Comments You Will Not Hear at the 05-03-09 WT Study (February 15, 2009, pages 24-28)(FOLLOW THE LAMB)
Review comments will be in red
WT material from today's WT will be in black
Quotes from other sources will be in quotes boxes
w = Watchtower
g = Awake
jv = Proclaimers book
Bible translations www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible
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WT child abuse www.silentlambs.org
Blood issue www.ajwrb.org
United Nations http://www.randytv.com/secret/unitednations.htm
Also posted on
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OPENING COMMENTS
WTS Hierarchy
GOD
JESUS
GB
FDS
OTHER SHEEP
ABOUT two and a half years into his ministry, Jesus "was teaching in public assembly at Capernaum." Finding his speech shocking, "many of his disciples went off to the things behind and would no longer walk with him." When Jesus asked his 12 apostles if they also wanted to go, Simon Peter replied: "Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life; and we have believed and come to know that you are the
Holy One of God." (John 6:48, 59, 60, 66-69) True disciples of Jesus refused to quit following him. After being anointed with holy spirit, they continued to submit to Jesus' direction.--Acts 16:7-10.
Note that the scriputre says "whom" not "where" which is what jws say, "where will you go?" The apostles said they would continue to follow Jesus not a man-made organization.
But the GB/FDS/WTS teaches its members that following Jesus = following them.
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*** w88 3/15 pp. 18-19 par. 13 Serving as Jehovah’s Trusting Fellow Workers ***
Furthermore, suppose a person was to separate himself from Jehovah’s people. Where could he go? Is he not faced with the same issue that confronted Jesus’ apostles when he asked them if they also wanted to leave him? The apostle Peter rightly Replied: “Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life.” (John 6:68) There is nowhere else to go but to “Babylon the Great,” the world empire of false religion, or into the clutches of Satan’s political “wild beast.” (Revelation 13:1; 18:1-5) Largely, disloyal ones who have left Jehovah’s visible organization have made common cause with those in God-dishonoring “Babylon the Great.”
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*** w87 5/15 p. 22 Help in Making Wise Decisions ***
When some of the disciples left off associating with Jesus, Peter said: “Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life; and we have believed and come to know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68, 69) Obviously, only by staying close to God’s organization can we benefit from its counsel.
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*** w76 5/15 p. 297 Preaching Christ—Through Envy or Goodwill? ***
Jesus then asked his apostles: “You do not want to go also, do you?” Simon Peter answered: “Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life.” (John 6:67, 68) Where could they get spiritual upbuilding?
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*** w75 9/1 pp. 530-531 par. 19 Have Intense Love for One Another ***
Jesus also said that there would be a “faithful and discreet slave” class that would supply spiritual food to God’s people, and today Jehovah’s people are the only ones well fed spiritually, because of association with this “slave.” (Matt. 24:45, 46) Through it we have come into close association with Jehovah, his Son and his people on the earth. Where could we turn if we would leave God’s organization today? There is nowhere else! (John 6:66-69) This is the one organization he is using, and, if we ourselves are convinced of this, we should be able to assist others who are weak in faith.
NoWHERE else!
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*** w96 7/15 p. 15 par. 21 Jehovah’s Family Enjoys Precious Unity ***
Let us, therefore, follow our Exemplar by theocratically and unitedly doing Jehovah’s will in full cooperation with His organization.
*** w90 10/1 p. 30 Do You Follow Instructions? ***
We should follow the instructions that the Head of the Christian congregation, Jesus Christ, gives through “the faithful and discreet slave,” the appointed channel of God’s organization here on earth. (Matthew 24:45-47; Ephesians 5:23)
Q 2. (a) Who is "the faithful and discreet slave," or "the faithful steward"? (b) How has the slave established a fine record of "following the Lamb"?
2 What can be said about the anointed Christians in modern times? In his prophecy about "the sign of [his] presence and of the conclusion of the system of things," Jesus referred to the composite body of his spiritanointed followers on earth as "the faithful and discreet slave," or "the faithful steward." (Matt. 24:3, 45; Luke 12:42) As a group, the slave class has established an excellent record of "following the Lamb no matter where he goes." (Read Revelation 14:4, 5.) Its members remain virgins in a spiritual sense by not defiling themselves with the beliefs and practices of "Babylon the Great," the world empire of false religion. (Rev. 17:5) No doctrinal falsehood is "found in their mouths," and they remain "without blemish" from Satan's world. (John 15:19) In the future, the remaining anointed ones on earth "will follow" the Lamb right into heaven.--John 13:36.
