You Know,
You said:
You and I are not the judge of God's people.
Did not Paul say at 1 Corinthians 5:12, 13 this: “For what do I have to do with judging those on the outside? Do you not judge those inside, while God judges those outside?” On this basis, I most certainly will judge them.
You are not talking to the rank and file JW here. There are thinking people reading these posts and we do recognize propaganda when we read it. That's what you are dishing out in trying to defend the indefensible. The GB is the acknowledged leader of this group of people and they are responsible for everything that is said and done by their subordinates. They will be held accountable. I believe Lloyd Barry signed the original application for NGO status and he dropped dead while giving a talk. Maybe someone has already begun to judge.
In fact, the prophecy of Daniel that I cited earlier, foretold that even some of those with insight would be made to stumble in order to effect a refining, cleansing, and whitening of the faithful ones.
You seem fond of quoting from Daniel 11 and yet you know that nothing in this chapter will be fulfilled until the King of the North has taken over. He is the one who will apply pressure to God's people. Presently, the GB is not being pressured by the KOS to do anything. They do what they want to. They signed as an NGO with the UN because they wanted to not because of pressure. Since you cannot even identify the KON at present, what makes you think that the events that will occur under his regime can be applied to the present situation? I think that you are getting ahead of the Bible.
Well, what the Society has done may well be the "transgression" for which Jehovah allows us to be laid low for a time.
I don't believe that the word 'desolation' carries the same connotation as that of being 'laid-low.' Daniel 11:15 and 16 shows this: “And the King of the north will come and throw up a siege rampart and actually capture a city with fortifications. And as for the arms of the south, they will not stand, neither the people of his picked ones; and there will be no power to keep standing. And the one coming against him will do according to his will, and there will be no one standing before him. And he will stand in the land of the Decoration, and there will be extermination in his hand.” This king will not be coming in a peaceful manner. He will take control of the ‘land of Decoration.’ And he will exterminate this land unless they agree to compromise. And compromise they will. Daniel 11:32 shows that he will lead into apostasy those ‘acting wickedly against the covenant.’ And who are these but those associating with the UN, in spite of their knowledge of who this organization represents in the bible. Because of this situation, those ‘who have insight’ will not be found to be sitting ducks, waiting for this to happen. They will have acted on Jesus’ advice, ahead of these events happening, to ‘flee to the mountains’ when they catch sight of the ‘disgusting thing’ standing where it ought not. They will have proved themselves to have ‘discernment.’ Then, when outside the ‘land of Decoration, they will have to do battle with the KON, proving they have insight, proving they ‘know their God.’
Those with ‘insight’ must abandon Jerusalem now because the next step that those ,acting wickedly against the covenant, will take will be to ‘place the disgusting thing that is causing desolation’ as Daniel 11:31 says. This act will seal their fate as far as Jehovah is concerned. Once this has occurred, it will be too late to flee. The ‘disgusting thing standing in a holy place’ is given as a sign to alert all as to what is about to happen. Luke 21:20 says this: “Furthermore, when you see Jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies, then know that the desolating of her is near.” So, those with ‘insight’ will see this ‘disgusting thing’ and they will know that the ‘desolating of Jerusalem is near.’ They will begin ‘fleeing to the mountains.’
The facts prove otherwise. The faithful slave has kept Jehovah’s Witnesses focused upon our assignment to preach the good news of the kingdom.
You are using a term for these leaders that has not yet been granted to them. They have not proved to be ‘faithful nor discreet.’ This title cannot be deferred upon them until, as you said ‘the master comes and gives them the ‘well done faithful slave’ commendation. It hasn’t happened yet. There is much more testing to be done. Maybe that’s why the parable starts out with the question, who is the faithful and wise slave. Only time will answer.
in spite of all the difficulties and pressures brought to bear against him.
What difficulties and pressures have JWs experienced in the last fifty some years? Most JWs today have not experienced real pressure. Just wait until the KON gets his grimy little hands on you. If you get past him, you will have something to brag about.
bjc