The Iglesia ni Cristo as biblical prophecy attest

Members of the Church of Christ maintain that the testimonies in the Bible attesting that the Church where they belong is truly of God and that they are indeed the ones He has set apart for Himself to serve and worship Him in these last days are firm and strong. As historical accounts in the Bible show, it has been God's policy since the beginning to set apart people whom He gives the exclusive privilege of being His servants. Every time a chosen generation of people would turn away from God, He chooses and sets apart a new group of people in place of the old. Thus, when the first-century Church of Christ fell into apostasy after the death of the apostles, God set apart another group of people to become His chosen servants. They are the members of the Church of Christ in these last days, as biblical prophecies attest.

Bringing the descendants from the Far East

Through the prophet Isaiah, God made known His will bring His people from the Far East, thus:

Fear not for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west;  I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' And to the south, 'Do not keep them back!'  Bring My sons from afar. And My daughters from the ends of the earth."  (Isa. 43:5-6, NKJV)

The prophecy speaks of the descendants whom God would bring from the east and gather from the west. This. refers to His election or setting apart of a people whom He calls His sons and daughters.

But although the Bible mentions "east" many times with different significations, yet we can be certain of which "east" is being referred to as the place where the prophesied descendants or sons and daughters of God would emerge. James Moffatt's translation of Isaiah 43:5 renders the verse, thus;

From the far east will I bring your offspring, and from the far west I will gather you. 
(James Moffatt, A New Translation of the Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments, New York: Harper Brothers Publishers, © 1954.) 

Clearly then, the people whom God considers as His own shall come from the Far East. This prophecy was fulfilled when the Church of Christ emerged in the Philippines, a country that according to a Jesuit priest "stands almost at the geographical center of the Far East"   (Horacio dela Costa, SJ. Asia and the Philippines, Manila: Solidaridad Publishing House, ©1967).

The prophecy also revealed the time when God would start calling or electing His children. God said:

Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west; I will say to the north, "Give them up!' And to the south, 'Do not keep them back!' Bring My sons from afar. And My daughters from the ends of the earth." 

(Isaiah 43:5-6, NKJV)

God's calling of His sons and daughters from the Far East shall start at the ends of the earth. The "ends of the earth" must be differentiated from the "end of the earth" which is the Second Advent of Christ, thus:

Now as He sot on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, 'Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?" (Matt. 24:3. ibid.)

 The "ends of the earth" is the time when the end of the world is near, even at the doors as taught by our Lord Jesus Christ, thus:

So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!

(Matt. 24:33, ibid.)

These things that shall be seen indicating the time when the day of Christ's Second Advent is near are what Christ foretold in the Gospel written by Matthew, thus:

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. (Matt. 24:6-7, ibid.)

One of the signs that the end is near is the outbreak of a war that would be rumored or talked about. Christ's prophecy was fulfilled when the First World War broke out on July 27, 1914—the same date when the Church of Christ was registered with the Philippine government.

The man likened to a bird of prey

Another biblical prophecy reveals the one whom God would use as His instrument in bringing His children to the Church of Christ that would emerge in the Far East The book of the prophet Isaiah states, thus:

Calling a bird of prey from the east. The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it

(Isa. 46:11, ibid)

This prophecy speaks of a messenger who is likened to a bird of prey or to a ravenous bird whom God would call from the Far East He is likened to a ravenous bird because God's sons and daughters are being held back. They need to be taken or pulled out as they are being held out by the north and the south, thus;

Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west; I will say to the north 'Give them up!' And to the south, 'Do not  keep them back!'  Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the earth. 

(Isaiah 43:5-6, NKJV)

The north and the south mentioned in the prophecy, which are being instructed to give up or to not keep back God's children from the Far East, are not literal directions of the earth as shown in a compass. Rather, they refer two large religions in the world, from which the sons and   daughters of God would be taken so that they can be brought into the Church of Christ through the instrumentality of the prophesied messenger. The two religions representing "north" and "south" respectively are Protestantism and Catholicism. This fact is attested to by a church history book, thus:

... In the north the Protestants were in control — Lutheran churches in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, the northern and central states of Germany; Calvinist or Reformed churches in Scotland, the Netherlands, Hesse, the Palatinate, and a few of the western German states.  In the south the Catholics were in control — Spain, Italy, Austria, Bavaria, and elsewhere in southern Germany. (The Reformation, by Owen Chadwick Harmondsworth. Middlesex, England: Penguin Book,© 1972, p. 366.)

As can be gleaned from the book cited, Protestantism represents the "north" because Protestants dominated the north, particularly northern Europe. The Catholic Church, on the other hand, represents the "south" as it was in control of the southern European states, even southern Germany. As a proof of the fulfillment of the prophecy, majority ol those who become members of the Church of Christ in these last days come from the Catholic Church as well as from Protestant denominations.

The name they would bear

God Himself stated in the prophecy that there is a name  by which the chosen servants of His from the Far East in these last days would be called. He said:

Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him. (Isa. 43:7, NKJV)

As explicitly stated God's servants would be called by His name—the name that He gave to Christ, thus:

I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one. (John 17:11, NIV)

 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36, New King James Version) (emphasis ours)

God's servants, His sons and daughters from the Far East, therefore, shall be called by the name Church of Christ, as attested to in the book of Acts of the Apostles, thus:

Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood. (Acts 20:28, Holy Bible from the Ancient Eastern Text, George M. Lamsa's Translation from the Aramaic of the Peshitta, the  authorized Bible of the Church of the East by George M. Lamsa. New York: AJ. Holman Co, ©1968.) (emphasis ours)

Hence the prophecy concerning the emergence of the Church of Christ (Iglesia ni Cristo) in the Philippines, concurrent with the outbreak of the First World War or at the beginning of the period known in the Bible as "ends of the earth" as fulfilled.

Concerning Brother Felix Y. Manalo

"Although widely known as the INC founder, Manalo is regarded by his flock as God's last messenger. Well-grounded in biblical prophecies, Manalo himself believed so, too. For him and his followers, the INC is the reemergence of the one and only true Church founded Christ, which the first Apostles called the Church of Christ or Iglesia ni Cristo. Total obedience to God's will is the essence of the INC faith... The INC emerged in the darkening shadows of the first world war: Manalo was a solitary voice preaching to the poor, whence he came. But in no time at all, his Church grew by leaps and bounds, eliciting respect and admiration from the leading lights of other faiths. Indeed, no other religious faith in the country has shown more unity, purposiveness and vitality than the lNC. (Philippines Free Press, "Chosen People"  By Edward R. Kiunisala. Date Published: January 9, 1993.)

This testimony came from non-members of the Church of Christ. They even attest that Brother Felix Manalo first preached about the Church of Christ that was established in the Philippines at the outbreak of the First World War. They further attest that the Church of Christ upholds "total obedience to God's will" and that "no other religious faith in the country has shown more unity, purposiveness and vitality than the [Iglesia ni Cristo]."

"Even before the demise of the Messenger, the Church of Christ had already been recognized as one of the biggest and most vital religious denominations in the Philippines:

Today, one of the most prominent personalities in the country is undoubtedly Felix Y. Manalo...

"In 1914, he succeeded in winning into the Church of Christ a handful of faithful converts. Beginning with a small group of followers of his new religion, he bravely continued his relentless mission despite the innumerable odds and trying difficulties along his way.

 "... As the years went by,  the fruits of his labor showed in the speedy growth of the Iglesia ni Cristo.

"For this reason, the 'lglesia ni Cristo' (Church of Christ) is admittedly one of the biggest and most vital religious denominations in the Philippines today..." (TABLEAU. Encyclopedia of Distinguished Personalities in the Philippines.  Manila, Philippines: National Souvenir Publications with PD. AVEO,Sr. and Sons; ©1957, p.312)

Therefore the first part of the prophecy in Isaiah 43: 5 —"From the far east will I bring your offspring"—was fulfilled through the instrumentality of God's Messenger in these last days, Brother Felix Manalo. He is God's instrument for the re-emergence of the Church of Christ in these last days and its spread throughout the Philippines.

