APOSTASY in RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS

By John ben Wilhelm While many religious organizations have doctrines addressing apostasy and claim they are required to protect the flock from the harm of associating with sinners, a secondary and mostly well concealed purpose is protecting their own leadership from persons seen as a threat to their own power and authority from within their organizations. In the Watchtower organization, which the author has had personal experience with for over forty years, this has become the case in an extreme sense. A careful examination of Bible teachings on apostasy and the W.T. writings over the years shows how Bible verses came to be and still are abusively misapplied by the Watchtower. However, while the author illustrates his argument through the Watchtower organization and its policies and practices, the same situation applies as well in varying degrees in other religious organizations. The term Apostate has become an oppressive stigma upon those who are so labeled yet what constitutes apostasy is often a slippery substance that can be formed to fit an accusers own objectives. This is true despite the fact that apostasy has a clear and definite biblical tradition which was applied only under very specifically described conditions. A controversy over what actually constitutes apostasy in Gods eyes can only be resolved by a careful examination of what his own word, the Bible actually discloses about the subject, and not by what others who employ the label and stigmatize their opponents through its use for selfish purposes claim. APOSTATES ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE If we wish to get an accurate perspective of what constitutes a Biblical definition for apostasy, we can do this by examining those verses directly referencing apostasy in the Bible along with any others which are offered by supporters as a basis for their own doctrinal versions of Apostasy.

First, lets start with a fundamental Christian teaching, one which Jesus himself taught, for it erodes the very foundation of the doctrines many religions have instituted as a basis for defending their own versions of what apostasy is. Jesus admonition at Luke 6:27 -37 in his own words where he commanded that we not judge, but love all, particularly those we consider our enemies should raise serious conflict in the mind of anyone who considers the Bible as an authoritative manifestation of God will for humans, and particularly for those who profess to be Christians. His words as recorded in Luke 6:27-37 are very different in spirit from what many religions professing to be Christian embrace as their apostasy policies. Luke 6:27-37 But I say to YOU who are listening, Continue to love YOUR enemies, to do good to those hating YOU, to bless those cursing YOU, to pray for those who are insulting YOU. To him that strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also; and from him that takes away your outer garment, do not withhold even the undergarment. Give to everyone asking you, and from the one taking your things away do not ask [them] back. Also, just as YOU want men to do to YOU, do the same way to them. And if YOU love those loving YOU, of what credit is it to YOU? For even the sinners love those loving them. And if YOU do good to those doing good to YOU, really of what credit is it to YOU? Even the sinners do the same. Also, if YOU lend [without interest] to those from whom YOU hope to receive, of what credit is it to YOU? Even sinners lend [without interest] to sinners that they may get back as much. To the contrary, continue to love YOUR enemies and to do good and to lend [without interest], not hoping for anything back; and YOUR reward will be great, and YOU will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind toward the unthankful and wicked. Continue becoming merciful, just as YOUR Father is merciful.Moreover, stop judging, and YOU will by no means be judged; and stop condemning, and YOU will by no means be condemned." Does this mean that Jesus was encouraging ignoring wrong doers inside the Christian congregation? Not at all. Jesus introduced the standard on how wrong doers should be treated, saying at Matthew 18:1517:

Moreover, if your brother commits a sin, go lay bare his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two more, in order that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every matter may be established. If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector. Some religious organizations including, but not limited to the Watchtower teach that one who is viewed as an apostate must be avoided at all costs and not even spoken to. Jesus did not say to never utter a word to an unrepentant wrong doer but to treat them as a tax collector. He himself spoke to and ate with tax collectors. (Matthew 9:10 -12). Where then could such a contrary concept to the fundamental precept of the love Jesus encouraged among his followers originate? Many proponents of their own versions of how an apostate should be treated attribute them to the apostle Paul. A major question is did Paul actually encourage behavior that would be contrary to what Jesus had taught? Or is there a misconception on the parts of some who are intent in justifying their own self-interests when they teach to avoid contact with those they have labeled as apostates to such an extent that it becomes shunning in an extreme sense. 1 Corinthians 5:11 The majority of information on how to treat wrongdoers within the congregation comes from Paul and constitutes the main support some organizations such as the Watchtower use to enforce shunning. Much of it is from 1 Corinthians the 5th chapter and from his writings to the Thessalonians In these instances, Paul showed a balanced approach to wrongdoers, advising not to socialize with such ones, but to still admonish [them] as a brother. 2 Thessalonians is key to understanding that wrongdoers should be marked, not ostracized, disfellowshipped or shunned in an extreme sense. 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15 Now we are giving YOU orders, brothers, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw from every brother walking disorderly and not according to the tradition YOU received from us. 14 But if anyone is not obedient to our

word through this letter, keep this one marked, stop associating with him, that he may become ashamed. 15 And yet do not be considering him as an enemy, but continue admonishing him as a brother. First, Pauls words taken in correct context pertained to those who were walking out of harmony with what they had been taught by Jesus, the apostles and us,(Paul, Sylvanus and Timothy) Meaning ones who were teaching other than that which they taught. Direct context does not allow one to universally apply his words to teachings beyond with what they taught. Furthermore, this verse does not license shunning such person, but rather marking (taking note of him). Paul did not indicate that marking was only for non-serious sin. The word through this letter (2 Thessalonians) included those not glorifying the name of our Lord Jesus, those refusing to work for a living, as well as any who had been seduced by apostasy. Paul did not say to disfellowship and shun such people, but rather instructed the congregation to mark or take note of such a person, yet continue admonishing him as a brother. In similar vein the following scriptures do not instruct complete shunning of the person, but rather to take note so as not to be influenced by their wrong ways. Romans 16:17 "Now I exhort YOU, brothers, to keep your eye on (the word 'mark' is used in many translations) those who cause divisions and occasions for stumbling contrary to the teaching that YOU have learned, and avoid them." Titus 3:10 "As for a man that promotes a sect, reject him after a first and a second admonition; knowing that such a man has been turned out of the way and is sinning, he being self-condemned." In this verse, reject does not mean avoiding speaking to or not having contact with such person. That understanding would conflict with Jesus own teachings and therefore must be seen as a distortion of scriptural truth. According to The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, to reject is:to refuse to believe, accept, or consider (something). to decide not to publish (something) or make it available to the public because it is not good.

