[this article is contributed by Alex Rover]
The Adoration of the Golden Calf by Nicolas Poussin (public domain)
“DO YOU remember when you first learned about the wonderful prospect that Jehovah offers to obedient mankind?” w08 6/15 pp. 22-26 par. 1
“MOST of us in the Christian congregation can recall the joy we felt when we first learned the truth.” w07 11/1 pp. 27-31 par. 1
“When you first learned that truth, you no doubt viewed it as a genuine treasure, a piece of knowledge that filled your mind and heart with hope and joy.” w02 8/15 pp. 15-20 par. 5
Do you remember this moment? This joy? Really, who brought you out of this world and into the truth? Do you remember how happy you were? Aside from God himself, where do we direct our gratitude? Whom do we follow henceforth?
“We also love the organization [JW.ORG] that Jehovah uses to teach us wonderful truths. It was Jehovah’s organization [JW.ORG] that taught us about Jehovah’s name and what it means, his purpose for the earth, what happens to us when we die, and the hope of the resurrection. Do you remember how happy you were when you first learned these and other truths? Then do not allow the lies from false teachers to turn you against the organization [JW.ORG] that taught you these truths.—John 6:66-69.” (Simplified Watchtower [ws]11 7/15 p.11 par. 7)
In addition to distorting the Christian hope such that millions are convinced that they have neither God as their Heavenly Father nor Christ as their mediator, this organization is now directing gratitude toward itself.
Yes, who brought you out of this world? Jehovah’s own JW.ORG did! From Exodus 32:8:
“These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt”
Remain loyal to JW.ORG, since JW.ORG gives you abundance of pure waters of truth:
“We are determined to be loyal to Jehovah and to his organization. This organization has never disappointed us and always gives us an abundance of pure waters of truth from God’s Word.” (ws11 7/15 p.12 par. 8; compare subheading: Standing On the Rock At Horeb)
Are you moving ahead with JW.ORG? It is Jehovah’s will: “Jehovah wants us to support his organization and accept adjustments in the way we understand Bible truth”. (ws14 5/15 pp. 21-26 par.15)
Your sacrifices are for Jehovah, so we need to make any sacrifices JW.ORG requests us to make:
“Each of us does well to ask himself, ‘Do I immediately apply everything I read in the Bible and in the publications of the faithful and discreet slave class, even when it requires making personal sacrifices?’” – w12 7/15 pp.22-26
Who will go before us in the wilderness ahead? Your deliverance at the great tribulation will depend on obedience to JW.ORG, as it was true of Noah:
“As events unfold during the great tribulation, Christians will need to heed instructions from God’s Word and organization. […] Since our deliverance will depend on obedience, we do well to ask ourselves: ‘How do I respond to instructions that Jehovah provides for his people now?” – w12 4/15 p.26, par. 16
“And as was true of Noah, our success depends on obedience. […] We must obediently follow the direction Jehovah provides through his Word and his organization.” w07 2/1 pp. 22-30
“a feast to JEHOVAH”
(Exodus 32:5) Every Israelite knew Jehovah had saved them from Egypt. They made a golden calf and said, it will be a feast to JEHOVAH. They reasoned: the Golden calf is not a means to idolatry, because ultimately the glory goes to the heavenly Father.
And what a feast it was! They danced, they ate, and they celebrated. They had willingly brought their gold and gave it to be melted into an idol. Likewise, Jehovah’s Witnesses are the happiest people on earth! [1] They rejoice and worship Jehovah through his JW.ORG.
So they have created a modern-day golden calf, and proudly display it through select memorabilia. Below is a small sample:
A manly blue tie showcasing JW.ORG
A JW.ORG pin made of real Jerusalem Olive Wood!
A hand-made scarf with JW.ORG for you sisters.
A modest phone case to accompany your JW.ORG apps
Wearing this item is ill-advised, as it would get you accused of idolatry.
For the truly daring among you, try wearing a Jesus pin to your meeting or assembly and share the reactions in the comments.
