Prophecies of Jehovah’s Witnesses

Are you a Jehovah’s Witness? Are you willing to consider the prophecies of the early leaders of your organization? How about just one, concerning 1925-26, from which we a century away without fulfillment?

The Way to Paradise was written by W. E. Van Amburgh, who served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society from 1903-1947. The book was endorsed by J. F. Rutherford, the second president of the Watchtower Society, who also wrote the “Introduction.” Judge Rutherford states:

“This book is prepared for the express purpose of enabling boys and girls quickly to grasp a knowledge of the new order of things which the Lord is beginning to establish in the earth, and to point them to the way that will lead each boy and girl who obeys to complete success, joy and happiness. It describes in detail the Ruler of this new and righteous government. It shows what great love he has for the children and for their parents. It tells that he will restrain the oppressor, lighten the burden of the people, make the way of each one equal who does right, and bless them with peace. It points out that the blind eyes will be opened and the deaf ears again will hear; that the lame and the crippled will become strong, and grow up to perfection; that the sick will become well, and that in due time sorrow, suffering, and death will cease. It shows that the thorns and the thistles will be removed from the fields; that the fresh grass and flowers will replace them; that the desert shall blossom as a rose and all the earth become a blessed and happy place in which to live. It shows that every family will own a home and enjoy the blessings thereof, sit under their own vine and fig tree and eat the fruits thereof, and none shall make them afraid. It tells that the new Ruler, in the administration of the governmental affairs, will make all happy, until every one will be joining in praise to God and manifesting kindness to each other.” (p. iii)

A major prophecy of Amburgh, and endorsed by Rutherford, was the bodily resurrection of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and others.

“No doubt many boys and girls who read this book will live to see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Daniel, and those other faithful men of old, come forth in the glory of their ‘better resurrection,’ perfect in mind and body.” (p. 226)

This prophecy hinged on the year 1925, with expectations of the resurrection of these heroes of the faith following, this being the “last jubilee.” Amburgh writes:

“As they entered Canaan 1,575 years before Christ there would be 1,925 years of types after Christ, or 1925 A. D. The year 1925, therefore, would have been the last jubilee the Jews would have kept, if they had remained faithful to their covenant.” (p. 223)

“We should, therefore, expect shortly after 1925 to see the awakening of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Melchisedec, Job, Moses, Samuel, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, John the Baptist, and others mentioned in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews. These will form a nucleus of the new kingdom on earth. One of the first things necessary will be to put Jerusalem in condition to be the capital of the world.” (p. 224)

Be warned by the word of God. Seek out the book of Amburgh and read it – then search in Jehovah’s book and read it. Who will be found true and who will be found a liar? (Cf. Romans 3:4.)

Deuteronomy 18:21-22, New World Translation: However, you may say in your heart: “How will we know that Jehovah has not spoken the word?” When the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah and the word is not fulfilled or does not come true, then Jehovah did not speak that word. The prophet spoke it presumptuously. You should not fear him.

Numerology?

For better or worse, there are many discussions regarding numbers in the Bible and about the Bible, from the obvious numbers that any reader can read on its surface to the supposed hidden numbers that someone with secret knowledge must reveal to you. A lot of terms, for better or worse, which may not be understood, are thrown around the issue of numbers and the Bible. The issue itself is confusing, as well as the jargon.

Geometric Jargon.

First I will attempt to give definitions of some of these words used often, as well as a few others less commonly used. There may be some differing opinions on how they are used, and how they should be used.

