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The suggested answers provided to all questions below are based on and in harmony with the views of the original Watchtower Bible and Tract Society when under the guidance of Pastor Charles Taze Russell.  Comments will often include a link to Pastor Russell’s own explanation.  However, in any case, we leave your conclusions to your own personal study, prayer, conscience and the influence of the Holy Spirit.

829 comments to Questions

  • Nubby Tope

    I see there’s a section on Jesus and Michael, but are Jesus and Abaddon the same as JWs believe?

    • greg (Bible Student)

      Hi Nubby.

      I don’t have an answer. Only questions. So can I at least thank you for bring the question to my attention. I’m doing some research on the subject at the moment. When I’ve got something to share, I will do so here. Hopefully soon.

      -greg

    • greg (Bible Student)

      Nubby Tope,

      I find it quite amazing that (EXCEPT for Watchtower) I cannot locate anything anywhere that identifies Jesus as Abaddon. Every other thing I’ve read identifies Abaddon, The Destroyer, as either Satan, or one of Satan’s Angels. Here are a few links to get you started if you’re interested in doing more research for yourself.

      In no particular order:
      http://www.herealittletherealittle.net/index.cfm?page_name=Abaddon
      https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/rev/9/1/t_corr_1176011
      https://www.gotquestions.org/Abaddon-Apollyon.html
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abaddon

      And, if you can locate Matthew Henry’s Commentary, he’s got some interesting thoughts and comments on Rev. 9:11 and Abaddon. (Let me know, please, if you can’t find his Commentaries.)

      And if you find something exciting–or even boring (lol)–, please share it with us here.

      -greg

      • Nubby Tope

        Greg,

        Thanks for your info; the only reason JWs believe its Jesus as Abaddon is because only he apart from God who has the power and authority to throw Satan the dragon into the abyss, as this seems logical as a possible fulfillment of prophecy in Genesis 3v15.

        Maybe this will be something else to learn when our Lord returns!

        • Richard.Tazzyman

          Hello Again,My Brother,Just a point on Abadon,Rev 9.11.I do not know who it is,but Just a note,Not only JWs belive it is Our Lord,But if you read what the Interpreters Bible has to say on the Identity of ABADON,& I quote”Abadon,however,is a angel not of Satan,but of GOD,performing his work of destruction at Gods Bidding”End of quote.How many times have the Angels of the LORD been used to cause Destruction? So my mind is not made up either way.Just a point to show that others also do not belive it is Satan!

          • greg (Bible Student)

            Thanks, Br. Richard. It’s wonderfully reassuring to know that I’m not the only one embracing some uncertainty.

            -greg

  • Enzo

    Good morning from Belgium Jacqueline,
    İt is quite a lot of time ago we heard each other trough this website.
    And İ hope everything is fine with you..
    İ think you have heard of the consent form the JW org has asked all the JW’s to sign.
    İ have decided to not sign the consent form for collecting my personal data,, that’s a right the GDPR gives me, and İ will use it.
    But İ have a question: Are you as Bible Students also asked to sign a consent form for collecting the personal data in the UK, and other EU-countries?
    Greetings,
    Enzo

    • Ted R. (Bible Student)

      Hi Enzo. The answer to your question is an emphatic no! Keep in mind the Bible Students do not have a centralized organization. They are not an organized do not keep church records. The Bible students are patterned after the original Christians of the first century, each ecclesia operating as a separate entity, but unified in faith and beliefs as part of the Bible Student movement founded by Pastor Russell. The ecclesia’s work in close cooperation with one another in many matters and are unified in brotherhood but no organization or governing body lords it over the brethren.

