JEHOVAH'S WITNESS
Truth about the Jehovah Witnesses’ Bible
The Jehovah’s Witnesses use a Bible known as the New World Translation. It is important to understand that this New World Translation (NWT) is not really a “translation” of the original languages, but rather a dishonest paraphrase to teach JW doctrine.
The NWT translators changed and added words not found or implied in the original text. These changes do not explain the text, but were deliberately intended to pervert the plain meaning of the verses, and create room for false JW doctrine.
Examples of NWT mistranslations and perversions:
| New World Translation | King James Bible |
NWT: In [the] beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth proved to be formless and waste and there was darkness upon the surface of [the] watery deep; and God’s active force was moving to and fro over the surface of the waters.
| KJV In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
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Reason for NWT Mistranslation Jehovah’s Witnesses deny that Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are equal persons of the Trinity. They teach that God – “Jehovah” – created Jesus Christ as a lesser, subordinate “god”; and that the Holy Spirit is a “force” rather than a Person of the Trinity.
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Zechariah 12:10 NWT: And I will pour out upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of favor and entreaties, and they will certainly look to the One whom they pierced through…”
| KJV: And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced…”
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Why was this changed in the NWT? In this incredible Messianic prophecy, God refers to Himself as the One Who would be pierced. This was fulfilled by Jesus Christ, clearly showing that Jesus Christ is God – which JWs deny. | |
John 1:1 NWT: In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.
| KJV: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
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Why was this changed in the NWT? NW translators deceptively inserted the article “a” (not implied or stated anywhere in the text), to infer that Jesus Christ is not Jehovah God, but rather a subordinate, lesser god.
In the original Greek, the phrase is literally “the Word was God”: – ὁ (ho: “The”) λόγος (logos: “word”) ἦν (ēn: “was”) θεός (theos: “God”). There is no implication anywhere in the text that the article “a” is needed to show that Jesus Christ was simply another god. | |
John 8:58 NWT: Jesus said to them: “Most truly I say to YOU, Before Abraham came into existence, I have been.” | KJV: Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
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This extremely important verse speaks of Christ’s eternality and deity. In the original Greek, the phrase is literally “I am”:- ἐγώ (egō: “I”) εἰμι (eimi: “exist”).
God and Jesus Christ are both “I Am” – “the Eternal, Self-existent One”. The NWT seeks to distance Jesus Christ from God.
The Lord Jesus claimed the very title that God used for Himself when speaking to Moses at the burning bush: “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” (Exodus 3:13-14)
The Jews in John 8 understood that Christ was referring to Himself as God, because they took up stones to stone Him for blasphemy (John 8:59). | |
Acts 20:28 NWT: Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed YOU overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own [Son].
| KJV: Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
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Why was this changed in the NWT? The verse speaks of God purchasing the church “with His own blood,” clearly referring to the Lord Jesus Christ as God. In order to overcome this, the NW translators deceptively twist the plain meaning of Scripture by saying that God purchased the flock with the blood of His own Son – which means that Jesus Christ is still just a “son” and not God Himself. | |
Colossians 1:16,17 NWT: because by means of him all [other] things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All [other] things have been created through him and for him. Also, he is before all [other] things and by means of him all [other] things were made to exist,
| KJV: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
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Why was this changed in the NWT? Though the passage clearly teaches that Jesus Christ is God the Creator of all things, JW theology teaches that Jesus is simply the first of God’s created beings. The NWT cunningly suggests that Jesus created all “other” things, having already been created by God – even though the Greek does not contain or imply the word “other” in its text. | |
FREE EBOOK
ARE THE JEHOVAH'S WITNESS TRUE CHRISTIANS?
The Watch Tower society, also known today as the “Jehovah’s Witness” was started by a man called Charles Taze Russell. Though he was raised in a Presbyterian church, he later joined a congregational church because he preferred their views, but even their views conflicted with his. One night in 1869, Charles heard a message in which it was taught that Hell is not a place of punishment, but rather “mans common grave.” This teaching was against scripture, but it suited his beliefs, to which it encouraged him to start his own small bible study group. He borrowed most of his doctrinal ideas from other religious groups and taught many things the Watchtower Society now considers “pagan and Unbiblical.” Does this sound like a work of God or a work of the Devil?
The Bible gives us a strong warning against false teachers, especially in the last days.
1 Timothy 4:1 – “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”
Sadly, the Bible also states that many will follow the ways of these false teachers (2 Peter 2:1), and since the 1800’s, many have fallen victim to the teachings of this Cult.
Will you be a person who seeks out the truth, or will you be led blindly down a road to destruction? If you love truth, I encourage you to consider the three points we have listed below, and consider whether or not the Watch tower society are truly “Jehovah’s witness.”
