You Know,
...Until recently a brother had to have been in the fulltime service for a minimum of 40 years. I don't even come close. Besides, your reasoning is flawed anyway. It is obvious to us that it is Jehovah's purpose to transfer leadership from the anointed to the non-anointed anyway, this in view of the fact that Jehovah's purpose is to harvest his chosen ones to his heavenly kingdom.
You Know, you have raised an interesting thought. I'd like to expound on this in depth. Let's explore this thought because I think it would be good for persons of interest like
"Meow921" to also review such information about the WTS' organization
BEFORE JOINING it.
First of all the question of the younger "anointed" not being used by the organization in high positions.
How do you explain the writing and service dept. at Brooklyn Bethel being made up of primarily of those of the "other sheep" for the past 50 years when plenty of the younger "anointed" were available to be used? This is the "seat" of government for all the congregations and where congregational policy is formed. The "other sheep" have occupied these primary positions for 50 years or more, in the face of thousands of "anointed" being available for such duties.
And as for the writing dept. Why are the "anointed" as members of the FD&S, not dominant in this department? Instead, it is the "other sheep" again. And has been so for the last 50 years or so. How do you explain that?
There is a reason for this, I assure you. A very good reason why these things have happened that exposes the WTS' duplicity and deceit.
But another question: You Know, how do you explain, the overwhelming bulk of the writing of the all of the various publications over the last 50 years or so, except upon rare occasion, have being done by the "great crowd" and not the "anointed" who are practically non-existent in writing dept?
Who has really been "feeding" the JW brotherhood over the last 50 years, the "other sheep" or the "anointed"? Which group? (Matt. 24:45-47)
And how can the obvious pushing of the "other sheep" ahead of the "anointed" as the G.B. has done, be viewed as pleasing to God, if we are to take the FD&S arrangement seriously? (Matt. 24:45-47)
Well, before you answer, consider this.
Could the real answer lie in the following:
You Know, since you have recently become "anointed" within the last 7 years or so, and only baptized within the mid-seventies, I'm sure you are acutely aware that the G.B. would have great reason to doubt your "recent" claim to be of he "anointed". I'm sure you are aware of this.
I'm also sure you are aware of the fact that the WTS has said in numerous articles over and over again, the claims of all "recent" anointees, since the years of 1931-35, should be questioned! The WTS has pointedly said, without leaving any doubt, that these "comparatively recent" self-professed "anointed" ones should "examine" their motives in claiming to be of the "anointed". All those we claim to be "anointed" since the year of 1931-35, need to take another "look" at their "background" and "feelings" about professing to be one of the "chosen" of God. Isn't that so, You Know?
The February 1, 1982 Watchtower pgs. 28, 29 under the subheading: "How Can a Person Be Certain?" breaks it down this way, in the most explicit manner by saying,
"Those sharing in preaching this good news of the Kingdom in modern times are confident that Jehovah God is leading his dedicated servants by means of his visible spirit-begotten organization, the "faithful and discreet slave." (Matthew 24:45-47) Under its direction the heavenly hope was held out, highlighted and stressed until about the year 1935. Then as "light flashed up" to reveal clearly the identify of the "great crowd" of Revelation 7:9, the emphasis began to be placed on the earthly hope. (Psalm 97:11) It is reasonable to conclude, therefore, that by that time the full number of the 144,000 would have been nearly completed. Of course, any individuals proving unfaithful would need to be replaced. But, understandably, these would be comparatively few. And by whom would these be replaced? It seems reasonable also to conclude that most likely this heavenly hope would be extended to some who had endured in integrity, who had stuck to their dedication over the years, rather than its being held out to unproved newly dedicated ones. (Compare Luke 22:28-30) ..."
Do you see the problem, You Know?
The Governing Body simply does not believe the "claims" of the recent "anointed". They do not see them as "genuine" anointed brothers of Christ. Not even the "lesser ones", as you claim to be. Not even that! So, they really don't believe you, You Know, in your claims to be of the anointed. You are not believed, by your precious Governing Body "anointed" brothers.
And that means, invariably, that your profession of being of the "anointed" is also not to be taken seriously by all of JWs, worldwide, because of this particular man-made doctrine or teaching of 1931-35, the 1931-35 "tradition" of the anointed. That's a fact too. It's the reality of the situation. The cold facts. (See Mark 7:7, 8.)
But, let's continue.
The articles further states to remove any doubt about how they feel about recent "anointees" in the organization,
"...However, from reports at hand it appears that even some newly dedicated Christians have considered themselves to be 'born again.'"
Now, here is the big point, the "dagger-in-the-heart" point. The article says:
"Any who in comparatively recent times dedicated themselves and were baptized and who consider themselves to be "born again" would do well to reflect seriously on the following questions:
1) What reasons have you for feeling that Jehovah God has planted this hope in you?
2) Could it be that your emotional feeling is a holdover from the mistaken belief you previously held while in Babylon the Great that heaven is the destiny of all good people?
3) Or could it be that you feel this way because you had great inward disturbances, that you at first fought against the idea but it gradually won out?
