Many visiting this site have been Jehovah witnesses, Scientologist, Bible Students or one of the denominations based on the writings or beliefs of one man or set of men.
How can we avoid these pitfalls again, now that we have managed to get free? One major scripture was misquoted to all Jehovah witnesses for a century: "Who versus Whom"
67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.
68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Here is an excellent video regarding the \”other sheep doctrine\”. He explains from the Bible the erroneous teaching of \”two classes\” of Christians and the mistaken concept of a special \”annointed\” class.
https://youtu.be/1DKRMwjz63M
Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Paul wrote this letter because of divisions that were occurring in the early Church. Most Christians of that day had come from Jewish descent. They were insisting that newly grafted in Gentiles be circumcised and brought under Law! Paul in this letter is helping them realize that Christ set them free from the slavery of Law. That the Law was fulfilled by the Law of LOVE. Many religions today, especially such sects as the Jehovah’s Witnesses have brought their followers back under the legalistic code of Law. While they are acknowledging that Christ fulfilled the Law of Moses, they use that Law to establish legalistic rules that go beyond even the Pharisaic and Talmudic practices of Pauls day. While we never want to use our Christian freedom as an excuse to avail ourselves of the works of the flesh, we need to be cautious of imposing our conscience on others, using the Scriptures as a club to punish those who don’t believe exactly as we do on controversial doctrinal issues or establishing a code of rules that if violated cause us to “devour each other”, placing a yoke of slavery on our brothers and sisters. Jehovah’s Witnesses and some other religions have done just that! Everything you do or say must go along with what church leaders dictate. JW’s have to follow certain codes of dress and grooming, must be regular in the door to door work,turning in and reporting the time spent in the ministry, must attend all meetings and conventions, or they are not considered strong Christians. The new elders book has become a Talmud of legalistic rules on how to handle matters. In addition there is the oral Law, similar to the Pharisee’s oral Law, that trumps the written Law they have set forth in that book. They have gone beyond Scripture in dealing with the rank and file brothers and sisters! The result is divisions, even to the point of breaking up families! Is this following the only Law given to us by Christ, to LOVE even our enemies?
Paul goes on to say:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
As Christians we are united in our Love for Christ and each other! We are not judges of our brothers and sisters! We do not impose our conscience and beliefs on others!
We do not have the right to condemn anyone to second death and shun them just because they do not accept our viewpoints!
TedR, the witnesses was set up as Companies not congregations. I grew up under a Company Servant no elders. The time turning in and counting hours is what a corporation does. The Circuit overseer was like district manager who checked on the progress just like the corporate world. They are not truly religious. Even Russell had boards and Rutherford just continued it.
Scientology fought for religion status for tax exemption.
In this late date, anyone that wants to leave can just walk. There are lots of help now. Those remaining actually like all the restrictions etc. It lets them know if they follow the rules they get life.
They don’t realize they and all of mankind has been saved by Grace from the penalty of Adams sin.
A lot that leave seem to lose their moral compass. Being controlled and told every little rule to obey handicap them. But, after a while with so many groups to help now, they are slowly finding their way to Christ. Also the shunning isn’t as effective now because xjw have friends with shared experiences. Witnesses that shunned them are seeing their happiness and acting more human. The organization is losing its grip little by little.
When I mentioned in an earlier post the KISS formula I meant that we have to stop looking beyond what is plainly written in Scripture. I notice many Russelites (not all Bible Students are Russell followers) and JW’s use Scriptures out of context to prove points that seem to be unique to their doctrine. Here are two examples taken from Luke 12. Many point to Luke 12:32 to prove a secondary class of Christians, a “little flock”. But reading the context starting with verse 22 notice what he is talking about here:
Luke 12:22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Jesus is telling his disciples not to worry about the necessities of life and worldly treasures. That by trusting in God these things will be provided. He then tells them to have no fear little flock. Certainly true followers of Christ are indeed a little flock compared to the wickedness of this world. He is not making a class distinction here, he is speaking to ALL of his followers.
