“After they did everything that the king had commanded …

… God listened to their entreaties for the land.” (2 Samuel 1:14)

What had happened in Israel? “There was a famine in the days of David for three consecutive years.” Only after three years, “David consulted Jehovah, and Jehovah said: ‘There is bloodguilt on Saul and on his house, because he put the Gibeonites to death.’” (2 Samuel 21:1) So the famine had been sent by Jehovah to punish the people for Saul’s transgression. How was the problem finally sorted out?

David approached the Gibeonites, and they proposed: “Let seven of … [Saul’s] male descendants be given to us to be killed and their bodies exposed before the Lord at Gibeah.” David “said, ‘I will give them to you.’ … He handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed them and exposed their bodies on a hill before the Lord.” (2 Samuel 21:6, 9, NIV) Was this human sacrifice pleasing to God? Obviously, since “after they did … [this,] God listened to their entreaties for the land” and ended the famine. – 2 Samuel 1:14.

When we have the feeling that Jehovah doesn’t bless us, maybe we have a similar issue like the Israelites. Unfortunately, “the law of the land … forbid[s] us to kill apostates, even though they be members of our own flesh-and-blood family relationship,” so that we cannot kill them and their children and ‘expose them before the Lord.’ (The Watchtower, November 15, 1952, page 703) But perhaps we have let ourselves get carried away and got in touch with apostates, maybe because they are members of our family. We must never forget that we need to completely shun such persons until Jehovah will slaughter them in Armageddon!

“If you continue walking in my statutes …

and keeping my commandments and you carry them out, I will give you showers of rain at their proper time.” (Leviticus 26:3, 4)

As everyone knows, “meteorologists often face ridicule” because they “foretell planetary alignments years in advance, yet still fail to put together accurate weather forecasts.” (howstuffworks) Have we ever wondered why it is so difficult to predict the weather? It is obvious that these so-called scientists fail because they “trust in human wisdom and accomplishments.” – Our Kingdom Ministry, May 1987, page 3.

Like the Pharisees they “interpret the appearance of the sky” to predict whether it will rain or not, but they ignore the fact that “only Jehovah God can foretell future events.” (Matthew 16:3; The Watchtower, August 1, 1956, page 460) The prophet Isaiah was way ahead of modern meteorologists, for he realized even 2500 years ago that “showers don’t fall by themselves. Only you control the rain … the LORD our God.” – Jeremiah 14:22, CEV.

Jeremiah knew that Jehovah has “storehouses … where he keeps the rain” and that it is his responsibility to “send rain … at just the right times.” (Deuteronomy 28:12, CEV) Jesus Christ confirmed this when he explained that God “makes it rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:45) The apostle Paul too testified that it is “God [who] sends rain from heaven.” – Acts 14:17, CEV.

What about other weather phenomena? Snow and hail are not emerging from chemical processes in the atmosphere like many scientists claim, rather God fetches them from “the storehouses of the snow” and “the storehouses of the hail” which he built long ago. (Job 38:22) Wind is also caused by Jehovah. (Numbers 11:31; Jonah 1:4) No wonder that humans fail to predict the weather!

“I heard a voice coming from heaven …

… It was like the sound of rushing water and of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like people playing music … This large group sang a new song. They sang … in front of the four living beings and the twentyfour leaders.” (Revelation 14:2, 3, NLV)

Nearly 2000 years ago the apostle John saw in a vision the Eurovision Song Contest. He heard “people playing music” and drumbeats like “loud thunder,” since drums are playing a major role at this event. The musicians played “in front of the four living beings,” the usually two hosts and the cameramen. The “twentyfour leaders” depict the jurors who decide about the final score. Every participant sings “a new song” because according to the official rules the song “may not have been released publicly before 1 September of the year preceding.”

