The July 15 2013 “Study Edition” reveals “new light” unveiled at the October 5th 2012 Annual Meeting, at which it was announced that the Governing Body is now considered the “faithful and discreet slave” – the spiritual overlords of the nearly 8 million Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide.
You can find the July15, 2013 Watchtower Study Edition by CLICKING HERE:
We have had a poll in the upper left side of the Website for several months asking the question, WHO IS THE FAITHFUL AND DISCREET SLAVE. As of April 10, 2013, 886 visitors have voted. 355 or 40% of the voters identified the Governing Body as the Faithful and Discreet Slave. If 40% of the visitors on our website believed it before the announcement, it is a reasonable deduction that a far higher percentage of JWs in the Watchtower organization believed it before it was announced. Does this suggest that the organization has been subtly implying the idea for a long time now? Was this so that the announcement would be expected rather than received as shocking and surprising news?
As a summary, the three articles in the July Watchtower indicate changes in several points of view:
1. The great tribulation did not begin in 1914, but is a future event
2. The great tribulation only begins when the United Nations attacks world religion (they used the expression “nominal Christians” an expression from the early Watchtower days.)
3. The judgment of the “sheep and the goats” also is not occurring now, but only once the great tribulation begins.
4. The “Faithful and Discreet Slave” is no longer simply the anointed, but only the Governing Body who are dispensing the “spiritual food”.
5. There is no “evil slave class” – a significant change. (This is no help to the early Bible Students (now passed away) who were charged with being Evil Slaves for resisting the sweeping changes.)
They have discarded important views regarding 1914, as well as changing ideas relating to the “inspection of the temple” period of 1918 to 1919. This is quite significant. It appears that they are laying the groundwork for a very long future period when all of the old-timers have died off but the organization remains. They are also suggesting that the Governing Body members will receive a special appointment different from others of the anointed. This is weird stuff, but most faithful JWs will rejoice in the new light.
Peter from Henry
I believe some of the predictions of what would happen in the Volumes were changed by the brother who wrote them. Thus people did read and misunderstand it for about two decades. Again were all imperfect people. If you read the post to Keepha, you can reason that the date was not given by the one perfect human living at that time. And for two good reasons. He himself did not know that day. Acts 1:7,”It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in his own power.”
Why could Jesus say that so boldly? He had humbly told them a little over a month earlier the following. Mat 24:36,”But of that day and hour knoweth no man,no,not the angels of heaven,but my Father only.”
But did you notice no where did that perfect man want, or complain about when it would be. But imperfect humans did. And these imperfect humans who did, had a share in writing the inspired Scriptures that we believe in.
Now Peter this next thought is not for you, because I know you believe in the 2520 year prophecy. But for those who see the avove verses used and ecspecially Acts 1:7 they will not understand and say see Jesus said it is in the Father’s hands. And if a person stops to think and reason. That group of inspired verses was inspired from God. And if they try and conect it to the Bible students or Jehovah’s Witnesses they strike out. It was fiqured out before C.T.Russell was born. It just happened C.T.Russell had it in papers for about 28 years in advance. And the world did change in 1914. And it is changing rapidly now. Getting worse everyday. The list to go in is way to long to go in. For many people though they think it is all normal.
Why? Jermiah shows what their heart condition is, being right before destruction. 6:14-16,”They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly,saying,Peace,peace;when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay,they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall:at that time that visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord. Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways,and see,where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said,We will not walk therein.”
Henry – You said, “I believe some of the predictions of what would happen in the Volumes were changed…” This is not correct. From the 1880s through 1916, NO CHANGES were made in time prophecies. These dates never changed and are still accepted today by Bible Students as having been accomplished with events confirming the fulfillment of these prophecies: 1799, 1829, 1846, 1874, 1878, 1914. Most people are not familiar with these dates (except for 1914) and conclude they must be false prophecies or everyone would know about it. Not so. Very few people alive today have actually taken the time to read about these prophecies (in Volumes 2 & 3 of Studies in the Scriptures) which were very popular and widely accepted in Brother Russell’s day as historical fulfillments of Bible prophecy.
