Exegesis on Matthew 24:45-47
and the Official Dicta of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York Inc.
Foreword
It can be firmly stated that the "slave" doctrine of the Watchtower movement is the thread that binds the garment of their teachings. It is their "sacred cow" and "holy grail" upon which rests belief in all other Watchtower doctrine. The Bible text found at Matthew 24:45, which is used in support of the Watchtower authority structure,is without doubt the most used, quoted and printed Bible reference found in Watchtower literature. Without the 'big stick' of Mt 24:45-7, Jehovah's Witnesses would, without fail, question the majority of the Watchtower teachings, with the inevitable end result of the dissolution of the Watchtower organization.
In short, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society's dogma of a "composite faithful slave class", of which the former Watchtower Inc. Board of Directors (Governing Body), in New York is the head, relies on Matthew 24:45-7. It teaches that Christ "came" in 1914 and subsequently found the leaders of the Watchtower movement doing an outstanding job of attending to the "Master's interests". This, supposedly, in contrast with the bulk of Christianity who were not found to warrant such a favorable judgment. As such, the leaders of the Watchtower teach with unrelenting frequency and thrust that God, through Christ, has put them in charge and given them the authority to teach as they will with impunity. Right or wrong, they are always correct, forcing others to adhere to teachings which go far beyond the message found in God's Word, teachings which they are forced to change or recant with considerable frequency.
Others have sought to demonstrate that the Watchtower's dicta regarding the "faithful slave" is false by various means. For example, the notion of Christ's "invisible" return in 1914 has been successfully debunked, and since Christ has not yet "come", he therefore cannot have appointed anyone, much less the leaders of the Watchtower organization as head over all of his belongings. Others have shown that the supposed "spiritual food" of such "high quality" being dished out in 1914-1919, which was the supposed reason for Christ's appointment of them, was such preposterous and outlandish nonsense, that the Watchtower herself is ashamed to allow today's adherents access to it. Still others have shown that the attitude and wrongdoings of those in the Governing Body, past and present, are in opposition to the spirit of God's word, and such being the case, it is ridiculous to suggest that Christ truly appointed them as anything but false prophets. Finally, some have exposed the history behind the formulation of the "slave" doctrine, as to how it was that Maria Russell, wife of CT Russell the Watchtower's first president, formulated the groundwork for this false teaching by means of a letter she wrote in defense of her husband Charles. C,T. Russell had split with N.H. Barbour, an associate, and Barbour had attacked Russell publicly. Maria, although later to split with Charles over domestic issues, attempted to defend her husband as chosen by Christ to lead. She used Matthew 24:45 to suggest that Charles T. Russell was himself the lone "slave" prophesied to come as a type of latter day messiah. Watchtower articles printed after the death of C.T. Russell spoke of Russell as promoting privately this same idea.
After their court ordered "separation in style of divorce", Maria later applied verses 48-51 to her husband also, thus condemning him as apostate. Later, J. F. Rutherford expanded Mt 24:45 to include himself, and further modified the doctrine allowing later generations of Board of Directors' members to lay claim to special "slave" status and hence "lord it over" the common members of the Christian faith.
As one of Jehovah's Witnesses, I feel that I am in a particularly appropriate position to comment on this teaching. Since I have been, and continue to be, in association with the Watchtower movement through many years, although with great trepidation, I feel suited to this matter. My approach is and was according to my needs, those being that I came to understand from the Bible's viewpoint whether or not the application of Matthew 24:45-7 by the WTBTS was correct. This is my approach, to lay bare what the Scriptures themselves teach regarding the verses in question.
Further, I seek understanding of, and knowledge of the intentions of, those of today's pseudo governing body (former board of directors but no longer the legal "governing body") of Jehovah's Witnesses, so as to answer the questions regarding their personal knowledge and disposition. The question as to whether or not they understand that the "slave" teaching is in error. And the questions posed in relation to that knowledge and their possible guilt for propagating known error.
I hope this work is found beneficial.
The Faithful Slave
From the New World Translation, we read at Matthew 24:45 "Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time?"
