Hello,
Do you still believe that the Society
is "God's organization"?
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God has a people that make up his household. Within that household he has
faithful servants and also those who will be exposed as wicked. Before God passes
judgment upon the world, including Christendom, he will first judge his own
household. As the apostle Peter writes, if the righteous within God's household
are going to be saved with difficulty where will the others,
the sinners who were not obedient to the good news, make a showing? (1 Peter
4:17,18) From my 44 years of experiences as a Witness
I am absolutely convinced that the Witnesses make up God's household.
The "Society" was formed according to the requirements of the law of
the land in order to operate legally. Unfortunately, some early prominent
members on the board of directors, particularly the president (Rutherford),
brought the way of the world into God's household, whereby the president of a
legal corporation or Society made himself also the president of God's people.
(Luke 21:24,25) Jehovah has never recognized such
arrangement and although not agreeing with it he has allowed it. (Eccl. 8:11)
He will hold accountable all who have presumptuously started to rule ahead of
their time and when the Master arrives unexpectedly he will confront them,
while also finding them, as a wicked slave, in the act of beating their fellow
slaves, the ones they were assigned to feed and care for. (Luke 12:42-48) I
believe we are witnessing the beatings now in progress as we see many being
disfellowshipped simply for disagreeing with that self-proclaimed
"faithful and discreet slave" who, for the sake of unity, require
absolute obedience even when some of their teachings are out of harmony with God's
Word. Shortly, when the Master returns he will clearly identify any whom he and
his Father acknowledge as a genuine “wise servant who can be trusted” (Worldwide English Bible) within his
household, who were feeding and caring for the members of it. (Matt. 24:45) I
don't believe it is up to us to judge who will and who will not be identified
as faithful or wicked before God’s appointed time and all the evidence is in.
(1 Cor. 4:5)
So,
yes, I believe that the Society is “God’s organization” but not functioning the
way God meant it to. But it soon will, after it has been judged and the evil
slave is exposed and removed by him. Then the time will also come when there
will be no further need for a legal corporation or “organization.”
My question
has to do regarding your essay on the New Covenant with your statement that
Jehovah's placing of the tree of knowledge of good & bad in the garden
with the command not to partake of its fruitage was not a
"test", merely a simple law. Would you be inferring that
"perfect" creation in the form of humankind would not need to be
"tested"? Also, you state that Jehovah did not give his people
laws to test them, but rather to guide them. Yet Exodus
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There have been times when
Jehovah tested his people, individually or as a whole. Concerning Abraham being
tested the account in Genesis 22:1-12 tells us "Now after these things it
came about that the [true] God put Abraham to the test." Abraham
did as Jehovah had directed him to do and God answered, “Do not put out your
hand against the boy and do not do anything at all to him, for now I do know
that you are God-fearing in that you have not withheld your son, your only
one, from me.”
By means of this test Abraham was able to proof how genuine his faith in
Jehovah really was. Jehovah tells us that he let his people Israel, whom he had
brought out of Egypt, go hungry and thirsty "in order to humble you, to
put you to the test so as to know what was in your heart, as to whether you
would keep his commandments or not." (Deut. 8:2)
Concerning Hezekiah we are told that "the [true] God left him to put him to the test, to get to know
everything in his heart." (2 Chronicles 32:31)
We can likewise expect Jehovah to test us, to get to know everything in our
heart.
To understand in what way Jehovah was testing his people at
The test was in connection with God manifesting himself there by "the
thunders and the lightning flashes and the sound of the horn and the mountain
smoking." It inspired great fear in the people, a test of their healthy
attitude, their reverence, towards God. This event should always be on their
minds and prevent them from disobeying his laws in the future. They should
always consider the fearsome consequences of disobedience. Rather than the Law
being a test, the test was about their attitude toward God and their wholesome
fear of him.
The reason why understanding God's command regarding the tree of knowledge of
good and bad is important is shown by the conclusions some have come to. Some
reason that since God is all-knowing, and he gave Adam a test of obedience, God
must have known in advance that Adam would fail the test. Since God knew
beforehand what Adam would do, it must have been part of God's purpose for Adam
to disobey. What could that purpose be? They feel it was in order for God to
make known his great love for us by providing a ransom, which there would have
been no reason for otherwise. In other words, we would never have known God's
great love for mankind if Adam had not sinned. That is twisted reasoning. That
is blaming God for Adam's sin. It is like a fireman committing arson so that he
can demonstrate what a great firefighter he is by putting out the fire he set.
