In the literature of Jehovah’s Witnesses, there are a lot of statements made with the term “Logical to conclude”. There are many other similar terms. However, a shrewd reader would do well to take note of such terms. Why? Because the writer is attempting to convince the reader of their point of view. Therefore, the reader should take stock and evaluate very carefully all of the evidence presented by the writer. This will help the reader to determine whether such a conclusion is logical or not. Really, if the evidence is strong, the conclusion has a high probability of logic. However, if the evidence is weak, the conclusion has a very low probability of logic. On this basis, let’s look at some of the “logical conclusions” that Jehovah’s Witness literature has drawn over the years.

Is it logical to conclude that
Judas was a disciple before becoming an apostle?

Insight on the Scriptures Volume 2, p.129, JUDAS:

4. Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon and the infamous apostle who betrayed Jesus. The Bible provides little direct information about the family and background of Judas. Both he and his father were called Iscariot. (Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who turned traitor.Lu 6:16; He was, in fact, speaking of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for this one was going to betray him, although he was one of the Twelve.Joh 6:71) This term has commonly been understood to indicate that they were from the Judean town of Kerioth-hezron. If this is so, then Judas was the only Judean among the 12 apostles, the rest being Galileans.

Judas is introduced into the Gospel accounts in the listing of the apostles sometime after Passover 31 C.E. and about a year and a half after Jesus began his ministry. (and Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed him. Then he went into a house,Mr 3:19; Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who turned traitor.Lu 6:16) It is logical to conclude that Judas had been a disciple for a time before Jesus made him an apostle. Many writers paint an entirely black picture of Judas, but evidently for a while he had been a disciple who found favor with God and with Jesus; his very selection as an apostle indicates that. Furthermore, he was entrusted with caring for the common finances of Jesus and the 12. That reflects favorably on his dependability at the time and his ability or education, especially since Matthew had had experience with money and figures but did not receive this assignment. (He said this, though, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief and had the money box and used to steal the money put in it.Joh 12:6; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus,Mt 10:3) Nonetheless, Judas did become completely, inexcusably corrupt. No doubt it is for this reason that he is placed last in the list of the apostles and is described as the Judas “who later betrayed him” and “who turned traitor.”—Simon the Cananaean; and Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed him.Mt 10:4; Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who turned traitor.Lu 6:16.

Firstly, consider the initial paragraph in the Insight book. It informs us that there is “little direct information about the family and background of Judas”. He may have been Judean. Secondly, we are told that “Judas is introduced into the Gospel accounts in the listing of the apostles sometime after Passover 31 C.E. and about a year and a half after Jesus began his ministry.” We have been presented with absolutely no evidence that Judas was a disciple before Jesus made him an apostle. So, why is it “logical to conclude” that he was?

JW.org provided no proof that Judas was a disciple first and then an apostle. But they could have. All they had to do was quote So he summoned his 12 disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, in order to expel these and to cure every sort of disease and every sort of infirmity. The names of the 12 apostles are these: First, Simon, the one called Peter, and Andrew his brother, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed him.Matthew 10:1-4.  It clearly shows in those verses that the twelve were disciples first. Until Jesus gave them some authority. Then they became the 12 apostles. As Judas was named in the 12 apostles, we can logically conclude that he was a disciple first.

Side note: Did you notice that one bible verse is repeated 3 times in this short piece of text? Would it be “logical to conclude” that referencing the same scripture numerous times in an evidence-lacking piece of text coerces the reader into thinking that the argument used is scripturally supported?

Is it logical to conclude that
Jesus will make you happy if you can’t find a marriage partner?

The Watchtower, May 15 1992,  p. 12-13 para. 10-11:

Unable to Marry “in the Lord”

10 Many single Christians have chosen to follow the example of Jesus Christ by cultivating the gift of singleness. Then again, because of being unable at present to find a godly mate and thus marry “in the Lord,” many loyal Christians have placed their trust in Jehovah and have remained single instead of marrying an unbeliever. God’s spirit brings forth within them such fruits as joy, peace, faith, and self-control, enabling them to maintain chaste singleness. (On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.Galatians 5:22, 23) Among those successfully meeting this test of devotion to God are quite a number of our Christian sisters, for whom we have the deepest regard. In various lands, they outnumber the brothers and therefore have a major share in the preaching work. Indeed, “Jehovah himself gives the saying; the women telling the good news are a large army.” (Jehovah gives the command, The women proclaiming the good news are a large army.Psalm 68: 11) Actually, many of God’s unmarried servants of both sexes are maintaining integrity because they ‘trust in Jehovah with all their heart, and he is making their paths straight.’ (Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, And do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, And he will make your paths straight.Proverbs 3:5, 6) But are those who cannot presently marry “in the Lord” certain to be unhappy?