What is the exact nature of the Watchtower's dicta on this matter? We will allow the Watchtower to answer that question. Since practically every Watchtower magazine now printed uses Matthew 24:45-7 as a 'rubber stamp' of their authority to ensure acceptance of what they have written, there are many quotes at the ready. But the information found in the (w99 12/1 15), studied the week of January 17-23, 2000, where the Watchtower makes itself equal to the Apostle John in inspired nature is quite telling.
3) "what CHANNEL is used to transmit (Revelation)... To put it simply... Jehovah God... gave it to Jesus... an angel.. to John"
4) And just as Jesus used "his slave John" ...so today he uses "the faithful and discreet slave" ... the CHANNEL He is using."
It is evident then, by their drawing this comparison, that the Watchtower claims to be no less 'inspired' than the Apostle John who penned Revelation. Against this backdrop, it is good to look at what John himself wrote concerning such talk.
*** Rbi8 Revelation 22:18-19 ***
18 "I am bearing witness to everyone that hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone makes an addition to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this scroll; 19 and if anyone takes anything away from the words of the scroll of this prophecy, God will take his portion away from the trees of life and out of the holy city, things which are written about in this scroll .
The Watchtower quoted above calls for the acceptance of their own writings as one would accept those of the Apostle John's writings. By placing Watchtower articles on the same footing with Biblical writings, they have added to that which is to be viewed as "inspired of God".
What does the Bible indicate with regard to the proper understanding of the Scriptural verses in question. Firstly, we must acknowledge that what Jesus spoke here was a question, not a doctrine or prophecy. The Watchtower treats it as a prophecy finding its fulfillment in the modern day "governing body" of the Watchtower. However, Jesus here posed a question in response to a query of his apostles, a question that was meant to help them and later readers think independently and this discern the manner of life and activity that would please the Lord.
I choose to discuss Luke's account together with Matthew's. I feel that they are both of equal worth, regardless of who was actually there to hear those words, and who wrote them second hand.
So then, as we examine the context of these verses we ask the question "when?". The verse before Mt 24:45 finds Jesus warning his disciples, ...he says at verse 44 "On this account YOU too prove yourselves ready, because at an hour that YOU do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming." So then, when Jesus would 'come', then he would examine his slaves to see who was faithful and who was not. As verse 46 says "Happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so."
The Watchtower teaches that verse 44 is discussing Jesus "coming" at Armageddon, yet it teaches that verse 45-47 refers to the "parousia" or "invisible presence" which, the WTS teaches began in 1914!
Therefore, the Watchtower teaches that everything up to an including verse 44 is referring to the future, while suddenly here at verse 45, they jump to the past. Does this make sense?
The Watchtower says that verse 46 "Happy is that slave if his master on arriving ..." was fulfilled in 1914, that Jesus 'arrived' in that year and judged the Watchtower's board of directors worthy of more responsibility. They say that in verse 46, this reference is not to Jesus "coming" but to his having "arrived" in his kingdom "presence". Hence, the New World translation uses the word "arriving". Note, however, that in the New World Translation Reference Bible at Mt. 24:46 the word "arriving" is used so as to differ from all the other verses of Mt 24. Looking closely you will see a little asterisk beside the word "arriving" taking you to the footnote. The footnote reads *** Matthew 24:46 (ftn) *** Lit., "having come." Gr., elthon'.
While the true meaning of the Greek word is "having come" or "coming", the Watchtower changes this word to "arriving". Why? Because they use the words "arrived" and "arriving" in conjunction with their doctrine about 1914 and the "invisible" "secret chamber" arrival of Christ. A teaching that was condemned in advance by Christ at Matthew 24:23-24. Thus, they manipulate the Bible text to support their false teaching.
Jesus tells us in verse 46 that, that "slave" will be "Happy" only "if his master on (having come) finds him doing so." If Jesus finds him busy with his assignment, at that point AND NOT BEFORE "He will appoint him over all his belongings."
A close look at the reference mark beside the word "Happy" in verse 46 of the New World Translation speaks volumes. Note first what The Watchtower says (w95 5/1 17) (9) As you read, look up some of the cross-references. Note .... Cross-references point to fulfillment's of prophecy recorded in the Bible, to biographical and geographic details, and to parallel thoughts that may clarify expressions that you perhaps find difficult to understand."
