The Long War Leading to the Abyss

Shortly after 9-11 the United States military invaded Afghanistan – launching what has been billed as “The Long War.” It is dubbed “The Long War” because military planners envision their “war on terror” lasting decades and involving numerous theaters of operation and dozens of countries. It is apparent that The Long War planners are following the plan. A few months into 2002 the Anglo-American coalition invaded Iraq and has now been embroiled in that war longer than the US forces fought in the Second World War – with no end in sight. A long war indeed! But what’s next? Where is the Long War leading?

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THE WRITING ON THE WALL

The evidence is mounting daily: the present system cannot go on indefinitely. The signs are everywhere. It may not end tomorrow or the day after, but we may soon expect this world to be weighed in the balances and to see appear the enigmatic WRITING ON THE WALL!

Last week scientists released a shocking report stating that unless over-fishing ceases, in less than 50 years time the world’s vast oceans will be virtually devoid of fish.

Also The UN and World Bank released reports last week warning of dire consequences to the world’s economy if global warming trends are not reversed.

In what has been termed a “silent pandemic,” a report released this week claims that a toxic soup of environmental chemicals has damaged the brains of millions of children and has contributed to the alarming rise in autism and other developmental disorders in children.

A report released yesterday by the International Energy Agency think tank warns of ‘one crisis after’ another unless something is done to switch from fossil fuel energy production to alternatives.

Of course, the creeping challenges posed by over-fishing, pollution, environmental collapse, energy failures and melting sea ice from global warming are not immediate. There are other more pressing problems confronting civilization. The most urgent of which is the looming threat of world war and global financial collapse.

To read the rest of this blog go to e-watchman.co.uk

Threat to peace and security

The preparations for World War Three continue unabated.

With the reported underground detonation of a nuclear device on Monday, North Korea became the 9th nation to join the nuclear club, and in so doing has jolted the international community.
The significance of this development in terms of Bible prophecy may be in the official response of numerous entities. For instance, in an emergency session the United Nations Security Counsel swiftly condemned North Korea for what it described as “a clear threat to international peace and security.”

President Bush seconded the U.N.’s condemnation, saying in an official statement: "Such a claim (to have detonated a nuclear test) itself constitutes a threat to international peace and security. The United States condemns this provocative act."

Germany’s foreign minister declared that North Korea was a threat to the world’s peace and security.

A press release from the NATO alliance website states: “This test poses an extremely serious threat to peace and security in the Pacific region and the world.”

the remainder of this article may be read on http://e-watchman.co.uk

PESTILENCE ON THE WING

Given that the Avian Flu is emerging simultaneously with the growing threat of nuclear war and global financial collapse, the Watchtower’s silence on the significance of these matters is truly baffling. Although boasting of being Jehovah’s sole watchman, the Society has come to resemble the slumbering watchmen of Isaiah 56:10, of whom it is said: “His watchmen are blind. None of them have taken note. All of them are speechless dogs; they are not able to bark, panting, lying down, loving to slumber.”

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APOCALYPSE NOW!

As incredible and ridiculous as it may seem to the uninformed, Jehovah’s Witnesses actually believe and teach that the seals of Revelation were unsealed in 1914-1919 and the awesome apocalypse has since then taken place. Whether explicitly or merely implied, the Watchtower teaches that the sacred secret of God has already been unveiled. It is also implied that Jehovah has disclosed his sacred secrets to the initiates of the Watchtower Society, who have in turn have enlightened a great crowd to the fact that Christ has been invisibly present since 1914. The basis for the Watchtower’s eschatology is founded primarily upon a crude algebraic formula and chronologic calculations.

To read more go to http://www.e-watchman.co.uk

The Secret Society of Lucifer

Is there such a thing as the occultic Illuminati conspiring to subjugate the world ? What have Jehovah's Witnesses been taught regarding secret societies?

Please see the new e-watchman blog at http://www.e-watchman.co.uk/

What will 2006 bring?

2005 passed uneventfully – at least from the standpoint of the Apocalypse. But what will the coming year bring?

One financial writer mulls the question of why "it" – referring to a financial collapse – hasn't happened yet and why the likelihood of "it" happening in 2006 is greater than ever.

Perhaps the most significant development of the past year, or at least that is becoming more and more apparent, is that the United States has already traveled far down the road towards becoming a Nazi-like dictatorial police state.

Actually, the Nazification of America has been taking place for many years. But because it is implemented gradually the vast majority of the population remains oblivious to what is taking place.

Not only has the government of the United States been forced to admit that it routinely tortures suspected terrorists and illegally kidnaps and detains suspects in numerous so-called "black sites" scattered around the former Soviet Union, but President Bush even admitted to authorizing illegal wiretaps and email surveillance of American citizens. Worse, it has since come to light that the spying operation is much broader than even the president has admitted. President Bush is said to be the first president to ever have publicly admitted to an impeachable offense.

More disconcerting than the gradual erosion of freedom in the United States and the creeping police-state measures that are becoming more and more commonplace, is that the Anglo-American-Zionist triad is evidently planning to launch new wars against Syria and Iran utilizing the shock and awe of nuclear weapons—and this in the very near future.

Al Jazzera, the Arabic news agency that has been banned from reporting in Iraq in the interest of spreading freedom and democracy, has reported that Israel is intent on launching an attack on Iran by March of 2006. The British Sunday Times carried same story. Der Spiegel also reported a similar story. Iran has warned Israel to beware of a "crushing response" to any attack.

Al Jazzera also reported that the US is holding talks with its European allies preparing them for an inevitable attack on Iran. Meanwhile, Russia is dusting off its nuclear arsenal and stoking fears of a dangerous new arms race – as if the thousands of nuclear weapons the US and Russia already possess were not enough.

But besides the swirling rumors of war, the later part of 2005 was dominated by growing fears of a bird flu pandemic. (BBC published the year-in-review developments of the bird flu.) Although the virus has not yet developed the ability to pass from person to person – only from bird to person – subtle genetic mutations are taking place within the virus that is making a pandemic more likely.

With such ominous storm clouds looming on the horizon, how timely the admonition of Christ: Stay on the watch!


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Revelation of Christ and the Judgment

The following blog is an excerpt from the Revelation chapter of the book Jehovah Himself Has Become King. It is available as a free e-book and a-book.

The opening words of Revelation locate the events of the apocalypse as taking place during “the Lord’s day.” That is why John states: "by inspiration I came to be in the Lord's day." The Lord’s day is the future revelation of Jesus, as Paul indicated when he wrote: "While you are eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also make you firm to the end, that you may be open to no accusation in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into a sharing with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord." (I Corinthians 1:7-9)

The dramatic unsealing of each of the seven seals of the sacred scroll of Revelation sets in motion irreversible events. The significance of the opening of the first six seals is fairly well understood and there is no need to further discuss those aspects of the prophecy here. (The timing of events to 1914 is another matter.) However, what about the opening of the final seal—the seventh seal? What might those apocalyptic symbolisms betoken? The opening of the last seal takes place immediately after the sealing of the remaining 144,000 has been accomplished. Revelation 8:1-4 reads:

“And when he opened the seventh seal, a silence occurred in heaven for about a half hour. And I saw the seven angels that stand before God, and seven trumpets were given them. And another angel arrived and stood at the altar, having a golden incense vessel; and a large quantity of incense was given him to offer it with the prayers of all the holy ones upon the golden altar that was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense ascended from the hand of the angel with the prayers of the holy ones before God.”

It seems appropriate that after the final sealing is accomplished, the prayers of the sealed holy ones should ascend like perfumed incense before God. The Watchtower teaches the seventh seal was unsealed in 1919—or thereabouts. The Grand Climax commentary on Revelation quotes from a Watchtower published in 1919 that comments:

“We believe it is now a true saying that the harvest of the kingdom class is an accomplished fact, that all such are duly sealed and that the door is closed.’ During this difficult period, the fervent prayers of the John class were ascending, as though in the smoke of a large quantity of incense. And their prayers were being heard!”