We have often discussed the scriptures about no one knowing the hour of Jesus return. We disagree with your conclusion for two reasons.
1) Not even Jesus knew when he would return (Matt 24:36). Following through with your reasoning, once Jesus returns, He would not even know that he had come back. We are saying Jesus has returned. He knows it and we can know it if we will look at the evidence.
2) Translators give the wrong idea of looking for signs of Jesus “coming,” when the Bible is discussing signs as evidence of His “presence.”
Keepha from Henry
Mat 24:2,3, tells us of imperfect people asking a perfect human when will this be. Not only for one event, but more also. Did that perfect human answer their questions? Yes and No! How can that be?
Well he mentioned a condition of the temple. Not a stone upon stone will be left. But did not say what year.
Note how they were interested in when things happen. Acts 1:6,”will thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? They asked him a preety dumb questioned did they not? But they were imperfect and their desire to have it now was great inside them, so they were not thinking were they? How’s that?
Just a little over a month ago Jesus told them the temple was going to be destroyed. So why would Jesus restore the kingdom on earth only to have it destroyed. That imperfect want over road their thinking.
Now by the way you reason, because these followers of Jesus Christ the Son God, cannot prove to me that they even existed or had God’s backing and most of all kept wanting to know when and were not even thinking as to what they were told,I guess I should throw away the New Testament. But with that reasoning I can find fault with the Old Testament to. For example, Gen 3:15, it hasn’t happened has it? Hmm!
Can you explain to me how certain imperfect people are excused by you, but others are not?
Dear Anonymous
What proof does the Governing Body have that they are truly anointed?
Look at the Watchtower claims, doctrinal changes, and prophetic Speculation. What does the record show? what is date correct? 1799,1829,1844,1874,1914,1925,1975 or 2034
Deut 18:22If a prophet speaks in YHWH name and what he says doesn’t happen or come true, then it didn’t come from YHWH. That prophet has spoken on his own authority. Never be afraid of him. Please explain this scripture in application to the witness organization.
Why is it that the Watchtower prohibits its members from learning Hebrew and Greek, when the manuscripts we have available to us is in these very languages of Hebrew and Greek?
If our Lord Yeshua the Messiah were here today he couldn’t even give a talk at the Hall because he had a full beard and spoke Hebrew and both the beard and the speaking/learning Hebrew is forbidden
Keepha,
Thanks for your very good comments. By the way, the anonymous that your are writing to has been signing as Henry.
I just want to make some clarifications on the time prophecies. The JW Organization was completed and created by about 1931, when they had changed their name from Bible Students. By that time they had dumped all of Russell’s time prophecies except for 1914, for which they changed its application (more later).
Some dates this new Watchtower organization came up with were:
1925 – The earthly Kingdom set up after Armageddon.
1975 – End of 6,000 years – Armageddon and earthly Kingdom set up
2034 – The December 2003 Watchtower suggests adding 120 years to 1914 to arrive at the earthly kingdom.
Earlier dates from Russell for the most part were NOT future predictions, but rather historical applications of prophecy to past events.
1799 – Ends Papal Persecution of the Anointed
Russell believed the 1260 years of Papal persecution (of the little horn, antichrist) ran from 539 to 1799. In 539 Emperor Justinian first gave the Roman Bishop civil authority. In 1799 Napoleon humiliates the Pope taking him prisoner to France where he dies. At this point, Papal civil authority is lost. Most of Reformers and deep students of scriptures accepted the “day for a year” concept in the application of Daniel’s prophecies. So if Russell were wrong in how he marked the period of persecution of the saints and the reign of the antichrist, then what else would be the correct application of the 1260 days?
1878 and 1948 – Jehovah’s Favor Returns to Natural Israel
Another amazing prophecy of Volume two is Israel’s Double which identifies the year 1878, when the Berlin Congress of Nations allowed the Jews the right to buy land and colonize in Palestine—a right denied them for centuries. The first modern Jewish settlement in Palestine, Petah Tikva, was founded in 1878. Bible Students later realized that this double prophecy had a second stage pointing to 1948, the date in which Israel became a nation.
