Jehovah’s Witnesses say they are the only ones who teach the truth revealed by Jehovah. If that’s true, then why does the Watchtower’s teachings keep changing? They explain this by saying that the “light gets brighter.” This episode looks into the reasoning behind this claim.
One main idea of this channel is that the constant changes in teachings and wrong predictions show that Jehovah doesn’t guide the Watchtower. For someone looking in from the outside, this seems like a logical conclusion, but for a Jehovah’s Witness, it hardly raises any concern. Why is that? It’s because they quickly dismiss changes and failures with a concept called thought stopping argument: “The Bible tells us the light would get brighter.”
This is based on a phrase from Proverbs.
“But the path of the righteous ones is like the bright morning light that grows brighter and brighter until full daylight.” Proverbs 4:18 NWT 2013 ed.
It’s important to think about the idea that changes can make teachings more truthful. We need to look at whether these teachings and practices are improving or changing a lot. This also makes us wonder, “Would Jehovah really guide a religion to spread lies before those changes happen?”
Watchtower quotes regarding light getting brighter
The main reason that the Watchtower gives for changing its beliefs is based on Proverbs 4:18. Notice this quote in the 2016 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses, p.25
““The path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established,” states Proverbs 4:18. Yes, Jesus’ leadership is progressive, not stagnant. Another way to cooperate with Christ’s “brothers” is to have a positive attitude toward any refinements in our understanding of Scriptural truths as published by “the faithful and discreet slave.” Watchtower 2011 May 15 p.27
“Regarding progressive spiritual enlightenment, Proverbs 4:18 has proved true. It says: “The path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established.” How thankful we are for the progressive spiritual enlightenment we have experienced!” Watchtower 2001 Jan 15 p.18
“IT IS proof of divine wisdom that, in keeping with Proverbs 4:18, the revealing of spiritual truths has taken place gradually by means of flashes of light. In the preceding article, we saw how this text was fulfilled in apostolic times. If the large body of Scriptural truth had been revealed all at once, it would have been both blinding and confusing—much like the effect of coming out of a dark cave into brilliant sunlight. Moreover, gradually revealed truth strengthens the faith of Christians in a continuous way. It makes ever brighter their hope and ever clearer the pathway they are to tread.” Watchtower 1995 May 15 p.15
In the 2023 Annual Meeting, it was explained how and why new light is released. Jeffrey Winder: How Does the Light Get Brighter? Unashamedly, Winder stated “nor is an apology needed for not getting it exactly right previously.”
“So the bible here uses the illustration of daylight. And what does that teach us? Well, the Watchtower said these words aptly apply to the way in which Jehovah reveals his purpose to his people gradually. But even still, it is released and made know at a pace that we can absorb that we can handle and that we can use. Well, knowing this, then we are not embarrassed about adjustments that are made, nor is an apology needed for not getting it exactly right previously.”
The actual meaning of Proverbs 4:18
The Watchtower explains that the word “light” in Proverbs 4 means their own “doctrinal” understanding, but they do this just to justify changing their teachings.
For many years, people have seen Proverbs chapter 4 as talking about behavior, which is clear when you read the whole chapter in context. The verses around 18 say:
“… the wicked do not sleep unless they do badness. … The way of the wicked ones is like the gloom; they have not known at what they keep stumbling … listen to the discipline of a father … keep my commandments … safeguard your heart.”
One source describes it as:
“This verse contrasts the path of the wicked with the path of the righteous (described earlier as shining brighter and brighter). The “deep darkness” symbolizes moral and spiritual blindness. Those who reject wisdom and righteousness are portrayed as stumbling through life, unaware of the causes of their downfall.” (Bibleref.com)
Proverbs 4:18 wasn’t meant to be a sign that God slowly shows truth to the Governing Body. Instead of just taking one sentence, if you look at all of Proverbs chapter 4, it compares how good people act versus bad people, not about giving out religious truths through a group. Right from the start, it’s clear that using this verse to talk about mistakes and changes in beliefs doesn’t really make sense.
