Where's Jesus This Month?

I've previously pondered on the Jehovah's Witness practise of preaching a different gospel.
The September 'Kingdom Ministry' once again emphasises this.

• misguide religious zeal
• suffering in silence
• prayer
• marital betrayal

No Jesus as crucified Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Why not?

Do the Anointed Have "Special Insights?"

Mike Felker has asked whether the Governing Body consistently teach that the "anointed" do not have any special insights. This is the magazine article that has puzzled him.

Watchtower, May 1, 2007

Questions from Readers

When does the calling of Christians to a heavenly hope cease?

The Bible does not reveal a precise answer to that question. We do know that the anointing of Jesus’ disciples with a view to their heavenly inheritance began in 33 C.E. (Acts 2:1-4) We also know that after the death of the apostles, genuine anointed Christian “wheat” came to “grow together” with counterfeit Christians, “weeds.” (Matthew 13:24-30) Then, starting in the late 1800’s, anointed Christians were again prominently active. In 1919 “the harvest of the earth,” including the gathering of the final ones of the anointed began to be reaped. – Revelation 14: 15, 16.

From the late 1800’s until 1931, the main thrust of the preaching work was the gathering of the remaining members of the body of Christ. In 1931 the Bible Students took the Bible-based name Jehovah’s Witnesses, and in the November 15, 1933, issue of the Watchtower, the thought was expressed that this unique name was the “denarius” referred to in Jesus’ parable recorded at Matthew 20:1-16. The 12 hours mentioned in the parable were thought to correspond to the 12 years from 1919 to 1931. For many years after that, it was believed that the call to the heavenly Kingdom had ended in 1931 and that those called to be joint heirs with Christ in 1930 and 1931 were “the last” called. (Matthew 20:6-8) However, in 1966 an adjusted understanding of that parable was presented, and it became clear that it had nothing to do with the end of the calling of the anointed.

In 1935 the “great crowd” of Revelation 7:9-15 was understood to be made up of “other sheep,” Christians with an earthly hope, who would appear on the world scene in “the last days” and who as a group would survive Armageddon. (John 10:16; 2 Timothy 3:1; Revelation 21:3, 4) After that year, the thrust of the disciple-making work turned to the gathering of the great crowd. Hence, especially after 1966 it was believed that the heavenly calling ceased in 1935. This seemed to be confirmed when almost all who were baptized after 1935 felt that they had the earthly hope. Thereafter, any called to the heavenly hope were believed to be replacements for anointed Christians who had proved unfaithful.

Without a doubt, if one of the anointed unrepentantly falls away, Jehovah does call another individual to take his place. (Romans 11:17-22) However, the number of genuine anointed ones who have become unfaithful is likely not large. On the other hand, as time has gone by, some Christians baptized after 1935 have had witness borne to them that they have the heavenly hope. (Romans 8:16, 17) Thus, it appears that we cannot set a specific date for when the calling of Christians to the heavenly hope ends.

How should a person be viewed who has determined in his heart that he is now anointed and begins to partake of the emblems at the Memorial? He should not be judged. The matter is between him and Jehovah. (Romans 14:12) However, genuine anointed Christians do not demand special attention. They do not believe that their being of the anointed gives them special “insights,” beyond what even some of experienced members of the great crowd may have. They do not believe that they necessarily have more holy spirit than their companions of the other sheep have; nor do they expect special treatment or claim that their partaking of the emblems places them above the appointed elders in the congregation. They humbly remember that some anointed men in the first century did not qualify to serve as elders or ministerial servants. (1 Timothy 3:1-10, 12, 13; Titus 1:5-9; James 3:1) Some anointed Christians were spiritually weak. (1 Thessalonians 5:14) And sisters, although anointed, did not teach in the congregation. – 1 Timothy 2:11, 12.

Hence, anointed Christians along with their other sheep companions strive to stay spiritually strong, cultivating the fruitage of the spirit and working for the peace of the congregation. All Christians, whether anointed or of the other sheep, work hard at preaching the good news and making disciples under the direction of the Governing Body. Anointed Christians are content to do this for as long as it is God’s will that they remain on earth as Jehovah’s servants.

