Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Believe in Annihilationism? 😬

Most members of the JW cult know that 1 + 1 = 2. Does this make the sum incorrect? Let's get straight to it.

The Bible is so clear regarding the judgment of mankind (those who do not receive Jesus). It is a tragedy that mainstream Christianity was so externally influenced regarding this subject. However, God's Word was never corrupted. Many denominations recognise that 'death' means 'death', and 'life' means 'life' in God's Word. This includes the Jehovah's Witness cult and probably many other cults too. However, most Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus is the Messiah who was born of a virgin and died and rose again and will return. Does this mean that each of these truths is false? Thus, we must simply hold God's Word as the basis for all that we believe.

Perhaps a Jehovah's Witness would suppose that I am one step closer to becoming one myself. However, ultimately, that is what makes the religion of the Watchtower a cult in the first place. By supposing that their establishment is from God and that any belief that differs from those held by them must be false, they simply confirm that they indeed are part of a cult. It is very difficult to challenge beliefs and ask questions within an establishment such as theirs. The truth is, what we must all learn here is that we (even Christians, so loved by God) can be misled. We need to ask the questions and be open to Scripture alone. Is there a verse that challenges your view in any matter? Welcome it with open arms, for it will either encourage you in the truth or turn and point you toward it.

Thus, in simple response to the question: It really does not matter who else believes in a doctrine. You could come to believe a truth one minute and a lie the next, but this does not make the truth a lie. I believe what I believe because I have seen it in God's Word. This truth does not come from them, I am simply glad that others can hear it too. I would like to add as a final note, that 'annihilationism' is not a helpful name for this doctrine of the 'death' of unbelieving sinners. Annihilation is a word that denotes a sudden end, somewhat like extermination. Rather, Jesus was not annihilated on the cross. He did not vanish into thin air. His 'death' was brutal and one of indescribable suffering on our behalf. Thus, I propose that we refer to the belief as 'conditional immortality', or as it is considered here, 'exclusive immortality': That immortality is granted exclusively to the believer in Jesus Christ.