2/15/1966 WT
Identifying the Present-Day Beneficiaries
15) In speaking of the marking work, page 111 of Vindication said that “this work of giving the testimony is not for the purpose of converting the people of the world and bringing them into some organization, but it is to make known the fact that those who desire to flee from the wicked organization of Christendom may do so and declare themselves on the Lord’s side, and thus be in line to be brought through the time of trouble, when the slaughtering begins.” Thus no real gathering and organizing of these marked ones, the “other sheep,” was encouraged, even in the year 1931, when the remnant of the 144,000 spiritual Israelites embraced the name “Jehovah’s witnesses."
DISCERNING THE GREAT CROWD [ additions mine ]
21) Thus this secondary class of spirit-begotten spiritual Israelites [Jehovah's Witnesses, aka Great Crowd] was still diverting the attention of the remnant [ those specifically ruling I guess] late in 1934 and was taking a place of greater importance than the Jonadabs or earthly “other sheep” class, who were to be marked in their foreheads. (Ezek. 9:4) So these marked ones were not specifically invited to attend the celebration of the Lord’s Supper on Nisan 14, 1935. 22) However, great joy was now near for the Jonadab company or “other sheep.” A five-day general convention of Jehovah’s witnesses was announced. Beginning with the April 1, 1935, issue of The Watchtower the announcements thereof said: “Again The Watchtower reminds its readers that a convention of Jehovah’s witnesses and Jonadabs will be held at Washington, D.C., beginning May 30 and ending June 3, 1935. It is hoped that many of the remnant and the Jonadabs may find it convenient to attend the convention. Heretofore not many Jonadabs have had the privilege of attending a convention, and the convention at Washington may be a real comfort and benefit to them.” (Page 98) “This is a service convention, and it is expected that all the remnant and the Jonadabs will participate in the service.”—Page 110.
Am I the only one who was raised to believe that the adoption of the name " Jehovah's Witnesses " was directly tied to the timing of the nu-light concerning the Great Crowd of [ other sheep ]??? Isn't that how it is presented? In other words, the Bible Sudents all thought they were going to heaven. Then there was confusion. Thankfully, the spirit-directed Rutherford figured it all out... Then the Great Crowd was discerned to be the other sheep and the name JW was adopted. Doesn't the WTBTS present it that way? Clearly " Jehovah's Witnesses " were the 144,000 and the Great Crowd, with the GC as a 2nd rate class. The Jonadabs were nobody's, not even invited to conventions or to the memorial?! I am not at home to research this further, but it seems that most JWs feel that the Bible Students were confused, but the JWs were not. The videos about the ORG may even paint that picture. If so, it's another example of revisionist history and a false stylus. Please correct me if I am wrong.
DD