For almost 50 years, Brother Felix Manalo successfully led the Church of Christ. He also labored to strengthen the Church of Christ in the face of hindrances, trials and persecutions. When he died on April 12,1963—a few days short of his 77th birthday—the Church was firmly established in the whole Philippines,

On July 27, 2007, coinciding with the 93rd Anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo, the National Historical Institute (NHI) of the Philippines unveiled a marker on the birth place of Felix Manalo, declaring the site as a National Historical Landmark. It is where the ancestral home of Manalo once stood. The marker sits on a 744 square meter plaza. The NHI recognizes the significant contributions of Ka Felix to the Philippine society. The church he preached have changed the lives and faith of many Filipinos and because of this, Ka Felix deserves the pride and recognition of the people of Taguig. The official doctrine of the Iglesia ni Cristo is that Felix Y. Manalo is the last messenger of God, sent to reestablish the first church founded by Jesus Christ, which the INC claims to have fallen into apostasy following the death of the Apostles

Marker on the birth place of Felix Y. Manalo.
Location: Barangay Calzada, Tipas, Taguig City.

Contrary to the expectations of its detractors, the Church flourished and spread, grew in strength and continued to reap success after success under the dynamic leadership of the Messenger's successor as Executive Minister.

The flourishing of God's Mission

 God's work of salvation was not meant to be confined to Philippine shores. As to how far the work began by the Messenger would go, the prophecy in the book of Isaiah also foretold, thus:

So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west. And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. (Isa. 59:19, NKJV)

According to the Prophet Isaiah, when the glory of God from the rising of the sun or the Far East is revealed, so shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west . Citing again the book of Isaiah, we can glean which west is being referred to, thus:

From the far east will I bring your offspring, and from the far west I will gather you.

(Isa. 43:5, Mofatt Translation)

As clearly stated in the prophecy, God would gather His chosen people from the Far West.  The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 1976 shows whatg "Far East" signifies, thus:

"Far West"

"California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii ..." 

(George L Delury, Ed. New York: Newspaper Enterprise Association, © 1975.)

Hawaii and California are states of the United States of America, which lie in the Far West. The prophecy that there would be chosen people of God in these places was fulfilled, as to who would be God's instrument in starting the gathering of scattered members of the Church of Christ from the Far West, an unsolicited testimony runs, thus:

"As early as 1967, Iglesia ni Cristo migrants to Hawaii began gathering other brethren in Oahu, Hawaii. In 1968, the Iglesia ni Cristo established its first overseas congregation in Honolulu, Hawaii. After a month, Brother Erano G. Manalo proceeded to San Francisco, California, and officially established the first INC congregation in the continental United States (Reed 1990). In less than forty years, it has expanded to twenty-four American states and seventy countries. Some of the largest INC congregations in the United States are found in Bay Area. Offering both Tagalog and English services, the INC has more than fifteen hundred members in the San Francisco and Daly City locales alone. (Joaquin L Gonzales III and Andrea Maison. "We Do Not Bowl Alone: Social and Cultural Capital from Filipinos and Their Churches."  Asian American Religions: The Making and Remaking of Borders and Boundaries. New York: New York University Press, ©2004, p. 349.)

As stated in this study, the Church's overseas mission began when Brother Erano Manalo officiated at the inaugural worship service of the Local Congregation of Honolulu, Hawaii in 1968, which was followed several weeks later by the establishment of the Local Congregation of San Francisco, California. Only forty years after that momentous occasion, the Church has spread throughout the United States and 89 other countries and territories around the world.

The second part of the prophecy in Isaiah 43:5—"from the far west I will gather you"—was fulfilled through the instrumentality of the Executive Minister of the Church, Brother Erano G. Manalo. He is God's instrument in establishing the first. local congregations of the Church in the Far West and in the Church's expansion in various parts of the world.

Certainly, what God declared in the prophecy has all come  to pass. The prophecy said, "From the far east will I bring your your offspring"—this was fulfilled when the Church of Christ re-emerged in the Philippines and spread throughout the archipelago through the instrumentality of the Messenger, Brother Felix Manalo. Likewise, it was prophesied that "from; the far west I will gather you"—this, too was fulfilled through the instrumentality of Brother Erano G. Manalo, who first gathered the brethren in Hawaii, then in San Francisco, and from thereon, the Church of Christ has expanded throughout the world.

The handiwork of the Lord

The astounding fulfillment of the biblical prophecy on the emergence of the Church of Christ in the Philippines and its expansion to the west and through-out the world only goes to prove that this is the handiwork of the Lord, thus:

That they may see and know, And consider and understand together, That the hand of the LORD has done this, And the Holy One of Israel has created it. (Isa. 41:20, NKJV)

Faithful members of the Church of Christ the world over do realize, understand, and firmly believe that all the triumphs and achievements of the Church are the handiwork of God. They know fully well that they could not have accomplished those things by themselves.

As God fulfilled His promise to His Messenger that He would be with him and would uphold, help, and support him (Isa. 41:10-13), so had He and continues to do so with the present Administration He placed in His Church

The realization and understanding that it is the Almighty God who made all these and more possible have cultivated in the Church of Christ members more trust, faith, confidence. love, and hope in Him. No matter what they go through in this life, they stand their ground and would never be shaken in their hope of God's eternal promises.

The faithful always remember that the ancient servants of God did experience hardship and persecution. It is their conviction that if God's early servants were able to endure so can they as God's people in this era, whatever trials they have to bear

They are willing to sacrifice and endure for the sake of their divine calling because they can clearly see how the prophecies of God have been fulfilled to this Church, such as the prophecy written in Isaiah 43:5-6. They have no doubt whatsoever that this Church is where the chosen people of God in these last days belong. As members of this Church, they are the ones whom God considers as His sons and daughters in these last days, the ones whom He will bless and save come the day of Judgment.

____________________________________________________

Source: Excerpt from a special report - 27 July 2008

               Church of Christ (Iglesia ni Cristo)

               94 years in the Philippines; 40 years of Overseas Mission

Pagsusuri sa Samahang Saksi ni Jehova

Ating suriin ang katotohanan sa samahang “ Saksi ni Jehova” na malamang ay ayaw ipabatid sa atin o sa kanilang mga kaanib. Mga katotohanang ayaw nilang malaman natin at ng kanilang mga kaanib.
May mga aral sila na pag nalabag ng kanilang kaanib ay humahantong sa pagkakatiwalag nito. At sila ay may tuntunin din na “iwasan” ang  mga tiwalag na ito(The Watchtower, September 15, 1981, pp. 25, 29-30) kahit pa malapit mong kamag-anak kahit nanay mo man ito. Ang Watchtower Society ay nag-aatas na may diin sa kanilang mga kaanib na gumanap ayon sa kanilang mga alituntunin. Karagdagan sa pagdalo nila ng limang beses bawat lingo(week) ang mga JW ay nirerequire pa na mag spend pa  ng mga ilang oras sa bawat buwan(month) sa pamamahagi ng “Watchtower articles”,  pagsasagawa ng “Bible studies”,  at pangangalap ng iba’t-ibang usapin sa mga babasahing nilimbag ng Watchtower para matalakay sa kanilang mga pagtitipon. Ang mga kaanib ay pinagbabawalan na magsundalo, sumaludo sa watawat, bawal bomoto sa mga halalang pambayan,magpasalin ng dugo, magdiwang ng kaarawan, pati mga holiday katulad ng Mahal na Araw, at Pasko dahil ito daw ay galling sa pagano,bawal din silang magbasa ng mga babasahin na galling sa iba lalo na at laban at tumutuligsa sa kanila (Watchtower).


