What are the qualifications for being of the "annointed"?

by hubert 30 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  hubert

  Am I correct to say that the "annointed" are the 144,000 that will be with Jesus in Heaven, according to the Watchtower?

  If so, in ....Luke 23:43...Jesus said to "Dismas" (the good thief) who was also being crucified along with Jesus, "Truly I tell you today you will be with me in Paradise".

  Wouldn't this make Dismus "one of the annointed"?

  Wouldn't this also show that Dismus, who had no qualifications for being of the annointed, went to Heaven with Jesus and became one?

  If Jesus is in Paradise (in heaven) with Dismus, then anyone who dies in Christ should also go to heaven, which Jesus called "Paradise", and not to a paradise earth.

  Jesus did not say to Dismus "today you will be on paradise earth.....He said, "you will be with me in Paradise"[Heaven].

  Any comments?

  Hubert
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  fullofdoubtnow

  You sre correct, according to jw doctrine, the anointed are the 144000 mentioned in Revelation who will be with Christ in heaven.

  As for Luke 23:43, it depends where you put the comma:

  And he said to him: “Truly I tell you today, You will be with me in Paradise.” (NWT)

  43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (NIV, and most other translations)

  The jws imply in the NWT it is a future event, other translations do not do that.
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  drew sagan

  How about being damn old.
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  blondie

  According to WTS doctrine, the qualifications for being of the "anointed" are the same as being of the "other sheep." That is why it is possible for someone who was not of the anointed to get the "call" and start partaking.

  They have to be dedicated, baptized JWs though. The WTS does reason that if God were to select "replacements" that they would not be newly baptized people but they are careful not to be too dogmatic about that.

  The "anointed" aren't necessarily better versed in Bible understanding, or more zealous, or have special insight as individuals per the WTS.

  Blondie
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  blondie

  Also, the WTS teaches that no one was truly anointed with holy spirit until Pentecost 33 CE so that the man killed with Jesus would not qualify to be of the anointed.

  Blondie
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  crazyblondeb

  I'm feeling rather "special" this morning!! I think I may have been "called"!!
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  Mary

  If so, in ....Luke 23:43...Jesus said to "Dismas" (the good thief) who was also being crucified along with Jesus, "Truly I tell you today you will be with me in Paradise". Wouldn't this make Dismus "one of the annointed"?

  The GB realize that this scripture was a very dangerous one, because it would blow their theory that you simply are dead in the ground when you die. Thus, they simply moved the comma from before the word "today", thus claiming that Jesus did not promise the Evildoer that he would be anywhere but six feet under. Needless to say, there's not one other bible translation out there that places the comma after "today", but that shouldn't come as any big surprise.

  As per usual, the Governing Body uses their pre-conceived doctrines to try and explain away a scripture that doesn't jive with their doctrines. They do it with the scripture in Luke, they do it when they try to explain the Rich Man and Lazarus and they do it for a host of other scriptures.

  *** it-2 pp. 787-788 Resurrection ***" Jesus replied: "Truly I tell you today, You will be with me in Paradise." (Lu 23:42, 43) In effect, Jesus said: ‘On this dark day, when my claim to a kingdom is to outward appearances highly unlikely, you express faith. Indeed, when I do get into my kingdom, I will remember you.’ (See PARADISE.) This would require a resurrection for the evildoer. This man was not a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. He had been engaged in wrongdoing, lawbreaking meriting the death penalty. Therefore, he could not hope to be one of those receiving the first resurrection. Additionally, he died 40 days before Jesus ascended into heaven and hence before Pentecost, which was 10 days after that ascension, when God through Jesus anointed the first members of those who will receive the heavenly resurrection

  What's ironic here is that they're trying to say that because this man was involved with wrongdoing and lawbreaking, he didn't "qualify" for heavenly life, yet he qualifies for life in a paradise on earth? Give me a break.

  (2 Peter 3:16) . . .. In them, however, are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unsteady are twisting, as [they do] also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

  (2 Peter 2:3) Also, with covetousness they will exploit YOU with counterfeit words. But as for them, the judgment from of old is not moving slowly, and the destruction of them is not slumbering.
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  gordon d

  Jeezzzsh Mary!
  Why does everything have to be so "Biblical" with you? I KNOW that's what the Bible says... but that's NOT what they meant... You really need someone to help you understand what was being impied by the words.. not what was being said by them. Sure, You have a knowledge of scriptures and can probably prove just about any bizarre thing that you want with them... but is that really honoring Jehovah by being obedient?

  I think...just maybe...someone should quit examining the scriptures so much and just examine themselves.......

  Now hurry up... you're gonna be late for the meeting.
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  hubert

  This would require a resurrection for the evildoer. This man was not a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.

  This is my point exactly. Jesus said to him....."You will be with ME in Paradise". How could he be with Jesus in Paradise, if he ended up on Paradise earth?

  He would have to eventually "be with Jesus [me] in Heaven. So, he would either be one of the annointed, or it would be that anyone following Jesus EVEN THOUGHT THEY ARE NOT ANNOINTED can go to heaven.....which would blow their theory of only 144,000 out of the water.

  Am I right?

  By the way, I do know about the comma trick...that's why I didn't use it in either position. but, either way, it doesn't change the picture, concerning whether Dismus is or willl be in Heaven or paradise earth.

  Hubert
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  fullofdoubtnow

  So, he would either be one of the annointed, or it would be that anyone following Jesus EVEN THOUGHT THEY ARE NOT ANNOINTED can go to heaven.....which would blow their theory of only 144,000 out of the water.

  Am I right?

  You are right, and of course the jw 144000 doctrine is merely a theory, and a flawed one at that, even though they state it as fact. Obviously, they placed the comma in Luke 23:43 to fit in with heir doctrine, not the only scripture they have twisted.

  Even if the theory of only 144000 going to heaven was correct, the idea that there would be so many places left by the time the watchtower started is ludicrous anyway. I'm not sure how many members they claim, but to think that there hadn't been 144000 faithful christians between 33AD and the 20th century is a bizarre idea to me.