The Conscientious Witness
Topics for Thought
- Christ: Here or Near?
- Look! I have forwarned you!
- Presence or Coming?
Thought Provoking Questions
1). Why do Jehovah's Witnesses teach that the Kingdom of God is here when Jesus said that the occurence of the sign in Matthew 24 would mean the Kingdom and Christ were 'near?': "Now learn from the fig tree as an illustration this point: Just as soon as it's young branch grows tender and it puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. Likewise, also you, when you see all these things, know that He is near at the door."(emphasis mine)Matthew 24:32, 33.
1974 Witness wedding in Tennessee. I am the youngster on the right.
2). Why was the preaching commission given to Christ's followers that of preaching that the Kingdom of God has drawn "near" not "here?" See Matthew 10:7 and Luke 10:9.
3). Jehovah's Witnesses teach that the second presence of Christ began in the year 1914 a.d., and that it was an invisible, secret type return. They further teach that this return was only discerned by a spiritually alert remnant of 'anointed ones' from the Jehovah's Witness organization. Why did Jesus warn, respecting His return, not to believe those who say, "Look! Here is the Christ, or there... For false Christs {greek, 'Khristos' or anointed ones} and false prophets will arise and will give great signs... Therefore if people say to you, 'Look! He is in the wilderness, do not go out; 'Look! He is in the inner chambers,' do not believe it. For just as lightning comes out of eastern parts and shines over western parts, so the presence of the Son of man will be?" Matthew 24:23-27; compare Hebrews 9:28; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 1:7. Why did Jesus interject, in speaking to His followers, Look! I have forwarned you?" Matthew 24:25.
4). Why does Jesus seem to make no distinction between coming and presence when referring to His return? Compare Matthew 24:3,27,30,39,42,44,50; 25:6,19,31.
5). The disciples asked Jesus for the sign of His presence AND the conclusion of the system of things in Matthew 24:3. Does it not seem that Jesus speaks of both events as occurring essentially simultaneously? Does He not answer His disciplies by drawing parallels to the sudden destruction of the world in Noah's day and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah in Luke 17:26-30? Does Jesus not say of this event in Matthew 24:42(both His presence and the end) that we will not know the day or the hour? Why do Greek scholars generally prefer to render parousia as 'coming' rather than 'presence'?
6). If Christ came in 1914 a.d., why do Jehovah's Witnesses still celebrate the Lord's Evening Meal (Last Supper), since Paul said to do so only "until He arrives?" See 1 Corinthians 11:26. Also, if we are to "observe the commandment in a spotless and irreprehensible way until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus," and Jesus "manifested" Himself in 1914 a.d., why do Jehovah's Witnesses continue to observe the commandement?" See 1 Timothy 6:14.
1980 Dutch congregation in the Netherlands. I am front and center of the picture.
Invitation
Thank you for visiting this site. There are so many young people searching for answers to life's many problems, just as I was in 1973, especially after my father died. There are individuals and religious organizations just waiting to take advantage and prey upon your vulnerabilities, just as they did to me. I have been to Kingdom Halls in a number of States, and foreign countries like Korea, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Please accept my invitation to discuss Jehovah's Witness theology and the real truth I found in Jesus Christ and God's word the Bible. Pray for the Jehovah's Witness people that they stop being led and mislead by man and come out of darkness in to the glorious light of truth in Jesus Christ.
Mark Atterson
Favorite Web Sites
More Bible Topic Question and Answer
65 Questions From A Non-Witness
Jehovah's Witness History
Watchman Fellowship Cult Awareness
Email: matterson2@hotmail.com
