WT Study: Loyally Supporting Christ’s Brothers

[From ws15/03 p. 25 for May 25-31]

“To the extent that you did it to one of the least of
these my brothers, you did it to me.” – Mt 25:40

The parable of the Sheep and the Goats is the theme of this week’s Watchtower Study. The second paragraph states:

“Jehovah’s people have long been intrigued by this illustration…”

One reason for this interest is that this parable is a major part of the “other sheep” doctrine which creates a subordinate class of Christian with an earthly hope. This class must be obedient to the Governing Body if they hope to gain everlasting life.

“The other sheep should never forget that their salvation depends on their active support of Christ’s anointed “brothers” still on earth. (Matt. 25:34-40)” (w12 3/15 p. 20 par. 2)

Before we go deeper into this, let us address one premise that misleads many sincere Jehovah’s Witnesses. The premise is that the "other sheep" Jesus mentions only once in the Bible, at John 10:16, are the same sheep he is referring to at Matthew 25:32. This link has never been established with scriptural proof. It remains an assumption.

We should also bear in mind that what is spoken by our Lord at Matthew 25:31-46 is a parable, an illustration. The purpose of an illustration is to explain or illustrate a truth that is already established. An illustration does not constitute proof. My aunt, an Adventist, once tried to prove the Trinity to me using the three components of an egg—the shell, white, and yoke—as proof. It may seem like a solid argument if one is willing to accept an illustration as proof, but it would be foolish to do so.

What did Jesus and the Bible writers clearly explain without illustrations? Review the following sampling of Scriptures to see that the hope held out to mankind since Christ's day is for Christians to be called children of God and for them to rule with Christ in the Kingdom of the Heavens. (Mt 5:9; Joh 1:12; Ro 8:1-25; 9:25, 26; Ga 3:26; 4:6, 7; Mt 12:46-50; Col 1:2; 1Co 15:42-49; Re 12:10; Re 20:6)

Ask yourself if it is logical—and more important, in keeping with the love of God—for Jesus to have revealed in specific detail so much about the hope for only 144,000 of his brothers, while couching the hope for millions more in the vague symbolism of parables?[i]

In this article, we are being expected to base our hope of eternal salvation on the interpretation the Governing Body gives to the metaphorical elements in Jesus’ parable of the Sheep and the Goats. Given that, let us examine their interpretation to see if it harmonizes with Scripture and can be proven beyond all reasonable doubt.

How Has Our Understanding Been Clarified?

According to paragraph 4, we used to believe (from 1881 onward) that the fulfillment of this parable took place during the thousand year reign of Christ. However, in 1923, “Jehovah helped his people refine their understanding of this illustration.”

The publishers therefore claim that our current understanding is based on a clarification or refinement originating with God. What other refinements were we claiming Jehovah was revealing to his people in 1923? That was the time of the "Millions Now Living Will Never Die" campaign. We were preaching that the end would come in 1925 and that Abraham, Moses and other notable men of faith would be resurrected in that year. That turned out to be a false doctrine that did not originate with God, but with man—specifically, Judge Rutherford.

It would appear that the only reason we continue to claim that the 1923 understanding of the Sheep and Goats parable is from God is that we haven't changed it yet.

Paragraph 4 continues:

“The Watch Tower of October 15, 1923...presented sound Scriptural arguments that limited the identity of Christ’s brothers to those who would rule with him in heaven, and it described the sheep as those who hope to live on earth under the rule of Christ’s Kingdom.”

One has to wonder why these “sound Scriptural arguments” are not reproduced in this article. After all, the October 15, 1923 issue of The Watchtower has not been included in the Watchtower Library program, so there is no easy way for the average Jehovah’s Witness to verify this statement unless he or she wishes to flout the direction of the Governing Body and go on the internet to research this.

Not being constrained by this policy, we have obtained the 1923 volume of The Watchtower. On page 309, par. 24, under the subtitle “To Whom Applied”, the article in question states:

“To whom, then, do the symbols sheep and goats apply? We answer: Sheep represent all the peoples of the nations, not spirit-begotten but disposed toward righteousness, who mentally acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Lord and who are looking for and hoping for a better time under his reign. Goats represent all that class who claim to be Christians, but who do not acknowledge Christ as the great Redeemer and King of Mankind, but claim that the present evil order of things on this earth constitutes Christ’s kingdom.”

One would suppose that “sound Scriptural arguments” would include…I don’t know…scriptures? Apparently not. Perhaps this is merely the result of slipshod research and overconfidence. Or perhaps it is indicative of something more disturbing. Whatever the case, there is no excuse for misleading eight million faithful readers by telling them that one's teaching is based on the Bible when in fact it is not.

Examining the reasoning from the 1923 article, we see that the goats are “Christians” who do not acknowledge Christ as redeemer and king, but believe the present system is Christ’s kingdom.

The Watchtower belief is that this parable does not deal with the judgment of the house of God. (1 Peter 4:17) If so, then the 1923 interpretation—apparently still in vogue—relegates them to some limbo, being neither sheep nor goat. Yet Jesus says that “all the nations” are gathered.

Overlooking that for the moment, we have to ask just who are these Christians to whom the article refers? I’ve spoken to Catholics and Protestants and Baptists and Mormons, and one thing they all have in common is that they acknowledge Jesus as both redeemer and king. As for the canard that all other Christian denominations believe that Christ’s kingdom is found on earth today either in the present system or as a state of mind and heart in the soul of the Christian faithful…well, a simple internet search puts the lie to that belief. (See beginningCatholic.com)

Paragraph 6 states that further “clarifications”, presumably also from Jehovah, arrived in the mid-1990s. That is when the Governing Body refined the understanding of the timing of the judgment to a point just after the tribulation of Matthew 24:29. This was done because of the alleged similarity of wording between Matthew 24:29-31 and 25:31, 32. It is unclear what similarity of wording they are referring to, because the only common element is that the Son of man comes. In one, he comes in the clouds; in the other, he sits on his throne. In one, he arrives alone; in the other, he is accompanied by angels. Basing a new understanding on one common element in two passages when there are several others that fail to match up seems to be a dubious methodology.

Paragraph 7 states that, “Today, we have a clear understanding of the illustration of the sheep and the goats.” It then goes on to explain each facet of the illustration, but like the articles before it, it offers no Scriptural proof for its interpretation. Apparently, we must believe we have a clear understanding because that is what we are told. Okay, let’s examine that logic.

How Does the Illustration Emphasize the Preaching Work?

Under this subtitle, we are led to believe that it is the preaching work that identifies the sheep. This means that while all the nations are gathered before Christ, he really is wasting his time looking at all those billions. It would be far more efficient for our Lord to just concentrate on the eight million or so Jehovah’s Witnesses, since only they have any hope of being identified as sheep, since only they are engaged in “the greatest preaching campaign in history.” (par. 16)

This brings us to the crux of the article and the real agenda.

