Waiting on the faithful and discreet slave b.s...

by DJPoetech 7 Replies latest watchtower bible

  • DJPoetech
    DJPoetech

    I was just considering what really made me question the Witnesses enough to investigate them and search other sources for information.

    They often say stuff about "waiting on Jehovah" or "wait for the brothers". I got concerned because the Witnesses were getting between my brain and my mouth. That was way too close for comfort without a good reason why. This is why I began to pursue other sources.

    Well today I wanted to find a reference to the substantiate the coloquialisms we often here in the kingdom halls.

    Watchtower 2000 Sept 1, Show a waiting Attitude

    7 As Bible prophecies undergo fulfillment, our understanding of the Scriptures is refined. At times, though, we may think that a certain clarification is overdue. If it is not forthcoming when we would prefer it, are we willing to wait? Remember, Jehovah saw fit to reveal “the sacred secret of the Christ” a little at a time and over a period of some 4,000 years. (Ephesians 3:3-6) Do we, then, have any reason to be impatient? Do we doubt that a “faithful and discreet slave” has been appointed to give Jehovah’s people “their food at the proper time”? (Matthew 24:45) Why deprive ourselves of godly joy because not everything is completely understood? Remember, Jehovah decides when and how to reveal his ‘confidential matters.’—Amos 3:7.

    8 Some may be discouraged because they feel that after many years of faithful service, they may not live to see “the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah.” (Joel 2:30, 31) Still, they can be encouraged when they look at the positive aspect. Peter counseled: “Consider the patience of our Lord as salvation.” (2 Peter 3:15) Jehovah’s patience has allowed millions of additional righthearted ones to learn the truth. Is that not wonderful? Further, the longer Jehovah exercises patience, the more time we have to “keep working out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling.”—Philippians 2:12; 2 Peter 3:11, 12.

    9 A waiting attitude helps us not to be discouraged when opposition, sickness, advancing age, or other problems hinder us in Kingdom service. Jehovah expects us to serve him wholeheartedly. (Romans 12:1) However, God’s Son, who feels “sorry for the lowly one and the poor one,” does not demand more than we can reasonably offer; neither does Jehovah. (Psalm 72:13) Thus, we are encouraged to do what we can, patiently waiting until circumstances change—either in this system of things or in that which is to come. Remember: “God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name, in that you have ministered to the holy ones and continue ministering.”—Hebrews 6:10.

    10 A waiting attitude also helps us to avoid presumptuousness. Some who have become apostate were unwilling to wait. They may have felt that there was a need for adjustments, either in Bible understanding or in organizational matters. Yet, they failed to acknowledge that Jehovah’s spirit moves the faithful and discreet slave to make adjustments in His due time, not when we may feel that this is needed. And any adjustments must be in harmony with Jehovah’s will, not our personal ideas. Apostates allow a presumptuous attitude to warp their thinking and stumble them. But if they had adopted the mental attitude of Christ, they could have retained their joy and remained among Jehovah’s people.—Philippians 2:5-8

    I like how they associate independent thought with the most hated creature on earth... the apostate!! Duh, duh, duuuh!!

    Anyway, thought I would share. Whatcha think?

  • mamalove
    mamalove

    I think the literature is written as they are programmed to think. It is a survival mechanism designed to thwart anyone from leaving, and maintaining loyalty to the organization. (Just like any similar group).

    It is far more pallatable for one to feel a sense of moral superiority to adopt the thinking that "I will be humble and wait, for that is the best way, blah blah." Rather than be "rebellious" and investigate and think independently which they have been chided to abhor.

    Clinging to the beliefs from the FDS, and the WT is a way for emotionally weak people to not have to think, to not have to make hard decisions. The way you are supposed to believe and live is already defined for you. How freaking convenient. And it is the truth, and right, by golly this is freaking fabulous! It alleviates any insecurities.

    I used to think to myself when I was a little girl, that I was so lucky, I mean how could I be so lucky to be born into the right religion and all of these other people are going to die, or learn the hard way. I knew why things were the way they were. It was the golden ticket.

    I know better now. :)

  • miseryloveselders
    miseryloveselders

    Good thread. I think once a person recognises that the Faithful and Discreet Slave was a parable for illustrative purposes, and not anything more, freedom isn't that far away. It reminds me of the movie Scarface with Pacino, when he shot the crooked cop. The cop was like, "you can't shoot a cop!", as he was holding his stomach where the bullet entered. Scarface replied, "whoever said you was one?" Then he blasted him again. Sky was the limit for Tony at that point. I look at it the same way mentally with this organization. We've shot the WTS doctrine of being the Faithful and Discreet Slave, and they responded, "you can't shoot God's chosen organization!" We responded, "whoever said you were God's chosed organization?"

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_Q5fxEfKKs

  • BluesBrother
    BluesBrother

    They say something similar in the current study WT July 15 2010 page 6

    "Indeed it is the Evil Slave who concludes that the master is delaying. That Evil Slave is part of a group described in 2 Pet 3 3 &4 "In the last days" wrote Peter "There will come ridiculers who "according to their own desires " mock those who obediently keep Jehovah's day in mind". Yes, rather than focus on Kingdom interests such ridiculers focus on themselves and their own selfish desires. Let us never develop such a disobedient and dangerous frame of mind! Rather may we consider the patience of our Lord as salvation by keeping busy in the Kingdom preaching and disciple making work and by not being overly anxious about the timing of events that belongs to Jehovah God."

    It is presumptuous on their part to say that to question the WT magazine is to question God himself ! That alone, is an apostate statement - IMHO!

  • Leprechaun
    Leprechaun

    Welcome to sanity! Waiting on the faithful and discreet slave is really Bull Shit!

    They are the Unfaithful and indiscreet Draconian Lords of Brooklyn NY

  • donuthole
    donuthole

    I thoroughly disagree with the term "waiting on Jehovah". To me waiting implies inaction. However if one doesn't believe a doctrine of the GB they are not given the liberty to even silent dissent. They cannot simply sit back and wait for a correction. No, they must actively promote a teaching they believe to be false, at the door, from the stage, and in the home.

    Secondly, this is another example of where GB serves as "Jehovah" by proxy. This is a position that they were not placed in and have seized thereby becoming an idol.

  • brotherdan
    brotherdan

    Something that is funny is that even the men at the top will say things like, "We must wait on Jehovah." If everyone waits on Jehovah, how will ANYTHING change?!? I remember hearing a GB member saying that at a morning worship one morning and thinking, "Dude...you ARE Jehovah's hand! How can you say that?!?" My dad would say the same thing. And he was an elder! Aren't they the ones that Jehovah is supposedly using to change things?!? Makes NO sense.

  • sir82
    sir82

    Why deprive ourselves of godly joy because not everything is completely understood?

    Well that's 100% the issue right there.

    I'd be happier than a pig in mud if they actually came out and said "we don't understand this verse or this prophecy or this parable".

    But that's not what they do.

    They interpret and define and apply absolutely 100% of every scripture in the entire Bible, and threaten to punish anyone and everyone (via alienation of affection of all JW friends & relatives) who disagrees with them.

    I.e., their stance is "we say this scripture means this, and if you don't agree and express it to anyone else, we'll bounce you."

    Of course, many such interpretations change 180 degrees, somtimes flip-flopping ack and forth numerous times - but they never say "we don't understand."

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