Fleeing From Hypocrisy
We published an article entitled “Bringing Heaven Down - Fleeing to Freedom.” The article drew a parallel between 1st century Jerusalem, from which Jesus told his followers to flee, and modern day Christianity. The article highlights the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses as an example of a Christian sect that is dangerously following the 1st century pattern of Jerusalem. And since its leaders – the Governing Body – will not change course, those who follow Jesus will need to flee from the organization and turn to the Father for safety and protection.
We knew it was a provocative article that would cause agitation, but we strongly feel that unless there is agitation and a discomfort of one’s comfort zone, there will be no change, no growth, and no improvement. And so we boldly published the article and we stand by our decision to do so because we deem it necessary for this time in mankind’s spiritual development.
We know that many of our brothers who meditate and ponder over recent articles are, like never before, being faced with a shocking reality, one that cannot be ignored. Their spiritual muscles – their powers of discernment, their critical thinking – are weak because they have not been using them. Their spiritual eyes are hurting because they are finally being opened.
But there are others who respond defensively and attack us and the article, rather than take a close look at themselves and the organization to which they belong. Even though Jehovah’s Witnesses purposefully and unashamedly tell others to ‘flee’ their churches because of false teachings, they are highly offended at the idea that someone would tell Jehovah’s Witnesses to ‘flee’ the Watchtower organization because of false teachings. Such individuals need to not only flee from the Watchtower organization; they need to flee from this glaring hypocrisy. If one is truly interested in truth, and being ‘in the truth,’ he must follow the lamb, Christ Jesus, and, as Peter stated, “Obey God as ruler rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)
We are saddened when we hear from individuals who refuse to break allegiance with the Governing Body even though they know full well that much of what the organization is teaching are blatant falsehoods. They are the ‘seeing’ who are content to be led by the blind. To us, that is inexcusable.
We received an email from one such individual who is determined to steadfastly follow the blind. In all fairness, we will publish his email in full, as he requests, and then we will provide our responses:
“I am writing this in hope that it will posted on your “Emails From Our Visitors” section. I think it's good to let brothers and sisters see a true letter from people who also don't support leaving the [organization], because all I can see is people supporting it, which to me is rather biased.
“Firstly, I would like to say that I agree that there are many stumbling blocks experienced within the organization of Jehovah Witnesses, ones which I have noticed for decades now. But what I don't agree with, is your attempt to encourage brother and sisters to leave the organization.
“I have visited two other anointed web sites, [names omitted], and these two brothers NEVER EVER encourage their brothers and sisters to leave the congregation of [Jehovah’s Witnesses]. The way I see it, is that the true anointed should work in harmony with each other looking out for the safety and spirituality of their fellow brothers.
“How can any one who says that they are anointed take Jehovah's child under their own wing and offer them an alternative form of worship? Are you going to provide association, physical interaction, spiritual safety from the wolves out side? Yes it all sounds great to up and do a mass exodus, but to where? Have you any thing better to offer these scattered sheep?
“[The other two websites] work in harmony with the holy Spirit, and always despite exposing the errors of the Watchtower, give scriptural reasoning and answers as to why God’s House is going through a period of test. They believe that The Watch Tower is the tool which he uses at this present time to gather the sheep, refine and also test.
“Now is not the time to encourage brother and sisters to leave, I speak from personal experience, that which appears as light and freedom is a trap, out side are the wolves and as I speak there is a re-emergence of a new spirituality and christ, one which teaches everything is love, a welcoming of ALL christians, but it is not the Christ of the bible, theirs is a christ who is a counterfeit, be careful do not be deceived.
“Do we run from tests? or do we embrace it, allow Jehovah to mold us, refine us in the fire of purity and train us to become resilient & wear our spiritual armour with pride and zeal? Or are we as the cowards outside who turn our backs and give up like Judas at the slight hint of oppression & anguish?
