Comments You Will Not Hear at the 11-09-03 WT Study Review comments will be in black and parentheses () WT quotes will be in red and quotes ""
Quotes from other sources will be in blue
PERSECUTED FORRIGHTEOUSNESS' SAKE
"Happy are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake." (missing part: since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.) - MATTHEW 5:10.New Living Translation
God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs .?Matthew 5:10(Why do you think the kingdom of heaven is left off? Who only inherits the kingdom of the heaven according to the WTS?)
Opening Comments
The WTS has long felt that persecution is a sign of God?s backing.
WT 11/1/82 p. 12
Experiencing persecution for being a Christian may not seem to be a blessing. But if you are enduring such suffering you have evidence of God?s spirit and approval?and, surely, that promotes joy.
WT 6/1/01 p. 15 "If God Is for Us, Who Will Be Against Us?"
Those having God?s backing
have always been unpopular, as was Noah, who condemned the world through his faith.
Ask yourself, ?What religious group is noted for sticking closely to God?s Word, even when its teachings differ from the beliefs of most people? Who stress the importance of God?s personal name, even using it to identify themselves? Who optimistically point to God?s Kingdom as the only solution to all human problems? Who uphold Bible standards of conduct, at the risk of being considered old-fashioned? What group is noted for having no paid clergy, all of its members being preachers? Who are praised for being law-abiding citizens, even though they refrain from taking part in politics? Who lovingly spend time and money in helping others to learn about God and his purposes? And despite all of these positive things, who are still looked down on, ridiculed, and persecuted?
(Ask yourself who sets these parameters, measuring themselves by themselves?)Is it presumptuous of Jehovah?s Witnesses to point out that they alone have God?s backing?
Actually, no more so than when the Israelites in Egypt claimed to have God?s backing in spite of the Egyptians? belief, or when first-century Christians claimed to have God?s backing to the exclusion of Jewish religionists. The facts speak for themselves.What is happening in the world of religious persecution? What do the facts say?
Turkmenistan
The past year has, likewise, seen no improvement in religious freedom in Turkmenistan, one of the most repressive countries in the OSCE region. Since 1997, the government has officially allowed only two religious denominations, Sunni Islam and Russian Orthodox Christianity, and has viciously persecuted those who follow other faiths, which it considers illegal. Among those most affected have been Jehovah?s Witnesses, Pentacostalists, Baptists, Adventists, and Hare Krishnas. Islamic groups also suffer state harassment. Only the department of theology at Ashgabad University, which is under strict police surveillance, has the right to teach Islamic studies. The Shiite community has been denied registration since 1997.
Georgia
In Georgia, throughout the past year, organized groups of civilian militants have staged dozens of attacks on non-Orthodox Christian faiths, primarily Jehovah?s Witnesses, Evangelists, Pentacostalists and Baptists. Human Rights Watch has documented many of these through first-hand testimony. Victims described in detail bodily injuries they sustained and theft or vandalization of their property. They described several cases in which police failed to intervene when they could have stopped attacks that were underway. Where police have responded to victim complaints, they often fail to collect evidence, question suspects, or detain perpetrators, even when the perpetrators have been identified. On numerous occasions, police displayed open hostility to the victims. http://hrw.org/press/2002/09/osce-religion0912.htm
On August 20, Tianeti District police destroyed a meeting place of the Baptist Evangelical Church and briefly detained and threatened its pastor.
http://www.hrw.org/wr2k1/europe/georgia.html
At the Watchtower Media site you will find mention of other religions also being persecuted. Since JWs are not the only religion being persecuted severely in Georgia (or Russia or Turkmenistan), how can persecution be proof of God?s backing?