11 Let us remember that we are Witnesses of the happy God, Jehovah, serving under the happy Potentate, Jesus Christ. So if our respect for restrictions clearly laid down in the Bible should move us to remain single because of being unable to find a marriage mate “in the Lord,” is it logical to think that God and Christ would leave us unhappy? Certainly not. Hence, we must conclude that it is possible to be happy as Christians while in the unmarried state. Jehovah can make us truly happy whether we are married or single.

Summarizing the above text, The Watchtower is stating that if a Jehovah’s Witness cannot find a marriage partner from within their religion and abstained from looking elsewhere, it is logical to conclude that God and Christ would make them happy.  There is no evidence to suggest that God and Christ get involved in people’s sex lives, or lack thereof.  A quick read of Ecclesiastes 3:1-9 and comparing it with I have seen something further under the sun, that the swift do not always win the race, nor to the mighty win the battle, nor do the wise always have the food, nor do the intelligent always have the riches, nor do those with knowledge always have success, because time and unexpected events overtake them all.Ecclesiastes 9:11 show that the fortune and misfortune of people’s lives are all acts of chance and/or life choices. That’s the hard reality. It’s no wonder that paragraph 11 is devoid of scripture when making such a ludicrous claim. Therefore, it is “logical to conclude” that The Watchtower‘s logic is non-biblical and nonsensical.

Is it Logical to Conclude that
Jesus is Michael the Archangel?

What Does the Bible Really Teach? p. 218-219:

APPENDIX
Who Is Michael the Archangel?

THE spirit creature called Michael is not mentioned often in the Bible. However, when he is referred to, he is in action. In the book of Daniel, Michael is battling wicked angels; in the letter of Jude, he is disputing with Satan; and in Revelation, he is waging war with the Devil and his demons. By defending Jehovah’s rulership and fighting God’s enemies, Michael lives up to the meaning of his name—“Who Is Like God?” But who is Michael?

At times, individuals are known by more than one name. For example, the patriarch Jacob is also known as Israel, and the apostle Peter, as Simon. (And Jacob called his sons and said: 'Gather yourselves together that I may tell you what will happen to you in the final part of the days. Assemble yourselves and listen, you sons of Jacob, yes, listen to Israel your father.Genesis 49:1, 2; The names of the 12 apostles are these: First, Simon, the one called Peter, and Andrew his brother, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother,Matthew 10:2) Likewise, the Bible indicates that Michael is another name for Jesus Christ, before and after his life on earth. Let us consider Scriptural reasons for drawing that conclusion.

Archangel. God’s Word refers to Michael “the archangel.” (But when Michael the archangel had a difference with the Devil and was disputing about Moses' body, he did not dare to bring a judgment against him in abusive terms, but said: 'May Jehovah rebuke you.'Jude 9) This term means “chief angel.” Notice that Michael is called the archangel. This suggests that there is only one such angel. In fact, the term “archangel” occurs in the Bible only in the singular, never in the plural. Moreover, Jesus is linked with the office of archangel. Regarding the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thessalonians 4:16 states: “The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice.” Thus the voice of Jesus is described as being that of an archangel. This scripture therefore suggests that Jesus himself is the archangel Michael.

Army Leader. The Bible states that “Michael and his angels battled with the dragon . . . and its angels.” (And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels battled with the dragon, and the dragon and its angels battledRevelation 12:7) Thus, Michael is the Leader of an army of faithful angels. Revelation also describes Jesus as the Leader of an army of faithful angels. (Also, the armies in heaven were following him on white horses, and they were clothed in white, clean, fine linen. And out of his mouth protrudes a sharp, long sword with which to strike the nations, and he will shepherd them with a rod of iron. Moreover, he treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his outer garment, ye on his thigh, he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.Revelation 19:14-16) And the apostle Paul specifically mentions “the Lord Jesus” and “his powerful angels.” (But you who suffer tribulation will be given relief along with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels2 Thessalonians 1:7) So the Bible speaks of both Michael and “his angels” and Jesus and “his angels.” (The Son of man will send his angels, and they will collect out from his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling and people who practice lawlessnessMatthew 13:41; For the Son of man is to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will repay each one according to his behavior16:27; And he will send out his angels with a great trumpet sound, and they will gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from one extremity of the heavens to their other extremity.24:31; He is at God's right hand, for he went to heaven, and angels and authorities and powers were made subject to him.1 Peter 3:22) Since God’s Word nowhere indicates that there are two armies of faithful angels in heaven—one headed by Michael and one headed by Jesus—it is logical to conclude that Michael is none other than Jesus Christ in his heavenly role.