“Jesus never said it would be easy, he said "pick up your torture stake" and follow me, a torture stake is not light hearted and cheery, it is heavy, excruciating, and cuts deep, but the endurance of it brings enlightenment, wisdom a sacrificial love, the type which Jesus taught us, not a cowardly poor excuse of a type of love.
“I pray that people open their eyes and ask Jehovah to help them see that we are deep in the end and not to be fooled by words that just tickle the ear but bring no everlasting life.”
We want to thank the brother for his email since emails such as this one provide us a good opportunity to clarify our ministry and help our visitors understand on a deeper level why we write what we write, and why we conduct this ministry in the manner that we do.
You wrote: “Firstly, I would like to say that I agree that there are many stumbling blocks experienced within the organization of Jehovah Witnesses, ones which I have noticed for decades now. But what I don't agree with, is your attempt to encourage brother and sisters to leave the organization.”
This is an example of the hypocrisy we mentioned above. This brother recognizes errors in the Watchtower organization that stumbles many and that have stumbled many for decades. However, if this brother was in field service and he met a householder who said this to him, how would he respond? He would likely use the illustration in the Watchtower publication, Reasoning From the Scriptures, page 323, subheading “Is it true that there is good in all religions?” where it states:
Most religions do teach that a person should not lie or steal, and so forth. But is that sufficient? Would you be happy to drink a glass of poisoned water because someone assured you that most of what you were getting was water? . . . (Regardless of their outward professions of love for God, if those with whom you worship do not sincerely apply his Word in their own lives, the Bible urges you to break off such association.)
If ‘breaking off association’ is the counsel a Jehovah’s Witness would give another person, shouldn’t this same counsel apply to the Witnesses? Isn’t it hypocritical to be offended when someone returns the same counsel?
You wrote: “I have visited two other anointed web sites, [names omitted], and these two brothers NEVER EVER encourage their brothers and sisters to leave the congregation of [Jehovah’s Witnesses]. The way I see it, is that the true anointed should work in harmony with each other looking out for the safety and spirituality of their fellow brothers.”
We agree that all of the sons of God should work in harmony and look out for the spiritual welfare of their brothers. We are working toward that end. But this can only occur if all of the sons are looking to Christ Jesus as their leader, and not men.
“But you, do not you be called Rabbi, for one is your Teacher, and all of you are brothers. Moreover, do not call anyone your father on earth, for one is your Father, the heavenly One. Neither be called leaders, for your Leader is one, the Christ.”
– Matthew 23:8-10
We strongly believe that all of the Father’s children are on the same trajectory. In other words, we are all on the same ladder, but on different rungs. There are brothers and sisters who discerned the need to flee the Watchtower organization long before we discerned it. And there are those who will not discern it until after us. But all who are looking to the Christ will come to the same realization if they expect Christ to confess union with them. (Matthew 10:32-33) The difference between the two brothers you mentioned and us may just be a matter of time.
You wrote: “How can any one who says that they are anointed take Jehovah's child under their own wing and offer them an alternative form of worship? Are you going to provide association, physical interaction, spiritual safety from the wolves out side? Yes it all sounds great to up and do a mass exodus, but to where? Have you any thing better to offer these scattered sheep?”
This comment indicates that you are not familiar with our ministry. We are not looking for a following. We are encouraging our brothers to take their spiritual lives into their own hands instead of giving that power away to others. We encourage our brothers to engage in the ministry of the true good news and go about in their communities doing good. In this way, they will build strong ‘in person’ friendships. Most are more concerned about the wolves inside the Kingdom Halls, than any wolves outside of it. And if you think a mass exodus ‘sounds great,’ what are you waiting for? What are you afraid of? If you are looking for a leader to lead you out and take you in, you found one – Christ Jesus at the direction of our Heavenly Father. (Matthew 23:8-10; 2 Corinthians 6:15-18) The Father and Christ Jesus certainly do have something better to offer. That is the whole point of the article, Bringing Heaven Down – Fleeing to Freedom. Perhaps you did not actually read the article. If not, we encourage you to do so. It will also be helpful to read the articles leading up to that article, in this order: Regaining Liberty, The Father’s Acceptable Year, Discerning the Time of Inspection and Fleeing to Freedom. After doing so, you might have a better understanding of our ministry.
