The History and Beliefs of the Jehovah Witnesses

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The History and Beliefs of the Jehovah Witnesses

Posted On : Sep-21-2011 | seen (481) times | Article Word Count : 1196 |

Charles Taze Russell is the official founder of the group. He was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. As a youth he was afraid of hell, this in turn led him to a discussion and with an individual who denied it's existence. He then believed from that time on that there was no such thing. Another turning point in his life was when he went to a church that was very interested in the time of Christ's return. From then on he sought out the exact date of that event. Almost immediately (after reading an incorrect and inaccurate pamphlet of the subject at that time titled, "The Object and Manner of the Lord's Return" - he said that he discovered that time period of the Lord's Return. Charles said the year of that event was 1874, later on he changed it to 1914. When the Lord came he would not been seen according Russell (that contradicts Revelations 1:7). "Behold, he comes with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen."

Also in 1874 Charles was elected as pastor over the bible class that he had taught for the previous four years. This marked the true beginning of that group. By 1879 Russell began publishing the Watchtower Magazine but back then it was titled, "Zion's Watchtower and the Herald of Christ's Presence." In 1880 there were thirty congregations in several states, and in 1884 they were became a official church.

Some facts about Russell's life include that he sold a "Miracle Wheat" product that was later proven by the Brooklyn Daily Eagle as a fraudulent product. He married a woman who was never given credit for the articles that she wrote for him as his personal secretary, and eventually divorced him in 1913 on the grounds of his "conceit, egotism, domination and improper conduct to other women."

On June 1912, a Baptist Pastor named Reverend J.J. Ross denounced Charles in a tract and was immediately sued by Russell. On the witness stand Charles was caught lying. He reported that he could read Greek, but when asked to read some Russell admitted that he could not read it. Charles also claimed to a properly ordained preacher, but again under oath denied that he was one. In 1916, Russell died and his Egyptian pyramid like tomb bears a Masons symbol on it. He was also said some very disturbing things about Freemasonry. Russell claimed that the Apostle Paul was a thirty-second degree Mason in the Lord's order, and bore the marks to prove it. The source for this the document titled, "The Temple of Gods" (of 1913). It is a discourse by Pastor Russell to international Bible students, and his words are reported verbatim on pages 120-127.

Here are some of the beliefs of his group that are called the Jehovah's Witnesses.

1) A belief that is unique to Jehovah's Witnesses is that the eschatological events predicted in Revelation actually began in 1914. This is when God gave Jesus his Kingdom, and Jesus has been ruling from heaven ever since. At this time Jesus threw Satan and his demons out of heaven and down to earth, which is why, according to Witnesses, the world has been getting progressively worse since 1914. Again this contradicts Revelation 1:7 and many other Scriptures. According to two books alone, Daniel and the book of Revelations, that there's a tribulation (and some say in the middle of it there's a Great Tribulation period) that must first transpire before the Millennial (1,000 year) kingdom of God is established.

2) Jehovah's Witnesses deny the existence of hell. Instead, they hold that the souls of the wicked will be annihilated. The death that Adam brought into the world is spiritual as well as physical, and only those who gain entrance into the Kingdom of God will exist eternally. However, this division will not occur until Armageddon, when all people will be resurrected and given a chance to gain eternal life. In the meantime, "the dead are conscious of nothing." Jesus spoke more about hell than many other subjects. He called it Gehenna, a place of suffering for lost souls. (See Matthew 5:22, 29-30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33) And Revelations 19:20 and 20:10, 14-15 describes (that hell was cast into) a lake of fire.

3) Based on their reading of prophetic books like Daniel and Revelation, Jehovah's Witnesses believe that only 144,000 people will go to heaven to rule with God. The remainder of the righteous will enjoy paradise on earth - a restored Garden of Eden in which there is no sickness, old age, death or unhappiness. However, the 144,000 Witnesses are Jewish male virgins from every tribe of Israel and not the Gentiles. See Revelations 7:1-8. These are sealed by God during the tribulation period to preach His Gospel to every creature.

