Truth Magazine

By Shane Carrington

Like most denominations, the Jehovah’s Witnesses have premillennial ideas about Jesus’ second coming. Their entire belief system is tied to a literal one thousand year reign of Christ over this earth, believing it is necessary to the “endless life and happiness of the world,”‘ and that Jesus will be “the one whom Jehovah employs to reestablish Paradise here on earth.”‘ We will here explore some of their beliefs about Jesus’ second coming and the end time.

Premillennial Predictions

Jehovah’s Witnesses are more speculative than most denominations when it comes to the second coming of Christ. They believe the millennium is to “shortly happen,”‘ “within this generation,”‘ and that “a literal millennium fits in harmoniously with the proved timetable of God.”‘

Several times they have predicted this advent. They said Jesus would come again in 1874 (which they explain as a miscalculation to be blamed on The Emphatic Diaglott and the King James Version0). Later, believing God’s people who survive Armageddon “will be favored with the privilege of literally seeing the resurrected `Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets’ back here on the Paradise earth and in royal service under the Kingdom of God,’ they said, “Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Issac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews chapter eleven, to the condition of human perfection.”‘ But this event did not happen either.

The most often promoted of their predictions is 1914. They believe Revelation 6 depicts World War I (1914), which “marked the time when . . . Jesus Christ, received the heavenly crown.’ But since the church was not glorified in heaven on Oct. 1, 1914, they said, “Something must have been miscalculated.”i0 They now say that “since that time (1914 when they believe he was enthroned”) Christ has turned his attention toward earth’s affairs and is . . . educating the true Christians in preparation for their survival during the great storm of Armageddon, when all unfaithful mankind will be destroyed from the face of the earth.””

They still believe Jesus came and was installed king, but invisibly so. “Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the kingdom is a real government from heaven, that it will rule over the earth, and that Jesus Christ is its appointed invisible king”” (Isa. 9:6,7, KJ). “Although it occurred invisibly to our human eyes in the heavens, yet it was in the year 1914 . . . that . . . there were given to the `son of man’ all that `rulership and dignity and kingdom.”‘” So they believe that in 1914 Jesus received his crown and began to reign invisibly from heaven as a prelude to the millennium which will come in our generation. Premillennial Proofs Their proof for all of this?

Jesus foretold that this would take place within the generation of those who would witness an extraordinary upheaval in human affairs. Concerning his “presence,” Jesus gave a composite “sign” involving such developments as unparalleled warfare, earthquakes, famines, pestilences — yes, and the worldwide preaching of the good news of God’s kingdom (Matt. 24:15; Mk. 13; Lk. 12). Jesus’ prophecy involves events taking place right now in our 20th century. Hence, it will not be long before God’s kingdom brings grand blessings to mankind. You can be among those to en-joy the benefits of kingdom rule.”

Premillennial Proof Texts Examined

While Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 speak of “extraordinary” events and the “presence of Jesus,” they are not predicting the coming of Jesus to destroy the world and usher in the millennium, because nineteen hundred years ago Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things are fulfilled” (Matt. 24:34). Jesus was speaking to the people then; it would happen in their generation, not some future period like ours!

The verses they quote in these chapters are not referring to the prelude of some millennium but to the destruction of Jerusalem On 70 A.D.) during the lives of many of those Jesus addressed! In Matthew 23 Jesus condemns the Jewish leaders for their hypocrisy and closes that speech by sentencing them to destruction for persecuting and killing God’s prophets (vv. 29-35): Saying “See! Your house is left to you desolate” (v. 38); and “Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come on this generation” (v. 36). In Matthew 24 the disciples show Jesus the glory of the temple (v. 1), and he declares it will be destroyed (v. 2). Then they ask him when Jerusalem and the temple will be destroyed and how they will know the time (v. 3; see especially Mark’s ac-count, 13:4). Then Jesus tells them, in apocalyptic language, of calamities that will precede Jerusalem’s destruction (v. 33). He further said these events would occur during the first century (Matt. 23:36-39; 24:32-34). Jesus was speaking to first century disciples about a destructive event that would occur in their day, not nineteen hundred years later! Jehovah’s Witnesses misuse these chapters just as do most premillennialist!

The Nature of the Book of Revelation

Another text they use to “prove” their millennial misconceptions is the book of Revelation. But if all premillennialist would simply study verse one they would see that their end-time ideas of this book are erroneous. “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants — things which must shortly take place. And he sent and signified it by his angel to his servant John” (Rev. 1:1). Two points: first, whatever events this book predicts, they would “shortly take place”! How can anyone stretch that to cover nineteen hundred years? Jesus revealed something to John about what Christians were facing then! Any interpretation of Revelation that does not take this into account is wrong, including premillennialist! If premillennialist is true, it must be proven so from some source other than Revelation.

Second, the Revelation was written in highly symbolic language: “He sent and signified it… ” This, too, shows the fallacy of believing in a literal one thousand years, literal 144,000, etc. Often, in the same context, and without con-textual reason, people will interpret one thing literally and another figuratively. Jehovah’s Witnesses do this with the 144,000 saying the number is literal, but that they were not necessarily literally beheaded as per Revelation 20:4.’0 I also doubt they believe only literal virgins can become part of the 144,000 (but in Rev. 14:4 they are so described). If you are going to say Revelation is literal, at least be consistent: interpret everything in the book literally! Don’t hop from literal to figurative whenever it suits your leanings on the book! Verse one declares the book’s figurative nature, so we must have strong contextual reasons before accepting part of the book’s imagery as literal. Since Revelation is figurative, where will premillennialist get their literal one thousand years?