But, obviously, the sealing was not accomplished in 1919. Neither was the door closed back then. That is evident from the simple fact that virtually every anointed Christian living today was anointed after 1919. Therefore, the opening of the seventh seal could not possibly have taken place back then. But, what do Jehovah’s Witnesses believe the opening of the seventh seal signifies? For example, the opening of the seventh seal results in seven angelic trumpet blasts. The Watchtower has long taught that the blowing of the seven symbolic trumpets occurred back in the 1920’s and was evidenced by specific convention resolutions, which were then mass distributed in the form of tracts and pamphlets as judgment messages against Christendom and the world. For instance, the Grand Climax book states concerning the blowing of the seventh trumpet:

“The trumpet blast of the seventh angel was reflected in highlights of the Bible Students’ convention in Detroit, Michigan, July 30-August 6, 1928. At that time 107 broadcasting stations were tied in to what The New York Times described as ‘the most extensive and expensive radio hook-up in history.’ The convention enthusiastically adopted a powerful “Declaration Against Satan and for Jehovah,” pointing to the overthrow, at Armageddon, of Satan and his evil organization and the emancipation of all who love righteousness. Loyal subjects of God’s Kingdom were delighted to receive a convention release, the 368-page book Government. This supplied the clearest of proofs “that God set his Anointed King upon his throne in 1914.”

As important as the broadcast may have seemed in 1928, needless to say the Watchtower’s proclamations against the world 80 years ago are completely irrelevant today. Those who may have happened to hear Judge Rutherford’s radio broadcast back then are either long-since deceased or were mere children when the supposed angelic proclamations were issued.
The larger question to consider is whether it is even sensible and Scriptural that something as profound as the apocalypse of Jehovah’s judgments could be so easily ignored and forgotten? After all, the 368-page book, Government, which was supposedly the by-product of the “trumpet blast of the seventh angel,” is nothing more than a curious relic of the Rutherford era that now lies moldering on kingdom hall library shelves and is sold on the electronic flea market, EBay, to collectors of Watchtower memorabilia.

It is doubtful that anyone outside of Jehovah’s Witnesses is even aware that the angels have supposedly put Christendom and the world on notice. Even many of Jehovah’s Witnesses privately express skepticism about the Society’s strange interpretations of the meaning of the seven trumpets. Besides, it would seem reasonable that the opening of the seventh seal and the blowing of the seven trumpets signal the actual judgments of God. Surely, they are not mere denunciations and more advance warnings of coming judgments in future generations.

“AND WHEN HE OPENED THE SEVENTH SEAL”

After the opening of the sixth seal, the vision depicts four angels standing upon the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of destruction. And the angels are commanded: “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until after we have sealed the slaves of our God in their foreheads.” Next, after the sealing has taken place, the seventh and final seal is broken. The unsealing of the last seal reveals seven angels blowing upon trumpets to begin God’s awesome judgments. The blowing of the first trumpet initiates the destruction of a substantial portion of the earth, sea, and trees. Hence, we read: “And the first one blew his trumpet. And there occurred a hail and fire mingled with blood, and it was hurled to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees was burned up, and all the green vegetation was burned up.” (Revelation 8:7)

In order to decipher this part of Revelation it is necessary to consult the Hebrew prophecy of Zechariah. Zechariah 13:7 says: “O sword, awake against my shepherd, even against the able-bodied man who is my associate,” is the utterance of Jehovah of armies. “Strike the shepherd, and let those of the flock be scattered; and I shall certainly turn my hand back upon those who are insignificant.”

The prophecy of Zechariah was initially fulfilled when the good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, was struck by the executioner’s sword and the apostles were all momentarily scattered. Nevertheless, the prophecy has an application to God’s judgments during the Lord’s day. That should be plainly evident by the context of the following 14th chapter of Zechariah, which describes Armageddon as immediately subsequent to the scattering of the flock. To what degree is the flock scattered? Jehovah answers at Zechariah 13:8-9, saying:

'“And it must occur in all the land,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘that two parts in it are what will be cut off and expire; and as for the third part, it will be left remaining in it. And I shall certainly bring the third part through the fire; and I shall actually refine them as in the refining of silver, and examine them as in the examining of gold. It, for its part, will call upon my name, and I, for my part, will answer it. I will say, ‘It is my people,’ and it, in its turn, will say, ‘Jehovah is my God.’”

Realizing that the prophecy of Zechariah was written after the Jews had returned from exile in Babylon, it becomes apparent that the destruction of Jerusalem applies to Christ’s congregation, also designated as Zion. The two parts that are destined to be “cut off and expire” pertain to God’s organization—his land. Not coincidently, the expression “in all the land” may also be translated “the earth.” So, it appears as if “a third of the earth” that “was burned up” upon the blowing of the first trumpet corresponds to the third part of God’s earthly organization that is to be burned—as with fire.

What might the “trees” represent, a third of which are also “burned up”? Again, Zechariah 11:1 provides the chilling answer, saying: “Open up your doors, O Lebanon, that a fire may devour among your cedars. Howl, O juniper tree, for the cedar has fallen; because the majestic ones themselves have been despoiled! Howl, you massive trees of Bashan, for the impenetrable forest has come down! Listen! The howling of shepherds, for their majesty has been despoiled. Listen! The roaring of maned young lions, for the proud thickets along the Jordan have been despoiled.”

Since, as mentioned, Zechariah was written after Jerusalem was originally destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, the symbolic trees represent the men of stature in the Christian congregation. That is why the prophet depicts “the howling of shepherds”—the majestic ones—in connection with the symbolic congregational forest going down. But, Zechariah foretells that two-thirds of God’s nation will be destroyed, not merely one third—as does Revelation. The denunciation continues:

“And the second angel blew his trumpet: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was hurled into the sea. And a third of the sea became blood; and a third of the creatures that are in the sea which have souls died, and a third of the boats were wrecked.”

“The great mountain burning with fire” that is “hurled into the sea” likely symbolizes that which is associated with the mountain-like kingdom of God, as it becomes subjected to God’s burning anger. Jeremiah penned a lamentation portending Jehovah’s coming judgments upon Mount Zion, saying: “Jehovah has accomplished his rage. He has poured out his burning anger. And he sets a fire ablaze in Zion, which eats up her foundations.” (Lamentations 4:11)

The vision of Ezekiel also symbolizes a similar fiery destruction of God’s temple and city. After describing the marking of those who were sighing and groaning over all of the detestable things being done, Ezekiel 10:2 says: “And he proceeded to say to the man clothed with the linen, even to say: ‘Enter in between the wheelwork, in under the cherubs, and fill the hollows of both your hands with coals of fire from between the cherubs and toss them over the city.’”

The denunciation against Israel in the 2nd chapter of Isaiah is quite similar to the judgments connected to the blowing of the first two trumpets. For example, the prophecy calls for all mountain-like institutions and massive treelike personalities, as well as “all desirable boats,” to be brought low before Jehovah’s “splendid superiority.” Isaiah 2:10-16 reads:

“Enter into the rock and hide yourself in the dust because of the dreadfulness of Jehovah, and from his splendid superiority. The haughty eyes of earthling man must become low, and the loftiness of men must bow down; and Jehovah alone must be put on high in that day. For it is the day belonging to Jehovah of armies. It is upon everyone self-exalted and lofty and upon everyone lifted up or low; and upon all the cedars of Lebanon that are lofty and lifted up and upon all the massive trees of Bashan; and upon all the lofty mountains and upon all the hills that are lifted up; and upon every high tower and upon every fortified wall; and upon all the ships of Tarshish and upon all desirable boats. And the haughtiness of the earthling man must bow down, and the loftiness of men must become low; and Jehovah alone must be put on high in that day.”

As was the case with God’s dealings with apostate Israel and Judah, God did not simply remove wicked men from his holy mountain, he destroyed the entire kingdom and demolished his own temple as an expression of his indignation and rage—bringing down “every high tower”—as Isaiah says. So, when the house of God comes under divine judgment, that which is condemned by God will be completely and utterly thrown down. The denunciation continues:

“And the third angel blew his trumpet: And a great star burning as a lamp fell from heaven, and it fell upon a third of the rivers and upon the fountains of waters. And the name of the star is called Wormwood. And a third of the waters turned into wormwood, and many of the men died from the waters, because these had been made bitter.”

