Posts by pirata

26

30th Anniversary of the Free Minds Journal

by Dogpatch in

jw
friends

30th anniversary of the free minds journal.

sunday, 13 march 2011 22:09well my friend chaton and i just finished sealing the last envelope of the 30th anniversary issue of the free minds journal.

i guess it must be one of the longest cult-related journals running.

pirata

Randy, freeminds was one of my first stepping stones to stepping out of my "non-thought" patterns. Once I discovered the experiences on your site I read them, every chance I got, for weeks on end. That helped me to realize that I had only been hearing one side of the JW story all my life. Thank you for the valuable resource.

2

Dates of Prophetic Significance (WT Index)

by pirata in

i was suprised to see a heading "dates of prophetic significance" in the 1986-2010 watchtower index, and even more suprised at the content.

1919: w85 2/1 17-18; w85 10/15 11; w82 7/1 18-25; w78 6/1 23; go 137; w76 157, 187-188, 663; hs 146; sl 127, 134, 164, 190; w71 239; kj 53, 207-208, 300-301, 311, 317-318, 320, 323, 325, 342, 346-347, 354, 380-381; w67 244, 246, 594; w66 311, 689-691; w65 494; w64 78-79, 81, 83-84, 109-111, 278, 416, 555; w63 202, 701; bf 500, 504-505, 558; mg63 18; w62 139, 204; w61 146, 148, 166, 717-718; g61 8/22 28; w60 250-251, 463, 754; w59 352, 383, 631; w58 58, 464, 590; pa 215; yw 211, 334-335; w57 602-603; w55 267-268; sr55 136, 140; w53 568, 634; nh 223, 322-323; w52 252; w51 208-209, 433, 723; w48 311; w46 217, 235; w44 11, 232-234; w43 247; w42 170; w40 102, 223, 357; w39 39, 56; s 205-207; w37 52, 125-126; w36 362; ch 67; w35 264, 297; w34 229; w33 216, 340; v-2 287; w31 36, 310; lt-1-30 249-250.

1938: w85 3/1 18; yb75 247; w71 724; w60 733; w59 632; yw 217-218; w51 724-729; w43 5; w38 179-183, 186-187.

pirata

I was suprised to see a heading "Dates of Prophetic Significance" in the 1986-2010 Watchtower Index, and even more suprised at the content. I wonder how many JWs know this. Anything missing (hint, hint: 1975)? Here's what's in the index's for modern day and beyond:

DATES OF PROPHETIC SIGNIFICANCE

1873, once held to be end of 6,000 years of human history: jv 631, 633

1874, once held to be start of Christ’s presence: jv 46-47, 133, 631-632

1878, once held to be year of Christ’s enthronement: jv 632-633

1881, once held to be year when heavenly calling would end: jv 632

1914, 1,260 days begin (Re 11:3): re 164; w94 8/1 31; w93 11/1 9-10

“appointed times of the nations” end (Lu 21:24): w06 7/15 6-7; bh 215-218; w04 2/1 19-20; ca01 5; jv 134-142, 635-636

“forty-two months” begin (Re 11:2; 13:5): re 162-164, 192

fulfillment of transfiguration vision begins (Mt 17; Mr 9; Lu 9): w97 5/15 11

heavenly woman bears son (Re 12:1-5): re 177-180

Jehovah comes “as a strong one” (Isa 40:10): ip-1 406

Kingdom established: w06 7/15 6-7; bh 84-85; jv 138-139; Lmn 23-24

king of the north ‘comes against the south’ (Da 11:29): dp 261-262, 264; w93 11/1 14

‘kings take stand against Jehovah and his anointed’ (Ps 2:1, 2): w90 7/1 27-28

last days begin: rs 239-240

Lord’s day begins (Re 1:10): re 22, 24; w03 5/15 10

‘root of Jesse will stand up’ (Isa 11:10): ip-1 165-166

‘sacred secret brought to a finish’ (Re 10:7): re 171-172; w90 1/15 20

“seven times” end (Da 4): w06 7/15 6-7; re 22, 24; bh 216-218; dp 96-97, 301; kl 97; pe 138-141; rs 95-97; it-1 134-135; w86 11/1 4-7

Shiloh receives right to “obedience of the peoples” (Ge 49:10): w02 10/1 19

“the time appointed” (Da 11:29): dp 261; w93 11/1 13-14

‘time, times, and half a time’ begin (Da 7:25; 12:7): dp 142-143, 294-296; w94 8/1 31; w93 11/1 9-10

