The Watchtower claims
that teaching incorrect
details about the
resurrection amounts to
apostasy. Yet there have
been ongoing changes,
and hence untruths, in
Watchtower doctrine
regarding the resurrection.
Is the doctrine of the
Resurrection important?
Apparently so. According to the Watchtower, Hymenaeus and
Philetus were classed as
apostates solely on the basis of making inaccurate statements
about the timing of the
resurrection.

"Why have Jehovah's Witnesses disfellowshipped
(excommunicated) for apostasy some who still profess belief in
God, the Bible, and Jesus Christ?
Do we have Scriptural precedent for taking such a strict position?
Indeed we do! Paul wrote about some in his day: "Their word will
spread like gangrene.
Hymenaeus and Philetus are of that number. These very men have deviated from the truth, saying that the resurrection has
already occurred; and they are subverting the faith of some." (2Timothy 2:17, 18; see also
Matthew 18:6.) There is nothing to indicate that these men did not believe in God, in the Bible, in
Jesus' sacrifice. Yet, on this one basic point, what they were teaching as to the time of the
resurrection, Paul rightly branded them as apostates, with whom
faithful Christians would not fellowship." Watchtower 1986
Apr 1 pp.30-31

This is a surprising assertion considering the number of Watchtower interpretive oscillations in regards to this very
doctrine of the Resurrection. Russell viewed Jesus and Jehovah
as fair and loving; quite different to the Jehovah described by Rutherford and preached about
to this day. Russell believed that virtually all mankind would survive Armageddon to be given a probationary chance in
paradise. There they would learn about God in order to make an educated choice as to whether they wish to follow him. Only
those that actively and knowingly fight against God during Armageddon would not be given
that chance. Russell also believed that everyone will be resurrected,
including Adam and those from the days of Noah, in line with Scriptures such as 1 Corinthians 15:22;
"As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."
Over time, the Watchtower has
made God more demanding, describing times such as Noah's
Flood, Sodom and Gomorrah and
Jesus' day as judgment periods, with no resurrection hope.

"That they might be really accountable at such times, he caused testimony to be given
that they might know the issue and make their decision, by which they would determine
their destiny, independent of any
inherited condemnation from Adam. One of such judgment periods was the flood of Noah's
day, prior to which Noah
preached righteousness. Another was the fiery end of Sodom and Gomorrah, which cities saw
warning miracles by angels and heard testimony from Lot before the rain of fire fell. In Jesus' day it was a time of judgment and he
warned certain Jewish cities of a fate like that upon Sodom and
Gomorrah, and judged certain scribes and Pharisees fit for the
eternal destruction of Gehenna."
Watchtower 1952 Jun 1 pp.334

Those that do not agree with the Watchtower Society, and die
between 1914 and Armageddon, likewise lose any hope of a
resurrection.

"Similarly, unrepentant apostates go, at death, not to Sheol, or Hades, but to Gehenna. (Hebrews
6:4-8; 2 Peter 2:1) The same is true of dedicated Christians who persist in willful sin or those who
"shrink back." They will,
therefore, not be resurrected."
Watchtower 1982 Apr 1 p.27

All those destroyed at
Armageddon also lose any hope of a resurrection.

"Yes, the destruction of the gross sinners in those cities was eternal, as will be the destruction
of the wicked at the end of the present system of things."
Watchtower 1990 Apr 15 p.20

What an unreasonable concept, inspired by Rutherford, that God
would condemn imperfect people to everlasting destruction,
in most cases with no
knowledge of the Watchtower God or his requirements. The
ongoing changes to this
teaching are indication that God's spirit did not direct the Watchtower to conclude that Jehovah judges imperfect
humans to everlasting
destruction.

Adam Resurrected

"The death of Christ secures for Adam and all of his race one full
opportunity for salvation and no more. The majority have died in
heathenish darkness without any opportunity; and many in Christian lands have disregarded
their opportunity, as did the people of Capernaum. All must be brought to a full knowledge of
their privileges in Christ and then all rejecters will be destroyed."
Watchtower 1920 Oct 15 p.316

"Just when Adam will be
awakened, only the Lord knows. It may be early or it may be late during the period of restoration."
Reconciliation (1928) pp.323,
324 - Rutherford

Not Resurrected

"There is no promise found in the Scriptures that Adam's redemption and resurrection and
salvation will take place at any time. Adam had a fair trial for life and completely failed." Salvation (1939) p.43 - Rutherford

"Adam and Eve are viewed as among those who are incorrigible sinners who "proved
that they were not worthy of life,
and they will not be
resurrected."" From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained p.236

Sodom and Gomorrah

The Watchtower has constantly changed its stance on whether
those destroyed at Sodom and Gomorrah will receive a resurrection or not. This is because two Scriptures present
different viewpoints as to the severity of Sodom's destruction. Jude speaks of punishment of
everlasting fire, whereas
Matthew says those in Sodom would not fair as badly as others will.

