AS A FORMER MEMBER of the Watchtower organization the identity of Jesus Christ is a central tenet. Their doctrine teaches: (1) Jesus Christ is not God), (2) Jesus Christ was God’s first creation, (3) Jesus Christ is Michael the Archangel. Are these beliefs Scriptural? The purpose of this article is to entertain these questions. Jehovah’s Witnesses claim to accept God’s inspired word as their absolute authoritative source. This is what they assert and this is what they claim to believe. These questions will be examined through the lens of Scripture.
Who is Jesus Christ? Watchtower doctrine: (1) Christ is the first creation of God, (2) Jesus Christ is Michael the Archangel, (3) Jesus Christ is not God. In other words God the Father created Jesus Christ named him Michael the Archangel and called him “a god.” These are Watchtower tenets. God’s word teaches: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Scripture will become our exclusive authoritative unimpeachable source void of Watchtower materials to test, affirm or refute the Organization identity doctrine of Jesus Christ.
God Identifies Jesus Christ
THE Person to ask about the identity of Jesus Christ is His Father. He inspired men to write Scripture. What is Scripture? God’s instructive message to humans. In other words God’s word is our roadmap to life. Our English version of the Bible is a translation from the Greek. To understand what the Greek language is literally communicating buy yourself a Greek English Interlinear and Greek-English Lexicon. There are many to choose from but be careful because of bias. Not all scholars are “honest scholars.” I would highly recommend your home library have a couple sources for comparison purposes. These tools are essential in helping the Bible student glean the true meanings of Greek words used. I will share an example of a Greek-English Lexicon as this article develops.
Hebrews 1:5 tells us: “For to which of the angels did He ever say, ‘YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU?” Hebrews 1:5b: “And again, I WILL BE A FATHER TO HIM AND HE SHALL BE A SON TO ME”? God continues at Hebrews 1:6, “And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, “AND LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM.” Jesus Christ is the Person being spoken of. God explains why His Son is to be worshiped, “BUT of the Son He says, THY THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM” (Hebrews 1:8).
Verse 9: “THOU HAST LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS; THEREFORE GOD, THY GOD, HATH ANOINTED THEE WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE THY COMPANIONS.
Greek Word Worship προσκυνέω – proskuneo used at Hebrews 1:6
Greek English Lexicon: Hebrews 1:6 … “worship: “(to prostrate oneself); to kiss the hand to (towards) one, in token of reverence … b. of homage rendered to God and the ascended Christ, to heavenly beings, and to demons … absol. (our to worship)” (Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of The New Testament, by Joseph H. Thayer, pg. 548).
Example Number 2: “To worship, do obeisance, show respect, fall or prostrate before. Literally, to kiss toward someone, to throw a kiss in token of respect or homage … In the New Testament, generally, to do reverence or homage to someone, usually by kneeling or prostrating oneself before him. In the Septuagint it means to bow down, to prostrate oneself in reverence, homage (Gen. 19:1; 48:12). (II) Spoken of those who pay reverence and homage to deity, render divine honors, worship, adore, with the basic idea of prostration, which, however, is often dropped (cf. Sept.: Gen. 47:31; 1 Kings 1:47). (B) Of the Messiah with the dat. (Hebrews 1:6).” (The Completed WordStudy Dictionary New Testament pg. 1233 -34 by Spiros Zodhiates Th.D.)
The two examples above (1) Greek-English Lexicon by Dr. Thayer (2) Completed WordStudy Dictionary New Testament by Dr. Spiros Zodhiates; both are Greek scholars providing their scholarship definition assessment of the Greek word “worship” used at Hebrews 1:6.
Side Note: Hebrews 1:8,9 is a direct quote from Psalm 45:6,7 which reads: “Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever, A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Thy God, has anointed Thee With the oil of joy above Thy fellows.”
Hebrew text of Psalm 45:6
כִּסְאֲךָ֣ (kis’aka): “Your throne”
אֱ֭לֹהִים (elohim): “God”
עֹולָ֣ם (olam): “forever”
וָעֶ֑ד (va’ed): “and ever”
שֵׁ֥בֶט (shevet): “a scepter”
מִ֝ישֹׁ֗ר (mishor): “of uprightness”
שֵׁ֣בֶט (shevet): “a scepter”
מַלְכוּתֶֽךָ (malkuteka): “of your kingdom”
Hebrew text of Psalm 45:7
אָהַבְתָּ (ahavta): You have loved.
צֶּדֶק (tzedek): Righteousness.
וַתִּשְׂנָא (vatisna): And you have hated.
רֶשַׁע (resha): Wickedness.
עַל־כֵּן (al-ken): Therefore.
מְשָׁחֲךָ (meshakha): Has anointed you.
אֱלֹהִים (Elohim): God.
אֱלֹהֶיךָ (elohecha): Your God.
שֶׁמֶן (shemen): Oil.