"anointed Christians in modern times"--only jws
"Jesus referred to the composite body of his spirit-anointed followers" = proof?
not defiling themselves with the beliefs of BTG...no doctrinal falsehood?--in 1919, the year the WTS says Christ chose them, they were still using the cross (especially on the cover of the WT), celebrating birthdays, Christmas, using pyramids in determining bible chronology, saying that 1874 was the start of Christ's presence, etc.
1931--cross on WT cover removed
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*** yb75 p. 148 Part 2—United States of America ***
beginning with its issue of October 15, 1931, The Watchtower no longer bore the cross and crown symbol on its cover.
1943--1874 date of Christ's presence "adjusted"
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*** Thousand Years book chap. 11 pp. 209-210 par. 55 “Here Is the Bridegroom!” ***
In the year 1943 the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society published the book “The Truth Shall Make You Free.” In its chapter 11, entitled “The Count of Time,” it did away with the insertion of 100 years into the period of the Judges and went according to the oldest and most authentic reading of Acts 13:20, and accepted the spelled-out numbers of the Hebrew Scriptures. This moved forward the end of six thousand years of man’s existence into the decade of the 1970’s. Naturally this did away with the year 1874 C.E. as the date of return of the Lord Jesus Christ and the beginning of his invisible presence or parousia.
1926--Christmas no longer celebrated or was it 1928?
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*** jv chap. 14 p. 199 “They Are No Part of the World” ***
This holiday was celebrated yearly even by members of the Watch Tower Society’s headquarters staff at the Bethel Home in Brooklyn, New York. For many years they had been aware that December 25 was not the correct date, but they reasoned that the date had long been popularly associated with the birth of the Savior and that doing good for others was proper on any day. However, after further investigation of the subject, the members of the Society’s headquarters staff, as well as the staffs at the Society’s branch offices in England and in Switzerland, decided to stop sharing in Christmas festivities, so no Christmas celebration was held there after 1926.
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*** yb75 p. 147 Part 2—United States of America ***
What caused the Bible Students to stop celebrating Christmas? Richard H. Barber gave this answer: “I was asked to give an hour talk over a [radio] hookup on the subject of Christmas. It was given December 12, 1928, and published in The Golden Age #241 and again a year later in #268. That talk pointed out the pagan origin of Christmas. After that, the brothers at Bethel never celebrated Christmas again.”
[b]1928--pyramid chronology ends[/b]
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*** jv chap. 14 p. 201 “They Are No Part of the World” ***
For some 35 years, Pastor Russell thought that the Great Pyramid of Gizeh was God’s stone witness, corroborating Biblical time periods. (Isa.19:19) But Jehovah’s Witnesses have abandoned the idea that an Egyptian pyramid has anything to do with true worship. (See “Watchtower” issues of November 15 and December 1, 1928)
1926--earliest birthdays, possibly even later but definitely not in 1919.
http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/beliefs/106913/2/Birthdays-banned-in-1951
Q 3. Why is it important that we trust the Slave?
3 Jesus has appointed the faithful and discreet slave "over his domestics," that is, the individual members of the slave class, "to give them their food at the proper time." He has also appointed the slave "over all his belongings." (Matt. 24:45-47) these "belongings" include the growing "great crowd" of "other sheep." (Rev. 7:9; John 10:16) Should not individual members of the anointed and the "other sheep" trust the slave appointed over them? There are many reasons why the slave class deserves our trust. Two outstanding reasons are: (1) Jehovah trusts the slave class. (2) Jesus also trusts the slave. Let us examine the evidence that both Jehovah God and Jesus Christ have complete confidence in the faithful and discreet slave.
Why no mention of 1919 as the year Jesus appointed FDS? Who was giving out the "food" from 1879 to 1919?
