Februari 22, 2024


Hello Brothers in the Writing Committee,

I have some thoughts and questions about the latest Watchtower. And I am glad that it has become clear that members of the Governing Body can have differing views and that they are not always in accord with conclusions the Writing Committee presents when they present their study results on certain topics. And nobody is judged and disfellowshipped for that, nor labeled as apostate. So because of that I want to give some of my thoughts on the latest WT.


Study article 19


WE ARE living in exciting times! Each day, Bible prophecy is being fulfilled before our eyes. For example, we see “the king of the north” and “the king of the south” engaged in a struggle for world dominance. (Dan. 11:40, ftn.) We see the good news of God’s Kingdom being preached on an unprecedented scale, with millions responding favorably. (Isa. 60:22; Matt. 24:14) And we are receiving an abundance of spiritual food “at the proper time.”—Matt. 24:45-47.


I want to draw your attention to what is called the Global South in the media in the world. After the fall of the Soviet Union China has been on the rise and is spearheading the BRICS alliance that is expanding more and more. In fact many of the BRICS nations talk about themselves as the Global South. And then we have the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO. One could easily draw the conclusion that the King of the North in Daniel in our time is the USA as the main power in NATO and the king of the south would be the most influential power of the Global South, China. Could it be time to reexamine who really is in our time the King of the North and the King of the South?


Then the paragraph mentions the preaching of the good news. What can be said about other “Christian organizations” because they also preach good news about Jesus? Especially about the good news that he died for our sins, and was resurrected. Because that is really good news that people can get their sins pardoned completely thanks to Jesus, who died for our sins. That is in accord with what Jesus commanded in Luke 24:46 and he said to them, “This is what is written: that the Christ would suffer and rise from among the dead on the third day, 47 and on the basis of his name, repentance for forgiveness of sins would be preached in all the nations—starting out from Jerusalem. 48 You are to be witnesses of these things.


Even if we don’t agree with many things other “Christian” organizations teach, could we nevertheless be of the same attitude as apostle Paul when he wrote?:

Philippians 1:15 True, some are preaching the Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter are proclaiming the Christ out of love, for they know that I have been appointed to defend the good news; 17 but the former do it out of contentiousness, not with a pure motive, for they are intending to create trouble for me in my prison bonds. 18 With what result? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and I rejoice over this. In fact, I will also keep on rejoicing,


If so, we could conclude that the preaching work has been done to an even greater extent, because it would include all the work that other “Christian” organizations have also done.


Then we should ask what things about the “good news of the kingdom” specifically is meant by this expression, that Jesus used here in Matthew 24:14?


We should assume that Jesus’ disciples in the first century were preaching the good news of the kingdom. Because of this we should look at their message as stated in the Christian Greek Scriptures. We could look at the examples in Acts.


In fact the good news of the kingdom is very much synonymous with the good news about Jesus.

That is evident from these examples:


Matthew 10:7 As you go, preach, saying: ‘The Kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.’


That is explained by the fact that Jesus was there.


Also Luke 17:20 On being asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God was coming, he answered them: “The Kingdom of God is not coming with striking observableness; 21 nor will people say, ‘See here!’ or, ‘There!’ For look! the Kingdom of God is in your midst.”


So the good news of the kingdom is primarily the good news about Jesus and his coming kingship.


Yet another example:


Luke 9:27 But I tell you truly, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death at all until first they see the Kingdom of God.” 28 In fact, about eight days after saying these words, he took Peter, John, and James along and climbed up the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face changed and his clothing became glitteringly white.


Here again Jesus referred himself to the Kingdom of God.

So we can draw the conclusion that the good news of the kingdom of God is about the message that Jesus will return as judge and king.


For a wider understanding about how widespread this expectation is among the world’s “Christians”, please check what Wikipedia writes about this under the “Second Coming”.


In fact apostle Paul and Peter did not go into much detail when they preached the good news about Jesus/kingdom. Essentially they proclaimed that Jesus died for our sins and was resurrected and will come back to judge the world.

So from this perspective the good news of the Kingdom is in fact preached by a variety of “Christian” organizations.


This also puts under doubt the current definition of Babylon the Great.


Paragraph 15:

“It is also reasonable to conclude that a person’s eternal future does not depend on where he happens to live. It is unthinkable that Jehovah would automatically label as “goats” millions of people who live in lands where they never had an opportunity to respond to the Kingdom message. (Matt. 25:46) The righteous Judge of all the earth cares even more about these individuals than we ever could. We do not know how Jehovah will maneuver events during the great tribulation. Perhaps some of these people will have an opportunity to learn about Jehovah, put faith in him, and take their stand on Jehovah’s side when he sanctifies himself before all nations.—Ezek. 38:16.”


I would like to point to the fact that the message about Jesus is very widely spread already in the world. I think 99% of today’s people in the world can find additional information about the good news about Jesus through the internet and their smartphones. Even in China people love to celebrate Christmas and any curious Chinese person can easily search the internet to find more information about what Jesus is all about. The same is true with all Muslims, they already believe from their book the Quran that Jesus was sent from God and will have a Second Coming. The Wikipedia article “Second Coming” explains it under the heather “Islam”.


Because the message about Jesus is so widespread, it is also up to people themselves to show interest. So we don’t have to worry too much if millions of people don’t get a personal visit from us.


In addition it is clearly stated in the Revelation book multiple times, those who take the mark of the beast are doomed. The question we should ask is, will the mark of the beast only be a symbolic abstract thing in one’s mind or heart or could it become a literal mark?


Also we have to take into account 2 Thessalonians 1:7 But you who suffer tribulation will be given relief along with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels 8 in a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance on those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus.


2 Thessalonians 2:9 But the lawless one’s presence is by the operation of Satan with every powerful work and lying signs and wonders 10 and every unrighteous deception for those who are perishing, as a retribution because they did not accept the love of the truth in order that they might be saved. 11 That is why God lets a deceptive influence mislead them so that they may come to believe the lie, 12 in order that they all may be judged because they did not believe the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness.


And what about the two witnesses in Revelation 11? Can we for sure say they are just figurative or could they be two real persons in the endtime giving a witness that the world is unable to stop according to Revelation 11?


You are welcome to study these questions and contact me. I would like to examine these things together with you.


Your brother


Jan Kosonen