My late husband and I were JWs for a decade before finally getting out. I found the truth of Jesus divinity while handing out Watchtowers one day. A very patient Christian man explained that Jesus was not the father but the same nature as the father, hence posses divinity. He also used the examples you use here. And it clicked for me and at that moment I knew I was in a cult. I left shortly afterwards.
Many years ago my Mother and I invited 2 JW women to come and share their beliefs with us and hold Bible study around our kitchen table. We were hoping for a chance to share the true Gospel message with them. We held many friendly debates on many issues for several weeks. On several occasions they would say they didn't have the answers to our rebuttal so they would say they would go to their church leaders and get guidance and return the next week with more "answers" for us. (However, I also was going to my Church leaders to help arm me with proper verses to further show our beliefs) We finally got around to the Trinity. Something I felt confident in rebuffing. We laid out all the "facts" in the Bible - they could not come up with material to derail me. Although they tried! So, again, they admitted they didn't have the answers to the scriptures I was using to support the Trinity and asked if they could go to their church leaders and get those answers and return the next week. We never saw either of them again. Guess they gave up on us. lol I can only hope we planted a seed of doubt that the Lord could make grow and become the vine that would strangle their false beliefs. I do know we made them think about it - and couldn't rebuff many of the scriptures and Biblically sound arguments we showed them. They know their false material! Far better than most Christians know their Bibles. Their answers are memorized... once you get them "off script" you have a chance at reaching them. But they are well trained and have a pat answer to most issues. You have to try to get them to think for themselves instead of the "group think" they are trained in. Thanks for the info! Love your videos! God Bless
@@MrRklewis are you trying to say that Jesus is not good? The one who see Jesus has seen the father, the GOOD father, they are one, they are in perfect unity, they are a divine unity because he is a self sufficient God. He is all powerful to become the verb, because he is the one to causes to become. The verb is Gods love expression, and the Holy Spirit his substance, what he is, Holy!
@@preciadocr1ss okay where do you think Jesus is the father. Jesus doesn't have to be the father in order to be God, when Jesus prays to the father in The garden of Gethsemane how many persons are there one two. So God is the father he is also the son and he is also the Holy Spirit Ephesians 4:30 says we should not grieve the holy spirit of God. So when Jesus prays to the father he's praying to the first one of the trinity which is the father. Jesus took on human flesh the father didn't take on unified Jesus did, Jesus prays to the father and he says father glorify me with the same Glory that I had with you before the world began. Just because Jesus is God and equal to the father doesn't mean that he is the father. Jesus is God okay and God is also the father and God is also the Holy Spirit he's all three of these persons but all three of these persons are distinct from one another. So yes Jesus is a very good person but he is not the father he prays to the father, the Bible says that he was made in the image of a bond servant being made in the likeness of men. There are those who declare that God the Father and Jesus Christ, are the same person. They contend that Jesus is merely a manifestation or development or role of the Father. The Bible, however, says that the Father and Jesus are distinct from each other. They are not the same person. There are several ways in which the Bible illustrates this truth. 1. The Father Sent the Son Another distinction we have between the Father and the Son is that the Father is the sender and Jesus, the Son, is the one sent. Jesus said that it was God the Father who sent Him into the world. "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work" (John 4:34). He emphasized it again By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me (John 5:30). Jesus made it clear the Father had set Him apart and sent Him into the world. What about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, `I am God's Son'? (John 10:36). Jesus said that His words came from the Father. For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it (John 12:49) The Apostle Paul also testified that the Father sent the Son into the world: But when the fulness of the time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law (Galatians 4:4). 2. The Father Testified To The Son The Bible speaks of the Father testifying of the Son: If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is another who bears witness of me, and I know that the witness which he witnesses of me is true . . . And the Father himself, who sent me, has testified of me (John 5:31,32,37). In this passage, Jesus is speaking to the religious leaders. He says that He is not the only one who is testifying concerning Himself. Jesus mentions the testimony of John the Baptist and the testimony of God the Father. Jesus contrasts His testimony from that of the Father showing that they are two distinct persons. The Father provides additional testimony to the character of Jesus. 3. Jesus Prayed to the Father The two divine persons-God the Father and God the Son-exist eternally and distinctly in an interpersonal relationship. For example, in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus did not pray to Himself, but to the Father. In Jesus' prayer to God the Father, the clear distinction is made between the two of them. He prayed. I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in me through their word; that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me. "The glory which you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as we are one; I in them and you in me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you have loved me (John 17:20-23). 4. There Was Mutual Knowledge and Love between the Father and the Son Scripture speaks of the mutual knowledge and love that God the Father and God the Son have for one another. Jesus said. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal him (Matthew 11:27). Jesus also said. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand (John 3:35). 5. Jesus Did the Father's Will Jesus did the will of the Father not His own will. Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, 'Show us the Father?' "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own initiative, but the Father abiding in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves (John 14:8-11). Jesus did not say He was the Father but rather He was the one who perfectly represented the Father. However Jesus testified that God the Father was with Him in a mystical way. 6. No One Can Get to God the Father Except Through Jesus the Son Jesus told people to believe in Him. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me (John 14:1). The Bible also makes it clear that one cannot know God the Father apart from Jesus Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; from now on you know him, and have seen him" (John 14:6). Paul wrote. For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human (1 Timothy 2:5). Summary It is the teaching of Scripture that God the Father is a distinct person from Jesus Christ, God the Son. This is demonstrated in a number of ways. The Father sent Jesus the Son to earth. The Father also gave a testimony to the Son. We find that Jesus, the Son, prayed to the Father There is also mutual love and knowledge between God the Father and Jesus the Son. Jesus, the Son, always did the Father's will not His own will. One cannot know God the Father without knowledge of Jesus the Son. These truths make it clear that the Father and Son are two distinct Persons.
@@MrRklewis Jesus claimed to be God. He claimed to be equal to God the Father and shared the same Glory with God the Father John 17:5. In John 10:30 verse 33 Jesus never said that he was the father he said I am the father are one meaning that they are one in nature and essence, meaning God is an eternal spirit and Jesus before he took on human flesh shared the same Glory with God the father that would mean Jesus is eternal. Jesus claimed to be God and Revelation 22:13 he claims to be the Alpha and the Omega the first and the last the beginning and the end which are titles given to Christ alone. So yes Jesus Christ himself is God in the flesh. Jesus calls Himself the Alpha and the Omega three times in the book of Revelation (Revelation 1:8; 21:6, 13). In the Greek language, the original language of the New Testament, alpha was the first letter of the alphabet and omega was the last letter. Calling oneself the Alpha and Omega, then, would be equivalent to an English speaker saying "I am the A to the Z." Jesus further elaborates the meaning in Revelation 22:13, where He refers to Himself as, "The Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end" (also mentioned in Revelation 21:6). Theologically, as the Alpha and the Omega, Jesus refers to Himself as eternal. From beginning to end, Jesus has always existed and always will exist. This is an attribute unique to God, meaning Jesus equates Himself with the eternal God the Father. Jesus did this in His earthly ministry as well, telling the religious leaders, "before Abraham was born, I am" (John 8:58 NIV). They understood His statement as a claim to be the Lord, the "I AM" of Exodus 3:14. Further, as Alpha and Omega, Jesus connects Himself with statements of God from the Old Testament. Isaiah 44:6 says, "I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no God." Isaiah 48:12 includes, "I am he; I am the first, and I am the last." The Old Testament also highlights the use of first and last as marking the beginning and the end of something. For example, 1 Chronicles 29:29 states, "Now the acts of King David, from first to last, are written in the Chronicles of Samuel the seer." The context clearly indicates "from first to last" refers to "from beginning to end," a feature used seven times in 1 and 2 Chronicles. Perhaps the first time this phrase is used summarizes it best. Revelation 1:8 reads, "'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, 'who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.'" Jesus is the eternal One and the Almighty who will one day return to fulfill the remaining prophecies of Scripture. Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega in His eternal nature, His role in creation, His sustaining of the universe, and in His fulfillment as the Messiah. Those who read the words of Jesus referring to Himself as the Alpha and the Omega in Revelation find One who refers to Himself as Lord who will One day make all things new (Revelation 22).Is Jesus Christ God? This question has been asked ever since Jesus walked the earth. First, are we sure that Jesus claimed to be God, or is that something His followers came up with? From Scripture, we find that Jesus Christ did unequivocally proclaim himself to be God, and though the Bible does not record Him ever saying "Yes, I'm God!" there are plenty of examples of Jesus identifying Himself as equal to Yahweh. One very good instance of this is John 10:30, where Jesus said "I and the Father are one." If this statement leaves any room for doubt, the reaction of the Pharisees (the Jewish religious leaders) to this statement obliterates that doubt. They were so enraged by His words "I and the Father are one" that they were ready to stone Him, saying "… you, a mere man, claim to be God" (John 10:33 NIV). The Jews understood exactly what Jesus was claiming-deity. Furthermore, even when he sees they plan to harm Him for His statement, Jesus does not deny His claim, or tell them He mis-spoke. He doesn't say "No, wait! You don't understand my meaning." Instead, He takes it a step further. He tells them again in John 8:58, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am." The Pharisees again respond with death threats because when Jesus said "I am" He was using the name and nature of Yahweh to describe Himself (Exodus 3:14). This, had it not been true, was the worst kind of blasphemy a Jew could commit, and the Mosaic Law commanded the Pharisees to stone any person who committed that offense (Leviticus 24:15). Since that is what they were planning to do to Jesus when He said "before Abraham was, I am", we can see that Jesus was clearly claiming deity. John, Jesus' disciple also claims Jesus' deity when in his Gospel he says "the Word was God" and "the Word became flesh" (John 1:1, 14). The Word is another name for Jesus. John makes this clear John 1:14-15. John would not have claimed his Master's deity unless Jesus himself had clearly claimed it first. These verses clearly indicate that Jesus is God in the flesh. Because of the trinity, Jesus did not claim to be "the Father" but that He was equal to the Father in essence and nature. In His wisdom, this must have been the best way to show us finite creatures that God could be sovereign and on His throne in heaven while still reaching out, in human form, to save mankind. There are other verses in Scripture that give us a clear answer to the question "Is Jesus Christ God?" For example, Acts 20:28 (NIV) tells us, "Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood." We know who bought the church-the church of God-with His own blood. It was Jesus Christ. Since Acts 20:28 declares that God purchased His church with His own blood, Jesus is God. Another example comes from the disciple, Thomas, who addressed Jesus as "my Lord and my God" in John 20:28. A third example comes from the book of Titus, which exhorts believers to wait patiently for the coming of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13). Another beautiful example occurs in Hebrews 1:8, "But of the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.'" In this passage, the Father refers to Jesus as "O God" indicating that Jesus is indeed God, and that they are equal. Jesus' identity as God is the cornerstone of the gospel message. Had He simply been a man, just a good teacher or a prophet, His death on the cross would not have been sufficient to pay the penalty for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2), and those who hope in Him are deceived and pitiable (1 Corinthians 15:19). Thankfully, there is ample evidence, both from the mouth of Jesus Himself, and from other accounts in Scripture, to prove to us that Jesus Christ is indeed God. InIs Jesus Christ God? This question has been asked ever since Jesus walked the earth. First, are we sure that Jesus claimed to be God, or is that something His followers came up with? From Scripture, we find that Jesus Christ did unequivocally proclaim himself to be God, and though the Bible does not record Him ever saying "Yes, I'm God!" there are plenty of examples of Jesus identifying Himself as equal to Yahweh. One very good instance of this is John 10:30, where Jesus said "I and the Father are one." If this statement leaves any room for doubt, the reaction of the Pharisees (the Jewish religious leaders) to this statement obliterates that doubt. They were so enraged by His words "I and the Father are one" that they were ready to stone Him, saying "… you, a mere man, claim to be God" (John 10:33 NIV). The Jews understood exactly what Jesus was claiming-deity. Furthermore, even when he sees they plan to harm Him for His statement, Jesus does not deny His claim, or tell them He mis-spoke. He doesn't say "No, wait! You don't understand my meaning." Instead, He takes it a step further. He tells them again in John 8:58, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am." The Pharisees again respond with death threats because when Jesus said "I am" He was using the name and nature of Yahweh to describe Himself (Exodus 3:14). This, had it not been true, was the worst kind of blasphemy a Jew could commit, and the Mosaic Law commanded the Pharisees to stone any person who committed that offense (Leviticus 24:15). Since that is what they were planning to do to Jesus when He said "before Abraham was, I am", we can see that Jesus was clearly claiming deity. John, Jesus' disciple also claims Jesus' deity when in his Gospel he says "the Word was God" and "the Word became flesh" (John 1:1, 14). The Word is another name for Jesus. John makes this clear John 1:14-15. John would not have claimed his Master's deity unless Jesus himself had clearly claimed it first. These verses clearly indicate that Jesus is God in the flesh. Because of the trinity, Jesus did not claim to be "the Father" but that He was equal to the Father in essence and nature. In His wisdom, this must have been the best way to show us finite creatures that God could be sovereign and on His throne in heaven while still reaching out, in human form, to save mankind. There are other verses in Scripture that give us a clear answer to the question "Is Jesus Christ God?" For example, Acts 20:28 (NIV) tells us, "Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood." We know who bought the church-the church of God-with His own blood. It was Jesus Christ. Since Acts 20:28 declares that God purchased His church with His own blood, Jesus is God. Another example comes from the disciple, Thomas, who addressed Jesus as "my Lord and my God" in John 20:28. A third example comes from the book of Titus, which exhorts believers to wait patiently for the coming of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).
You hit the nail on the head describing the distain witnesses are indoctrinated with regarding the trinity. When my husband and I woke up from the Jehovah's Witnesses, and after a year I finally healed enough to come to Christ I thought to myself how strange it is that our witness family would be more ashamed and upset with me someone who believes the Bible is the word of God, then with my husband who has now become an atheist. That just shows how much emphasis is put on smearing the understanding of the deity of Christ and the trinity, and how detestable the cross is to JWs. Witnesses refer to biblical Christians as part of Christendom, Babylon The Great, to be destroyed at Armageddon.
When you become born again and surrender to christ the devil will use any tactic to distract you . He will even use family members to accomplish his agenda, just like some who come to Christ get attacked in their sleep he's upset that you are no longer in his hand so he tries to use fear. In your case he's using division.
Why don't you worship the symbol of the Atomic Bomb? And why is the symbol of a weapon that murdered someone not worshiped? It is a cursed symbol and a symbol of disgrace!
@@DjMakinetor I'm not sure who you were replying to. Christians don't worship the cross as far as I have seen or understand, there is a difference remembering what Jesus freely gave and did for his love for all humanity including the most wicked vile sinner, only by rejecting his free gift are we lost, not even by our sin are we lost other than rejecting his sacrifice on the cross. Example shine Christians might say, chime to the cross, or kneel at the cross etc, all they are doing is reflecting and meditating on the great price the Lord paid on the cross, this is why Jesus said at the last supper when breaking bread, do this in memory of me, the JW.ORG actually teach their flock to reject publicly (once a year) by refusing to eat the bread or drink the wine, this is a clear rejection of Christ and what he did for on the cross. Carrying a cross symbol isn't worshiping a weapon used to kill, rather it's to remember what Jesus did for us on the cross. It would be sick to carry a symbol of a gun or a bomb around or glorifying war and killing in any way.
I can’t express my appreciation for your videos Melisa. I was raised a JW and most of my family is still practicing. I became a born again Christian 2 years ago and my husband and daughters accepted Christ and were baptized with me. It’s been such a journey. I’m so hungry for knowledge in God’s Truth and my research has lead me to you. Everything you speak of about the mentality and doctrine of the JW’s is 100% spot on! And for that I appreciate because your approach is so loving and honest but you back it all up with Facts! God Bless you sister! You have helped give me resources to educate myself so I can in turn help my family come to Jesus.
I know this is a older video but I hope you get this message. I grew up a JW. And now later in life have become a Christian. But being a Jw growing up messed me up. Even though I know it’s a false teaching I still have these knee jerk reactions to things. They put so much guilt and fear on you. It’s kind of hard to explain. But I’m working through it. Your video’s are great. Helps me a lot. God bless you
Once you know the truth of GOD you cannot go back. And so this so-called 'knee-jerk reaction' you're experiencing, is likely your own subconscious signaling you that what you're being told is bunk. However, and since GOD is well established as accommodating human deviance, in spite of His own will, you get to desecrate the truth given to you by GOD to satisfy your own selfish desires - and so as you can imagine, this will not be an easy process, as your subconscious will fight every step of the way while you uproot GOD's divine truth with lies.
The sticker on the book 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 I have kids too and the surprises are ENDLESS ❤ These videos have been so edifying as a christian, and eye opening regarding JW beliefs. Thank you for your insight! God bless.