John also saw an “angel flying in midheaven.” (Revelation 14:6). “Angel” means “messenger,” and obviously the angel symbolizes a modern communication satellite. The European Broadcasting Union and its members use such satellites “to declare [the Eurovision Song Contest] as glad tidings to those who dwell on the earth.” (Revelation 14:6, NWT 1984) But God’s Word says regarding the TV viewers: “Day and night they have no rest, whoever receives the [TV program].” (Revelation 14:11) God even adds, “Happy are the dead,” because they do not have to endure the TV program anymore. – Revelation 14:13.

Fortunately, the whole event lasts only for a few days. Finally John “saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire” – obviously the stage that is equipped with modern LED technology. “Those who had won the victory … were standing on the glassy sea. They were … singing.” (Revelation 15:2, 3, GWT) So the Eurovision Song Contest ended in John’s vision; “and there came out of the … [concert hall] the seven … [musicians] who were bringing the seven plagues” and went home. (Revelation 15:6, WEY) And “the whole … [population of Europe] now rests, free of disturbance” – Isaiah 14:7.

“I came to cause division.”

(Matthew 10:35)

Jesus pointed out why he came in no uncertain manner. He “came to cause division.” (Matthew 10:35) Political institutions and commercial enterprises support his goal. “Economic, political and national rivalries have divided men.” (The Watchtower, April 1, 1974, page 197) Most religious organizations follow Jesus’ example; a specialist journal reported: “Religions in general tend to divide humans.” – Our Kingdom Ministry, September 2001, page 1.

One organization though has excelled in working in the opposite direction: “The global Bible educational program of Jehovah’s Witnesses has helped unite people.” (Awake!, May 22, 2002, page 13) Thus Jehovah’s Witnesses resist Christ’s purpose. While other organizations cause division according to Jesus’ will, “they are at unity, not divided.” – Awake!, October 8, 1974, page 22.

“Moreover, no man has ascended into heaven …

… but the one who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of man must be lifted up, so that everyone believing in him may have everlasting life.” (John 3:13, 14)

Jesus usually spoke of himself in the third person; instead of, “I will be killed,” he said, “the Son of man must be lifted up.” (John 3:14) Instead of “wine” he mentioned “the product of the vine.” (Mark 14:25) Why did he use such complicated language? Did he want to imitate those who think they would “get a hearing for their use of many words?” (Matthew 6:7) No, the actual reason was the following: “I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, so that … they will learn nothing. When they hear what I say, they will not understand. Otherwise, they will turn to me and be forgiven.” (Mark 4:11, 12, NLT) Thus Jesus intentionally used intricate “parables” so that the people would not understand him and not believe in him, and he would not have to save them on the day of judgment.

Christians of today must ‘imitate Jesus’ expert preaching methods,’ of course. (The Watchtower, June 1, 1997, page 29) Hence we should no longer use the simple suggestions from the Reasoning book but rather prepare a sophisticated presentation. Instead of, “I’m looking for people who would like to live in a world free from war,” we could say, for example: “The Son of man was sent by the faithful and discreet slave to look for those who are deserving it because they have the right inclination of the heart by sighing and groaning and longing for a system of things in which nation will no longer rise against nation and kingdom and against kingdom, but in which humans will give up their animallike characteristics and will for time indefinite dwell together and not do any harm or cause any ruin in all God’s holy mountain, just like the mouth of Jehovah of armies has spoken.”

Rather than, “We’ve been talking with your neighbors about what can be done to assure that there will be employment and housing for everyone,” we could use the following introduction: “The Son of man and the one walking near him want to confront all redeemable mankind that came into existence at Abel’s birth with a question of universal importance, that is, how can it be achieved that all human creatures of God always have plenty to do and have a place to lay down their heads, so that they can rest from their labors in all the places where the Lord has dispersed them?” If we choose our words carefully, we will preach in a way that no one does what we say. Then Jehovah can destroy more humans at Armageddon, Jesus needs to save fewer people, and we will have more space in paradise!

“God loved the world so much.”