You wrote: “[The two brothers] work in harmony with the holy Spirit, and always despite exposing the errors of the Watchtower, give scriptural reasoning and answers as to why God’s House is going through a period of test. They believe that The Watch Tower is the tool which he uses at this present time to gather the sheep, refine and also test.”
Our site likewise provides scriptural reasoning and answers as to why Jehovah’s Witnesses are experiencing the problems they are going through. See, in particular, Discerning the Time of Inspection. Jehovah’s Witnesses consider themselves special because they truly try to mimic the Jewish religious system thereby designating themselves as “God’s House” or “God’s People.” What they fail to realize is that by imitating a failed and disapproved nation, they too will be disapproved.
“Do not be misled: God is not one to be mocked. For whatever a person is sowing, this he will also reap.”
– Galatians 6:7
Remember, too, that when Jesus said to ‘begin fleeing to the mountains’ (Matthew 24:16), he was telling them to leave Jerusalem – “God’s House.” And when Paul wrote to ‘quit touching the unclean thing’ (2 Corinthians 6:18-20), the unclean thing was the apostate Jewish religious system – “God’s People.” So it is not odd that modern day Christians would need to flee from those who call themselves “God’s People.”
The indoctrinated belief that the Watchtower organization is “God’s House” or “God’s Chosen People” is what makes it so difficult for Jehovah’s Witnesses to act in their own behalf. The cry “to whom shall we go away to?” is not unique to Jehovah’s Witnesses. Those who followed Jim Jones and David Koresh, who saw the errors of their leaders, could not leave to save either themselves or their families because they viewed these men as either Christ himself or the appointed representative of Christ. So in their minds, they wondered “where will we go?” It is embarrassing that in this 21st century, mature men and women continue to blindly and gullibly follow men when they know, without a doubt, that those men are teaching error – as does the brother who wrote the above email. Such men and women become mentally and spiritually imprisoned and dependent upon man’s approval. No amount of reason or truth can save them if they will not exercise faith in the living Jesus and the Heavenly Father.
Of course, we cannot deny that the Watchtower organization has been instrumental in developing some sons of the Kingdom. To date, they claim to have among them 20,746 sons of God. We, too, were tutored by the Watchtower organization, but we took their advice and ‘read the Bible daily.’ And in line with what we read, our allegiance is to the Father and to Christ Jesus, not to men. So while we once enjoyed our association with the Watchtower organization, once our eyes were opened, we had no problem leaving behind an organization that has turned against Christ and the way to salvation – the heavenly hope – attacks the sons of God, and continues to preach ‘another sort of good news.’
“I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from the One who called you with Christ’s undeserved kindness to another sort of good news. Not that there is another good news; but there are certain ones who are causing you trouble and wanting to distort the good news about the Christ. However, even if we or an angel out of heaven were to declare to you as good news something beyond the good news we declared to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, I now say again, Whoever is declaring to you as good news something beyond what you accepted, let him be accursed.”
– Galatians 1:6-9
The teaching that millions cannot follow Jesus into the heavens, but can live forever on earth is surely not a teaching the apostles, or Jesus, ever taught. It is the epitome of ‘another sort of good news’
You wrote: “Now is not the time to encourage brother and sisters to leave, I speak from personal experience, that which appears as light and freedom is a trap, out side are the wolves and as I speak there is a re-emergence of a new spirituality and christ, one which teaches everything is love, a welcoming of ALL christians, but it is not the Christ of the bible, theirs is a christ who is a counterfeit, be careful do not be deceived.”
There is indeed a re-emergence of a new spirituality and a new understanding of Christ Jesus, based squarely on the gospel accounts of the New Testament of the Bible. This Christ DOES welcome ALL Christians:
“However, to all who did receive him, he gave authority to become God’s children, because they were exercising faith in his name.”
