The Watch Tower Society originally used the term “governing body” in a strict legal sense, and in fact, used the term quite sparingly. As stated in the Watchtower, it was not until “the year 1944 the Watchtower magazine began to speak about the governing body of the Christian congregation (italics theirs).” (Watchtower, Dec. 15, 1971, p. 755) Since the 1950s, the term would frequently be used to refer to the first century, making assertions such as, “The apostle Paul belonged to the governing body in the first century” (Watchtower, April 15, 1951, p. 235 par. 7) without citing any scriptural backup. On the other hand, the magazine described the modern day “Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, [as] the governing body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” (Watchtower, Jan. 1, 1950, p. 10 par. 2)
Election of Leaders by Congregation Voting. In the Early Church, brethren met in various cities—Jerusalem, Antioch, Corinth, Thessonalica— often meeting in homes (Acts 11:22:13:1; 1Corinthians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; Romans 16:5; Colossians 4:15). Each ecclesia (church group) was autonomous electing its own leaders, its own “Elders—those not necessarily advanced in age, but mature in character.
Acts 14:23 “And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.”
How did they “ordain” their leaders? The Greek for “ordained” is “cheirotoneo from a comparative of NT:5495 and teino (to stretch); to be a hand-reacher or voter (by raising the hand).” (Strong’s #5500). Early Christians had the responsibility of voting for their Elders by the stretching forth of their hands!
Twelve Apostles not Succeeded in Authority. The twelve Apostles were chosen directly by Jesus, but they had no replacements except, of course, Paul replaced Judas. Just as Jesus selected the original twelve, he selected Paul as a replacement (Acts 9:15). The other Apostles were well meaning, but premature in selecting the replacement Apostle themselves (Acts 1:26). Inspired by God, they were the “twelve stars” crowning the head of the Early Church (Revelation 12:1); also identified the twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem (Acts 21:14). It would be hard to imagine that Paul as the greatest of the Apostles, would not be numbered among this special group of twelve. There was no “apostolic succession” of any kind for a body of leadership authority through the Christian Age.
The only time one ecclesia recommended a ruling to the brethren at large was when a Jerusalem counsel decided that the Gentile brethren should not be forced to circumcise. And, of course, at that time, there were actual Apostles in the ecclesia of Jerusalem making that recommendation [decree] to “abstain from meat offered to idols…” (Acts 15:22-29).
The independence of the Early Church is attested to by the fact that there were factions among the Corinthian brethren, some following either Paul, Peter or Apollos. Paul said in 1 Cor 3:6-7, “I planted, A-pol’los watered, but God kept making it grow; so that neither is he that plants anything nor is he that waters, but God who makes it grow.” NWT. Paul humbly said that He and Apollos were not anything. Paul did not rule over the brethren. In 1 Thes 2:7 he said, ” we became gentle in the midst of YOU, as when a nursing mother cherishes her own children.” NWT
Alas, as prophetically predicted, very soon the Christian Church evolved into dividing between “clergy” and “laity.” (Acts 20:29; Matt 13:25; Rev 2:20; 1 Jn 2:18; 2 Thes 2:3) On the one hand, some grasping for power took advantage of those ready to let go of their responsibility of electing their own leadership. Gradually a tower of authority built up with priests, bishops and finally a “pope.” Again, the responsibility for decisions and authority to choose leader in the Ecclesia rests with the congregation.
Qualifications for Leadership as Basis for Voting. While the Apostle Paul said the Ecclesia is to submit to and obey those which have “rule over you” (Hebrews 13:7, 17)—Paul also laid guidelines for selecting and voting for those who in the first place would be acceptable leader as an overseer!
When Paul gave Titus the responsibility for instructing new Ecclesias in Crete for organizing their leadership—he certainly was consistent with what he arranged earlier (Acts 14:23). “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain (elect) elders in every city, as I had appointed thee” (Titus 1:5).
