Is this picture right? The purpose of the Battle of Armageddon is gather the nations to destroy this old order in the symbolic “fire” of anarchy—in preparation for the blessings of a “new heavens and a new earth” (Isaiah 65:17).
Armageddon will be unprecedented and unique in two ways: magnitude and target. It will be “a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time” (Daniel 12:1). It will be “a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall” (Matthew 24:21 NAS).
GREAT TROUBLE FOR RULERS
But unlike past troubles, Armageddon will be targeted specifically at “the kings of the whole world.” Leaders in this world’s governments, corporations, religious institutions—those identified closely with this old order—will be specifically affected.
The symbolic Book of Revelation describes how these “kings” are gathered for the Battle of Armageddon:
Revelation 16:13-16 (NIV)
“Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. . .16 Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.”
FINAL TROUBLE CENTERS IN ISRAEL
The final part of the Armageddon battle will be centered in Israel.
Zech 14:2, 3 says, “For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, … Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle.”
Zechariah continues in chapter 14:9 And the LORD will be king over all the earth; in that day the LORD will be the only one, and His name the only one.
16 Then it will come about that any who are left of all the nations that went against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths.
17 And it will be that whichever of the families of the earth does not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, there will be no rain on them.
So there will be many survivors of the Armageddon battle in Israel. The people of the earth will need to come to Jerusalem to worship Jehovah or there will be no rain (showers of blessings)
THE WICKED PUNISHED
In all of man’s previous troublous history, not all have suffered. The wicked in high places actually have often escaped—and prospered.
Malachi 3:15 (KJV) “And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.”
Jeremiah 12:1 (NAS) “Righteous art Thou, O LORD, that I would plead my case with Thee; Indeed I would discuss matters of justice with Thee: Why has the way of the wicked prospered? Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease?”
THE MEEK WILL INHERIT THE EARTH
In Jehovah’s Kingdom, of course, the reverse will be true! The “meek” will inherit the Kingdom (Paradise Earth). “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). While first the spiritual Church will inherit the earth, it will be turned over to the meek of the earth themselves. In fact, in the day of Jehovah’s Armageddon, the “meek” will begin to have an advantage.
Zephaniah 2:3 (KJV) “Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’s anger.”
WHAT ABOUT JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES?
There is no scripture in the Bible that shows that only those in the JW organization will be spared Armageddon. Nor is there any passage in the Bible that teaches that all those who die in Armageddon will not have an opportunity to come back from the dead in the resurrection.
WORLD CONVERSION
Many of the world today who are noble and try to live righteously—are not Christian. They do not have the “pure language” of truth. But the Prophet Zephaniah clearly spells out how after Jehovah has gathered the nations to Armageddon and poured upon them the “fire” of His wrath, He will then turn to those people—who did not know or speak the Truth—understanding to believe the Truth!
Zephaniah 3:8-9 (NIV) “Therefore wait for me,” declares the LORD, “for the day I will stand up to testify. I have decided to assemble the nations, to gather the kingdoms and to pour out my wrath on them—all my fierce anger. The whole world will be consumed by the fire of my jealous anger. 9 “Then will I purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the LORD and serve him shoulder to shoulder.”
So then, instead of people anarchistically participating in the “fire” of tearing down the governments and institutions of this old order—they will begin to serve Jehovah together, “shoulder to shoulder”!
Buddhists, Atheists, Catholics, Agnostics, Protestants, Christian Scientists, Hindus, even Jehovah’s Witnesses,—all will have surrendered their misconceptions of Jehovah and His Plan. Free from the delusions of the Adversary, they will have a fresh opportunity to choose righteousness and truth. Satan, the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4) will have been bound; Jesus will have thrown him in the “pit” that he should “deceive the nations no more” (Revelation 20:3). Earth’s billions of those unsaved who go through and survive Armageddon will then have their first real opportunity to “learn righteousness” (Isaiah 26:9) and live forever! Then all those in their graves will come forth—generation back by generation—to also walk up the “highway of holiness” (Isaiah 35:1-10).
KINGDOM BLESSINGS
The “lame” and the “blind”—physically and morally—will be healed as they choose righteousness. All those who died because of Adam’s sin (1 Corinthians 15:22; 1 Timothy 2:6) will be ransomed to “return” to life!