• Alpha-Gematria = possibly a term coined by Leo Tavares for his method of explaining the scriptures by coded significance of the words, using the alphanumeric properties of the Hebrew and Greek languages.
• Arithmancy = a form of divination involving numbers.
• Bible numerics = the theory that there are in the Bible mysterious and marvelous numerical patterns which establish the correctness of the text and proves the divine authority of Holy Scripture, especially related to the work of Ivan Panin on the Greek New Testament.[i] 
• Gematria = a cabalistic method of explaining the scriptures by means of the cryptographic or coded significance of the words.
• Kabbalah = specifically, a form of Jewish mysticism marked by belief in creation through emanation and the use of a cipher method of interpreting scripture; or, more generically, an esoteric doctrine or mysterious art; a traditional, esoteric, occult, or secret matter.
• Number-ology = a coined word, apparently by G. John Rov (Gary Rovarino), to try to distinguish his view of biblical words and numbers from numerology or gematria.[ii] 
• Number symbolism (or, Bible numbers) = the use of symbolic numbers in the Bible and the study of the meaning of those symbols. This is a different and open (not hidden) unlike the various attempts to find secret codes[iii]. 
• Numerics = the field of numerical study, though applied in various ways when applied to the study of numbers related to the Bible (see “Bible numerics”).
• Numerology = the study of the meanings of numbers and their supposed influence on human life; or, in reference to the Bible, the study of hidden numbers and their supposed influence on the interpretation of scripture. This term is very often connected to the occult.[iv] 

Significant People.

David Bay (“Ivan Panin: Russia’s Gift to Christianity”).

“Don’t just read your Bible – Count It!”

“You and I have to go to numerics in Greek when we wish to prove the correctness of a passage…The amazing design of numeric features or facts discovered in the structure of the Greek text used by Wescott and Hort definitely settles the question concerning the correct reading of the last verse in the Bible. The numerical facts prove that they are right in ending the New Testament with the word ‘saints.’ (Mathematics Prove Holy Scriptures, Karl Sabiers, latest reprint 1969, pp.91-94)

“We are so amazed by the effectiveness of Bible Numerics in proving, or disproving, all textual question that we can only marvel that every Christian college and university does not include a full line of study on this subject. Certainly, no one has stepped forward to challenge Panin’s conclusions, either Christian or secular.”

Chuck Missler (“Preface,” Cosmic Codes: Hidden Messages from the Edge of Eternity).

“There are actually many types of hidden codes in the Bible, and the recently controversial equidistant letter sequences are but one of them. There are those who are irrepressibly enthusiastic about the equidistant letter sequences in the Bible. There are others who dismiss these incidences as simply statistical oddities that will occur in any extensive corpus of text. And there are some who even regard the pursuit of these codes as having a sinister portent.

“However, very few of the popular treatments of this intriguing subject evidence any background in cryptology, with is precisely the science at issue. Having spent a 30-year career in both military and civilian pursuits in advanced communication and information science technologies — including deeply classified ventures in the intelligence field — and, also, having more than three decades in serious Biblical studies, I felt that a broader approach to the subject of hidden messages was appropriate.

“Are there really hidden messages in the Bible? If so, why?

“We will, of course, also explore the controversial equidistant letter sequences, their potential significance, and their latent dangers. And yet the most astonishing codes are of the kind for which you do not need a computer.

“We will explore some remarkable discoveries about the alphabets used in the Biblical texts and the microcodes which reveal some surprising aspects hidden behind the text itself.”

The late Ivan Panin (See “Bible numerics”).

Brandon Peterson (Sealed By the King, page 207).

“So what about these men, Moses and Elijah, do we discover in the numerics of the KJB?

“To begin, as you might expect, they are sevened. It is concealed to those who quickly search their names without careful attention…”

Gail Riplinger (New Age Bible Versions, page 150).

“Acrostic algebra reveals the ashy residue on which the NIV and NASV rest. When you shake down the ‘Lite’ versions like the New American Standard Version (NASV) and the New International Version (NIV), you find some heresies which are common to both (like their common letters ‘N’ and ‘V’, as shown in Step 2.)” …

“When the portions of the true text of the Authorized Version (AV) are removed from these other versions, the sheep’s clothing comes off the hand of the wolf’s skin spells—SIN. (Steps 4 & 5)”[v]

Step 1: (NASV - NIV) - AV = X

Step 2: (NASV - NIV) - AV = X

Step 3: (ASI + NV) - AV = X

Step 4: ASI + NV - AV = X

Step 5: SIN = X

[Note: I have used strike-through, not knowing how to create a slash-through as in New Age Versions.]