“Therefore, now is the time for those who hope to be judged as sheep to support Christ’s brothers loyally.” (par. 18)

Like many before it, this interpretation is being used to instill a motivation for loyalty to and support of the leaders of the faith of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Specious Reasoning

We must guard ourselves against being deceived by specious reasoning. Our best defensive and offensive weapon is, as it always has been, the Bible.

For example, to convince us that the Bible teaches that the preaching would be done by Christians who are not God’s children, who are not anointed, paragraph 13 refers to John’s vision in Revelation and states that he sees others who are not of the bride class, hence not anointed. Yet, the timing of this part of the vision places it within the time period of the Messianic Kingdom when billions of unrighteous are to be resurrected. The article is suggesting that the Bride is inviting a second group to take life's water free in our day, the "other sheep". Yet, the Bride does not exist in our day. It only exists when all Christ's brothers have been resurrected. We are again taking a metaphor and trying to make it into proof, when in fact there is nothing in the Christian Scriptures that points to a secondary class of Christian in our day drinking life's water free from the hand of a superclass of Christian.

More specious reasoning is revealed in the inconsistency of the Organization’s doctrinal teaching. Through The Watchtower and other publications, we are taught that the other sheep who survive Armageddon will continue in their imperfect, sinful state and will need to work toward perfection over the course of 1,000 years; then, if they pass the final test after Satan is released, they will get everlasting life. Yet the parable says that these ones depart into everlasting life; no ifs, ands, or buts about it. (Mt 25:46)

The Organization also seems unwilling to apply its own rules when it's inconvenient. Take the rule of “similarity of wording” used to justify moving the fulfillment to just before Armageddon. Let us now apply it to Matthew 25:34, and 1 Corinthians 15: 50 and Ephesians 1:4.

“Then the King will say to those on his right: ‘Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world.” (Mt 25:34)

“However, this I say, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit God’s kingdom, neither does corruption inherit incorruption.” (1Co 15:50)

“as he chose us to be in union with him before the founding of the world, that we should be holy and unblemished before him in love.” (Eph 1:4)

Ephesians 1:4 speaks of something chosen before the founding of the world and it is obviously speaking about anointed Christians. 1 Corinthians 15:50 also speaks of anointed Christians inheriting the kingdom of God. Matthew 25:34 uses both these terms which are applied elsewhere to anointed Christians, but the Governing Body would have us ignore that connection—that "similarity of wording"—and accept that Jesus is talking about a different group of people who also inherit the kingdom.

Jesus said:

“He that receives YOU receives me also, and he that receives me receives him also that sent me forth. ⁴¹ He that receives a prophet because he is a prophet will get a prophet’s reward, and he that receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will get a righteous man’s reward. ⁴² And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water to drink because he is a disciple, I tell YOU truly, he will by no means lose his reward.” - Mt 10:40-42.

Again, notice the similarity of wording. He that gives a disciple only a cup of cold water to drink will get his reward. What reward? Those who received a prophet because he was a prophet got a prophet’s reward. Those who received a righteous man because he was a righteous man got a righteous man’s reward. What was the reward for righteous men and prophets in the time of Jesus? Was it not to inherit the kingdom?

Not Making Too Much of a Parable

It is very easy for someone to make too much of a parable, especially if they have an agenda. The Governing Body’s agenda is to continue to support the fragmenting antitype-based 1934 doctrine of Judge Rutherford that created a laity class among Jehovah’s Witnesses. Since there is no Scriptural proof for this teaching, they have pressed Jesus’ parable of the Sheep and the Goats into service in an effort to fabricate Scriptural evidence.

As we have already stated, a parable or an illustration is not proof of anything. Its sole purpose is to illustrate a truth that is already established. If we are to have any hope of understanding Jesus’ parable of the Sheep and the Goats, we have to drop our preconceptions and agendas, and instead search for the core truth he was trying to explain.

Let’s start with this: What is the parable about? It starts off with a king sitting on his throne to judge all the nations. So it is about judgment. Very well. What else? Well, the rest of the parable lists the criteria upon which the nations are judged. Okay, what is the criteria?

It all comes down to whether the ones being judged,

gave food to the hungry;

gave water to the thirsty;

showed hospitality to a stranger;

clothed the naked;

cared for the sick;

comforted those in prison.

The organization looks at these six items through its agenda-colored glasses and cries: “It’s all about the preaching!"

If you were to describe all these actions with a single phrase or word, what would it be? Are they not all acts of mercy? So the parable is about judgment and the criteria for favorable or unfavorable judgment are whether or not the individual displayed mercy to Christ's brothers.
How are judgment and mercy related? We probably will call to mind James' words on the matter.

“For the one who does not practice mercy will have his judgment without mercy. Mercy exults triumphantly over judgment.” (James 2:13 NWT Reference Bible)

To this point, we can deduce that Jesus is telling us that if we want to be favorably judged, we must perform acts of mercy.

Is there more?

Yes, because he specifically mentions his brothers. The mercy is performed to them, and through them it is performed to Jesus. Does this exclude the sheep from being Jesus’ brothers? Let us not be quick to arrive at that conclusion. We have to remember that when James wrote about mercy triumphing over judgment he was writing to his brothers, fellow Christians. The sheep and the goats all know Jesus. They both ask, “When did we see you a stranger and receive you hospitably, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?”

The parable was given to his disciples for their benefit. It teaches that even if one is a Christian and considers himself a brother of Christ, it matters not. What matters—what he is judged on—is how he treats his brothers. If he fails to show mercy to his fellow brothers when he sees them suffering, then his judgment will be adverse. He may think that his service to Christ, his zeal in the ministry, his donations to the building work, all guarantee his salvation; but he deludes himself.

James says,

“Of what benefit is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but he does not have works? That faith cannot save him, can it? ¹⁵ If a brother or a sister is lacking clothing and enough food for the day, ¹⁶ yet one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but you do not give them what they need for their body, of what benefit is it? ¹⁷ So, too, faith by itself, without works, is dead.” (Jas 2:14-17)

His words parallel those of Jesus’ parable. Jesus says that if we, although thinking ourselves to be his brother, do not show mercy to “the least of these, my brothers”, then we are going to find Jesus judging us with the same lack of mercy we displayed. There is no basis for a favorable judgment without mercy, for we are all good-for-nothing slaves.

Can His Brothers Also Be Sheep or Goats?

In Western society, we are very binary in our approach to things. We like things to be black or white. The Oriental mindset of Jesus' day was different. A person or object or concept could be one thing from one point of view, and another from a different point of view. This vagueness tends to make us Westerners uneasy, but if we are to understand Jesus' words about the Sheep and Goats, I submit that we should give this some thought.

Our understanding can be enhanced by considering the 18th chapter of Matthew. The chapter opens with the words:

“In that hour the disciples came near to Jesus and said: 'Who really is greatest in the Kingdom of the heavens?'"

The rest of the chapter is a discourse Jesus has with his disciples. It is crucial that we understand who is audience was. To further convince us that this is a single instruction session spoken to his disciples, the opening words of the next chapter state: “When Jesus had finished speaking these things, he departed from Galʹi·lee and came to the borders of Ju·deʹa across the Jordan.” (Mt 19:1)

So what does he say to his disciples that is germane to our discussion of the Sheep and Goats parable?