Each congregation was responsible for electing Elders who qualified. He then laid out the qualifications for evaluation by the Ecclesia members quite clearly:
- Above reproach (Titus 1:6);
- Husband of one wife with children not unruly;
- Not self-willed, quick-tempered or addicted to wine;
- No striker; not given to filthy lucre (Titus 1:7);
- Hospitable, sensible, just, self-controlled (Titus 1:8);
- Holding fast the faithful word; able to exhort in sound doctrine (1:9)
In his letter to Timothy, Apostle Paul similarly lines up the qualifications for voting for overseers:
- Blameless, the husband of one wife (1 Timothy 3:1,2):
- Vigilant, sober, of good beheaviore, givento hospitality:
- Apt to teach (1 Timothy 3:2);
- Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre;
- Patient, not a brawler, not covetous (1 Timothy 3:3);
- Having his children in subjection with all gravity (1 Timothy 3:4);
- Not a notive (1 Timothy 3:7);
- Of good report of them which are without (1 Timothy 3:7)
Individual Responsibility for Raising the Hand in Voting. Thus, the Ecclesia is given criteria for voting wisely and determining Jehovah’s will for the the selection of their teachers and instructors. Congregations do NOT need to have an outside authoritative body of leaders to tell them what to do and what to think and what to change for “new light.”
Each member is responsible for attempting to determine the LORD’s will and expressing it in voting by the raising of his/her hand. So Bible Students base their leadership selection—as well as activity selections—by the voting of the Ecclesia.
MORE ON ELECTION OF ELDERS BY VOTE
According to the Bible, the election of elders was practiced in the Early Church. The eventual elimination of this practice gradually led to Elders becoming the Lord’s of the Church, rather than its servants and opened the way for the development of the Antichrist system.
Paul and Barnabas went around to all the churches and conducted the election of Elders.
Acts 14: 23 – And in every Church, after prayer and fasting, they selected Elders by show of hands, and commended them to the Lord on whom their faith rested. – Weymouth
Rotherham and Young’s Literal translation say, “appointed to them by vote elders in every assembly.”
RVIC Revised Version Improved and Corrected says, “elected elders.”
In 2 Corinthians Paul speaks of a brother who was elected by the churches to travel with him:
2 Cor 8:19 – … he is the one who was chosen by the vote of the Churches to travel with us… – Weymouth
In another example, we recall that the Apostles asked the Jerusalem Church to select seven deacons.
Acts 6:3 Therefore, brethren, pick out from among yourselves seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, and we will appoint them to undertake this duty. Weymouth
Who would have challenged the Apostles had they exerted their influence to appoint deacons themselves. Yet instead they humbly asked the Ecclesia to make this selection.
OUR LIBERTY IN CHRIST
Romans 14:4 Who are you to judge the house servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for Jehovah can make him stand. – NWT
2 Tim 2:7 – 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. – NKJV
Gal 5:1 – Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. NKJV
Gal 5:13 – For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. NKJV
2Co 3:17 – …where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. NWT
John 8:31, 32 – And so Jesus went on to say to the Jews that had believed him: “If YOU remain in my word, YOU are really my disciples, and YOU will know the truth, and the truth will set YOU free. NWT
DO BIBLE STUDENTS HAVE A GOVERNING BODY?
To find the answer Click here:
Snippets of the Watchtower 15 September 2010 issue that refer to the role of the Governing Body that any Jw or ex-Jw should benefit from meditating on the weight of the words (direct quotes), don’t just read it without thinking like we all did in the past at Watchtower studies.
Study “Your Leader is One, The Christ”
Par 8. Also by means of holy spirit, Christ gave “gifts of men” some “as shepherds and teachers,” in the congregation. (Eph 4:8, 11) The apostle paul urged Christian overseers: “Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed you overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God”. (Acts 20:28) When the Christian congregation began, all these overseers were spirit-anointed me. The apostles and elders of the jerusalem congregation acted as a governing body. Christ used this instrument to lead the entire group of his anointed “brothers” on earth. (Heb. 2:11; Acts 16: 4,5) In this time of the end, Christ has committed “all his belongings ” – all the earthly interests of the Kingdom-to his “faithful and discreet slave” and its representative Governing body, a group of anointed Christian men. (Matt 24: 45-47) The anointed and their other sheep companions recognize that y following the lead of the modern-day Governing Body, they are in fact following their Leader, Christ.