My mother told me that, back in the early 1980s, three JWs came to her door, but my mother refused to talk to them. She was not trained *at all* on how to counter JWs, and heard on the radio of one pastor saying that he refuses to talk to them, so she started closing the door and, right about the moment it was close, the Lord prompted her to go out and talk to them (like a big jolt in the Spirit). She swung the door back open, they looked at each other very puzzled. She walked out there and sat down to talk to them for over a hour. She went back and forth over many scriptures - so many she could not remember all of them, and to this day, she is amazed at how many she pointed out to them because *she didn't know about this stuff.* That was clearly the *LORD* working through her. :) She noticed near the end, when she pointed out another verse, the 'elder' or leader in the group could not answer her on it. She saw one of the younger JWs look at the other in amazement and shock. Other details involved but I cannot remember, and probably not very important anyway. They left after that but we, looking back, know the Lord used my mother that day in order to make one of those young JWs get out of the cult. :) The Lord leads His own out, no matter how deep they might be buried in, we need not worry. The Lord does it on His own timing and in His own way, of course. Again, my mother is *not* an expert on countering JWs! To stump an 'elder' or 'leader' of professional JWs surely does prove this was the Lord working in and through her that day. :) The second time they came, we were living in NYC (a different house). The 'elder' or 'regional director' was speaking with my mother in the kitchen, while the two others were sitting at her table were 20+ feet away, talking to themselves. As my mother was talking to him, she had this feeling given from the Lord, that what they're doing is bringing down what Jesus did at the cross. She said this aloud to him and he looked at her in shock and worry, then stuttered a bit and said he had to go now. So they left after that. This guy knew that they had changed the scriptures and purposely twisted the verses to mean something they originally did not. Another person who probably left the cult later on. :) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ One I use, just to keep it simple: *Is Gods' Word separate from Who God is?* If not then: Jesus is a part of God, as Jesus is the Word of God. Psalm 33:6 -- _"By the _*_Word_*_ of _*_the LORD were the heavens made;_*_ and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth."_ Isaiah 55:11 -- _"So shall My Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."_ Ezekiel 15:1 -- _"And the _*_WORD_*_ of the LORD came unto me, saying,"_ Jeremiah 2:1 -- _"Moreover the WORD of the LORD came to me, saying,"_ Many more from where those come from, of course. So the JWs are saying that all of these "words" of God were "a god"? No.
Nice! If you ever get the chance, show them John 1:1 in their own book, and THEN show them what Isaiah 45:5 (again, in their own book) says! I'm pretty certain that you already know their book says Jesus was "a god" in John. But I'd like to share w/ you that Isaiah says "I am Jehovah, and there is no one else. With the exception of me, there is NO GOD"... So, if there are no other gods (according to them), I guess Jesus doesn't exist? ;D
I tell JW’s if Jesus came to your door and ask you,am I a true God or a false God what are you gone to say, because the Bible says there is only one true God. That gets them tongue tide
@@billymanilli also in the book of Duteronamy God says you shall have no other gods before me small g. And they believe Jesus is a small g god. The Bible says Jesus is in the bosom position , doesn’t that look like a small g god before him
I "woke up" summer of 2020 and am on a road to being a Christian and building faith in Jesus. It is very true what you said about the Trinity being the most vile of "false doctrine" to a JW. I am still having a hard time wrapping my head around it but I am trying. Thank you so much for your clear explanation! I will use this to help other EXJWs that are struggling with this.
NWT Isaiah 9:6 "For a child has been born to us, A son has been given to us; And the rulership will rest on his shoulder. His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."
I have read the King James Version of the Bible, to me it states simply that God Almighty is the father of Jesus. God has delegated his authority to his only Son to show the way and save people from permanent death; and to judge people on his behalf. I don't believe in the doctrine of the trinity, if it was real then John 3:16 & 17 are wrong. What strikes me is that when people explain the trinity, it gets very complicated. The Father and Son relationship is something that simple humans like me can easily relate to, nothing complicated about that. I would be wary of denying God Almighty his rightful place as the supreme being, the one who created all things. The KJV names Almighty God as JEHOVAH in several places. I pray to JEHOVAH through Jesus. I recommend that everyone who has an interest in the devine should read ALL of any bible; not just the bits that correspond to what they want to believe, or to what someone else wants them to believe - I found it to be quite an eye opener, as doing so helped me see that much of what I had been taught from childhood was questionable.
I love John 17...Jesus prayer. Jesus wasn't schizophrenic and spoke to himself or 1/3 rd of himself or 1/2 of himself. Clearly, he prayed to his God. Jesus words prove true today:" Righteous Father, the world has indeed not come to know you. " ( John 17: 25 ) Jesus also stated :".. I live because of the Father....." ( John 6:57 ) recognising his very existence because of his maker! As Colossians 1: 15 states : " ...* firstborn of all creation * ." These words mean " firstborn, " Beginning of the creation by God. " Revelation 3: 14. King James Bible.
I just got this video on my blog. I know it’s old. Great content. Watching this on the part of the translation, you have more info than me. I remember an old friend who is JW trying to bring me into the Watchtower. We would spend various communications on a daily basis for about 2 months talking about religion. At that time I had spent 3 years going through the BIBLE. I wasn’t done with it yet. I was impressed with his random scripture knowledge, he told me he was impressed at how I understood the religion from Old Testament through part of the New Testament. He showed me a video on the history of the Watchtower and their headquarters in Bethel. I asked him about the teaching of the members finishing high school and going to learn a trade but staying away from college because college will expose them to satanic teachings. Yet all the high members on Bethel all have a masters or doctorate degree. With the translation in the video they mention one scholar, and 4 apprentices. I asked my friend why one scholar instead of a team of scholar. He said something about he was picked by the Watchtower who informed them that he was Jehova’s choice. My response was, that’s a big problem. Unfortunately shortly after that we didn’t see each other at work anymore.
Just wanted to let you know that I am grateful to have seen suggestions for your channel in the comments of other videos. I have a deep sympathy for these people. I spent much of my childhood in bible studies at our home, meetings at their kingdom hall, large bible studies in their homes and playing with their children. My mother was a mess and this family allowed us to have some sense of normalcy by allowing us to be a part of their community. They knew we'd not accept their doctrine fully and join them formally, but they did not shun us. They loved us. It's how I learned to pray and developed a deep love for God. I'm thankful to them and I love the idea of loving them back by lovingly discussing these important subjects with them, respectfully. I'm so thankful to Jesus for being so patient with me as I discovered He is God. It took me a looooooooong time. Thanks Melissa. All my love and may God continue to bless you and keep you! 💙✝️🙏
Thank you Melissa, you are so greatly appreciated. Your passion and love is giving me hope and is super inspiring. Love your videos, informative with a touch of witt (the sticker had a brilliant response lol 😆) much 💜 from South Africa 🇿🇦
Sister, since escaping the watch tower, ten/fifteen years now, thanks to Fritz Springmyer, and especially Abba/Christ, I have avoided this subject, not really knowing what to think about it all. You have renewed my interest again, clearly doing the necessary work to help us all, and especially those mostly decieved in this very important subject matter. Thank you Melissa, I will continue with your studies.
Melissa, I was raised a Jehovah's witness! I left and became born again in 2002. The past 6 years I was involved in a start up church. We left back in June when it became obvious that they were headed down the word of faith/prosperity gospel/NAR road. I didn't even know who you were until I started researching word of faith. Thank you for all you do! I love your videos!
I think you and I can relate on a lot. I sure wish I had someone I could discuss all the questions I have !! I’m lost . But I know I love the lord Jesus Christ!
I’m so glad I found you today, divine timing for sure. Born and raised and baptized JW. I was disfellowshipped 18 years ago. I am now just truly finding Jesus and have come into full understanding just a year ago. I can feel the Holy Spirit guiding me and teaching me everyday lately. Now I Have truly found the “Truth” “Jesus is the way and our father is our destination” we can only get into heaven through Jesus.
1+1+1=3 a father who has a daughter is still not the daughter. A mother who has a daughter is not her daughter either. If she has a son, she not her son either, nor is the father his son. If the things on Earth are pictures of heavenly things also why the discrepancy. Jesus clearly directed worship to his father. Why do you go down a road and insist on a doctrine that Jesus never taught.
We also read that Jesus was the " firstborn of all creation." Colossians 1: 15. And in Revelation 3: 14 " the beginning of the creation of God. " Jesus' existence had a source....that of Almighty God...the Father! Again, as Jesus said: "....I live because of the Father. .."
