Comments You Will Not Hear at the 4-18-04 (week of 4/12-18, 2004) WT Study (March 1, 2004 issue) Review comments will be in black and parentheses ()
WT quotes
will be in red and quotes ""Quotes from other sources
will be in blueUnderlining
, bold, highlighting added by reviewer.?THE FAITHFUL SLAVE? PASSES THE TEST!
"It is the appointed time for the judgment to start with the house of God."?1 Peter 4:17
It's judgment time for Christians. We're first in line. If it starts with us, think what it's going to be like for those who refuse God's Message!?1 Peter 4:17
(Message Bible)www.biblegateway.com /cgi-bin/bible
Opening Comments
Last week?s review listed numerous doctrines of the WTS that were taught after 1919 after "the faithful slave" supposedly passed "the test."
Isaiah?s Prophecy Book Vol. 2 (1999)
chap. 27 p. 397 Jehovah Blesses Pure WorshipBoth Ezekiel and Malachi foretell a time when Jehovah God comes to his temple. Malachi?s prophecy shows that Jehovah comes to inspect his house of pure worship and to act as a Refiner, rejecting those who misrepresent him. Ezekiel?s vision depicts Jehovah as entering the temple and demanding that all traces of immorality and idolatry be removed. In the modern-day fulfillment of these prophecies, there was an important spiritual development in 1918 in connection with Jehovah?s worship. Jehovah and Jesus evidently made an inspection of all of those claiming to represent pure worship. That inspection led to the final casting off of corrupt Christendom. For Christ?s anointed followers, the inspection meant a brief period of refinement followed by a swift spiritual restoration in 1919.?1 Peter 4:17.
w93
5/1 p. 16 Expanded Activities During Christ?s PresencePassing through this judgment, which climaxed in 1918, the remnant of the slave class was cleansed from worldly and religious defilement.
Thousand Years Approaches book
chap. 17 p. 350 The "Slave" Who Lived to See the "Sign"Down to 1919 C.E. they had endeavored to give "food at the proper time" to the "household of faith" or the "domestics" of the heavenly Master. They did this despite interference by persecutors and the warring nations. Not only was the regularity in serving the spiritual food a problem, but the quality of the food itself was to be considered.
Was the WTS truly clean in God?s eyes by their standards in 1919? What "traces of?idolatry" remained long after 1919?
Let?s review those from last week and add a few more.
Armageddon a social revolution (corrected in 1926)
Celebration of Christmas (corrected in 1928)
Great Pyramid of Gizeh was God?s stone witness (corrected 1928)
Use of the cross (corrected in 1936)
1874 presence of Jesus (corrected in 1943)
Superior authorities Jesus and God (1929)(corrected in 1962)
Add these:
1878?Jesus began ruling as king
1881?Calling of the anointed ended
1881?Anointed who died from 33 CE to 1881 CE are resurrected
1920-1950?princes, Abraham, David, etc., ancient worthies to be resurrected in 1925 to rule in Jerusalem on earth (1950?elders)
1947?Polygamy forbidden
1951?All religion no longer false, WTS only true religion
1973?Smoking becomes a DF?ing offense (implying smoking was okay before and since 1919)
1995?Generation of 1914 ended
1996?Alternative service permitted
1995?Separation of Sheep and Goats not until start of Great Tribulation
1999?Voting permissible
1999?Disgusting thing not yet standing in a holy place (said to be so in 1919)
2000?Blood fractions from 4 major blood components allowed
Perhaps you can think of some I missed.
START OF ARTICLE
At Pentecost 33 CE, Jesus appointed a "slave" to provide food at the proper time for his "domestics."
Proof?In 1914, Jesus was enthroned as King
, and soon it was time to inspect that "slave." Proof?In this short quote below, the WTS admits that they thought the presence began in 1874, Jesus began ruling as king in 1878, that in 1881 they would go to heaven, the anointed who had died already would be resurrected, and that no more anointed would be called. None of which are taught today. But do they tell their members this? Not according to the statement above.