Now as I am sharing these items with you, the entrepreneur inside of me is thinking: “why not insert my affiliate ID?” Of course that would be highly inappropriate. Save for the last item, I believe it all constitutes idolatry so I wouldn’t want anything to do with it. But it did bring me to a final thought, which I wish to share:
I vividly remember as a child, thinking about the destruction of Babylon the Great – the false religion, how the commercial system would “weep”. As sure as it was yesterday, I recall telling myself: “this surely proves that we are not part of Babylon the Great, for which commerce might benefit so much from my religion that it may weep over our demise?”
————- An Addendum by Meleti Vivlon ————-
In line with the thoughts Alex just expressed, I wanted to draw everyone’s attention to some interesting findings from our publications regarding icons, venerated symbols, and organizations.
All eight members [in Noah’s family] had to stay close to the organization and advance with it in order to be preserved with it in the ark. (w65 7/15 p. 426 par. 11 Jehovah’s Advancing Organization)
“The ark of salvation that we enter is not a literal ark but is God’s organization.”(w50 6/1 p. 176 Letter)
“But if we were to draw away from Jehovah’s organization, there would be no place else to go for salvation and true joy.” (w93 9/15 p. 22)
These three quotes are representative of the idea that our salvation is tightly bound to being active in and obedient to the Organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses. JW.ORG is now representative of that organization and the Logo has become the icon or symbol we rally behind. Given that, consider this conflicting quote from The Watchtower:
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. (w90 11/1 p. 26 par. 16)
By our own admission, it is a “modern version of idolatry” to impute salvation to an organization and worshipful gestures toward an image or symbol. We disdain other Christians for carrying the symbol of the cross, but we proudly bear and publish the logo of the Organization to which we repeatedly impute salvation. We are condemned by our own words as idolaters.
We love to describe our many doctrinal “corrections” as a spirit-directed process wherein the light of truth “grows brighter and brighter” (Prov. 4:18), but the fact that we can publish such diametrically opposed views as seen above indicates that we are fulfilling the next verse in that passage:
“ The way of the wicked ones is like the gloom; they have not known at what they keep stumbling.” (Pr 4:19)
[1] The Watchtower, 1997 May 1 p.23, 1995 Jan 15 p.12 par. 7, 1989 Mar 1 p.3, 1999 10/1 p.8 par. 13
Did the JWs just make up their own version of “feasts to Jehovah ” ?
Seems that way…. There’s already an existing feast schedule that our Lord Jesus adhered to.
peely, I am a bit confused about your comments. You said “The “persecution of the church” is the trampling of the Temple by the disgusting thing standing in a, or the, holy place (holy is holy in God’s eyes) – the anointed within the organization under siege by the man of lawlessness who is the organization itself.”
Are you implying that the Watchtower is somehow a special organization in the fulfilment of Scripture?
pearldoxsey, would you mind making a personal comment with your scriptures to establish what your point is? I’m sorry, but I’m not always good at drawing conclusions.
Many comments that have been made here, brought up the idolatry given to the “spirit-directed” image of the Watchtower organization. I thought it appropriate, to point to the words of God, when they refer to this illusion of mass deception. As scripture relates, the two-horned wild beast of Rev.13:11, fosters the power of the tangible ten-horned Beast, and it’s idolatrous Image/Idol (Rev.13:14,15). The two-horned “false prophet” and it’s role as benefactor to the ten-horned wild beast, is also mentioned in Rev.19:20 and Dan.8:24. The false prophet embues the Beast with life; and it’s image, with divinity. It empowers the Beast… Read more »
Good to see you, ICG. I hope all is well with you 🙂 Sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. It is true that I am implying that the Watchtower has a hand in the fulfillment of scripture. If we know the identity of God’s Temple today, we can understand the symbolic significance of the “trampling” I am referring to. There are those anointed ones within the organization that are under a “captivity in the form of a spiritual Babylon” as a result of arrogant dominance by their brothers. Anointed ones who, when deemed faithful are… Read more »
“All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who… Read more »
Hey, don’t worry, Skye. We can catch up at a better time 🙂
peely
Hello Skye, I tend to agree with BN that the bible is not for everyone. ANYONE could pick up the Bible and get good advice to apply in this life. My son gave me a book once called the Jefferson Bible. It was Jefferson’s endeavor to “distill Jesus’ teachings”; those he considered “diamonds” of wisdom he kept, while he discarded the parts he considered “a dunghill”. I am sure there are many, like Jefferson, who pick and choose what they determine as appropriate for their own needs. We know better. The Father looks for the right heart condition to pour… Read more »
Hi Peely, Thanks for your reply. I’m really busy at present and I don’t have time to read your comments as much as I would like to, but I hope to get round to it eventually, and so I apologise for that. You and I do definitely have differences in our understanding of scripture, that is clear. However, I hope to catch up with you soon, and thanks again. We’ll keep in touch.