That word “firstborn” just means in rank. David was called the firstborn in the Psalms but he was actually born last. It isn’t talking about birth order but rank to all other creation. Christ is everlasting and could not have been created. As for the human relationship of father and son picturing the trinity, obviously any word picture is not going to be exact because we are talking about a divine thing. God created humans to picture Him, not God to picture humans. The Trinity is better described as 1x1x1=1 Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily
There are precious people in my life who are fallen to this persuasion. Like you said girlfriend, if you are not more than well versed, they can, and will, shread you. They DO study THEIR TRANSLATION ....more than most Christians I regretfully suspect. Love you .💖👍👍
You have a very sharp sword in defending the word of God and Jesus is called the word. In the book of Jeremiah , Jeremiah says a lot, the word of the lord came to me. I am a x JW and there can’t be a good religion because Jesus says only God is good. Thank you and may God bless you. We have to pray for people who have been blinded by Satan ,because anyone can be blinded
I've had lots of encounters with persistent but friendly JW's in a public park that I frequent regularly. I asked God what He wanted me to tell them and this is what He put in my mind... "Here's the dilemma with your position: If Jesus isn't God, then Jesus's sacrifice on the cross is insufficient to save anyone."
Good day I'm a little bit confused because I am being taught by one of the Jehovah Witness recently and they're all talking to me about Jesus and what he has done for us in the times of prayers they always mention Jehovah and Jesus Christ could this be certain kingdom Halls that do this? I've been to a lot of churches lately and I believe in Jesus Christ and what he has done for us however a lot of these churches are preaching about other things that are more pleasant to hear but they're not talking about how to be free from certain things for instance in my case I'm still struggling in my deliverance from the new age and every time when I try to ask for people to pray for me they treat me as if I done something very wrong. with the Jehovah Witness I got nothing but love and they all want me to learn the Bible and what the Bible say and lately I feel some of these chains are being broken off from me. They know my background and what I believe in and they're not forcing it down my throat. They're actually praying for me❤️versus all these other churches that I've been to non-dominational Pentecostal Baptist they all cast me out as if I was a bad person. I just wanted to say something about my experience I'm not trying to bash your channel or anything like that. Also when they pray for me is always to help me not to make me see things their way.
Hello, I'm sorry that you've had that experience with churches that rejected you, that must have been tough. But, I do know that I have met Christians who were very loving and kind, and opened their home to people who didn't believe the same as them. Regarding freedom from sin, I suggest visiting The Last Reformation channel. I believe he has videos that talk about deliverance :) Have a good night!
It’s not that complicated. Christ is the Son of God. He wasn’t practicing ventriloquism when God’s voice came out of Heaven saying, “This is my son”. He didn’t have a split personality disorder when he talked about God the Father as someone else. He wasn’t talking to himself when he prayed to God. Christ is the son of God.
This is exactly what I've been saying it's so clear that Jesus was God, I'm almost so concerned that we are all reading the same scripture but can't tell that Jesus is God
That's why Jesus could say:" ...I live because of the Father...." John 6: 57. Jesus had a source of his existence. " Firstborn of all creation " ..Colossians 1: 15. " ...Beginning of the creation by God... " Revelation 3: 14. Jehovah created his Son!
Jesus is the beginning of the creation because he IS the word of God. Like John says. This matches with genesis where God SPOKE the world into existence. He used his word, which is Jesus. In Isaiah 55 God says that he will sent out his word and it will return to Him. If you give your word to someone that word IS not you, but neither is it something apart from you. My guess is that the truth about Jesus is somewhere between trinity and Unitarian believe. We are both still on milk in that issue. Yesterday I discovered this channel due to an interview with Melissa's friend Jennifer. She said 'our word reveals our character'. Maybe that is just the answer!?
Jesus is God in Human form. He was fully Human, Born on Earth. I don't know why people find that hard to understand. God can do all things. Including becoming a Human to set Humanity on the right path. There has never been a more important figure then Jesus Christ. All of Western Civilization was completely changed through Christianity. Modern Western Math, Science, literature, Music all can be traced to Christianity.
@@astonishedcelt2353 wrong again God did not create his son Jesus said that him the father share the same equality share the same glory in John 17:5 Jesus said that he was equal to his father in 518 yes John records the Pharisees saying that Nicole's got his own father making himself equal with God but they're saying this as a blast semester because Jesus said it and John recorded Jesus saying it. Jesus said that he has always existed Jesus also said that he is the Alpha and the Omega the first and the last the beginning and the end according Isaiah 44:6. God says come to me and be saved all the ends of the Earth Jesus says come to him and be saved because he is the savior of the world. The Greek word for first born is not mean first created it's prototokos in Greek which means pre-eminent. Truly, the identity of Christ is of utmost importance. And yet, in today’s culture there are people teaching that Jesus was a created being.Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Defense of the Word Being “a god” Leading Jehovah’s Witness apologist Rolf Furuli writes extensively about John 1:1 and how theos should be translated in reference to the Word. He argues for the NWT’s rendering of the Word being “a god” as opposed to “God”. Several of his claims will be discussed here. Mr. Furuli has a chart comparing the NWT with a couple of lesser known translations as well as the Greek text with his understanding of the word meanings. It is shown below14:  Let’s evaluate Mr. Furuli’s comments concerning the term theos (notice above how he defines theos as meaning either “god” or “a god”). He says: . . . in the Bible the word theos is also used for persons other than the creator, and therefore neither “creator” nor “YHWH” could be a part of its semantic meaning. . . . The word theos is a count noun, and John uses it in one of two ways: either in a generic sense or as a “singular noun.” We might illustrate this point by use of the OT. Here we find that elohim, the Hebrew equivalent to theos, is used in the generic sense.15 Mr Furuli takes about two pages to compare theos to the contextual uses of the Hebrew word elohim. But it would have been better to compare the uses of theos throughout the Greek New Testament and see how it was used in Greek context.16 Perhaps the reason such was not done is that it would destroy the point Mr. Furuli was trying to make. A search of theos in the New Testament shows that theos is overwhelmingly translated as “God” (even when not preceded by an article) unless context warrants otherwise (only about six times). The NT context for John 1:1 overwhelming supports the idea that the Word is God the Creator, as John 1:3 indicates. Mr. Furuli goes on to say: There are 322 examples of theos without the article. Because there is no inherent semantic contrast between the articular and the anarthrous theos, the question about the meaning of theos in some passages is pragmatic, and thus the context becomes essential.17 Furuli argues that John 1:1b can be translated: “And a god was the Word,” since there is no article in front of theos, and thus, the context must determine the meaning of theos. In response we can first appreciate the concession that Furuli is making: the lack of the article in front of theos does not mean that the word theos is to be translated as an adjective (divine) or with an indefinite article (a god) rather than simply “God.” (Even if it should be translated as an adjective, the verse would still teach the same thing-the Word is of the same essence as the Father.) It is obvious that there are many times that theos is translated as “God,” referring to Jehovah, even when not preceded by an article. Furuli evidently concedes that. So now it is a matter of context, says Furuli. We agree that context is crucial. But if context is so important, then why not look carefully at John 1:2-18? Furuli mentions only John 1:14, “with God” from John 1:2, and John 1:18. Why did he not refer to the other verses, including verse 3, which makes it clear that the Word made all things? Furuli then attacked the eternality of the Word, Jesus Christ. In an attempt to downgrade that “in the beginning was the Word,” Mr. Furuli tries to show that Jesus was not eternal, thus not God. Regarding the expression “in the beginning was the Word,” all we can say with reasonable certainty is that at the particular point in time called “the beginning” the Word existed. This is a far cry from saying “the Word is eternal”. [sic]18 But again, look at the context. If the Word made everything that was made (verse 3), then he must be eternal. If everything that was made (that is, everything that had a beginning) had its beginning through Christ, then it must be the case that the Word never had a beginning; thus, he is eternal. Ignatius (John’s Disciple) and the Deity of Christ Let’s go one further step in this study. John, the author of the Gospel, did not simply write the account and disappear. On the contrary, he was the only disciple of Christ to live out his life and die of old age. He, like Christ, had disciples of his own, and the two most noted were Polycarp and Ignatius. It makes sense that John would teach his disciples the truth about Jesus Christ and who He was. Polycarp wrote very little that has survived. Ignatius had quite a bit more. In Ignatius’ letter to the Ephesians, it was clear that he viewed Jesus and the Father as the one true God. He said: and elected through the true passion by the will of the Father, and Jesus Christ, our God19 God existing in the flesh20 Our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God21 For our God, Jesus Christ, was, according to the appointment of God22 God Himself being manifested in human form for the renewal of eternal life.23 God being manifested as man24 We have also as a Physician the Lord