It sure does seem like the WTBTS is subtly edging JWs towards actually worshipping the FDS. They're constantly reminding JWs that all spiritual food is provided via the FDS and how the WTBTS are Jehovah's chosen representatives.
And the nebulous hypothetical question that the WTBTS has been asking of late of (paraphrased) 'will you accept and obey direction from the FDS, no matter how strange it may appear?' They insinuate that "in the last days," JWs may be issued instructions that may, at first, appear to be outlandish, but that their very survival depends on it.
It was ominously mentioned at the last DC and was mentioned again several times in congregational meetings, especially during the book study which not surprisingly is the Revelation book.
The first problem here is, the current GB, the very ones responsible for "providing food at the proper time" are not among the annoited. They're comprised of the other sheep. The WTBTS clearly has stated that it is the FDS who is responsible for providing the so called "food at the proper time." I'm curious as to what the real FDS says about this.
Second problem, all the way back in the Old Testament, Jehovah constantly reminded the Jews that he was a jealous god and would not tolerate any worship to anyone or anything other than him. The WTBTS has become a broken record concerning the FDS. They've come to focus so much on the FDS that it sounds suspiciously like worship. They try to gloss it over by also reminding JWs that the FDS is carrying out Jehovah's commandments, but it seems like the FDS is discussed as frequently as Jehovah and with almost as much reverence.
I remember back in the 70's, 80's and early to mid 90's, the FDS wasn't discussed as much as they are now. Plus, there is more annoited now than there were back then!
Weirdness (more so than usual!) is brewing here. I'm beginning to think that very soon, the Dubs are going to be worshipping the FDS, insofar as worshipping won't be "worshipping" because the WTBTS will still be claiming that they only worship Jehovah. But they'll force the Dubs to swallow it by "reasoning" with them that since the FDS = Jehovah's chosen earthly organization and representation, then the FDS is due the same reverence as Jehovah might expect, and to disrespect the FDS and disregard the FDS' directives, is the same as disrespecting and disregarding Jehovah.
The Dubs won't batt an eye either. Why? Because they're being groomed for it now. Hell, most times during the prayers, Jehovah is thanked for "his loving provision of the FDS."
I can easily see the GB pulling off half cocked directions (e.g. 'fleeing to safety,' selling off all assets and sending it to the WTBTS) and telling shocked JWs that the FDS has directed this. By this time, JWs will have slowly been indoctrinated that FDS = Jehovah, so they'll do it without a second thought.
If this is really the case, then the JW religion is an idolatrous one since worship is directed away from Jehovah, or at the very least, shared with the FDS.
Am I really off base here?
N.