The Bible vs. The Watchtower

“Round 5”

 THE “STONE” OF GOD

“The testimony of God’s stone witness and

prophet, the great pyramid in Egypt.”[1]

One of the most fascinating aspects of Watchtower prophecy concerns their reliance on so-called secret messages found inside ancient Egyptian pyramids.  Pastor Charles Taze Russell, the Watchtower’s founder, announced in the late 1900s that God hid secret messages of future events inside the walls of such pyramids, and in particular, within The Great Pyramid of Gizeh.  Some of the messages discovered by Pastor Russell through his study of the pyramids (also known as pyramidology), include the following:

“While every feature of the Great Pyramid’s teaching is important and of interest, our greatest interest centers in its silent but eloquent symbolism of the plan of God – the Plan of the Ages.”[2]

“… the very stones of this Great Pyramid of Testimony are crying out in no uncertain tones.  Every inch of this massive structure is eloquently proclaiming the wisdom and power and grace of our God.”[3]

“… the outline drawings of God’s great plan have stood for four thousand years, prepared to give their testimony at the time appointed, in corroboration of the similarly revealed, but for ages hidden, testimony of the sure Word of Prophecy.  The testimony of this ‘Witness to the Lord in the land of Egypt,’ like that of the written Word, points with solemn and unerring precision …”[4]

Notably, in his 1891 book Thy Kingdom Come, Pastor Russell also disclosed a divine and prophetic revelation he obtained from the pyramids.  Obscured for centuries, this divine message was apparently revealed by God through Pastor Russell, who was to be God’s instrument for delivering its interpretation.  This revelation was so profound that Pastor Russell referred to it as “the testimony of God’s stone Witness and prophet, the great pyramid in Egypt.”  The following is an excerpt of the prophetic revelation, in which Pastor Russell interpreted that the Pyramid of Gizeh established 1874 to be a year of great significance:

[2] Russell, C. T.  Thy Kingdom Come.  Pennsylvania: Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society, 1891 (1st ed.), p. 328 (emphasis added).

[3] Russell, C. T.  Thy Kingdom Come.  Pennsylvania: Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society, 1891 (1st ed.), p. 376.

[4] Russell, C. T.  Thy Kingdom Come.  Pennsylvania: Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society, 1891 (1st ed.), p. 376 (emphasis added).

https://thebiblevsthewatchtower.wordpress.com/

First and foremost, the gift of salvation is exactly that … a gift.  It is not offered to us because we deserve it.  It is not something that can even be earned.  It is beyond any monetary value … it is priceless.  It is truly the gift of all gifts – a profound display of God’s love for mankind.  However, although God’s promise of salvation is free for you and me, it came at great cost to God.  The Bible tells us that He sent His one and only son, Jesus Christ, to earth to be the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf:

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”  John 3:16

It is important to note in this verse that God’s gift of eternal life, while free, is conditional – whoever believes in His Son will have eternal life.  Therefore, we must believe in Jesus Christ in order to receive the gift.  We cannot earn salvation through our actions:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9

As the Bible says, we are saved by grace through faith.  So what must we do to receive this gift?

“that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.”  Romans 10:9

Therefore, according to scripture, if you believe in God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and you verbally declare that Jesus is Lord, and you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, then “you shall be saved.”  God’s promise of salvation is available to anyone and everyone who accepts His Son, Jesus Christ, as their Lord and Savior.  Further, as explained by Dr. Zodhiates, the Apostle Paul informs us that when we become saved, we are also cleared of the guilt of sin and made righteous:

“For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.”  Romans 5:19

“Above everything else, this must be understood: God does not only declare us justified, but makes us just (Rom. 5:19).  He clears us of the guilt of sin and gives us power against sin.”[1]

One way we demonstrate our appreciation to God for this amazing gift is to carry out our Christian responsibility – sharing God’s Word with others.  Therefore, when Jehovah’s Witnesses come to your door, remember the Great Commission.  What better time to share your faith, than when someone comes to your door to share theirs?

This review is posted on Amazon:

5.0 out of 5 stars … The anecdote works, January 6, 2010
Cochise Pendleton set out to write a book that would provide an anecdote to the Watchtower addiction which controls even those who’ve left the organization. The last page sums it all up by restating the author’s purpose in exposing the Watchtower’s lack of credibility which in turn renders their teachings meaningless. I believe he accomplished his goal. As one formerly addicted to the Watchtower’s pseudo Christian teachings, I agree that in order to accept any other biblical interpretation, the mighty wall of Watchtower authority has to come down first.

“The Bible vs. The Watchtower’s” presentation as a “case” shows the qualities of an attorney’s touch and in so doing lives up to the title which promises it’s jury “you decide…” The scope of this jury ranges from struggling current and former members of Jehovah’s Witnesses, the family and friends called to help and understand their addiction, and the body of Christ given the commission to share the true gospel of Jesus Christ with those who show up at their doors. The author offers tips on how Christians can go about sharing their faith respectfully with one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and includes the story of his own spiritual journey as well.

Among the variety of books authored by former members of this religion, Mr. Pendleton’s stands out as unique due to the scores of Watchtower quotes and court case trial transcripts he managed to fit within less than 100 pages. It’s concise size with such easily referenced quotes make this a valuable ministry tool for those engaged in reaching Watchtower members. I would also recommend it for church leaders equipping their members through small group studies.
Julie
former member of Jehovah’s Witnesses

This review is posted on Barnes and Noble:

5.0 of 5 stars … An Easy & Informative Read even for the Non-Secular Crowd
Posted January 9, 2010, 7:46 PM EST: The Author has clearly shown the JW Watchtower as being cult-like without being preachy; I truly enjoyed the ” You Decide ” aspect of the book and due to the Author’s Extensive Research, the Reader is shown the overwhelming evidence not favorable to his former JW Faith.
Chuck

The first review was taken from Barnes and Noble, and Mary gave it a 5-Star Rating:

Posted January 2, 2010, 6:01 PM EST: This book is exactly what the title states, Bible Vs. The Watchtower, it proves that by using the Bible and comparing it with the Watchtower’s teachings, you can come to the conclusion for your self. The Watchtower claim’s they are God’s sole channel here on earth, the book brings the bible into the light of every claim, even use’s the Watchtower’s own material! The author present’s the evidence you decide! Wonderfully written, informative, not bias, I recommend this book to everyone to read.

The second review came from Amazon …. and it too was given a 5-Star Rating:

January 4, 2010    A must read book!

The third review provided by Chum Alexanian reads:

“I would like to express my gratitude to Cochise for The Bible vs. The Watchtower … You Decide … Cochise’s research and scholarship are irrefutable.  The facts are documented and commentary is minimized.  As an evangelical Christian, I endorse the book … I am grateful to Cochise for affirming the clear Scriptural position of God-man, Jesus Christ, and His finished, redemptive work for all at Calvary.  Therefore, I recommend this book for all Christians as a source for evangelizing Jehovah’s Witnesses.”