our God, Jesus the Christ, the only-begotten Son and Word, before time began.25 After reading the words of a disciple of John who learned extensively from John, there should be no question what John was trying to say. So, it is interesting that the founder of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Charles Taze Russell, said with regards to John 1:1 and the Word being God: except that where the word Theos is used twice in the same clause the Greek Prepositive Article is sometimes used, so as to give the effect of the God in contrast with a God. An illustration of this is found in John 1:1 - “the Word was with the God [ho Theos] and the Word was a God [Theos].” But the careful student (freed from Prejudice) will generally have no difficulty in determining the thought of the Apostle. Indeed, the language is so explicit that the wonder is that we were heedless of it so long.”26 His interpretation of Theos as “a god,” he claims is so explicit that he wonders why it took so long for people to realize it. Pastor Russell wrote this in 1899 and yet John’s own disciple Ignatius allegedly missed it? This makes little sense. The reason the early Church knew John was speaking of Jesus being God is not just from the Scriptures, which confirm it, but they were taught this by John who was their pastor for many years. So really, what Mr. Russell was saying is that John’s disciples, the early church, and the church for about 1800 years were wrong and that he [Pastor Russell] was right. This should be a red flag to anyone. Adam Clarke sums up the argument regarding John 1:1 with excellent comments: Should it be objected that Christ created officially or by delegation, I answer: This is impossible; for, as creation requires absolute and unlimited power, or omnipotence, there can be but one Creator; because it is impossible that there can be two or more Omnipotents, Infinites, or Eternals. It is therefore evident that creation cannot be effected officially, or by delegation, for this would imply a Being conferring the office, and delegating such power; and that the Being to whom it was delegated was a dependent Being; consequently not unoriginated and eternal; but this the nature of creation proves to be absurd. 1. The thing being impossible in itself, because no limited being could produce a work that necessarily requires omnipotence. 2. It is impossible, because, if omnipotence be delegated, he to whom it is delegated had it not before, and he who delegates it ceases to have it, and consequently ceases to be GOD; and the other to whom it was delegated becomes God, because such attributes as those with which he is supposed to be invested are essential to the nature of God. On this supposition God ceases to exist, though infinite and eternal, and another not naturally infinite and eternal becomes such; and thus an infinite and eternal Being ceases to exist, and another infinite and eternal Being is produced in time, and has a beginning, which is absurd. Therefore, as Christ is the Creator, he did not create by delegation, or in any official way. Again, if he had created by delegation or officially, it would have been for that Being who gave him that office, and delegated to him the requisite power; but the text says that all things were made BY him and FOR him, which is a demonstration that the apostle understood Jesus Christ to be truly and essentially God.27 Conclusion The reality is that John 1:1-3 clearly reveals the deity of Jesus Christ, the Word, being the Creator God. As such it confirms many other passages in Scripture that teach that Christ is God. Early church fathers such as Ignatius, who was a disciple of John the Apostle, also recognized Jesus as God. The significance of this is a matter of salvation. Without the true Jesus, can one really be saved?
Your videos are very inciteful and have educated me a lot on the Bible and have answered a few questions I've had. I absolutely love your voice, I could listen to you talk all day long 😊. Love your videos and messages, keep them coming
Sorry I’m not convinced -When the disciples asked Jesus about the time of the end he said. I don’t know, the angels don’t know, only god knows. If Jesus was indeed god himself , why would he lie ? Also when Jesus was baptised a voice from heaven said- this is my son whom I love.. God was above and Jesus was clearly on earth as a seperate being..
Thank you for these videos you did. I've been seeing Jehovah's Witnesses around my hometown over the past few months, and I haven't had much time to speak with them. What I do when I see a Jehovah's Witness is I pray that God opens up their eyes to see the truth. Where I live we have quite a few United Pentecostals, and they also deny the doctrine of the Trinity, but they do believe that Jesus is God, but what the UPC teaches on the Trinity is the ancient heresy of Modalism. I have distant relatives who are UPC, as my grandfather's sister married into a UPC family. My grandfather was an ordained Assemblies of God minister, and the Oneness Pentecostals ending up splitting from the Assemblies of God.
You actually made a great case in FAVOR of Witnesses without even knowing it. The Bible is so clear and simple...yes, I've read it. I, like you have examined many beleifs. Your explanations are convoluted and confusing. Read the Bible and pray. May God help you by means of his holy spirit to truly understand it.
This is good information but the problem is getting a JW to actually listen to any other view that doesn't lineup with the WatchTower is virtually impossible. They brains literally switch off when trying to talk about the subject and they are ready to leave as fast as possible.
I'm a new subscriber to your channel, I enjoy your channel, I'm learning a lot about JWs Jesus is God and also Water and Blood (Flesh. Man) God the Word, God the Father, God the Holy Spirit. In heaven Christ was known as the word of God. We can use John chapter 1 for that or Revelation 19:13 and Genesis 3:8 1 John 5:7 these scriptures confirm each other. I know the NIV and ESV and other Bible versions tend to take out this verse as well as many other things but that's a different issue.
This lesson asks the question, “Is Jesus Jehovah?” This question is about the divinity or Godhood of Jesus, and about his right to take the unique name of God. 1 God’s Unique Name “Jehovah” Isaiah 42:8 God’s name is very special. Jesus taught his disciples to pray, "Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name" (Matthew 6:9). The word "hallowed" means holy, consecrated, set apart for God’s use. God makes the holiness of his name quite definite in this statement: "I am the LORD, [Jehovah] that is my name, I will not give my glory to another (Isaiah 42:8). The psalmist Asaph recognized that this special name belonged only to the Most High God: "You alone whose name is the LORD are the Most High over all the earth" (Psalms 83:18). Note that the name translated "LORD is rendered by some as “Jehovah” but is variously spelled “Jehovah”, “Yahweh”, or “YHWH. There are some notes on “Jehovah” on another page. It is a most important question, therefore, whether Jesus is “Jehovah” the LORD God, and has the right to be called by the same holy name as his Father. What do the scriptures say? 2 The name God bestowed on Jesus Philippians 2:9-11 "God has highly exalted him, and given him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow..." (Philippians 2:9). Looking at that, let us ask a most important question: What is "the name which is above every name?" I ask Jehovah's Witnesses who come to my door, "What is the name above every name?" Invariably they reply, "Jehovah". But when I then show them that Jesus was bestowed with "the name which is above every name?" they will not believe it. They then retract and say that the name referred to is "Jesus" because Paul goes on to say, "At the name of Jesus every knee should bow" (Philippians 2:10). This does not make sense for three simple reasons... Jesus (or Joshua) was a common name so lots of men had that name. "Jesus" cannot be the name above every name because then it would be a higher name than “Jehovah”. The name "Jesus" was bestowed when Jesus was in the womb not after he rose from the tomb and was highly exalted (Matthew 1:20-21). We conclude therefore that Paul is using the name "Jesus" to identify the one who has been given the name above every name, not to name the very name itself. We further conclude that if God has bestowed on Jesus the name “Jehovah” then surely God must regard Jesus to be “Jehovah” as much as God regards himself to be. So, to the question “Is Jesus Jehovah?” the answer is yes. 3 The name that God called his Son Hebrews 1:1-14 In Hebrews chapter one, after saying that Jesus has "obtained a more excellent name" than angels, the writer quotes several Old Testament passages in which God the Father addresses God the Son. One of them is this: "You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish but you will remain..." (Hebrews 1:10). This is addressed to the Son... First look back to verse 8, "To the Son he says..." God is talking to his Son. Next (still verse 8) there is a quotation that begins, "Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever." God is calling his Son "O God". This is followed by a second quotation in verse 10, "You LORD in the beginning..." God is calling his Son "LORD". In the above passage we saw that God calls his Son "LORD. However, when we turn back to the place in the Old Testament (Psalms 102:25-27) we don't find the word LORD in it. Where did the Hebrew writer get the word LORD from? Did he just insert it by mistake? No he didn't. You can find it several times earlier in the Psalm. For example, "You O LORD, shall endure for ever" (Psalms 102:12). Psalm 102 is addressed to the LORD and for that reason the Hebrew writer sees fit to include it in his quote. Since the Hebrew writer views the Psalm as God speaking to his Son, he represents the passage as the heavenly Father calling his Son "God" and using the special name of God to address his Son. We conclude therefore that since God is addressing his Son as “Jehovah”, God must consider his Son to be “Jehovah”, just as God considers himself to be. Other names applied to Jesus Isaiah 9:6-7 Jesus Christ is given a string of names and titles in this remarkable passage. The name “Jehovah” is not among them. However two names that are among them are names which only “Jehovah” should wear. These are: "Mighty God, Eternal Father" (Isaiah 9:6). Christ can hold these titles only if he is the Mighty God along with his Father, and is one with the Father, he in the Father and the Father in him (see John 10:38). We conclude that since Jesus holds title to names that none but “Jehovah” can wear, then he must be “Jehovah” like his heavenly Father. Let us give him all the honour to which he is entitled and be pleased to call him "LORD".
