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I was raised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. However, I came to doubt my Witness beliefs, rejecting many of them, and the doctrinal autho...

Sunday, January 7, 2018

A Prophet By Any Other Name

A Prophet by Any Other Name
October 5th, 2017
[Edited: December 28th, 2017,
January 4th, 2018]

I've added links to scanned copies of the quotations in question, in case you want to verify things for yourself. These are files that are kept on my own Google Drive. I've not yet added all of them, but will in the near future, probably.

Today we'll see what Witness leaders say about themselves - what they are and what they do when they predict future events (or interpret Scripture generally). Next week, we'll note many of the specific predictions that they've made, all of which are wrong.

As to our present task, one is struck by the indeterminate role that Witnesses assign themselves or their Governing Body (called by them the 'Faithful and Discreet Slave'). It seems that their left hand doesn't know what their right hand is going. They deny making predictions in God's name, except when they seem to say that they do just that. They aren't quite prophets, but aren't merely human interpreters of prophecy either. They're interpretations aren't merely speculations, but then again they're not inspired - they're divinely guided. (Except where they're more than that.) If someone would doubt their predictions, they're reminded that they're merely proclaiming what God has revealed, and yet when these predictions fail, they note their humble role as merely sincere interpreters.

Yet in this confusion, there is one constant: they'll claim what is convenient for themselves at that moment. If they wish to enforce the doctrinal authority and supremacy of the Governing Body, they'll claim prophetic status. Yet, when their predictions fail, they'll claim to be mere interpreters. They'll even deny the central premise in their defense against the charge of being a false prophet - that there is a difference between inaccurately interpreting prophecy and making false prophecy - when they wish to portray themselves as unique compared to past, failed interpreters; that is, they're call those failed interpreters false prophets! However, when it again becomes convenient for them, they'll say that these past interpreters were not false prophets because they were merely interpreting prophecy best they could, and so neither are they.

MODEST CLAIMS
“We have not the gift of prophecy.” - Zion's Watch Tower, January 1883, p. 425 
“Nor would we have our writings reverenced or regarded as infallible.” - Zion's Watch Tower, (December 15, 1896, p. 306)
"We are not prophesying; we are merely giving our surmises . . . We do not even aver that there is no mistake in our interpretation of prophecy and our calculations of chronology. We have merely laid these before you, leaving it for each to exercise his own faith or doubt in respect to them" - Zion's Watch Tower (January 1, 1908, p. 411) 
"[The fact that some have Jehovah’s spirit] does not mean those now serving as Jehovah’s witnesses are inspired. It does not mean that the writings in this magazine The Watchtower are inspired and infallible and without mistakes." - Watchtower (May 15, 1947, page 157)
"However, The Watchtower does not claim to be inspired in its utterances, nor is it dogmatic. It invites careful and critical examination of its contents in the light of the Scriptures. Its purpose is to aid others to know Jehovah and his purposes toward mankind, and to announce Christ’s established kingdom as our only hope." - Watchtower (August 15, 1950, p. 263) 
"True, the brothers preparing these publications are not infallible. Their writings are not inspired as are those of Paul and the other Bible writers. (2 Tim. 3:16) And so, at times, it has been necessary, as understanding became clearer, to correct views." - Watchtower (February 15, 1981, p. 19) 
"The mysteries locked up in the book of Revelation have for long baffled sincere students of the Bible. In God’s due time, those secrets had to be unlocked, but how, when, and to whom? Only God’s spirit could make known the meaning as the appointed time drew near. (Revelation 1:3) Those sacred secrets would be revealed to God’s zealous slaves on earth so that they would be strengthened to make known his judgments. (Matthew 13:10, 11) It is not claimed that the explanations in this publication are infallible. Like Joseph of old, we say: “Do not interpretations belong to God?” (Genesis 40:8) At the same time, however, we firmly believe that the explanations set forth herein harmonize with the Bible in its entirety, showing how remarkably divine prophecy has been fulfilled in the world events of our catastrophic times." - Revelation—Its Grand Climax at Hand! (p. 9)  
"There are some who make spectacular predictions of the world’s end to grab attention and a following, but others are sincerely convinced that their proclamations are true. They are voicing expectations based on their own interpretation of some scripture text or physical event. They do not claim that their predictions are direct revelations from Jehovah and that in this sense they are prophesying in Jehovah’s name. Hence, in such cases, when their words do not come true, they should not be viewed as false prophets such as those warned against at Deuteronomy 18:20-22. In their human fallibility, they misinterpreted matters." - Awake! (March 22, 1993, pp. 3-4) 
"Jehovah’s Witnesses, in their eagerness for Jesus’ second coming, have suggested dates that turned out to be incorrect. Because of this, some have called them false prophets. Never in these instances, however, did they presume to originate predictions ‘in the name of Jehovah.’ Never did they say, ‘These are the words of Jehovah.’ " - Awake! (March 22, 1993, p. 4)[1]

