When Christ said, “For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect,” he was speaking to his anointed church, those he takes to heaven that return to rule the world. Therefore, no Jehovah’s Witness that is part of their Governing Body, or that claims to be anointed, believing Stephen Lett’s statement that, “We are living in the last of the last days, and soon the last day of the last days will be here,” could possibly be part of that church. Especially if Christ does return soon. Why? Because Christ told his true church they will not be expecting his return when that happens. Who will not be expecting it? Christ’s true church will not upon his return.
Christ didn’t just say no one knows that day or hour. He said his true church would not expect it when it happens. As long as Watchtower has existed it has taught that time is right upon all its followers. So could any of those believing followers of Watchtower really be his church? Could any of Watchtower’s believing followers who are alive when Christ does return really be anointed? If so, why did Christ say, “For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect” ? Matthew 24:44
When I analyze the Bible I merely look at words that are actually written, giving weight to nothing else. What do the words say? In the same way I read other writings I read the Bible. If you are intelligent enough to understand language, oral and written, then you are capable of understanding the Bible. Unless God does not allow you to.
At best, in support of Watchtower’s statements, and the eventuality of its members, according to Christ’s words possibly some Jehovah’s Witnesses who die before Christ returns might be anointed, taken to heaven in Christ’s church. But the chance of any believers of Watchtower that are alive when Christ returns being part of that church is infinitesimally small. Because Christ said his chosen church will not be expecting his return when it happens.
See Luke 21:8. So why do you teach his return is imminent? And why do you follow those who do, you Jehovah’s Witnesses? Christ specifically told his church not to follow those who teach the end is imminent.
The Only Possible Counter Argument I Could Think of JWs Might Use to Establish Their Position about Luke 21:8
Luke 21:8 reads, “And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. “
While never arguing this point with a Jehovah’s Witness let me give the only counter argument I could think of one might use. In the above scripture Christ said many will come in his name claiming they are the Christ. And he went on to say they will claim the end has drawn near. Then Christ said not to follow them.
However, must the people coming in Christ’s name claim to be Christ while making that statement, the end is near, for Christ’s instruction, not to follow them, to be understood? That’s the only defense I’ve reasoned Watchtower has had over its many years while disobeying this command. Watchtower’s defense might be, they are not claiming to be Christ. And yet, isn’t that an ignorant defense for its disobedience? Their defense then would be that I, (Watchtower), will obey half of Christ’s command, but I will go against the latter half of that command. Yet what was the real message of that statement Christ made? Was its primary purpose to warn Christians that others would come claiming to be him? Or was its primary purpose to warn them not to follow Christians claiming the end is near? Or perhaps, should both warnings be given equal weight? And Watchtower’s only possible defense must be that it only had one purpose, not to follow those claiming to be Christ. But what about teaching the end is imminent?
The point Christ was making was primarily about the time period of the end being unknown to Christians, until it actually happens. Whether those coming in his name claimed to be him, or not, while making that statement, was a secondary issue to that overall conversation with those disciples of his on the Mt of Olives. Therefore, the point he made at Luke 21:8 must have been a warning not to follow people coming in his name that make the statement the end is near, against his direction. Notice how in his very next words this idea about the uncertainty of knowing the timing of the end, in the minds of his followers, becomes clearer. “When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” Luke 21:9
Christ’s words at Luke 21:8 direct Christians not to follow those claiming the end is near. Read the second half of Matthew chapter 24 where Christ repeated that idea over and over again, directly saying it, and with many analogies. For more info about this you might check out this article.
Last Days and Return of Christ When?