The King and Kingdom Have Long Existed

Besides these things, Jesus’ kingdom has been in existence since the first century (Matt. 3:1,2; 4:17; 10:7; 16:18,19; Mk. 9:1; Col. 1:13; Rev. 1:9) with him presiding as king (Acts 2:29-36; Eph. 1:17-23; Matt. 28:18-20; 1 Tim. 6:14,15). These events occurred long before 1874, 1914 or 1925. Jehovah’s Witnesses gave “prophecies” of events that took place long before they made their predictions!

Conclusion

Finally, Peter declares that when Jesus comes again the world will be destroyed by fire, not turned into a Paradise like Eden:

But the heavens and the earth which now exist are kept in store by the same word, reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. . . But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Seeing then that all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens, being on fire, will be dissolved, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? (2 Pet. 3:7,10-12; emp. SC).

The Witnesses say this means the earth will be cleansed by fire and prepared for Paradise on earth, but Peter’s inspired language makes their conviction impossible! No earth will exist to possess for Paradise after Jesus returns, for he will usher in the final judgment, not a millennial reign of peace over the earth (2 Pet. 3:7,11,12; 2 Thess. 1:4-10).

Footnotes

‘God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, p. 19, 1973.

“‘The Watchtower,” “Opening Up the Way Back to Paradise,” August 15, 1989, pp. 13,14.

‘God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years, p. 18.

‘Ibid., p. 44.

‘Ibid., p. 19.

`Ibid., pp. 206-211.

‘”The Watchtower,” “Paradise Restored Glorifies God,” August 15, 1989, p. 18.

‘Millions Now Living Will Never Die, pp. 89,90, The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1920.

‘God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years, pp. 164,165. “Ibid., p. 188.

“Ibid., p. 319.

‘Make Sure of All Things, p. 319, The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1953.

“”What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe?”, by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, p. 3.

“God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years, p. 259.

“”The Watchtower,” March 15, 1992, “What God’s Kingdom Can Mean To You,” p. 6.

“God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years, pp. 31-34. Gr

“The Witnesses say this means
the earth will be cleansed by fire and prepared for
Paradise on earth, but Peter’s inspired language makes their
conviction impossible! No earth will exist to possess for Paradise
after Jesus returns, for he will usher in the final judgment, not
a millennial reign of peace over the earth (2 Pet. 3:7,11,12;
2 Thess. 1:4-10).”

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 8, p. 12-13
April 15, 1993

By Donald P. Ames

Recently my wife made a call to her mother in Aurora, Illinois. After a ring or two, the phone was lifted off the receiver. Then she heard it hit the floor, and a few seconds later a crash followed. She was sure she also heard a groan. Knowing her mother was in very bad health, she became uneasy  especially when there was no response to her calls into the receiver. Finally, she hung up and tried again. The line was busy. Ten minutes later, it was still busy. She was by now very concerned. After several moments discussion, it was agreed to call her nephew in nearby Naperville and have him go over and see if her mom was OK. After all, he had a key to the house, and he could get in to see what had happened. Certainly her intentions were good in her concern for her mother.

David, in his sudden haste to get there, dashed out of the house so fast he left his keys behind. Now, he had no way to get back into the locked house, nor to get his car started. He had no way to get to her mom’s! As he worried about the situation, he decided to call a friend who had a set of keys to his house. Meanwhile, what about Miram’s mom? He decided if she was hurt, she could not afford delay, so he called 911. Again, his intentions of helping were good, and so was his concern.

The police, fire truck and ambulance all arrived at her mom’s house in a matter of just a few minutes, but there was no way to get in. The house was dark and locked up. A car was parked next to the drive way in a crooked fashion  it was not her folks’ car! They looked through the windows with a flashlight, and saw the telephone lying in the middle of the floor, but could not see anyone. They too were now quite concerned what was going on in the house. Having David on the phone, they asked for permission to kick the door in. (Recently we had purchased a new lock for the door, as Miriam’s mother was uneasy about the security of the house.) David granted it, worried about what might have happened. The door did not yield! They broke the glass, the lock still would not yield! They kicked hard, but the lock would not budge. Finally, they used an ax and cut the door to pieces (being an over-sized door, it has to be special made to replace, but by now all were concerned about what may have happened). The lock still would not yield! But access was ultimately gained into the house. They quickly searched the rooms to see if they could find anyone. Everyone was concerned, and all were working with good intentions of helping anyone who may be hurt, but no one was there!

It turns out Miriam’s mom and dad had gone to a gospel meeting (apparently the phone had just vibrated off the table when it rang), and they drove up about that time to see glass and wood all over, the house broken into, and all the vehicles everywhere. They were shocked and a bit scared. But, they were OK! (And she will keep that lock!)

The point of all this is that many times we may be working with nothing but the best of intentions, but that doesn’t mean we are right in our assumptions! Too many have good intentions, but have not asked God what he thinks about it (cf. Rom. 10:1-3). They too may be as shocked as those in Matthew 7:21-23. In religious matters, we cannot afford to act on “good intentions,” and assume the results will be good, even if others are equally convinced! We need, in-stead, to check into all the facts (via the Bible), and make sure we are right before we proceed. Assumptions do not make “good intentions” right regardless!

