in Smyrna, the congregation has had problems with the local Jews. Jesus designates these as “the synagogue of Satan.” Nevertheless, at least some of those Jews are about to realize that what the Christians have been preaching about Jesus is the truth. Their ‘doing obeisance’ will likely be in the manner described by Paul at 1 Corinthians 14:24, 25, so that they actually repent and become Christians, fully appreciating Jesus’ great love in surrendering even his soul in behalf of his disciples.”

The Watchtower’s explanation makes absolutely no sense. Nowhere does Jesus say that those who fraudulently claim to be Jews are forced to do obeisance to the Philadelphian Christians by actually become converts. Why would Jesus force Satan’s agents to become Christians?

Secondly, the Society offers no explanation of what it means to falsely claim to be a Jew. Why would anyone try to pass themselves off as Jewish if they were not actually Jews?

Those who falsely claim to be Jews must claim to be spiritual Jews – that is to say, they lyingly claim to be anointed and participants in the new covenant. Like the symbolic weeds in Jesus’ harvest illustration that were over-sown by the enemy Devil, and like the evil and sluggish slaves that are thrown out of the master’s service, those of the synagogue of Satan must represent the agents of the Devil operating within Christ’s congregation at the moment the master arrives. They will cringingly do obeisance by being forced to recognize the true sons of God when the revealing of the sons of God takes place. That is where the weeping and gnashing of their teeth will occur.

Furthermore, the nations that offer themselves to the sons of God do so after Jehovah repurchases his people from the nations. That is destined to occur during the tribulation – not before.

Coming as a Thief

Jesus’ following message to the Christians in Sardis is the basis for the first part of this week’s book study: “Become watchful, and strengthen the things remaining that were ready to die, for I have not found your deeds fully performed before my God. Therefore, continue mindful of how you have received and how you heard, and go on keeping it, and repent. Certainly unless you wake up, I shall come as a thief, and you will not know at all at what hour I shall come upon you.”

Under the subheading “coming as a thief” the Society asserts that Jesus came as a thief in 1918, even though in the very same paragraph they acknowledge that no one knows the day and hour of his coming. One would think, though, that if that were really true then that would be the end of it. But no. The Watchtower goes on to insist that Jesus is coming as a thief, again. But how reasonable is it that Jesus comes as a thief on two occasions?

Furthermore, the Society goes on to boast: “The John class today is itself awake to the need for stimulating God’s people to keep spiritually alive.” They then cite timely articles that were written back in 1919, 1925 and 1942! But do articles written more than a half century ago prove that the would-be watchman class of today is still on the watch? Hardly.

In the 6th paragraph the Society declares that the parable of the wise and foolish virgins was fulfilled in 1919. If that were true, though, that would of necessity mean that the marriage of the Lamb has already taken place and that the calling of choosing of bride class ended back then. That’s because Jesus’ parable of the wise and foolish virgins illustrates the fact that once the wise virgins are allowed entry into the place of the marriage feast the door is then shut. Appropriately, Jesus concluded the parable of the ten virgins by warning his disciples to keep on the watch because they do not know the day or hour.

Now the question that begs to be asked is this: Does the Watchtower’s insistence that the parable of the ten virgins has already been fulfilled stimulate Christian wakefulness or does the 1914 teaching dull our sense of anticipation of things to come?

Please note that in Jesus’ illustration all the virgins nodded and went to sleep – even the wise virgins that took along extra oil for their lamps. More than likely, then, the Society’s 1914 teaching serves as a lullaby to that end.

Tribulation Ten Days

As this lesson points out, The International Bible Students and Jehovah’s Witnesses have been viciously persecuted by a variety of political and religious institutions. Truly, no other people have been made to suffer for their faith as have Jehovah’s Witnesses. In accord with Jesus’ message to the congregation in Smyrna, we may be sure that the Devil is the unseen promoter of the persecutions of Jehovah’s people.

In light of the concluding paragraphs of the lesson wherein the Society boasts of having written numerous articles in decades past that were instrumental in fortifying Jehovah’s Witnesses to endure persecutions, we might now ask: Why hasn’t the Watchtower better readied Jehovah’s Witnesses for what lay immediately ahead? Specifically, are Jehovah’s Witnesses mentally and spiritually prepared for the unanticipated collapse of the Watchtower Society and the inevitable lawlessness and confusion that will ensue? Why hasn’t the Society specifically prepared young men and women for the likelihood of mandatory military service in the Anglo-American realm in the near future? Or does the Watchtower merely assume that the Game-boy generation is sufficiently spiritually equipped to face the lion’s den?

JOHN BEHOLDS THE GLORIFIED JESUS

No one is as blind as those who are convinced that they see. That was the case of many of the leading priests and Pharisees in Jesus’ day and it is also the sad spiritual state of the leadership of Jehovah’s Witnesses today. (See essay Who is Blind as the Servant of Jehovah?)

