Food for Thought

1/30/12 The Memorial will be celebrated this year (2012) on Thursday, April 5, after sundown. It is a good time for us to again meditate on Jesus' words: "Keep doing this in remembrance of me." (Luke 22:19) What did Jesus have in mind when he said those words? Many today don't realize that his disciples interpreted Jesus' directive to mean two different things; one of which resulted in introducing the pagan Trinity doctrine into the Christian congregation. (For a discussion on the Memorial and partaking see Question Box.)

In the years following Jesus' death and resurrection, some of his followers started to question what it was that Jesus wanted them to remember about him. Was it Jesus the person; or his death as the Passover Lamb? (John 1:29; 1 Cor. 5:7; Rev. 7:14) Those who believed that Jesus wanted them to remember him as the Son of God who had performed miracles, and taught the people to love one another, began to scrutinize him more closely as the man. Who really was Jesus? Did he exist in heaven before he was born to Mary? Jesus had said that he was the “only-begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16, 18) They analyzed what that might mean! Was he divine? In what respects was he greater than the other spirit creatures? (Matt. 28:18) If he was created like them, then how would he be different from them? Eventually many came to the conclusion that he was God himself, but this was by no means accepted by everyone. Yet, over the centuries this became church dogma. The Website About.com provides the following information regarding the dispute that ensued as a result of remembering Jesus as the person:

Opposing Images of God: Trinitarian Church fathers, Bishop Alexander of Alexandria and his deacon Athanasius, believed there were three persons in one god. The Trinitarians were pitted against the Monarchianists, who believed in only one indivisible god. These included Arius, Presbyter in Alexandria, and Eusebius, Bishop of Nicomedia.
Homo Ousion (same substance) vs. Homoi Ousion (like substance): The sticking point at the Nicene Council was a concept found nowhere in the Bible: homoousion. According to the concept of homo-ousion, Christ the Son was consubstantial (the Roman translation for the Greek, meaning 'sharing the same substance') with the Father. Arius and Eusebius disagreed. Arius thought the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were materially separate from each other, and that the Father created the Son.
Arius and his followers, the Arians (not to be confused with the Indo-Europeans known as Aryans), believed if the Son were equal to the Father, there would be more than one God. The opposing Trinitarians believed it diminished the importance of the Son to make him subordinate to the Father.
Wavering Decision of Constantine: The Trinitarian bishops prevailed. Emperor Constantine was not himself a Christian (although this is a matter of dispute: Constantine was baptized before he died). Despite this, he had recently made Christianity the official state religion of the Roman Empire. This made heresy akin to revolt, so Constantine exiled the excommunicated Arius to Illyria (modern Albania).
Constantine's friend Eusebius, who eventually withdrew his objection, but still wouldn't sign the statement of faith, and a neighboring bishop, Theognis, were also exiled -- to Gaul (modern France). Constantine reversed his opinion about the Arian heresy, and had both exiled bishops reinstated three years later (in 328). At the same time, Arius was recalled from exile.
Constantine's sister and Eusebius worked on the emperor to obtain reinstatement for Arius, and they would have succeeded, if Arius hadn't suddenly died - by poisoning, probably, or, as some prefer to believe, by divine intervention.
Arianism regained momentum and survived until the reigns of Gratian and Theodosius, at which time, St. Ambrose set to work stamping it out.

On the other hand, the disciples of Jesus who understood his words, “keep doing this in remembrance of me,” to refer to his sacrificial death—as “the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world”—focused on what his death accomplished, and how the annual Passover celebration under the old Law covenant had foreshadowed it. That is what they preached! That is what the apostle Paul taught when he said, “For as often as you eat this loaf and drink this cup, you keep proclaiming the death of the Lord, until he arrives.” (1 Cor. 11:26; Rom. 5:6-10) There is no confusion among God's people as to the identity of Jesus or his Father Jehovah, whom we worship. "For all that, the solid foundation of God stays standing, having this seal: 'Jehovah knows those who belong to him." —2 Timothy 2:19.