Proclaimers Book chap.
28 p. 632 Testing and Sifting From Within
Based on the premise that events of the first century might find parallels in related events later, they also concluded that if Jesus? baptism and anointing in the autumn of 29 C.E. paralleled the beginning of an invisible presence in 1874, then his riding into Jerusalem as King in the spring of 33 C.E. would point to the spring of 1878 as the time when he would assume his power as heavenly King. They also thought they would be given their heavenly reward at that time. When that did not occur, they concluded that since Jesus? anointed followers were to share with him in the Kingdom, the resurrection to spirit life of those already sleeping in death began then. It was also reasoned that the end of God?s special favor to natural Israel down to 36 C.E. might point to 1881 as the time when the special opportunity to become part of spiritual Israel would close.
For the most part
, he found that the "slave" had proved itself "faithful and discreet.""For the most part"? I wonder what part that was based on the points above. Let?s take neutrality.
The WTS was not clear on whether members should join the military, join and wear a uniform, join and wear a uniform and carry a gun and go to the battle site carrying a gun but at the crucial moment not shoot.
The Finished Ministry had a segment by a Quaker against supporting war. When it was banned, the WTS tried to correct the "problem" but cutting out that section. Also, they participated in a prayer day for the war, all in 1917 and 1918. Notice how they excuse themselves.
Proclaimers Book chap. 14 p. 191 "They Are No Part of the World"
Although they endeavored to do what they felt was pleasing to God, their position was not always one of strict neutrality. What they did was influenced by the belief, shared in common with other professed Christians, that "the higher powers" were "ordained of God," according to the wording of the King James Version. (Rom. 13:1) Thus, in accord with a proclamation of the president of the United States, The Watch Tower urged the Bible Students to join in observing May 30, 1918, as a day of prayer and supplication in connection with the outcome of the world war.
During the war years, the circumstances into which individual Bible Students were thrust varied. The way they dealt with these situations also varied. Feeling obligated to obey "the powers that be," as they referred to the secular rulers, some went into the trenches at the front with guns and bayonets. But having in mind the scripture, "Thou shalt not kill," they would fire their weapons into the air or try simply to knock the weapon from the hands of an opponent.
Yearbook 1983 p. 45 AustraliaThe continuing war fever had resulted in the government?s banning The Finished Mystery in 1917. When the brothers learned that only a few pages of the book were considered objectionable, they cut them out, continuing to place the publication without these pages. Has the WTS compromised their neutrality today? Check out the compromise with Bulgaria re blood transfusions or the purchasing of military cards in Mexico vs not buying political cards in Malawi. http://www.ajwrb.org/basics/abandon.shtml http://www.jwfiles.com/mexico.htmIt is summed up nicely here: http://www.towerwatch.com/Witnesses/History/a_brief_history_of_the_watchtower.htm"Two sorts of weights for measuring are something detestable to Jehovah and a cheating pair of scales is not good." Proverbs 20:23It was under the policies of F. W. Franz that thousands of Malawians were persecuted, their homes burned to the ground. Many witness woman were raped and murdered and still others had to wander as refugees. [40} All this befell them because they were forbidden by the Watchtower Society's unyielding policies to buy a .25 cent party-card which would have simply recognized them as politically non-threatening in the single-party-state of Malawi.
Simultaneously, brothers in Mexico had been paying exorbitant fees for many years to bribe military officials to obtain a "cartilla"- This cartilla card would officially mark one as a member of the first reserves, that is, a person who had already fulfilled his military service. (Military service is prohibited by the Watchtower). All these transactions were done clandestinely.
When brothers in Mexico read in the WT what was happening to their dear brothers in Malawi, their consciences pricked them. Bethel headquarters subsequently received a flood of mail from Mexico asking what to do about their very similar, but covert situation. The response from Watchtower headquarters? "It?s a conscience matter."