Lahat ng pagbabawal na ito ay naglalagay sa mga Saksi ni Jehova na ma-isolate sa karamihan ng mamayan na nagreresulta na ang Watchtower nalang naging buhay ng kaanib na aktibong naglilingkod dito..  Kung ang isang kaanib ay hindi makasunod sa mga alituntunin na binalangkas ng Watchtower siya ay matitiwalag (The Watchtower, September 15, 1981, pp. 25, 29-30). Para sa karamihan ito ay napakasakit na karanasan na nag-iiwan sa kaanib na makaramdam ng hungkag na damdamin at  kawalan ng pag-asa. Dahil sa mga polisiyang iyan at sobrang pagkontrol ng organisasyon sa pisikal at espiritwal na buhay ng mga kaanib, kaya marapat at mahalagang ating suriin ng husto ang mga kini-claim ng Watchtower Society, at history ng mga taong involve sa organisasyong ito bago din ninyo isangkot I umanib sa organisasyong ito.

Ika nga sa sinasabi ng babasahin nila:

““We need to examine, not only what we personally believe, but also what is taught by any religious organization with which we may be associated. Are its teachings in full harmony with God’s Word, or are they based on the traditions of men? If we are lovers of the truth, there is nothing to fear from such an examination.” —The Truth that Leads to Eternal Life, Watch Tower Bible& Tract Society, 1968, p. 13”

Sad to say mga mambabasa ang sinasabi ng babasahin nilang iyan ay siya namang 180 degrees turn around nila sa kanilang ginagawa, dahil po hindi nila nasusunod yan. Tayo po bilang mambabasa atin pong gawing batayan yang nasa babasahin nilang iyan, simulan natin sa kasaysayan ng kanilang founder, o founder ng Watchtower Society. In 1879, at the age of 27, Charles Taze Russell, founder of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, began publishing Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. Born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania in 1852, he was raised a Presbyterian but later joined a liberal Congregational Church because he preferred its views. For 10 years, prior to publishing his Watch Tower articles, Russell studied with a splinter group off of Second Adventists and was greatly influenced by their teachings against the bodily return of Christ and the immortality of the human soul.4. Russell taught and published many doctrines that the current Watch Tower Society totally rejects and engaged in practices regarded by current Jehovah’s Witnesses to be of pagan origin. Siguro po kung kaanib pa nila si C.T.Russell ay ititiwalag nila ito dahil sa pagtuturo nito ng mga doktrinang labag sa kasalukuyang doktrina na ipinatutupad ng Watchtower Society, ilan sa mga ito ay mga sumusunod:

1) Pag gamit ng simbolo ng paganong Dios araw na si Ra bilang pabalat sa kanyang mga aklat (Studies in the Scriptures, vol. 1-7)


Nakita ninyo ang winged sungod logo ng Egypt?

2) Pag gamit ng Masonic Knights Templar logo of the Cross and Crown sa kanyang Zion’s Watch Tower.( Jehovah’s Witnesses --Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 200)
Ikumpara sa masonic Templar logo:

Heto naman ang Freemasonic Logo:

3) Ang pagtuturo na siya ang “Faithful and Wise Servant” ng Mateo 24:45-51 na nagresulta sa karamihan ng kanyang tagasunod na siya ay sambahin (The Watch Tower, April 15, 1904, p. 125; The Divine Plan of the Ages, Studies, vol. 1, 1925ed. Biography, p. 7; 1975 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses, p. 88)

4) Ang pagtuturo niya na ““the forming of a visible organization...would be out of harmony with the spirit of the divine plan.” “Beware of ‘organization.’ It is wholly unnecessary.” (Zion’s Watch Tower, December 1, 1894, p. 384; Zion’s Watch Tower, September 15, 1895, p. 216)

5) Pagtuturo niya na ang mga Cristiano: “are divine beings -- hence all such are Gods, thus we have a family of God....in the resurrection we will rise in our true character as Gods.( Zion’s Watch Tower, December 1881, pp. 2-3 (Reprints p. 301)

6)  Ang pagtuturo niya nito ayon sa kanya:“the whole body of Christ the ‘Mighty God’...shall share in the work of restoring the life lost in Adam, and therefore be members of that company which as a whole will be the Everlasting Father to the restored race.” (Zion’s Watch Tower, November 1881, p. 10 (Reprints p. 298)

7)     Ang pagtuturo niya na ang Panginoong Jesus ay dapat sambahin at hindi ito si Michael the archangel.( The Atonement Between God and Man, (Studies, vol. 5), 1899, 1916ed, p. 85; Watch Tower, November 1879, p. 4 (Reprints p. 48); The Plan of the Ages, 1891, p. 178) 

8)     Pwede magselebra  birthday at mga  holiday tulad ng Christmas. (Jehovah’s Witnesses--Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p. 201; Zion’s Watch Tower, November 15, 1907, p. 351; Zion’s Watch Tower, December 1, 1904, p. 364)
Making money out of Christmas

The following picture is from a postcard photo of the Bethel Christmas meal in 1926. Included in the photo are Rutherford, Knorr and Franz.

9)     Pagtuturo na: one can join the military as long as he did “not shoot anybody” (Zion’s Watch Tower, July 1, 1898, p. 204; Zion’s Watch Tower, August 1, 1898, p. 231)
Baka ganito ang gagawin ng army nila na pinapayagan?

O kaya ganito ang baril nila?

Ang pag-amin

 

Noong 1954 Douglas Walsh Trial sa  Scotland, Fred Franz, na siyang  Watchtower president mula  1977-1992, ay tinanong tungkol sa pagbabago ng doktrina ng Samahan. Nandito, kung paano niya sinagot ito:

Q.


So that what is published as the truth today by the Society may have to be admitted to be wrong in a few years?
A. We have to wait and see.
Q. And in the meantime the body of Jehovah’s Witnesses have been following error?
A. They have been following misconstructions on the Scriptures.
Q. Error?
A. Well, error.
— Douglas Walsh Trial, Pursuer’s Proof, 1954, p. 114

THE SCOTTISH TRIAL - 1954

The following testimony excerpts are from the Pursuer's Proof of Douglas Walsh vs The Right Honourable James Latham Clyde,MP, PC, as representing the Minister of Labour and National Service. Copies of the complete transcript or parts thereof may be obtained from the Scottish Records Office, H.M. General Register House, Edinburgh, Scotland. The numbers following the quotations show the transcript page on which the testimony is found.

HAYDEN C COVINGTON - Former Lawyer for the Watchtower Society

Q. Is it not vital to speak the truth on religious matters?

A. It certainly is.

Q. You have promulgated - forgive the word - false prophecy?

A. We have. I do not think we have promulgated false prophecy, there have been statements that were erroneous, that is the way I put it, and mistaken.

Q. It was promulgated as a matter which must be believed by all members of Jehovah's witnesses that the Lord's Second Coming took place in 1874?


(A short discussion of evidence given by Fred W Franz about 1874 takes place here.)

Q. That was the publication of false prophecy?

A. That was the publication of a false prophecy, it was a false statement or an erroneous statement in fulfillment of a prophecy that was false or erroneous.Q. And that had to be believed by the whole of Jehovah's Witnesses?

A. Yes, because you must understand, we must have unity, we cannot have disunity with a lot of people going every way, an army is supposed to march in step.

Q. Back to the point now, a false prophecy was promulgated? A. I agree to that.Q. It had to be accepted by Jehovah's witnesses?

A. That is correct.Q. If a member of Jehovah's witnesses took the view himself that that prophecy was wrong, and said so, would he be disfellowshipped?

