“Satan is very skilled in using innuendos, half-truths and lies”

[Witness]

These words were spoken recently by S. Lett, member of the governing body during the annual convention. He was referring to the news media, clergy and apostates; and along with them, is the entire ‘worldly’ influence that JWs must guard against.  He informed them that the wicked who are trying to assimilate them into their world, are numbered “900 to one”; the estimated ratio of the earth’s population, to the count of JWs. This means all peoples outside of the organization have been judged by the “governors” as wicked. Undoubtedly, his estimate would manufacture a variety of emotions; apprehension and fear toward those not JWs, along with a sense of chosen “righteous” privilege, assumed by members cloistered within the organization’s walls. (1 Cor 13:4; Prov 30:12-14; Jer 48:29; Isa 66:5,6; Matt 5:11,12; John 15:20; 16:2; Heb 13:13; Rev 13:15)

Satan imparts the skills of deception to his ministers who fall in step with his covert operation, but since deception hides the true intention of his works, how do we identify and locate his ministers? (Deut 18:20-22; Lam 2:14; Jer 23:17; 1 Thess 5:3; Luke 6:26; John 8:44; 2 Cor 4:3,4; 11:4; 1 Tim 4:1,2)  Using the familiar phrase heard while in the organization, we “examine the scriptures”, or as the speaker put it, “by diligent study” of God’s word. (Prov 24:3;2 Tim 2:15; 3:16,17)

This leader stated:

“In the near future another powerful enemy will come against us. This formidable foe is a coalition of nations called Gog in Ezekiel 38.  It says that Gog will come with a great assembly, a vast army like clouds covering the land.  They will come against God’s people. Now this could be a very intimidating situation. But dear brothers and sisters, your faith will make you stronger than Gog and will keep you stronger until Jehovah miraculously intervenes at Armageddon; and if you think about it, Armageddon is a rescue operation.  He will intervene and he will sweep attacking Gog away forever with a broom of annihilation.”

“Gog of Magog” is a term frequently used in the organization lately.  The biblical definition of “Gog, the land of Magog”:

Gog –“mountain”, the name of an Israelite, also of some northern nation. Of the prince of the land of Magog

Magog – land of Gog, a barbarous northern region/territory; also a great and powerful people under the name of a man   (Gen 10:2) 

Is it true that Gog of the land of Magog, is showing up during Armageddon as a great pool of national armies?  (Ezek 13:9)  These leaders are projecting spiritual fulfillment in politics and its rulers, in the same way that they have used prophecy of the destruction of early Jerusalem to Christendom’s downfall, by calling it the “antitypical Jerusalem”.  After decades of this teaching, they recently stated that there is no scriptural basis to fit Christendom into this role. So, who does fill this role?  Judgment and condemnation in the last days is where “New Jerusalem”/”Israel” resides. (Rom 9:6; 2:28,29; Phil 3:3; Gal 4:26)

Judgment comes upon God’s named people in the “saints”/anointed priesthood, under the wicked steward of God’s household. To these who are under covenant with God, prophecy has its fulfillment. (Isa 43:10; 1 Pet 2:5,9; Eph 2:20-22; Heb 3:6; 8:6-8; Ezek 5:5,6; 2 Chron 7:14; Jer 25:29; Isa 1:21; Luke 12:42,45; Rev 17:6; Luke 12:46; Hos 6:5; Jer 5:14; 23:29; Rev 18:8)

Taking on another antitypical role for Gog of Magog leads to a conundrum in teachings. The organization teaches that its members are the “remnant” to have come out of Babylon the Great, the “empire of false religion”. (Rev 17:5)  If they were faithful in their devotion to God and obeyed His laws, which JWs believes they are, would He allow this to occur to a perceived obedient people under His favor? (Lev 26:3,6) There is no biblical instance where nations plundered and persecuted His people when they were faithful, but plenty of examples to prove otherwise.  (Lev 26:14,15,21,22;  Jer 14:7,10;32:24; Ezek 5:13-15; Isa 29:7; Jer 6:6; Luke 21:20; Rev 20:8,9) 

