Beware- Apostate alert!The Watchtower of 2006, 2/15 “Questions From Readers” article asks this: What three dangers was Jesus warning against at Matthew 5:22?

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ warned his followers: “I say to you that everyone who continues wrathful with his brother will be accountable to the court of justice; but whoever addresses his brother with an unspeakable word of contempt will be accountable to the Supreme Court; whereas whoever says, ‘You despicable fool!’ will be liable to the fiery Gehenna.”—Matthew 5:22.

Jesus used things familiar to the Jews—the court of justice, the Supreme Court, and the fiery Gehenna—to convey to them the increasing severity of the punishments for sins of increasing seriousness.

First, Jesus said that everyone who continues wrathful with his brother will be accountable to “the court of justice,” the local court. According to tradition, these courts were set up in cities with an adult male population of 120 or more. (Matthew 10:17; Mark 13:9) The judges at such a court had authority to render judgment, even on murder cases. (Deuteronomy 16:18; 19:12; 21:1, 2) Thus, Jesus was showing that a person who harbors smoldering wrath against his brother is committing a serious sin.

Jesus next said that a person who “addresses his brother with an unspeakable word of contempt will be accountable to the Supreme Court.” The Greek word rha·ka′ (footnote) rendered “an unspeakable word of contempt” means “empty” or “empty-headed.” According to The New Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, that word was “a term of reproach used by the Jews in the time of Christ.” Jesus was thus warning against the seriousness of expressing hatred toward a countryman with a derogatory term of contempt. Jesus was as much as saying that a person using such a word would be judged not just by a local court but by the Supreme Court, the full Sanhedrin—the judicial body in Jerusalem made up of the high priest and 70 older men and scribes.—Mark 15:1.

Finally, Jesus explained that if a person addresses another, “You despicable fool!” he would be liable to the fiery Gehenna. The word “Gehenna” comes from the Hebrew words geh hin·nom′, meaning “valley of Hinnom,” which lay to the west and south of ancient Jerusalem. In Jesus’ day, the valley had become a place for burning refuse, including the bodies of vile criminals who were considered undeserving of a decent burial. So the word “Gehenna” was a fitting symbol of complete destruction.

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What, then, did the expression “despicable fool” signify? The word used here sounded similar to a Hebrew term that means “rebellious,” or “mutinous.” It designates a person as morally worthless, an apostate and a rebel against God. So the person addressing his fellow as a “despicable fool” is as much as saying that his brother should receive a punishment fit for a rebel against God, everlasting destruction. From God’s standpoint, the one uttering such a condemnation against another could merit that severe sentence—everlasting destruction—himself.—Deuteronomy 19:17-19.

Consequently, Jesus was setting a higher standard for his followers than that found in the principles behind the Mosaic Law. While people believed that a murderer would be “accountable to the court of justice,” Jesus went further. He taught that his followers should avoid even harboring animosity against their brothers.—Matthew 5:21, 22.”

Watchtower 1979 11/1

“In his widely known Sermon on the Mount, the Leader of Jehovah’s Witnesses, namely, Jesus Christ, said, among other things: “Happy are the peaceable, since they will be called ‘sons of God.’ . . . You heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You must not murder; but whoever commits a murder will be accountable to the court of justice.’ However, I say to you that everyone who continues wrathful with his brother will be accountable to the court of justice; but whoever addresses his brother with an unspeakable word of contempt will be accountable to the Supreme Court; whereas whoever says, ‘You despicable fool!’ will be liable to the fiery Gehenna.” Gehenna figuratively pictured eternal destruction, for Jesus later said to his disciples: “Do not become fearful of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be in fear of him that can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.” (Matt. 5:9, 21, 22; 10:28) Consequently, the witnesses of Jehovah have always sought to be peaceable in a mixed-up world and have always avoided murderous tendencies even in wrathfulness and violent speech.”

