“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8, KJV)
In John 8:32, Jesus made a powerful statement: “You will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” (NWT) He shared these words with the Jews who believed in him, but they were also heard by the Scribes and Pharisees, who were plotting against him. This raises an interesting question: how exactly were those believers meant to find freedom? Free from what, exactly? They insisted they weren’t in bondage to anyone. But let’s pause and consider—were they truly free?
It’s pretty clear that Jesus was calling out the traditions and teachings of the Pharisees. In Matthew 23, he pointed out that while they claimed to sit in Moses’ seat, they weren’t really following his teachings. Instead, they piled heavy burdens on people. They liked to say they were the successors of Moses and Abraham, claiming that this was all part of God’s plan. So, whatever interpretation they had of the law was treated as if it came straight from God himself. (Sounds familiar?)
This mindset has stuck around for quite a while, even up to today. Not long after the Apostles were gone, the Catholic Church emerged, adopting a similar stance. They claimed to be the new channel through which God was communicating with his people. They said Peter was the first Pope, and that all subsequent Popes were his successors. According to them, whatever the Catholic Church decided to bind on earth would also be bound in heaven. If someone disagreed with them on spiritual matters, it was seen as a sin against God.
Many Protestant churches have made similar claims over the years. And today, we see yet another organization stepping into this role, asserting that they are the channel through which Jehovah God is currently guiding his people. They refer to this channel as “the faithful and discreet slave class,” which uses the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society to share what they call “the truth” or “newly revealed truth from Jehovah God.”
The Watchtower Society firmly believes that it serves as a channel for Jehovah, guided by what they call the “faithful and discreet slave class.” This idea is well documented in their publications. They interpret Matthew 24:45-47 as a prophecy that this class fulfills, asserting that Jehovah is currently using them to share Bible truths through the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society and the Watchtower magazine itself, since 1919. For instance, you can check out The Watchtower from May 1, 1993, on pages 16 and 17, where they elaborate on this concept.
In another issue, the September 1, 1991 edition, specifically on pages 18 and 19, they discuss how the Society connects with Jehovah’s communication channel, tracing it all the way back from Abel, through the Apostles, and leading up to the present day with the Society at the forefront. You can find this in The Watchtower from December 1, 1991, on page 10.
They even use some pretty strong imagery in The Watchtower from October 15, 1985, on pages 30 and 31, in the “Questions From Readers” section, where they liken the Society to Jehovah’s wife, suggesting that the organization acts as a mother to all its followers. Going back even further, in The Watchtower from 1965, page 351, they address a question about how it can be said that God’s visible organization became a strictly theocratic structure by 1938. Their answer indicates that by 1932, the Watchtower Society began to be controlled by God, and by 1938, it was fully governed by Him.
According to their claims, all scriptural explanations come directly from Jehovah and are published in the Watchtower. If that’s the case, then we should expect no contradictions or changes in explanations from one issue to the next. In other words, what they published as truth since 1938 should still hold true today, as stated in Malachi 3:6. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look and see if the facts really support their assertion. Is the Watchtower Society truly as unchanging as the God it claims to represent?
In the book “Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Divine Purpose,” which is written in a conversational style, there’s an interesting point made on page 14. It highlights that back in 1929, for the first time, the Watchtower revealed to its readers the true meaning of Romans 13:1-7. Instead of referring to the governments of this world, Paul was actually talking about Jehovah God and Christ Jesus. This idea was revisited in the June 15, 1955, issue of the Watchtower, specifically in an article titled “Part 12: An Era of Prophesied Happiness Begins,” where it emphasizes that the new understanding of “higher powers” published in The Watchtower on June 1 and June 15, 1929, made it clear that Jehovah God and Christ Jesus are the real “superior authorities” we should obey (Rom. 13:1, NW).
Additionally, in the 1962 Watchtower, page 683, paragraph 7, the discussion continues.
“Paul is telling God’s holy ones how to conduct themselves among men outside the Christian congregation, “all men” including even an enemy who does evil to Christians, hence an individual found outside the congregation,’ not inside. Then, right afterwards, Paul passes on to his discussion of the “Superior Authorities” and thus has his sights focused on, not what is inside the congregation, but what is outside it. So the “Superior Authorities” have their setting logically in the world outside the congregation.*”
Take a look at the asterisk, which points you to a footnote at the bottom of the page.