In Volume 2 of the Studies in the Scriptures, called “The Time is at Hand,” chapter 7 is entitled “Parallel Dispensations.” Very simply stated, Russell presents scriptures which he proposes indicates that natural Israel would have an equal period of favor and disfavor as illustrated below.
PERIOD OF FAVOR
1813 BC … Death of Jacob – 12 Tribes of Israel begin
33 AD … Jesus proclaims to Israel, “your house is left to you desolate.” This marks the end of Favor.
———– Equals
1845 years … – the Period of Favor ends (note: math adjustment for zero year between BC and AD)
PERIOD OF DISFAVOR
33 AD … Jesus proclaims to Israel, “your house is left to you desolate.” This marks the end of Favor.
1878 AD … Berlin Congress of Nations permits Jews to purchase land in Israel. First Settlement established.
———-
1845 years … – the Period of Disfavor ends.
Russell did not realize in his day that this double prophecy would have an additional extended application, which now seems to remove any doubt as to its validity.
EXTENDED PERIOD OF FAVOR
1813 BC … Death of Jacob – 12 Tribes of Israel begin
68 AD … Roman armies begin attack and destroy Jerusalem and the Temple.* This marks the final end of favor.
———– Equals
1880 years … – the extended Period of Favor ends (note: math adjustment for zero year between BC and AD)
EXTENDED PERIOD OF DISFAVOR
68 AD … Roman armies begin attack and destroy Jerusalem and the Temple. This marks the final end of extended favor.
1948 AD … After a vote in favor by the United Nations, Israel becomes a nation in 1948 and miraculously repels in overwhelming invading force bent on their destruction.
———-
1880 years … – the extended Period of Disfavor ends.
* In the year 66 AD the Jews of Judea rebelled against their Roman masters. In response, the Emperor Nero dispatched an army under the generalship of Vespasian to restore order. By the year 68, resistance in the northern part of the province had been eradicated and the Romans turned their full attention to the subjugation of Jerusalem. So AD 68 marked the date that the Roman armies targeted Jerusalem for destruction.
1914 – Natural Israel No Longer Trodden Down By the Gentiles
Rutherford’s Watchtower adopted the 1914 date from Russell, and then changed its meaning. Today’s Watchtower uses 1914 to establish its authority as being selected in the 1918 ending of the period of inspection as the Faithful and Discreet Slave. Those objecting to the Governing Body as the Faithful and Discreet slave naturally want to reject the 1914 date in order to pull the rug from under their feet. However, there is no need to throw out the baby with the bath water. All that is necessary is to demonstrate that the JW Organization misapplies the 1914 prophecy.
There is an inherent problem in an outright rejection of the 1914 date. To reject it, you must conclude that Russell got extremely lucky in selecting one of the most historically prominent dates in history. To illustrate, it is as if Brother Russell were at a roulette table and on the roulette wheel he placed all his chips on 1914. Wow! What a lucky gambler! Is that what we should conclude?
There is no other prominent religious figure in history that was ever able to predict a future date and events from the Bible and get it right to the very year. For his success, Charles Taze Russell thought of by many as a false prophet. Generally the people who say he was wrong blame him for the mistaken predictions of the JW Organization (1925 and 1975) and have never read his works, Volume 2, “The Time is at Hand” and Volume 3, “Thy Kingdom Come.”
Pastor Russell “owned” the Times of the Gentiles concept which identified 1914 as the end of the Times of the Gentiles. In other words, he is the one who taught, promoted and spread the concept worldwide. His reputation would have been severely damaged had nothing happened in 1914. As it turned out, Church/State rule ended, earthly Kings were dethroned forever, the Empires began to lose their colonies and WWI lead to the 1917 Balfour Declaration which set aside Palestine as a homeland for the Jews. Is this all a coincidence? Did Pastor Russell just get lucky?