(Ironically, today Watchtower leaders have rendered political voting a "conscience matter," even piously preaching to rank and file Jehovah's Witnesses that they should not judge others for doing so when they themselves had the ability to spare their spiritual brothers in Malawi much pain by conceding them a similar right. (Watchtower November 1, 1999 pgs. 28-29. "That Evil Slave" (or The Brotherhood in Orwellian) 2 Jesus spoke of the evil slave immediately after discussing "the faithful and discreet slave." He said: "If every that evil slave should say in his heart, ?My master is delaying," and should start to beat his fellow slaves and should eat and drink with the confirmed drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and in an hour that he does not know, and will punish him with the greatest severity and will assign him his part with the hypocrites. There is where his weeping and the gnashing of his teeth will be." (Matthew 24:48-51)
Yes, the "evil slave" came from the ranks of the faithful slave.* How?
(*in a comparable way, after the death of the apostles, "oppressive wolves" came from the ranks of anointed Christian elders.?Acts 20:29,30.)
3 Before 1914, many members of the faithful slave class had high hopes of meeting with the Bridegroom in heaven that year, but their hopes were not fulfilled. As a result of this and other developments (it is no accident the WTS leaves out the specifics here), many were disappointed and a few became embittered. Some of these turned to ?beating? their former brothers verbally and consorting with "confirmed drunkards," religious groups of Christendom.?Isaiah 28:1-3, 32:6.Why did they have high hopes? Because the WTS, the official channel from God, told them that the "church" would be taken home in a rapture. 1914 "In this chapter we present the Bible evidence proving that the full end of the times of Gentiles, i.e., the full end or their lease of dominion, will be reached in A.D. 1914; and that that date will be the farthest limit of the rule of imperfect men.. That at that date the Kingdom of God, for which our Lord taught us to pray, saying, 'The Kingdom come,' will have obtained full, universal control, and that it will then be 'set up,' or firmly established, in the earth.. Church taken home in a rapture .. It will prove that some time before the end of A.D. 1914 the last member of the divinely recognized Church of Christ, the 'royal priesthood,' 'the body of Christ,' will be glorified with the Head; because every member is to reign with Christ, being a joint-heir with him of the Kingdom, and it cannot be fully 'set up' without every member." {TIAH 76-7} C.T.Russell: Studies in the Scriptures II - The Time Is At Hand, 1888-9, 1891, 1895, 1898, 1901-20, 1923-7
What were these developments? The takeover by Rutherford of the WTS. 4 These former Christians came to be identified as the "evil slave," and Jesus punished them with "the greatest severity." How? He rejected them, and they lost out on their heavenly hope. They were not, however, immediately destroyed. They first had to endure a period of weeping and gnashing of teeth in "the darkness outside" the Christian congregation. (Matthew 8:12) Since those early days, a few other anointed individuals have shown a similar bad spirit, identifying themselves with the "evil slave." Some of the "other sheep" have imitated their unfaithfulness. (John 10:16) All such enemies of the Christ end up in the same spiritual "darkness outside." Who identified them as the evil slave, the WTS? Or Jesus? Is the WTS speaking for Jesus? Who determines who is called to heaven, God or the WTS?