“… we cannot afford to act
on ‘good intentions,’ and assume the results
will be good, even if others are equally convinced! We
need, instead, to check into all the facts (via the Bible), and
made sure we are right before we proceed. Assumptions do
not make `good intentions’ right  regardless!” I’

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 9, p. 9
May 6, 1993

By Connie W. Adams

Christians near the end of the century, especially those in Asia Minor, were undergoing severe persecution. Satan was behind it all and had found two allies to afflict God’s people. They were symbolized in Revelation 13 as a beast rising out of the sea exercising a great political power and as a beast coming off the land, symbolizing false religion. The two powers merged in emperor worship and used false wonders to deceive people. The saints did not and could not receive the mark of this beast. Under such trying circumstances they needed instruction and hope. The book of Revelation was intended to pro-vide both.

As the visions unfold, John is allowed to see the ultimate fall of these two beasts who are to be cast into the lake of fire where Satan himself would finally be cast. The persecuting power is symbolized as Babylon the great because that had been the great power which led God’s people into captivity in Old Testament times. As God brought down that Babylon, so he would bring down this Babylon which afflicted his New Covenant people.

Revelation 18 describes the fall of these evil powers and sounds a warning to the people of God of that day not to be caught up in the sins which characterized the citizens of Rome. “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye not be partakers of her sins, and that ye not receive her plagues” (Rev. 18:4). The spirit of the world has often infiltrated the lives of God’s people. That spirit is seductive. Sin and rebellion against God is made to look attractive. It sparkles and sizzles. It shimmers and shines. It promises real living and delivers death. We are warned, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world” (1 In. 2:15-17). We are commanded to “come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord” (2 Cor. 6:17). “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshy lusts, which war against the soul” (I Pet. 2:11).

The reason God would judge that great harlot was that “her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities” (v.5). She had become arrogant and said, “I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow” (v.7). But God said, “she shall be utterly burned with fire; for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her” (v.8). God judged ancient Tyre and brought it down. It was a center of commerce and of great immorality. Her sins reached unto heaven and God said, “Enough!” God judged Nineveh and brought it down. Her sins had reached unto heaven. God judged ancient Babylon which thought it was invincible. It also said there is “none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow” only to be told by God that “they shall be as stubble” (Isa. 47:7-15). Her sins had reached unto heaven. Through the prophet Daniel, Belshazzar was told “the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men” (Dan. 5:21).

In the case of Rome, John saw in vision the kings of earth, the merchants, the shipmen  all mourning the fall of this vast giant of power and evil. Theirs was not the mourning of patriots. They saw the hope of their gain lost. Revelation 18 closed with the silence of the tomb. The bustle of commerce, the sound of music, the noise of the craftsmen, the quaint scenes of home and hearth and the light of the candle, and the excitement of the wedding feast  all of this is stilled forever.

I thought of this when I visited the Rome Forum. What once was the boulevard of an empire, which witnessed the triumphant processions of the legions of Rome as they returned with slaves and the plunder of conquest, where elaborate and ornate temples to the gods dazzled the eye, was now a sad spectacle of crumbled ruins. You see, her sins reached unto heaven and God, who was stronger, judged her. Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots, came in remembrance before God.

What About Our Sins

The downward plunge of our own nation is cause for deep concern for all who have learned from the word of God that God will not tolerate evil in a nation forever. We once spoke of “trends” toward national decay. But now the evidence of such national rot are stamped across the stage of action as we watch with disbelief. Disdain for God’s marriage law is rampant. Murder, arson, rape, malfeasance of public officials, children passing through metal detectors at school to screen out knives and guns, these and more are the staples of daily news in the U.S.A. Raw language and explicit scenes are becoming common place of the evening news both locally and nationally. TV shows like Phil Donahue, Joan Rivers, Geraldo, and Sally Jesse Raphael feature every form of aberrent behavior. Any moral objection or statement based on biblical principles is held up to ridicule. What passes for entertainment in prime time television is an exercise in moral debauchery. We have a president who said in his election campaign that he would make abortion a litmus test for any appointee to the Supreme Court of this nation. His official act was to remove the “gag rule” at federally funded abortion clinics. Our nation has seen 28 million legal abortions (translate that murders) since the infamous Roe vs. Wade decision handed down by the highest court in the land. The blood of the innocents cries out for vindication. The president is trying to change the rules about homosexuals in the military. Many denominational churches are on record as endorsing homosexuality even among the “clergy.” Public schools have become public enemy number one when it comes to morals and family values. Every subject of study has been subjected to a humanistic approach which desensitizes the rising generation to sin. Moral judgments are being neutralized. Every form of perversion has become “an alternate lifestyle.” Public schools are becoming distribution centers for condoms and sex education classes have become crash courses in how to commit fornication without shame, without contracting some disease and without getting pregnant. Shall I go on?

How Long, Oh Lord?

The longsuffering of the Lord does not endure forever. He has judged Egypt, the Amorites, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Israel, Rome, the empires of Napoleon and Hitler. God has always allowed space for repentance. But the time comes when God has seen enough and has had enough. He is still the governor among the nations.