A. Yes, if he said so, and kept on persisting in creating trouble, because if the whole organisation believes one thing, even though it be erroneous, and somebody else starts on his own trying to put his ideas across, then there is a disunity and trouble, there cannot be harmony, there cannot be marching ...... Our purpose is to haveunity. Q. Unity at all costs?

A. Unity at all costs, because we believe and are sure that Jehovah God is using our organisation,the governing body of our organisation, to direct it, even though mistakes are made from time to time. Q. A unity based on an enforced acceptance of false prophecy? A. That is conceded to be true.

Q. And the person who expresses his view, as you say, that it was wrong, and was disfellowshipped, would be in breach of the covenant, if he was baptised?

A. That is correct.Q. And as you said yesterday expressly, would be worthy of death?

A. I think....

Q. Would you say yes or no?

A. I will answer yes, unhesitatingly.Q. Do you call that religion?

A. It certainly is.Q. Do you call that Christianity?

A. I certainly do.

PP. 345-348

********************

FREDERICK W FRANZ (President 1978 - 1999 )

 Q. Can you tell me this; are these theological publications and semi-monthly periodicals used for discussion or statements of doctrine?

A. Yes.

Q. Are these statements held to be authoritative?

A. Yes.

Q. Is their acceptance a matter of choice,or is it obligatory on all those who wish to be and remain members of the Society?


A. It is obligatory.


P. 4

********************

Q. Is it for that reason that Jehovah's witnesses accept without question doctrines and Biblical interpretations as expounded by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society through its Directors?

A. Yes.Q. In publications both periodical and in book form?

A. Yes.

 P. 25

********************

Q. But I think you have told us already that an acceptance of the beliefs and facts is compulsory? A. Yes.

Q. And there is no possibility of picking and choosing amongst the facts which you will accept, and those which you will reject? It must be taken as a whole?

A. That is right. Each individual must prove it by the scriptures.

Q. Accepting the exposition of the scriptures in the manner you have already explained?

A. That is right.

 P. 38

*******************

Q. Am I right that you put what is described as the end of the time of the Gentiles in October, 1914?

A. Yes

Q. Is it not the case that Pastor Russell put that date in 1874?

A. No.Q. Is it not the case that he fixed the date prior to 1914?

A. YesQ. What date did he fix?

A. The end of the Gentile times he fixed as 1914.Q. Did he not fix 1874 as some other crucial date?

A. 1874 used to be understood as the date of Jesus' Second Coming spiritually. Q. Do you say. used to be understood?

A. That is right.Q. That was issued as a fact which was to be accepted by all who were Jehovah's Witnesses?

A. Yes.

Q. But it was a calculation which is no longer accepted by the Board of Directors of the Society?

A. That is correct.Q. So that I am correct, I am just anxious to canvass the position, it became the bounden duty of the witnesses to accept this miscalculation?

A. Yes.



PP. 103-105

********************

Q. So that once again Judge Rutherford preached error?

A. He didn't preach the full round-about truth of the matter.

Q. In that particular, not putting too fine a point on it, he was in error?

A. He was in error.

Q. How was that error corrected?

A. We have had no book given out dealing with that particular phase of the subject.Q. But you haven't stopped publishing the book with that in it?

A. The book still circulates, and is a reference work to show that we believed at that time.

Q. How does one now joining Jehovah's Witnesses,and reading this erroneous view of Judge Rutherford's know that it is now regarded as erroneous?

A. Because he keeps up with the latest expositions and the latest publications in bound book form.

Q. But there is no latest or recent publication of the Society which brings to the notice of the Witnesses that that view held by Judge Rutherford is wrong?

A. The explanations given show that there is a different understanding of the matter to-day.Q. Where upon that particular point does the adherent to the society find any enlightenment?

A. In the publications that he reads.Q. Must he read all of them to arrive at the fact that upon this one point Judge Rutherford was in error?

A. It isn't necessary for him to read that Judge Rutherford is in error on that point. What he is interested in is in the present truth, the up-to-date truth. Q. Yesterday's errors cease to be published do they?

A. Yes, we correct ourselves.Q. But not always expressly?

A. We correct ourselves as it becomes due to make a correction, and if anything is under study we make no statement of it until we are certain.Q. But may one not assume that Judge Rutherford did not publish until he also was certain?

A. He published only when he was convinced, and he withheld publication until he was convinced that he was correct.Q. So that what is published as the truth today by the Society may have to be admitted to be wrong in a few years?

A. We have to wait and see.

Q. And in the meantime, the body of Jehovah's Witnesses have been following error?

A. They have been following a mis-construction of the Scriptures.Q. Error?

A. Well, error.

PP. 112-114

********************

Q. Am I right that it was at one time forecast that in 1925 Abraham and other prophets would come back to earth?

A. They were expected to come back approximately then,Q. But they did not come back?

A. No.Q. It was published, was it not, to the body of Jehovah's witnesses, that that was expected in 1925?

A. Yes.Q. But that was wrong?

A. Yes, and Judge Rutherford admitted it to the Headquarters.

PP.120-121

******************

Q. Therefore, at baptism must he know those books?

A. He must understand the purposes of God which are set forth in those books.Q. Set forth in those books, and set forth in those books as an interpretation of the Bible?

A. These books give and exposition on the whole Scriptures.Q. But an authoritative exposition?

A. They submit the Bible or statements that are therein made, and the individual examines the statement and then the Scriptures to see that the statement is Scripturally supported.

Q. He what?

A. He examines the Scripture to see whether the statement is supported by the Scripture. As the Apostle says: "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."


NOTE:-Does this imply discarding that which is NOT good if it disagrees with the Scripture. The Prosecutor seems to have been thinking this judging by the following questions put to Franz.
 
Q. I understand the position to be - do please correct me if I am wrong - that a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses must accept as a true Scripture and interpretation what is given in the books I referred to you?
A. But he does not compulsorily do so, he is given his Christian right of examining the Scriptures to confirm that this is Scripturally sustained.


NOTE:- The following on his "Christian right".

Q. And if he finds that the Scripture is not sustained by the books or vice versa, what is he to do?

A. The Scripture is there in support of the statement, that is why it is put there.Q. What does a man do if he finds disharmony between the Scripture and those books?

A. You will have to find me a man who does find that, then I can answer, or he will answer.

Q. Do you imply that the individual member has the right of reading the books and the Bible and forming his own view as to the proper interpretations of Holy Writ?

A. He comes......

Q. Would you say yes or no, and then qualify?

A. No.......

Q. A witness has no alternative, has he, to accept as authoritative and to be obeyed, instructions in the "Watchtower" or the "Informant" or "Awake!"?

A. He must accept those.

 PP. 122-123

********************

Q. Is there any hope of salvation for a man who depends upon his Bible alone when he is in a situation in the world where he cannot get the tracts and publications of your Incorporation?

A. He is dependent on the Bible alone.

Q. Will he be able to interpret it truly?

A. No.

P. 133

********************

Q. I think you did say there was no minimum age for baptism?

A. That is except for infants, and those who are not mentally able to comprehend the meaning of baptism, and its responsibilities.

Q. What is covered by the term "infants'?

A. An infant in arms, baby baptisms with, possibly, a godfather standing in for the child.

Q. But from the age of toddling upwards there is a potential of qualifying for baptism?

A. Yes, under parental instruction.

p.121



May ninong pala ang  binyagan sa mga Jehova's Witness, anong talata kaya? lols!


Sa  Ating pagpapatuloy......

