Kingdom of God: JW compared to Catholic

[Ginkgo100]

What precisely does the Church teach about the Kingdom of God? Is there a document or article that will help me?

I have a Jehovah’s Witness who has started visiting me. I’m hoping the Holy Spirit might use me to “plant seeds” that may eventually lead her away from the Watchtower Society and into the fullness of the Catholic Faith. In the meantime, I am learning a lot about the beliefs of the JWs.

One distinctive belief is that we are in the last days, and the beginning of the Kingdom of God is imminent. The Kingdom of God will be paradise on earth, where all believers will live (with non-believers being annihilated: there is no JW hell). This Kingdom will be governed from heaven by 144,000 elect.

In one of our first meetings, I was asked about the Kingdom of God. They seemed a little startled when I replied that it had already come. But I couldn’t give very much information. Frankly, the Kingdom of God has always taken second place in my mind to the Body of Christ, but the JWs are not interested in the latter, and very interested in the former. So I need to educate myself on the Catholic interpretation.

I know we celebrate Christ the King, so Christ is already ruling his Kingdom. But I also have a vague idea that when Christ returns in glory, that will be some sort of renewal or beginning to his kingdom. (Is that correct?)

Robyn

PS—I do have Jason Evert’s book, Answering Jehovah’s Witnesses. I also acquired a copy of Reasoning From Scriptures, which I call the “JW Book of Prooftexting.” Is it good or bad to admit that I have a copy of this book, since it is aimed at JWs doing field work and not at potential converts?

 

[dottyefarrell]

What precisely does the Church teach about the Kingdom of God? Is there a document or article that will help me?

I have a Jehovah’s Witness who has started visiting me. I’m hoping the Holy Spirit might use me to “plant seeds” that may eventually lead her away from the Watchtower Society and into the fullness of the Catholic Faith. In the meantime, I am learning a lot about the beliefs of the JWs.

One distinctive belief is that we are in the last days, and the beginning of the Kingdom of God is imminent. The Kingdom of God will be paradise on earth, where all believers will live (with non-believers being annihilated: there is no JW hell). This Kingdom will be governed from heaven by 144,000 elect.

In one of our first meetings, I was asked about the Kingdom of God. They seemed a little startled when I replied that it had already come. But I couldn’t give very much information. Frankly, the Kingdom of God has always taken second place in my mind to the Body of Christ, but the JWs are not interested in the latter, and very interested in the former. So I need to educate myself on the Catholic interpretation.

I know we celebrate Christ the King, so Christ is already ruling his Kingdom. But I also have a vague idea that when Christ returns in glory, that will be some sort of renewal or beginning to his kingdom. (Is that correct?)

Robyn

PS—I do have Jason Evert’s book, Answering Jehovah’s Witnesses. I also acquired a copy of Reasoning From Scriptures, which I call the “JW Book of Prooftexting.” Is it good or bad to admit that I have a copy of this book, since it is aimed at JWs doing field work and not at potential converts?

Hi,
Probably the bigest stumbling block that you will have speaking with JW is that they have their own re-wriiten Bible that strays very far from the writings, teachings and clarity of other Bibles. In much the same way, Mormons have the BOM which they consider to be the most correct book on the planet. Arguing from those texts that were prepared by members of those sects is difficult at best. When you don’t start out reading from the same source material, error and confusion will occur. Their terminology is similar enough at times to cause confusion during discussions too.

I know of one of the books that you mentioned having read it myself; Answering Jehovah’s Witnesses. Take care during your interactions with them. Their goal is to eventually convert you and get you buying and distributing their materials, purchased at your expense. That is exactly why I never take their materials, since they must buy their own literature from the JW corporation, who uses the profits for God knows what.

P.S. Jesus spoke often about the Kingdom of God. I wonder how many of his actual words remain in the text of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. It might be worth your while to compile a list of all of the Biblical references to “Kingdom of God”. I suspect that though the terminology is the same, JW may have a very different idea about what the Kingdom of God is.

 

[losh14]

Hi,
Probably the bigest stumbling block that you will have speaking with JW is that they have their own re-wriiten Bible that strays very far from the writings,

I’ve heard that they used a very distorted translation - are they missing verses, entire books? What is different?

P.S. Jesus spoke often about the Kingdom of God. I wonder how many of his actual words remain in the text of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. It might be worth your while to compile a list of all of the Biblical references to “Kingdom of God”. I suspect that though the terminology is the same, JW may have a very different idea about what the Kingdom of God is.