The hope of the millions of lost souls in this land is the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is God’s power to save (Rom. 1:16-17). But what if the salt loses its savor? What if the light of righteous people is under a bushel? What if preachers of the gospel wink at sin and dilute the message? What if elders seek out preachers to scratch itching ears? What if Christians prefer fables to truth? What if Christians are themselves seduced by the siren call of the sins of the age and are overcome by the temptations? We must not lose this battle, folks! We are going to have to work harder just to save our own children. We are a definite minority. Our voice sounds so strange to the ears of so many. Our children are made to feel out of step with the spirit of the age and if they are pleasing God, they are out of step.

But we are not without strength and influence. Who knows but that we have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? It is a time to watch and pray. It is also a time to boldly, clearly and faithfully proclaim the good news that a Saviour came from heaven, died for our sins, was raised from the dead, and sent the gospel message into all the world that the lost might be saved. His disciples have marching orders and we must be about our Father’s business. There is no time to waste. Let’s get on with it!

Applications

In the home. What tone of voice do I want my mate to use in speaking to me? If I want her to have the “law of kindness” on her tongue (Prov. 31:26), then I should speak kindly to her. What would I want her to do for me if she saw me busy with a hundred chores? If I would want her to get up and help me, then I should get up and help her with her chores instead of sitting in my Lazy-boy and drinking Diet Pepsi. What role would I want her to play in the discipline of our children? If I do not want to always to come across as the “heavy,” then I should be sure to take an active part in the correction of our children so that she does not come across as the one constantly condemning and criticizing.

On the job. Sometimes I have to hire someone to repair a washing machine or refrigerator. He starts charging me $35-40 an hour from the time he leaves his office. I would be angry if he stopped at McDonalds and got a cup of coffee while he read the paper, intentionally prolonged his job for whatever reason, or in any other caused my bill to be higher than it had to be. I expect him to do his work efficiently and as quickly as he can. If this is what I expect from those who work for me, then this is the kind of work I should give to my employer.

If I do not want someone to come into my garage and steal my tools, I should not steal the tools which my employer provides. If I would desire everyone to cooperate with me, if I were the supervisor of the shop, I should cooperate with my supervisor.

In personal relationships. Sometimes a person goes around the country telling lies about his brother, maliciously slandering his name and character. If I do not want others to gossip and slander me, then I should not be guilty of doing that to them (Lev. 19:16; Prov. 18:8; 26:22). Many church problems have been created by those who did not practice the Golden Rule. If there are some things which have occurred to me that I do not wish to have broadcast to everyone, then I should not broadcast ever juicy tidbit of gossip I hear about others.

Many churches are troubled by self-willed brethren who are so bent on having their own way that they are willing to disrupt the peace and harmony of the local church to get their way. In matters of personal judgment, do I want to work with a group of self-willed men (Tit. 1:7; 2 Pet. 2:10; 2 Tim. 3:4)? If not, I should learn to be as flexible as possible on matters of personal judgment.

Sometimes brethren make severe, harsh judgments on one another. They are censorious, guilty of evil surmising in the meticulous examination of every word written or spoken. If I do not want brethren to use such harsh, severe, critical judgments of my every move, then I should not do that to them.

In ministering to the needs of others. There are some fine examples of saints who have ministered to the needs of suffering saints (such as Dorcas, Acts 9:36-39). What would 1 want my brethren to do if I were so sick that I could not work for 2-3 months and had no income? If I would want them to help me financially, stop by to visit me, help me with my chores, and otherwise show concern for me, then I should react in the same way when announcements are made about those who are sick in the congregation.

What would I want brethren to do for me if I lost a child or mate in death? Would I want to be ignored and neglected? Would I want someone coming to me when I was depressed and harshly saying, “You’ve got to toughen up”? However I would want to be treated should be the measuring stick I use to gauge how 1 should treat those in the local congregation who need comfort and consolation.

In teaching others. I am thankful to God for my Mother and Father who lived a good example before us children, taught us the word of God, took us to church, worked with us through our problems, and otherwise helped us to start on the road of life in obedience to the will of God. If that is what I wanted for myself, then this is what I should pro-vide for my children.

I am thankful for the gospel preachers who drove from Lufkin and Houston, Texas to Groveton to teach us the gospel. They sacrificed their time, energies, and money to be sure that young folks like me heard the gospel. If I appreciate their efforts to teach me, I should make similar efforts to teach others.

What would I want others to do for me when I stumble into sin and error? If I wish that they could come to me in the spirit of brotherly kindness and show me my error, that should be my conduct toward them. If I desire to go to heaven so much that I would prefer the pain of being corrected over going to hell, then I should assume that they have the same intense desire to go to heaven and would prefer the rebuke of their friend rather than continuing in sin which eventually would lead to eternal death. I would no more deprive a spiritually hungry person of the bread of life than I would deprive the physically hungry person of bread.

This Is The Law and the Prophets

Jesus said that the Golden Rule summarizes the Law and the Prophets. He did not mean that practicing the Golden Rule releases one from obedience to the law of sacrifices; rather, what he said was that much of the Law, such as “Thou shalt not kill, . . . steal, . . . commit adultery, .. . bear false witness, . . . covet,” would be obeyed if one simply followed the Golden Rule. The Golden Rule is a clear, concise, and simple summation of Christian ethics; it restrains our evil actions and demands positive conduct toward others. Let us learn to live by its demands on our lives.

