E-watchman says Ray Franz is 'animalistic' LOL!

yaddayadda

In a critique of 'Captives of a Concept', Robert King accuses anyone who can't get past all of the Watchtower Society's 'obstacles' as animalistic and lacking spirituality, including Don Cameron and Ray Franz.

It's mindblowing how this bloke can consistently call the Watchtower leaders liars, blind, false prophets, dishing up vomitous things, etc, yet continue to preach that they are still a 'faithful steward' uniquely appointed by Christ. Everyone els,e like Ray Franz, is 'animalistic' for publicly exposing the same faults but not sticking with the organisation.

Robert King is a hypocrite of the highest order.

Here is most of his latest commentary. It has to be one of the finest pieces of twisted rationalisations I've ever read for excusing religious falsehood:

Although there is no question the Watchtower Society has placed numerous stumbling blocks on the path, a person “not having spirituality” has no capacity or desire to surmount the stumbling blocks with which they are confronted. Instead, the animalistic person seeks to exploit the stumbling blocks to cause as many others as possible to stumble from the path.

It is also noteworthy that the very expression “captives of a concept” suggests that Jehovah’s Witnesses are in need of being set free from captivity. Like Franz, with his tempting offer of “Christian freedom,” Cameron apparently fancies himself as a liberator of poor misguided Watchtower slaves too. He claims to have a grasp of reality while Jehovah’s Witnesses are in the grip of an illusion.

That ought to remind us of the apostle’s warning that weak Christians would be menaced by men who promise them their freedom even though the would-be liberators are themselves mere slaves of corruption.

But as regards the appointment of the so-called faithful and discreet slave, there are several things to consider. First: there are two appointments of the faithful slave. And secondly, some of those slaves initially appointed do not remain faithful to their master. Thirdly, the second appointment does not take place until Christ arrives to initiate the conclusion of the entire system of things. That is why in the context of the judgment of the slaves Jesus urged his disciples to stay awake and keep on the watch for the master’s coming.

Although Cameron focuses on Matthew 24:45-47, Jesus discussed the faithful and evil slaves in more detail on a different occasion, which is recorded in the 12th chapter of Luke. However, in both discussions Jesus makes it clear that the faithful slave ultimately receives two appointments. Jesus worded it this way: “Who really is the faithful steward, the discreet one, whom his master will appoint over his body of attendants to keep giving them their measure of food supplies at the proper time? Happy is that slave, if his master on arriving finds him doing so! I tell you truthfully, He will appoint him over all his belongings.” – Luke 12:42-44

Let the reader take note of the fact that first the slave is merely appointed over the master’s “body of attendants to keep giving them their measure of food supplies at the proper time.” That appointment occurs long before the second appointment, which is evidenced by the fact that some of the appointed slaves adopt the attitude that their master is delaying his return. Then, when the master finally arrives he then determines whether the slave has faithfully carried out his assignment before appointing him over all of his belongings

In Matthew’s account Jesus used the past tense in reference to the first appointment, saying: “Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed (past tense) over his domestics…” The significance of Christ using the past tense is because on that particular occasion he was speaking of the appointment of the slave in the context of the conclusion of the system of things, which is when the master will arrive with the unexpectedness of a thief in the night to judge his slaves. At that time, during the conclusion, the faithful slave will have already been working for some time as an appointed steward and he will then be judged as to his faithfulness in that assignment. What is the difference between the two appointments? The first appointment has to do with being put in a position of authority over God’s household. The second appointment pertains to the faithful slave actually becoming a sharer in Christ’s heavenly kingdom.

That the faithful slave’s first appointment has to do with his being given authority over Christ’s congregation is made evident by what Jesus said in the 12th chapter of Luke regarding the slaves’ accountability to his master. Specifically, Jesus said: “But if ever that slave should say in his heart, ‘My master delays coming,’ and should start to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that slave will come on a day that he is not expecting him and in an hour that he does not know, and he will punish him with the greatest severity and assign him a part with the unfaithful ones. Then that slave that understood the will of his master but did not get ready or do in line with his will will be beaten with many strokes. But the one that did not understand and so did things deserving of strokes will be beaten with few. Indeed, everyone to whom much was given, much will be demanded of him; and the one whom people put in charge of much, they will demand more than usual of him.”