      • Enzo

        Thanks for your reply Ted,
        İ am very disturbed of the fact that when İ made manifest to the elders that İ will not sign the consent form, they wrote a letter from the legal department informing me that İ could not be serve as a pioneer, Ministerial servant, elder, construct worker.. And that it could affected the pastoral work.. İ said İ had not a problem with the organisational privileges they mentioned, but İ couldn’t understand why the GPDR would affected the pastoral work. İ aked them how Jesus would react: would he reasoning: Enzo is not a sheep of my anymore because he didn’t sign the consent form? Or would he let the 99 sheeps behind and search the lost sheep until he found it?
        They did not gave an scriptural answer to my question, but said that these where the directives from JW org..
        Two days after this meeting, İ telephoned the branch, and İ mentioned the same (legal) concerns, about their rigid interpretations of the GDPR, and the fact that İ will not report anymore my field-service activities, because that’s another point: They can’t Use or write your name anymore neither for a Theocratic assignment , but than argue that a field ministry report is allowed to give with your name.. And that from what İ know from a seminary about the GDPR İ followed is not really in full agreement with the GDPR.
        When İ brought these concerns to the brother from the service department he said: : oh seems you know a lot of the GDPR: Can you tell me from which congregation you are?
        My answer was: And can you tell me please who you are, what your work on Bethel consist,? Why should İ do this? he replyed..And why should İ give you my personal information İ replyed to him..
        Okay he said in a stressed way: İ have not a lot of time: You are not pressured or obbligated to report a field minıstry activity.. İn your circumstances if you not sign the consent form you can choose to become also an inactive person.. İt’s your choice he said.
        İ said thank you for giving the branch opinion, but remember that you are not following the scriptural example of Jesus..İmmagine Jesus telling his sheeps to become inactive? But thank you for your organisational answer, and İ finished the telephone call.
        Conclusion: From the month May İ will not give then anymore a field service report, and İ will become in their (organisational eyes) an inactive person.. But we know from the scriptures that the most important is that our names are written in the heaven like Jesus said.
        İ hope there will come a time when Bible Students come over in Belgium.. İ have a lot of questions, and if there will be a meeting İ would love to see and hear how they are hold..
        Greetings,
        Enzo

        • Ted R. (Bible Student)

          Hi Enzo Good for you! I am not disfellowshipped, but I have not reported time for over a year. I avoid being DF’d because of my health and also my wife who was raised a JW. Otherwise I would just disassociate. Since I became a Bible Student, I actually put more time in Witnessing the real truth to others and helping others than I ever did. Jehovah has opened many avenues for me to help others. Reporting time is simply a means of applying pressure and monitoring your “loyalty” to an organization. For me, my loyalty is to Christ. May our Lord continue to help you!

        • greg (Bible Student)

          Greetings Enzo,

          It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I send you my warm love.

          I recall the time years ago when I made my decision to no longer submit my monthly service report; I felt very calm, decided and peaceful inside. But I can also imagine that some persons in the JW organization might be experiencing some very intense internal conflicts about the recent developments, requirements, tactics, and threats.

          So I’m wondering if you might be able and willing to share some more thoughts on the specific things/scriptures/ideas/experiences that helped you make peace with yourself about your decision.

          Warmest love, encouragement, and empathy,
          -greg

          • Enzo

            Thanks gregg for your thoughts and reply..
            What helped me to take peace with my decisions? A good question..
            İt is a process that is taking place during the last ten years..With the upcoming of the internet my research brought me to the story of Barbara Anderson, and that of Ed Dunlap and Ray franz(former governing body member: And all these stories about insiders, and particularly the books : Crisis of conscience, and in Search of Christian freedom where a real eye-opener for me.. And since then İ have seen the developments within the Jw org, that confirmed what Ray Franz so nicely described,
            İ have decided to go to the meetings with my wife because se is a JW, and very often İ give a comment based on the etimology of the Hebrew or Greek scriptures(Old and Greek Testaments words: Vine’s Dictionary and other Greek en Hebrew scholars) Thus never based on a Watch-Tower article, and the elders have noted this, and a lot of times they don’t give me a change to give an answer during a watch Tower Study, but that can’t bother me anymore..İ have seen in the last year that they are company-men, with all respect not having really an accurate knowledge of the scriptures.. Thus arguing about deeper things from the scriptures is not possible with them, they are loyal to men, to their rules, to JW org..and their interpretations, therefore İ live my Christian life striving to follow Jesus, antd to take care of my wife and my parents, and not following the exanple of a lot of pioneers of prominent figures that follow the organisational program(see the broadcast of may) that is promoted from the GB, to go to assignments even if your older parents are in need, or serious ill( The corban method of the Phariseers that Jesus condemned
            So İ hope you have a little insight in my thinking about the scriptures.
            Se Deo Volente we will hear us soon..
            Grretings Enzo