Isaiah 35:1-10 “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. 2 It shall blossom abundantly. . . .5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. . . .8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. 9 No lion [Satan] shall be there, nor any ravenous beast [man’s governments and institutions] shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: 10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
GOD WILL BLESS ALL PEOPLE
Acts 2:18 – “on My menservants and… maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days”
Acts 2:17 – “in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on ALL flesh”
Gen.22:18 – “In your seed ALL the nations of the earth shall be blessed ” NKJV
Luke 2:10 – “the angel said…I bring you good tidings of great joy… to ALL people.” NKJV
Heb 2:9 – “But we see Jesus … that He … might taste death for EVERYONE.” NKJV
John 12:32 – “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw ALL peoples to Myself.” NKJV
John 1:29 – “John …said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
John 6:51 – “the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”
Isa 40:5 – “The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, And ALL flesh shall see it together ”
Hag 2:7 – “And I will shake all nations, and the desire of ALL nations shall come” KJV
TWO DISTINCT CLASSES SAVED – THE LITTLE FLOCK AND THE CONVERTED WORLD
1 John 2:2 – “He is an atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. – Weymouth
1 Tim 4:10 – God…is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. NKJV
Rev 22:17 – “the bride say, “Come!”… Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
Rom 8:19,21 – “the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God… also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God NKJV
1 Peter 2:12 – “Gentiles… they may, by your good works… glorify God in the day of visitation.”
2 Thess 1:10 – He comes to be glorified in His saints & admired among all those who believe
2 Cor 5:19 – God reconciling the world to Himself & committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Acts 15:16-17 – I will rebuild tabernacle of David, So that the rest of mankind may seek LORD,
Rom 11:30 – through mercy shown you [Gentile Christians], they [Jews] also may obtain mercy
Personally I Don’t think criticizing Us jehova witness is fair because mabye you had a bad experience with someone who found faith in jehova the true god and decided to put that experience on all of us, you must read the Bible carefully at the end of the day soon everyone will know his name, no one is perfect give it another shot don’t leave the truth
This is one of the main points that helped me realize that the JW’s are not preaching the true Gospel of Jesus. My son was disfellowshiped at 17 for smoking and having premarital sex with his future wife. He is now married, does not smoke or drink, does not cheat on his wife, is a good father and provider, yet according to the Witnesses he will be destroyed at Armageddon! I am also not supposed to speak with him for anything other than “absolutely necessary family business.” How many people have we met in field service who have a true love for the Lord? According to the organization these people will be destroyed at Armageddon because they refused to accept “the truth”? Our God is a loving God and his son set a fine example of mercy and compassion. After 48 years as a JW I have a lot of good sincere friends in the JW’s and it is sad that they are still brainwashed into such a clearly false teaching. The truth is that many do not believe this, I know I never truly did. As time progresses I think you will still see that organization implode as people wake up to the truth.
i like what i’m reading. Learning alot about JW, as i was one..
Hello Luis,
Feel free to ask any questions you may have or to share some of your story. I was once a Jw as well as many of us on the site.
Brandon
Hello Luis and welcome, how long were you a witness? Were you born in or came in another way as an adult. I was born in but it wasn’t like it is now. It was more like the Bible students. Everyone had a voice and there was not central control over whether you accepted a belief or not. We often wrote letters to express how we saw a scripture and sometimes a thought would be changed. Slowly however it developed into a hierarchy with 7 rich men at the top like a pyramid scheme. It is so organized now with more additional rules than is contained in the entire law code. It often backfires on them because they have to follow a written rule and can’t apply the rule of love. They own so much property that other countries are seizing the assets because of the undue influence they have over their flock in regards their health and schooling. Also the shunning issue has caused some suicides and broken up numerous families. Hopefully this will free some of the people wanting to think and have freedom to go to God thru Jesus and not be hindered by the go between of the governing body.
Could you tell us your story or journey, please?
I was raised in the JW. After several years my mother was DF and then a couple months, i stop going because i was curious about the world, (as they call it) and what was the big hype about it being bad. And, they where wrong! I have a Hypocrite sister that in it still. That another story.
About four years back, my wife started to studying with them,(Wife has family members that are JW), i had no problem with. Thinking every thing was fine. I also started to study 1 year after she did.