4) But did it win out because you wanted it that way, perhaps even unconsciously?
Such struggles do not of themselves prove that you were "born again".
5) Or do you feel that you have been chosen by God to be one of the 144,000 anointed ones because of your keen appreciation of spiritual things, because of your fondness for deep spiritual truths?
Then note that ever so many who do not profess to be "born again" are "spiritual men" in the fullest sense of the word. (1 Corinthians 2:14, 15) And there is no question about the spiritual strength of those men and women of faith listed in Hebrews chapter 11. None of those were "born again." All of them looked forward to "a better resurrection [to life under God's kingdom] right here on this earth. -- Hebrews 11:35
6) Or might it be that you feel the way you do because of your displaying more zeal than some of your fellow Christians?
But that of itself could not be the determining factor, for the apostle Paul time and again found it necessary to counsel anointed Christians in regard to taking their spiritual obligations seriously. (1 Corinthians 11:20-22); Galatians 4:9-11)
7) Or could it be that your profession to be of the anointed is due to a lack of modesty?
There are some who quite recently have professed to be of the anointed but who, instead of building unity in the congregation, have felt they must have their own Bible study group. To the contrary, mature "born again" Christians remain close to the local congregation even though it is largely comprised of the "other sheep," (John 10:16) However, a person's being "born again" is a personal matter between God and each Christian. No one should judge another on this question. -- Romans 14:10"
[my thought: I think the WTS just did, that is "judge" on the matter. And I believe you, "You Know" will concur with me on that opinion too. ]
The article continues:
"From all the foregoing what do we conclude [on this matter of recent JWs being anointed]? That Jehovah God is just and righteous, wise and loving. He has the right to assign his intelligent creatures to their respective roles -- some to serve his purpose in the heavens, others to do so here upon earth. It is not as though the heavenly prize is something to be gained by personal choice and effort, or to be coveted selfishly. It is unique and no human creature may presume upon it. It is indeed a marvelous undeserved kindness that Jehovah God bestows on a few of his creatures, in the furtherance of his wise, just and loving purposes, but not due to any special merit on their own part. Being "born again" is limited to these. (Romans 3:23, 24; 11:33-36) ... No one should be so presumptuous as to say to Jehovah, "What have you been doing?"
End of quote from article.
You Know, how would you like to sit thru this particular WTS study with your loving brothers "throwing tomatoes" all thru-out the meeting at you, the recent "anointee" of God. And for months after this, "pot-shots" being taken at you. How friendly would the congregation be to you, while you were trying to maintain your personal claim to be of the "anointed", and the G.B. and FD&S dispensing this type of information against you, and your personal claim to be of the "anointed"? Perhaps, some on this board have had that "experience". It would not be pleasant, I assure you.
But my main point in bringing up this information is this: After reading the above, why do you think the G.B. does not use nor promote, as they say, "any who in comparatively recent times" have dedicated themselves to Jehovah God and have "claimed" or "professed" the heavenly hope, to ultra high positions of authority within this organization?
They listed 7 reasons. They didn't leave us in the dark about this whole issue.
All of the reasons they gave are totally unscriptural, when examined. Again, I know you concur. You'd have to, to maintain your claim to being of the anointed. And yet, when they finish their listing of all of their reasons why people like you can't possibly be of the "anointed", they conclude by saying, "well...we can't judge". What hypocrites!
But lets take another example. This is not the only time, they've emphasized their personal preference in this matter, ahead of God's Will. Nor the first time, they have put their man-made "tradition" ahead of God's Word. (Mark 7:7, 8)
Again, the February 15th 1985 Watchtower pg. 21 par. 18, 19 comments directly on this very matter. Under the subheading called: "THE NEED FOR SELF-EXAMINATION", the publication said,
"The modern history of Jehovah's Witnesses shows that since 1931 more attention started to be given to the "other sheep" through the Kingdom message...What does this new emphasis indicate? Surely that the gathering of the "little flock" was drawing to a close and the time had come for Jesus, through the administration of the "the faithful and discreet slave," to turn his attention to gathering the "other sheep."
The article continues:
"With the foregoing in mind, we say to ALL THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY become associated with Jehovah's people and who may have made some claim to being one of the anointed class: EXAMINE CAREFULLY your relationship with Jehovah. ASK YOURSELF, is the heavenly hope that I profess to have somehow
(1) a holdover from a previously held church teaching that all church members go to heaven?
(2) Is my hope in any way connected with some selfish desire or emotional feelings."
In other words, are you seeking "selfish" prominence of some kind? Are you emotionally disturbed? Unbalanced?
Now after reading that, do you think the G.B. and WTS headquarters staff believes the more recent "anointees", to truly be spirit-begotten by God? Or, just poor, misguided individuals who have some "emotional" problem of some kind?
Does the Governing Body feel the more recent "anointees" are ones truly worthy of heavy spiritual responsibility and privilege within the organization of JWs, like being a part of Writing or Service Departments?
I don't think so.
bjc