Mt 18:2-6: He tells his disciples that to be great they must be humble, and that any one of them that stumbles a brother—a little one; Jesus uses a young child to enforce his point—will die for all time.

Mt 18:7-10: He warns his disciples against becoming causes for stumbling and then tells them that if they despise a little one—a fellow brother—they will end up in Gehenna.

Mt 18:12-14: His disciples are told how to care for one of his brothers who strays and becomes lost.

Mt 18:21, 22: A principle to govern forgiving one's brother.

Mt 18:23-35: A parable showing how forgiveness is related to mercy.

Here is what all of this has in common with the parable of the Sheep and Goats.

That parable is about judgment and mercy. It has three groups in it: Christ's brothers, the Sheep and the Goats. There are two outcomes: everlasting life or eternal destruction.

All of Matthew 18 is addressing the brothers of Christ. Yet, he differentiates between little ones and causes for stumbling. Anyone can be a little one; anyone can become a cause for stumbling.

Vs 2-6 speak against pride. A proud man tends not to be merciful, while the humble one does.

Vs 7-10 condemns brothers who despise other brothers. If you despise your brother you will not help him in a time of need. You will not act mercifully. Jesus says that despising a brother means eternal destruction.

Vs 12-14 speaks of the act of mercy which consists of leaving the 99 sheep (one's brothers who are safe and sound) and performing a merciful act of rescue for a lost brother.

Vs 21-35 show how mercy and forgiveness are intertwined and how by showing forgiveness to a brother through an act of mercy, we will have our debt to God forgiven and gain everlasting life. We also see how acting without mercy toward a brother results in our getting eternal destruction.

So Jesus is saying in Matthew 18 that if his brothers act toward one another mercifully, they get the reward extended to the Sheep and if they act toward one another without mercy, they get the punishment meted out to the Goats.

To put this in a different perspective: The Brothers in the parable are all Christians, or brothers of Christ, prior to judgment. The Sheep and the Goats are these same ones after judgment. Each is judged based on what he did to his fellow brothers prior to Jesus' arrival.

Judgment on the House of God

If the organization is right about the timing of the illustration—and in this case I believe they are—then this would be the first judgment Jesus performs.

“For it is the appointed time for the judgment to start with the house of God. Now if it starts first with us, what will the outcome be for those who are not obedient to the good news of God?” (1Pe 4:17)

Jesus judges the house of God first. That judgment was already underway in Paul’s day. That makes sense, because Jesus does not only judge the living, but the dead.

“But these people will render an account to the one ready to judge those living and those dead.” (1Pe 4:5)

So Jesus judged Christians from the first century down to our day when he sits on his throne. This judgment is not about living on earth, but about inheriting the kingdom. It is the first judgment.

All the rest are judged in the future, during or at the end of the 1,000 year period when the world of unrighteous mankind is judged.

A Disclaimer

I do not presume to have the absolute truth on this matter, nor am I expecting anyone to accept this understanding because I say so. (I've already had a lifetime of that, thank you very much.) We must always reason for ourselves based on the evidence presented and arrive at our own understanding, for we are all judged individually, not on the basis of the teachings of others.

Nevertheless, we all bring some baggage to these discussions in the form of personal bias or organizational indoctrination. For example:
If you believe that all Christians are Jesus' brothers, or at least have the potential to be—a fact supported in Scripture—and that the sheep are not his brothers, then the sheep and goats must come from the non-Christian part of the world. If, on the other hand, you are a Jehovah's Witnesses, you believe that only 144,000 Christians are anointed. You therefore believe you have the basis for considering that all other Christians make up the sheep and goats. The problem with that take on the parable is that it is founded on the false premise that the other sheep are a secondary class of Christian. This is unscriptural as we've proven repeatedly in the pages of this forum. (See the category "Other Sheep".)

Still, the parable does seem to refer to two groups: One that is not judged, his brothers; and one that is, people of all the nations.

Here are a few more facts to help us reconcile these two elements with one another. The sheep are judged. The goats are judged. The basis for that judgment is specified. Do we imagine that Jesus brothers are not judged? Of course not. Are they judged on a different basis? Is mercy not a factor in their judgment? Again, of course not. So they could be included in the parable's application. Jesus could be referring to the basis for judgment upon the individual, based on his actions toward the collective.

For instance, when I am judged, it will not matter to which or to how many of Jesus' brothers I have shown mercy, only that I have. Nor will it matter that I might consider myself to be one of Jesus' brothers at the time of judgment. After all, it is Jesus who determines who his brothers are.

The Wheat and the Weeds Parable

There is another factor which should weigh in to the discussion. No parable exists in isolation. All are part of the tapestry that is Christianity. The parables of the Minas and the Talents are closely related. Likewise, the parables of the Sheep and Goats and the Wheat and Weeds. Both relate to the same period of judgment. Jesus said that we are either with him or against him. (Mt 12:30) There is no third category in the Christian congregation. We would not imagine that the goats are a distinct class from the weeds, would we? That there is a judgment that condemns the weeds and another judgment that condemns another group that are goats?

In the Wheat and Weeds parable, Jesus doesn't stipulate the basis for judgment, only that the angels are involved in the separating work. In the parable of the Sheep and Goats, the angels are also involved but this time we have the basis for judgment spelled out. The goats are destroyed, the weeds are burned. The sheep inherit the kingdom, the wheat is gathered into the kingdom.

Both the Sheep and Goats and the Wheat and Weeds are identified at the same time, at the end.

In any Christian congregation, we cannot be sure who the wheat are and who are weeds, nor can we know who will be judged as sheep and who as goats. We are speaking in an absolute, final-judgment sense here. However, if our heart is loyal to the Lord, we are naturally drawn to those doing the will of the Lord, those striving to be wheat—brothers of Christ. These ones will be there for us in times of trouble, even at great risk to themselves. If we reflect such courage and give of ourselves when the occasion arises to perform an act of mercy (i.e., alleviate the suffering of another), then we may well have our judgment with mercy. What a triumph that will be!

In Summation

What can we be certain of?

Whatever your personal understanding, it seems beyond question that the truth Jesus is illustrating in this parable is that if we want to be judged worthy of everlasting life, we have to abound in acts of mercy toward those who are his brothers. If we are sure of nothing else, this understanding will lead us to salvation.

The Governing Body misappropriates the application of this parable to support their own agenda. They get us to disregard life-saving acts of mercy in favor of helping them spread their particular brand of Christianity and helping to grow their Organization. They also use this parable to reinforce the idea that by serving them and obeying them, our salvation is assured.

By this they do a gross disservice to the flock they presume to care for. Nevertheless, the one true shepherd is coming. He is the judge of all the earth. Therefore, let us all abound in acts of mercy, for "mercy exalts triumphantly over judgment."
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[i] While the number 144,000 is almost certainly symbolic, the teaching of Jehovah’s Witnesses is that it is literal and so this line of reasoning is based on that supposition.

