Finding Cracks in the Watchtower

May 21, 2009 • written by Brianna Marecki  
Filed under Spirituality, Student Life

Imagine spending your entire life without ever celebrating your birthday or Christmas, voting in an election, or singing the “Star Spangled Banner.” These are only a few things Jehovah’s Witnesses abstain from in order to become closer to Jehovah. Founded in 1879 by Charles Taze Russell, the beliefs of the Jehovah’s Witnesses closely resemble many of the beliefs of Christianity. But, there are a few significant discrepancies that make a world of a difference.

Jehovah’s Witnesses main goal in life is to live forever after death instead of being annihilated. But how exactly do you do this? According to the New World Translation of the Scriptures, this is achieved by living morally according to Jehovah’s commandments and evangelizing about His Kingdom to others. Although this is very similar to what Christians are commanded to do, there are differences in what exactly the Witnesses preach versus what Christians explain when they spread the Gospel.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that God created Michael the Archangel first and then created all things through him; this creation took 42,000 years to complete. The paradise God created was ruined by Adam’s sin, but in the Bible God placed steps to redemption that eventually lead to Jesus’ crucifixion.

This process would be guided along by famous Witnesses: Noah, Abraham, Moses, David and many others. In regards to the Trinity, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that there is only God. Jesus is described as Michael the Archangel come to earth in the flesh, a perfect man, but not God. Witnesses believe that the Holy Spirit is merely a force that God uses to connect with people, not a supreme being like Himself. And because Jesus was not God, his death did not mean salvation for all who believed in him. In fact, they believe that Christ was never resurrected; Christ’s body was annihilated and recreated by God.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that during Armageddon, Jesus will reign on earth for 1000 years. During this period people will have a second chance of receiving salvation by following the principles of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. Those who do not comply will be annihilated after the 1000 year period; they won’t go to hell, they will simply not exist. The true Witnesses will live in paradise on earth; only a select few (144,000 to be exact) will be able to live in heaven.

In many instance, Christianity and the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses look quite similar. But it is the contrast in the beliefs about Jesus, how to be saved, and heaven and hell that make the real difference. It is important to remember that the Bible, the true Bible as God had intended it to be, is the only real authority on questions we might have. So, whenever you hear something that sounds like what you remember from Sunday school years ago, make sure it is actually the real deal and not an attempt to stray you from true Word of God.