Watchtower 1978 4/15

“Jesus then went a step farther, saying: “Whoever says, ‘You despicable fool!’ will be liable to the fiery Gehenna.” (Matt. 5:22c) The Greek word rendered “you despicable fool” is mōré. A similar-sounding Hebrew term (moreh) means “rebellious,” “mutinous.” Whereas raca suggests intellectual stupidity, mōré designates one as morally worthless, an apostate and rebel against God. In his Hebrew and Talmudical Exercitations, John Lightfoot points out: “‘Raca’ denotes indeed ‘morosity, and lightness of manners and life:’ but ‘fool’ judgeth bitterly of the spiritual and eternal state, and decreeth a man to certain destruction.”

Persons who would denounce their fellow in such a way would be “liable to the fiery Gehenna.” Here Jesus refers to the Valley of Hinnom (Hebrew, Gei Hinnom) near Jerusalem, which became a garbage dump where fires continually burned to consume refuse and carcasses that were thrown into it. According to the Greek Lexicon by Liddell and Scott, in that valley “the corpses of the worst malefactors were burnt.” If the fires of Gehenna did not wholly consume those carcasses, worms and maggots that bred there would finish the job.—Isa. 66:24; Mark 9:47, 48.

Jesus used Gehenna as a fitting symbol of eternal destruction. Since a person who would condemn his fellow as a “despicable fool” worthy of Gehenna would be desiring everlasting destruction for that one, from God’s standpoint the one uttering such a condemnation brings that severe sentence upon himself.—Compare Deuteronomy 19:17-19.”

Watchtower 1976 12/1

“Jesus Christ made it clear that wrong use of the tongue could bring such a serious consequence. He said: “Whoever says [to his brother], ‘You despicable fool!’ will be liable to the fiery Gehenna.” (Matt. 5:22) Yes, one who wrongly judges and condemns his brother as a “despicable fool,” that is, a morally worthless person, would rightly be liable to the judgment of Gehenna. Why? Because by thus condemning his brother, he would be pronouncing that one as deserving the judgment of Gehenna. In his heart, he would be desiring such a terrible judgment for his brother. Thereby he himself would become liable to the adverse judgment he wished for his brother. This possible penalty would harmonize with the stipulation of the Mosaic law requiring that a false witness receive the very same punishment that the accused would have received had he been found guilty.—Deut. 19:17-21.”

Watchtower 1954 6/15

Words are dangerous tools. And Jesus warned his disciples to be careful as to the use of them: “Whoever addresses his brother with an unspeakable word of contempt will be accountable to the Supreme Court; whereas whoever says, ‘You despicable fool!’ will be liable to the fiery Gehenna.” He further added that “the good man out of his good treasure sends out good things, whereas the wicked man out of his wicked treasure sends out wicked things. I tell you that every unprofitable saying that men speak, they will render an account concerning it on Judgment Day; for by your words you will be vindicated, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matt. 5:22; 12:35-37, NW) A Christian who is well mannered will not call his brother a fool, or stupid, or other uncomplimentary names.

We here at JW Struggle and I am sure, all those who read these pages, hope the Watchtower will repent from their hateful name calling and slander against us, their fellow brothers in Christ. We hope they will consider the above comments they made on this subject in the past. Calling someone an “apostate”, “empty well” or “mentally diseased” among other things as they did in the 2011 9/11 Watchtower Study is the same as calling them a “despicable fool”. They clearly established that in their above comments. Even if it were true Jesus made no allowance for such judgmental harsh words. We fear for our brothers at the Watchtower and those who follow their conduct in this. We pray Jesus will not throw them literally into “Gehenna”. Let us all pray that our brothers at the Watchtower see how wrong they are and have been for years beating their brothers as they seem to believe our master is delaying. They are bitter because God has not made the words of these “servants” come true. Isaiah 44:26, “the One making the word of his servant come true, and the One that carries out completely the counsel of his own messengers.”

