What Jehovah's Witnesses Believe.
As a Jehovah's Witness, my salvation was never certain. God's love for me was conditional. It was not unconditional. To be loved, I needed to work for it. Eternal life in God's kingdom was only for those who did everything they could for Jehovah in the last days before armageddon.
I believed that God loved me only when I was working hard for the Watchtower Society. I was never sure if I had done enough for Jehovah
Why would I work hard for an organization? Because I believed the organization is God's only channel of comunication. Even though the organization is imperfect and has no divine inspiration, I believed that the Watchtower is God's modern day representative.
As a Jehovah's Witness I was required to attend five meetings every week, prepare for meetings, go door to door preaching the good news, attend conventions every year, attend smaller assemblies, and abide by all the rules of Jehovah as decided by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses.
I was not paid to work for the organization. I devoted my time and money to do everything that is required of Jehovah's Witnesses. To understand how the organization gets millions of people to dedicate their life to them in the name of God critics say the organization uses mind control
Did I really believe everything I was told? Part of me was convinced I had 'the truth'. But another part of me felt that I was living in a fictional fantasy world. I saw copious amounts of propaganda. Even as a child I saw the truth about the organization. The religious propaganda turned me off. Some of my dear friends were not as perceptive and paid a steep price for serving Jehovah in the last days before armageddon in 1975
If you've ever been hypnotized you'll understand how I felt. Under hypnosis you are in complete control. No one can force you to do something you don't want to do. You can stop it anytime, - but you don't! It's as if you're observing yourself and not sure why you're compelled to do and say certain things.
What The Bible Says.
It is true that Jehovah is a God of righteousness and judgment. Jehovah requires sacrifice in return for love. His love is conditional and based on obedience to a strict code of ethics. See Jehovah
However Jesus brought with him a new understanding of God. According to the Bible, Christians are saved because they have a personal relationship with Jesus. They are loved for who they are, - not for what they do.
Jehovah's Witnesses are far more knowledgable about the Bible than most Christians, yet they do not understand God's unconditional love. Luke 6:35-37. Why? Because they do not believe that the Bible can be understood without their literature. The organization interprets God's will for all Jehovah's Witnesses. Disagreement is not allowed. Everyone must speak in agreement and be like minded.
What Jesus Says About God's Unconditional Love.
To understand God's unconditional love, read only the words of Jesus. Some study Bibles highlight the words of Jesus in red. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given unto him. Matthew 28:18. Therefore worshipping Jehovah, Moses, the Apostle Paul, saints, and the early Christian congregation is not required.
Following the 'entire Bible' and trying to harmonize the theology of all Bible characters dilutes the message of Jesus. The Bible says that anyone who runs ahead of the teachings of Christ does not have God. 2 John 1:9-11
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