Metropolitan Atanase Chakhvashvili, who is based in the town of Rustavi south east of the capital Tbilisi, made his remarks in a programme on religious violence broadcast on the programme 60 Minutes on the private national television station Rustavi-2. The programme was aired on the evening of 10 February and was repeated the following morning. In addition to declaring that "sectarians" should be killed -naming the Jehovah's Witnesses, the Baptists, the Anglicans and the Pentecostals as among
those who "have to be shot dead". Clergy of his diocese also demanded the "abolition" of all non-Orthodox faiths in Georgia, together with the Liberty Institute, a Tbilisi-based human rights group which has defended religious minorities.http://www.jw-media.org/region/europe/georgia/english/human_rights/e_keston020213.htm
http://www.jw-media.org/region/europe/georgia/english/human_rights/e_chronology.htm
START OF ARTICLE
FOR this I have been born
, and for this I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth." (John 18:37) when Jesus said those words, he was before Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judea. Jesus was there neither of his own choice nor at the invitation of Pilate. Rather, he was there because the Jewish religious leaders falsely accused him of being a wrongdoer deserving of death.--John 18:29-31.Though Jesus' life was in danger, he seized the opportunity to bear witness
to the highest governmental authority of the region. Despite that witness, Jesus was condemned and executed, dying an agonizing martyr's death on a torture stake.--Matthew 27:24-26; Mark 15:15; Luke 23:24, 25; John 19:13-16.While in this article and the next the WTS tries to tone down dying an agonizing martyr?s death, that is what is being emphasized. Persecution is coming, all Christians must be persecuted, and it will be "an agonizing martyr?s death."
Witness or Martyr?
To many people today, a martyr is more or less the equivalent of a fanatic, an extremist.
Those who are willing to die for their belief, especially religious belief, often come under suspicion of being terrorists or at least of being a menace to society .So the WTS is worried that people think JWs are terrorists and a menace to society.
However, the word martyr comes from a Greek term (mar'tys) that in Bible times meant "witness," a person who gives testimony, perhaps at a court hearing, to the truth of what he believes. It was only later (later when? And who? Christian community?) that the expression came to mean "one who gives his life for bearing
witness," or even bearing witness by giving one's life.So JWs are martyrs in the first sense. That is true, few JWs would risk their life for a close family member let alone a stranger (as Jesus did).
Jesus was a martyr primarily in the earlier sense of the word
. As he told Pilate, he came to "bear witness to the truth." His witnessing elicited very different reactions from people. Some among the common folk were deeply moved by what they heard and saw, and they put faith in Jesus. (John 2:23; 8:30) The crowds in general and the religious leaders in particular also reacted strongly--but negatively. Jesus pointed out to his unbelieving relatives: "The world has no reason to hate you, but it hates me, because I bear witness concerning it that its works are wicked." (John 7:7) For bearing witness to the truth, Jesus incurred the wrath of the nation's leaders, which led to his death. Indeed, he was "the faithful and true witness (mar?tys)."-Revelation 3:14."You Will Be Objects of Hatred"
Not only did Jesus himself suffer fierce persecution but he also forewarned his followers that the same would happen to them. Early in his ministry, Jesus told his listeners in his Sermon on the Mount: "Happy are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them. Happy are you when people reproach you and persecute you and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you for my sake (not Jehovah). Rejoice and leap for joy, since your reward is great in the heavens."-Matthew 5:10-12. Later, when sending out the 12 apostles, Jesus told them: "Be on your guard against men; for they will deliver you up to local courts, and they will scourge you in their synagogues. Why, you will be haled before governors and kings for my sake (not Jehovah) , for a witness to them and the nations." But religious authorities would not be the only ones to persecute the disciples. Jesus also said: "Brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise up against parents and will have them put to death. And you will be objects of hatred by all people on account of my name (not Jehovah?s); but he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved." (Matthew 10:17, 18, 21, 22) The history of the first century Christians is a testimony to the truthfulness of those words. (What about JWs? Are they the only religion persecuted today?) A Record of Faithful Endurance Soon after Jesus' death, Stephen became the first Christian to die for bearing witness to the truth. He was "full of graciousness and power [and] was performing great portents and signs among the people." His religious enemies "could not hold their own against the wisdom and the spirit with which he was speaking." (Acts 6:8, 10) Consumed with jealousy, they dragged Stephen before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court, where he faced his false accusers and