The “anointed remnant” and the Governing Body.
Ever since J.F. Rutherford conceived this idea, it fast became one of the most significant and unique dogmas of Jehovah's Witnesses and the Watchtower Society.
Another one of the very significant dogmas of the Watchtower Society the teaching about the 1914 generations is as we all know delegated to the scrap heap of their history of embarrassing failures.
In a recent Watchtower we are told when the idea of the two class system was implemented:
*** w99 2/1 18 Our Treasure in Earthen Vessels ***
18 The year 1938 was crucial in clearly identifying the two classes. The March 15 and April 1, 1938, issues of The Watchtower presented the two-part study “His Flock” and made clear the relative places of the anointed remnant and their companions, the great crowd. Then the June 1 and June 15 issues carried study articles on “Organization,” based on Isaiah 60:17. All congregations were called on to request the Governing Body to appoint local servants, thus bringing in an improved, God-ordained, theocratic arrangement. The congregations did just so.
Going back and reading those articles it is quite easy to spot the real reason why Rutherford was making this change. He published the idea of the two classes in the March 15 and April 1 issues of the 1938 Watchtower:
“The Scriptures show that the Lord Jesus came to the temple of Jehovah in 1913 and gathered unto himself those then in line for the kingdom and began testing and judging such. The Scriptures also show that the Lord Jehovah would give to such gathered ones ‘ ‘ a new name ’ ‘, which he did give, and which name was revealed to them for the first time in 1931; that thereafter, in the year 1935, the Lord revealed to
his people for the first time the meaning of the “great multitude” as an earthly class and made known that he is gathering that part of his sheep. It now clearly appears that at the present time there are on the earth some of those who are of the “little flock”, and also those who are of the “other sheep”, which go to make up the great multitude. Many persons state that they have difficulty in determining whether they are of the “little flock” or of the great multitude. It is the sincere desire of each one of God’s people to know to which group he belongs. The Watchtower is here setting forth certain scriptures which it is hoped will have the tendency to enable each one to examine himself and to determine what is his position. No man, society or organization can determine the status of another. Each one must know for himself just where he stands and base his conclusion upon the Scriptures.”
The Watch Tower March 15, 1938, page 6.“The dates hereinafter mentioned mark, to wit, 1918, the coming of Christ to the temple; 1931, the time when God revealed to his people that he had given them a new name; and the year 1935, the date when God revealed to his people the identity
of the great multitude then being gathered; and these dates become important in this examination, and they should be kept in mind as we proceed. These dates are not arbitrarily stated, but the remnant know that certain important events did come to pass at those dates.”
The Watch Tower March 15, 1938, page 83.
Then in the June 1 and 15 Watchtower of the same year we can read about the creation of the Watchtower Organization more or less as we know it today.
After Rutherford had taken over as president after Russell there had been a lot of controversy in the organization of the Bible Students. Since the congregations or the “companies” as they were called back then, elected their own elders and enjoyed a high degree of autonomy they could take or leave all the material that Rutherford printed. His performance with the “Finished Mystery” and his thundering failure in 1925 didn’t help against the sceptics in the various companies. Rutherford tried in every way possible to place his own men in leading positions in the various companies and this of course resulted in a lot of unrest and trouble. After having gradually gained strength and support after the 1925 fiasco, Rutherford felt that the time had come to flush out the old guard of democratic minded people in the organization and gather all power into his own hands. He wasted no time and started out like this:
“JEHOVAH’S ORGANIZATION is in no wise democratic. Jehovah is supreme, and his government or organization is strictly theocratic. This conclusion is not open to successful contradiction. Let this great and indisputable truth stand as a guidepost in the consideration of the foregoing text and what follows herein.”
The Watch Tower June 1, 1938, page 163.
As we can see Rutherford didn’t mince words here. This opening set the tone for what was to follow. Accept this or get the hell out, was the unmistakable message. Then follows a very bold, controversial and also embarrassing statement, but tactically a very brilliant move:
“Jehovah God is the supreme power, and Jehovah together with Christ Jesus constitutes the “Higher Powers”, to which all persons must be subject.”