שָׂשׂוֹן (sason): Joy.
מֵחֲבֵרֶיךָ (mechavrecha): Above your fellows.
Translation: You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy above your fellows.
Context Context Context. It is imperative to read the entire context to glean the meaning of any individual text. What does the context reveal? YHWH aka Yahweh aka “I AM” aka Jehovah aka God the Father talking to His Son calling Him, God, “THY THRONE, O GOD.” He instructs His angels to worship God the Son.
Observation: Understanding Greek and Hebrew words (through Scholarly works) brings clarity to our English translations turning them into lucid translations (clear and easy to understand). For example, Hebrews 1:8,9 quoting Psalm 45:6,7. The Watchtower’s Bible “New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures” translates Hebrews 1:8, “God is your throne …,” and Psalm 45:6, “God is your throne …” The literal translation of both texts are, “Your throne God …” Here we see God calling His Son, God. To avoid this identity of Christ the Watchtower added the word “is” to the text (not part of the inspired text), and rearranged God’s word sequence (replacing Your throne God with God is your throne) which changes the entire meaning of the passage. This is a deliberate attempt to hide the true identity of Jesus Christ. Their reason is purposeful … to mislead their members and push their Jesus Christ identity doctrine: Jesus Christ is Michael the archangel aka “a god” aka God’s first creation.
Greek text of Hebrews 1:9: “ἠγάπησας δικαιοσύνην καὶ ἐμίσησας ἀνομίαν · διὰ τοῦτο ἔχρισέν σε ὁ θεός, ὁ θεός σου, ἔλαιον ἀγαλλιάσεως παρὰ τοὺς μετόχους σου”.
Translation: “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your companions.”
To reiterate, Hebrews 1:8,9 is a quote from Psalm 45:6,7 both revealing God the Father addressing His Son, “THEREFORE GOD, THY GOD, HATH ANOINTED THEE WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE THY COMPANIONS.” God the Father addressing His Son calling Him, God. The angels were told to worship God the Son by the Father.
Another Example of Word Manipulation:
The Apostle Paul identifies Christ at Colossions 1:16: “for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created by Him and for Him.” Verse 17: “And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Here we see two categories (1) Creator, (2) created things. The Apostle Paul places Jesus Christ into category #1, Creator.
The modus operandi (mode of operating) of the Watchtower regarding Jesus Christ is to remove all Scriptural references of His Deity. Colossians 1:16, 17 is just another example. The Watchtower Bible (NWT) in Colossians purposefully removes Jesus Christ as Creator / Deity through word manipulation. Notice the brackets at verse 16 and 17: “because by means of him all [other] things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All [other] things have been created through him and for him. Also, he is before all [other] things and by means of him all [other] things were made to exist.” The word (other) does not appear in this Greek text indicated by brackets. Brackets alert the reader that the word is not part of the original text. By adding this word to the text removes Jesus Christ as Creator to one of the things God created.
The Watchtower Bible attempts to promulgate their Jesus Christ doctrine (a god, Michael the archangel, God’s first creation) by adding words to the text or through word manipulation. According to untampered Scripture Jesus Christ is the Creator of all things in heaven and on earth.
Greek English Translation Colossians 1:16
16 ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ ἐκτίσθη τὰ πάντα ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, τὰ ὁρατὰ καὶ τὰ ἀόρατα,εἴτε θρόνοι εἴτε κυριότητες εἴτε ἀρχαὶ εἴτε ἐξουσίαι· τὰ πάντα δι’ αὐτοῦ καὶ εἰς αὐτὸνἔκτισται,
English: For by him all things were created in the heavens and on the earth, visible things and invisible things, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things have been created through him and for him.
Greek English Translation Colossians 1:17
17 καὶ αὐτός ἐστιν πρὸ πάντων καὶ τὰ πάντα ἐν αὐτῷ συνέστηκεν.
English: He is before all things, and in him all things are held together.
Summary:
Jesus Christ is God. His Father called Him God and instructed His angels to worship Him. The Watchtower has attempted to obscure the true identity of Christ through word manipulation and adding words to the original text. Through the use of a Greek English Interlinear along with Greek and Hebrew scholarly works the Watchtower deception has been exposed. Use a variety of Greek and Hebrew scholarly sources for comparison purposes. Never rely on one source.
Jesus Christ Before The Beginning
My articles are written for Watchtower members in hopes of opening up their minds and hearts to Scripture. Unfortunately the Organization “brainwashing” techniques have convinced WT members that their Bible (NWT) is Scripture. Members truly believe that they are reading the most reliable and accurate Bible in the world. Therefore, their Scripture (NWT Bible) is absolute truth while all others (Bibles not written by the Watchtower) contradicting their NWT is from the devil. This is what they teach and this is what they believe. This is a major stumbling block for all Jehovah’s Witnesses and the power the Watchtower holds over them. Only God can open their minds and hearts to see the truth. I can do nothing. I can only share God’s word and He does the rest.