With love, Skye
For all your JW.ORG needs!
http://www.jwstuff.org/#!jw-convention-gifts/cs9
Note the new “Imitate Jesus” bottle opener/magnet!
I think I’m going to puke.
Yesterday, I got quite a surprise when a member of my family that I have not seen for over 7 years appeared in a shopping center that I frequent but as for him (my JW fleshly brother) he lives over 120 kms from where I live. The chances of me arriving at the shopping center when he was there was very small indeed, yet there he was coming down the shopping mall towards me. At the time I had my wife with me who I was pushing along in a wheel chair as she suffers from an Osteoarthritis condition and… Read more »
They do the same to me and my wife and shes never even been a witness . It happened again the other day a brother well known to both of us ignored her as well because he did not want to talk to me . What a shocking witness to those on the outside of the religion. Colossians 4 v 5 and 6 and 2 peter 2 v12, kev
dear skye .. more and more i realize that the bible is not a book for everyone .. i see it in the way its written .. i see it in the way some of the letters in nt is adressed .. like judas’ who is to the ‘called ones’, james’ to the ’12 tribes’ …and then we have the Anointed One’s own word of ‘ hearing and not understanding’ .. How everybody has to be granted understanding from Him .. and then its understandable that He first grants it to His faithful anointed ones .. those who is in… Read more »
Hi BN, It’s true that the Bible does contain some scriptures which are difficult to understand, nonetheless it is not a book of unsearchable wisdom, rather it is information, teachings and advise provided for us by God. You’re right of course that not everyone would understand the Bible’s message. “This is why I speak to them in parables: Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: you will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s hearts… Read more »
Hi Peely, I see you have a lot to say about the Great Tribulation. I always find that when trying to explain things, it’s helpful to have a starting point and work out from there. As Jesus’ teachings show, simplicity is key. It is always good, I think, to keep in mind that the Bible is a book for everybody in which God speaks for the purpose of being understood. I have already expressed my thoughts previously with regard to the Great Tribulation and Matthew 24, but for the sake of simplicity and clarity I will refer to them again.… Read more »
Hi Peely, About the temple – in scripture sometimes this refers to a literal temple building or individual believer, church. For example, in 2 Cor 6:16 when Paul refers to a believer or the church as “a temple of God”, note that there is no definite article. But in 2 Thess 2:4 and Rev 11:1 he speaks of “the temple of God”, note definite article and is referring to a literal temple building. And this clear understanding fits with the prophecies of Jesus Christ and the prophet Daniel.
Jesus added, “Unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved”. Many assume that this refers to a physical salvation, as if the tribulation were a physical threat. BUt consider what Jesus had to say about spiritual salvation… Luke13:23,24… “And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them, 24″Strive to enter through the narrow gate; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to… Read more »
Dear Kev, My heart breaks for you. This is the tribulation we face – it is the Great Spiritual Tribulation, do you see? Remember Solomon’s idea of building the Temple? He said, “I have built You a lofty house, And a place for Your dwelling forever.” 2 Chron 6:1 This wasn’t God’s idea when he said, “Moreover, I tell you that the Lord will build a house for you.” 1 Chron 17. God tolerated it and gave his ordinances to follow. I believe this is where man gets the idea to begin with when firing up an “organization” to worship… Read more »
Hi Peely, The good news of the kingdom of God is to be preached in all the inhabited earth. In view of that, I find that your explanation of prophecy, in that it is so connected with the Jehovah’s Witness Organisation narrows it down too much.