Your brother in Christ,
Greybeard

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46 Comments on We Would like to let the Watchtower Comment on their 9/11 Study article about Apostates…

  1. Now here’s something I can agree on with the Society. As for your closing comments Greybeard, Amen!

    Your Brother in Christ,
    Dennis

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    • greybeard says:

      Doesn’t it make you wonder if they even read what they write? Today I looked up “despicable fool” in the Watchtower and I couldn’t believe what I found. This info is a gold nugget in my opinion. I keep hoping it is a matter of time before the GB is removed. Forgiven of course but removed from their Babylonian Tower. They have created a Tower and sit on top like Gods. Notice at Numbers 20:10 Moses made the mistake of calling the Israelites rebels, a word equal to apostates: “After that Moses and Aaron called the congregation together before the crag, and he proceeded to say to them: “Hear, now, YOU rebels! Is it from this crag that we shall bring out water for YOU?” Remind you of anyone? We know what happened to him for this attitude.

      Is anyone at Bethel reading this? Hello…

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      • Alden says:

        I think they’re reading GB! They’re not that “foolish”. I have the feeling they base some of their articles on what the ‘competition’ is saying!

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  2. greybeard says:

    I am surprised there are not many comments on these articles… To me this really is amazing. Out of the horses mouth, the Watchtower, they admit calling someone an “apostate” is equal to calling them a “despicable fool”.

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    • Amos says:

      Sorry Greaybeard, I should have put a reply up before.
      Yes I fully agree with what you have said regarding the articles.
      I believe that the WTS have condemned themselves by their own reasonings…out of the mouths of fools. (sorry I couldn’t help myself)
      How long is it going to take for the r&f, to wake up to the truth regarding the WTS? There must be many within it’s clutches who are genuinely thirsting for the truth of the scriptures, & are generally being fed much worse than the “milk of the word.”

      Amos

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      • greybeard says:

        Thanks Amos,

        No need to apologize to me. I just was surprised more people were not surprised at these articles as much as I was. Maybe they were but just didn’t post. At least you didn’t say “despicable fools” LOL

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  3. andrew says:

    Thanks for the research greybeard. It is surprising how often they manage to condemn themselves out of their own mouth.

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    • greybeard says:

      Isn’t it though? Wow! I honestly couldn’t believe this when I read it. How in the world do they think this does not apply to them? Do you think they think it is ok to speak such words if they “are true”? It just boggles my mind big time.

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      • Alden says:

        The sometimes wonderful things we read from the WT unfortunately go ‘into one ear and out the other’ for many of its readers. It all sounds good in the magazine, but few are practicing it. In the case of the GB, it’s ‘from the mouth, into one ear and out the other’! It’s the common human trait to not practice what one preaches. When I was back in the “Big House”, I thought I would find the principles of the WT in full bloom (maybe I did – that’s why I left). But I did see a crevasse between what was taught on basic Christianity and what was practiced – even by the ‘biggies’.

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        • Alden says:

          Alden:
          The sometimes wonderful things we read from the WT unfortunately go ‘into one ear and out the other’ for many of its readers. It all sounds good in the magazine, but few are practicing it. In the case of the GB, it’s ‘from the mouth, into one ear and out the other’! It’s the common human trait to not practice what one preaches. When I was back in the “Big House”, I thought I would find the principles of the WT in full bloom (maybe I did – that’s why I left). But I did see a crevasse between what was taught on basic Christianity and what was practiced – even by the ‘biggies’.

          PS: Even in the above mentioned article there was such an inconsistency, quote: “Show personal interest in others, but do so in ways that respect their privacy and that do not take away their dignity (nice!). Remember, too, that we should not impose our own views on others regarding matters that they need to decide for themselves.” But did they not just in the same article impose their own views on “apostasy” on others?

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  4. JWB says:

    Well Brother Greybeard, what more can I add to your excellent article? Let me see, ah yes:

    The GB should all be disfellowshipped for ‘brazen conduct’!

    How’s that?

    ;0)

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    • greybeard says:

      Hahaha!

      I don’t think the GB answer to any “elder” body at all or other “anointed” for that mater. They have set themselves up over the congregation. I don’t see them DFing themselves as a group. They all could turn on one member as they did Ray Franz.

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  5. stranger says:

    I want to say brother greybeard that in my experience the GB are not entirely to blame. Many JW’s, elders & CO’s alike that I have spoken to, show a real strong admiration and profound respect for these men. And they will passionately defend them with a vengeance if you attempt to criticise anything they say or do.
    I believe the majority of JW’s like being governed this way. It makes them feel secure. Most of them don’t have problem with it. The GB are affectionately perceived as Christs brothers and seen as the “Holy fathers” of the organisation.
    So personally, I feel that many Jehovah witnesses are greatly responsible for the power and authority that these men exercise over them.
    Just my humble opinion, but I could be wrong.