However, the leader promised that persecution by the ‘news media, clergy, apostates’ and the nations cannot be avoided in the last days.  Yet simply, most of this “persecution” is the result of the organization’s various dark doctrines coming to light; their rejection of the words of Christ, which ultimately they will face accountability for.  (Ezek 5:14,15; Matt 10:26; John 3:19; 12:48; Rom 2:6-8; Eph 5:5,6,11; Heb 4:12; 2 Chron 36:15,16; Mal 3:1-3;Matt 17:11;Rev 11:1-3;14:6,7)

Why did the nation of Israel suffer persecution by the Chaldean army of Babylon? Under the leadership of stiff-necked rulers, Judah was wicked, disregarding God’s laws and defiling the temple.  (2 Chron 36:14; Hab 1:3,4,6; Zech 12:2)

“Didn’t you exist before time began, O Lord, my God, my Holy One? We will not die! O Lord, you have appointed the Babylonians to bring judgment. O Rock, you have destined them to correct us.”  Hab 1:12

The governing leader deftly avoided the true reason Gog of Magog attacked Israel in their day. There was no scripture cited to back up his untrustworthy prediction. 

“You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army. ¹⁶ You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. In days to come, Gog, I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.”

Why would Gog be used to prove God’s holiness? 

“I will turn you around, drive you on, and lead you up from the remotest parts of the north. I will bring you against the mountains of Israel.”

“I will display my glory among the nations, and all the nations will see the judgment I have executed and the hand I have laid on them. ²² From that day forward the house of Israel will know that I am the Lord their God. ²³ And the nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile on account of their iniquity, because they dealt unfaithfully with me. Therefore, I hid my face from them and handed them over to their enemies, so that they all fell by the sword. ²⁴ I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and transgressions, and I hid my face from them.”  Ezek 39:2,22-24

As a result of disobedience toward their covenant with God, Israel was promised discipline for their sin, which was manifested through Gog’s attack. (Deut 28:15,20,25,45,46) God’s supernatural show of unlimited power toward a repentant Israel, glorified His name not only among His refined people, but was witnessed among the nations.  (Ezek 38:23; 39:6,7,22,28; Joel 3:17)

Will JWs notice that Gog of Magog came upon Israel due to their repeated sin and gross abominations?  Since the organization’s “Gog” is predicted to bring havoc, does this mean that JWs will be “exiled” to “Babylon the Great”, most of them arrested and taken into bondage, as happened to the nation of Israel? (2 Chron 36:18-20; Ezek 17:12)   

What it does mean, is they are still under symbolic “Babylon’s” influence of drunken confusion and darkness, leading to death. (Isa 1:21;28:14,15,18; Rev 8:11;13:11,12,15,16; Rev 17:1,5,6; 18; 17:2,1,15; Jer 51:7; 13:13; Ps 60:3; Zech 12:2; Obad 1:16; Rev 14:8; Jer 51:7,6; Rev 18:4)

Their interpretation of Ezekiel’s Gog is nonsense and confusion. They have fabricated a storyline that is not even a “half-truth”, but a full-scale lie which has deceptively cloaked the identity of the army that has already come against anointed “Israel”.   This powerful army does not tolerate rebellion against its authority. (2 Chron 36:14-17; 2 Sam 7:14;Prov 23:13,14; Ezek 28:2; Dan 2:33; 11:37; 2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 11:1-3;13:5-7)  

“How inappropriate it would be to challenge or undermine the authority of appointed elders!” Wt 2000/8/15 p. 29

Will their perception of Gog eventually be scrapped, as their previous long-taught doctrine of the devastating locusts in Joel, as God’s holy people?  Joel’s locusts are the northern army that came against Israel because of their rebellion and idolatry.  As we see in the above magazine quote, the great “army” of elders fulfill that role, who represent the “image” of the “spirit-directed organization”/idol, having full authority given them by the governing leaders.  They rule unchallenged over God’s holy people today, as they deceitfully “represent the royal priesthood”.  (Ezek 38:4,7; Joel 2:1-5;1:4,6; Dan 11:16,31; 8:25; 2 Thess 2:4; Rev 9:2,3,7-9, Ezek 4:1-3; Lev 26:18-19; Rev 13:4,11,12,15, 5-7; Dan 8:24) 

The book of Revelation also tells us of Gog and Magog.