Hello dear brother Skye, I at one time felt the same, Skye, but maybe we DO need to narrow it down. There are a people of God’s Chosen under a Babylon…..once again, and as has happened before, another remnant is being called out. Christ came not only as a sacrifice for all, but to build his Temple….of chosen ones – again, God’s inheritance. THESE are the ones who must take hold of the good news – a news preached to the land of God’s nation….as it has always been. oikoumenhs oikoumenEs G3625 n_ Gen Sg f beING-HOMED inhabited-earth – Rev… Read more »
Thanks peely your comments are appreciated . .Its been a few years now and we move on at least i dont feel angry any more . Its the poor brothers who are the victims really even though they dont realise it . Theres a few of us around this area now who have seen things in a different light and its these brothers and sisters who ive tried to reach out to to And offer some sort of support . Ephesians 4 perhaps its just the way its meant to be .. and the disfellowshipping does fullfill prophecy as you… Read more »
Luke 21:28
love to you, brother
To be honest i dont really know wether or not the organisation has become an idol . i dont know wether the brothers worship it . I dont know what is in thier hearts and minds . I do know that we should not judge people . I do know that we should try to love those even who persecute us . . I do want to love the brothers and sisters i tried so much . To my mind the bible itself particularly the NT has always been the yardstick to measure ourselves by its all i was really… Read more »
The “Organization” is fast becoming exactly like the rest of Christiandom which they are OH so quick to condemn!
LaRhonda
The bro and sis who at this time follow the GB without question are in a very similar position to the Israelites,they are serving their golden calf like visible organization, and just like the Israelites their carcasses are goingto fall in the wilderness of this system without seeing their promised land of the new system,and when they are ressurected they will still be sinners in need of redemption ( did I just create a type/antitype) So where in reality has everyone been led? Up a dead end.Its going to get down to Jehovah’s mercy for a hope to exsist for… Read more »
Can you see who they are the ones saying ‘peace and security’? For years I wondered about this scripture, since it did not fit the wt’s explanations … But if we start thinking that since the Anointed One walked this earth we have been living in a spiritual time opposite to the physical with the israelites …So we have to think spiritualy …The signs for spiritual jews are spiritual.. The nation of Israel thaught they had peace with God Who are the ones thinking that today? Who are the ones thinking everybody else is going to die in what they… Read more »
That is an interesting point BN.
And it is certainly true of the WTS at least
Always claiming the we live in “a spiritual paradise” and touting the protection of “Jehovah’s earthly organization”
A “strong delusion” to be sure 2 Thess.2:11
I agree, BN, we do need to look at the spiritual and symbolic side for fulfillment in our day. Once that reality hits us it becomes very clear as to how the scriptural condemnations and prophesies fit the organization. Another thing that use to bother me greatly was why were there were no apologies for misleading the flock when “light” became outdated and replaced with “new” understanding. They pass the guilt torch onto the congregation if “new light” is questioned. “My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have allowed them to go astray. They have wandered around in the… Read more »
This was a remarkable article. You provide some compelling evidence regarding idolatry, and did so in impressively few words. I was wondering about the general topic of idolatry and idolizing things. I found a few definitions for “idolize”: – to regard with blind adoration – to worship as a god – to love or admire to excess – to regard with great or uncritical admiration or devotion – to look up to someone as a hero – to love or admire excessively; adore Some aspects of these definitions caught my eye: “blind”, “excessive” and “uncritical”. The ‘excessive’ aspect refers to… Read more »
According to scripture, the reality for true Christians is – “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Tim 3:12,13
You make a lot of good points qspf, but I have to take issue with this one thing: “The Watchtower has repeatedly shown itself to be an organization of mere men, built on a foundation of lies, blasphemy and idolatry. Is that what you are afraid of leaving?” While I agree with the part about mere men, I do not see the organization of JWs as being “built on a foundation of lies, blasphemy and idolatry”. Guys like CT Russell may have been misguided and certainly did promote, unwittingly, falsehoods, but I believe they were sincere and they were blessed… Read more »