*See The Divine Plan of the Ages, by Chas. T. Russell, published in 1886, pages 250 (¶ 1), 266 (¶ ¶ 1, 2). Also The Time is at Hand (1889), page 81
As you can see this footnote references “The Divine Plan of the Ages,” and The Time is at Hand, volumes I and II of the Studies in the Scriptures series penned by Charles Taze Russell, the founder of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society. Specifically, it mentions page 266, which essentially echoes the explanation that the Watchtower provided in 1962 regarding Romans 13:1-7.
“Knowing this to be the purpose of God, neither Jesus nor the apostles interfered with earthly rulers in any way. On the contrary, they taught the Church to submit to these powers, even though they often suffered under their abuse of power. They taught the Church to obey the laws, and to respect those in authority because of their office, even if they were not personally worthy of esteem; to pay their appointed taxes, and, except where they conflicted with God’s laws (Acts 4:19; 5:29), to offer no resistance to any established law. (Rom. 13:1-7; Matt. 22:21) The Lord Jesus and the apostles and the early Church were all law-abiding, though they were separate from, and took no share in, the governments of this world.”
Now, if the “Channel” was supposedly cleansed starting in 1919 and fully purified by 1938, and considering that the Watchtower in 1959 (page 601) claimed that the Elders before that time weren’t mature or theocratic, it raises an interesting question: why is this channel now reverting back to an explanation from 1886? What happened to that “Channel” between 1919 or 1938 and 1962? Did it somehow get tuned to the wrong station?
In the June 15, 1987 Watchtower, on page 18, there’s an article titled “Testing and Sifting in Modern Times” that lists certain years and their significance. It states, “1962: The ‘superior authorities’ of Romans 13:1 were properly identified as the secular governmental authorities, to whom Christians are to be in relative subjection.”
Then, in the November 1, 1990, Watchtower, on page 11, paragraph 4, there’s a discussion in the article “The Christian’s View of the Superior Authorities.” It notes:
“For some years, until 1962, Jehovah’s Witnesses held that the superior authorities were Jehovah God and Christ Jesus. However, in line with Proverbs 4:18, light increased, and this view was adjusted, which may raise questions in the minds of some. Are we now correct in saying that these authorities are the kings, presidents, prime ministers, mayors, magistrates, and others who wield secular, political power in the world and that we owe them subjection in a relative way?”
It’s definitely a thought-provoking change!
You might notice that all mentions of the book “The Divine Plan of the Ages” have been left out, along with any references to beliefs held before 1929. There are plenty of examples of how interpretations of scripture have shifted over time, but let’s focus on one more: the resurrection of the people from Sodom and Gomorrah.
It’s important to highlight that many sincere Bible students, including C. T. Russell, who were once part of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, believed—and still believe—that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah will be resurrected during the Millennium. Even J. F. Rutherford shared this view. You can find this in the very first issue of The Watchtower from July 1879 on page 8, as well as in C. T. Russell’s “Studies in the Scriptures” and J. F. Rutherford’s book “Creation.”
Now, if we take a look at the Watchtower publications from 1952 to 1992, it’s worth remembering that the “Faithful and Discreet Slave Class,” which publishes The Watchtower, is considered to be the channel through which Jehovah God communicates.
“… Our previous consideration of 2 Peter 2:5-9, has shown that those destroyed by God at Sodom and Gomorrah are eternally cut off . . .” (Watchtower, 1952, page 335, par. 8)
“… So those who die at Armageddon will pay the same penalty as the people of Sodom did, that is, they will not have a “resurrection of ‘judgment’ during the 1,000 year judgment day, but they will stay dead forever (Watchtower, 1955, page 200, par. 2, top of page)
“Since the supreme judge never makes a mistake, there is no need for him to take under review any judgments that he has passed. His Judgments are final. That means the people that perished in the flood of Noah’s day will never be resurrected to stand trial again. ‘The same is true with the people of Sodom and Gomorrah as well as Adam and Eve …” (Watchtower, 1960, page 53, par. 4)
Let’s take a moment to look at how the perspective has shifted since the 1965 Watchtower article titled “Who Will Be Resurrected from the Dead.” On page 137, it states, quoting from par. 15,
“… Were those Sodomites worse than the rest of the Canaanites? No; … And Peter does not say that the Sodomites and Gomorreans were destroyed everlastingly …”
It’s interesting to note that after referencing Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:15, the article goes on to say on page 478
“…It would be necessary for former inhabitants of that land to be present on the judgment day.”
