# Salvation: The WTB&TS way

[ HOURGLASS2 OUTPOST ] [ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Roger Bush [Bush] on October 27, 1999 at 20:09:52 {dPkPwxsNJE324hDJzbto3dK87BmqTE}:

Although I may not totally agree with the theology presented in the following information, it is a fair appraisal of salvation the Watchtower way.

Salvation: The Watchtower Way
(c) copyright 1993 by Natalie Pappas

A publication which clearly outlines the WTB&TS's plan for salvation through itself, (which consists of a mere organization controlled by admittedly fallible men), is a book called: "SURVIVAL INTO A NEW EARTH".

Countless times throughout this book the Watchtower points to itself as the way to salvation instead of toward Jesus. I found that "preach the messianic kingdom and salvation *might* be yours" is the repetitive theme throughout this book.

For example page 136 of this book says:

"In preparation for that time, Jehovah now provides
training through his visible theocratic organization."

What time is this book referring to? Is it indeed pointing toward a future time as I've suggested in my first paragraph? Paragraph 15 on the same page defines "that time" as "the millennium" so one truly searching for God's truth (instead of what they would LIKE to be God's truth) would have to truthfully answer, yes..."that time" certainly does point forward to a "messianic kingdom".

The study question at the bottom of page 136 -- 15(a) says:

"To be among those who will regain what Adam lost,
what must we learn to do?"

In other words, how can one have salvation from this "system of things"? How can one obtain everlasting life? How can one live forever on Paradise earth? What are the requirements according to the WTB&TS?

The answer given in paragraph 15 is that:

"We must give evidence that we pay attention
when God speaks."

So the answer logically becomes -- the way to Salvation is to listen when God speaks -- how does God speak?

Jehovah's Witnesses claim that God speaks through their fallible organization, thus, they point to the WTB&TS (even with all the mistakes in the ever-changing doctrine) for salvation rather than to Jesus Christ (who is perfect and sinless and whom God has already provided for our salvation).

Regarding obeying God through the WTB&TS organization, Paragraph 17 on page 137 of SURVIVAL INTO A NEW EARTH says:

"...it is not simply a desire to be among the
survivors of the coming world destruction that
motivates...such obedience."

and paragraph 18 further states:

"An accurate understanding of his [God's] purposes and
requirements, along with experiencing this only
reasonable and sensible course....is...a way to show
...love for God."
One might tend to wonder why YHWH bothered to provide His Son Jesus Christ since we, according to this book SURVIVAL INTO A NEW EARTH, can apparently show love for God by telling others about His Kingdom and thus have salvation.

Jesus said: "...If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here.... (John 8:42)

The way to show love for YHWY is to ask His Son to cleanse you of your sin, after all that's why our Father provided His Son. Showing love to YHWY does not consist of showing an outward love for an "accurate understanding of God's purposes and requirements" as laid out by an organization which has admitted to making mistakes when interpreting God's word.

What are His (YHWY's) purposes and requirements for salvation according to the SURVIVAL book?

Page 153, paragraph 3:

"Only people who put their full faith in God's
Kingdom can look to the future with confidence.

How does one put their full faith in God's Kingdom according to the WTB&TS? Page 181, paragraph 13 says:

"To avoid losing out on the marvelous prospect of life
in the "new earth" it is vital..." not "...to
turn...aside from the vital work of bearing witness to
the Messianic Kingdom."

In other words, to put full faith in God's Kingdom, one must not turn away from preaching that "Kingdom" of living forever on Paradise Earth. Jesus never seems to enter into this type of salvation; it is all human bought and paid for with the human sweat and human effort of going "door to door".

AND, in order to succeed in preaching that "Kingdom" of living forever on "Paradise Earth", one must be in the WTB&TS Organization. In paragraph 14, supporting this statement, says:

"...if we...stay close to his [God's] organization, he
will direct our steps."

Again, the organization points to itself as a source of salvation, instead of toward Jesus. However, Jesus points to himself as a source of salvation. Only those going through him can go to the Father. (John 14:6). Jesus truly is the way, the truth, and the life. Not the WTB&TS.

Jesus promises:

"If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I
will ask the Father, and he will give you another
Counselor to be with you forever --the Spirit of truth.
The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees
him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with
you and will be in you. (John 14:15-21)

Jesus is the way to salvation. We *all* need a savior. Our sins keep us separated from YHWY. Once they are forgiven by Jesus then we can approach the Father and fellowship with Him.

The reason why Christians witness to JWs is given by the Bible:

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that
you also may have fellowship with us. And our
fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus
Christ. (1 John 1:3)

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you:
God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to
have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do
not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in
the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of
Jesus, his Son, purifies us from ALL sin. If we claim to be
without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If
we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us
our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1John 1:5-10)

then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It
is by the NAME of Jesus Christ of Nazareth; whom you
crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this
man stands before you healed. He is

"'the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the capstone.'"

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no
other name under heaven given to men by which we must
be saved. (Acts 4:10)

Lastly, Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:10-13:

"Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the
elect, that they too may obtain that salvation that is
in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

"Here is a trustworthy saying:

"If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
if we are faithless,
he will remain faithful,
for he cannot disown himself."

Jesus is not only waiting for you to open that door and ask *him* for salvation, he is continuing to knock!

This file may be copied freely as long as it is not modified and the copyright notice appears.

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject: *Salvation: The WTB&TS way

Comments:

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ HOURGLASS2 OUTPOST ] [ FAQ ]