|
Jehovah's Witnesses
Conspiracy Theories - 2
Note:
Below are a series of comments seeking to somehow link, by
association, Russel with the Masons.
Although, Russell claimed to have had no association with the
Masons, these “Conspiracy” sources nevertheless persist to pound this
broken drum.
Note the quote from Wikipedia
about Russell’s use of masonic symbols.
Note: Use of
Masonic symbolism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Taze_Russell
Some have claimed that
various symbols Russell employed in his published literature are Masonic
in nature, and that such associations implied he engaged in occult
activity. In later editions of the
Studies in the Scriptures series a winged solar disk was stamped
on the front cover, a symbol that is also associated with Freemasonry.[citation
needed]
However, Russell's use of the
winged solar-disk originated from his understanding of Malachi 4:2,
which denotes a sun with wings, as a symbol that Christ's millennial
Kingdom had begun to emerge.[105]
Some critics also claim that the pyramid near Russell's gravesite is
Masonic,[65][106][107][108]
because of its shape and its use of the
Cross and Crown symbol, although this remains disputed.[109][110]
The Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon has said that Russell was
not a Freemason,[111][112]
and notes that these symbols under discussion used are not exclusive to
Masonry but pre-date the fraternity.[113]
[ Malachi 4:2 But unto you
that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in
its wings; and ye shall go forth, and gambol as calves of the stall.]
Note: In June 1913, during a transcontinental speaking tour, Russell lectured in a
Masonic hall in
San Francisco, saying: Although I have never been
a Mason ...
Something I do seems to be the same as Masons do, I don't know what it
is; but they often give me all kinds of
grips [ secret handshakes ] and I give them back, then I tell them I
don't know anything about it except just a few grips that have come to
me naturally.[114]
https://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/davinci-freemason.php Comments Continue: The Cross and Crown is also referred to as the Knight's Templar, as
it is used to identify the Freemasonry group the Knight's Templar, in
honour of the 12th century Knights that are said to have devoted their
lives to the crusades, protecting pilgrims to Jerusalem, and guarding
the Holy Grail. A Wreath surrounds the Cross and Crown that appeared on The Watch Tower cover. The wreath symbol also is used in the United Nations and Star Trek logos, both heavily influenced by Freemasons. Note:
This then assumes that the United Nations and Star Trek were
both of Masonic origin and by implication assumes that they both peddle
Masonic beliefs. Really?
Comments Continue:
The Winged Sun Disk,
an Egyptian religious symbol used by Freemasons and occult groups,
appeared on the cover of some editions of Studies In the Scriptures
Series. To
understand why Russell had an interest in the All Seeing Eye, we can
look to the meaning Freemasons bestowed upon it, as explained by Albert
G. Mackey, M.D."What is the source of this symbol and its meaning? An
important symbol borrowed by the Freemasons from the nations of
antiquity. Among the Egyptians, Osiris, their chief deity was symbolized
by an open eye." The eyes of Jehovah are in every place," beholding and watching, the
evil and the good. The "All-Seeing Eye" is a symbol of watchfulness and
the eye of the Grand Architect. It is the symbol of his Divine
watchfulness and care of the Universe. The All-Seeing Eye, whom the Sun,
Moon, and Stars obey, and under whose watchful care even comets perform
their stupendous revolutions, pervades the inmost recesses of the human
heart, and will reward us according to our merits. The "Rays" represent
"Light". Freemasons are emphatically called
"The Sons of Light" because they are entitled to be in possession of
the true meaning and knowledge of this symbol. It is in fact the first
of all symbols presented to the initiate, and continues to be presented
to him in various forms throughout his Masonic career. But as Light not
only came from God, it also makes mans way clear before him, so it is
employed to signify moral truth. Prov. 15:8 [sic Proverbs 15:3]
Psalm 33:18"
phoenixmasonry.org/ (15 Jan 2005) Note:
The ‘eyes of Jehovah” occurs 34 times in the American Standard
Version.
Proverbs 15:3
“The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, Keeping watch upon the evil and
the good.”
Psalm 33:18 “Behold,
the eye of Jehovah is upon them that fear him, Upon them that hope in
his lovingkindness;” . . .
What is wrong with symbolizing
these Scriptures?
Russell’s belief that the Giza Pyramid was built by Israelite slaves and
its design was influenced by “Jehovah” would make this to be a
meaningful symbol to him.
