The Watchtower as a Spiritual Covering?

I have lifted a few quotes from the following:

Those who do good things for Jesus' "brothers" because these anointed ones are his followers have the hope of surviving "the day of Jehovah."
(Watchtower, September 15, 1997 p. 17)

"Yes! genuine Christians are now being gathered into a united brotherhood earth wide. Who are they? They are the Christian congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses..."
(Watchtower, July 1, 1994 p. 7)

"The Scriptures strongly support the conclusion that at Armageddon Jehovah will destroy the peoples of the earth, saving only those who obey his commandments to stand by his organization."
(Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, 1993, p. 170)

"Especially since 1925, The Watchtower has shown from the scriptures that there are just two principal organizations - Jehovah's and Satan's. And, as 1John 5:19 states, 'the whole world' - that is, all mankind outside of Jehovah's organization - 'is lying in the power of the wicked one.'"
(Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, 1993, pp. 676-677)

"We will be impelled to serve Jehovah loyally with his organization if we remember that there is nowhere else to go for life eternal."
(Watchtower, November 15, 1992 p. 21 - "Serve Jehovah Loyally"

"Bible students need to get acquainted with the organization of the "one flock" Jesus spoke about at John 10:16. They must appreciate that identifying themselves with Jehovah's organization is essential to their salvation. (Rev. 7:9, 10, 15) Therefore, we should start directing our Bible students to the organization as soon as a Bible study is established."
(Our Kingdom Ministry, November 1990 p. 1)

"You must be part of Jehovah's organization, doing God's will, in order to receive his blessing of eternal life."
(You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth p.255)


Now I have been learning more about a doctrine that expresses a large measure of control over God's people. It allows a lot of things to creep into all churches that would resemble authoritarian dictatorships or organizations that are far from spiritual. It is called the spiritual covering doctrine. This is a doctrine that states that you would be accountable to a covering or someone that has a spiritual responsibility to you. Thus meaning you would be obedient to them. This is a doctrine that is not from God and is actually demonic. Its basis is spiritistic.

The Watchtower practices this because it professes to protect its members in a shroud of unity that will keep all of the bad things out. The reality is more simple. They burden their members with the things Jesus already told us mankind would. Jesus said his yoke was light.

The appearance of any organization that seems to represent God will use this doctrine but with a different name. Sometimes they will call it outright, "spiritual covering".

The witnesses have this at many levels. Globally it is the Christian congregation. Whereas personally it is the "person who studied with you".

Simply put it is a relationship that is produced because of an organizational obligation and not because of the example and blood of Jesus.

The spiritual covering doctrine provides a false sense of safety because you think that because you are associated with a certain group or were taught by a certain person that you are now protected and/or privileged.

Due to the watchtower's preaching program it allows its members to directly relate the number of hours and activity in the field service to their protection level within the organization.
It has also been described in talks that I have heard like being within the center of the organization versus being weak and near the edges.

The Watchtower definitely uses the spiritual covering doctrine but doesn't use the terminology. The spirit is the same or worse because it is justified through other scriptures. It is wrong and it will fail. God is one. Jesus is our savior and mediator. There is no other. We must gain a personal relationship with him and hold onto it as our own.

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