A related question:
Was the FDS commissioned in 1914-1919, or in the time of the apostles?
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w81 2/1 p. 22 The Time for a Watchman like Ezekiel ***How short a time we today may yet have, we can only infer from what has been happening on earth according to Bible prophecy. In Jesus? prophecy, as recorded in Matthew, chapters 24 and 25, he warned those disciples of his who were to make up the first part of the "faithful and discreet slave" class about the destruction that was to befall Jerusalem inside their own generation.
Who were the FDS between 100 AD and 1879 AD?
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w60 7/15 p. 435 The Awake "Faithful and Discreet Slave" ***Down through the years the slavelike congregation has been feeding its true members faithfully and discreetly. From Pentecost, A.D. 33, up to this very present hour this has been lovingly and carefully performed. Yes, and these "domestics" have been fed on progressive spiritual food that keeps them abreast of the "bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established." (Prov. 4:18) All this has proved to be "food at the proper time," as stated by Jesus.
Jesus confidently answers that question in the above-referred-to illustration of the sower by saying: "Just as the weeds are collected and burned with fire, so it will be in the consummation of the system of things. At that time the righteous ones will shine as brightly as the sun in the kingdom of their Father." (Matt. 13:40, 43) So it was indicated that many of the "wheat" class of righteous ones, anointed ones, would survive here on earth up to and during the "time of the end."
Here is a disgusting paragraph I found in look for how often the use the word "commission" and "FDS."
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w97 6/1 p. 14 A Secret Christians Dare Not Keep! ***Modesty on the part of the faithful and discreet slave class, commissioned to provide the Christian household with food at the proper time, prevents it from presumptuously running ahead and wildly speculating about things that are still unclear. The slave class strives to avoid being dogmatic. It is not too proud to admit that as of now it cannot answer every question, keeping Proverbs 4:18 clearly in mind. But how thrilling to know that Jehovah, in his own due time and in his own way, will continue to reveal his secrets as to his purposes! Never should we become impatient with Jehovah?s arrangement, indiscreetly trying to rush ahead of the Revealer of secrets. How reassuring it is to know that the channel Jehovah is using today does not do so! It is both faithful and discreet.?Matthew 24:45; 1 Corinthians 4:6.