Some modern day religions claim to be Christians...but are they really? Go through this series with a small group or mentor, and let's take a closer look at some religions that may actually be cultish. This week: Jehova's Witnesses.

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In the last episode we talked about what is a cult (how to identify a cult, etc.). If you missed that one, be sure and go and check that out. In today’s episode we will focus our attention on a group that claims to be the real Christians, but as we will show today the Jehovah’s Witnesses are not Christians. 

The Jehovah’s Witnesses originated in the late 19th century with Charles Taze Russell, an American preacher deeply interested in Bible prophecy. Here’s a concise history of the organization:

Part I: The History

Origins and Founder:

• Charles Taze Russell (1852–1916): Russell was influenced by Adventist teachings, particularly their focus on Christ’s second coming. Disillusioned with mainstream Christianity, he began his own Bible study group in the 1870s in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
• 1870s The group now known as Jehovah’s Witnesses was initially called Bible Students or International Bible Students Association (IBSA) during its early years. This name reflected their focus on studying the Bible and disseminating their teachings.
• Publication of Zion’s Watch Tower (1879): Russell launched this magazine to spread his interpretations of the Bible, emphasizing end-time prophecies and the imminent return of Christ.
• Why was it called Watchtower? 
• The name "Watchtower" comes from the Bible, where watchtowers were used as places to keep watch and warn of danger. In ancient times, people would stand in tall towers to look out for enemies or protect their vineyards from animals.
• Jehovah's Witnesses use the name Watchtower because they believe they are like spiritual watchmen. They think their job is to warn people about the coming of God’s Kingdom and the end of the current world system (what they call Armageddon). They see themselves as sounding the alarm and helping people prepare for what they believe is God’s judgment.
• The name also reflects their focus on being alert and vigilant about spreading their teachings, which they view as essential for saving others. The magazine The Watchtower became their main way to share these warnings and spread their message worldwide.

Formation of the Organization:

• Incorporation as the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (1884): Russell formally organized his followers under this name, focusing on mass publication and distribution of literature.
• Today’s Stats and Organizational Structure
• 8.6 million members today (2023)
• Governing Body: A centralized leadership that claims exclusive authority in interpreting the Bible.
• Emphasis on door-to-door evangelism, distribution of "Watchtower" and "Awake!" magazines.
• Rutherford’s Leadership (1916–1942): After Russell’s death, Rutherford took control. He rebranded the movement, introducing the name “Jehovah’s Witnesses” in 1931 to distinguish it from other groups. He centralized authority, increased door-to-door evangelism, and solidified distinct doctrines, such as rejecting political involvement and military service.
• Failed Prophecies: Under both Russell and Rutherford, numerous end-of-the-world dates were predicted and failed, including 1914, 1925, and later dates.

Failed Prophecies:

1874 – Christ’s Invisible Return

• Prediction: Charles Taze Russell, the founder, taught that Jesus Christ returned invisibly in 1874 to begin ruling spiritually.
• Outcome: This claim was later adjusted to fit their evolving theology, and they eventually moved the "invisible return" date to 1914.

1914 – The End of the World

• Prediction: Russell taught that the end of the current world system (Armageddon) would occur in 1914.
• Outcome: When nothing happened, the Watch Tower Society claimed Jesus began ruling invisibly in 1914 and that World War I was part of the fulfillment of prophecy.

1925 – The Resurrection of Biblical Patriarchs

• Prediction: Joseph Rutherford, the second leader, predicted that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and other faithful men of old would be resurrected in 1925 to rule over the earth.
• Outcome: When this did not happen, the prophecy was quietly dropped. A mansion in California (called Beth Sarim) that was built to house these resurrected patriarchs was eventually sold.

1941 – The Beginning of Armageddon

• Prediction: Rutherford suggested that Armageddon was very near, specifically during or shortly after World War II.
• Outcome: The war ended, but Armageddon did not occur.

1975 – The End of the World

• Prediction: The Watch Tower Society heavily implied that the end would come in 1975, linking it to their calculation of 6,000 years since the creation of Adam.
• Outcome: Many Jehovah's Witnesses sold their homes and quit their jobs in anticipation. When nothing happened, the leadership blamed the members for "misinterpreting" their teachings.