(Rom.13: 1) The Watch Tower June 1, 1938, page 163.
By these two declarations or decree’s J.F.R. had for all intent and purpose gathered complete power of the Watchtower Society and all Jehovah's Witnesses in his own hands. This was of course quite obvious to anyone with half a brain and Rutherford tackled such arguments head on in his typically refreshing fashion:
“Levites, and servants called to the kingdom as servers of God’s “judgments written”. For this reason there are no individuals in the organization under Christ Jesus’ who hold a superior degree or rank of superiority. ‘All are one in Christ Jesus’ and under Christ Jesus, the Head. Jehovah God and Christ Jesus are the Teachers, and Christ Jesus at the temple: is in immediate command of the organization invisible and
visible, Separate and individual rights do not exist, but every member of the organization must of necessity be in complete subjection to the Head. It is necessary to get these principles fixed in mind and then keep in mind that everything and everyone in the organization must be in harmony therewith and work harmoniously.” The Watch Tower June 1, 1938, page 163.
Yes, what a wonderful picture he draws. Of course, no none could see Jehovah or Jesus, no one had been in contact with them. Now they quite obviously published all their rulings and decrees through whom? J. F. Rutherford naturally. He was the President. Would such an alleged unique position as the only one having the ear of Jehovah and Jesus put him on equal footing with anybody else in the organization?
We of course know the answer to that very well. Now take a look at this next statement:
“Every one of the organization looks not to a selfish interest, but to the general interest or welfare of the organization.” The Watch Tower June 1, 1938, page 164.
Here Rutherford laid the foundation for the cadaver discipline and blind loyalty to the almighty organization that created the environment which “had to” protect pedophiles at the expense of countless children. The welfare of the organization comes first, no matter what!
The “Organization” articles uses page up and page down in a torrent of words in argumentation for the complete folly of a democratic congregation:
“12 This important fact cannot be ignored, to wit: That nowhere in the epistles to the congregations or church companies, as such, did Paul give any instruction to them as to the manner of appointing officers or servants, which instruction they could carry out as a democratically ruled body. The question, of necessity, is asked : Why was no such instruction given ? And the answer must surely be that the appointment
of officers or servants of the church or congregation is not vested in the members of each separate company as though it were a democratically ruled organization. If it were the will of the Lord that each company or congregation should be self-contained in this matter, Paul surely would have made the same to clearly appear in the instructions given.” The Watch Tower June 1, 1938, page 165.“14 When it is clearly seen and appreciated that at no time in the history of the church of God does the Lord treat the church as a democracy; that the idea of a democracy is entirely absent in the writings of the apostles concerning the church ; that there is no intimation that there is a confederacy or unity existing in the congregations, such as exists amongst the states of America, it must be concluded that the Hierarchy form of government, so seductive to many minds, is clearly a product of the Devil ; also that the democratic form of government is contrary to the Word of God.”
The Watch Tower June 1, 1938, page 165, 166.“The Lord Jesus, now at the temple and in full charge of every part of his organization according to his own word, delegates to his earthly representative certain duties to be performed in his visible organization, and which duties, of necessity, must include the selection of servants.” The Watch Tower June 1, 1938, page 169.
Of course Rutherford also had to deal with the argument that if democratically elected elders was such an abomination to Jehovah, why had he permitted it to go on for all those years? Rutherford in true form naturally had a typical far fetched nonsensical answer to that too. Apparently the time when Russell was in charge was now called the “Elijah period”, in which the “Lord” had tolerated this abomination to go on, but after 1919, Jesus couldn’t stand such filth any longer and a change had to come. Of course Rutherford was really extremely slow since he didn’t get around to this until 1938, some 19 years afterwards:
“Whatever the reason for the Lord’s permitting the democratic form of rule in the congregations or companies to prevail during the Elijah period, and without regard to whether the same was right or wrong, the Scriptures and the attending facts show that, when the Lord arrives at the temple, a change is made, which change is brought about by the Lord informing his remnant of their true relationship to him. It is the time of understanding, and the remnant must now “with all thy getting get understanding”. The reason for such clearer light and understanding, and for such change for betterment, is further discussed in the next issue of The Watchtower.”