Although the law regarding the tree of knowledge
of good and bad in a way was a test, like all laws are, that was not why
Jehovah gave it. It was a simple law that represented mankind’s dependence on
his Creator, which is what the covenant was all about. It was a simple
beginning to other laws to follow, to guide us for our benefit and blessings.
If Jehovah wants us to stay with his people (preaching the good news, going to
the meetings, give encouragement to our brothers and sisters) and yet, as
you recognize, nowadays "some elders are known to have disfellowshipped
those who have expressed doubt about certain teachings of ours. Matter of
fact, it has become quite common".
In your essay you ask yourself how does Jehovah view these shepherds, but I ask
myself: How could we possibly do the will of God Jehovah and preach and go to
meeting and give encouragement to our brothers if these elders have cast us
away from all these things?
It could even happen to you, for you're openly giving us some information that
is not interesting for the Watchtower-Society.
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For a long time I was very reluctant
to put my website up, fearing that I would stumble some by what they would
read. Instead, I have received many encouraging letters, such as yours,
thanking me for explaining what is going on within God's household at this
time. But, the only ones benefiting at this time from this information are
those who are "sighing and groaning over all the detestable things that
are being done in [our] midst." (Eze. 9:4) For
that reason, be discerning with whom you share what you have learned. If
someone is disfellowshipped, (not for scriptural reasons, such as immorality or
genuine apostacy) that person need not worry about
his relationship with Jehovah. Jehovah will hold the shepherds
accountable for how they have dealt with his sheep. (James 3:1; 1 Peter 5:2-4) As he says to them,
2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds
of
7 “‘“Therefore, YOU shepherds, hear the word of Jehovah, 8 ‘“As I am
alive,” is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, “surely for the reason
that my sheep became something for plunder and my sheep continued to be food
for every wild beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, and my
shepherds did not search for my sheep, but the shepherds kept feeding
themselves, and my own sheep they did not feed,”’ 9 therefore, YOU
shepherds, hear the word of Jehovah. 10 This is what the Sovereign Lord
Jehovah has said, ‘Here I am against the shepherds, and I shall certainly ask
back my sheep from their hand and make them cease from feeding [my] sheep, and
the shepherds will no longer feed themselves; and I will deliver my sheep out
of their mouth, and they will not become food for them.’” (Ezekiel 34:1-11)
It's good to remind ourselves that Jehovah is not holding the sheep accountable
for what the shepherds are doing, or have done. But at the same time it would
not be wise to feel that it is our responsibility to correct the shepherds.
That would result in problems for ourselves that Jehovah would not shield us
from. Being disfellowshipped makes it harder to endure in our worship, since we
need each other for the association and encouragement. That is why Jehovah has
the arrangement of his household. (Heb. 10:23-25) But if harsh and tyrannous
elders make it impossible for us to associate any more and prevent us from continuing
to worship Jehovah in fellowship with his people, then we need to rely on
Jehovah to sustain us. And be assured that he will help you to endure as long
as you are loyal to him. (Psalms 18:25) No one, not any elder, judicial
committee, nor Body of Governors can separate us from God’s love when we stick
loyally with him. (Rom.
By all means, continue to trust in Jehovah and patiently wait on him to take
action when he starts his judgment with his own household. I am convinced that
we are very close. Christ, The Master, will return suddenly and unexpectedly.
(Luke 12:40) Do not rebel against the arrangement God has allowed to continue
thus far. Be comforted in knowing that there are many even within the New York
Bethel who are likewise aware of these things and are also patiently waiting on
Jehovah. The despotic rule by the few
over the many will soon come to an end.
In your personal story you spoke about the elderly man coming to you and
telling that you are "one of the chosen ones", one of the anointed
brothers. Have you spoken with other anointed brothers, and have they told you
similar experiences?
