e-watchman mailbag goes podcast

For the regular readers of this blog I have stopped making entries on the mailbag blog for now. All questions are now answered on the podcast. But by all means keep the calls and emails coming and tune into e-watchman radio.
-
To access the Mailbag archives CLICK HERE

What is the disgusting thing and holy place?

Can you please explain what the disgusting thing standing in the holy place is?

The question ought to be slightly reworded to ask: What will the disgusting thing be? – signifying that it is a future development. This, of course, is contrary to the current view of Jehovah's Witnesses.

To put things into perspective it is important to note that the Bible uses the expression “disgusting thing” in reference to idols. For example, in reference to the idolatry that “wise” king Solomon instituted in Israel, 1 Kings 11:5-8 says: “And Solomon began going after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and after Milcom the disgusting thing of the Ammonites. And Solomon began to do what was bad in the eyes of Jehovah, and he did not follow Jehovah fully like David his father. It was then that Solomon proceeded to build a high place to Chemosh the disgusting thing of Moab on the mountain that was in front of Jerusalem, and to Molech the disgusting thing of the sons of Ammon. And that was the way he did for all his foreign wives who were making sacrificial smoke and sacrificing to their gods.”

From Jehovah’s standpoint anything that is set up to rival or replace his worship is a “disgusting thing.”

In regards to the disgusting thing of prophecy, Jesus foretold that a disgusting thing would stand where it ought not, which in the first century was in the Jewish temple in Jerusalem, which was a holy place to God – at least nominally. (Contrary to the Watchtower’s present view that the temple was not holy and hence represents unholy Christendom, Jesus twice cleansed the temple of the money-changers because he recognized it as his Father’s house – a holy place) The disgusting thing proved to be the Roman armies that entered Jerusalem in the year 66 C.E. (Of note: At the time the Roman Empire was acting in the prophetic role of the king of the north)

According to the Jewish historian, Josephus, the Roman soldiers actually entered the temple, thereby desecrating it, and even planted their imperial flags (ensigns) on holy ground. That was the signal for the apostles and all Christians to flee out of the doomed city because three and a half years later the Roman legions returned and completely destroyed Jerusalem. This, of course, was in fulfillment of the prophecy of Daniel 9:27, which reads: “And upon the wing of disgusting things there will be the one causing desolation; and until an extermination, the very thing decided upon will go pouring out also upon the one lying desolate.”

But the 11th and 12th chapters also foretell of the coming of a disgusting thing that will abolish another sanctuary of God. According to Daniel 11:31, the king of the north “will actually profane the sanctuary, the fortress, and remove the constant feature. And they will certainly put in place the disgusting thing that is causing desolation.”

Significantly, the 8th chapter of Daniel foretells that a king fierce in countenance will also bring desolation upon God’s sanctuary and holy place and remove the so-called constant feature. This is to occur during the time of the end, when Christ’s kingdom actually comes to power, and is an immediate prelude to the king of fierce countenance’s own destruction by Christ. Obviously, the king of fierce countenance and the disgusting thing are one and the same.

But, what is the holy place that is destined to come to desolation? According to the writings of the apostles the holy place is the congregation of Christ’s anointed disciples, otherwise known as the holy ones. -- See the essay: What is the Holy Place and the Great Tribulation?

And according to the 7th and 8th chapters of Daniel the holy ones will be given the kingdom but afterwards they will be crushed and brought to ruin by Satan’s political agency then in power on earth. Now the question: If Christ’s congregation is considered a holy place for God to inhabit by spirit, how much more holy will it be to God when once Christ cleanses it of the evil slave and gives the kingdom to the holy ones? So, just as Solomon placed the disgusting idols of Chemosh and Molech as substitutes for the worship of Jehovah, according to the arrangement then in place, the disgusting thing will be installed in place as a substitute and counterfeit of God’s kingdom; since at that time the holy ones on earth will no longer be merely serving as ambassadors for Christ but will actually be kings of God’s kingdom along with Christ.

Likely this will also involve the wholesale apostasy of the Watchtower Society. -- See the essay: The Apostasy Comes First

So, the setting up of the disgusting thing in a holy place during the time of the end will involve the Anglo-American king destroying itself and the nation-state system and replacing the present system with a one-world government, no doubt administered through the United Nations, which already has the bureaucratic infrastructure in place to serve as a world government. We know this from the 13th chapter of Revelation, which reveals that the seven-headed beast – one head with two horns representing the present Anglo-American dyad – is destined to be slaughtered and afterwards brought back to life.

The death of the beast will result in an unprecedented calamity for the world and will terrify mankind into subservience to the totalitarian system that will arise from the chaos. After the seeming miraculous resuscitation of the political system the revived beast will then advocate the making of an image of itself, which itself comes to life and requires the world of mankind to obey and worship it. This will be the development which gives rise to the symbolic 666 marking of the idolaters.

The image of the beast is the disgusting thing since it will be worshipped as the savior of the world at the very time that Christ will have returned in secret to reveal himself to his holy ones and usher them into the kingdom of his Father.

Jesus foretold that the trampling of the holy place would continue over an interval of time known as the “appointed times of the nations.” The 12th chapter of Daniel confirms that the appointed times for the nations to trample the kings of God’s kingdom by means of the disgusting thing is three and a half years. Daniel 12:11reads: “And from the time that the constant feature has been removed and there has been a placing of the disgusting thing that is causing desolation, there will be one thousand two hundred and ninety days.”

Where is this promised presence of his?

I would like to ask a question with regard to the presence of Christ, specifically about 2 Peter 3-10 which reads in part v 3 "For you know this first, that in the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule proceeding according to their own desires and saying "where is this promised presence of his? Why from the days our forefathers fell asleep in death all things are continuing exactly as from creation's beginning"

The watchtower applies this prophesy to Christendom but does it not seem that Peter is talking about persons who believed that they had received a promised presence and for whatever reasons have given up waiting for its occurrence or indeed believing in its existence.?

Is this related to the wise and foolish virgins? Even more notably Watchtower loyalists who maintain the authenticity of the 1914 doctrine could even attempt to apply this scripture to ourselves, under the guise of us having given up waiting for the presence/ revelation of Christ due to the time elapsed from 1914.

I feel this question needs to be approached because the answer may provide us with another time marker of events to come.

The question is, are these the last days? According to the letter of James the last days are the actual period of judgment referred to as "the day of slaughter." James 5:3-5 reads: "Your gold and silver are rusted away, and their rust will be as a witness against you and will eat your fleshy parts. Something like fire is what you have stored up in the last days. Look! The wages due the workers who harvested your fields but which are held up by YOU, keep crying out, and the calls for help on the part of the reapers have entered into the ears of Jehovah of armies. You have lived in luxury upon the earth and have gone in for sensual pleasure. You have fattened your hearts on the day of slaughter"

Needless to say "the day of slaughter" has not arrived. Nor has gold and silver, representing the monetary system, dissolved.