Think of it more in terms of eschatology - the overall end times picture. Is it JWs who believe in “soul sleep”, rather than the immortality of the soul? It’s an interesting group. I do have issues with the structure of it - actually personal ones. A branch of our family converted and basically left when they were told to stop proselytizing at Grandma’s table on Sunday night dinners. I’ve cousins I’ve not seen in more than two decades.

 

[LindaSK]

The verse I used, to which they had no response, is Matthew 28:
18
Then Jesus approached and said to them, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,
20
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.* And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."***

I had them find it in their Bible, and it was there!! They had been coming on a regular basis, but, since I had them read that passage, they have chosen not to return. I never chase them away. Like you, I dialog with them. Perhaps we can plant a seed. At the very least, we can be Christian toward them.

We have been in the ‘last days’ for 2,000 years! Read Matthew 24, particularly verse 36.

Matthew 24:36 * “But of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”* If Christ didn’t know when the ‘last days’ would be, how can any of us claim to know? We are called to live each day as if it were the last.

 

[T_More]

As a former JW, I have pretty much every translation of the bible they have ever published. I would be happy to help with whatever questions you have.

I would zero in on a couple of key issues with the person you’re talking with.

1. From where did C.T.Russell get the authority to interpret the scriptures and then bring up 1 Peter 1:20. Ask how they can be sure that he’s correct when everyone else has done the same thing as him and all claim to have the truth?
2. Why did Christ promise the Church would never fail in Matt. 16? If the Church apostatized as soon as the Apostles died, then why commission them in Matt. 28:19? If He knew it would fail, then why make them go through with this? Can’t we safely assume that Christ could protect His Church?

 

[genevieve]

My Mother-in-law is a Jehovah’s Witness and used to bring up many topics in an effort to teach me their beliefs. I found ‘Kingdom of the Cults’ by Walter Martin to be invaluable, whilst it is not a Catholic document, it explains things in the same style of argument that the witnesses use and therefore they are prepared to listen. A quick google search showed this web site (waltermartin.com/cults.html) which seems to have some information as well.
I, too, have invited Jehovah’s Witnesses into my house and they tend to keep coming for a time, evntually my house is avoided when they do their door to door work (until I move to the next house and then it starts again).

PS My husband was baptised a Catholic six months ago after 24 years of marriage

 

[Ruthie_again]

T More,

Could you say more about 1 Peter 1:20? I’m having trouble seeing how to apply it.

And I’m printing your answer out to glue into my copy of the NWT, just to have it handy.

Last but not least, welcome home! Is St. Thomas More your patron?

Thanks, and God bless you,

Ruthie

Tiber Swim Team '06

 

[T_More]

T More,

Could you say more about 1 Peter 1:20? I’m having trouble seeing how to apply it.

And I’m printing your answer out to glue into my copy of the NWT, just to have it handy.

Last but not least, welcome home! Is St. Thomas More your patron?

Thanks, and God bless you,

Ruthie

Tiber Swim Team '06

Sorry Ruthie, and everyone else, I committed a typo there with the the scripture I cited. It should be 2 Peter 1:20. No, Thomas More is not my patron saint, I have not yet entered the Church. T More is reference to him, as I admire him quite a bit and “A Man for All Seasons” is one of my favorite films.

 

[losh14]

As a former JW, I have pretty much every translation of the bible they have ever published. I would be happy to help with whatever questions you have.

Welcome to these boards, and may your journey be complete!

Out of curiosity, what is their translation of John 6:48-58?

 

[T_More]

Welcome to these boards, and may your journey be complete!

Out of curiosity, what is their translation of John 6:48-58?

Losh, JW’s tend to avoid the entire 6th chapter of John, for much the same reasons that alot of non Catholics avoid it. It just sounds too Catholic!

Here is their version. Note how they translate verse 55.

48 “I am the bread of life. 49 YOUR forefathers ate the manna in the wilderness and yet died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that anyone may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread he will live forever; and, for a fact, the bread that I shall give is my flesh in behalf of the life of the world.”

52 Therefore the Jews began contending with one another, saying: “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 Accordingly Jesus said to them: “Most truly I say to YOU, Unless YOU eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, YOU have no life in yourselves. 54 He that feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has everlasting life, and I shall resurrect him at the last day; 55 **for my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. **56 He that feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood remains in union with me, and I in union with him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me forth and I live because of the Father, he also that feeds on me, even that one will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. It is not as when YOUR forefathers ate and yet died. He that feeds on this bread will live forever.”