IMMODEST CLAIMS
"No, the truths I present, as God's mouthpiece, were not revealed in visions or dreams, nor by God's audible voice, nor all at once, but gradually, especially since 1870, and particularly since 1880. Neither is this clear unfolding of truth due to any human ingenuity or acuteness of perception, but to the simple fact that God's due time has come; and if I did not speak, and no other agent could be found, the very stones would cry out. 
"The following history is given not merely because I have been urged to give a review of God's leadings in the path of light, but specially because I believe it to be needful that the truth be modestly told, that misapprehensions and prejudicial misstatements may be disarmed, and that our readers may see how hitherto the Lord has helped and guided." -
Zion's Watch Tower July 15, 1906 p. 230
"Then I knew why the Lord had led me to it so slowly and cautiously. I needed a special preparation of heart for the full appreciation of all it contained, and I was all the more assured that it was not of my own wisdom; for if of my own why would it not have come at once?" Zion's Watch Tower July 15, 1906 p. 234
"… this chronology is not of man, but of God. … the addition of more proofs removes it entirely from the realm of chance into that of proven certainty. … the chronology of present truth [is]… not of human origin." - Watch Tower (July 1, 1922, p.217) 
"In recent months the Lord has revealed to his people a clearer understanding of the Devil's organization, and of his purpose to wreck that wicked system that the people may have complete deliverance. This message he has been pleased to permit to appear in a book entitled DELIVERANCE. Has not God provided this instrument in the hands of the anointed class? Let those who so believe carefully study the message therein and be prepared to use it" Watchtower 1926 August 15 p.248
"Jehovah God has made known to his anointed ones in advance what these Scriptures mean." - Watchtower (Jun 1, 1931, p.160) 
"The Watchtower is not the instrument of any man or set of men, nor is it published according to the whims of men. No man's opinion is expressed in The Watchtower. God feeds his own people, and surely God uses those who love and serve him according to his own will. Those who oppose The Watchtower are not capable of discerning the truth that God is giving to the children of his organization, and this is the very strongest proof that such opposers are not of God's organization." - Watchtower (November 1, 1931, p.327) 
"The Sovereign Lord giveth the word." Manifestly this is the reason why in verse eight it is stated: "The heavens also dropped [dripped showers of truth] at the presence of God" when at his holy temple. "The word," or "speech", is a comprehensive form applied not only to one specific message that the Lord gave or is giving or has given at any one time, but to the whole series of messages of truth which he gave and which he continues to give ever since the lightnings have been flashing from the temple and upon the record of his Word. The expression "the word", therefore, includes every revelation of truth down to and including the book Vindication and whatsoever shall be revealed and published, by the Lord's grace, as long as the remnant is on earth. - Watchtower (April 1, 1932, p. 101)
 "God uses angels to teach His people now on earth." The Golden Age 1933 Nov 8 p.69
"Certain duties and kingdom interests have been committed by the Lord to his angels, which include the transmission of information to God's anointed people on the earth for their aid and comfort. Even though we cannot understand how the angels transmit this information, we know that they do it." - Preparation (pp.36,37) 
"Enlightenment proceeds from Jehovah by and though Jesus Christ and is given to the faithful anointed on earth at the temple, and brings great peace and consolation to them. Again Zechariah talked with the angel of the Lord, which shows that the remnant are instructed by the angels of the Lord. The remnant do not hear audible sounds, because such is not necessary. Jehovah has provided his own good way to convey thoughts to the minds of his anointed ones." - Preparation (1933) p.64
"Judge Rutherford couldn't write these things unless he were used of God." - Golden Age 1935 Oct 23 p.50
"No man can properly interpret prophecy, and the Lord sends his angels to transmit correct information to his people." - Watchtower (February 15, 1936, p.52)
If he does believe that the Lord uses The Watchtower  to dispense his truth to his people, then in order to be faithful he will be diligent in carrying out the instructions of the organization and will give consideration to the subjects that are set forth in The Watchtower. - Watchtower (March 1, 1936 p. 73)
"The Watchtower is a magazine without equal in the earth …. This is not giving any credit to the magazine's publishers, but is due to the great Author of the Bible with it truths and prophecies, and who now interprets its prophecies." - Watchtower (April 15, 1943, p.127) 
"Yes, the “faithful and discreet slave” was awake to the coming of 1914. In 1942 the “faithful and discreet slave” guided by Jehovah’s unerring spirit made known that the democracies would win World War II and that there would be a United Nations organization set up. Such wakefulness was concerning events that unerringly took place three years later. At the 1958 Divine Will International Assembly amazing advance information in connection with Daniel’s prophecy was given about events to occur in the immediate future. Such evidence of spiritual foresight is recorded for us in the book “Your Will Be Done on Earth.” Once again the “faithful and discreet slave” has been tipped off ahead of time for the guidance of all lovers of God. Surely one’s present security depends on his staying awake with the “faithful and discreet slave.” " - Watchtower (July 15, 1960, p. 444) 
The definition of false prophet given in their own literature seems relevant:
Individuals and organizations proclaiming messages that they attribute to a superhuman source but that do not originate with the true God and are not in harmony with his revealed will. - Reasoning From the Scriptures (1989) p. 132
They have claimed that their teachings, prophetic interpretations and attendant predictions, originate with God, but they don't, at least not the many that failed; since these are false, they are not in harmony with what God actually wills. Thus, they are self-condemned, I think.