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    • greybeard says:

      You are right Stranger,

      Jesus warned us about “false prophets” and “Christ’s” or saviors that would draw men after themselves. Luke 21:8, “He said: “Look out that YOU are not misled; for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The due time has approached.’ Do not go after them.” So if we follow them it is our own fault for not listening to Christ and the many warnings in the Bible about false prophets. However, the GB is to blame for their dishonesty and beating their fellow slaves. They tighten their grip on the JW’s and shut up the Kingdom of Heaven before men.

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      • Alden says:

        I agree with you, bro. GB, especially the part of our own responsibility for their exalted position. If someone enjoys going to the Kingdom Hall, however, I don’t see much of an alternative than to tollerate their lofty opinion of themselves and to keep ones own opinion to oneselve, except when we have the freedom of speech to do so such as in this forum.

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  6. JWB says:

    stranger, I understand what you are saying. I think once people wake up to the fact that if one places oneself ‘in the seat of Moses’ one cannot but expect to be held to a very high standard. Today I wrote an article on my blogsite concerning the protection of children (please see link below). Instead of labelling people with that ‘despicable word of contempt’ (‘apostate’), how about the GB put their own house in order by doing something significant about protecting vulnerable members of the congregations?

    http://jwbaptism.blogspot.com/.....ncern.html

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  7. stranger says:

    JWB & Greybeard
    I agree. Thanks. May God be with you both.

    “There is no religion higher than Truth”

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  8. Wakeupwitness says:

    What is truly sad is that witnesses around the globe follow the governing body but yet if you were to ask any witness to tell you all the names of the governing body members I betcha 99% couldn’t….which is pretty sad.
    The peoples temple knew who their leader was…..Jim jones.
    The branch Davidians knew who their leader was also…..David Koresh.
    But yet, witnesses have no clue what their leaders names are.

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  9. coco says:

    Dear Brothers:
    New to your delightful forum (as of today), I observe a love for Jehovah and Jesus Christ as well as that for the sheep. While I now see Biblical matters in a new and revealing light, I was brought up spiritually, as it were, by several members of the anointed remnant.
    If any might be perceived as truly “Christ’s brothers,” I sincerely felt it was they, as exemplified by their clearly observable Christian traits: humility in service to the sheep, devotion to our Father and His Son, kindness toward all. Of course, my applying Scripture to what I understood to be their prophetic role has been based on the Society’s viewpoint. Needless to say, I do not see these godly traits in the Governing Body insofar as they define and portray themselves through hate speech.

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    • greybeard says:

      Welcome coco! We hope you enjoy the site!

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    • max says:

      HATE SPEECH!

      Matthew 23:29 says that the religious ones Jesus is talking to our hypocrites! What is the difference between a hypocrite and a fool?

      Matthew 24:48,51, where jesus says bad servant and will cut him in pieces. The GNB! The Good News Bible—not very good new for people who do what Mathew says they would be doing.

      So lets look at the two sides.

      1. Group goes onlone and bashes JW,s.

      On the other hand JW,s go house to house teaching people. Mat 10:5;28:18-20;Luke 8:1-3; 9:1-6; 10:1-12; Acts 5:42;20:20; Ro 10:9-17; Eph 6:1-10. Feet shod with the Good News? “Many people will be purified. Those who are wicked will not understand but will go on being wicked; only those who are wise will understand.” Dan 12:10 GNB

      With just those facts I am convinced the wicked can reason on it. So is it a easy thing to gp on the internet and bash JW,s? Is it easy to go door to door and tell everybody about JW,s? Which one do you do? The only ones I have seen in my culdisack are JW,s.

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      • JJ says:

        Max

        This is now your second comment on the JWStruggle site, and I would like to thank you for your viewpoint. I agree with you that the 9/11 Watchtower was indeed hate speech in calling those that have disagreements “mentally diseased” and other even worse things.