Even though the Bible says that some truths would be understood later, that doesn’t mean Jehovah would lead his people with lies.
“However, when that one arrives, the spirit of the truth, he will guide YOU into all the truth, for he will not speak of his own impulse, but what things he hears he will speak, and he will declare to YOU the things coming.” – John 16:13
In John 16:13, Jesus talked about the Holy Spirit coming down during Pentecost. He wasn’t talking about only part of the truth or wrong ideas; the Spirit would show us the truth, even about future events. The Watchtower has never been right in predicting future events, with a 100% failure rate.
“And as for you, O Daniel, make secret the words and seal up the book, until the time of [the] end. Many will rove about, and the [true] knowledge will become abundant… Many will cleanse themselves and whiten themselves and will be refined. And the wicked ones will certainly act wickedly, and no wicked ones at all will understand; but the ones having insight will understand.” – Daniel 12:4, 10
Though Daniel did not understand what he wrote, he did not make false interpretations. The Society’s interpretation of Daniel has changed constantly with explanations that were applied to the 1800’s now applied to the 1900’s. Despite this, the Organization insists that God only enlightens them to interpret these Scriptures accurately.
Ask yourself – does truth change? Instead of saying that teachings would become clearer or different, the Bible cautions against anyone who spreads false teachings.
“Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.” – 1 John 4:1
“But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed.” – Galatians 1:8, 9
Regularly, Watchtower light is not brighter, it is vastly different than the past.
Proverbs 4 doesn’t predict Watchtower teachings. But let’s think about the possibility that this passage hints at how God slowly shows truth to his people as the end times approach. This idea doesn’t fit with Watchtower’s history because their teachings haven’t just improved; they’ve actually changed. Think about whether the change mentioned is truly about doctrinal light becoming brighter:
Imagine being a Witness parent of a child who needed a kidney transplant back in 1970. Even though the Awake! from December 22, 1949, called transplants “wonders of modern surgery”, in 1967, God showed that He thought transplants were wrong. The Watchtower from November 15, 1967, pages 702-704 said that now, being “enlightened by God’s word”, God’s people realized that transplants go against divine principles and are like cannibalism. The parents must have truly believed they were putting Jehovah first when they watched their child die, denying them the chance of survival through a transplant. How would that parent feel after reading the Watchtower from March 15, 1980, page 31, which said, “There is no Biblical command clearly forbidding the taking in of other human tissue. It is a matter for personal decision.” The enlightenment from 1967 turned out to be dark and harmful, needing correction later, a backward doctrine that led to the unnecessary deaths of members. When a doctrine changes and then goes back to the original view, it doesn’t show that the light is getting brighter; it shows that the Holy Spirit isn’t guiding the Governing Body.
The idea that light gets brighter suggests that earlier beliefs were right, but not fully developed. Russell expressed this truth beautifully when he said:
“If we were following a man undoubtedly it would be different with us; undoubtedly one human idea would contradict another and that which was light one or two or six years ago would be regarded as darkness now;… But with God there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning, and so it is with truth; any knowledge or light coming from God must be like its author. A new view of truth never can contradict a former truth. “New Light” never extinguishes older “light” but adds to it…” – Zion’s Watch Tower 1881 Feb p.3
The Watchtower compares their growing understanding of truth to a sailing boat “tacking.” They make small changes to their teachings, but they always move forward in sharing the truth.
“Of course, such development of understanding, involving “tacking” as it were, has often served as a test of loyalty for those associated with the “faithful and discreet slave.” However, progress is being made continually toward fuller appreciation of the “good news” and all that it means. It has been the experience of those who stay close to God’s organization that questions and things hard to understand are always cleared up with the passing of time. And as the light shines forth ever more clearly, how heartwarming and satisfying the way proves to be!” – Watchtower 1981 Dec 1 p.31
The main idea is simple: teachings can be improved, but they shouldn’t go against what was taught before. However, this isn’t true for Watchtower beliefs. A lot of Watchtower teachings have been thrown out because they were wrong. Some have switched back and forth many times, with some going back to what they originally said, while others go against what was once considered true. Often, it seems like Watchtower beliefs weren’t made clearer but instead became more confusing.