In 1954 in Scotland the Jehovah's Witnesses sued the Ministries of Labour and National Services. This was a test case brought by the Society to set a precedent for future Witnesses. The complete record of this trial is available to anyone for the price of the microfilm (details at the end of this article). It is the invaluable testimony given by the leaders of the Society. They make admissions in court that they have not made anywhere else Those who testified for the Society were Fred Franz, the Vice-President; H.C.Covington, the head legal counsel of the Society at that time; Grant Suiter, the Secretary-Treasurer of the Society; A.R.Hughes, the British Branch Servant; and D. Walsh, the Congregation Servant who brought the suit. Just a few quotations appear in this article, those covering interesting statements.  They speak for themselves. During the trial Fred Franz, Vice-President of the Society, gave the following answers: Q. Who is responsible for the interpretation in case of doubt, or in general, of scriptural writings for the guidance of Jehovah's Witnesses? A. We believe that Jehovah God who is author and inspirer of the Bible is he one who makes the interpretations. he is his own interpreter. He does this by the use of his invisible active force, the Holy Spirit acting upon the mind of his witnesses upon this earth, and he causes events to come to pass in the earth which are in fulfillment of his prophetic word and which, therefore, throw light upon the true significance of his word. Q. That is very helpful, but it does not quite meet the point I was making. What I want you to tell me was whether you can say how the Biblical texts are authoritatively interpreted: who is the interpreter? A. Jehovah God is the interpreter, but he guides his people upon this earth, and in this case the editorial committee of the Society, they study the Scriptures continually, and they examine and re-examine the evidence as it appears, and under this Divine guidance with the help of the Holy Spirit they arrive at an understanding of the Scripture. Grant Suiter testified: Q. Indeed can any person...have an understanding of the Scriptures apart from the publications of Jehovah's Witnesses? A. No. Q. Only by the publications can he have a right understanding of the Scriptures? A. That is right. Q. Is that not arrogance? A. No.         Mr. H.C.Covington, the head legal counsel of the Society at that time, gave the following testimony: Q. Is it not vital to speak the truth on religious matters? A. It certainly is. Q. Is there in your view room in a religion for a change of interpretation of Holy Writ from time to time? A. There is every reason for a change in interpretation as we view it, of the Bible. Our view becomes more clear as we see the prophesy fulfilled by time. Q. You have promulgated -- forgive the word -- false prophesy? A. We have -- I do not think we have promulgated false prophesy, there have been statements that were erroneous, that is the way I put it, and mistaken. Q. Is it a most vital consideration in the present situation of the world to know if the prophesy can be interpreted into terms of fact, when Christ's Second Coming was? A. That is true, and we have always striven to see that we have the truth before we utter it. We go on the very best information we have but we cannot wait until we get perfect, because if we wait until we get perfect we would never be able to speak. Q. Let us follow that up just a little. It was promulgated as a matter which must be believed by all members of Jehovah's Witnesses that the Lord's Second Coming took place in 1874? A. I am not familiar with that. You are speaking on a matter that I know nothing of. Q. You heard Mr. Franz's evidence? A. I heard Mr. Franz testify, but I am not familiar with what he said on that, I mean the subject matter of what he was talking about, so I cannot answer any more than you can, having heard what he said. Q. Leave me out of it? A. That is the source of my information, what I have heard in court. Q. You have studied the literature of your movement? A. Yes, but not all of it. I have not studied the seven volumes of "Studies in the Scriptures," and I have not studied this matter that you are mentioning now of 1874. I am not at all familiar with that. Q. Assume from me that it was promulgated as authoritative by the Society that Christ's Second Coming was in 1874? A. Taking that assumption as a fact, it is a hypothetical statement. Q. That was the publication of false prophesy? A. That was the publication of a false prophesy, it was a false statement or an erronious statement in fulfilment of a prophesy that was false or erroneous. Q. And that had to be believed by the whole of Jehovah's Witnesses? A. Yes, because you must understand we must have unity, we cannot have disunity with a lot of people going every way, an army is supposed to march in step. Q. You do not believe in the worldly armies, do you? A. We believe in the Christian Army of God. Q. Do you believe in the worldly armies? A. We have nothing to say about that, we do not preach against them, we merely say that the worldly armies, like the nations of the world today, are a part of Satan's Organization, and we do not take part in them, but we do not say the nations cannot have their armies, we do not preach against warfare, we are merely claiming our exemption from it, that is all. Q. Back to the point now. A false prophesy was promulgated? A. I agree that. Q. It had to be accepted by Jehovah's Witnesses? A. That is correct. Q. If a member of Jehovah's Witnesses took the view himself that that prophesy was wrong and said so he would be disfellowshipped? A.Yes, if he said so and kept persisting in creating trouble, because if the whole organisation believes one thing, even though it be erronious and somebody else starts on his own trying to put his ideas across then there is disunity and trouble, there cannot be harmony, there cannot be marching. When a change comes it should come from the proper source, the head of the organisation, the governing body, not from the bottom upwards, because everybody would have ideas, and the organisation would disintegrate and go in a thousand different directions. Our purpose is to have unity. Q. Unity at all costs? A. Unity at all costs, because we believe and are sure that Jehovah God is using our organisation, the governing body of our organisation to direct it, even though mistakes are made from time to time. Q. And unity based upon an enforced acceptance of false prophecy? A. That is conceded to be true. Q. And the person who expressed his view, as you say, that it was wrong, and was disfellowshipped, would be in breach of the Covenant, if he was baptized? A. That is correct. Q. And as you said yesterday expressly, would be worthy of death? A. I think - - - Q. Would you say yes or no? A. I will answer yes, unhesitatingly. Q. Do you call that religion? A. It certainly is. Q. Do you call it Christianity? A. I certainly do. Mr. Fred Franz also gave the following testimony: Q. Where on that particular point does the adherent to the Society find any enlightenment? A. In the publication that he reads.           Q. Must he read them all to arrive at the fact that upon this one point Judge Rutherford was in error? A. It isn't necessary for him to read that Judge Rutherford is in error on that point. What he is interested in is the present truth. The up-to-date truth. Q.Yesterday's errors cease to be published today, do they? A. Yes, we correct ourselves. Q. But not always expressly? A. We correct ourselves as it becomes due to make a correction, and if anything is under study we make no statement of it until we are certain. Q. But one may not assume that Judge Rutherford did not publish until he also was certain? A. He published only when convinced, and he withheld publication until he was convinced he was correct. Q. So that what is published as the truth today by the Society may have to be admitted to be wrong in a few years? A. We have to wait and see. Nakupo mga readers wait and see daw oh! Ingat po kayo kasi baka magaya kayo sa kanilang kasamahan na namatay na, at namatay sila na may taglay na maling aral o doktrina isang halimbawa nga ay si Charles Taze Rusell na kauna-unahang Presidente ng Watch Tower.  Alamin ang katotohanan sa aral nila at kasaysayan ng doktrina nila at pagpapatupad nito. Gawin ninyong batayan sa kanilang doktrina ang pagtuturo ni apostol Pablo na ganito: Ganito ang ipinagagawa ni Apostol Pablo sa kaniyang kamanggagawang si Timoteo: “Mula kay Pablo, apostol ni Cristo Jesus ayon sa kalooban ng Diyos na ating Tagapagligtas at ni Cristo Jesus na ating pag-asa- Kay Timoteo na tunay kong anak sa pananampalataya: Sumaiyo nawa ang pagpapala, habag, at kapayapaan buhat sa Diyos Ama at kay Cristo Jesus na ating Panginoon. Gaya ng pamanhik ko sa iyo nang ako'y papunta sa Macedonia, ibig kong manatili ka sa Efeso sapagkat may ilang tao roong nagtuturo ng maling aral. Iutos mong sila'y tumigil sa ginagawa nilang iyon. Pagsabihan mo rin sila na huwag nang pag-aksayahan ng panahon ang mga alamat at di matapus-tapos na talaan ng mga angkan.  Ito'y pinagmumulan lamang ng mga pagtatalo at hindi makatutulong sa ikatutupad ng panukala ng Diyos, panukalang nalalaman ng tao sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya. Ang layunin ng tagubiling ito ay pabukalin ang pag-ibig buhat sa pusong dalisay, malinis na budhi, at tapat na pananampalataya.” (I Timoteo 1:1-5 MB) Ano pa ang sinabi ni Pablo? "Sapagka't ang aming iniaaral ay hindi sa kamalian, ni sa karumihan, ni sa pagdaraya."(1Tes.2:3 ADB)   Kabaligtaran naman ng pagtuturo ng mga Jehova's Witness na "wait and see" daw. Dios na mahabagin, maawa po kayo sainyong mga kaluluwa kung ipagkakatiwala ninyo sa samahang iyan ang inyong kaligtasan. Kung interesado po kayo sa kopya ng kumpletong trial pwede ninyong makuha yan dito - The Scottish Record Office, H.M. General Register House, Edinburgh, Scotland. Ask for the Pursuer's Proof of Douglas Walsh vs. The Right Honourable James Latham Clyde, M.P. P.C., as representing the Ministry of Labour and National Service. Karagdagang kaalaman

