JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES, ACCEPTING THE RESPONSIBILITY

It is an honor to bear the name of the only true God, the Sovereign of the universe! But with that name goes responsibility that other religious groups do not want. It is positively associated with the proclamation of his purpose. It put them under obligation to transmit his word truthfully. (Jer. 23:26-28) This means not only that they must make known Jehovah's blessings but also his judgments. (Isa. 61:1, 2) They have to be entirely obedient to his commandments and to make known that he is the only true and Almighty God; that his Word is true and that his hame is entitled to all honor and glory; that Christ is God's King placed by Him upon his throne of authority; that his kingdom is now come and that they have to declare his good news as witness to the nations.

SATAN'S CRUEL AND OPPRESSIVE ORGANISATION

In according with the divine commission, the Witnesses know that they have to declare the truth concerning Satan's visible worldwide organisation, and his cruel role in politics and religion. In particular with reference to 'Christendom', the principal and wickedest tool used by him to propagandize and actuate his diabolic purposes. They have also to declare that is God's purpose to shortly destroy Satan's oganization, followed by Christs' kingdom. (see the article: What Is God's Kingdom, edited by the Jehovah's Witnesses) 

 This kingdom will bring to te obedient peoples of earth peace and prosperity, liberty and happiness and everlasting life. This kigndom is the hope of the world, there is no other. (see the article: Jehovah Must Execute Judgment, published by ideacreamanuela)—From Proclaimers of God's Kingdom-edited by the Jehovah's Witnesses, See also: ''Worship That God Approves'', edited by Jehovah's Witnesses.




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JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES, THE RESULT OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE

In the eighth century B.C.E. Jehovah caused Isaiah to write the words spoken in Isaiah 43:10, 12. Many prophecies recorded by Isaiah have fulfillment in connection with the Christian congregation. (Compare Isaiah 8:18 with Hebrews 2:10-13; Isaiah 66:22 with Revelation 21:1, 2)

THEIR MISSION

Acts 15:14 directs attention to God's purpose to take out of the nations ''a people for his name.'' In Revelation 3:14, Jesus Christ is ''the faithful and true witness.''(John 18:37) We can also direct attention to 1 Peter2:9, 10, which says that God's servants are to declare the ''exellencies of the one that called them out of darkness into his wonderful light.'' What is, as we can see, the divine commission? To be His ''witnesses.''(Isa. 43:8-12) The purpose is to declare their devotion to Jehovah and his kingdom; that they are servants of Jehovah God commissioned to do a work in God's name, deliver the testimony of Jesus Christ and to make known to the people that Jehovah is the true and Almighty God.

They invite all persons devoted to Jehovah to join in proclaiming the good news to others. People worldwide have to know where to find the truth and hope for relief. And above all, they proclaim that the great and holy name of Jehovah God will be vindicated and exalted by means of his Agent, Jesus Christ.—From Proclaimers of God's Kingdom-edited by the Jehovah's Witnesses, See also: ''Worship That God Approves'', edited by Jehovah's Witnesses.
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THE MODERN WITNESSES WE KNOWN

In the early time of their modern-day history, they were referred to simply as Bible Students. When others asked about the name of the organisation, they often answer that they are Christians, by which the early saints were known. How did it come about that they are known today as Jehovah's Witnesses?

THE NAME CHRISTIAN

In the first century, the manner of life that centered around faith in Jesus Christ was referred to as ''The Way.''(Acts 9:2; 19:9) Others referred to it as ''the sect of the Nazarenes.'' (Acts 24:5) By 44 C.E. faithful followers of Jesus Christ began to be known as Christians and commentators state that the verb used at Acts 11:26 implies divine direction or revelation. By about 58 C.E. the name Christian was well known. (Acts 26:28) However, as Jesus had foretold, after the death of the apostles there were imitation Christians who counterfeits also claimed the name Christian. (Matt.13:24, 25, 37-39)

NEED FOR A DISTINCTIVE NAME

In time, it became evidente that in addition to the designation Christian, the congregation of Jehovah's servants truly did need a distintive name. In 1931, they embraced the distintive name Jehovah's Witnesses. This not only provided an official name for the group but also made it easy for them to interpret all the Biblical references to ''witness'' and ''witnessing'' as applying specifically to Jehovah's Witnesses.—From Proclaimers of God's Kingdom-edited by the Jehovah's Witnesses, See also: ''Worship That God Approves'', edited by Jehovah's Witnesses.

