The Holy Trinity

Is God three in one? No. But for Christians there is a holy trinity.

(1 Timothy 2:5) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus,

For Christians that holy trinity, that only true and acceptable arrangement for worship is this:
God, Christ, Man. That's it. No one else. And it is "Holy" because that arrangement was set up by Jehovah God. He set Christ as the one and only mediator between mankind and Himself.

In Jesus' day there were men who tried to insert themselves between God and men.

(Matthew 23:2) The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the seat of Moses.

Moses was the spokesman for God. They seated themselves in his seat by claiming to be God's spokesman, that is to say, the God-ordained interpreters of the Law.

There are many today who do the same thing, but for Christians today the equivalent of taking the seat of Moses is taking the seat of Christ. Only one person holds that position between God and men:

(1 Timothy 2:5) For there is... one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus,

Jesus himself said:

(John 14:6) I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Do you understand what Jesus is saying? If you try to 'come to the Father' by following anyone else but him, you will not get there. He is "the way". (Eph 2:18)

Although Christ is the only way, that is to say the only channel "to the Father", some try to insert themselves into that holy arrangement:

[w16.11 p. 16 par. 9] Some may feel that they can interpret the Bible on their own. However, Jesus has appointed the ‘faithful slave’ to be the only channel for dispensing spiritual food... Each one of us does well to ask himself, ‘Am I loyal to the channel that Jesus is using today?’

At times they even cut Christ completely out of it and brazenly claim his seat for themselves:

[w20.7 p. 11 par. 13] They need to teach their children to use our Bible study tools, just as they teach one of their Bible students. In doing so, they will help their children to appreciate Jehovah and the channel he uses to dispense spiritual food

[w20.7 p. 24 par. 12] We also need to trust in the only channel that Jehovah is using today.

[w17.7 p. 30] Surely there is ample evidence to show that you can trust the channel that Jehovah has used for nearly a hundred years now to lead us in the way of the truth.

Yes, they claim that God leads and directs things on earth through themselves, a group of self-appointed men. If they accepted Christ's role as mediator between God and man they would place themselves under Christ's position of authority. But they side-step Christ and place themselves directly under Jehovah's authority, proclaiming themselves to be "Jehovah's organization".

[w22.2 p. 4] We might wonder whether those with a measure of authority in Jehovah’s organization really act according to Jehovah’s direction or their own... Today Jehovah leads the earthly part of his organization by means of “the faithful and discreet slave.”

They even change and add to the Bible. (Re 22:18)

(2 Corinthians 5:20) Therefore, we are ambassadors substituting for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us. As substitutes for Christ, we beg: “Become reconciled to God.”

The word "substituting" is not in the original Greek. And "substitutes" is an intentional mistranslation which should read "on behalf of Christ." This addition and mistranslation was no doubt done to promote the GB and their claimed position. (Mt 23:2, 10; Lu 21:8)

No one is a substitute for Christ. (Jn 14:6)

Jesus gave us several warnings about those who claim to be God's spokesman and God-ordained interpreters of the Bible, effectively taking the seat of Christ.

(Matthew 24:4, 5) In answer Jesus said to them: “Look out that nobody misleads you, ⁵ for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.

(Matthew 7:15) “Be on the watch for the false prophets who come to you in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves.

(Matthew 24:11) Many false prophets will arise and mislead many;

(Matthew 24:24) For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will perform great signs and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones.

(Mark 13:5, 6) So Jesus began to tell them: “Look out that nobody misleads you. ⁶ Many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and will mislead many.

(Luke 21:8) He said: “Look out that you are not misled, for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The due time is near.’ Do not go after them.

Where will those false Christs and false prophets come from? Will they rise up from obscurity?

(Acts 20:28-30) Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed you overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own Son. ²⁹ I know that after my going away oppressive wolves will enter in among you and will not treat the flock with tenderness, ³⁰ and from among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves.

Paul is speaking to those which the holy spirit had appointed as overseers. Oppressive wolves would enter in among them. Only overseers could treat the flock either with or without tenderness. Yes, it is from among the overseers themselves, that "men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves."

(Hebrews 13:7-9) Remember those who are taking the lead among you, who have spoken the word of God to you, and as you contemplate how their conduct turns out, imitate their faith. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever. ⁹ Do not be led astray by various and strange teachings, for it is better for the heart to be strengthened by undeserved kindness than by foods, which do not benefit those occupied with them.

There Paul is telling them to scrutinize "those who are taking the lead" and not to be led astray by any "strange teachings" coming from them, because "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today," so any teaching coming from those taking the lead that is "strange", that is to say different from what Christ taught, should be rejected. Here is how the New Living Bible puts it:

(NLB) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. ⁹So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas

So in both accounts Paul is warning us about those taking the lead, not about "strangers" from outside. We are not to listen to those taking the lead when they speak strange and twisted things that Christ did not teach. (He 13:8) Those men want you to believe their teachings and obey their directions

Here are some examples of how they draw away disciples after themselves:

[w15 2/15 p. 7 par. 10] "Above all, we can show humility by our obedience. It takes lowliness of mind to “be obedient to those who are taking the lead” in the congregation and to accept and follow the direction we receive from Jehovah’s organization."

