Hi Utopian Reformist:
Regarding "You Know", you said,
I disagree with your rather sarcastic comment concerning Ray Franz as if the previous post regarding the mystery chieftain sinner was somehow prefabricated in that particular direction...Since none of the "pro" WTBS members of this forum have EVER served on the GB, or EVER produced any WTBS literature, or EVER participated in serious scholarly biblical research--for a living, then it is inappropriate to attack the individual...The chieftain information is probably new for many, and deserves a fair amount of consideration and review BEFORE criticism is rendered
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I appreciate your comments above.
Thank you for being so studious, and genuinely interested in discussing the "deep things of God", matters of "serious concern," to all ardent students of Holy Scripture. -- 1 Cor. 2:10; Phil. 4:8
As you have stated above, not much "research" has been done on the above subject by JWs. It seems, (as with many other subjects) the WTS has basically avoided this subject, with only casual mention of the subject, here and there in their literature. A few printed comments mentions the "Chieftain" representing the "Princes" over the earth, during the 1,000 year reign of peace, taken from Isa. 32nd chapter and Psalms 45th. -- See "The Nations Shall Know that I Am Jehovah - How?" pages 401-405; Watchtower 2/15/80 page 24; 1973 Watchtower pages 426-428.
However that is impossible. Why?
Earlier, as mentioned above, the mystery "Chieftain," has "Sons," and "Servants," clearly with the approval of Jehovah God. This imperfect, sinful man, the "Chieftain." See Ezekiel 46:16, 17
Now we can't imagine the present-day "elders" among JWs of today, if ever permitted at all in the 1,000 year reign of Peace, to ever, ever, ever be permitted to have "Servants," [literally "Slaves" fnt NWT Lg Prt Ref Bibl] or even spiritual "Sons", during that wonderful time of peace and righteousness, can we? The WTS "elder body" of JWS, no, could never, ever rightfully hold such a position before Jehovah God during this such a wonderful period, the Millenlium of Peace. They have done nothing to merit this high respect of others of mankind. No they have not. So, how could they ever have what Jehovah calls, "slaves," attending to them. No, no "slaves" or "servants" could they have, in any sense of the word. No they cannot...they are clearly unworthy of such an honor.
So obviously, the "elders" cannot in any way picture this mystery "Chieftain" while in the 1,000 year reign of peace.
Obviously, something unusual is going on here, since the mystery "Chieftain" is himself, clearly a "sinner" and indeed, does have "slaves" or "servants", all approved by Jehovah God. -- Ezekiel 45:22
What did this mystery "Chieftain" do to merit such rank and authority in the eyes of the whole camp of Israel, and more importantly, in the eyes of Jehovah God?
He must have done something, quite significant.
Another point of interest is this,
Ezekiel 45:18-20 says of that future temple arrangement,
"This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said, In the first month on the first day of the month, you should take a young bull, a son of the herd, a sound one, and you must purify the sanctuary from sin. And the priest must take some of the blood of the sin offering and put in upon the doorpost of the House of upon the four corners of the surrounding ledge belonging to the altar and upon the doorpost of the gate of the inner courtyard. And that is how you will do on the seventh day in the month because of any making a mistake and because of any inexperienced one; and you people must make atonement for the House." -- Ezekiel 45:18-20
As we remember, we are taught that in the 1,000-year reign of peace, everyone has been "freed" or "liberated" from the effects of Adamic Sin. And this is true. Therefore, in that period of time, there will be no more "making mistakes," and errors of the "inexperienced one." Every one will be perfect, free of sin.
However, we notice in this temple..."mistakes" can still be made, errors of the "inexperienced" and imperfect, sinful man. And yet, Jehovah has made provision for the "covering" and "atonement" of such "mistakes." Why?
Obviously, these individuals ARE STILL IMPERFECT, STILL SINNERS, while officiating at Jehovah's FUTURE Temple. Yes, in this "sinful" state, they serve in "priestly" capacity, carrying out duties of "Priests," in acceptable worship before God. Thus, a fully acceptable Priesthood of mankind in its "sinful" state on earth. A "Priesthood" that can make "mistakes." And yet, Jehovah is perfectly willing to "atone" for a situation, again, upon earth.