Getting Back To Our Theme “Who Is Jesus Christ”
John 1:1:
Ἐν ἀρχῇ (en archē): “In the beginning”
ἦν ὁ λόγος (ēn ho logos): “was the Word”
καὶ (kai): “and”
ἦν πρὸς τὸν θεόν (ēn pros ton theon): “was with God”
καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος (kai theos ēn ho logos): “and God was the Word” or “and the Word was God”
“The first important word to consider is the verb ‘was.’ This is in the imperfect tense. It is unfortunate that we do not have a true imperfect tense in English, and therefore it is difficult to translate the Greek imperfect. The Greek verb een, ‘was,’ holds the key to the understanding of John’s statement. This is what we call the durative imperfect of the verb eimi, ‘to be.’ And what does that tense convey to us here? It speaks of a time before the beginning of things. In other words, John tells us that this Logos, this Word, was in existence before the created world. Therefore we would be fully justified in translating this first clause, ‘Before there was a beginning, the Word had been.’
…
The Apostle John, then, is not interested primarily here in who created the world or who existed before the beginning, but since when has this Logos or Word existed? His subject is the eternity of the Word. The emphasis is not on the Word but on the time element, ‘in the beginning,’ and that is why it is placed at the beginning of the verse and of the whole Gospel. If this Logos, Jesus Christ, of whom he is about to speak, did not exist before there was a finite beginning, then the whole foundation falls. Whatever he says will be sheer nonsense. The verb een, in the durative imperfect, takes the Word far back of the created world, farther than can be imagined by our finite minds. In it there is the concept of eternity. Eternity is timelessness. But we as limited human beings can only think within the limited concepts of time and space. It is hard for us to imagine anything or anybody not bound by them. Yet God, who is free of these boundaries, has to use human language to make us understand His thoughts, as far as that is possible. But the very humanity of the language blurs the divinity of the thought behind it. With God there is neither past, nor present, nor future. God is timeless, yet whatever He says to us has to be put within the periphery of time. He has to give us a starting point, and that starting point He calls, ‘the beginning.’ But we must remember that God Himself is not limited by the beginning of which He makes mention. What John actually implies here is that, when there was no time, the Word was; when no human mind existed, the Word was.
‘Mother, who made God?’ ‘That’s a hard question, Jimmy. Why don’t you go out and play for awhile?’ answered the puzzled mother. But when Jimmy insisted on an answer, the mother was inspired to take off her ring and hand it to her little boy, saying to him, ‘Here, Jimmy, show me the beginning of it and the end of it.’ After careful examination Jimmy turned to his mother and said, ‘But mother, this has no beginning and no end.’ That actually is the meaning of the durative imperfect verb een, ‘was,’ in this first clause of John 1:1.
When John later speaks of John the Baptist and of the coming of the Word to the world in human form (verse 6), he uses an entirely different verb, egeneto, meaning ‘became’ or ‘came,’ which definitely refers to a particular time in an historic setting, for it is the second aorist of the verb ginomai. In other words, there was a time when neither John the Baptist nor Jesus the man were in existence. But there was never a time when Christ, as the Word, the Logos, was not. The verb een, then, found in verses 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, and 10, indicates continuous existence; while the verb egeneto, found in verses 3, 6, 10, and 14, refers to a limited existence. There is a wealth of knowledge in just understanding the distinction between these two verbs in this important passage of John 1:1-18.’” (WAS CHRIST GOD, by Spiro Zodhiates, Chapter 9, pgs. 39-42
FINAL THOUGHTS:
THE SUBJECT under discussion at John Chapter One was not about who created the world but rather when did the Logos/Word come into existence. The Logos/Word was already here before the beginning said John, but that was not what he was underscoring. The emphasis was placed on the time element (in the beginning). “In the Beginning was the Word.”
To help us understand the meaning behind this Greek word used by John (was) Greek Scholar, Spiros Zodhiates, enlightens us: “The verb een, in the durative imperfect, takes the Word far back of the created world, farther than can be imagined by our finite minds. In it there is the concept of eternity. Eternity is timelessness.” When did the Logos begin to exist? Verses 3, 4, 8, 9, and 10, indicates continuous existence. In other words the Logos/Word had no beginning. The Logos/Word is Eternal.
The Watchtower dances around Scripture. They generally ignore the true meaning of Scripture when it contradicts their tenets and doctrine. John 1:1 is a prime example. To reiterate, the Logos/Word had no beginning. Jesus Christ the man had a beginning yes, but the Logos/Word had no beginning and therefore, is Eternal. The Word is God.
God the Son is not to be confused with God the Father or God the Holy Spirit. That topic will be for another time.
We have Scripturally proven (1) Jesus Christ the man had a beginning, (2) The Word / Logos had no beginning, (3) The Word / Logos is Eternal / God.
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