Text copyright Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society


Of course, this is a flip-flop. See the following quotations, with added emphasis;

*** w05 1/15 p. 15 par. 21 Christ—The Focus of Prophecy ***Only his faithful anointed disciples would discern his royal presence. In the next article, we will see how that insight would have a profound effect on them, culminating in the gathering of millions who would become Jesus’ earthly subjects

*** ip-2 chap. 15 p. 228 par. 23 The Barren Woman Rejoices ***23 Verse 13 of Isaiah chapter 54 provides the key—all will be “taught by Jehovah.” Jesus himself applied the words of this verse to his anointed followers. (John 6:45) The prophet Daniel foretold that during this “time of the end,” the anointed would be blessed with an abundance of true knowledge and spiritual insight. (Daniel 12:3, 4) Such insight has enabled them to spearhead the greatest educational campaign in history, spreading divine teaching in all the earth. (Matthew 24:14) At the same time, such insight has helped them to see the difference between true religion and false. Isaiah 54:12 mentions “boundaries of delightsome stones.” Since 1919, Jehovah has given the anointed an ever clearer understanding of the boundaries—the lines of spiritual demarcation—setting them apart from false religion and ungodly elements of the world. (Ezekiel 44:23; John 17:14; James 1:27) They are thus set apart as God’s own people.

*** w00 5/15 p. 11 par. 6 Pay Attention to God’s Prophetic Word for Our Day ***6 In this time of the end, many faithful Christians have ‘roved about’ in the pages of God’s Word, the Bible. The result? With Jehovah’s blessing on their efforts, true knowledge has become abundant. For instance, anointed Witnesses of Jehovah have been blessed with insight, enabling them to understand that Jesus Christ became heavenly King in the year 1914.

*** km 3/00 p. 8 par. 4 Studying Daniel’s Prophecy ***4 Prepare well for the study each week, and enjoy participating in it. Appreciate your privilege of associating with Jehovah’s visible organization and benefiting from the insight and understanding provided by his faithful anointed ones.

*** dp chap. 17 p. 292 par. 11 Identifying True Worshipers in the Time of the End ***: “The ones having insight will shine like the brightness of the expanse; and those who are bringing the many to righteousness, like the stars to time indefinite, even forever.” Who are “the ones having insight” today? Again, the evidence points to the same “holy ones of the Supreme One.” After all, who but the faithful anointed remnant had the insight to discern that Michael, the Great Prince, began standing as King in 1914?

*** dp chap. 18 p. 309 par. 7 Jehovah Promises Daniel a Wonderful Reward ***In our own day, the anointed have been blessed with spiritual insight, shining as beacons of truth in this bedarkened world.

*** w98 2/15 p. 19 par. 7 Glorious Freedom Soon for the Children of God ***Meanwhile, God granted his anointed servants, born-again Christians, noteworthy insight.

*** w87 7/1 p. 23 par. 10 Divine Blessings for “the Ones Having Insight” *** “The ones having insight” are clearly the faithful remaining members of the anointed Christian congregation, who are ‘filled with accurate knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual comprehension.

*** w81 3/1 p. 26 Do You Appreciate the “Faithful and Discreet Slave”? ***This indicates that the congregation of Christ’s anointed disciples, those having insight, would be watching for the Master’s return and be found faithfully providing spiritual food at the proper time when he returned.

*** w70 11/15 p. 690 par. 22 The Need to Know What We Worship ***The anointed remnant of “people who are knowing their God” have been the ones that have prevailed, and this due to having insight.

*** w60 2/1 p. 90 par. 37 Part 31—“Your Will Be Done on Earth” ***They act with insight and keep walking in their integrity or blamelessness toward God. Realizing their being anointed with Jehovah’s spirit to preach, they do preach, that they may “impart understanding to many.”


Question - why have the Governing Body decided, as of 2007, that actually, no the anointed do not have any special insights?


(hat-tip Governing Body Letters)

If You're Studying the Bible, Why Call it "Watchtower Study"?

Jehovah's Witnesses spend over 1 hour per week in a Kingdom Hall studying the Watchtower magazine via a question and answer format. The printed paragraph is read aloud by a pre-assigned reader (always a man) and the "Watchtower Overseer" asks the printed question. Answers are provided by the Jehovah's Witnesses (or guests) in attendance, invariably recycling what's just be read from the printed paragraph.

However, even though to outsiders this format is little more than recited printed information from the Watch Tower Society, Jehovah's Witnesses colloquially refer to this as their "main spiritual meal of the week". It's also referred to, officially, as Bible study.