It is true that Brother Russell expected too much to happen too quickly. Students of prophecy at Jesus first advent, made the same mistake. At the time Jesus was born, people were in expectation of the Messiah (Luke 3:15.) They expected the 70 weeks of Daniel 9, pointed to a Messiah that would immediately defeat the Romans and set up the earthly kingdom (Luke 24:21; Acts 1:6). They were wrong to expect more than the prophecy had promised. Nevertheless, the Seventy Weeks prophecy was correct and did point Messiah, just as the 1914 prophecy was correct and pointed to the breaking up of the world empires, the end of Church-State rule and the soon to be born nation of Israel.
Luke 21:24 says, “…Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” NASV. Amazingly, when British Forces took Palestine during the World War I, Britain issued the Balfour Declaration in 1917 which brought forth the concept of a homeland for the Jews. The Berlin Congress of Nations then gave full civil rights to the Jews of Palestine.
In Lev 26 there are 4 places (vs 18, 21, 24, 28) where Jehovah says he will punish Israel 7 Times if they are unfaithful. The four instances are appropriate since there are four parts (empires) represented in the great image of Daniel 2. The iron and bronze of vs 19 relate to Daniels image — the iron being Rome and bronze being Greece. Jesus said in Luke 21:24 that “Jerusalem would be trampled by the Gentiles until the Times of the Gentiles are complete.” So Jesus related this period to the Gentile domination over the Jewish people and he never said that its end would mark the date of His return. This Gentile nation domination of the Jewish people ended in 1914.
Peter and Jacquelin
Thank you for sharing.
Henry
You are welcome anonymous. It is always a blessing to talk about things. It brings out who you are. You have helped me to see I still have indignation more than I should about the governingbody. I need to work on that. They are allowed to exist as all things are by God’s permission and I have not desire to help take down any system. My reason for assimilation of info is to help any that are trying to escape the oppression but still stay with Christ and some of the deep revealed knowledge of the bible. It has been a pleasure. Take Care.
From Henry to Jacquelin;
You would have to agree their is a big difference between the Governing Body and the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin did not obey Jesus Christ and carry out the preaching work. The Governing Body is so totally committed to that end. Thats like day and night, to compare them.
And you know they constantly are involved with people trying to learn the fruitages of the spirit, verses the works of the flesh. And they to are sinners just like everyone else.
Back then, God—Moses-older men. A group that had God as the one to worship, Not Moses or the older men.
Today, God—Jesus Christ-older men. A group that has God as the one to worship, Not Jesus Christ or the older men.
In between the back then and the today. God—Jesus Christ from heaven—older men. A group that has God as the one to worship, Not Jesus Christ or the older men.
The bottom line is that God and His Son use humans to get his will accomplished. And you know, God could have used rocks if he wanted to. And you know God of order. So his people are well organized in carrying out the preaching work in a very wicked world. Something that would be immposible to do without God’s backing. The simple fact is He uses people to organize it. And Satan the god of this world uses everything he can to go against it. 2 Cor 4:3,4.
Who do you think has been spoken against the most? The early Apostles, or the present day Governing Body?
With more people living and the internet available the answer is and can only be the Governing Body. Is it not fitting that the Devil who was cast out of heaven almost 99 years ago would put on his greatest attempt to bring God’s people down?
Why that man ,think was Gamiel, said you may find yourself going against God himself. If it is false it will fall apart on its own. Would you not like to meet him at the resurrection? I would! So we all have to try are hardest to makeere don’t we?
Henry
Henry – Come back to the old original Watchtower light. The true light shines brighter, it becomes clearer, however, it never changes. Russell taught that the Jewish people would become a nation. Since 1948 the light is brighter on this subject as Israel became a nation and has survived many wars against overwhelming odds. Just as old wine tastes better with time, yet the wine does not change into beer, so the truth does not change. Rather the Truth becomes clearer and tastier.
Do you disagree that the Governing Body has protected pedophiles? On this point alone stands their credibility as the Faithful and Discreet Slave. It would be impossible to believe that Jehovah’s Faithful Slave would protect these evil ones and hide this . Do you think it impossible that Jehovah has allowed an Apostasy in the JW Organization leadership as a test for Jehovah’s people to see whether they will follow His World or these men?