        That said, I’d be happy to answer the questions you raised, as I can tell that you feel strongly about it:

        “So is it a easy thing to gp on the internet and bash JW,s? Is it easy to go door to door and tell everybody about JW,s? Which one do you do? The only ones I have seen in my culdisack are JW,s.”

        Going door knocking for a couple hours each Saturday, driving around in a large mini-van and getting coffee and making an occasional RV while visiting with your friends is not hard. All of us on this site have done that in the past for years. It is a “form of Godly devotion”, done largely not for the joy of helping others, but so as to help oneself gain status and the required quota of hours logged onto a field service report.

        It is far more difficult to venture out of our comfort zone, honestly examine what we have been taught and what deep research reveals and compare the two. Many of us have gone through this painful process, and then we realize, just as Martin Luther and William Tyndale did, that we sometimes must choose love and devotion to God over adherence to the dogmas and edicts of a group of imperfect men.

        That my brother is the hardest part of our Christian journey here. Not swallowing the camel whole; that is much too easy and commonplace is it not? Please Max speak to your local brothers about this place; let them know that you have been attempting to refute what you feel is wrong here. Seek their advice and please let us know how it is received.

        I say these things not in sarcasm but in love.

        Your Brother,
        JJ

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        • max says:

          Thank you JJ;

          On that WT about being dieseased, it was a Scripture quote you know. Consider some other Bible translations. Will just give two, but suggest going to Bible Gateway and look at several more. BLE 2 Ti 4:3,”For there will be a ime when they will not stand sound teaching.” 1Tim 6:frictions between men unsound in mind.” NJB ,”are neither rational nor informed.” GNB,”whose minds do not function.” I rest my case.

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          • JJ says:

            Max

            Saying that a person is mentally diseased does not make it so. Saying that a person’s “mind does not function” also does not make it so. If I simply say that I am from Wisconsin does that prove it?

            If you have specific reasoning that would indicate this applies to me or another brother on this site, what is it? The above article has many scriptural references and reasoning attached to it.

            Where is your sound reasoning brother? Explain it to me and I will listen to it happily. Give me relevant scriptural counsel and I will accept it. We come here to encourage one another and not to tear down anyone’s faith. But Peter said to be ready to make a defense of the faith and we all want to be able to do that.

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  10. AwareBeing says:

    What we’re witnessing here, is the the next evolutionary phase of the WT’s GB. Their prideful arrogance has increasingly been “projected” onto many of the elders, and in the last two decades has reached undeniable heights. Such as; these “false shepherds” effects on the people, and are running cliques inside their local halls.
    One notable phase was supplanting the anointed by calling all elders “stars” in Christ hand. Next the corporate GB clamed to be the only means of salvation through God; thus eliminating Jesus as intercessor! Now in true cultic fashion; they have made themselves “a god”, by defining apostasy and judging the hearts of men.
    Thus; no Bible conscience for the flock, no anointed, no Christ, no YHWH God, and no Bible has the final say. Only GB rules as written in the WT need apply; truly a control cult of the NY elders!

    PS: The angels are still relegated to accompanying JW’s in their ministry, but are on the verge of assigning them as their personal guardian angels!

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  11. JWB says:

    WATCH. 2011 JULY 15

    [Simplified English Edition, page 21]: “17 But we are acting against Jehovah’s purpose if we do not obey the *faithful and discreet slave* or if we choose to obey only what we think is important. And if we act against Jehovah’s purpose, we cannot be his friends …”

    [Regular Study Edition, page 28]: “17 On the other hand, if we minimized the Bible-based counsel that we receive through the *faithful and discreet slave* class, choosing to follow an independent course, we would be placing ourselves at odds with God’s unfolding purpose. This could endanger our peaceful relationship with Jehovah …”

    *faithful and discreet slave* means in reality the GB. So, what we have here is a statement that if you don’t obey everything the GB says then you cannot be Jehovah’s friend! Just remember Jeremiah. Just remember all the men and women of conscience who throughout history dared to question the commands of those who regarded themselves as God’s appointed ‘channel’.