Now go on to the next point. Again speaking to ALL of his followers he advises them to remain watchful.
Luke:35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” 41 Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?” 42 The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43 It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. 47 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
To me, as I read this, it is obvious he is not referring to a special man or group of men that will be appointed as a faithful servant. He is telling all of his followers, his servants, to be watchful because we do not know when the master will arrive. If we are doing the will of the Master when he arrives we will be rewarded. The meaning here is plain, at least to me.
All of us who are following Christ are in a special relationship with him, we are indeed a little flock of his servants. The Scriptures here are not referring to a special bride class, a topic for another conversation, or a special “servant”.
When we try to use the Scriptures as a puzzle and force pieces that do not belong we lose the true meaning of what Christ tells us. Worse yet is when others try to force us to accept these concepts that go beyond plain Scripture and ostracize and demean others, even to the point of shunning and consigning them to second death. Each of us must reconcile the Scriptures in our own mind. We may not always agree. But LOVE for Christ will keep us united in faith. We learn from each other. When Christ returns, he will reveal any error of understanding. He will be our judge, not man or any group of men!
TedR, thank you for an example of the KISS principle.
Interesting that the disciples asked if it was just to them or all that he was speaking. How you could get one man or a small group in the future is beyond me.
I often wondered what made Russell skip to apply this to now? It is because of the “date setters” of his time when clearly Jesus said no one knew that but the Father. He wasn’t trying to confuse his disciples, he wanted them to grasp some of the simple truths and other ones they couldn’t bear. For instance that thousands of years would play out in some of his parables.
John did see. I even keep his vision of seeing the 144, 000 on MT Zion simple because he gives 3 points so it is not misunderstood. Some confuse tribes of Israel with the term Jew which can be a spiritual Jew but not the tribes of Israel. It is by birth as I see it.
It is just so refreshing to look at the Bible for ourselves with help only from the Holy Spirit. All of us in the Christian Arena are trying to understand as you stated.
I also see the value and joy of digging into the hidden gems in the Bible.
Proverbs 25:2 New King James Version (NKJV)
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
To insist that you have to be associated with a certain group to be in touch with Jehovah is not supported by the Bible. Jesus died so we could go to him in prayer individually and in association with others. Threatening with second death, shunning and disfellowshipping by a group is sheer arrogance on their part to be the judge of mankind or saying they are the Christ who declared:
Matthew 28:18-20 New International Version (NIV)
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
He hasn’t given authority to one man or a group of his representatives or an organization.
I got this information from the Humans of Faith Facebook page. It provides some good information regarding the memorial for those coming out of the JW organization:
Humans Of Faith
6 hrs
Yearly Passover Memorial ~ Many True Christians are asking themselves: “Am I worthy to partake of the bread and the wine?” ~ Lets let one of our dear Brothers answer this for everyone, and please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below after listening to his helpful biblical answer with scriptures listed.
Video Link Answer by: Brother Igor Kocelj
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHP4ZcJS204
______________________
Some have the day set as April 18 and some April 19, 2019 according to the Hebrew Calendar.
Yeshua (Jesus) partook of the emblems on “Thursday 18th” after 6:00 PM, which was just beginning Nisan 14 with Hebrew time. Yeshua was tried in the night hours and crucified in the morning on “Friday 19th” which was still Nisan 14. He died at 3:00 PM on that Friday in the year 33 A.D.
According to the pattern Yeshua gave us in Luke 22:19 and 1 Corinthians 11:24,25, we would partake according to the Hebrew Calendar each year. Nisan 14 begins at 6:00 PM.