“times of restoration” begin (Ac 3:21): bt 31; cl 77-78; w87 3/1 28-29

1918, 1,260 days end (Re 11:3): w94 8/1 31; w93 11/1 9-10

‘constant feature removed’ (Da 12:11): dp 297-298; w93 11/1 10-11

heavenly resurrection may begin: w07 1/1 28; re 103; w88 10/15 12

“holy ones” are conquered (Re 13:7): re 192

Jehovah cleanses temple (Isa 66:6): ip-2 396-397

judgment begins with “house of God” (1Pe 4:17): re 31-32, 260; w04 3/1 16

king of the north “dejected” (Da 11:30): dp 264; w93 11/1 14

master of slaves having talents comes to settle accounts (Mt 25:19): w04 3/1 16

silence in heaven, incense offered (Re 8:1, 3, 4): w09 1/15 32; re 129-131

‘time, times, and half a time’ end (Da 7:25; 12:7): dp 143, 294-296; w94 8/1 31; w93 11/1 10

‘true Lord and messenger of the covenant’ come to spiritual temple (Mal 3:1): w10 3/15 23; w07 4/1 22; w07 12/15 27-28; jd 179-182; re 31-32, 55-56; w92 12/1 13; w89 4/15 7; w89 7/1 30; w87 6/15 14-15

“two witnesses” killed (Re 11:3, 7): re 167-168

1919, 1,260 days begin (Re 12:6, 14): re 183-184

1,290 days begin (Da 12:11): dp 300; w93 11/1 10-11

144,000 begin “singing as if a new song” (Re 14:3): re 200

antitypical Festival of Booths resumes: w96 7/1 24

Babylon the Great falls (Re 14:8; 18:2): re 205-206, 209, 259-261; w89 5/1 3-5; w88 12/15 20-21

birth of new nation (Isa 66:8): re 183-184; ip-2 397-400; w94 1/15 14

‘disgusting thing placed’ (Da 12:11): dp 300; w93 11/1 10-11

“faithful and discreet slave” ‘appointed over master’s belongings’ (Mt 24:47): w04 3/1 12; wt 131

faithful slaves ‘appointed over many things’ (Mt 25:21, 23): w04 3/1 17

‘fire hurled to earth’ (Re 8:5): w09 1/15 32; re 131-132

‘four angels untied’ (Re 9:15): re 149-151; w88 12/15 13

“harvest of the earth” begins (Re 14:14-16): re 211-212

Jehovah’s chariotlike heavenly organization gets in touch with Ezekiel class (Eze 1): w91 3/15 11

Jehovah’s spirit begins to be poured out on remnant (Joe 2:28, 29): w98 5/1 14-15

“key of the house of David” placed on shoulder of remnant (Isa 22:22): w09 1/15 31

locusts swarm from abyss (Re 9): re 143-148; w89 4/1 17-18; w88 12/15 12-13

“opened door” set before remnant (Re 3:8): re 60-65

remnant “come quivering to Jehovah” (Hos 3:5): w91 8/15 17

remnant eat “little scroll” (Re 10:8-11): re 159-160

remnant figuratively resurrected: re 169-170; dp 290-291; w88 10/15 13; w87 7/1 21-23

remnant freed from Babylon the Great: ip-2 74; ip-1 400-401; w89 5/1 4-5

remnant ‘hold possession of land’ (Isa 60:21): w02 7/1 18; ip-2 319-320

remnant refined (Isa 1:24-27): ip-1 32-34

remnant restored to spiritual paradise: ip-1 380; w91 5/15 16

remnant step before “waters” of mankind (Jos 3:15-17): w86 12/15 13

virgins hear cry, “Here is the bridegroom!” (Mt 25:6): w04 3/1 14

“Way of Holiness” opened (Isa 35:8): ip-1 380-381; ws 132-134

“your God has become king” begins to be declared (Isa 52:7): ip-2 187

1922, 1,260 days end (Re 12:6, 14): re 184

1,290 days end (Da 12:11): dp 300, 303; w93 11/1 11

1,335 days begin (Da 12:12): dp 303; w93 11/1 11

cavalry charge begins (Re 9:16-19): re 152

flood of persecution begins: re 183-186

seven bowls begin to be poured out (Re 15, 16): re 220, 223

seven trumpets begin to sound (Re 8-11): w09 1/15 32; re 133, 149, 152; w90 4/1 31