Also, Paul referred to the last days as being a "critical times hard to deal with." Do our times fit that description? Jehovah's Witnesses think so. Surely society is characterized by egotistical men and lovers of pleasures and all the other unsavory characteristics Paul said would prevail. However, we should not suppose that men will become such during the last days. The last days will be difficult to deal with, not because people will suddenly become corrupt but because people are already corrupted, so that when the last days begin civilization will come unraveled.

As regards the prophecy finding fulfillment in Jehovah's Witnesses, considering that Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Christ's presence already began back in 1914, that prevailing assumption will undoubtedly prevent a sizable number from recognizing and accepting the sign of Christ's actual presence. For instance, in the event of another outbreak of global war, perhaps involving the use of nuclear weapons, accompanied by pandemics and food shortages, how many of Jehovah's Witnesses would have the spiritual insight to discern that such a development more precisely fulfills the prophecy of Christ's parousia? In that sense the ridiculers could very well be those who have come to believe that Christ's presence has already begun and the any future wars and pandemics are not out of the ordinary, hence the response -- "all things are continuing exactly the same as from creation's beginning."

Is Jesus the mediator of the anointed only?

In your latest essay on the new covenant and the new creation you state that Jesus is only the mediator for 144,000 but how do you harmonize that with what the Bible says at 2 Timothy 5:6? – “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all.”

Jesus’ sacrifice was a “corresponding ransom for all.” However, Jesus is not the mediator of all mankind. That’s because Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant and the new covenant is conducted exclusively between Jehovah and the “house of Israel.” As pointed out in the essay, the “Israel of God” is made up of what Paul called the “new creation.” The new creation is in reference to those who have been born again, which is to say they are anointed.

In discussing the things having to do with God’s covenants, Paul said he had much to say but that it was hard to explain for the reason that the Hebrew Christians had become dull witted, spiritually. Unfortunately, in recent years many of Jehovah’s Witnesses have become spiritually dull too and have become unable to comprehend the deeper things of God’s word relating to Christ’s mediation of the new covenant. As a result some have fallen prey to the twisted teachings of persons like Ray Franz, and others.

Where will we flee?

Just a question about this subject, specifically about Christ’s words at Luke 21:20-22: "Furthermore when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies… then let those in Judea begin fleeing to the mountains..." When the 1st century fulfillment took place people could literally see these events happening and literally flee out of Jerusalem to safety. Where will those in today’s congregation flee to? Will this be captivity to Babylon on a voluntary basis for the other sheep? Will the anointed escape?

This is an important question. Unfortunately, the question cannot even be properly framed within the Watchtower Society’s current understanding of the scripture in question. The reason being, according to the Watchtower’s interpretation the destruction of Jerusalem in the first century foreshadows the future fiery destruction of Babylon the Great – Christendom in particular. But if that were true, why would Jesus counsel his followers to take timely action to flee when Jerusalem was surrounded by enemies? Jehovah’s Witnesses are not part of Christendom, are they? And besides, Jehovah’s Witnesses have supposedly already heeded the command to “Get out of her my people.”

The only sensible interpretation, indeed, the only scripturally supported interpretation, is that Jesus intended “Jerusalem” to symbolize Jehovah’s earthly organization. This view has been discussed in a number of articles on e-watchman, the most recent being the essay entitled: What is the Holy Place and the Great Tribulation?

So, from the standpoint of “Jerusalem” symbolizing Jehovah’s earthly organization how are we to understand Jesus’ instructions to flee to safety when the holy place faces desolation? The Hebrew Scriptures shed some light on that question. Take the 91st Psalm as an example. It opens by saying: "Anyone dwelling in the secret place of the Most High will procure himself lodging under the very shadow of the Almighty One. I will say to Jehovah: 'You are my refuge and my stronghold, my God, in whom I will trust.'"

The Psalm goes on to enumerate various calamities that befall the world, including pestilence and adversities from war. These, of course, are the very things that Christ said would occur as an immediate prelude to the desolation of the holy place during the great tribulation.

The Watchtower has commented on the 91st Psalm a few times and applied it in some sort of bizarre symbolic way. One example that comes to mind, the thousands who “fall at your very side” due to the stalking pestilence are supposedly the masses who succumb to the spiritual plague of evolution.

The Society’s interpretation, though, is nonsensical in view of the fact that the various calamities that are described in the 91st Psalm are said to be “retribution upon the wicked.” Is the theory of evolution God’s punishment upon the world? Of course not.

But the point is, the place to which Christians will flee when the modern holy place is destroyed will be “the secret place of the Most High.” Such a place is a spiritual sanctuary and not a literal place. Likely, entry into Jehovah’s secret refuge at that time will involve recognizing and supporting the then-revealed sons of God. (See the essay The Revelation of Christ and the Two Witnesses.

What about the locust of Joel and Revelation?

The locusts of Joel seem strikingly parallel with those of John’s apocalyptic vision. Why does e-watchman on the one hand identify the locusts of Joel as the future 8th king that devastates God’s people, and the locusts of Revelation as the kings of God’s kingdom?

The prophecy of Joel and Revelation both use locusts to symbolize armies of men. However, that’s where the similarity ends.

Here are a few dissimilarities: The prophecy of Joel not only depicts the invading army as a plague of devouring locust, but also they are likened to caterpillars and cockroaches. The devouring insects could not possibly represent God’s people, as the Watchtower insists. The obvious reason being that God’s people are the victims of the insect onslaught. Not only that, but Joel indicates that Jehovah intervenes to save his people from the plundering pest by driving them into the sea. (For a detailed discussion of the prophecy of Joel see the essay: Day of the Locust Attack)

Elsewhere in the Hebrew prophecies locusts are used to symbolize enemy armies. For example, the prophecy of Nahum likens the Assyrian army to locusts: “As for the locust species, it actually strips off its skin; then it flies away. Your guardsmen are like the locust, and your recruiting officers like the locust swarm. They are camping in the stone pens in a cold day. The sun itself has but to shine forth, and away they certainly flee; and their place is really unknown where they are.”

On the other hand the locust-like men symbolized in the 9th chapter of Revelation are under orders to torment the people of the world who do not have the seal of God. This is the exact same work the “two witnesses” in the 11th chapter of Revelation do, which is to say they preach a message of doom that torments the world. In view of the fact that the locusts are wearing crowns it is evident that they are the sons of kingdom, who at that point will have been given the kingdom and so will have full authority to execute Jehovah’s judgments upon the earth.

What about the 144,000?

I think many on your board have been reasoning (or not reasoning) that since the first century the number 144,000 has already been filled. I wish you could clarify why that would be the case, and if you would agree with me that many have been called but Jehovah is still the one picking the cream of the crop, reserving the right to choose whom he wants to fill those positions in heaven. I think many are getting misled by false remnant members, thinking they are in line for a heavenly inheritance, which just may be the earth with everyone else.