“Without Are Dogs”

A few weeks ago, one of our families was having car trouble. Unable to drive their car, the Shane Hall family had no choice but to drive their pickup. The pickup is one of those which is so high off the ground that a person needs a small step ladder to get into it. This is the pickup which Shane drives when he is working around the home place. Every time he cranks the pickup, their pet dog Feller jumps in the back, whether invited or not. You guessed it! Feller came to church. We had been encouraging our members to bring their friends and neighbors to church with them, but this was not one of the “creatures” to whom the gospel was sent (Mk. 16:15). About the only Scripture I could think of which had application to these circumstances was Revelation 22:15  “For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.”

As I was introducing my sermon that evening, I asked Shane if he had brought Feller back for evening services.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 9, p. 3-4
May 6, 1993

By David West

Until last week (3/93), few of us had heard of Vernon Howell (a.k.a. David Koresh) or the “Branch Davidian” (a radical cult which splintered from the Seventh-Day Adventist’s in the mid-1930’s). Now, everyone in the world who keeps up with the news knows quite a bit about both.

Though my knowledge of them is limited to what I have learned from the news, I believe this situation can teach those who are willing to learn many valuable spiritual lessons. It would be foolish to ignore them.

Why Do People Join Cults?

It might help us to prevent people from joining cults if we knew something about why they join.

Lack of love and acceptance in some mainstream churches. Many join cults because they have not found the love, warmth and acceptance they were looking for in the mainstream churches. They felt left to face a crisis alone. They could not break through the barriers that prevented them from becoming part of the family.

This is what happened to David Koresh. He was pushed away by some members of the church when he became infatuated with an Adventist minister’s daughter. It was mostly the coldness of the church he was in that affected him.

Love is to be the first identifying characteristic of God’s people. “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn. 13:34,35). If people cannot find love by traditional means, they will look elsewhere.

Cults are happy to step in and “love bomb” the prospect into becoming a part of the group before he even becomes aware of what the group believes and practices.

Lack of spiritual focus in some mainstream churches. Many have been disillusioned and frustrated by the lack of spiritual focus in so many mainstream churches. They quit because their spiritual needs are not met by the entertainment, recreation, “social gospel,” and other fleshly inducements offered by so many churches.

They see too many associating with the churches to obtain carnal rewards. They come to eat, to play, and to be entertained. “Jesus answered and said, `Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves, and were filled”‘ (Jn. 6:26-27).

But, quitting doesn’t remove their “soul hunger.” So, they look elsewhere. Many times, the cults are quick to move in and fill the void. This leaves the person far worse off than before (Matt. 12:43-45).

Do we contribute to the growth of cults by not radiating love to those who need it? Do we drive them away by satisfying them with the “food which perishes” rather than “the food which endures to eternal life” (Jn. 6:27)? Do we meet every need but the soul’s hunger for spiritual nourishment?

The Characteristics of Cults

We need to know something of the nature of a cult, so that we can recognize one when we see it.

A charismatic leader. Cults are either begun or run by a charismatic leader who has learned to manipulate and control people. He usually has Messianic delusions. He assures people that if they will put their ultimate trust in him, he will deliver them and lead them to whatever utopia he is promising.

David Koresh is such a man. He has great power over his followers. He has in the past claimed to be the second coming of Jesus Christ. He has been preparing his people to follow him into Armageddon. The cult believes the end of the world is near and that Koresh (a 33-year-old son of a carpenter) is the Messiah.

Strict obedience. Cults demand strict obedience to their leader. Any disobedience is severely punished. Koresh is very militaristic in leadership. If anyone disobeys him, the whole camp must fast. He claims that food deprivation will help prepare them for the rigors of war. The people are nearly always hungry.

Withdrawal from society. Cults withdraw from society. They avoid normal relationships with those outside the group. They isolate themselves from society at large. Branch Davidian has a fortress on 77 acres of cattle pasture ten miles out of town. They are self-sufficient and are heavily armed.

No diversity. Cults allow no diversity among members. Everyone is required to believe and do exactly the same things. All cult teachings must be blindly accepted. No reflection or critical thinking is allowed. There is strong censorship of any teaching not approved by the leader. People are kept in line by intimidation, threat and fear. They accept what they are told whether they understand it or not, whether they agree with it or not.

Suspicious of society. Cults are deeply suspicious of the outside world. Everything in society is suspect. Cohesion is maintained by paranoia. They are convinced that somebody out there is trying to get them. So they cling to each other and avoid outside influences.

Branch Davidian considers itself “God’s army” and views everyone else as Babylon. They are expecting an apocalyptic confrontation with the surrounding community.

Surrender personal responsibility. Cults require members to surrender their personal responsibility. Voluntarily brainwashed, they do not know what their role in the community is until they are told by the leader. They lose their ability to think for themselves. Like robots they do as they are told. Without their leader they wouldn’t know what to do.

Leaders abuse power. Cult leaders abuse their power. The member is usually required to surrender his property, income, personality, and body to the leader who then uses them for his personal gratification and enrichment. Ex-members report that his power over people has caused Koresh to become an obnoxious, foul-mouthed, pushy person.