 

[JeanneH]

What precisely does the Church teach about the Kingdom of God? Is there a document or article that will help me?

.

Is it good or bad to admit that I have a copy of this book, since it is aimed at JWs doing field work and not at potential converts?

Good or bad to mention the book to whom? the JW’s? I don’t think it matters. Having their book is a good thing. You can read all their talking points and and learn what the CC teaches and you should be able to challenge what they say.

Jeanne

 

[Ginkgo100]

I would zero in on a couple of key issues with the person you’re talking with.

1. From where did C.T.Russell get the authority to interpret the scriptures and then bring up 1 Peter 1:20 (correction, 2 Peter 1:20). Ask how they can be sure that he’s correct when everyone else has done the same thing as him and all claim to have the truth?
2. Why did Christ promise the Church would never fail in Matt. 16? If the Church apostatized as soon as the Apostles died, then why commission them in Matt. 28:19? If He knew it would fail, then why make them go through with this? Can’t we safely assume that Christ could protect His Church?

T More, thanks for your help! I doubt I would have found 2 Peter 1:20 on my own. As for Matt 16, I did bring that up at one point, and was blindsided by some strange interpretation of the “keys.” It’s all over the notes in the paper copy of the NWT that they had. Apparently, they believe Jesus gave Peter exactly three Keys, and that in Acts, certain things Peter did were actually him using these keys. They are essentially treating their NWT notes, which are made up out of thin air, as equivalent in authority to Scripture (but not admitting it). This is so weird and hard to research that I am afraid to “go there” again.

Should I bring out my copy of Reasoning from Scriptures, or would my having that make them suspect I am an “opposer”? My sister lent it to me, and she got it from JWs that visited her at one time.

I found an archived episode of Catholic Answers Live with Dr. Scott Hahn that helped tremendously to clarify precisely how Catholics understand Christ’s promised kingdom. The Kingdom of God is the Church. The second coming will be the end of the world and not the beginning of a new era or reign. This view fits a lot better with Christ’s proclamation of the kingdom in the gospels, especially Matthew. For example, Christ said “The Kingdom of God is at hand,” yet the JWs believe it hasn’t even started yet (or started in some invisible way in 1914; the answer seems variable). How is 1900-2000 years “at hand”? He also said “My kingdom is not of this world.” Catholics believe the Church is “based” in heaven and in fact that in the Eucharist we are mystically participating in heaven, so that is compatible with our belief. How does that work for the JWs, who believe the kingdom will be on this earth? I’m not satisfied with the answer that the “governmental offices” will be in heaven. A kingdom is not a government; it’s the entire realm.

Someone else asked about the JW Bible. It’s called the New World Translation, and it definitely complicates things. At least the LDS missionaries know that the Christians they are talking to do not accept the Book of Mormon. In fact, it seems like a lot of their effort goes to trying to convince you to accept the Book of Mormon and the other LDS scriptures. The JWs will tell you they believe in the same scriptures that Catholics and other Christians use, and that their religion is completely scriptural. Every time you try to point out a non-scriptural JW belief, it turns out the be different in their Bible! For example, at the last supper, in the NWT Jesus says “This means my Body… this means my Blood.” So they get around the Catholic view of the Eucharist. The beginning of John’s gospel says “the Word was a god” rather than “the Word was God.” Then they say that “a god” is an expression that means “exalted” rather than divine. It can be incredibly frustrating!

Robyn

 

[T_More]

T More, thanks for your help! I doubt I would have found 2 Peter 1:20 on my own. As for Matt 16, I did bring that up at one point, and was blindsided by some strange interpretation of the “keys.” It’s all over the notes in the paper copy of the NWT that they had. Apparently, they believe Jesus gave Peter exactly three Keys, and that in Acts, certain things Peter did were actually him using these keys. They are essentially treating their NWT notes, which are made up out of thin air, as equivalent in authority to Scripture (but not admitting it). This is so weird and hard to research that I am afraid to “go there” again.

Should I bring out my copy of Reasoning from Scriptures, or would my having that make them suspect I am an “opposer”? My sister lent it to me, and she got it from JWs that visited her at one time.

