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Find more discussion about the Governing Body by clicking here:
Recently, the Governing Body has modified the definition of the Faithful and Discreet Slave to exclusively apply to themselves and to not include the thousands of other anointed.
In the past, Jehovah’s Witnesses have believed that The Faithful and Discreet Slave is the collective body of “anointed” Christians alive on earth and that they exercise teaching authority in all matters pertaining to doctrine and articles of faith. This belief is based on an interpretation of Matthew 24:45-47.
Watch Tower Society publications teach that Jesus uses this group exclusively “to publish information on the fulfillment of Bible prophecies and to give timely direction on the application of Bible principles in daily life as the only means of communicating God’s messages to people. Hence, it is referred to as God’s “prophet and “channel”.
Appointments to positions of responsibility and decisions on doctrines, activities and oversight of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide are made by the members of the Governing Body, who are said to serve as representatives of the “slave class”. However no global network of anointed Witnesses exists to reveal new spiritual truths, and the remainder of the “slave class” are not consulted when making decisions.
Recently, some members of the anointed class wrote the Governing Body disagreeing with the way they were treating God’s household and questioning some of the teachings. The Governing Body has permanently resolved this problem of dissent by cutting the other anointed out of the Faithful and Discreet Slave class, thereby completely consolidating their power and eliminating all opposition.
What do you think? Take part in the poll on the upper left side of the screen – and see what others think.
Do you believe the Faithful and Discreet Slave class of Matt 24:45-47 is:
* The Governing Body
* All “Anointed” JWs
* All “Anointed” Christians, even if not JWs
* C.T. Russell
* Not sure of the answer
* Other (Explain by posting a comment)
How would you apply the verses in Matt 24:45-47?
We would love to hear your thoughts.
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UPDATE
“Reports are emerging of an announcement at the 128th Annual Meeting of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania that the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses now considers itself to be the Faithful and Discreet Slave Class of Matthew 24:45 in its entirety.”
“Suspicions were raised in the minds of many thinking Witnesses after reading articles such as the Questions From Readers of the August 15th 2011 Watchtower, where it was admitted that the Governing Body has no actual communication with memorial partakers (the “anointed”) and even feels that some of these ones may be mentally imbalanced. (see w11 8/15 p. 22)”
Find the source of this information here:
I am not totally satisfied that this new change is well documented, so if anyone has additional concrete information or support, please share it with us.
Howdy Humbleman;
Lets start off with an agreement. We both have respect for brother Russell. And both of us study the Bible making us Bible students. But you may belong to a group of BS,s who only accept some of brother Russell’s teaching. For example, brother Russell used the name Jehovah, but I have found very zealous BS using Yahweh. So I am not sure what kind of Bible student you are.
Vol I page 333,”which Jehovah introduces by the chastisements and lessons of this day of trouble,-Ezek.11:19;36:25,36; Jer. 31:29-34; Zeph. 3:9; Psa. 46:8-10.” page 317,”wheras the saints are turned(converted) already.” page 303,”Jehovah shall be king over the whole earth.”(Zech. 14:9.)
Vol II page 162,”in the last, by burning all except the family of God in the symbolic fire-the great trouble of the Day of the Lord.” Zeph 3:8
Vol III page 148, 149,”(the great time of trouble with which this age will end.-Zeph.3:8) page 302 we find Zech 14:5 with words used,Such is the ent situation: the great Judge has come.” “The plan of God is now made manifest.” This was in the 1800,s. Yet you apple that whole chapter to the 1000 years.—?
Vol IV page 528,”It is the”Battle of that Great Day of God Almighty,” when he shall pour out the nations and assemble the kingdoms.” Rev.16:14; Zeph. 3:8; Isa. 13:4. How soon back then in the 1800,s did brother Russell think it would be? page 13,” Zeph. 3:8,9;”We have already shown that the time is at hand, and that the events of the day of Jehovah are even now crowding closely upon us. A few years more of necessity ripen the elements now working in that direction of the predicted trouble.” So it was very close to being fulfilled. page 269,270,”Zeph.3:8,9,”The gathering of the nations in these last days, in fulfillment of the above prophecy, is very notable.” page 654,”When God’s time shall have fully come.” Note verses Zech, 14:3-5 page 652,”"Valley of Blessings,” close to Jehovah’s “feet,” when he sings first of the saints of the Gospel age and then of those blessed in the next age.” Here we see the elect before the 1000 years in the Valley. Then when all saints are in the heavens, the people will be in the valley. How do you read it? On 654 he speaks of a future time when the Gospel age shall have ceased and used Zech 14:5 before that. So I am having a hard time understanding how you mean the whole Chapter of Zech applies to the 1000 years only.
