Jesus: the mediator of the anointed (only)? (page 2)

moanzy

I was a teenager when I asked how it is that Jesus said he was the mediator between God and all mankind. My mom explained that some scriptures only apply to the annointed. That wasn't what I got out of the scripture, but figured there must be something I just don't understand.

How they determine which scriptures are for them and which ones are for the rest of us is just mind boggling. What I figure is that any scripture that talks about sinners, do's and don'ts are for us anything else is for them.

Moanzy

Warlock

I never realized, until I came to JWD, that I didn't have a mediator. Does that mean that God is not hearing my prayers?

So then, if I don't have a mediator, I don't have a responsibility, right? Isn't the preaching work laid upon the "little flock"?

Warlock

drew sagan

I did not know anything about this when I became JW. It is well hidden in their literature like many things so you only find out LONG after you join.
By the way, does anybody have a 'best of' quotes from the magazines where it mentions this doctrine. Thanks.

ferret

I like drew sagan would also like to know where this quote comes from. Please anyone.

jwfacts

I have an extensive article on this at http://jwfacts.com/index_files/mediator.htm

Worldwide Security Under the “Prince of Peace” pp. 10-11 “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.”

The reasoning behind this is simple. The New Testament indicates that Jesus is mediator of the new covenant and that those of the new covenant go to heaven. When Rutherford said that only 144,000 go to heaven then he had to restrict the new covenant to only them.

This is actually a normal cult teaching, as it gives the leaders of the cult more power.

“Mystical manipulation can take on a special quality in these cults because the leaders become mediators for God . The God-centered principles can be put forcibly and claimed exclusively, so that the cult and its beliefs become the only true path to salvation.” Combating Cult Mind Control p.202 (Steven Hassan Park Street Press 1990; summarising Robert Lifton)

jwfacts

My mother is a CO's wife. When I brought this up with her she called me a liar and refuses to believe this is a Watchtower teaching.

A classic article is Watchtower 1989 August 15 pp.30-31 Questions From Readers. This basically says that you can not understand the mediator doctrine if you do not understand other Witness doctrine, a true indicator of the Watchtowers Eisegisis approach to interpretation.

Here are a couple of other quotes

Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 2 p.362 Mediator

“He mediates the new covenant between God and those taken into the new covenant, the congregation of spiritual Israel. …The total number of those who are finally and permanently sealed is revealed in Revelation 7:4-8 as 144,000.”

The Watchtower states that whilst Jesus is mediator for 144,000 only, those not under the new covenant will be blessed by Jesus through his role as their High Priest. That is why the great crowd are allowed to pray through Jesus, rather than through the 144,000.

Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 2 p.362 Mediator

“ Blessings to Mankind in General. While Jesus’ mediatorship operates solely toward those in the new covenant, he is also God’s High Priest and the Seed of Abraham. In fulfilling his duties in these latter two positions, he will bring blessings to others of mankind, for all the nations are to be blessed by means of Abraham’s seed.”

Watchtower 1991 February 15 p.18

“Christ does not act as Mediator of the new covenant toward them, yet they benefit from this covenant through the work of God’s Kingdom. Christ still acts toward them, however, as High Priest, through whom Jehovah can and does apply the ransom to the extent of their now being declared righteous as God’s friends. (Compare James 2:23.)”

evergreen

Thanks jwfacts. You have oviously done some extensive research on this doctrine. I will certainly check out your link on this subject.

To be honest, it wasnt untill i read c.o.c that i realised that this was the societies teaching on this. I pointed it out to my wife and told her that Jesus Christ is not he mediator. She said of course he is. I told her again he isnt and then showed her an article pointing this out. Of course she simply fobbed it of saying that the teaching on it must be right, the society know what they are teaching etc. But i will never forget the look on her face when i pointed this out to her.

I personally think they deliberately tone this teaching down. I mean they dont exactly broadcast it in their usual dogmatic way and so many people seem to be unaware of this wt teaching.

jwfacts

Most of the teachings that a person gets to hear are all the nice ones, particularly before comitting to the Organization. Before you get baptised they don't tell the full story, such as the full list of reasons that a person can be disfellowshipped, or about the mediator. Even after baptism these things often do not become known.

There is less transperancy within the religion than in major corporations these days.

MidwichCuckoo

The Watchtower states that whilst Jesus is mediator for 144,000 only, those not under the new covenant will be blessed by Jesus through his role as their High Priest. That is why the great crowd are allowed to pray through Jesus, rather than through the 144,000.

Gosh - that's big of them, lol. Maybe 'New Light' will be prayers have to be offered through the FDS.

MidwichCuckoo

Last year I was informed (by a member of the 'Anointed'), that the Bible was ONLY written FOR the Anointed.

Jesus: the mediator of the anointed (only)?

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