From the Watchtower magazine,1990 11/1 p. 26, is the
following quote:
"As Christians, we face up to similar challenges
today. We cannot take part in any modern
version of idolatry—be it worshipful gestures toward an image or symbol or the imputing of salvation to a person or an organization."
So, what are we to believe?
Is not the Watchtower a modern-day physical organization? Of course!
However, Mr. Luccioni is explicit in saying that salvation cannot be
found anywhere else except through “Jehovah’s organization”. (Exodus 15:2;20:4; Deuteronomy 4:23; 5:9; Psalm 115:4; John14:6; Luke 19:10; Galatians 5:1;1:10)
In the time of the end, Jesus warned us that false prophets would
arise and lead the anointed astray through their lies, which false prophets are
known for. (Matthew 24:24-25; 7:15-16; Luke6:43-45; Acts 20: 28-31; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Colossians 2:8; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; Romans 1:25;Revelation 13:10-14; John 8:44)
A liar twists the truth, creating confusion in the minds of
those who listen to them. Satan
accomplished this perfectly with Eve. (Genesis3:1-5; Proverbs 14:5; Isaiah 41:29; 1 Cor 14:33)
The legacy of lying leaders of the organization has created
an invincible image of salvation in the minds of Jehovah’s
Witnesses; one that cannot be disputed or rejected, since it is said to possess
the Spirit of God; the “spirit directed organization”. (Revelation13:1-2;Revelation 17:3,9; 13:15-17; 16:13-16) This teaching has empowered the image to
be a threat against all who question the authority of its representatives, the "Gentile" elder body, not anointed. (Matthew 24:48-51; Revelation 8:10-11; 9:1-4,13:18; 2 Thessalonians2:3-4,7-10; Revelation 13:7;11:1-3)
All that a JW cherishes could be lost if there is any doubt
over teachings, and the constant changing organizational policies and failed prophecies. Life as one had once experienced, ends abruptly.
This threat and fear of being cut off from salvation, holds JWs captive to the
organization’s “empty philosophy” and “made up stories”. (Colossians 2:8; Luke 21:24; Revelation 13:10,15)
As Mr. Luccioni makes the deceptive claim, there is nowhere else
to go…without suffering the consequences. (John14:1-6,23; 6:68-69; Mark 8:34-38; John 16:2-3; 15:20; Revelation 13:1-2,4,11-12,15; 6:9-11;12:10-11)
“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the
wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:6
“There were indeed false prophets among the
people, just as there will be false
teachers among you. They will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will
bring swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow
their depraved ways, and the way of truth will be
maligned because of them. 3 They will exploit you in their greed with made-up stories.
Their condemnation, pronounced long ago, is not idle, and their
destruction does not sleep.” 2 Peter
2:1-3
The apostle Peter continues:
“WE have not depended on made-up stories in
making known to you the mighty coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. With our own
eyes we saw his greatness. 17 We were there when he was
given honor and glory by God the Father, when the voice came to him from the
Supreme Glory, saying, “This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased!”
So we are even more confident of the message
proclaimed by the prophets. YOU will do well to pay
attention to it, because it is like a lamp shining in a dark place until
the Day dawns and the light of the morning star shines in your hearts.” 2 Peter
1:16-17,19
The apostles led people to God and His Son by proclaiming
the word of God in Christ. (Matthew28:19-20; Ephesians 3:8; Romans 1:9; Hebrews 13:15) There is no account in the
scriptures where the apostles and early believers felt the need to create a
man-made entity to be praised and worshipped, to be served, to provide monetary support for it…to affix
the label of salvation upon it. (John 2:19-21; Matthew 16:18; 1 Peter 2:5,9; Ephesians 2:20-22; John 4:10,13-14,19-24; Acts 7:48-51; Romans 1:25; Revelation 13:8)
“ I am astonished that you are so
quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ
and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which
is really no gospel at all. Evidently some
people are throwing you into confusion and
are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But
even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we
preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As
we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a
gospel other than what you accepted, let them
be under God’s curse! Galatians
1:6-9
The Greek word for “image” is eikone,
and it is where we get the word, “icon” from, meaning a likeness, a
representation, profile, resemblance. The Watchtower calls an icon a symbol of
one’s religious faith.
