I have drafted this up and hope to distribute it to the local JWs before the Memorial. All comments welcome for improvement or change....although I am hoping to keep it short.
THE MEMORIAL...AN INVITATION TO REJECT JESUS!
JOHN 6:53,54 "....Most truly I say to you. UNLESS you eat the flesh of the sone of man and drink his blood, you have no life in yourselves. He that feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has everlasting life and I shall resurrect him at the last day."
WILL YOU IGNORE THIS COMMAND?
The message is clear! Partaking of the emblems of Christ's body and blood is for ALL who would be resurrected and have everlasting life. (John 6:48-58). The Watchtower teaches that only 144,000 will go to heaven and that only these ones should partake of the bread and wine. For years they have taught that 1935 was the closing date for the 'calling' of Chiristians with the 'heavenly hope'. With this teaching, it was fully expected, with the passing of time, that the number of these 'annointed' partakers would decrease. (WT Jan 15, 2000 pg 30) (WT Aug 15, 1996, pg 31) (WT Feb 15, 1982, pg 30).
However, the facts show that this hasn't been the case. Instead of DECREASING, the number of partakers has been INCREASING.
This was one of the Watchtower explanations for the increase in partakers. (WT Aug 15, 1996, pg31)
2005 - 8,524 partakers
2006 - 8,758 partakers
2007 - 9,105 partakers
2008 - 9,986 partakers
2009 - 10,857 partakers
2010 - ?
In 2007 however, the Watchtower changed its mind on the teaching, that the 'heavenly calling' for annointed Christians ceased in 1935. NOW THE DOOR TO HEAVEN IS OPEN AGAIN! Is this due to the constant yearly increase in partakers at the Memorial?
"We cannot set a specific date for when the calling of Christians to the heavenly hope ends" (WT May 1, 2007, pg 31).
The Watchtower DID set a specific date (1935), and decided that after that date, no-one could legitimately claim to be of the annointed class, and therefore could not partake of the emblems. BUT NOW, according to their recent changes, the door to heaven is open again!
The Watchtower also teaches that that Jesus is the mediator FOR ONLY those of the 144,000. (WT Aug 15, 1989, pg 30,31) (WT Apr 1, 1979 pg 31) (Insight Vol 2. pg 362..."Blessings to Mankind in General")
In spite of what the Watchtower teaches, the BIBLE states that Jesus is YOUR MEDIATOR. (1Tim 2:5) Who will you listen to? Will you reject Jesus on Memorial night? Will you stand and OBSERVE only? Please consider the seriousness of DENYING Jesus. (Matt 10:33) (Heb 10:29) (Heb 6:6)