Abuse of sex. Cults usually consider sex a central theme. Usually it is the abuse of sex. Most consider sexual activity dirty and evil. They often forbid even married members to engage in it. Of course, the leader is exempt from such restrictions.

Though Koresh runs the complex like a monastery, he is far from celibate. He is reported to have slept with numerous women at the compound. He has designated 14 of them his “wives,” calling them the “house of David,” and forbids their husbands to have sex with them. He reportedly has had sex with many young girls (as young as 11-14) “in the name of God.”

End in tragedy. Cults end in tragedy. They destroy former relationships with family and friends. They take away freedom and dignity. They sometimes end in the loss of life. But, even worse, they cost one his soul.

The New Testament Church — A Radical Contrast Consider how the Lord’s church differs from the cults:

No abuse of power. Its leader never abuses his power. Jesus Christ is in the head of his church (Eph. 1:22,23; Col. 1:18; Matt. 16:18). While here on earth, Jesus had many opportunities to exploit his power and influence, but he never did.

At the start, he would not use his power to satisfy his hunger in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11). At the end, he would not use his power to deliver himself from death on the cross. He never sexually misused the women who followed him.

Instead, we find him girding himself with a towel and washing his disciple’s feet (Jn. 13:1-20). He is the ultimate example of humility and self-sacrifice for mankind (Phil. 2:5-11).

Stays involved in society. The Lord’s church always stays in contact with people. As with its Lord, it does not withdraw and isolate itself from penetrating as leaven in dough (Matt. 13:33), salt in meat (Matt. 5:13), and light in darkness (Matt. 5:14-16). It is never paranoid about people on the outside. It loves and cares for them.

Encourages diversity. The Lord’s church encourages diversity. In Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4, the human body is used as an analogy for the church. Just as the body is made up of diverse members who all do their part to make the body function properly, so is the church. It allows the individual to follow his own conscience and convictions in following his Lord (Rom. 14:1-12). “Let each man be full convinced in his own mind” (Rom. 14:5). “So each one will give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:12).

Guards one dignity. The Lord’s church guards one’s personality, sexuality, and power of choice. The God who created us with the power to choose good or evil, right or wrong, has never hindered our right to decide for ourselves what we will believe and do. Certainly he will hold us responsible if we choose to believe error or to practice rebellion against his will (2 Cor. 5:10; Acts 17:30,31; 2 Thess. 1:8-10). But, he never forces anyone to conform. He upholds our dignity by allowing us to manifest our attitude toward him in the choices we make. Do not ever let anyone take away your freedom in Christ and put you back in bondage (Gal. 5:1).

God invented sex. When God’s boundaries are respected, sex is neither sinful nor dirty. The sexual relationship is honorable and pure within marriage (Heb. 13:4; Eph. 5:31).

Results in glory. The Lord’s church results in glory, not tragedy. When the church follows the Lord and his revealed will (the Bible), the community will become a better place. God’s plan will not result in a tragic destruction of lives in the community. He honors life, hope, and the future. By the way, many people lump all religion together. They take the worst aspects of a particular religion and at-tribute them to all religion. This is why they say “more wars and atrocities have been caused by religion than by anything else.” They conclude that all religion is motivated by hate, sensuality and greed and that the more devoted one becomes to his religion the more likely he is to become a violent “wacko.”

Consider two responses to that charge: First, those who commit themselves to following Jesus Christ (not some sinful, fallible man) and the New Testament (not some latter-day revelation to the leader), are never responsible for the ungodly immoral things done in the name of religion.

Second, many religions are completely passive. Should we then generalize from that and conclude that all religion is passive?

Don’t paint with too board a brush. All religions are not the same. Strict adherence to Jesus as one’s only creed and the Bible as one’s only authoritative standard is never responsible for man’s atrocities.

Some Lessons for Us to Learn

There are so many lessons that those of us who care about what is happening to people’s lives and souls need to learn.

1. The danger of one man having absolute power. Jesus never intended for any man to have dictatorial powers over his people. He has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18).

Yet, some men love the chief seats (Matt. 23:1-12; Lk. 14:7-11) and desire to be great in the kingdom by bossing others and demanding preeminence (3 Jn. 9-10). The only power Jesus gives any spiritual leader is the power of moral persuasion and the appeal to others to do what the Bible says. The way to greatness in God’s kingdom is not in being served (Matt. 20:28), but in humble service to others (Jn. 13:5-20).

The Lord’s church has no dictatorial leaders. The disciples of Jesus frequently argued about who would be the greatest in the kingdom and who would sit on his right hand. Jesus clearly showed them that power in his kingdom would be unlike power in worldly kingdoms.

And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be the greatest. And he said unto them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called Benefactors. But not so with you, but let him who is the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as the servant. For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table, or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as one who serves” (Lk. 22:24-27).

Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock (1 Pet. 5:2-3).

When we witness a demonstration of how “absolute power corrupts absolutely,” we ought to appreciate the wisdom of God in ordaining that each local congregation of his people be led by a plurality of elders (Acts 14:23). In this way, no one man can ever lead the group to destruction.

2. The danger of following man. Not only are there men who are willing to control the lives of others, there are people who are happy to let them. Some look for someone to think for them and to tell them what to do. They are willing to turn over their mind, will, and body to another. Slavery of any kind is inhumane, but enslavement of the human mind and will is the most miserable slavery on earth.