Archived Comments

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Comment by on 2015-05-24 08:58:35
Love this article, obey the GB for salvation is showing support for his brothers, we are all brothers, why do we call each other brother then?
- Reply by qspf on 2015-05-24 13:29:12
  Bear in mind Matthew 23:8: "But YOU, do not YOU be called Rabbi, for one is YOUR teacher, whereas all YOU are brothers." Jesus was fully capable of saying, 'one is your teacher, whereas you are to be CALLED brothers'. But he didn't. Why not?
  We see that the lion's share of references to 'brother' in the Bible are of the form 'you are brothers' or 'you as brothers'. Being "called" a "brother" only seems to show up once, in a negative way: 1 Corinthians 5:11: "But now I am writing YOU to quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man."
  Using "brother" as a title is not indicated in the scriptures. In Hebrews 2:14 we find, "For both he who is sanctifying and those who are being sanctified all [stem] from one, and for this cause he is not ashamed to call them “brothers,” 12 as he says: “I will declare your name to my brothers ..." but the word 'brothers' does not have quotation marks in Greek, of course; that is a translator's addition. Some might say that we need to use "brother" and "sister" because we could not go by first names; it would be seen as disrespectful in our modern age, and more so if used by children towards adults. But, everyone else in the world gets by with Mr. and Mrs. Why can't we?
  We see all too often that "brother" and "sister" are in effect used as titles, to separate the "in crowd" from the "outsiders", the "baptized" vs. those "just studying", the "faithful" vs. the "visitors", the "true worshipers" vs.the "unbelievers". In short, it's a judgment call. People, in the WT religion and others, use the titles of "brother" and "sister" to judge persons as being Christian and/or being worthy of life, as "props" to hold up one's religious status, stature and pretentions for all onlookers to see. As Jesus pointedly described such attitudes, "they are having their reward in full".
  In my estimation, this is improper.
  We don't need titles, not even the supposedly egalitarian titles of "brother" and "sister". There is no scriptural precedent for it. There is no justification for going beyond what is written, simply to label ourselves with these titles to make us appear righteous before men. As Jesus also pointed out, attempts by sinful human efforts to appear righteous before men is a disgusting thing in God's sight.
  - Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-05-25 08:25:08
    Thanks, qspf. You've given us some serious food for thought.
    - Reply by qspf on 2015-05-25 10:44:02
      We have to ask ourselves, if "spiritual brothers" are supposed to be closer than 'fleshly' brothers, and "there exists a friend sticking closer than a brother" (Prov. 18:24), do we ever refer to our 'fleshly' siblings with titles like "Brother Jim" and "Sister Kate"? We might introduce them to others by saying, "this is my brother, Jim and my sister, Kate". We would essentially NEVER use Brother and Sister as titles for our own siblings. Likewise, we might say, "this is my friend Dave" but would never, "Friend Dave, how about coming over for dinner?"
      Using Brother, Sister or Friend in a non-religious setting could only be seen as highly unusual, even weird. The only setting I can think of where such language would not seem preposterous would be in a Shakespeare play - one that uses language of 400 years ago.
      If ones we view as spiritual brothers, sisters and friends are supposedly closer and dearer to us than the garden-variety non-spiritual ones, why would we insist on using such stiff, formal, impersonal, sanctimonious forms of address?
      It simply doesn't make sense.

Comment by Skye on 2015-05-24 09:43:59
It's obvious, isn't it - it's all about control and deception.