Notice how the WTS connects unanointed ones with the evil slave above and below. w99 7/15 p. 17 Anchored by Hope, Impelled by LoveToday, apostates, who deviate from the truth, verbally beat "the faithful and discreet slave," in effect biting the hand that had been feeding them spiritually. Some resemble the "evil slave," implicitly saying, "My master is delaying." w98 5/1 p. 21 Judgment Executed in the Low Plain of Decision Our Bible-based faith will strengthen us to stand firm against hate campaigns stirred up by those who manifest the spirit of the "evil slave" of Matthew 24:48-51. Fulfilling this prophecy in a remarkable way, apostates are actively sowing lies and propaganda in many lands today, even conniving with some in positions of authority among the nations. Isaiah Prophecy Book vol 1 chap. 25 p. 336 The King and His Princes How true this is of modern-day apostates! In a number of countries in Europe and Asia, apostates have joined forces with other opponents of truth, speaking outright lies to the authorities, with a view to having Jehovah?s Witnesses banned or restricted. They manifest the spirit of the "evil slave," of whom Jesus prophesied??Matthew 24:48-51. w98 5/1 p. 21 Judgment Executed in the Low Plain of Decision Our Bible-based faith will strengthen us to stand firm against hate campaigns stirred up by those who manifest the spirit of the "evil slave" of Matthew 24:48-51. Fulfilling this prophecy in a remarkable way, apostates are actively sowing lies and propaganda in many lands today, even conniving with some in positions of authority among the nations . 5 Nonetheless, the faithful and discreet slave went through the same tests as "that evil slave." Rather than becoming embittered, however, they were readjusted. (2 Corinthians 13:11) Their love for Jehovah and their brothers (not Jesus?) was strengthened. As a result, they have been "a pillar and support of the truth" during these tumultuous "last days."?1 Timothy 3:15, 2 Timothy 3:1. Not the truth about child abuse in the WTS.
www.silentlambs.org Discreet and Foolish Virgins 6 After speaking of "that evil slave," Jesus gave two parables to show why some anointed Christians would prove to be faithful and discreet while others would not.*
(*for another discussion of Jesus? parable, see Worldwide Security Under the "Prince of Peace," published by Jehovah?s Witnesses (not the WTS?), chapters 5 and 6.)
To illustrate discretion, he said: "Then the kingdom of the heavens will become like ten virgins that took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were discreet. For the foolish took their lamps but took no oil with them, whereas the discreet took oil in their receptacles with their lamps." (Matthew 25:1-4)
The ten virgins remind us of anointed Christians before 1914. They had calculated that the bridegroom, Jesus Christ, was about to make an appearance (taught present in 1874) . Hence, they "went out" to meet him, boldly preaching that "the appointed times of the nations" would end in 1914 (and they would go to heaven).?Luke 21:24.7 They were correct. The appointed times of the nations did end in 1914.Isn?t the proof of this statement missing here?And God?s Kingdom under Christ Jesus went into operation. But that was in the invisible heavens (conveniently hard to prove ). On earth, mankind began to suffer foretold "woe." (Revelation 12:10,12) A time of test ensued. Not understanding things clearly, anointed Christians thought that "the bridegroom was delaying." Confused and facing hostility from the world, generally they slowed down and virtually stopped the organized public preaching work. Like the virgins in the parable, spiritually speaking they "nodded and went to sleep," even as unfaithful professed Christians did after Jesus? apostles died.?Matthew 25:5; Revelation 11:7,8; 12:17. Does that mean that between 100 and 1879 CE there were some true Christians that stayed awake? I wonder who they were? 8 Then in 1919 something unexpected happened. We read: "Right in the middle of the night there arose a cry, ?Here is the bridegroom! Be on your way out to meet him.? Then all those virgins rose and put their lamps in order." (Matthew 25:6,7) Just when things seemed darkest, there was a call to get active.In 1918, Jesus, "the messenger of the covenant," (Jesus or God or both depending on the WTS publication) had come to Jehovah?s spiritual temple to inspect and cleanse God?s congregation. (Malachi 3:1) Now, anointed Christians needed to go out and meet him in the earthly courtyards of that temple (not in heaven as taught in 1914). It was time for them to "shed forth light."?Isaiah 60:1; Philippians 2:14.15. In my opening comments you can see all the spiritual uncleanness (according to WTS standards) that still remained even 20 years after 1919. 