Today, I’m going to focus on something that has importance regarding your sins or “badness” as the Watchtower phrases it as. I wish to deal with the Watchtower, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Jesus Christ the mediator.
To give us our context, I wish to start by looking at the New World Translation by looking at I Timothy 2:5, which says, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus.” I am not going to address the deity of Christ since the statements that are given on on a regular basis should be sufficient. The key phrase, is “one mediator, a man.” Let’s look at Watchtower statements in light of the Bible. Let’s start by going back to the days of Charles Taze Russell in 1914 during the inspection of all world religions.
So we see the difference between the Advocacy of Christ for the Church and His future work as Mediator for the world of mankind.
The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. July 1, 1914 p. 201
What is interesting is I Timothy was written between the years 62-67 A.D. Paul was speaking in the present tense. However, the Watchtower was speaking in the future tense given that we have the words, “future work.” That would be difference number one, the timeframe given. As a Witness, I know you agree that the Bible is inspired. The organization says it is “guided by holy spirit, we should have consistency between the bible and Watchtower publications. Let’s read on by this future reinforcement in The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. May 15, 1915 Reprints p. 5687 that says:
The great Mediator will be in charge of the world’s interests, having then make satisfaction to Justice on their behalf.
So here is an interesting statement, that the “great Mediator will be in charge of the world’s interests.” This statement was given over 100 years ago. So do we have evidence of a prophecy that has not been fulfilled? I know there was no specific timeframe given, but since we are close to going onto 101 years, can we just qualify this as a false prophecy? Additionally, along with having a false prophecy, we are going to see yet another further development and that qualifies as to who is mediated for. For this, we will go to the year 1946.
However, under the new covenant the Christians are made righteous or justified through the Mediator Christ Jesus.
Let God Be True. 1946 p. 180
So what we have are those who are under the new covenant. Does this qualify you as part of the great crowd? We have a qualification given in Aid to Bible Understanding, which you know today as Insight on The Scriptures with the following:
The apostle Paul declares that there is “one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all.” (1 Tim. 2:5, 6) He mediates the new covenant between God and those taken into the new covenant, the congregation of spiritual Israel. (Heb. 8:10-13; 12:24; Eph. 5:25-27) Christ became Mediator in order that the ones called “might receive the promise of the everlasting inheritance” (Heb. 9:15): he assists, not the angels, but “Abraham’s seed.” (Heb. 2:16)
Aid to Bible Understanding. 1971 p. 1130
This contains “new light” and another difference. Jesus’ work as mediator has been reduced from the world population to just spiritual Israel, or the 144,000. Additionally, the Watchtower says that Jesus merely “assists.” He was solely responsible previously. My question is if he only “assists,” who is the one ultimately responsible? Further reading says the following:
The “great crowd” of “other sheep” that is forming today is not in that new covenant. However, by their associating with the “little flock” of those yet in that covenant they come under benefits that flow from that new covenant. During the millennium Jesus Christ will be their king, high priest and judge.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. April 1, 1979 p. 31
So what we have is the great crowd is not under the new covenant straight from the pages of The Watchtower. For those of you who are listening in, were you aware of this? We have reinforcement seven years later with the following:
Likewise, the Greater Moses, Jesus Christ, is not the Mediator between Jehovah God and all mankind. He is the Mediator between his heavenly Father, Jehovah God, and the nation of spiritual Israel, which is limited to only 144,000 members.
Worldwide Security Under the “Prince of Peace.” 1986 p. 10
If you think this is old light, I wish to give you present light that is in agreement:
Are all Christians included in this new covenant? No. Some, like the apostles who drank of that cup that evening, are participants in the new covenant.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 15, 2010 p. 26, 27
Those who are only of the anointed are in the new covenant by the Watchtower Society’s very definition. Only the anointed are to participate in the yearly memorial.
Now let’s go back to scripture and look a little bit more. I’m going to read I Timothy 2:5 (New World Translation), “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus.”
I wish to focus on just two words right now, “a man.” According to the pages printed by the society, we see the following:
What about the archangel Michael? While on earth as Jesus, he set the standard for human evangelizers.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. May 15, 2013 p. 3
I’m going to use just one more quote to reinforce this:
As Michael the archangel, Jesus did not go beyond his authority when he had ‘a difference with the Devil about Moses’ body.’
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. November 11, 2012 p. 11
I’m sure you well know that the Watchtower like others as part of the Adventist movement Jesus is taught to be Michael the Archangel. Since Watchtower doctrine teaches this, who is the mediator for the anointed? As I’ve said before, requirement is one who is “a man.” Since Michael is an angel, how is it possible for the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society to have a mediator since this requirement is not met. Therefore, when you are praying, in short, the prayers go nowhere since the Society doesn’t have a biblical mediator.
Since it requires a man to be mediator, does the anointed or specifically the governing body work as the mediator for those in the great crowd? I would say that is where the organization steps in to the role of mediator. For this I wish to look at The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, February 15, 1983 p. 12 and 13. Particular emphasis is on the third requirement:
Jesus Christ identified a first requirement when he said in prayer to his Father: “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.” (John 17:3) Knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ includes knowledge of God’s purposes regarding the earth and of Christ’s role as earth’s new King. Will you take in such knowledge by studying the Bible?
Many have found the second requirement more difficult. It is to obey God’s laws, yes, to conform one’s life to the moral requirements set out in the Bible. This includes refraining from a debauched, immoral way of life.—1 Corinthians 6:9, 10; 1 Peter 4:3, 4.
A third requirement is that we be associated with God’s channel, his organization. God has always used an organization. For example, only those in the ark in Noah’s day survived the Flood, and only those associated with the Christian congregation in the first century had God’s favor. (Acts 4:12) Similarly, Jehovah is using only one organization today to accomplish his will. To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it.
The fourth requirement is connected with loyalty. God requires that prospective subjects of his Kingdom support his government by loyally advocating his Kingdom rule to others. Jesus Christ explained: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth.” (Matthew 24:14) Will you meet this requirement by telling others about God’s Kingdom?
Perhaps you are well acquainted with these requirements. Yet many persons are ignorant of God’s purposes and of what he requires. Now we have a marvelous instrument to help such ones. It is the book You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth. Have you used it to help others learn what God requires of them?
I want you to really stop and think about this, until you have a mediator that meets the biblical definition, you are dead in your sins. I simply say this, come to the Jesus of the Bible. Run, don’t walk away from this organization. With what has been presented, you have a clear choice, the scripture within the Bible or continual reliance on The Watchtower. If they have something like this so basic and clear wrong, should you allow them to determine where you will be for eternity?