Armageddon's Slaves Chapter four

The first part of the evening passed in relative peace. Samuel did not contribute much to the small talk. Luke did most of the talking. Prompted by his sisters, he passed along “news” from other Gatherings. Samuel watched Uncle Harry closely.  He picked at his food, but did not eat much. He did not track the conversation around him. Whenever he spoke, he told a story about something that happened years earlier at New Jerusalem. Twice he said something about doctrine that Luke or Caleb corrected, pointing out that information changed. Otherwise, nobody paid much attention to him.

As they finished dinner, David and the two Larson children disappeared to another part of the house to watch TV. Sophia cautioned the boys not to watch anything inappropriate for Rachel, who was several years younger.

Samuel saw Peter Larson roll his eyes, but David pleased him by politely saying he was sure they’d find something suitable. Uncle Harry excused himself and returned to his apartment, claiming a need for sleep. As soon as they were gone, the tone around the table turned serious.

“The Lord Almighty has been testing His Disciples,” Luke announced pompously, “soon the tests will be harder and more frequent. We must all prepare to prove our loyalty to The Lord.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Samuel snapped without thinking about his tone.

“It means that we can’t just rest on our laurels, we have to show The Lord that we DESERVE a reward in Paradise. It’s more than just not sinning, it means showing The Lord we love him.”

“Isn’t that what we do in Disciple-making?”

Caleb nodded saying, preaching and making Disciples were part of it, but not everything. They had to live their faith.

“Is that what tomorrow’s meeting is about?” Samuel asked.

“Perhaps.” Luke mumbled some generalities about showing faith like Abraham, ready to make any sacrifice for The Lord.

“I think,” Sophia said, “The Lord has already tested us., Samuel you and Judith have shown your complete faith in The Lord, and Paradise. I mean keeping faithful…”  Her voice trailed off at Judith’s eyes shot daggers at her.

“Yes, The Lord tested us, He will reward us by returning our daughter in Paradise,” she said coldly.

“You see,” Luke said, oblivious to his sister’s remark, “this is the what we’re talking about. The two of you stood before The Lord and kept your conscience clean even in the greatest trial. Soon, I think everyone will face a similar decision.”

“Of course, The Word will tell us what to do, we only have to do as we’re commanded.” Sophia beamed, as if she had just uttered a great revelation.

Samuel realized she probably thought she had. If the Word of God Magazine said two and two made five, she’d accept it without question.  Maybe that was what faith meant.

“Yes, that is exactly what we’re talking about.”

For a second Samuel thought that Luke was agreeing with his thought about arithmetic.  But he was just echoing Sophia’s comment about following instructions from New Jerusalem. He added that he could say the special meeting was on that subject.

“Doesn’t The Lord want us to make moral decisions for ourselves?” Samuel interjected, “I mean, he gave us the ability to use our conscience to decide right from wrong.”

“And what is right,” Caleb intoned, “is what The Word tells us.”

That was too much for Samuel. “And what if The Word changes its mind about something important like vaccinating your children?”

“We did what we thought was right at the time,” Judith said angrily, “The Word taught us the right course of action based on all the available understanding of both medicine and scripture.  I have faith that we’ll have Charlene with us in Paradise.”

“I’m sorry, honey. You know I have faith too, I’m not blaming anybody, I just…” he struggled for words. Caleb and Luke stared at him. He paused, knowing he had to choose his words carefully to avoid sounding critical of New Jerusalem.

“I have faith too. I just find it hard sometimes to follow the changes.”

Luke nodded, but still had a cold look on his face. “I know it can be difficult. That’s why we must study the Bible and listen to the Apostles. It is the way of safety for The Lord’s people. Let’s talk about something more pleasant.”

Later, after driving home in cold silence, Judith stomped into the bedroom, shutting and locking the bedroom door in Samuel’s face. He slept in the spare bedroom, thinking that it used to be Charlene’s, knowing that he was going to hear more about his remarks at dinner from Caleb.  Perhaps as soon as tomorrow, a thought that did not help him sleep.

 **

As always, Saturday was Disciple-making day. The whole Gathering met at the House to organize the morning’s effort to find potential converts. They would spend the morning walking through a residential neighborhood trying to interest people in studying the Bible. Although the Disciples considered this activity the most important act of faith, it rarely produced converts. As usual, David didn’t want to go, his mother insisted.

Samuel suggested that they take both cars, so David and Judith could ride home when they finished preaching for the morning. Samuel would stay at the House for the special meeting.  Judith quickly agreed, possibly because it gave her an excuse not to ride with her husband.

David started talking as soon as they got in the car.

“Mom’s in a mood this morning. Did you and Uncle Caleb get in a fight or something?”

“A disagreement, Sophia brought up Charlene last night.”

“Oh boy.”

“Yeah, it got unpleasant. I have a lot to think about just now. Some of my doubts came out last night. 

It didn’t go over well.”

The morning passed uneventfully.  After meeting at the House, the Gathering split into small groups to walk through neighborhoods leaving literature with potential converts. They left a few brochures with people. Samuel estimated that no one was at home at three quarters of the houses they visited.  

Folks had better things to do on Saturday morning than sit around waiting for somebody to explain the Bible to them. When they arrived back at the Gathering House, David announced that he was going bowling with some other young Disciples. An Assistant Servant would go to keep an eye on them. Samuel shook his head, why not just trust them? But, no, that they needed a watchful eye.

Shortly, the Servants entered the House and prepared for their meeting. They pulled chairs in around a phone placed on the floor. With it on speaker, they could all hear.

“This won’t take too long. I’ll read a letter from New Jerusalem and take a few questions. It is all straightforward, but this announcement represents a big change in how we handle certain matters.”

With a few minutes to go before the phone link, Luke and Caleb cornered Samuel. He had braced himself for accusations, instead they took a conciliatory approach, saying that they understood the strain the loss of his daughter had put on his marriage. Luke especially seemed concerned that Samuel relax a little and work at staying close to The Word. He noted that sometimes changes in understanding could be difficult to accept, especially with a personal matter like vaccination. A strict rule, subject to review by the Servants, was now open to decision by an individual’s conscience.

“Remember, just because the Servants can’t review your conduct, it may still result in condemnation at Armageddon. You and Judith made a good decision and you will see your reward soon when you hold your daughter in your arms once more.

“There are big changes coming, The Lord Almighty is clearly preparing us to take a more active role in Armageddon, establishing The Lord Almighty’s Paradise on Earth. Today’s information will advance us along that path.”

Samuel thanked them for their kind words as men drifted toward their seats around the phone. However, he wondered what Luke meant when he said the Disciples would play an active role in Armageddon.   