9/5/11 When the fast approaching time has finally arrived for Jehovah to execute his clearly foretold judgment upon his people, none will be able to plead: “We did not know of this.” (Prov. 24:11,12; 2 Thess. 2:11,12; 1 Peter 4:17,18) Of course they knew! Jehovah kept reminding them right up until the end, just as he did in the time of the Israelites. And just as was true back then, God’s people today, as a whole, do not accept the warning as applying to them. (Jer. 44:16; Matt. 24:37-39) Consider for example the article “Will You Heed Jehovah’s Clear Warnings?” in The Watchtower July 15, 2011, which will be studied and commented on during the week of September 5 - 11. Not only does the article put us on notice against the danger of apostates within God’s house, but it also clearly helps identify such ones.

Regarding the source of any apostasy, the article says:
To elders of the Ephesus congregation, Paul said: “From among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things.” Addressing fellow Christians, Peter wrote: “There will also be false teachers among you.” So from where do false teachers come? They may arise from within the congregation. (page 15, par. 4; bold mine)
•  True! The foretold apostasy takes place within God’s household. The apostle Paul warned that the apostate “man of lawlessness” sits down "in the temple of The God" — the temple being God's people — and elevates himself over everyone, "publicly showing himself to be a god." (2 Thess. 2:3,4; 1 Cor. 3:16,17; Eph. 2:19-22) Is there such an elevated authority within God's temple today? Who must all of us submit to and obey, as we are constantly reminded? The Watchtower of August 15, 2009 warned: "If we were ever to rebel against those [God] has put in positions of authority, we would be rebelling against him!" —w09 8/15 pp. 21-22 pars. 16-17; w07 12/15 p. 19 par. 15; w04 8/1 p. 11 par. 12.

The article also asks, “What do apostates want”? It answers:
Their aim, Paul explained, is “to draw away the disciples after themselves.” Note the definite article in the expression “the disciples.” Rather than going out and making their own disciples, apostates seek to take Christ’s disciples with them. Like “ravenous wolves,” false teachers are out to devour trusting members of the congregation, destroying their faith and leading them away from the truth.—Matt. 7:15; 2 Tim. 2:18. (page 15, par. 4; bold mine)
•  Is it not evident to all true worshipers of Jehovah who the ones are within his household that "draw away the disciples after themselves," when they boldly insist that “following them is the same as following Jesus”; and that we must “respond to the directions of the organization as you would the voice of God.“ Wanting to share in the authority that Jesus received, they tell us that "we will be blessed if we recognize and obey the prophet greater than Moses, Jesus, as well as 'the faithful and discreet slave' appointed by him." Did any of the apostles ever make such claims? (Rom. 3:4; Rev. 2:2) —w10 9/15 p. 23; w57 6/15, p. 370; w04 8/1 p. 11 par. 12.

How do false teachers operate? The article continues:
Their methods reveal a cunning spirit. Apostates “quietly bring in” corruptive ideas. Like smugglers, they operate in a clandestine manner, subtly introducing apostate views. And just as a clever forger tries to pass phony documents, so apostates use “counterfeit words,” or false arguments, trying to pass their fabricated views as if they were true. They spread “deceptive teachings,” “twisting . . . the Scriptures” to fit their own ideas. (2 Pet. 2:1, 3, 13; 3:16) Clearly, apostates do not have our best interests at heart. Following them would only divert us from the road that leads to eternal life. (page 15-16, par. 5; bold mine)
•  Yes, apostates resort to “corruptive ideas,” “counterfeit words,” and “false arguments”! That is why the apostle John admonishes us “not [to] believe every inspired expression, but [to] test out the inspired expression to see whether they originate with God.” (1 John 4:1) Much of what the Society publishes is still based on the foundation of J. F. Rutherford’s teachings. They have effectively “twisted the Scriptures to fit their own ideas” to the point where we no longer accept what God's word of truth says when it disagrees with what is printed in The Watchtower. (John 17:17) Expressing any sort of doubt in any of their teachings puts one in danger of being labeled an apostate, as the article shows! Yet, are not the real apostates encouraging us to trust them, contrary to Jehovah's command not to put our trust in man "to whom no salvation belongs"? (Psalms 146:3, 5; Jer. 17:5) —w07 12/15 p. 19 par. 15.