9 But wait! In the parable, some of the young women had a problem. Jesus continued: "The foolish said to the discreet, "Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are about to go out.?" (Matthew 25:8) Without oil, the lamps would not give light. Lamp oil thus reminds us of God?s Word of truth and his holy spirit, which empower true worshipers to be light bearers. (Psalm 119:130; Daniel 5:14) Before 1919, discreet anointed Christians had diligently sought to discern God?s will for them, despite their temporary weakened state. Hence, when the call came to give forth light, they were ready.?2 Timothy 4:2; Hebrews 10:24,25. And how confident were that they had corrected discerned "God?s will for them"? 1914- "Can It Be Delayed until 1914? .. Seventeen years ago people said, concerning the time features presented in Millennial Dawn, They seem reasonable in many respects, but surely no such radical changes could occur between now and the close of 1914: if you had proved that they would come about in a century or two, it would seem much more probable. What changes have since occurred, and what velocity is gained daily? 'The old is quickly passing and the new is coming in.' Now, in view of recent labor troubles and threatened anarchy, our readers are writing to know if there may not be a mistake in the 1914 date. They say that they do not see how present conditions can hold out so long under the strain. We see no reason for changing the figures-nor could we change them if we would. They are, we believe, God's dates, not ours. But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble. We see no reason for changing from our opinion expressed in the view presented in the Watch Tower of January 15, '92. We advise that it be read again." {WT Jul 15 1894 repr 1677} 10 Certain anointed ones, however, were unprepared to make sacrifices or expend personal effort?although they earnestly desired to be with the Bridegroom. So when it was time to get active in preaching the good news, they were not ready. (Matthew 24:14) They even tried to slow down their zealous companions, asking, in effect, for some of their oil supply. In Jesus? parable, how did the discreet virgins respond? They said: "Perhaps there may not be quite enough for us and you. Be on your way, instead to those who sell it and buy for yourselves." (Matthew 25:9) Similarly, loyal anointed Christians in 1919 refused to do anything that would diminish their own capacity to bear light. Thus, they passed inspection.Was it the preaching work or was it the disregard by Rutherford of Russell?s intent in his will?
http://watchtower.observer.org/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040309/HISTORY1/10708001
Are there groups from that time who are thriving and preaching the good news of the kingdom?http://reslight.addr.com/biblestudents.html
Although still using the cross, celebrating birthdays and holidays, teaching that Jesus? presence began in 1874, and adding new ones like Abraham and others would be resurrected in 1925 to rule in Jerusalem on earth.1925- The chief thing to be restored is the human race to life; and since other Scriptures definitely fix the fact that there will be a resurrection of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and other faithful ones of old, and that these will have the first favor, we may expect 1925 to witness the return of these faithful men of Israel from the condition of death, being resurrected and fully restored to perfect humanity and made the visible, legal representatives of the new order of things on earth.. They are to be resurrected as perfect men and constitute the princes or rulers in the earth .. Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews 11, to the condition of human perfection.. {Millions Now Living Will Never Die 1920 p 88-90} 11 Jesus concludes: "While [the foolish virgins] were going off to buy, the bridegroom arrived, and the virgins that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. Afterwards the rest of the virgins also came, saying, ?Sir, sir open to us!? In answer he said, ?I tell you the truth, I do not know you.?" (Matthew 25:10-12) Yes, some were unprepared for the Bridegroom?s arrival. Thus, they failed inspection and lost the opportunity to attend the heavenly marriage feast. How tragic!The Parable of the Talents12 After illustrating discretion, Jesus went on to illustrate faithfulness. He said: "It is just as when a man, about to travel abroad, summoned slaves of his and committed to them his belongings. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, to still another one, to each one according to his own ability, and he went abroad." (Matthew 25:14,15) The man in the parable is Jesus himself, who "went abroad" when he ascended to heaven in the year 33 CE. But before his ascension, Jesus committed "his belongings" to his faithful disciples. How?"According to his own ability," what do you think when you see that phrase? I think that Jesus is looking at us as individuals, not making comparisons.
