[Quotes from the Watchtower, including their New World Translation, are in blue.]
Recently the Watchtower [WT] reversed a long-standing doctrine regarding the separating of the sheep and the goats, (Matt. 25:31-46).
Both minor and major doctrines may be changed by the WT at any time. Jehovah’s Witnesses must continually be prepared to make what the WT terms “adjustments” to their thinking. Only by carefully reading the constant flow of literature can a Witness keep in step with the Watchtower’s “newest light” and make the necessary internal and external adjustments. In late 1995 a major change was sprung upon Jehovah’s Witnesses by the WT.
You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, 1982, p 183, states: “since Christ returned and sat down on his heavenly throne, all humankind has been on judgment... During the present judgment people are being separated as ‘goats’ to Christ’s left hand or as ‘sheep’ to his right.” (emphasis added)
The WT of Jan. 1, 1988, p 16, confirmed this: “Yes, all mankind is being scrutinized to see who are ‘sheep’ and who are ‘goats.’... the messages are broadcast by human mouthpieces under angelic direction. A person is identified as a ‘sheep’ or as a ‘goat’ by the way he responds to the angelic messages. During this 20th century, only Jehovah’s Witnesses have cooperated with the angels in this vital work.” (emphasis added)
But now, as it turns out, Witnesses have been doing no such thing!
The Oct. 15, 1995 WT suddenly announced the rejection of this long-standing WT doctrine regarding the present separating work, teaching instead a future judgment: “Does this parable apply when Jesus sat down in kingly power in 1914, as we have long understood?” The WT says No: “the rendering of judgment on the sheep and the goats is future. It will take place after ‘the tribulation ... breaks out and the Son of man ‘arrives in his glory.’” (emphasis added)
The WT told Witnesses they were assisting in this separating work by their door to door teaching ministry. Now, after all these years the WT has decided that is not the case. The WT has taught false doctrine, and, according to the WT, that makes them a false prophet. We quote from the WT, May 15, 1930:
"In the New Testament, and in our day, the word "prophet" has a thought similar to that of our word "teacher", in the sense of a public expounder. Hence when the term "false prophet" is used, we shall get the correct thought if we think of a false teacher.” (emphasis added)
The WT by it’s own measure is a false prophet and a false teacher. And Witnesses have been misled as to the purpose of their door to door work.
Jesus warned against false prophets. Come to Jesus with your disappointment and confusion. He is revealed through the written word, the Bible, and He will never disappoint you.
Written by Greta Olsoe
www.soundwitness.org
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