January 14, 2007

What They Believe: Jehovah’s Witness

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Opening Words: In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote, “Theology is practical: especially now...If you do not learn theology, that will not mean that you have no ideas about God. It will mean that you have a lot of wrong ones.” Perhaps, that quote is for our age? Our theology is extremely poor. The Biblical standard has been replaced by personal opinions and ideas, all in the name of political correctness. The end result is we live in a time of spiritual impotency. People who look nice and sincere can tell us anything and we believe it. Why? Because, we just don’t know any better. We don’t even know what we believe. I believe that is why cults are growing in our area and I have grown tired of it. The time has come to do something before one more soul is lost. But, what can be done?

In the next few weeks we are going to look at five cults that exist within our area. Today, we look at the cult called Jehovah’s Witness. Do you know any Jehovah’s Witnesses? Some are very nice and sincere. Some have some admirable treats. The problem is their theology is poor. This morning’s scripture lesson exposes their heresy. Let us look at First Thessalonians 5:1-10.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 ¹Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, ²for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

⁴But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. ⁵You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. ⁶So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. ⁷For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. ⁸But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. ⁹For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁰He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as in fact you are doing.

At the height of the Second World War, Protestant theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer was imprisoned for taking a stand against Hitler. Yet, he continued to urge fellow believers to resist Nazi tyranny. A group of Christians, believing that Hitler was the Antichrist, asked Bonhoeffer, "Why do you expose yourself to all this danger? Jesus will return any day, and all your work and suffering will be for nothing." Bonhoeffer replied, "If Jesus returns tomorrow, then tomorrow I'll rest from my labor. But today I have work to do. I must continue the struggle until it's finished."

I appreciate that story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer because his theology was clear and accurate. He lived out the words of our scripture lesson today. He knew in his heart that someday Jesus would return and the problems of this world would be nothing more than a memory. However, he also knew that his return would be a great surprise. He knew that we should live everyday as if it were our last day. I believe we should get the most out of everyday because we never know when Christ will return. That is one of the reasons I am not a Jehovah’s Witness.

Everyone knows the name Jehovah’s Witness. They are known for their aggressive style of evangelism. They come right to your front door. Did you know there are ninety-seven thousand congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the world today? All of these congregations are accountable to their headquarters in Brooklyn, New York. They believe they are the one true church of Christ. According to our local edition of the AT&T Yellow Pages there are twelve Jehovah Witness congregations within the Mahoning Valley. The closest one to this building is at 6510 Leffingwell Road, Canfield. We know they are out there but do you what they believe?

Their teachings can be traced back to their founder Charles Taze Russell. He was born in 1852 in Old Allegheny, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh. By the time he was twenty years old he had already left both the Presbyterian and Congregational Churches. His reason was theological. He had trouble balancing the concept of eternal hell with a merciful God. He began to study the Bible independently. It was through these studies he discovered things that the world had missed. He announced to the world through a small booklet in 1872 that Christ would return, invisibly, in 1874. According to his calculations the world, itself, would end in 1914. In order to promote his ideas, he organized Bible studies and wrote what God had shown him lately. In time his writings were called the Watch Tower. He saw himself as a special messenger from God. The church saw him as a heretic. His ideas still are the basics of the moment today.

So what do Jehovah’s Witnesses believe? Their theology is poor. I do not have time to expound on them all. So let me just summarize five major disagreements with the church. So if you are ready say, “Amen!”

1. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe Jesus was the fallen Archangel, Michael. We believe that Jesus was the son of God. In other words, we believe that Jesus is God incarnate. Jesus and God are one. The two can not be separated. That is what makes Christmas so special. God took a human form so he could experience all that we experience. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

2. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in the physical resurrection of Jesus. We believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. He was not a ghost in those resurrection appearances. He physically walked out of that tomb. In the twentieth chapter of John he showed Thomas his scared hands from the cross. In the twenty-first chapter of John he ate a breakfast of fish with the disciples he was hungry. He proved to them (and us) his was a bodily resurrection. The bodily resurrection of Jesus is important because it says he completely defeated death. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

3. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in a progressive revelation. In other words, they believe the Bible is incomplete. They believe God is still speaking to the through the editors of the Water Tower publication. We believe that the Bible is complete. John Wesley said it best. He said, “The Bible is not perfect but the is sufficient for the salvation of our souls.” And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

4. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe the exact date for the end of time can be calculated. Through Bible study, their founder, Charles Taze Russell calculated that Christ would return and the world would end in 1914. In 1914 the Great War began but Christ didn’t return. Charles Taze Russell died in 1916. His followers recalculated. They announced that Christ would return in 1918. Guess what happened? The year 1918 came and went. Christ still didn’t return so they recalculated. They announced to their followers that the new date was 1925. The problem was 1925 came and went so they recalculated. They told their followers the new date for Christ’s return was sometime during the 1940’s. When the 1940’s came and went they recalculated. They announced to their followers the new date would be 1975. The year 1975 came and went but there was no sign of Jesus. (Do you notice a pattern developing?) In 1980 the governing body of the Jehovah’s Witnesses movement issued an apology for the miscalculations. Perhaps, we shouldn’t be so hard on the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

It isn’t just the Jehovah’s Witnesses many have tried to uncover that great secret of Christ’s return. Many have tried. For example, William Miller predicted Christ would return to this world on April 3, 1843. His followers (some 100,000 strong) responded to his words. Some of his disciples went to mountaintops, hoping for a head start to heaven. Others went the graveyard, planning to ascend into heaven with their departed loved ones. Philadelphia society ladies clustered together outside of town to avoid entering God's kingdom amid the common herd. When April 4 dawned, Miller announced to his followers he had made a mistake. The real date for Christ’s return was March 21, 1844. His followers responded and once again the date came and went. He tried again. This time the magic date was October 22, 1844. Once again, the date came and went. Today is January 14, 2007 and we are still waiting for the Master’s return. The truth is Christ’s return is a reality. He will return. However, God has not chosen to reveal that time and date to us. That is what the church believes. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

5. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe only 144,000 people will be saved. That number comes from the fourteenth chapter of the Book of Revelations. It says in the text that 144,000 will surround God’s throne, no more, no less. They believe that within their flock is the 144,000. Only the top 144,000 will be saved. They knock on your door to make sure they are not number 144,001. It is another way of saying they are earning their salvation. They are in competition with each other to take sure their place around the throne is safe. It is too bad they didn’t keep reading. If you keep reading it says surrounding the 144,000 is a multitude of people who are saved. God’s grace is not limited. There is more then enough grace to save us all! And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

So what is my Biblical response the Jehovah’s Witnesses? My Biblical response to the Jehovah’s Witnesses comes from fifth chapter of First Thessalonians. It was Paul who wrote these words and Paul who founded the church in Thessalonica during his second missionary journey. The theme of the text is the end of time. The Apostle Paul was a wonderful Christian but he would have made a horrible Jehovah’s Witness. I say this for two reasons.

First, he says the end time can not be calculated. He says quite clearly in the text. Verse one and two says, “Now, brothers, about times and dates, we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” A thief does not tell you when he is coming so you lock your door everyday. You lock your door every night because you must always be prepared. We must live everyday like it is the last day. This may be the day that the Lord will return, only God knows.

Second, he says that heaven can not be “maxed out” at a certain number. Verse eleven says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” In other words, we should encourage one another to live life at a high standard. We are not in competition with each other. We are to support each other. The goal is to get everyone in heaven. Heaven just wouldn’t be the same without you! And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

On Tuesday evening I officiated at the funeral of Ursula Gann. She was 77 years old at the time of her death and was sincerely loved by her family. They told me she was born in Germany and came to the Youngstown area in her late twenties. It sounds funny today but she came to this area because her husband, Richard, could find work. I ended that service with the same story I use in every funeral service. Many of you have heard me say it.

Several years ago, someone asked me the question what I look forward to in my own death. The answer I gave was both honest and selfish. What I look forward to in my own death is being reunited with all the people I have missed for a long time. I look forward to being reunited with my father. He has been gone for nearly eleven years! I look forward to being reunited with my mother. I look forward to being reunited with my grandparents. I never knew my paternal grandmother in this world but I will meet her in heaven. I look forward to being reunited with my seminary friend, David Glenn. He left us far too soon. I look forward to being reunited with some wonderful people from this church that I still miss. I miss Bob and Lois Dick. I miss Kathy King. I miss Roberta Hamilton. I miss Ron Schoch. I miss Chick Baber. I miss Grant Rhoads, Alice Russell and Barb Williams. I miss John Jarvis, Edith Sankey and Roberta Snare. I miss Bud Dugan. I miss Clarence and Florence Hird. I miss Blanch and Wendell Goodhart. I miss so many from this congregation that we have lost. Someday you are going to die. I want to eternity with you, too! The faith teaches us that someday we will all be reunited again with those we have lost. We are all going to be in heaven together for eternity! I am so glad I am not a Jehovah’s Witness. I don’t want to be in competition with you to get one of those 144,000 magic spots. I want to encourage you so we can spend eternity together! And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”