Comment by Vox Ratio on 2015-05-24 09:47:21
Hi Meleti,
Thank you for your research. If I may, I'd like to suggest another line of reasoning in addition to your own:
The parable of the sheep and the goats actually places four people, or groups of people, in view; namely, the Son of Man, the angels, the sheep, and the goats. The latter two groups are said to exhaust the judgement of the nations (PANTA TA EQNH).
Since Christ refers to his brothers with the demonstrative "these" (TOUTWN), then it would seem that such ones must also be in view. Accordingly, since these brothers cannot be the Son of Man or the angels, then they must find their identity within the only two groups remaining - the sheep and the goats. Otherwise, how would the sheep and the goats understand "these" when within their own purview there are only other sheep and goats?
Consequently, the "these" that are mentioned are "those" that are "there".
V.
- Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-05-24 10:12:15
  I appreciate your sharing that with us and by the way, good alias/name choice.
- Reply by Just a thought on 2015-05-30 01:03:58
  Hello Vox,
  nice that you noted the revealing term 'these' spoken by Jesus in the judgment
  of the nations scenario in Math.25,
  but I beg to differ with your conclusion as to who they are, because Jesus uses the words '...ALL the angels with Him,' which phrase interestingly
  also appears in a few other scriptures [feel free to research the details] dealing with
  the judgment of the 7 billion people who presently constitute 'ALL the nations,'
  and it is particularly noteworthy that the phrase ' ALL the holy ones being with Him'
  appears in this scenario in Zechariah, which would have to include BOTH the loyal
  angels as well as the glorified anointed ones.
  So, when Jesus says 'THESE my brothers,' He is very unlikely to be pointing to one
  of the groups, namely the sheep, who are there and then themselves undergoing
  judgment, since members of Christ's Body will at this point have already received
  their judgment/reward as the firstfruits, and hence, would be there in their glorified
  state.
  - Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-05-30 07:41:37
    If I might add my two-cents worth, given that this touches on statements I've made in the article.
    First of all, if you are going to base an argument on supporting scriptures, please don't leave it to the rest of us to find them. Please provide the Scriptural references for all to view.
    Bible Students/Jehovah's Witnesses have gotten themselves into trouble since Russell's day trying to fix the exact timing of prophetic fulfillments. The parable of the Sheep and Goats could very possibly be the judgment of the firstfruits. I do not see how we can discount that possibility categorically.
    - Reply by Just a thought on 2015-05-30 23:37:41
      Ok, just a question then, or to obviate a constant 'to an fro' exchange, please permit me a few questions:
      Will there be a day of judgment for the nations [the whole world population] when Christ returns, and if so, where else, if not in Math.25, can we read about it?
      Would people who are truly annointed [i.e. of the firstfuits] really not be concerned
      about people who are suffering hunger, are thirsty and unrighteously subjected to other indignities, and offer their help to such ones in their hour of need, such as the
      goats are reported to have been?
      If the sheep were the anointed firstfruits, how could they be in any position to help
      ANYBODY while themselves being persecuted and unable to fend even for themselves?
      I would appreciate your, and anybody elses opinion on these issues in oder to try and comprehend the basis for your views, and thanks for indulging my spiritual curiosity.
      - Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-05-31 00:24:46
        >>Will there be a day of judgment for the nations [the whole world population] when Christ returns
        That is an excellent question and one which deserved more of an answer than I can provide here. I have an article planned on this topic. So permit me only to provide what I believe to be the case, but allow me time to provide a scripturally backed answer in the near future. In short, I do not believe the judgment of the whole world population occurs prior to Armageddon. I believe that occurs during the 1,000 year long day of judgment. The judgment upon the nations which occurs at Armageddon is upon the kingdoms of the world, in fulfillment of Daniel 2:44.
        To answer your second question, yes of course, the brothers of Christ, will be and are concerned for the suffering of others. But the judgment of the Sheep and Goats is not based on acts of mercy to the nations, but to Jesus' brothers.
        To answer your third question, the historical evidence will do nicely. The first century Christians were being persecuted, yet while they were suffering they helped one another.
  - Reply by Vox Ratio on 2015-05-30 09:32:07
    Hi Just a thought,
    Thank you for your reasoning. I have previously considered the interpretation that you espouse, and still weigh it as a possibility. However, because the Matthean account explicitly quotes Jesus as referring to its predicate as the plural for angels (ANNGELOI), without the modifier holy (hAGIOS), it would seem the force of Zechariah's parallel is diminished – despite what some commentators have had to say.
    Still, I do take your point in kind, but I consider the use of “angels” as an intentional point and I'm not aware of any textual issues that would undermine the word's credibility within the passage. Furthermore, there are a couple of other OT passages in Job that appear to use similar terminology as that found in Zechariah when referring to the angels (ANNGELWN hAGIWN; Job 5:1; 15:15). If such passages are indeed a reference to the angels, then it might be the case that Zechariah 14:5 should be read in light of these, instead of informing the parable of the sheep and goats in isolation.
    Nevertheless, if you're aware of textual variations that would favour a different reading of the parable, then I would be extremely interested if you could provide a link to two.
    - Reply by Just a thought on 2015-05-31 01:11:20
      Thank you Meleti.
      So where, then, would you locate Armageddon time wise? I mean, Armageddon occurs immediately after the separation of the sheep and goats, or do you see it
      differently, and if so, why?
      How can you judge and execute that judgment upon all the kingdoms of this world without not simultaneously deciding the eternal future of all people alive on earth at Christ's return, who through commission or omission were responsible for this satanic system of things?
      I look forward to your answer, whether in brief now, or in detailed form in an upcoming article soon.
      By the way, just for the record, I believe in a judgment with eternal consequences at the return of Christ for all people then alive, as well as the 1000 year judgment for those alive during that time, namely the ones surviving into this new judgment period along with the billions of resurrected ones who have not previously undergone judgment with eternal consequences - you seem to see things differently, no?
      - Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-05-31 08:26:06
        Matthew 24:31 places the gathering of the chosen ones as the last element of the sign of Christ's presence and of the end of the age. So Armageddon would come after that. Judgment starts with the house of God as the post states. So that judgment must come first. That would be the judgment illustrated by the parable of the Sheep and Goats. The rest are judged during or at the end of the 1,000 year reign of Christ.
        Armageddon ends the age of the rule of man. So Jehovah through Christ puts an end to the kingdoms of mankind. Man's rulership is judged and found wanting. (Da 5:22-28) Why would doing that require he also individually judge every individual alive then to determine their eternal salvation or condemnation? If Jehovah decides to resurrect those he kills (not destroys) as he will do for those killed in Sodom and Gomorrah that is his prerogative. If those killed at Armageddon die eternally, it would require a judgment period beforehand. As I said in the post, a parable is used to illustrate a truth that is already established. So we need to find a Bible passage that conclusively proves that everyone on earth at the time of Armageddon has been judged either worthy of eternal life or everlasting death. Is there such a passage?
    - Reply by Jesusjeffrey on 2015-05-31 01:22:27
      Hi Christian brothers.
      1 thess:4_15 For this is what we tell YOU by Jehovah’s word, that we the living who survive to the presence of the Lord (the sheep) shall in no way precede those who have fallen asleep. (these the least of my brothers)
      Could Jesus be referring to those he brings with him who were asleep in death, His (Brothers). Who if they come with him (1 thess:4_14 ) may be among the angel congregate.
      Hence Jesus is saying see here, these your departed brothers are alive now, don't you recognize them?
      They live. And you did them much good. And He says to the sheep ‘Come, YOU who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for YOU from the founding of the world' _and meet your Lord in the air with your risen brothers_
      Might be a point if you can untangle my words from the bible quotes.
      Christian Love. JJ
    - Reply by Vox Ratio on 2015-05-31 03:04:21
      Hi Jesusjeffrey,
      Actually, you've explained your position quite well, and you have provided another way of looking at the view that “Just a thought” just expressed (pun intended).
      If it could be shown that the angels mentioned within these passages are really a veiled reference to the triumphant church, then I would agree with you. However, it seems to me that a fly in the ointment for this interpretation is Paul's second epistle to the Thessalonians (2 Thess. 1:7-10). Here he explicitly refers to both the angels *and* the holy ones when laying out various steps that would occur within the context of an end-time judgement. In this account, it would seem that Paul believes that the angels and the saints differ from each other in that one of the reasons for Christ and the angels arrival is to bring relief to the recipients of the very letter that Paul was writing, namely, the Thessalonian church (vs. 7).
      In sum, I think it seems fair to say that Paul and the Thessalonians probably concluded that the angels of the risen Lord were not synonymous with his saints.
    - Reply by Jesusjeffrey on 2015-05-31 06:22:55
      Hi Vox Ratio
      He does say He puts the sheep on his right, it does not say He puts His brothers on his right. He may well motion toward His brothers for the sheep who are on His right to understand how they have done good to the Master.
      Four groups: sheep, brothers. angels and goats. The Son of Man not being 'a group' but the one identifying His brothers to the sheep.
      Consequently, the “these” that are mentioned are “those” other than the sheep.
      2thess 1_10 Yes His coming to be glorified in connection with the holy ones who seem to be the same ones who "in connection with" exercise faith in the witness of paul.
      A good question would be did the sheep ever exercise faith in connection with the holy ones His brothers "these" whom He comes in connection with? They did good. But they seem to be strangers to the Lord. Yet they will remember doing good to His brother.
      I think I'll wait and see. Hopefully I will be with the sheep at Jesus right hand or one of "these". I wish the same for us all.
      I shall preempt the moderators and watch for this on the forum.
      Christian Love JJ
    - Reply by Vox Ratio on 2015-05-31 08:53:00
      Hi Jesusjeffrey,
      Thanks for your thought-provoking interaction. You've made some salient points.
      As for considering the possibility that the sheep in this parable might also anticipate Christ's brothers, consider our Lord's encouragement that God's called and chosen are “all brothers”, that early Christians were referred to as a “little flock” under a “fine shepherd”, that later Christians would join with them into "one flock”, that Peter was to feed such “sheep”, and that other elders were to “shepherd the flock of God” also (Mat. 23:8; Luk. 12:32; Joh. 10:11ff; 21:15ff; 1 Pet. 5:2; Rev. 22:9)
      Additionally, just as the Christ is referred to as the “lamb of God”, so too were his disciples referred to as “lambs” (Jo.h. 1:29; 21:15). All of this goes to show that those who are in union with the Lord are said to be sheep-like, and just as literal sheep do, Christ's sheep will follow their shepherd wherever he goes (cf. Rev 14:4).
      At any rate, I do like your concluding advice. I wish the same for us all as well.
    - Reply by Just a thought on 2015-05-31 21:18:50
      Vox ratio, I would view the point about 'all' the angels in Math.25:31 as including the glorified holy ones as corroborative rather than conclusive proof that they are there as a distinct group apart from the one group of those under going judgment.