Are they saying that "individual" anointed and other sheep are not trusting the "slave"?
"slave class"--where is that in the bible?
Circular reasoning? Jesus and God trusts (have complete confidence) the slave (as yet unidentified by proof in the article)
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*** w04 9/1 pp. 17-18 par. 18 Beware of “the Voice of Strangers” ***
What does Jesus, the Fine Shepherd, tell us to do? He teaches us to make disciples and to trust “the faithful and discreet slave.” (Matthew 24:45; 28:18-20) Obeying his voice means our eternal life.—Acts 3:23.
Trusting God means turning to WTS publications.
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*** w03 9/1 p. 15 par. 9 Trust in Jehovah Completely in Times of Distress ***
When encountering financial distress, we can also show our trust in Jehovah by looking to the publications of “the faithful and discreet slave” for help. (Matthew 24:45)
Jehovah Trusts the Slave
Q 4. Why can we have confidence in the spiritual food served by the faithful and discreet slave?
4 Consider what makes it possible for the faithful and discreet slave to provide timely, nutritious spiritual food. "I shall make you have insight and instruct you in the way you should go," says Jehovah. He adds: "I will give advice with my eye upon you." (Ps. 32:
If God does not provide this Scriptural insight to individual anointed jws, how does it do it to the FDS as a group?
Flipflop doctrines
Superior authorities
to 1929 - secular authorities
1929-1962--Jesus and God
1962--secular authorities
Sodom and Gomorrah resurrected? Yes, no, yes, no
http://www.quotes-watchtower.co.uk/sodomites.html
On the basis of just 2 doctrinal points, jws could not have full confidence in the FDS scriptural insight.
Q 5. What shows that God's spirit is empowering the slave class?
5. Jehovah also blesses the slave class with his holy spirit. While Jehovah's spirit is invisible, what it produces in those upon whom it operates is not. Think of what the faithful and discreet slave has been able to accomplish in giving a worldwide witness about Jehovah God, his Son, and the Kingdom. Jehovah's worshippers are actively proclaiming the Kingdom message in over 230 lands and island groups. Does that not give undeniable evidence that God's spirit is empowering the slave? (Read Acts 1:8.) In providing timely spiritual food for Jehovah's people the world over, the slave class must make vital decisions. In making them and putting them into effect, the slave exhibits love, mildness, and other aspects of the spirit's fruitage.--Gal. 5:22, 23.
The FDS is not the only group that has given or is giving a "worldwide witness." Mormons, Baptists, Adventists, and many other groups are doing the same in a greater way.
Does the numeric 230 lands mean undeniable evidence? If numbers were proof, then many other groups then have the holy spirit.
Acts 1:8 actually says that Christ's followers would be witnesses of him not God from Jesus' own mouth.
Is it a new idea that the GB directs the "slave class"?
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*** w07 4/1 p. 24 par. 14 Loyal to Christ and His Faithful Slave ***
Symbolically, the other sheep today walk behind the anointed slave class and its Governing Body, following their leadership.
Q 6, 7. To what extent does Jehovah trust the faithful slave?
6. To appreciate the extent of Jehovah's trust in the faithful slave, reflect on what he has promised its members. "The trumpet will sound," wrote the apostle Paul, "and the dead will be raised up incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this which is corruptible must put on incorruption, and this which is mortal must put on immortality." (1 Cor. 15:52, 53) The anointed followers of Christ, who serve God faithfully and die in corruptible human bodies, are resurrected as something more than spirit creatures having everlasting life. They are given immortality--endlessness and indestructibility. Moreover, they receive incorruption, being given bodies that are beyond decay and apparently are self-sustaining. Revelation 4:4 describes these resurrected ones as seated upon thrones with golden crowns upon their heads. The glory of royalty awaits anointed Christians. But there is more.
So God only trusts those he gives immortality to?
APPARENTLY self-sustaining--a way of saying the bible does not say but we will add to the bible Not all, but too many jw anointed I met felt they had begun ruling on earth.
How is it that they become perfect instantly upon resurrection and the rest of humankind does not reach that point until the end of the 1000 year reign per the WTS?
Does that mean the resurrected anointed cannot be killed per the WTS?