Rev 20:7-9 -  When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison ⁸ and will go out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the sea. ⁹ They came up across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the encampment of the saints, the beloved city. Then fire came down from heaven and consumed them.

This event is highly avoided by the governing leaders. Why? It is difficult to “sell” the idea of a thousand-year paradise after Armageddon, where war and death will be no more; and alongside this promise, enforce the contradictive false doctrine that this peace ends in an act of war, leading to the death of many. (Isa 2:4; Rev 21:4; Rev 13:16,17) Thus, the leaders deliberately ignore Gog and Magog of Rev 20:7.  Apparently, they feel they must limit their own deceptions to preserve the appealing ones.    (Ezek 12:21-28; Isa 30:10)

Contrary to their “thousand-year” doctrine of peace, Gog and Magog show up when the symbolic thousand-year reign of Christ which began in the first century, reaches its end.  (Ps 110:1,2; Prov 25:5; Matt 10:34; 1 Cor 15:24-28) Satan is freed from his inability to “perceive” how to enact his scheme, to deceive the “the elect”.  (Ezek 38:10; Prov 24:8,9;1 Pet 5:8; Rev 12:1-3,12; Matt 24:24,25; 2 Cor 11:13-15; Prov 24:1,8,9; Col 2:8;1 Tim 4:1; Rev 13:10) 

Gog and Magog are marching on the earth when “Israel”/New Jerusalem is gathered and surrounded. (Hab 1:6-11) Satan and his army cannot deceive and surround the camp of the saints/anointed if they are ruling as heavenly faithful kings and priests in the Kingdom with Jesus Christ, and serving God in His Temple. (Heb 12:22; Rev 7:3,4,14,15; 22:3,4)

Their number is “like the sand of the sea”.  (Gen 22:17; Isa 10:22–23; Gal 3:26; Hos 1:10; 1 Pet 2:5,9,10; Rom 9:25-28) 

Christ’s anointed “kings of the earth”, the “beloved city”/ New Jerusalem, is surrounded today, and held captive by the “coalition” of an army of elders, wielding the weapon of deceit. (Rev 1:5; Lam 1:5; Isa 52:2; Col 2:8; Luke 21:24; 1 Cor 3:16,17; 2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 11:1,2; 13:5-7; Eph 6:11,12).

Since the organization’s inception, Satan and his “ministers”, the Harlot/false prophet and her Beast/organization, have gathered unsealed anointed, for the battle of Armageddon and its finale. (Joel 3:9-12,14; Rev 16:13-16; 17:1,3)  Through worldly offers of riches, power and dominance, he has won over unfaithful ones of “Israel”, and their “helpers” who have carried out his inspired plan.   (Luke 4:5-7; Hos 6:7; 2 Cor 11:2,3; 1 Cor 6:15,16;16;  Heb 12:16; Matt 24:24,25; Rev 8:11; 9:1,2; 13:11,15; 19:20; 16:13; 20:10)

Satanic deception during his “short time”, is at the core, causing a snowball effect that ultimately leads to the trampling of God Temple members. (Rev 20:3;12:12) (Isa 1:12,4,7) The final anointed remnant was ‘captivated’ by the organization’s message, misled by “signs and wonders” of false prophets.  Although they made this choice when they took the bait, it led to breaking their covenant with God and Christ, and leaving truth behind.  (Deut 13:1-5; Matt 24:24; 2 Thess 2:9-12; Dan 11:32; Hos 8:1; Ps 78:10; Mal 2:7,8)  (Col 2:8; Rev 13:10; 1 Tim 4:1; Col 2:18,19)