In speaking of the character and work of false teachers, Peter said, “These are springs without water, and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved” (2 Pet. 2:17-18).

Yet, we are witnessing, in Waco, as we have so many places before, the folly of following a false teacher.

 “If a blind man guides a blind man, they will both fall into a pit” (Matt. 15:14).

7 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but try the spirits to see whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (I In. 4:1).

 “Beware of false prophets, who have come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matt. 7:15).

7 “. . . Such men are slaves not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting” (Rom. 16:17-18).

7 “But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8-9).

Read all of 2 Peter 2.

God’s word is truth On. 17:17). It is only the truth that can set us free (Jn. 8:32). Therefore, we should buy the truth and refuse to sell it (Prov. 23:23).

Yet, many do not love the truth and would prefer to believe a lie (2 Thess. 2:9-12; 2 Tim. 4:1-4). God promises to send a strong delusion to such that they might believe a lie and be damned. Any time we do not fervently love the truth, we are in grave danger of being led astray.

Doing something “in the name of the Lord,” doesn’t make it right. On Judgment Day, many will protest their condemnation saying that they did many good works in his name, but Jesus will say he doesn’t know them because they worked without his authority (Matt. 7:21-28). We must be certain that when we act in the name of Jesus we are acting by his authority (Col. 3:17; Matt. 28:18).

Zeal without knowledge is dangerous. It is good to have zeal. In fact, Christians must have zeal (Tit. 2:14; Rev. 3:19). But, it is truth, not zeal, that sets us free (Jn. 8:32).

Many have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. In the process, they fail to obtain God’s righteousness. “Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. For I bear them witness that they have zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God” (Rom. 10:1-3).

Had the people in these cults been grounded in the truth, they would have seen through the false teaching and false character of their spiritual leader.

Consider some examples:

Claiming to be the Second Coming of Jesus. When Koresh claimed to be the second coming of Jesus, they would have seen that his coming bears no resemblance to how Jesus is supposed to return (I Thess. 4:13-5:6).

Violence and bloodshed. When he started stockpiling weapons, and using them to prevent his arrest, they would have remembered that Jesus told Peter to put away his sword because, if he didn’t want to be arrested, he could call 12 legions of angels to rescue him (Matt. 26:52-54).

While on trial, Jesus told the governor Pilate that if his kingdom were of this world, his servants would fight to protect him. But, his kingdom was not that kind of kingdom (Jn. 18:36). His servants are not engaged in a carnal war with carnal weapons (2 Cot. 10:3-6).

Break the law. When he started breaking the law of the land, they would have known that civil government is ordained by God and that it is God’s servant and we are to obey it as it seeks to enforce just law (Rom. 13:1-7; I Pet. 2:13-17).

Committing fornication. When he started committing fornication with his female followers, they would have known that fornicators and adulterers will not go to heaven (I Cor. 6:9-10: Gal. 5:19-21; Rev. 21:8).

What you believe does makes a difference, even if you are sincere. Many contend that one religion is as good as another. We are told that beliefs don’t matter as long as you are sincere. Who can believe it? Is what Koresh and his followers are doing just as good as everything else being done religiously? Is God just as pleased with him as he is with those who actually follow the Bible?

Sincerity has never been enough to guarantee a right relationship with God. Saul of Tarsus (later the apostle Paul) persecuted the church, even to the point of having Christians put to death. He did so sincerely and with a good con-science (Acts 23:1), but sincerity didn’t make him right with God. He needed to be converted and come to God on God’s terms (1 Tim. 1:13-15; Acts 22:16).

One church is not as good as another. People have been saying that for years. But, it isn’t true. Is Koresh’s church as good as every other? Some people substitute religion for salvation. But, Jesus did not come to make us religious. We were already religious when he came. He came to make men religiously right! It is possible to be religiously wrong and be lost.

The need for objective, not subjective, revelation. Many people, rather than listening to the voice of God through objective revelation (the Bible), claim to communicate with God subjectively (through visions and voices). They are not satisfied with the confirmed word of God in which all can receive the same message. They claim that God tells them things that are not in the Bible.

The New Testament is God’s final revelation of his will to man (Heb. 1:1,2). Jesus promised the apostles that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth (Jn. 16:13). Did he keep his promise? Or is he continuing to reveal new truth today?

God’s word is complete and perfect, thoroughly able to furnish us unto all good works (2 Tim. 3:16,17). We have

been given all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3). Is there anything left for him to say to us?

We are to contend earnestly for the faith that was “once for all time delivered unto the saint” (Jude 3). The faith has been completely and totally revealed. There is nothing left that needs to be added. It is the perfect law of liberty (Jas. 1:25).

We must learn not to exceed that which is written in the Scriptures (1 Cor. 4:6). God threatens dire consequences to those who add to or take away from his word (Rev. 1:8,9). Those who preach any other gospel than that which is revealed are to be accursed (Gal. 1:8,9). Those who are not con-tent to abide in the doctrine of Christ, but transgress and go beyond are not God’s people (2 In. 9-11).