Allen Moore, another Servant, set up the phone for the conference call. When all the Gatherings reported in, Luke began the meeting with a brief prayer. He pulled a letter out of his briefcase, saying that he had correspondence from New Jerusalem regarding new procedures. Within the next few days at most, every Area Servant in the United States and Canada would read the same letter to all Gatherings. He cautioned the Servants not to say anything before everyone had received the message.

Every Gathering House would install a flat screen television at the back of the speaker’s platform. Any Gathering that did not already have a computer would get one, and install special software provided by New Jerusalem. At least once a month New Jerusalem would broadcast a midweek Gathering.

 The number of broadcasts would increase, eventually also including Sunday Gathering. Eventually, New Jerusalem would broadcast to the entire world, one unified message reaching all Disciples at the same time! The letter closed with a stirring admonition.

“The Lord Almighty is preparing His people for the coming great day when He will establish Paradise on Earth. Think of the blessings in this new arrangement, The Lord’s people will preach and worship as a single body, directed by the Lord’s Apostles.  Clearly we know see that we live in exciting times foretold in Bible prophecy.”

Luke said that he would try to answer any questions, but the letter contained everything he knew. Samuel thought he saw something in Luke’s expression. He suddenly felt that he knew more than he was letting on. He studied the men around him, gauging the differing reactions.

Sergei Ivanov, normally happy about everything, scowled. Charles Brown, always a company yes man, nodded his head in agreement, joined by the other two Servants. Caleb looked like the cat that ate the canary. Probably he knew whatever Luke knew.

Disembodied voices coming out of the phone’s speaker voiced general pleasure at the announcement. 

One voice cut through the babble.

“Carlos Sanchez in Richland. How does this change the local administration of the Gatherings? Is New Jerusalem just going to take over? What happens to the Servants?”

Sergei Ivanov nodded vigorously, Samuel could hear murmurs of agreement coming over the phone. 

Although claiming they had no clergy, The Word did have a rigid hierarchy. The Servants exercised considerable authority within their Gatherings. He expected objections to a perceived power grab by New Jerusalem, although few would express it openly.

Luke quickly tried to smooth over hurt feelings, local administration of Gatherings would continue. New Jerusalem would control all teaching. He stressed the need for unity among The Lord’s people in the time of the end.

“So New Jerusalem is going to lead The Disciples while we do the scut work?” Said another voice from the phone.

“Who said that?” Luke snapped, “that is certainly not the right attitude.”

He did not get an answer. Luke wondered if another member of the man’s Servant Committee would rat him out, or if the voice spoke for all of them.  He fully expected Luke to go on a witch-hunt to find the speaker.

“I wouldn’t put it that way,” Sergei Ivanov said mildly, “but I do have some questions about this.”

Luke answered warily, saying that he did not yet have all the information. He expected it would take some time to work out details. Samuel noticed that he did not look at anyone when he said this, instead staring at the letter he’d picked up again. What was he holding back?

Armageddon’s Slaves © Jeffrey Thomas  All rights reserved.

This is a work of fiction. All events and characters are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental.

Armageddon's Slaves Chapter Three

“Hey Ski, you wanted to see me?” Samuel stood in the shop manager’s door nervously. He thought he knew what the conversation was going to be about, but didn’t expect to see Mr. Rommers, the owner sitting in the big chair next to Benjamin Warshinsky’s desk.

“Come on in, sit down.”

Samuel took the free chair, wondering what was up. The two men exchanged a knowing look and Rommers started speaking.

“I came down here because I understand you’re a bit hesitant about taking this job Ski has been dangling in front of you. Believe me, I understand the importance of family, and I respect it. I also understand you have some other personal matters that you want to consider.”

He smiled warmly for a moment before continuing.

“So here’s the deal. We want to create an entirely new position. Call it an efficiency expert, although I hate that because most of the people running around calling themselves efficiency experts have never done whatever it is they’re trying to make more efficient. You’re making this shop run well, and everybody in the company knows it. We now have seven shops around the Pacific Northwest, I can send you out there, and people will listen to you. I can’t hire somebody else that can do that.”

Samuel nodded, wondering where this was going.

“I want you to take as much time as you need to decide what you want to do, what works for you. Frankly, I think I’m offering you a very good deal, we’ll make every effort to accommodate your needs at home.”

“Thank you, sir. I appreciate that.” Samuel struggled for words, blast it, he WANTED the job, was that selfish materialism?

“I’m going to go on my way now and let you think.”

After a minute or two of casual conversation, Rommers left.

“Samuel,” Warshinsky said, “really think about this. You know my neighbor, Mark Whitworth, is a member of your church,” he held up a hand, “I know you don’t call it a church. He’s a good guy and through him, and you, I know something about your beliefs. I just want to say that I believe the Lord’s coming back someday, but meanwhile we live here and now. You’re too smart to let life pass you by while you’re waiting.”

“Funny, my son said that to me yesterday. Okay, I’ll think it over.”

“Thank you, I’ll warn you, I’m going to keep bugging you.”

Samuel left the office more confused than when he’d gone in. The Word considered non-Disciples 

“Outsiders” not worthy of The Lord Almighty’s reward in Paradise. But these two men seemed genuinely concerned for his happiness and well-being. Why would God kill them when Armageddon cleansed the Earth to make way for Paradise?

  **

Luke Collins, Samuel’s brother-in-law, and The Word of God Foundation’s Area Servant for Eastern Washington, called Samuel Monday night to tell him there would be a special Servant’s meeting on Saturday afternoon to discuss confidential instructions from New Jerusalem. Servant committees from many Gatherings in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho would conference in by phone.

He refused to discuss the matter in greater detail, saying only that attendance was mandatory. Samuel said he would be there. No point in speculating about it, he’d find out at the meeting. Unless Sophia told Judith, no that was unfair. Luke kept his mouth shut about information from New Jerusalem, probably out of fear of losing his position as Area Servant.

The Word took pride in claiming that it had no paid clergy. This was true of local Servants, although Area Servants received a “living allowance” from New Jerusalem, always described as “small,” but no one knew the real number.

“And there I go again,” Samuel thought, “more negative thinking about The Word.  I have to stop this.”

Later, as Judith lay next to him sleeping he stared at shadows on the ceiling. The tree in the yard partially blocked a streetlight, its bare branches painted an abstract design as they moved. Samuel could not sleep, one random thought after another kept him from relaxing. Questions he could not answer demanded his attention. One in particular kept resurfacing, “Am I a bad Disciple, is this how 

Good Disciples become Forsakers, abandoning what they knew to be the true religion?” 

The thought that he was becoming a Forsaker terrified him. It meant abandoning The Word forever, without possibility of return. He would have no life in Paradise, no everlasting relationship with The Lord Almighty and fellow Disciples. He’d never see Charlene again. Of course, the Bible said that a Forsaker sinned against the Holy Spirit, erasing in chance of repenting.  