(John 3:16)

Soon “Jesus Christ as King will take over rulership.” (Awake!, April 22, 2000, page 11) Then he will be “crushing his enemies both far and near,” and “only those who truly are his disciples will survive.” (Sing Praises to Jehovah, song 53; Survival Into a New Earth, page 37) Thus one must be a Christian to survive, and Christians “must not love the world.” (The Watchtower, January 15, 2006, page 25) The apostle Paul wrote in Jesus’ name to all Christians: “Do not love … the world.” – 1 John 2:15.

Must we worry about “Jesus Christ … [as] God’s Chief Executioner of vengeance” and “Great Annihilator?” (Insight on the Scriptures, volume II, page 1150; Sing Praises to Jehovah, German Edition, song 53) Not necessarily, for “Jesus himself indicated that some people will survive.” (The Watchtower, August 1, 2010, page 5) “Rather, peril awaits those … who refuse to obey Jesus Christ.” (Awake!, August 2008, page 9) This definitely applies to many humans who love the world. But “not only will wicked men be destroyed.” (True Peace and Security – How Can You Find It?, page 53) Jehovah also “loved the world,” even “so much.” – John 3:16.

When “Christ … will come to destroy his enemies,” Jehovah will be among the victims, too. (Psalm 110:2) In this way, Jesus must not “hand over the Kingdom” to him after a thousand years; rather he can “rule as King over … forever, and there will be no end to his Kingdom,” just as foretold in the Bible. – 1 Corinthians 15:24; Luke 1:33.

“Gather together the fragments left over …

… so that nothing is wasted.” (John 6:12)

Though he could miraculously produce it in abundance, “Jesus carefully avoided wasting food.” (Awake!, August 22, 2002, page 10) Thus, after a feeding, he instructed his disciples to gather up not only leftover breads but even “fragments” from the dirty ground. What does that mean for Christians today?

”Jesus Christ provides the perfect model to follow.” (The Watchtower, September 1, 1993, page 11) Hence we should gather up the leftover crumbs from the floor after every meal, “so that nothing is wasted.” (John 6:12) Only “unappreciative and thoughtless … [people] who are self-centered and governed by fads and trivial likes and dislikes” would “waste … food.” – Awake!, August 22, 2002, page 7.

Regarding crumbs and fragments, Jesus’ model leaves no doubt. But what “if food looks or smells suspicious?” Note that Jehovah says through his channel of communication: “Food-borne illness often comes and goes without severe consequences.” Indeed food poisoning “can be fatal” sometimes, but for such cases there is always “the wonderful resurrection hope.” – Awake!, November 22, 1995, page 22; The Watchtower, July 15, 1993, page 28.

“We Christians should be aware that tests of faith may be many and varied.” (The Watchtower, May 15, 1998, page 14) The “faithful and discreet slave” warns us against such a test: “Imagine that you are about to eat a tasty piece of fruit but then notice that a part of it is rotten. What will you do? Well, you could eat the entire fruit, even the bad part; you could throw away the entire fruit, including the bad part; or you could cut the bad part out of the fruit and enjoy the good part. What choice will you make?” (“Keep Yourselves in God’s Love”, page 62) Indeed, “what choice will you make” if you want to please God?

“I have a message from God for you.”

(Judges 3:20)

As Christians we are confident “that the wicked will soon be no more.” (Awake!, February 22, 1994, page 19) How will this promise come true? God gave a prophetic picture through Judge Ehud. The account shows how “the wicked” – that is, all people who are not Jehovah’s Witnesses – will come to their end. Ehud visited Eglon “in his cool roof chamber. Then Ehud said: ‘I have a message from God for you.’ … Then Ehud drew the sword from his right thigh with his left hand and plunged it into his belly … Ehud went out … closing the doors of the roof chamber behind him and locking them.” – Judges 3:20-24.

Eglon believed that Ehud would have “a message from God” for him – exactly like the people in our witnessing territory think that we would have “a message from God” for them. (Keep on the Watch!, page 7) But now “the slaughter work [must] go on,” thus we need to draw our sword and tell the homeowner: “That sword is the teaching of God!” (Judges 6:17, ERV; The Watchtower, January 15, 1972, page 52) This way we will “destroy all goatlike ones” in our witnessing territory. (What Does God Require of Us?, page 13) Afterwards we should leave the house and lock the door, according to Ehud’s example.