“The great star burning as a lamp,” which falls from heaven, polluting the rivers and fountains of waters, turning them to wormwood; causing many men to perish; similarly would seem to picture the lamp of the congregation—or what had been looked to as a lamp—as a lighted city on a hill. For example, Jesus told the congregation in Ephesus: “Therefore remember from what you have fallen, and repent and do the former deeds. If you do not, I am coming to you, and I will remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” The implication is that if Christians did not repent, their light would be removed. There would be dire consequences indeed for all those dependent upon the light that was snuffed out. Elsewhere, Jesus exhorted his disciples to walk while they had the light before them, because the night was coming.


To read more go to Jehovah Himself Has Become King.

The Future New World Order

Continued from part one—

What happened to the New World Order?






From a political perspective the new world order is synonymous with world government. Its human architects and original visionaries have typically been associated with the British Empire and the scheme is to use the United Nations as the administrative capitol of a yet-to-be created world government. Obviously, the new world order, which President Bush spoke about in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union and the resurgence of the UN, did not bring about world government.

As the Watchtower has pointed out on occasion, a genuine world government must have supranational powers—that is, it must posses powers that supersede that of any and all individual nations. At present the United Nations does not possess supranational authority over the nations. However, the ultimate goal of the new world order visionaries is the abolition of the nation-state system and the submersion of individual national sovereignties. The question is, will that actually come about? What does the Bible say about it, if anything?

According to Revelation 17:12-13, there will ultimately be a world government—a new world order. This will come about when the nations of the earth—represented by the ten horns of the scarlet-colored wild beast—forfeit their sovereign authority to the wild beast for a symbolic one hour. Revelation says: “And the ten horns that you saw mean ten kings, who have not yet received a kingdom, but they do receive authority as kings one hour with the wild beast. These have one thought, and so they give their power and authority to the wild beast.”

The scarlet-colored beast is itself an eighth king that springs from the seven; which Jehovah’s Witnesses believe was originally the now-defunct League of Nations, and that, presently, the United Nations is the 8th king of prophecy. But if that is true, in what way have all the kings of the earth given their authority and power to those agencies? (The United States wasn’t even a member of the League of Nations.)

One of the most common criticisms of the United Nations is that it does not possess sufficient authority to override national interests. In fact, the Watchtower also seems to agree that uncooperative nations are one of the main reasons the UN has thus far failed to bring peace and security. Here is a quote from the October 1st Watchtower, 1995, which was written to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations:

“As powerful as the United Nations may appear to be, its efforts are often thwarted by politics and the media. The United Nations is powerless if it lacks the support of its members. But without the public’s approval, many UN members will not support the United Nations.”

On the one hand, the Bible says that the kings of the earth will unreservedly give their power and authority to a wild beast-like supranational king in order that the word of God might be accomplished, which the Watchtower insists has already occurred. But conversely, the Watchtower Society is forced to acknowledge the reality that the United Nations does not have the power and authority necessary to over-ride national interests.

When it is pointed out to them, clear-thinking Jehovah’s Witnesses ought to recognize this glaring contradiction.

The implications of the Watchtower’s failure to correctly interpret the prophecy of Revelation (and numerous other prophecies) are hard to under-estimate. Needless to say, shocking events are destined to transpire. Contrary to the Watchtower’s assumption that the new world order has disintegrated, the transferal of power and authority from the ten kings to the eighth king is something that has not occurred yet. The implications are that the rise of the eighth king will mean the end of the nation-state democratic system of things, and with it the constitutional protections that Jehovah’s Witnesses have heretofore enjoyed in many lands. It means that the new world order will be the successful imposition of a totalitarian world government. And indeed, numerous Hebrew prophecies foretell the emergence of a final king variously referred to as “the depot of the nations,” and “a king fierce in countenance.”

For a more detailed discussion of the new world order and its impact, see the following e-watchman essays:

The Ultimate Final Solution

A King of Fierce Countenance

The Dawning of a New World Order

The Last Hour and the Eighth King

See also—Jehovah Himself Has Become King



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What Happened to the New World Order?

There was a time in the early 1990’s when the Watchtower seemed to have quite a bit to say about the so-called new world order. Although not really offering any substantive definition of what exactly the new world order is all about, at least the Watchtower raised awareness of the concept and the ongoing drive to create a new world order in opposition to God’s kingdom.

Although the term itself has been used for many decades, it was in the context of the break up of the Soviet Union and the run-up to the UN-sanctioned Desert Storm military operation that George H. Bush publicly spoke of the “new world order.”

The Society cited Bush’s remarks in the June 1st, 1991, issue of the Watchtower:

“For the first time since World War II the international community is united. The leadership of the United Nations, once only a hoped-for ideal, is now confirming its founders’ vision. . . . The world can therefore seize this opportunity to fulfill the long-held promise of a new world order.”—President Bush of the United States in his State of the Union message to that nation, January 29, 1991

The following month the July 15th issue of the Watchtower made 10 references to the “new world order.” Suddenly, though, in 1996 the Society dropped all mention of a new world order in both the Watchtower and AWAKE magazines. Not only that, but the much more prevalent term—“new order”— was also dropped from Bethel’s publications that same year.

This is especially odd since the new order is understood by Jehovah’s Witnesses to mean the new world of God’s making; and in fact, the original Greek used the expression “order of things” in reference to the present system of things—as it is translated by the NWT. Nevertheless, for the past decade the Society has not mentioned the “new world order” or “new order.” It appears as if there is a determined effort to remove the terms from Jehovah’s Witnesses theocratic lexicon. But why? Is it because the political new world order has become irrelevant? If it is to alleviate confusion between the political new world order and the biblical new order why drop all mention of either?

Curiously, the Society’s last mention of the new world order appeared in the July 22nd AWAKE, in an article entitled “The New World Order Off to a Shaky Start.” With that article the Society essentially declared that the new world order was dead. Specifically, the article stated: “The United Nations, as Boutros Boutros-Ghali, its secretary-general, recently said in its defense, has scored many triumphs. But it has not succeeded in fulfilling its charter purpose, namely “to maintain international peace and security.” Often its troops have tried to maintain peace in places where there was no peace to maintain. As of 1995, it had failed to breathe life into a shaky new world order. ..In view of the political, economic, and religious instability that caused their vision of a new world order to disintegrate before their very eyes, some people began speaking of a new world disorder. In this development Jehovah’s Witnesses saw further proof that only a new world of God’s making will enjoy stability in human society.”

While it is true that no political system will be able to accomplish what only God’s kingdom can, is it in accord with the facts that the new world order has disintegrated? To better appreciate the answer to that question we might ask—just what, exactly, is the new world order anyway?

To be continued…

World war watch update

“And it performs great signs, so that it should even make fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the sight of mankind.” –Revelation 13:13

In order to coerce mankind into worshipping the image of the beast the two-horned beast (Anglo-American dual world power) performs great signs and even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the sight of mankind. What might this entail?

Of course, Jehovah’s Witnesses have been led to believe that the 13th chapter of Revelation has already been fulfilled. Here is what the Watchtower had to say in their most recent Revelation commentary: “This two-horned wild beast performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven. This latter sign reminds us of Elijah, the ancient prophet of God who engaged in a contest with the prophets of Baal. When he successfully called down fire from heaven in the name of Jehovah, it proved beyond doubt that he was a true prophet and that the Baal prophets were false. Like those Baal prophets, the two-horned wild beast feels that it has adequate credentials as a prophet. Why, it claims to have vanquished the forces of evil in two world wars, and now it stands firm against so-called godless communism! Many, indeed, view the modern counterpart of the two-horned wild beast as a guardian of liberty and a font of material good things.”

That is it. That is the extent of the Society’s "explanation."

So, how has the beast conjured fire from heaven? Read the above quotation again if you must, but the answer is the Watchtower has no comment. They merely wish to give the impression of having adequately explained the verse in question without having done any such thing. And regrettably Jehovah’s Witnesses are oblivious to the Society’s clever sleight-of-hand method of Bible interpretation.

It is true that WWII ended with the horrific, first and only detonation of nuclear devices during wartime; but the Society does not even point to that as a possible fulfillment of the Apocalypse. Instead they point to the mere fact that the United States is a powerful and wealthy nation. But are we really supposed to believe that mankind has already witnessed the beast performing great signs and conjuring fire from heaven in the form of American consumerism and democracy? It is not sensible.