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Yes, I have talked to other anointed brothers
and each one has his own unique experience. I have found that the older ones,
the ones who seem to fit the profile of the anointed as put forth by the
Society, don't have much in the way of any experiences out of the ordinary, at
least not any that I have talked to. With them it just seems to be a matter of
accepting the desire they have and acting on it. It’s interesting that the
younger chosen ones have their own unique and sometimes unusual experiences on
how Jehovah convinced them that the hope truly is from him. But none that I
have talked to has had the experience I had, on the day I was baptized. In my
case, being slow to learn might have proved to be a blessing, as Jehovah was
willing (in his great patience) to do things for me that I would not otherwise
have experienced. And it is due to those experiences that I am absolutely
convinced that we are God's people and that he will judge us soon, and that we
should patiently wait on him.
From what I have read on your website, I
get the feeling that you believe that the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses
is, or is a part of "the evil slave" Jesus warned us about.
Where do
the Watchtower's so-called "apostates" fit into
"God's household"?
Who is
doing the "feeding" of God's household today?
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After Jesus had told his disciples not to fear, "because your Father has
approved of giving you the kingdom," he told them an illustration about
their need to be always ready for the master's return, for they did not know
when that would be. As he said, "You also,
keep ready, because at an hour that you do not think likely the Son of man is
coming."
In reply Peter asked him, "Lord, are you
saying this illustration to us or also to all?" Jesus answered in the form of a question, "Who really is the faithful steward, the discreet
one, whom his master will appoint over his body of attendants to keep giving
them their measure of food supplies at the proper time?" At the time of Jesus saying that, the slave had not yet
been appointed. That did not happen until Pentecost. Jesus said if that slave
proved faithful when the master returned he would be rewarded by being
appointed over all the master's belongings. But if that slave was beating his
fellow slaves instead, as in the "lording it over them," he would be
punished and lose out on his reward. (Matt. 20:25,26; Luke
The Society acknowledges that the slave is more than just the members of the
Governing Body; that it includes all those whom God has chosen and anointed to
feed his household, for their heavenly reward depends
on them doing this faithfully. By the few setting themselves up as rulers, or
governors, over the rest of God's people and disfellowshipping any who disagree
with them in any way, including fellow anointed ones, they are indeed proving
themselves to be an evil slave. Who they are individually will be made clear
upon the master's return, which it seems they think is still far off or else
they would be in fear of treating their fellow slaves in such harsh manner. As
Jesus clearly pointed out, both faithful and evil slaves are found within the
same household, just having different attitudes toward their responsibilities.
Neither Jehovah nor Jesus ever intended for a few disciples to rule over the
many. Even the apostles did not have that kind of authority and neither did
they beat anyone by disfellowshipping those who simply disagreed with them. It
was rather the wicked among them who were doing that. (see
3 John 9,10)
Where do the Watchtower's so-called "apostates"
fit into "God's household"?
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Who really is an apostate according to Jehovah? In
Paul's day who were the apostates, he or the "superfine apostles"
(not among the twelve) who were seducing the minds of the disciples (such as
the serpent had seduced Eve), by preaching things contrary to what Jesus had
taught? (2 Cor. 11:3-6,12-15)
If we are taught things which are clearly unscriptural and perhaps even
self-contradictory (such as our doctrine on dedication) who are the apostates,
the ones doing the teaching or the ones getting disfellowshipped for
questioning those teachings?