So Robert is Jesus Christ God himself yes he is. In the book of Revelation, Jesus shows himself to be God just like his Father. In particular, two truths concerning the divine nature of Jesus are presented in Revelation chapter one. 1 Divine Nature of Christ Firstly, the relationship between Jesus Christ and the heavenly Father is stated in verse six. Jesus has made us kings and priests to "His God and Father". This clearly shows that Christ regards his Father not only as his Father but also as his God. Secondly, as we shall see in a moment, Jesus attributes to himself the titles and glory of the Lord God Almighty. This is not to say that he claims to be the Father. Rather, he claims to be God like his Father. We thus have two truths which we must hold together. First Jesus acknowledges that his Father is his God. Secondly he claims that he is God like his Father. Some people see a contradiction in these two truths, and thus deny one or other of them. Usually it is the second that is denied. So let us now note three points in favour of the doctrine that Jesus is God. 1. The First and the Last When Jesus says that he is "the first and the last", (Revelation 1:11) he is applying to himself a title of the Almighty God. "Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and Israel's Redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God" (Isaiah 44:6). 2. The Appearance of the Son of Man Compare the appearance of Jesus Christ in John’s vision (Revelation 1:12-18), with Daniel's visions of the Ancient of Days and One like the Son of Man (Daniel 7:9-10,13-14). In both John and Daniel’s visions, there is "One like a Son of Man". Yet when he appeared to John, he looked like the Ancient of Days who appeared to Daniel. This signifies that this Son of Man has the glory of the Ancient of Days. 3. The Lamb's Glory Later when we come to the visions of Heaven (Revelation 4:1 to 5:14) we will see again that Jesus has equal glory to God. Jesus appears as the Lamb, nevertheless in the songs John heard and the acts that he saw, the Lamb, who is Jesus Christ, is accorded the same glory and worship as the One who sits on the throne (Revelation 5:11-14). 2 Alpha and Omega We now concentrate on the implications of Jesus describing himself as "The Alpha and the Omega" (Revelation 1:8, 11). Alpha and Omega are simply the first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet. The full declaration is, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last" (Revelation 22:13). 1. Jesus has the fullness of the Deity If we take "the Alpha and the Omega" to mean not only the first and last but including the full span of the alphabet, we can understand that Jesus is saying that he is everything, all in all. He is expressing his fullness, which Paul defined clearly when he wrote of Jesus, "In him dwells all the fulness of the deity bodily" (Colossians 2:9). 2. Jesus has preeminence in the churches Jesus "is before all things and in him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he may have the preeminence" (Colossians 1:17). Preeminence means first place, which needless to say is God’s place, to which his Father exalted him (Philippians 2:8-11). 3. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith All things came into being through God, through his Son Jesus Christ (John 1:1-3), and only through him shall they cease to be. The beginning and the end of the whole universe, physical and spiritual, is in his hands. He is the Author and Finisher of all things. There is also a special sense in which Jesus is the beginning and the end for us: He is "the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2) So I'd watch what you say about saying God can do things that are impossible he can't be three persons Of course he can.
Yes, Jesus is mentioned as The Son in the Bible. On the other hand, In Isaiah 9:6 Jesus is also referred to as The Mighty God, The Everlasting FATHER. This is how God can seem to be both Father and Son. “ For a CHILD is BORN to us, a SON is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: The Wonderful Counselor, The MIGHTY GOD, The EVERLASTING FATHER, The Prince of Peace.” - Isaiah 9:6 Yahweh (GOD) is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - ONE GOD. This is how God can seem to be be both FATHER and SON. Jesus told his disciples to baptize believers in the name of the FATHER and of the SON and of the HOLY SPIRIT (Matthew 28:19)7 "For there are THREE that BEAR RECORD IN HEAVEN, the FATHER, the WORD (CHRIST), and the HOLY SPIRIT: and these THREE are ONE" . -1 John 5:7 Ezekiel 8:2-6 confirmed this about YAHWEH'S APPEARANCE in VISIONS of YAHWEH (YAHWEH, APPEARANCE of a MAN and the, HOLY SPIRIT.) “Then I looked, and behold, a form that had the APPEARANCE of a MAN. Below what appeared to be his waist was fire, and above his waist was something like the appearance of brightness, like gleaming metal. He put out the form of a hand and took me by a lock of my head, and the SPIRIT lifted me up between earth and heaven and brought me in VISIONS of YAHWEH to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the gateway of the inner court that faces north, where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy. And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, according to the vision that I saw in the plain.” As we already know Jesus was crucified. In Zachariah 12:10 Yahweh mention the prophecy of his crucifixion. “YAHWEH said, “And they shall look upon ME whom they HAVE PIERCED.”- Zechariah 12:10, YAHWEH is speaking in the FIRST PERSON SINGULAR pronoun “ME.” “And they shall look upon ME whom they HAVE PIERCED”. Who is this one of whom the prophet prophesied would be pierced? Of course, all agree, this text is addressing the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. It is speaking of the Messiah Himself (Yahweh) being pierced. We know that Christ was PIERCED with nails, he was PIERCED also with a spear. The “ME” in the text is none other than JESUS CHRIST! Here, then, the ALMIGHTY YAHWEH is saying: “They shall look upon ME whom they have PIERCED.” So, then, according to the prophet Zechariah the One Who was to be PIERCED (the suffering Messiah that is crucified on the cross) would be YAHWEH HIMSELF. According to the Biblical Old Testament Scholar Dr Michael Heiser, prior to the New Testament, Jews has a belief in two power in heaven, who were holy and both YAHWEH. Jesus was in the picture. There is such a thing as a divine plurality in the Hebrew Scriptures onto the linkage of the attributes of persons and titles of YAHWEH the God of Israel to one other particular Elohim. Throughout the Hebrew Scripture there was an INVISIBLE YAHWEH and then there was the VISIBLE YAHWEH as well. Sometimes they are in the same time together. Sometimes they’re separate and sometimes you get both. There is these linkages that there is those twoness going on and it doesn’t contradict the Shema. Certain passages in the OT sounded like the God of Israel was two and referred to the idea as the TWO POWERS IN HEAVEN. This belief was acceptable in Judaism around 100 AD. JESUS CHRIST is known as THE WORD OF GOD in John 1, “In the beginning was THE WORD, and THE WORD WAS WITH GOD, and THE WORD WAS GOD.” Jesus appeared to Samuel as THE WORD OF GOD in 1 Samuel 3:21. “And YAHWEH appeared again at Shiloh, because YAHWEH revealed Himself to Samuel at Shiloh by THE WORD of the LORD.” Jesus also appeared and spoke to Abraham in Genesis 15:1 “After this, the WORD OF THE LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” Jesus appeared to Samuel in1 Samuel 3:1 “The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days THE WORD YAHWEH was rare; there were not many visions.” “And Samuel grew, and YAHWEH was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of YAHWEH. 21 And YAHWEH appeared again at Shiloh, for YAHWEH revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by THE WORD OF YAHWEH .” - 1 Samuel 3:19-21 Jesus appeared and spoke to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:4-5 “The WORD of YAHWEH came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” “But YAHWEH said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Then YAHWEH reached out HIS HAND and TOUCHED MY MOUTH and SAID TO ME, “I have put my words in your mouth. “ - Jeremiah 1:4-9 “How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved him in the desert! 41 They tested YAHWEH again AND again and PROVOKED the HOLY ONE of Israel. “ - Psalm 78:40-41 "I overthrew you, as YAHWEH overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were like a firebrand snatched from a blaze; yet you have not returned to ME," declares YAHWEH. 12" - Amos 4:11 “YAHWEH rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire FROM YAHWEH out of heaven.” - Genesis 19:24 Also, When you know God’s NAME, you know HIS nature. His names and titles reveal His nature. They tell us who He is and what He can do. For example, He is JEHOVAH, the God who MAKES COVENANTS. He is the LORD, the SOVEREIGN KING. He is JESUS, the SAVIOR. Each name He bears is a blessing He bestows on us. " HE is the "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14-15) GOD said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ THIS IS MY NAME FOREVER, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. Exodus 3:14-15 God's other NAMES El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty) El Elyon (The Most High God) Adonai (Lord, Master) Yahweh (Lord, Jehovah) Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner) Jehovah-Raah (The Lord My Shepherd) Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals) Jehovah Shammah (The Lord Is There) Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness) Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You) El Olam (The Everlasting God) Elohim (God) Qanna (Jealous) Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide) Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace) Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts)
Enjoyed your video! If I missed it, I'm sorry, but I'd like to point out that their OWN bible, says in John 1:1 that Jesus was "A GOD", and then in Isaiah 45:5 it says "I am Jehovah, and there is no one else. With the exception of me, there is NO GOD"!!! I enjoy showing JW's the MANY contradictions in their bible on my porch. The looks I get from them at times are priceless. (especially when I pull out my own copy of the NWT). Please let me be clear, however, that I still LOVE them very much and TRULY hope they think about the things we've discussed, after visiting me. (although, they don't seem to visit me anymore, lately... I wonder why...)