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A NATION OF WITNESSES

Jehovah God brought the Israelites into an esclusive covenant relationship with him, in the third month after their leaving Egypt. (Ex. 19:5, 6) He dealt with them as a nation and give them a theocratic government founded on the Law covenant, their national constitution. (Isa 33:22) The Israelites, represent Jehovah as their Sovereign Lord. After becoming settled in the Promissed Land however, they worship other gods. Therefore, through the prophet Isaia, Jehovah issued a challenge. Is there a god among the gods of the nations that can do the things Jehovah does, so as to predict things in advance accurately? He also ask these gods to furnish their witnesses and the people of the nations to ''hear and say, 'it is the truth!' (Isa. 43:9) Jehovah made clear to Israel their responsibility in settling the question

WHO IS THE TRUE GOD?

Jehovah said: ''You are my witnesses, ... even my servant whom I have chosen, in order that you may know and have faith in me, and that you may understand that I am the same One. Before me there was no God formed, and after me there continued to be none. I—I am Jehovah, and besides me there is no savior....So you are my witnesses,...and I am God.''—Isa.43:10-12.—From Proclaimers of God's Kingdom-edited by the Jehovah's Witnesses, See also: ''Worship That God Approves'', edited by Jehovah's Witnesses.

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JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES, A PEOPLE OF WITNESSES

JEHOVAH, HIS SOVEREIGNTY CHALLENGED

By means of his Creatorship, his Godship and his Almightiness, he is called the Universal Sovereign. (Gen. 17:1; Ex. 6:3; Rev. 4:11) And has the rightful domination over everything in heaven and on earth. (1Chron. 29:12, ftn.; Jer. 9:24) We in return love him and show appreciation for his sovereignty. But why would Jehovah have witnesses anyway—and imperfect human witnesses at that? (see the articles: From The Very Beginning Of Human Creation; A Spirit Creature Of God Entering The Scene)

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A WITNESS

What does it mean to be a witness? In according to the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, the concept of witness is used both in the sense of witness to ascertainable facts and also in that of witness to truths, the making known and confessing of convictions. Many of the first-century Christians witnessed under persecution and in the face of death. (Acts 22:20; Rev. 2:13) 

 The Greek word for witness is 'martys', from which is also derived the word ''martyr''. But they were not called witnesses because they died; they died because they were loyal witnesses.—From Proclaimers of God's Kingdom-edited by the Jehovah's Witnesses, See also: ''Worship That God Approves'', edited by Jehovah's Witnesses.

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JESUS, HIS “PRESENCE AND THE CONCLUSION OF THE SYSTEM OF THINGS”

Jesus indicated that the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom of God would be in the far distant future. (Luke 19:11-27) That event would also mark his ''presence'' and confirm ''the conclusion of the system of things.''(Matt. 24:3) How could we discern this time?

Jesus gave a sign, a ''composite sign'', made up of many evidences, including wars, earthquakes, food shortages, pestilences, and an increasing of lawlessness. That sign would also include the sign of the good news of the Kingdom. In this sign the ''good news of the Kingdom'' would be preached throughout the earth as a witness to all nations. The features of that compsite sign can be observed in our day. This indicates that we are living in the time of Jesus' presence and of the conclusion of the system of things. (Matt. 24:3-14) What about Jesus' followers?

During this time of Jesus' presence, individuals adhering to many different churches claim to follow him. (Matt. 7:22) But the Bible says there is but ''one faith.''(Eph. 4:5) So how can we identify the true Christian congregation that has God's approval and direction? We can do so by examining what the Scriptures say about the first-century Christian congregation and then seeing who today follow that same pattern.—From Proclaimers of God's Kingdom-edited by the Jehovah's Witnesses, see also:''Who Is Jesus Christ?'' from the Official Website of Jehovah's Witnesses.

