I take this up

Today I read a 1971 publication of a Jehovah's Witnesses textbook entitled, "'The Nations Shall Know that I am Jehovah' How?"

It is their treatise on the modern-day application of the book of Ezekiel. When Jehovah judged Israel through destroying them, He will do the same to those who profess Jesus Christ in a New Covenant yet prove themselves to be nothing more than adulterous idolaters as the Jews did in Ezekiel. The entire whole of Christianity (minus their sect, obviously), is in league with, and is indistinguishable from, the cultural and political heart of any nation in the world in which its religious citizens are active in policy or government. Particular shame is reserved for the nations which are commonly considered "Christian." It said that Adolf Hitler and other dictators were inciting the wrath of the God upon Christendom when they would do things such as hire astrologers as their personal advisors. Just as it was difficult for Ezekiel to deliver this upsetting news of destruction, so it is difficult for Jehovah's Witnesses to be a watchtower over all false Christians who adhere to the words of the Bible.

I did not exaggerate anything I paraphrased above.

Let me share with you some of the passages I put my highlighter on:

Page 275: "For decades now since the year 1919 C.E. this anointed remnant of Jehovah's Christian witnesses have been forewarning of the destruction of Christendom according to the prophecies of Ezekiel and other writers of the inspired Bible. More and more they appreciate what this annihilation of Christendom will mean in the way of human lives and material properties considered sacred by religionists."

Page 277: "Is this not something thrilling to contemplate, namely, the fulfillment of this prophetic drama within our generation? It will be definitely indicated when the 'great tribulation,' like the seige against Jerusalem, begins upon her modern-time counterpart, Christendom (Ezekiel 24:1-5)."

Page 224: "This meant that Nebuchadnezzer was very superstitious, relying for his official guidance upon demonistic practices, such as divination. This reminds us of how political rulers of even Christendom rely upon demonism for guidance in their political activities and decisions, the fortune-tellers and clairvoyants of Washington, D.C., for example, being heavily patronized by the national politicians who have their offices there. The Nazi director of the Third German Reich, Adolf Hitler, in his day was notorious for his dependence upon astrology, having a special official astrologer. They no more look to Jehovah for guidance than did Nebuchadnezzer."

I have three major missions:

1) To show that our entrance into a covenant with God is irrevokable because God is faithful no matter what we do.

2) That anyone can apply wrath passages to people they know who have done wrong things. I need to think of a comparable example of some group who deserved wrath for their faults but received mercy instead.

3) There is a difference between putting faith in Christ, and a culture of Christianity.

For the last two I have several ideas rolling around, so that's good. But as for #1, since they reject Romans 11 "God's call is irrevokable and so all Israel will be saved," I actually have to read the whole Old Testament now, so that I can know for myself that God is still going to save them. I'll just start with the editor's book introductions for now, to get a simple start.

I guess this is it. It's time to get the OT done. If you accept this assignment, expect poor dressing habits, tomatoes broken by a 2-year old into the carpet when you aren't looking, and papers splayed across all horizontal surfaces. You've got till Monday afternoon. Good luck. (You're going to need it.)