1925, once held to be year when “ancient worthies” would be resurrected and remnant would receive heavenly reward: w93 11/1 11-12; jv 78, 632-633

1926, 1,335 days end (Da 12:12): dp 303-304; w93 11/1 11-12

1931, once held to be end of calling to heavenly hope: w07 5/1 30

1933, king of the north ‘hurls denunciations against holy covenant’ (Da 11:30): dp 265; w93 11/1 14

1938, 2,300 days begin (Da 8:14): dp 177-178

1939, ‘arms stand up, proceeding from king of the north’ (Da 11:31): dp 265-266; w93 11/1 15

1939-1945, ‘constant feature removed’ in lands of king of the north (Da 11:31): dp 267, 298; w93 11/1 15

1944, 2,300 days end (Da 8:14): w01 1/15 28; dp 178-179

1945, ‘disgusting thing placed’ (Da 11:31): dp 267, 269; w93 11/1 15-16

-----

Here's the 1930-1985 Index version (not as interesting, but does show a number of dates that were no longer considered worth of mention after 1986):

1914: w85 2/1 11; ce 227-229; w84 4/1 5-8; w84 12/1 16-17; su 24-29; w83 1/1 11; w83 8/1 22-27; w82 5/1 13-15; w80 3/1 16; w79 9/15 23-24; w78 3/1 23-26; w77 395; go 88; w76 754; gh 146-147, 153; hs 142, 147; w75 621; sl 41-42, 103-104, 190, 316; og 25; w73 645; ka 186, 259-261; tp73 74-76; g73 10/8 17-18; w72 324, 351; pm 331, 368-369; w71 467-468; kj 34, 73, 88, 105, 129, 176, 233-235, 306, 346, 352-354, 356-357; w70 686; fm 30, 33, 96, 104, 263, 284; w66 615-620; kd 8-17; im 322-326; g65 6/8 28; w64 77, 478, 651, 745; bf 457, 502, 505; w61 360, 621; ns 305-306, 315; nu 21; w60 309-312, 461-462; mn 23-24; w58 634-636; yw 126, 179-181, 342; w56 614-615; sr55 134; w54 709-712; w53 273-274; nh 264; w52 271-274; lg 250-255; w51 409-410; w50 513-514; w49 148-150, 329-332; w46 198; pn 20-22; w45 308-309; w43 196, 212; tf 239-241; w42 56; w39 165; ch 211, 263; w35 83; w34 6; jh 238-239; w33 216; v-2 231; w31 53, 324, 357; lt-1-30 199

1918: w85 2/1 17; w79 6/15 29; w70 688; fm 145, 263; w67 345; w66 182-183; w64 416; bf 459, 503; w61 717; ns 315-316, 362; w60 249-250, 436, 462; w59 506; jp 79; w58 463-464; yw 181, 331-332; w55 695; sr55 103-106; nh 222, 317-318; w51 409-410, 600; w47 197-198; w44 228, 332; tf 300-304, 324; w42 88; w41 79; w39 36; w37 205-206; w36 84-86, 283, 363; ch 67, 211; w34 93; jh 41, 273; w33 139, 167, 199-200, 203, 212-213, 216, 228, 246; pp 15-17, 259; w32 29; v-2 231; v-3 114-118, 175-176; w31 268, 325-326, 379; v-1 119; lt-1-30 199, 205

1919: w85 2/1 17-18; w85 10/15 11; w82 7/1 18-25; w78 6/1 23; go 137; w76 157, 187-188, 663; hs 146; sl 127, 134, 164, 190; w71 239; kj 53, 207-208, 300-301, 311, 317-318, 320, 323, 325, 342, 346-347, 354, 380-381; w67 244, 246, 594; w66 311, 689-691; w65 494; w64 78-79, 81, 83-84, 109-111, 278, 416, 555; w63 202, 701; bf 500, 504-505, 558; mg63 18; w62 139, 204; w61 146, 148, 166, 717-718; g61 8/22 28; w60 250-251, 463, 754; w59 352, 383, 631; w58 58, 464, 590; pa 215; yw 211, 334-335; w57 602-603; w55 267-268; sr55 136, 140; w53 568, 634; nh 223, 322-323; w52 252; w51 208-209, 433, 723; w48 311; w46 217, 235; w44 11, 232-234; w43 247; w42 170; w40 102, 223, 357; w39 39, 56; s 205-207; w37 52, 125-126; w36 362; ch 67; w35 264, 297; w34 229; w33 216, 340; v-2 287; w31 36, 310; lt-1-30 249-250