The fact is, the Watchtower Society applies virtually all Bible prophecy to the past 20th century; meanwhile, the United States and other nations are quietly preparing to for yet another world war.

As of the first week of December, 2005, the US Strategic Command’s Global Strike initiative is fully operational. Under Stratcom Global Strike has successfully integrated all elements of the US military, including a preemptive nuclear strike force, in order to rapidly attack any nation on earth that is deemed to be a threat to American security. The US now stands poised to unleash a terrifying form of warfare the world has never before experienced.

The recent military operation called Exercise Global Lightning may well be a rehearsal for making fire fall from heaven—quite literally.

"The pestilence causing adversities"

According to the WT's interpretation of the 91st Psalm " the pestilence causing adversities" is nationalism. Quoting from their stable of British imperialists/historians the November 15th, 2001, Watchtower states: "The psalmist cites the pestilence causing adversities. Like a contagious epidemic disease, there is something that causes “adversities” for the human family and for upholders of Jehovah’s sovereignty. In this regard, historian Arnold Toynbee wrote: “Since the end of World War II nationalism has doubled the number of local sovereign independent states . . . Mankind’s present mood is increasingly divisive.”

So, according to the Watchtower Jehovah’s Witnesses are immune to the “pestilence causing adversities” simply because Jehovahs Witnesses are not nationalistic. But is that an accurate interpretation of the 91st Psalm? To determine that consider verses 5-8: "You will not be afraid of anything dreadful by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in the gloom, nor of the destruction that despoils at midday. A thousand will fall at your very side and ten thousand at your right hand; to you it will not come near. Only with your eyes will you look on and see the retribution itself of the wicked ones."

Again, the Watchtower teaches that the Psalm applies in some spiritual way; that God’s retribution is being expressed right now upon people who are no longer associated with the congregation as Jehovah’s Witnesses. According to the Watchtower all who leave the organization, for whatever reason, have experienced a spiritual death at God’s hand! The same article as cited above states: “Because of failing to make Jehovah their refuge, many “fall” in spiritual death at our “very side.” In effect, “ten thousand” have fallen at the “right hand” of today’s spiritual Israelites. (Galatians 6:16) But whether we are anointed Christians or their dedicated companions, we are secure in God’s “secret place.” We merely ‘look on and see the retribution of the wicked,’ who are reaping trouble in commercial, religious, and other ways.”

The Society’s teaching is actually blasphemous. It makes Jehovah out to be a vindictive hit man who smites individuals who may merely have been stumbled by the misdeeds of others. In reality, Jesus said his Father makes the sun shine upon both wicked and good and makes it rain upon righteous and unrighteous.

The day of “retribution” the Psalm speaks about is judgment day. Judgment day involves war between the nations. God allows it to happen but he himself does not cause it. Jehovah promises to be a refuge for any and all who seek him during that time. No doubt the plague and pestilence that cause ten thousands to fall are very real—not symbolic.

Tamiflu useless against H5N1

Bird flu spreads wings

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U.S prepares for bird flu

More pandemic planning

The new heavens created in 1914?

1914

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1914

It is hard to over-estimate the importance the Watchtower Society attaches to 1914. Virtually all prophecy, excepting the actual war of Armageddon, has been attributed to the period of 1914-1919. At one time the Society even taught that the great tribulation began in 1914 but that it was cut short. Even now, besides teaching that Satan was thrown down from heaven and the kingdom of God began ruling in that year, the Society also asserts that Babylon the Great fell in 1918-19 and that Jesus came to his Father’s spiritual temple and cleaned house and gave the Watchtower Society his unequivocal approval.

Not only that, but most of Jehovah’s Witnesses might be astonished to know that the Watchtower even teaches that the new system went into operation in 1914! Incredible, but true.

The so-called new system is depicted in prophecy as a new heavens and new earth. The new heavens symbolize the new government God will set up in heaven, otherwise known as the kingdom of God. It will replace the old heavens--the demonic overlords presently ruling the world. The new earth symbolizes a righteous new society on earth. And according to the Watchtower the new heavens and new earth were created in 1914 and 1919. Incredible, but true.

The August 1st, 1960, Watchtower states: “Has this promised planting of the “new heavens” taken place? Indeed it has! It was A.D. 1914, as this journal has often explained, when Jehovah empowered his Son to rule as King, giving him “dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”

Jehovah’s Witnesses are generally aware of the fact that there are four places in the Bible that foretell a new heavens and new earth. Two places in Isaiah, one in 2nd Peter the third chapter and in the opening verse of the 21st chapter of Revelation. In all four places the new heavens and new earth come about after the old heavens and old earth are done away with. In Isaiah the new heaven and new earth were created after the Jews returned from exile in Babylon. The old heavens and earth was the corrupt Jewish system. Undeniably the new heavens and new earth came about after the remnant of Jews were released from Babylon.

Similarly, 2nd Peter and Revelation depict the new heavens and earth coming into being after the old heavens and earth are destroyed. However, if the Society’s view is correct, that the new heavens and earth were established in 1914 and 1919 respectively, then we would also have to conclude that the world ended in 1914!

In accord with the established pattern of prophecy, the destruction of the present heavens and earth would include the elimination of the corrupt element among God’s organization. The implementation of a new heavens and new earth would logically take place after Jehovah sells spiritual Israel into captivity to Babylon the Great. The ultimate creation of the new heavens and new earth will be characterized, among other things, by the absence of the hierarchal institution known as the Watchtower--which corresponds with the old Jerusalem prior to Nebuchadnezzar‘s invasion. In its place must stand the actual kingdom of God--the New Jerusalem--coming down out of heaven.

Of course, the Watchtower also points forward to a future time of fulfillment for the creation of a new heavens and new earth, but that is merely in keeping with the Society's penchant for practicing what Jehovah referred to as "double-faced divination." In other words the Watchtower divines the prophetic word so as to conveniently suit its own purposes, as it sees fit.

On the one hand the notion that the new heavens and earth were estalished in 1914-1918 has been vigorously promoted over the years in order to embellish the role of the Watchtower Society as being the permanently appointed faithful slave. But, the very same prophcies are also applied to a future creation of the new heavens and new earth.

The envelopment that is enveloping

For decades the Watchtower has boasted that Jehovah’s Witnesses have been set free from spiritual captivity to the modern Babylon the Great—the world-wide system of false religion—with Christendom as the main component. Typical of such boastfulness, the March 1st, 2001, Watchtower says on page 16:

"After liberating his people from Babylon the Great in 1919, he [Jehovah] set before them a victory banquet, an abundant supply of spiritual food. This was foretold at Isaiah 25:6, where we read: “Jehovah of armies will certainly make for all the peoples, in this mountain, a banquet of well-oiled dishes, a banquet of wine kept on the dregs, of well-oiled dishes filled with marrow, of wine kept on the dregs, filtered.” How blessed we are to share in that feast! “The table of Jehovah” is truly laden down with good things to eat. Through “the faithful and discreet slave,” we are given everything we could ever need in a spiritual sense."

According to the Watchtower’s grandiose interpretation of prophecy, all of the published material of the Watchtower Society over the ensuing decades from 1919 constitutes a “victory banquet” of spiritual food, in fulfillment of Isaiah 25:6.

But is that really true? Is the Watchtower’s interpretation authentic and reliable? Consider the context on the prophecy, of which the preceding verses say:

“O Jehovah, you are my God. I exalt you, I laud your name, for you have done wonderful things, counsels from early times, in faithfulness, in trustworthiness. For you have made a city a pile of stones, a fortified town a crumbling ruin, a dwelling tower of strangers to be no city, which will not be rebuilt even to time indefinite. That is why those who are a strong people will glorify you; the town of the tyrannical nations, they will fear you. For you have become a stronghold to the lowly one, a stronghold to the poor one in the distress that he has, a refuge from the rainstorm, a shade from the heat, when the blast of the tyrannical ones is like a rainstorm against a wall. Like the heat in a waterless country, the noise of strangers you subdue, the heat with the shadow of a cloud. The melody itself of the tyrannical ones becomes suppressed.”