The teaching that only 144,000 go to heaven is one of the Watchtower Society’s most controversial doctrines. I for one, though, believe that it is well supported by scripture. For the most part people reject the teaching because they are ignorant of Jehovah’s purpose to restore mankind and the earth to Edenic perfection. People have been falsely taught by Babylon’s clergy that heaven and hell are mankind’s destiny.

But as Jehovah’s Witnesses know, it was never God’s purpose to perpetually harvest the imaginary departed souls of the dead to populate the heavens – much less does God delight in roasting hapless sinners in hellfire. God has always intended for humans to live forever in peace and happiness on earth and that purpose will be accomplished by two means – one, by resurrecting the dead back to life on earth; and secondly, by preserving a great crowd through the world-ending great tribulation, to establish what the prophecies call the new earth.

However, it has also pleased Jehovah to create what is called the new heavens. The new heaven is a group composed of Christ and those who are chosen to share with him in his kingdom. The reason God purposed to create a new heavens, as well as a new earthly society, is because the rebellion against God originated in the heavens, with Satan the Devil and the angels who became demons.

Satan accused God of selfishly holding back knowledge from his creation because they couldn’t be trusted. The Devil also slandered God; impugning his character by implying that God has to bribe his creatures to be loyal to him and that if tested with hardship no one would ever be willing to suffer for God. And conversely, Satan also suggested that all intelligent creation is incapable of offering God complete loyalty and unselfish devotion. So, in order to conclusively prove Satan to be a liar God proposed to create a new creation composed of a limited number of indestructible spirits who are chosen from among condemned sinners and basically given the keys to the universe. But first they must prove their loyalty unto death Jehovah before grants them their reward. By doing so God demonstrates that he will not withhold anything from those whom he loves and who love him.

Because Jehovah’s magnanimity is displayed to such a superlative degree in his proposed new creation, it is a complete humiliation for the Devil. But, because he is a liar and the father of all lies, as Jesus called him, Satan is intent on belittling, discrediting and opposing anything having to do with the new creation.

One method he has used to belittle Jehovah’s incredible gift is by making it seem ordinary to most people. This he has done through the commonly accepted lies of Christendom that have deluded masses of people into believing that everyone goes to heaven, or at least all “Christians” supposedly do, as if it were their God-given birthright. But the Scriptures indicate otherwise. Only a representative number are chosen to be part of the new creation. The very designation of “chosen ones” indicates that it is an exclusive group of a limited number. Jesus also indicated as much when he addressed his fellow kingdom heirs as a “little flock.”

Some of Jehovah’s Witnesses who may have been overreached by Ray Franz’s teachings have gulped down the lie that the little flock was just the apostles and Christ’s immediate disciples whom he happened to be directly speaking to in the first century. But upon examining the context of Jesus’ remarks in the 12th chapter of Luke, it becomes apparent that the little flock extends all the way down to those who would be living when Christ commences his parousia. That is apparent because immediately after assuring the little flock that his Father had approved of giving them the kingdom, Jesus went on to say: “Let your loins be girded and your lamps be burning, and you yourselves be like men waiting for their master when he returns from the marriage, so that at his arriving and knocking they may at once open to him. Happy are those slaves whom the master on arriving finds watching! Truly I say to you, He will gird himself and make them recline at the table and will come alongside and minister to them. And if he arrives in the second watch, even if in the third, and finds them thus, happy are they! But know this, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief would come, he would have kept watching and not have let his house be broken into. You also, keep ready, because at an hour that you do not think likely the Son of man is coming.”

Since Jesus was directly addressing those whom he called a little flock when he said the above it is evident that some from the little flock of kingdom heirs will be on earth when the Son of man arrives. It is therefore evident that all the anointed kingdom heirs make up what Jesus called the little flock. Those who insist otherwise are perpetuating a lie.

As recorded at John 17:2, which was his last public prayer before his sacrificial death, Jesus referred to the “whole number” of believers, whom his Father had given him. Revelation reveals the “whole number” amounts to 144,000. How do we know that number applies to the little flock? For one thing, the 7th chapter of Revelation says that the 144,000 are sealed, 12,000 out of the 12 tribes of Israel. Of course, it is not in reference to the literal 12 tribes of Israel, which no longer even existed when Revelation was written. The letter of James is addressed to the 'twelve tribes scattered about,' which is in reference to the congregations of Christians that had sprung from the 12 founding apostles. So, the entire kingdom organization is symbolized as spiritual Israel having 12 tribes.

On the matter of the sealing: only anointed Christians are said to be sealed with God’s spirit. As 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 says: “But he who guarantees that you and we belong to Christ and he who has anointed us is God. He has also put his seal upon us and has given us the token of what is to come, that is, the spirit, in our hearts.”

Furthermore, Revelation 14:1-3 reveals other vital clues as to the identity of the 144,000. Those verses read: “And I saw, and, look! the Lamb standing upon the Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand having his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads. And I heard a sound out of heaven as the sound of many waters and as the sound of loud thunder; and the sound that I heard was as of singers who accompany themselves on the harp playing on their harps. And they are singing as if a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one was able to master that song but the hundred and forty-four thousand, who have been bought from the earth.”

The fact that the 144,000 have the name of Jehovah and Jesus written upon their foreheads indicates that they have been especially chosen, bought from the earth, as verse three says. The great crowd are not said to have been bought from the earth, nor are they depicted as having the name of God and Christ written on their foreheads. The 144,000 are Jehovah’s very special possession, unlike any other creation.

Mount Zion, where the 144,000 are standing with Christ, is a symbol for the very kingdom of God in heaven. That’s because literal Mount Zion in Jerusalem was the place of Jehovah’s typical throne and temple. Jesus standing upon Mount Zion with 144,000 can only be depicting Christ and his little flock in the kingdom; the very ones whom Jesus assured would be given the kingdom.

It is significant too that it says that the 144,000 are singing to Jehovah a new song and “no one was able to master that song but the hundred and forty-four thousand, who have been bought from the earth.” The exclusivity of the 144,000 grouping is underscored by the fact that no one can master the new song except the 144,000. A new song is a fitting symbol to distinguish the special worship rendered to Jehovah by those who are taken into a new covenant, to be a new creation in the new heavens and a new Jerusalem.

A variety of objections have been put forth to contradict the Bible’s teaching that the 144,000 are the only ones “who have been bought from the earth.” One commonly circulated objection is that there were many more than 144,000 Christians in the first century. But, really, that is mere conjecture. The truth is there is no record in the Bible.