– John 1:12
“Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for yourselves. For my yoke is kindly, and my load is light.”
– Matthew 11:28-30
“You are all, in fact, sons of God through your faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor freeman, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in union with Christ Jesus. Moreover, if you belong to Christ, you are really Abraham’s offspring, heirs with reference to a promise.”
– Galatians 3:26-29
“This is fine and acceptable in the sight of our Savior, God, whose will is that all sorts of people should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth.”
– 1 Timothy 2:3-4
So, we wonder what Christ you are referring to? A loving, welcoming Christ is a counterfeit Christ? We suggest you be careful of how you characterize ‘the exact representation’ of the God who IS love (1 John 4:8), the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) And we also caution you about judging the faith of another. (Matthew 7:1-5)
You wrote: “Do we run from tests? or do we embrace it, allow Jehovah to mold us, refine us in the fire of purity and train us to become resilient & wear our spiritual armour with pride and zeal? Or are we as the cowards outside who turn our backs and give up like Judas at the slight hint of oppression & anguish?"
Well, what do you think? When Jesus said to flee Jerusalem, was he encouraging cowardice? And is it your opinion that what our brothers are suffering under the heavy hand of the Governing Body is a ‘slight hint of oppression.’ If so, you have not yet opened your eyes. We hope you wake up in time to save yourself.
You wrote: “Jesus never said it would be easy, he said "pick up your torture stake" and follow me, a torture stake is not light hearted and cheery, it is heavy, excruciating, and cuts deep, but the endurance of it brings enlightenment, wisdom a sacrificial love, the type which Jesus taught us, not a cowardly poor excuse of a type of love."
Don’t you see that fleeing an oppressive organization is a difficult challenge? Don’t you see that taking responsibility for your own spirituality is not easy? What torture stake are you carrying if you are simply obeying the commands of men and doing what they tell you “whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not.” (Watchtower, November 15, 2013, page 20, paragraph 17)
The qualities of endurance, enlightenment, wisdom and love come from courage – the courage to obey the Christ and follow his words and example. They do not come from obeying men. In many instances, following Christ means that we must leave behind mother, father, sister, brother. That’s a ‘torture stake.’ But staying behind in the comforts of the stewardship of men so that one does not get shunned by their own family and friends – that sounds more cowardly and more like a misguided love.
You wrote: “I pray that people open their eyes and ask Jehovah to help them see that we are deep in the end and not to be fooled by words that just tickle the ear but bring no everlasting life.”
We, too, pray that our brothers and sisters open their eyes to the true teachings of Jesus and see that organizations that reject the teachings of Jesus are nearing their end. All who remain behind will suffer great loss as they share in the sins of the organization. This is the reason why we wrote the article, Fleeing to Freedom, so that our brothers and sisters have a real opportunity for everlasting life. Brother, if you believe that the teachings that you do not have to be a part of the Christian congregation, that you do not have to be a son of God, or a part of the body of Christ, or be baptized into Christ’s death, or that you can refuse to ‘eat and drink’ of the Christ at the Memorial Supper and still gain everlasting life, then not only are your ears being tickled, but so is your whole body!
Let us not misunderstand each other. We take salvation seriously. There is no twisting of words on this site that may give even an inkling to the idea that one can gain ‘the real life’ (1 Timothy 6:19) ‘by extension.’ If you choose to listen to the teachings and utterances of men who pervert the plain and open teachings of Jesus, then let the record show that you have been forewarned so that ‘God may prove righteous when he speaks and may be in the clear when he judges. (Psalm 51:4) For as Paul wrote:
“So, then, each of us will render an account for himself to God.”
– Romans 14:12
If that article, or anything else on this site, stumbles you, brother, then this site is not for you. You are not ready to accept your place as a son of God and heir to the kingdom of heaven. (Romans 8:16-17) You are not ready to take control ‘of your spiritual life and live.’ (Hebrews 12:9) And you are not equipped for a spiritual battle. (Ephesians 6:14-18) Nevertheless, we again thank you for your email.