He got up, moving quietly to avoid waking Judith. He walked to his den, noting a light under the door to David’s room. He decided not to say anything. He’d been a night owl at that age, too. He sat down in the chair at his desk and tried to pray. He needed answers. 

He opened his eyes at a soft tap on the door. David stood in the door frame, looking concerned.

“I heard you up, thought I’d see if you’re Okay.”

“I’m fine, just thinking about a lot of stuff, makes it hard to sleep.”

A shadow crossed the boy’s face, not a frown, something else. Concern? Samuel realized he needed to think of his son as a young man.

“You want to talk a minute? Have a seat.”

David sat in the extra chair, available.  “Dad, is my wanting to go to college one of your worries?”

“Yes, but maybe not in the way you think. At least not now. I think that if you want to go college, I won’t stand in the way. They’ll probably remove me from the Servant Committee. I’m not sure I care anymore.”

The sudden expression of his true feelings to another person startled Samuel no less than his son. 

“I’m tired of it all.” He added simply.

He asked where he wanted to go to school, what he would study? More importantly, how would he pay for it? A minute later, he had to admit David had done his homework. He planned to pursue a degree in medical technology. He had good grades, and applied to every grant and scholarship he could find. Student loans were available. With a jolt, Samuel realized that taking the promotion at work would provide extra money to put toward his son’s future.

“What about the Word?”

“What about it, Dad?”

He pointed out the Apostle’s teachings on education, but added that he understood the conflict. He struggled with the same issue regarding his promotion.

“You should take it,” David answered, “You’re too smart to just work in the shop, one reason I want to go to school is because I don’t plan to spending my life waiting for the end of the world.”

Samuel laughed, “that’s the third time in two days I’ve heard that, two of them from you.”

David laughed and pointed out that maybe it was true, “Dad, I was young but I can sort of remember that Grand Gathering where everybody thought the world was going to end in 2008. You and Mom have spent the time since then just waiting for Armageddon. All my friends see their parents living the same way. We don’t want to live like that. Well some of the guys want to be hot shot Servants and a few of the girls want to marry them. I want something more than sitting and waiting.”

“Is this about your sister?”

“Some. I think. At least that’s what sparked my interest in a medical field.”

The room grew quiet for a moment.

“We should get to bed.”

“Okay.  Is Mom going to freak out?”

“Probably, but I’ll handle it.”

**

Caleb Larson’s money, and his attitude about it around the House, had always bothered Samuel. In public, he preached the official teaching from the Apostles, the pursuit of wealth was a distraction from spiritual matters. His was one of the loudest voices railing against higher education. He claimed that his job in real estate sales left him plenty of time for his duties as Senior Servant and Disciple-making, so HIS money wasn’t a problem. He made it sound like The Lord Almighty dropped dollars into his bank account as reward for good behavior.

Samuel did not look forward to more idiocy.  Dinner proved to be a heaping plateful of it. It started when Luke opened the door; he, his sisters, and Caleb were always an unpleasant combination.

The presence of “Uncle Harry” served only to bring attention to all the things he was starting to see wrong with Disciple culture. Harry, now in his eighties, had spent his entire adult life as a Disciple. 

He went to work at New Jerusalem in his late teens, working in the printing plant that churned out millions of books and magazines.

He spent his life there, until technology and changing reading habits reduced the demand for printed pages.  After a lifetime of service at the Seattle headquarters, he “retired” to live with his family in Spokane. He called a cramped apartment over the Larson’s garage home, ate most of his meals with them, and rode to Gatherings in their car. Samuel knew all this because he wrote a check to Caleb every month to help cover the cost of Harry’s care. Having opted out of all the government programs, and no money to buy insurance of any sort, he had no social security, or other benefits.

Invited to say the prayer before dinner, the thanked The Lord for the many blessings he gave his people, including the knowledge that they would soon all live in Paradise. He specifically thanked God for providing for his needs. Samuel clinched his teeth at that, The Lord had taken a lifetime of Harry’s service and left his care to the rest of the family. Couldn’t they see that? The chorus of 

“Amens” around the table seemed a clearly negative answer.    

Shortly after that, the fight started.

Armageddon’s Slaves © Jeffrey Thomas  All rights reserved.

This is a work of fiction. All events and characters are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. 

Armageddon's Slaves Chapter Two

Judith spent the first few minutes of the ride home talking about the sermon and study lesson. After a few minutes of dissecting the sermon about keeping morally clean, the silence stopped her. She turned to watch Samuel, who drove with grim determination, gripping the wheel hard enough to turn his knuckles white.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Something, what happened in the library?”

“I shouldn’t talk about it.”

Judith pouted, and noted that Sophia would tell her anyway. Samuel sighed and said nothing.  The rest of the trip home passed in silence. When they arrived, Judith announced that she was going to meet her sister, the two of them were going to do some public Disciple-making at the Mall.

Samuel mumbled something.

“What did you say?”

“I said, have a good time, preach the word. I have to work on my part for midweek Gathering.”

David grinned at him, probably he’d heard what his Dad really said, “that’s a good excuse.”

As soon as she was out the door, father and son starting making sandwiches for lunch.

“Are you and Mom Okay?”

“We’re fine, I’m just under some stress. I want to talk to you, if that’s all right. Just sound you out about some things if you don’t have plans.”

David said he might meet with some friends at a local teen center and play some basketball. He hesitated as he said it.

“Friends from school, not the Gathering?”

Another hesitation, “I know you don’t approve, but…I don’t have friends in the Gathering.”

Samuel didn’t know what to say to that. He told David to have fun, but to keep his behavior appropriate for a Disciple. It sounded lame, even as he said it. He looked up to see David eying him. 

Suddenly he saw his son as an adult.

“Dad, what’s going on?”

Samuel told him about the promotion. The trucking company he worked for wanted to make him manager of operations and training at all its shops. Although a good opportunity, it would take time away from his Servant duties. The other Servants would complain, perhaps force him to resign. That, he knew, would not sit well with his wife.

“Dad, you should take it, you need to take care of yourself more. I’ve decided I don’t care what the 

Apostles say about the end of the World coming soon. You can’t just let pass you by while you’re waiting for The Lord to wipe everybody else off the face of the Earth. 

“I’m going to college, and I’m not the only one!”

David looked upset, breathing heavily and sweating. He added that he wasn’t going to spend his life in a dead end job.

“Who else is going to college?”

“Ricky Halbert in the South Hill Gathering for one. He’s going to go to Eastern this fall so he can learn how to run his father’s business. His uncle made sure it’s okay for him to do that.”

That set Samuel’s mind to thinking of Gloria Lighthorse. He asked how well David knew Ricky, and what he was like.