Apostates whitewash any past errors, often even managing to present such "old truths" in a positive light. (Ezek. 13:11) See how this is true also in the case of the Society, as printed in the above Study article, where it says:
No matter what false teachers may say, we will not follow them! Why go to such dried-up wells only to be deceived and disappointed? Instead, let us be determined to remain loyal to Jehovah and to the organization that has a long record of quenching our thirst with the pure and refreshing waters of truth from God’s inspired Word. —page 16-17, par. 8; bold mine. (compare Jeremiah 8:11,12; Ezek. 13:11-15; James 1:22-24)
•  Does the Society really have a long record of providing refreshing "waters of truth" from God's inspired Word? What do the facts indicate? How many of their past "truths" are still valid today? Also, is loyalty to Jehovah dependent on loyalty to any man or organization, other than to Jesus? (1 Tim. 2:5) Did Jehovah approve of his people's loyalty to apostate king Jeroboam, although anointed by Jehovah? (1 Kings 12:26-33) —w08 8/15 p. 3-7.

Knowing who the real apostates are is a serious matter for all of us, because the apostle Paul emphatically warns that anyone who is misled into following the apostate "son of destruction" will perish, as also a recent Watchtower article acknowledged: “The modern-day worshippers who are part of ‘the son of destruction’ face destruction with no hope of a resurrection.—2 Thess. 1:6-9.” (w08 6/15 1:6, 7) May all of God's people take this warning to personal!

Jehovah is today revealing the real apostates within his household, and their identity is becoming apparent to all lovers of truth. By having this information published and studied in The Watchtower, Jehovah is reaching even those who never visit a website on the internet. When his time for executing his judgment upon his people arrives, no one will be able to say: “I did not know of this!” It was a matter of not listening, not even to the warnings printed in their own publications.

7/24/11 The Watchtower, May 15, 2011 (Study Edition) presents an updated explanation regarding some features of the symbolic olive tree of Romans 11:16-24. The article 'O THE DEPTH OF GOD’S WISDOM!’, under the subheading "The Symbolic Olive Tree" states: "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 fulfillment 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." —page 23, par. 13; (see previous explanation in The Watchtower, Aug. 15, 1983, pages 14-19).

If the root of the domestic "garden olive tree" represents Jehovah, as the Watchtower article now claims, then who is the cultivator (gardener) who lops off some of the natural branches (the natural Jews) and grafts in wild branches (Gentiles)? The apostle Paul explains that it is God himself. Since Jehovah planted the tree and therefore he is its owner and cultivator, then clearly he cannot be represented as being part of the tree, the root, can he? (compare John 15:1-6; 1 Cor. 3:9; -- For a more complete discussion see What is picture by the olive tree as described by Paul in his letter to the Romans?)

Although the term "spiritual Israel" is frequently used in the Watchtower when discussing the subject of "the Israel of God," that term is nowhere used in the Bible. (Gal. 6:16) Does it matter? Well, it becomes a matter of going "beyond the things that are written," and the originators of the term can define it to make it mean whatever they want it to. This has led them to teach the non-scriptural idea that "spiritual" Israel has replaced "natural" Israel in God's purpose. (1 Cor. 4:6) Yet they quickly condemn other religions for taking the same liberties. For example, we do not find such expressions as "trinity," "immortal soul," "hell fire," "purgatory," "mother of God," etc. in the Scriptures. And what about the term "baptism in symbol of one's dedication"? Although these things are taught as fact, yet neither the words or phrases, nor the idea, are found in the Bible. What do you think God's view is on this? Does he care? (Prov. 30:5,6; Matt. 15:9)

7/13/11 "What is truth?" That is what Pontius Pilate replied to Jesus, after Jesus had said to him: "For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone that is on the side of the truth listens to my voice." (John 18:37,38) Pilate was not posing a question as if wanting to know what "truth" is. He simply made a statement, no doubt for the same reason that many do today. Due to the proliferation of opinions and philosophies as expressed in the countless religions and institutions, many are saying "What is Truth?" without actually expecting an answer or believing that it exists!

