Knowledge Book Review
by
Pastor Gary Hall
RELEASED by the Watch Tower Society as their latest introductory study book, the "Knowledge" book contains a number of new teachings among its usual contents of old chestnuts.
In this article Pastor Gary Hall, of Liverpool, shares his own thoughts on this latest publication and asks "Does the book really lead to everlasting life"?
IN the chapter entitled "The Book that Reveals the Knowledge of God" mention is made of the Messiah being betrayed for thirty pieces of silver (see page 19).
Since this reference is Zechariah 11:12 it does well to read what it says. "They proceed to pay my wages, thirty pieces of silver." (New World Translation)
But, why end with verse 12?
Read verse 13, "At that Jehovah said to me: Throw it to the treasury - majestic value with which I have been valued from their standpoint." (NWT).
Even the Watch Tower Society has to admit that this is what happened concerning Jesus, yet it is Jehovah that is speaking.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus only became the Christ at His baptism.
This line is restated on pages 36 and 65. It says that "Jehovah anointed Jesus with holy spirit, Jesus became the Christ."
This would mean that Jesus was not the Christ from His birth until His baptism by John.
If Simeon did not see the Christ, as the Bible said he did, then the Lord lied to him.
If this is true how does it tie in with regards to Simeon in Luke 2:26, which reads; "And it happened to him, being instructed by the Holy spirit, he was not to see death before he would see the Christ." (NKJV).
The NWT says almost the same thing. If Simeon did not see the Christ, as the Bible said he did, then the Lord lied to him.
Besides, weren't the shepherds told; "For to you is born today in the City of David, a saviour, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11 NKJV).
Also, are we to believe that a mere man, John the Baptist, was "filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb". (Luke 1:14 NKJV), but God's only Begotten son had to wait thirty years?
Someone is lying, but it is not the Bible.
Staying on the theme of the divinity of Christ, it is interesting that John 3:16 is used on page 39 as evidence of Jesus being "God's only-begotten son because Jehovah created him directly." Even a new believer in Christ can spot that this verse does not teach that Jesus is a created being.
As usual, the word "other" is added to Colossians 1:15 to say that Jesus isn't the creator. They also persist in using Proverbs 8:22-31 as proof of Jesus being created, when in fact these verses refer only to wisdom.
Jesus is constantly attacked in all Watch Tower publications, and the "Knowledge" book is no exception.
Page 40 states,
God transferred his life from Heaven to the womb of a faithful Jewish virgin named Mary. Jehovah's powerful holy spirit, or active force, overshadowed Mary, causing her to become pregnant."
Yet page 82 says;
"This life force does not have any of the characteristics of the creature it animates."
Does this mean that Jesus was a non-person?
They must see Jesus as a non-person to promote their teachings. Look what is written on page 68.
"Upon being raised to life in Heaven, he became a life-giving spirit."
Therefore, since the Holy Spirit isn't a real person, because He is a spirit, Jesus must be a non-person also, since He is now only a "life-giving spirit".
Luke 24:39-42 proves that Jesus was raised in His flesh and bones, and that He was able to eat natural food.
So, in the mind of the Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are not real persons, but, "The Devil is a malicious manslayer. The Bible reveals that he is a real person."(page 55)
Another attack is made upon Jesus on page 65. Only because Jesus is the "Last Adam" and is the "Corresponding ransom for all" is He known as "Eternal Father".
This is weak and foolish invention to destroy what Jesus is and what He came to do.
This destroying of the ministry of Jesus is very revealingly brought to the surface on page 69
Yet, our salvation is not the most important reason for Jesus' life and death on earth."
This is why the Watch Tower Society pays so little regard to Jesus, and has sought to remove all honour to Him in their NWT and other books.
It is little wonder that they say on page 82; "Human death does not differ from that of the animals."
Jesus - Michael?
I may be wrong, but there may be some "new light" in the future regarding the Jesus/Michael doctrine. Knowledge does not mention this once.
The unusual statement for Jehovah's Witnesses, on page 153, may be some indication of some new doctrine in the near future. It reads;
He is the only channel through whom we can approach Jehovah God."
While we agree with these words we have to be cautious to why they were written.
The usual illustration of Jesus hanging on a stake is shown on page 67.
It shows a single nail through the wrists of Jesus, despite the fact that even the NWT says that Jesus had scars from the "nails" in both His hands (see John 20:25).