            • Ted R. (Bible Student)

              Hi Enzo. My wife is still a JW. A word of advice; Don’t try to talk about the things you are learning to any of the JW’s right now. Make sure you are firm in your convictions and able to give answer. Your wife is your primary ministry. Work with her slowly, don’t try to force her to believe what you do. She has to come to the realization on her own. Use subtle comments here and there. Try not to do anything that will get you disfellowshipped until you are strong enough to deal with the fallout. You know your wife better than I do, but be careful what you say to others. Try to develop friends outside of the organization. Most of all don’t try to argue with the elders, it will do no good. Hope this helps.

            • greg (Bible Student)

              Thanks for sharing these expressions, Enzo. There are many persons that will be able to glean helpful little gems from your words and experiences.

              Sincerely and Appreciatively,
              -greg

        • Richard.Tazzyman

          Hello Enzo,I saw your post,& I saw that you said you wished that their were Bible Students in Belgium.Well I think their is some BS In belgium.They have a web site,called ( BEIGISCHE BIJBEL STUDETEN(BIBLE STUDENTS?)Hope this is correct!Bro Richard,Australia.

    • Jacqueline (Bible Student)

      Enzo no and yes, we don’t collect data, but I know what uou are speaking of and I must post again the explanation on you tube. All businesses and religions that sell books or make reservations for you for rooms at conventions etc are affected to some degree.
      NO ABUSE VICTIM SHOULD SIGN THE JW FORM! That is being created to counteract this new Law. You want them to preserve your records!! The abusers will ask them to destroy all records for sure so if you have or will have a case opt out, make them keep your records.
      The witnesses here in US and all over are being asked to all sign saying they can keep records, to centralize everything. But it is to keep track of who is disfellowshipped etc. Opt In! They will lose track of who has left.
      Let me find and post the link so Everyone understand this new law which is bad for the victims but can be great for the pedophiles.
      It can be great for those df’d because it will be as if they never existed. If they move there is no records of who they are in some Kingdom hall files.
      THANKS I NEED TO POST THE EXPLANATION QUICKLY again since it is happening.

      Here it is:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktyUhujNrEw&t=61s Please go here forall ex witnesses or those in.

      https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=gdpr What is it

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5WJOncaHt4

      Also you if you would like to see how our conventions are conducted go here and click on the calendar, it will let you in real time see our conventions.

      https://www.friendsofjehovahswitnesses.com/conventions/

  • Nubby Tope

    Hi Everyone!

    Does anybody watch Kim Mikey’s YouTube videos? New one there about WERE THE PYRAMIDS BUILT BEFORE THE FLOOD? Very interesting and I’d love to know what people here think about this topic.

    • Jacqueline (Bible Student)

      Nubby Tope, I love Kim and Mikey plus Critical Thinker with Lady Cee. I havent seen that video but have seen tons of pyramid videos. I always thought the pyramid survived the flood. There are many pyramids foubd now. Some were thought to be mountains and the biggest one is under water by the Bermuda triangle I believe.The triangle or 8 sides buildings are the strongest structures so it is not surprising pyramids are all over the ancient world.
      Modern man seems to like block shape buildings. The are lots of utubes video on the pyramid of gezer and more.