“He’s kind of a jerk because of his uncle. Thinks he’s something special. All the girls want to marry him.”

Samuel nodded. The Word’s strict rules about sex and dating encouraged early marriage, as it was the only way young men and women could get together. He agreed with the moral requirements, but was beginning to wonder if the harsh application led to bad results. Every Gathering had its share of struggling young married couples.

“It doesn’t help,” David went on, “that all the parents are trying to fix him up with their daughters all the time. They’re always saying they want them to hang out with Claire Halbert, but what they want them to do is get close to Ricky.”

That shed new light on this morning’s conversation. When Caleb formed his committee, they needed to look into that aspect of the matter.

 “David, I have a lot to think about. Forget Ricky. Your decision to continue your education is between us, and what others do has no bearing on it.”

“Mom wants me to go to New Jerusalem. I’m not going to end up like Uncle Harry.”

The boy had a point. After fifty-some-odd years working at New Jerusalem, Sophia and Judith’s uncle lived above the Larson’s garage. Too old to work, they dismissed him from the headquarters family. Now put out to pasture, he mostly sat alone in his room except for meals, gathering and infrequent rounds of Disciple-making.

**

Samuel sat down in the small bedroom he’d converted into a study. He pulled out the book he needed to prepare for his part on the midweek gathering, but didn’t even open it. “What’s wrong with me?”

After several minutes of staring at the book on his desk, he picked up a pencil and piece of scratch paper. After a moment of thought, he started a list.

Gossip

Promotion

Review Committee – Caleb’s attitude

David and College

What happened to Paradise?

Charlene!!!

The pencil broke has he started to put another angry exclamation point after his daughter’s name. He looked at the list, trying to push down anger and slow his racing heart.

The first two items were minor matters. One way or another, he’d figure out the promotion. He’d never heard of a Gathering that didn’t have a gossip problem.  Caleb was hardworking and loyal disciple, he could also be a jerk. He shouldn’t let personalities impact his faith.

The other items presented a problem. They related directly to his faith in the teachings of the Word of God Foundation. Reviews were necessary to preserve the Gathering as a sanctuary for the Lord’s People. Disciples needed to focus on preaching the coming of Paradise, not advancing careers or education.

Like too many Disciples, he’d allowed the excitement about 2008 to cloud his thinking. The Lord’s Word revealed signposts pointing toward the arrival of Paradise. Sometimes it took time to discern the meaning. Instead of accepting the Word’s direction, the Disciple’s expected Paradise to arrive in 2008, going well beyond anything from New Jerusalem.

For a split second, he again saw the 2007 Grand Gathering in Seattle in his mind. Hysteria seized everyone, even the Apostles. But 2008 wasn’t the foretold time, it provided another signpost.  The intervening years saw many changes sweep the Foundation. At one time The Word downplayed emerging technology, now it embraced the new ways to communicate. He’d heard rumors about new sound and video systems going into the Gathering Houses.

He refused to think about Charlene, the memories too painful. He and Judith made a hard decision to live by faith, they considered no other course of action. He dropped the paper into the shredder under the desk and tried to think only positive thoughts.

 He looked at the computer sitting on his desk, spreading The Word of God electronically across the world at the speed of light. The Bible said Disciples would preach The Word the Word everywhere in the Last Days. What other proof did he need?

He opened his Bible Study guide and went to work. The way out of doubt and depression lay in working hard, focusing on God’s Word and Blessings it promised. The promise of Paradise meant he would see his daughter, hold her, and love her once more. No other religion offered that.

Humming one of the songs from the morning Gathering, he went to work.

His good mood lasted all of three hours. It ended when Judith came home. The pile of bags she carried confirmed his suspicion that “Disciple-making at the mall” was only cover for a shopping trip. Then she told him that they were all going to have dinner at her sister’s on Friday.

“It will be fun. Sophia said they’ve heard some new information from New Jerusalem. We’ll hear about it at the Grand Gatherings this summer. Big stuff is coming. We’ll see Charlene soon.

Samuel decided he’d rather have a root canal. He hoped that when The Lord resurrected his daughter in Paradise he’d bring his wife back as well. When they married, she had been positive, joyful and fun. Charlene’s death robbed him of that woman. Now she thought of nothing but seeing their daughter in Paradise on Earth.

But he had no idea what had gone wrong in Sophia’s life. She’d been domineering, self-righteous, and self-absorbed as long as he’d known her. More than a few local Disciples joked that she and Caleb made the perfect couple.

Armageddon’s Slaves © Jeffrey Thomas  All rights reserved.

This is a work of fiction. All events and characters are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental.

Armageddon's Slaves Chapter one

Samuel snapped out of the reverie, in response to his wife’s demand that he get ready to go to Gathering.

“I’ll be down in a minute.”

He had no idea why he’d suddenly started thinking about an event that happened over eight years ago. Anyway, what he thought he remembered couldn’t be right. The Apostles knew better than to make a specific prediction. The Disciples let the excitement cloud their thinking. Somehow, his mind overlaid his hopes at the time onto the memory.     

He shouldn’t let negative thoughts overwhelm him. Lately, it took all his energy to drag himself out of bed and prepare to go to Gathering. He shoved the negative thoughts out of his mind, took a deep breath, and closed his briefcase.  That at least covered up the source of his thoughts. This morning’s Bible study guide contained yet another lesson about faith in the speedy arrival of Paradise on Earth.

No, he couldn’t think like that, of course the Great Day was near. If nothing else, he needed to focus on seeing his daughter in the resurrection – seeing your loved ones again in Paradise was point number four in today’s study. He put on a happy face like a mask, he did not want his wife asking about his mood. Who knew measles could kill a child?

David stood in the living room while his mother fussed over him. Judith said something about him looking like he’d slept in his Gathering clothes.

“Hey,” Samuel said with forced humor, “that sounds like a good idea. Saves time.” 

“Don’t encourage him.”

David suffered his indignity in sullen teenage silence. Probably today’s study had rubbed him the wrong way. David didn’t hide his desire to go to college when he graduated from high school in a few months. Point two in today’s study – don’t waste time on postsecondary education, Paradise will arrive before you get your degree. The same section made similar points about career advancement, which made Samuel wonder what he was going to say to his boss about the promotion. He’d turned it down last time during the excitement over 2008, something his manager did not understand at all. Of course, the Great Recession hit after that, putting expansion plans on hold. Which only proved The Word right about the short-lived nature of careers.

The car pulled out of the garage into cold sunshine a light dusting of snow still lay in shady spots.  Judith chattered on the way to the Gathering House, filing the silence from her husband and son.  Mostly she repeated “news” items passed on by her sister. Another black thought crossed Samuel’s mind, if Caleb Larson was going to chair the Servant Committee he should duct tape his wife’s mouth shut. No that was wrong, he needed to shut himself up, Sophia just passed on supposedly confidential information pried from her husband.

