A: 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 opposing Paul and posed a threat to the disciples? Some of them had exalted themselves over the congregations, and exercised authority as if ruling as kings. (Luke 22:24-26; 1 Cor. 4:8; 2 Cor. 11:3-6, 12-15) If someone in a position of oversight teaches certain things that are clearly unscriptural, "going beyond the things that are written," who is the apostate? the one teaching, or the one getting disfellowshipped for questioning the teachings? Paul warns that we should not even yield to "an angel out of heaven" if that angel were to teach something outside the Scriptures. (1 Cor. 4:6; Gal. 1:8,9)
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 men 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 as to who this "slave class" really is, we are assured that it specifically applies to "the anointed ones making up the present-day Governing Body." (pages 16-18) Is that not in direct defiance of what Jehovah tells us? They put God's people in a position where we have to choose between them or obeying God. (Acts 4:19; 5:29)
Are not apostates those who leave Jehovah? (Jer. 17:13) That is what the word apostasy means, which comes from the Greek meaning to stand off or away from. It is the apostate, by his superfluous authority, who becomes a serious threat to God's people. Proverbs 11:9 says, "By [his] mouth the one who is an apostate brings his fellow to ruin." (Matt. 20:25-27; 23:2-4) Fifty years ago Jehovah's people were promised by their leaders that the end of this system was so near at hand that they would never grow old in it. Therefore they were discouraged from seeking a college education or pursuing a career whereby they could provide for their families; yes, and even having a family was frowned upon back then. Many who put their trust in them are now suffering financially, finding themselves without a pension or savings to support them in their old age. The "information on the fulfillment of Bible prophecies" and the "timely direction on the application of Bible principles in daily life," resulted in bringing many to ruin. Have they accepted responsibility for the consequences of their teachings? Jehovah will certainly hold them accountable. (James 3:1; Ezek. 34:4-10)
What does it say about our leaders when we see those who ignored their teachings fifty years ago are the ones who are prospering today? I know elders today who were young and in the "truth" back in the sixties, who decided on pursuing a career. They have raised a family [even having become grand parents], have a mortgage free home, and have money to travel now that they have the time; while many of those who pinned their hopes on the Society's leaders are now destitute, without a family, dependent on government assistance, and some still supplementing their income working as janitors into their old age. I have observed some of the better-off, well-to-do elders self-righteously sitting in judgment of the poor brother who after a lifetime of walking with Jehovah has lost confidence in the slave and their present questionable teachings. A great number have even stopped serving Jehovah all together on account of all these things, no longer believing that God has a people. Woe to the stumbling blocks! (Luke 17:1,2; 2 Peter 2:1-3)
Jehovah will not leave the apostate shepherds unpunished! He addresses them 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 cares for his sheep. He loves them! After all, he sacrificed his only-begotten Son in order for them to have life. Therefore he promises to take care of them when his time for judgment has arrived:
"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)
As we can see, from Jehovah's standpoint, and contrary to what the Watchtower tells us, the real apostates within God's house are not the sheep who refuse to put their trust in "nobles nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs"; but rather the leaders who have lifted themselves up above the sheep, not for their benefit but their harm, bringing many to ruin. The prophet Zechariah foretold regarding the "valueless shepherds:"
"And Jehovah went on to say to me: 'Take yet for yourself the implements of a useless shepherd. For here I am letting a shepherd rise up in the land. To the [sheep] being effaced he will give no attention. The young one he will not seek, and the broken [sheep] he will not heal. The one stationing herself he will not supply [with food], and the flesh of the fat one he will eat, and the hoofs of the [sheep] he will tear off. Woe to my valueless shepherd, who is leaving the flock! A sword will be upon his arm and upon his right eye. His own arm will without fail dry up, and his own right eye will without fail grow dim.” (Zechariah 11:15-17)
Since all these things are happening just as they have been foretold, rather than be surprised at the present condition within the organization, we should be filled with hope and courage, knowing that all apostates and false prophets will soon be removed from the midst of God's people. (Ezek. 13:8-10)