[w14 11/15 p. 10 par. 9] "Loving what Jehovah loves and hating what he hates, as well as constantly seeking his guidance and doing what pleases him, means obedience to his organization and to those he is using to advance his purpose for the earth."

[w10 4/15 p. 10 par. 12] "By being obedient and loyal to the direction received from the earthly part of God’s organization, you show that you are keeping pace with Jehovah’s celestial chariot and are working in harmony with his holy spirit."

[w97 11/15 p. 18 par. 20] "Wisdom from above is “ready to obey,” promoting obedience to divine teaching and cooperation with Jehovah’s organization."

[w10 9/15 p. 27 par. 10] Christ is using a small group of anointed Christian men as a Governing Body to lead and direct his disciples on earth.

[w01 1/15 p. 21 par. 22] Kingdom interests on the earth have been entrusted to “the faithful and discreet slave,” which is represented by the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Yes, just like the scribes and the Pharisees, they have seated themselves in the seat of God's spokesman. (Mt 23:2) So do not be led astray by the false claims of those taking the lead.

(2 Thessalonians 2:3-12) Let no one lead you astray in any way, because it will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction. ⁴ He stands in opposition and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits down in the temple of God, publicly showing himself to be a god. ⁵ Do you not remember that when I was still with you, I used to tell you these things? ⁶ And now you know what is acting as a restraint, so that he will be revealed in his own due time. ⁷ True, the mystery of this lawlessness is already at work, but only until the one who is right now acting as a restraint is out of the way. ⁸ Then, indeed, the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will do away with by the spirit of his mouth and bring to nothing by the manifestation of his presence. ⁹ But the lawless one’s presence is by the operation of Satan with every powerful work and lying signs and wonders ¹⁰ and every unrighteous deception for those who are perishing, as a retribution because they did not accept the love of the truth in order that they might be saved. ¹¹ That is why God lets a deceptive influence mislead them so that they may come to believe the lie, ¹² in order that they all may be judged because they did not believe the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness.

What sort of powerful works and lying signs and wonders will they perform?

(Matthew 7:21-23) “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but only the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. ²² Many will say to me in that day: ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ ²³ And then I will declare to them: ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’

Those powerful works are not some sort of ungodly deeds, but are powerful works done in his name. They have the appearance of being directed and supported by Christ. (Mt 7:15) But their works are performed by men who have claimed the seat of Christ. And those works bring people not to Christ, but to themselves:

[w16.11 p. 16 par. 11] Reflect on what the earthly part of God’s organization has been accomplishing in these last days.

[w15 7/15 p. 2] Jehovah’s people enjoy a unique spiritual environment within the earthly part of God’s organization.

[ws14 5/15 p. 16] The earthly part of God’s organization: An organized group of people who represent Jehovah. Today, Jehovah’s Witnesses preach the good news about God’s Kingdom and honor his name

They claim to be the representative of Jehovah, but it is Christ who is our true representative. (Jn 16:27; 17:7)

(2 Peter 2:1) However, there also came to be false prophets among the people, as there will also be false teachers among you. These will quietly bring in destructive sects, and they will even disown the owner who bought them, bringing speedy destruction upon themselves.

(2 Peter 2:3) Also, they will greedily exploit you with counterfeit words. But their judgment, decided long ago, is not moving slowly, and their destruction is not sleeping.

(2 Timothy 2:16-18) But reject empty speeches that violate what is holy, for they will lead to more and more ungodliness, ¹⁷ and their word will spread like gangrene. Hy·me·naeʹus and Phi·leʹtus are among them. ¹⁸ These men have deviated from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and they are subverting the faith of some.

Does the Governing Body (GB) claim that "the resurrection has already occurred"?

[w07 1/1 p. 28 par. 13] "...anointed Christians who died before Christ’s presence were raised to heavenly life ahead of those who were still alive during Christ’s presence. This means that the first resurrection must have begun early in Christ’s presence, and it continues “during his presence.” (1 Corinthians 15:23) Rather than occurring all at once, the first resurrection takes place over a period of time.

Yes, the GB claim that the first resurrection occurred around 1914 when they claim that Christ's presence began. Does that align with scriptural teaching?

(1 Thessalonians 4:15-17) For this is what we tell you by Jehovah’s word, that we the living who survive to the presence of the Lord will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep in death; ¹⁶ because the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice and with God’s trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Afterward we the living who are surviving will, together with them, be caught away in clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we will always be with the Lord.

