Should the Scapegoat Be Considered Your Personal Savior

[bejay]

Should the Scapegoat Be Considered "Your Personal Savior"?

This is a very interesting question, and one that deserves a scriptural answer.

The question can be raised: Does the YORWW Congregation of believers (of which I am a part) accept a man, Donald C. Burney, as our PERSONAL SAVIOR.

The answer is a resounding NO!

Here is why.

As servants of Jehovah, we all want to be standing on solid ground where our very lives are concerned. We all know that Jehovah, as our creator, is also the Author of our Salvation. He ultimately is the one who determines whether we are worthy of continuing to enjoy His gift of life throughout eternity. The scriptures are very clear on this. I will share a few with you that will clarify my position on this matter.

Isaiah 43:11 tells us this: "I - I am Jehovah, and besides me there is no savior."

Thus this verse shows, Jehovah God is the ONLY TRUE SAVIOR of His people.

Above, I didn't quote verse 10 of Isaiah 43 because all Jehovah's Witnesses are very familiar with it, as it makes the very same point.

Also, 1 Timothy 1:1 reiterates this point: "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus under command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus, our hope." 1 Timothy 2:3, 4 adds: "This is fine and acceptable in the sight of our Savior, God, whose will it is that all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth." Titus 2:10 tells us: "Not committing theft, but exhibiting good fidelity to the full, so that they may adorn the teaching of our Savior, God, in all things." Titus 3:4 continues: "However, when the kindness and the love for man on the part of our Savior, God, was manifested." These verses are very clear; Jehovah, ultimately, is the Savior of His people as well as others.

Then too, Acts 28:28 reminds us of this:

"Therefore let it be known to you that this, the means by which GOD SAVES has been sent out to the nations; they will certainly listen to it."

Just as the verse above says, God Saves ... Yes, God is actually doing the saving ... not man, not even Jesus.

You see, this is true because Jesus is only the "MEANS" by which JEHOVAH SAVES...only the means.

Indeed, Jehovah takes it upon Himself to provide the "means by which" He will do the saving, whether using Jesus or some other person, if He Chooses.

Thus, in this sense, Jehovah is the TRUE SAVIOR of all, because He always, always provides the MEANS for the particular act of salvation itself. And this was evidently the viewpoint that first century christians also held, on this particular matter of who was their REAL SAVIOR in all things...God or Jesus, His Appointed Mediator of the New Covenant. -- See Titus 3:4.

But there is more, even back in ancient times when Jehovah God wrought salvation for the nation of Israel from Egypt, He chose to use a human to physically lead them although this person was clearly working under His direction and with His spirit. This person (Moses) became only the "means," the "means by which" God Chooses to Save. -- Exodus 3:9, 10; Acts 28:28

Similarly in the first century, Jehovah chose to use His only-begotten son, to deliver Israel from certain death because of their breaking His covenant. (Galatians 4:4)

Therefore today, God's Name People, Jehovah's witnesses also find themselves in much the same position that ancient Israel was in; they have broken His covenant and are in need of deliverance from certain destruction. This He has provided by means of an arrangement described in the Law Covenant, that was enacted on the Day of Atonement. This "means" of atonement is discussed in Leviticus 16:5-10, 20-22. I won't go into too much detail at this time because you can do research on you own. Bible prophecy reveals, God's Name People, ultimate will have to "join themselves" or "bond" themselves back to Jehovah God again (after being severely disciplined), by means of an additional "covenant" arrangement. The Bible refers to this as the Scapegoat Covenant. -- See Jeremiah 50:4, 5; Ezekiel 20:35-38; Lev. 16:10, 20

Here is a simple illustration to show exactly what I'm saying.

The bible tells us that Jesus is a god..."a god." (John 1:1, 18)

However, it also shows ...Jehovah is the True God...the Only True God. And that shows a big difference between the 2 "Gods," 2 "saviors", if you will.

Similarly we know, Jesus was a savior, even as Moses was a savior, sent by God ... but again, the bible makes it clear,

Jehovah Is The True Savior of all mankind.

In other words, Acts 28:28 shows Jehovah has provided the actual "means," the "means' for saving His people today. And, in the first century this "means by which" they were "saved," proved to be Jesus Christ as mediator of the Christian Covenant. And before that, this "means" to save proved to be Moses, the mediator of the Mosaic Law Covenant, given to ancient Israel.

Based upon the above information, the YORWW Congregation views Jehovah God as our Personal Savior and NOT Donald C. Burney...just the same as the first century congregation viewed God Almighty also in the same light, as their true savior and not Jesus Christ, in the ultimate sense. Therefore, the YORWW Congregation sees this man, Donald C. Burney, as the "means by which" God's Saves...that and only that. We see this man as the Scapegoat Provision that God is using to establish Divine Law today, namely the Scapegoat Covenant ... as God's Chief Tool or Instrument of Righteousness upon earth, just as Jesus and Moses were when administering God's Covenant Arrangements upon earth. We see the Scapegoat Provision today, as that ... only that, and nothing more. - See Lev. 16:10; Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:8

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Review Questions For Article: Should the Scapegoat Be Considered Your Personal Savior?

1. What would we as servants of Jehovah always want to keep in mind concerning our future?

2. What do the scriptures teach us as to who the true “savior” of God’s People is?

3. What do we learn from Acts 28:28 that helps us to understand how God brings about salvation?

4. What “means” did Jehovah use to save the nation of Israel from Egypt?

5. What “means” did Jehovah use to save the nation of Israel from their bondage to Babylon of the 1st century?

6. How has Jehovah chosen to save His People today as they are in much the same condition as 1st century Israel was?

7. Therefore, what do Moses, Jesus and Donald Burney have in common?



To get the answers for the review questions CLICK HERE.


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