Ironically, the Society revised their commentary on Revelation -- making minor wording changes -- and yet did not see fit to reconsider some of the more absurd aspects of their teaching. So it is, that after more than a century of searching the Scriptures the Watchtower Society evidently remains absolutely convinced that Jehovah’s awesome judgment day has already begun and that Jesus’ powerful presence is a mundane affair that can only be determined by means of chronologic calculations; calculations which were originally based on the measurements of the inner chambers of the Great Pyramid of Egypt; but now, are ostensibly based upon Bible prophecy -- supposedly divining the very day and hour of Christ’s return on the first or second day of October in 1914.

Thus, the opening paragraphs of the 5th chapter of the Grand Climax book states that “the Lord’s day” began in 1914. In the 2nd paragraph the Society cites several verses from the writings of Paul, as if these confirm the 1914 invisible presence doctrine. Nothing could be further from the truth. Consider closely several of cited verses in context:

“I always thank God for you in view of the undeserved kindness of God given to you in Christ Jesus; that in everything you have been enriched in him, in full ability to speak and in full knowledge, even as the witness about the Christ has been rendered firm among you, so that you do not fall short in any gift at all, while you are eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also make you firm to the end, that you may be open to no accusation in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” -- 1 Corinthians 1:4-8

Notice, please, in the verse above that Paul relates "the day of our Lord Jesus Christ" (or Lord’s day) to the event called “the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Also, Paul clearly indicated that the day of the Lord was the end of a Christian’s faith. That being the case, did the revelation of Jesus Christ take place in 1914? Was that the end of the tests of our faith? Obviously not. (For a detailed consideration of the revelation of Christ and the parousia see the essays The Visible Presence of Christ and the Revelation of Christ and the Two Witnesses.)

Another verse cited in the 2nd paragraph is 2 Corinthians 1:14, which reads: “Just as you have also recognized, to an extent, that we are a cause for you to boast, just as you will also be for us in the day of our Lord Jesus.”

In this verse Paul intimates that the “day of our Lord Jesus” will involve the resurrection. How else could the apostles, who have long since passed away, rejoice over their fellow believers?

At Philippians 1:6 Paul writes: “For I am confident of this very thing, that he who started a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.”

Again, the verse the Society cited indicates that “the day of Jesus Christ” is the end of our faith. It is when Jehovah’s purpose in connection with Christ’s congregation is victoriously concluded. Thinking Jehovah’s Witnesses ought to ponder the question: Is it reasonable to believe that God’s work was completed in 1914? Obviously, as far as Jehovah’s Witnesses are concerned, 1914 was the beginning of an ongoing disciple-making work -- not the completion. Reasoning on the Scriptures provided in the lesson ought to convince clear thinking persons that the Lord’s day has not begun yet.

As the writings of Paul indicate, as well as the very account in Revelation, the Lord’s day is when Jesus comes to initiate judgment upon his anointed congregation. It is also when he ultimately reveals himself to them, just as he revealed himself to John in the vision; which, of course, takes place during the Lord’s day.

Jesus’ supernatural appearance to John in Revelation is similar to the close encounter Daniel had while in captivity to the empire of that time. (For a more detailed discussion of the significance of Daniel see the blog entry: Daniel is Strengthened by an angel of God.) Interestingly, John was also in captivity when he was given the Revelation, due to his being persecuted by the Roman Empire. This would seem to foreshadow the fact that Christ’s anointed congregation will exist in a state of captivity to Babylon and Rome’s imperial successor during the time of Christ’s actual presence during the Lord's day.

THINGS THAT MUST SHORTLY TAKE PLACE

The third chapter of the “Grand Climax” book opens with these words: “You should be deeply concerned about world events today. Why so? Because this world cannot escape God’s execution of judgment.”

We are not told specifically which world events should cause us deep concern. However, the fourth paragraph makes the comment: “Today, however, the evidence abounds that all the things foretold will take place on schedule. Never before in history has the very survival of mankind been at stake.” Considering that the Society published their Revelation commentary 19 years ago, in 1988, perhaps they had in mind the events associated with the Superpower Cold War between the U.S.S.R and the West. But, alas, the Soviet Union went belly up a couple of years after the “Grand Climax” book was published and the period following the collapse of Soviet communism has been marked by a period of relative peace and prosperity.

Ironically, though, we “should be deeply concerned about world events today” more then ever. That’s because the world stands on the brink of the actual apocalypse that will far surpass the horrors of World War One. Apparently, though, the Watchtower sees no significance in present world events such as the looming threat of nuclear war and an H5N1 global pandemic.

In saying that everything “will take place on schedule” the WT is being disingenuous. What they should have said is that ‘all things have already taken place on schedule.’ As most readers know, the Society’s own commentary teaches that most of Revelation has already been fulfilled back way back in the early years of the 20th century. In essence the things which the angel reveals to John that must “shortly take place” have already taken place – at least according to the Watchtower.

In the 6th paragraph the Society boasts of their having already unlocked the secrets of Revelation, saying that God “uses this John class in unlocking the meaning of the prophecy.” The 7th paragraph points out that John was not only an observer but a participant in the actual visions of Revelation, which is true. But did John personally unlock the meaning of the visions, as the Society suggests he did? No. God’s angel explained the meaning of the visions. In fact, on several occasions John confessed his ignorance; such as when the angel asked John who the great crowd was and John confessed to the angel “you are the one that knows.” And when shown the harlot and the beast John was struck by great wonderment so that the angel said to him: “Why is it you wondered? I will tell you the mystery of the woman.”