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*** w55 11/15 p. 703 Questions From Readers ***
Reasoning in the same way, there will be no danger of any of the heavenly class who have gained immortality later choosing to sin, and thus awkwardly having in the universe immortal rebels. But here again, even if such a thing did happen, we need not think that Jehovah would be powerless. Jehovah could destroy even an immortal creature. Immortality means to have the power of life within oneself. In other words, such a creature is not dependent on any outside source or environment to replenish energy or for the continuance of the life processes. Human creatures must eat, and spirit creatures apparently draw upon an outside source for continued existence, but immortal ones would not have to do this. They cannot die from a lack in their environment, but have life complete in themselves. Nevertheless, the all-powerful Jehovah could terminate their existence if he decided to do so.
7. "The marriage of the Lamb has arrived and his wife has prepared herself. Yes, it has been granted to her to be arrayed in bright, clean, fine linen, for the fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the holy ones," states Revelation 19: 7, 8. Jehovah has chosen the anointed Christians to be the future bride for his Son. Incorruption, immortality, royalty, "the marriage of the Lamb"--what awe-inspiring gifts these are! They are stirring
evidence of God's confidence in the anointed, who "keep following the Lamb no matter where he goes."
When will the marriage of the bride take place? Will all the 144,000 be in heaven for the event? See the Insight book says they must be but the 1993 WT says "it is not stated."
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*** it-2 p. 787 Resurrection ***
These as a body are called his (prospective) “bride” (Re 21:9); they are promised to him in marriage, and they must be resurrected to the heavens in order to take part in “the marriage of the Lamb.” (2Co 11:2; Re 19:7,
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*** re chap. 38 p. 276 par. 12 Praise Jah for His Judgments! ***
With the disgusting harlot, Babylon the Great, gone forever, attention can now be focused on the virgin-pure bride of the Lamb! Hence, the heavenly throngs sing exultantly in praise of Jehovah: “Let us rejoice and be overjoyed, and let us give him the glory, because the marriage of the Lamb has arrived and his wife has prepared herself. Yes, it has been granted to her to be arrayed in bright, clean, fine linen, for the fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the holy ones.”—Revelation 19:7, 8.
*** w93 5/1 p. 26 pars. 17-18 Deliverance at the Revelation of Jesus Christ ***
Revelation 19:6 is in the context of the destruction of Babylon the Great. With the removal of harlotlike religion, Jehovah’s Godship stands vindicated. Worship of him as Supreme Sovereign and King will prevail now for all eternity! Hence, the exultant announcement may be made: “Let us rejoice and be overjoyed, and let us give [Jah] the glory, because the marriage of the Lamb has arrived and his wife has prepared herself. Yes, it has been granted to her to be arrayed in bright, clean, fine linen, for the fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the holy ones.” (Revelation 19:7, Just when the anointed yet remaining on earth will receive their heavenly resurrection is not stated. But we are assured in the context here that their sharing in the marriage of the Lamb, Christ Jesus, will be a happy time, and all the more so since they will have witnessed firsthand the humiliation of the infamous harlot, Babylon the Great.
The Slave Is Trusted by Jesus
Q 8. How does Jesus show that he has confidence in his spirit-anointed followers?
8 What evidence is there that Jesus completely trusts his spirit-anointed followers? On the last night of his life on earth, Jesus made a promise to his 11 faithful apostles. "You are the ones that have stuck with me in my trials," he told them, "and I make a covenant with you, just as my Father has made a covenant with me, for a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones· to judge the twelve tribes of Israel." (Luke 22:28-30) The covenant that Jesus then made with the 11 will extend to all 144,000 anointed Christians. (Luke 12:32; Rev. 5:9, 10; 14:1) If he did not trust them, would Jesus make a covenant that meant sharing his Kingdom power with them?
Are there anointed who are not "genuine" per the WTS?