Jehovah’s intervention and liberation comes at a time when the tyrant, “the town of tyrannical nations,” is terrorizing mankind—like a relentless blasting rainstorm—or parching heat in a shadowless land. According to Habakkuk the anti-typical Chaldean is going to enmesh all the nations in his net and eat them as hapless fishes. (See essay on Habakkuk entitled The Ultimate Final Solution) Apparently that is what Isaiah is foretelling as well, where we read:

“And in this mountain he will certainly swallow up the face of the envelopment that is enveloping over all the peoples, and the woven work that is interwoven upon all the nations. He will actually swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces. And the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for Jehovah himself has spoken it.”

“The envelopment that is enveloping” is not mere Adamic death as the Watchtower supposes. Since Adam and Eve rebelled against God mankind has continuously been subject to the tyranny of death. It is doubtful that Jehovah would describe something as constant as Adamic death as if it were suddenly enveloping all the peoples like some sort of enmeshing net.

Likely, the “envelopment” corresponds to the genocidal fisherman’s net of Habakkuk. The fact that Jehovah’s intervention brings an immediate end to death is indicative of the fact that the envelopment that is at that time in the process of “enveloping over all the peoples” relates to the “town of tyrannical nations,”—which is apparently the 8th king of prophecy, as he goes on a genocidal tirade.

The Watchtower’s self-serving interpretation of the meaning of the well-oiled dishes is simply nonsensical. Jehovah provides his people with such a banquet only after the town of the tyrant is destroyed—not before. And it comes at the same time that Jehovah abolishes death.

As it stands presently, Christendom is every bit as viable today as it was in 1919—if not more so. And it is fairly obvious that death has not been done away with. The fall of religion only exists as a figment of Watchtower folklore—it being one aspect of the “artfully contrived false stories” connected to the Society’s 1914 parousia doctrine. As for the Watchtower’s boastful assumption that Jehovah’s Witnesses will never be dominated by Babylon the Great—think again.

In the United States the so-called Patriot Act has already seriously undermined basic individual liberties. In the event of war or even a flu pandemic it is feared that a military dictatorship and police state will be imposed and the many of constitutional guarantees that Jehovah’s Witnesses have come to take for granted would be abolished overnight. The situation in the UK is likewise, precarious. Related link

Most soberingly, many well-known evangelical leaders of Christendom are mere agents of tyranny, who have been covertly working to bring mankind under a one world dictatrorship. See link

In view of the present state of affairs there is no reason to assume they will not succeed.

The reader is left to ponder the ramifications of such an eventuality.

NAZI WATCH

As the leading representatives of the modern configuration of the Anglo-American Special Relationship, what do George Bush and the visiting Prince Charles have in common?

Answer: Both of their families were enthusiastic supporters of Nazism.


Prince Charles' father, Prince Phillip, was a great admirer of Hitler. Phillip's four sisters (Charles' aunts) were all married to Nazi officers during Hitler's reign. (As fodder for psychiatrists, Prince Harry, the son of the presumptive heir to the throne, recently attended a party dressed in Nazi garb. What was that all about anyway?)

As for George Bush's Nazi pedigree, his grandfather, Prescott Bush, was instrumental in procuring the Nazis loans before and during WWII and also apparently assisted the Nazis in alluding justice after the war. Additional link

Not surprisingly, then, the US and UK seem to be creeping down the same path as their Nazi predecessors. For example, in response to 9-11 the US, in particular, appears to have taken a play out of Hitler's playbook in connection with the infamous Reichstag Fire.

Most recently it was revealed that the CIA has maintained secret prisons, so-called "black sites" in Third World countries, where suspected Enemies of the State are detained. In the wake of the Abu Ghraib prison torture revelations, one shudders at the thought of what has taken place in those "black sites."

Back during the Nazi reign of terror the Watchtower was most vocal about the threat Nazism posed to the world. And Jehovah's Witnesses showed tremendous resolve in the face of Nazi terror. Now, though, with the most powerful nation in history teetering on the edge of becoming a fascist state, the Watchtower has nothing to say.

Is it due to their abiding trust in Jehovah, or is Bethel simply oblivious to the looming peril?

Time will tell.

H5N1 Watch Update # 5

Jesus charged his disciples to stay on the watch for his sudden stealthy return. But since Jesus' parousia is invisible what are Christians supposed to keep on the watch for?

Christians are to watch for the sign of his presence. The primary feature of the sign is that warfare will erupt---pitting nations and kingdoms of the world against each other. There will also be noteworthy food shortages and pestilences (pandemics). The Watchtower Society insists that the sign of Christ's presence was fulfilled nearly a century ago---ostensibly negating any further need for watchfulness as regards that crucial aspect of the sign.

However, in the spirit of true Christian watchfulness the presently developing series of crises; namely the looming world war, conceivably accompanied by global financial collapse ushering in food shortages, and a developing super-bug pandemic---bears watching as having the potential to far surpass the events on 1914 as regards their impact upon the world.

Since war is clearly not a natural phenomenon but is the product of human and demonic wickedness, it stands to reason that other accompanying features of the sign are also a result of man's inability of rule himself successfully. Take pestilence for example.

The Black Death, which decimated Europe in the 1400s, is believed to have been caused by bacteria, carried by fleas that were hosted by rats. But should we consider the resulting plague to have been a natural phenomenon? No, not at all. The cause of the plague was the enforced ignorance and economic backwardness that marked the Dark Ages. Sanitary conditions in densely populated centers were deplorable and the feudalistic system insured that the population remained uneducated. Civil planning and engineering was non-existent.

What about now though? True, modern cities have vastly superior sanitation systems and infrastructure; not to mention amazing medical and scientific breakthroughs that have allowed mankind to gain control over the world of the microbe---to a degree. Still, many parts of the world remain enslaved in poverty and ignorance by the global financial system---living in appalling squalor and filth, rivaling Medieval Europe at the time of the Black Death.

One of the reasons flu epidemics seem to originate in South East Asia is because of poverty conditions that bring poultry into close proximity to human living space. The barbaric practice of cockfighting is also seen as one source of perpetuating Avian flu. Even though most people living in the West don’t give much thought to the plight of impoverished peasants in Asia, virologists and world leaders are well aware of the fact that any place that serves as an incubator for H5N1 to recombine avian and human genetic material poses a threat to the rest of the world. That's because not only can migratory birds potentially spread a new strain of virus, but merely one air traveler from an infected source can serve as a modern day Typhoid Mary and spread the disease far abroad in a single day.

Ironically, while technological advances have empowered man to control the outbreak of numerous dieseases; technology has also shrunken the world and made global pandemics much more likely.

Yesterday President Bush announced an emergency initiative in the fight to minimize the risk of an eventual H5N1 pandemic.

We'll see what happens.

Economy Watch

It is becoming more evident by the day that the once-mighty U.S. economy is nearing collapse.


Huge chunks of the auto industry -- once the bedrock of the economy -- are going into bankruptcy.

The most recent casualty is Delphi – the largest auto parts maker in the world – which filed bankruptcy last week. Workers and retirees are facing huge pay and benefit cuts. There is concern that Delphi's collapse will topple GM as well.

The airlines are also teetering on the edge of the financial abyss -- Delta and Northwest airlines filing bankruptcy in recent weeks.

What is happening is that corporations are entering into the final phase of globalization. (The final phase being the destruction of the working class – the so-called middle class.) Companies are using bankruptcy as a means of permanently busting unions, outsourcing the last remaining skilled labor jobs in order to shed costly workers benefits and wages.

But perhaps the most significant recent bankruptcy is the one you may not have heard much about – Refco.

Refco – once touted as the world's largest derivatives broker – is now referred to as the new Enron.

Shortly after going public in August the company simply imploded. The company reportedly left open derivatives positions estimated to be in the range of $150 billion!

So far in the immediate aftermath of Refco’s collapse there is no apparent contagion, but derivatives trades are described as being in a state of suspended animation.

Derivatives are supposed to spread risk through out the financial system – but in reality they concentrate financial risks to a few players that hold enormous multi-trillion dollar obligations.

Here is a recent history of the growth of derivatives as reported by EIR.