Why These Failures Matter

• Credibility Issues: According to Deuteronomy 18:22, a false prophecy is a sign that the message is not from God. Jehovah's Witnesses' repeated failed predictions have led many to question their claim of being God’s sole channel of communication.
• Impact on Members: These predictions caused emotional and financial strain on members who made life-altering decisions based on them.
• Shift in Teachings: After each failure, Jehovah's Witnesses adjusted their theology or blamed misunderstandings to maintain credibility and control over followers.

Part II: The Differences

Key Writings

• The Bible: Jehovah’s Witnesses use the New World Translation (NWT), a version modified to align with their doctrines.
• Divergence: Mainstream Christians consider the NWT unreliable due to alterations like John 1:1 ("the Word was a god") and Colossians 1:16 (inserting "other" to suggest Jesus is a created being).
• Supplemental Texts: Publications like The Watchtower and Awake! magazines, as well as books like What Does the Bible Really Teach? serve as authoritative teaching tools.
• Divergence: These writings are considered equal to, or sometimes above, Scripture in authority by Jehovah's Witnesses.

Who is God?

• Jehovah’s Witnesses: Jehovah is the one true God, the Father, distinct and separate from Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
• Divergence: Reject the Trinity, which is a core doctrine of mainstream Christianity. Christians believe in one God existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Who is Jesus?

• Jehovah’s Witnesses:
• Jesus is a created being, the first and greatest creation of Jehovah. He is identified as Michael the Archangel.
• Jesus is not co-equal or co-eternal with God and was merely human during His earthly ministry.
• His resurrection was spiritual, not physical.
• Jesus’ death provides an opportunity for salvation, but works are required to earn it.
• Divergence:
• Mainstream Christianity teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man (John 1:1, Colossians 2:9), eternally preexistent, and co-equal with the Father.
• Christians affirm the physical resurrection of Jesus (Luke 24:39, 1 Corinthians 15:4).

Who is the Holy Spirit?

• Jehovah’s Witnesses: The Holy Spirit is not a person but an impersonal force or "God’s active power."
• Divergence: Mainstream Christianity teaches the Holy Spirit is a distinct person within the Trinity, co-equal with the Father and the Son (John 14:26, Acts 5:3–4).

How to Be Saved

• Jehovah’s Witnesses:
• Salvation requires faith in Jesus, adherence to the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and participation in works like door-to-door evangelism.
• Only faithful Jehovah’s Witnesses will survive Armageddon and enter God’s Kingdom.
• Divergence: Mainstream Christianity teaches salvation by grace through faith alone, not by works (Ephesians 2:8–9, Romans 10:9–10).

What Happens After Death?

• Jehovah’s Witnesses:
• The soul ceases to exist at death (annihilationism).
• Only 144,000 anointed believers go to heaven to reign with Christ.
• The rest of the faithful will live forever on a restored paradise earth.
• The wicked will be permanently destroyed, not eternally tormented.
• Divergence: Christians believe in eternal life with God for believers and eternal separation from God in hell for the wicked (Matthew 25:46, Revelation 20:10, 14–15).

More Facts About the 144,000

In Jehovah’s Witnesses’ beliefs, the 144,000 are a select group of people who will go to heaven to rule with Christ. They don’t interpret it the same way Christians do who believe these are 12,000 Jewish evangelists from each of the 12 tribes. They interpret it symbolically. This teaching is based on a literal interpretation of Revelation 7:4 and 14:1-3, which mention 144,000 sealed servants of God.

Criteria for Being Part of the 144,000

1. Spiritual Anointing: Jehovah’s Witnesses believe these individuals have a special spiritual calling or "anointing" from God. This is not something they choose but something they believe God reveals to them.
2. Faithfulness: Members of the 144,000 are viewed as exceptionally faithful Jehovah’s Witnesses who dedicate their lives to serving God and spreading His message.
3. Time Period: They teach that the selection of the 144,000 began with Jesus’ apostles and continued into the early 20th century. By the mid-1930s, they believed that most of the 144,000 had already been chosen.

Hope of Joining the 144,000 Today

• Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that very few spots remain in the 144,000 because most were already chosen in the past.
• It is technically possible for someone today to believe they are part of the 144,000 if they experience a personal conviction of being "anointed."
• However, this claim is rare and often viewed with skepticism by the broader Witness community.