With many more of your questions to answer, I will stop here. Do you believe from the Pastor’s teachings that he believed the whole chapter only applies to the beginning of the 1000 years?
Henry
Hi Anonymous to answer your question i am a bible student who has great respect for brother russell but i am a follower of Jesus christ. just so i can understand where you are coming from please answer this question are the group in Zechariah 14 v 16 the same group as the great crowd from revelation 7 ? I believe Zechariah 14 encompasses the Great 1000 year day of Jehovah is wrath will continue until all unrepentant sinners are gone, but when reading Zechariah 14 v 12-16 it is talking about the battle of Armageddon the day of wrath the same as Zephaniah 3 v 6-8 . Israel’s and the nations restoration does not take place until the church is complete until after the day of wrath this is one reason i believe the jws to be in error because they claim the nations are beating there swords in to plowshares at this time but according to scripture its still future isaiah 2 v 4. What is your religious position are you a jw ? Take care bro humbleman
Howdy Humbleman;
14:8 might help you. “And it must occur in that day that living waters will go forth from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea. In summer and winter it will occur.”
Here we have the Dead Sea and Mediterranean Sea being brought to our discussion. The Mediterranean Sea pictures the great crowd of Armageddon survivors.—————–The Dead Sea pictures dead people who will be raised back to life. This is taking place during the 1000 year reign. Both of these groups will beableo drink by having the symbolic living waters, mentioned at Rev 22:1,2.
Keep in mind that in the Devil’s system now, he has allowed people to ignore Him. That is Jehovah God. During the 1000 years will He tolerate that again? That answer is ,no, He will not. They will be removed.
Note what Pastor Russell wrote in Vol IV page 655,”The reference to the rivers of living waters flowing from Jerusalem, during this Millennial Day of the reestablishment of Jehovah’s feet upon his footstool(Zech.14:8,9), reminds us of the corresponding testimony of Ezekiel(47:1-12) and of John’s Revelation(22:1,2) which, under this same sybol of living waters proceeding from the throne of the Millennial Kingdom, show us the restitution blessings under the sybols of”waters of life,” to which whosoever will may come and drink freely, and fruitful trees of everlasting life whose leaves will heal the repentant peoples of earth of all imperfections.” Last part on page 656.
Repentant peoples, they are the ones who go to and bow down to the King,Jehovah of armies. Zech 14:16
The warring an unrepentent peoples will be removed.
Henry
P.S. Are you a true follower of Pastor Russell’s teachings? Or a group who takes some of his teachings? Or you take none of his teachings? Just curious.
Hi Anonymous. im to to sure i understand your comment are you saying isaiah 66 v23 is being fulfilled now ? if so i disagree the establishment of the new heavens and earth will be after the battle of Armageddon, those in isaiah 66 v24 will be people of the nations who do not repent and do Gods will they will go to everlasting destruction Revelation 21 v 8 shows us in judgment day there will be two groups of people the sheep & the goats. but back to my original question are the people in Zechariah 14 v 16 the great crowd of revelation 7 ?
Howdy Humbleman;
Is 66:23,”And it will certainly occur that from new moon to new moon and from sabbath to sabbath all flesh will come in to bow down before me, Jehovah has said.”
To help you understand, many of those people who now do that actually went against literal Jerusalem, and many actually went against heavenly Jerusalem.
But many of them will decide not to anymore and will be a part of those fulfilling Is 66:23.
But some will not, and as stated they will be removed.
what about verse 16 you missed that one out. this verse shows people who came against jerusalem who will survive the battle of Armageddon. surly this isn’t referring to dead people who survive a war ?
Howdy Humbleman;
Zechariah 14:17-19 shows all the resurrected and redeemed ones if they fail to adjust properly they will suffer punishment. The divine scourge will effect them. It will bring everlasting destruction. This will mean no share. Share of what? A life in Paradise. Those who had been oppossers of Jerusalem and died and were now resurrected would have to change. CTR taught that didn’t he?
Henry
thought you all may find this interesting http://www.accliverpool.com/mediacentre/news/bible_students.asp
Because they still own the name international bible students in London and outright they can bring it forward. I see them sending publishers out as once before using the name,. This will also pump blood into the preaching force because witnesses like hearing and doing something new. Their mindset is that the organization is on the move. They cannot ignore the Bible Students. Also this is a lawyer run corporation, affect their bottom line (money) by using their brand name and they will fight. These are not religious men, they copyright Bible literature. Legalistic indeed.