ANGELIC INSPIRATION FOR THE DIRECTION OF THE WATCHTOWER SOCIETY ?

The Jehovah’s Witnesses quote the Bible that states that the dead “are conscious of nothing at all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5) It also says that when a person dies, “in that day his thoughts do perish.” (Psalm 146:4) Satan, however, is “the father of the lie.” (John 8:44) He is the one who originated the falsehood that the human soul survives death. (Compare Ezekiel 18:4.) Many people today believe this, which suits Satan’s purpose, for it negates the need for faith in the resurrection, a fundamental doctrine of Christianity. (John 5:28, 29) So, inquiring of the dead or seemingly receiving messages from them is yet another facet of the angel movement that is not approved by God. The use of divination as a means to “communicate” with angels is not uncommon.” ( WATCHTOWER, November 1, 1995)

From their Knowledge book that leads to eternal life, if you have been taught that some forms of Spiritism are the means of contacting good spirits, you may be surprised to learn what the Bible says about “Spiritism.”

They go on to say that angels were used “ to communicate with some humans before the bible was completed. Since its completion, Gods word has provided the guidance humans need to serve Jehovah acceptably.” (Knowledge, that leads to everlasting Life p.111-112) So they now say that one should not have any contact with spirits (angels). This was not always the case even as late as the 70’s this was fine.

“Visible human creatures, had to do with that message, yet, in fact, it was a message of the Lord sent through his invisible angels, because without a doubt these are clothed with authority to direct the course of earthly members of God’s organization (Light, Volume 1, 1930, p. 106).

Who do they mean by Lord, is it the Lord Jesus, an angel, or Jehovah.

“The Governing Body is necessary for submission to the headship of God’s son.” (Watchtower p.755 Dec.15 1972) This shows they are listening to an angel for directions, because that is who Jesus is to them.

“There cannot be a question of doubt that Jesus Christ can and does direct every division of his organization and that he can and does use his holy angels to carry into operation his orders and direct the course of the remnant on earth, regardless of the fact that the remnant cannot see these agents or ambassadors of the Lord and can have no direct or audible communication with them” (The Watchtower, September 1, 1932, p. 263).

So they take direction from an angel who is Michael who is another Jesus. But what about the statement of “no direct or audible communication.”

“Again God put it in the mind of his people, by his angel, to act and to carry out his purposes” (Light, Volume 1, 1930, p. 120).

Since they don’t see these angels, how are they being communicated, too? It appears that they “hear voices” since it is put in their minds. But where in Scripture does it say angels put things in ones minds. They would appear physically and communicate; never do they commune with anyone via thoughts. Only in Spiritism, mediums and channeling does this occur.

“The heavenly messengers or angels of the Lord now used by the Lord in behalf of the remnant. These angels are invisible to human eyes and are there to carry out the orders of the Lord. No doubt they first hear the instruction which the Lord issues to his remnant and then these invisible messengers pass such instruction on to the remnant.” (Vindication, Volume 3, 1932, p. 250).

“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.” (Preparation, 1933, p. 36).

“ Who controls the organization? Jehovah.” (Watchtower 11/1/1956 p.666)

“Jehovah has made the necessary arrangements, within his organization to instruct his people, and all recognize that for some years The Watchtower has been the means of communicating information to God’s people. That does not mean that those who prepare the manuscript for The Watchtower are inspired, but rather it means that the Lord through his angels sees to it that the information is given to his people in due time … “ (Riches, 1936, p. 316).

So the process is Jehovah (supposedly) then Jesus then to the angels then to The Watchtower then to the servant class who knocks on the doors to tell others of this message!

“Again the Lord sent his angel to carry out matters of great importance as pertaining to his people on earth. He caused his representatives or deputies, who are invisible to men, to direct what his visible servants on the earth should do. This is further proof of the completeness with which Jehovah keeps in his hand all his work” (Light, Volume 1, 1930, p. 218).

“Doubtless the Lord uses these holy angels to direct the course of his people on earth; what they shall take and what they shall do. The angels are a part of God’s organization . . .” (Light, Volume 11, 1930, p. 12).

Are angels part of the church or an earthly organization?

“The Lord used the Watchtower to announce these truths. Doubtless he used his invisible deputies to have much to do with it.” (Light, Volume 1, 1930, p. 64).

“ ..the servant class on earth are directed by the Lord through his duly constituted deputies or angels.”(Light, Volume II, 1930, p.20).