It was not increasing light that dictated in the 1950s that Jesus was no longer to be worshipped; it was a fundamental teaching that was (or currently is) wrong
“… but rather we see her in an upper room together with other faithful women and the apostles and with her other sons, there worshiping God and his Son Christ Jesus.” (Acts 1:13, 14) (The Watchtower August 15, 1950 p. 267).
“Christ to Be Worshiped as a Glorious Spirit, Victorious over Death on the Torture Stake.” (“Make Sure of All Things” 1953, 1957, p. 85).
“Clearly, although Jesus is mighty in power and divine in nature, the Bible does not portray him as an object of worship. (Awake! No. 2, 2006 p. 29).
Failed date prophecies
When it comes to date setting, the Society takes first place. It is of course, quite a task in documenting all the dates.
1874, 1878, 1881,1914, 1915, 1918, 1921, 1925, 1926, 1931/32, 1935, 1939, 1941/42, 1945, 1975, 1999
How about the Superior authorities?
The years 1884 to 1929, they represented human governmental authorities
“As early as 1886, Charles Taze Russell wrote in the book The Plan of the Ages: (…) This book correctly identified “the higher powers,” or “the superior authorities,” mentioned by the apostle Paul, as human governmental authorities. (Romans 13:1, King James Version) In 1904 the book The New Creation stated that true Christians “should be found amongst the most law-abiding of the present time—not agitators, not quarrelsome, not fault-finders.” This was understood by some to mean total submission to the powers that be, even to the point of accepting service in the armed forces during World War I.” (The Watchtower May 1, 1996 p. 13).
“Up till 1928 they, too, had held to the ecclesiastical interpretation of Romans 13:1-7 concerning the “higher powers”.” (The Watchtower November 15, 1950 p. 441).
The years 1929 to 1962. Jehovah and Jesus
“In 1929 the clear light broke forth. That year The Watchtower published the Scriptural exposition of Romans chapter 13. It showed that Jehovah God and Christ Jesus, rather than worldly rulers and
governors, are “The Higher Powers”…” (“The Truth Shall Make You Free” 1943 p. 312).
“In 1929, at a time when laws of various governments were beginning to forbid things that God commands or demand things that God’s laws forbid, it was felt that the higher powers must be Jehovah
God and Jesus Christ.” (The Watchtower May 1, 1996 pp. 13-14).
“No longer do they look to men as the higher powers whom they must serve and obey. (Rom. 13:1)” (The Watchtower July 1, 1950 pp.200-201).
“In view of not recognizing worldly political powers as the send such new interpretation of Romans 13:1. It was hard to believe that one should be subjected to a government who used to put Jehovah’s Witnesses to prison and to forced-labor camps (gulags). Confusion Over Romans Chapter 13 (…) Then in The Watchtower of November 15, 1962, which appeared later in the Ukrainian edition of July 1, 1964, a new understanding of Romans chapter 13 was presented. Until that time, we had understood “the superior authorities” mentioned in verse 1 to be Jehovah God and Jesus Christ, but The Watchtower noted that “the superior authorities” actually represent the earthly governments and that these are
“placed in their relative positions by God.”—Romans 13:1. Some of the Witnesses found it hard to believe this adjusted view, since the heads of the earthly government in the Soviet Union had been so cruel in their attempts to wipe out the true worship of God. These Witnesses, therefore, thought that The Watchtower containing the new understanding had not originated with the official organization
of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Instead, they thought that the information had been fabricated by those compromising with the authorities in order to make the Witnesses more obedient to the Soviet State. So
each servant of Jehovah in Ukraine was faced with the question, Which group is right, and which is wrong? I observed the Witnesses supporting each side of the argument and asked myself, ‘What
motives do they have?’ Soon I was able to identify a clear difference between the two sides. The majority of Jehovah’s Witnesses, some of whom may not have fully understood the new explanation of Romans
chapter 13, wanted to stick loyally to Jehovah and his organization. Others, however, had begun to doubt that recent publications of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society still came from the official organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Such ones were also inclined to have extreme views on a number of matters. For instance, they felt that it was wrong for a bride to wear a white dress at her wedding and for marriage partners to wear a wedding ring. A number of individuals left the organization. In time, however, quite a few of them recognized their error and returned to serving Jehovah.” (Awake! October 22, 2000 p. 21-23).