This is a good suggestion. Using the references mentioned we can answer the question "when " does Jesus return to find this Slave "Happy"? The reference mark beside the word "Happy" in verse 46 takes the reader to the only mention of Har Magedon in the entire Bible!
*** Rbi8 Revelation 16:15-16 ***
15 "Look! I am coming as a thief. Happy is the one that stays awake and keeps his outer garments, that he may not walk naked and people look upon his shamefulness."
16 And they gathered them together to the place that is called in Hebrew Har-Maged'on .
So far, we have seen that the context of Matthew 24 points to the future time when Jesus will "come" and judge and "appoint". As well, we have seen by the references in the New World Translation, and what the Watchtower herself says about the other verses in Matthew 24 (teachings which are easily researched), that the question Jesus asked -"Who really..."-refers to a time in the future when Jesus "comes" to himself decide that matter. Therefore, the Watchtower's extraction of verses 45-47, is improper, and the teachings based on that extraction are false.
Examine the Watchtower's teachings on each of the individual verses, within the context of the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew. Beside each quotation has been placed a note as to the Watchtower's doctrine, and an asterisk * where the teaching has not changed with any kind of "new light".
Rbi8 Matthew 24:36-51
36 "...day and hour nobody knows..." (A reference to Armageddon* )
37 "just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man " (A reference to the period leading up to Armageddon * )
38 "as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking" (A parallel to the days leading up to Armageddon* )
39 "the flood came and swept them all away." (A parallel to Armageddon* )
40 "two men will be in the field: one will be taken" (A reference to 1918 *)
41 two women will be grinding at the hand mill: one will be taken along and the other be abandoned. (A reference to 1918 *)
42 "...YOU do not know on what day YOUR Lord is coming. (A reference to 1914. This has changed as "new light" has now placed this as a reference to Armageddon)
43 ...the thief was coming (The Watchtower does not allow access on its CD library to its history on this verse. Taken in context with the previous verses in discussion, they would have this fulfilled in 1914-1919. Therefore this verse's doctrine has also changed to Armageddon)
44 ...at an hour that YOU do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming. (see 42, 43 above)
45 "Who really is the faithful and discreet slave..." (Fulfilled at 1914-1919* )
46 "Happy is that slave if his master on arriving ..." (Fulfilled at 1914-1919* )
47 "He will appoint him over all his belongings." (Fulfilled at 1914-1919* )
50 "master...will come on a day that he does not expect and in an hour that he does not know" (The Watchtower does not allow access on its CD library to its history on this verse. The reference presently is to Armageddon)
An examination of all of the individual doctrines for these individual verses here placed side by side demonstrates conclusively the absurdity of Watchtower teaching. It is sure, as clearly demonstrated by taking all of Matthew's account of Jesus words together in context, that Jesus was not discussing different events, but rather just one. The Watchtower's effort in doctrinal gymnastics leaves the reader baffled. The context of all the above verses taken together, as they were written, demonstrates the Master as teaching that He alone will decide who is "faithful and discreet" upon his "coming" on judgement day.
Luke's account really makes the matter clear. If we compare Luke's account with Matthew's, one can truly see how the matter was to work out. Luke 12:41 reads "Then Peter said: "Lord, are you saying this illustration to us or also to all?" " Peter wanted to know more about the application of the parable Jesus gave in the preceding verses 35-40,
The point being, the next verses (42-48) discuss the "faithful slave" parable and verse 41 links the two parables together. The *** w81 10/1 19-24 comments...
"As we now examine the parable {35-40}, we should keep in mind Peter's question, {41} which carries over in its application to this follow-up parable,{42-48} namely, "Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?" The Watchtower then admits that the two parables are inseparable.
Jesus gave an illustration (35-40) about his "coming" as a "thief" at "an hour that you do not think likely". Peter questioned its application (41), and Jesus gave the "faithful steward" parable as an answer to Peter's question (42-48). Either the application of both parts is 1914, or both parts apply to the future. They cannot be separated, verse 35-40 in the future and verse 42-48 in the past. And yet, this is the contradiction that is the Watchtower dictum.