Jude 1:7 So too Sod′om and Go‧mor′rah and the cities about them, after they in the same
manner as the foregoing ones had committed fornication excessively and gone out after
flesh for unnatural use, are placed before [us] as a [warning] example by undergoing the judicial punishment of
everlasting fire.

Matthew 10:15 Truly I say to YOU, It will be more endurable for the land of Sod′om and Go‧mor′rah on Judgment Day than
for that city.
Over its history, Watchtower leaders keep reaching different
conclusions as to which Scripture should receive the greater emphasis. This removes any
confidence that Watchtower
leaders have a comprehensive
understanding of the Bible's true meaning, and indicates God does
not direct them to their doctrinal conclusions.

Yooguyz: Not Resurrected

"There is no promise found in the Scriptures that Adam's redemption and resurrection and
salvation will take place at any time. Adam had a fair trial for life and completely failed." Salvation (1939) p.43 - Rutherford

"Adam and Eve are viewed as among those who are incorrigible sinners who "proved
that they were not worthy of life,
and they will not be
resurrected."" From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained p.236

Sodom and Gomorrah

The Watchtower has constantly changed its stance on whether
those destroyed at Sodom and Gomorrah will receive a resurrection or not. This is because two Scriptures present
different viewpoints as to the severity of Sodom's destruction. Jude speaks of punishment of
everlasting fire, whereas
Matthew says those in Sodom would not fair as badly as others will.

Jude 1:7 So too Sod′om and Go‧mor′rah and the cities about them, after they in the same
manner as the foregoing ones had committed fornication excessively and gone out after
flesh for unnatural use, are placed before [us] as a [warning] example by undergoing the judicial punishment of
everlasting fire.

Matthew 10:15 Truly I say to YOU, It will be more endurable for the land of Sod′om and Go‧mor′rah on Judgment Day than
for that city.
Over its history, Watchtower leaders keep reaching different
conclusions as to which Scripture should receive the greater emphasis. This removes any
confidence that Watchtower
leaders have a comprehensive
understanding of the Bible's true meaning, and indicates God does
not direct them to their doctrinal conclusions.

Yhu're Wrong!!

Resurrected

"Let me give you an illustration that will be forcible: The Sodomites. Surely if we find their
restitution mentioned you will be satisfied. But why should they not have an opportunity to
obtain eternal life as well as you or the Jew? They were not wicked in the proper sense, for
they did not have law or much knowledge. True, they were not righteous, but neither were you
when God gave you your
opportunity. Christ's own words shall tell us that they are not as guilty in His sight as the Jews,
who had more knowledge: "Woe
unto thee Capernium, for if the mighty works which have been
done in thee had been done in Sodom it would have remained unto this day." Thus Christ's own
words teach us that they had not had their full opportunity.

"Remember," Christ says of the Sodomites, that "God rained down fire and destroyed them
all." So, if their restoration is spoken of, it implies their resurrection." Watchtower 1879
Jul 1 p.8

"Thus our Lord teaches that the Sodomites did not have a full
opportunity; and he guarantees them such opportunity." Studies
in the Scriptures, Series I p.110

This shows us clearly that the eternal fate of the Sodomites is not sealed. When we turn to the
Word of the Lord through Ezekiel the Prophet, 16:46-63, we have
abundant testimony that the Sodomites will not only be awakened from the sleep of death, but when awakened will
be brought to a knowledge of
God and to an opportunity of
obtaining everlasting life,
through The Messiah, by willing obedience. Watchtower 1913
Feb 1 p.45

"The Scriptures distinctly tell us that the Israelites and the Sodomites will be sharers in that work of restoration, restitution."
Watchtower 1920 Oct 15 p.316

Not Resurrected

"Sodom and Gomorrah were reduced to complete desolation,
from which there is no possibility of recovery; and so likewise the
modern Moabites, Ammonites and Edomites shall be destroyed,
and the place where they have inhabited shall be, as prophesied,

"even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation." The religious- totalitarian rule and rulers,the
commercial robbers and those who have defied Jehovah God and his Theocracy, shall perish
for ever at the battle of
Armageddon, as the prophecy declares." Watchtower 1941
p.367

