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NEW LIGHT ON IDENTITY OF “FAITHFUL AND DISCREET SLAVE”

The July 15 2013 “Study Edition” reveals “new light” unveiled at the October 5th 2012 Annual Meeting, at which it was announced that the Governing Body is now considered the “faithful and discreet slave” – the spiritual overlords of the nearly 8 million Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide.

You can find the July15, 2013 Watchtower Study Edition by CLICKING HERE:

We have had a poll in the upper left side of the Website for several months asking the question, WHO IS THE FAITHFUL AND DISCREET SLAVE.  As of April 10, 2013, 886 visitors have voted.  355 or 40% of the voters identified the Governing Body as the Faithful and Discreet Slave.  If 40% of the visitors on our website believed it before the announcement, it is a reasonable deduction that a far higher percentage of JWs in the Watchtower organization believed it before it was announced.  Does this suggest that the organization has been subtly implying the idea for a long time now?  Was this so that the announcement would be expected rather than received as shocking and surprising news?

As a summary, the three articles in the July Watchtower indicate changes in several points of view:

1. The great tribulation did not begin in 1914, but is a future event
2. The great tribulation only begins when the United Nations attacks world religion (they used the expression “nominal Christians” an expression from the early Watchtower days.)
3. The judgment of the “sheep and the goats” also is not occurring now, but only once the great tribulation begins.
4. The “Faithful and Discreet Slave” is no longer simply the anointed, but only the Governing Body who are dispensing the “spiritual food”.
5. There is no “evil slave class” – a significant change.  (This is no help to the early Bible Students (now passed away) who were charged with being Evil Slaves for resisting the sweeping changes.)

They have discarded important views regarding 1914, as well as changing ideas relating to the “inspection of the temple” period of 1918 to 1919. This is quite significant. It appears that they are laying the groundwork for a very long future period when all of the old-timers have died off but the organization remains. They are also suggesting that the Governing Body members will receive a special appointment different from others of the anointed. This is weird stuff, but most faithful JWs will rejoice in the new light.

131 comments to NEW LIGHT ON IDENTITY OF “FAITHFUL AND DISCREET SLAVE”

  • henry

    K

    THank you for your thought. The reason is very simple. Jesus said it would be like the days of Noah. Small number saved, big number removed.

    Bible said Noah was pwefect. ASV the ones removed were wicked. Plain and simple.

    Today small group who Listen to Noah—-FS.
    Big group, red, blue, yellow, pink and on and on. They all in their differnt ways do evil. They all also will be removed.

    Unless you want to tell Jesus it won’t be like the days of Noah. Mt 24:36-39

    Likewise the faithful slave is perfect like Noah. Because their sins are forgiven. And like Noah’s family who helped build the ark, all the rest of Jesus sheep help the FS CLASS.

    • K

      Hi Henry, no one is perfect yet,however, we can be declared righteous by faith in Jesus’ ransom and of course we have to have works that please God..

    • Peter K. (admin)

      Henry – The issue is whether Christ’s presence is being compared to the “days of Noah” before the flood or whether Christ’s presence is being compared to the flood itself.

      Is Christ’s presence sudden and catastrophic like the flood, or is Christ’s presence quiet and unobserved, just like the “days of Noah” before the flood?

      Let’s closely look at the scriptures.

      Matt 24:37-39 (NKJV)
      37 “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming (parousia – presence) of the Son of Man be.

      This statement is simple and clear. The “days of Noah” are being compared to Christ’s presence

      It’s important to note that Christ’s presence is being compared to the days of Noah before the flood. Notice the next verse.

      38 “For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,

      It was during the “days before the flood” that the world was going about their daily life routine, unaware or unbelieving that Noah preached the truth of the coming judgement, just as it now is during the presence of Christ. Mankind goes about their daily life routine, unaware of Christ’s presence and unbelieving of the message His Saints proclaim.

      39 “and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming (presence) of the Son of Man be.

      It is not until the Armageddon flood comes, that the world finally sees that Christ is present.

      Now let’s check out the parallel scriptures in Luke.

      Luke 17:26-27 (NKJ)
      26 “And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.