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*** w07 5/1 pp. 30-31 Questions From Readers ***
In 1935 the “great crowd” of Revelation 7:9-15 was understood to be made up of “other sheep,” Christians with an earthly hope, who would appear on the world scene in “the last days” and who as a group would survive Armageddon. (John 10:16; 2 Timothy 3:1; Revelation 21:3, 4) After that year, the thrust of the disciple-making work turned to the gathering in of the great crowd. Hence, especially after 1966 it was believed that the
heavenly call ceased in 1935. This seemed to be confirmed when almost all who were baptized after 1935 felt that they had the earthly hope. Thereafter, any called to the heavenly hope were believed to be replacements for anointed Christians who had proved unfaithful. Without a doubt, if one of the anointed unrepentantly falls away, Jehovah does call another individual to take his place. (Romans 11:17-22) However, the number of genuine anointed ones who have become unfaithful is likely not large. On the other hand, as time has gone by, some Christians baptized after 1935 have had witness borne to them that they have the heavenly hope. (Romans 8:16, 17) Thus, it appears that we cannot set a specific date for when the calling of Christians to the heavenly hope ends.
How should a person be viewed who has determined in his heart that he is now anointed and begins to partake of the emblems at the Memorial? He should not be judged. The matter is between him and Jehovah. (Romans 14:12) However, genuine anointed Christians do not demand special attention. They do not believe that their being of the anointed gives them special “insights,” beyond what even some experienced members of the great crowd may have. They do not believe that they necessarily have more holy spirit than their companions of the other sheep have; nor do they expect special treatment or claim that their partaking of the emblems places them above the appointed elders in the congregation. They humbly remember that some anointed men in the first century did not qualify to serve as elders or ministerial servants. (1 Timothy 3:1-10, 12, 13; Titus 1:5-9; James 3:1) Some anointed Christians were even spiritually weak. (1 Thessalonians 5:14) And sisters, although anointed, did not teach in the congregation.—1 Timothy 2:11, 12.
Jesus made a covenant with the 11 apostles per the Bible. Where in the bible does it say that there are only 144,000 and that today only some jws are anointed?
If he did not trust...he would not make---but this still does not show how the bible identifies only some jws in this time period as being anointed.
Q 9. What are included in "all [Christ's] belongings"?
9 Moreover, Jesus Christ has appointed the faithful and discreet slave "over all his belongings" --all Kingdom interests on earth. (Matt. 24:47) Included among these belongings are the facilities at the world headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses, at branch offices in various lands, and at Assembly Halls and Kingdom Halls worldwide. Included too is the work of Kingdom-preaching and disciple-making. Would anyone assign someone he did not trust to keep and use his valuable things?
Again the WTS makes no mention of 1919 as the year they say that this appointment took place.
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*** w97 5/15 p. 15 par. 1 Theocratic Administration in the Christian Era ***
But as “the time of the end” approached, the true Israel of God came back into human view and in 1919 was appointed over all Jesus’ belongings.—Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43; 24:45-47; Daniel 12:4.
Where is the proof that only jws are preaching and making disciples.
Q 10. What shows that Jesus Christ is with his anointed followers?
10 Shortly before he ascended to heaven, the resurrected Jesus appeared to his faithful disciples and made a promise to them, saying: "Look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things." (Matt. 28:20) Has this promise proved reliable? In the last 15 years, the number of congregations of ]ehovah's Witnesses worldwide has grown from some 70,000 to over 100,000--an increase of over 40 percent. And what about the new disciples added? Nearly 4.5 million disciples were baptized in the last 15 years-an average of more than 800 a day. These spectacular increases are clear evidence that Christ is directing his anointed followers at their congregation meetings and is supporting them in their disciple-making work.
Is increase proof that Jesus has blessed the jws? 40/15 = 2.66% a year.
4.5 million baptized...but how many have left in the last 15 years.
http://pewresearch.org/pubs/743/united-states-religion
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Jehovah's Witnesses have the lowest retention rate of any religious tradition. Only 37% of all those who say they were raised as Jehovah's Witnesses still identify themselves as Jehovah's Witnesses.
Does this increase give "clear evidence" that Christ is supporting and directing only jws?
The Slave Is Faithful and Discreet
Q 11, 12. How has the slave shown itself to be faithful and discreet?