      There is a simple and rather compelling way in which to interpret the scene in Math.25:31-46.
      What we have here is ONE group of people, composed of sheep and goats, before the judgment seat of Christ.
      As the first person has his judgment pronounced, which group of people could Jesus possibly point to as His brothers, since there is only the ONE group of those to be judged, composed of BOTH sheep and goats, in front of Him?
      That is, of course, if we do not admit that Jesus is there not only with His angels of old, but also with His glorified brothers who now are like the angels as well.
      The term 'these' cannot refer to an unidentified group scattered among the group of those to be judged, nor to the sheep who as yet have not been judged and separated into a distinct group. The logic of the case is pretty compelling.
      How could Jesus point to the group of sheep and goats as His brothers?
      And besides: Where are Christ's brothers ever referred to as all the nations of the earth?
    - Reply by Vox Ratio on 2015-06-01 01:55:08
      Hi Just a thought,
      Thanks for taking the time to interact with these issues. Let me just say that I’m in no way dogmatic about the exegesis of this parable. No doubt dogmatism is something that most of us have come to deeply regret. Having said that, however, I do think that it’s usually possible to argue for an understanding of a Biblical passage that does justice to both its context and cotext. Consequently, if you’re interested in continuing this exchange of ideas, then I’d be more than happy to dialogue with you on this site’s forum, DTT.
      Nevertheless, I’d like to make a few final observations in response to the points you have raised:
      There are textual issues with taking the angels (ANNGELWN) as a surrogate for Christ’s brothers. Firstly, there is the problem of each word’s lexicology being different. Secondly, if the definition really does act as a surrogate, then it appears to be the only place in Matthew’s gospel where this is done. Thirdly, there does not appear to be any textual (MSS) variations that would imply that the angels might once have been understood as anything other than their namesake. If an early MSS tradition could be marshalled to show otherwise, then this point would be refuted.
      There are composition issues with an interpretation that groups all those being judged as just one. For instance, the sheep and the goats are separated by Christ *prior* to judgement, their being placed either on his right or left before he initiates judgemental proceedings (Mat. 25:32f) . Having a judgement composed against only one group would seemingly conflate the sequencing of events and negate the need for what is ostensibly an important separation prior to judgement.
      In conclusion, let me also try to answer a couple of the questions you raised at the last:
      You asked, “How could Jesus point to the group of sheep and goats as His brothers?”
      He doesn’t. On this view, he would only be pointing to his brothers from among the sheep (or possibly to the sheep proper). As was related in discussions with Jesusjeffrey above, a sound Scriptural case can be made for arguing that Christ’s brothers also comprise his sheep.
      You conclude, “And besides: Where are Christ’s brothers ever referred to as all the nations of the earth?”
      That’s a great point, but I I’m not sure it was ever being made. If that is how you read my prior response, then I apologise. Rather, “all the nations” represent the assembly from which the sheep and the goats are divided. As for Christ’s faithful also being obtained from among all of the nations, Revelation 5:9 testifies to precisely that.
      As I said earlier, I’m thankful that we can come together to exchange ideas and, if not always to grow our understanding, to grow our appreciation and love for one another.
- Reply by Mailman on 2015-05-31 21:35:35
  Should we therefore conclude that Christ brothers are also part of the sheep? Could the sheep be also comprised of non-Christians who have responded to these teachings of Christ and have practiced the Christian faith unknowingly?
  - Reply by Just a thought on 2015-06-02 02:16:27
    Vox ratio, the issue with the holy ones being like the angels requires
    a bit of space to deal with, and since I said that it is not central to the
    argument, we could talk about it on the board.
    As to your view that the sheep are separated by Christ prior to
    judgment, it could be argued that the separation itself is an act
    of judgment, with the explanation of, and for, the verdict merely
    following in a generic and collective announcement afterwards.
    It still makes the sheep doing good things to themselves or each
    other look rather odd, if we assume that by ‘these’ Jesus is pointing
    to the sheep rather than His glorified brothers lining up somewhere
    in the background.
    Also, the reason for why Christ’s brothers will be in need is,
    as Jesus says, because they will become objects of hatred by
    all the nations, so how could they help each other then and
    under those conditions?
    Is it not more likely that the sheep are those who, while avoiding
    the mark of the beast, are still able to hide and provide aid to the
    chosen ones, who will then be on the world stage battling the wild
    beast?
    Anyhow, the clincher that the sheep here cannot also be His brothers
    comes from Jesus himself, because the sheep are such as UNKNOWINGLY
    do good to Christ’s brothers – so how could any truly anointed one not
    recognize a fellow brother driven by the same Spirit?
    By the way, the issue of Christ’s brothers being represented in Math.25
    did not arise out of anything you said, but is implied, by Meleti’s view that
    the sheep here are Christ’s brothers, which he raises as a possibility.
    The point JJ makes in his first post seems possible, but if we were to
    read on, Paul specifically says that the ‘surviving’ anointed would be
    ‘harpatzooed’ TOGETHER WITH [without distance in space and time]
    those who JJ opined could be represented by the sheep of Math.25,
    which obviously then doesn’t fit for various reasons.
    Being called out of a nation is not quite the same as constituting it;
    now of course I don’t think you are intimating such a thing; I am just
    saying.
    - Reply by Vox Ratio on 2015-06-02 20:26:11
      Just a thought,
      Again, thanks for your feedback.
      I take your point concerning the judgement, and think that what you have espoused could well be a live-option. However, your further rejoinders – particularly your contention concerning the angels – seems to me to be incomplete and I would need to hear a more thorough Scriptural case made in order to find them persuasive. Perhaps when you get some time, you could present a Scriptural justification for these items on the DTT forum.
      At any rate, in whatever way the minutia of the parable of the sheep and goats plays out, there is an overriding message here that is easy for any of us to grasp; a message that can best be summarised by the apostle Paul’s words in Galatians 6:10. Everything else is just an excursus.
  - Reply by Just a thought on 2015-06-02 02:31:59
    Meleti, thank you for the thumb nail sketch of your view on this.
    What about scriptures such as 2. Thes.1, where at Christ’s return
    all those not obeying the good news will undergo the judicial
    punishment of everlasting destruction, which seems pretty explicit,
    don’t you think?
    So who would you see as ‘all the nations’ who are being judged:
    just the 10 million JW’s, or a larger Christian field of say, 50, 100,
    500 million, or even the whole lot of Christendom?
    And roughly what percentage would you guess the ratio of sheep
    to goats be: 50/50, or say, 90/10, and then, more sheep than goats
    or vice versa?
    Just a short answer would be appreciated, before the appearance
    of your upcoming article on this topic, cheers.
    Oh, a further point I forgot to mention, yes, you are right, Christians
    helped each other in the first century to a degree where they could,
    but that still would not make them fit the profile of a sheep in the
    judgment of Mathew 25:31-46, where Jesus specifies them to have
    done good to Christ’s brothers UNKNOWINGLY, something rather
    impossible for those who are joint by the same Spirit.
    So in our day, the sheep are such as do not know Christ's brothers,
    although about 7 million who view themselves has sheep think they
    do, hence they are in quite a pickle: If they are right about the GB
    being Christ's brothers, then by Christ's own definition cannot be
    sheep.
    If JW's, like all other people of all nations, want to fill the criteria for
    Christ's sheep, they will have to unknowingly do good to Christ's
    brothers, which can be a bit tricky, if one was motivated by merely
    saving one's own skin and securing a place in paradise, and not by
    a true love of righteousness and truth.
    - Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-06-02 09:30:31
      >>What about scriptures such as 2. Thes.1, where at Christ’s return all those not obeying the good news will undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction, which seems pretty explicit, don’t you think?
      If we are going to base an argument on what is “pretty explicit” then we need to be pretty explicit ourselves, don’t you think?
      The explicit qualifiers Paul uses to identify those undergoing the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction is that they a) make tribulation for the Thessalonians, b) do not know God, and c) do not obey the good news.
      We could say that point (a) applies by extension to all Christians, not just the Thessalonians. That is a logical and reasonable assumption. However it would not be logical or reasonable to say that it does not apply, at the very least, to the Thessalonians of Paul’s day. Therefore, if we want to say that Paul is speaking about the judgment of all nations, then it must apply from the first century onward – from the time the Thessalonians walked the earth. Every human on earth at that time – the Chinese girl working in the ricefields or the poor Hindu boy scrounging for scraps – would have to die eternally because they did not know God and did not obey the good news. It matters not that they were given no opportunity to know God nor to obey the good news. That’s just too bad. Indeed, such an interpretation eliminates the need for the resurrection of the unrighteous, at least from the time of Jesus forward. Anyone who didn’t know God and did not obey the good news is condemned to eternal destruction. Again, no provision is made for those who never had an opportunity to know God and obey him. That’s just too bad for them.
      Such a belief is no better than the belief in hellfire and eternal torment. Both dishonor God by painting him as unfair and unloving.
      Paul’s words were directed to the Thessalonians to give them encouragement, so they would know that the people who were opposing them and causing them great tribulation would get their just desserts, while the faithful and enduring Thessalonians would get the reward of everlasting life. As Paul said, “it is righteous on God’s part to repay tribulation to those who make tribulation for you.” We cannot divorce Jehovah’s righteousness from this equation.
      Again, as has often been the case in the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses, we get into a mess when we try to impose an absolute and final application of a principle to a specific point in time. Jehovah’s Witnesses have used Paul’s words to the Thessalonians to “prove” that everyone who dies at Armageddon will never be resurrected. While condemning other religions for teaching the God dishonoring doctrine of hellfire, Jehovah’s Witnesses have their own version of a God dishonoring doctrine.
      There will be a time when Paul’s words will apply to all the humans on earth. There will be a time when all humans will have had the opportunity to know God and to obey the good news. There will be a time, after Satan is released, when a large group will make tribulation upon Jesus brothers, for by that point in time all humans would have joined the family of God. If we must apply Paul’s words to all the Nations, then that would be a safe time in which to do it.
      However, we must not assume our righteous father would impose such unfair demands on people who have been denied the opportunity to know God. Therefore, the judgment of the sheep and the goats, if indeed this takes place prior to Armageddon and not at the end of the 1,000 years, must be confined to the house of God. For judgment begins with the house of God. (1 Peter 4:17)
      I have already answered your second question my article.
      As for your third question, I do not think it appropriate to speculate.
      As to your “further point”, I might ask you to identify who are Christ’s brothers. After all, the Christian congregation is made up of wheat that has been over sown by weeds. Even the angels have difficulty in identifying which is which until the harvest.