1920: bf 581, 601

1922: go 137-140; fm 315-317; w60 251, 282; yw 335, 337; w54 338; w52 252; w51 433, 437; w43 216, 247; w40 187; w39 44-46, 57-60, 67-72; w37 352; w36 103, 116; w35 23, 119, 280; w33 71, 216-217, 298, 341; pp 183; w32 211-212; w31 36, 70; v-1 55; lt-1-30 106-113, 249-251; lt-2-30 18-23

1923: w39 60-62; lt-1-30 113-120; lt-2-30 23-25

1924: w39 156-158; w34 72; jh 59-60; lt-1-30 120-129; lt-2-30 25-28

1925: w45 382; w39 204-206; w38 184; w33 341; lt-1-30 129-134; lt-2-30 29-30

1926: go 140-147; ns 323, 325-326; w60 282; w59 601; yw 215, 337-338; w54 337-347; w51 436-438; w40 102; w39 214, 219-222, 237, 381; w34 89; jh 90-91; wo 55; w33 214-217, 280-281; pp 130; lt-1-30 136-156; lt-2-30 31-36

1927: bf 558-559; w41 75, 374; w40 69; rg 87; w39 299-301; jh 63-65; lt-1-30 160-170; lt-2-30 36-57

1928: w41 107; w40 69, 284-286; rg 87; w34 326, 343; w33 341-342; lt-1-30 218-223; lt-2-30 57-67

1931: w64 400; bf 467; w61 166; ns 327; w59 352; yw 287; w46 156; w40 4

1938: w85 3/1 18; yb75 247; w71 724; w60 733; w59 632; yw 217-218; w51 724-729; w43 5; w38 179-183, 186-187

1939: w83 10/1 15; w63 696; w60 88; yw 281; nh 277-278; w44 266

1942: w67 595; w65 495; ns 336-338, 340, 348, 363

1944: yb75 247; w71 724-728

1945: w85 10/1 15; w83 10/1 15; kc 166; w63 696-697; w60 89; yw 282-283; w53 564; nh 278-279

6

Zephaniah 1:18

by Ding in

zephaniah 1:18 reads as follows (nwt): "neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them in the day of jehovah's fury; but by the fire of his zeal the whole earth will be devoured because he will make an extermination, indeed a terrible one, of all the inhabitants of the earth.".

how does the wts explain this verse?.

when is this supposed to happen, and where will jehovah's faithful followers be when it does?.

pirata

*** w01 2/15 pp. 16-17 pars. 21-23 Jehovah’s Day of Judgment Is Near! ***

21 What a horrendous day of judgment was foretold at Zephaniah 1:17, 18! “I will cause distress to mankind,” says Jehovah God, “and they will certainly walk like blind men; because it is against Jehovah that they have sinned. And their blood will actually be poured out like dust, and their bowels like the dung. Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them in the day of Jehovah’s fury; but by the fire of his zeal the whole earth will be devoured, because he will make an extermination, indeed a terrible one, of all the inhabitants of the earth.”

22 As he did in the days of Zephaniah, Jehovah will soon bring distress upon “all the inhabitants of the earth,” those who refuse to heed his warning. Because they sin against God, they will walk about as helpless as blind men, unable to find deliverance. In Jehovah’s day of judgment, their blood “will actually be poured out like dust,” as something worthless. Theirs will be a disgraceful end indeed, for God will strew the bodies—even the entrails—of these wicked ones upon the earth, “like the dung.”

23 Nobody can save those who fight against God and his people. Neither silver nor gold could deliver the wrongdoers of Judah, even as hoarded wealth and bribes will provide no protection or escape “in the day of Jehovah’s fury” upon Christendom and the rest of this system of things. In that day of decision, “the whole earth will be devoured” by the fire of God’s zeal as he exterminates the wicked. Because we have faith in God’s prophetic word, we are convinced that we are now deep in “the time of the end.” (Daniel 12:4) Jehovah’s day of judgment is near, and he will soon execute vengeance on his enemies. Yet, Zephaniah’s prophecy does hold out the hope of deliverance. What, then, is required of us if we are to be concealed in the day of Jehovah’s anger?