At the least, I hope I've shown that the claim that Witness leaders are false prophets is understandable and to that extent reasonable. I think that I've also shown that they're not loathe to talk out of both sides of their mouths, to say what ever is convenient to them, even if it reduces their claims to incoherence and contradiction. And this kind of double-speak is frustrating. If you say your predictions are of superhuman origin, backtrack, reaffirm, backtrack, etc. don't be surprised if someone calls you out on it. At least don't insinuate that hatred and ignorance could be the only factors that lead to such criticisms.

Still, if I've failed in this case, it remains the case that merely pleading incompetence will not do. If it is said, 'We are not false prophets; we're just like all these other failed interpreters', we have our response ready, 'They were wrong, you're wrong, so why should I think that you're God's unique spokesman?' To what, specifically, they got wrong we will turn next week.

[1] The mission statement of the magazine at that time concluded with these words: "Most Importantly, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away." (Italics added)

Excursus: Pastor Russel as the Faithful and Discreet Slave
Scriptures indicate that [Pastor Russell] was chosen of the Lord from his birth. His mother was a consecrated Christian. She taught her son in the way of the Lord, and he early gave evidence of his loving devotion to the great Master. 
God used the Prophet Ezekiel to foretell the events that were to come to pass upon Christendom. He used Pastor Russell as an antitype of Ezekiel to make clear to the Bible students the real meaning of these events as they came to pass. The great Master, speaking to the church through John the Revelator, foretold that the church would be developed during a time of stress and that the entire Gospel age would be divided into seven distinct epochs or periods of time. He also clearly indicated that each of these periods or epochs of item would be blessed by a special messenger representing him. The great drama of the Gospel age opened with the Apostle Paul as the chief messenger, or angel, to the church. It closes with Pastor Russell as the seven, and last messenger to the church militant. For the other five epochs of the church the Lord provided messengers in the order named: St. John, Arius, Waldo, Wycliffe and Luther. Each in his turn bore the message due to be understood during the epoch he represented. The two most prominent messengers, however, are the first and the last - St. Paul and Paul and Pastor Russell. 
"That Wise and Faithful Servant"
The Lord Jesus in his great prophetic statement in Matthew 24:45-47, made known the fact that at the end of the age he would be present and would have a special servant whom he would "make ruler over all his house to give meat in due season to the household." For many years Christian people of all denominations have been looking for the manifestation of that promised servant. For several years some have recognized, and now many more are recognizing, that Pastor Russell is that servant." Watchtower November 1, 1917 p. 6159
And this raises yet another problem: who really is the faithful and discreet slave? Russell, all the anointed, or just the Governing Body? Why did it take for so long, within the last few years, for them to conclude the latter? (And how can this be reconciled with the fact that the Governing Body was practically a non-entity until the 70s?)

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