It didn’t help that Share and Judith’s brother was the  Spokane Area Servant and had no qualms about telling his sisters the latest news from New Jerusalem, the religion’s headquarters in Seattle.

“My attitude sucks,” he thought, “I’m thinking like an Outsider. Maybe we should take a couple of days, get a room on the coast. Talk about family plans. I need a change.”

He needed to think about the promotion, he honestly did not know what to do.  He needed to pray about it, and perhaps to talk to someone. For now, he’d try to pay attention to Gathering.

They arrived at the Gathering House, a plain wooden building set in one corner of a square lot. A few neglected shrubs grew in planters between lot and building, adding nothing to its mouse-brown color. 

They joined a stream of Disciples arriving for the Sunday morning Gathering. The building’s plain interior matched its exterior. Decorating their auditorium wasn’t important to Disciples. Rows of stackable metal chairs with fake leather seats faced a simple lectern on a low stage.

Sergei Ivanov tapped Samuel on the shoulder as soon as he walked through the door. The two men walked to a back corner to talk privately.

“Is there any reason you can’t take part in an informal review of Gloria Lighthorse?”

Normally Sergei was cheerful, the way his paunchy belly wiggled when he laughed was a well-worn joke among the Disciples that knew him. This morning, he was dead serious. Although he loathed the idea of sitting in judgment of a teenage girl, Samuel said he could be on the committee. Sergei said he wasn’t sure the matter needed a committee. He’d just heard a rumor the Servants needed to investigate.  After a first meeting, they’d discuss forming a committee.

At that moment, Caleb Larson stepped up to the microphone. Speaking formally, he announced the North Spokane Gathering of Disciples of The Word would begin Sunday Gathering. A brief musical interlude, played over a CD sound system began playing. Samuel saw movement out of the corner of his eye, Phil Peterson taking a seat in the back row.

Six months earlier, a Review Committee cast-out Phil, expelling him from the Gathering. Now, no one could even speak to him until he convinced the Servants of his repentance. Samuel wasn’t supposed to know what he’d done, since he had not served on the committee. But, as always, Sophia told Judith everything. Phil, contrary to rules about mixing with Outsiders, had a beer with some co-workers.  Several Disciple women, including Sophia, spotted him and claimed they saw him with his arm on an Outsider woman’s shoulder.

 Phil made no effort to hide, he’d waved at the Disciple women. When they reported the matter to the Servants, Phil denied touching anybody, the Servants didn’t believe him. Now he had to prove he was a good Disciple. Meanwhile, he sat in his car in the parking lot until it was time for Gathering to begin, while his wife chatted with friends, or at least those that still talked to her.  

As the CD switched to instruments only and the Gathering began singing, Samuel wondered what Gloria Lighthorse could have done to get herself into trouble. He didn’t want to hear about it. More negative thoughts, he tried, unsuccessfully to stop thinking about it. The Servants most important job was keeping the Gathering free of sin.  How could they receive The Lord Almighty’s blessing if they allowed wrongdoing to continue unchecked? Did that require treating people like lepers?

After the morning service, Samuel met Sergei, Gloria, and her parents in the upstairs library. They crowded into the small room, which barely held a table and four chairs.

“Gloria,” Sergei said with a smile, “why don’t you wait outside for a minute while Disciple Wilson and I talk to your folks.”

Gloria stepped out to the stairwell. As she closed the door, Samuel thought she looked terrified. For that matter, her parents looked frightened. He didn’t blame them. Sergei made an effort to set the parents at ease. He’d heard a rumor about their daughter, the Servants had to examine those involved to preserve the Gathering’s good standing before The Lord. He sought to guide Gloria’s development as a Disciple.

Sergei’s leadership was just fine with Samuel. This wasn’t his first time working through a problem with the Lighthorse family. A few years earlier, they had become involved in genealogical research, convinced that they were part Native American. After the Servants pointed out the impropriety of such investigation, based on Paul’s advice to Titus and Timothy, they abandoned the project. They still grumbled about losing a chance to get money from some tribe.

Samuel quickly learned that Gloria met several times with a boy, without a chaperone present. Her parents thought this might lead to trouble, could the Servants help them guide their daughter? Sergei smiled warmly and assured them they would. They also explained that they were doing everything possible to provide their daughter with guidance from The Word.

She knew, they said, that dating was not acceptable conduct. Somehow, when they let her go out for group evenings with other young ones from the Gathering she found a way to sneak out with her boyfriend. Samuel didn’t say anything, but Gloria used way too much make up, and dressed too provocatively. That did not excuse the boy’s conduct, but it didn’t help.

“Who’s the boy?” he asked, “we should talk to him, too.”

“Ricky Halbert.”

Inwardly, Samuel groaned. The kid was a pain. His father was Senior Servant of a Gathering on Spokane’s South Hill. Unlike most Disciples he had some money, as he owned a car dealership.  

More importantly, his brother was one of the Twelve Apostles, the Word of God Foundation’s board of directors. This made him influential within the Disciple community.

Gloria’s father went on to explain that several Servants thought the Halbert daughter would be a good influence on Gloria. That led to her developing a crush on Ricky.    

Sergei ushered Gloria in, and her parents out. She sat stiffly in her chair, and smeared her makeup trying to catch tears with a tissue. As Sergei asked questions, and received mostly monosyllabic answers, Samuel formed one quick opinion. Gloria Lighthorse, to put it bluntly, wasn’t very bright. 

She admitted to seeing Ricky, they had known each other for a few years and enjoyed each other’s company. Then she made a startling admission.

“My father is mean to me. He says I’m incorrigible, I don’t even know what that means. He says…” 

At this point she broke down. She cried uncontrollably, trying to talk through her sobs.

“He says he has to beat the devil out of me.”

Sergei and Samuel exchanged looks, now they had two problems.

“He hits you?” Sam asked, hoping he sounded gentle.

“Yes. I suppose I see boys I shouldn’t. I just want somebody to love me. I just want a Dad.”

At that moment, Caleb Larson burst through the door. Behind him, Samuel could see the clearly upset Lighthorses clinging to each other.

“I think, Disciple Jarvis,” Caleb snapped at Sergei, “that if you’re going to start a review matter you should inform the Gathering’s Senior Servant.”

“I’m not starting a review, I’m trying to determine if we need one.”  

 “I will decide that.” He reached behind him and slammed the door of the shut.

“Don’t cast her out,” Lizbeth wailed as the door closed, “she’s a good girl.”

Caleb sat in a chair directly across from Gloria and leaned close to her face. “We need to know if you had sex with the Halbert boy?”

Gloria had returned to crying, and smeared her makeup more, trying to compose herself. “Well…” she started to say something and collapsed into more sobbing.

