Jehovah's Witnesses in a Nutshell

The Jehovah’s Witnesses are a false religious cult which developed out of the unscriptural teachings of Charles T. Russell (1852-1916). Known at first as the “Russellites,” the movement adopted the name Jehovah’s Witnessess in 1931 to distinguish the main body from a smaller group which seceded.Charles T. Russell, a Congregationalist was a former haberdasher in Pittsburgh, who rejected the church’s doctrines of Hell and eternal punishment. He fell into a state of unbelief until he came under the influence of the teachings of the Seventh Day Adventists. He began to teach and publish his views, many of which represents a modification of Adventist theology, and are in conflict with many of the major evangelical doctrines of the Christian faith. In 1879 he founded his periodical the Zion Watch Tower (Known today as The Watch Tower) which has a wide circulation, and in 1881 organized The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. He later published his well-known series of books entitled, Studies in Scriptures. Russell was taken into court on several occasions on various charges: fraudulent dealings in wheat; a divorce suit on grounds of adultery; attempt to avoid payment of alimony; and was accused of perjury and falsehood. Russell claimed that he alone had the true revelation and that all churches were, “the Devils organization.” He continued his unorthodox teachings and campaign against “organized religion” until his death in 1916. He was succeeded as leader of the movement by Judge J. F. Rutherford, who continued the campaign against basic Christian truths, charging that the Christian religion was a fraud. His writings exceeded those of his predecessor, until his death in 1942 from cancer. He was then followed in the Society’s presidency by N.H. Knorr. Statistics indicate over 1,336,000 Witnesses in 203 countries. There are 5,492 congregations with 388,920 Jehovah’s Witnesses in the United States. Jehovah’s Witnesses meet in Kingdom Halls (not churches) and consider every member a “minister,” all of whom zealously witness to their beliefs. They teach in private homes, witness from house to house, and distribute millions of pieces of the Society’s literature.The Witnesses believe that all the churches, religion, and all governments are under the control of Satan. Nevertheless, Jehovah has had His Witnesses since the time of Abel, who was His first witness. Since Pentecost God has been calling out a special body of 144,000 (Rev. 14) who will rule with Christ as kings and priests during the Millennium and go to Heaven. Christ has already returned, according to the Jehovah’s Witnesses. He came invisibly in 1874. The beginning of World War I in 1914 marked the time of the beginning of the end of the world (it ended “the times of the Gentiles,” Luke 21:24), when nation rose against nation according to Jesus’ prophecy in Matthew 24. At this time Satan was expelled from Heaven, and Christ was enthroned. He is now in the process of overthrowing Satan’s kingdom on earth (Rev. 11:15). Then in 1918 Christ came to His Temple (Mal 3:1), which signified His coming to the Jehovah’s Witnesses to indwell them as the “temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 6:19; 2 Cor. 6:16), The Battle of Armageddon is imminent when Christ will finally overthrow the forces of evil and establish His Kingdom. The unsaved dead will be raised and given a “second chance” to accept Christ. All those who do not will then suffer eternal annihilation (not eternal punishment). The special “Bride class” consists of the 144,000 who, after the Millennium, will reign with Christ in Heaven, while the remaining millions of righteous saints will dwell as God’s “servants” on the new earth forever. In addition to these beliefs, the major doctrines of the cult, which run contrary to the teachings of Scripture, are:

A denial of the Deity of Christ Jesus. Jesus it is said, was in reality the archangel Michael, a created being. He was not God, nor was He equal with God, according to Jehovah’s Witnesses’ doctrine. See, however: Micah5:2; John 1:1; 10:30, 34-36; Philippians 2:5-7.

A denial of the Personality of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not a personal being, and not God, but merely the “active force” of God. See in refutation: Zechariah 4:6; John 16:7-15; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor. 3:16. Refer also to 5 and 6 under: Armstrong and the Worldwide Church Of God

A denial of the bodily resurrection of Christ. Witnesses contend that Jesus was resurrected “in the Spirit.” He simply “materialized” temporarily in His appearances to His disciples. See, However. Luke 24:36-46; Acts 2:23-32; 1 Cor. 15.

The rejection of Hell and the eternal punishment of the wicked. Man’s soul is not immortal (Ezek. 18:4, and wicked are annihilated along with Satan (Mal 4:1). This, according to the Jehovah’s Witnesses, is what the Scriptures mean by “eternal punishment” (annihilation). See refutation: Isaiah 66:24; Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 14:9-11; 19:2-3; 20:10-15. Moreover, their doctrine of a “second chance” is clearly denied by Jesus Himself in Luke 16:19-31.

The contention that Christ has already returned invisibly and that His return was not in a visible body, but as a spirit, is refuted Matthew 24:23-30 and Acts 1:10-11. The words of Jesus in Matthew 24:36 that “Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only,” clearly discredits the Witnesses’ contention that they have been able to calculate the date of Jesus’ return (already accomplished).

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