Rejecting something or someone may include not accepting their beliefs or refusing to advance such beliefs, however it does not include shunning or dis-fellowshipping the person in its definition. Does this mean there was never any reason to completely avoid the company of someone seen as out of harmony with the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles? At 1 Corinthians 5 Paul specifically outlined practices for which to cease mixing (associating) with a brother, yet here also, his advice is similar to the advice given when marking a brother. 1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I am writing YOU to quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man. For what do I have to do with judging those outside? Do YOU not judge those inside, while God judges those outside? Remove the wicked [man] from among yourselves. 1 Corinthians does not say to totally shun every brother who is a wrong doer, rather it says to quit mixing in company with any person described above who is practicer of any of the individual sins listed, and not to eat with such a man hence refers to socializing.

EXTREMISM TOWARD APOSTASY, ACCORDING TO THE WATCHTOWER As manifested in its disfellowshipping practice The Watchtower has applied 1 Cor. 5:11 to socializing as friends. "God's Word states that we should 'not even eat with such a man.' (1 Cor. 5:11) Hence, we also avoid social fellowship with an expelled person. This would rule out joining him in a picnic, party, ball game, or trip to the

mall or theater or sitting down to a meal with him either in the home or at a restaurant." Kingdom Ministry 2002 August p.3 However, despite how the Watchtower interprets it, the Bible does not state that this type of person must never be spoken to. As Paul explained at 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 (quoted earlier), if they are at a meeting it would be reasonable to encourage them. Most certainly a polite greeting would be acceptable, as Paul writes but continue admonishing him as a brother . 1 Corinthians is also specific as to who these words apply to. This advice is in regards to a person "called a brother" who "is" a confirmed wrongdoer. There is no implication here that says it applies to one who raises questions or disagrees with man-made doctrine an organization may hold in its body of beliefs. Neither is there an indication given that they should be avoided when they are no longer recognized as a Jehovah's Witness brother. Nor can it be construed to say to shun a person who has stopped their wrongdoing. Also, it should be noted that Paul did not insist that everyone participate in the shunning. Later he wrote that the "majority" participate in the rebuke, showing that some in the congregation may choose not to show rebuke to the person. 2 Corinthians 2:5-6 "Now if anyone [M] has caused sadness he has saddened, not me, but all of YOU to an extent-not to be too harsh in what I say. This rebuke given by the majority is sufficient for such a man" The New World Translation reference [M] shows Paul was here referring to the situation discussed at 1 Corinthians 5, (as do Bible scholars in general). Paul gave similar advice on a number of occasions to 'mark' and 'avoid' wrongdoers. This does not mean that the person must be totally ignored, never uttered a greeting, eye contact avoided, or crossing the street to get away from them, all common experiences of disfellowshipped Jehovah's Witnesses. 2 John 7-11Watchtower extreme treatment of not even saying "hello" to disfellowshipped Witnesses is not based on the above scriptures, but rather on a distorted interpretation of a single passage at 2 John 7-11:

For many deceivers have gone forth into the world, persons not confessing Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. Look out for your selves that YOU do not lose the things we have worked to produce, but that YOU may obtain a full reward. Everyone that pushes ahead and does not remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God. He that does remain in this teaching is the one that has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to YOU and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into YOUR homes or say a greeting to him. For he that says a greeting to him is a sharer in his wicked works. A careful reading discloses 2 John is referring to the antichrist and those not remaining in the teachings of Christ . These words should not be applied across the board to all forms of sin, including questioning their own leaders which is done by the Watchtower Society and leaders in other organizations as well. In order to justify their stance, the Watchtower describes those who question or oppose their leaders, (the Governing Body) as apostate and of the Antichrist, saying that "the word apostasy comes from a Greek word that literally means a standing away from but has the sense of desertion, abandonment or rebellion ... (and included) abandonment of right moral standards ... willfully abandoning the Christian congregation thereby become part of the 'antichrist." Watchtower 1985 Jul 15 p.31 In reality, many of those labeled Apostates, who stop being Witnesses continue to follow Jesus and Bible morals, but have come to believe that the Watchtower Society is erroneous in many of its teachings and not under the headship Jesus Christ but is being directed by men who have assumed the role of Christ in formulating their own doctrines and expecting obedience to themselves as if it were to Christ. In many cases it is not that the one labeled an apostate has left the congregation but rather that the congregation has expelled him or her from participating in its activities. Interestingly, Johns avoidance advice in the Bible was not limited to former Christians. It included anyone denying Christ. This included Jews that rejected Jesus and people of the nations worshipping other Gods. Yet the Watchtower stance is to apply this mostly to Jehovah's Witnesses and former witnesses.

The meaning of the phrase never receive him into YOUR homes should be understood in the context of how hospitality was extended in first century Jerusalem. Since Christians held congregation meetings in their homes John possibly felt that inviting a denier of Christ into a home could be viewed as sharing worship with non-Christians. Likewise the term to never say a greeting to him needs to be understood in light of first century practice. The Watchtowers claim that John used the term to indicate a simple hello is wrong. John here used the greek term khairo, which was far different from a simple hello Strongs- G5463 cai,rw chairo {khah'-ee-ro} a primary verb; TDNT - 9:359,1298; v AV - rejoice 42, be glad 14, joy 5, hail 5, greeting 3, God speed 2, all hail 1, joyfully 1, farewell 1; 74 1) to rejoice, be glad 2) to rejoice exceedingly 3) to be well, thrive 4) in salutations, hail! 5) at the beginning of letters: to give one greeting, salute This is the description of a warm embracing attitude in a greeting, and not a simple hello. On the other hand, a Watchtower article stated: John here used khairo, which was a greeting like good day or hello. (Acts 15:23; Matthew 28:9) He did not use aspazomai (as in verse 13), which means to enfold in the arms, thus to greet, to welcome and may have implied a very warm greeting, even with an embrace. (Luke 10:4; 11:43; Acts 20:1, 37; 1 Thessalonians 5:26) So the direction at 2 John 11 could well mean not to say even hello to such ones. Watchtower 1988 April 15 p.27 This article claims the word khairo is used to forbid a simple greeting, instead of aspazomai which means a more affectionate embrace, enfolding in the arms, kiss, greeting or welcome. The writer seems to be confused as the very opposite is true, as Strongs states;