In actuality, the Watchtower has not unlocked the meaning of Revelation. Instead they have locked it and hidden the key. While adding valuable insights into the symbolisms employed in the book of Revelation the Society’s irrational attachment to 1914 has prevented Jehovah’s Witnesses from discerning vital details of Jehovah’s future judgments. Their mindset is vividly demonstrated in the concluding paragraph of this week’s lesson where we read: “When Jesus was here on earth, he stated that only his Father knew “that day or the hour.” Looking ahead to the troubles that have multiplied on earth from World War I onward, Jesus also said: ‘This generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen.’ So the appointed time for executing God’s decision must be drawing perilously close.”

Shortly after the publication of the “Grand Climax” book the Watchtower was forced to unceremoniously drop the “this [1914] generation will by no means pass away” from the inside cover of the AWAKE Magazine. And in the November 1st, 1995, issue of the Watchtower Bethel completely redefined the meaning of a generation in order to retain their 1914 dogma.

Still, though, judging from present “world events” the appointed time for Jehovah to commence the execution of his judgments, beginning first with the house of God, is indeed, “drawing perilously close.” Now, nearly 20 years after the publication of the GC book, as we stand on the brink of what appears to be the third world war, perhaps this latest reconsideration of the book of Revelation is timelier than Jehovah's Witnesses can even imagine.

THE GRAND THEME OF THE BIBLE

While this blog is intended to hold the Watchtower's interpretation of Revelation up to a critical examination this portion of the study material gives the student important background material for understanding the symbolisms of Revelation, particularly the entity known as Babylon the Great and the wild beast.

Chapter Two -- Week of January 15th, 2007

This segment of the material discusses the over all theme of the Bible and the symbolisms used.

See essay: Who is the Woman of Bible Prohecy?

Study for the week of January 8th

It would seem that the Watchtower Society’s “Revelation, Its Grand Climax at Hand” book is misnamed. A “grand climax at hand” suggests that much of the revelation of Christ has already been accomplished and that only grand climatic events are yet to take place.

Indeed, that is exactly what is implied not only by the book’s title but by the Watchtower’s very creed. As all of Jehovah’s Witnesses know, the organization’s foundational teaching is that the Lord’s day of Revelation commenced in 1914. Supposedly that is when the seven symbolic seals of the sacred prophetic scroll were unsealed. The Society's teaching has effectively made the apocalypse anti-climatic.

As regards the meaning of the word apocalypse, from which is translated the word “revelation,” the 4th paragraph of the Grand Climax book states: “But what really is an apocalypse? Though dictionaries define it by using terms such as “an imminent cosmic cataclysm,” the Greek a·po·ka´ly·psis basically means “unveiling” or “uncovering.” Thus, the last book of the Bible is properly entitled “A Revelation.”

The 6th paragraph goes on to review the various commentaries on Revelation the Watchtower has published in the past century, beginning with the so-called seventh volume of the Studies in the Scriptures known as the Finished Mystery and a two volume set published in 1930 entitled Light. But the very fact that most of what the Watchtower had originally published in those early works has been discarded is proof in itself that the “unveiling” of the mysteries of God has not occurred yet.

The Watchtower believes that God has gradually enlightened his servants over decades of time and allowed them to bumble and fumble around during the whole process. However, in view of the fact that the revelation of divine truth occurs suddenly, as if a scroll is unsealed in heaven and heralded on earth as if by powerful angelic trumpeters, shouldn’t we expect God’s messengers here on earth to be imbued by the spirit to comprehendingly convey God’s revelation without all the trial and error? Worded another way, if the apocalypse began in 1914 why were the Bible Students so profoundly ignorant of the meaning of Revelation long after the time when the Lord’s day of enlightenment is believed to have begun?

The brutal truth is that much of the Finished Mystery book is nonsense, so much so that the religious enemies of Jehovah’s Witnesses use the Finished Mystery to discredit the Watchtower Society.

In the 8th paragraph we have out first contradiction – one of many. Here’s what it says: “It is important that we be well informed. As the apostle Peter wrote concerning divine prophecy: ‘You are doing well in paying attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and a daystar rises, in your hearts.’”—2 Peter 1:19.

The context of the epistle of Peter pertains to the Transfiguration of Jesus, which Peter said had to do with the presence of Christ. Peter thus exhorted Christians to keep “paying attention” to prophecy until such time as the “day dawns and a daystar rises in your hearts.” Once the day dawns there is no need to continue to use a lamp. Yet, according to the Society the day has already dawned, in 1914 of course. If that were true, though, why should anyone keep paying attention to the light of Scripture? If Christ has been unveiled and the mystery of God is all but finished why are Jehovah’s Witnesses compelled by Bethel to study this material over and over and over? Shouldn’t we expect the reality of Christ’s powerful presence to render unnecessary the continued groping for the light?

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