According to the passage above, Christ will hold an accounting with his appointed slaves for the reason that they have been put in charge and given much responsibility. And it is noteworthy that the faithful slave is also punished for his neglect – albeit, with a few strokes. Reasonably, the slave is judged at the conclusion of his assignment to feed his fellow slaves as to whether he has been faithful or unfaithful in the discharge of his assigned duties.

The Watchtower, of course, has erroneously taught Jehovah’s Witnesses that the master arrived in 1918 to judge his slaves. If that were true, though, what evidence is there that the Watchtower was given increased responsibilities over the master’s belongings then? Frankly, there is none. It appears that the Society merely continued on in the same sort of educational program such as existed before the supposed coming of the master in 1918. So, in that respect Jehovah’s Witnesses are captive to a concept and a delusion. (See commentary The End of a Delusion is at Hand)

According to the Watchtower’s explanation Jesus made a stealth inspection of all the religions of Christendom shortly after 1914 and found the leadership of the International Bible Students the only ones to be faithfully serving his interests on earth; hence, they were appointed over all the master’s belongings. But if that were true it would mean that all of Christendom constituted the house of God before 1918. Of course, that contradicts the Society’s teaching that Christendom is the main part of Babylon the Great. The Society’s interpretation is out of harmony with Jesus’ parable as it clearly states that the master appoints the steward over his “body of attendants to keep giving them their measure of food supplies.” If the Society’s interpretation were true it would mean that all the religionists of Christendom make up Christ’s “body of attendants.”

Supposedly, too, the International Bible Students who broke away from the Watchtower back then were condemned by Christ as evil slaves. But that simply could not be. How do we know? For one thing, Jesus said that the unfaithful slave would be punished with “the greatest severity” and in Matthew’s account Jesus added that the condemned slave would weep and gnash his teeth in anguish. Setting up independent sects of Bible Students, which is what happened after Russell’s death, hardly seems like punishment of the greatest severity.

Besides, the expression “weeping and gnashing of teeth” was used exclusively by Christ in connection with the judgment he would issue upon unfaithful Christians during the conclusion of the system of things. That is evident from the fact that in the 13th chapter of Matthew Jesus used that expression twice; once in connection with the weed-like individuals who will be rooted out of his kingdom by the angelic harvesters and also, similarly, in connection with the unsuitable fishes that are destined to be discarded from the catch by the angelic fishers.

As previously stated, Jesus’ two illustrations in the 13th chapter of Matthew are destined to come to a realization during the judgment period known as the conclusion of the system of things. Since there is no evidence, whatsoever, that the angels have already removed all persons doing lawlessness and all stumbling blocks out from Christ’s kingdom, which is what Jesus said the harvest would accomplish, it is evident that the conclusion of the system of things has not begun yet. That means that the judgment of the slaves is still future. (See essay: The Harvest and commentary: A Faithful Slave Passes the Test)

But while there is no evidence that the Watchtower Society was appointed over the master’s “belongings” in 1919, or at any time since then for that matter, or that the evil slave was adversely judged back then, is there any evidence that the Watchtower Society has at least operated under the authority of the master’s first appointment to feed his domestics? Yes, there is.

Consider that in the 12th chapter of Luke Peter asked if the illustration Christ had given, concerning the need to keep on the watch, applied to the apostles or to all. That’s when Jesus uttered another illustration by posing the question: “Who really is the faithful steward, the discreet one…?”

Whatever conclusion Peter arrived at then we do not know. However, after Jesus was resurrected he three times commanded Peter to feed his sheep. And immediately after Pentecost Peter and all of the newly anointed apostles, along with other appointed older men, began functioning as a faithful steward by feeding the newly formed Christian congregation with spiritual food in the form of instructions and encouragement.

One example of their carrying out their stewardship was on the occasion when the apostles and older men convened a meeting at their headquarters in Jerusalem to discuss the potentially divisive circumcision issues. And after much discussion arrived at the decision not to impose circumcision on the Gentile converts; but only that they observe the necessary things of abstaining from fornication, blood and idolatry. Their decision was written down in letters that were then delivered to all the congregations with the result that the brotherhood was encouraged and edified.