5463 chairo {khah'-ee-ro} 1) to rejoice, be glad 2) to rejoice exceedingly 3) to be well, thrive 4) in salutations, hail! 5) at the beginning of letters: to give one greeting, salute 783 aspasmos {as-pas-mos} 1) a salutation, either oral or written 2 John does not indicate a polite greeting is wrong. John here shows that a person is only a sharer in the Antichrists wicked works if he shows acceptance and agreement with the evildoers cause or teachings, or wishes them favor and success The Watchtower Society uses this single scripture in 2 John to dictate that every disfellowshipped or disassociated person should not even be politely greeted. This is applied regardless of what the person was disfellowshipped for, including a long list of manmade Society originated rules such as gambling, smoking, or authorizing a blood transfusion. Every single one of a disfellowshipped persons witness friends is told to never greet them again, unless they repent and are formally reinstated by the Watchtower Society. Of course, for most sins, a Christian may repent and stop practicing it and being reinstated is a viable option for that one. However if a person was disfellowshipped for a scriptural difference with the watchtower leadership who he still believes to be out of harmony with Gods word and thinking, he can never repent of that without denying God or his own conscience. I am aware of friends whose own mothers or their own children have not spoken to them for upwards of 20 years. Yet such shunning was only ever discussed once in the Bible and was only to apply to the Antichrist, those denying his teachings and that Jesus had come in the flesh. The way the Watchtower applies 2 Jo -11 constitutes misuse, an extreme and unscriptural application and a legalistic doctrine that goes beyond what is written in scripture. When the did the Watchtower come to hold such an extreme viewpoint in its dealing with those in the congregation who are seen to oppose official organizational policies? An examination of the history connected with these policies shows this viewpoint to be of relatively recent origin and definately not with roots that go back to Jesus and the Apostles.

Historical development of W.T. dis-fellowshipping/shunning policies

Disfellowshipping was not practiced in its current form by the Watchtower Society until 1952. Russell discussed disfellowshipping and avoiding wrongdoers as early as 1892. However, this was not applied to Watchtower followers, but rather that Christians in general should avoid those who show themselves to be untrue to God. In Watchtowers late in1882 and1883 he wrote: "To be separate does not mean to be friends and companions, or to be in fellowship on any grounds. It means that we are to make a clean-cut division between ourselves and all the unclean, the impure in heart, as manifested by their disloyalty to the truth, and thereby to God, its great Author: and that this separation is to be so marked that the disfellowshipped one will be sure to know it. And that none can mistake our obedience and loyalty to the lord and his truth. There is to be no trifling or half-way obedience in this matter: for we are not only to be separate in spirit from the enemies of the Lord, but we are not to touch the unclean. As the Apostle elsewhere says we are to avoid them-to have no part or lot with them.(Watchtower 1893 Oct 15 p.1588) "We are not of those who disfellowship Christian brethren on account of some differences of opinion; but when it comes to the point of denying the very foundation of all Christianity we must speak out and withstand all such to the face, for they become the enemies of the cross of Christ."(Watchtower 1882 Dec p.423) Later, a procedure was implemented where a congregation as a whole discussed an individual's wrongdoing and if they came to a near unanimous decision to disfellowship, the unrepentant sinner was not shunned but treated as a heathen. It was primarily for a person that rejected the value of Christ's Ransom. "The administration of discipline is not the function of the elders only, but of the entire Church. Thus it is evident that the Elders were in no sense to be judges of the members-hearing and judgment were left to the local body, or Church. Indeed, even if the transgressor refuse to hear (obey) the decision of the entire Church, no punishment is to be inflicted or even attempted. What then? Merely the Church is to withdraw from him its fellowship and any and all

signs or manifestations of brotherhood. Thenceforth the offender is to be treated "as a heathen man and a publican." Matt. 18:17" (Studies Series VI - The New Creation (1904) pp.289, 290) "The Scriptural basis of fellowship and disfellowship is both a much broader and a much more simple one. It is simply of two parts: (1) An acceptance of Christ as the Redeemer, and (2) A full consecration to him. Whoever complies with this scriptural formula is entitled to the love, respect, sympathy and care of every other such one; for such, and such only, constitute the church which God recognizes - the church whose names are written in heaven." (Watchtower 1905 p.3673) "According to this writing the very most that the church could do would be that, after having vainly endeavored to get the brother to repent and reform, it should withdraw special brotherly fellowship from him until such time as he would express willingness thereafter to do right. Then he should be received again into full fellowship. In the meantime the brother may merely be treated in the kindly, courteous way in which it would be proper for us to treat any publican or Gentile, withholding the special rights or privileges or greetings or voting opportunities that belong to the church as a class separate from the world" (Watchtower 1919 Mar 1 p.69 ) Russell and Rutherford were lenient towards doctrinal disagreements, advising that making all followers think alike on doctrine is what originally caused the great apostasy, a tactic of Satan and a method of control. "Rather, like the church of Rome their ["Religious leaders of today"] influence is exerted to restrain investigation within the sectarian limits. With the implied threat of disfellowship, they urge their ministers and students not to search continually for truth, but to accept the voice of their sect as infallible." (Watchtower 1887 Apr p.923) "The great adversary is wily, and at all times is quick to appeal to passion. He persuades some that they must take a radical stand against some secular work or activity, and to proceed at once to

disfellowship others who cannot conscientiously take this same stand. Somehow they seem to think that their radical stand entitles them in a very special sense to divine favor and blessing. This attitude leads them to violate principle in various ways: (1) By judging and condemning others who do not see as they do; (2) By refusing to fellowship those who still believe in the ransom, the restitution, the high calling." (Watchtower 1919 Feb 1 p.6385) "Satan's organization sails under the high-sounding name of "Christendom". It boasts of a membership of over 500,000,000 persons. Its members are in bondage to creeds, customs, rites and ceremonies; they dare not disown these or criticize or expose them. To do so would bring down on their heads taunts, reproaches, disfellowship and persecution. Many thousands of the Lords people are held in these denominations as prisoners, afraid to express their disapproval of the creeds, methods and customs of the organization. (Watchtower 1930 October 1 p.301) As late as 1947, the Awake described the practice of excommunication as an unscriptural, pagan practice, using Hebrews 10: 26-31 to show it should be left to God to judge individuals.