“Come, answer my question! I’ve talked to Ricky’s father, I know you’ve been throwing yourself at him.”

“I don’t know. We’ve seen each other a few times. He kissed me and put his tongue in my mouth, does that count?”

Samuel almost laughed, but suddenly the whole conversation seemed sad. Caleb’s continued his questions. Did they touch each other?  

“He touched my…” she motioned toward her breasts, unable to keep talking.

Samuel made up his mind. This child needed help, not harsh discipline.

Caleb continued to hammer the girl with questions, like a prosecutor grilling a suspect on the stand. 

For her part, Gloria had completely lost her composure and cried uncontrollably.  Samuel realized that had Charlene lived, she would be about Gloria’s age. How would he feel if a bunch of middle-aged men asked her such intimate questions? Did they need to do that just now?

“Well,” Caleb announced suddenly, “I will start a committee to look into this formally. The Gathering must remain clean.”

Armageddon’s Slaves © Jeffrey Thomas  All rights reserved.

This is a work of fiction. All events and characters are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental.

Armageddon's Slaves: Prologue

The roar of the crowd deafened Samuel Wilson. Seized by the same wild joy that gripped the rest of the audience he jumped onto his seat and punched a fist into the air. He felt silly for a moment, then he realized that seventy thousand Disciples were all doing the same.  Two seats away, his wife Judith, normally much more reserved, yelled her head off. Between them, their two children, Charlene and David, six and nine respectively laughed and clapped, although they could not possibly understand the import of the moment.

Far below him, on the speaker’s stage, set where the fifty yard line of a Seahawks game would be, the speaker stepped back to the microphone.  He held is arms up, asking for quiet. The Jumbo Tron at the end of the field displayed a close up image of John Rodgers, Chief Apostle. At sixty-four, with his craggy good looks and silver hair, he looked like an Old Testament prophet minus the beard.

The crowd settled down slightly, making it possible for him to speak again.

“I take it you are ready to live in Paradise.”

More loud cheering. Samuel could see people in the VIP seats around the stage covering their ears.  

The rented stadium retained its reputation for sound volume, even when full of normally quiet and reserved Disciples.

“Yes, my fellow Disciples” Rodgers said, “we know that this year’s series of Grand Gatherings, ‘Paradise is at Hand, ’” the crowd applauded wildly, “will be the last held on this wicked Earth before the Lord Almighty removes sin forever…”

More cheers cut off his words.

“Yes, my friends, next year will see Paradise brought to the Earth…” More cheering. “A Paradise the 

Bible foretold many years ago…”

The cheering forced him to stop again.

“… A message preached by The Word of God Foundation for seventy four years is now arriving.”

Again, cheers erupted, a frenzy no one had ever before seen among the staid followers of the Foundation. Judith’s sister, Sophia and her husband Caleb Larson occupied the seats directly in front of Samuel. Judith leaned over cupped her hand and yelled into Caleb’s ear, “Can you believe it, Paradise is here. We made it!”

Samuel smiled, he didn’t like his in-laws, but a happy glow had replaced Sophia’s usual scowl. 

Contagious joy swept the stadium, infected all present.

For a second, a thought flashed through Samuel’s mind like lightning, he hoped they were right about this. He quickly suppressed the thought, a thought that belonged to an Outsider, not one of the Lord Almighty’s Disciples.  Of course, Paradise was at hand. The Lord’s apostles proclaimed it, they were His chosen representatives to humanity, both wicked Outsiders and those in The Word. 

All the Signposts of Biblical prophecy pointed to human history ending next year when The Lord 

Almighty established Paradise on Earth.  Just as He intended when he created Adam and Eve; happy sinless, humans would live on Earth forever. 

Next year, 2008.

Armageddon’s Slaves © Jeffrey Thomas  All rights reserved.

This is a work of fiction. All events and characters are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. 

Is The Governing Body Committing Blasphemy?

I wrote this article a few years ago.  I think, in light of some of what they are saying at the Regional Conventions, it is worth putting out here again.  From what I've heard so far, the GB still has a problem telling the difference between themselves and God.

The Primary Doctrine

     A typical listing of the basic beliefs of the Jehovah’s Witnesses (or their corporation, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society) is a laundry list of doctrinal matters: they do not believe in the Trinity, or Hellfire, they do believe in the coming destruction of wicked mankind, etc.  (For example see http://www.religionfacts.com/jehovahs_witnesses/beliefs.htm) This author believes the central belief of the Witnesses, the core of their religion, does not appear on such listings.

That belief is faith that the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses is God’s representative on Earth, and holds final authority over His people.

This chart, published in the December 15, 1971 Watchtower, is a clear expression of how the Watchtower Organization views itself.

God commands from the top, Jesus heads the Christian Church, and appoints the “Faithful and Discreet Slave,” of which the Governing Body is a part (now changed, see below)

The idea of a class of people called the Faithful and Discreet Slave (F&DS) is a convenient fiction for the Watchtower Society.  According to Watchtower doctrine, since Pentecost there have been 144,000 members of this class, selected and anointed by Jehovah to take charge of all his Earthly possessions.  Currently there are about 8,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses claiming membership in this class.

For decades the Watchtower taught the primacy of the F&DS in the Earthly hierarchy of Jehovah’s organization.  The Governing Body was their instrument or administrative committee.  For example: “Today, that ‘slave’ is represented by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses." (The Watchtower, May 1, 1992, pg. 31).    

The members of the Faithful and Discreet Slave Class have never met, or even communicated, as a body.  The Faithful and Discreet Slave never appointed the members of the Governing Body.  Until recently, the Watchtower did not want to reveal the concentration of power in a small group of men, or in the early days, one man. Therefore, it stated that Jehovah had given the F&DS class all authority.   

In the last few years, the Watchtower has de-emphasized the authority of the Faithful and Discreet Slave. Unfortunately, the change has served only to concentrate power in the hands of Watchtower headquarters.  For example the June 15, 2009 Watchtower states:

“Christians who have truly received this anointing do not demand special attention. They do not believe that their being of the anointed gives them special insight beyond what even some experienced members of the great crowd may have.”

In other words, only the Governing Body, or its selected representatives, speak for God.

This idea came into full force in the last few years. The April 15, 2013 Watchtower published this illustration, erasing the Faithful and Discreet Slave. The Governing Body now reports directly to God, who tells them what to tell everybody else. Interestingly, Jesus does not appear in this illustration at all, unless He’s one of the angels hovering on the margin. The July 2013 study edition of the Watchtower Magazine makes it clear, the Governing Body and the Faithful and Discreet Slave are one and the same. This change serves to place the Governing Body as the sole representative of God on Earth.

Extent of the Governing Body’s authority

A few quotes from Watchtower publications will serve to show how the Organization views itself.