Can we know the Truth? Does it exist? Does it even matter? It matters if you care about your relationship with God, and want your worship to have his approval! The night before he stood before Pilate, Jesus indicated that our relationship with God depends on knowing the truth, when he said to his heavenly Father in prayer: "Your word is the truth. So let this truth make them completely yours." (John 17:17, CEV; 1 Thess. 2:13) God sets us apart as his holy people by means of the truth as revealed in his inspired Scriptures, which his spirit teaches us. (Mal. 3:17,18; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Peter 1:14-16) The truth has the power to transform sinners into the sort of persons who "reflect like mirrors the glory of Jehovah." (2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:17-24) It prevents us from "having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power. . . always learning and yet never able to come to an accurate knowledge of truth." (2 Tim. 3:5, 7; Heb. 4:12) Indeed, Jesus said that "the true worshipers must worship the Father with spirit and truth." Since any other worship—apart from the truth—is not approved by God, and therefore in vain, it means that we can and must know the truth. (John 4:23,24; Matt. 15:3-9)

Truth remains constant, it never changes; therefore it is reliable! Truth applies equally to everyone without exception. It cannot be diluted, contaminated, bend or stretched, and still be truth. A physical man, who has no spirituality, cannot receive the truth of God's word "for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot get to know them, because they are examined spiritually." (John 8:47; 1 Cor. 2:14; Matt. 7:6) We can get to know the truth if we allow God's spirit to teach us. That takes humility! (Zeph. 3:12; James 4:6, 10) God's spirit never lies! It does not confuse by leading us to contrary and diverse conclusions. It does not allow for speculation. (Rom. 3:4; 1 John 4:6) In practical terms, this means that when two individuals discuss a scriptural matter, and they reach two differing opinions, then either one of them, or neither one, is taught by the spirit. Both can be wrong, but they cannot both be right! Therefore, it is obvious that everyone's opinions are not equally valid—at least not in God's eyes, contrary to popular opinion. (2 Cor. 13:8, 11) God's household is build on the foundation of truth, with Jesus being the foundation cornerstone. (Eph. 2:20; 4:21; 1 Tim. 3:15)

"If you are being led by spirit," then "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free": Free from enslavement to sin. . .Free from falling prey to "the hypocrisy of men who speak lies"—from the "false prophets" and "false teachers" that the Scriptures foretold would abound in the last days, even among God's own people. . .And free from any fear of God's coming wrath. (John 8:31,32; Rom. 6:18; 8:21; Gal. 5:1; 1 Tim. 4:1,2; 2 Peter 2:1 John 4:18) God's people, who are sanctified by the truth of God's word, are "the righteous ones [who] shine as brightly as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let him that has ears listen." (Matt. 13:43; Dan. 12:3, 10)

7/4/11 Are you made to feel like a stranger in your own congregation? The truth of God’s word unites God's people. It is not any man but God's holy spirit, which dwells in us, that enables us to get to know the truth, “even the deep things of God.” (John 4:23,24; 8:31,32) The holy spirit is a powerful force for unity, making it possible for lovers of truth to "speak in agreement," and "be fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought." (1 Cor. 1:10; 2:10)

Our governing body has positioned itself to replace the holy spirit in their desire to unite God’s people under their own authority by means of their teachings and regulations, which for the most part are based on the foundation laid by J. F. Rutherford, the second president of the Watchtower Society, from 1917-1942. It has resulted in micro-managing every aspect of our worship. That is why there is such a demand for conformity, compelling everyone within the organization to accept the doctrines, commandments, and traditions, in their entirety as presented in the publications. (Matt. 11:28-30; 23:2-4; Gal. 5:1; 2 Thess. 2:3,4) They insist that Jehovah has instructed his people to follow the lead of the governing body for the sake of unity, and that in this way we are following Jesus. (see September 15, 2010 WT, Study Edition, page 23) Never mind that all this goes contrary to what Jehovah has actually commanded his people! (Psalms 146:3-5)

The governing body entity assures us that the “truth” is revealed progressively through them, as “the light gets brighter,” and that they make adjustments in their understanding just as quickly as God reveals the latest truth to them. They make predictions in Jehovah's name and then "they wait to have a word come true." (Ezek. 13:6,7) Therefore, we are admonished to be patient and wait on them, and not become guilty of “independent thinking,” which, according to them, would be “going ahead of Jehovah.”