      • Nubby Tope

        Jacqueline, I’ve seen those videos about the pyramid near Bermuda. I also saw a documentary about a pyramid found in USA and it reminded me of when I read the Book of Mormon years ago and I’ve often wondered: where are the buildings mentioned in this book? Nowhere to be found! But this pyramid? I’m not saying the Book of Mormon is all true but one cannot deny there is a coincidence.

        I really enjoy these chats Jacqueline; you’ve helped me over the stressful events of the last 4/5 weeks. Thank you!

        • Jacqueline (Bible Student)

          Nubby Tope, I have enjoyed our chats also. This is what this site is about. To hold each others hand as we steady ourselves get on our feet and move on. We like to provide the spiritual food to read because we must not let the governing body win by taking us away from the Bible. We all have working brains.
          That is the only reason we have to shut down conversations that deviate from this purpose. We don’t need as Greg stated persons come on to lead and teach us. I honestly believe Daniel predicted the internet and other modern devices like tv and radio. This way we hear other voices and are free to use our mind in different directions. Point is do as you are doing, trust yourself and explore even a mormon book for history. Your brain is bigger than the watchtower wanted us to think. Keep talking and sharing. Some have broken free and should open websites to talk on subjects too, the www is a big web, room for many voices. This is what we do, encourage and hang with you until you choose your relationship with our God, Jehovah and our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

    • Anon CJ

      When it comes to the Great Pyramid we can only speculate. I spent my first two years of being with the Bible Students studying it. Then I realized that god doesn’t need a pyramid. He gave us the tabernacle and temple to use. That’s just my two cents. How will we ever know who built it? We can say Shem or Melchizedek but we don’t know. I’d rather study what I do know about the tabernacle than the Pyramid. A good book from the Chicago Bible Students is “Notes on the Tabernacle”.

  • Noel

    How can I watch the Edward Fudge movie? I’m trying to look for it in the internet (the full movie), but can’t find it.

  • Noel Bordoy

    Exodus 3:14, NWT says, “I shall prove to be what I shall prove to be.” Other translations says, “I will be what I will be.” I like the NWT because of the Hebrew verb (if I remember it correctly it’s Yehwah). But is really correct?

    • greg (Bible Student)

      Noel,

      Wow! What an exquisitely wonderful joy I am having at reading your question!

      I do not believe there is any single right answer. Many Bible researchers have studied this passage and I believe that most would agree that there’s no simple way of putting into human words the name and character of God.

      To illustrate, when Moses wrote in Genesis 2:7 that God made Adam out of dust from the ground, he neither lied, nor conveyed the full richness of the reality. We who live today are probably acquainted with scientific models such as molecular theory, and so we can likely more fully appreciate the simplicity, the rich beauty, and the truthfulness of Genesis 2:7.

      Similarly, as we learn and study more about God, His nature, His character, the things He has created, and His Divine Plan, we become more able to appreciate the ineffable nature and character of God and His name.

      For example, one thing I’ve learned in my studies that I find very exciting is that God’s name seems to also suggest timelessness, that is to say an existence outside of time itself. And it seems to me that your question is along those lines, isn’t it? “Will be” versus “Prove to be”? They both seem to me to be trying to convey an indefinite tense. That’s not an easy thing to do in English, nor in many other languages. Most languages tie actions to a specific times – past, present, future, completed, yet-to-be-started, finished, ongoing, one-time, recurrent, etc.

      It’s my understanding that God isn’t bound by time. That’s consistent with the understanding that God created time as well as the universe. How do I put that into words though? And even if I try, how do I fully understand the concept and explain it to someone else in a way that they can easily and fully comprehend and appreciate?

      I believe Jehovah God faced a similar challenge when he answered Moses: How much does He say in just a few minutes? How much does He omit? How does He answer clearly and briefly? How does He possibly limit Himself by fitting Himself into a tiny “box” of human letters, words, sounds and concepts?