Before JW.org attempt to show that Jesus and Michael are the same person, they lay a bit of groundwork for the reader. In their initial scriptural quotations, they refer the reader to And Jacob called his sons and said: 'Gather yourselves together that I may tell you what will happen to you in the final part of the days. Assemble yourselves and listen, you sons of Jacob, yes, listen to Israel your father.Genesis 49:1, 2 and The names of the 12 apostles are these: First, Simon, the one called Peter, and Andrew his brother, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother,Matthew 10:2 to show that other biblical characters had more than one name. The big problem with these scriptural quotations is that there is no similar quotation in the bible to show clearly that Jesus is Michael.

Their second argument is found in their explanation of But when Michael the archangel had a difference with the Devil and was disputing about Moses' body, he did not dare to bring a judgment against him in abusive terms, but said: 'May Jehovah rebuke you.'Jude 9. JW.org makes the argument that the use of the definite article in that verse means there is only one archangel in all of heaven. This is a pathetic argument because they then quote The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice.'1 Thessalonians 4:16 where the indefinite article is used.  Here are three questions one should ask Jehovah’s Witnesses:

  1. If the definite article in Jude can be used to prove that there is only one archangel in heaven, couldn’t it be argued then that the use of the indefinite article in 1 Thessalonians can be used to proved that there is more than one archangel?
  2. If there is only one archangel in heaven, should not 1 Thessalonians 4:16 read as, “The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with the archangel’s voice.”?
  3. Indeed, if there is only one Archangel and Jesus is he, shouldn’t 1 Thessalonians 4:16 read as, “The Lord himself, the archangel, will descend from heaven with a commanding call.”?

Their final argument has to do with the supposed similarities between Jesus and Michael.  They quote And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels battled with the dragon, and the dragon and its angels battledRevelation 12:7 and Also, the armies in heaven were following him on white horses, and they were clothed in white, clean, fine linen. And out of his mouth protrudes a sharp, long sword with which to strike the nations, and he will shepherd them with a rod of iron. Moreover, he treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his outer garment, ye on his thigh, he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.Revelation 19:14-16 to explain that both are leaders of armies. But read those quoted verses again. The one describing Michael is clearly literal. However, the one describing Jesus is clearly figurative. How does one strike nations with a sword protruding from ones mouth in a literal sense? How does one shepherd nations with a rod of iron? How does one tread the winepress of fury? Jesus is not a warrior. And there is no literal verse in scripture that indicates that he is. Yet, he is a spiritual warrior. And this is brought out in the other scripture quoted at But you who suffer tribulation will be given relief along with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels2 Thessalonians 1:7.

The bible clearly indicates that there is an army of faithful angels in heaven who fought a physical war in heaven but that there is also an army of faithful angels in heaven fighting a figurative war, a spiritual war. The former was was led by Michael and the latter is led by Jesus Christ. If one considers the evidence on both a physical and figurative plane, is it really logical to conclude that Michael is Jesus Christ? Of course not.

Is it Logical to Conclude that
JW.org’s doctrine should be questioned?

Quoting So he summoned his 12 disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, in order to expel these and to cure every sort of disease and every sort of infirmity. The names of the 12 apostles are these: First, Simon, the one called Peter, and Andrew his brother, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed him.Matthew 10:1-4 would have been enough for one to logically conclude that Judas was a disciple first and then an apostle.  And what was the point of quoting Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who turned traitor.Lu 6:16 three times?

There is nothing in any scripture to suggest that Jesus or Jehovah will make anyone happy in this life if they can’t find a marriage mate and avoid looking for one outside of their religious circle. One cannot logically come to the conclusion that they will. One can logically conclude that coming to such a conclusion will result in a high probability of disappointment.

Arguing the lack of an indefinite article in one verse requires consistency in the argument when it’s used elsewhere. To link a character in a literal war in one verse with a character in a figurative war in another verse is woeful. It is complete distortion of scripture to prove a point.

Therefore, after reviewing some samples from JW.org literature, it is logical to conclude that JW.org doctrine should be questioned.