Bible Reading Without the Publications

When the Governing Body of the Watchtower says that disobeying them is the same as disobeying Jehovah, I find problems with that. Could it be that they are "lift[ing themselves] up over everyone who is called 'god'...so that [they] sit down in the temple of The God, publicly showing [themselves] to be a god"?-2 Thessalonians 2:4

An example of all of this can be found in a recent Watchtower article where it says: "

Since Jehovah God and Jesus Christ completely trust the faithful and discreet slave, should we not do the same? After all, the slave has shown itself to be faithful in doing its assigned work. . .The faithful slave is also discreet in that it neither acts immodestly, running ahead of Jehovah, nor lags behind when God's direction on a matter is clear. . .The slave is able to provide wise and timely warnings because Jehovah God and Jesus Christ are blessing it. The slave thus deserves our complete trust."-The Watchtower, Feb. 15, 2009

On the other hand, Jehovah God has said, "Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs." (Psalm 146:3) The members of the Governing Body are no different, they are all sons of earthling man.

The Governing Body of the Watchtower Society does not encourage what Luke declared was noble, namely, searching the Scriptures to see whether the things they teach are really so. (Acts 17:11) They give us a few Scriptures and expect us to take their word for it. Many do. It can not be that way anymore.

In a recent issue of Our Kingdom Ministry (Sept. 2007) it said, "Does 'the faithful and discreet slave' endorse independent groups of Witnesses who meet together to engage in Scriptural research or debate?" The answer, surprisingly, was:

"No, it does not. And yet, in various parts of the world, a few associates of our organization have formed groups to do independent research on Bible-related subjects...Throughout the earth, Jehovah’s people are receiving ample spiritual instruction and encouragement at congregation meetings, assemblies, and conventions, as well as through the publications of Jehovah’s organization. Under the guidance of his holy spirit and on the basis of his Word of truth, Jehovah provides what is needed so that all of God’s people may be 'fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought' and remain 'stabilized in the faith.'...the 'faithful and discreet slave' does not endorse any literature, meetings, or Web sites that are not produced or organized under its oversight...It is commendable for individuals to want to use their thinking ability in support of the good news."

At first this sounds well and good, "use your time for supporting the ministry if you want to do something spiritual." Who can argue with that? But then they seem to contradict themselves by encouraging extra Bible study.

"For those who wish to do extra Bible study and research, we recommend that they explore Insight on the Scriptures, 'All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial,' and our other publications, such as those that discuss the prophecies found in the Bible books of Daniel, Isaiah, and Revelation. These provide abundant material for Bible study and meditation, whereby we can be 'filled with the accurate knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and spiritual comprehension, in order to walk worthily of Jehovah to the end of fully pleasing him as [we] go on bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the accurate knowledge of God."—Colossians 1:9-10

Did you notice how they turned your attention to the publications, encouraging Bible study in your spare time? Why this shift in the same article? They don't want you studying on your own! Why? The Aug. 15, 1981 issue of The Watchtower has this to say:

"From time to time, there have arisen from among the ranks of Jehovah's people those, who, like the original Satan, have adopted an independent, faultfinding attitude...They say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such 'Bible reading,' they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom's clergy were teaching 100 years ago."

In other words, many people who were doing individual research were finding that not everything the publications taught was the Truth. Those people, disheartened, left the Truth (Jehovah's Witnesses) because nearly thirty years ago, people still had the idea in their heads that the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society and the Jehovah's Witnesses were the same organization. You couldn't have one without the other.

However, you can.

A brother who goes by the name Perimeno makes a good point on his website in the answered question: "How can the 'man of lawlessness' write such scriptural wonderful praises to Jehovah and helpful loving articles for us?" His answer was, "Jehovah has not rejected or abandoned his household, and neither is he going to, simply because there are 'wicked men' and bad shepherds in our midst, especially at the very top where we find the 'man of lawlessness'...Jehovah is still blessing those who are worshiping him with a clean heart and conscience. (1 Tim. 1:5) He still has those who are loyal to their responsibility of feeding the members of his household with 'food at the proper time.' "

Yes, we still should listen to the information in the articles but we should have our "perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right and wrong." (Hebrews 5:14) There are things, like in the Kingdom Ministry (Sept. 2007) and the Watchtower (Feb. 15, 2009) that we know are wrong, praising themselves or making themselves more then they are.

Further examples of this are in the Oct. 1, 1967 Watchtower where it says, "Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian Congregation as an organization, not to individual, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible."

How can this be the case when the articles constantly say, "So we need to take time to read the Bible together. When we get a letter from someone we love very much, we read it again and again. It is precious to us. That is the way the Bible should be to us because it is a letter from the One who loves us most. It is a letter from a loving God." (Learn from the Great Teacher, chapter 2, page 18) Also, how can it be that many letters in the Bible were written to individuals, like Timothy, Titus, Philemon, 2 John, and 3 John and yet still be an organizational book?

The Watchtower Society doesn't want to lose members by independently reading the Bible. But don't fear. None of us have to leave the Truth, the Jehovah's Witnesses, because we find out that some of the things that the Watchtower Society teaches are not true. The Bible clearly teaches, "mankind may never find out the work that the true God has made from the start to the finish."-Ecclesiastes 3:11

It is okay if we don't know the Truth about everything in the Bible. We don't have to think that we must know everything. An angel told the prophet Daniel that in the last days, "the true knowledge will become abundant" but not that "the true knowledge will become complete." (Daniel 12:4) We will never no everything, at least not in this system of things.

So when you hear statements like, "We cannot claim to love God, yet deny his word and channel of communication" (The Watchtower, Oct. 1, 1967, pg. 591, para. 3), that is an attempt to discourage people from leaving the Society while elevating themselves over everyone, just like the "Man of Lawlessness" has done.

Always remember, dear brothers and sisters, that we need to remain close to Jehovah God and Jesus Christ, not "forsaking the gathering of ourselves together...as the day draws near." (Hebrews 10:24-25) Go to the meetings and out in service and praise Jehovah God as a united brotherhood.

With Sincere Christian Love and Affection,
Brother Ebed Abodah

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