“This would indicate that Jehovah’s Witnesses today make their declaration of the good news of the Kingdom under angelic direction and support ... the nations will see the fulfillment of what these witnesses say as directed from heaven.” (The Watchtower, April 1, 1972, p. 200).

Mr. F. W. Franz during a Scotland trial was asked this question. (P. 39-40)

ATTORNEY: In the fifth place, is it an article of belief that there is an innumerable number of angels which operate under divine direction?

FRANZ: Yes.

ATTORNEY: And that they have a supervisory charge in relation to those who are Jehovah’s Witnesses?

FRANZ: Yes. The Apostle Paul says so in Hebrews 1: 14.

ATTORNEY: This matter of the angelic creation and their function in relation to Jehovah’s Witnesses, is that to your knowledge a unique tenet or belief?

FRANZ: No, there are other religious denominations, which believe in the existence angels.

ATTORNEY: That is not unique?

FRANZ: That is not unique in itself.

ATTORNEY: But is there any unique element in the association between the belief in the existence of the various ranks of angels and their activities in relation to Jehovah’s Witnesses?

FRANZ: Well, we believe that the angels of God are used in directing Jehovah’s Witnesses.

(trial discourse from Questions for Jehovah Witnesses by Bill Cetnar)

While the J.W. has said there is to be no spirit communication  “the remnant cannot see these agents or ambassadors of the Lord and can have no direct or audible communication with them (Watchtower Sept.1, 1932 p.236) Which is it? Do they or don’t they? Only their leaders know. Or do they?

Only one month later they said, “No question he uses holy every division of his organization, and angels to carry out his orders and direct the course of the remnant. (Watchtower 9/1/1932, p. 263)

They seem to change their mind when it seems fit “It was a message of the Lord sent through his invisible angels, because without a doubt these are clothed with authority to direct the course of earthly members of God’s organization. (Light vol.1 1930 p.106) Speaking of the angels “ No doubt they first hear the instruction which the Lord issues to his remnant and then these invisible messengers pass on such instruction, to the remnant. “

So they receive their instructions from angels?

“Visible human creatures, had to do with that message, yet, in fact, it was a message of the Lord sent through his invisible angels, because without a doubt these are clothed with authority to direct the course of earthly members of God’s organization.” (Light, Volume 1, 1930, p. 106).

Jehovah’s Witnesses today make their declaration of the good news of the Kingdom under angelic direction and support ... the nations will see the fulfillment of what these witnesses say as directed from heaven (The Watchtower, April 1, 1972, p. 200).

There are many more quotes that can be supportive in this angelic treadmill from God to angels to the Watchtower.

The Bible commands us to not seek after spirits or angels but to hear from his son only. Heb.1: 1 While God has used angels to bring messages to mankind and Israel this is not a normative or healthy way to have a relationship with him. We do not communicate with angels for our revelation. It is through Gods Son the Father, made known and understood; he is the final revelation to all. While Jehovah Witnesses may agree with this, in practice they do not.

Remember F.W. Franz during his Scotland trial was asked this question by the attorney,” is there any unique element in association between the belief in the existence of the various ranks of angels and their activities in relation to J.W.’s?” Franz states, “We believe that the angels of God are used in directing J.W.’s.”

The warning on angels and men preaching a false gospel has direct application to the Watchtower Society. Paul the apostle warned (prophetically) in Galatians 1:8-9, “But even though we, or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed.”

What kind of angels are directing the Society and its “gospel”? They are not preaching the same gospel as the apostles, but another one, contrary to Paul’s and the other apostles. Interesting that Mormonism, Islam and Jehovah Witnesses claim angelic inspiration.

“That same Holy Spirit and angelic direction still affect the preaching activities of Christian ministers.”( Watchtower 7/1/1973, p. 405) So they are claiming it is still the same as it was from the beginning.

The Jesus of the Watchtower is the angel Michael yet they receive revelation not only from him but other angels (whatever their secret names may be). What is even more confounding is their current opinion on who is Jesus. In 1917 they held a closer to orthodox view that Apollyon in Rev.9: 11 was the destroyer whose name is Satan (Finished Mystery). However, in the 1992 Watchtower May1^st, it said, “A plague of locusts, sent forth by Jehovah under a king, the angel of the abyss “ who is none other than Jesus Christ. His names Abaddon (Hebrew) and Apollyon (Greek) mean destruction and destroyer. This is the Watchtowers Jesus, and he has certainly lived up to the name they have given him.