Napatunayan na naman ang kanilang pagpapaimbabaw dahil kinontra na naman nila ang isinulat nila na ganito ang mababasa:

“Satan attempted to use his influence in a subtle way, and in this he was successful. How so? By insinuation and falsehood. He put forth error, under cover of a lie, as a substitute for truth. In other words, he put darkness for light.” —The Watchtower, May 15, 1976, p. 304

“If we were following a man undoubtedly it would be different with us; undoubtedly one human idea would contradict another and that which was light one or two or six years ago would be regarded as darkness now: But with God there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning, and so it is with truth; any knowledge or light coming from God must be like its author. A new view of truth never can contradict a former truth. ‘New light’ never extinguished older ‘light,’ but adds to it.... So is it with the light of truth; the true increase is by adding to, not by substituting one for another.” — Zion’s Watch Tower, February 1881, p. 3

Umamin po sila na error nga ang kanilang doktrina at nakikita natin na  nagkokontradiksyon ito sa mga nauna na nilang doktrina at sapol na sapol po sila sa sarili nilang babasahin.

Ang pagsisinungaling:

 

 

Noong 1950 ang Watchtower Society ay nagsalin ng sarili nilang Biblia ang New World Translation. Sinabi sa lahat ng Saksi ni Jehova na ang salin na ito ay pinaka-accurate, hindi bias na salin(talaga lang ha!). Ang claim pa ng Watchtower Society na ang the New World Translation Committee ay binubuo ng mga dalubhasa at highly trained Greek scholars na ginawa ang lahat ng kanilang makakaya na “ihatid ang kaisipan at pahayag ng Dios” as accurately as possible(New World Translation, 1984, p. 5). Samantala kung tayo lang ay mapagsuri at alamin natin ang kredensyal nitong mga tagapagsalin nila, matutuklasan natin na ang Watchtower Society ay hindi ibibigay sayo ang impormasyon, sasabihin nila sayo na nais ng  “committee” na sila ay anonymous para daw ang lahat ng kapurihan at karangalanng pagkakasalin ay mapunta sa  Dios.


Sa biglang tingin, para ngang napaka noble at kahanga-hanga ang katuwirang ito, pero sandali lang….teka,teka, teka, sandali lang, iyan nga ba ang talagang totoong dahilan kung bakit di nila masabi o maipakilala ang mga nagsalin? Sa patuloy na pagsisiyasat ay may lumabas na katotohanan, nalaman kung sino ang nagsalin ng New World Translation ang mga katibayan ang magpapatunay na sila ay HINDI mga kwalipikado para sa gawaing pagsasalin.  Ang LIMA sa anim na member ng Watchtower Governing Body na nasa “Translation Committee” ay walang pormal na pagsasanay o anupaman sa “Biblical Languages”. Ang ISA sa LIMA ay si Fred Franz, opo! Tama po kayo ang dating member ng Governing Body at naging Watchtower president mula 1977-1992. Sinabi niya noon na siya ay nakapag aral, heto po ang kanyang pahayag under oath sa “Douglas Walsh Trial”  

Tuesday, 23rd November, 1954:
Frederick William Franz, Examined:

Q. Have you also made yourself familiar with Hebrew?
A. Yes....
Q. So that you have a substantial linguistic apparatus at your command?
A. Yes, for use in my biblical work.
Q. I think you are able to read and follow the Bible in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Spanish, Portuguese, German, and French?
A. Yes.
Q. It is the case, is it not, that in 1950 there was prepared and issued what is called the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures?
A. Yes....
Q. I think that it was your duty, was it not, before the issue of that New World Translation by your Society to check that translation for accuracy?
A. That is true.
Q. In light of your studies and in light of your knowledge?
A. That is true.
Q. And did you do so?
A. I did so....
Q. And was it your duty on behalf of the Society to check the translation into English from the original Hebrew of that first volume of the Old Testament Scriptures?
A. Yes....
Q. In so far as translation of the Bible itself is undertaken, are you responsible for that?
A. I have been authorised to examine a translation and determine its accuracy and recommend its acceptance in the form in which it is submitted.
Q. Are the translators members of the Editorial Committee?
A. That is a question which I, as a member of the Board of Directors, am not authorised to disclose....
Q. When did you go to the University?....
Q. Did you graduate?
A. No, I did not....
Q. Had you done any Hebrew in the course of your University work?
A. No, I had not, but in the course of my editorial work, my special research work for the president of the Society, I found it was very necessary to have knowledge of Hebrew, and so I undertook a personal study of that.

ADJOURNED

Wednesday, 24th November, 1954:
Frederick William Franz, Cross Continued:

Q. You, yourself, read and speak Hebrew, do you?
A. I do not speak Hebrew.
Q. You do not?
A. No.
Q. Can you, yourself, translate that into Hebrew?
A. Which?
Q. That fourth verse of the Second Chapter of Genesis?
A. You mean here?
Q. Yes?
A. No, I won’t attempt to do that.
— Douglas Walsh Trial, Pursuer’s Proof, 1954, pp. 7-9, 88, 91-92, 102-103 Marami pa kayong mababasa dito....

Ang pagpapaliwanag ng  Hebrew ay hindi nakayang gawin ni Franz nung panahon na iyon ay isang bagay na kahit na first or second year Hebrew student kayang-kayang gawin ng walang kahirap-hirap. Tagapagsalin hindi kayang basahin ang ipinababasang Hebrew para Makita ng tao na may kakayahan nga siyang magsalin ng Hebrew to English. Katulad lang yan ng isang doctor na hindi kayang ipakitang may kakayahan nga siyang manggamot. Kayo po ba ipagkakatiwala po ba ninyo sa isang doctor na tumatangging ipakita ang kanyang kredensyal? Yet, this is what many Jehovah’s Witnesses are doing when it comes to vital Bible truth.