But the point is the apostles and older men formed an identifiable faithful steward in the first century due to their own anointing and appointment as older men and their ministering to Christ’s anointed disciples in a meaningful and effective way. Obviously, though, they were not then appointed over all the master’s belongings.

And it is noteworthy, too, that the master did not expect the apostles to have a complete understanding of the times and seasons. For example, the last chapter of John reveals that a rumor emanated from the apostles shortly after Jesus ascended that led the brotherhood to come to expect that Christ would return before the apostle John died. Apparently that rumor was not laid to rest until John wrote his gospel account about 60 years later! It appears that the apostles had their own version of the Watchtower’s “this generation will not pass away” debacle in the first century. But, obviously, Jesus did not reject the apostles as his servants because of their blindness. (See essay: Who is Blind as the Servant of Jehovah?)

The Watchtower Society similarly came into existence to minister to a congregation of anointed Christians. And it can be argued that the more recent formation of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses has brought into existence an organ that has functioned in a similar manner as the first century apostolic body in issuing written edicts and exhortations comparable to the apostles’ ruling to abstain from fornication, blood and idolatry. Thus, once again there is an identifiable faithful steward and an organization of domestics whom the slave is charged to feed.

The criteria for judging whether or not the slave has been faithful in the discharge of his duty of providing food at the proper time is best determined by whether or not the body of attendants has been encouraged and edified in order to accomplish their assigned tasks. It matters not whether the slave has been ignorant of certain aspects of the master’s will. As Jesus stated in the parable the slave that did not know his master’s will and so did not act accordingly will only be chastised with a few strokes. So, the master recognizes and accepts the shortcomings of his appointed slaves. It is the willfully negligent slave that is punished with the greatest severity.

But on the question of whether the Watchtower Society is fulfilling the mandate of the master to provide food at the proper time, the evidence strongly suggests that they are. And that evidence is provided by Jehovah’s Witnesses themselves due to the fact that Jehovah’s Witnesses have demonstrated in many different ways that they have been spiritually nourished and strengthened to accomplish the master’s will.

For instance, it is the master’s will that his slaves preach the kingdom and teach spiritually responsive persons how to do God’s will. Have Jehovah’s Witnesses done that? Yes, absolutely. Only the most perverse liar would deny the facts.

Another example: The master’s will is that his slaves be no part of this world. Do Jehovah’s Witnesses give evidence that they are doing the will of the master in that respect? Again, the evidence is abundant that Jehovah’s Witnesses are set apart from the peoples of this system –religiously, socially and politically.

But what about the accusations that the Watchtower has issued what can best be described as false prophecy? And what about the organizational idolatry that the Watchtower has allowed to develop? How can that be reconciled with the activities of a faithful and discreet steward? Those and many other issues are addressed in prophecy as matters which Jehovah is determined to correct; the details of which have been presented in numerous essays on e-watchman. For instance, on the matter of false prophecy the 13th chapter of Ezekiel expressly states that the men whom Jehovah calls “the stupid prophets” reside “in the intimate group of my people” up until they are overtaken by Jehovah’s judgments. (See the open letter: The Wall Must Fall)

No doubt the stupid prophets are the same as the evil slaves that are within the household of their master up until they are thrown out at the arrival of Christ.

Since it is undeniable that the world now stands at the brink of a global catastrophe (See e-watchman blog), which will surely commence the judgment period known as the conclusion of the system of things, and since that judgment starts first with the house of God there has to be an identifiable faithful slave, as well as an organization over which he is placed in charge, in existence prior to the beginning of the time of the end. The Watchtower Society and Jehovah’s Witnesses is the only organization on earth that meets the criteria.

As another proof of that consider the fact that the prophecy in the 36th chapter of Ezekiel foretells that God is going to punish his people (just as Christ foretold that the faithful slave will be lashed with a few strokes) because they have caused his holy name to be profaned among the nations. Have Jehovah’s Witnesses brought reproach on the name of Jehovah? Yes, they have. And, conversely, they are the only people who can cause the name of Jehovah to be profaned among the nations of the world due to the obvious fact that Jehovah’s Witnesses are the only people intimately connected with the name of Jehovah.