Jesus said in prayer to his heavenly Father: “Your word is truth.” (John 17:17) We can have confidence in all the things contained within the pages of God's Word. (Rom. 3:4; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16,17) As we all know, the writing of the inspired Scriptures has been completed for almost two thousand years. God is not updating the Bible periodically! That of course means that we do not need to wait for someone to update their own understanding of God's infallible word. (1 Tim. 3:15; 4:1,2) Because of failing to follow the lead of the secular corporation with its governing body, and on account of having the courage to "test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God," many of God’s sheep are barely tolerated and are made to feel as outsiders within their own congregation. (1 John 4:1, 6) They are viewed as a hindrance, even a threat, to the unity of the congregation. (Isaiah 66:5; Prov. 17:15) Some are expelled as apostates because of failing to conform! (John 12:37-43; 16:1-4; Acts 20:29,30) Are you among such ones? Does it shake your faith? Can you identify with the disciples in the First Century who were treated in similar fashion? (3 John 9,10)

Our Kingdom Halls are not God's temple; and neither are any of the Bethels or Branch Offices, nor any convention site. God has not been worshipped in a physical temple since the new covenant came into existence on the day of Pentecost, 33 C.E., replacing the old arrangement under the Law covenant. (John 4:21-24; 1 Cor. 2:14; Heb. 8:13) Since that day God's temple is made up of his people. There is where God's spirit dwells. Paul explains: "Do you not know that you people are God's temple, and that the spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him; for the temple of God is holy, which temple you people are." (1 Cor. 3:16,17) If all the Kingdom Halls were to close tomorrow, we would still be God's people, his temple; and we would still be meeting together, perhaps in private houses as was the situation among the early Christians, and is still the case in many parts of the world. (Matt. 18:20; 1 Cor. 16:19; Col. 4:15; Philemon 1,2)

The congregations belong to God, and they exist for the benefit and upbuilding of his people. Jehovah knows we need each other. (1 Thess. 2:14,15; John 15:17-19) We can rightly expect our congregation to be a source of encouragement, “to incite to love and fine works.” (Heb. 10:24; Eccl. 4:9-12; Gal. 6:1,2) You ought to find “encouragement in Christ . . . consolation of love . . . sharing of spirit . . . tender affections and compassions . . . [being] of the same mind and have the same love, being joined together in soul, holding the one thought in mind.” (Acts 15:31; Rom. 1:12; Phil. 2:1,2) If these things are lacking in your congregation it is due to the majority of the members being merely followers of men—the governing body—and therefore they are no different from people of other religions who refuse to submit to Jehovah. They may appear religious but have no spirituality, "having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power. . . always learning and yet never able to come to an accurate knowledge of truth." (Matt. 13:37-42; 2 Tim. 3:1-7) And frankly, they are the ones who do not belong within God's house. (Matt. 7:23; 1 Peter 4:17-19)

Don't allow anyone to make you feel as a stranger in your congregation because of your "love of the truth," and because you "have rested [your] hope on a living God." (2 Thess. 2:10; 1 Tim. 4:10) Jehovah recognizes you as belonging there! They don't! All transgressors against God, who got "to believing the lie," and "took pleasure in unrighteousness," will soon be removed from your midst. (2 Thess. 2:11,12) Jehovah has promised: “And I will clean out from you the revolters and the transgressors against me.” (Ezek. 13:9; 14:9; 20:38; Matt. 15:40-43, 49; Psalms 37:34) Perhaps you will then find yourself the only one left over in it. (Rev. 2:24,25; 3:4,5) In the meantime, you have need of endurance! (James 1:2-4)

6/14/11 Jesus said that "God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) From this, many have concluded that a person simply needs to accept Jesus as his Savior in order to be saved. But is this all that God requires? What does Jehovah tell us?