Can you please make a video on their doctrine of the 144,000? I’ve been researching about the jw, and I’ve noticed that every verse you may use to debunk their doctrines has a medular doctrine that they used to refute us, and that is the distinction between what they call the small flock and the big flock, hey make this distinction to avoid predestination clearly stated in Romans 8:29,30. To refute the instant presence with the Lord after death based on Phil. 1:23. They make a distinction in what they also call the “celestial” and the “earthly” hope. I think all this relates to eschatology. I would love to see you make a video about it. God bless Melissa.
I actually have their pamphlet Should You Believe In The Trinity. I found it on eBay at two thirty six in the morning. It came with the study questions for the brochure. It cost me all of six bucks which included shipping. Keep doing what you are doing.
MELISSA when Jeus accended to heaven His and our Father put him over all things everything he is now the CEO King of kings Lord of Lord he and his Father are one and he asked him to let us be one with him also . Now in Revelations it states in the new city there will be no temples because God and Jesus are the temples. I love God with all my heart soul and mind that I can muster and he knows it . I also love Jesus Christ. Jesus is the living word of God. He's the new Adam a man that is one with God.He holds the keys of the gates of Hell and is the only one that can open the book of Life.
Hi Melissa. In this age of a plethora of false teachers it is refreshing and comforting to have teachers and apologists like yourself who rightly divide the Word of God and separate the chaff from the wheat. Thank you for your ministry and the excellent teachings you present by the grace of God. Regards Robert
Thank you Melissa, I have learned so much about HOW to witness to Jws and Mormons. I used to just get too angry and even insensitive to these who need the Biblical Jesus.
@@NickHawaii " He said to them, " But who do you say that I am ? " Simon Peter answered and said, " You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. " Matthew 16 : 15, 16. Who is the living God ? Jesus prayed to his God and Father and made his Father's name known. John 17: 26.
I'm grateful beyond words that you have covered this issue so well. I have a series where the Hebrew language is broken down. It's not only the oldest language it's actually 3 in one. Pictographs, conventional and numerical. It's the only language with all 3. And the meaning is undeniable when all 3 line up. And any changes are highlighted. It's The Living Word series by C.J. Lovik. Rock Island Books. They have a channel as well. May our LORD and Savior Jesus the Christ continue to bless your ministry 👍🏿
For "seed droppers": Isaiah 43:11 says apart from the Lord there is no other savior. Show them this & any instance in the NT that says Jesus is the savior. Also, John 5:23 shows that Jesus IS to be honored as the Father is honored. I've found these to be important. God Bless.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus is savior because he laid down his life and shed his blood by means of the ransom sacrifice. No human ruler or other creation can offer a means through which a relationship with God can be established nor can they redeem mankind from their troubles. Jesus paid the price and he must be acknowledged in order to benefit fully from this. Common misconception that Jehovah's Witnesses have a watered down appreciation for Christ and it's not true. Jehovah's Witnesses are not Trinitarians and this is what folks really have an issue with
Hello! Thank you for the video! I have a question though, regarding the Son of God explanation, aren't other people or beings in the Bible referred to as the son(s) of God? (I.e Philippeans 2:15)
There are many Christians which are not JW do not believe in the "Trinity". No one that reads the Bible by themselves will come to the conclusion 3 person one God unless is being brainwashed into it. 💯% of the people that believe in the "Trinity" never prayed to God asking whether the Trinity is truth or a man made doctrine. If you really want to know the truth be honest with yourself and humble yourself and pray to God to show you whether the Trinity is false or not and I guarantee you he will show you that the Trinity is false. If you're not praying to God for clarification than don't wonder why are so many false beliefs BC yours is of them. 1 Corinthians 8:6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. 1 Corinthians 15:25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 1 Corinthians 15:26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death. 1 Corinthians 15:27 For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. Jeremiah 17:5 Thus says the Lord, "Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind And makes flesh his strength, And whose heart turns away from the Lord. Jeremiah 17:6 "For he will be like a bush in the desert And will not see when prosperity comes, But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, A land of salt without inhabitant. Jeremiah 17:7 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord And whose trust is the Lord.
I could be wrong .... Matthew 3:16-17 says the Trinity doctrine is wrong. God said ... let me repeat ... God said "This is my beloved son, and in whom I am well pleased." Calling Jesus God is calling God a liar IMHO. With that said Matthew 28:18 after his resurrection Jesus tells some disciples that were still doubting "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" Sound more like leadership was the reward for being the good Son, and the will of God and Jesus are identical; perhaps through the Holy Spirit?
If the Holy Spirit is a distinct person from the father and the son. Where is He? In act 7:55 says Stephen gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. There’s no mention of the Holy Spirit as a 3rd person. Also in Rev5:1 And I saw in the right hand of Him (Father) who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back seal with seven seals. Further down in verse 6 and 7 it mentions that only the Lamb was worthy to take that scroll from the Father. Again no mention of a 3rd person. Now if the Bible says sinning against the Holy Spirit is the greatest unforgivable sin who’s then is the Holy Spirit? Is He greater than the father? Just like the Father is greater than the son? It forces me to believe that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God Himself which He shares with His Son! I wanted to believe in the Trinity doctrine so bad after I left JW but the more I read the Bible the more it doesn’t hold together. I’m still learning and I’m very confident that God will help me to understand the truth.
John 16: 7 - 15. "Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you......." read on, don't stop at verse 11, carry on to verse 15 and you will see why. Shalom to you Awake Newlight.
Hi Awake Newlight! I would like to talk with you on this topic and search the scriptures with you. My email is soccerplayer2288@yahoo.com if you would like to talk as well. I hope to hear from you!
To me the only logical answer to this question is the Holy Spirit is your Holy Spirit after accepting the Father through Jesus. Because if everyone in the universe forgave you but you did not forgive yourself knowing of the Father's love then you will still be unforgiven for not forgiving yourself. So it is the relationship between you and the Father through Jesus. It is your salvation. Listen to Jesus and only Jesus and you will find the way, the truth and the life.
I believe in the Trinity, and that Jesus was fully man and is fully God. However, a friend of mine (also a believer in the Trinity) listens to Michael Heiser and believes in the divine counsel. What he teaches is over my head. Can you simplify it for me?
Dear Melissa, What many people don’t realize is that there is no such thing as a “correct” translation. There are good translations. There are better translations. Languages are fascinating and challenging and require serious and in depth study to be able to render acceptable translations of any serious work. The New World Translation is not a translation at all. It is a perversion of the Holy Scriptures.
Many small differences in the majority bibles/translations does not change the main story or dogma. Differences like shining clothes vs brilliant white clothes. The problem comes when a translation is spesificalle corrupted to change the main theme of the bible, or as in case of JW's bible. NWT, they have purposely change the verses to suite all their views. The main one was to try to remove the Godliness of Jesus to make Him an angel, they did well to do this but eventually almost impossible to do it successfully, as Mellissa explained in great detaail. Their own English/ Greek translation book is their biggest enemy.