      Maybe someone else here will share their thoughts on your question. In any case, I thank you sincerely for asking it. I always find it a joy to revisit studies from my past that I was very passionate about. And considering our great God and Creator always inspires a deep sense of awe and reverence within me. Thank you!

      Cheers!
      -greg

      • Noel Bordoy

        Hi Br. Greg, thanks for the reply. I’m sorry, I made a mistake. What I mean is KJV and other versions says “I am what I am”, compare to NWT’s “I will become what I choose to become.”

        • greg (Bible Student)

          Hi Noel,

          No worries at my end. 🙂 My reply would have been the same. However, I’m wondering if maybe you are left with some concerns or questions that haven’t yet been addressed?

          Warmly and sincerely,
          -greg

      • Richard Tazzyman

        Bro Greg,Greetings from Australia,I am going to send you a e/mail copy on the Subject “THE I AM”.It is from a talk I gave in Australia.I am also going to send one to Bro Noel as well.Regards, Bro Richard.

        • greg (Bible Student)

          Br. Richard,

          Ooooh, Goody!! 🙂 I’ll eagerly anticipate the email. I enjoyed the last one’s you sent. Thanks again.

          Cheers and gratitude, my dear friend and brother.

          -greg

  • Noel Bordoy

    Is fasting with prayer still applies to God’s people at this present age?

    • greg (Bible Student)

      Noel,

      Since Jesus fulfilled the law given to Moses by nailing it to the cross, no one needs to keep the Law of Moses. Whereas the law of Moses condemned everyone to death, only the law of the Christ redeems everyone from their death sentence. Thus fasting is no longer a requirement. It’s neither righteous, nor unrighteous. Neither does it constitute one righteous or unrighteous. It need not be encouraged, nor discouraged.

      -greg

      • just stay sweet and good

        I’ve noticed that when I’m under extreme pressure I just “fast” naturally. In other words, the regular pleasures of life take a back seat in extreme situations and then we are usually fasting and praying. Remember Daivd when he was watching his little boy die? It is only natural to set aside every day pleasures when we are beseaching Jehovah God for direction and more of the right spirit to endure.

    • Jacqueline (Bible Student)

      Some religious people do fast even today and the Bible does not mention it as a requirement to please God nor does it condemn it for Christians or even followers of Islam or any religion as I see in the Bible.
      We do have something very special snce Christ and it is the helper, the Holy Spirit of God to teach us now. I also like this thought:

      “Fasting is a practice found throughout Scripture. A fast in the Bible is usually a voluntary, total abstinence from food for a set time for the purpose of devoting oneself to seeking God. Fasting denies our flesh what it wants so that we can focus more clearly on strengthening our spirits.

      It doesn’t seem that Jesus fasted often. In fact, His critics condemned Him for “eating and drinking” (Matthew 11:19). There is only one recorded instance in Scripture of Jesus fasting. This fast immediately followed His baptism (Matthew 3:13), which inaugurated Jesus’ public ministry. Matthew 4:1 says that Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to fast for forty days and nights. During that time of fasting, Jesus was repeatedly tempted by the devil. This testing time prepared Him for the three-year ministry that would change the world.

      During those forty days, when Jesus’ flesh was at its weakest, He endured relentless temptation from Satan. Satan offered Him alternatives to God’s plan, compromises that would satisfy His natural desires, and attacks upon His very identity as the Son of God (Matthew 4:3). Jesus used the Word of God, not His own strength, to defeat those temptations and remain victorious over sin. He demonstrated for us that fasting can strengthen us spiritually when we use it to draw closer to God.

      After Jesus’ fast, the devil left Him and “angels came and attended him” (Matthew 4:11). Luke 4:14concludes the account of this testing time by saying, “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit.”

  • Noel Bordoy

    Hi everyone. The anointed ones fully consecrates themselves to God, sacrifice themselves. But as of the present they are still humans, subjects to sin and weaknesses. When they sin and repent, do they retain their election and God’s promises?