When Jehovah tells us "Do not put your trust
in nobles, Nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no
salvation belongs" and certain few tell us that we must absolutely
put our trust in them in order to gain salvation, who is the apostate, the ones
contradicting Jehovah's words or those obeying him? (Psalms 146:3) The new book
Organized to do Jehovah's Will says on page 18, "There
are many reasons to have complete trust in the slave class." The "slave class" being identified as "the
composite body of Christ's spirit-anointed footstep followers who live on earth
at any given time. (Luke 12:42) Yes, Christ uses this body
to publish information on the fulfillment of Bible prophecies and to give
timely direction on the application of Bible principles in daily life." And to clear up any misunderstanding
regarding this "slave class" we are assured that it more specifically
applies to "the anointed ones making up the present-day Governing
Body." (pages 16-18) Is that not in defiance of what
Jehovah tells us at Psalms 146:3? (see also Romans
3:4)
Are not apostates those who leave Jehovah and refuse to listen to him, going
beyond the things written? (Matt. 23:2-4; Gal. 1:8) Is it not those who stumble their brothers by what they teach and do? Proverbs
11:9 says in this regard, "By [his] mouth
the one who is an apostate brings his fellow to ruin." (NWT)
There are those who have been "brought to ruin" financially or
health-wise, due to unnecessary anxieties about carrying the heavy burden that
has been placed on all who would want to please Jehovah, by what they have been
taught. Fifty years ago Jehovah's people were told that the end was very
close and therefore discouraged from seeking a higher education in order to
care for themselves and provide for their families, (at that time even marrying
and raising a family was discouraged) by those who were publishing "information on the fulfillment of Bible
prophecies" and giving "timely
direction on the application of Bible principles in daily life," as they claim in the
“Organized” book. They have not accepted responsibility for the consequences of
their teachings, but we can be sure that Jehovah will hold them accountable.
(James 3:1) Many others have been disfellowshipped simply for having lost their
confidence in that slave. There are over three million who have stopped walking
with Jehovah over the past twenty-five years. Woe to the stumbling blocks.
(Luke 17:1,2; 2 Peter 2:1-3)
What of those who have suffered unjustly at the hands of ruthless shepherds
within God's household, where the sheep ought to feel save? Jehovah is aware of
his sheep that were slaughtered, sick, ailing, broken, dispersed, or lost. He
addresses the shepherds in Ezekiel chapter 34,
"2 Destruction is certain for you shepherds who feed yourselves
instead of your flocks. Shouldn't shepherds feed their sheep? 3 You drink the milk, wear the wool, and butcher the best
animals, (such as disfellowshipping fellow anointed) but you let
your flocks starve. 4 You have not taken care of the weak. You have not
tended the sick or bound up the broken bones. You have not gone looking for
those who have wandered away and are lost. Instead, you have ruled them with force and cruelty. 5 So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd. They
are easy prey for any wild animal. 6 They have wandered through the
mountains and hills, across the face of the earth, yet no one has gone to
search for them."
Jehovah loves his sheep. He sacrificed his only son for their salvation and
therefore promises to take care of them when his time for judgment comes.
"11 For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search
and find my sheep. 12 I will be like a shepherd looking for his
scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places to
which they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. . . 15 I myself
will tend my sheep and cause them to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign
LORD. 16 I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will
bring them safely home again. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the
weak. But I will destroy those who are fat and powerful. I will feed them,
yes--feed them justice!" (Ezekiel 34:2-6, 11,12,15,16, New
Living Bible)
Therefore, from what Jehovah says, it is clear that “Watchtower’s so-called apostates” are God’s sheep who have been
allowed to starve, become weak, sick and wandered away and are lost and
scattered about. But Jehovah has promised to search for them and find them and
“bring them safely home again.” Then woe to the wicked shepherds, for Jehovah
says, “I shall certainly ask back my sheep from their
hand and make them cease from feeding [my] sheep.” (Ezekiel 34:10)
Who is doing the
"feeding" of God's household today?
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God's
household is "the congregation of the living God," and within it are
many who are still lovingly and faithfully carrying out the responsibility of
feeding their fellow slaves. And they will receive their promised reward
accordingly. They may not be doing the "feeding" through any
magazines nor personally reach every individual of God's sheep on earth but
they can do much on a personal level, within their own congregations or in
whatever capacity Jehovah is pleased to use them, just as was the case in the
first century. Although there are those who will be identified as a
"faithful and discreet (or wise)" servant when the master returns to
judge them, they are not able at present to prevent the situation that exists
today, as described above, in Ezekiel chapter 34. The true spiritual prosperity
of God's sheep won't happen until the return of their Lord and Master and the
wicked slave is finally identified and thrown out as being among the
“unfaithful ones.” (Luke 12:46) Then Jehovah will appoint shepherds after his
own heart who genuinely care for his sheep. Many
present day faithful shepherds will be blessed with further responsibilities at
that time.