68

"Something in the congregation is hindering the flow of Jehovah's holy spirit" - witch hunt JW style?

by slimboyfat in

jw
friends

has anyone else experienced something like this?.

in my mother-in-law's congregation a special pioneer was recently moved to the congregation and he gave a talk where he said he and the other elders felt there was a bad spirit in the congregation and there must be something going on that is preventing jehovah's holy spirit from operating properly.

but he didn't state explicity what the problem might be and now gossip is rife in the congregation about whether there might be a sinner or a traitor in their midst.. for many this is just the excuse they need to gossip and bad mouth others.

pirata

My hall is has a good spirit and is doing well spiritually (according to JW definitions). That means that having an active member on JWN does not impede the holy spirit. Whew!

6

Why preach?

by MrFreeze in

i wrote this up on my blog, thought maybe i'd share it here.

some of these points have been discussed by others but they are all very valid.

i've got three of the biggest reasons why preaching is worthless:.

pirata

that JW's and the Governing Body think only JW's will survive Armageddon.

Being a JW is not enough. You have to be an active one:

*** pc p. 30 par. 5 Lasting Peace and Happiness Just Ahead! ***

5 As all these events are taking place in our very time, all of us are faced with a life-and-death choice. What is that choice? In talking about the end of this system of things, Jesus indicated that he will divide the people of all the nations, as a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats. Only sheeplike ones—people who love righteousness and actively support God’s Kingdom—will survive the end of this wicked system of things and enjoy God’s blessings under his Kingdom forever.—Matthew 25:31, 33.

72

...Aguest/Shelby is out of the Hospital and Recovering...

by OUTLAW in

jw
friends

i`ve recieved an email from one of the dearest people i know,here on jwn... shelby had major surgery at the end of february..she is just getting her strength back... this thread is for her... leave a message..say a prayer..send good vibes... it all helps when a person is recovering... thanks... .

shelby... i`m sending good vibes your way... get well soon my friend... .

........................... ...outlaw.

pirata

Get well soon!

37

"See! See? Just as like the bible says! earthquakes are increasing!"

by highdose in

jw
friends

which is what a dub said to me today.

i would like to come back to him with evidence that they are not.

does anyone have any helpful links they could post to refute this?.

pirata

They need to read the May 1, 2011 Watchtower:

1.EARTHQUAKES

“There will be great earthquakes.”—LUKE 21:11.

Winnie, 16months old, is pulled from the rubble in Haiti. A TV crew reporting on the disaster had heard her faint moans. She survives the earthquake, but her parents do not.

WHAT DO THE FACTS SHOW? When a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti in January 2010, more than 300,000 people were killed. An additional 1.3 million were rendered homeless in an instant. Although extreme, the quake in Haiti was not an isolated event. At least 18major earthquakes occurred earth wide between April 2009 and April 2010.

WHAT IS A COMMON OBJECTION? We are not experiencing more earthquakes; because of modern technology, we are just more aware of them than people were in the past.

IS THAT OBJECTION VALID? Consider this fact: The Bible does not emphasize the number of earthquakes during the last days. However, it does say that “great earthquakes” will occur “in one place after another,” making them one of the notable features of this momentous period of history.—Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Are we seeing great earthquakes, just as the Bible foretold? Earthquakes alone may not seem to be conclusive evidence that we are living in the last days. Yet, they are only one prophecy that is being ful?lled.

23

Social Networks are a threat to the Watchtower Society

by FrankWTower in

in recent months there have been massive protests and demonstrations against autocratic rulers in the middle east and north africa.

many of these were possible in part because the protesters used social media services like facebook, youtube and twitter to get the word out and let the world know what was going on.

these services are so threatening to many governments that they're blocked in order to control their people.

pirata

A friend of mine also heard the same story at his KM School. Except his spin on it was that facebook helped the elders to track down those who went to the party.

21

Crisis of Conscience, Chapter 3

by snowbird in

the chapter is entitled governing body, with a subheading entitled three monarchs.. in this chapter, ray franz thoroughly debunks the notion advanced by fred franz that wt leadership is modeled after a so-called 1st century governing body.. however, something else that got my attention was the fact that rutherford was referred to as chief by overseas jw's.. on page 70, there is a picture of the london bethel family.. the caption reads: "see 'em grinning?

the chief had just finished telling them something in the "colored language.".

now, this really grabbed my attention!

pirata

The original source for the picture/caption can be found here:

http://www.archive.org/details/1931MessengerBethSarim

12

Why was the type/antitype understanding of the Olive Tree thrown out? (May 15, 2011 Watchtower)

by pirata in

in the may 15, 2011, pg.