See also:

JESUS CHRIST, GOD'S GREATEST VINDICATOR
JESUS, A WITNESS TO JEHOVAH AND TO THE TRUTH 
JESUS, FULFILL GOD'S PURPOSE SPELLED OUT IN PROPHECY
JESUS, BEARING WITNESS TO GOD'S NAME
JESUS WITNESSED ABOUT GOD'S KINGDOM
JESUS, A WITNESS FAITHFULL EVEN TO DEATH
JESUS, HIS “PRESENCE AND THE CONCLUSION OF THE SYSTEM OF THINGS”  
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JESUS WITNESSED ABOUT GOD'S KINGDOM

Jesus on one occasion says:''I must declare the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this I was sent forth.'' (Luke 4:43) Jesus proclaimed that Kingdom throughout the Promissed Land, covering hundreds of miles on foot and wherever there were people who would listen. He trained and sent out his disciples to be proclaimers of the Kingdom. (Matt. 10:5-7; 13:38; Luke 10:1, 9) But why is bearing witness to God's Kingdom so important? For it is the means by which God will sanctify His name, clearing it of all reproach. Jesus knew that, and so he made that Kingdom the theme of his preaching. (Matt. 4:17)—From Proclaimers of God's Kingdom-edited by the Jehovah's Witnesses, see also:''Who Is Jesus Christ?'' from the Official Website of Jehovah's Witnesses.

See also:

JESUS CHRIST, GOD'S GREATEST VINDICATOR
JESUS, A WITNESS TO JEHOVAH AND TO THE TRUTH 
JESUS, FULFILL GOD'S PURPOSE SPELLED OUT IN PROPHECY
JESUS, BEARING WITNESS TO GOD'S NAME
JESUS WITNESSED ABOUT GOD'S KINGDOM
JESUS, A WITNESS FAITHFULL EVEN TO DEATH
JESUS, HIS “PRESENCE AND THE CONCLUSION OF THE SYSTEM OF THINGS”  
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JESUS, BEARING WITNESS TO GOD'S NAME

Jesus taught his disciples and followers to pray:''Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified [or , ''be held sacred, be treated as holy''].'' (Matt. 6:9) On the final night of his earthly life, in prayer to his heavely Father, Jesus also said:''I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have observed your word. And I have made your name known to them and will make it known, in order that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in union with them.'' (John 17:6, 26) This was in fact, Jesus' primary purpose in coming to earth.

Jesus' followers  knew and used God's name. In what sense then, did Jesus make it manifest or known to them? Bible names have often a prophetic significance. In the case of the Son of God, the name Jesus (Jehovah Is Salvation) was prophetic of his role as Jehovah’s appointed Savior, or means of salvation.  (Matt. 1:21; Lu. 2:30) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, by J. H. Thayer says:''The name of God in the N[ew] T[estament], is used for all those qualities which to his worshippers are summed up in that name, and by which God makes himself known to men.''

Jesus made known God's name by using it and by revealing the Person behind the name, so as his purposes, activities and qualities. And he could explain the Father in a way that no one else could. (John 1:18) Jesus reflects his Father so perfecly, that Jesus' disciples could 'see' the Father in the Son. (John 14:9) By his deeds and sayings, Jesus bore witness to God's name.—From Proclaimers of God's Kingdom-edited by the Jehovah's Witnesses, see also:''Who Is Jesus Christ?'' from the Official Website of Jehovah's Witnesses.