Note: the following are representative of a large body of information.  The Last Popes of the Watchtower, a compilation of statements from Watchtower literature contains thirty pages of quotes on the subjects “God’s Channel of Communication” “Jehovah’s Visible Organization” and “Jehovah’s Prophet”. A few samples follow.

We must consider the Watchtower Organization to understand the Bible:

 “Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization, not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible. For this reason the Bible cannot be properly understood without Jehovah’s visible organization in mind.”  The Watchtower, October 1, 1967, p. 587

The Organization will teach you everything you need to know:

“But in Jehovah's organization it is not necessary to spend a lot of time and energy in research, for there are brothers in the organization who are assigned to do that very thing, to help you who do not have so much time for this, these preparing the good material in The Watchtower and other publications of the Society.”  Watchtower 1967 June 1

The Organization provides Salvation:

And while now the witness yet includes the invitation to come to Jehovah's organization for salvation...”

Watchtower 1981 November 15 p.21

We must obey it:

“What, can we say, is the basic principle underlying the

movement of Jehovah's living organization? It can be expressed in one word: OBEDIENCE.” Watchtower 1967 June 1

In 1985, the Watchtower solidified its place in the believer’s life by changing the questions it asked baptism candidates prior to immersion.  Baptism as a Jehovah’s Witness requires one to answer the following question affirmatively.

“Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization?”

We now ask this question:

Does this structure have any basis in Scripture?

The Watchtower booklet “Should You Believe in the
Trinity” makes this statement in support of its claim the Trinity is a false doctrine. “The New Encyclopedia Britannica observes: ‘Neither the word Trinity nor the explicit doctrine appears in the New Testament.’”  (page 6)

A keyword search on www.biblegateway.com reveals the terms “Governing Body” and “Organization” do not appear once in twenty-five different English language translations of the Bible.  More significantly, the terms do not appear in the Watchtower’s own New World Translation.

Do Jehovah’s Witnesses accept that their central doctrine has no basis in scripture?  Obviously not.

The Watchtower cites the Jerusalem council described in the fifteenth chapter of Acts as evidence for a first century Governing Body.  According to the Watchtower, when a controversy over circumcision of gentile converts arose, the council decided on the correct course of action.

In fact, exactly the opposite happened.  Paul and Barnabas reported their preaching tour and explained that uncircumcised gentiles received the Holy Spirit.  Clearly, God did not require circumcision of Christians, as taught by Jewish Christians in Jerusalem.  The elders in Jerusalem recognized this and changed their teaching accordingly.

In modern terms, this is equivalent to a pair of circuit overseers reporting an error to the Governing Body – and having the correction accepted.

No other Biblical references to any council in Jerusalem or anywhere else exist, no other central body exercised authority over the Church.  The meeting the Watchtower uses to justify the Governing Body’s existence was a one-off to decide this particular issue, not a pattern for the future.   

Additionally, the Bible describes qualifications for episkopoi (Elders) and diakonoi (Ministerial Servants) at 1 Timothy 3:1-12.  The Bible contains no similar qualifications for members of a Governing Body, or a means for selecting them.  Although the New Testament instructs Elders and Ministers in church administration, we find no instructions for a Governing Body.

Given the importance of the Governing Body – we can’t understand scripture, or achieve salvation without obeying its every dictate – one reasonably expects some instructions on its functions. The Bible maintains similar silence regarding a “Faithful and Discreet Slave.”

Abuse of scriptural support

Close examination of the Watchtower’s use of scripture to support its position reveals a disturbing trend.

I cannot find a scriptural source for the Watchtower’s assertion that we can’t understand the Bible without the Watchtower.  The Watchtower justifies this with circular reasoning: God is organized, therefore we are His organization; supporting this view by applying scriptures about God and Jesus to itself.

A favorite verse about obedience is Acts 5:29 in which Peter tells the Jewish leaders “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.”  Watchtower literature turns this verse on its head, Jehovah’s Witnesses must obey a group of men, the Governing Body, over the dictates of their own consciences, or personal understanding of Scripture. The Watchtower Organization turns a scripture about obeying God into a commandment to obey the Watchtower.

The Bible is clear that salvation proceeds from faith, not membership in an Organization. (Romans 10:9,13  Ephesians 2:5,8)  Yet the Watchtower insists that only by following the Watchtower can one be saved. 

The Bible explicitly shows that God will be our teacher: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”  John 14:26

Another favorite scripture of the Watchtower’s is John 6:68.  For example: "Furthermore, suppose a person was to separate himself from Jehovah's people. Where could he go? Is he not faced with the same issue that confronted Jesus" apostles when he asked them if they also wanted to leave him? The apostle Peter rightly replied: ‘Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life.’" John 6:68 

Watchtower 1988 March 15

Although Peter speaks of Jesus, the Watchtower cites this verse as a demand for loyalty to an Earthly organization.

For millions of Jehovah’s Witnesses who do not profess to be of the anointed “Faithful and Discreet Slave” Jesus is NOT their mediator.  “So in this strict Biblical sense Jesus is the "mediator" only for anointed Christians…The "great crowd" of "other sheep" that is forming today is not in that new covenant. However, by their associating with the "little flock" of those yet in that covenant they come under benefits that flow from that new covenant.”  Watchtower 1979 April 1 p.31 Questions from Readers

The examples above are a small sample of the numerous instances in which the Watchtower applies scriptures speaking of God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit to itself.

Is the Governing Body committing Blasphemy?

“Blasphemy includes the act of claiming the attributes or prerogatives of God, or ascribing these to another person or thing” Insight on the Scriptures P339

The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses exercises complete authority over its followers.  It teaches them, they must obey it, they are dependent on it for understanding and salvation, attributes and prerogatives of God.  By its own definition the Governing Body commits blasphemy by usurping the authority of God. 

The Bible warns against such conduct. “I know  that after my going away oppressive wolves will enter in among YOU and will not treat the flock with tenderness, and from among YOU yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves.”  Acts 20:29-30 NWT

Jesus also warns, “Look out that YOU are not misled; for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The due time has approached.’ Do not go after them” Luke 21:8 NWT

Is this not precisely what the Watchtower organization is doing? Demanding that we obey them as God’s personal representatives, while proclaiming (falsely) that the end is here?

People, believing they are learning God’s will for them from the Watchtower and arrange their lives accordingly. Here are two examples of the Watchtower’s leadership.

"If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will never grow old in this present system of things. Why not? Because all the evidence in fulfillment of Bible prophecy indicates that this corrupt system is due to end in a few years."

“Therefore, as a young person, you will never fulfill any career that this system offers. If you are in high school and think about a college education, it means at least four, perhaps even six or eight years to graduate into a specialized career. But where will this system of things be by that time? It will be well on the way toward its finish, if not actually gone!"