In the October 15th Study Edition of the Watchtower, the following statement is made on page 21, par 5 (available as a PDF download from here);

5 Starting with the first study edition of The Watchtower, the January 15, 2008, issue, a significant detail was included on the front cover. Did you notice it? Take a good look at the cover of the magazine you are holding. There, at the base of the tower, you will note an open Bible. That added feature under- scores the reason why we have the Watchtower Study. It is to study the Bible with the help of this magazine. Yes, at our weekly Watchtower Study, God’s Word is “being expounded,” and just as in the time of Nehemiah of old, there is “a putting of meaning into it.”—Neh. 8:8; Isa. 54:13.

Here's the image being referred to.

It's interesting that the tower literally towers over, or dominates, the Bible. Which is perhaps exactly the point, as is borne out by the above quote;

That added feature under- scores the reason why we have the Watch- tower Study. It is to study the Bible with the help of this magazine. Yes, at our weekly Watchtower Study (emphasis added)

 Which is it? A Bible study or a Watchtower Study? Well, the Witnesses are indoctrinated to argue that it's a "study of the Bible with the aid of the Watchtower magazine". But let's face it, as the quoted paragraph affirms, it's a Watchtower study.

Jehovah's Witnesses, if you want to study the Bible, study the Bible. Pick it up, open it, pray, then read it. Then pray again. It's really simple. And you'll be amazed at what Jehovah God says to you when you do this, how you'll hear his voice and receive his direction free from any additives.

And remember, the Governing Body (or the "faithful and discreet slave" class) don't have any more insight or Holy Spirit than you do**, so by their own admission, they are no more 'qualified' to explain or expound the Bible than you.

** "However, genuine anointed Christians do not demand special attention. They do not believe that their being of the anointed gives them special "insights," beyond what even some experienced members of the great crowd may have." - Watchtower, May 1, 2007 Question Box

"The Governing Body Do Not Elevate Themselves"

Mike Felker has been challenged on his blog via this post. In particular Jehovah's Witness apologist Henrik has stated the following in defence of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses;

We are being Reborn when we are taking stand for Jehovah and getting baptised.
The GB [note: Governing Body] has NOT elevated themselves to and high authority, they has the same value as everyone else. For example: If they of some reason should tell us all to gather for a mass suicide, NO ONE with good faith would show up. The Bible clearly says that we have to study and test all that we are being tought with his own word THE BIBLE. And if we canot find evidence to do such a thing we cant do it.

Henrik, you say the Governing Body have not elevated themselves, yet they have written the following in the Study Edition of the Sept 2010 Watchtower (available from here (link to jw.org site));

"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 by following the lead of the modern-day Governing Body, they are in fact following their Leader, Christ." [emphasis added]

So, you as a Jehovah's Witness are following the Governing Body who are, by proxy, Jesus Christ. That's what the paragraph is saying. In black and white.

Isn't that elevating themselves above the rest of the Witnesses, likening themselves to Jesus Christ?

Here's another;

"Similarly today, a Governing Body composed of spirit-anointed Christians contributes to the unity of the worldwide congregation. The Governing Body publishes spiritually encouraging literature in many languages. This spiritual food is based on God’s Word. Thus, what is taught is not from men but from Jehovah.—Isa. 54:1" [emphasis added]

What do we make of this one? Whenever a new Watchtower magazine comes out, you've to view what the Governing Body have written in at as coming from the mouth of God himself. Mistakes and all. Isn't that elevating themselves?

And lastly, from the same magazine;

"We cannot hope to acquire a good relationship with Jehovah if we ignore those whom Jesus has appointed to care for his belongings. Without the assistance of “the faithful and discreet slave,” we would neither understand the full import of what we read in God’s Word nor know how to apply it. (Matt. 24:45-47)" [emphasis added]

So, when Jesus said the Holy Spirit would teach us and lead us into all truth, actually Jehovah's Witnesses need the "faithful and discreet slave", who we know are represented by the Governing Body. And when the Bible tells us that we're reconciled to God through Christ alone, the Governing Body have decided that, actually, you need them too.

Look how important the Governing Body are making themselves; without them you can't understand the Bible. Without them you can't have a relationship with God.

Isn't that elevating themselves?

With respect and compassion, I'd ask you to reconsider your statement that the Governing Body do not elevate themselves. In the above quotes we've seen them putting themselves on the same level as;
- the Father in heaven
- the Son, Jesus Christ
- the Holy Spirit

Henrik, you say you've to study and test what you're being taught. I'd urge to do follow your own advice and get back to me on these quotes; do they stand up to Biblical scrutiny or are the Governing Body putting themselves in the place of God?