Comment by kev on 2015-05-24 12:38:54
thanks for the evaluation of the parables i have come to just about the same conclusions . Paragraph 9 in the article gets me . ( just as jesus is not speaking of seperating literal sheep and goats . He is not speaking of literal works like feeding visiting sick ones or ones in prison ) ect or something like that . What a lame argument . as far as i can see the only connection i can see with preaching in these verses is the fact that many of the travelling evangelisers found themselves in these sort of situations and needed assitance from thier brothers In support of the good news . . I think anybody who listens to this watchtower is placing themselves on dodgy ground because of 2 points . 1 what the GB are saying is here that they are christs brothers and this line of reasoning excludes anyone else we may meet who claim to be christian . Who is in need . Therefore the words lord when did we see you hungry . And 2 not only that if the good works stand for preaching and works of mercy are not a factor in the judgement . Then the words i tell you truly to the extent you did not do it to these the least of my brothers ring true as well . So the indentification of both the works and the brothers have gone . This is a very dangerous teaching for you brothers and sisters do not be misled .watch out for the leaven brothers .matthew 16 v12 . kev ps i think i want to stick to the main reasoning in the blog from now on .
- Reply by Just a thought on 2015-06-02 23:46:49
  Thanks for your detailed reply, Meleti, much of which I obviously agree with;
  however, do you think that people today, what with the internet in most places
  even of the third world now and spreading, might have adequate, or rather, unprecedented access to truth, for the treatment of which they are actually one
  day soon accountable?
  Or would you think God unrighteous if He judged them adversely?
  And what if somewhat short of 7 billion people should turn against the small number of
  true Christians in the near future, as clearly indicated by scripture to take place just
  before the return of Christ, would you expect God to give them a 'second chance,'
  according to your sense of righteousness?
  You seem to believe in the goodness of man and eventual universal salvation for
  all, or at least the vast majority, or am I misreading you here?
  I am sympathetic toward your suspicion of everything JW, but the truth needs only contain a single small error for it no longer to be what it claims to be, in fact, the more truth Satan can cram into a religion, the more successful it will be in attracting those disposed to righteousness, so, there may not be that many 'reds under the beds' in the WT after all, just enough for it not to be the truth, and for it to warrant God's judgment on the coming day of His wrath.
  - Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-06-03 07:44:15
    Let me ask you this. Did everyone who listened to Jesus and saw his miracles and did not become a Christian die the second death? Did the millions who saw the miracles performed by the apostles and other Christians prior to the destruction of Jerusalem and did not convert die the second death? Would the million-plus inhabitants of Jerusalem who did not flee with the Christians despite the decades-long warning the Christians preached about the city's destruction also be denied a second chance?
    - Reply by Just a thought on 2015-06-04 02:28:27
      Well, Jesus asked those professing to be religiously knowledgeable in His day how they intended to escape from Gehenna, which implies that if they were not to repent and accept Him in their life time, that this would be the place destined for them.
      The fact that the sin against the Spirit will not be forgiven during the next age would not preclude them from being raised then to face their judgment, though the verdict is already known.
      If people of Sodom will condemn those from Chorazin, and those from Sodom would be judged worthy of death, how much harsher a judgment do you think those who heard Jesus preach receive, because this escalation of culpability is implied in Jesus dramatic words.
      People really are taking their chances by going against whatever light they have been given, and some may have genuine extenuating excuses for rejecting the truth; we shall see.
    - Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-06-04 08:45:17
      The key phrase is "religiously knowledgeable". Pointing to those people creates a straw man argument which doesn't prove your point at all. Your argument is that modern technology gives everyone on earth adequate opportunity to discover the truth and put faith in Jesus. Therefore, if they fail to take advantage of this opportunity, the fault is their own and Jehovah would be justified in condemning them to eternal death.
      From what you have said here, I take it you believe (correct me if I'm wrong) that those of Sodom will be resurrected only to be killed again. If so, and you'd like to see why that reasoning is unscriptural, please open a topic on www.discussthetruth.com and we'll be able to reason it out.
    - Reply by Just a thought (JAT) on 2015-06-04 22:05:45
      That promises to be an interesting discussion, and I look forward to chatting with you there, thanks Meleti.