This teaching did not come from their founder C.T. Russell at least not the way it is taught today. The kingdom was limited to 144,000 member's but Russell taught all the members of the Watchtower were considered to be “anointed,' and have the heavenly hope. The early Watchtower teaching By Russell was that all Jehovah’s Witnesses go to heaven. There was no paradise earth teaching. Russell taught that the calling of the 144,000 was completed in 1881. “We believe that the seven years (harvest) from the autumn of 1874 to 1881, is the time for the construction of this temple, i.e. the bringing of all the members--fruit bearing branches of the Vine-- into the perfect spiritual condition...If we are correct in this matter, it proves, in harmony with the parallelism of the Jewish and Gospel ages, not only that the door of favor to the high calling to be the “bride”-- the temple will end in the autumn of 1881.” The “great crowd” class was not taught by Russell, it was Judge Joseph F. Rutherford the second President, who took over after Russell in 1917 that invented the two class doctrine. He started prophesying that Armageddon was right around the corner. With the intention to increase the membership, he began to tell his followers that only 144,000 people were going to make it to heaven. The door to door Jehovah’s Witnesses began to tell the people that they had better join the Watchtower before it’s too late, Armageddon is right around the corner. With the motivating factor of fear people were prompted to join because the ranks of the 144,000 were filling up fast. Beyond Russell’s wildest expectations the Jehovah’s Witnesses finally grew past the number of 144,000. It was fear that was used from the beginning and fear that continues to be used today in their teachings.

Should one unite himself or herself with unbiblical beliefs led by a leader who was a proven liar? That's a rhetorical question. Of course not. Follow the Bible. Get baptized in the name of Jesus and follow Him in whatsoever he commands you to do by His Holy Spirit. God bless you richly!

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<h1>The History and Beliefs of the Jehovah Witnesses</h1> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_Steve-0.aspx'>Steve-0</a> Charles Taze Russell is the official founder of the group. He was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. As a youth he was afraid of hell, this in turn led him to a discussion and with an individual who denied it's existence. He then believed from that time on that there was no such thing. Another turning point in his life was when he went to a church that was very interested in the time of Christ's return. From then on he sought out the exact date of that event. Almost immediately (after reading an incorrect and inaccurate pamphlet of the subject at that time titled, "The Object and Manner of the Lord's Return" - he said that he discovered that time period of the Lord's Return. Charles said the year of that event was 1874, later on he changed it to 1914. When the Lord came he would not been seen according Russell (that contradicts Revelations 1:7). "Behold, he comes with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen."

Also in 1874 Charles was elected as pastor over the bible class that he had taught for the previous four years. This marked the true beginning of that group. By 1879 Russell began publishing the Watchtower Magazine but back then it was titled, "Zion's Watchtower and the Herald of Christ's Presence." In 1880 there were thirty congregations in several states, and in 1884 they were became a official church.

Some facts about Russell's life include that he sold a "Miracle Wheat" product that was later proven by the Brooklyn Daily Eagle as a fraudulent product. He married a woman who was never given credit for the articles that she wrote for him as his personal secretary, and eventually divorced him in 1913 on the grounds of his "conceit, egotism, domination and improper conduct to other women."

On June 1912, a Baptist Pastor named Reverend J.J. Ross denounced Charles in a tract and was immediately sued by Russell. On the witness stand Charles was caught lying. He reported that he could read Greek, but when asked to read some Russell admitted that he could not read it. Charles also claimed to a properly ordained preacher, but again under oath denied that he was one. In 1916, Russell died and his Egyptian pyramid like tomb bears a Masons symbol on it. He was also said some very disturbing things about Freemasonry. Russell claimed that the Apostle Paul was a thirty-second degree Mason in the Lord's order, and bore the marks to prove it. The source for this the document titled, "The Temple of Gods" (of 1913). It is a discourse by Pastor Russell to international Bible students, and his words are reported verbatim on pages 120-127.

Here are some of the beliefs of his group that are called the Jehovah's Witnesses.