Question for Jehovah's Witnesses - What Happened to the Biblical Truths?

Jehovah's Witnesses are very proud of their heritage, as manifested in such publications as the "Proclaimers" book wherein the history of the Watch Tower Society is presented. The Governing Body also publishes articles in the Watchtower magazine that promote the idea that the Witnesses have been fed "spiritual food" of the highest quality, "food" that contains only Biblical "truths". For example, the study Edition of the Watchtower magazine (not distributed to the public via the door-to-door work), September 15th 2010, page 26, paragraph 4 states (available as a PDF download);

Christ found these same faithful anointed Christians doing their utmost to provide timely spiritual food for the household of faith. From 1879 onward, through thick and thin, they had been publishing Biblical truths about God’s Kingdom in the pages of this magazine.

So, the claim is that from 1879 onwards, the "faithful and discreet slave" (at that time believed to be Charles Russell, who composed his "Divine Plan of the Ages" by measuring the Great Pyramid of Giza), via Watch Tower Society, published Biblical truths in the Watchtower magazine (at that time known as "Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence).

These "Biblical truths", here described as "timely spiritual food" included such teachings as;

• Christ had returned invisibly in 1874
• the recently revised teaching that the rapture would take place in 1878 
• Armageddon would start in 1914

However, were these teachings

1. Biblical
2. true

The answer, of course, is no. It's puzzling, then, that the Governing Body is choosing to describe them as "Biblical truths" and "timely spiritual food" when it should be obvious to even the most loyal-to-the-Watchtower Jehovah's Witness that they aren't. It's also curious that these "timely", "Biblical truths", as published by the Watch Tower Society, are no longer available; can you find these publications and Watchtower articles from the 1800s in your Kingdom Hall library? What about on the Watch Tower CD-Rom Library? Again, the answer is no; these teachings are no longer current*.

So, my question for Jehovah's Witnesses is this; if the food in 1879 was spiritual, timely and Biblical, why have the Governing Body so significantly changed the menu?

*Jehovah's Witnesses are trained to view such wholesale rejections of previous "timely" "Biblical truths" as the "light getting brighter". However, if the "timely" "Biblical truths" published by the Watch Tower Society during the late 1800s were of such a high quality that Jesus Christ appointed the corporation as his "faithful and discreet slave", why would they need to be abandoned at a later date? Didn't Jesus know that the "timely" "Biblical truths" published in the Watchtower magazine in the late 1800s were neither timely nor true?

Question for Jehovah's Witnesses: Do You Own a Dictionary?

generation |ˌjenəˈrā sh ən|

noun

1 all of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively : one of his generation's finest songwriters.

• the average period, generally considered to be about thirty years, during which children are born and grow up, become adults, and begin to have children of their own.

• a set of members of a family regarded as a single step or stage in descent : [as adj., in combination ] a third-generation Canadian.

• a single stage in the development of a type of product : a new generation of rear-engined sports cars

I have a dictionary built into my computer. Technology is wonderful. But even for those who don't have this function, dictionaries are available in every library and school. When the word "generation" is consulted in the dictionary, it renders several definitions such as those outlined above. It's made fairly clear to us that the word "generation" in the English language means, when applied to a group of people,  all of the people born and living at about the same time.

In simple terms, a generation of people would be all of those born around the years 1970-1975, for example. They become a generation, and as they grow up and get married and have children of their own, a new generation is born.

Consider, however, the definition the Governing Body give to the word "generation" in the April 15th 2010 Watchtower magazine;

How, then, are we to
understand Jesus’ words about “this generation”?
He evidently meant that the lives of the anointed
who were on hand when the sign began to become
evident in 1914 would overlap with the lives of other
anointed ones who would see the start of the great
tribulation. 

 Perhaps it's not the Governing Body that's confused about the definition of "generation", but rather Jesus himself. After all, in this paragraph, the Governing Body tells readers of the Watchtower that Jesus "evidently meant" something completely different to how "generation" is actually defined and understood. In this case, when Jesus said "generation" he "evidently meant" groups of people living several decades apart who lives "overlap".

One has to wonder how gullible Jehovah's Witnesses are that they will willingly consume this "spiritual food" when it flies so fast and loose with the truth.

My question for Jehovah's Witnesses is this; do you own a dictionary?