Post by ResLight on May 5, 2015 21:46:54 GMT -5
One has claimed that Matthew 24:23-24 warns that false prophets would proclaim Jesus' presence had begun when it had not. This is directed towards the Jehovah's Witnesses, and thus it was asked: "Since Jehovah’s Witnesses falsely proclaimed 1874 as the date of Christ’s presence for 50 years (1879-1929), how could Jesus have anointed a religious group to represent Jehovah God that was doing the VERY thing He warned His followers against?"
Below is my response:
Although the JWs like to project their organization back to the days of Russell, in reality, there was no "Jehovah's Witnesses" organization in the days of Russell, nor, from Russell's standpoint, was the Bible Students movement an "organization". Nevertheless, from the JW standpoint, since they reject 1874 as being when Christ returned, and since they claim that their leadership has sole authority, the question: "Since Jehovah’s Witnesses falsely proclaimed 1874 as the date of Christ’s presence for 50 years (1879-1929), how could Jesus have anointed a religious group to represent Jehovah God that was doing the VERY thing He warned His followers against?" has some validity, although not entirely. Nevertheless, I am not with the JWs, nor do I respond to defend the JW organization.
See my research:
What Did C. T. Russell Teach About “Organization” As Related to the Watch Tower?
ctr-rlbible.com/?p=1892
Brother Russell disclaimed being a prophet, never claimed authority as a prophet, and never originated any prophecies.
See my research:
Did Russell Claim to be a Prophet?
ctr-rlbible.com/?p=806
Regarding 1874, Brother Russell, in 1912, stated:
|--We do not affirm, dogmatically, that He came in 1874, but we say that to us it is the evident teaching of the Scriptures. Our Lord warned us not to expect Him in the flesh; that men might say “Lo, here” or “Lo, there.” --|
ctr-rlbible.com/?p=3086
I also do believe that Jesus did return in 1874, but like Brother Russell, I would not be dogmatic about it. It certainly is not an issue by which anyone should seek to determine who is and who is not a Christian, or of salvation.
Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus answered them, “The kingdom of God doesn’t come with observation.” (Luke 17:20, World English Bible translation) “Nor will they say, `Look, here it is!’ or, `There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.” And He said to the disciples, “The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. They will say to you, `Look there! Look here!’ Do not go away, and do not run after them.” — Luke 17:21-23 NASB translation.
Nevertheless, there have been many men, whether as individuals or as an organization, that have claimed that they are Christ (in the flesh), or that they have been given the authority to act as Christ (thus, that all must submit to their decrees). Jesus warned against such, and noted that when he comes in his kingdom, it will not be "with observation". -- Luke 17:20.
Jesus knew he would not return in the flesh, for he knew that he was to sacrifice his flesh once for all time. (John 6:51; Luke 22:19; Hebrews 10:10; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18) He never takes it back, nor does he have any reason to take it back, since there will never be another sacrifice for sin. (Hebrews 10:26) If he should take that flesh back, then the sacrifice would, in effect, become void, for in order to completely fulfill the condemnation upon Adam, Jesus’ humanity has to be dead forever. One of the major reasons that Jesus became flesh was to sacrifice that flesh for the sin of the world. Having presented that flesh, his body, to his God after his ascension, he has no need to ever again become flesh. — Ephesians 5:2; Hebrews 9:24.
Below is my response:
Although the JWs like to project their organization back to the days of Russell, in reality, there was no "Jehovah's Witnesses" organization in the days of Russell, nor, from Russell's standpoint, was the Bible Students movement an "organization". Nevertheless, from the JW standpoint, since they reject 1874 as being when Christ returned, and since they claim that their leadership has sole authority, the question: "Since Jehovah’s Witnesses falsely proclaimed 1874 as the date of Christ’s presence for 50 years (1879-1929), how could Jesus have anointed a religious group to represent Jehovah God that was doing the VERY thing He warned His followers against?" has some validity, although not entirely. Nevertheless, I am not with the JWs, nor do I respond to defend the JW organization.
See my research:
What Did C. T. Russell Teach About “Organization” As Related to the Watch Tower?
ctr-rlbible.com/?p=1892
Brother Russell disclaimed being a prophet, never claimed authority as a prophet, and never originated any prophecies.
See my research:
Did Russell Claim to be a Prophet?
ctr-rlbible.com/?p=806
Regarding 1874, Brother Russell, in 1912, stated:
|--We do not affirm, dogmatically, that He came in 1874, but we say that to us it is the evident teaching of the Scriptures. Our Lord warned us not to expect Him in the flesh; that men might say “Lo, here” or “Lo, there.” --|
ctr-rlbible.com/?p=3086
I also do believe that Jesus did return in 1874, but like Brother Russell, I would not be dogmatic about it. It certainly is not an issue by which anyone should seek to determine who is and who is not a Christian, or of salvation.
Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus answered them, “The kingdom of God doesn’t come with observation.” (Luke 17:20, World English Bible translation) “Nor will they say, `Look, here it is!’ or, `There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.” And He said to the disciples, “The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. They will say to you, `Look there! Look here!’ Do not go away, and do not run after them.” — Luke 17:21-23 NASB translation.
Nevertheless, there have been many men, whether as individuals or as an organization, that have claimed that they are Christ (in the flesh), or that they have been given the authority to act as Christ (thus, that all must submit to their decrees). Jesus warned against such, and noted that when he comes in his kingdom, it will not be "with observation". -- Luke 17:20.
Jesus knew he would not return in the flesh, for he knew that he was to sacrifice his flesh once for all time. (John 6:51; Luke 22:19; Hebrews 10:10; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18) He never takes it back, nor does he have any reason to take it back, since there will never be another sacrifice for sin. (Hebrews 10:26) If he should take that flesh back, then the sacrifice would, in effect, become void, for in order to completely fulfill the condemnation upon Adam, Jesus’ humanity has to be dead forever. One of the major reasons that Jesus became flesh was to sacrifice that flesh for the sin of the world. Having presented that flesh, his body, to his God after his ascension, he has no need to ever again become flesh. — Ephesians 5:2; Hebrews 9:24.