From their own mouth:
“Regardless of how
imposing an icon may be, it can never match the glory of God. Would
a person be ‘worshiping in truth’ if he approached God through some
man-made icon?” w02/7/1 pp. 5-8
The confusion
continues. An icon created by men
requires man-made stories by false prophets to sell it, and who exploit their
listeners to support it. (2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Corinthians 11:20; Philippians3:17-19)
Without the
organization, what do JWs have as the foundation of their faith? (Matthew 7:26-27;13:19-23,13-15; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5,13-14) It is the organization itself, a man-made icon; an imposing image
that stands within their hearts and minds as the symbol of their religious
faith. (John 4:24; 6:63; Acts 17:24-27;Revelation 13:4,8; 14:7;19:20)
“Son of
man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling
blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all? Ezekiel
14:3
“Beware
of your friends;
do not trust anyone in your clan.
For every one of them is a deceiver,
and every friend a slanderer.
5 Friend deceives friend,
and no one speaks the truth.
They have taught their tongues to lie;
they weary themselves with sinning.” Jeremiah 9:4-5
Pearl Doxsey - Who is the False Prophet who gives breath to the image of the Beast ?
Rev.13:15 reads;
"He (false prophet -Rev.13:11; 19:20)
was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of
the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of
the beast to be killed." (power to judge/condemn to death)
Do we see any "Beast"... any identity or
group, being imbued with an image of such authority, by a false prophet?
At John
20:21-23, we saw that Jesus gave spiritual authority and power, to
his anointed chosen priests (Luke 10:19; Mal.2:7; Rev.1:5-6; 5:9-10; 1Pet. 2:5).
But who is it that actually appears to be authorized to exercise the authority
and power of God's priesthood, today...even over the anointed chosen?
What image today, seems "spirit-directed"
and as a result, the tangible representatives and enforcers of worship toward
that image, can pass the judgment of spiritual life or death/forgive or not
forgive sin...
(over those who refuse to accept that image as being spirit-directed),
...even over the chosen ones? (2Thess.
2:4; Mark 13:14; John 16:2)
(Rom.2:28-29; Rev.2:9)
At Rev.13:7,
we are also told, that this alliance between the false prophet and it's Beast,
"conquers the holy ones". (Rev.13:10; Luke 21:24; Dan.8:12; Rev.11:2; Matt.5:13).
("Trample" - How Does it Happen?)
Are you awake to recognizing the fulfillment of this
prophecy?
It is in plain sight, among "Jehovah's Witnesses".
Who
comprehends the mind of the Lord,
or gives Him instruction as His counselor?
14 From whom does He receive directions?
Who teaches Him the correct way to do things,
or imparts knowledge to Him,
or instructs Him in skillful design?
To whom
can you compare God?
To what image can you liken Him?
19 A craftsman casts an idol;
a metalsmith overlays it with gold
and forges silver chains for it.
20 To make a contribution one selects wood that will not rot;
he then seeks a skilled craftsman
to make an idol that will not fall over.
21 Do you not know?
Do you not hear?
Has it not been told to you since the very beginning?
Have you not understood from the time the earth’s foundations were made?
22 He is the one who sits on the earth’s horizon;
its inhabitants are like grasshoppers before Him.
He is the one who stretches out the sky like a thin curtain,
and spreads it out like a pitched tent.
23 He is the one who reduces rulers to nothing;
he makes the earth’s leaders insignificant.
24 Indeed, they are barely planted;
yes, they are barely sown;
yes, they barely take root in the earth,
and then He blows on them, causing them to dry up,
and the wind carries them away like straw.
25 “To whom can you compare Me? Whom do I resemble?”
says the Holy One.
26 Look up at the sky!
Who created all these heavenly lights?
He is the one who leads out their ranks;
He calls them all by name.
Because of His absolute power and awesome strength,
not one of them is missing.
A voice
cries out,
“In the wilderness clear a way for the Lord;
build a level road through the rift valley for our God.
4 Every valley must be elevated,
and every mountain and hill leveled.
The rough terrain will become a level plain,
the rugged landscape a wide valley.
5 The splendor of the Lord will be revealed,
and all people will see it at the same time.
For the Lord has decreed it.”
Isaiah 40: 13-14,18-26,3-5
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