APOSTATES TODAY,
(Apostasy according to definitions heard at W.T. Conventions and in W.T publications) By most religious denominational definitions, an apostate is literally someone who "turns aside", or abandons ones faith. Hence, anyone who leaves their religion of birth is by such definition an apostate. What Gods own definition of apostasy is according to the Bible will be explored later in this essay. While other religions have their own slant on what constitutes apostasy, The Watchtower Society defines an apostate as anyone that teaches contrary to Watchtower teachings. "Persons who deliberately spread (stubbornly hold to and speak about) teachings contrary to Bible truth as taught by

Jehovah's Witnesses are apostates." (Pay Attention to Yourself and to All the Flock p.94) This carefully contrived statement avoids defining apostasy as opposition to the truth that Jesus taught or for that matter Bible truth exclusively, the statement reads as taught by Jehovahs witnesses This is a qualifier that goes way beyond any true biblical definition of apostasy. Jehovah s Witnesses, by virtue of their changing versions of truth have a history where yesteryears teachings no longer are true today and in retrospect, never were in harmony with the Bible. Why would a sensible person assume all of todays teachings are devoid of error and should automatically form a basis for shunning by ones own family or friends and formal disfellowshipping from ones congregation? While there can be no argument that the scriptures endorse avoiding association with deliberate sinners, there is no scriptural precedent for taking the same position with those who question whether a teaching is biblical or not or speak out against wrong scriptural interpretation when it becomes apparent. If that were the case, Jesus himself as well as all his apostles should be seen as apostates, for they too not only questioned but spoke out truthfully against wrong teaching by what was considered the duly constituted religious authority in their time. The W.T. organization fires a broad pattern causing great collateral damage when it comes to apostasy when they include anyone who dares openly to even question an official doctrine, whether it be scripturally based or not. In harmony with this un-scriptural position it is prone to engage in extremism in its dialog concerning all so called apostates, lumping them altogether regardless of whether the charge of apostasy is based on scriptural reasons such as murder, grand theft, idolatry, fornication adultery or merely questioning whether a teaching is scriptural or not. They are all stigmatized by the same label Apostate.For example when describing apostates as assisting Satan, being unworthy of a resurrection, to be avoided, loathed and hated, it specifically refers to former Witnesses that speak out against the Watch-tower Society or its doctrine.]

An article published in July 2013 edition of The Watchtower warns followers to stay clear of false teachers who are condemned as being mentally diseased apostates who should be avoided at all costs. Suppose that a doctor told you to avoid contact with someone who is infected with a contagious, deadly disease, the article reads. You would know what the doctor means, and you would strictly heed his warning. Well, apostates are mentally diseased, and they seek to infect others with their disloyal teachings. A July 2011 edition of the Jehovahs Witnesses official magazine, The Watchtower, included an article which declared former members of the J.W.s mentally diseased. The (UK) Independent reports on the controversy thats been kicked up over this (Website cached article): Watchtower 2013 Apr 15 p.11 "Strong hope enables us to resist apostates and their gangrenous "empty speeches."" Examining the Scriptures Daily 2011 Aug 18 p.83 "Satan was the first creature to turn apostate. Modern-day apostates display characteristics similar to those of the Devil. Their mind may be poisoned by a critical attitude toward individuals in the congregations, Christian elders, or the Governing Body. Some apostates oppose the use of the divine name, Jehovah. They are not interested in learning about Jehovah or in serving him. Like their father, Satan, apostates target people of integrity. (John 8:44) No wonder servants of Jehovah avoid all contact with them!" "apostates are mentally diseased" Watchtower 2011 Jul 15 p.11 "Apostates quietly bring their ideas into the congregation, like criminals who secretly bring things into a country. Apostates use counterfeit words. This means that they say thing s that make their false ideas sound true, like criminals who make false documents look real. They try to get as many people as possible to believe their deceptive teachings. Peter also said that they like twisting the Scriptures. They explain Bible verses in the wrong way to make others believe their ideas. (2 Peter 2:1, 3, 13; 3:16) Apostates do not

care about us. If we follow them, we will leave the road to everlasting life. ... The Bible says that apostates are mentally diseased and that they use their teachings to make others think like them. (1 Timothy 6:3, 4) Jehovah is like that good doctor. He clearly tells us to stay away from false teachers. We must always be determined to follow his warning. What must we do to avoid false teachers? We do not speak to them or invite them into our houses. We also do not read their books, watch them on television, read what they write on the Internet, or add our own comments about what they write on the Internet. Why are we so determined to avoid them? First of all, it is because we love the God of truth. So we do not want to listen to false teachings that go against the truth in Gods Word."

{Click on images for an enlarged view} Watchtower 2004 Feb 15 p.28 "It would be a mistake to think that you need to listen to apostates or to read their writings to refute their arguments. Their twisted, poisonous reasoning can cause spiritual harm and can contaminate your faith like rapidly spreading gangrene. (2 Timothy 2:16, 17) Rather, imitate God's response to apostates. Job said of Jehovah: "Before him no apostate will come in." - Job 13:16." Watchtower 2000 May 1 p.10 "Some apostates are increasingly using various forms of mass communication, including the Internet, to spread false information about Jehovah's Witnesses." Watchtower 1993 October 1 p.19 "Apostasy is, in reality, a rebellion against Jehovah."

Watchtower 1993 November 1 p.19 "True Christians share Jehovah's feelings toward such apostates; they are not curious about apostate ideas. On the contrary, they "feel a loathing" toward those who have made themselves God's enemies, but they leave it to Jehovah to execute vengeance." Watchtower 1994 July 1 p.12 "For one thing, some of the apostate literature presents falsehoods by means of "smooth talk" and "counterfeit words." (Romans 16:17, 18; 2 Peter 2:3) What would you expect from the table of demons? ... Those who have continued to feed at Satan's spiritual table, the table of demons, will be forced to attend a literal meal, no, not as partakers, but as the main course-to their destruction!" Watchtower 1992 July 15 pp.12-13 Christ Hated Lawlessness-Do You? "The obligation to hate lawlessness also applies to all activity by apostates. Our attitude toward apostates should be that of David, who declared: "Do I not hate those who are intensely hating you " Watchtower 1985 July 15 p.31 "Such ones [apostates] willfully abandoning the Christian congregation thereby become part of the 'antichrist.' (1 John 2:18, 19)" Kingdom Ministry September 1973 p.6 "With apostates earth wide being destroyed, what reason can one have for confidence of life in paradise to follow?" Watchtower 1982 April 1 p. 27 Survival or Destruction at the "Great Tribulation" Now, the Bible definitely shows that some end up in the symbolic Gehenna before the 1,000-year Judgment Day begins. Jesus told the unrepentant scribes and Pharisees that they and their Gentile proselytes were 'subjects for Gehenna' or, literally, 'sons of Gehenna.' (Matthew 23:15, 33-35; see also John 9:39-41; 15:22-24.) If even a proselyte of the Pharisees became a subject for Gehenna 'twice as much so as themselves,' how much more so Judas Iscariot, who made a heinous deal with them to betray God's Son! Jesus