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  12. JWB says:

    I thought this article appearing yesterday in the British newspaper The Independent might be of interest to the folk here.

    “The official magazine for Jehovah’s Witnesses has described those who leave the church as ‘mentally diseased’, prompting an outcry from former members and insiders concerned about the shunning of those who question official doctrine…”

    http://www.independent.co.uk/n.....61448.html

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  13. Alden says:

    Could it be that the once ‘faithful and discreet slave’ has turned ‘evil’ and ‘started to beat its fellow slaves’?

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  14. JWB says:

    This matter so concerned me, that I decided to write my own response which can be found here:

    http://jwbaptism.blogspot.com/.....to-do.html

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  15. JWB says:

    “MEGALOMANIA n. 1. a mental disorder producing delusions of grandeur.” [English Oxford Dictionary definition]

    Sorry, I couldn’t resist it! ;o)

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  16. serein says:

    IV JUST BEEN DOING A SEARCH ND FOUND THE DAILY MAIL DATED TODAY ONLINE SAYING THE POLICE IN UK ARE DOING AN OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION IN TO THE STATMENTS ON APOSTATES BEING MENTALY DESEASED AND WHAT NOT

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  17. serein says:

    oops i mean daily telegraph

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  18. Victor says:

    I have a question on a bible topic.

    Ok. The WT teaches that Babylon The Great will be destroyed by the Scarlett Colored Wild Beast. I assume this is a total destruction, including the people and the Clergy of Christendom.

    The WT teaches that the Clergy is the “Man of Lawlessness” at 2 Thess 2:3-8. Verse 8 says that Jesus himself does away with this “Man of Lawlessness”.

    Question is: If the Clergy is the man of lawlessness and gets destroyed by the wild beast then who does Jesus do away with?

    Confused.

    Victor

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    • Jayme says:

      Hi Victor, Good points. I have also reasoned similar. Just my two cents and nothing set in concrete…. but I think its quite possible the “man of lawlessness” is the same as the beast found in Rev. 13. That beast recieves the worship of the whole world similar to how the “man of lawlessness” lifts himself above all things and shows himself to be a god. I am thinking that in 2 thess.2:4 this is summerizing his total domination, including the destruction of Babylon the Great and the persecution of those loyal to God. These things are later described in greater detail in Revelation. At the end of the great tribulation Jesus is manifest and at that time this beast or “man of lawlessness” is brought to nothing along with its followers. 2 Thess.2:8-12, Rev.19:11-21

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      • Bro. Ed says:

        Jayme, this is a bit of a late response but I felt compelled to pick up the thread. “The man of lawlessness” has always been associated with the clergy or false religion. The JWs especially focused on this explanation to support their Roman Catholic bashing days. Not much has changed and the WTS continues to equate “the man of lawlessness” as another symbolic representation of The Harlot. Well here is the interesting thing. This “man of lawlessness” is singular in reference; “man” not “men”. Okay, but if it’s symbolic a man can represent many men. That may be the case if it’s symbolic, but not if it’s literal; would you agree? Let’s read the entire passage:

        “Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-8 ESV)

        The first thing to note is the similarity between this passage and the book of Daniel’s last evil king:

        “As for the ten horns,
        out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise,
        and another shall arise after them;
        he shall be different from the former ones,
        and shall put down three kings.
        He shall speak words against the Most High,
        and shall wear out the saints of the Most High,
        and shall think to change the times and the law;
        and they shall be given into his hand
        for a time, times, and half a time.
        But the court shall sit in judgment,
        and his dominion shall be taken away,
        to be consumed and destroyed to the end.
        And the kingdom and the dominion
        and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven
        shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High;
        their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom,
        and all dominions shall serve and obey them.'” (Daniel 7:24-27 ESV)

        “He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. “And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done. He shall pay no attention to the gods of his fathers, or to the one beloved by women. He shall not pay attention to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all.” (Daniel 11:32, 36, 37 ESV)

        Again, this is similar to Jesus’ words of warning in Matthew:

        “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),” (Matthew 24:15 ESV)