It is interesting, however, that in the 11th chapter of Romans Paul alluded to the days of the prophet Elijah when Jehovah preserved 7,000 who had not bent their knee in worship of Baal. Paul then applied that number to what he called the “remnant” of God’s choosing then living. That is not to say that Paul was implying that there were literally only 7,000 Christians in the first century, but in order for his comparison to have any meaning back then there must have been a comparable number. (The real significance of the 7,000 is sealed up in the sacred secret of Revelation)

On down in that same chapter of Romans, Paul went on to say that “all of Israel will be saved” only when the “full number of people from the nations has come in.” This expression not only indicates that “Israel” is composed of non-Jewish persons, hence a spiritual Israel, but that there is a pre-ordained specific number that is to be gathered.

In Paul’s day the full number who would be taken from the nations to become part of “Israel” was still a mystery, but with the writing of Revelation at the close of the apostolic era the full number was revealed to amount to 144,000.

What are the master's "belongings"?

In your detailed reply to the question "are you saying you are a prophet?" you seem to indicate that there are other "late bloomers" like yourself who are looked upon as "clowns " by elders. My questions are: Are there indeed others who now stand alongside you? Is this the grouping of the good slave in readiness for the judgment of God’s household? Also, as you have shown from scripture that there is actually two appointments, the second being the appointment of over "all his belongings," are we shortly to expect the emergence of "his belongings?”



As far as others standing alongside me, no, I don’t view it that way; least I be accused of forming a sect of some sort. However, e-watchman.com does appear to have become an informal rallying point around which a few “late bloomers” have gathered. My essays seem to resonant more with some, since we have a shared experience. And I suppose, if anything, I have articulated that experience for others. (The more apt description, instead of “late bloomers, is “11th hour hires.” See essay: “Many that are First Will be Last”)

The second appointment over all the master’s “belongings” has reference to their being appointed as kings over all the earth. How do we know? Please note that Jesus followed up the parable of the faithful and discreet slave and the evil slave with two other illustrations regarding two classes of faithful and unfaithful servants. In the illustration of the faithful and sluggish slaves who are entrusted with their master’s money, Jesus also referred to an appointment, saying: “You were faithful over a few things. I will appoint you over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.”

Entering “into the joy of your master” relates to Christ’s anointed followers receiving their heavenly reward – of entering the kingdom of the heavens. That being the case, being appointed “over many things” must relate to their sharing in ruling over the earth during the reign of Christ’s kingdom. So, in that respect all of Jesus’ earthly “belongings,” over which the faithful slave and discreet slave is to be appointed, would appear to be not only the living who are destined to survive the great tribulation and live on the earth, but also the dead, who also belong to Jesus by virtue of the fact that his sacrificial death purchased all of mankind.

What is the house of God?

In the essay A conspiracy of Silence, Soon to End, Watchman says
that “Christendom does not constitute a spiritual house of God." Could you please define what constitutes a spiritual house of God? Also, why does the Watchtower constitute a spiritual house of God and Christendom doesn’t? Do they not both utilize the Bible to teach moral and biblical concepts, and having roots in Judaism? What is it that makes Jehovah’s Witnesses the spiritual house of God to the exclusion of everyone else? In all honesty is not Christendom, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, a reflection of ancient Israel and Judah in terms of our moral and spiritual condition before God?
-

Strictly speaking the spiritual house of God is the congregation made up of anointed Christians. For example 1 Peter 2:4-5 says: “Coming to him as to a living stone, rejected, it is true, by men, but chosen, precious, with God, you yourselves also as living stones are being built up a spiritual house for the purpose of a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

Peter also referred to the house of God being the first to experience God’s judgment even though many if not most of the individual members of the household are faithful and obedient to the good news, saying: “For it is the appointed time for the judgment to start with the house of God. Now if it starts first with us, what will the end be of those who are not obedient to the good news of God?”

Paul's writings at Hebrews 10:19-21 indicate that Jesus is a great priest over the house of God: “Therefore, brothers, since we have boldness for the way of entry into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, which he inaugurated for us as a new and living way through the curtain, that is, his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God…”

In a broader sense the house of God may include the earthly organization that has come to be tightly grouped around the anointed house of God. That is reflected in the name given the administrative headquarters for Jehovah’s Witnesses known as Bethel; which means in Hebrew, the house of God.

Reasonably, the house of God is a single organization composed of fellow believers. It cannot be a collection of different denominations and sects. And one of the distinguishing features of the house of God, or the house of Israel, as it is sometimes called, is that each member of the household personally knows Jehovah. Quoting from the prophecy of Jeremiah Paul indicated that Christianity was the new house of Israel under God’s new covenant, when he wrote: "'For this is the covenant that I shall covenant with the house of Israel after those days,’ says Jehovah. ‘I will put my laws in their mind, and in their hearts I shall write them. And I will become their God, and they themselves will become my people. And they will by no means teach each one his fellow citizen and each one his brother, saying: 'Know Jehovah!' For they will all know me, from the least one to the greatest one of them."

Although the new covenant has not yet produced a people who all know Jehovah in the absolute sense intimated by the prophecy, it should be apparent that one of the fundamental requirements for membership in God’s household is a basic knowledge of him. The doctrines of Christendom effectively prohibit anyone under their influence from truly knowing God. To illustrate the point, the vast majority of churchgoers believe that Jesus is Almighty God; when the Bible plainly teaches that Jesus is God's son and has always been subject to God. Obviously, persons who believe such things cannot really know God.

Who are the holy ones at Matthew 27:52?

Do JW's believe that the holy ones are the 144,000 bought from the earth? I have been told by JW's that the holy ones that died before Christ’s resurrection are not of the heavenly class. If so, who are the holy ones referred to that have fallen asleep in the memorial tombs at Christ’s death? Matt. 27:52

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the term "holy ones" applies exclusively to the chosen ones; ultimately totalling 144,000. The NWT uses the expression holy ones dozens of times – almost always in reference to anointed Christians. However, Matthew 27:52 appears to be an exception. Those “holy ones” apparently were pre-Christian prophets and perhaps priests. Christian writers thrice referred to the “holy prophets” prior to Christ. So, the term “holy ones” might be considered as an alternative to “holy prophets” in that particular passage.

Interestingly, the Gospel accounts do not refer to the apostles and disciples as “holy ones.” In fact, the only usage of the term in the entire Gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) is at Matthew 27:52. That’s because the apostles and disciples did not become holy ones until after Jesus ascended back to heaven and poured out the anointing holy spirit on Pentecost 33C.E. Since those who are described as “holy ones” at Matthew 27:52 died before the original anointing on the day of Pentecost they could not be of the same group of holy ones that belong to Christ.

-

Why do Jehovah's Witnesses go to the kingdom hall on Sunday?

Where in the bible does it say that we are supposed to go the kingdom hall on Sundays? And whose idea was it? What day of the week is the Sabbath?


Jehovah’s Witnesses do not observe a weekly sabbath. Sunday meetings are merely a matter of tradition and convenience, since most people typically do not work or go to school on Sunday.