Nisan 14 does not always occur on a Thursday evening and concur with a Friday as the crucifixion day. But the days of the week do correspond this year 2019.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/501828570314297/?multi_permalinks=550953475401806¬if_id=1552540498182625¬if_t=group_activity
I watched Brother Carnegie’s talk again last night. It’s too bad most Bible Students don’t take this to heart. I don’t have a problem with what the Bible Students believe, I agree with much of it, not because Brother Russell taught it, but because I have proved it to myself from the Bible. I even agree with much of what the JW’s teach. But I cannot agree with going beyond what is clearly taught in Scripture. To try to make Bible prophecy fit into a concept that is not plain is dangerous! I believe prophecy is very plain if we just take the Scriptures at their word. Anything beyond such as trying to understand symbols, is opinion and speculation and can only be truly understood once the prophecy is fulfilled. To elevate any man or organization as Gods channel and condemning others who disagree is wrong! The only channel to God is through the Bible. The only mediator between God and imperfect man is Christ. The only helper we have is the Holy Spirit to help us understand the Bible! I agree with Brother Carnegie, to place any man or organization on a pedestal is wrong! While chronology, types and anti-types make interesting study and conversation, we have to keep in mind that all of this is speculation unless it is specifically mentioned in the Bible. To me the Bible is clear and straight forward. I was always taught the KISS formula, keep it simple stupid! We need to stop reading into the Scriptures more than what is there. Sometimes, because of translation issues, we need to look at context, who is the person talking to, and put ourselves in that time period. How would a Christian Jew in the first century understand the comment being made. There is nothing wrong with going to commentaries and concordances to help us understand these things. But never should we mandate our beliefs to others. True Christians are not exclusive to any religion! I just wish all Bible Students and JW’s had the same viewpoint as Brother Carnegie expressed in his talk. We should all be united in our love for Christ, regardless of our denomination. We are Christians, let us prove that by showing love for each other!
Praise to the God of All Comfort
1Corinthians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
Paul wrote this to the Corinthians. As we know, Paul throughout his ministry endured severe persecution and illness. Yet he was comforted and helped by our Lord to endure and be comforted. We today face many trials. Some of us have had to face debilitating illness or injury. Some face persecution at the hands of family and friends for following their faith in Christ and rejecting the organization that put itself and its false teaching in place of our one and only master, Christ Jesus! Some have lost dear loved ones in death. Whatever our trials if we have faith in our Lord we can have comfort. We have the Holy Spirit. We have our dear brothers and sisters of like faith. and we have Gods word, the Bible. When we see a brother or sister in need of comfort how do we react? Remember Christ’s parable of the Good Samaritan? Are we like those religious leaders who ignored the injured man with a perfunctory comment such as “I hope you feel better” or I’ll pray for you? Or like the Samaritan, if it is in our power, to we put ourselves out for that brother or sister or fellow man and provide some real help? Sometimes all we can do is be their for them, offer a hearing ear, and pray with them. For some who are depressed, just to have someone to talk to who can listen without judgment is all they need. I have a friend, his name is Gary, who took in three young teenagers who were kicked out of their homes by their Jehovah’s Witness families after being disfellowshipped. He provided them with food and a place to sleep until they could get on their feet. This is a fine example of the true love of Christ.
By our endurance and faith through our sufferings, we can be an encouragement to others as well who are undergoing similar trials. Paul goes on in verse 6: If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
So when we are undergoing trials lets put our faith in God and Christ that he will help us endure, even to death. we have a wonderful promise from God that he will resurrect us into a wonderful Paradise. Jesus told us: “Fear not those who kill the body, but cannot destroy the soul.” Whatever disease we face, persecution we endure, God is with us. No disease, no persecution from man, can take away the promise of God to grant those who are faithful eternal life!
TedR, thanks for this much needed reminder.
Time and unseen occurrences befall us all but sometimes it is satan inspired. But no matter the source it takes our focus away from our attention to worship of God. Especially studying the Bible.
1 Timothy 1:3 As I counseled you when I was leaving for Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus, so that you may order certain people who are teaching a different doctrine to stop. 4 Have them stop devoting their attention to myths and never-ending genealogies; these divert people to speculating instead of doing God’s work, which requires trust. 5 The purpose of this order is to promote love from a clean heart, from a good conscience and from sincere trust. 6 Some, by aiming amiss, have wandered off into fruitless discussion. 7 They want to be teachers of Torah, but they understand neither their own words nor the matters about which they make such emphatic pronouncements.
