As is common with misguided people, the J.W’s go back to old covenant scripture, which is specifically written about the nation of Israel, and vainly declare that this scripture applies to them.  It seems that Mr. Russell formed many of his ideas from the old covenant, and then set about bending new covenant Scripture to make it suit his ideas.  He then announced to the rest of mankind, that no one could truly understand the Scriptures without his guidance. (More about him in ‘A Brief History’)

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The J.W’s tell us on their website; ‘However, over 2,700 years ago, the servants of the only true God were described as his “witnesses.” (JW.Org) 

 

The scripture which they give as a reference is Isaiah 43:10-12.  It says,

“‘You are my witnesses,’ declares the Lord,

    ‘and my servant whom I have chosen,

so that you may know and believe me

    and understand that I am he.

Before me no god was formed,

    nor will there be one after me.  I, even I, am the Lord,

    and apart from me there is no saviour.  I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you.

You are my witnesses,’ declares the Lord, ‘that I am God.’”

 

This is God’s declaration about his chosen people.  This generation of Israel did not stand up and declare, ‘We are God’s witnesses’ (as the J.W’s do).  It was God himself who declared, “You are my witnesses – whom I have chosen.”  The same is true in the new covenant – God chose those who would be his witnesses.  They were chosen to declare the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Their testimony is valid because they had first hand knowledge of the event – they were there when it took place.  The Lord Jesus called them by name, he declared them to be his witnesses, and he commanded them to preach.  All these things will be proven with Scripture in the following chapters.

 

To the members of the J.W. organisation, the idea of being one of ‘God’s true witnesses’ becomes their very identity.  As one local member recently told me ‘I am one of Jehovah’s witnesses!’  This was not simply a statement about the religious group that he belongs to, but a proud and boastful declaration about his own identity and importance.

 

We are specifically told in scripture not to think too highly of ourselves, and for good reason.  When we think more highly of ourselves than we ought to, we judge things from a different perspective.  We make claims and judgments that we shouldn’t make at all.   God’s word tells us, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  For by the grace given me I say to every one of you:  Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” (Rom. 12:2-3)

 

The J.W’s are grossly over-estimating their own place in the scheme of things, by claiming that they are God’s chosen witnesses.  It is a false belief, and this false belief is the root cause of many problems, including their refusal to be corrected by Scripture.  They simply believe that they are beyond correction.

If you spend any length of time with J.W’s, you will notice that they often point to themselves (rather than Christ) as the example to be followed.  They will give examples of their own good behavior and reputation, and readily admit to believing that their organisation is God’s “good and faithful servant”.

The J.W’s over-estimation of themselves is a trap that convinces other people to join them - the recruits are convinced that joining their organisation will make them special people.  ‘After all’, I was asked by one of their boastful members, ‘Who else is doing God’s work’?