Some modern day religions claim to be Christians...but are they really? Go through this series with a small group or mentor, and let's take a closer look at some religions that may actually be cultish. This week: Jehova's Witnesses.

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In the last episode we talked about what is a cult (how to identify a cult, etc.). If you missed that one, be sure and go and check that out. In today’s episode we will focus our attention on a group that claims to be the real Christians, but as we will show today the Jehovah’s Witnesses are not Christians.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses originated in the late 19th century with Charles Taze Russell, an American preacher deeply interested in Bible prophecy. Here’s a concise history of the organization:

Part I: The History

Origins and Founder:

Charles Taze Russell (1852–1916): Russell was influenced by Adventist teachings, particularly their focus on Christ’s second coming. Disillusioned with mainstream Christianity, he began his own Bible study group in the 1870s in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
1870s The group now known as Jehovah’s Witnesses was initially called Bible Students or International Bible Students Association (IBSA) during its early years. This name reflected their focus on studying the Bible and disseminating their teachings.
Publication of Zion’s Watch Tower (1879): Russell launched this magazine to spread his interpretations of the Bible, emphasizing end-time prophecies and the imminent return of Christ.
Why was it called Watchtower?
The name "Watchtower" comes from the Bible, where watchtowers were used as places to keep watch and warn of danger. In ancient times, people would stand in tall towers to look out for enemies or protect their vineyards from animals.
Jehovah's Witnesses use the name Watchtower because they believe they are like spiritual watchmen. They think their job is to warn people about the coming of God’s Kingdom and the end of the current world system (what they call Armageddon). They see themselves as sounding the alarm and helping people prepare for what they believe is God’s judgment.
The name also reflects their focus on being alert and vigilant about spreading their teachings, which they view as essential for saving others. The magazine The Watchtower became their main way to share these warnings and spread their message worldwide.

Formation of the Organization:

Incorporation as the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (1884): Russell formally organized his followers under this name, focusing on mass publication and distribution of literature.
Today’s Stats and Organizational Structure
8.6 million members today (2023)
Governing Body: A centralized leadership that claims exclusive authority in interpreting the Bible.
Emphasis on door-to-door evangelism, distribution of "Watchtower" and "Awake!" magazines.
Rutherford’s Leadership (1916–1942): After Russell’s death, Rutherford took control. He rebranded the movement, introducing the name “Jehovah’s Witnesses” in 1931 to distinguish it from other groups. He centralized authority, increased door-to-door evangelism, and solidified distinct doctrines, such as rejecting political involvement and military service.
Failed Prophecies: Under both Russell and Rutherford, numerous end-of-the-world dates were predicted and failed, including 1914, 1925, and later dates.

Failed Prophecies:

1874 – Christ’s Invisible Return

Prediction: Charles Taze Russell, the founder, taught that Jesus Christ returned invisibly in 1874 to begin ruling spiritually.
Outcome: This claim was later adjusted to fit their evolving theology, and they eventually moved the "invisible return" date to 1914.

1914 – The End of the World

Prediction: Russell taught that the end of the current world system (Armageddon) would occur in 1914.
Outcome: When nothing happened, the Watch Tower Society claimed Jesus began ruling invisibly in 1914 and that World War I was part of the fulfillment of prophecy.

1925 – The Resurrection of Biblical Patriarchs

Prediction: Joseph Rutherford, the second leader, predicted that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and other faithful men of old would be resurrected in 1925 to rule over the earth.
Outcome: When this did not happen, the prophecy was quietly dropped. A mansion in California (called Beth Sarim) that was built to house these resurrected patriarchs was eventually sold.

1941 – The Beginning of Armageddon

Prediction: Rutherford suggested that Armageddon was very near, specifically during or shortly after World War II.
Outcome: The war ended, but Armageddon did not occur.

1975 – The End of the World

Prediction: The Watch Tower Society heavily implied that the end would come in 1975, linking it to their calculation of 6,000 years since the creation of Adam.
Outcome: Many Jehovah's Witnesses sold their homes and quit their jobs in anticipation. When nothing happened, the leadership blamed the members for "misinterpreting" their teachings.

Why These Failures Matter

Credibility Issues: According to Deuteronomy 18:22, a false prophecy is a sign that the message is not from God. Jehovah's Witnesses' repeated failed predictions have led many to question their claim of being God’s sole channel of communication.
Impact on Members: These predictions caused emotional and financial strain on members who made life-altering decisions based on them.
Shift in Teachings: After each failure, Jehovah's Witnesses adjusted their theology or blamed misunderstandings to maintain credibility and control over followers.

Part II: The Differences

Key Writings

The Bible: Jehovah’s Witnesses use the New World Translation (NWT), a version modified to align with their doctrines.
Divergence: Mainstream Christians consider the NWT unreliable due to alterations like John 1:1 ("the Word was a god") and Colossians 1:16 (inserting "other" to suggest Jesus is a created being).
Supplemental Texts: Publications like The Watchtower and Awake! magazines, as well as books like What Does the Bible Really Teach? serve as authoritative teaching tools.
Divergence: These writings are considered equal to, or sometimes above, Scripture in authority by Jehovah's Witnesses.

Who is God?

Jehovah’s Witnesses: Jehovah is the one true God, the Father, distinct and separate from Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Divergence: Reject the Trinity, which is a core doctrine of mainstream Christianity. Christians believe in one God existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Who is Jesus?

Jehovah’s Witnesses:
Jesus is a created being, the first and greatest creation of Jehovah. He is identified as Michael the Archangel.
Jesus is not co-equal or co-eternal with God and was merely human during His earthly ministry.
His resurrection was spiritual, not physical.
Jesus’ death provides an opportunity for salvation, but works are required to earn it.
Divergence:
Mainstream Christianity teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man (John 1:1, Colossians 2:9), eternally preexistent, and co-equal with the Father.
Christians affirm the physical resurrection of Jesus (Luke 24:39, 1 Corinthians 15:4).

Who is the Holy Spirit?

Jehovah’s Witnesses: The Holy Spirit is not a person but an impersonal force or "God’s active power."
Divergence: Mainstream Christianity teaches the Holy Spirit is a distinct person within the Trinity, co-equal with the Father and the Son (John 14:26, Acts 5:3–4).

How to Be Saved

Jehovah’s Witnesses:
Salvation requires faith in Jesus, adherence to the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and participation in works like door-to-door evangelism.
Only faithful Jehovah’s Witnesses will survive Armageddon and enter God’s Kingdom.
Divergence: Mainstream Christianity teaches salvation by grace through faith alone, not by works (Ephesians 2:8–9, Romans 10:9–10).

What Happens After Death?

Jehovah’s Witnesses:
The soul ceases to exist at death (annihilationism).
Only 144,000 anointed believers go to heaven to reign with Christ.
The rest of the faithful will live forever on a restored paradise earth.
The wicked will be permanently destroyed, not eternally tormented.
Divergence: Christians believe in eternal life with God for believers and eternal separation from God in hell for the wicked (Matthew 25:46, Revelation 20:10, 14–15).