What real change my views about JW’s was a assembly i went in 2016 and that one discourse of shunning. It just blow my mind open and a light bulb went on in my head.
I would never stop talking to people that where DF and I know a few that are. And what my sister is doing to my mother, shunning her, That is not me…My mother is my world, so i would never follow the rule.
As i was taken studies and going to the KH, I notice that alot of articles where being repeated, and i was uncomfortable for some reason it did not feel right. That feel that i was having, a so called brother was looking at my daughter with this crazy look. So before I would go postal on him we stop going, and stop the studies. It was so different back then, to compare now…They JW’s had come by again as the do, but told them I had no interest in the organization. As i said that there jaws just drop to the ground.
What made me do more research, was when a friend, that is a mason, told me a couple years back that Charles was a mason. And with all the things coming to light, is like wow. With all the video’s of brother’s & sister’s online, i can see the organization what is really about.
Luis, thank you so much for sharing your experience. It shows if you listen closely to what is said you will see clearly the deception of the governing body. One person I am corresponding with says because God used men down through the ages to present his word and lead it is proof that the governing body is the channel. Every TV evangel or Pastor could say that but if you listen to what they preach it tells you if they are from God. I have a son that treats me like your sister does her mother but he is softening. I basically ignored him as your mom no doubt does and got on with my life realizing he is an adult and mine to love as a child for a while.
So glad to see you left when you saw the looks given to your girl and in every congregation young girls are undressed by the men behind the book counter and ushering. I have seen and heard this report from hundreds of witnesses the world over so it is the norm for some nor all but quite a few.
I encourage friends not to leave God when they leave the watchtower organization. Hopefully you can get some benefit from the subjects discussed here.
Br. Peter does a fine job of presenting Bible subjects that interest ex Jehovah witnesses and other truth seeking individuals. You are welcome here and thanks so much for commenting and sharing by example that you can escape that organization and live a free life in Christ without a go between governing body. Take care.
When hamagedon come
sefah samuel – What Armageddon is and when it will come or has it begun is a complex question. In the kingdom, when we look back, everything will be clear. The main think is to put your faith in the Father and His Son and trust that “all things will work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purposes.”
To Jeff;
Thank you for your information. There were a few posts that were given to you. And by your post this time I can tell you did not get them, for you mentioned a problem, which had you read mine you would not have mentioned that, knowing that is not what we believe.
As to being called Jehovah’s Witnesses, I ask, were there could witnesses of God in the nation of Israel up to Jesus death?
Second, were there could witnesses of God in the times before Israel came out of Egypt?
Heb. 12:1, “So, then, because we have such a great crowd of witnesses surrounding us.” I n chapter eleven it starts with Abel and ends with, “Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, as well as Samuel.
Did Jesus give a parable that can help us? Mt 25 talks about three servants given something. One went and doubled what he had, and a second one went and doubled what he had, but the third one hid it. Now when the one who gave this out returned to collect, he saw the results. What did he do, he took from the one who did nothing and gave it two the other two. So know you have the two bringing in more. The one who did nothing no longer has his and so he has to keep what he had to the best of his ability.
Was Jesus right? When Jesus returned did this happen?
Lets consider what happened from when Jesus returned in late 1914.
During the next several years those who had the truth started leaving the truth and some, not all tried to hang on to what they had. But even though they had literature, the holy spirit was gone. The other ones who were increasing noticed that the world was confusing them with those that had left.
So back then there were about 10,000 Bible Students. The increasing one had a larger number so they called themselves Jehovah’s Witnesses, because if one reads chapter eleven of Hebrews one can see that many of them had similar happenings. So in 1931 they took on that name. And by 1935 their were about 56,000 of them. Today approaching 8 million. Whereas the Bible Students number about 10,000 today.
It is clear that Jesus new what he was talking about.
Also, Isaiah many times talks about bad witnesses, but also good witnesses of Jehovah. “Do not be in dread, And do not become paralyzed with fear. Have I not told each of you beforehand and declared it? You are my witnesses. Is there any God but me? No, there is no other Rock; I know of none.” Is 44:8
Would not those who listened to that not be good witnesses of Jehovah?