gave a powerful witness. In the end, however, Stephen's enemies murdered this faithful witness. (an agonizing death?) --Acts 7:59,60. Following the murder of Stephen, "great persecution arose against the congregation that was in Jerusalem; all except the apostles were scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria." (Acts 8:1) Did persecution put a stop to Christian witnessing? On the contrary, the account tells us that "those who had been scattered went through the land declaring the good news of the word." (Acts 8:4) They must have felt as the apostle Peter did when he stated earlier: "We must obey God as ruler rather than men." (Does the WTS obey God as ruler in abuse cases when the report only in states where man's law requires it?) (Acts 5:29) In spite of the persecution, those faithful and courageous disciples stuck with the work of bearing witness to the truth, even though they knew that this would lead to more hardship.-Acts 11:19-21. (Thus, the WTS implies it is only bearing witness to the truth that brings persecution, thus if persecution means they are bearing witness to the truth. (circular reasoning?)) Indeed, there was no letup as far as hardship was concerned. First, we learn that Saul--the man who approvingly witnessed the stoning of Stephen, still breathing threat and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, in order that he might bring bound to Jerusalem any whom he found who belonged to The Way, both men and women." (Acts 9:1,2) Then, in about the year 44 C.E., "Herod the king applied his hands to mistreating some of those of the congregation. He did away with James the brother of John by the sword."- Acts 12:1, 2. Agonizing deaths, murder by the sword?..Is that what the WTS sees for all JWs? Must all JWs face this to be true Christians having God?s backing? The rest of the book of Acts contains an indelible record of the trials, imprisonment and persecution endured by faithful ones like Paul, the former persecutor turned apostle, who likely (likely because the Bible says nothing and they are relying on "church tradition") suffered martyrdom (not the original sense by witnessing) at the hands of Roman Emperor Nero about 65 C.E. (2 Corinthians 11:23-27; 2 Timothy 4:6-8) Finally, in the book of Revelation, written toward the close of the first century, we find that the aged apostle John is imprisoned on the penal island of Patmos "for speaking about God and bearing witness to Jesus." Revelation also contains a reference to "Antipas, my witness, the faithful one, who was killed" (in the second sense of martyrdom) in Pergamum.-Revelation 1:9; 2:13. All of this proved true Jesus' words to his disciples: "If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also ." (are JWs the only ones persecuted???)(John 15:20) The faithful early Christians were prepared to face the supreme test, death-by torture, by being thrown to wild beasts, or in any other manner-in order to carry out the commission from the Lord Jesus Christ: "You will be witnesses of me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the most distant part of the earth."-Acts 1:8. So the supreme test is death-by torture, by being thrown to wild beasts?or in any other manner, being thrown to a judicial committee who has its mind made up? Should anyone think that such cruel treatment of Jesus' followers happened only in the past he would be sorely mistaken . Paul, who as we have seen endured his share of hardship, wrote: "All those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12) Regarding persecution, Peter said: "In fact, to this course you were called, because even Christ suffered for you, leaving you a model for you to follow his steps closely." (1 Peter 2:21) Down to these "last days" of this system of things, Jehovah's people (now it has changed to "Jehovah?s" people from Jesus? followers) continue to be objects of hatred and hostility. (Only JWs? What about the others mentioned in the opening comments?) (2 Timothy 3:1) In every corner of the earth, under dictatorial regimes and in democratic lands, Jehovah's Witnesses (now instead of Jehovah?s people it is JWs?) have at one time or another suffered persecution, both individually and collectively. (What about the Baptists mentioned above?) Jesus? followers?association with Christ Jesus?Jehovah?s people?Jehovah?s Witnesses?an amazing progression from Jesus to Jehovah and to only Jehovah's Witnesses. Why Hated and Persecuted? Even though most of us today enjoy relative freedom to preach and to meet together peacefully, we must take to heart the Bible's reminder that "the scene of this world is changing." (1 Corinthians 7:31) Things can change so swiftly (the end is near) that unless we are prepared mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, we can easily stumble. What, then, can we do to protect ourselves? A powerful line of defense is to keep clearly in mind why peace loving and law-abiding Christians are hated and persecuted. (that must mean that the Baptists are law-abiding and peace-loving because they are persecuted too.) The apostle Peter commented on this matter in his first letter; which he wrote about 62-64 C.E., when Christians throughout the Roman Empire were undergoing trials and persecution. He said: "Beloved ones, do not be puzzled at the burning among you, which is happening to you for a trial, as though a strange thing were befalling you." To explain what he had in mind, Peter continued: "Let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a busybody in other people's matters. But if he suffers as a Christian, let him not feel shame , but let him keep on glorifying God in this name." Peter pointed out that they were suffering, not for committing any misdeeds, but for being who they were. Had they been wallowing in "the same low sink of debauchery" as the people around them, they would have been welcomed and embraced by them. As it was, they suffered because they endeavored to live up to their role as followers of Christ. The situation is the same for true Christians today.