Remember to ask who were these slaves after 100 CE and until 1879 when the FDS, Charles Taze Russell (according to his followers) appeared. 13 During his earthly ministry, Jesus began to prepare a large field of activity by preaching the good news of the Kingdom throughout the land of Israel. (Matthew 9:35-38) Before he "went abroad," he entrusted that field to his faithful disciples, saying: "Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you." (Matthew 18-20 )(Note that they do not quote verse 18) With these words, Jesus authorized his "slaves" to do business until his return, "each one according to his own ability."What kingdom was the FDS preaching from 1879 to 1914? That Armageddon would culminate in 1914 and that the anointed would be taken to heaven.
What kingdom was the FDS preaching from 1920 to 1925? Or from 1966 to 1975? Or from 1914 to 1995?
http://quotes.watchtower.ca/1914.htm
http://quotes.watchtower.ca/1925.htm
http://quotes.watchtower.ca/1975.htm
14 That expression indicates that not all first century Christians had equal circumstances or possibilities.Now the WTS is going to put their spin on the fact that while all the anointed are part of the FDS only a small minority actually exert any influence.
Some, like Paul and Timothy, were free to have the fullest possible share in the preaching and teaching work. The circumstances of others may have severely limited their freedom of action.For example, some Christians were slaves, and others were sickly, advanced in age, or had family responsibilities.
Don?t get too complacent because of this statement. The WTS has 5 examples for each situation where a JW has regular pioneered with the same circumstances.
Of course, certain congregation privileges were not open to all disciples. Anointed women and some anointed men did not teach in the congregation. (1 Corinthians 14:34; 1 Timothy 3:1; James 3:1)Actually, they should say that most anointed men did not teach in the congregation if the ratio of elders to men in the congregation is the same as today.
Still, whatever their personal situation, all of Christ'? anointed disciples-?en and women were assigned to engage in business, making good use of their opportunities and circumstances in the Christian ministry. Their modern-day counterparts (only JWs) do the same.Inspection Time Begins!15 The parable continues: "After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them." (Matthew 25:19) In 1914?certainly a long time after 33 CE (no proof provided that 1914 is the day he would return and mention that the WTS preached until 1943 that 1874 was the day Christ?s presence began) ?Christ Jesus began his royal presence. Three and half years later, in 1918, he came to God?s spiritual temple and fulfilled Peter?s words: "It is the appointed time for the judgment to start with the house of God." (1 Peter 4:17; Malachi 3:1) It was time to settle accounts.What is the significance of 3 ½ years later, in 1918? What proof? If 1914 cannot be established, what happens to dates such as 1918 and 1919? Was Peter talking about a judgment 2000 years in the future and in his own time?
w94 8/1 p. 31 Questions From Readers (an example of prophecy understood in hindsight by the WTS) As to the ending, the magazine showed how the harassment of God?s anointed ones (Daniel 7:25) climaxed in June 1918 when J. F. Rutherford and other directors of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society were "sentenced on false charges to a long term in prison." That event certainly was "a finishing of the dashing of the power of the holy people," as noted at Daniel 12:7.Counting back from June 1918 leads us to December 1914 for the beginning of the 3 1/2 times. In that closing month of 1914, God?s anointed ones on earth learned the theme scripture for the coming year: "?Are ye able to drink of My cup???Matthew 20:20-23." The article announcing it warned: "Who knows but that there may be some special trial, cup of suffering or ignominy, for the loyal followers of the Lamb during 1915!" As Daniel 7:25 foretold for this period of 3 1/2 times, ?harassment arose and continued against the holy ones themselves of the Supreme One.? Nations were embroiled in World War I, making it easier for them to carry out unjustified harassment. The conclusion is: All three parallel prophecies?Daniel 7:25, 12:7, and Revelation 11:3?found fulfillment in the 3 1/2 years, or 42 months, from December 1914 to June 1918.16 What had the slaves, Jesus? anointed brothers, done with the King?s "talents"? From 33 CE onward, including the years leading up to 1914, many had been working hard at Jesus "business." (Matthew 25:16)Looking hard only for the remnant of the 144,000. Working hard as a publishing business, not studying the Bible with people. It wasn?t until 1943 that the WTS started the formal home Bible study program most JWs are familiar with. And again, what kingdom was being preached?
