Jehovah’s Witnesses

1. The founder of this sect was Charles T. Russell born in 1852 a Haberdasher in Pittsburg, U.S.A., but known by his self styled title Pastor Russell. He was sued by his wife for divorce because of his immoral relations with one Rose Ball. He denied this until cornered, then admitted his guilt.
2. Pastor Russell claimed special ability in interpreting the Bible, but when under oath in the court at Hamilton, Ontario in 1913 he was asked, “Do you know Greek?” He replied “Oh yes!” When handed a Greek New Testament he proved unable to read the letters of the Greek Alphabet. He then had to admit that he neither knew Greek, Latin nor Hebrew, nor had any course in Theology.
3. The Jehovah’s Witnesses deny and scoff the doctrine of the Trinity. They define the Trinity as “Three Gods in one, all equal in power, substance and eternity.” This definition is a diabolical perversion of the truth. The Word of God does not teach that there are three Gods, but that there are Three Persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. For proofs of this sacred and sublime mystery precious to all who are believers in truth, see Matt. 3: 16, 17; 28: 19; 2 Cor. 13: 14; 1 John 5: 7.
4. The Jehovah’s Witnesses deny eternal deity of Christ. In his book “Creation” Judge Rutherford who succeeded Pastor Russell states that “Jesus was merely a created being, the highest of all Jehovah’s creation, that he was a god, a mighty one but not God.” What a damnable lie!
5. One of the greatest lies of the Russellites is in connection with the Atonement made by Christ. They hold that “Christ’s work on the cross simply guarantees a second chance.” One unforfeited life could redeem one forfeited life, but no more. The man Christ Jesus redeems Adam.” (Studies in the Scriptures by Russell vol. 1, p. 153). Could this be anything more diabolically contrary to the Word of God which explicitly declares that Christ “gave His life a ransom for many.”
6. The bodily resurrection of Christ is denied by Pastor Russell. “We know nothing of what became of it (Christ’s body), except it did not decay nor corrupt . . . whether it was dissolved into gases or whether it is still preserved somewhere as the grand memorial of God’s love . . . no man knows.” Studies in the Scriptures (vol. 2, p. 129) “He was put to death as a man, but was raised from the dead a spirit being of the highest order of the divine nature. The man Jesus is dead, dead for ever.” (vol. 5, p.p. 153, 154).

After His resurrection we read in Luke 24 that Jesus Himself appeared to His disciples and said to them, “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have.” (v. 39).

1. The personality of the Holy Ghost is denied by the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Judge Rutherford says, “The Holy Ghost is not a person at all, but simply the influence or energy of Jehovah.” The denial of the personality of the Holy Ghost is common to all sects of Satanic origin.

Max Stilton in his book on the Jehovah’s Witnesses states that the Holy Spirit is identified with the other two Persons of the Godhead, in such a way to indicate personality — (1) In the Baptismal formula, Matt. 28: 19; (2) — In the apostolic benediction, 2 Cor. 13: 14; (3) Personal characteristics are ascribed to Him — (1) He speaks, Rev. 11: 7; Matt. 17: 5; (2) He makes intercession, Rom. 8: 26; (3) He may be grieved, Eph. 4: 30; (4) He calls overseas and commands, Acts 13: 2; (5) He may be lied to, Acts 5: 3; (6) He may be blasphemed and sinned against, Matt 12: 31, 32.

1. The Jehovah’s Witnesses hold that all that shall be saved of the 144,000 mentioned in Revelation Chapter 7 “The final number of the heavenly church will be only 144,000 according to God’s decree.” (The truth shall make you free, p. 172). These of course are Jehovah’s Witnesses, whom they call the “faithful remnant”. Those of the Jehovah’s Witnesses not belonging to the “faithful remnant” but who are admirers of the work accomplished by them are called “men of god-will” or the “Jonadabs”. This latter class will not get a place in heaven but they are to be given everlasting life on the earth. (The truth shall make you free, p. 205; Riches, p. 173).

In Revelation 7 two separate groups of people are mentioned. Verses 1 to 8 mentions the 144,000 who are Jewish believers, “sealed of all the tribes of the children of Israel”. “After this I beheld” the apostle John says, “and lo a great multitude which no man could number of all nations, and kindreds, and people and tongues, stood before the throne and before the Lamb clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands and cried with a loud voice saying Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the Throne, and unto the Lamb (verses 9, 10). Let us listen to what the Lord says in His Word and not to the balderdash of the Russellites.

1. In his book “Do you Know?” Russell said “In 1914 all the dead shall be raised again.”

After Russell’s death in 1916 he was succeeded by Judge Rutherford rightly described by an Australian newspaper as “Bishop of Burk”. This “Bishop of Burk” predicted the appearance on this earth of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in 1925. He built a mansion in San Diego, California for them, and put a high priced car in the garage. He himself lived in the house and used the car until these patriarchs would appear. Rutherford died in 1942. This mansion was sold, and thus ended another false prophesy.

How applicable to Russell and Rutherford in what the Lord in His Word says, “The prophets prophesy lies in my name; I sent them not, neither have I commended them, neither spoke unto them; they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. (Jeremiah 14: 14)!

1. The Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the solemn reality of hell. “The grave and physical death are the only hell.” All Russellites who go to eternity with a lie in their right hand and all impenitent Christless sinners shall infallably know that “hell is a reality.”

The Bible teaches that sinners as well as saints will continue to exist for ever. In Matthew 25: 46 the words “everlasting and eternal” are the same in the Greek. “And these (the wicked) shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal”. These are the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, the faithful and True Witness. We live in a day when false sects abound. Most of them are of American origin and appeared in the course of the last century — the Russellites, the Mormons, the Seventh Day Adventists, Pentecostalists, etc, etc. That these should arise in the latter days the Word of God clearly teaches. “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets and shall show great signs and wonders; inasmuch that if it was possible they shall deceive the very elect.” Matt 24: 25. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” (1 Timothy 4: 1).

W. M.