It is also reported that the US now has to attract capital inflows of over $1,000,000,000,000 anually simply to offset the collapse of the US economy. Whereas, most of the inflows used to come from China and Japan recycling their dollars, now the inflows come from London and their off-shore hedge fund operations. (Many hedge funds are simply shells set up by huge banks to manipulate the markets and launder illicit monies. It would seem that the hedge funds are being used as a last gasp, end-game scheme to stave off the inevitable collapse a little while longer)

At any rate, with the underlying physical economy – upon which everyone depends – in an undeniable state of disintegration, and the gambler's side bets known as derivatives growing exponentially, it is only a matter of time before the financial system rips apart.

Not coincidently, the letter of James foretells of a fiery judgment during the last days that will consume the material wealth of Christians.

This does not bode well for the multi-million dollar enterprise known as the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society Inc. and the thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses who are supported by it.

"Come, now, you rich men, weep, howling over your miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted, and your outer garments have become moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are rusted away, and their rust will be as a witness against you and will eat your fleshy parts. Something like fire is what you have stored up in the last days." (James 5:1-3)

http://e-watchman.com/

Day of tyranny

According to prophecy there is an appointed time for the nations to be subjected to a tyrant. Once in power the tyrant will, well, do what tyrants do: he will tyrannize the nations and peoples. And in so doing he will also accomplish Jehovah's will by destroying Babylon the Great. Ultimately, Jesus Christ will destroy the tyrant. But it is during the reign of the tyrant, or the "despot of the nations," as recorded in the 31st chapter of Ezekiel, that Jehovah offers the lowly ones of his people refuge from the storm of tyranny. The 25th chapter of Isaiah foretells:

"That is why those who are a strong people will glorify you; the town of the tyrannical nations, they will fear you. For you have become a stronghold to the lowly one, a stronghold to the poor one in the distress that he has, a refuge from the rainstorm, a shade from the heat, when the blast of the tyrannical ones is like a rainstorm against a wall. Like the heat in a waterless country, the noise of strangers you subdue, the heat with the shadow of a cloud. The melody itself of the tyrannical ones becomes suppressed."
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Has the tyrant begun his reign of terror yet? Jehovah's Witnesses say yes. And stranger still, according to the Watchtower's interpretation, the despot and tyrants of the nations is none other than Jesus Christ himself and the holy angels. Here is an excerpt from the May 15th, 1977 Watchtower.
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"Who is the modern "despot of the nations," and who are the "strangers, the tyrants of the nations"? They are the fear-inspiring Communist bloc of nations, are they not? To this we flatly answer, No!. . .So, then. . .who will be Jehovah’s instrument that will do a work like that of the "despot of the nations," or the "strangers, the tyrants of the nations," back in the prophet Ezekiel's day? It will not be Jehovah’s Christian witnesses, who today number just some two million scattered among 210 lands around the globe. They are not despotic, not tyrannical, and strike no terror in people's hearts, for which reason they are openly persecuted as a helpless, defenseless religious minority. Not a puny earthly instrument, but a mighty heavenly instrument is what Jehovah will use. Jehovah's instrument is the glorified Jesus Christ and his armies of heavenly angels. Hardheaded politicians of today may laugh at such a thought.”
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Hopefully it is obvious to thinking persons that Nebuchadnezzar's nation-crushing tyranny did not foreshadow the activities of God's kingdom. Jehovah will not need to intervene to protect the lowly ones from being tyrannized by Jesus Christ and the holy angels.
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The Watchtower's bizarre and blasphemous interpretation aside, it should be apparent that God's prophetic word calls for the present world-wide system of things to be subjected to a dictatorial tyrannical regime during the last hour. That being the case, where are we in the stream of time? Indeed, what time is it?

It appears to be very, very late. Consider one aspect of the present state of affairs in the United States.

Since 9-11 the executive branch of the government has been given a blank check to fight its global war on terror. But although not covered in the mainstream media, opposition to the war has also been steadily growing. Not only is that the case, but key supporters and officials within the administration are now facing criminal indictments for a variety of crimes.

Those who are opposed to the neo-cons apparatus see this as a positive development. Other observers, though, caution that the intense political pressure might actually drive the administration into launching new wars or perhaps even orchestrating a terror attack in order to assume dictatorial control over the United States. A former CIA analyst has warned of this very thing. An editorial in the London Sunday Telegraph warned that an attack on Iran was inevitable unless the United Nations intervenes. EIR reports that the political pressures being brought against the Vice President of the United States may tempt him into attacking Iran, which could very easily ignite world war three.

Even though Satan the Devil is the unseen ruler of this system, humans are endowed with free will. That being the case, it stands to reason that men must be skillfully maneuvered and pressured into choosing a course the demons lay out for them. It would appear that the day of tyranny is looming larger by the day as men proceed step by step toward the trap laid for them.

The Future Judgment View Debacle

The Future Judgment View is a term coined by an Englishman named Al. What is/was his purpose in setting up a website in which he once espoused his own interpretation of prophecy based upon e-watchman? Al explains in his own words: (ostensibly his words)








What is the Future Judgment view? It is the possibility that we, Jehovah's Witnesses, were not cleansed and refined in 1919 as our current interpretations teach.

We consider that Jesus Christ may not have yet come to his spiritual temple to cleanse us, and that such an event will happen in the future. There are variations on this idea. Some wonder if the "last days" are seperate from the "time of the end", and that perhaps we're in the last days but the time of the end is yet future. We do not attempt to rewrite our basic doctrines. We are strictly considering the possibilities that our prophetic interpretations need readjusting or reapplying to different time periods. Yet we are not advocating 'reform'.

At the same time, we have no right to say that the current official interpretations of Bethel are wrong. Only Jehovah has the authority to make such definitive pronouncements. True humble servants would never think "I am definitley right, the society is definitley wrong". So if you are a real true Christian, and wish to consider alternative possibilities, while remaining loyal to both Jehovah and the brothers, then welcome to our webiste. (Spelling errors are his, or more than likely that of the spelling-impaired 11th Hour Fred)

Curiously, though, in the last few weeks Al has had a sudden change of mind. Perhaps a dozen or so essays that he had written on various prophetic matters have been removed from his website. What has happened? Originally Jehovah’s Judgment website maintained a link to e-watchman explaining that his interpretations were intended to expand upon the writings of e-watchman. However, now the link to e-watchman states:

It was e-Watchman that first introduced me to what I call the possibility of a future judgment. He thinks he's one of the anointed and a foretold watchman to be raised up by God. He writes letters trying to cause divisions among the brotherhood, and slanders the GB by calling them money-making "liars". His followers congratulate each other when they get disfellowshipped for standing up for "truth". Any people who oppose them are from "the devil".

What can account for the sudden change? Has e-watchman changed, as is implied? No. I have not changed. From the very beginning I have been intent on exposing, among other things, the Watchtower's phony 1914 teaching; their political partnership with the UN as well as the deplorable way in which the organization has dealt with child abuse. For example, the very first essay posted on e-watchman in September of 2002 took up the 1914 topic. A few weeks later I wrote the piece called Justice for the Silentlambs, which forcefully called attention to Jehovah's judgments contained in the book of Hosea. Shortly after that came the essay entitled The Watchtower as an NGO, which not only exposed the Watchtower's treachery and duplicity to public view, but explained how such an apostasy was foretold in the prophets--and in so doing I basically called the Watchtower a liar.

Al was well aware of my strong views from the very beginning when he jumped on board with his own version of "future judgment." What can account for the sudden change in his viewpoint then? Indeed, even making an allowance for my own defection from my original mission, even if that were true, why would Al remove his own writings? Why not pick up the standard of the fallen prophet and carry on?

Obviously, Al was never really committed to the concept he himself espoused. Otherwise he would not have cut and run. It is clear by his own mission statement quoted above that Al was hobbled by limping upon two opinions. On the one hand he aspired to announce Jehovah's judgments; but on the other hand he was terrified of being disfellowshipped for his activities. Clearly, Al was not cut out for the work he presumed to undertake.