Even during the first world war, they had shown a strong desire to serve the Master.But what did the WTS say in paragraph 7 of this article?
"Confused and facing hostility from the world, generally they slowed down and virtually stopped the organized public preaching work."Based on the above and the "cleansed" state described in the opening comments was it now fitting to give the WTS new opportunities?
Now it was fitting to give faithful to give faithful ones new opportunities to ?do business.? The time of the end of this system of things had arrived.Supposedly that end was to have arrived and culminated in 1914.
The good news had to be preached worldwide. "The harvest of the earth" had to be reaped. (Revelation 14:6, 7, 14-16) The final members of the wheat class had to be located and "a great crowd" of other sheep gathered in.?Revelation 7:9; Matthew 13:24-30.Remember it wasn?t until 1935 that the "slave" understood they had to gather the "great crowd," at which time the number of those professing to be anointed was almost 60,000, not quite the "remnant."
17 Harvesttime is a joyful time. (Psalm 126:6 ) (Jehovah?s people are the happiest people on earth?.) It is fitting, then, that when in 1919, Jesus entrusted his faithful anointed brothers with increased responsibility, he said: "You were faithful over a few things. I will appoint you over many things. Enter into the joy of your master." (Matthew 25:21,23) Moreover, the joy of the Master as newly enthroned King of God?s Kingdom surpasses our imagination. (Psalm 45:1,2,6,7) The faithful slave class share that joy by representing the King and increasing his interests on earth . (Is this why the WTS is so hung up on numbers/reports/statistics?) (2 Corinthians 5:20) Their delight is seen in the prophetic words of Isaiah 61:10: "Without fail I shall exult in Jehovah. My soul will be joyful in my God. For he has clothed me with the garments of salvation."18 Sadly, some did not pass inspection.
Any that did not support Rutherford, that is. Whose inspection then did they fail, God?s or Rutherford?s?
We read: "The one that had received the one talent came forward and said, ? Master, I knew you to be an exacting man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you did not winnow. So I grew afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.?" (Matthew 25:24,25) Similarly, some anointed Christians had not engaged in "business." Before 1914 they had not enthusiastically shared their hope with others, and they did not want to start in 1919. (Did Rutherford every go door to door?) How did Jesus (the WTS) respond to their insolence? He took away all their privileges (He did or the WTS did? Privileges from Christ or the WTS?) They were ?thrown out into the darkness outside, where their weeping and the gnashing of their teeth would be.??Matthew 25:28,30.How many JWs realize how extensive the preaching and teaching work is of the despised anointed Bible Students do? They did not fade away like the WTS would have you think. If you look at it from another way, the ones rejected by Rutherford in 1918 could very well be the ones rewarded by Jesus.
BOX ON PAGE 16 WHEN DOES JESUS COME?
The coming (or, arriving) referred to a number of times at Matthew 24:29-44 and 25:31-46 is at "the great tribulation." (Revelation 7:14) On the other hand, the coming referred to a number of times at Matthew 24:45 to 25:30 has to do with his judging professed disciples from 1918 onward. (doesn?t the WTS teach that Christendom was judged and rejected? Who are these professed disciples, JWs?) It would not be reasonable to say, for example, that the rewarding of the faithful slave, the judgment of the foolish virgins, and the judgment of the sluggish slave, who hid the Master?s talent, will take place when Jesus "comes" at the great tribulation. That would imply that many of the anointed will be found unfaithful at that time and will thus have to be replaced (only if you believe that 144,000 is a literal number). However, Revelation 7:3 indicates that all of Christ?s anointed slaves will have been permanently "sealed" by that time.