While it is good to delve in and attempt to understand the deep things of God, I think we must be careful not to impose our own view points on others in matters beyond the basic teaching of our Lord and Master. That he came, sent by God, as a ransom for the sin of Adam. That he died so that we may live and was resurrected to sit at Gods right hand, soon to return to reward his faithful followers with everlasting life and to redeem the rest of mankind who prove themselves faithful when the adversary is silenced. Debating over chronologies, and unfulfilled prophecies make interesting conversation, and there is nothing wrong with that. But when we try to impose our own thoughts on these controversial matters on others then we have the divisions Paul here warns against. That is my problem with those who insist on following any man or organization, condemning others to destruction if they fail to conform. Even going so far as cutting off fellowship with those who disagree with their teaching.
Christ himself told us that his day would come as a thief in the night, that we should be watchful. That we should be like that faithful servant who was ready when the master arrived, doing the work of the master. That work was simple; Mathew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Rather than debating over chronology, types, anti-types and other speculative matters, as some do, our time should be spent doing the work of the master. We should be telling others of the grand good news that Christ came and died for us. That the path of righteousness is not with religion, but with faith in God and Jesus our Lord, obeying his commandments which can be summarized by love for God and others. When our Master returns he will reward his faithful servants who are doing his will. Doing so we will be appointed over all his belongings, having a share in the reconciliation of the rest of mankind, his belongings!
Christ said he will be with us always, and that he would provide a helper in the Holy Spirit. We are told in Scripture not to follow earthy man. Jeremiah 17:5
New International Version
This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”
Do we follow man or God. Are we Russellites, JW\’s, Baptists, Methodists etc. or are we Christians? Are we united in our love for Christ or do we allow differences of opinion cause us to be divided? Do we allow the philosophies and traditions of men influence our relationship with others who are sincerely trying to do the will of God? Let us be tolerant of others we disagree with. After all, Christ is the final judge of who is truly the faithful servant, doing his will when he returns.
TedR thank you for the reminder on tolerance of other’s thoughts on scripture meaning as they see it. Together,like detectives we consider each other’s comments and can draws conclusions with the Spirits help. He put it there for us to dig into and consider. But as you mentioned some things are not fulfilled and we must wait to see and add to our faith that God knows what he is doing. We don’t want to put out the fire in our hearts and minds by having books written explaining every word in the Bible and we put that man or Men thoughts to memory.
Arguing with a religion that isn’t going to change their thoughts not one inch is not for me. I just walk away from these types of dogmatic religions so not to cause them distress. Witnesses never got emotional or personally distressed if you disagreed, they just put you out or marked you with shunning, lol. The Bible Students, I found are different, they take any dissent against Russell’s writings personally, I see heartfelt pain. Witnesses hold the governing body as authority and will enforce their laws but can flaunt their laws also. Bible Students have a worshipful adulation, piety type of response. They get hurt to me it seems at heart over Russell. This observation was disturbing to me but I had come to love them as people, so rather than cause them pain I just decided to cut all contact and destroy all books to forget this stop on my journey to Christ. They shunn too,give talks against you and one Texas class has names of speakers that can’t give talks at their conventions. Quite a few classes bar speakers.They use the voting system like a hammer to keep elders in line just my observation. Power is sort after. If they were as big as the watchtower society they would be worse but their size makes their actions inconsequiential to society. Unlike witness policies because it is big and affects more families. So they don’t exert to much influence. I bring out these observations because I have been asked what I observed before others venture into the Bible Student movement. I have spent 70 years in the two systems, both based on Russell. I am not judging just reporting what I saw and I went in deep. Jehovah allowed it, so I report what I observed. I am loving hearing all the different thoughts here. Thanks for your friendly reminder scriptures. Take Care.
Hi Ted. Hi Jacqueline. And Hi to everyone else.
I’ve got a few minutes to myself this morning and wanted to express a few ideas.
