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What Do They Believe?

What Do They Believe?

What Do They Believe?

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES believe in Almighty God, Jehovah, Creator of the heavens and the earth. The very existence of the intricately designed wonders in the universe surrounding us reasonably argues that a supremely intelligent and powerful Creator produced it all. Just as the works of men and women reflect their qualities, so do those of Jehovah God. The Bible tells us that “his invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made.” Also, without voice or words, “the heavens are declaring the glory of God.”—Romans 1:20; Psalm 19:1-4.

People do not mold clay pots or make television sets and computers without a purpose. The earth and its creations of plant and animal life are far more marvelous. The structure of the human body with its trillions of cells is beyond our understanding—even the brain with which we think is incomprehensibly wonderful! If men have a purpose in bringing forth their comparatively insignificant inventions, surely Jehovah God had a purpose in his awesome creations! Proverbs 16:4 says that he does: “Everything Jehovah has made for his purpose.”

Jehovah made the earth for a purpose, as he stated to the first human pair: “Be fruitful and become many and fill the earth . . . , have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and every living creature that is moving upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:28) Because they became disobedient, this couple failed to fill the earth with righteous families who would lovingly care for the earth and its plants and animals. But their failure does not make Jehovah’s purpose fail. Thousands of years later, it was written: “God, the Former of the earth . . . , did not create it simply for nothing.” He “formed it even to be inhabited.” It is not to be destroyed, but “the earth endures for ever.” (Isaiah 45:18; Ecclesiastes 1:4, The New English Bible) Jehovah’s purpose for the earth will be realized: “My own counsel will stand, and everything that is my delight I shall do.”—Isaiah 46:10.

Hence, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the earth will remain forever and that all people, living and dead, who will fit in with Jehovah’s purpose for a beautified, inhabited earth may live on it forever. All mankind inherited imperfection from Adam and Eve and, hence, are sinners. (Romans 5:12) The Bible tells us: “The wages sin pays is death.” “The living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all.” “The soul that is sinning—it itself will die.” (Romans 6:23; Ecclesiastes 9:5; Ezekiel 18:4, 20) Then how can they live again to share in the earthly blessings? Only through the ransom sacrifice of Christ Jesus, for he said: “I am the resurrection and the life. He that exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life.” “All those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.”—John 5:28, 29; 11:25; Matthew 20:28.

How will this come about? It is explained in “the good news of the kingdom,” which Jesus started to proclaim while on earth. (Matthew 4:17-23) But today Jehovah’s Witnesses are preaching the good news in a very special way.

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WHAT JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES BELIEVE

Belief Scriptural Reason

Bible is God’s Word and 2 Tim. 3:16, 17;

is truth 2 Pet. 1:20, 21; John 17:17

Bible is more reliable Matt. 15:3; Col. 2:8

than tradition

God’s name is Jehovah Ps. 83:18; Isa. 26:4; 42:8, AS;

Ex. 6:3

Christ is God’s Son and Matt. 3:17; John 8:42; 14:28;

is inferior to Him Joh 20:17; 1 Cor. 11:3; 15:28

Christ was first of God’s Col. 1:15; Rev. 3:14

creations

Christ died on a stake, Gal. 3:13; Acts 5:30

not a cross

Christ’s human life was Matt. 20:28; 1 Tim. 2:5, 6;

paid as a ransom for 1 Pet. 2:24

obedient humans

Christ’s one sacrifice Rom. 6:10; Heb. 9:25-28

was sufficient

Christ was raised from 1 Pet. 3:18; Rom. 6:9;

the dead as an immortal Rev. 1:17, 18

spirit person

Christ’s presence is in John 14:19; Matt. 24:3;

spirit 2 Cor. 5:16; Ps. 110:1, 2

We are now in the ‘time of Matt. 24:3-14; 2 Tim. 3:1-5;

the end’ Luke 17:26-30

Kingdom under Christ will Isa. 9:6, 7; 11:1-5;

rule earth in righteousness Dan. 7:13, 14; Matt. 6:10

and peace

Kingdom will bring ideal Ps. 72:1-4;

living conditions to earth Rev. 7:9, 10, 13-17; 21:3, 4

Earth will never be destroyed Eccl. 1:4; Isa. 45:18; Ps. 78:69

or depopulated

God will eliminate present Rev. 16:14, 16; Zeph. 3:8;

system of things in the Dan. 2:44; Isa. 34:2; 55:10, 11

battle at Har–Magedon

Wicked will be eternally Matt. 25:41-46; 2 Thess. 1:6-9

destroyed

People God approves will John 3:16; 10:27, 28; 17:3;

receive everlasting life Mark 10:29, 30

There is only one road to Matt. 7:13, 14; Eph. 4:4, 5

life

Human death is due to Rom. 5:12; 6:23

Adam’s sin

The human soul ceases to Ezek. 18:4; Eccl. 9:10;

exist at death Ps. 6:5; 146:4; John 11:11-14

Hell is mankind’s common Job 14:13, Dy;

grave Rev. 20:13, 14, AV (margin)

Hope for dead is 1 Cor. 15:20-22;

resurrection John 5:28, 29; 11:25, 26

Adamic death will cease 1 Cor. 15:26, 54; Rev. 21:4;

Isa. 25:8

Only a little flock of Luke 12:32; Rev. 14:1, 3;

144,000 go to heaven and 1 Cor. 15:40-53; Rev. 5:9, 10

rule with Christ

The 144,000 are born again 1 Pet. 1:23; John 3:3;

as spiritual sons of God Rev. 7:3, 4

New covenant is made with Jer. 31:31; Heb. 8:10-13

spiritual Israel

Christ’s congregation is Eph. 2:20; Isa. 28:16;

built upon himself Matt. 21:42

Prayers are to be directed John 14:6, 13, 14; 1 Tim. 2:5

only to Jehovah through Christ

Images should not be used in Ex. 20:4, 5; Lev. 26:1;

worship 1 Cor. 10:14; Ps. 115:4-8

Spiritism must be shunned Deut. 18:10-12; Gal. 5:19-21;

Lev. 19:31

Satan is invisible ruler of 1 John 5:19; 2 Cor. 4:4;

world John 12:31

A Christian ought to have no 2 Cor. 6:14-17; 11:13-15;

part in interfaith movements Gal. 5:9; Deut. 7:1-5

A Christian should keep Jas. 4:4; 1 John 2:15;

separate from world John 15:19; 17:16

Obey human laws that do not Matt. 22:20, 21;

conflict with God’s laws 1 Pet. 2:12; 4:15

Taking blood into body Gen. 9:3, 4; Lev. 17:14;

through mouth or veins Acts 15:28, 29

violates God’s laws

Bible’s laws on morals must 1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Heb. 13:4;

be obeyed 1 Tim. 3:2; Prov. 5:1-23

Sabbath observance was given Deut. 5:15; Ex. 31:13; Rom. 10:4;

only to Israel and ended Gal. 4:9, 10; Col. 2:16, 17

with Mosaic Law

A clergy class and special Matt. 23:8-12; 20:25-27;

titles are improper Job 32:21, 22

Man did not evolve but was Isa. 45:12; Gen. 1:27; Matt. 19:4

created

Christ set example that must 1 Pet. 2:21; Heb. 10:7;

be followed in serving God John 4:34; 6:38

Baptism by complete immersion Mark 1:9, 10; John 3:23;

symbolizes dedication Acts 19:4, 5

Christians gladly give public Rom. 10:10; Heb. 13:15;

testimony to Scriptural truth Isa. 43:10-12

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EARTH . . . created by Jehovah . . . cared for by man . . . inhabited forever