See also:

JESUS CHRIST, GOD'S GREATEST VINDICATOR
JESUS, A WITNESS TO JEHOVAH AND TO THE TRUTH 
JESUS, FULFILL GOD'S PURPOSE SPELLED OUT IN PROPHECY
JESUS, BEARING WITNESS TO GOD'S NAME
JESUS WITNESSED ABOUT GOD'S KINGDOM
JESUS, A WITNESS FAITHFULL EVEN TO DEATH
JESUS, HIS “PRESENCE AND THE CONCLUSION OF THE SYSTEM OF THINGS”  
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JESUS, FULFILL GOD'S PURPOSE SPELLED OUT IN PROPHECY

What is God's purpose about, and how did Jesus fulfill such prophecy? God's purpose in connection with the Kingdom and its Messianic Ruler. Jesus, by his entire earthly life course, which ended in his sacrifice and death, fulfilled all the things prophesied about him. The apostle Paul confirmed this when he says:''No matter how many the promises of God are, they have become Yes by means of him. Therefore also through him is the 'Amen' [meaning, ''so be it,'' or ''surely''] said to God for glory through us.'' (2Cor. 1:20) Jesus is the one whom God's promises find fulfillment. (Rev. 3:14)—From Proclaimers of God's Kingdom-edited by the Jehovah's Witnesses, see also:''Who Is Jesus Christ?'' from the Official Website of Jehovah's Witnesses.


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JESUS, A WITNESS TO JEHOVAH AND TO THE TRUTH

Jesus was a member of the nation to which Jehovah by the prophet Isaiah had said:”You are my witnesses.” (Isa. 43:10) In 29 C.E. Jesus was baptized by John the Baptizer. Jehovah anointed him with holy spirit and empowered him to ''proclaim the year of goodwill on the part of Jehovah.'' (Matt. 3:16; Isa. 61:1, 2; Luke 4:16-19) Jesus faithfully carried out his assignment and became Jehovah's greatest witness ever on earth and is called with every right, the Faithfull Witness, Amen and the Faithfull and True Witness. (Rev. 1:5; 3:14) But what does it mean for Jesus to be a Witness to Jehovah?

JESUS A WITNESS TO THE TRUTH

Before the Roman governor Pilate, Jesus says:''For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.” (John 18:37) To what truth did Jesus bear witness? It was God's truth, the revelation of Jehovah's eternal puposes. (John 18:33-36) The Greek verb fo bear witness to, also means declare, confirm, testify favorably, speak well (of), approve (of). Jesus confirm God's truth, by his ministry. In fact Jesus declare or preach that truth to others. But it required much more than talking alone. In an occasion Jesus said that he was the truth. (John 14:6) Yes, Jesus lived in such a way as to fulfill God's truth.—From Proclaimers of God's Kingdom-edited by the Jehovah's Witnesses, see also:''Who Is Jesus Christ?'' from the Official Website of Jehovah's Witnesses.

See also:

JESUS CHRIST, GOD'S GREATEST VINDICATOR
JESUS, A WITNESS TO JEHOVAH AND TO THE TRUTH 
JESUS, FULFILL GOD'S PURPOSE SPELLED OUT IN PROPHECY
JESUS, BEARING WITNESS TO GOD'S NAME
JESUS WITNESSED ABOUT GOD'S KINGDOM
JESUS, A WITNESS FAITHFULL EVEN TO DEATH
JESUS, HIS “PRESENCE AND THE CONCLUSION OF THE SYSTEM OF THINGS”  

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JESUS CHRIST, GOD'S GREATEST VINDICATOR

THE TIME FOR THE MESSIANIC ''SEED'' HAS ARRIVED!

Sins Satan involved the first human pair in the rebellion to God's sovereignty, issues were raised. Have the Creator the right to rule humankind? And does Jehovah exercise his sovereignty in the best interests of his subjects?  (Gen. 3:1) What about the pre-Christian witnesses who offered their witnessing?