      Here again, the days of Noah are compared with the days of the Son of Man, that is the days of Christ’s 2nd Presence. In the “days of Noah, people went about their daily life routine, just as they are now doing in the “days of the Son of Man.”

      A similar comparison is made of the “days of Lot.”

      Luke 17:28-30 (NKJV)
      28 “Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed (apocalypse).”

      Notice that the revealment of Christ’s presence is compared to the destruction of Sodom. It’s through the Armageddon destruction of the present systems that Christ’s presence is revealed to mankind. This is made clear in other scriptures like Ezek 38, 39 and Zech 14.

  • K

    The JW’s new light now says there’s no “evil slave” class……shouldn’t there be no “faithful slave” CLASS also??

    • Peter K. (admin)

      K – Thanks for participating on our site. Jesus clearly spoke about an wise slave and the evil slave. (Matt 24:45, 48 and Luke 12:42, 45). If the “evil slave” is a characteristic and not a class, then the same must be true of the “wise slave.” You can’t have it both ways. However, in these types of parables, Jesus is speaking of individuals or of classes, not just of characteristics (as in Matt 25:23).

  • henry

    To Peter and Dupin

    Thank you both for the info. First Peter, printed out a copy of the bydos tablet. And what you said opens the door for me with further study.

    Second to Dupin. Change seems to be a word you do not like. Malachi 3:6,”For I am the Lord,I change not.”

    A person could say, see, I told you so. But lets look at a few Bible accounts on how the Lord God did things differently.

    As to God’s faithful. Eight were saved in a ark. Millions destroyed by a deluge.

    Four get out of city on foot, one becomes unfaithful and turns into a pillar of salt. The whole rest of the city destroyed by sulpher and fire.

    The Bible shows many other forms of salvation methods and destructive methods. The changing of the ways in a continual thing. Is there some things that don’t change?

    Well Noah was “perfect.” Genesis 6:9; The nation of Israel was told to be “perfect.” Deuteronomy; and Jesus taught that everyone should be “perfect.” Mat 5:48 All verses from American Standard Version 1901.

    Now lets consider when you don’t listen. Noah’s day removal. Israel’s 1500 some years,alot of suffering. But there were many faithful ones who enjoyed God’s blessings. Refusal to do what Jesus said we should do? He said it would be like the days of Noah. Mat 24:36-39 Salvation for a small group, removal for a large. Otherwise Jesus did not tell the truth, for any other way and it will not be like the days of Noah will it?

    So what does this got to do with organization? Well, this January of 1914 which is 100 years after the PD there is no group schedled to be showing in movie houses free the PD of Creation.

    Neither Christendom, nor the WT, nor any of the different Bible Students. What happened? Millions had a free witness given to them. Yet none of the ones mentioned what to do the same.

    As we have shown, God does not change, but in the way he has his people do things, change is very much allowed. Why did not CTR have the PD shown in 1800? Any reasoning person would know he did not have the way and the means at that time. So as time goes on, things and circumstances change and so did his group of followers. Change was good.

    But there can be bad changes also. So it can be bad and it can be good.

    So in 1912 CTR had the help from several other people to do the work and he arranged for it through an organized effort from all. Today, the Bible Students do it in a completeing different way. Many different ways. Some of which CTR never new would come into exsistence. Likewise Christendom and the WT. For example on a special hildrens day coming up. The Pope has a huge group who follow his twitter, and if they do certain things they can cut down their time in purgatory. The WT has an internet site for information. The Bible Students as previously mentioned have several ways.

    So they are all having people say, I belong to the Popes twitter group,Or I adhere to the WTs teachings, or I adhere to a certain Bible Stuents teachings. But they are all three in one, organized.

    Iwant to close there for a good laugh, except for the ones in Christendom, for they won’t get it.

    Henry

  • Anonymous

    Thank you Peter

    e scriptures showing a way of staying and working together while protecting the flock.

    So here is something you probaly already know. Photo Drama brought out how the Egyptians had there line going back to Adam as Pharoah I, and continued on. Kind of going against the Bible. If I said something wrong here, I stand to be corrected as I am going off my brain.