But the fact of the matter is some congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses do not have Sunday meetings. In rare instances where more than four congregations share a kingdom hall some congregations meet on Saturdays. And it should be noted that Jehovah’s Witnesses have meetings throughout the week as well, not just on Sunday.

If you look at a calendar you will notice that Sunday is the 1st day of the week. The Jewish Sabbath is on the last day, the seventh day of the week, corresponding to Saturday. The Seventh Day Adventists also promote a Saturday Sabbath. But, as discussed in a previous mailbag question, Christians are not under the Ten Commandments or Jewish Law. In numerous letters to the congregations the apostle Paul forcefully proved that Christians are not required to observe a literal weekly sabbath. For example, writing to the Galatians Paul observed: "You are scrupulously observing days and months and seasons and years. I fear for you, that somehow I have toiled to no purpose respecting you."

The "days" the Christians were "scrupulously observing" were the Jewish festival days and sabbaths. Paul, though, taught that the Christian observes the sabbath simply by resting from our own works of self justification.

Why don't Jehovah's Witnesses believe in the 10 Commandments?

WHY DON'T JEHOVAH’S WITNESESS BELIEVE IN THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, AND WHAT IS THE NEW LAW COVENANT?

-
It is not that Jehovah’s Witnesses do not “believe in the Ten Commandments,” it is just that the Ten Commandments are not binding upon Christians. The Ten Commandements were part of the Jewish Law covenant. In fact, the very first law is specifically addressed to the Jews. It says: “I am Jehovah your God, who have brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slaves. You must not have any other gods against my face.” Obviously, the Egyptians, for example, were not bound by the law of Jehovah. Neither were any other ancient peoples. The Ten Commandments were given exclusively to the house of Israel.

The Christian writer, Paul, explained why God gave the nation of Israel the Law, including the Ten Commandments. He said that the Law was a "tutor leading to Christ," but that Christ was the end of the Law. Jesus kept the Law, perfectly. He was the only Jew who did. And because many features of the Law pointed to the coming of Christ it could be said that Christ fulfilled the Law. Paul explained that the death of Christ was as if the Law was nailed to the torture stake and brought to an end. Most of the letter of Hebrews as well as Galatians were written by the apostle to prove to Christians that they were no longer obligated to follow the Jewish law.

The new covenant has now replaced the old covenant. The new covenant is between Jehovah and anointed Christians. Instead of having to obey a Law code written on two tablets of stone, like the Ten Commandments were, the laws of the new covenant are written upon the hearts of those who are in the new covenant. As an example, in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus quoted from the Ten Commandments when he said, "You heard that it was said 'you must not murder.'" He then wen on to say that whoever continued wrathful with his brother was a murderer at heart. So, Jesus indicated that the law of the new covenant imbodied the old Law but went beyond the letter of the law to address the underlying motives of the person.

What about the three horns of Daniel's beast?

I would appreciate knowing your understanding of Daniel 8: 24, in particular the horn and the three kings that are humiliated. Are there any scriptures that can enlighten us as to the circumstances that lead to the humiliation of these three kings and who do you think these three kings could possibly be?


Evidently you meant Daniel 7:24, which reads: “And as for the ten horns, out of that kingdom there are ten kings that will rise up; and still another one will rise up after them, and he himself will be different from the first ones, and three kings he will humiliate.”

This portion of Daniel’s prophecy and the Watchtower’s interpretation of it are discussed in the Daniel blog, in the entry for November 3rd, 2005. Here is an excerpt from that blog regarding the prophetic significance of the unusually ferocious wild beast:

Excerpt __ There is no question but that the unusually fierce ten-horned beast represents the Roman Empire and its Holy Roman Empire successor. What is less certain is the prophetic identity of the peculiar 11th horn that emerges from among the ten horns and which causes three horns to be plucked out. The verses in question read: "I kept on considering the horns, and, look! another horn, a small one, came up in among them, and there were three of the first horns that were plucked up from before it. And, look! there were eyes like the eyes of a man in this horn, and there was a mouth speaking grandiose things."

(Daniel 7:8) "And as for the ten horns, out of that kingdom there are ten kings that will rise up; and still another one will rise up after them, and he himself will be different from the first ones, and three kings he will humiliate. And he will speak even words against the Most High, and he will harass continually the holy ones themselves of the Supreme One." (Daniel 7:24-25)

Under the sub-heading A Small Horn Gains Ascendancy, the Watchtower identifies Great Britain and the United States as the small horn. Paragraph 22 states: "In 1588, Philip II of Spain launched the Spanish Armada against Britain. This fleet of 130 ships, carrying more than 24,000 men, sailed up the English Channel, only to suffer defeat by the British navy and to fall victim to contrary winds and fierce Atlantic storms. This event "marked the decisive passing of naval superiority from Spain to England," said one historian. In the 17th century, the Dutch developed the world's largest merchant marine. With growing overseas colonies, however, Britain prevailed over that kingdom. During the 18th century, the British and the French fought each other in North America and India, leading to the Treaty of Paris in 1763. This treaty, said author William B. Willcox, "recognized Britain's new position as the predominant European power in the world beyond Europe." Britain’s supremacy was confirmed by the crushing victory over Napoléon of France in 1815 C.E. The "three kings" that Britain thus 'humiliated' were Spain, the Netherlands, and France. (Daniel 7:24) As a result, Britain emerged as the world's greatest colonial and commercial power. Yes, the "small" horn grew to become a world power!

According to the Society's view, the three horns were not plucked out simultaneously – as a straightforward reading of the prophecy would seem to suggest – but rather, individually, over a period spanning 227 years! (From 1588 to 1815) Not only that, but because the Society also identifies the United States with the ascending small horn, and the Anglo-American alliance did not even begin to take shape until the US entered WWI in 1917 on the side of Great Britain, it would seem that the little horn has been gradually budding for nearly 400 years! And taking the Society's interpretation at face value, what is even more difficult to comprehend is that we would also have to conclude that the emerging little horn plucked out his three competitors long before he gained full stature as the modern day Anglo-American dyad. But how reasonable is that? Besides, the defeat of the Spanish Armada was not so much due to British naval superiority anyway. The Spanish Armada more or less defeated itself. Sailing ships, such as comprised the Spanish Armada, are naturally subject to the fickle winds of fate. Contrary winds and poorly built sailing vessels – more than British strategy or strength – foiled the invasion of Britain.

But, there is no question it was a great moral victory for Queen Elizabeth's England. And while the defeat of the Spanish Armada was a corresponding humiliation for King Phillip of Spain, since he had personally overseen the actual design of many of the ships that failed to withstand the heavy seas and he also apparently devised the failed battle plan, still, the monarchy was not toppled nor was the empire uprooted. Phillip is quoted as saying 'I had intended to fight England, not the weather.'According to a BBC historical documentary even after the loss of part of the Spanish navy "the Anglo-Spanish war was to all intents a stalemate, for neither side was able to attack the other effectively, but even this result showed that there were limits to Spanish power. On a one to one basis England was clearly much weaker than Spain, but Elizabeth had demonstrated successfully that of all Philip's contemporaries in Europe she was the most dangerous enemy."

