2. Some religions tolerate immorality; others are filled with doctrinal error Guilty of sin, Jas. 2:10 Enemies of the cross, Phil. 3:1-3, 18

3. We need to prepare Not deceived, Eph. 4:13, 14 Answer error, 1 Pet. 3:15

5. Traced to Adventist movement of 1800s led by William Miller - failed prophecy One group: correct time, wrong event Other group: wrong time & event

6. Founder: Charles Taze Russell Born in Presbyterian household Contacted Miller’s followers at 16 Renewed faith & study Began Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence in 1879 Formally organized in 1881

7. Joseph Franklin Rutherford Baptist background Encountered JWs in 1894; joined 1906 Became legal counsel, 1907 Became president, 1916 Turned Society from Bible study & growth to selling materials

8. Highlights 1920, Millions Now Living Will Never Die 1922, Watchtower official text of study 1929, Mansion bought in San Diego, CA 1931, Name adopted 1938, Society began appointing all responsible positions in congregations

9. Organized like many denominations Board of directors Branch servant District servant Circuit servant

10. Organized like many denominations Congregation Congregational servant Pioneers Kingdom publisher

11. “Jehovah created this earth so that humans could enjoy living on it forever” Only 144,000 will go to heaven Artistic drawings of children playing w/ lions

12. “Jehovah created this earth so that humans could enjoy living on it forever” Only 144,000 will go to heaven Artistic drawings of children playing w/ lions You and a rat have same hope of eternity “Materialism”

13. The Bible says all saved will go to heaven No set number, Jn. 3:16; Rev. 22:17 144,000 symbolic, Rev. 7:1-8 Inheritance in heaven, not earth, 1 Pet. 1:3-5; Mt. 6:19-21 Earth to be destroyed, 2 Pt. 3:10-12; Heb. 1:10-12

14. JWs do not believe in hell Believe hell is the grave Punishment of wicked is not to exist Belief in eternal torment dishonors God

15. JWs do not believe in hell Would a loving God torment people forever? -Would a loving God allow sin to run rampant on earth? -Would a loving God let a child die? -Would a loving God annihilate people forever and exclude them from “paradise earth”?

16. Hell is real As real as heaven, Mt. 18:9; 25:46; Rom. 6:23 Place of punishment, Mk. 9:42-48; Rev. 21:8

18. Some religions tolerate immorality; others are filled with doctrinal error Guilty of sin, Jas. 2:10 Enemies of the cross, Phil. 3:1-3, 18

19. We need to prepare Not deceived, Eph. 4:13, 14 Answer error, 1 Pet. 3:15