I found an archived episode of Catholic Answers Live with Dr. Scott Hahn that helped tremendously to clarify precisely how Catholics understand Christ’s promised kingdom. The Kingdom of God is the Church. The second coming will be the end of the world and not the beginning of a new era or reign. This view fits a lot better with Christ’s proclamation of the kingdom in the gospels, especially Matthew. For example, Christ said “The Kingdom of God is at hand,” yet the JWs believe it hasn’t even started yet (or started in some invisible way in 1914; the answer seems variable). How is 1900-2000 years “at hand”? He also said “My kingdom is not of this world.” Catholics believe the Church is “based” in heaven and in fact that in the Eucharist we are mystically participating in heaven, so that is compatible with our belief. How does that work for the JWs, who believe the kingdom will be on this earth? I’m not satisfied with the answer that the “governmental offices” will be in heaven. A kingdom is not a government; it’s the entire realm.

Someone else asked about the JW Bible. It’s called the New World Translation, and it definitely complicates things. At least the LDS missionaries know that the Christians they are talking to do not accept the Book of Mormon. In fact, it seems like a lot of their effort goes to trying to convince you to accept the Book of Mormon and the other LDS scriptures. The JWs will tell you they believe in the same scriptures that Catholics and other Christians use, and that their religion is completely scriptural. Every time you try to point out a non-scriptural JW belief, it turns out the be different in their Bible! For example, at the last supper, in the NWT Jesus says “This means my Body… this means my Blood.” So they get around the Catholic view of the Eucharist. The beginning of John’s gospel says “the Word was a god” rather than “the Word was God.” Then they say that “a god” is an expression that means “exalted” rather than divine. It can be incredibly frustrating!

Robyn

Robyn, remember this. The JW’s, like alot of non Catholics, believe that “true worship” was lost as soon as the Aspoltles died. Focus in on “the gates of hades (hell) will not prevail against it (Church)” in Matthew 16. Ask them how could true worship be lost when Christ promised the Church would not fail? Ask them how can they explain Matt. 28:20? Hebrews 13:5? Could not Christ protect His Church from Satan’s attacks?

Be very frank with them and ask from whom did CT Russell get the authority to start a new religion? If they say something like, “Oh no, it’s not a new religion. He restored true worship.” Then ask, then why were his doctrines changed by his successors starting with Rutherford? There are still people that follow Russells teachings today, so if God has guided this religion from the beginning, who has the truth and how can you tell?

 

[Justin1982]

My wife had a discussion with a JW that came to our door while I was away and she offered to come back for further discussion. She came back about a week later and we offered to have them in and they sat down and got right into it. After about 10 minutes they were out the door because my wife had spent about 3 days tearing apart there pamphlet and knew where to hit them. The only thing they said as they were leaving was well if you are comfortable with those beliefs then we must go. My wife did mention the translation of “the Word was a God” and that was the end of the conversation. I feel it is good because it plants seeds within them to maybe question their beliefs and also it strengthens ours because we essentially check our own faith because of the whole discussion.

 

[newhope75]

Another former JW here!

I do have issues with the structure of it - actually personal ones. A branch of our family converted and basically left when they were told to stop proselytizing at Grandma’s table on Sunday night dinners. I’ve cousins I’ve not seen in more than two decades.

I feel your pain. I have JW family members I haven’t seen in years. I have a niece I was very close to who was still in elementary school when I last saw her. Now she’s in her 20’s.

The verse I used, to which they had no response, is Matthew 28:
18 Then Jesus approached and said to them, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,
20 ** teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you**. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."

The bolded part is another excellent verse to highlight to them. Understand that JWs LOVE that scripture. They’ll probably be very excited, because they believe that scripture “proves” that they are the only “true” Christians. They focus on the part that says to “go and make disciples” and the “teaching them” part, because they feel that by knocking on doors and offering Bible studies they are doing exactly that–and since they are the only religion that teaches that every single member must do this from birth until death that they are the only ones truly following this. (Mormons, etc. don’t count in their minds because not every Mormon knocks on doors and they don’t do so for their entire lives, only for a certain time period).

The IMPORTANT part to focus on is the “baptizing in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” part. JWs DO NOT baptize in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. My JW baptism didn’t even count when I converted because of this. Focus on the fact that if they don’t baptize in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that they are NOT doing what Jesus is commanding his followers to do here. They may dismiss this, but if you can keep them from talking about how they preach door to door and keep the focus on JW baptism form, you might get them to think. (And if you can work it into the conversation that there are over a BILLION Catholics today that have been baptized in this manner, by all means do so! It might give them pause to think that all their preaching time and even if their baptism form DID count the Catholics still have them beat by about 993 million. Also, if your parish has any sort of Bible study group, try to work that into the conversation as well. Many JWs believe Catholics never read their Bibles. It wouldn’t hurt to mess with their altered view of reality by proving such misconceptions wrong! )

Losh, JW’s tend to avoid the entire 6th chapter of John, for much the same reasons that alot of non Catholics avoid it. It just sounds too Catholic!