So, even though a battle was won, Great Britain was not immediately transformed into the master empire in the 16th Century – even as the Daniel book makes note of. It would be nearly 200 years before Britannia would reign supreme. As far as geo-politically decisive naval battles go, the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 was much more historically significant in terms of establishing British imperial dominance.In view of all of the above here are a few questions for reasoning Bible students to consider: Is it reasonable that the little horn would take centuries to emerge? Is it logical that the three horns (kings) are supplanted individually over centuries of time? For example, how can it be that the little horn supposedly supplanted one king (Spain) nearly two centuries before the British Empire fully emerged as the most dominant power on earth? And does it make sense that the little horn with eyes and a mouth supplanted his rivals long before he began to speak grandiose things against God and persecute the sons of the kingdom? __ end of excerpt

As for the interpretation of the emerging little horn and the three supplanted horns, apparently the prophecy has not been fulfilled yet. Here is another excerpt from the Daniel Blog:

Excerpt__ Bible students should take note of the fact that two other places in prophecy depict a powerful political agency exalting itself above all others and speaking grandiose words against God himself. Notably, Daniel 11: 36 says of the king of the north: "And the king will actually do according to his own will, and he will exalt himself and magnify himself above every god; and against the God of gods he will speak marvelous things. And he will certainly prove successful until the denunciation will have come to a finish; because the thing decided upon must be done."

The Watchtower, of course, assigns the fulfillment of this prophecy to the now-nonexistent Soviet Union. (Topic of future discussion) Also, the 13th chapter of Revelation symbolizes the seven-headed beast after it miraculously recovers from a mortal wound, saying of it: "And a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies was given it, and authority to act forty-two months was given it. And it opened its mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme his name and his residence, even those residing in heaven."

Let it be noted that a mouth is given to the beast after it recovered from its death-stroke. Since the Watchtower identifies the little horn with the seventh head of the seven headed beast, how is it that in the Watchtower's interpretation the little horn has a mouth centuries before the time when the Anglo-American king is supposed to have received his death wound during World War One? Was the horn mute all those centuries? Related to that, given that the death-stroke upon the beast is a significant event in the out-working of God’s purpose---commencing a period of judgment---why is it that Daniel's prophecy seemingly makes no allusion to that event?

Really, thinking Bible students ought to ponder the question as to why Jehovah God would presumably reveal such relatively trivial events of history through prophecy, such as the defeat of the Spanish Armada, which occurred centuries before the time of the end, even by the Society's reckoning.

As to the identity of the little horn, Jehovah's Witnesses should take note of the fact that the 17th chapter of Revelation also depicts a beast with 10 horns representing 10 kings. (Just as the beast of Daniel has 10 horns) Those kings are said to give their authority to the beast for one hour. After the 10 kings abdicate their own sovereignty the seven-headed beast then becomes the 8th king. The only way to harmonize the prophecies is to interpret that little horn, the lastly emerging 11th horn of Daniel’s 10-horned beast, as the yet-to-appear 8th and final king that rules for "one hour." The humiliation of the three kings before the ascendant little horn is a future event. Quite likely it has to do with the downfall of the Anglo-American, democratic system globally.

Interestingly, the 11th chapter of Daniel, verses 42-43, foretells that the king of the north will also subjugate three powerful kings during the time of the end; namely, Egypt, Libya and Ethiopia. (For further discussion of that topic see the essay Doom of the Anglo-American Dyad) These likely correspond to the three horns that are plucked up and humiliated the little horn. __ end of excerpt

Although there is some truth to the Society’s axiom that prophecy cannot be fully understood until after it is fulfilled, it must be pointed out that the purpose of prophecy is to foretell the future – not the past. However, as all knowledgeable Jehovah’s Witnesses are aware, most of the Watchtower Society’s prophetic interpretations have been applied to events that have already occurred – as is the case with the prophecy of Daniel. But since it is evident that the Society’s interpretation of the 7th chapter of Daniel does not fit even with past history, we are left with no alternative but to look to the future for its realization. Indeed, it requires foresight to actually peer into the future to see history before it unfolds.

As for the actual identities of the three yet-to-be humiliated kings, it would appear that the Anglo-American duo, and perhaps France or another close ally like Japan, are destined by prophecy to suffer a humiliating downfall. Or perhaps the three simply symbolize the Western block of Anglo-aligned nations. At any rate, at the present moment in time the Anglo-American dyad dominates the world; militarily, politically and economically. But it is becoming increasingly apparent that the days of American economic dominance are numbered. That’s because the American dollar, which has become the defacto world's currency, is on the verge of being suddenly devalued to the point of becoming worthless: The reason being, because of the massive indebtedness of the United States, both in terms of its government budget ledger and the so-called trade imbalance, which are generally recognized to be unsustainable, even in the near term. For example, China now holds over one trillion dollars.

The inevitable crash of the less-than-almighty dollar will have far reaching consequences. For one thing, any significant or sudden devaluation of the dollar will cause the gargantuan half-quad trillion dollar derivatives pyramid to topple – causing the complete disintegration of the dollar denominated global financial system. Of course, a global financial crash will affect all nations, but obviously the United States sits at ground zero of the looming dollar implosion.

It is clear, at least in my mind, the prophecies point forward to the humiliating downfall of the self-proclaimed champion of freedom and democracy and the richest nation on earth, along with her allies.

What about the 70 years of Tyre?

I've been reading with interest your application of Ezekiel 27 and 28 to the city of Tyre being London and the British Empire. You make a very convincing argument and it seems to fit. However I have an issue which I can't resolve. Isaiah 23 says of Tyre: “And it must occur in that day that Tyre must be forgotten seventy years, the same as the days of one king. At the end of seventy years it will happen to Tyre as in the song of a prostitute: ‘Take a harp, go around the city, O forgotten prostitute. Do your best at playing on the strings; make your songs many, in order that you may be remembered. And it must occur at the end of seventy years that Jehovah will turn his attention to Tyre, and she must return to her hire and commit prostitution with all the kingdoms of the earth upon the surface of the ground. And her profit and her hire must become something holy to Jehovah. It will not be stored up, nor be laid up, because her hire will come to be for those dwelling before Jehovah, for eating to satisfaction and for elegant covering.”

My question is how was London forgotten for seventy years and then return to her prostitution? I've looked to see whether this applies to ancient Tyre, but apparently it doesn't. If we assume this has a future application, how does that fit with your assertion that there will only be a short period of tribulation at Christ's arrival?