(To be continued)” The Watch Tower June 1, 1938, page 171.
In the continued article in the June 15 issue of the Watchtower Rutherford continue to hammer home that from now on there will be no democracy in the congregations:
“That must mean that the time comes when there is peace in the organization of the Lord all over the earth. God commands that it shall be so, and therefore it is his will that peace must exist. That means that unity and harmony exist amongst those of the temple company. There is unity and harmony in action in the organization, in the field service, in the methods of study, in the assemblies together, and in all activity, and there must no longer be strife, clashes and boycotts, or any such thing, which existed in times past when the “elective elders and deacons” held titled offices and ruled arrogantly. Those who are in the temple will appreciate this situation and, knowing the responsibility upon them, will diligently put forth their best endeavors to walk humbly with God.” The Watch Tower June 15, 1938, page 180.
The main purpose of the implementation of the two class system of the anointed remnant and the “Jonadabs” with an “earthly hope” was thus born out of a very basic and quite ugly need, the thirst for absolute power. This system has served the rulers of the Watchtower Society quite well during the years. In the early nineties we heard that the GB had appointed non anointed “assistants” to help them and that these people even sat in on the GB sessions. This of course raised a few eyebrows and in time Brooklyn felt they had to offer some kind of explanation:
*** w93 1/1 6 New Creations Brought Forth! ***
Moreover, well-trained members of the great crowd are now doing administrative and other responsible work alongside the anointed Governing Body of spiritual Israel, just as non-Israelite Nethinim worked with the priests repairing Jerusalem’s walls.—Nehemiah 3:22-26.
*** w95 7/1 22 Dwellers Together in a Restored "Land" ***
9 Moreover, with the great crowd increasing by the hundreds of thousands each year, there is an ever-growing need for oversight. At one time this was handled exclusively by anointed Christians. Now, oversight of most congregations, as well as circuits, districts, and branches, has of necessity been entrusted to the other sheep. In 1992 a few of these were given the privilege of attending meetings of committees of the Governing Body and serving as nonvoting helpers. Still, the other sheep remain loyal to their anointed fellow Christians and feel privileged to support them as Jehovah’s faithful and discreet slave.—Matthew 25:34-40.
In reality the so-called “anointed” as a “class” or a group, have never had any say in anything the governing of the Watchtower Society or the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses. That this is a fact can now clearly be seen as the Watchtower Society is slowly dismantling another of their dogmas. And like in Rutherford’s days they use just the same kind of language:
“Because of the flashes of light or lightning from Jehovah his message of rebuke is sent forth. In A.D. 1919 The Golden Age (now Consolation) began its publication, and within a short time thereafter issue No. 27, which contained the Lord’s rebuke to those of Satan’s organization, was published. It exposed the members of the Devil’s organization, and particularly the hypocritical clergy,” The Watch Tower July 1, 1938, page 205.*** w99 3/1 13 "The Temple" and "the Chieftain" Today ***
2 Since the restoration of pure worship, Jehovah has blessed his people with many flashes of spiritual insight, including the discernment of what God’s spiritual temple is—Jehovah’s templelike arrangement for pure worship.
In the article “The Temple" and "the Chieftain" Today” we can see the first signs of a more organized dismantling of old Joe Rutherford’s insanities. In true Rutherford style they have found some obscure prophecy in the Bible which by the usual contortionist act can be turned and twisted into some far fetched mumbo jumbo:
*** w99 3/1 16 "The Temple" and "the Chieftain" Today ***
The Chieftain—Who Is He?