Deut. 32:3,4, “For I will declare the name of Jehovah. Tell about the greatness of our God! The Rock, perfect in his activity, For all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness who is never unjust; Righteous and upright is he.”
Take care Jeff
Hank
Jeff M,
I would agree with you if Jehovah was Gods name. YHWH can’t be translated into Jehovah in Greek, or Hebrew. It is a name the Catholics made up;
Why isn’t the NWT consistent to use Jehovah every time Lord is found? Their reasonings are as follows:
By determining where the inspired Christian writers have quoted from the Hebrew Scriptures. Then he must refer back to the original to locate whether the divine name appears there. This way he can determine the identity to give to ky’ri.os and the.os’ and he can then clothe them with personality. Realizing that this is the time and place for it, we have followed this course in rendering our version of the Christian Greek Scriptures.(2)
Jehovah is Not the More Correct Way!
Since one of the outstanding features of the NWT is their abundant usage of the word Jehovah, how can they elsewhere admit that Yahweh is the more correct way to render God’s name?
While inclining to view the pronunciation “Yah.weh” as the more correct way, we have retained the form “Jehovah” because of people’s familiarity with it since the 14th century.(3)
Why then did the NWT forfeit accuracy to use the word Jehovah, which began to be used in the 14th century? Their answer is because of people’s familiarity with it. That is another way of saying that they have upheld the traditions of man’s inventions since the 14th century at the expense of truth and accuracy, which they knew about. Notice how many times this was done in the NWT:
It has been done, using the commonly accepted English form “Jehovah” 6,973 times in the Hebrews Scriptures and 237 times in the Christian Greek Scriptures.(4)
How can the NWT claim that Jehovah is the restoration of the divine name to its rightful place in the English text, since they openly admit Yahweh is more correct? Shouldn’t they rather have stated that knowingly they have omitted the more correct name for God, that is Yahweh, and substituted a different name which began to be used in the 14th century — Jehovah. Furthermore, how can they claim that God’s name Jehovah should be vindicated?
For many centuries, particularly after the days of Jesus and his apostles, the meaning of the name Jehovah has been lost to sight, and even the very name has been pushed into the background. Only in very recent years has God caused his name to be brought forth again to the light and its meaning to be made known to his faithful servants, because it is the due time and the vindication of his name Jehovah draws near. Let none now ignore that name!(5)
The Usage of Jehovah Came From Catholicism
Yet a different piece of Watchtower literature states the same embarrassing information about the word Jehovah, but elaborates as to its Catholic origin in 1270:
By combining the vowel signs of ‘Adho.nay and ‘Elo.him’ with the four consonants of the Tetragrammaton the pronunciations Yeho.wah’ and Yehowih’ were formed. The first of these provided the basis for the Latinized form “Jehova(h).” The first recorded use of this form dates from the thirteenth century C.E. Raymundus Martini, a Spanish monk of the Dominican Order, used it in his book Pugeo Fidei of the year 1270. Hebrew scholars generally favor “Yahweh” as the most likely pronunciation.(6)
Please note: Hebrew scholars generally favor “Yahweh” as the most likely pronunciation.
Bruce Metzger, who criticizes the KJV’s misusage of Jehovah, gives additional information:(7)
The form “Jehovah” is of late medieval origin; it is a combination of the consonants of the Divine Name and the vowels attached to it by the Masoretes but belonging to an entirely different word …. (1) The word “Jehovah” does not accurately represent any form of the Name ever used in Hebrew. (2) The use of any proper name for the one and only God, as though there were other gods from whom the true God had to be distinguished, began to be discontinued in Judaism before the Christian era and is inappropriate for the universal faith of the Christian Church.(8)
Hank,
I couldn’t find the old thread to pick up our previous discussion so I am going to reply to you here. From emergency room visits (my son fell at school and has a mild concussion) to family vacation (Niagara Falls), we’ve been a bit busy in the last couple of weeks.
Excuse me for the length here but since you were not answering any question I asked of you previously I will cut to the chase and lay my cards on the table.
I would like to continue the point I wanted to make about the Jehovah’s Witness interpretation of Zechariah’s prophecy and the battle of Armageddon.
This interpretation even ties in with the very name of Jehovah’s Witnesses. I will show that this ‘replacement theology’ concept has its own share of troubling issues.