Hi Mellissa, something I have experience that really make them think. I made a comparison regarding the membership of all the world religions, they are so small that I sometimes wonder if we need to spend so much time with them. They fall in the bottom 2% of world religions. Not many churches have less members, and % wise they are the single group that have lost more members than gaining members. And for all the door to door work they should have had much more members. If someone wants figures I will add it.
Yeah, they can sure appear 'impenetrable' at first... But, the Jehovah's Witnesses do have an incredibly high turnover rate though! So it's pretty clear, that no matter HOW LONG they've been in the organization, many of them DO end up leaving & coming to Christ, in the end!
I HAD that, in the late Nineties! But after barely getting into it, I forgot it on a bus, when I lived in Vancouver BC. I was so upset! (Maybe someone else needed it more than ME though... Who knows.)
Hello, Melissa! Have you tried reading Ty Gibson’s “The Sonship of Christ?” I started reading it yesterday upon watching your another video (--), the book was recommended by someone (--) who also watched that video.
I have just recently discovered you and took interest in your teachings and research. I love you and your videos. But I really wish I could talk to you one on one and in person. I do not know why I have such a hard time following you on video!! I don’t know if it’s just me or am I still screwed up in the head from being raised a JW UNTIL MY TEENS? I have had so many questions and haves seemed answers. And I feel I am not getting them fully. I am a Christian and do not belong to any organization. I have faith and spiritually that I’ve always felt with in me.. I could never explain til later adulthood. Anyway I think I need to watch more videos on this subject that you have about JW .. but I know I would get more out of it if I could just talk to you in person. Does that sound crazy ?? help
I am not a Jehovah's Witness and I don't believe in the doctrine of the Trinity. Is the word Trinity found in the scriptures or the King James? I have never found the word "Trinity" or phrases "God the Son", "deity of Jesus" in the scriptures. But I do see "Son of God", "son of man" many times. God Bless.
Hi! Have you read John 1:1? There are many examples of Jesus being equated with God. Jesus forgives sin, raises people from the dead, the weather obeys Him, Jesus will judge the world (book of revelation), he said before Abraham I am. Even the son of man term you mentioned is a claim of deity (reference to Daniel 7).
In a men's group meeting, had a guy that didn't go to my church. It came up a few times that he said that Jesus isn't God, no rapture, hell isn't forever. I wondered if I should not go to men's group anymore because of getting into argument? So in this men's group is it better to not ever face this issue because it is causing a stir or to talk about it? This person is not a JW, he is a pastor of a church that is non-denominational which seems totally strange that he is a pastor but seems to be going on his opinions instead of what the Bible says about everything. Another person in the group was saying to not argue(stay silent) and I can't stay silent when this other person is saying stuff I know is false. What is the best thing to do in this situation?
In Exodus 7:1 God calls Moses a God. Was Moses a true or false God? He was God in that he represented God as Jesus represented God (Heb 1:3) They did use Johannes Greber as support for John 1:1 who was a known spiritist ex-catholic priest. But he is the only one used. Most references used are not spiritist, you should do better research and stop saying things that are false if you want to be taken seriously.
He does not call Moses a God. He says “I have made you God to Pharoh,” which is very clearly a metaphor meaning that Pharoh sees Moses as a god. In contrast, John 1:1 says that Jesus IS God, and there is no indication that that is a metaphor.
I recently had discussions with a gentleman named Matt who adamantly denies that Christ has died but he is a Christian. So how do I show him the truth when he denies every scripture that clearly states that Christ is God
I know that there's other videos made on it probably. But could you make a video on how the NWT was published and how it was made? Is it true that the founder of the creator of the Jehovah witnesses was in court?
I thought the translation in scripture calls him the son of man and that's why the Pharisees wanted to Stone him is there other translations to that calling him the Son of God because that's interesting I've never heard a translation like that
How when she said He is wholly God and wholly human? These two are not parts, it’s His essence and being. He literally died, this is why what happened was so powerful. God took our place and died in His flesh. This takes revelation from God alone.
First of all Jesus is not black nor white or green he is 100 percent Jewish. Second he is the only begotten son of God. Same spirit of Almighty God which makes him part of the God head. As there is but one God as he said I was formed and there was non before me nor will they be any after me. He's it and he's a very all loving powerfully God and FEAR is not far from him. Nobody gets to the Father but through the Son.
Hi Melissa! I left the JW cult when I was 31 back in early 2009. I have wondered my entire life, is it proper to wear a cross? As you know, JW's believe that Jesus died on a "torture stake" and that to wear the symbol of his death is improper. I would love to hear your take on this as I have been wanting to wear one for the past 22 years. Thanks!
Hi there! So glad to know you left the religion. I know how difficult it can be for an ex jw to look at a cross, much less wear one. But I say if Paul can boast about the cross, it's perfectly fine to wear one. Galatians 6:14- "May I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ because of that cross, the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." See, for the Christian, it's the place where sin was nailed. *my* sin and yours. So when I see the cross, I see the place where satan was defeated.
I would start with Genesis 1:26 . Let us make mankind in our image,in our likeness, so they may rule over the fish if the sea and birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.
One thing is true, we(JWs) have been "indoctrinated" to the point where we don't doubt our belief system as long as we can explain using the scriptures. One thing I understand, as you said is that understanding or knowing who God and Christ Jesus is, is a core belief of Christianity because your salvation depends on it. (John 17:3) A JW understands that having "divinity" or "divine nature" or "divine qualities" doesn't make you equal to the Almighty God the Father. Let me explain it using the words "office" and "essence" as trinitarians have been using. The scriptures clearly say that Jesus Christ exists in the " Form of God". What is the "Form" or "Nature" of God? The scriptures clearly say that God(the Father) is Spirit, thus we can clearly know that Jesus Christ is also Spirit. (1 Corinthians 15:45) Now the problem is with the "office" or "role". You used two human Father and Son as an example. It is clear that both are humans. The Son will clearly be in the "Form" as the Father as a human. But that is not the problem. The problem is knowing who is of the higher "office" or "role". Jesus Christ clearly stated that the Father is greater than he is and that he can't do anything of his own will accept the will of the Father. When you argue or have a discussion with a JW, your mind is on the "Nature" of Christ to show that because he is divine he is God. The JW on the other hand is thinking of the "office" or "role" of the Father and the Son. To a JW the Father is the one God(the "Shema"), the only true God, the creator of the heavens and earth. And Jesus Christ is the Saviour raised by God the Father to pay the ransom for mankind and deliver us from sin and draw us close to God the Father. That is why a JW is careful with the words he/she uses and doesn't go around saying words like "Jesus is God". I've realised that the use of the word "God" varies in meaning. A JW sees it as a title but a trinitarian sees it differently. That is why to a JW, Jesus Christ is not "God" but he is "a god". Jehovah who is God the Father is the only true God. "There is actually to us one God, the Father, from whom all things are and we for him; and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are and we through him."(1 Corinthians 8:6) Jesus Christ is the reason why a Jehovah's Witnesses will take his/her bag and go outside with the help of the Holy Spirit and preach door-to-door and in public places to witness about Jehovah and His Son Jesus Christ and tell people about the Kingdom of God. (Acts 1:8) When you talk to a JW and attack, you'll never get anything out of him/her. We like to reason from the scriptures with people and not to attack them. Look at it this way. Attack the teachings without mentioning the group or person but don't attack the group or the person. And that's what we JWs are very good at. I love being a witness of Jehovah and His Son, Jesus Christ. Bye.
Jesus before his incarnation, he was the word of God . Imagine when u speak words, those words got incarnated into a son . The word of God ,and the spirit of God ,all came from the father God , that's why the word came from the father ,and is God , because is one of the essence of jehovah become man . I am sorry to say, if jesus is beliveed to be Michael the angel, that another jesus . Wrong jesus, wrong salvation .
Well I don't understand is why people look at pictures and call the person Jesus we don't know what God looks like I'm not trying to be rude or nitpick but we don't it's just a false reality either way I do agree with a lot that you said Miss thank you for the video
Still want to know. Is God three different souls that happen to be one God? If you shook everyone’s hands in heaven once, would you shake Gods hands three times or one?
Jesus isn't "a man who is God" , but God who chose to take the form of a man temporarily for the purpose of communicating with us more fully. Reading the Bible will help you with understanding that and why He died
@@TheEllaTB I’m sure God can communicate with us in many other ways if he wants to and not turning to be a man and God at the same time. Can I ask you then. Who will seat on the throne on the day of Judgement. The father or the son or the Holy Spirit?