It would seem that Al is merely a pawn in a demonic scheme, not to espouse Jehovah's judgments as his website proclaims, on the contrary--it would appear that the purpose all along was to conceal them! At least that is the small-scale end result of his activity. By insinuating himself into the work I had been doing, and passing himself off for a time as one committed to the same work, but then suddenly denouncing the very work he had promoted just a weeks before, the intent is obviously to discredit the work--and e-watchman in particular .

Bible students will recognize that this is a ploy used by the demons over and over. For example, in the 16th chapter of Acts a demonized girl followed Paul around for days echoing Paul's message, seemingly. The question is, why would the demons call attention to the good news? It was because they wanted to give themselves credibility by insinuating themselves into Paul's company to further their own agenda.

Same thing in the 19th chapter of Acts with the seven sons of Sceva pretending to cast out demons in the name of Christ. There are, in fact, many other examples.

The point is, though, that the demons seek to slither their way into the work that Jehovah's servants are doing--whatever that work may be at any given time. At first they appear as friends and sharers, so that they may stake out a claim. Then when their masters pull the string they are used to discredit the work they once claimed as their own. In reality, Al's erratic behavior is a reflection of his own mental instability more than any thing else.

That's not to say I consider Al to be demonized. He is apparently just a weak minded individual who is easily influenced and who has been manipulated by Hector Heinz Schmidt, 11th Hour Fred and who knows who else?

In any case, let it be duly noted here: I am fully committed to the work which I initiated over three years ago, and by Jehovah's help I am confident that I will finish it. Jehovah's judgments are sure to come. It is not a “view” or an opinion that one can change like a dirty shirt. It is not even my intention to discuss Jehovah's judgments as though they were uncertain and open to revision. The judgments of Jehovah are as certain as the sun rising tomorrow. My purpose is to announce Jehovah's judgments--not debate them or conceal them.

The Watchtower Society cannot prevent it. And wanna-be prophets and pretenders can't either.

Rebuttal part III

In the 13th chapter of Ezekiel, Jehovah charged his prophet to notify the "stupid prophets" that their whitewashed wall was doomed to fall. The Watchtower's entire prophetic framework, which is undeniably built upon the foundation of 1914, certainly fits the description of a whitewash-plastered wall. (See previous blog The Wall Must Fall)

And unquestionably the tendency of the Watchtower is to whitewash its past history and current misdeeds. The organization must be cast as the beaming city on the hill--above reproach--the very city of God.


So, every effort is made to present the organization in the most favorable light--even if it means using trickery and deception to accomplish that end. The Watchtower's stable of lawyers are especially charged with the task of plastering coat after coat of whitewash upon the organizational wall.

The Watchtower's official explanation of their partnership with the United Nations is a study in the art of twisting the truth by means of skillful lawyering. Unquestionably, Bethel's lawyers are adepts in the art. How so?

Knowing that in all likelihood the branch overseers who inquired of Bethel knew nothing about NGOs, the Watchtower's carefully crafted response was obviously intended to take advantage of that ignorance. The art of clever lawyering involves saying as little as possible and avoid devulging details; while at the same time imperceptibly misdirecting those entitled to know the truth by emphasizing half-truths and irrelevant facts. Let's see how the Watchtower's law department has done that very thing.

Continuing with Third Witness's self-described "surprising in-depth report," he next republishes three Watchtower letters defending their NGO partnership with the UN and poses the question: Are these letters full of lies and cover-ups to hide the 'secret affair' of the WTS and the UN? Let's examine them in detail.

Defender goes on to write:It is here acknowledged that critics claim these statements are untrue. That anyone could have access to the library materials. They quote statements that the Dag Hammarskjold library and depository libraries were accessible to everyone. But please note even in the 1994 brochure that "For NGOs associated with DPI, the United Nations provides: . . .use of the Dag Hammarskjold Library." This at least demonstrates that sometime before 1994 NGO status was apparently necessary to access that library. But even if you disregard that, if you look closely you will see that the WTS did not say they registered as a NGO just to get a library card for the "main library." They also wanted to gain access to research material at the "extensive library of the United Nations" and at the UN "library facilities." The extensive library facilities include more than just the Dag Hammarskjold library. It includes audio, film, and photo libraries, access to selected meetings, briefings, seminars, conferences, film screenings, commemorations, concerts, language courses, and the NGO Resource Center that offers current UN documents. Were all these resources accessible without a NGO pass? No they were not.

Obviously, Defender is no Watchtower lawyer. Whereas, the Society's adepts deliberately kept details to a minimum, Defender blithely goes into great detail on the perks that came with being an approved NGO; citing how associate NGO status allowed the Watchtower access to "meetings, briefings, seminars conferences, film screenings, commemorations, concerts, language courses, and the NGO Resource Center that offers current UN documents."

The Society's lawyers will surely cringe over the fact that Defender is obviously oblivious to the implications of his frank admission that NGO status involved much more than merely accessing a library. Defender's stupid defense opens a whole new can of worms that Bethel would most assuredly prefer to stay closed. But, Defender's blunder now raises the additional question as to what extent Bethel directly participated in political meetings, conferences, commemorations and so forth.

One thing in this regard is known at the present time: The Watchtower definitely got more than a library pass. That is evident from the fact that the Watchtower participated in the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the UN Declaration of Human Rights--even sending a representative from Bethel to the 29th floor of the UN sanctuary to interview a high ranking UN official for the occasion. (See the subheading A view from the 29th Floor)
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While the UN has pointed out repeatedly that any qualified researcher could use the UN library before 9-11, we may be sure that the 29th floor of the UN tower was strictly off limits to mere library pass holders who were not representatives of active DPI approved NGOs. To what extent Bethel may have participated in other political activities at the UN remains to be seen. No doubt Jehovah will reveal the full extent of Bethel's prostitution in his own time and way.

Defender next supports the Watchtower's absurd assertion that some guy at the UN lied to them and told them they had to become an approved NGO--so they did.

Defender states: The WTS here explains how their representative was told that he could not have access to a certain facility unless he had an NGO pass. Maybe it was an employee who was mistaken, as is sometimes the case with government employees or any employees for that matter. I'm sure most of us have had that same type of experience. If we are honest and have dealt with the government we know that different responses are sometimes given depending on whom you talk to. I, myself, have received different responses from IRS agents on the same question. This is not unheard of and is very plausible. On the other hand perhaps he was trying to use a facility that contained books or documents that was only for those with NGO status. At any rate, he was told he needed a NGO pass and therefore an application was requested.

This defense is so ridiculous it is laughable. It is noteworthy that this particular line was not offered to the Guardian. More than likely the Watchtower lawyers were shrewd enough to know that nobody outside of Jehovah's Witnesses would swallow such nonsense. The Watchtower evidently only peddles this version to individual JWs who inquire directly to Bethel.

At any rate, the absurdity of the suggestion that the Watchtower committed themselves to a ten-year political alliance with the UN based upon the misinformation of some UN clerk is laid bare by the facts already presented. Namely, there is no way the Watchtower could have become an approved NGO by merely by signing an application. As already pointed out, all applying NGOs were required in 1992 to submit 6 samples of their work along with the application. Not only that, but all applying NGOs had to make a full financial disclosure as well. That means that the Watchtower had to open their financial records to the UN.

Surely no one is so naïve to believe that the Watchtower would turn over their financial records because some guy at the UN told them they had to in order to get a library pass. Yet, this is the kind of nonsense that the Watchtower and their apologists peddle.

Interestingly, Third Witness' Watchtower apology bears an uncanny resemblance to the Hector Heinz Schmidt's "defense" of the Watchtower. It would appear that Third Witness either plagiarized Schmidt or he is Hector Heinz Schmidt. Funny how what goes around comes around.

http://web.archive.org/web/20040625093125/hector3000.future.easyspace.com/ngo.htm

Rebuttal part two

This is part two of yesterday's blog







If you are not already befuddled by Defender's hand-waving routine, you are sure to be bedazzled by his next slight-of-hand "defense" of the truth.

Defender would have the credulous mind believe that there were no requirements in place for NGOs before 2001. The official line is that the Watchtower merely signed an application and that was it. Nothing more was required.