For some 4,000 years a long line of pre-christian witnesses had offered their testimony. The time arrived for the Messiah to appear on earth. (Gen. 3:15) Out of all of his millions of spirit sons, the most anxious to serve in clearing Jehovah's name and vindicating his sovereignty was his only-begotten Son Jesus. (John 3:16; Col. 1:15)

Jesus had shared with his Father the heavely home longer than anyone else. But eagerly and humbly he accepted this assignment. (John 8:23; 58; Phil. 2:5-8) Why? His deep love for his Father and for humankind and a zealous desire to see Jehovah's name cleared of all reproach. (John 14:31; Prov 8:30, 31; John 15:13) He was transfered from heaven to the womb of the Jewish virgin Mary, in early autumn of the year 2 B.C.E. (Matt. 1:18; Luke 1:26-38; Gal. 4:4) —From Proclaimers of God's Kingdom-edited by the Jehovah's Witnesses, see also:''Who Is Jesus Christ?'' from the Official Website of Jehovah's Witnesses.

See also:

JESUS CHRIST, GOD'S GREATEST VINDICATOR
JESUS, A WITNESS TO JEHOVAH AND TO THE TRUTH
JESUS, FULFILL GOD'S PURPOSE SPELLED OUT IN PROPHECY
JESUS, BEARING WITNESS TO GOD'S NAME
JESUS WITNESSED ABOUT GOD'S KINGDOM
JESUS, A WITNESS FAITHFULL EVEN TO DEATH
JESUS, HIS “PRESENCE AND THE CONCLUSION OF THE SYSTEM OF THINGS”  
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JESUS, A WITNESS FAITHFULL EVEN TO DEATH

How deeply hurt Jesus must have felt when Adam and Eve turned their backs on God's sovereignty! Yet he patienty waited in the heavens for some 4,000 years, and then the time arrived for him to serve as Jehovah's greatest witness ever on earth! He was also aware that the universal issues directly involved him. Would he maintain integrity as a human on earth under any type of test?

His Adversary wasted no time. Shortly after Jesus' baptism and anointing, Satan tempted him. But Jesus' unequivocal statement to Satan, ''it is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service,'' showed him where he stood on the issues. How unlike Adam! (Matt. 4:1-10) More than that, Jesus ''humbled himself and became obedient as far as death, yes, death on a torture stake.'' (Phil. 2:7, 8) So the question, Will anyone maintain integrity to God's sovereignty if Satan is allowed to put him to the test?, was completely settled.

JESUS' DEATH ACCOMPLISHED MUCH MORE!

By his death on the torture stake, Jesus also gave ''his soul a ransom in exchange for many.'' (Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45) Jesus was a perfect human and his life had sacrificial value. By sacrificing his life Jesus not only makes it possible for us to receive forgiveness of sins but also gave us the opportunity for eternal life on a paradise earth, In harmony with God's original purpose. (Luke 23:43; Acts 13:38, 39; Heb. 9:13, 14; Rev. 21:3, 4)—From Proclaimers of God's Kingdom-edited by the Jehovah's Witnesses, see also:''Who Is Jesus Christ?'' from the Official Website of Jehovah's Witnesses.

See also:

JESUS CHRIST, GOD'S GREATEST VINDICATOR
JESUS, A WITNESS TO JEHOVAH AND TO THE TRUTH 
JESUS, FULFILL GOD'S PURPOSE SPELLED OUT IN PROPHECY
JESUS, BEARING WITNESS TO GOD'S NAME
JESUS WITNESSED ABOUT GOD'S KINGDOM
JESUS, A WITNESS FAITHFULL EVEN TO DEATH
JESUS, HIS “PRESENCE AND THE CONCLUSION OF THE SYSTEM OF THINGS”  
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JEHOVAH MUST EXECUTE JUDGMENT

There is people who refuse to respect God's rightful authority despite it has been clearly demonstrated that humans need Jehovah's rulership. Therefore Jehovah God must execute judgement upon them. This judgement however reach far beyond the human sphere. Why so?

GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY INVOLVED GOD'S HEAVENLY CREATURES

Since an angel has rebelled in Eden, the question of integrity to God's sovereignty involved God's heavenly creatures. Jehovah purposed for a spirit son to come to the earth, where Satan can put him to the test in order to settle, in a perfect way, the question, Will anyone be faithful to God under whatever trail may be brought against him?
This Son, Jesus, also called the Messiah, proved his loyalty thus would be empowered as Jehovah's great vindicator, and fully accomplish God's original purpose regarding the earth. In Eden Jehovah had promised a ''seed'' that would vindicate God's sovereignty testified through the Hebrew prophets who provided many details about that Messianic ''seed''(see the article: Jesus Christ, God's Greatest Vindicator, published by ideacreamanuela)(Gen. 3:15; Gen. 12:1-3; 22:15-18; 49:10; 2Sam. 7:12-16; Isa 7:14; Dan 9:24-27; Mic. 5:2)—From Proclaimers of God's Kingdom-edited by the Jehovah's Witnesses.

See also:

FROM THE VERY BEGINNING OF HUMAN CREATION
A SPIRIT CREATURE OF GOD ENTERING THE SCENE
JEHOVAH MUST EXECUTE JUDGMENT  

REQUEST A FREE BIBLE STUDY!                                                              
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A SPIRIT CREATURE OF GOD ENTERING THE SCENE

A SPIRIT CREATURE ENTERING THE SCENE

Adam and Eve chose to eat the forbidden fruit (see the article: From The Very Beginning Of Human Creation, published by ideacreamanuela). What let them to this course? The Bible explains that a spirit creature of God had taken a rebellious course against God. This one, better known as Satan (means ''opposer'', in Greek), spoke through a serpent in Eden and led her and through her, Adam away from God's sovereignty. (Rev. 12:9)

By eating of the tree, the first human pair placed their judgment above Gods' by deciding for themselves what is good and what is bad (Gen.3:22). Satan says to Eve:"Is it really so that God said you must not eat from every tree of the garden?" In other words God was withholding something good from them. The issue thus raised was, Does Jehovah have the right to rule humankind, and does he exercise his sovereignty in the best interests of his subjects? (Gen 3:1) The rebellion also raised another issue: Can humans under test be faithful to God? (see the article: Jesus, A Witness Faithfull Even To Death, published by ideacreamanuela) 
 
Once raised, the issues had to be settled. The passage of time, about 6,000 years, and the visible failure of human governments clearly demonstrate that humans need God's sovereignty. But do they want it? Yes! Jehovah has his witnesses! But what does it mean to be a Witness? See : Jehovah's Witnesses, a peolple of Witnesses, published by ideacreamanuela.
—From Proclaimers of God's Kingdom-edited by the Jehovah's Witnesses.

See also:

FROM THE VERY BEGINNING OF HUMAN CREATION
A SPIRIT CREATURE OF GOD ENTERING THE SCENE
JEHOVAH MUST EXECUTE JUDGMENT  

REQUEST A FREE BIBLE STUDY!                                                                 
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FROM THE VERY BEGINNING OF HUMAN CREATION

THE FIRST HUMAN PAIR

To the first human pair, Adam and Eve, God gave a beautiful garden home. But he laid a command upon them: "From every tree of the garden you may eat to satisfaction. But as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will positively die."(Gen. 2:16, 17)

The tree was effectively a real tree, but it has a symbolic meaning. The tree symbolized God's right to determine for humans what is pleasing and what is displeasing to him. It involves God's sovereignty and the possibility for man to manifest his devotion and respect towards him. Sadly, Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate of the forbidden fruit. (Gen. 3:1-6)

THE GIFT OF FREE WILL

Jehovah gave Adam and Eve perfect mental abilities. This included the power of perception, reason and judgment. (Heb. 5:14) And the gift-free will. This freedom though, was relative, subject to the rule of God's laws (Jer. 10:23, 24). Therefore, when they eat of the forbidden fruit, they chose to eat, thus abused their freedom. —From Proclaimers of God's Kingdom-edited by the Jehovah's Witnesses—From Proclaimers of God's Kingdom-edited by the Jehovah's Witnesses.

See also:

FROM THE VERY BEGINNING OF HUMAN CREATION
A SPIRIT CREATURE OF GOD ENTERING THE SCENE
JEHOVAH MUST EXECUTE JUDGMENT  

REQUEST A FREE BIBLE STUDY!                                                                           
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