Note: The early Christian congregation “governing body” in Jerusalem (by the way that term does not exist in the Bible, same as “Trinity” or “Christmas” in this study has not been capitalized, but the modern day Governing Body is, every time it is mentioned. However, the “holy spirit” is not EVER capitalized. In this way, the GB is giving itself superiority over the holy spirit which is, in their terms, is “leading” them, as that is how they claim that they are being guided by Christ. They won’t capitalize holy spirit EVER because that is how trinitarians refer to it, as a Holy Spirit or person, giving it equal importance to that God or Christ. However, Governing Body is capitalized, giving it equal importance as to God or Christ (a new, sublime trinity maybe?). Capitalizing GB over the holy spirit is like if we had a local “Member of Parliament” or a “Mayor” and a “prime minister” of the country.
Study “Our Active Leader Today”
End of par 4. he has provided direction for the anointed “domestics” and their “other sheep” companions by means of a Governing Body .-John 10:16
End of paragraph 10. Toady, most congregation elders are of the other sheep. They are appointed after prayer and under the guidance of the holy spirit, so they too can be regarded as under Christ’s direction, or guiding hand. (Acts 20:28) They recognize, however, that Christ is using a small group of anointed Christian men as a Governing Body to lead and direct his disciples on earth.- Read acts 15:6, 28-30.
Note: what they didn’t say was to also read Acts 15: 22 which says “that the apostles and the older men together with the WHOLE CONGREGATION (my capitals) favored sending chosen men….” so the decision making was across the whole congregation, not just the older men.
In Christ
Hi Dear all
may I correct myself, as in my first line I inserted (governing body) after “they” when citing the Watchtower of 15 June 2009, though I meant to insert (anointed). As you may know the Gb is made of a few (now seven) anointed people, so what that study says about them not having any more holy spirit or insight than plain JWs applied to them too.
Thanks for your supporting comments, Jaqueline and Joanna! It is wonderful that we can “speak” and “minister”each other openly.
Jaquie, have you got that last study Our Active Leader today? I can scan it and sent to you, or you can download it at http://www.jw.org it is the last watchtower i posses, but i guess we can get them all from that website anyway!
Let the light shine!
Love
Mrs Researcher
Mrs. Researcher, you make some excellent points here about the responsibility of each member of a congregation. We are told to “prove all things” and “hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). The Bereans were commended for searching the scriptures daily to see “whether those things be so” (Acts 17:11). Galatians 1:7,8 shows that it is the message that is important, and not who brings it.
I really appreciate the study you have put into this, as God’s word is what holds the Truth.
🙂
Mrs. Researcher,
I copied and pasted the info from the Sept. 15, 2010 mag. I am going to try and get it here. Got to figure out how. They say in plain language now that a few men are appointed as God’s spokesperson on earth. They say you cannot under the scriptures without their help. Will post paragraphs later.
The Watchtower of 15 June 2009 pages 23-24, says that “they (the governing body) do not form a global network that is involved in revealing new spiritual truths” and that the anointed do not have more insight or more holy spirit than members of the great crowd (the supporting text of Rev 7:9 only mentions the great crowd, nothing
about the capacities of anointed ones). Another supporting text is 1 Cor: 12: 14-18; which is about the value of the different parts of the body of the congregation, but doesn’t explain why such a small fraction of the body is the brain, so to
speak, of why only some parts of the brain think…as would be the case with this congregation with such a small spiritually-guided fraction. Shouldn’t these 10,800 anointed be encouraged or at least invited to make their contributions to articles and doctrines in a substantial way? Compare with 1 Peter 4:10, 11 “(10) In proportion as each one has received a gift, use it in ministering to one another as fine stewards of god’s underserved kindness expressed in various ways. (11) If anyone speaks, [let him speak] as it were the sacred pronouncements of God; if anyone ministers, [let him minister] as dependent on the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. […]’ ”-italics mine). The “Watchtower, March 1, 1981, page 26 “Do You Appreciate the “Faithful and Discreet Slave”? says “[…] the apostle Peter shows that such stewardship of divine truths actually was committed to all the ‘chosen ones.’ Hence, each respective member of the congregation made a contribution to the building up of the body. (Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Pet. 1:1, 2; 4:10, 11; 5:1-3) “Thus we see a clear Scriptural basis for saying that all anointed followers of Christ Jesus make up God’s “servant,” with Jesus as its Master. Accordingly, that servant, or “slave,” as a collective body provides spiritual food for all the individuals of this congregation, which make up the household of “domestics.” These individually benefit as recipients of that food.—1 Cor. 12:12, 19-27; Heb. 3:5, 6; 5:11-14.” So back then it seems that all anointed were believed to have a role in providing spiritual food. Yet today this task is limited mostly to the GB, as mentioned above (Watchtower 15 September 2010, “Our Active Leader Today”, page 26 paragraph 4). Then we are reminded of the early christians, who, though anointed, did not all give directions for the ministry, oversee congregations or write bible
books (as said in paragraph 10). I can understand why not all early
christians had these tasks, as after all they were all anointed so
they must have been guided by spirit so there was no need to guide
each other, and if they had so, there would have been “too many
cooks”. But nowadays, when we believe we have 10,800 anointed and 7
million followers, any help from anointed ones would be of great
value, as the proportion of anointed : followers is much lower.
