Talking to a Jehovah's Witness
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 9:48 pm
I've had an opportunity to study in-depth with several members of this group, and wanted to share some thoughts. When talking with a Jehovah's Witness, arguing from the Bible is often not the best approach (at least at the beginning of the study). Because the New World Translation (NWT) is an interpretation and is tailored to their belief, many of the arguments against their understanding are quickly refuted by pointing out the global conspiracy surrounding the rest of the translations generally accepted. Their belief is that the Holy Spirit guided the men that "translated" the NWT, although all documents have been lost and all names of the translators remain veiled. As you may have encountered, many will not read or even accept material that was not produced by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. This means that they must see the error from their own accepted writings. Here are some excerpts from their own writings in chronological order, about which I will refrain from any rhetoric so that you can draw your own conclusions. If you ever have the opportunity to talk with a Jehovah's Witness, always remember that the person on the other side of the table has a soul as well....
Prophecies of the end-time
A few more years will wind up the present order of things,and then the chastened world will stand face to face with the actual conditions of the established Kingdom of God. (Watchtower, 1894, p56)
These parallels seem to point to the year just before us particularly the early months. (Watchtower Reprints, VI, Sept 1, 1914, p5527)
We see no reason for doubting, therefore that the Times of the Gentiles ended in October, 1914; and that a few more years will witness their utter collapse and the full establishment of God's kingdom in the hands of Messiah. (Watchtower Reprints, VI, Sept 1, 1916, p5950)
1925 Prophecies
There will be no slip-up...Abraham should enter upon the actual possession of his promised inheritance in the year 1925 (Watchtower, Oct 15, 1917, p6157)
Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews 11, to the condition of human perfection. (Millions Now Living Will Never Die, p89)
...we may expect 1925 to witness the return of these faithful men of Israel from the condition of death being resurrected (Millions Now Living Will Never Die, p88)
The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures...by then the great crisis will be reached and probably passed (Watchtower, Sept 1, 1922, p262)
The year 1925 is here. With great expectation Christians have looked forward to this year. Many have confidently expected that all members of the body of Christ will be changed to heavenly glory during this year. This may be accomplished. It may not be. In his own due time God will accomplish his purposes concerning his people. Christians should not be so deeply concerned about what may transpire this year. (Watchtower, Jan 1, 1925, p3)
Some anticipated that the work would end in 1925, but the Lord did not state so. (Watchtower, 1926, p232)
Armageddon coming before 1950
It would therefore appear that there is no reasonable or scriptural injunction to bring children into the world immediately before Armageddon, where we now are. (Watchtower, Nov 1, 1938, p324)
Now, with Armageddon immediately before us... (Watchtower, April 1 1942, p139)
Prophecy of the end-times announced/denounced within the same year
Within a few years at most the final parts of Bible prophecy relative to these last days will undergo fulfillment resulting in the liberation of surviving mankind into Christ's glorious 1000 year reign! (Watchtower, Jan 5, 1968)
True, there have been those in times past who predicted an "end" to the world, even announcing a specific date. Yet nothing happened. The "end" did not come. They were guilty of false prophesying. Why? What was missing? Missing from such people were God's truths and the evidence that He was using and guiding them. (Awake, Oct 8, 1968)
The Faithful Slave
But let us never forget that the motives of this "slave" were always pure, unselfish; at all times it has been well-meaning. (The Watchtower, March 1, 1979, p24)
Additionally, I've seen several topics posted about the diety of Christ. If you are studying about this topic, and they have access to their interlinear (probably in the Kingdom Hall library), I would encourage you to get them to look at how they translate John 1:1. It looks remarkably like Nestle's translation "and God was the Word", which they reject. NWT has this verse "and the Word was a god". This is not an end-all to the discussion, but is certainly an eye-opener for any honest heart.
Prophecies of the end-time
A few more years will wind up the present order of things,and then the chastened world will stand face to face with the actual conditions of the established Kingdom of God. (Watchtower, 1894, p56)
These parallels seem to point to the year just before us particularly the early months. (Watchtower Reprints, VI, Sept 1, 1914, p5527)
We see no reason for doubting, therefore that the Times of the Gentiles ended in October, 1914; and that a few more years will witness their utter collapse and the full establishment of God's kingdom in the hands of Messiah. (Watchtower Reprints, VI, Sept 1, 1916, p5950)
1925 Prophecies
There will be no slip-up...Abraham should enter upon the actual possession of his promised inheritance in the year 1925 (Watchtower, Oct 15, 1917, p6157)
Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews 11, to the condition of human perfection. (Millions Now Living Will Never Die, p89)
...we may expect 1925 to witness the return of these faithful men of Israel from the condition of death being resurrected (Millions Now Living Will Never Die, p88)
The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures...by then the great crisis will be reached and probably passed (Watchtower, Sept 1, 1922, p262)
The year 1925 is here. With great expectation Christians have looked forward to this year. Many have confidently expected that all members of the body of Christ will be changed to heavenly glory during this year. This may be accomplished. It may not be. In his own due time God will accomplish his purposes concerning his people. Christians should not be so deeply concerned about what may transpire this year. (Watchtower, Jan 1, 1925, p3)
Some anticipated that the work would end in 1925, but the Lord did not state so. (Watchtower, 1926, p232)
Armageddon coming before 1950
It would therefore appear that there is no reasonable or scriptural injunction to bring children into the world immediately before Armageddon, where we now are. (Watchtower, Nov 1, 1938, p324)
Now, with Armageddon immediately before us... (Watchtower, April 1 1942, p139)
Prophecy of the end-times announced/denounced within the same year
Within a few years at most the final parts of Bible prophecy relative to these last days will undergo fulfillment resulting in the liberation of surviving mankind into Christ's glorious 1000 year reign! (Watchtower, Jan 5, 1968)
True, there have been those in times past who predicted an "end" to the world, even announcing a specific date. Yet nothing happened. The "end" did not come. They were guilty of false prophesying. Why? What was missing? Missing from such people were God's truths and the evidence that He was using and guiding them. (Awake, Oct 8, 1968)
The Faithful Slave
But let us never forget that the motives of this "slave" were always pure, unselfish; at all times it has been well-meaning. (The Watchtower, March 1, 1979, p24)
Additionally, I've seen several topics posted about the diety of Christ. If you are studying about this topic, and they have access to their interlinear (probably in the Kingdom Hall library), I would encourage you to get them to look at how they translate John 1:1. It looks remarkably like Nestle's translation "and God was the Word", which they reject. NWT has this verse "and the Word was a god". This is not an end-all to the discussion, but is certainly an eye-opener for any honest heart.
Above all else, PRAY to GOD. Only He can convict and change lives. Trust and have faith, and study the Bible as well.
Luckily the obedient JWs are not allowed to visit sites like this. 