Gary Rovarino (Concealed from Christians for the Glory of God, page 3).

“The secrets that God keeps are matters of divine revelation and require a prophet to reveal them. To understand the issue of God’s authoritative Bible we do not need historians, manuscript experts, textual critics, or linguistic scholars but we do need the voice of a prophet. The word of God is this prophetic voice, and God will use it alone to reveal glorious secrets to you or to conceal costly secrets from you.”

Leo Tavares (Geometric Exegesis).

“I showed how the Standard Greek value of ‘TEMPLE’ (from Matthew 12:5) yields the G-base of the Genesis 1:1 Triangle and forms a Star that accommodates Snowflake 373. This now leads to another hidden identity I uncovered in this very same Greek word, which is this: The Ordinal Greek value of ‘TEMPLE’ (Matthew 12:5) = 64. Why is this significant? Because the 64th Triangle is the precise Triangle that accommodates the Star of 925!”

These (above) are just a few promoters of “biblical” numerology, and there exists lots of other “Bible-code” talk in addition to the numerology. The following are samples of titles out on the World Wide Web which sound esoteric and Gnostic.[vi]

• God Code: Unlocking Divine Messages Hidden in the Bible, by Timothy P. Smith (2018)
• Discovering Hidden Meanings in Biblical Texts: Unearthing Deeper Significance in the Scriptures for Your Spiritual Journey, by Kaleb F Weaver (2024)
• Bible Unlocked: Hidden Meanings Revealed, by Kristina Kaine (2019)
• Beyond the Words: Unraveling the Hidden Meanings of the Bible, by Ryan Santosh Joseph (2023)

There is a wide range of beliefs among the proponents of “biblical numerology.” We supporters of the King James Bible have been “blessed” with an inordinate amount of them – but among these numerology folks are also users and promoters of modern Bibles. Bay and Missler follow the late Ivan Panin, who used numeric methods to try to establish the “correct” Greek text of the New Testament. The range of folks leads from the more circumspect (like Brandon Peterson, who seems primarily interested in supporting the King James Bible) to Gary Rovarino (who seems to now be identifying himself as a modern-day prophet). Nevertheless, there will be no good to come from bogus biblical beliefs. They will not lead to a deeper spiritual journey, but rather into a fog of confusion and unbelief. “Bible codes are contradictory to the doctrine of sufficiency of Scripture” (Creation.com).

Serious Problems.

• Builds on sinking human sand rather than solid biblical rock.
• Coaxes the curious toward confusion, and even heresy.
• Connects to a condition of apophenia, the tendency to perceive meaningful connections between unrelated things. The human mind can invent perceived connections – including numerical connections – in practically everything, even where there are none.[vii]  
• Exalts hidden-knowledge “experts” over simple Bible teachers, and advances subjugation to “Messianic” masters, shrewd swindlers, and Gnostic gurus (many cultic in their leadership) without whom you cannot know the “secret meaning” of the Bible.
• Feeds pridefulness and egotism with its magnetism to “secret knowledge.”
• Opens the floodgates of susceptibility to odd and errant Bible interpretations.
• Overthrows the “faith” of some, when they realize they have had the wool pulled over their eyes.
• Promotes the contrived and/or deceptive use and explanation of numerical patterns.

Conclusion.

Beware of false prophets. Watch for weird witnesses. Do not be deceived. Partake of the good food our Lord has put on the shelf for all to receive. 