        There is a correlation to this king, who causes desolation and sets up the abomination, and the Beast of Revelation. In fact there’s also a correlation to these teachings an the little known document of the first century called the Didache. In this document (some believe to have been written around 70AD) there is a passage that appears to encapsulate the teaching of Paul found in Thessalonians. It reads:

        16:1 Be watchful for your life; do not let your lamps be quenched or your loins be ungirded, but be ready, for you do not know the hour in which our Lord comes. 2 Be often gathered together, seeking what is fit for your souls, for the whole time of your faith will not profit you if you are not perfect [full-grown, fully-mature] at the end of the season. 3 For in the last days false prophets and seducers will be multiplied, and the sheep will be turned into wolves, and love will be turned into hate. 4 For as lawlessness increases, they will hate and persecute and betray one another. And then the deceiver of the world will appear as a son of God, and he will do signs and wonders, and the earth will be delivered into his hands, and he will do unlawful things such as never happened since the world began. 5 Then the creation of man will come to the fiery trial of testing, and many will stumble and perish, but those who endure in the faith will be saved alive from under the curse. 6 And then will appear the signs of the truth: first the sign of an opening in the heavens, then the sign of the sound of the trumpet, and thirdly a resurrection of the dead: 7 not of all, but as it is said: “The Lord will come and all his saints with him.” 8 Then the world will see the Lord coming on the clouds of heaven.” Didache 16:1-8

        Now back to the argument of symbolism vs literalism. Do these passages appear to be symbolic or do they testify to the literal appearance of an evil king (world ruler) who will exhalt himself above all gods, even the most high God. He will come to power not by his own authority but the authority of Satan in order to deceive and destroy Gods people. He will meet an end, not at any mans hands, but by Christ himself.

        This is my understanding of “the man of lawlessness”

        Your brother in Christ

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  19. Mae says:

    Hi…I’m new…I appreciate this site and all the information and comments.

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  20. disappointed says:

    Welcome Mae.. I hope you find this place to be as upbuilding and encouraging for you as it does for all of us.

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  21. ruth says:

    Mae my name is Ruth.
    So glad to meet you. May out father bring peace and love in your life as he slowly opens your eyes to the way he wants you to go.
    What disappointed quoted was so right. Here is what she said. Please read.
    John 16:12,13
    So please also do not be over whelmed. Just enjoy and take in when the spirit of God tells you what is true and what is not.
    Listen with your heart @ mind. Jesus will help you with all you need to know. Of cause check in your bible what humans say.
    As you give our father your love of truth he will return his love and more truth to you.

    We are here for you.
    Love you Mae
    Sister Ruth.

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  22. Willie says:

    “The man of sin” (lawlessness) is a man and the “harlot” is NOT a man, so they can’t be one and the same whether literal or symbolic. A virgin is used in the Bible to represent the members of the true Church; likewise a harlot is used to represent the members of the false Church. The “man of sin” is not a congregation. Many, including myself, would say that he is the Pope–not any particular one, but the Papal office.

    This premise was included in the Preface to the King James Version of the Bible from 1611 until at least until 1947–the date of the one that I have in my hand. I will confirm that it includes the words “Man of Sin” and I will quote the following: “So that if, on the one side, we shall be traduced by Popish persons at home or abroad, who therefore will malign us, because we are poor instruments to make God’s holy truth to be yet more and more known unto the people, whom they desire still to keep in ignorance and darkness, or if, on the other side, we shall be maligned by self-conceited brethren, who run their own ways, and give liking unto nothing but what is framed by themselves, and hammered on their anvil, we may rest secure, supported within by the truth and innocency of a good conscience, having walked the ways of simplicity and integrity, as before the Lord,…”

    As a former Protestant, who almost joined the Worldwide Church of God, and who now studies the Bible with others of like precious faith, I can relate to those who are struggling on this site to know the will of God and the meaning of the Scriptures. Count your blessings! for at the time of beginning my search, there was no Internet for moral support or spiritual growth.