    • Noel Bordoy

      I mean the 144,000

    • greg (Bible Student)

      Greetings and Welcome Noel.

      It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

      To be clear, to be “chosen” can mean more than one thing. One can be chosen to be invited. That does not in itself guarantee admittance. All who consecrate themselves are responding to an invitation to run in a race. They are not “chosen” because they’ve already won the race.

      All who consecrate themselves embark on a lifelong journey of learning, growing, refining, and polishing. Therefore, one’s consecration is not the end, but merely the beginning. It is the opportunity to step through a doorway and begin a very exciting, very fulfilling, and very rewarding journey that’s filled with discoveries, questions, challenges, obstacles, hardships, many certainties as well as many doubts. Throughout it all, there is no guarantee that one will be elected. There is only the guarantee that one will be considered as an applicant, a would-be suitor. Jesus is the one who decides who qualifies to be chosen and given administrative responsibilities in his Kingdom.

      While one cannot be counted perfect by their own actions, one’s desire to work at aiming for perfection, and one’s subsequent striving to continuously improve is a demonstration of one’s faith, one’s hope, and one’s sincerity of character. One’s efforts while yet imperfect are, in a way, a measure of one’s true potential and the dependability and trustworthiness they will maintain when they are made perfect.

      Before I say more, I want to check in to see if my expressions contribute to clarity, or confusion for you?

      -greg

    • Jacqueline (Bible Student)

      Hi Noel and welcome. I agree that all Christians are still imperfect and sinners. I am not so much in agreement with the definition of “anointed” in the understanding of the witnesses. I understand that we Christians are all running for the upward call of Christ and at death only will you be judged for your reward. So they sin probably without knowing so I don’t think one would have to be worried about not retaining the promise made by Jesus. I do often hear the phrase “I want to make my calling and election sure”, almost as a mantra. My thought for myself is to be the best follower of Christ and accept whatever he gives me as a reward. Matthew and Revelation does not mention as a requirement we be focused on sin and weaknesses common to all mankind living and those that have died. The witnesss view of “anointed” is it makes them special, I think of the run for the upward calling as I should be grateful and thankful.
      To one of the Churches he says:
      Rev 2: 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. [f]Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.’

      Matthew 10:22 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
      “22 You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.”

  • TedR Bible Stusent

    According to the JWs John 7:53 thru 8:11 is not in the original manuscripts. Any insight on this?

    • Richard Tazzyman

      Hello Ted.These verses are not in the oldest & most accurate documents.If you go to the Bible Student site:Pastoral bible Ins(PBI)Under the Magazine ;The Herald of Christs Presence.At the top right hand side of the page you will see :Read the RVIC(revised version improved & corrected)You will see that at the footnotes of John 7.52-8.12,Bro James Parkinson sets out the same Info that the JWs do in the NWT.Hope this is of benifit to you.Bro Richard,Australia

    • ZionsHerald

      Hi Ted!

      Check out the Wiki on this text. It has the manuscript evidence showing it was a later insertion into the text.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_and_the_woman_taken_in_adultery

  • Ellis Green

    Just been watching a documentary about a 3rd temple being built in Jerusalem and I was wondering – is such a thing prophesied in the Bible? Apparently, since President Trump stated Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, there’s rumours he wants a new temple built as he believes it’ll bring peace to the region. I’m skeptical about all this so I keep an open mind. What does anyone here think?

    • just say sweet and good

      The third temple is a reference to the temple of Ezekiel which brother rutherford tried to establish in a spiritual sense in the WTBS. He outlined his plans in the books: Vindication 1,2 and 3. Those plans of his were implemented into the structure and policies of the society. Thats what gave people such power when they would say “The society wants this or that, or are you questioning he society” Much has changed since then, but the Ezekiel temple template was what started it all off when brother rutherford took over.

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