So, to say the least, His hands had to be separated.
Universalism, the belief that all will be saved, or given a chance to repent and follow God after death, is evident on page 88.
They will have an opportunity to demonstrate by their deeds whether they will serve God."
Two questions will suffice here.
- Where does the Bible even hint at this?
- If all will be saved, why did Jesus bother dying for us on the cross?
This idea is a further attack upon the sacrificial death of our Saviour.
Because the Watch Tower hates the cross they must get rid of it and what it really means. To believe in universalism is to reject God's way of salvation.
The 1914 issue is bound up with the fall of Jerusalem in 607 BC. They refer to this date as "very significant"(page 96).
By adding 2,520 years to 607 BC they arrive at 1914.
The main problem here is that Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians in 587BC which automatically nullifies the 1914 theory.
You will look in vain, in chapter 11, to find any Scriptural reasons for dating Jesus' Heavenly rule at 1914.
Wouldn't we like to see the verse where the Bible teaches that Jesus was "enthroned in the Heavenly Kingdom in 1914 CE" (page 94)?
Page 97 promises,
Did Jesus begin to reign in Heaven at that time? Scriptural reasons for saying he did will be discussed in the next chapter."
You will look in vain, in chapter 11, to find any Scriptural reasons for dating Jesus' Heavenly rule at 1914.
It would be a step in the right direction if the Watch Tower believed its own writings without going on to disqualify what is written in a later chapter.
This statement found on page 153, which we accept as Biblically correct, is made void by further statements on pages 160-161, which refer to the "faithful and discreet slave" as being "God's channel".
Again, we find either Jesus, or the Watch Tower Society must fall. It is no surprise to us that Jesus is disregarded once more.
If Jehovah's Witnesses really did study their Bibles, as advised on page 178, they might come nearer the fundamental truths of God's Word.
Of course, the "faithful and discreet slave", in Brooklyn USA, would never allow this.
If only they were allowed to put into practice the words found on page 182;
Moreover, we do not earn life by serving Jehovah. Everlasting life is a gift of God."
Parts of Three Days?
THE Knowledge book speaks about the 144,000, Christmas, birthdays, soul-sleep as well as the family.
There are many good books available that will correct these doctrines.
The only point I would like to address here is in response to the amazing and erroneous words found on page 68, regarding the death and resurrection of Jesus.
On this subject they say;
He (Jesus) slept in death for parts of three days."
Since I've never heard of anyone say that Jesus was dead for parts of three days, I have to ask, which parts?
If He was alive at certain times then does this not nullify the idea of soul-sleep?
Only those who have shut their eyes and closed their brains would accept this as coming from God.
Once again the book is way off course, since the Bible teaches that Jesus was active during the time His body lay in the tomb. (see 1 Peter 3:19 and Eph. 4:8-10)
The Knowledge that Leads to Everlasting Life book is a sloppy attempt to undermine Bible doctrine and promote life-destroying teachings.
Only those who have shut their eyes and closed their brains would accept this as coming from God.
As with other books this goes out of its way to promote a Jesus, but not the Jesus of the Bible.
Some gullible Christians may think that all the references to Jesus as God's only begotten Son means that the Jehovah's Witnesses are getting closer to the "Truth".
All those caught up in the web of deceit spun by the Watch Tower must answer a serious question for themselves.
Jesus once asked His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" (Mark 8:29). Peter could have replied something like, "I say you are a prophet, or maybe Michael the archangel." But no, Peter's reply was "You are the Christ".
The disciples recognised Jesus as the Messiah. They knew that the Messiah had to be different from prophets or angels.
In Mark 9:1-7 they had an experience that they would never forget.
Elijah and Moses met with Jesus after He was transfigured.
Notice that Jesus was transfigured. What was He transfigured into?
A prophet? That wouldn't have made Him any different from Elijah and Moses.
An angel? No, because "to which of the angels did He say at anytime, You are My Son, this day I have begotten You? (Hebrews 1:5).
When God the Father spoke in Mark 9:7 He was not referring to a mere man or any angel when He said; "This is My beloved Son, hear Him."
Jesus was seen by the disciples as the second, but not inferior, member of the Godhead in all His Heavenly glory.
Each Jehovah's Witness, and for that matter, every person on earth must answer the question; "Who do you say Christ is?"
If you listen to your organisation you may get the wrong answer.
Obey God's command to us all...
This is My Beloved Son, hear Him."