“superior authorities” ordained by God, but recognizing only God and Jesus Christ to be such now, the Christian witnesses conscientiously refrain from taking part in the politics of this world, yes, even from voting. (The Watchtower November 15, 1950 p. 445).
The years since 1962. Human governmental authorities The Watchtower of November 15 and of December 1, 1962, shed clear light on the subject in discussing Jesus’ words at Matthew
22:21: “Pay back . . . Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.” Relevant were the apostles’ words at Acts 5:29: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.” Christians are subject to
Caesar—“the higher powers”—only so long as this does not require that the Christian go contrary to God’s law. Subjection to Caesar was seen to be relative, not absolute. Christians pay back to Caesar
only what does not conflict with God’s requirements. How satisfying it was to have clear light on that subject! (The Watchtower May 15, 1995 p. 22).
The confusion related to changes in the interpretation of Romans 13:1
The change of interpretation of Romans 13:1 made in 1962 was introduced in several countries with delay. The new understanding reached Ukraine only in 1964 (Poland in 1963)! Some Jehovah’s
Witnesses just could not believe that such fundamental change of the interpretation originated with the Watchtower Society. They were rather inclined to think that their secular government invented and send such new interpretation of Romans 13:1. It was hard to believe that one should be subjected to a government who used to put Jehovah’s Witnesses to prison and to forced-labor camps (gulags).
“Then in The Watchtower of November 15, 1962, which appeared later in the Ukrainian edition
of July 1, 1964, a new understanding of Romans chapter 13 was presented. Until that time, we had understood “the superior authorities” mentioned in verse 1 to be Jehovah God and Jesus
Christ, but The Watchtower noted that “the superior authorities” actually represent the earthly governments and that these are “placed in their relative positions by God.”—Romans 13:1. Some of
the Witnesses found it hard to believe this adjusted view, since the heads of the earthly government in the Soviet Union had been so cruel in their attempts to wipe out the true worship of God. These
Witnesses, therefore, thought that The Watchtower containing the new understanding had not originated with the official organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Instead, they thought that the information had been fabricated by those compromising with the authorities in order to make the Witnesses more obedient to the Soviet State. So each servant of Jehovah in Ukraine was faced with the question, Which group is right, and which is wrong? I observed the Witnesses supporting each side of the argument and asked myself, ‘What motives do they have?’ Soon I was able to identify a clear difference between the two sides. The majority of Jehovah’s Witnesses, some of whom may not have fully understood the new explanation of Romans chapter 13, wanted to stick loyally to Jehovah and his organization. Others, however, had begun to doubt that recent publications of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society still came from the official
organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Such ones were also inclined to have extreme views on a number of matters. For instance, they felt that it was wrong for a bride to wear a white dress at her wedding and for marriage partners to wear a wedding ring. A number of individuals left the organization. In time, however, quite a few of them recognized their error and returned to serving Jehovah.” (Awake! October 22, 2000 p. 21-23).
These were not clarifications – these were wrong teachings.
Even more obvious are when a change is made, then flip-flops back and forth around the original teaching. This includes all the different changes to what the generation means, or how we understand the prophecies in Daniel and Revelation.
How many wrong teachings did God allow to become part of the Bible canon? Now compare that with how many wrong teachings are contained within the Watchtower over less than 150 years. Ongoing reversal of doctrine can only indicate God is not involved in these new flashes of light that later turn out to be falsehoods. Yet the Watchtower leadership claim these changes are from Jehovah, not to be questioned.
