"The Truth Changes" with the text from the "Simplified" Edition WT

by Doug Mason 12 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  Doug Mason

  Hi,

  The text I used in my analysis, "The Truth Changes: Watchtower July 15, 2013" comes from the "Study" Edition of that magazine.

  It is still available at: http://www.jwstudies.com/The_Truth_Changes.pdf

  I have now used the text from the "Simplified" Edition, and it is available at:

  http://www.jwstudies.com/The_Truth_Changes_in_the_simplified_Watchtower.pdf

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  I am still trying to get my head around the direction being taken by the GB. I do think they wanted to amass all power and glory in the fishpond, but in the process their pronouncements have eroded my understanding of their positions.

  It had been my understanding that the GB saw itself as the sole voice speaking out on behalf of an operating "Kingdom government in heaven". I thought they saw this government composed of 144,001 spirit-anointed persons and that the total entity was in some way the FDS, with the GB being its voice.

  The GB has sacked all spirit-anointed from the FDS, so does that mean there is no longer an operating "Kingdom government"? Also, the GB says that they do not get appointed over all things until some time in the future. How does this line up with their thoughts of a currently operating Kingdom Goverment?

  It's beyond me how anyone could accept their fairy tales, but maybe someone could tell me what they think are the intended and unintended consquences of their latest actions. Where has my understanding gone awry?

  Doug
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  breakfast of champions

  I think you owe it to all the simplified people out there to rewrite your article in simplified form: The Truth Changes - The Simplified Edition
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  Honesty

  I think you are trying to figure out something that just can't be explained...

  Insanity is an incurable mental disease.
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  JWB

  Doug, I think they have finally admitted what is quite obvious, that appointment of all of Christ's belongings would be when they (supposedly) get to heaven. They've let you know that they think that 'arriving' is not the same as 'presence''. Nothing has really changed however, because they have deemed themselves to be 'faithful and discreet' before Christ 'comes' and decides that! And of course they are still in charge of all of "Christ's EARTHLY belongings" which include of course most JWs!
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  Caminante

  Doug, according to the current understanding, there is a Kingdom government, but it's operating only in heaven, under the rulership of Christ Jesus. The anointed are yet to be rewarded with their heavenly authority as kings and priests at around Armageddon, the sole role of the FDS a.k.a. GB being taking the lead and overseeing the operations of the organization. Neither in the previous understanding hasn't been claimed that the anointed had been given Kingdom authority. At least that's how I see it.
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  eby

  Doug: I thought they saw this government composed of 144,001 spirit-anointed persons and that the total entity was in some way the FDS, with the GB being its voice.

  I don't think they saw the FDS as all the anointed both those resurrected to heaven and the remnant on earth but only the anointed while on earth.

  *** w0711/1p.30par.12SearchingInto“theDeepThingsofGod”***

  We accept the teaching that all of the anointed ones living on earth at any given time constitute “the faithful and discreet slave” that Jesus said would provide timely “food” for his domestics. (Matthew 24:45)

  *** w059/15p.22par.9GoOnWalkingasJesusChristWalked***

  9 The “master” is Jesus Christ. The “slave” is the group of anointed Christians on earth. This slave class is entrusted with caring for Jesus’ earthly interests and with providing timely spiritual food. A small group of qualified overseers from among the composite “faithful and discreet slave” form the Governing Body, serving as the representative of the slave class

  *** w043/1p.10par.9A“Slave”WhoIsBothFaithfulandDiscreet***

  Hence, the expression “faithful and discreet slave” refers to all members of that anointed spiritual nation as a group on earth at any particular time from 33 C.E. until now

  eby
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  JeffT

  Doug, they're making it up as they go. I don't think they've thought about unintended consequences. They just spew stuff out, safe in the knowledge that most of the R&F will just accept whatever they say. I'm becoming convinced they don't care what anybody else thinks, its all aimed at an internal audience.
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  Mad Sweeney

  What JeffT said.

  If Christ hasn't approved them yet, why should anyone listen to and obey them? How are they any different from any other self-appointed authority?

  They don't have answers to those questions, I don't believe.
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  ÁrbolesdeArabia

  I believe the "new light" is meant to give the Watchtower Organization another 100 to 200 years until Jesus Christ comes. The Organization has never done anything without some "intent" to get something out of their sheep.

  We believe in the Rapture now! The New Light permits this "wicked old system" to continue indefinitly!
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  Listener

  Watchtower 12 1/15 has this to say regarding the anointed on earth and their role

  Where would those in the new covenant serve? On earth, where, as a group, they would serve as a priesthood, representing Jehovah to people by ‘declaring abroad his excellencies’ and providing spiritual food. (Matt. 24:45; 1 Pet. 2:4, 5) After their death and resurrection, they would serve with Christ in heaven as both kings and priests , fully carrying out the functions of both offices. (Luke 22:29; 1 Pet. 1:3-5; Rev. 1:6)

  It would appear that the the majority of anointed on earth are a part of the priesthood whose only role is to spread the good news but it makes no sense as the other sheep also have this role.