@ Ted: Thank you for posting all the things you have been posting. I’ve got some catching up to do. In response to this post:
http://askjacqueline.life/to-whom-shall-we-go-with-ted-r/#comment-573
It’s been my experience that keeping my observations separate from my evaluations is 1) often extremely difficult, 2) extremely crucial if I want to really make sense of my world and create inner peace. To help me come to appreciate the difference, I worked long and hard to process everything that I experience by sorting it into two baskets:
Basket #1) What is it that I could capture with a camera (the things that everybody else would see, too)? That’s an observation! The camera SEEs but doesn’t form judgements. It only records the things that are IN the picture.
Basket #2) What are my reactions (thoughts, feelings, impulses, etc.) to the things I’ve captured with the camera and seen in the picture? Those are my evaluations (judgements, etc.)!
“The ability to observe without evaluating is the highest form of intelligence.”
― J. Krishnamurti
-greg
The Memorial for Bible Students is April 18th Friday the 19th for JW’s
Thank you. Let me make a memorial page so everyone can vote on which day and maybe you brothers can get preparations for this together. I actually had persons from long ago call me because they couldn’t find me o fojw. They want to attend with us.
More reference material can be found at these links. They are all coming to approximately the same conclusions.
http://cfjp.weebly.com/tempi—the-parable-of-the-faithful-and-wise-servant.html
https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Topical.show/RTD/cgg/ID/1105/Parable-of-Faithful-Evil-Servants.htm
https://jesuseveyday.wordpress.com/2017/05/07/day-127-the-faithful-wise-servant-and-the-evil-servant/
There are many more references, none that I found ascribe these servants as literal men or groups of men. Only those associated with Russel and Jehovah’s Witnesses seem to do this. If there are others I have not found any to this point. Google Faithful and Wise Servant. To me this makes much more sense and is in line with the whole Scriptures.
My conclusion:
The parables are speaking of Christians and their stand with Christ upon his return. Are they faithful and awake or have they become complacent and following the attitude of the world. When Christ comes will we be viewed as that faithful servant or will we come under the judgment of that evil slave who has become complacent even to the point of beating his fellow slaves.
Ted thank you for this deep discussion and summary. I came to the same conclusions.
When is the memorial this year? I need to put a tab and let’s see how we will do it this year.
Any thoughts any one?
Comments About the Faithful and Wise Servants
The faithful and wise servant in this story is equivalent to a true disciple of Christ. He places the desires of his lord above his own and, thus, is an obedient steward who provides for his “family.” He does what he is required to do at the time, but he also steadfastly awaits his lord’s return. Verse 47 says because of this, the lord (when he returns) will “make him ruler over all his goods.”
In the same way, God entrusts us—His own servants—to not only feed His spiritual family and do His will, but also to await His return. Our reward for doing so will be the privilege of greater service in His future kingdom. The special pleasures, honors, and splendors, which are to accompany the return of the Lord from heaven and the setting up of His kingdom, are to be a reward for fidelity and faithful service in His absence.
The unfaithful and disobedient servant, however, is the equivalent of a carnal and nominal Christian. The word evil in verse 48 is the Greek word kakos (Strong’s #2556), which simply means “someone who has been disqualified.” It means “a worthless or injurious person.” It means he lacks the qualities that he should possess. Simply put, he is “not worthy.” This servant thought his lord would delay his coming. And this, of course, affected how he lived his life. He was lazy, untrustworthy, and cruel. He abused his position by being ill tempered and self-indulgent to those who worked with him. He thought he would never be called into account for these things because he secretly believed his lord would be slow to return.
Jesus’ exhortation in the Matthew 24 example, “Be ye ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man will come” is critical for all of us to hear and to heed (Matthew 24:44). This means that we all must be watchful, ready, and prepared for Christ’s return at any moment. This means that we all must make ourselves equipped, fit, and suitable to co-reign—to have levels of responsibility—with Christ. This is the preparation and the readiness that Revelation refers to, when it says:
Let us be glad and rejoice and give honor to Him. For the marriage of the Lamb is come and His wife hath made herself ready.
— Revelation 19:7
Making ourselves “ready” means we must make ourselves equipped and qualified: 1) by staying cleansed and sanctified; 2) by being partakers of Christ’s Life; 3) by being faithful overcomers; and 4) by producing good works [“fruit” produced by the Holy Spirit through us].
