Those fully under the sway of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society are huge proponents of one thing-organization. As a Jehovah’s Witness, you are taught that the word “Trinity” never appears in scripture. This is something that I believe someone who is not a Jehovah’s Witness can agree. How much does the Society deride those who use non-biblical terms? How often do you take a look at the words employed by the Society and realize that there is no scriptural backing? Here are some examples:
- Jehovah’s Witness
- Governing Body
- Kingdom Hall
- Circuit or District Overseer
- Jeremiah class
- Samson class
- Remnant class
- Christendom
- Publisher-Baptized or unbaptized
- Undeserved kindness will only appear in the New World Translation. Mainstream translations will have the word “grace.”
I did hop onto the organization’s official website and did a search for the term “organization.” Covering only from 2000 to present day, it appears 575 times (some are various articles). How many times in the bible? None at all.
One saying that has always gotten me is that “Jehovah has always had an organization.” Do you realize that looking at it at face value, there would have to be other beings from the days of eternity? Irregardless, I would like to look today at the concept of an organization.
The Merriam Webster dictionary online defines “organization” as:
Full Definition of organization
1a : the act or process of organizing or of being organized
1b : the condition or manner of being organized
2a : association, society <charitable organizations>
2b : an administrative and functional structure (as a business or a political party);
also : the personnel of such a structure
With that in mind, let’s examine some quotes regarding the word and emphasis of “organization” and it’s meaning and use within the organization:
There is no organization today clothed with such divine authority to imperiously command mankind. There is no organization doing this today; though we are aware that many of them in theory claim that they thought to be permitted to do so: and many more would like to do so.
Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. September 1 and 15, 1893 Reprints p. 1573
What we have is the fact that during this time, those under the Watchtower would call themselves Bible Students. In short this must mean that they were under the authority ultimately of scripture even though there were secular materials produced. This is reinforced in the same year with the following:
But, says one, must I not join some organization on earth, assent to some creed, and have my name written on earth? No: remember that our Lord is our pattern and teacher, and neither in his words nor acts do we find any authority for binding ourselves with creeds and traditions of men, which all tend to make the Word of God of none effect, and bring us under bondage which will hinder our growth in grace and knowledge, and against which Paul warned us, saying, “Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free, and be not entangled with the yoke of bondage.”-Gal. 5:1
Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. September 1 and 15, 1893 Reprints p. 1675
What we have here is a reiteration that those within the organization were not part of an organization. Those two quotes are pre-Watchtower Jesus inspection. Watchtower Jesus declared this to be his organization in 1919. Here is one past inspection from The Golden Age which I’ve been reading.
Can anyone by merely joining the Catholic or the Protestant church become a member of the true church? I answer: No. Membership in the true church is obtained in just one way: and that is the Lord’s way.
The Golden Age. January 27, 1926. p. 234
So in short we have yet another reiteration that Watchtower Jesus approved of not having any specific organization. Let’s replace the phrase “Catholic or the Protestant church” with Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. The result would still be the same at this point.
However, let’s look at something more recent and if you’re investigating the organization’s material, break out the Watchtower Library CD-ROM:
We should meekly go along with the Lord’s theocratic organization and wait for further clarification, rather than balk at the first mention of a thought unpalatable to us and proceed to quibble and mouth our criticisms and opinions as though they were worth more than the slave’s provision of spiritual food.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 1, 1952 p. 80
This quote is saying in short that you must be a blind sheep rather than an informed follower. Ironic that even though some translations render things as a “slave,” it’s fitting that you are expected to “slave” for an organization. A slave is an individual who is forced to act with no regard to personal well being for the master. One case I previously talked about was field service where Witnesses in 1943 were expected to put out 160 hours a month in field service.
And just as a child seeks his parents’ protection when a storm rages, we seek protection in Jehovah’s organization when, like a thunderstorm, the problems of this world strike us.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. April 15, 2011 p. 4, 5
Now when it comes to having some sort of problem, what are you expected to do? What kind of spiritual council is given? Why does the organization want you to seek protection in the organization yet when the policies are under fire like they currently are in Australia and the United Kingdom, should those in charge seek protection within the legal department? Should Jehovah just make everything go away so the Governing Body can carry on with impunity? When they are not successful, why is it Jehovah isn’t helping them directly? Just to finish things up with one more quote:
Wonderful events are happening now and more lie just ahead. May each one of us keep pace with Jehovah’s organization.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 15, 2012 p. 29
What are the wonderful events at this point?
- Bethelites are getting sent home
- The organization is losing people
- The cart campaign is floundering badly
- There are numerous directives saying that the organization is ceasing from printing many publications.
However you get told the work is “speeding up.”
How does one keep pace with a sinking ship such as this one?
If you’ve not read the 2016 Yearbook, you’re in for some information. I’ve heard of numerous doctrinal changes that are ahead if the Yearbook is any indication. So although you have been part of an organization that has changed, why not stick with the bible alone which hasn’t changed.