1) A belief that is unique to Jehovah's Witnesses is that the eschatological events predicted in Revelation actually began in 1914. This is when God gave Jesus his Kingdom, and Jesus has been ruling from heaven ever since. At this time Jesus threw Satan and his demons out of heaven and down to earth, which is why, according to Witnesses, the world has been getting progressively worse since 1914. Again this contradicts Revelation 1:7 and many other Scriptures. According to two books alone, Daniel and the book of Revelations, that there's a tribulation (and some say in the middle of it there's a Great Tribulation period) that must first transpire before the Millennial (1,000 year) kingdom of God is established.

2) Jehovah's Witnesses deny the existence of hell. Instead, they hold that the souls of the wicked will be annihilated. The death that Adam brought into the world is spiritual as well as physical, and only those who gain entrance into the Kingdom of God will exist eternally. However, this division will not occur until Armageddon, when all people will be resurrected and given a chance to gain eternal life. In the meantime, "the dead are conscious of nothing." Jesus spoke more about hell than many other subjects. He called it Gehenna, a place of suffering for lost souls. (See Matthew 5:22, 29-30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33) And Revelations 19:20 and 20:10, 14-15 describes (that hell was cast into) a lake of fire.

3) Based on their reading of prophetic books like Daniel and Revelation, Jehovah's Witnesses believe that only 144,000 people will go to heaven to rule with God. The remainder of the righteous will enjoy paradise on earth - a restored Garden of Eden in which there is no sickness, old age, death or unhappiness. However, the 144,000 Witnesses are Jewish male virgins from every tribe of Israel and not the Gentiles. See Revelations 7:1-8. These are sealed by God during the tribulation period to preach His Gospel to every creature.

This teaching did not come from their founder C.T. Russell at least not the way it is taught today. The kingdom was limited to 144,000 member's but Russell taught all the members of the Watchtower were considered to be “anointed,' and have the heavenly hope. The early Watchtower teaching By Russell was that all Jehovah’s Witnesses go to heaven. There was no paradise earth teaching. Russell taught that the calling of the 144,000 was completed in 1881. “We believe that the seven years (harvest) from the autumn of 1874 to 1881, is the time for the construction of this temple, i.e. the bringing of all the members--fruit bearing branches of the Vine-- into the perfect spiritual condition...If we are correct in this matter, it proves, in harmony with the parallelism of the Jewish and Gospel ages, not only that the door of favor to the high calling to be the “bride”-- the temple will end in the autumn of 1881.” The “great crowd” class was not taught by Russell, it was Judge Joseph F. Rutherford the second President, who took over after Russell in 1917 that invented the two class doctrine. He started prophesying that Armageddon was right around the corner. With the intention to increase the membership, he began to tell his followers that only 144,000 people were going to make it to heaven. The door to door Jehovah’s Witnesses began to tell the people that they had better join the Watchtower before it’s too late, Armageddon is right around the corner. With the motivating factor of fear people were prompted to join because the ranks of the 144,000 were filling up fast. Beyond Russell’s wildest expectations the Jehovah’s Witnesses finally grew past the number of 144,000. It was fear that was used from the beginning and fear that continues to be used today in their teachings.

Should one unite himself or herself with unbiblical beliefs led by a leader who was a proven liar? That's a rhetorical question. Of course not. Follow the Bible. Get baptized in the name of Jesus and follow Him in whatsoever he commands you to do by His Holy Spirit. God bless you richly!
 About the Author: Charles Russell, Jehovah's Witnesses, Wikipedia, History, King James Bible, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Baptist Historical Documents Article Source: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/Article_The-History-and-Beliefs-of-the-Jehovah-Witnesses_84340.aspx'> http://www.articleseen.com/Article_The History and Beliefs of the Jehovah Witnesses_84340.aspx</a>

Article Source : http://www.articleseen.com/Article_The History and Beliefs of the Jehovah Witnesses_84340.aspx

Author Resource :
Charles Russell, Jehovah's Witnesses, Wikipedia, History, King James Bible, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Baptist Historical Documents

Keywords : witnesses, Jehovah, Charles Russell, fear, Jewish, liar, mason, pyramid, Lord, return, second, coming, tribualtion, great, year, Revelation,

Category : Society : Religion

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