Do you see any scriptural proof for these statements or are they merely assertions?
The Inspection Continues 19 Of course, the majority of those who were to become Christ?s anointed slaves during the time of the end were not yet serving Jehovah when Jesus began his inspection in 1918.Did they miss out on the inspection? Not at all. The inspection process only began in 1918/19 when the faithful and discreet as a class passed test.
Translation: "as a group" is the WTS way of applying something to a group of people that you find it hard to focus on any individual who measures up to the description of "the group." That is, the group passed, but every individual you meet has failed.
Individual anointed Christians (only JWs) continue under inspection until their sealing is made permanent. (Revelation 7:1-3)When is that sealing permanent? While on earth? Do you know that the WTS teaching that the "end" starts when the last one is permanently sealed? When does the WTS teach the marriage of the bride begins? Will all the anointed be dead and in heaven? Hmmmm?
Realizing this, Christ?s anointed brothers are determined to keep on faithfully ?doing business.? They are determined to be discreet, keeping an abundant (but tainted) oil supply so that the light will shine brightly. They know that when each one reaches the end of his (her) life course in faithfulness (but not perfection), Jesus will receive him (her) into the heavenly dwelling place.?Matthew 24:13; John 14:2-4; 1 Corinthians 15:50,51.20 The great crowd of other sheep have imitated their anointed brothers. They are aware that their knowledge of God?s purposes brings great responsibility. (Ezekiel 3:17-21) Hence, with the help of Jehovah?s Word and holy spirit (WTS publications), they too keep their oil supply abundant through study and association (must go to all five meetings, you know). And they let their light shine, sharing in the work of preaching and teaching (and proving it with their time slips) and thus ?doing business" along with their anointed brothers (sisters).
But the WTS must remind that the great crowd that they are secondary and must go through the WTS to please God.
However, anointed Christians are keenly aware that the talents were placed in their hands. They must render an account for the way the Lord?s belongings are administered. Even though they are few in number, they cannot abdicate their responsibility to the great crowd. With this in mind, the faithful and discreet slave continues to take the lead in caring for the King?s business (of publishing and building factories?), grateful for the support of devoted members of the great crowd. These recognize the responsibility of their anointed brothers and feel privileged to work under their oversight (how much oversight do they give? Most of the work is done by nonanointed brothers).21 Thus, although these two parables shed light on events in 1919 or thereabouts, they apply in principle to all true Christians throughout the last days. In this way, while the exhortation that Jesus gave at the end of the parable of the ten virgins applies in the first place to anointed Christians before 1919, in principle it still applies to every Christian.
This is the same thinking that allows the WTS to apply the OT to Christians. Yes, JWs are still under the Law "in principle."
May all of us, then, take to heart Jesus? words: "Keep on the watch, therefore, because you now neither the day nor the hour."?Matthew 25: 13 (hasn?t stopped the WTS from predicting the year 1914, 1925, 1975)Concluding CommentsRemember:
- Charles Taze Russell was thought to be the FDS by most of his followers
- Was the WTS the only one preaching the good news of the kingdom in 1918? How accurate was their concept of the kingdom?
- After being cleansed in 1918, why did the WTS continue to use the cross, celebrate birthdays/holidays, teach the superior authorities were Jesus/God?
- How did the WTS continue to misread God?s directions after 1918 in the teaching of 1925? Vaccinations/transplants? Resurrection of Sodom and Gomorrah?
Next week (April 19-25, 2004)
"Do the Work of an Evangelizer" (March 15, 2004 WT)
2 Timothy 4:5
Zealous (15 times)
Shares regularly
Took the commission seriously
Dedicated people
Still active
Parental zeal?fine effect on sons and daughters
Evangelizing lifetime work
Happy praisers
Enlarge their share
Regular participation
Keeping busy
In a complete way
Fully accomplish