.Persecution: In Russia right now there is persecution of Jehovah Witnesses AND almost any other Christian religion that is insisting on carrying on the preaching activity.
Matt. 5:10 says anyone living with Godly devotion will be persecuted.
2. Preaching and teaching has and is being carried on by other religions also abeit they have some things wrong like the witnesses on doctrine. The witnesses have a system to indoctrinate to increase numbers for money, profit and for salvation in an Ark of salvation, the ORGANIZATION. BTW The ark represents Jesus saving power not the organization.
3. There is no concept of a group of men having more rules than the Law Code in addition to the bible being set forth in scripture. (ie Flock book). Not even a concept of a governing body is in scripture but Elder arrangement is. But they are not to be the conscience of the other brothers. (ie, blood transfusions, organ transplants, stict attire, putting sisters on platform to teach and training you how to get over at the door like a common book saleman.) I could go on and on. Big money at those district conventions both the cities and the org. Google alert JW will show you how cities court the conventions and will fire a worker that causes a convention to go elsewhere. ie Huntsville Alabama over not giving free parking when the watchtower charges it members for the parking making a profit. (Rev 18:9,10- Will they weep when the governingbody no longer have the numbers to fill the merchant’s coffers? They live in shameless luxury, some even have younger men to help as valets in Bethel. Have you seen their chauffered cars? Have you seen their accomodations and how when one walks by in the hallway at patterson in the tunnel brothers move over and stop? I have seen so much that it is actually visiting Bethel so much that I saw with my own eyes. Maybe this is not your experiences.
4.If you are spoken bad of for doing good it is counted as righteous for you. Check out the internet it is for acting like animals towards the brothers that the governingbody is spoken ill of. Most laws are in favor of religious freedom for the witnesses mode of preaching. If not their highly paid lawyers will fight for it. BTW Like a huge corporation it has been said by those that lived at Bethel that their law department is larger than some non religious corporations. Why do they need so many lawyers and the worldly courts against their pedophile victims? Attend one of the trials and bring a baff bag with you. Big money is at stake here.
5. Learnign the fruitage of the Spirit. They need to learn it themselves first. Romans 2:21: says do you who teach someone else not teach yourself? They need to remove the rafter from their eyes first then they can help others. Their lawyers would cut you in half if they knew you were on this site going back and forth with me. I have dealt with those animalistic men on a personal basis. I have been involved with their pedophile victims and some of the molestors and their attitude is better than the org.
6.You sound as if you haven’t been a witness very long, to follow them for decades as they degenerated when their governingbody came in around the sixtie’s. And I don’t want to destroy your faith in these men as it really does not matter because Jesus has it covered. Some persons do better under strict authority. Putting in the national average of hours (like a sales quoto) makes them feel good about themselves. Some like to preach and teach at every opportunity and until they are tired and yet not report the activity on their monthly sales report. A corporation has to have strict control to stay in business. Losing some of their members has caused them sell off most of their holding in New York city. They say Patterson, wallkill and the new york properties are the “city without walls that will be attacked by gog of magog” yet they tried to give it to Candice Conti as collateral for the 21 million dollar judgement against them. What about the Awake magazines with pictures of the little children they killed with their no blood policy. If a serial killer of children did that we as humans would go after them. But the watchtower society will fight with their lawyers until a victim’s family is exhausted.
Anonymous all of this is on the web. Check it out do some research. I will not go back and wallow in the vomit that I left. They say you can’t get to Jehovah unless we accept them. Well I tell you the harlots and the tax collectors will go in ahead of them.(Matt.21:31)
You will not suffer destruction at armageddon my brother but will only share with her in her sins but not Gehenna. So this adoration and setting them in place of Jesus will not determine youur life or death. This is not the time for WORLD CONVERSION or die at armageddon as they have taught you. That time will be during Judgement Day. Here are some links that might just help you. I think if you read some of this it will help you get over the fear of death by Jehovah for sins now. You remind me of my son that is worried to death over me dying at armageddon. So I hope this will help you get over this fear and let the Bible and holy Spirit guide you to more deeper understanding. Take Care Anonymous
https://www.friendsofjehovahswitnesses.com/category/armageddon-2/
PS: I see hardly any difference between the Sanhedrin and the governing body except time period. The governing body wants to set up the kingdom of God on earth right now. In fact they say they are the earthy part of his organization. They are self appointed and like the Roman Catholic system they are the pope with 9 heads.Idealology is very similar. Please check it out. CO, DO, zone overseer etc. The Roman Catholic system is being copied by the society.