Sadly, the JW doctrine and principles is a little lacking in common sense, as I realized recently.
Unfortunately, the Bible is not a handbook. The more one reads of the canon of scripture, the more it’s apparent that much is missing. Who can baptize? How is baptism done? Is the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Spirit necessary? If so, how is it conferred and who may do it? How are ordinations performed and who may do them? And what officers should there be in the church and what are their duties? Who has the authority to excommunicate and what of the keys of the kingdom? And who should be the ones responsible for receiving revelation on matters that remain unclear? Bottom line: The New Testament records what was happening in the church — not what should have been happening. The apostles continued to give instruction for as long as they could — right up until they were killed. Barnabus was an apostle, too, so it was far from settled that it was a closed quorum.
you are right Bible is infaliebilty of GODS wird given to HIS ELECTED ONES.if you want to understand Bible just you have to give up your own wisdom and accept GODS WORD AS FIRST PRIORITY OF YOUR LIFE,JUST before open pages of HIS WORD humbly pray fro quidance and help of Holy Spirit psalm 51;17….John 14;26-27. John 15;26-27,AND SLOWLY DAY BY DAY GOD will lead you to understand His spiritualeauty and biblcal values to HIS CHILDREN OF EARTH. I just after approval by God was sent by HIM TO”LIMBO”WTS JW ORGANIZATION having acceptance of temporay place for those who are selected by HIM to be His child,but” WTS JW LIMBO” have no salvation of any possibility to be saved in new heaven and new earth…..only some of them are taken away to HIS VOICE OF TRUE SHEPHERD BIBLE
let me to add something about Bible,but at first please?do,nt worry of your urgent doubts and questions described in your post
we must remember that the Bible,in its entirity is the Holy Word Of GOD,every word,every phrase,is God breathed”Holy man of God spake as they were moved by Holy Ghost 2Peter 1;21.It is imperative that we remember that the old testament is just Holy and important and uniquely the Word of God as the New Testament.The Bible is not just any book.It has no peer.God moved holy men of old to write as He quided them. The Bible in its original autographs(that is,in the original documents that were written) is exactly the message that God intended for men.Each book,each paragraph,each sentence,each word,and each letter of each word,is exactly Gods Word inteded it to be,the inquisitive student of the Bible who desires to know the truth,must,therefore,APPROACH THE BIBLE WITH HOLY AWE.THIS IS GOD,S MESSAGE TO MAN…
I RUN OUT OF MY TIME AND TOMMOROW I WILL GIVE YOU MORE BIBLE EXPLANATION
may God richly bless you
Hi Bobby,
I found your journey very interesting, as you learned the importance of love and the fruit of the spirit. Comparing Scripture with Scripture is definitely where we find God’s truth, not from the teachings of men.
It looks like you had a difficult journey through this, and am glad to see that you did end up with trust in God alone, instead of in any organization of men. Only God is worthy of our worship and faith.
And the important thing is we can understand you, not the grammar. We are glad to have you post here.
God bless!
🙂
Sweety?