"The ancient destructions upon Noah’s contemporaries and
Sodom and Gomorrah must be just as final, else how could they
illustrate the one Peter was discussing?” Watchtower 1952
Jun 1 p.335

"Similarly, Sodom did not endure its judgment day, had failed completely, and the Jews knew
its fate was sealed. Their opinion of Sodom was the lowest possible. So when Jesus told
them that it would be more endurable for utterly depraved
Sodom than for these Jewish cities they got the powerful point. These Jewish cities had
heard the warning and had seen powerful works; they had had their fair judgment trial and by
their decision showed they were worthy of eternal destruction."
Watchtower 1952 Jun 1 p.338

"He was pin-pointing the utter impossibility of ransom for unbelievers or those willfully
wicked, because Sodom and Gomorrah were irrevocably condemned and destroyed,
beyond any possible recovery."
Watchtower 1954 Feb 1 p.85

Resurrected Again
"As in the case of Tyre and Sidon, Jesus showed that Sodom, bad
as it was, had not got to the state of being unable to repent … So
the spiritual recovery of the dead people of Sodom is not hopeless"
Watchtower 1965 Mar 1 p.139

See also Watchtower 1965 Aug 1p.479

Not Resurrected
"How will these, having been caught, be disposed of? Will they be preserved alive? Will they be
killed and buried in Hades or Sheol, which is the common grave of dead mankind, from which resurrection is possible?
No, these political organizations are slated to be “hurled into the
fiery lake that burns with
sulphur.” This the Bible describes as the “second death.” (Rev.20:14) It means the death from
which there is no resurrection. They will be burned up root and
branch, as completely gone forever as the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, which Jehovah God burned up by a rain of fire
and sulphur from heaven, never to be rebuilt. It is destruction in Gehenna in which God destroys
both body and soul (any right or possibility of living)." Watchtower
1967 Jul 1 p.409

Resurrected Again

"Moreover, God’s undeserved kindness and care are so great
that he will bring back the people of Sodom by a resurrection, with
opportunity to learn and turn around to the way of life, even as his Son stated." Awake 1974 Oct
8 p.20

Not Resurrected

"Consequently, in addition to what Jude 7 says, the Bible uses
Sodom/Gomorrah and the Flood as patterns for the destructive end of the present wicked
system. It is apparent, then, that
those whom God executed in
those past judgments
experienced irreversible
destruction." Watchtower 1988 Jun 1 p.31

tempem:

Yhu're Wrong!!

please kindly point out the wrong, and with evidence.

Yooguyz:

please kindly point out the wrong, and with evidence.

Don't Worry! You've gotten your mind resolved already, No amount of explanation can change it...


SHALOM!!!

tempem:
Don't Worry! You've gotten your mind resolved already, No amount of explanation can change it...


SHALOM!!!

the problem is not my mind, it's you! Your mind has been trained to swallow everything in WT literature hook line and sinker. You never had anything to say in the first place. PEACE.

Yooguyz:

the problem is not my mind, it's you! Your mind has been trained to swallow everything in WT literature hook line and sinker. You never had anything to say in the first place. PEACE.

Thanx, Bro...

Some Resurrected
“This is also illustrated by what happened to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and their
inhabitants. Jude indicated that
these cities were everlastingly destroyed. (Jude 7; compare 2Pe
2:6.) However, Jesus’ words recorded in Matthew 10:15 show
that at least some of the
inhabitants of Sodom and
Gomorrah will receive a
resurrection.” Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 1 p.616(Released Jun 17, 1988)
"
"It will be more endurable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah
on Judgment Day than for that city." Sodom and Gomorrah were
everlastingly destroyed as cities, but this would not preclude a resurrection for people of those
cities." Insight on the Scriptures,
Volume 2 p.985

Not Resurrected
"Some adjustments will be made in future printings of the Live
Forever book. The only
significant change is with regard to the Sodomites, on pages 178 and 179. This change appeared
in the Revelation book, page 273, and in The Watchtower of June 1,
1988, pages 30 and 31. You may wish to note it in earlier printings that you have on hand."
Kingdom Ministry 1989 Dec (US Edition) p.7

"A definite indication is found at Jude 7, where we read that
"Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities about them … are placed before us as a warning example
by undergoing the judicial punishment of everlasting fire."
Yes, the destruction of the gross sinners in those cities was eternal, as will be the destruction
of the wicked at the end of the present system of things."
Watchtower 1990 Apr 15 p.20