implied this when he called Judas "the son of destruction." (John 17:12) Similarly, unrepentant apostates go, at death, not to Sheol, or Hades, but to Gehenna. (Hebrews 6:4-8; 2 Peter 2:1) The same is true of dedicated Christians who persist in willful sin or those who "shrink back." (Hebrews 10:26-31, 38, 39) These are merely examples to show that some, even in "this system of things," have committed the sin for which there is no forgiveness, not even in the system of things "to come." (Matthew 12:31, 32; compare 1 John 5:16.) They will, therefore, not be resurrected. Watchtower 1961 July 15 p.420 A Time and Place for Everything Jesus encouraged his followers to love their enemies, but God's Word also says to "hate what is bad." When a person persists in a way of badness after knowing what is right, when the bad becomes so ingrained that it is an inseparable part of his make-up, then in order to hate what is bad a Christian must hate the person with whom the badness is inseparably linked. Indicating that Jesus did not mean for us to love the hardened enemies of Jehovah, David expressed this God-approved attitude: "Do I not hate those who are intensely hating you, O Jehovah, and do I not feel a loathing for those revolting against you? With a complete hatred I do hate them. They have become to me real enemies."-Matt. 5:44; Amos 5:15; Ps. 139:21, 22. Watchtower 1980 June 15 p.8 What It Takes to Keep Separate from the World Without a doubt, our appreciating just how wicked and corrupt Satan's world is will help us to keep separate from the world. Such appreciation will make it easy for us to obey the command found at Psalm 97:10: "O you lovers of Jehovah, hate what is bad." No matter how pleasant, how enticing, wicked things are to the fallen flesh, we must abhor them, even as the apostle commands. (Rom. 12:9) More than that, we want to hate those who willfully show themselves haters of Jehovah, haters of what is good. As David of old expressed it: "Do I not hate those who are intensely hating you, O Jehovah, and do I not feel a loathing for those revolting against you? With a complete hatred I do hate them. They have become to me real enemies." (Ps. 139:21, 22) We hate them, not in the sense of wanting to do them harm or wishing them harm but in the sense of avoiding

them as we would poison or a poisonous snake, for they can poison us spiritually. Watchtower 1986 March 15 pp.10-15 'Do Not Be Quickly Shaken From Your Reason' "We request of you not to be quickly shaken from your reason nor to be excited either through an inspired expression or through a verbal message or through a letter as though from us."2 THESSALONIANS 2:1, 2. PLEASANT memories invariably come to mind when we as Christians reflect on the time when we first learned the truth from God's Word. It was beautiful, reasonable, satisfying. How our hearts swelled with appreciation when we learned about Jehovah and his lofty qualities, including his great love and his mercy! We rejoiced when we came into association with fellow believers who showed genuine Christian love and lived by Bible principles. 2 How thankful we were to learn that Jehovah will soon remove pain, sorrow, and even death. (Revelation 21:3, 4) Imagine, living forever on a paradise earth, with perfect health and complete happiness! It was almost too good to be true. But it was true. It was backed by God's Word. It was thrilling! Undoubtedly, we felt just like Jesus' disciples when he appeared to them after his resurrection. They said to one another: "Were not our hearts burning as he was speaking to us on the road, as he was fully opening up the Scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:32) Yes, on learning the truth and dedicating our lives to Jehovah, we found ourselves in a spiritual paradise. What a blessing! 3 But being in Jehovah's spiritual paradise is not something we can take for granted. We came into this paradise voluntarily; we can walk right out (or be put out) if we go into unbelief or willfully violate Jehovah's righteous laws. Of course, this will not happen if we keep strong the 'love we had at first,' if we continue to appreciate all of Jehovah's provisions to keep us spiritually strong. (Revelation 2:4) But the Devil and other opposers of true worship are skilled in deception. We should never forget that they stand ever ready to break our integrity if they can. Their propaganda is designed to weaken our faith, to cool our love for God, to sow doubts in our mindsyes, to make the spiritual paradise appear to be no paradise at all. 4 To borrow from a proverbial saying, we could come to the point

where we would find it difficult, perhaps even impossible, to see the forest of the spiritual paradise because of looking so closely at the imperfect human trees now in it. The thrill we had in learning the truth of God's Word, the grand hope we came to have, the love we developed for God and our spiritual brothers, and the zeal we had for Jehovah's service can fade. If drastic steps are not taken to reverse any such spiritual deterioration, soon God's loving requirements seem to be oppressive. The wholesome spiritual food from "the faithful and discreet slave" may seem to be something contemptible, and the brotherhood of loving servants of Jehovah may appear to be a household of enemies. Then the only satisfaction, of a perverted kind, may come in beginning to beat one's fellow slaves with slander and half-truths.Matthew 24:45-51. 5 Yes, we could not only lose the blessings of the spiritual paradise now but, more seriously, also lose the hope of living eternally in the earthly Paradise. And we could lose out for the same reason that Adam and Eve lost the Paradise of Eden. They had everything they needed to be perfectly happy and could have lived forever. But independenceactually a different teachingwas more important to them than were obedience to Jehovah and the blessings of Eden. Eve was deceived. While Adam was not deceived, he let the force of circumstances, including the strong influence of his wife, cause him to sin also. Therefore, they were put out of Paradise, to live a miserable life until their death. They lost the prospect of everlasting life for themselves and brought an inheritance of sin and death upon their offspring. (Genesis 3:1-7, 14-19, 24; 1 Timothy 2:14; Romans 5:12) What a terrible price to pay for their so-called independence! 6 The apostle Paul expressed this concern: "I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent seduced Eve by its cunning, your minds might be corrupted away from the sincerity and the chastity that are due the Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:3) Paul found it necessary to write regarding some erroneous teachings that were circulating in his day. In his second letter to the congregation at Thessalonica, he wrote: "We request of you not to be quickly shaken from your reason nor to be excited either through an inspired expression or through a verbal message or through a letter as though from us, to the effect that the day of Jehovah is here. Let no one seduce you in any manner."2 Thessalonians 2:1-3. Have No Dealings With Apostates 7 Now, what will you do if you are confronted with apostate