11 Since Jehovah God and Jesus Christ completely trust the faithful and discreet slave, should we not do the same? After all, the slave has shown itself to be faithful in doing its assigned work. For example, the Watchtower magazine has been published for some 130 years. Meetings, assemblies, and conventions of ]ehovah's Witnesses continue to build us up spiritually.
Has the WTS truly proven that God and Jesus completely trust the WTS/FDS/GB?
If not, then why should individual jws?
Which is more important the bible or the WT? Has the content of WT proven consistent over the last 130 years? No.
12. The faithful slave is also discreet in that it neither acts immodestly, running ahead of Jehovah, nor lags behind when God's direction on a matter is clear. For example, while false religious leaders tacitly approve or openly condone as normal the selfish, godless conduct of the people of the world, the slave provides warnings against the pitfalls of Satan's wicked system. The slave is able to provide wise and timely warnings
because Jehovah God and Jesus Christ are blessing it. The slave thus deserves our complete trust. How, though, can we demonstrate that we trust the faithful and discreet slave?
Running ahead
1874
1878
1881
1914
1915
1920
1925
1940's
1975
1914 generation
http://www.freeminds.org/Doctrine/Chronology/watchtower-dates.html
and lag behind with the teachings of the superior authorities (1879-1929-1962), the resurrection of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah
The WT tacitly condoned polygamy until 1947.
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*** jv chap. 13 p. 176 Recognized by Our Conduct ***
Yet, there were hundreds who accepted the Bible’s exposure of idolatry and gladly embraced what Jehovah’s Witnesses taught concerning the Kingdom of God but who got baptized without abandoning polygamy. To correct this situation, The Watchtower of January 15, 1947, emphasized that Christianity makes no allowance for polygamy, regardless of local custom. A letter sent to the congregations notified any who professed to be Jehovah’s Witnesses but who were polygamists that six months was being allowed for them to bring their marital affairs into harmony with the Bible standard. This was reinforced by a discourse given by Brother Knorr during a visit to Africa that same year.
Per above has the slave been able to provide wise and timely warnings; no, does that mean that God and Jesus are not blessing it and does not deserve our complete trust? Yes.
"Go With" the Anointed as They Follow the Lamb
Q13. According to Zechariah's prophecy, how is it possible to demonstrate trust in the faithful and discreet slave?
13 The Bible book of Zechariah speaks of "ten men" who approach "a man who is a Jew" and say: "We will go with you people." (Read Zechariah 8:23.) Since" a man who is a Jew" is spoken of as "you people," he is a composite man. In our time, he represents the remnant of spirit-anointed Christians--part of "the Israel of God." (Gal. 6:16) The "ten men out of all the languages of the nations" represent the great crowd of
other sheep. Just as the anointed Christians follow Jesus no matter where he goes, the great crowd 'goes with,' or accompanies, the faithful and discreet slave. Those of the great crowd should never be ashamed to identify themselves as companions of the "partakers of the heavenly calling." (Heb. 3:1) Jesus is not ashamed to call the anointed ones "brothers."-Heb.2:11.
Where is the proof that th "man who is a Jew" represents only jws? Don't let the term "Christians" fool you, jws consider themselves the only TRUE Christians.
This is a one scripture concept that the WTS uses, Galatians 6:16.
Should Christians be following Jesus or other Christians; were Christians to be followers of men, menpleasers?
Great crowd only companions of Christ's brothers never his brothers until the end of the 1,000 year reign.
Q 14. How can loyal support be given to Christ's brothers?
14 Jesus Christ considers the loyal support given to his brothers as being given to him. (Read Matthew 25:40.) In what way, then, can those who have the earthly hope support Christ's spirit-anointed brothers? Principally by helping them with the Kingdom-preaching work. (Matt. 24:14; John 14:12) While the number of anointed ones on the earth has decreased over the decades, the number of the other sheep has increased. When those who have an earthly hope share in the witness work, serving if possible as full-time evangelizers, they support the spirit-anointed ones in fulfilling the disciple-making assignment. (Matt. 28:19, 20) Not to be overlooked are the opportunities to support this work by making financial contributions in various ways.
Has the WTS proven yet in this article that only jws are Christ's brothers; saying it over and over does not make it true.