I wonder how they could oppose David Koresh who claims that he is doing all these things because God told him to. Whatever argument they would use to prove that he is wrong, could be turned with equal force against them. Those who claim to receive direct message from God not only contradict each other repeatedly, but also contradict the Bible at nearly every turn. They say that they know they have the truth, speak in tongues and perform miracles. But, the gibberish they speak is the same gibberish spoken by all the others who they would claim were not genuinely inspired of God. It is the same gibberish spoken by pagans in their rituals. It is not the same thing spoken by the apostles and prophets of the New Testament.

Their miracles are the same bogus tricks that those in competition with them claim as proof that God is with them. They are also the cheap magician’s tricks which have been used by all the false prophets of heathen religions throughout the ages. How could someone like Oral Roberts say anything against this man whose claims are not any more outlandish than his?

8. The importance of religious criticism. How do far-out cults get started? Why do so many get caught up in them? What can be done to prevent them from springing up? Some will want the government to step in and regulate religion, determining which are true and which are false. Do we really want such an abridgement of our freedom of religion? If they take away the freedom of some group we don’t like, what is to prevent them from eventually taking way our freedom as well?

As it is now, the government cannot intervene unless a punishable crime has been committed. Do we have no recourse but waiting for the government to step in when finally laws are broken? Yes, I believe the religious community plays a significant role in cultivating or curbing such activity. Who or what is to blame for the existence of such groups? I suggest that the denominations of America have created the climate that has made the conditions favorable for such things. It is an environment which stifles open investigation, criticism and debates over the religious teaching and activities of each other. They are so intent on being loving and having unity, that are unwilling to challenge any but the most bizarre cult. Almost anything that wears the name “religion,” must be left alone. No careful scrutiny from the Bible is allowed.

The people of a community will reject false teachers only after they hear rational criticism of them and see the proof of their error. The only way to prevent people from following far-out cults is public exposure.

Yet, most religious groups today stand opposed to religious criticism. They label such criticism as sinful. They say that it is not Christ-like to oppose other religions and their teachings. (Those who say such things have not given very careful attention to the life of Jesus. Read Matthew 23 as an example of a Christ-like attitude toward false teachers.)

On one occasion, the apostle Paul opposed the apostle Peter to his face because he stood condemned (Gal. 2:11-21). He rebuked the Galatians for their error and then asked, “Have I therefore become your enemy by telling you the truth?” (Gal. 4:10)

The great silence which results when those who know the truth will not oppose error allows men, such as David Koresh and Jim Jones, to obtain influence and followers among those who are searching for spiritual satisfaction.

Religious criticism could expose the errors of such a man before tragedy finally causes attention to be drawn to him. You cannot tell by looking at the outward appearance of a man whether he is a true teacher or a false teacher.

False prophets are ravenous wolves who come disguised a sheep (Matt. 7:15). How do we know a true sheep from a wolf in disguise? Compare what he teaches with what the Bible teaches.

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their deeds (2 Cor. 11:13-15).

Of course, all religious criticism should be characterized by the correct motivation and the right attitude. We must speak the truth, but we must also speak it in love (Eph. 4:17). We cannot leave off either truth or love.

And the Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will (2 Tim. 2:24-26).

Why do we wait until error has reached its tragic consequences before we speak up and evaluate it? Why not salvage many potential victims beforehand by exposing error and grounding them in truth? We are not against people. We are for them. We are against error and are for getting as many as possible out of error and into the light of God’s glorious word.

Religious criticism and debate would accomplish this purpose. Why then don’t we do it? Is it because we don’t think there is such a thing as truth? Is it because we think error is just as good as truth? Is it because we don’t want the eye of criticism to turn around and investigate us?

What do we have to hide? Which has the most to fear from the crucible of debate: truth or error? Truth always shines brighter when exposed to the light of honest investigation.

“Whosoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God” (1 Pet. 4:11). “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no light in them” (Isa. 8:20).

We must earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 3). We must be set for the defense of the gospel (Phil. 1:16). We must be ready to give an answer (reasoned defense) to anyone who asks us for a reason of the hope that is within us with meekness and fear (1 Pet. 3:15).

If truth is better than error, and right is better than wrong, and true teaching is better than false teaching, and only the truth can set us free On. 8:32), then those of us who love the precious souls of the men and women for whom Jesus died, ought to stand up and debate our cause. ` “Come now, and let us reason together,’ saith the Lord” (Isa. 1:18).

If we have the truth, others need it and we ought to be doubling our efforts to get the truth into their hands whatever the cost and sacrifice. If we are in error, we need the truth. If that be the case, God hasten the day when some-one who loves our soul will come and share that pearl of great price with us (Matt. 13:44-46). There’s not much hope that those who need it will receive it, unless we each have a willingness to have what we believe and practice examined under the white heat of God’s refining fire (his word). It will burn away the chaff, and leave us with solid nuggets of truth. Truth rejoices at the opportunity to be contrasted with error.

It matters not if the whole world unites to oppose what the word of God teaches. The world will pass away, but God’s word won’t. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away” (Matt. 24:35). “For, all flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls off, but the word of the Lord abides forever. This is the word which was preached to you” (1 Pet. 1:24-25).

“But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:21). “Let God be found true, though every man be found a liar” (Rom. 3:4).

If we refuse to stand up and expose error when and where we see it, we are contributing to the success of men like Jim Jones and David Koresh. (This article is available as a tract from the author.)

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 8, p. 21-26
April 15, 1993