Re:The annointed - who and how many really - 2005/08/28 21:48Well, the faithful and sensible slave is identified by the master when he arrives, and he hasn't arrived yet. So, we can't identify those who haven't been identified as such by him, we can only hope that we will be found faithful. The problem with the Society is that they have presumptuously claimed to be something they aren't. So, none of us should fall into that same pit. We know from the parables that followed, that the slave must be putting what he was entrusted with to good use and gaining an increase for the master, and that he hasn't allowed his lamp to go out. That is certainly what many can be found doing on sites such as this. As for the unfaithful slave, they are found beating those who were entrusted to them, because the master doesn't return when he is expected. Organized religion has been doing it for centuries, and the Society started doing it especially after 1975 when they started blaming the sheep for believing armageddon was coming then, and then they started searching for and "killing" "apostates." If anyone is interested, this is covered in the link http://www.2001translation.com/The%20Faithful%20and%20Sensible%20Slave.htm I am so happy to see such sincere interest.
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dontomas
User Junior Boarder
Posts: 8
Re:The annointed - who and how many really - 2005/08/28 23:32This is a great discussion and I completely agree with the fact that . No less a figure than Paul did not presume that he had already "made it" .....
"If, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection of the dead… I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:11, 14
"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." First Corinthians 9:24-27
This does not mean, to me, that Paul is insecure in his salvation at the moment. It does mean he leaves open the possibility that he could lose it. Does this reconcile with WT front-office theology on the point of being annointed?
I reject any conclusive identification of the annointed prior to the judgement. So I also think any identification of oneself or like individuals as the faithful and discrete slave on that basis is futile.
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ablebodiedman
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Posts: 353
Re:The annointed - who and how many really - 2005/08/29 00:43JWHVACR wrote: Well, the faithful and sensible slave is identified by the master when he arrives, and he hasn't arrived yet. So, we can't identify those who haven't been identified as such by him, we can only hope that we will be found faithful.
Dontomas wrote: I reject any conclusive identification of the annointed prior to the judgement. So I also think any identification of oneself or like individuals as the faithful and discrete slave on that basis is futile.
JWHVACR and Dontomas,
So how does the gathering together happen if there is no means to make an identification prior to the Judgement?
Keep in mind that scripture does indicate that the identification is not conclusive. This is revealed by the one who was found at the marriage feast without the marriage garment. Matthew 22:11-12
To be found at the marriage feast however, there must be some kind of gathering.
Scripture indicates this gathering should not be forsaken and will require effort on the part of those invited.
How can this occur if there is no means to recognize eachother?
regards
ablebodiedman
Post edited by: ablebodiedman, at: 2005/08/29 00:51
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ablebodiedman
User Platinum Boarder
Posts: 353
Re:The annointed - who and how many really - 2005/08/29 00:46In regards to gathering together I thought this article by a man named Timothy Kline is very insightful.
Re:The annointed - who and how many really - 2005/08/29 01:05Jesus said, ‘I’m giving you a new commandment, to love each other. Love each other just as I loved you. This is how they will know that you are my disciples, by the love you have for each other.'
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ablebodiedman
User Platinum Boarder
Posts: 353
Re:The annointed - who and how many really - 2005/08/29 01:41JWHVACR wrote: Jesus said, ‘I’m giving you a new commandment, to love each other. Love each other just as I loved you. This is how they will know that you are my disciples, by the love you have for each other.'
Will you love and die for those who are willfully perpetuating an unrighteous deception which will cause themselves and those they deceived to perish? These ones are also claiming to be true disciples.
So who are his true disciples?
Those who sincerely want to learn the truth and have faith in it.
We have now gone full circle:
2 Thessalonians2:13
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.
regards
ablebodiedman
Post edited by: ablebodiedman, at: 2005/08/29 12:27
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