Ang pag- amin na sila ay may propeta

“So, does Jehovah have a prophet to help them, to warn them of dangers and to declare things to come? These questions can be answered in the affirmative. Who is this prophet?...This ‘prophet’ was not one man, but was a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah’s Christian witnesses....Of course, it is easy to say that this group acts as a ‘prophet’ of God. It is another thing to prove it. The only way that this can be done is to review the record. What does it show?” —The Watchtower, April 1, 1972, p. 197

Ang ilan sa hula ng propeta ng mga Saksi ni Jehova:1914: “...the ‘battle of the great day of God Almighty’ (Rev. 16:14), which will end in A.D. 1914 with the complete overthrow of earth’s present rulership, is already commenced.” —The Time Is At Hand, 1886, p. 101

• 1915: “...the ‘battle of the great day of God Almighty’ (Rev. 16:14), which will end in A.D. 1915, with the complete overthrow of earth’s present rulership, is already commenced.” —The Time Is At Hand, 1915 edition, p. 101
• 1918: “Also, in the year 1918, when God destroys the churches wholesale and the church members by millions, it shall be that any that escape shall come to the works of Pastor Russell to learn the meaning of the downfall of ‘Christianity.’ ” —The Finished Mystery, 1917, p. 485
• 1925: “...1925 shall mark the resurrection of the faithful worthies of old....based upon the promises set forth in the divine Word, we must reach the positive and indisputable conclusion that millions now living will never die.” —Millions Now Living Will Never Die, 1920, p. 97
• 1940’s: “It would therefore appear that there is no reasonable or Scriptural injunction to bring children into the world immediately before Armageddon, where we now are.” —The Watchtower, November 1, 1938, p. 324
• 1975: “Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world’s end.” —Kingdom Ministry, May 1974, p. 3

Pero sa maraming tao na pamilyar sa kasaysayan ng panghuhula ng Watchtower ng katapusan ng mundo, simula pa noong unang Watchtower nung 1879, sa magkakaibang petsa : 1914, 1915, 1918, 1925, 1940’s, 1975. Nangangahulugan daw ba ito na ang WTS ay bulaang propeta? Suriin natin kung ano ang sinasabi ng WTS kung ano daw ang bulang propeta:

“Individuals and organizations proclaiming messages that they attribute to a super human source but that do not originate with the true God and are not in harmony with his revealed will.” —Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, 1989, p. 132”

Tingnan natin ang Deuteronomy 18:20-22
“But the prophet who shall speak a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he shall speak in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die. And you may say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?’ When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.”

Under the section, “Have not Jehovah’s Witnesses made errors in their teachings?” on page 136 of the Society’s Reasoning from the Scriptures book, they state:

“Jehovah’s Witnesses do not claim to be inspired prophets.
They have made mistakes.”

Typically, the Watchtower Society promotes itself as God’s prophet by the very act of prophesying. But on a few occasions it has even come right out and ascribed to itself the title “prophet.” Before presenting the material on the sect’s false prophecies, you will need to be sure that the Jehovah’s Witness understands that the organization actually does identify itself as God’s “prophet.” This is because the organization also asserts that it is not a prophet.

Isn’t that a contradiction? Yes, but it is typical of cultic reasoning. In this connection, the Witnesses have learned to practice double-think, the mental gymnastics described in George Orwell’s novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, where people are forced by a totalitarian state, “ … To know and not to know, to be conscious of complete truthfulness while telling carefully constructed lies, to hold simultaneously two opinions which canceled out, knowing them to be contradictory and believing in both of them … ” (Nineteen Eighty-Four, New American Library, 1981, p. 32).

Double-think enables Witnesses to believe with all their heart that the Society is God’s prophet, and yet when confronted with the charge of “false prophesying” to deny that the organization ever claimed to be a prophet. Thus in a discussion aimed at teaching JWs how to defend themselves “If someone says—’My minister said that Jehovah’s Witnesses are the false prophets,’” the Watchtower book Reasoning from the Scriptures offers the answer, “Jehovah’s Witnesses do not claim to be inspired prophets” (1985, pp. 136, 137).  Tinuturu-an silang magsinungaling,

Yet, during the late 1970s and throughout 1980, each issue of their principal magazine featured this assertion as part of its masthead: “A WATCHTOWER enables a person to look far into the distance and announce to others what is seen. Likewise, this magazine, published by Jehovah’s Witnesses, aids the reader to see what the future holds” (The Watchtower, 1/1/80, p. 2). By definition, one who tells what the future holds is, of course, a prophet.

 

A few years earlier a similar statement regularly appeared in the masthead, but it was qualified like this:

 

“Ever since ‘The Watchtower’ began to be published in July of 1879 it has looked ahead into the future.… No, ‘The Watchtower’ is no inspired prophet, but it follows and explains a Book of prophecy the predictions in which have proved to be unerring and unfailing till now. ‘The Watchtower’ is therefore under safe guidance. It may be read with confidence, for its statements may be checked against the prophetic Book” (The Watchtower, 1/1/69, p. 2).

Totoo nga kaya na hindi nag ke-claim ang Governing body na sila ay mga “inspired” prophet? Suriin po natin ang mga pahayag nila sa ibat-ibang Watchtower publications:

1)“What is here meant by the word ‘inspired’? It means that God, the Creator of heaven and earth, moved these men by his spirit or invisible empowering force, putting into their minds what they should write down as his ‘word,’ or message, for mankind.” —Good News, 1976, p. 14

2)“The Source of all true prophecy is Jehovah God. He transmits it by means of his holy spirit or, occasionally, by spirit-directed angelic messengers.” —Insight on the Scriptures, vol. 2, 1988, p. 691

3)“Consider, too, the fact that Jehovah’s organization alone, in all the earth, is directed by God’s holy spirit or active force.... That same holy spirit and angelic direction still affect the preaching activities of Christian ministers.” —The Watchtower, July 1, 1973, pp. 402, 405
4)“These angels are invisible to human eyes and are there to carry out the orders of the Lord. Not doubt they first hear the instruction which the Lord issues to his remnant and then these invisible messengers pass such instruction on to the remnant. The facts show that the angels of the Lord with him at his temple have been thus rendering service unto the remnant since 1919.” —Vindication III, 1932, p. 250

5) “There Ezekiel is definitely told that he is henceforth to serve as a prophet. He is commissioned to speak in the divine name.... He was thus, in an outstanding way, made a witness of Jehovah. Not alone were the inspired words of Ezekiel prophetic, but he himself was a prophetic figure in his action....Who is Ezekiel’s present-day counterpart, whose message and conduct correspond with that of that ancient prophet of Jehovah?… So it is with the modern-day counterpart of Ezekiel: it is, not one person’s body, but a composite body, made up of many members.... were commissioned to serve as the mouthpiece and active agent of Jehovah....Why, though, are all these facts of history brought to our attention? It is to show the fulfillment of prophecy. Jehovah has found and commissioned his modern-day ‘Ezekiel.’ ” —“The Nations Shall Know THAT I AM JEHOVAH —How?”, 1971, pp. 56, 58-59, 66

6) “The scroll was doubtless delivered to Ezekiel by the hand of one of the cherubs in the vision. This would indicate that Jehovah’s witnesses today make their declaration of the good news of the Kingdom under angelic direction and support. (Rev. 14:6,7; Matt. 25:31, 32) And since no word or work of Jehovah can fail, for he is God Almighty, the nations will see the fulfillment of what these witnesses say as directed from heaven. Yes, the time must come shortly that the nations will have to know that really a ‘prophet’ of Jehovah was among them.” —The Watchtower, April 1, 1972, p. 200

:

Hayan po maliwanag nating nabasa ang mga pahayag nila na SILA ang “modern day Ezekiel” (Iyon nga lang bulaan) bagamat nakita natin na nagsisinungaling po sila sa pagsasabi nila sa unahan na: “do not claim to be inspired prophets,”  ipinapahayag naman ito ng kanilang mga gawa at ibang sinulat pambola sa kanilang kaanib na hindi nagsusuri at bow lang bow. Nakita po natin na inihambing pa nila ang sarili nila kay Ezekiel na tinatanggap daw ang impormasyon mula sa Dios sa pamamagitan ng mga anghel at espiritu Santo. (Sinong anghel kaya ito?

 Ito kaya ang anghel na nasa bote ng Ginebra San miguel?). Sila daw ang nagsisilbing bunganga ng Dios na nagsasalita ng pinakasalita ng Dios.