“How do you react when Jehovah, the Source of spiritual enlightenment, sheds light on “the deep things of God” found in the Bible? (1 Cor. 2:10-13) We have an excellent example in the apostle Peter’s reaction when Jesus told His listeners the words of today’s text. Taking those words literally, many disciples said: “This speech is shocking; who can listen to it?” They “went off to the things behind.” But Peter said: “Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life.” (John 6:60, 66, 68) Peter relied on God for spiritual enlightenment. When spiritual light on some matter gets brighter, do you try to understand the underlying Scriptural reasons for the adjustment? (Prov. 4:18)” – Examining the Scriptures Daily 2013 p.17
Why all the changes?
Changes are generally driven by one of two reasons.
• Changing Governing Body members
• Legal pressure
Changing Governing Body members
As the makeup of the Governing Body changes, so does their collective ideas regarding doctrine and practices.
Consider the changing view of “types and antitypes. During the 1900’s, Fred Franz introduced hundreds of examples of “types” and “antitypes.” Franz died in 1992, and by 2010, all Governing Body members that served with Franz had died.
In 2015, the number of types and antitypes was greatly reduced.
“Questions From Readers
In the past, our publications often mentioned types and antitypes, but in recent years they have seldom done so. Why is that? …
Many years ago, our publications stated that such faithful men and women as Deborah, Elihu, Jephthah, Job, Rahab, and Rebekah, as well as many others, were really types, or shadows, of either the anointed or the “great crowd.” …
If such interpretations seem far-fetched, you can understand the dilemma. Humans cannot know which Bible accounts are shadows of things to come and which are not. The clearest course is this: Where the Scriptures teach that an individual, an event, or an object is typical of something else, we accept it as such. Otherwise, we ought to be reluctant to assign an antitypical application to a certain person or account if there is no specific Scriptural basis for doing so.” – Watchtower Study Ed. 2015 Mar p.17
Think about what happened within the 3 year period between 2023 to 2025. One member of the Governing Body was taken out, and 4 new members were added, which came with a lot of changes.
• Jan 2023 announcement – Two new Governing Body members: Gage Fleegle and Jeffrey Winder.
• Feb 2023 announcement – Anthony Morris III removed from the Governing Body.
• Oct 2023 annual meeting – Reporting of hours spent preaching is no longer required.
• Dec 2023 Governing Body Update #8 – Beards are now permitted.
• Mar 2024 Governing Body Update #2 – Ties are no longer mandatory in meetings and preaching, and women are allowed to wear pants.
• Mar 2024 – The term disfellowship changed to removed. Can be spoken to at the Kingdom Hall.
• Oct 2024 annual meeting – Can repent last minute during the great tribulation.
• Oct 2024 annual meeting – Two new Governing Body members: Jody Jedele and Jacob Rumph.
• Jan 2025 Watchtower – oral sex allowed within marriage.
• May 2025 Governing Body Update #3 – Committee members aged 80 and older are being asked to “voluntarily” resign.
• Jul 2025 Governing Body Update #4 – Toasts are permitted.
Legal and Financial Pressure
Legal and financial pressure also leads to important changes.
Selling literature
In 1988, Jimmy Swaggart went to court because he didn’t pay taxes on the money he made from selling religious stuff. The court decided against him, and then the Watchtower told Jehovah’s Witnesses to stop selling magazines while they were witnessing and to just ask for donations instead. Donations are tax deductible, why money made from selling is not.
Bulgaria and military service
In 1996, Watchtower began permitting military service to achieve legal recognition in Bulgaria. They also stopped disfellowshipping Jehovah’s Witnesses who received blood transfusions, viewing it as voluntary disassociation.
Blood transfusions
In the late 1990s, because of constant legal pressure, many parts of blood were allowed for Jehovah’s Witnesses to use in transfusions, even though it doesn’t really make sense, since these parts come from blood, which the Watchtower says shouldn’t be kept.
Norway and disfellowshipping
In 2022, Norway took away legal recognition and state funding from Jehovah’s Witnesses because of their practice of disfellowshipping and shunning. To try to get funding back through the courts, the Governing Body decided to stop using the word disfellowship and instead used the term “removed”. They also allowed people who were “removed” to be talked to at the kingdom hall.