Those words appeared in the May 22, 1969 Awake magazine, about two weeks before this author graduated from high school.  I am now retired. 

The May 22, 1994 Awake applauded children and their parents who accepted the Governing Body’s prohibition on blood transfusions.  The cover of that issue featured pictures of many children who gave their lives in pursuit of perfection in following the Watchtower Society’s medical advice.

So, following the lead of the Governing Body leads to poor choices in education, career, and health care. Does this reflect Godly wisdom?

I believe we have free will for a purpose, that we find our own path to God, or if we wish, not to take any path at all.  Any time we surrender our free will to someone – anyone – we give up a part of that God-given right, and gift, to be ourselves.

The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses has made subtracting that gift from the lives of others its mission.  By accepting the dictates of the Governing Body, by adhering to the central doctrine of Watchtowerism, Jehovah’s Witnesses diminish their own lives.

I hope that my words on this subject will, in some way, lead Jehovah’s Witnesses to question their allegiance to a human organization in place of a relationship with God founded on truth and freedom.

 

A personal comment: Having accused the Governing Body of blasphemy, I feel a need to tread lightly about my own qualifications on the subject.  I am college educated in English and Business, and worked as an accountant. I have, however, been an avid student of the Bible for a long time. As a result of that interest I joined the Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1973, shortly after graduating from college. I stopped attending meetings in 1988, and disassociated from the religion in 1989. I continue to study and write on the subject of non-mainstream religions.

I am therefore (at most) an interested and informed theological amateur.  The foregoing is personal opinion, “food for thought,” not a professional analysis of scripture.

I make no pretense of speaking for God, or acting in His stead.  

Why the Watchtower’s Light Bulb Keeps Burning Out

Those who study the Watchtower organization know that it constantly updates its doctrines, replacing “old light” with “new light.”  The Watchtower uses a misinterpretation of Proverbs 4:18 to support the idea that it constantly receives new information from God, which supplants previously held interpretations.[1] The Watchtower never admits an error, it just introduces new understanding, even if it represents a reversal of the previous position. Today I will discuss what I believe are the root causes of this constantly changing understanding of the Bible.

The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses claims to be God’s sole channel of communication to humanity. They seem to believe they must answer every question, and they can never be wrong. We’ve never seen the words “we don’t know” in a Watchtower publication. Clearly, this attitude is a recipe for trouble. The lack of a clear, consistent method of interpreting scripture compounds these problems.

Hermeneutics is the science of textural analysis, using grammar, intended audience, genre, and literary devices to discover what a writer meant.[2] Theologians applying these principals to the Bible also take into account what other scriptures say. The result is exegesis, extracting an interpretation of a verse.[3]

We never heard these terms as Witnesses for a simple reason, the Watchtower does not want individual witnesses drawing their own interpretations, and will not train them to do so. My wife once asked an elder how we knew the Watchtower’s view on a particular scripture was correct. He said (paraphrased) “Don’t be concerned about figuring it out for yourself. We have wise men at Bethel who have discernment from Jehovah to interpret scripture so we could just accept it.” In other words, don’t ask questions.

So the Watchtower always knows what the Bible means, except when it doesn’t. This is where the doctrine of “new light,” or progressive revelation enters the picture. According to the Watchtower, Jehovah corrects information by providing new understanding to the Governing Body. It cites Proverbs 4:18 “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more to the perfect day,” to support this teaching. However, mainstream Bible scholars agree that this verse refers to individual growth, not a cover story for institutional error.[4]

There are two reasons the Watchtower needs the doctrine of “new light.” The first is simply sloppy writing and editing. As a well-known example, the Watchtower has flip-flopped numerous times on the resurrection of the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah. Sometimes they will be resurrected, sometimes not.  This seems to depend on the point the organization wants to make.  Because the Watchtower follows no consistent rules of hermeneutics, it can make the relevant verses say whatever they need them to say.  Furthermore, the author either doesn’t see a need to check his work against previous statements, or just doesn’t bother.

Secondly, when “old light” is clearly wrong discovering “new light” becomes imperative. This is apparent when viewing the Society’s history of false predictions about the future.

For example, the Watchtower had to redefine the word generation several times. When I became a Witness in the early Seventies, I learned that Armageddon would occur within the lifespan of the generation alive in 1914. I understood that this meant people old enough to understand world events in that year. Later, as those people died out, this became people merely alive in 1914. In 1995 it became people living in a historical period, in 2008 Witnesses learned the “generation” included all the anointed, dating all the way back to Jesus’ time.

The April 15th, 2010 Watchtower introduced the “overlapping generation” concept:

“What does this explanation mean to us? Although we cannot measure the exact length of “this generation,”we do well to keep in mind several things about the word generation: It usually refers to people of varying ages whose lives overlap during a particular time period; it is not excessively long; and it has an end. (Ex. 1:6) How, then, are we to understand Jesus’ words about “this generation”? He evidently meant that the lives of the anointed who were on hand when the sign began to become evident in 1914 would overlap with the lives of other anointed ones who would see the start of the great tribulation.” (Emphasis added)

Note that this last explanation starts with its own definition of “generation” and offers no evidence to back up its statement about what Jesus “evidently meant.”  The writer engages in no hermeneutics at all, there is no presentation of any reason to believe this interpretation. The writer simply asserts what he wants the verse to mean.[5]

This leads us to a third Greek word, eisegesis. Where exegesis means to extract the meaning of a text, eisegesis means imposing one’s own biases and preconceived ideas on a text.[6] This is common in Watchtower writings. The above quotation regarding the overlapping generation is a good example. Instead of letting Jesus words speak for themselves, the author must find a way to fit them into the idea that the generation started in 1914.

My early Bible study with Witnesses (I joined as an adult) frequently consisted of learning how to explain a scripture that, on plain reading, refuted Watchtower doctrine. The internet provides many examples.[7]

The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society’s stated purpose is “religious, educational, and charitable, in particular, to preach and teach the gospel of God’s Kingdom under Christ Jesus.”[8]  When the Watchtower continually changes its teachings, is its work “educational?” Unless and until the Watchtower incorporates the principles of good textual analysis, Jehovah’s Witnesses must constantly learn new teachings on old subjects, the old burned out bulb will always need replacement.   

[1] http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/light-gets-brighter.php

[2] http://www.theopedia.com/interpretation-of-the-bible

[3] http://www.theopedia.com/exegesis

[4] http://biblehub.com/commentaries/proverbs/4-18.ht

[5] http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/generation.php

[6] http://www.theopedia.com/eisegesis

[7] For example:  http://mmoutreachinc.com/jehovahs_witnesses/jw_twisting.html

[8] https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/watchtower-society/