This week's Congregation Bible Study focuses on chapter 18 of the Come Be My Follower book. Paragraph 8 was a real gem, as well as the comments from the audience when going over that paragraph. I'll type paragraphs 8 and 9 for you to read along with the ensuing questions.
8. Jesus was granted still more autority in 1914. In that year he was appointed as King of Jehovah's Messianic Kingdom. When Jesus' rule began, "war broke out in heaven." The result? Satan and his demons were hurled to the earth, triggering an era of woe. The rampant wars, crime, terror, disease, earthquakes, and famines that have afflicted modern man remind us that Jesus is ruling in heaven right now. Satan is still "the ruler of this world" for "a short period of time" (Revelation 12:7-12; John 12:31; Matthew 24:3-7; Luke 21:11) However, Jesus is giving people worldwide the oppurtunity to accept His rulership.
9. It is vital that we take our stand on the side of the Messianic King. In all our daily decisions, we must seek his approval, not that of this corrupt world. As this "King of kings, and Lord of lords" surveys mankind, his righteous heart blazes with anger and overflows with joy. (Revelation 19:16) Why?
Q 8, 9. What authority was Jesus granted in 1914, and what should that mean for us in the decisions we make?
One of those comments made after the question was read, was along the lines of the rulers bearing responsibility for not recognizing Jesus' authority as king, and that they would be punished and removed as a result. A couple other comments were in harmony with this line of reasoning. For me, it was an eyebrow raising moment. I looked around at the rest of the audience, and I saw some people nodding their heads in silent yet visible agreement with this part of the lesson. This kind of thinking amongst JWs is nothing new, as Rutherford announced that the nations had been given notice of Jesus' rulership via the WT's conventions. In his view and other JWs as well, the nations were at fault for not recognizing what was said at those conventions, as if anybody in powerful places were even aware of those conventions.
I'm thinking to myself, so Jesus is ruling invisibly and hasn't exactly gone out of his way to announce his rulership.......but the nations are at fault for not recognizing this? That doesn't make any sense. When you look at what's happening in the Middle East, with the unrest, those situations are examples of people recognizing who their authorities are, only too well. Not only do they recognize their authorities, they're rebelling against them. As a result, the authorities in those countries have taken immediate measures to punish, provide stability, or ensure the survival of their own lives, wealth, and regimes.
According to paragraph 8, wars, crime, terror, disease, earthquakes, and famines remind us that Jesus is ruling in heaven right now. Satan is currently ruling this world, but only for a short period of time. Now wait a minute, just hold on a second. So the nations are at fault for being unaware that Satan is controlling them, and also being unaware that Jesus is ruling the heavens invisibly? How can it be said that the nations are rebelling against Jesus' rulership when they're not even aware that he's ruling? On top of that he's currently ruling the heavens only, according to these paragraphs.
I don't know man...... I swear the WT has created a culture amongst JWs that promotes them recognizing themselves as giants, the only problem with that is, its only in their minds, and in their own controlled enviroment. As has been mentioned in other threads, most people have not the foggiest idea what the WT teaches, and what JWs actually believe. Only the peculiarities of JWs such as what they don't celebrate. Plenty of JWs aren't even thoroughly keen on current or past WT doctrine. Yet, the nations and their leaders are at fault for not recognizing Jesus' invisible rulership? They're also at fault for not recognizing Jehovah's chosen mouthpiece, the WT? Legends in their own mind.