Smiles, I, too, lasered in on this peculiar wording in the article (thanks to the transcription UnDf'd provided by in his/her thread, as I don't have the mag itself yet).
DJ:
Also, you know I just realized what that 'fellow worshippers' must mean. Are they speaking in reference to their teaching about...
after all of the annointed are up in heaven....then there would only be 'fellow'worshippers' left on the earth??
.
This is extremely odd, highly-unusual wording for the WTS. It is a hard, unbending rule that
elders
---even if only of the other sheep class---and elders
only
, be specifically identified as the ones through whom the flock can expect Jehovah's direction to come and the ones they'd better obey if they're to have any hope of salvation. Elders of the other sheep class are also routinely identified as the human "princes" Jesus and the 144,000 will use on earth after Armageddon to execute their rulership. Never, ever is a mere "
fellow
worshipper" identified as one in whom confidence is to be placed at any time nor one whom Jehovah and Jesus would ever authorize to take the lead in
anything
. (C'mon, given this hazy wording, some fool might conclude that Jehovah might actually authorize simpering, useless females to place confidence in!)
It likely, though, means nothing more than that some writer was trying to employ language that might lift the study material from the repetitive drone of most other articles written these days. It may, though, backfire on them if it generates an avalanche of inquiries. (***See below if interested in one example)
Regardless how the paragraph reads, make no mistake that each and every WT study conductor to a man will make sure
no one
leaves that meeting under the impression that "fellow worshippers" could possibly refer to anyone other than elders. Mark my word.
AMNESIA
N
***A study article in the August 15, 1996 WT also discussed the subject of the circumstances and situation Jehovah’s servants should expect in the run-up to the great tribulation and Armageddon. Entitled “Will You Be Saved When God Acts?” it, too, employed curious wording, wording that caused the Society to be inundated with inquiries. Paragraph 22, pgs. 19-20 stated:
Recall that “flesh,” both of the anointed remnant and of the “great crowd,” already will have been saved when Babylon the Great goes down swiftly and completely in the first part of the tribulation. Likewise in the final part of the tribulation, “flesh” that has fled to Jehovah’s side will be saved. How this will contrast with the outcome for the rebellious Jews in 70 C.E.!
Because the article devoted a lot of very-detailed discussion to the two phases of the great tribulation, many surmised, from the above paragraph, that the Society was now teaching that there would be two phases of the great tribulation, separated by a time period comparable to that in 66 C.E. wherein the Roman army “inexplicably” retreated from its attack on Jerusalem, thereby allowing time for those heeding Jesus’ warning to flee the city. Some understood the article to imply that during this time period between phase one and phase two of the great tribulation, since “’flesh,’ both of the anointed remnant and of the ‘great crowd,’ already will have been saved”, that those who had not already “taken sides with God’s kingdom” (read: become Jehovah’s Witnesses) prior to the first phase would be given one last opportunity to do so during the break before the second phase began.
So many inquiries poured into Brooklyn that they were obliged to equip COs, at least those in certain locales, with clarification to disseminate during their rounds in the circuit to the effect that the Society had not and was not intending any “adjustment” in understanding of events surrounding the gt and Armageddon. The CO who was serving the congregation with which we were then associated, although generally a decent-enough fellow, came across right pissy as he delivered the prepared statement to us. From my own conversation with him, I concluded he didn’t regard publishers’ inquiries on this matter worthy of his or the Society’s time addressing.
Anyway, just shows to go you the firestorm HQ brings on itself when it gets so wound up in its wild-eyed, lunatic prophesying and inadvertently misspeaks in a way they don’t intend or even realize until all hell breaks loose. JWs are so acutely attuned to boilerplate WT-speak ---and so keen for “new light”---that even the ones who no longer avidly read the literature or hang on its every utterance sit up and take notice when it meanders from well-trodden paths.
*** w96 8/15 pp. 19-20 Will You Be Saved When God Acts? ***
17 The opening phase of this tribulation will be an attack on a symbolic prostitute called “Babylon the Great.” (Revelation 14:8; 17:1, 2) She represents the worldwide empire of false religion, with Christendom being most reprehensible. According to the words of Revelation 17:16-18, God will put it into the heart of the political element to attack this symbolic harlot. Think how it could appear to God’s anointed “chosen ones” and their associates, the “great crowd.” As this devastating attack on religion advances, it might seem that it will wipe out all religious organizations, including Jehovah’s people.
18 This is where Jesus’ words found at Matthew 24:22 will be fulfilled on a large scale. As the chosen ones in Jerusalem appeared to be at risk, Jehovah’s servants might seem in danger of being eliminated during the attack on religion, as if that attack would wipe out all “flesh” of God’s people. Yet, let us bear in mind what happened back in 66 C.E. The tribulation caused by the Romans was cut short, allowing God’s anointed chosen ones ample opportunity to escape and remain alive. Thus, we can rest assured that the destructive attack on religion will not be allowed to kill off the global congregation of true worshipers. It will proceed quickly, as if “in one day.” Somehow, though, it will be cut short, will not be allowed to complete its objective, so that God’s people can be “saved.”—Revelation 18:8.
19 Other elements of Satan the Devil’s earthly organization will thereafter continue for a time, mourning the loss of dealings with their old religious paramour. (Revelation 18:9-19) At some point, they will notice that God’s true servants remain, “dwelling in security, all of them dwelling without wall” and appearing to be easy prey. What a surprise is in store! Responding to a real or threatened aggression against his servants, God will rise up in judgment of his enemies in the final part of the great tribulation.—Ezekiel 38:10-12, 14, 18-23.
20 This second phase of the great tribulation will parallel what happened to Jerusalem and its inhabitants in the second attack by the Romans in 70 C.E.
It will prove to be “great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until [then], no, nor will occur again.” (Matthew 24:21) We can rest assured, though, that God’s chosen ones and their associates will not be in the danger zone, at risk of being killed. Oh, they will not have fled to one geographic location. First-century Christians in Jerusalem could flee from that city to the mountainous region, such as Pella across the Jordan. In the future, however, God’s faithful Witnesses will be located all over the globe, so safety and protection will not be based on geographic location.
21 The destruction will not be by the forces of Rome or any other human agency. Instead, the book of Revelation describes the executional forces as being from heaven. Yes, that final part of the great tribulation will be carried out, not by any human army, but by “The Word of God,” the King Jesus Christ, assisted by ‘the armies that are in heaven,’ including resurrected anointed Christians. The “King of kings and Lord of lords” will carry out an execution far more thorough than the Romans did in 70 C.E. It will eliminate all human opposers of God—kings, military commanders, freemen and slaves, small ones and great. Even human organizations of Satan’s world will meet their end.—Revelation 2:26, 27; 17:14; 19:11-21; 1 John 5:19.
22 Recall that “flesh,” both of the anointed remnant and of the “great crowd,” already will have been saved when Babylon the Great goes down swiftly and completely in the first part of the tribulation. Likewise in the final part of the tribulation, “flesh” that has fled to Jehovah’s side will be saved. How this will contrast with the outcome for the rebellious Jews in 70 C.E.!