For Most Jehovah’s Witnesses

• The majority do not believe they will go to heaven. Instead, they look forward to living forever on a paradise earth under the rule of Christ and the 144,000.
• Witnesses who are not part of the 144,000 are referred to as the "great crowd" (based on Revelation 7:9).

Differences From Mainstream Christianity

• Mainstream Christians do not interpret the 144,000 in Revelation as a literal, exclusive group. Instead, many view this number symbolically, representing the 144,000 Jewish evangelists (12,000 from the 12 tribes of Israel) who spread the gospel during the tribulation. 
• Christians believe all who are saved through faith in Christ will reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:12, Revelation 20:6), not just a select few.

Other Facts, Beliefs, and Practices

• Reject Holidays and National Symbols: Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas, Easter, or birthdays and avoid pledging allegiance to national flags or serving in the military.
• Divergence: These practices are cultural, not doctrinal, in mainstream Christianity.
• Refuse Blood Transfusions: Based on their interpretation of Acts 15:28–29, they refuse blood transfusions, even when life-threatening.
• Divergence: Mainstream Christians do not interpret these verses as prohibiting medical blood transfusions.
• Evangelism Focus: Known for rigorous door-to-door evangelism and distributing literature.
• Divergence: Evangelism is a Christian practice, but mainstream Christians emphasize it as part of a broader relationship with Christ rather than as a requirement for salvation.
• Governing Body Authority: The Governing Body, based in Warwick, New York, is viewed as God's sole channel of communication.
• Divergence: Mainstream Christianity holds that all believers have access to God through Christ (Hebrews 4:16) and emphasizes the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9).

Part III: How To Reach Them

Build a Relationship of Trust

• Be Kind and Respectful: Jehovah’s Witnesses are often trained to expect hostility. Being warm and genuine can open doors for deeper conversations.
• Show Interest: Ask about their beliefs and listen attentively. Avoid debates early on.
• Example: “Can you tell me more about why you believe this way?”

Use Thoughtful Questions

• Ask questions that encourage them to think critically about their beliefs without feeling attacked.
• About the Bible: “Why does the New World Translation render John 1:1 differently than most other Bible translations?”
• About Prophecies: “What should we think about an organization that predicts events that don’t come true? How does that fit with Deuteronomy 18:22?”
• About Salvation: “Why do we need works to be saved if Ephesians 2:8-9 says salvation is a gift from God?”

Focus on Jesus

• Jehovah’s Witnesses have a distorted view of Jesus. Bring the conversation back to who Jesus is.
• Use John 20:28: Thomas calls Jesus “My Lord and my God.”
• Use Isaiah 9:6: Jesus is called “Mighty God.”
• Ask: “How can Jesus save us if He is not fully God?”

Share the Gospel Clearly

• Emphasize grace over works:
• Ephesians 2:8-9: Salvation is through faith, not by works.
• Romans 10:9-10: Confessing Jesus as Lord leads to salvation.
• John 14:6: Jesus is the only way to God.

Challenge Their Exclusive Authority

• Highlight that the Bible warns against adding or subtracting from God’s Word (Revelation 22:18-19).
• Ask: “If the Governing Body is God’s channel, why have their teachings changed so much over time?”

Use Scripture They Recognize

• Stick to verses in their own Bible (New World Translation). They may dismiss other translations as corrupt.
• Cross-reference verses they know with others to show biblical consistency.

Be Patient and Persistent

• Don’t expect immediate change. Many Jehovah’s Witnesses fear leaving because of family shunning.
• Continue to pray for them and share truth gently over time.

Share Testimonies

• If possible, share stories of former Jehovah’s Witnesses who found freedom in Christ. This can plant seeds of doubt about the organization and hope in the gospel.

Example Conversation Starter

• You: "Thank you for sharing your beliefs with me. I’ve always wondered—what does it mean for you to have a personal relationship with Jesus?"
• Jehovah’s Witness: "We believe Jesus is the way to Jehovah, but we worship Jehovah, not Jesus."
• You: "That’s interesting. In John 14:6, Jesus says He is the way, the truth, and the life. Do you think that means we can talk directly to Him too?"