“The attempt to find mysterious numerical patterns and values in sentences, words, and phrases which have a plain and obvious meaning, whether the meaning is sublime or trite or trivial, whether it is found in the Bible, or in a masterpiece of secular literature, or in the commonplaces of ordinary life, is to say the least a tremendous waste of time and effort; and, what is far more important, resting as it does on principles that are demonstrably false, it may lead to serious and disastrous consequences. A man who rests his faith in the inerrancy of the Bible on Bible Numerics is trusting in a broken reed, which if he leans on it will go into his hand and pierce it.”[viii] 

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[i] Also, Karl George Sabiers used “Bible Numerics” as the title of his book that supposedly “proves” the inspiration of the Bible by finding numeric codes in the Hebrew and Greek texts of the Bible. He also wrote Astounding New Discoveries: Thousands of Amazing Facts Discovered Beneath the Very Surface of the Bible Text. Sabiers studied the work of Panin. He was also connected with Aimee Semple McPherson.
[ii] On page 141 of his book, Gary Rovarino says “number-ology” means “words about numbers” and that this is “God’s word” and “righteous.” On page 142, he calls the superstitious use of numbers “numerology,” and says it is evil. Concealed from Christians for the Glory of God: the 1611 KJV, the King James Bible Authorized Version, G. John Rov, Lulu Publishing, 2019, pp. 141-142.
[iii] Some books of this sort include: Number in Scripture: Its Supernatural Design and Spiritual Significance, by Ethelbert William Bullinger; That Ye May Marvel, Or, The Significance of Bible Numbers, by George Elliott Jones. While it is possible that some studies of number symbolism can get carried away with speculation, such studies are nevertheless subject to universal inspection by Bible believers (that is, such studies do not hinge on secret knowledge).
[iv] Some distinguish “biblical numerology” or “Christian numerology” as the study of numbers in the Bible to find meaning outside of the numerical value of the actual number being used. It is best for real Bible students to steer clear of the word numerology.
[v] I am a critic of both the NASB and the NIV as defective Bibles, but this so-called “acrostic algebra” of Gail Riplinger is pure unadulterated nonsense! Notice also that the correct and common initials of the New American Standard Bible are NASB, which Riplinger uses most of the time in her book. However, she pulls a rabbit out of the hat – identifies it as the NASV – when she gets ready to perform her amazing acrostic algebra reduction trick. It is unbelievable that she or anyone else would take this seriously!
[vi] Possessing secret knowledge that most people do not have.
[vii] This can become a conspiratorial condition.
[viii] Bible Numerics: an Examination of the Theory that there is in the Bible a Mysterious and Marvelous Numerical Pattern which Establishes the Correctness of the Text and Proves the Divine Authority of Holy Scripture, Oswald Thompson Allis, Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1944.

Beware of false prophets

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matthew 7:15

Beware of false prophets who come to you in the name of the King James Bible, bearing new revelations never before seen or heard. One such “revelator” is Gary Rovarino. He is one of the founders of the King James Bible Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, which idea may initially put him in a position of general respect among defenders of the King James Bible. He advertises himself as “knowing and elaborating of the hidden-inner most workings of the revelations of God in the King James Bible.” Such hubris should be warning enough, though perhaps it is not for some weak believers struggling to support their continued use of the King James Bible. A “prophet” who can reveal “Never Before Seen REVELATION of John 3:16” is not a Bible prophet. Gary Rovarino is a “false friend” of the King James Bible. Beware. (Additionally, be aware that Gary Rovarino is also known as G. John Rov. He writes under that pen name.)

The biblical faith is a grounded and settled faith, truth established on a rock, openly taught and passed down from generation to generation. It does not require a false foundation from mysterious math that can only be rendered visible by a secret scholar seeking sickly sheep. Be a Berean!

Jude exhorts us to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (verse 3). Note that the biblical faith is a “once delivered” faith. “Never before seen” revelations of John 3:16 – or any other text – should be an immediate wake-up call for the Bible believer. Certainly, there are new things you and I will learn from the Bible, but that is not because they were never before seen or heard until some modern-day false prophet came along. It is things that we just have not noticed before but that have been there all along – in the open, and believed by others before us! 

The biblical faith is a passed-down faith. The apostles taught all things that Jesus commanded them (Matthew 28:19), and these truths have been taught in and by churches of the Lord Jesus Christ from that time to this day. A new thing not known before now is a false thing not taught to the apostles by Jesus and not passed down from the apostles through the churches. What Paul received, he also delivered (1 Corinthians 11:23; 15:1). The teachings were committed to faithful men who passed them on (2 Timothy 2). John declared what he had seen and heard (1 John 1:3, 5). Peter taught what he received, and put his hearers in remembrance of it (2 Peter 1:15-16). This nature of truth is consistently established in the New Testament, that the disciples passed on the faith once delivered to the saints. A deliverer of new things we should not bear with (2 Corinthians 11:4).