My apologies if my choice of words was inappropriate. I agree that it is no one’s place to say what someone should or should not do with regard to whether they stay in the organization. I know a decision to disassociate oneself is extremely difficult, far more than it should be. I also realize that when I say the organization is built on lies, among other things, that it sounds like a harsh judgment, which it is. However, I have run across articles more than once to the effect that Watchtower knows that some of its doctrines are wrong, but… Read more »
(Luke 23:34) “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Yes, I think intentionality makes a big difference. Not only because I plan on using that defense on judgment day, but also because it gives me some level of unembittered peace of mind as I now evaluate the influence the organization has had on my life. I certainly agree with you that there has been some level of dishonesty over the years from the GB and their predecessors. I believe it has increased of late. But I stop well short of saying that the organization is… Read more »
Thank you, Alex and Meleti, for exposing the idolatry. “What profit is an idol when its maker has shaped it, a metal image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation when he makes speechless idols! Woe to him who says to a wooden thing, Awake; to a silent stone, Arise! Can this teach? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in it. Hab 2:18,19 They have turned their backs to Me and not their faces. Though I taught them time and time again, they do not listen… Read more »
I think if we can get away from the idea that prophecy is all about Jehovah’s Witnesses, then we can begin to get a clearer idea of what Jesus was really saying.
Thank you for another informative article.
On one of the Tv.jw.org broadcasting a few months back it showed Anthony Morris III and his wife out in the door to door ministry. His wife was wearing one of the Caleb and Sophie pins. All I could thing was WOW, at least people who are wearing crosses cause people think of the one who died a horrific death for mankind. Not some man made cartoon. They might as well just wear Mickie Mouse pins.
its some of these qoutes get me . The ark of salvation is gods organisation .Noahs family had to stay close to an organisation .if we were to draw away from jehovahs organisation there would be no where else to go for salvation . What bible verses are these statements based on .kev
I agree with Hezekiah. This subject makes me very uncomfortable and has for quite some time. We have become the very thing we used to speak against, idolizing humans and their man made institutions.
If we do it, it’s okay but if other religions do it, it’s wrong. Hmmm. Something wrong with this line of reasoning. Thank you both.
Great article Alex,
They really are becoming a laughing stock due to their continued hubris.
I am curious about who is producing this merchandise?
I couldn’t see it on their website.
Is it just a group of brothers trying to make a buck by exploiting the JWORG brand or is the WTS doing it themselves?
Either way it’s quite obscene!
I’m also curious where he found those items. They’re certainly not on the jw.org site. I googled jw.org accessories and found several of those JW service supply sites, but none of them had any jw.org paraphernalia. One had a section No blood/jw.org but all it had were ‘no blood’ key chains. I wonder if they got a letter and yanked the products, or what. Interestingly, a search for ‘jw.org lapel pin’ came up with a link to the ultra-pro-organization site jwtalk where someone had posted this reference: *** km 9/74 p. 8 Question Box *** As Jehovah’s servants we are… Read more »
All pictures come from eBay listings. That’s what I mean the commercial system will mourn the demise of the whore that is false religion.
When I clicked on the pictures it took me to ebay. I fear we are becoming like the television evangelists that we have condemned over and over again due to their avarice. The likening JW.org to Noah is disgraceful. Noah and his small family were truly faithful to Jehovah — he spoke directly to Noah, he did not use writings or sayings of other men to provide instructions for the Ark.
Ministry Ideaz, Type this in and you should come upon a site that deal in quite a lot of merchandise. It has been going on for quite a few years
The WT says: “We are determined to be loyal to Jehovah and to his organisation.”
True Christians say: “We are determined to be loyal to God and to Jesus Christ.”