In Isaiah 43:10 it says, “Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me…”
It is interesting to note that the context continues to describe these ‘witnesses of Jehovah.”
“Yet thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel.” (Isaiah 43:22).
Also in Isaiah 47:10….
“For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness; thou hast said, None seeth me; thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee, and thou hast said in thy heart, I am, and there is none else besides me.
11 Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know the dawning thereof: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it away: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou knowest not.
12 Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast labored from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail.”
I wouldn’t want to be associated with those unfaithful Jehovah’s Witnesses mentioned in this context.
Yet, the context shows mercy to these unfaithful ones. The context starts earlier in Isaiah 40.
Isaiah 40:1 ¶ Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins.
The timing of the mercy to these unfaithful Jehovah’s Witnesses is at the time of our Lord’s coming.
Isaiah 40:10 Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
This is both harmonious and consistent with the timing sequence of all of the other prophecies in Scripture.
Zechariah’s prophecy about the coming of the Lord puts matters in this same sequence —
Zechariah 14:1 Behold, a day is coming for the LORD when the spoil taken from you will be divided among you.
2 For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city will be captured, the houses plundered, the women ravished and half of the city exiled, but the rest of the people will not be cut off from the city.
3 Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle.
The sequence in Isaiah and Zechariah both is that at the coming of the Lord Israel is sinful, unbelieving, and idolatrous.
The nations will then come against Israel to battle.
The Lord will fight for Israel.
Zechariah 12 adds other details for what happens to these unbelieving Jews at the time of the Lord’s return.
It says that all nations will come against Jerusalem to battle, just like chapter 14.
Zechariah 12:3 “It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.
Just like Zechariah’s other prophecy, the Lord fights for Israel like he did in the days of old.
Zechariah 12:7 “The LORD also will save the tents of Judah first, so that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem will not be magnified above Judah.”
Just like Isaiah’s prophecy, the unbelieving Israel is gathered together during the Lord’s return.
Then they will no longer be unbelieving, sinful or idolatrous, because the Lord will pour out his spirit on that nation.
Zechariah 12:9 “And in that day I will set about to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
10 “I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.
11 “In that day there will be great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo.
Ezekiel’s prophecy puts these events in the same sequence as well between chapters 37 to 39.
Ezekiel 37:
1 ¶ The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones.
2 He caused me to pass among them round about, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley; and lo, they were very dry.
3 He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord GOD, You know.”
4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy over these bones and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.’
5 “Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones, ‘Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life.
Ezekiel starts his prophecy at the regathering of Israel and the putting together of the bones.
Next the nations come against Israel to battle in chapter 38.
Ezekiel 38:8 After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them.
9 “You will go up, you will come like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land, you and all your troops, and many peoples with you.”
10 ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “It will come about on that day, that thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil plan,
11 and you will say, ‘I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will go against those who are at rest, that live securely, all of them living without walls and having no bars or gates,
Next, the Lord defends his people again…
Ezekiel 38:23 “I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the LORD.”’
1 ¶ “And you, son of man, prophesy against Gog and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal;
Ezekiel adds that THEN the Lord will make his name known in Israel, after all of these nations come against Israel to Battle.
Ezekiel 39:7 “My holy name I will make known in the midst of My people Israel; and I will not let My holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations will know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.
Even in Ezekiel, the surviving nations will learn of Jehovah and will understand that God protected Israel, and they will understand God’s santification.
Ezekiel 39:
23 ¶ “The nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile for their iniquity because they acted treacherously against Me, and I hid My face from them; so I gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and all of them fell by the sword.
24 “According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions I dealt with them, and I hid My face from them.”’”
25 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for My holy name.
26 “They will forget their disgrace and all their treachery which they perpetrated against Me, when they live securely on their own land with no one to make them afraid.
27 “When I bring them back from the peoples and gather them from the lands of their enemies, then I shall be sanctified through them in the sight of the many nations.
28 “Then they will know that I am the LORD their God because I made them go into exile among the nations, and then gathered them again to their own land; and I will leave none of them there any longer.
29 “I will not hide My face from them any longer, for I will have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,” declares the Lord GOD.
According to Ezekiel’s prophecy, Israel will not know the name of Jehovah or even serve him till after the nations battle against them in Armageddon.