To Jacquelin;
In that article it used a quote from Page 381 in the Qualified To Be Ministers Book. This is from page 380. “Jehovah’s organization is theocratic. That means that it is ruled by the direct admistration of God, and all who desire to serve in association with the organization must respect the theocratic arrangement of things. They must submit to Jehovah God as the Universal Sovereign.”
Going to stop there, mainly ro use this as a check test. Do the people going against your faith, submit themselves to Jehovah God? Look for total evidence.
Contining on,”and they ought to give full cooperation to those whom he has put in positions of responsibility.” Again Let stop and do a check point. Ex 17:5,”And Jehovah said unto Moses,Pass on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod,wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thy hand and go.” So we see at the direction of Jehovah, using one who would take certain others.
Continue on,”It is vital that each one appreciate the position occupied by Jesus Christ as Head of the Christian congregation, as the Ransomer and now as King empowered by God.” (Acts 4:12; Rev 19:16) So,too,they must show proper regard for those on earth who have been appointed by holy spirit as overseers of God’s people, and even within the family, they must work in harmony with the principle of theocratic headship.-Acts 20:28;1 Cor. 11:3.”
One can go read when people listened or did not listen to Moses and the elders or older ones or head of households and see the results. Many places in the Bible. We know one greater then Moses would come and lead and organize and teach. Lu 8:1,2;9:1-4;10:1-7; Mt 28:18-20; Acts 1:8. Is it not reasonable to expect those who follow will be amonst those who won’t follow? Sadly the true answer has to be yes. But happily not always. When Rev 20:10 takes place, a most happy time will be here on earth and in heaven.
Our goal should be to do all we can to be there. Do you agree?
Thank you,
Henry,
Anonymous I see your reply and I will answer but no I don’t agree with most of what you say. I will get scriptural support when I have a minute today. See you later. BTW, websites that I post are for info and point of views not neccesarily my point of view.
I agree that it is wrong to speak or rebel against those who take the lead in caring for and feeding God’s sheep. (1 Tim. 5:17) Jude, for example, speaks of “ungodly men” who have slipped in among God’s people and are “speaking abusively of glorious ones,” wicked men who “have perished in the rebellious talk of Korah.” (Jude 4, 8, 11) ” I address the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram, three notorious rebels who opposed Moses and are given as a warning example for us today. (Num. 26:9; 1 Cor. 10:6, 10,11) The Society teaches, and many wholeheartedly agree, that questioning the governing body is equivalent to Korah’s rebellion. Moses was the mediator of the Law covenant that Jehovah made with the nation of Israel at Mt. Sinai, and he was the one chosen by God to lead his people. (Heb. 8:7-13) As you know, the greater Moses is Jesus Christ, the mediator of the new and better covenant. Regarding him the apostle Paul wrote: “Moses as an attendant was faithful in all the house of that One as a testimony of the things that were to be spoken afterwards, but Christ [was faithful] as a Son over the house of that One. We are the house of that One, if we make fast our hold on our freeness of speech and our boasting over the hope firm to the end.” (Heb. 3:1-6; 5:4,5; 8:6; Gal. 3:24)
Who is leading God’s people today? A Watchtower article answered: “As Jehovah’s modern-day servants, we cherish our good relationship with God. We are eager to learn and apply in our lives valuable lessons from past events. (Romans 15:4) When the Israelites walked by sight, they forgot that God through Moses was directing them. If we are not careful, we too can forget that Jehovah God and the Greater Moses, Jesus Christ, are directing the Christian congregation today.” —w05 9/15 p. 20 par. 18; Walk by Faith, Not by Sight!
