Salvation: The Watchtower Way
Copyright © 1993 by Natalie Pappas
revised 1996 by Natalie Pappas
A publication which clearly outlines the WTB&TS's plan for
salvation through itself, (which consists of a mere organization
controlled by admittedly fallible men), is a book called: "SURVIVAL
INTO A NEW EARTH".
Countless times throughout this book the Watchtower points to
itself as the way to salvation instead of toward Jesus. I found
that "preach the messianic kingdom and salvation *might* be yours"
is the repetitive theme throughout this book.
For example page 136 of this book says:
"In preparation for that time, Jehovah now provides
training through his visible theocratic organization."
What time is this book referring to? Is it indeed pointing toward
a future time as I've suggested in my first paragraph? Paragraph
15 on the same page defines "that time" as "the millennium" so
one truly searching for God's truth (instead of what they would
LIKE to be God's truth) would have to truthfully answer,
yes..."that time" certainly does point forward to a "messianic
kingdom".
The study question at the bottom of page 136 -- 15(a) says:
"To be among those who will regain what Adam lost,
what must we learn to do?"
In other words, how can one have salvation from this "system of
things"? How can one obtain everlasting life? How can one live
forever on Paradise earth? What are the requirements according
to the WTB&TS?
The answer given in paragraph 15 is that:
"We must give evidence that we pay attention
when God speaks."
So the answer logically becomes -- the way to Salvation is to
listen when God speaks -- how does God speak?
Jehovah's Witnesses claim that God speaks through their fallible
organization, thus, they point to the WTB&TS (even with all the
mistakes in the ever-changing doctrine) for salvation rather than
to Jesus Christ (who is perfect and sinless and whom God has
already provided for our salvation).
Regarding obeying God through the WTB&TS organization, Paragraph
17 on page 137 of SURVIVAL INTO A NEW EARTH says:
"...it is not simply a desire to be among the
survivors of the coming world destruction that
motivates...such obedience."
and paragraph 18 further states:
"An accurate understanding of his [God's] purposes and
requirements, along with experiencing this only
reasonable and sensible course....is...a way to show
...love for God."
One might tend to wonder why YHWH bothered to provide His Son
Jesus Christ since we, according to this book SURVIVAL INTO A NEW
EARTH, can apparently show love for God by telling others about
His Kingdom and thus have salvation.
Jesus said: "...If God were your Father, you would love me, for
I came from God and now am here.... (John 8:42)
The way to show love for YHWY is to ask His Son to cleanse you of your
sin, after all that's why our Father provided His Son. Showing
love to YHWY does not consist of showing an outward love for an
"accurate understanding of God's purposes and requirements" as laid
out by an organization which has admitted to making mistakes when
interpreting God's word.
What are His (YHWY's) purposes and requirements for salvation
according to the SURVIVAL book?
Page 153, paragraph 3:
"Only people who put their full faith in God's
Kingdom can look to the future with confidence.
How does one put their full faith in God's Kingdom according to
the WTB&TS? Page 181, paragraph 13 says:
"To avoid losing out on the marvelous prospect of life
in the "new earth" it is vital..." not "...to
turn...aside from the vital work of bearing witness to
the Messianic Kingdom."
In other words, to put full faith in God's Kingdom, one must not
turn away from preaching that "Kingdom" of living forever on
Paradise Earth. Jesus never seems to enter into this type of
salvation; it is all human bought and paid for with the human sweat
and human effort of going "door to door".
AND, in order to succeed in preaching that "Kingdom" of living
forever on "Paradise Earth", one must be in the WTB&TS
Organization. In paragraph 14, supporting this statement, says:
"...if we...stay close to his [God's] organization, he
will direct our steps."
Again, the organization points to itself as a source of
salvation, instead of toward Jesus. However, Jesus points to
himself as a source of salvation. Only those going through him
can go to the Father. (John 14:6). Jesus truly is the way, the
truth, and the life. Not the WTB&TS.
Jesus promises:
"If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I
will ask the Father, and he will give you another
Counselor to be with you forever --the Spirit of truth.
The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees
him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with
you and will be in you. (John 14:15-21)
Jesus is the way to salvation. We *all* need a savior. Our sins
keep us separated from YHWY. Once they are forgiven by Jesus then
we can approach the Father and fellowship with Him.
The reason why Christians witness to JWs is given by the Bible:
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that
you also may have fellowship with us. And our
fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus
Christ. (1 John 1:3)
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you:
God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to
have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do
not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in
the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of
Jesus, his Son, purifies us from ALL sin. If we claim to be
without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If
we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us
our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1John 1:5-10)
then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It
is by the NAME of Jesus Christ of Nazareth; whom you
crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this
man stands before you healed. He is
"'the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the capstone.'"
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no
other name under heaven given to men by which we must
be saved. (Acts 4:10)
Lastly, Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:10-13:
"Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the
elect, that they too may obtain that salvation that is
in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
"Here is a trustworthy saying:
"If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
if we are faithless,
he will remain faithful,
for he cannot disown himself."
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:8-10
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