Now with this all said, I see that there are a few problems with the Jehovah’s Witness interpretation here is that the sequence order is reversed.
The prophecies I quoted above have the sequence starting with the coming of the Lord, Israel’s regathering in unbelief, all of the nations coming against unbelieving Israel to battle, the Lord protecting Israel, and then the spirit being poured out on them to recognize Messiah and the Lord.
Jehovah’s Witnesses have the sequence all out of order, with the nation being gathered first, the Lord coming, the Spirit being poured out next, and finally the nations coming against Israel to battle.
If the sequence of these passages are correct, the spirit will not be poured out on unbelieving Israel until after the Lord protects unbelieving Israel against all of the nations that will come against them to battle. interpreting these passages in sequence would indicate that the Jehovah’s Witnesses are without the Spirit of God since Armageddon is still future.
Another problem I see is the consistency of the interpreting of the symbols.
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the unbelieving nations will come against believing Israel (insert anointed Jehovah’s Witnesses) to battle in the last days.
Zechariah 14:1 Behold, a day is coming for the LORD when the spoil taken from you will be divided among you.
2 For I will gather all the nations (evil nations) against Jerusalem (anointed JWs) to battle, and the city will be captured, the houses plundered, the women ravished and half of the city exiled, but the rest of the people will not be cut off from the city.
Lets insert these same symbols later into the context.
Zechariah 14:16 Then it will come about that any who are left of all the (evil unbelieving) nations that went against Jerusalem (anointed JWs) will go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths.
If this interpretation is correct, this would indicate that not only Jehovah’s Witnesses would survive Armageddon. Thank God that he has planned salvation for the entire world and not only for the Jehovah’s Witnesses or Israel.
However, the Jehovah’s Witness interpretation is that the surviving nations that go year to year to worship are the Jehovah’s Witnesses themselves!
Lets plug this interpretation into the verse and see what happens.
Zechariah 14:16 Then it will come about that any who are left of all the nations (Jehovah’s Witnesses)that went against Jerusalem (anointed JWs) will go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths.
This verse states that it was the nations that attacked Jerusalem (from the first three verses of the chapter!) According to the Jehovah’s Witness interpretation of this prophecy, then the Jehovah’s Witnesses would be attacking the anointed Jehovah’s Witnesses!
Thank God he has a plan for all mankind, and not only for us.
Meek meaning the witnesses becuase they are not part of the world’s goverment like all the other religions if u look at today’s religions they all have a part in the political circles. The witnesses do not.
James – Yes, being joined with earthly governments of is Harlotry since the New Creation is engaged to Christ (2 Cor 11:2), not earthly civil governments. The marraige of Ahab and Jezebel with the persecution of Elijah, I think is a picture of the Papal Church/State union of the Dark Ages persecuting the Truth Church.
Hi James and welcome to the site. I wanted to comment on a couple of things you mentioned. Perhaps you were not aware that the watchtower society was a member of the United Nations as a NGO, (non governmental organization). Here is a link so you can read about it http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah's_Witnesses_and_the_United_Nations. It caused quite a stir among brothers that found this out and if you google it you will see that the UK and Au have letters posted where they questioned the society. It is partially true that they pulled out when it was brought to their attention that many witnesses knew of this affiliation with government. It is rumored that they only partially withdrew and for some time the UN had a letter on the site because so many calls were made questioning if the society was a UN member. Just a little side note.
Also correct me if I am wrong but Jehovah witnesses believe that the “Meek” of Psa. 37:11 are Armageddon survivors consisting of the “great crowd”. But this scripture isn’t talking about surviving Armageddon. This is a Millenium age (1,000 yr reign) scripture after all have had the opportunity to come to the knowledge of the truth and make a decision based on:
Isa. 11:9 “They will not do any harm or cause any ruin in all my holy mountain; because the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah as the waters are covering the very sea.” NWT (not new edition it will be released at 2013 annual meeting)
The meek will turn out to be men from all races creeds and colors and other former religions, no religions and even former atheist and all of mankind resurrected can be of the meek to live on the earth.
Also the Bride class will receive the earth as an inheritance as they will be appointed over all Jesus belongings earthly and heavenly.
I totally agree with the comment of Steve. Well said.
Do your own Bible research, when matters are contradicting.