This really highlights how interpretations can evolve over time!
Let’s take a moment to explore a shift in perspective that was published in the Watchtower on June 1, 1988, specifically on page 30. The article suggests that when Jesus spoke in Matthew 11:20-24, he wasn’t necessarily talking about eternal judgment and resurrection. Instead, he was highlighting how unresponsive the people in Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum were, and how unlikely it was that they would change their ways, even on Judgment Day. When he mentioned that it would be “more endurable” for Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom on that day, it was likely a form of hyperbole—an exaggerated way to make a point—rather than something meant to be taken literally, just like some of his other vivid expressions.
Let’s jump to the May 2024 Watchtower, “Trust in the Merciful “Judge of All the Earth”!”, par. 5:
“In the past, our publications have considered the question of what happens to those whom Jehovah judges as unrighteous. We have said that for such individuals as those in Sodom and Gomorrah, there is no hope of a future resurrection. But further prayerful study has raised the question, Can we really say that with certainty?”
Paragraph 6 ask the question:
“… does the Bible give us enough information to determine that Jehovah sentenced all those individuals to eternal destruction, with no hope of a resurrection? No, it does not. Why can we say that?”
Paragraph 8 ask and answers the following:
“What of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah? … Can we say for certain, then, that none of them will rise in the “resurrection of . . . the unrighteous”? No, we cannot say for sure!”
Interestingly, throughout our research, we haven’t found any acknowledgment of misunderstandings or mistakes in earlier Watchtower publications or in the “Truths” claimed to come from Jehovah since 1938. This suggests that any misinterpretations might have originated before that time. Yet, when it comes to the examples mentioned earlier—like the Superior Authorities and the Sodomites—the Watchtower seems to stick with the old truths rather than embracing this “New Light.”
This raises an intriguing question: Was the God of the Watchtower Society confused before 1988, or is there confusion now? If the Watchtower Society is indeed guided by God, does it align with the description found in 2 Corinthians 11:12-15?
Looking at all this, it’s hard not to notice some parallels between the Watchtower Society and the Catholic Church. Both claim to carry on a divine legacy and assert their exclusive right to interpret the Bible. They also have a tendency to disfellowship members who challenge their authority. Fear plays a significant role in both organizations—while the Catholic Church instills fear of hellfire or purgatory, the Watchtower Society warns of an everlasting separation or a second death. It’s a thought-provoking comparison, to say the least!
There’s one big difference to consider. While the Catholic Church kept its followers in the dark about scripture, the “Society” does something similar by twisting those same scriptures to serve its own agenda. If you want to stay in good standing “with Jehovah,” questioning this so-called “Channel” is a big no-no. The consequence? You risk being disfellowshipped, which means being completely cut off from the community. Is that really what Christianity is all about? We don’t think so.
But where do you turn? Remember, Jehovah knows even when a sparrow falls, and His power to save is limitless. The Bible reassures us of that. If you’re feeling uncertain, reach out to those genuine promises of Jehovah. He can guide you and help you overcome those human fears. Your Bible contains the same truthful messages and promises as any other. Let the Holy Spirit lead you in your studies and your Christian journey.
There are plenty of “Free” Bible study groups out there that don’t trap their members with rules and fear. Some of these groups have roots going back to Pastor Russell’s time, and they aren’t confined by rigid creeds; instead, they celebrate the truth in a more open way.
You’ll find these groups welcoming and eager to include you in their fellowship and outreach activities. Plus, they respect your freedom to explore other options if you wish.