    I believe it then said it was different with the Pharoah that was friendly to Jacob and his family. I will try to find what is next as my mind is got a few nerons missing.

    In some of the tombs of the Pharoah’s,but they show so many more generations which go against the Bible. Thus they lose faith in the Bible’s account. They do admit the tablets very. But I see a common expression today happen. It comes back to bite them. Hows that?

    The Abydos Tablet—I have to stop here Peter so you and I can get a laugh. Think of all the different tablets today. ipod tablet and so forth. But lets consider the one I mentioned.

    Found in the sepulchre of Seti I, probaly the Pharoah who made Joseph in a high position. Some think he died about 120 years before Moses was born. Seti preserved this tablet for us. He used great care by a shaft 60 feet deep through solid rock. That is where they cut out the area where the tablet was kept. And this, the best of Egyptian records fully corroborates the Genesis account. Why is that?

    The list of Pharoahs is shorter than the others because it omits the names of gods and demigods. it is so complete,it shows the human rulers back to Adam. Wow. These omissions occur at the appropriate place, at the time of the deluge.

    If a person wants to prove there is no God. Then stand up and drop 5 dice from 6ft. to the floor. When all five land perfectly on top of each other and the one up on each. You Proved it. What you will prove instead are two things. Futility. And a glimpse into what eternity is.

    Henry

    • Peter K. (admin)

      Henry – You may find this of interest regarding the Abydos Tablet. There is a simple premise, CTR in the PD suggests that Snefru (of course they had several different names), or Snofru is Noah.

      Ham is Khufu (or Cheops), father.

      Some of the oldest pyramids have Snefru’s (Noah’s) cartouche on them. They also are inferior to the Great Pyramid, however, a number of them have similar building or architectural design features, almost like proto types to train the building crew.

      Snefru’s wife is Mrs. Noah, Ham’s mother.

      The Great Pyramid actually has two different cartouche quarry markings in it. Mostly we hear of just the one set, that of Khufu (Ham), but on page 364 of “Gleanings from Glasgow,” Morton Edgar brings out a second set, his brothers Nu-Shufu or Khnumu-Khufu! This is Shem, who came to assist in the building of the Great Pyramid.

      This keeps the Abydos Tablet both accurate and useful. But the Abydos Tablet follows Ham’s line, not Shem’s so we do not find Shem’s cartouche in the Abydos Tablet.

      If you want to see photos of the furniture as it has been reconstructed for Mrs. Noah (Snefru’s wife), you can easily find it in any decent book on Egyptology.

      The solar boats, taking the dead to the next world, harken back to Noah’s ark…

      You can find an electronic image of the Abydos Tablet here:
      https://www.friendsofjehovahswitnesses.com/wp-content/uploads/Abydos-Tablet.pdf

  • henry

    Dupin

    A very well piece of work. If every sentence had a verse behind it, I could not refuse. But I was looking at Roget’s under organization and it had one of the things listed,”bear fruit.”

    Another is “arrange.” “belong to.” “be part of.”

    For example,1912 to 1914 Brother Russell and helpers worked to produce the Photo Drama starting in January 1914. I think they had about 5,000 at the Lords Supper that year. But about 8,9,or 10 million saw the Photo Drama that year. And Brother Russell started off with the name of God early so people were being taught something big. Even though he only used it 8 times a person new when he said God the difference between Jesus and Him. For he Showed John 1:1; Col 1:15; Rev 3:14 and explained it very well.
    So whats my point? It was just like when Jesus was on earth. Only a small portion responded. A few became a part of the arrangement and could say they belong to the arrangment. The Photo Drama from the arrangement bore some fruit.

    Keep up the good work.

    Henry

    • Dupin

      That’s an interesting reply Henry:

      But you are making my point as to what you are doing for me. Your argument conflates things, which is about the only way anybody can make an argument for an “organization” of the sort the Watchtower, the Papacy and many others favor. In this case you argue that arranging thing implies an organization. There is no difference between that and the earlier argument that organizing things implies such. So I need not repeat my rebuttal to that line of reasoning.