Since Jesus is the greater Moses, for someone to follow in the path of Korah he would have to rebel against Jesus, and not just against any man, or group of men, even if that were the twelve apostles. When Paul confronted the apostle Peter in Antioch with the need to correct him, for Peter “stood condemned,” also influencing others in following his hypocritical course so that “they were not walking straight according to the truth of the good news,” would you say that Paul became guilty of becoming like Korah? (Gal. 2:11-14)
The Scriptures foretold that before the coming of Jehovah’s day (NWT), Jehovah would reveal (or expose) the existence of an element right at the very top inside his own household—his temple—that would reflect the same rebellious attitude as did Korah, wanting to share in the glory of the greater Moses Christ Jesus, and elevating himself above all others of God’s people, even going so far as showing himself to be a god. I have found Jesus and am not rebelling against Him or Jehovah.
I am also aware of the stern counsel in Luke 12:10 Against speaking against the Holy Spirit. I don’t feel the governingbody had leadings from the Holy Spirit on the pedophilia issue and their still unholy stance on this issue. I am not going into the pedophilia issues indepth but this is not the holy spirit. They tell the brothers to seek legal advice first is some of those letters and call the police only if their state requires it.
“1. This letter updates the letters to all bodies of elders regarding child abuse dated March 23, 1992; February 3, 1993; August 1, 1995; March 14, 1997; July 20, 1998; May 24, 2002; April 1, 2004; June 5, 2006; and May 24, 2010. Those letters should be removed from the congregation permanent file of policy letters and be destroyed. No one should keep originals or copies of any of those letters.” In harmony with these references, we are herein discussing sexual perversion in which children are the object of sexual abuse, including fondling, by an adult. We are not discussing a situation wherein a minor who is a willing participant and who is approaching adulthood has sexual relations with an adult who is a few years older than the minor nor, generally speaking, are we discussing situations in which only minors are involved. Rather, we are referring to situations in which it is established that an adult brother or sister has been guilty of sexually abusing a young child or has been sexually involved with a minor who is approaching adulthood and who was not a willing participant.”
The Sanhedrin Trial of Jesus Christ: Matt 26:57 “Those who took Jesus into custodyled him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the older men were gathered together.” Who are these?
Vs 59: “Meanwhile the chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin were looking for false witness against Jesus in order to put him to death.” They were wrong to hold this trial at night between sunset and sunrise and the Sanhedrin was formed to keep the people in subjection.
So to sum it up you might as well tell me I should have accepted the Sanhedrin which is just like the governing body of today.
John 8:44 in part ‘You are from your father the devil’. The pharisees were a part of the Sanhedrin. So this is how Jesus felt about the same type of setup that existed in his day and I feel the same way.
Exodus 32 chapter concerning the Golden Calf: “This is your God”. They put that picture of them out front so the witnesses have a visual to worship. They said in one convention talk that Jehovah has put them on high for all to admire. They said at the end of conventions in the past. “This convention is brought to you by the governingbody” “The governingbody wants you to know they love you” cupped his bible and walked off the stage.
If you want to follow them it is not my place to make them a problem for you. Israel also needed to see their leader so ended the time of the judges and we see how that turned out.
Matt 23: 8 We are all brothers working together. Order is a fabric of any society so I am not saying there are not men appointed by God but not a Sanhedrin that makes all decisions for individuals on everything with no allowance for an individual to worship God in a personal relationship. That is my take on the matter Anonymous. Sincerely Jacqueline
These words were from Judge Rutherford on being interviewed in his last days of living, a few years by the picture of him ,probaly.
He said under the sub heading,NO HUMAN LEADER “the first two imply a human leader, which I am not he said.”
Thank you for the article. But in that article I believe it said Russell, Rutherford and Knorr were the first three presidents. That was a mistake. A man whose name was W.H.Conely, was the first president which ws fmed on February 16, 1981 and C.T.Russell was secretary and treasurer. So now we have something being told to us as truth when it is not. Rather than fine line each mistake, lets reason on the following.