No. Those who belong to Christ but have died are resurrected when he descends from heaven and calls with an archangel's voice and with God’s trumpet, which is at Armageddon. And "together with" the "chosen ones" (Mt 24:31) who are alive are "caught away in clouds to meet the Lord in the air." The living are not caught away to be together with the resurrected ones who are already with Christ in heaven, as the GB teaches, but both groups will be caught away "together". The dead will be resurrected, and then they and the living will be caught away at the same time "to meet the Lord in the air" when he descends from heaven at Armageddon.

Side note: If Christ's presence began in 1914, as the GB teach, then the living chosen ones would have been gathered at that time. (see my article "Presence")

1st Corinthians corroborates that:

(1 Corinthians 15:51, 52) Look! I tell you a sacred secret: We will not all fall asleep in death, but we will all be changed, ⁵² in a moment, in the blink of an eye, during (at) the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised up incorruptible, and we will be changed.

Again, when the trumpet sounds at Armageddon, the dead will be raised up and the living will be changed, "in the blink of an eye." No, the dead chosen ones have not been resurrected yet.

This is not just Paul's opinion. It is "Jehovah's word", and "a sacred secret". (1Th 4:15; 1Co 15:51)

So how can we make sure that we are not following a false prophet?

That's easy: Don't follow anyone!

(Isaiah 2:22) For your own sakes, quit trusting in mere man, Who is only the breath in his nostrils. Why should he be taken into account?

It doesn't say to quit trusting in certain men. It says to quit trusting in "man", meaning any man.

(Psalm 146:3, 4) Do not put your trust in princes Nor in a son of man, who cannot bring salvation.  ⁴ His spirit goes out, he returns to the ground; On that very day his thoughts perish.

That verse says the same thing: "Do not" trust men. (see my articles "Do Not" and "Leaven")

(Matthew 15:14) Let them be. Blind guides is what they are. If, then, a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

Men cannot see what God sees. They are blind, so to speak, because neither angels nor the holy spirit has direct communication with anyone here in the end times. If you follow those blind men, instead of what you read in the Bible, you "will fall into a pit."

Jehovah has provided everything you need: The Bible, and Christ your mediator. (2Ti 3:16, 17; 1Ti 2:5)

You are no longer a lamb or little sheep that needs milk. (Jn 21:15-17; 1Co 3:2) You have already been taught. (Ac 8:31; Ro 10:14) You don't need a pastor, or a priest, or any other human religious intermediary, which would bring the number to four: you, another man, Christ, God.

(John 14:6) Jesus said to him: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Yes, Christ is the one we should follow to reach his Father Jehovah, not any man or human organization. Jesus is our one and only spiritual leader.

 (Matthew 23:10) Neither be called leaders, for your Leader is one, the Christ.

No one else should be between ourselves and God.

(1 Timothy 2:5) For there is... one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus,

All men are equals....

(Matthew 23:8) But you, do not you be called Rabbi, for one is your Teacher, and all of you are brothers.

(2 Corinthians 1:24) Not that we are the masters over your faith, but we are fellow workers for your joy, for it is by your faith that you are standing.

....regardless of what the GB says:

[w16.11 p. 16] "Some may feel that they can interpret the Bible on their own. However, Jesus has appointed the ‘faithful slave’ to be the only channel for dispensing spiritual food."

Following such men is a form of idolatry, as they themselves admit.

[w90 11/1 p. 26] As Christians, we face up to similar challenges today. We cannot take part in any modern version of idolatry—be it worshipful gestures toward an image or symbol or the imputing of salvation to a person or an organization.

And even though they know it is idolatry, they still ascribe salvation to themselves.

[w93 9/15 p. 22] But if we were to draw away from Jehovah’s organization, there would be no place else to go for salvation and true joy.

[km 11/90 p. 1] They must appreciate that identifying themselves with Jehovah’s organization is essential to their salvation.

[w85 3/1 p. 22] Let us point all homing “doves” to the way of “salvation” behind the protective walls of Jehovah’s organization and increase “praise” to him at its gates.

[w81 11/15 p.21] And while now the witness yet includes the invitation to come to Jehovah’s organization for salvation, the time no doubt will come when the message takes on a harder tone, like a “great war cry.”

[w74 7/1 p. 407] Are you willing to ‘gird yourself with lowliness of mind,’ to “put on the apron of humility”? Are you willing to accept Jehovah’s way for salvation? In this twentieth century we have an example of humility, of lowliness of mind, that is found world wide. It is in the organization of Jehovah’s witnesses.

So don't let anyone lead you away from that holy trinity arrangement that God set up, with His Son being the only mediator between Himself and us. And if you have been led astray, return to it.

(Acts 3:19) “Repent, therefore, and turn around so as to get your sins blotted out, so that seasons of refreshing may come from Jehovah himself

(Matthew 10:32, 33) “Everyone, then, who acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father who is in the heavens. ³³ But whoever disowns me before men, I will also disown him before my Father who is in the heavens.

What do you think?

:^)
Dave
da.getmyip@gmail.com       http://da.getmyip.com/PDF/Ramblings      

Last edited 03-08-2024 (date created 03-24-2023)