As regards the faithful slave being appointed over all the master’s belongings at a future time, one merely has to consider the two other parables Jesus uttered in the 25th chapter of Matthew. Immediately after relating the illustration of the discreet slave and the evil slave, Jesus again contrasted two classes of servants – virgins – one group foolish and one discreet.

Again, the Watchtower erroneously teaches that the wise and foolish virgins parted ways in 1918. However, that simply cannot be the case due to the fact that in the parable the door is shut when once the discreet virgins are ushered into the marriage feast. If the bridegroom came in 1918 then that would mean that the opened door of heavenly opportunity was shut back then. Obviously, that is not the case.

Most noteworthy is the fact that Jesus also concluded his parable of the 10 virgins by again exhorting his followers to “keep on the watch, therefore, because you know neither the day nor the hour.” That means that the coming of the symbolic bridegroom is the end of our faith. If the bridegroom came in 1918 then there would be no further need of keeping on the watch for his coming. The Society’s teaching tends toward spiritual complacency, which helps explain why the parable depicts all the virgins, including the discreet, nodding off to sleep immediately before they are aroused by the announcement of the groom’s arrival. (See article Keep on the Watch)

The next illustration regarding the monies of the master also features the appointment of those judged to be faithful slaves and the punishment of a wicked and sluggish slave. While the wicked slave is thrown out to weep and gnash his teeth in the outer darkness the master rewards the two faithful slaves by appointing them “over many things.” They are also said to enter into the joy of their master. Being appointed over many things and entering the master’s joy clearly has to do with their receiving their heavenly reward. Their appointment over many things corresponds with the faithful slave being appointed over all the mater’s belongings and has to do with their ruling with Christ in heaven. But until Christ arrives each slave must stay on the watch or else risk losing all.

There is no question but that Jehovah’s Witnesses are captive to the concept that the judgment has already taken place and because of that they are blind to Jehovah’s judgment yet to be revealed. But that is destined to be by prophecy. For example, through the prophecy of Jeremiah Jehovah describes the situation of those whom he calls “my people” this way: “Even the stork in the heavens—it well knows its appointed times; and the turtledove and the swift and the bulbul—they observe well the time of each one’s coming in. But as for my people, they have not come to know the judgment of Jehovah.”

So, while it is true that Jehovah’s Witnesses “have not come to know the judgment of Jehovah,” Cameron is similarly captive to a concept; and hence, ignorant of Jehovah’s judgment. Or as the 10th Psalm words it: “Your judicial decisions are high up out of his range.”

reneeisorym

All I can say is that using the word "noteworthy" is a clear sign of JW brainwashing.

Bonnie_Clyde

Maybe I'm missing something, but I have no idea who Robert King is. Will you fill me in?

Bumble Bee

E-Watchmans site was the first one I came across when I finally searched on the internet. I couldn't read his stuff then, and I can't now.

BB

zack

The guy is more deluded than those he chastises. He truely is a lunatic.

dedpoet

Maybe I'm missing something, but I have no idea who Robert King is. Will you fill me in?

Robert King is an ex jw who runs the E-Watchman discussion forum,
which tends to promote the wtachtower. Although he is critical of the
jws governing body, he still appears to regard them as the faithful and
discreet slave. He used to post on JWD under the name of YouKnow,
and his posts can still be viewed, though I'd advise you to have a sick
bag handy if you take a look.

As for his "review", it clearly reveals his apologistic nature, whatever he
may say about the wtbts.

aniron

I don't know why but when I've read E-Watchman

He always reminds me of Joseph Rutherford.

I feel anytime now he is going to set up a break away JW sect.

drew sagan

That guy is such a turd.

Quandry

Robert King is an ex jw who runs the E-Watchman discussion forum,
which tends to promote the wtachtower. Although he is critical of the
jws governing body, he still appears to regard them as the faithful and
discreet slave.

What is the point? Why does he still cling to the WTS ? Was he df'd? Or did he dissasociate? It seems he is equal to Ray Franz in the WTS eyes. So why does he try to defend a group that obviously does not want either of them?

Also, is he from Florida? I remember over twenty years ago, I knew someone by that name. He was and elder, very well thought of.

willyloman

What little "spirituality" the GB ever possessed left when Ray did. He was their conscience and when your conscience walks out the door, you either go with... or become part of the debris left behind.

E-watchman says Ray Franz is 'animalistic' LOL!

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