      For our readers I will point out the simple fact that early leaders in the church other than the apostles, who were directly commissioned by God and Christ, were elected by the eccelsias they served (Acts 14:23, where the word often translated as “appoint” is Which means “to stretch out the hand,” or elect). Those sent out to help them in the matter simply served to make sure those elected met certain criteria for the offices they filled (1 Tim 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9). A different word is used in Timothy and the Pastor writes the following regarding that in the Sixth Volume on pages 277-8:

      “The word ordain, in respect to elders, is used in one other place, only, and it is the translation of a different Greek word, viz., kathestemi, which signifies–“To place, or set down”–Young. “To place down”–Strong. This word occurs in Titus 1:5: “Set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee”–i.e., as I arranged. Revised Version, “as I gave thee charge.” On the face of it this text seems to imply that Titus was empowered to appoint these elders, regardless of the wishes of the congregations (churches, ecclesias); and it is on this view that the Episcopal theory of church order rests. Catholics, Episcopalians and Methodist-Episcopals all claim for their [F278] bishops an apostolic authority to set, to place or appoint, elders for the congregations–without the stretching forth of the hand, or vote of the Church.

      This text is the bulwark of this idea; but it appears to be rather a weak support when we notice the last clause–“As I gave thee charge”–and reflect that the Apostle would surely not give Titus “charge” or instruction to do differently from what he (the Apostle) did in this matter. The account of the Apostle’s own procedure, rightly translated, is very explicit: “And when they had elected them elders by a show of hands in every Ecclesia, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord.” Acts 14:23 ”

      So the argument that there was an organization of a similar model follow by the Witnesses just doesn’t hold up under examination. Since the ecclesias followed the same model while the Pastor was alive as he taught, it can’t be argued that the kind of Organization as the Watchtower was in place while the Pastor was alive.

      • Dupin

        The Greek word in Acts I meant to insert is χειροτονέω (G5500).

        • Jacqueline

          Oh Dupin, so much insight we are reading your comment on tobacco here at the convention. Thanks for commenting. Look at Elissa last comment. I am going over in my mind how to address the issues brought before her. Jacqueline

  • henry

    Thank you for the response Peter

    Actually today was the first time the part of Jesus the Head and then the twelve stars hit me and I realized only three of the 12 wrote inspired scriptures. To be honest with you, if Brother Russell was sitting next to be right now, he would easyly have said ,”what I mean is the twelve were there teaching at the beginning Acts 1 and 2. But I will reword that.” And we both laugh.

    Just like Larry he gave great words of wisdom. And I will have to thank Dupin for his thoughts. Are you going to the Bible Convention, I see about three brothers giving parts from Chicago?

    Well take care and thank you for all your imput.

    Henry

    • Peter K. (admin)

      Henry,

      I think you and I might have a good laugh together as well. Just a few thoughts.

      Ephesians 4:11-12 (NASV) says, “11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;”

      As there are different parts of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12), each of the twelve Apostles had different gifts and played different roles.

      In Matt 28:19 (NKJV), Jesus addressing the Apostles said, “19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” Whether they wrote or not, the Apostles split up and traveled to various areas of the Roman empire, each teaching, evangelizing, pastoring, etc. Paul’s focus was the Gentiles and the other Apostles were more focused on the scattered tribes of Israel. As such, they are among these twelve foundations of the entire Church and will be among the most active, effective, respected and inspirational leaders in the Paradise Earth Kingdom.

  • henry

    Hi Peter

    I think you should ask Jw when you see them. I have no clue how they will answer you. My thought was should I allow Larry to tell me how to pray better. Or should I let Larry tell me that if I see a Bible Student doing what I think is wrong, should I report him to the elders. Are you not an elder Peter? If that is to personal a question just strike it.

    It is just that when a person writes in a book,”to have no dealings whatever-not to eat with them.” page 302 Vol VI.

    Page 273,”In considering this subject it is well that we keep clearly before our minds the oneness of the church.” A little further he writes,”Each separate Ecclesia, therefore, is to consider the Lord as its Head, and to consider the twelve apostles as the twelve stars,bright ones,teachers,whom the Lord specially held in his hand and controlled,-using them as his mouthpieces for the instruction of his Church in every place,in every gathering,throughout the entire age.”

