Latest WT statement on 144,000/great crowd

by stevieb1 3 Replies latest watchtower bible

  • stevieb1
    stevieb1

    This is taken from the June 15, 2002 WT p.5
    quote
    "Paul explains that Christ's spirit-anointed disciples have a special role in undiong the harm caused by Adamic sin. Jehovah "chose us in union with [Christ]," says Paul, to rule with Jesus in his heavenly Kingdom. Explaining this further, Paul says that Jehovah "foreordained us to the adoption through Jesus Christ as sons to himself." (Ephesians 1:4,5) Of course, Jehovah did not choose, or foreordain them as individuals. He did, however, foreordain a class of faithful and devoted people who would share with Christ in undoing the harm that Satan the Devil, along with Adam and Eve, brought on the human family. - Luke 12:32; Hebrews 2:14-18.
    end quote

    Interesting that they say that as individuals we are neither chosen or foeordained for heavenly life.

    They then make an interesting application of Ephesians 1:10 on page 6 and 7:

    quote:

    "His appointed time for direct action to rid the earth of all oppression and injustice lies in the near future. But Jehovah actually began the process of restoration at Pentecost 33 C.E. How? By then starting to gather "the things in the heavens," those who will rule with Christ in the heavens. These included the Ephesian Christians. (Ephesians 2:4-7) More recently, in our time, Jehovah has been gathering "the things on the earth." (Ephesians 1:10) Through a global preaching campaign, he is making known to all nations the good news about his Kingdom government in the hands of Jesus Christ. Those who respond are even now being gathered into a place of spiritual protection and healing. (John 10:16) Soon, on a cleansed paradise earth, they will experience complete freedom from all injustice and suffering. - 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 11:18."
    end quote.

    any thoughts?

  • somebody
    somebody

    Hi stevieb1,

    Can you scan the whole article, if possible?

    From reading just the paragraph you quoted first, I understand it to be an attempt at explaining why NO individual "anointed" JWs from congregations around the world have anything at all to do with anything at all that the wbts print in their magazines.

    peace,
    somebody

  • Elsewhere
    Elsewhere

    Soon...
    Anytime now...

    [GAG]

    "As every one knows, there are mistakes in the Bible" - The Watchtower, April 15, 1928, p. 126
    Believe in yourself, not mythology.
    <x ><

  • Justin
    Justin

    Regarding them not being chosen as individuals: This statement must be taken in context to refer to the foreordination or predestination, which the WT has always understood to refer to a class rather than individuals. Of course, to belong to that class, one must be chosen personally. But this choosing during one's lifetime, in cooperation with one's own free will, is not confused with the predestination that took place before the foundation of the world.

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