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. Acts 20:20-31

Benjamin Franklin’s “Faith”

I have seen the following quote online, credited to Benjamin Franklin:

“Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, the Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence. That He ought to be worshipped.”

I have heard a lot of conflicting things about Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790). So, I put a question mark by the quote. Would he have said that? Well, he did – or rather wrote it. These are the words of Franklin. However, the brief extracted quote above sounds more “orthodox” Christian than Franklin actually was. The context brings out more of the “faith” or “religion” associated with Franklin. He follows this statement above in saying “That the most acceptable service we render to Him is in doing good to His other children.” He goes further to address man being judged by his good works, that the religion of Jesus is “the best the World ever saw,” but that he has “some Doubts as to his Divinity, tho’ it is a Question I do not dogmatise upon.” Nevertheless, Franklin saw “no harm however in its [Jesus’ Divinity] being believed,” as long as that belief resulted in the good consequences.

I suppose the whole is a good summary of what Benjamin Franklin believed – and that is what Franklin intended it to be. He did not hold biblical Christianity, though he considered it to be generally a good thing.

The statements are made in a letter from Franklin to U.S. educator and theologian Ezra Stiles, dated March 9, 1790, written a little over a month before his demise.

Baptism for the dead

“Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” 1 Corinthians 15:29

This is an intriguing and difficult passage, for which several different theories suggest what it means. For example:

• Some regard the words “the dead” is equivalent to or means “the resurrection of the dead” with baptism verifying belief in the doctrine of the resurrection.
• Some believe that Paul spoke of a cult practice he did not endorse, but that it nevertheless showed their belief in resurrection.
• Some seem to think more on the line of a baptism of persecution, trial, and death.

Most of the different views are “harmless,” and support the theme Paul was elucidating – resurrection. On the other hand, the Mormon Church has finessed “baptism for the dead” into a major ordinance, an important part of their faith and practice. They have their members baptized by proxy for long-dead people who were not Mormons, in order to “save” them. There is no such practice in the New Testament.

It is best to understand this verse in its context of resurrection (the theme of 1 Corinthians 15), and in light of other texts that connect baptism, death, and resurrection. New Testament believers are never baptized for the benefit of others who are physically dead. Baptism (immersion) is a portrait of death, burial, and resurrection. Romans 6:4 says, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” There were are baptized “into death.” In Colossians 2:12 we are “buried with him in baptism” and “also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” If there is no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen (1 Corinthians 15:13). “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain” (v. 14). Therefore, too with our baptism. It is practiced in vain if there is no resurrection of the one who is dead. “Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished” (v. 18). To be “baptized for the dead” is for our death to sin in Christ, and representing his resurrection and in hope of our own. If the dead rise not at all, what shall we do? Shall we continue with a form that is meaningless in what it pictures and to what it points?

Book burning

The Dove World Outreach Center, a non-denominational church in Gainesville, Florida, plans to burn copies of the Koran (Islam's holy book) on September 11 of this year. This is a protest of Islam as "a religion of the devil" and its part in the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States and its citizens.

My opinion.
The church has every right to do so if they wish (except for possible burning ordinances in Gainesville). That does not mean it is a good idea, but I defend their freedom to do so. I believe Islam is a false religion, but feel this is more of a publicity stunt than something of actual worth.

I remember one occasion of book burning in the book of Acts. But it was a burning of real substance -- people who had converted to Christianity burning their own books and leaving their past behind. This burning is one of symbolism that will probably do three things: 1. Gain publicity or notoriety for the Dove World Outreach Center and its pastor; 2. Anger Muslims; and 3. Increase sales of the Koran (I assume that the 50 some-odd members don't just have a lot of previous Korans laying around and went out and bought books for the occasion; but that is an assumption on my part).