    He then mentions,”It is to feel a oneness with all dear ecclesias of “like precious faith” in the dear Redeemers sacrifice and in the promises of God,-everywhere.”
    On the next page comes the sub-heading,”ordaning elders in every ecclesia.”

    Do all Ecclesia teach the same doctrines?
    What have you learned from star Matthias?
    And James the son of Zebedee?
    And James the son of Alphaeus?
    And Andrew?
    And Philip?
    And Thomas?
    And Bartholomew?
    And Judas the son of James?
    And Simon?
    Nine of the twelve stars and we have no teaching from any. That leaves three stars. Matthew,Peter and John. Only eight books to learn from out of 27. What will we do with the other 19? Accept that we can learn from those Christians also? Then are we going aginst what we read earlier? Where do we draw the line? Should we incluse Mr.Johnson’s teaching for he had a group of Ecclesias? The twelve stars are gone who can teach and lead? And when one goes bad how will the others know? Through gossip ,slander the grapevine.

    Do we have the Lord’s organization? A complete Church? Giving us a complete organization, but no printed rules and laws?

    Won’t God be the superintendent of this organization?

    WILL LOOK FOR ALL INSIGHT AND WISDOM FROM ANY TO SHARE. THANK YOU,HENRY

    • Peter K. (admin)

      Henry – Are you trying make a point?  I can respond to your questions, however behind the questions I think you are trying to make a point regarding whether God has an organization on earth and who it is.  Am I correct?  What is your opinion?

      Are you saying you have never been a JW?  Were you ever a Bible Student?  It would be easier to respond to you if we knew where you were coming from and why this topic “God’s Organization” is so interesting to you.

      In answer to your question, yes I am a Bible Student elder and so far, I have been elected each year by the Chicago Bible Students congregation.

      Whether you want to take Brother Larry’s advice on prayer is up to you.  As I recall, he gives good scriptural support for his counsel. 

      If you see anyone in your congregation sinning, you should follow Jesus advice.

      Matthew 18:15-17 NASB
      “If your brother sins , go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.  But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or  three witnesses every  fact may be confirmed .  If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

      Why turn the matter over to the elders if you can privately resolve the matter with the sinner and with the least public embarrisement?  Knowing Brother Larry, I am sure he and I agree on this.

      Henry, you have a lot more questions, but I am just very confused trying to figure out what you are trying to covince us of.  I would prefer you just make your points and tell us what you really think.  It feels like you are throwing all these questions at us, trying to trip us up?  Am I wrong?  Are you really seriously looking for answers to all these questions for your personal learning, growth and enrichment?

  • henry

    To Jacquelin, sorry, one more

    No disrespect intended. I was going to type smilie face, but thought you might not answer. So by you answering we found out we have something in common. Get my manna in the email everyday but don’t go online everyday, so we are the same on that.

  • henry

    Hi Peter

    You probaly already saw where I listened to a brethren and other particpatants from a L.A. convention. He mentioned the elders have to rebuke some at times. He also suggested some elders get together to talk to the one who is giving out literature all the time. Because the older lady and the rest of the class don’t like it. So having elders is not a big deal at all. Right?

  • henry

    Sorry Jacquelin, one more.

    After my last post near the end of his part he said we have to read between the lines. Were you are Bible Student of Larry? If so, you learnt well. He did suggest reading your daily manna, now tell me, are you a good girl and read it every day?

    Henry

    • Jacqueline

      Henry, I know Br. Larry. I have not heard the talk you speak of, the expression read between the lines is an expression I have used often and as a psych-practitioner I often have to read each word spoken and not spoken so I am not a disciple of anyone. I was a quasi- Bible Student/ JW for the first 12 yrs of my life then my mom/ father went over to JW and the next 48 yrs I was a witness.
      “Are you a good girl and read it every day?” I know you mean no disrespect but I am going to say this anyway. I am not a Good Girl, I am a 64 year old woman, please address me as such, keeping that in mind. I don’t know your age but treat me as a mother.
      I read the Bible everyday, whether in quiet contemplation, in conversation with others or listen on streaming Bible. This is my personal relationship with God. It is not in connection with another individual’s suggestion.

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