I consider toaday “WTS JW as limbo” and some of the elected ones have to go thru this limbo to be directly obey GODS VOICE TRUE SHEPHERD JESUS,sometimes take this long time of being in this limbo…leaders of this limbo is WTS JW Governing Body NOT HAVING ANY TRUE GODS HOPE,BUT REAPING BEAUTIFFUL EARTHLY BENEFITS USING GOD JEHOVA NAME AND AND GOD JEHOVA PERFECT LOVE OF ALL INHABITANTS OF THIS EARTH.GOD JEHOVA/JESUS gave them own glory,selfrighteuosness,self proud,selfclaims,sefpublishing of man made doctines just God gave them unlimited access to be the”leaders of this limbo=WTS JW ORGANIZATION,only this organization limbo as whole have no access to eternity…….but some single ones whom God will take them away from this limbo of spiritual pain,dirt,cleaness etc….
if WTS JW exist today exist because permit of God and finances of this world protect them from legal actions..but this organization fate is a same like last fate of all organize churches and 37 0000 cinfused christ(angel of light) look like old tower babel with mighty hunter nemrod(devil) hunting poor naive souls to the own nests of the confussion spider scren or babilon with nebucadneazar conquering whole world of confusions and end like angel of light Izaiah 14;13-14. Ezek 28;2. 1 Cor 8;5. 2 Thess 2;4
may God bless you and all of you
I am very sorry what I wrote in my last post, but this is biblical truth,about existency of created earth and what is going to be happen very soon just klick http://www.Biblicalcalculator.com and klick http://www.familyradio.com
2 Thess 1;11..wherefore also we pray always for you,that our God would count you worthy of this calling……and fulffil all THE GOOD PLEASURE OF HIS GOODNESS,AND WORK OF FAITH WITH POWER
nobody is able work out(field services) own salvation! nobody!if we are able work for our salvation then we do,nt need Christ only run like crazy day by day from door to door with monthly reports and be lessed and saved by Governing Body not Christ, but Jesus clearly say John 14;6
our work is only to have day by day faith not salvation
Hi Bobby Stecko and Welcome,
Some reading your post may not know that JW have to report on a time slip their hrs and mag, books etc to the GB.
And I will explain Field service: basically preaching, teaching work, whether from door to door or return visits, bible studies, informal witnessing etc.
There is nothing wrong in itself about talking about Jesus, if you are stressing Jesus. GB has replaced him now in the congregations of JW. No one should have to report how much or when they talk about God. It’s time, not heart or character that is being developed as a result. The average witnesses just ride around and visit McDonalds and other eat out places and turn it in as time.Just lay a Magazine on the table for people to see. The January report looks good, all those hours reported looks great on paper. But they have to keep the numbers up. As 1,000 come in the front door 2,000 leaves out the back. Attrition rate is very low for JW. They maintain numbers by aggressive preaching.
I know about WTS JW reports of field service because I was spezialpioneer overseas in germany and poland,and always elders brothers accused us and others on the meetings of elders of false reports of hours given each month to Society.I did,nt like those accusation because this type os suspicious talk about others is not one even 1/2% fruits of Spirit Gal 5;22-26…and elders each month fighting to have own important position,talks in the congreagation made me each time very sick and very upset,I did have are in circle of 120 km we preached on our foot not cars without sometimes of daily food unless somebody invited us,mostly worldly nice people gave me many times food,some money,or clothing…but theoritical talk of love of our brothers and yoke of man Gal 5;1 did,nt let me to have spiritual trust in the ifaliability of this man made organization as GODS ORGANIZATION.
MY CONSTANT PRAY,independent reading and Bible studies AND TRUST TO MY FATHER JEHOVA/ JESUS AND HIS HOLY SPIRIT JOHN 15;26-27 let me slowly after almost 33 years COMPARING ONLY SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE FIND CONTRADICTIONS OF WTS JW TEACHINGS TO TRUINESS OF BIBLICAL JESUS AND HIS GOSPEL.
I found true joy and true Spirit of God and His yoke Mat 11;29…not heavy yoke of men with empty promises contradicting true salvation of Christ.