The have neglected their Temple responsibilities as God’s priesthood. (Mal 2:7; Isa 48:17-19; Amos 9:8-10; Ezek44:8-9;2 Chron 13:9; Jer 44:4; 7:30; 6:15; Dan 11:31; Matt 24:15,16) 

As Hab 1:12 tells us, the persecution that resulted was discipline that God’s people either responded to and repented for their sins (Ezek 39:25-29), or rebelliously ignored. (Lev 26:21-25; Prov 15:10; 1 Cor 11:32; Heb 12:7,8,11,15; Rom 11:7-10)

When God disciplined Israel, famine was always the result.  We see the earmark of spiritual famine, the absence of truth in God’s word, evident in the convention presentation. The leaders of spiritual “Israel” hide behind their refuge of lies and “treachery”. (Isa 28:14,15,22; Prov 23:1-3;Amos 8:11; 2Chron.15:3; Ps.74:9; Lev.26:26; Eze.4:10,11,12,13; Rev.6:5,6; Matt 7:15-20)  

Gog and Magog – the two Beasts of Rev. 13:1,2,11,12 – the Harlot and the Beast she rides – the false prophet and her organization/man of lawlessness that she directs…these identities and more, are one and the same. The characteristics of deceit are laced through the actions behind their titles.  (Rev 16:13-16) Deception has successfully diverted God’s anointed priesthood away from truth in Jesus Christ. 

The elders have set themselves up over the Temple members of God, as an army that stands “where it does not belong”. There is no “reverence” that God demands toward His Temple/sanctuary/holy place; not by the leaders, by JWs in general, and not by the blind and deceived “kings of the earth”.  (Lev 26:2; Heb 8:1,2; Num 18:7; 2 Chron 23:6,7; Ezek 44:7; Dan 11:31,32,36; Matt 24:15,16; Mark 13:14; 2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 11:1,2) (1 Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16,17; Eph 2:20)

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."
God allows His Temple priests to be trampled, because they have lost their "saltiness" (Num 18:19; 2 Chron 13:5; Lev 2:13).

These have abdicated their royal authority (Luke 10:19) and have allowed the Beast to remove their continual sacrifice ("constant feature") (Luke 10:19; Rev 17:13) as priests and kings, in favor of subjecting themselves to the Image / Idol, of the Wild Beast! (Rev 13:7,8; 2 Thess 2:4; Dan 8:11,24,25; 11:31,36; 12:11) (2 Cor 11:20; Col 2:8; Rev 13:10,7,8).

 For these offenses against their God, they must be disciplined and refined! They are disciplined, by means of the very gods they have subjected themselves to...
the Gentile Wild Beast (Rev 13:15,1,4) (locust-scorpion collective Rev 9:3,10), and the false prophet ("second wild beast") (Rev 13:11; 19:20) above it / them.

Pearl Doxsey - Is the "Wicked Steward" Real?

However one wants to express it - “Gog of Magog”, or “Gog and Magog” -  the “camp of the saints” is held captive with the stealth of a lion on the prowl – Satan, who seeks to devour them. (1 Pet 5:8) Judgment is all inclusive; this deceitful team will not escape its own judgment, for trampling down God’s people.  (Prov 22:22,23; Ezek 39:6,7; 2 Thess 2:8; Rev 18:4-8; 20:10) 

 Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel:

“Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea,
The remnant will be saved.
²⁸ For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness,
Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth.”

 And as Isaiah said before:

“Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed,
We would have become like Sodom,
And we would have been made like Gomorrah.” Rom 9:27-29

From within that Sodom-like City, God will cleanse a remnant and restore them, IF they are repentant. They are restored back, to being "the city of righteousness, the faithful City". (Isa 1:25-27; Zech 13:9; Mal 3:3; Zech 4:9,6,12,14; Rev 11:4,3; 3:12; 21:2; Ps 48:8)

Pearl Doxsey -  "Sodom"/"Four Horsemen"

 

In the end, God’s name will be proven holy. (Rom 2:23,24; Ezek 13:9,14,23; 36:22-38; 38:23; 39:27,28;Rev 12:7;7:10; 4:8-11)