teachingsubtle reasoningsclaiming that what you believe as one of Jehovah's Witnesses is not the truth? For example, what will you do if you receive a letter or some literature, open it, and see right away that it is from an apostate? Will curiosity cause you to read it, just to see what he has to say? You may even reason: 'It won't affect me; I'm too strong in the truth. And, besides, if we have the truth, we have nothing to fear. The truth will stand the test.' In thinking this way, some have fed their minds upon apostate reasoning and have fallen prey to serious questioning and doubt. (Compare James 1:58.) So remember the warning at 1 Corinthians 10:12: "Let him that thinks he is standing beware that he does not fall." 8 With loving help from caring brothers, some having doubts sown by apostates have recovered after a period of spiritual turmoil and trauma. But this pain could have been avoided. At Proverbs 11:9 we are told: "By his mouth the one who is an apostate brings his fellowman to ruin, but by knowledge are the righteous rescued." Jude told fellow Christians to "continue showing mercy to some that have doubts; save them by snatching them out of the fire." (Jude 22, 23) Paul advised the overseer Timothy to instruct "with mildness those not favorably disposed; as perhaps God may give them repentance leading to an accurate knowledge of truth, and they may come back to their proper senses out from the snare of the Devil, seeing that they have been caught alive by him for the will of that one."2 Timothy 2:25, 26. 9 Tragically, others have gone into complete darkness, even going back to Christendom's erroneous teachings. The apostle Peter wrote about the tragic outcome for some who first walked in the truth but then turned aside. He said: "Certainly if, after having escaped from the defilements of the world by an accurate knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they get involved again with these very things and are overcome, the final conditions have become worse for them than the first." Peter said they are like the dog that returns to its vomit and the bathed sow that turns back to wallowing in the mire.2 Peter 2:20-22. 10 When a fellow human tells us, 'Do not read this' or, 'Do not listen to that,' we may be tempted to ignore his advice. But remember, in this case Jehovah is the One who tells us in his Word what to do. And what does he say about apostates? "Avoid them" (Romans 16:17, 18); "quit mixing in company with" them (1 Corinthians 5:11); and "never receive [them] into your homes or say a greeting to [them]" (2 John

9, 10). These are emphatic words, clear directions. If, out of curiosity, we were to read the literature of a known apostate, would that not be the same as inviting this enemy of true worship right into our home to sit down with us and relate his apostate ideas? 11 Let us illustrate matters in this way: Suppose your teenage son received some pornographic material in the mail. What would you do? If he was inclined to read it out of curiosity, would you say: 'Yes, son, go ahead and read it. It won't hurt you. From infancy we've taught you that immorality is bad. Besides, you need to know what's going on in the world in order to see that it's truly bad'? Would you reason that way? Absolutely not! Rather, you would surely point out the dangers of reading pornographic literature and would require that it be destroyed. Why? Because no matter how strong a person may be in the truth, if he feeds his mind on the perverted ideas found in such literature, his mind and heart will be affected. A lingering wrong desire planted in the recesses of the heart can eventually create a perverted sexual appetite. The result? James says that when wrong desire becomes fertile, it gives birth to sin, and sin leads to death. (James 1:15) So why start the chain reaction? 12 Well, if we would act so decisively to protect our children from exposure to pornography, should we not expect that our loving heavenly Father would similarly warn us and protect us from spiritual fornication, including apostasy? He says, Keep away from it! 13 But suppose we are preaching the good news and people raise questions or objections similar to those raised by opposers? Of course, if a person is not sincere and merely wishes to argue, usually it is best to excuse ourselves and go to the next door. But if someone sincerely asks about certain claims of apostates, what can be done? First, we can ask what, exactly, has caused the concern. It may be only one or two points. Then we can stick to these and answer from the Scriptures, from the Society's publications, and from what we truthfully know about the subject. We need not conclude that we have to read a book or a pamphlet that is filled with slander and half-truths in order to refute the false claims and teachings of opposers. Confidence in Jehovah 14 As we go forward, building faith and keeping busy in Kingdom service, we can confidently put our trust in Jehovah, knowing that, as our loving heavenly Father, he wants the very best for us. God

teaches us; he warns us. He does this through his Word and by means of clear direction provided by his visible organization. If we were to ask a loving parent for bread and fish, he would not give us a stone or a serpent. Neither will God fool us or deceive us. (Matthew 7:7-11) Yet, God will not completely shield us from temptations or even deceptive lies and devilish propaganda. He says of himself: "I, Jehovah, am your God, the One teaching you to benefit yourself, the One causing you to tread in the way in which you should walk." (Isaiah 48:17) Yes, Jehovah 'teaches us to benefit ourselves.' He tells us to keep separate from apostates and their teaching, and this for our own protection. It means our life. 15 The apostle Paul warned fellow Christian elders: "From among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves." (Acts 20:30) If we keep listening to subtle arguments and specious reasoning, "twisted things" can sound as though they were straight. The longer Eve looked at the forbidden fruit and listened to the twisted reasoning of the Devil, the more she was convinced that he was right. Paul warned: "Look out: perhaps there may be someone who will carry you off as his prey through the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8) The apostle also indicated that "by smooth talk and complimentary speech [apostates] seduce the hearts of guileless ones." (Romans 16:17, 18; compare 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.) Of course, the fact that a few are drawn away by that kind of propaganda does not mean that we have to follow them. Nevertheless, we need to be continually alert. 16 The Devil's tactics have not changed since Eden. He uses subtle questioning and an appeal to self-interest. Peter wrote: "There will also be false teachers among you. These very ones will quietly bring in destructive sects . . . Also, with covetousness they will exploit you with counterfeit words." (2 Peter 2:1-3) Something counterfeit is designed to look or sound genuine. At 2 Timothy 2:14-19, Paul stressed the importance of using Jehovah's Word to set matters straight but warned of the need to avoid apostates, whose 'empty speeches violate what is holy,' for, said he, "their word will spread like gangrene." 17 A fitting analogy indeed! Like gangrene, apostate reasoning is nothing but quick-spreading spiritual death. And since the members of the congregation are like one body, there is a danger that others