13 Now an intriguing question arises. Whom, then, does the chieftain represent? Since he is spoken of both as an individual and as a group, we may assume that he represents a class of men. (Ezekiel 44:3; 45:8, 9) But who? Surely not the anointed. In the vision, he works closely with the priesthood, but he is not one of them. Unlike the priestly class, he is given an inheritance in the land and thus has a future here on earth, not in heaven.
Here they have found some mention of a “Chieftain” and voila, they have it:
*** w99 3/1 16 "The Temple" and "the Chieftain" Today ***
14 Clearly, the chieftain has some responsibility among God’s people. In the outer courtyard, he sits in the porch of the East Gate. (Ezekiel 44:2, 3) This would indicate a position of oversight, similar to that of the older men in Israel who sat at the gate of the city and rendered judgment. (Ruth 4:1-12; Proverbs 22:22) Who among the other sheep hold offices of oversight today? Elders with an earthly hope who have been appointed by holy spirit. (Acts 20:28) So the chieftain class is now being groomed with the prospect of later serving in an administrative capacity in the new world.*** w99 3/1 16 "The Temple" and "the Chieftain" Today ***
15 What, though, is the relationship today between the anointed priestly class and such older men who, as part of the great crowd, are serving in positions of oversight? Ezekiel’s vision suggests that the elders who are members of the great crowd have a supportive and subordinate role, while the anointed take the spiritual lead.*** w99 3/1 16 "The Temple" and "the Chieftain" Today ***
Clearly, the chieftain was to submit to the spiritual services and leadership of the priests. It is fitting, then, that in modern times the anointed have taken the lead in pure worship. For example, the members of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses have been chosen from among them. Such faithful anointed elders have been training the developing chieftain class for decades, preparing prospective members of this class for the day when they will be delegated their full measure of authority in God’s new world to come.*** w99 3/1 17 "The Temple" and "the Chieftain" Today ***
18 In Bible times some chieftains had much authority, others less. Today, elders of the great crowd have widely varying responsibilities. Some serve in one congregation; others serve many congregations as traveling overseers; others serve whole countries as Branch Committee members; others directly assist various committees of the Governing Body. In the new world, Jesus will appoint “princes in all the earth” to take the lead among Jehovah’s worshipers on earth. (Psalm 45:16) No doubt he will select many of these from among the faithful elders of today. Because these men are proving themselves now, he will choose to entrust many with even greater privileges in the future when he reveals the role of the chieftain class in the new world.
All of this strained nonsense to “explain” why they are now appointing a lot of leaders in Brooklyn that are not “anointed”. As we know many of the members of the GB are more or less vegetables, and can hardly be expected to “lead” anything including themselves. There are of course people in Brooklyn which is a hundred times more capable of leading then any of the GB, and now it seems as though this has dawned even on those few of the GB who are still able function. In this elaborate “explanation” articles we of course never see any mentioning of the simple fact that there are still at least 8000 people out there of the “anointed”: Why can’t any of these be brought to Brooklyn to lead the Organization? Well, as stated above simply because hey have never had any say or part in leading the organization in the first place and they never will in the future. Many of them are rightly considered eccentrics and some even as outright lunatics. When old Joe was alive, leading the WTS was pretty much a one man show. After the GB came onto the scene on the late seventies, they have run the show up to now, of course without bothering to consult any of the other “anointed”.
So all of you faithful Jehovah's Witnesses out there, get used to it. In a few years the insane Rutherford invention of the “two class” system will be forgotten and the Watchtower Society will be back to the good old teaching of the mainstream Churches of a “heavenly hope” for all. We all know what happened to another of Rutherford’s ideas, which I briefly mentioned in the beginning:
“Jehovah God is the supreme power, and Jehovah together with Christ Jesus constitutes the “Higher Powers”, to which all persons must be subject.”
(Rom.13: 1) The Watch Tower June 1, 1938, page 163.
In this case the Watchtower Society also had to revert back to the good old teachings of Christendom. It just took a little longer with the “two class” system.
Take care,
Norm.