1 Pe 1:1,”From Peter, apostle of Jesus Christ-To God’s chosen people who live as refugees scattered throughtout the provinces of Pontus,Galatia,Cappadocia,Asiaand Bithynia.”
Do you or any Bible Students believe Peter was an apostle?
Do you believe he had the authority to write those people?
Pliny makes mention of numerous Christins living in the province which would correspont to Bithynia.
At the start of the early congregation in 33 C.E. were they called Christians? No they weren’t. Lets say you wer a young person in 33 C.E. and you heard they were called the Way, and they said we are God’s chosen people, yet you were raised by the writings of Moses and new you were of the chosen people. So you laughted at them and told your friends, we have the Hebrew Scriptures they have nothing. Now you move from Israel over to one of those provinces that Peter wrote to. And a number of years later you here a knock on the door, so you answer, and you here this person say I am a preacher of the Christian group. You stop him short and say, I thought that group called the Way was the only ones who went house to house. The person replies, I am one of them. Your not called the Way anymore you ask? No by divine direction we are called the Christians. Your reply, I don’t mean to be rude but I don’t see anywhere where you are God’s chosen ones and you change your name when ever you want and say it has divine backing and now you have a letter written by a man who says he was sent forth and can tell you all what to do. So that one man is your leader? No he is one of the twelve sent forth ones or apostles. How do I know he might not be like Judas, he was one to? If you want to follow those bunch of men go ahead, but God doesn’t work like that. He gave the writings to Moses and thats all the light mankind needs. Bam the door shuts.
So I read the link you gave me. It condems Russell,Rutherford and Knorr. But I showed you from an interview that Rutherford didn’t agree with their assertation. And for any loyal Bible Student to look at it badly, shows disrespect to C.T.Russell. For example, those words from Rutherford were found on Barb A. site. Again that site has many things against C.T.Russell.
So the moral of the story. Will we take dis-information against the Bible Students and Jehovah’s Witnesses and let that corrupt our faith. Or will we hurdle that dis-information and continue in our faith.
I don’t want to see Peter K. approve using any persons slant when it attacks his beliefs also. He exihibts a strong rock hard faith and will look forward to hear his side also.
Thank you,
Henry,
Henry – I agree with you that we need to be careful about our sources of information. The link provided has some helpful material but mistakes as well. I think that at the beginning of the link they make a good scriptural case against the idea of a governing body in the early Church.
This is a very informative article on how the governing body was formed.
http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/governing-body.php
This is a post for friends who asked where a dicsussion of this “new light” magazine is discussed. Here is one discussion. Also there are other discussions going on and will post as I find them.
http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20130715/ This is the actual JW official website for the complete download.
http://marvinshilmer.blogspot.com/
http://marvinshilmer.blogspot.com/2013/05/only-apostates-can-warn-you.html
This one is not a direct discussion but mentions the many changes including this one.
http://perimeno.ca/FoodforThought.htm
To Jerome;
Vol IV page 613,”DISPENSING OF FOOD TO THE HOUSEHOLD.”
-Matt.24:45-51; Luke 12:42-46.-
“The intimation here seems to be, that at the particular time indicated by the prophecy,-namely, during the Lord’s presence, and at the time of the gathering of the elect-our Lord, the great Servant of his people, will make choice of one channel for dispensing the meat in due season, though other channels or”fellow-servants” will be used in bringing the food to the “household.” But the servant is merely a steward, and liable to be removed at any moment, should he fail to fully and duly acknowledge in every particular, the Master,-the great Servant of God, and his people,-“the Messenger of the Covenant,”-Christ.”
Faithfulness on the part of said steward(both to the “Master” and to”his fellow-servants” and “the household”) will be rewarded by his continuance as steward;-so long as he serves faithfully, he may continue, and may serve the household of faith with things new and old,-meat in due season-to the end; bringing forth all the precious things of divine provision. But if unfaithful he will be disposed of entirely and put into outer darkness, while presumably another would take the place, subject to the same conditions.”
There is so much more to put down , so it would be best for a person to read and study the six volumes.