When is it truth?
This idea can be used for any Christian faith that is like the Witnesses, including groups like Christadelphians and the Worldwide Church of God. Both of these have beliefs that are very similar to those of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It also applies to Seventh-day Adventists, who began around the same time as the Witnesses and share the same basic teachings from Miller. Seventh-day Adventists also spread their message and grow at a similar pace. Someone who grows up in any of these religions is just as sure that the “light getting brighter” will help fix the issues with their faith.
The Worldwide Church of God uses the same “new light” reasoning, as shown in an experience of a member at ex-sda.com (May 2 2006):
“Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong still took what seemed to me a less than candid approach. He called our Divorce & Remarriage change “new light,” “new truth” which God has (finally) shown us. In other words, he subtly blamed our doctrinal error on God.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints feels the same way. A Mormon who switched to being a Jehovah’s Witness found it funny that one of his reasons was:
“I dug deeper into the teachings of my faith and also consulted with responsible Mormon Church leaders. I was told that the answers to my questions involved mysteries that one day would be solved as the light became brighter.” – Watchtower 2013 Feb 1 p.9
The following article about the Catholic Church is equally applicable to Jehovah’s Witnesses.
“Tell me,” he asked, “how can I have confidence in anything? How can I believe in the Bible, in God, or have faith? Just ten years ago we Catholics had the absolute truth, we put all our faith in this. Now the pope and our priests are telling us this is not the way to believe any more, but we are to believe ‘new things.’ How do I know the ‘new things’ will be the truth in five years?”” Awake! 1970 Apr 22 p.8
Interestingly, the origin of “New Light” is actually apostasy. When someone, whether it’s the Governing Body, a member of the writing team, or a reader’s question, disagrees with the truth from Watchtower and offers a different perspective, it often leads to conflict. Usually, this different perspective isn’t accepted, and the person who supports it might even be called an apostate. However, sometimes an idea that starts as apostasy can eventually become accepted as doctrine and is referred to as new light. This leads to the conclusion that either the old teaching was incorrect, or the new teaching might be wrong, but in either case, the Watchtower has been teaching apostasy.
One might also think, if Jehovah wants his organization to be better than all the others, why did he take so long to show important truths? Watchtower really values itself and its spiritual guidance.
“Jehovah is the source of spiritual light. Even though the world is in deep darkness, the true God keeps shining light on his people. The increasing light from Jehovah helps guide his people. It makes them better in their organization, beliefs, and morals.” Watchtower 2006 Feb 15 Walking in the Path of Increasing Light.
This article is interesting, especially in what it leaves out. For example, while it says the teaching on Superior Authorities was correctly revealed in 1962, it doesn’t mention that it was actually going back to a teaching that was right at first but had been wrongly changed by Rutherford in 1929.
While the article mentions that the 1945 decision against blood transfusions was influenced by the use of blood during World War II, it doesn’t really explain why it took so long to reach this decision. The modern method of blood transfusions was developed in 1916, so why did it take until 1945 to ban them? If using blood is considered wrong, why did it take until 1927 for the leaders to tell people not to eat it, nearly 50 years after the Watchtower began publishing?
Smoking was labeled a disfellowshipping offense in 1973, but it has always been harmful to your health. Groups were formed to discourage smoking as early as the 1900s, and scientists found the connection to lung cancer in the 1930s. Moreover, smoking was considered wrong because it was linked to spiritism, which means it should have been seen as wrong from the start of the religion, and God shouldn’t have taken 100 years to make this clear.
The most important question is, if only the Governing Body is part of the Faithful and Discreet Slave, why did they wait until 2012 to share this truth? Before 2012, it was said that Jehovah had given truth through the Slave class since the time of Jesus, which included the whole group of 144,000. After that, it was only the Governing Body from 1919 onward. Surely, Jehovah could have revealed his source of truth and light correctly as soon as it became clear in 1919.
Jehovah hasn’t needed more than 100 years to make Watchtower doctrine right. The new ideas, especially when they contradict each other, come from new Governing Body members pushing their own views.