The annointed - who and how many really - 2005/08/25 12:53I grapple particularly with the concept of the 144,000 annointed vice the rest of the earth-bound "laggards" who will not see God. It strikes me as unscriptural - do we not all drink of the same cup and will we not see our redeemer in our flesh. Why the distinction I wonder. Could anyone direct me to a resource that explains it well? The Watchtower explanation of it seems a strange mixture of literal and symbolic interpretation that is in contrast to the straightforward approach to the scriptures underpinning other doctrines. I do not believe in it as explained.
What got me going on this was the 15 Aug Watchtower. In three major articles a very clear distinction was made between the annointed and everyone else in the Kingdom. This seems almost like Amway, unless I am in great ignorance about the criteria for annointness and one's personal knowledge of his setting apart. Thanks and God Bless all of you.
Re:The annointed - who and how many really - 2005/08/25 16:57Dear dontomas ... just because the WT teaches this doctrine doesn't make it truth or does it ?
It says that those of the first resurrection have already proven themselves and are judged to be rightous and worthy of inheriting salvation and being in the presence of GOD.
Well, just because most don't get to go to heaven right away, doesn't mean we will never see it ... we just have to wait a bit longer ... you see heaven will be... paradise on earth in the end... and all those who have been found written in the book of life will dwell there.
One day we will all be in the presence of the LORD .... not just the few.
It will be as in the days of Adam and Eve ... those in superior possitions or headship possition ( Adam )and those of the body, congregation or weaker ( the compliment Eve ) but we will all be of the same substance and live together in Paradise ( heaven ) forever .
"As you can see, this creates a thorny problem for the governing body. For if they now admit that they may not yet be recognized by Jesus as being the faithful-and-discreet-slave, and that they may not even be selected as the anointed, they must fear the potential legal and spiritual ramifications on the organization! Yet, what will happen if they don’t make those admissions?"
Jim,
Which means that even if malice is not a motive there must at least exist an unrighteous deception and if thats really the case why would Jehovah let this error continue since the late 1920s and early 1930s?
What will happen if they don't make those admissions?
I think the scripture at 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11 provides the answer:
10 and with every unrighteous deception for those who are perishing, as a retribution because they did not accept the love of the truth that they might be saved. 11 So that is why God lets an operation of error go to them, that they may get to believing the lie, 12 in order that they all may be judged because they did not believe the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness.
This would mean that you have discerned the truth and demonstrated faith which, should now put you and everybody else who have discerned the same in the category described in the scriptures which succeed the above verses as follows:
2 Thessalonians 13-14
13 However, we are obligated to thank God always for YOU, brothers loved by Jehovah, because God selected YOU from [the] beginning for salvation by sanctifying YOU with spirit and by YOUR faith in the truth. 14 To this very destiny he called YOU through the good news we declare, for the purpose of acquiring the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I think this very simple discernment itself identifies the faithfull slave.
by YOUR faith in the truth
It certainly is very presumptuos of the Governing Body to continue in the error of their belief that they have already been judged and accepted by Jesus.
If you carefully measure what these scriptures say in regard to what you have revealed in your article the distinction between the evil and faithfull slave can certainly be seen.
This was promised to happen by Malachi!
Malachi 3:18
15 And at present we are pronouncing presumptuous people happy. Also, the doers of wickedness have been built up. Also, they have tested God out and keep getting away.’”
16 At that time those in fear of Jehovah spoke with one another, each one with his companion, and Jehovah kept paying attention and listening. And a book of remembrance began to be written up before him for those in fear of Jehovah and for those thinking upon his name.
17 “And they will certainly become mine,” Jehovah of armies has said, “at the day when I am producing a special property. And I will show compassion upon them, just as a man shows compassion upon his son who is serving him. 18 And YOU people will again certainly see [the distinction] between a righteous one and a wicked one, between one serving God and one who has not served him.”
"at the day when I am producing a special property"
I strongly suspect the "special property" are those very few who because they have faith in the truth are presently recognizing the deception.
regards
ablebodiedman
Post edited by: ablebodiedman, at: 2005/08/26 06:55
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JWHVACR
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Posts: 43
Re:The annointed - who and how many really - 2005/08/26 08:37Well, I suspect you're right but I hope you're wrong, for their hearts keep getting harder and harder. There are so many people who work so hard and are trying to lead Christian lives. And if these are the last days then the faithful are few, and Jesus was right when he asked if the faith would really be found on the earth. I would hope for something better. I'm so sad when I talk to my friends about the Bible, because they all agree then say, "But the Society says..." Frankly, I can't think of a Witness I've ever known who believed all that they're being taught. But they never say to each other "This is what the Bible says," for that would be viewed as apostasy. They have mis-identified the anointed, Spiritual Israel, and the Faithful and Discreet Slave, and they deny their followers the the hope of the New Covenant by saying it belongs to others. What a sad state of affairs, and all of my friends and family are in there. I feel like Paul calling out to the Jews, hoping in vain that they'll see the light.
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JWHVACR
User Gold Boarder
Posts: 43
Re:The annointed - who and how many really - 2005/08/26 08:38Well, I suspect you're right but I hope you're wrong, for their hearts keep getting harder and harder. There are so many people who work so hard and are trying to lead Christian lives. And if these are the last days then the faithful are few, and Jesus was right when he asked if the faith would really be found on the earth. I would hope for something better. I'm so sad when I talk to my friends about the Bible, because they all agree then say, "But the Society says..." Frankly, I can't think of a Witness I've ever known who believed all that they're being taught. But they never say to each other "This is what the Bible says," for that would be viewed as apostasy. They have mis-identified the anointed, Spiritual Israel, and the Faithful and Discreet Slave, and they deny their followers the the hope of the New Covenant by saying it belongs to others. What a sad state of affairs, and all of my friends and family are in there. I feel like Paul calling out to the Jews, hoping in vain that they'll see the light.
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