Therefore, this FUTURE, earthly arrangement, complete with "sinful" Chieftain, Sinful Priestly (Zadok) Sons, sinful Servants, and "sinful" people in its entirety have been SANCTIONED and fully AUTHORIZED by Jehovah God, with His full blessings, to function and represent God Almighty, ALL BEFORE THE MILLENIUM STARTS.
Amazing!
Is this not "Good News" to all who are truly "Israel"? -- Isaiah 52:7; 61:1-5; Romans 10:15
Yes it is!
MAIN POINT: In other words, Ezekiel's vision of this future temple shows us, unequivocally, that true worship will truly be RE-ESTABLISHED upon earth, RESTORED UPON EARTH, by "sinners", men in a "sinful" state, all with Jehovah God's Eternal Blessings, BEFORE THE MILLENIUM STARTS, and before God REMOVES "sin" from mankind as a whole. -- Matt. 19:28; Acts 3:20, 21
This is why Isaiah 4:5 says,
"Jehovah will also certainly create over every established place of Mount Zion and over her convention place a cloud by day and a smoke, and the brightness of a flaming fire by night; because over all the glory there will be a shelter."
Again, we cannot deny the fact, yes, that this is an earthly, theocratic religious arrangement, approved by Jehovah God. This is an Earthly Scene, isn't it?
There can be no doubt that it is.
The above mention of "the first month, on the first day" of that same month, is quite interesting and informative. No doubt it is.
Ezekiel 45:18 mentions "the first day" of "the first month." The "first month" of the Sacred Calendar for Ancient Israel is the month known as NISAN.
Jehovah mentions NISAN 1 as a special time to take note. Why?
Yes, what should NISAN 1, remind all Israelites of, yes indeed, ALL JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES of... of what?
Well, wasn't it the day, Jehovah God "brought down a cloud by day and pillar of fire by night" and cast it over the "Tent of Meeting," to show HIS ACCEPTANCE of that new "Tabernacle" arrangement. Also, to give His Eternal Guidance to the camp of Israel and Moses ... wasn't this the actual "day" that this all happened?
Yes, that "day" was in fact NISAN 1, was it not?
Now, if we compare Exodus 40:2 with Numbers 9:15, 16 we will see, NISAN 1 is a very special day to Jehovah God...thus we see the value of its mention in Ezekiel 45:18
The "Date" is mentioned for a reason, an important reason. We remember,
NISAN 1 is that special day, when Jehovah ACCEPTS and INAUGURATES PURE WORSHIP for "sinful" Israel. Jehovah accepts the "Tabernacle", the Temple arrangement of Israel on NISAN 1... a special day of celebration, just as the Jews celebrate this date even down to our modern times ... NISAN 1.
So we have the all-important "connection", given to us by God Almighty, Jehovah. It signals the RE-ESTABISHMENT of Pure Worship in the sight of Jehovah God. It represents His full acceptance of worship from "sinners," descendants of Adam, BEFORE, yes BEFORE the Millenium starts. And this form of pure and acceptable worship will be well received by Jehovah God? Why?
Because of the efforts and activities of the Mystery "Chieftain," that is UNEXPLAINABLY allowed to "eat bread" in the very "Presence" of God Almighty Himself. The one who is like the "sinner" Moses, who we remember was told,
"...Go up to Jehovah, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and seventy of the older men of Israel, and you must bow down from a distance. And Moses by himself must approach Jehovah; but they should not approach, and the people should not go up with him." -- Numbers 24:1, 2
Only Moses, the "sinner" should approach Jehovah ... Only Moses, the "sinner" that God had chosen. Only Moses.
And, only the mystery "Chieftain," a "sinner", can approach, can do this,... "eat bread in the presence of Jehovah" in the East Gate. -- Ezekiel 44:1-3
So, there is much we can learn from a close examination of the book of Ezekiel about the re-establishment of pure and acceptable worship of Jehovah God, as we as Jehovah's Witnesses by necessity, "make our escape."
Surely we today, as modern-day "Israel," and Israel of old have much to be thankful for. Jehovah has remembered us. Jehovah has provided for us. But, we must be obedient...to make our "escape," the same as Ancient Israel of old. For example, just as Israel of old we remember NISAN 14, and the celebration of the Passover, which means "escape" from OPPRESSIVE EGYPT. We too should be thinking the same, of our impending "escape" from modern-day OPPRESSIVE "Egypt" of our day, the Watchtower Society. -- See Revelation 11:8
MDS