We must be so prepared and so ready that when He taps us on the shoulders and says, “Let’s go!” we won’t be surprised. Constancy and perseverance are key words in this process.
“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your lord doeth come.” (Matthew 24:42) Luke validates the same thing:
Watch ye, therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
— Luke 21:36
https://khouse.org/articles/2012/1075
Here is more information regarding the Faithful Servant
http://mikeconnellministries.com/sermons/243/Wise-and-Faithful-Servant.aspx
“Who then is a Faithful and Wise Servant”
25 March 2012
1. Introduction
Mt.24:45-51 The Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant
Context: Disciples question Jesus on the second coming and End of the Age (Mt.24:3).
(i) Parable of the Servants – attitude to the House of God (All are evaluated
(ii) Parable of Virgins – Intimacy with the Holy Spirit (All experience
(iii) Parable of Servants – Productive service (consequences for
(iv)The Nations judged – practical love (actions
(Consequence
(involves reward and
(loss
Review of Teaching of Talents and Pounds (Lk:19)
(i) God invites all of us to be great in His Kingdom.
(ii) Each of us has an assignment to fulfill, a race to win.
(iii) All servants of God are evaluated and receive reward or loss.
(iv) Partnership can greatly increase how productive we are.
2. Parable of the Servants (Mt. 24: 45-51)
(a) Picture of an Oriental Householder
The Lord and Master has servants under his rule.
The Servants have responsibilities and assignments in his household.
Their duties revolve around the Master’s wishes and directions related to the affairs of his household. (Mt. 28:19; Heb. 3:13).
V45 “Made ruler over his household”
“Household” =Oiketeia NT3609= body of servants NB Eph 2:19.
“Made ruler” =NT2525= to appoint to administer office, set a person into a
role.
Servant =NT1401= one who gives themselves totally to the will of
another.
= This is the key to greatness in the Kingdom (Mt.20:27)
(b) The Assignment
V45 “To give them meat in due season”
“Meat” =NT5160= Food, nourishment, instruction.
“Due Season” =NT2540=Kaines= at the right time i.e. sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
Every believer has something to contribute to build the house of God.
Rom.12:3-8 “We being many are on body in Christ – members of one another”.
1 Cor. 12:18 “God has set the members each on of them in the Body just as He please”.
Eph.4:15-16 “The whole body joined and knit together by what every joint supplies”.
Each of us is responsible to build the household of God – the church.
God requires of each of us faithfulness in His assignment (1 Cor. 4:2).
Note Whom the Master, when He comes, find him so doing – v46.
(c) The Reward that is at Stake
V46 – 47 “He will make him ruler over all His goods”
Faithful service is rewarded in each of the 3x parable e.g. Wise Virgins – Wedding Banquet.
Rewards are not automatic; they are the consequence of how we conducted our life.
Note Mt. 25:21 Faithful over many things. Luke 19:17 Have authority over 10 cities.
Rev. 20:1-6 “And they lived and reigned with Christ 1000 years”.
(i) The Millennium is a literal 1000 year period in which Jesus will rule the earth in righteousness and peace.
(ii) The Kingdom of God will openly manifest globally affecting every sphere of life – political, social, agriculture, economic, spiritual, law, education, medical, arts, family technology and society at every level.
(iii) God’s purpose has always been that heaven and earth be joined together.
Heaven – the realm where God’s presence and power is openly manifest.
Earth – the physical realm where human life, emotions, creativity is experienced.
(iv) The natural processes of life will continue and Jesus will establish infrastructure for every sphere of life in every city and village. This will include replacing –
· Governmental leaders with new people in every area of society. God will remove evil leaders Ps110:5-6 and establish Kingdom governmental order.
· In a worldwide government He will bring Kingdom life, power, order and government. Food, water, power, building, economy, spiritual life, law, agriculture etc.