-1 Peter 4:4, 12, 15, 16. Does this mean that the Baptists and others mentioned above although persecuted are not living up to their role as followers of Christ and thus are not "true" Christians? Aren't these ones preaching about the Kingdom of Christ? Not according to the WTS. In many parts of the world, Jehovah's Witnesses are publicly praised for the unity and cooperation they display at their conventions and building projects (but not within the congregation where JWs have not talked to other JWs in the congregation for years) , for their honesty and diligence (see http://www.randytv.com/secret/unitednations.htm regarding the UN "honesty"), for their exemplary moral conduct and family life (see www.silentlambs.com re child abuse issues within the WTS), and even for their wholesome appearance and demeanor (yes, no beards prove one is a true Christian) .*Matthew 23:27,28 (NIV)
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. On the other hand, their work is under ban or restriction in no less than 28 lands as of this writing, and many of the Witnesses suffer physical abuse and loss on account of their faith. Why such evident contradiction? And why does God allow it?And haven't the Baptists, etc., been exemplary?
First and foremost, we should keep in mind the words of Proverbs 27:11: "Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, that I may make a reply to him that is taunting me." Yes, it is because of the age-old issue of universal sovereignty. In spite of the mountain of testimony provided by all those who have proved their integrity to Jehovah throughout the centuries, Satan has not stopped taunting Jehovah as he did in the days of the righteous man Job. (Job 1:9-11; 2:4, 5) No doubt (buzzword used when WTS is adding to the Bible) Satan has become even more frantic in his last-ditch effort to prove his claim, now that God's Kingdom is firmly established (where is the proof establishing this in this article???) , with loyal subjects (the great crowd) and representatives (the anointed) around the earth. Will these remain faithful to God regardless of what adversity and hardship may come upon them? This is a question that each servant of Jehovah must answer personally--Revelation 12:12,17. In telling his disciples about events that would take place during "the conclusion of the system of things , " (was he discussing today or the time shortly after during the 1 st century) Jesus indicated another reason why Jehovah permits persecution to come upon his servants. He told them: "You [will be] haled before kings and governors for the sake of my name. It will turn out to you for a witness." (Matthew 24:3, 9; Luke 21:12, 13) Jesus himself bore witness before Herod and Pontius Pilate. The apostle Paul too was "haled before kings and governors." Directed by the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul sought to give a witness to the most powerful ruler of the day when he declared: "I appeal to Caesar!" (Acts 23:11; 25:8-12) Likewise today, challenging situations have often resulted in a fine witness being given both to officials and to the public.# Finally, coping with trials and tribulations can benefit us personally. In what way? The disciple James reminded his fellow Christians: "Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet with various trials, knowing as you do that this tested quality of your faith works out endurance." Yes, persecution can refine our faith and strengthen our endurance. Thus, we do not dread it, nor do we seek unscriptural means to evade or end it. (There was a time alternative services was not allowed to evade it?since 1998 it is allowable) http://www.watchtowerinformationservice.org/militaryservice.htm What can fortify us to withstand it? What can we do when we are faced with persecution? We will consider these important matters in the next article. Concluding CommentsThe WTS would like its members to believe that it is being persecuted because of the righteous things they are doing in the area of reporting child sexual abuse and attaching itself to the UN. They would like the rank and file to think these are all the lies of apostates. But the WTS knows these aren't lies. How real can God be to them if they knowingly tell lies?
Ezekiel 8:12 And he proceeded to say to me: "Have you seen, O son of man, what the elderly ones of the house of Israel are doing in the darkness, each one in the inner rooms of his showpiece? For they are saying, ?Jehovah is not seeing us. Jehovah has left the land.?"
Psalm 94:7 And they keep saying: "Jah does not see;
And the God of Jacob does not understand [it]."
Psalm 10:11 He has said in his heart: "God has forgotten.
He has concealed his face.
He will certainly never see [it]."
Blondie