23 public edition watchtower, in the article 'o the depth of god's wisdom', there is a small footnote that essentially does away with an entire 1983 study article worth of material regarding the meaning of the olive tree, spoken about by the apostle paul:.

(romans 11:17,18 nwt) 17 however, if some of the branches were broken off but you, although being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became a sharer of the olives root of fatness, 18 do not be exulting over the branches.

pirata

In the May 15, 2011, pg. 23 Public Edition Watchtower, in the article 'O the Depth of God's Wisdom', there is a small footnote that essentially does away with an entire 1983 study article worth of material regarding the meaning of the Olive Tree, spoken about by the apostle Paul:

(Romans 11:17,18 NWT) 17 However, if some of the branches were broken off but you, although being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became a sharer of the olive’s root of fatness, 18 do not be exulting over the branches. If, though, you are exulting over them, it is not you that bear the root, but the root [bears] you.

The Watchtower explains the verses as follows:

13 The apostle Paul goes on to compare those who become part of Abraham’s seed to branches on a symbolic olive tree.* (Rom. 11:21) This cultivated olive tree represents the ful?llment of God’s purpose with regard to the Abrahamic covenant. The root of the tree is holy and represents Jehovah as the one who gives life to spiritual Israel. (Isa. 10:20; Rom. 11:16) The trunk represents Jesus as the primary part of Abraham’s seed. The branches collectively represent “the full number” of those included in the secondary part of Abraham’s seed.

15 ...Thus, spirit-anointed Christians of the nations, such as some in the congregation in Rome,were ?guratively grafted onto this symbolic olive tree. In this way they became part of Abraham’s seed. ...

The footnote states.

* Evidently, there is no typical or antitypical olive tree. Although natural Israel did produce kings and priests, the nation did not become a kingdom of priests. Kings in Israel were prevented by law from becoming priests. Therefore, natural Israel did not serve as a typical olive tree. Paul is illustrating how God’s purpose to produce “a kingdom of priests” is fulilled in connection with spiritual Israel. This updates what was published in the August 15, 1983, Watchtower, pages 14-19.

In the 1983 study article, it had established the type/antitype as follows:

ROOT (Abraham/Jehovah)

TRUNK (Isaac, Jacob, 12 Patriarchs / Messiah Jesus (primary seed))

BRANCHES (12 Tribes of Israel / 144,000 spiritual Israelites (secondary seed))

WHY make this change? It's usually apparent that teachings aren't usually changed unless there's a good reason to do so. For example, the reason for the change of the generation from "wicked" to "anointed", and the withdrawal of the 1935 sealing (likely influenced by the increasing numbers of anointed ones), became clear with the introduction of the "overlapping gneneration". The overlapping also helped to created a sense of urgency again (even if some still don't understand it). The clarification on allowable minor blood fractions brought some order to the patchwork of allowable fractions written about over the years.

But dropping a type/antitype? There are tons of those that they dig out from the past. Why this particular one?

Here is my theory, but I would like to hear yours as well:

Drawing a type/antitype parallel between the 144,000 spiritual Israelites to the Literal 12 tribes of Israel makes one notice that Israel has both priestly and non-priestly members. This could lead one to the conclusion that spiritual Israel could also have both priestly (anointed/144,000) and non-priestly members (great crowd or other) . This obviously conflcts with the JW teaching that spiritual Israel is made up exclusively of the 144,000 anointed ones. If I were to take a wild guess, I would think someone pointed this out to them, so they got rid of the parallel in order to reaffirm the belief that spiritual Israel is made up ONLY of the "anointed" ones.

That being said, it still doesn't attemp to explain why the 144,000 in Revelation are spoken of as having been sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel (suggesting that there are other members of "spiritual Israel" outside the 144,000 elite/kings/priests).

PS. Don't forget the reminder reminded in the following article, "Following Christ, the Perfect Leader", after introducing this change:

Yes, Jesus’ leadership is progressive, not stagnant. Another way to cooperate with Christ’s “brothers” is to have a positive attitude toward any re?nements in our understanding of Scriptural truths as published by “the faithful and discreet slave.” (p. 27)