Apparently, the 70 years was fulfilled in the past. It applied roughly to the period that Jerusalem was desolated. I say “roughly” because Tyre and Jerusalem were not destroyed simultaneously. Nebuchadnezzar razed Jerusalem first. Then he engaged in a laborious 13 year siege of Tyre. So, obviously the 70 years desolation of Tyre is not an exact time period. It seems more symbolic of a period of judgment.

The Insight book makes the point that 70 years being “the same as the days of one king” applied to the Babylonian kingdom, rather than an individual king. After the Babylonian kingdom fell to Cyrus, Tyre once again became a prominent mercantile center. That ended the 70 years of Jerusalem’s desolation as well as the period of Tyre being like a forgotten prostitute. “Her hire [came] to be for those dwelling before Jehovah” in the sense that after Jerusalem and Tyre were rebuilt the Tyrians once again began trading with the Jews. For example, Nehemiah 13:16 reports that the Tyrians violated the Sabbath while doing business in the rebuilt city of Jerusalem.

Still, though, it is apparent that the prophecy of Tyre is intended to apply in a much broader way then to the literal Phoenician city. That is apparent from the related and more extensive prophecy in Ezekiel, which connects the king of Tyre with the covering cherub of Eden – an obvious reference to Satan the Devil.
-
Ezekiel’s prophecy reveals that the fall of anti-typical Tyre coincides with Satan’s ouster from heaven at the coming of Christ.

Even though Tyre fell some time before Nebuchadnezzar conquered Egypt the prophecies speak of their fall as occurring simultaneously and resulting in all the nations of the earth being rocked by the stunning development. This indicates that the fall of ancient Tyre and Egypt typifies the death-stroke yet to be administered upon the Anglo-American dual world power, which is destined to occur concurrent with the Devil being evicted from Jehovah’s heavens.

Prophecies in Daniel and Revelation revel that there is an interval of 42 months, or three and a half years, following the earth shaking crash of Satan’s political beast. During that interval Jehovah’s earthly organization is also desolated. Since the typical desolation of Jerusalem by the Babylonians lasted 70 years and the desolation of Tyre also lasted 70 years, at least in a token way, (Jerusalem fell first) it would appear that the fall of the Tyre on the Thames and the three and one half years of desolation for the holy ones runs concurrently as well.

The prophecy of Isaiah says that after that 70 year period Tyre will return and “commit prostitution with all the kingdoms of the earth upon the surface of the ground.” As mentioned above, the fall of Tyre and Egypt seems to parallel the death-stroke administered upon the head of the seven-headed beast in the 13th chapter of Revelation. In view of the fact that death stroke gets healed and the beast is revived and morphs into the eighth king that rules a relatively short time of one hour, Tyre’s return to the hire of an international prostitute with the all the kingdoms of earth would seem to harmonize with this aspect of prophecy. Her prostitution leads to the revival of a system in direct opposition to Jehovah’s kingdom.
-
But the revival of the Devil’s system will be short lived. That is why the prophecy goes on to foretell that her spoils will go to God’s people, that’s because from their then-heavenly vantage point, Christ and all his holy ones will plunder the nations and the meek will inherit all the earth – including the symbolic treasures of Tyre.
-

See the essays Doom of the Anglo-American Dyad and
Death of a God
-
Also, there is a revised and expanded version of the essay in the book Jehovah Himself Has Become King in the chapter re-titled as London and the Devil’s Throne.

Islam as the king of the north?

I have been intrigued with your website for a number of years now and thought I would run a question by you regarding the King of the North and King of South. Is it possible that instead of countries being identified as kings of the North and South, it is religions instead? The scriptures tell us that the King of the North would flood over many lands and enter the land of decoration. The King of the North could be Islam, and the King of the South, Christianity. Seems logical to me that this could be the case, and possibly lead into the great tribulation. What’s your view?


The kings of the north and south both find their origin in the empire of Alexander the Great. After his death the Grecian kingdom was divided among four of his generals. From two of those kingdoms we trace the descent of the king of the north and king of the south.

The Greek philosopher Plato advanced the idea of a republic based on principles of justice. A republic, though, is antithetical to oligarchism and empire and vice versa. Nevertheless, both systems have existed together in various forms – always in conflict. The period of recent history has pitted the two antagonistic systems against each other in the form of the British Empire and its most recent mutation of globalism, against the America of the Founders and the modern nation-state system.

Radical Islam and Evangelical fundamentalism are merely tools in the hands of the globalists who are working towards setting off an Islam-verses-Christendom clash of civilization as a means of destroying the nation state system and imposing a world government. (See the essay: The King of the North Conspires for World Domination)

What about the locusts of the abyss?

Who do you interpret to be the locusts who come out of the smoke of the abyss in Rev: 9






The locusts of Revelation symbolize the kings of God’s kingdom going forth to war against the people of Satan’s world after the point at which the sealing of the holy ones has been accomplished. Their being released from the abyss also likely symbolizes the resurrection of the holy ones as well. They will at that point participate from the heavens in a military-like operation under their king, Abaddon, which means Destroyer. Christ is the Destroyer of Satan’s world and Satan himself.

The holy ones remaining on the earth at that time will have been sealed and revealed, meaning they will have been granted God’s irreversible approval. Their wearing “crowns like gold” indicates that they will have been given the kingdom at that time. Their having the teeth of lions represents their fearlessness and ferocity in denouncing the Devil’s world as a preliminary to its actual destruction.

Which is correct: Jehovah or Yahweh?

As one of Jehovah’s Witnesses it has always troubled me (more now than ever), that the reasoning for choosing Jehovah over Yahweh is because Jehovah was the more common, accepted, known, familiar. JW's generally go contrary to what is popular; especially when it comes to what is accepted by the "world"! However “Yahweh” is closer to God's name that Jehovah.

What is your "take" on that?


As you no doubt are aware, God’s name was originally written in the Hebrew Scriptures in the form on an abbreviation using the four letters YHWH called the Tetragrammaton. No doubt back when the Bible writers used the YHWH they knew how it ought to be pronounced.

.

Unfortunately, over the ages the true pronunciation has been lost due to the fact that no one can say with certainty which vowels ought to be inserted into YHWH. We may be sure, though, that the name “Jehovah” is not the Hebrew way of pronouncing the Divine name. The reason being, obviously, that the YHWH does not contain a “J.”

.

How did it come about that YHWH came to have a J-sound?

.

Under the topic of Tetragrammaton Wikipedia says: “The "J" in "Jehovah" is a result of Martin Luther's rendering of the Biblical Hebrew name יְהֹוָה in his German translation of the Masoretic Text first published in 1534. Due to the fluid position of the letters J and I in English before the 17th century Luther's convention fit with earlier English transcriptions and thus was retained in early English translations. The Encyclopedia Americana states: The form of J was unknown in any alphabet until the 14th century. Either symbol (J,I) used initially generally had the consonantal sound of Y as in year. Gradually, the two symbols (J,l) were differentiated, the J usually acquiring consonantal force and thus becoming regarded as a consonant, and the I becoming a vowel. It was not until 1630 that the differentiation became general in England.”

