True that move secured authority in the hands of the small inner circle even more. The vast majority of dubs would have no say being non annointed they would have no divine inspiration or direction so they were not fit to participate in any decision making. As for the annointed outside the headquarters they were to be ignored and marginalised with only lip service paid to their annointed status.
I have long suspected that Rutherford formulated the great crowd concept to tighten his authority, biblically it makes no sense at all.
The earthly great crowd was NOT introduced because the 144,000 was full!
by jwfacts 12 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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greendawn
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jwfacts
I had not thought about the internalised authority, yet huge differentiation between the two classes shows this to be the case.
The New Testament is not directed to the Great Crowd
Watchtower 1974 June 15 p.376
"Also, it is to the spirit-anointed Christians who will rule in that kingdom that most of the Christian Greek Scriptures is directed, including the promises of everlasting life."
Jesus is not their mediator
Watchtower 1979 November 15 p.24
"Jesus Christ in heaven is the Mediator between God and the spiritual Israelites…. Paul proceeds to say: "There is one God, and one mediator between God and men [not, all men], a man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all."—1 Tim. 2:5, 6. …
Today, according to authentic records, there is a "great crowd" of dedicated, baptized Christians… who actively collaborate with the small remnant of spiritual Israelites. Ever since the spring of 1938 they have been invited to attend the annual memorial celebration of Christ’s death, not to partake of the memorial emblems, the unleavened bread and the red wine, but as respectful observers. … They recognize that they are not spiritual Israelites in the new covenant mediated by Jesus Christ, nor part of the "chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation."—1 Pet. 2:9….To keep in relationship with "our Savior, God," the "great crowd" needs to remain united with the remnant of spiritual Israelites."
Worldwide Security Under the "Prince of Peace" (1986) pp.10-11
16 Just as the ancient nation of Israel was in a covenant relationship with Jehovah God through the mediator Moses, so the nation of spiritual Israel, "the Israel of God," has a covenant relationship through a mediator. (Galatians 6:16) It is as the apostle Paul wrote to his Christian fellow worker: "There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5) Was Moses the mediator between Jehovah God and mankind in general? No, he was the mediator between the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the nation of their fleshly descendants. Likewise, the Greater Moses, Jesus Christ, is not the Mediator between Jehovah God and all mankind. He is the Mediator between his heavenly Father, Jehovah God, and the nation of spiritual Israel, which is limited to only 144,000 members. This spiritual nation is like a little flock of Jehovah's sheeplike ones.—Romans 9:6; Revelation 7:4.
The Great Crowd do not inherit the earth
w58 3/1 p. 139 "Blessed Are the Meek" "Will that mark the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise: "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth"? No, at least not primarily. Those words, first uttered by the psalmist David, apply first of all to the pre-eminently meek One, Jesus Christ, to whom his Father, Jehovah God, said: "Ask of me, that I may give nations as your inheritance and the ends of the earth as your own possession." Inheriting the earth is part of his reward for his meek and faithful course while a man.—Matt. 5:5, AS; Ps. 2:8.
Sharing this inheritance
with Jesus Christ will be his "bride," those footstep followers of his, limited to 144,000, who will receive a heavenly reward. (Rev. 14:1, 3) Thus the apostle Paul tells them: "If, then, we are children, we are also heirs: heirs indeed of God, but joint heirs with Christ." Jesus refers to these specially favored followers of his as a "little flock." However, the principle enunciated at Matthew 5:5 applies also to Jesus’ other sheep who, as meek ones, will receive everlasting life on earth. How so? In that they will hold the earth in trust for Christ and his bride, permanent tenants, as it were."GC are not part of the congregation
it-1
p. 498 Usually when the Christian Greek Scriptures mention "the congregation" in a general sense, reference is being made to the 144,000 members thereof, the anointed followers of Christ exclusive of Jesus himself. (Eph 5:32; Heb 12:23, 24) However, the inspired application of David’s words recorded at Psalm 22:22 to Jesus Christ at Hebrews 2:12 shows that the term "congregation" can be applied to include the head thereof, Jesus Christ.The Great Crowd are not members of the body of Christ, are not born again, and are not Spirit directed.
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Joe Witless
it is often stated that because there were too many JWs Rutherford introduced the idea of the Great Crowd. This is not so.
amazing, I believed this way
what a twisted history
so is the wt deliberately lieing or are they ignorant of their own history