Note:
Sons of Light occurs 2 times in the New Testament.
John_12:36
While ye have the light, believe on the light, that ye may become
sons of light.
These things spake Jesus, and he departed and hid himself from them.
1Thessalonians 5:5
for ye are all sons of light,
and sons of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness; The comment
continues and apparently quotes the Masonic Dictionary to explain the
use of the “All seeing eye” symbol:
" On the same principle, the open eye was selected as the
symbol of watchfulness, and the eye of God as the symbol of Divine
watchfulness and care of the universe. The use of the symbol in this
sense is repeatedly to be found in the Hebrew writers. Thus, the
Psalmist says, Psalm xxxiv, 15 : "The eyes of the Lord are upon the
righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry," which explains a
subsequent passage (Psalm cxxi, 4), in which it is said: "Behold, he
that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. "
masonicdictionary.com/eye1 (15 Jan 2005) Note:
Their own quote discredits their assertion that Russel used
these symbols because he was a Mason.
He was just being “Scriptural.” The Comment
continues: The
Tetragrammaton and word Jehovah have been used by Freemasons over the
centuries. Note:
So does the American Standard Version translation.
Does that make them masonic also? The Comment continues:
The star on the original Watchtower seal has Masonic
connotations, being used on Masonic Seals. These columns [column symbols used by Russell]
have Masonic origins, as
explained at sacred-texts.com; “ . . . .
The pillar or column on the right, or in the south, was named, as
the Hebrew word is rendered in our translation of the Bible, JACHIN: and
that on the left BOAZ. Our translators say that the first word means,
"He shall establish;" and the second, "in it is strength." Note:
The symbolism of “Two Columns” makes it masonic?
Apparently, the Nation of Israel down to Jesus’ day was
anticipating the Masons and so Jehovah fashioned two Columns to guard
the Temple Entrance into the Holy Place.
I hope no one takes these comments serious.
The article concludes:
Conclusion
The 1933 book Occult Theocrasy, tracing religious occult
beliefs throughout history, includes an apt discussion of The Watch Tower. "In 1879 Russell founded The Watch Tower of which
he was the sole editor. The Russellite teaching, drawing its own
arbitrary conclusions and proclaiming them as final, professes to prove
from Biblical sources that all Christian churches are evil and corrupt,
that the time of the Gentiles ended in 1914, and that the Jews must
henceforth reign supreme over the world. It also elaborates an occult
dogma alleged to be based on biblical precedents."1
The Article Continues: A look at the history of Jehovah's Witnesses show Russell was greatly
influenced by Masonic teachings, partly due to the views of Adventist
teachers around him. These were not a minor error on his part, but
rather well developed teachings that were promoted for fifty years, well
into the leadership of Rutherford. Long after Jesus is said to have
inspected and cleansed his organization in 1919, Jehovah's Witnesses
continued to promote these pagan views as truth. It is difficult to
reconcile these teachings with Watchtower statements that they are the
only channel the Lord uses to feed his members with truth, and that
there has been no significant change in the truths they have promoted. Sources 1 Occult Theocrasy, Volume 1,
Lady Queenborough Edith Starr Miller (published posthumously for private
circulation only, 1933) p.539 Note:
Edith Starr Miller, Lady
Queenborough
(July 16, 1887 – January 16, 1933) was a New York socialite, author and
anti-Mormon agitator.
https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Edith_Starr_Miller Note:
Would anyone really quote this source as “authoritative?”
In my former critique “Jehovah’s Witnesses Conspiracy Theories”
mentioned this issue, I trust I was able to add some clarity to all
these bogus claims.
JW.html I also must note that none of the
more sordid activities reported in the “Jesus-is-savior” site were
even mentioned in this latest offering.
https://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Jehovah%20Witnesses/jw.htm
Please let me know if you challenge any of my
findings above. I only want
to clarify things, not promote misinformation.
Some of the assertions made at our meeting were, in my opinion,
blatantly false. They
involved some people I know personally and have no reason to believe
such statements are true.
That is the main reason I spoke up.
Gossip, in any form, is uncalled for.
(James 3:1-12) If any of
these devilish activities were knowingly present within the JW
Organization, I am sure Ray Franz would have mentioned them in his two
books.
Of course, a response may be, he didn’t mention them because he
was a part of them. That, in
my opinion, would be a wicked statement to make without unassailable
proof. Nils |