may be infected. If the one spreading apostate teachings cannot be restored to spiritual health by loving but firm application of the balm of God's Word, amputation of this member (disfellowshipping) may be the only alternative for the protection of other members of the body. (Compare Titus 1:10, 11.) Do not be infected by deadly gangrene of a spiritual kind! Keep in good spiritual health by avoiding the contamination of apostate thinking. Heed the sound advice at 2 Peter 3:17, 18: "You, therefore, beloved ones, having this advance knowledge, be on your guard that you may not be led away with them by the error of the law-defying people and fall from your own steadfastness. No, but go on growing in the undeserved kindness and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 18 But how can we protect ourselves from apostasy? How can we keep our hearts from being receptive to apostate reasoning? These questions will be considered in the next article. Have you noticed, in all the above writings, all dissenters, whether they be true down and out sinners or merely questioners of doctrines which may or may not be scriptural are lumped together as apostates. Also, there is no distinction between false teachers and apostates. Is this what Gods word teaches or is it a form of Fallacy employed to attempt to protect what they view as their own sacred self- interests? Furthermore, the way the Watchtower and other religious institutions who apply differing degrees of shunning in their apostasy policies find themselves in direct conflict with the humane concept of what constitutes human rights. Watchtower policies can be seen to be in direct violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, by coercing family members to shun and loath such ones, "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance." (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 18.)

Stigmatizing those who are blackmailed into remaining within a religion against their will as "devious," "hypocritical" and "putting up a front," using the pages of the same magazine that urges reprisals against such ones through shunning, is small-minded, sadistic and cowardly. It is also itself hypocritical when you consider Watchtower's history of lauding those brave Witnesses who pursued their faith and convictions, to the death if necessary, while also under oppressive and ruthless regimes. We will not burden you with another excerpt from Watchtower articles attempting to falsely justify its own unscriptural apostasy, by blaming others who oppose their unscriptural policies and against whom they employ disfellowshipping and shunning policies. Instead, we will spend a few moments showing what the Bible discloses about Gods own viewpoint and thinking on this important subject.

What is Apostasy???
While apostasy is a word which has different meanings to different people under different circumstances, the definition and application of the word we are concerned with is the meaning which was understood by the Bible writers when they issued their warnings against the apostasy predicted for the Time of the End(2 Thess.2:1,3.)
NLT 2

Thessalonians 2:1 And now, brothers and sisters, let us tell you about the coming again of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered together to meet him.
NAB 2

Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For unless the apostasy comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one doomed to perdition,
NKJ 2

Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,
GNV 2

Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceiue you by any meanes: for that day shall not come, except there come a departing first, and that that man of sinne be disclosed, euen the sonne of perdition,

First, a broad, general definition of the Word Apostasy:

APOS'TATE, (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions) One who has forsaken the church, sect or profession to which he before adhered. In its original sense, applied to one who has abandoned his religion; but correctly applies also to one who abandons a political or other party.

Therefore, according to a secular dictionary with Bible definitions, the word apostate has a religious connotation. However, it can correctly apply to any one who forsakes that which he previously believed in, and may apply to abandonment of any organization or group, whether religious or not. The definition given in Bible Dictionaries is considerably more exclusive; Apostasy; Apostate G646 apostasia ap-os-tasee'-ah (Strongs Theological Dictionary) - defection from truth (properly the state of), apostasy: - falling away, forsake. Apostate: G646 avpostasi,a apostasia {ap-os-tas-ee'-ah} (Thayers Theoplogical Dictioary) to forsake + 575 1, falling away 1; 2 1) a falling away, defection, Apostasy; Apostate a-posta-si, a-postat (. , he apostasa,) (International Standard Bible encyclopedia) a standing away from: i.e. a falling away, a withdrawal, a defection Biblically speaking, in what sense should such apostasy be understood? While there may be varying opinions as to how to apply the term and some even given to ones own convenience, the Bible conveys its own understanding of what constitutes Apostasy in Gods eyes. An examination of collected verses where the concept of apostasy is spoken of and the context in which the statements are made provide us with valuable insight as to what Apostasy can be seen as in Bible terms.

SCRIPTURAL EXAMPLES: Jeremiah 1:16 I will pronounce my judgments on my people because of their wickedness in forsaking me, in burning incense to other gods and in worshipping what their hands have made. NIB In this verse his own people are seen by God as forsaking him due to worshipping other gods aside from him and also worshipping what they themselves have contrived. Jeremiah 2:13 For my people have committed two crimes: they have abandoned me, the fountain of living water, and dug water-tanks for themselves, cracked watertanks that hold no water.NJB In this verse abandoning him is mentioned as the first of two crimes his people have committed in his eyes. The second is replacing him as the source of living water with a source for water contrived by themselves mentioned in the latter part of the verse. Jeremiah 17:13 The hope of Israel is Jehovah, All forsaking Thee are ashamed, And 'My apostates' in the earth are written, For they have forsaken Jehovah, a fountain of living waters. YLT In this verse we gain additional insight about those who forsake the source of living water Here we are told that his human apostates c ould be identified by what has been written on earth. There can be no uncertainty that, in the Hebrew Scriptures apostasy was equated with leaving or forsaking Jehovah and replacing him as the source of living waters (Joh.4:10, Rev. 22:1, Zec.14:8) The term apostasy is used only twice in the New Testament, in the Koine Greek language, in both instances it expresses abandonment of the faith. In the first instance it was applied to an accusation of Paul having abandoned a tenet in the Law of Moses. Thereupon Paul was falsely accused of teaching the Jews apostasy from Moses (Acts 21:21);