I am completly engaged with my love and preaching but without of not visible spy controls of man organization WTS JW,without of Watchtower publication in one year I did learn a lot more from the Bible as past 33 years of being slave of man WTS JW
true JW are witnesses of Christ,only Bible never point as obligation preaching from door to door..this type of activity is made by Judge Rutheford in 1931,but Rutheford never attend this type of service,a lot of WTS JW doctrines have nothing to do with the Bible,WTS GB JW put own “Old charges” AT FIRST PLACE AND AFTER THIS BIBLE FOR SMALL MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY,
BIBLE AS FIRST PRIORITY OF GODS VOICE=TRUE SHEPHERD VOICE=WORD DO,NT PLAY MAIN ROLE IN WTS JW WORLDWIDE LEADING JW WITH OWN DOUBLE STANDARD OF OWN MAN MADE SALVATIONS AND OWN LEADERSHIP
sorry for my english gramatic I am not born american and with me is a same like with different translations of Bible..but spiritual sens of TRUTH is all the time same, OUR gramatic do,nt play any role in GODS SALVATION PLAN,HIS SPLENDOR,AND SPIRITUAL BEAUTY. please? READ 1 Cor 2;4-7……
MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU
I did read all your e-mails about dieying ,death and resurection.but I did,nt find even one passage of scripture defending your claims as JW that you as JW will be resurected on this earth of new world order(new system of things of JW) you just simple have illusional dreams! not true hope biblical new heaven and new earth 2PETER 3;10-13..CLEARLY EXPLAIN WITHOUT OF MAN speculative interpretations of WTS JW what is going to be with this earth and what is going to be new heaven and new earth … but for sure not builded on the runins of this infested by mankind 13000 years rulership and depravation of deadly sin infested,deadly air,deadly drinking water and air,soil,and today trushy cosmos,stinking adoltourous genereations deserving only to be burned by fire in the twinkling of the eayes without of sinners pain…..just cosmic blink=inhalation old and in twinkling of the eyes creating new heaven and new earth…. Bible do,nt even one passge say about only JW having grace and mercy of God,Bible only say about elected children of God predestined from the foundation of the world Eph 1;3-9
JW is completly out of true Gospel of Bible,they just dream without of organizational salvation or mercy and grace of God,God never use in the Bible organizations to serrve Him or to save as whole, only from the begining til the end Bible say about single prophets,and single apostles,disciples,anoinnted and today will be same..Jesus clearly explain…..two will be in the field,one will be taken one will be left….two will be in the bed one will be taken one will be left….from Jesus world everybody can see that organization of JW,or churches or 37000 devil false christ sects will be not saved only saved will be single people around the world,
just JW are simple deceived by angel of light(satan and his apostles) 2 Cor 11;13-15 and 2 Thess 3-12
please? all Jehova witnesses read those biblical passages and do,nt listen or read fonny human posts promising something without of biblical support verses and biblical true Jesus Gospel
SMILY,NICE WHITE SHIRTS,SUITCASES FULL OF WATCHTOWER AND BEAUTIFFUL COLOR PUBLICATION OF WTS are false beautifful devil lights showing not reality of GODS KINGDOM.satan for past 13000 years used and use beauty to deceive whole mankind from God..first beauty was EVE and same is today,glamorous,beauty,own glory,nice look,full of collors pictures in WTS publication only is illussions deceiving common sense of people lost in the spase of illusional dreams ended very soon by inhalation
if in passing or dying u awaken in paradise?hell,whatever but have no memory of the earthly life u lived wouldn’t that make the idea of reward,punishment redundant.wouldn’t it be best served that those seperated from god through ignorance that die before receiving knowledge have been unfairly judged & condemned.jesus himself was really very vague on heaven,paradise when questioned.so what would be the best serve unknowing who die before receiving such knowledge is received & how would they be given knowledge & what chance would they have to amend 4 potentially sinful behaviours
Rachael – Some of our staff may respond to you in the next few days. Let me just quickly say that the dead sleep (Just as Jesus said Lazerus sleeps). Most of mankind awakens on Paradise Earth with all their memories. That’s the whole point of the permission of evil, so that we can take these lessons of evil and suffering with us into eternity and so that we can thereby really appreciate righteousness. Untill the next staff member responds to you, I recommend you read the Classic Book by C.T. Russell that is the foudation of Bible Students beleif. It is called “The Divine Plan of the Ages.”