~ CONSIDER THEIR DECEPTION ~
FAILED PROPHECIES FROM ITS FOUNDING LEADERS: One area they have tried to deceive people is through their claim of special prophecy or new revelations from God.
Charles T Russell predicted that Christ would return in 1914. Joseph Rutherford predicted that Christ would return in 1925, and later revised his date to 1940’s. Nathan Knorr predicted that mans 6,000-year reign would end in October 1975 at which point the millennium would begin.
In Deuteronomy 18:21-22 of the OT, God gives clear instructions to Israel, as to how they would tell a prophet was genuine or not. They asked God (vs 21) “…How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken?” God replied (vs 22) “When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”
As we can see, all of their prophecies failed! Therefore, according to Deuteronomy 18 it proves that they are a false prophets and deceivers sent by the Devil to hinder people from coming to the truth, ultimately leading them to a path of destruction – The Eternal Lake of Fire.
THEIR BIBLE VERSION: Another way in which the Watchtower society deceive people is through their corrupted translation of the Holy Bible, which they call “The New World Translation.” This version has gone through numerous editions, as the Jehovah’s Witnesses discover more and more Scriptures that contradict their doctrines. By changing the original text, they twist the scriptures which enables them to teach and promote their false doctrines.
For example: In John 1:1 of the King James Bible it says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Comparing this with John 1:14, we see that JESUS IS GOD. Because this conflicted with the beliefs of the Watchtower society, they needed to alter the text to show that Jesus wasn’t God, and they did so by making him only “a god.” However, If they were truly witnesses of Jehovah then they would agree with the passage found in the Book of Isaiah which clearly teaches, THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD.
Isaiah 43:10 – “Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.”
Anyone who loves truth, we easily see that the Watchtower Society are deceivers and not sent from God.
~ CONSIDER THEIR DENIALS ~
THEY DENY THE DEITY OF CHRIST: Jehovah’s Witnesses reject the Trinity, believing Jesus to be only a created being, even claiming He is Michael the Archangel. They teach that Jesus is only the Son of God, and not Almighty God. Let us consider some verse that clearly teach Jesus is God.
1 Timothy 3:16 – And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. When was God manifest in the flesh? At His birth. (see John 1:14) Isaiah 9:6 – For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Even the Father Declares Jesus to be God. Hebrews 1:8 – But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Why would the Father call the Son “God”? Because He is God!
1 John 3:16 – Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. When did God lay down His life? On the Cross of Calvary, paying for the sin of the whole world. (See Acts 20:28).
Jesus has the same title as God. Consider these two passages together:
Isaiah 44:6 – Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
Revelation 1:17-18 – And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
THEY DENY SALVATION BY FAITH ALONE: Like many cults, a major doctrine they corrupt is the doctrine of Salvation. The Jehovah witness teach that a person must work for their salvation. They are teaching that in order to be saved you must become knowledgeable about the Father, obey God’s laws, be associated with the Jehovah’s Witnesses and be loyal in spreading the kingdom news of God. THEY ARE TEACHING ANOTHER GOSPEL. (See Galatians 1:8-9).
The question we would ask a Jehovah’s witness then is, “are you doing enough works to be saved? Are all your hours going door-to-door really going to please God enough for Him to let you into Paradise Earth? Are you actually obeying God’s laws? If not, why not?”
If you are trust in your good works, this is nothing but an attempt to bribe God on the day of Judgment. God gives a strong warning to those who trust in their own works and ways.
Matthew 7:21-23 – Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Thankfully, The Holy Bible clearly teaches that we are not saved by works, but by repenting of our sin, and trusting alone in the FINISHED WORK OF JESUS CHRIST.
Ephesians 2:8-9 – For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Galatians 2:16 – Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified
2 Corinthians 5:21 – For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
THEY DENY THE REALITY OF HELL: The Jehovah’s Witness denies the reality of a literal torment for all eternity in the Lake of Fire. In doing so, they are calling Jesus a liar, for it was Jesus in Luke 16:19-31 who told the story of a rich man tormented in hell. They must also reject the many verses in the Bible that speak of hell. For example:
Matthew 25:46 – And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Luke 12:5 – But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
Revelation 20:15 – And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:10 – And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
(See also – 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 14:11, 21:8; Jude 1:7).
~ CONSIDER THEIR DESTRUCTION ~
According to the Bible, what happens when someone denies that Jesus is God?
John 8:24 – I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
According to the Bible, what happens to a person who rejects God’s plan of Salvation?
Revelation 21:8 – But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
According to the Bible, what will happen to those who preach another Gospel?
Galatians 1:8-9 – But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.