So, toeing the company line (lie in this case) Defender cites a UN press release published in Science Blog from December 2001, which stated, among other things: "The DPI Committee on NGOs also confirmed the disassociation of 251 NGOs that no longer meet the requirements of the Department. The decision brings the number of NGOs associated with the DPI to 1,480. During the year the DPI has instituted a review process for the first time, in order to better measure the effectiveness of its liaison activities with associated NGOs."

So, according to Defender, the fact that DPI "instituted a review process for the first time" in 2001, a month after the Watchtower beat a hasty retreat from the NGO list, that there must not have been any obligation before that on the part of NGOs to cooperate with the UN.

This is a lie. Defender is counting upon you being blind and stupid so that he can dazzle you with his amateur card tricks. How so? Well, the very Science Blog article he linked to clearly states in the second paragraph:

"The newly associated organizations conform with the principles of the United Nations Charter, operate solely on a non-profit basis and demonstrate a long-standing involvement with United Nations issues. Most importantly, they have the information programme infrastructure in place to reach a broad audience about United Nations activities. This information dissemination capacity is a unique criterion for association with the DPI."

Were these requirements newly instituted in 2001, as Defender would have the slow-wits believe? No. They are the very same requirements that were in place in 1992; the year the Watchtower's application to join the DPI was originally accepted. (Defender is well aware of this as well, but his religion requires that he defend lies, so that's what he does--for the sake of the truth, of course.)

Here is a link to a UN press release issued in August 1992 that uses nearly identical language. The last paragraph of the document states: "To be granted association status with DPI, NGOs must. . .support the charter of the United Nations; have broadly based membership; and possess the resources necessary for effective outreach." (Click here and then click on the first link1992. To read the document, hover your mouse cursor in the lower right corner of the document until a cursor button appears. Click on it and the document will enlarge.)

"Resources necessary for effective outreach" relates specifically to the ability of an NGO to disseminate UN propaganda to a broad audience. And indeed, the UN itself has officially weighed in on the controversy to state, unequivocally, that the Watchtower not only agreed to the terms of the NGO covenant, but Bethel willingly met the requirments. (Click here & scroll to bottom of page and click on Watchtower Bible and Tract Society)

So what does it mean that the UN instituted a review process in late 2001?

Apparently a more rigorous review procedure was instituted in that year. Does that mean that prior to 2001 NGOs were not required to meet the criteria of association? No, not at all. For example, the same UN press release linked to above states: "Ten applications were rejected by DPI, and the association of one inactive NGO was terminated."

The fact that 10 NGOs were rejected indicates that there were certain requirements in place in 1992. An NGO could not simply sign an application and become approved. Furthermore, one NGO was determined to be inactive and was delisted. So it is apparent that there was a review process in place--just not as stringent as it became in 2001. If someone is naive enough to believe Defender's tripe, such persons should ask themselves: How does an NGO become "inactive"? And if there was no review procedure in place in 1992, what difference would it make if an NGO was inactive? Does being inactive mean that they failed to use their library for a certain period of time? According to the Watchtower's armchair apologist that is the only way an NGO could possibly become "inactive." Obviously, though, in light of the DPIs requirements for NGOs, inactivity relates to NGOs not fulfilling their obligation to propagandize in behalf of the UN.

The fact that the Watchtower was approved and that they were not judged to be inactive during their 10 year tenure as an approved NGO is proof that they met the requirements.

to be continued . . .

The Watchtower's NGO Affair: A Rebuttal

For the reader who has accessed this blog but may be unacquainted with the author's main site, I have written extensively over the past three years on the topic of the Watchtower's secret 10 year partnership with the United Nations; and specifically, its implications from the standpoint of Jehovah's judgment. For a comprehensive treatment of the topic please first read the essay entitled Strange Bedfellows.

In the spring of 2004 I mailed an 8 page letter documenting the Watchtower's NGO connection to every kingdom hall in the United States and Canada; as well as to every assembly hall and branch office of the Watchtower Society.

In the wake of that widespread exposure, one of Jehovah's Witnesses has taken it upon himself to defend the Watchtower's secret political partnership with the UN on a blog entitled The Truth about the Truth about the Truth. Although his blog maintains no link to e-watchman, which in itself is an indication of the bloggers underhandedness, it is apparent that the Defender's blog is a response to it. This blog is a brief rebuttal to his defense. (His comments are in red)

In 1992 Jehovah's Witnesses (JW's) became associated as a non-governmental organization (NGO) with the United Nations (UN) in association with the Department of Public Information (DPI). Ten years later they withdrew their membership and sent out letters explaining exactly what happened.WT letter to branches

In the opening sentence the WT defender misleads the reader. The truth is that the Watchtower was publicly exposed by the London Guardian. That is why the Watchtower responded. They were forced to. The Defender wishes to give the impression that the Watchtower volunteered a full disclosure of their secret doings. That is a blatant lie.

The truth is a few days before the Guardian article went public the Watchtower withdrew their membership from the UN, no doubt because the Guardian had contacted them asking for a response, which is the jouralistically responsible thing to do. Shortly thereafter, the Watchtower concocted a lie that did not begin to explain the depth to which Bethel went to comply with the UN's requirements for all affiliated NGOs. They also issued the same lies to inquiring branch offices, which were apparently inundated with inquiries from Jehovah's Witnesses in the field who read about the story on the Internet. But, to this day the Watchtower has never acknowledged in any of its publications that it was ever an NGO. Millions of Jehovah's Witnesses have no clue what an NGO is, let along that the Watchtower was an UN-approved NGO.

Next the WT Defender dismisses everyone who criticizes the Watchtower's hypocrisy as mere opposers, apostates, accusers and disgruntled witnesses. After slyly cultivating the notion that no loyal Jehovah's Witness should have any problem with the Watchtower's political partnership with the UN, he then shamelessly invites the reader to set aside all prejudice and examine the facts--honestly and with an open mind.

The Watchtower Defender then launches into an extensive hand-waving exercise apparently intended to befuddle and disorient the uninformed reader with irrelevant facts. There is no need to reproduce any excerpts here; but the gist of his hand-waving has to do with the difference between two classifications of NGOs; that being NGOs with Consultive status and Associate NGOs. There was never any dispute as to the Watchtower being an associate NGO.

However, Defender asserts that NGOs with only Associate status are not required to support the UN. This is an outright lie. Defender even quotes from an online UN document that clearly states that all NGOs are required to use their resources to inform the public about the UN's activities. But because the application did not specifically state that NGOs were required to do so, Defender wishes to convince gullible minds that it is not really required.

Defender's "defense" is sheer nonsense.

In actuality, there was much more to becoming an NGO than merely filling out an application. The requirements for all applicants are listed on the UN's DPI/NGO website. (Also see part IV of Strange Bedfellows) About half way down the page are listed eight requirements for all applying NGOs. Filling out an application was merely one requirement. The 6th bullet point explicitly states:

*** Evidence of an active information programme relevant to the UN: at least six (6) different types of samples of the organization's most recent information materials (e.g. newsletter, periodicals, tapes of radio or television programmes, conference reports, web site, news clippings)

Not only are the requirements spelled out on the DPI/NGO website, but they are also reiterated on the original application. (Click here to see a copy of the third page of the application) So, while the original application may not have explicitly stated that NGOs are required to propagandize in behalf of the UN, it was certainly implied--as is evidenced by the fact that the application specified that applying NGOs had to list their publications and submit samples of their work.

The reason being that the Department of Public Information wanted to make sure the applicant had the means to carry out their obligation to disseminate information to the public in behalf of the DPI. The fourth page of the application requires the applicant to state whether or not the applying NGO has ever engaged with the UN in joint information campaigns in the past. And article 17 asks if the NGO wishes to undertake joint information projects in the future.

Contrary to the ridiculous notion that the Watchtower had no idea that Associate NGOs are required to conduct an information campaign in behalf of the UN; the truth is that the Watchtower had to demonstrate that it was doing that very thing before its application would even be considered. The application form the Watchtower signed in 1991 very clearly spelled out the nature of the DPI-NGO relationship.

E-watchman has posted reams of material demonstrating that the Watchtower did exactly that. For example, consider part VI, part VII, part VIII, part IX , and part X, of Strange Bedfellows to approximate the extent to which the Watchtower went to fulfill it obligation as a UN NGO.

End of part one...