(v) During this millennial period all the Kings of the earth will worship Jesus and base their governments upon His Word (Ps. 72:11)
(vi) The Resurrected Saints will rule with Jesus as Kings and Priests
Rev.5:10 “And have made us Kings and Priests to our God and we shall reign on earth”.
· Priests = Worship, intercede, communicate knowledge of God, enter in and out of Throne.
· Kings = appoint people, train, oversee, direct and manage the global affairs.
· Rev. 2:26 “He who overcomes and keeps my works to the end I will give power over the nations”.
(vii) The resurrected Saints will govern the affairs of God and advance His Kingdom
· Teaching, training, restoring cities, restoring and administrating justice, dealing with sin.
· 1. Cor. 6:2-3 “Do you not know the saints will judge the world?”
· Dan. 7:26-27 “The greatness of the Kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people, the saints of the most high”.
· This is not automatic – it is given to those who overcome!
(d) The Evil Servant
Mt.24:48-51
Note Heart Attitude: “My Lord delays his coming”
= Don’t worry, I have plenty of time ahead of me.
Note His Behaviour
(i) “Begins to beat fellow servants” = mistreat, insult, ignore welfare = “slap in face”.
(ii) Eat and drink with the drunkard = lifestyle patterned after the world and its values.
Consequences = severe suffering and loss of inheritance, exclusion from the blessings prepared for him.
Nearly every commentary on the topic of the Faithful servant recognizes that it is not an individual or group of individuals who present some “new light” and thus create a following for themselves. That servant represents those who are followers of Christ, fulfilling his command to let their light shine, preaching his word, and following in his footsteps. The more we take our Christian stand seriously, the greater will be our reward. Revelation tells us that we will be Kings and Priests in the millennial reign. We will thus be “in charge of his belongings”, the world of mankind. Christ gave his life as a ransom for ALL. Working along side Christ and his Bride we will have a true theocracy and help the whole world become filled with the true knowledge of our Lord.
Who is the Bride? That is another topic we need to consider.
The following is a commentary from Messiah of God.com The full article is at
https://www.messiah-of-god.com/faithful-and-wise-servant.html
This to me makes a lot of sense and seems to go along with the other commentaries I posted.
In context, Jesus has just been discussing the fact that he will be returning at an unexpected time. For this reason, he urges his audience to be ready and watchful for his return. Jesus says, “Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions.” (Matthew 24:46-47 and Luke 12:43-44)
Jesus then immediately warns them about the unfaithful servant.
He says that if the servant says to himself “My master is delayed” (Matthew 24:48; Luke 12:45), and thus begins to mistreat his fellow slaves and drink (instead of working), then: “the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 24:50-51)
In Matthew, it says that this evil servant is placed with the “hypocrites” (Matthew 24:51) and in Luke it says with the “unbelievers” (Luke 12:46). Jesus also says, “That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating.” (Luke 12:47-48)
Jesus is teaching his disciples that our Actions Reveal What We Truly Believe. Those who are obeying God will be rewarded, whereas those who disobey God (even if they say they belong to him) prove themselves to be unfaithful and hypocrites by their actions.
It is just as Paul says in Titus 1:16, “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their actions.” Jesus also teaches that those who know what is right and choose to do wrong will be punished more harshly than those who do not know. However, both groups are punished, and ultimately it’s better to know and obey.
See also:
Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders
Parable of the Two Sons
Parable of the Wedding Banquet
Parable of the Sheep and Goats
All of these convey the same thought. When Jesus returns he will be judging his followers. Will they be life the wise servant, fulfilling the task that he gave them before he left or will the be like those who failed to do so? The evil slave is a good example of how those who try to judge their fellow Christians, not waiting on Christ to return. They beat their fellow slaves through persecution, excommunication, and disfellowshipping for simply disagreeing with their own beliefs! When we read these parables in this light, to me they make much more sense.