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  23. greybeard says:

    I believe the “man of lawlessness” could be any man or group of men that sets themselves up over his brothers. They make themselves equal to God by doing this. The governing body of Jehovah’s Witnesses are no different then the Popes throughout history in my view or any other religious group that does the same thing. Jesus said that he was our leader and we are all brothers. (Matthew 23:8) In the recent March 15 Watchtower page 20 (download here: http://download.jw.org/files/m.....120315.pdf) the governing body made this bold statement:

    “The other sheep should never forget that their salvation depends on their active support of Christ’s anointed “brothers” still on earth. (Matthew 25:34-40)”

    Can you believe this bold statement? This is what I mean by ones making themselves equal to God… Does not our salvation depend on our faith in Christ Jesus and our following in his footsteps? Is our salvation not a gift from God?

    Of course the governing body of JW’s couldn’t care any less about all of the “anointed brothers” but rather what they are implying is supporting the members of the governing body. The JW’s have produced two different classes of Christians, those who are “anointed” and those who are not. There is no Biblical support for this double class of Christians. (Ephesians 4:4) They have opened and shut the door to heaven over and over throughout the last century mostly shutting the door of heaven before men. (Matthew 23:13-15)

    This is only my opinion but I believe this “man of lawlessness” is a huge group and can include anyone who sets themselves up as a “christ” or “saviour” over his brothers. I believe those in Babylon the Great fall into this group as well but maybe not all. Maybe only the leaders… This man of lawlessness will fall when Christ returns and that didn’t happen in 1914! (2 Thessalonians 2:8)

    I do believe one thing is for sure, the members of the governing body of Jehovah’s Witnesses are apart of this “man of lawlessness.”

    I am only a man so of course I could be wrong. I will not disfellowship anyone if they do not agree with me 😉

    Your brother in Christ,
    Greybeard

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  24. Bro. Ed says:

    GB, it’s refreshing to be able to put forward our point of view without the fear of reprisal. Like all thińgs, keep an open mind. I only started to change my view on the “man of lawlessness” after realizing that Christ hadn’t yet returned and 1914 was a huge lie. When I read 2 Thessalonians 2 1-12 again I was able to see a different prophetic warning that mirrored Daniel and Revelation.

    But as I always say, these sorts of things don’t make us any less or better as Christians. They’re there for us so that when the time is right they will help us make sense of the times we are facing so that we can be strengthened and not loose faith.

    You brother in Christ

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  25. v says:

    Ruth is Quoting JJ
    It is far more difficult to venture out of our comfort zone, honestly examine what we have been taught and what deep research reveals and compare the two. Many of us have gone through this painful process, and then we realize, just as Martin Luther and William Tyndale did, that we sometimes must choose love and devotion to God over adherence to the dogmas and edicts of a group of imperfect men.
    That my brother is the hardest part of our Christian journey here.
    ———-

    Max.
    l agree with what JJ is saying here.
    l know others plus myself still are the faithful kind of people that love the Father with all our hearts. Leave him? Never! “No one will take our Father from us” Words can doing nothing to us.
    We have come to see thats its the holy spirit that teaches us now.
    Not man made religions who try to rule the masses with an ion rod.
    Not like religions who change there minds using the scripture that says the light gets brighter and brighter. Then when they change again and are they saying. Oh! the light was a bit dim we have to now revert back to our original teaching.

    Child inoculation caused lots of witness families havoc in past times.
    Who placed the heavy loads on these families? ” One year its safe to have these things done to our children then years later they revert back to there original practice. Men have no right to interfere
    with what medicine to give our children. Nor should they over ride a persons conscience.

    Where is all that in scripture? Max one has to have to have intestinal fortitude to walk away from the Tower and religion. Actually these people here who have done that are very brave.
    What ever there reasons were. Mentally diseased? What a dread evil thing to say.
    We do not need to go into any religion for answers anymore after testing the spirit of our Father he reveals everything we need to know at this given time. He is the one who teaches true Christians.
    He has now told us its Jesus the son we are to follow. John 14:16 “He being the only way.

    Nor have we let go of truth. We cannot accept man made theories or altering of doctrines to suit required religions. Is this wrong? No this means we do have minds of our own. Independent
    thinkers? ‘You bet” But not from God from MEN who promote they are from God.

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