“Let the one who has no sword sell his outer garment and buy one [now],” according to Jesus’ unequivocal command in Luke 22:36. “We should not think that Jehovah is going too far … nor should we feel sorry for those executed by God’s [servants].” (The Watchtower, January 15, 1972, page 52). “The destruction … [must be] thorough.” – Insight on the Scriptures, volume II, page 799.

“The anger of Jehovah was kindled …

… against Israel, and he moved David against them, saying, Go, number Israel and Judah.” (2 Samuel 24:1, ASV)

King David conducted a fatal census which caused much suffering among the Israelites. According to the inspired account in 2 Samuel 24:1, it was Jehovah who incited him to do it. (NWT 1984, Footnote; NIV; NLT; ESV; KJV; HCSB; ISV; GWT; WEB) But the later parallel account says clearly: “Satan stood up against Israel and incited David to number Israel.” (1 Chronicles 21:1) Does this mean that Jehovah and Satan are the same person?

Apparently they are. But of course, for true Christians the Bible is not the decisive factor; rather their teachings are based solely on the publications of the Watchtower Society. These confirm the identification of Jehovah with Satan, for they say that “Jehovah God, the Greater Pharaoh, is Universal Sovereign.” (Survival Into a New Earth, page 79; see also The Watchtower, May 1, 1987, page 19) But it’s also out of the question that “the Greater Pharaoh [is] Satan the Devil.” – The Watchtower, September 1, 1989, page 15; August 1, 1970, page 463.

The reference work Insight on the Scriptures summarizes the evidence: ”Some commentators consider that the one … who incited David to take the census was Jehovah … Such a viewpoint could be harmonized with the view that Satan … incited David.” (volume II, page 765) What does that mean for us? “We need to abandon … the antitypical ‘Pharaoh the king of Egypt and … Jehovah’s organization … Once we have got out from under the visible organization of God … we should not again resort to it for aid and protection.” – The Watchtower, May 15, 1977, page 313.

“The Kingdom of the heavens is like leaven.”

(Matthew 13:33)

Under the headline “The Exposing of the False Kingdom Refuge,” the Watchtower magazine said “that the Bible unvaryingly uses leaven to symbolize something bad, unrighteousness, error, sin … So the parable must illustrate something unfavorable about matters having to do with the ‘kingdom of the heavens.’” (October 1, 1975, pages 33, 34) The book “Let Your Kingdom Come” added: “When used figuratively in the Bible, leaven always has an unfavorable connotation … The apostle Paul counseled Christians to clear away the ‘leaven of badness and wickedness.’ … [The parable] pictures the stealthy corrupting of the professed Christian congregation with false Babylonish teaching and practice.” – page 101.

How would the “leaven” contaminate the whole Christian congregation with false teachings? The July 15, 2008 Watchtower explained: “The leaven ferments the whole mass … Like leaven, the Kingdom-preaching work … has expanded to the point that the Kingdom is now being preached ‘to the most distant part of the earth;’”; then it added that all Jehovah’s Witnesses are “part of this amazing expansion of the Kingdom work.” (page 20) Thus the “leaven” represents “the Kingdom-preaching work.” Jehovah’s Witnesses supposedly preach “the good news of the Kingdom,” but in actual fact they promote “false Babylonish teaching and practice” in all the earth.

According to the May 15, 1900 issue of Zion’s Watch Tower “we may be as sure that he [Jesus] would not use leaven as a symbol of righteousness as that he would not use leprosy as a symbol of holiness.” (page 154) No, “leaven … is used in the Scriptures to represent false teaching, a corrupting influence.” (Insight on the Scriptures, volume I, page 1179) That “the Kingdom of the heavens is like leaven” means that the teaching of this Kingdom is a “false teaching” which has “a corrupting influence” on the whole Christian until now.