"Those who are judged
unworthy of a resurrection are
pitched into “Gehenna,” or “the lake of fire.” (Matthew 5:22; Mark
9:47, 48; Revelation 20:14) Among these would be the first
human pair, Adam and Eve, the betrayer Judas Iscariot, and certain ones who died when God
executed judgment upon them, such as the people in Noah’s day and the inhabitants of Sodom
and Gomorrah." Watchtower
2005 Jul 15 p.31

Everyone

Resurrected
"All are to be awakened from the Adamic death, as though from a sleep, by virtue of the ransom
given..." Studies in the Scriptures Series V p.478 - Russell

"Under this new covenant the whole human race shall have the opportunity to come back to God through Christ the mediator" The Harp of God p.328 (or p.334
according to edition) -
Rutherford

Not Resurrected
"It has been held by many that the Scriptures guarantee that 'all
must come back from the dead' at Christ's return and during his
thousand-year rule. (Studies in the Scriptures, Series Five, pages
476-486). That conclusion does not appear to have support in reason or in the Scriptures"
Salvation (1939) p.224 -
Rutherford

Earthly Resurrection

Russell was firm in his belief that Jesus earthly rulership and the
earthly resurrection would commence in 1914. Rutherford
moved the start of the earthly resurrection to 1925. The timing
of the resurrection proved false on both accounts. Since then, the
Watchtower leaders have been more coy, simply stating that the earthly resurrection will begin
after Armageddon, which is expected to be soon.

1914
"The beginning of the earthly phase of the Kingdom in the end
of A.D. 1914 will, we understand,
consist wholly of the resurrected
holy ones of olden time-from John the Baptizer back to Abel-"Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and
all the holy prophets." Studies In the Scriptures Series IV - The Day
of Vengeance p.625

1925
"The chief thing to be restored is the human race to life; and since
other Scriptures definitely fix the fact that there will be a resurrection of Abraham, Isaac,
Jacob and other faithful ones of old, and that these will have the
first favour, we may expect 1925
to witness the return of these faithful men of Israel from the
condition of death, being
resurrected and fully restored to perfect humanity and made the
visible, legal representatives of
the new order of things on earth." Millions Now Living Will Never Die p.88

Soon

"Soon, at Armageddon, Jehovah’s way of governing will
permanently replace human-based governments under
Satan’s influence. (Dan. 2:44; Rev.16:16) Human rule will end, and
God’s Kingdom will hold sway over the entire earth. ... Indeed,
the earth will become a paradise in which there will even be a
resurrection of the dead."
Watchtower 2010 Jan 15 p.32

Heavenly Resurrection
The heavenly resurrection has likewise undergone change. Until
1927 the heavenly resurrection
was said to have started in 1878. Later "all the evidence" showed it
to have started in 1918. Now it is admitted that it only may have happened in 1918.

1878
"Our Lord's resurrection
occurred three and a half years after his advent as the Messiah, in A.D. 29; and the resurrection
of his body, the Church, we have seen, was due in the year 1878,
three and a half years after his second advent, in October 1874."
Thy Kingdom Come p.305
1918

"All the evidence indicates that this heavenly resurrection began
in 1918, after Jesus'
enthronement in 1914 and his riding forth to start his kingly
conquest by cleansing the
heavens of Satan and his
demons." Revelation, Its Grand Climax At Hand! p. 103

"One of the many enlightening truths that God now gave his
witnesses was about the
members of God's spiritual nation who had died physically.
This was in 1927. In that year the witnesses understood that the
dead spiritual Israelites had been raised in 1918 to life in heaven
with Christ Jesus. It was an invisible resurrection, of course."
From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained p.192

Possibly 1918
Since 2007, the Watchtower is
sounding decidedly less
dogmatic about 1918.
"Could it, then, be reasoned that
since Jesus was enthroned in the
fall of 1914, the resurrection of
his faithful anointed followers began three and a half years
later, in the spring of 1918? That
is an interesting possibility. Although this cannot be directly
confirmed in the Bible, it is not out of harmony with other scriptures that indicate that the
first resurrection got under way soon after Christ's presence
began." Watchtower 2007 Jan 1 p.28

This brings into question prior comments as to this teaching being "enlightening truths", and
the "evidence" supporting it. If promoting incorrect teachings about the resurrection labels one
an apostate, then the range of changed Watchtower teachings
on this subject should be cause for concern for any that follow the Watchtower Governing Body.