God's prophet Isaiah foretold: "This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said: 'Here I am laying as a foundation in Zion a stone, a tried stone, the precious corner of a sure foundation. No one exercising faith will get panicky.'" (Isaiah 28:16) The Scriptures identify Jesus as the cornerstone of the "sure foundation" that God laid. The Jews, who were God's covenant people, stumbled over this stone when they rejected Jesus. (Isaiah 8:14,15) The apostle Peter explains it this way: "Coming to him as to a living stone, rejected, it is true, by men, but chosen, precious, with God. . . For it is contained in Scripture: 'Look! I am laying in Zion a stone, chosen, a foundation cornerstone, precious; and no one exercising faith in it will by any means come to disappointment.' It is to you, therefore, that he is precious, because you are believers; but to those not believing, 'the identical stone that the builders rejected has become the head of the corner,' and 'a stone of stumbling and a rock-mass of offense.' These are stumbling because they are disobedient to the word. To this very end they were also appointed." (1 Peter 2:4-8, NWT) Because the Jews rejected the cornerstone of the foundation that God laid, God in turn rejected them. (Matt. 21:42-45; Luke 20:17-19)

Please note that Jesus is "the cornerstone" of the foundation. A cornerstone by itself does not make a foundation, although it is the most important part of the foundation, being the first stone laid and indicating where the building is going to be located. Of what use is "a sure foundation" unless there is a building constructed upon it? (Luke 6:47,48; 14:29,30) God himself laid the foundation, but what about that which is build upon it? In his letter to the congregation in Ephesus, Paul explains: "You are no longer strangers and alien residents, but you are fellow citizens of the holy ones and are members of the household of God, and you have been built up upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, while Christ Jesus himself is the foundation cornerstone. In union with him the whole building, being harmoniously joined together, is growing into a holy temple for Jehovah. In union with him you, too, are being built up together into a place for God to inhabit by spirit." (Eph. 2:19-22)

In Jesus' day, the Jews worshipped God in his physical temple, which was located in Jerusalem "the holy city." (Psalms 135:21; Isaiah 52:1; Jer. 3:17) That temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 C.E. (Matt. 24:1,2) Under the new covenant, God is worshiped, not in a physical location—"neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem"— but, as Jesus said to the Samaritan woman, "the hour is coming and it is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth.” (John 4:21-24) God's faithful and obedient worshipers are his temple, "a place for God to inhabit by spirit." (1 Cor. 3:16,17; 2 Cor. 6:17,18) This temple is built "upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, while Christ Jesus himself is the foundation cornerstone."

A foundation is constructed according to specific dimensions, predetermined, and is limited in size. (Rom. 8:28-30; Eph. 1:3-5) On the other hand, that which is build upon the foundation is limited only by what the foundation can bear. After having added 120 disciples to the cornerstone of the foundation on the day of Pentecost, God immediately build upon the foundation by adding "about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:37-41) From among these new disciples God may have chosen a few to add to the foundation, making it grow according to the need. Three and a half years later the first Gentile believer was also added to the foundation. (Acts 10:44-48) This foundation will have been completed by the time Jesus returns. (Rev. 7:1-4)

The "whole building," which is "growing into a holy temple for Jehovah," consists of: (1) The foundation, which is limited in size to 144,000 "living stones," and has Jesus as the foundation cornerstone. These are the "Lamb's wife," and are the "real foundations" in "the holy city"—"New Jerusalem"—"the builder and maker of which city is God." (Eph. 3:17; Heb. 11:10; 1 Peter 2:5, 9; Rev. 14:1, 3; 21:2, 9,10, 14, NWT) Also included in the "whole building," and being built upon the foundation, are (2) Countless others "who [are] rightly disposed for everlasting life." They too worship the Father with spirit and truth and are "harmoniously joined together into a place for God to inhabit by spirit." Therefore they too are members of God's temple, having God's spirit dwell in them. They too are holy! Their hope of everlasting life on earth is assured them by Jehovah. (John 3:16; Acts 13:48; Rev. 7:9,10; 1 John 4:9; Lev. 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15,16)

God is the builder of his temple, for he himself laid its foundation. (2 Tim. 2:19; Heb. 5:4,5) This is where we must render sacred service to God. (Rev. 7:15, NWT) All other worship is in vain! (Matt. 15:9; Luke 6:49; Rom. 10:2,3) Is it enough to exercise faith in Christ Jesus, the cornerstone, to receive everlasting life? (Matthew 7:21-23) Jesus answers: "The king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom. . .[for] to the extent that you did it to one of the least of these my brothers you did it to me.' Then he will say, in turn, to those on his left, 'Be on your way from me, you who have been cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. . . [for] to the extent that you did not do it to one of these least ones, you did not do it to me. And these will depart into everlasting cutting-off, but the righteous ones into everlasting life." (Matt. 25:40, 45,46; John 17:21-23; Heb. 6:10; 2 Thess. 1:9,10)