52 Therefore the Jews began contending with one another, saying: “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 Accordingly Jesus said to them: “Most truly I say to YOU, Unless YOU eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, YOU have no life in yourselves. 54 **He that feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has everlasting life, and I shall resurrect him at the last day; **55 for my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 He that feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood remains in union with me, and I in union with him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me forth and I live because of the Father, he also that feeds on me, even that one will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. It is not as when YOUR forefathers ate and yet died. He that feeds on this bread will live forever.”

Too true about John 6 sounding too Catholic!

The bolded verse above is another one to focus on because it goes so much against JW theology.

JWs believe that only the 144,000 can partake of the bread and wine. Those that have an “earthly hope” are not allowed to eat the bread or drink the wine. They also believe that the 144,000 are brought to heaven upon death and that those who have an “earthly hope” who die are the ones that will be “resurrected (to a paradise earth) on the last day”. Ask them if it’s true that the people with the “earthly hope” do not partake of the bread and wine. Listen politely to whatever explanation they give when they tell you that they do not. Then ask them if those with an “earthly hope” are the ones who will be resurrected on the last day. When they tell you yes, read them the above and ask them why Jesus says that those who are eating the flesh and drinking the blood are the ones who will be resurrected on the last day. Don’t be surprised if they come up with some answer for you–but once again, it might make them think.

Something else to focus on is Church History and the fact that the Popes can be traced back all the way to St. Peter. If they were raised JWs like I was, I bet they’ve never even seen that list. Wouldn’t hurt to point it out.

Oh, and personally, I wouldn’t mention that you have a copy of their *Reasoning from the Scriptures * book. They might get suspicious that you are an “evil apostate” (To a JW an apostate is anyone who leaves the JWs and either joins another religion/denomination or speaks out against them. Like T More and myself! ) Even though you’re not, and obtained that book through innocent means, if they suspect you are they might not be too open to listening to you. If any of the JWs I used to know saw me wearing my crucifix, they’d literally cross the street to avoid me–even if they were my best friends growing up. Fortunately, I live in an area where the local JWs don’t know who I am.

 

[newhope75]

P.S. to above: Also, when you read them those scriptures, use THEIR Bible to do so! Since it’s one of the places where it’s not different in their Bible, they can’t dismiss what those scriptures say by telling themselves that you just have a “bad” translation.

 

[dottyefarrell]

As a former JW, I have pretty much every translation of the bible they have ever published. I would be happy to help with whatever questions you have.

I would zero in on a couple of key issues with the person you’re talking with.

1. From where did C.T.Russell get the authority to interpret the scriptures and then bring up 1 Peter 1:20. Ask how they can be sure that he’s correct when everyone else has done the same thing as him and all claim to have the truth?
2. Why did Christ promise the Church would never fail in Matt. 16? If the Church apostatized as soon as the Apostles died, then why commission them in Matt. 28:19? If He knew it would fail, then why make them go through with this? Can’t we safely assume that Christ could protect His Church?

Hi,
Number 2 could probably be used when talking to many sects that believe that they have “restored the Bible after an apostacy”. SDA, JW, and Mormons, (LDS, RLDS, FLDS), all believe that their “prophets” restored the Gospel that was lost.

 

[dottyefarrell]

T More, thanks for your help! I doubt I would have found 2 Peter 1:20 on my own. As for Matt 16, I did bring that up at one point, and was blindsided by some strange interpretation of the “keys.” It’s all over the notes in the paper copy of the NWT that they had. Apparently, they believe Jesus gave Peter exactly three Keys, and that in Acts, certain things Peter did were actually him using these keys. They are essentially treating their NWT notes, which are made up out of thin air, as equivalent in authority to Scripture (but not admitting it). This is so weird and hard to research that I am afraid to “go there” again.

Should I bring out my copy of Reasoning from Scriptures, or would my having that make them suspect I am an “opposer”? My sister lent it to me, and she got it from JWs that visited her at one time.

