Similar to our study which we did on the differences between the beliefs and interpretation of scripture between Bible Students and Seventh Day Adventist there exist the same in respects to Bible Students and Jehovah’s Witnesses. Although both groups are commonly perceived to be one in the same because of their association with Pastor Charles Russell and because they share a few similar beliefs in regards to the fundamentals or first principal doctrines of the Word of God, the “milk of the word”, nevertheless they are NOT the same. When it comes to the “meat of the word”, the “deep things”, the “mysteries of the kingdom” the differences become even more apparent, but that’s for another time.

The following reply was put together some time back in response to several comments made by our resident Jehovah’s Witness on the old Bible Student Forum, Victor. His comments in this instance revolved around the fatalistic JW belief somewhat similar to that of our Seventh Day Adventist friends, but not nearly as bad, that all who die during Armageddon will suffer “second death”. Adventist on the other hand believe that ALL the wicked, all the wicked who have ever lived will meet this same fate following the second resurrection, which they believe takes place at the end of the thousand years.

“Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that during the future millennial reign of Jesus Christ, our dead loved ones will be resurrected to live forever on a paradise earth. They claim that during these 1,000 years, people who may not have received the good news of Jehovah’s Kingdom will be raised from the dead to be given a second opportunity to respond and become subjects under Christ’s kingly reign. It is claimed that if they prove themselves faithful during the 1,000 years and pass the test of Satan at the end, they will be granted everlasting life on the earth.”

Bible Students are generally in agreement with this last, although it appears our JW friends are still limiting this opportunity of judgment (testing) to those only who had not received the good news in their lifetimes. This of course would be contingent upon what one believes to be the “good news” as most of what is commonly taught by the professing church could hardly be called “good news” or “good tidings of great joy which will be to all people”, at least not for the great majority of mankind. (See “Which is the true Gospel?”)

One of the key or core fundamental beliefs where Bible Students differ from Witnesses is in regards to the ransom. Witnesses say that Adam and many others are not covered by the ransom, and have already been judged unworthy of life. Bible Students hold most emphatically that it applies to all mankind and most especially to father Adam, but that’s another issue altogether, we’re getting off our subject here. Instead, we wish to examine the fate of those who die during Armageddon according to our JW friends.

For more on the Ransom and its application please see our blog post:

The Ransom

The Divine Economy in the Ransom

Limited Atonement, True or False?

Since our friend Victor has been rather reluctant to disclose the facts (i.e. specific details including Scriptural support) as respects the Societies views in regards to the outcome of those who perish during Armageddon, specifically the fate of those not affiliated with nor who share the same beliefs as the organization, but equally so all the wicked of the world we would therefore like to address the issue ourselves, as we see it, including our response to some of the few thoughts our friend deem fit to share on the issue.

However, first (in our next post) we will take a look at what the official Jehovah’s Witnesses belief is in this matter as per their published material.