If one searches the Watchtower publications throughout the years, it is found that the Watchtower, in all her millions of pages of commentary, wrote only one lone article on Luke 12:21. It's found in the Watchtower of October 1, 1981 as highlighted above. When this article was written, the Watchtower's position was that both parts of Luke's writings, connected at verse 41, was fulfilled in 1914. Examine the Watchtower of 1984, December 1 which comments on both parables from Luke's account.
*** w84 12/1 13-14 Happy Are Those Found Watching! ***
...the master on arriving finds watching! Luke 12:37-43.
...groups who were watching for the sign of Christ's return
...Charles Russell in Pittsburgh
...Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence.
....the date 1914
...Christ's invisible presence began in 1914, happy were these Christians to have been found watching!
Thus, since the WTS has changed it's official position on the time of fulfillment of the parable in verses 35-40, it now contradicts itself, trying to force the fulfillment of the parable in verse 42-48 as finding fulfillment in 1914.
Summary
The indictment of the Watchtower comes, not so much from what she prints about Matthew 24:45-7 or Luke 12:41, but rather from what she does not print. If the Watchtower leaders really believed the "faithful slave" dictum themselves, then there would be some article, in all the thousands of articles written, that expound upon Matthew 24:45 together with the preceding verse 44 in context. Search as you will, you will not find it. They consistently avoid discussing these two verses together in the same context. As well, that search would turn up some discussion on Luke 12:41 -after the official dicta regarding Luke 12: 35-40 changed from 1914 to a future fulfillment!
The Watchtower meticulously avoids discussing Mathew 24, verses 44 and 45 in the same article. If they did, the reader would quickly recognize that the Watchtower's "faithful slave" doctrine had a fatal flaw, as Matthew 24:44 would bear out that verse 45 has not yet been fulfilled. The same can be said with regard to Luke 12:41. If the Watchtower even attempted to comment on this verse today, the rank and file would see something that they had never seen before, -the truth. And that would be intensely disturbing.
By way of illustration, if you observed someone successfully traversing a minefield, turning left and right as they crossed, would you not quickly conclude that they were aware of the positioning of the mines? If they would continually traverse that minefield, twice a month for many years, always careful to turn this way and that, never stepping on a mine, what would you conclude? What if you personally were aware of the placement of the mines? As you watch the person navigate the minefield, always careful to avoid stepping in certain spots, would you not be certain they had a map?
What would you conclude concerning the intentions of this person if you were to expose their behavior as indicative of knowledge of mine placement and rather than address the issue you have raised, they instead seek to destroy you?
The Watchtower's careful avoidance of these issues and the manner in which they continually address Matthew 24:45-47 without its preceding context in almost every issue of the Watchtower now printed, harping repeatedly on their 'sacred cow' teaching, tells a great deal about the members of the governing body. It tells us that they have a map, that they are well aware of the falsehood of their primary dicta! And if a Bible student were to bring this matter to their attention, how would they react? Would they welcome an earnest effort to reconcile this situation with the Bible? Have they not already demonstrated their contempt and outright hate for Bible students who would shed light on this issue? How are we to view them?
I try to understand the thinking process of the Governing Body members. It seems obvious to me that they have a map, that is to say that they understand that the "slave" dicta is false teaching. So all that I am left with is to think that they justify themselves for what they feel is the greater good. On the Lord's day, they will be found telling Christ that they did it to save "Jehovah's Organization", that they were forced to lie but for a good reason.
I am sure that their "father" is as pleased today with his children's lies, as he was in the first century with the lies of his children then. Jesus identified their "father". I'm sure the reader knows who he is too.
The Watchtower's "faithful slave" doctrine is as self-contradictory and confusing as is the Catholic and Protestant "trinity" teaching. I personally have no stomach for either. Just as the churches teach contradictory and false dogma, and hate those who expose them, the Watchtower does in like manner. Neither "holy grail" teaching can be refused less one suffer rejection. The Watchtower tries hard to say they are different, but in actuality, they are strikingly similar to the rest. I have come to despise organized religion and if the governments ended them tomorrow, they would see no sympathy from me.
A Bible student.