Acts 21:21 and they are instructed concerning thee, that apostasy from Moses thou dost teach to all Jews among the nations, saying -- Not to circumcise the children, nor after the customs to walk; YLT The other was when Paul himself predicted a great apostasy for Christianity, just as Jesus had foretold at (Mat 24:10-12) which apostasy Paul said; would precede the day of the Lord (2Th 2:2,3). For Christians this apostasy must be seen to relate to an abandonment of the faith exemplified in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Matthew 24:10 "At that time <5119> many <4183> will fall <4624> away <4624> and will betray <3860> one <240> another <240> and hate <3404> one <240> another <240>. NAU 2 Thessalonians 2:3 let no one deceive you in any way. For unless the apostasy comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one doomed to perdition, NAB or as another translation puts it; 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, NKJ Therefore, we can conclude that the Bible sense of apostasy is one of falling away, defection or abandonment. Yet there remains an unanswered question. That is; In Bible terms, what kind of falling away or defection constitutes apostasy? Is it apostasy when one disagrees with false teachings? When Jesus disagreed with the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew the chapter, where he soundly criticized them, was this Apostasy on his part? From their standpoint, it may have seemed so. Yet from Gods standpoint those scribes and Pharisees may be seen as the apostates, for they had forsaken his word of truth by overriding it with their own manmade doctrines and teachings. 23rd When Peter and others appeared before the High Priest and the Sanhedrin, clearly having disobeyed their orders, was such disobedience to be considered an act of Apostasy? At the time, that Jewish counsel was

understood to be the legitimate religious authority both in the nation and in the minds of most of their Jewish contemporaries. Yet, Peter and his companions refused to obey them. Why? The answer is given by the defendants themselves. Acts 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men. NKJ Or as another version put it; Acts 5:29 But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than any human authority. NRS In that response lays the recognition of a higher principal. That is the principal of loyalty and obedience to the ultimate and supreme authority, Jehovah God himself. This superseded any demand men would impose on them. That is, demand which might be contrary to Gods will. This is called relative obedience. It means being obedient with those exceptions which are related to something else. In this case the exception that was relative was a higher subjection to Gods authority, which is above the authority of any man. In this, the principal of holding God as the highest authority of all lays the true definition of what constitutes the Bibles version of apostasy. Bible Apostasy is, simply stated; A defection or falling away from God the father. and the true faith emanating from him as taught by his son Jesus Christ and the apostles. Going beyond that simple definition, places one in danger of twisting or distorting a fundamental scriptural truth. Is straying away from a true teaching or adding an untrue teaching apostasy? Not in any accurate sense of the scriptural meaning for apostasy in Gods eyes conveyed in both the O.T. and the N.T. That is not to say that the Bible gives any approval whatsoever to any form of teaching which modifies Gods own idea of what truth is. The Bible contains the thoughts of Jehovah God and his son Jesus Christ as conveyed by the Apostles and prophets, and ample warning is given not to add or to detract from that which is contained in the inspired word.

1 Corinthians 4:6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. ESV Galatians 1:8 Let God's curse fall on anyon e, including myself, who preaches any other message than the one we told you about. Even if an angel comes from heaven and preaches any other message, let him be forever cursed. NLT Going beyond true teaching may constitute a sin, but by definition it cannot be classified as Apostasy. There may be no doubt that the act of either adding to or subtracting from his pure word of truth is something detestable to Jehovah God. However this should not be confused with apostasy. If one could scripturally make the argument that one who promotes such false teaching, (a teaching which either exceeds or diminishes what is found in Gods word) can be proven to have left or abandoned God in doing so, then the label would be valid. If not, calling a person who merely disagrees with or changes Gods word an apostate, solely on that basis, is perversion of truth. While false teaching in any form is closely related to apostasy and may ultimately be a major contributor to apostasy, it in itself is not apostasy. We must not make the mistake of substituting words with different meanings for one another. In biblical terms, the words false teacher and false prophet mean exactly what they imply. The word apostate also says exactly what it implies; Leaving or forsaking God almighty and his true worship. That false teaching and false prophecy will lead those who accept such teachings toward apostasy, is a well-known fact and a foregone conclusion by Gods adversaries. They know full well that if they can get someone to leave Jehovah and Jesus and stay apart, there is no outcome possible for that one other than their being counted together with all others who are constituted unbelievers. 2 Chronicles 24:20 The spirit of God then invested Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood up before the people and said, 'God

says this, "Why transgress Yahweh's commands to your certain ruin? For if you abandon Yahweh, he will abandon you." NJB Or as another translation states; 2 Chronicles 24:20 And God's spirit itself enveloped Zech-a-ri'ah the son of Je-hoi'a-da the priest, so that he stood up above the people and said to them: "This is what the [true] God has said, 'Why are YOU overstepping the commandments of Jehovah, so that YOU cannot prove successful? Because YOU have left Jehovah, he will, in turn, leave YOU.'" NWT Thus if Satan can get someone to leave Jehovah, he can put Jehovah in the position of having to withdraw his favor and his spirit from that one because Jehovah has given his word he will do this, and he cannot lie. Jehovah has also indicated in his word that placing men, other gods or other things in places of importance above him is a form of idolatry. Since God has gone on record scripturally that idolaters (1 Cor. 6:9) are among those persons excluded from his kingdom, Satan can make a valid condemnatory accusation against such ones. Therefore, as a God of truth, and one who never goes back on his word, Jehovah is in a position wherein he must destroy them along with all other unrighteous persons who dis avow him, refuse to submit to his sovereignty or esteem their own or the will of others above his will. Thus we see clearly that Apostasy from God is not the same as apostasy from religious organizations and their human leaders who have placed themselves in the seat of Gods greater Moses, and act as if they are a means of salvation provided by God. in place of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. The apostasy Paul spoke of at 2 Thess.2:3 is an apostasy from the true teachings of Jehovah God and his son Jesus Christ, which is a defacto apostasy from them. It is an apostasy inspired by Satan the Devil and promoted by his legion of followers who actively control the whole world, including its religions and political institutions. (2 Cor. 4:4, 1 Joh 5:19, Rom. 12:2, Gal 1:4)

It is time for all lovers of truth to face the reality that those who are either knowingly or un-knowingly teaching falsehoods in connection with Gods word are false teachers or false prophets in his eyes. As for those who claim to be Christians and deliberately and selectively ignore what his inspired scriptures say despite the fact that he has given them the entire Bible as a means by which they should know his will and comply with it, these are in danger of being seen as apostates from God, for they, have in effect left him in favor of their own sovereignty.

The author may be contacted with questions and comments at try4truth@disciples.com