So, evidently the English invention of the letter “J” originally had a “Y” sound, but gradually it changed. That’s the nature of languages – they change over time. But, the argument could be made that keeping the “J” spelling of Jehovah is consistent with the fact that all proper Hebrew names that were originally spelled with a “Y” are spelled with a “J” in English. Names like Jeremiah, Joshua, and Jehoshaphat and so on, were written in Hebrew with a “Y.”

As for the name Yah-weh, there are reasons to object to that pronunciation. True, the “Y” is in keeping with the original consonant of the Tetragrammaton, but it falls short in not reflecting the fact that YHWH probably was pronounced using three syllables – not two. The same Wikipedia article goes on to point out that the 1st century Jewish historian, Josephus, stated that YHWH was pronounced with four vowels. But, there are valid reasons to believe that it was three, and the middle syllable had an “O” sound.

This is reflected in the many Hebrew names that incorporated parts of the Divine name either as a prefix or suffix. Proper Hebrew names like Je-ho-ram, Je-hoi-da, Je-hoi-a-chin, Je-hoi-a-kim, Je-hon-a-than and others, apparently incorporated the first two syllabic sounds of YHWH, which indicates that the middle vowel sound was “HO.” The pronunciation of “Jehovah” is in keeping with the pronunciation of numerous derivatives of the Divine name. Yahweh is lacking in that regard.

.

In my opinion, what's important is not so much trying to imitate an unknowable Hebrew pronunciation, but rather, using a form of the name that is consistent with the way other biblical Hebrew names are pronounced in English. The name "Jehovah" fits that criteria.

.

What "other" things did Jesus create?

In Colossians 1:16 Jesus created all [other] things, as the Scripture teaches there is only one Creator who created the heavens and the earth, Adam and Eve, so therefore what other things did Jesus create?

Jesus created all other things with the exception of himself. God personally created Jesus.

The surrounding context of the verse in question states concerning Christ: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; because by means of him all [other] things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All [other] things have been created through him and for him. Also, he is before all [other] things and by means of him all [other] things were made to exist, and he is the head of the body, the congregation. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that he might become the one who is first in all things; because [God] saw good for all fullness to dwell in him, and through him to reconcile again to himself all [other] things by making peace through the blood [he shed] on the torture stake, no matter whether they are the things upon the earth or the things in the heavens.”

Paul’s writings make it clear that Jesus Christ has a very special and unique relationship with God. He is the very first creature that God created or fathered.It is a wonderful and frightening thought, and beyond our ability to comprehend, but the truth of the matter is that God, Jehovah, has always existed. In fact, he was alone for an eternity – that is until he determined to become the Creator. And the very first thing God created was a person, a person that God made to resemble himself in every way, a person made in his image. (Please note, though, that an image is a reflection of something or someone else. For example, when a person looks into a mirror they see an image; however the image is not the real thing.)

As the beginning of God’s creation Jesus is the only creature that was created directly by God. That’s why he is also called the “only-begotten son of God.” All other sons were brought into existence through the firstborn son. The scripture makes plain that after Jesus was brought into existence he was then given the privilege of creating everything else, including the angels in heaven as well as the physical universe and ultimately Adam and Eve.

But does that make Jesus the Creator? No. Colossians states that God merely worked “through” Jesus. Looking at it from another angle, we might reason this way: Could Jesus have created all things without God's help? No. Had he chosen to, though, could Jehovah have created all things without Jesus' help? The answer is yes. It was merely due to God's magnaminity that he gave his firstborn the privilege to take on the role of a creator. In that way God caused his firstborn to express the fullness of the Father.

It is the same with human parents. Can any human parent honestly take credit for creating another life? Not really. Humans merely take part in the act of procreation, which God (through Christ) set into motion long ago. God himself is the Originator of the marvelous human reproductive system. He is mankind's real Father and Life-giver.

It is the same with Jesus. God created Jesus and then gave Jesus the power, wisdom and authority to create all other things. Christ is the agency through whom Jehovah works, for the good of all Creation.

What about Revelation 5:10?

Question: In Revelation 5:10, the NWT says: "and you made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to rule as kings over the earth". I have a "Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures" and in the front inside cover there is a chart, "Diagram Illustrating Basic Meanings of Greek Prepositions". It shows that theGreek preposition, "eppi" means "upon" and another as meaning "over". The literal Greek says "upon", but the English translation says, "over.” Why is the clear meaning of this preposition changed here? How can you look at the Greek as saying one thing and the English saying another word in exact opposition to the Greek? Isn't this an example of bias on the part of the translators?


Every translator has a bias toward what they perceive to be the truth, or at least they should have. In the case of the NWT publishers and Jehovah’s Witnesses it is our belief that God’s heavenly kingdom is just that – heavenly. From that doctrinal perspective, then, the kingdom will rule over the earth, not “upon” it, as if to infer it is an earthly kingdom and not heavenly in nature. But, it could also be said that God’s heavenly kingdom will extend its rule “upon” the earth. Whichever word is used it is best not to place so much emphasis on a single preposition in a particular verse. Thankfully our discerning the truth regarding the nature of God’s kingdom does not depend upon how a particular translator translated a particular preposition. The Bible as a whole clearly establishes the truth regarding God’s kingdom.

When does the kingdom come to power?

In Revelation chapter 12 Christ is viewed as “Michael” fighting against the dragon and its angels. However, in Revelation chapter 19 he is seen as “King of kings,” striking the nations and shepherding them with an iron rod. In this scene, he rides in warfare not only with the faithful angels, but also with the holy ones. So it appears that Christ becomes King after the war that broke out in heaven, but immediately preceding Armageddon. Unlike this scenario, e-watchman says that “the ouster of Satan and the demons takes place after Jesus is given his kingdom.” (See e-watchman mailbag, dated April 14, 2006) Is it not apparent that the kingdom is given to Christ and the holy ones after the war in heaven and Satan’s ouster, but before the Armageddon war?


The 12th chapter of Revelation depicts a symbolic woman giving birth to a male child who is to rule the nations. Obviously the birth of the child symbolizes the birth of God’s kingdom. And, indeed, immediately after the child is born it is “caught away to God and to his throne.” The fact that the child is caught away to God’s throne indicates that the child is an heir of the kingdom. It is immediately after the birth of the royal child that war breaks out in heaven between Jehovah’s angels and the demons. Revelation 12:10 confirms for us that the war in heaven was a result of Christ’s kingdom coming to power.

After the Devil is hurled down to earth he then goes off to wage war against the holy ones for 42 months. Eventually all the holy ones will be killed, which is why the entire body of chosen ones (144,000) is with Christ in heaven to smash the nations at the climatic battle of Armageddon. (See essay: Will Christianity Survive the End of the World?)