The first Scripture is from Mark 13
Who Really is the Faithful and Discreet Slave (Part 2)
No One Knows That Day or Hour
32 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake.[a] For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants[b] in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows,[c] or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”
All Christians are to stay awake so that we are not asleep when the Master comes! While not mentioning the FDS specifically, this scripture is telling all Christians to stay awake, performing their commission to proclaim the message of the Gospel of Christ, the Master, until he arrives. Isn’t that what the Faithful Slave is supposed to be doing?
Luke 19: The Parable of the Ten Minas
11 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants,[a] he gave them ten minas,[b] and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. 16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant![c] Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ 20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ 24 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ 25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ 26 ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’”
Again here we have a MASTER (Jesus) who went away. Before he leaves he gives a commission to his SLAVES. Upon his return he rewards those slaves for doing his will. Isn’t that what the Faithful Slave is supposed to do?
For more information on this reasoning go to the following link:
http://meletivivlon.com/2013/08/31/identifying-the-faithful-slave-part-4/
I am currently doing a study on Who Really is the Faithful and Discreet Slave. As I progress I will be posting interesting articles and Scriptures to help clarify the answer to that important question. Here is the first article I came upon this morning from the Beroean Pickets archives. It makes some very good points based on Scripture. I am only posting a portion of the article but have a link to the source:
http://meletivivlon.com/2015/04/29/gods-channel-of-communication/
Appointed Shepherds
Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household? (Mat 24:45) According to John 21:17, Peter appears to be the first one whom the master appointed to tend to his sheep.
Peter subsequently instructed the elders among the congregations:
“So as your fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings and as one who shares in the glory that will be revealed, I urge the elders among you: Give a shepherd’s care to God’s flock among you, exercising oversight not merely as a duty but willingly under God’s direction, not for shameful profit but eagerly. And do not lord it over those entrusted to you, but be examples to the flock. Then when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that never fades away.” – 1Pe 5:1-4
There is not an ounce of exclusivity in this commission: Peter freely shared the assignment and responsibility of shepherding with all the elders among all the congregations. Further proof these elders are part of the appointed slave is the reward in the closing verse: “then when the Chief Shepherd appears”. Likewise, in the parable of Matthew 24:46 we read: “blessed is that slave whom the master finds ‘doing his job’ when he comes.”
Consequently, I suggest that the appointed slave consists of all anointed elders worldwide. (See Appendix: Gender and Appointed Servants) These elders are appointed by Holy Spirit to do the will of the Chief Shepherd: to take care of the sheep. This includes feeding them.
This seems to fit very nicely with Christs parable.
I will be posting more information as I progress in my study.
The Watchtower Study Edition of July 2014 contains an article named: “Jehovah’s people ‘Renounce Unrighteousness‘”. (2 Tim 2:19) Paragraph 10 states this:
“when exposed to unscriptural teachings, regardless of the source, we must decisively reject them.”
Beloved ones, do not believe every spirit [inspired expression], but test the spirits [inspired expressions] to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” – John 4:1
TedR, this is interesting, thanks. I asked a Chicago Bible student elder if Russell is the Faithful Slave. Then, Who is the slave since he is dead? He seemed to indicate it was his writings and Studies in the Scriptures. I said well what about the new information many of the brothers are bringing out? He said he believed and accepted everything that Russell said as the Laodicean angel of Revelation.
So your scriptural verses give a more powerful insight into how they are rewarded and who they are instead of who “he” is. I look forward to your postings.
That would be nice. The movie is only about $10 at Best Buy.
Thanks Ted.
You can now purchase the Apostasy movie from Amazon and Best Buy. I watched it this morning. I found it to be extremely accurate and a fair assessment of what really happens in the organization. No attempt was made to exaggerate, if anything it does not go far enough to portray what ex-JW\’s go through. You can see how JW\’s are brainwashed into putting the organization ahead of Christ. I highly recommend it!
You know I wonder if Kent could upload this to the BBB and we tune in to look at it. Like buying a DVD you invite friends to view it with you. This should be possible in this digital age. The BAR library allows whole universities to use one paid service, that is why I posted mine here for all to enjoy. Any thoughts?
I appreciate Paul’s comments at Romans 14. He talked about some of the disagreements in his day but notice what had to say. Read the whole chapter