 Pansinin ang mga sinabi nila:

“The interpretation of prophecy, therefore, is not from man, but is from Jehovah; and Jehovah causes events to come to pass in fulfillment of the prophecy in due time.”—The Watchtower, May 1, 1938. p. 143

“He merely uses the ‘servant’ class to publish the interpretation after the Supreme Court by Christ Jesus reveals it.” —The Watchtower, July 1, 1943, p. 203

“This is not giving any credit to the magazine’s publishers, but is due to the great Author of the Bible with its truths and prophecies, and who now interprets its prophecies. He it is that makes possible the material that is published in the columns of this magazine....” —The Watchtower, April 15, 1943, p. 127

“We see no reason for changing the figures — nor could we change them if we would. They are, we believe, God’s dates, not ours. But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble.” —Zion’s Watch Tower, July 15, 1894, p. 226

Kapaimbabawan po at palusot , certainly po ang tao ay nagkakamali katulad din ng mga disipulo ni Cristo,pero hindi po sila nanghula ng katapusan ng mundo at sabihin na iyon ay mula mismo sa Dios. Katunayan tinanong pa nga nila si Cristo(Mateo 24:3) Tandaan din po natin na nung inihula ng Watch Tower Society ang katapusan ng mundo sinabi nila yan sa kanilang mga kaanib na ang mga hula at petsa ay “petsa ng Dios” (were “God’s dates, not ours.” ) Ayon sa kanila, ipinahahayag nila ang hulang iyon sa Pangalan ni Jehova.

Ayon naman sa panuntunan ng biblia  para subukin ang isang propeta na sinabi ng Deuter.18:18-22 at sa Society’s  Reasoning book, sa anong kategorya daw nababagay ang Watch Tower Society Sila po ba ay totoong propeta o bulaang propeta? Agree kaba sa sinasabi ng Watchtower Society’s statement sa May 15, 1930 p. 156 issue ng  The Watchtower na nagsasabi ng ganito:

 “once a person discovers a “false prophet” the “people should no longer trust them as safe guides”?

O hayan mga mambabasa wag daw ninyo silang pagtiwalaan dahil sila ay hindi ligtas na taga-akay. Tama po yan kasi mali-mali ang kanilang doktrina.


Maliwanag po ang lahat, wag na po kayong mag tengang kawali sa mga babala na nabasa ninyo, ibukas ninyo ang inyong mata at pang-unawa, hindi pa po huli ang lahat. Inanyayahan po namin kayo na magsuri sa Iglesia ni Cristo. Magpunta lang po kayo sa pinakamalapit na kapilya o gusaling sambahan ng Iglesia ni Cristo sa inyo-inyong lugar.
Wag po ninyong ipagkamali na sinisiraan ko ang Saksi ni Jehovah, ang ginagawa ko lang po ay suriin at ihambing sa mga pangyayari at sa biblia ang kanilang mga sinasabi at ginagawa, base sa mga nakalap nating info mula sa history at sa kanilang mga babasahin.Higit sa pagtugon sa paanyaya ng mga kaanib nila, ginagawa natin ang pagsusuri sa kanilang mga doktrina at maging sa ibang relihiyon sapagkat ito ay utos sa mga Cristiano na nakasulat sa Biblia o sa Banal na Kasulatan:

“Mga minamahal, huwag kayong magsipaniwala sa bawa't espiritu, kundi inyong subukin ang mga espiritu, kung sila'y sa Dios: sapagka't maraming nagsilitaw na mga bulaang propeta sa sanglibutan.” (I Juan 4:1)

Sa salin ng The Living Bible sa talatang ito ay ganito ang sinasabi:

“Dearly loved friends, don't always believe everything you hear just because someone says it is a message from God: test it first to see if it really is. For there are many false teachers around.” (I Juan 4:1 TLB)

Ang sinisiyasat ng Iglesia Ni Cristo sa Jehova's Witness at sa ibang relihiyon ay ang kanilang mga aral. Hindi nagpaparatang o gumagawa ang Iglesia Ni Cristo ng mga malilisyoso at mga walang batayan akusasyon. Hindi namin kailanman tinuligsa ang kanilang pagkatao o karakter, at hindi kailanman gumawa ng pag-atakeng personal (“personal attack”). ANG TOTOO AY SILA ANG GUMAGAWA NITO LABAN SA AMIN.

Ang sinisiyasat namin ay ang kanilang aral o doktrina. Kung anuman ang kanilang ginawang anomalya o kasalanan, hindi iyon ang aming inihahayag kundi ang kamalian ng kanilang mga aral.

Ang totoo, ang ihayag ang kamalian upang ang tao ay makarating sa katotohanan ay sinasang-ayunan at siyang isinagawa ng mga apostol at ng mga minsitro sa Iglesia Ni Cristo noong unang siglo. Ganito ang ipinagagawa ni Apostol Pablo sa kaniyang kamanggagawang si Timoteo:

“Mula kay Pablo, apostol ni Cristo Jesus ayon sa kalooban ng Diyos na ating Tagapagligtas at ni Cristo Jesus na ating pag-asa- Kay Timoteo na tunay kong anak sa pananampalataya: Sumaiyo nawa ang pagpapala, habag, at kapayapaan buhat sa Diyos Ama at kay Cristo Jesus na ating Panginoon. Gaya ng pamanhik ko sa iyo nang ako'y papunta sa Macedonia, ibig kong manatili ka sa Efeso sapagkat may ilang tao roong nagtuturo ng maling aral. Iutos mong sila'y tumigil sa ginagawa nilang iyon. Pagsabihan mo rin sila na huwag nang pag-aksayahan ng panahon ang mga alamat at di matapus-tapos na talaan ng mga angkan.  Ito'y pinagmumulan lamang ng mga pagtatalo at hindi makatutulong sa ikatutupad ng panukala ng Diyos, panukalang nalalaman ng tao sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya. Ang layunin ng tagubiling ito ay pabukalin ang pag-ibig buhat sa pusong dalisay, malinis na budhi, at tapat na pananampalataya.” (I Timoteo 1:1-5 MB)

Ang utos ni Apostol Pablo sa kaniyang kamanggagawang si Timoteo ay patigilin ang mga nagtuturo ng mga maling aral. Ito ba ay paninira, pagbatikos, panunuligsa at masamang gawa? Ang sabi ni Apostol Pablo, “Ang layunin ng tagubiling ito pabukalin ang pag-ibig buhat sa pusong dalisay, malinis na budhi at tapat na pananampalataya.”

Ang ihayag ang kamalian upang ang tao ay makarating sa katotohanan ay hindi paninira, pagtuligsa, pambabatikos lamang kundi sa katotohanan ay pagmamalasakit at pag-ibig kaya mabuting gawa. Ang itago ang kamalian at kasinungalingan at magalit sa mga taong naghahayag ng kamalian at katotohanan ang pandaraya, marumi at masamang gawa.

Kung paano pabubulaanan ang mga maling aral at gawa ay itinuro rin ni Apostol Pablo kay Timoeteo:

“Mula pa sa pagkabata, alam mo nang ang Banal na Kasulatan ay nagtuturo ng daan ng kaligtasan sa pamamagitan ng pananalig kay Cristo Jesus. Lahat ng kasulata'y kinasihan ng Diyos at magagamit sa pagtuturo ng katotohanan, sa pagpapabulaan sa maling aral. sa pagtutuwid sa likong gawain, at sa pag-akay sa matuwid na pamumuhay. Sa gayon,ang lingkod ng Diyos ay magiging handa sa lahat ng mabubuting gawain.” (II Timoteo 3:15-17 MB)

Ang Banal na Kasulatan na kinasihan ng Diyos ang dapat gamitin sa pagtuturo ng katotohanan at sa pagpapabulaan sa maling aral. Hindi ba’t ganito nga ang ginagawa ng Iglesia Ni Cristo.

Hindi naman salita lamang kami ng salita at walang ipinakikitang batayan na gayun nga ang kanilang aral o itinuturo. Binabasa namin ang mga babasahin at ikinukumpara namin sa nakasulat sa Biblia.

 “...behold, now is ‘THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,’ behold, now is ‘THE DAY OF SALVATION’.” —2 Corinthians 6:2