I found an archived episode of Catholic Answers Live with Dr. Scott Hahn that helped tremendously to clarify precisely how Catholics understand Christ’s promised kingdom. The Kingdom of God is the Church. The second coming will be the end of the world and not the beginning of a new era or reign. This view fits a lot better with Christ’s proclamation of the kingdom in the gospels, especially Matthew. For example, Christ said “The Kingdom of God is at hand,” yet the JWs believe it hasn’t even started yet (or started in some invisible way in 1914; the answer seems variable). How is 1900-2000 years “at hand”? He also said “My kingdom is not of this world.” Catholics believe the Church is “based” in heaven and in fact that in the Eucharist we are mystically participating in heaven, so that is compatible with our belief. How does that work for the JWs, who believe the kingdom will be on this earth? I’m not satisfied with the answer that the “governmental offices” will be in heaven. A kingdom is not a government; it’s the entire realm.

Someone else asked about the JW Bible. It’s called the New World Translation, and it definitely complicates things. At least the LDS missionaries know that the Christians they are talking to do not accept the Book of Mormon. In fact, it seems like a lot of their effort goes to trying to convince you to accept the Book of Mormon and the other LDS scriptures. The JWs will tell you they believe in the same scriptures that Catholics and other Christians use, and that their religion is completely scriptural. Every time you try to point out a non-scriptural JW belief, it turns out the be different in their Bible! For example, at the last supper, in the NWT Jesus says “This means my Body… this means my Blood.” So they get around the Catholic view of the Eucharist. The beginning of John’s gospel says “the Word was a god” rather than “the Word was God.” Then they say that “a god” is an expression that means “exalted” rather than divine. It can be incredibly frustrating!

Robyn

Robyn,
This post of yours is exactly what I was talking about. Just like talking to the Mormons, if you argue from their texts you will always lose. When the folks doing the arguing are using their own faulty text as a proof text, there is no convincing them of the error. JW have been told that their Bible is correct while everyone else’s is wrong. Mormons have been told that the BOM is the most correct book ever written. As I said, I’ve tried arguing in the past with all three, SDA, JW and Mormons. I think that the best you can do is to plant seeds of doubt about their religious beliefs, and hope they seek truth before becomming totally disillusioned.

 

[dottyefarrell]

Good or bad to mention the book to whom? the JW’s? I don’t think it matters. Having their book is a good thing. You can read all their talking points and and learn what the CC teaches and you should be able to challenge what they say.

Jeanne

Hi Jeanne,
There are many places in the NT where Jesus refers to the Kingdom of God being like something. Did he not tell the Pharasees that the Kingdom of God was upon them? I do not have the Bible memorized as many here do. I could do a search on Biblical references to the “Kingdom of God” on Google later, but I suspect that for JW, Kingdom of God is a place where the 144,000 are going, but new converts after 1950 and after are not. They believe that the number going to heaven is limited to 144,000. All those 144,000 are already accounted for.

 

[dottyefarrell]

What precisely does the Church teach about the Kingdom of God? Is there a document or article that will help me?

I have a Jehovah’s Witness who has started visiting me. I’m hoping the Holy Spirit might use me to “plant seeds” that may eventually lead her away from the Watchtower Society and into the fullness of the Catholic Faith. In the meantime, I am learning a lot about the beliefs of the JWs.

One distinctive belief is that we are in the last days, and the beginning of the Kingdom of God is imminent. The Kingdom of God will be paradise on earth, where all believers will live (with non-believers being annihilated: there is no JW hell). This Kingdom will be governed from heaven by 144,000 elect.

In one of our first meetings, I was asked about the Kingdom of God. They seemed a little startled when I replied that it had already come. But I couldn’t give very much information. Frankly, the Kingdom of God has always taken second place in my mind to the Body of Christ, but the JWs are not interested in the latter, and very interested in the former. So I need to educate myself on the Catholic interpretation.

I know we celebrate Christ the King, so Christ is already ruling his Kingdom. But I also have a vague idea that when Christ returns in glory, that will be some sort of renewal or beginning to his kingdom. (Is that correct?)

Robyn

PS—I do have Jason Evert’s book, Answering Jehovah’s Witnesses. I also acquired a copy of Reasoning From Scriptures, which I call the “JW Book of Prooftexting.” Is it good or bad to admit that I have a copy of this book, since it is aimed at JWs doing field work and not at potential converts?

Here is a quick scan from a Google search of Kingdom of God. I hope it helps.
hallvworthington.com/Scripture_Grouping/kingdom.html