Actually, the number of jws partaking has increased significantly over the last three years not decreased!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/beliefs/169126/1/2008-Publisher-Statistics-Charted
http://www.freeminds.org/blogs/watchtower-comments/memorial-2009.html
Q 15. How should individual Christians respond to timely spiritual food from the slave and organizational decisions made by the slave?
15. As individual Christians, how do we view the timely spiritual food that the faithful slave dispenses by means of Bible-based publications and through Christian gatherings? Do we gratefully partake of it and readily apply what we learn? What is our response to organizational decisions made by the slave? Our willing obedience to the direction provided gives evidence of our faith in Jehovah's arrangement.-Jas. 3:17.
individual Christians--only jws
food = WT publications not Bible
gratefully...readily--WT pubs not bible
organization decisions made by the slave does not = decisions made by Jesus and God, that is in the bible
faith in God and Jesus = faith in WT organization?
Q 16. Why should all Christians listen to Christ's brothers?
16 "My sheep listen to my voice," said Jesus, "and I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27) That is true of the anointed Christians. What about those who" go with" them? Such ones must listen to Jesus. They must also listen to his brothers. After all, the chief responsibility for caring for the spiritual welfare of God's people has been entrusted to them. What does listening to the voice of Christ's brothers involve?
If jws follow Jesus first then if the "anointed" do they same, they will be going in the same direction.
What if imperfect men give the wrong directions, who should be followed, Jesus or men?
Has the WTS proven that the spiritual welfare of God's people has been entrusted to them?
Q 17. What does listening to the slave class involve?
17. The faithful and discreet slave today is represented by the Governing Body, who take the lead and coordinate the Kingdom preaching work throughout the earth. The members of the Governing Body are experienced, spirit-anointed elders. They in particular can be described as "those who are taking the lead" among us. (Heb.13:7) In caring for over 7,000,000 Kingdom proclaimers worldwide in over 100,000 congregations,
these anointed overseers have "plenty to do in the work of the Lord." (1 Cor. 15:58) Listening to the slave class means giving our full cooperation to its Governing Body.
FDS is represented by the GB--not a new idea.
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*** w07 4/1 p. 28 par. 11 Humbly Submitting to Loving Shepherds ***
Today, Jesus directs us by means of “the faithful and discreet slave,” represented by its Governing Body and the appointed elders. (Matthew 24:45)
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*** w72 8/1 p. 458 par. 11 Loving Oversight of the Congregation of God ***
Moreover, the governing body is made up of members of the “faithful and discreet slave” class mentioned at Matthew 24:45-47, and it represents that class.
GB are spirit-ANointed not the same as spirit-APPointed elders
listening to slave class = cooperating with GB (not Jesus?)
Those Who Listen to the Slave Are Blessed
Q 18, 19. (a) How are those who listen to the faithful and discreet slave blessed? (b) What should be our determination?
18 Since its appointment, the faithful and discreet slave has been "bringing the many to righteousness." (Dan. 12:3) These include those who have the hope of surviving the destruction of the present wicked system of things. What a blessing this righteous standing with God is!
Once again the WTS makes no mention of 1919 as the year that this appointment supposedly took place and definitely no mention of all the
Babylonish teachings they still had in their roster of doctrines.
Hope of surviving the present wicked system--only jws and possibly anointed jws who will miss the wedding in heaven evidently.
righteous stand with God = only a baptized jw in good standing
19 In the future, when 'the holy city, New Jerusalem [consisting of 144,000] comes down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband,' what will those who have listened to the voice of the slave experience? "God himself will be with them," says the Bible. "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." (Rev. 21:2-4) By all means, then, let us listen to the Christ and his trustworthy spirit-anointed brothers.
New Jerusalem (brackets with no proof saying = 144,000)
anointed--only jws
What Did You Learn?
What evidence is there that Jehovah trusts the faithful and discreet slave?
What shows that Jesus Christ completely trusts the slave class?
Why does the faithful steward deserve our trust?
How do we demonstrate that we trust the slave?
trust faith and discreet slave
trusts the slave class
faithful steward deserve our trust
trust the slave
Do you get the message?
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
Sorry for the late posting. Life has been hectic.
Love, Blondie