The Jews stumbled over the one chief cornerstone of the foundation. Today many stumble over the 144,000 stones who complete the foundation! (John 14:20; 15:20,21; 17:22,23)

5/23/11 Within God's household today there are two types of overseers: the one who is appointed by holy spirit; and the other who is appointed by the Watchtower Society. (Acts 20:28; 2 Cor. 11:4,5) It is quite easy to tell them apart!

The overseer who is appointed by holy spirit is also guided by holy spirit. (Acts 13:2, 4; 1 Cor. 2:12-13; 12:7-11; Gal. 5:16-18) He accepts the inspired Scriptures as the word of God, and holds "firmly to the faithful word as respects his art of teaching." He appeals to God's word for authority when "reproving those who contradict." (1 Thess. 2:13; Titus 1:5-9; Heb. 4:12) His faith is in Jehovah, his heavenly Father, to whom his obedience and loyalty belongs. (Psalms 4:3; 146:3-5)

On the other hand, any overseer appointed by the Watchtower Society is guided by the Society's governing body and their commands and teachings, which he enforces within the congregation. He confuses loyalty to God with loyalty to men and therefore cannot receive "the things of the spirit of God, because they are examined spiritually." This hinders him from distinguishing between "the inspired expression of truth and the inspired expression of error." (1 Cor. 2:14; 1 John 4:1, 6) Although professing faith in the Bible, he will more likely quote the Society's publications for proof when establishing a point. He may refer to the Watchtower Society as "Mother," and be prone to denounce as apostate anyone who does not share that same loyalty. (Psalms 4:2; Isaiah 30:1, 9,10; Jer. 5:26-31; 23:1; Rev. 3:1-3)

Blessed is your congregation if the majority of overseers are appointed by holy spirit. (1 Peter 5:2-4; Rev. 2:9,10; 3:8-10)

5/21/11 God's promise of delivering his lost sheep out of all the places to which they have been dispersed, and bring them back into his fold, does not include the "plump animal" which had been slaughtered at the hands of his shepherds, nor the sheep that became "food for every wild beast of the field." (Ezek. 34:3, 5, 15) Their having been slaughtered or fallen prey to wild beasts signifies that they are beyond being brought back. (Heb. 6:4-6; 2 Peter 2:20,21) Today some of God's sheep have been "slaughtered," that is stumbled on account of wicked shepherds and the "man of lawlessness" within God's temple. (2 Thess. 2:3,4, 9) Among them are brothers who at one time prominently served as elders, traveling overseers, or even in branch offices. They were among the "plump sheep," but because of having been stumbled they "went off to the things behind," as was the case with many of Jesus' disciples who would no longer walk with him. These ones no longer recognize that God has a household. (Luke 17:1,2; John 6:66,67; 15:5-7; 2 Tim. 4:10)

Others have become "food for every wild beast of the field" by falling prey to the "false prophets" that the Scriptures warned would abound in the last days. These too will fail to return. (Ezek. 22:25, 27; Matt. 24:24; Phil. 3:18; Col. 2:8; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 1 John 4:1; Rev. 3:1) On the other hand, the unjustly disfellowshipped, or "disassociated" ones (as judged by the Society), will be among the lost and hurt sheep that Jehovah will bring back. This will take place immediately after the "man of lawlessness" (who had kept God's sheep in subjection "with harshness," "even with tyranny") is done away with "by the manifestation of [the Lord Jesus'] presence." (Ezek. 34:4; 2 Thess. 2:8)

Jehovah has promised: "The lost one I shall search for, and the dispersed one I shall bring back, and the broken one I shall bandage and the ailing one I shall strengthen, but the fat and the strong one I shall annihilate." (Ezekiel 34:16; Jer. 23:3,4; Zech. 9:16)