Comment by Chris on 2015-05-24 13:12:34
I noticed a few things.
1. The reinterpretation of this Parable does away with why the millennium is necessary. If we are judged before the millennium then what's the millennium for?
2. Most people don't know who the remnant of the 144,000 are so how can you judge them based on that?
3. Did the forget that the judgement is a 1000 years.
4. Where is the 1000 trial?
Cat Russell stated in his interpretation of this that
- Reply by Chris on 2015-05-24 13:15:59
  CT Russell taught that this process is 1000 years and is not instantly
  5. Where is the "death acquits of of our sins"

Comment by Christopher on 2015-05-24 13:39:22
Link to 1923 Watchtower Bound Volume
http://wtarchive.svhelden.info/archive/en/Watchtower/w1923_E.pdf
- Reply by OldWt on 2015-05-27 10:35:58
  Thanks for that link.

Comment by Clark on 2015-05-24 14:25:26
Who are Christ's brothers in the parable? The GB tells us it's them. In Matthew 12:48-50 Jesus says: "...who are my brothers?...whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, that one is my brother..."
- Reply by life2come on 2015-05-25 09:48:49
  Excellent! Iron sharpens Iron. Love this website.
- Reply by on 2015-05-31 20:05:45
  Thanks for sharing these verses. Simple but it defines the word brother for Jesus our Lord, our King. :-)

Comment by on 2015-05-24 18:15:01
WT articles often quoted and applied James' words "faith without works is dead" primarily to the PREACHING work although one only has to read the context to see it dealt with more practical matters just like Matthew 25.

Comment by Wild Olive on 2015-05-24 22:26:40
Thank you Meleti for this article,I have pondered over this helping Christs brothers idea knowing the application was faulty just couldn't say why. It hit me as I read your post how the expression "Christs Brothers" has actually become a religious title with its own doctrinal paraphernalia , and this WT article is nothing more than an attempt to bolster that view.
I like the way you unravel it all, and once again it seems that where it all starts is from a wrong or presumed premise, things which one is not taught to examine as a JW, thanx again
Ps when are you going to start on the beorean pickets truth book?
- Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-05-24 22:55:40
  Thanks and regarding the "truth book", we are going to be making an announcement soon regarding the planned expansion we surveyed everyone about a few months back. Stay tuned. :)

Comment by Wild Olive on 2015-05-25 01:29:32
Something I feel should be included in "truth book" are some of the comments made on this site or at least thoughts and observations gleaned from it.Without being presumtuous or without desire for controversy, I believe that many of the comments are inspired of Holy Spirit,not the calibre of the bible, but still of that origin and supportive of true biblical doctrines, after all the bible is communications made to servants of God,what's changed? That's what we are doing here.
- Reply by life2come on 2015-05-25 10:00:43
  I couldnt agree more. Although I enjoy Meleti's commentaries, I have gleaned so much from all the comments here on this website and the discussion board. The answers to so many doctrinal dilemmas have always been right there in the scriptures, and most of us long timers can quote them verbatim, however each and every one of us take these stored "jewels" in our head and bring forth that piece of the puzzle that provides enlightenment. It is truly amazing to see holy spirit at work, isnt it, Meleti?
  - Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-05-25 13:47:23
    It most assuredly is, life2come.
- Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-05-25 13:41:39
  I agree. There is a wealth of information to be gleaned from the thousands of comments. It will take time to review them all, but we don't want to miss anything of value. We will be looking for help in that task.
  - Reply by Mailman on 2015-05-31 21:40:00
    With the solid food being masticated here, I have a feeling the Christ and the holy spirit are working behind the illuminations in this site.

Comment by menrov on 2015-05-25 04:12:10
I like to compare it to the situation where, say I am accused by my employer of being disloyal or dishonest to HIS employees. At the time that I am being accused, I am still one of HIS employees. Same as in the parable. One is judged and referenced against the group.
The main problem with WBTS doctrines and probably various other denominations is that their doctrines are based on the assumption that eternal life depend on your actions. They teach it is grace that eternal life is given to you after your life. Although they say they do not but actually they are saying that eternal life is something that you need to earn. Earn through works defined by the denomination. It is a way to control, to demand loyalty. In case of WBTS by being loyal to the members of the governing body and do all they ask and continue to preach and gain new members.
However, that is not what the ransom was meant for. The ransom or death and blood of Jesus gave all who have faith in Him in principle access to eternal life. The only thing of course that was required was faith. During your life, you can live in such a way that you LOSE eternal life. The bible teaches to endure until the end and inherit eternal life. As all believers have become brothers, all will inherit unless the inheritance will be taken away.
To be considered a son of God and therefore being offered the same inheritance as Jesus (eternal life in Kingdom of Heaven, wherever that will be) is by grace, therefore one cannot gain the inheritance. A believer always starts with a good judgment, but his actions can change that in the end into a bad judgment. Hence you cannot gain a good judgment by your actions. One can only maintain the good judgment with ones actions. Or one can lose it.
The whole problem with the Law was that it taught that by fulfilling one gains righteousness and life but it turned out to be impossible to fulfill the Law. Hence it was considered a curse. Like showing a dog a nice sausage in such a way that he can never catch it. Jesus ended this and because a life giving spirit. Or, the Law of Christ is a positive law, giving all believers the same hope and inheritance. Yes, one can lose that hope and inheritance by living a life in contrast to the law of Christ but one cannot gain it by maintaining the law of Christ.
Further, as I only a day ago a similar discussion with my wife, the bible (in particular the NT) always shows 2 sides of the coin: good / evil, life / death, saved / lost, faithful / evil, loyal / lazy (evil), darkness / light, righteous / unrighteous, believer / unbeliever, faithful / unfaithful etc.
in other words, there is no 3rd option. There is no 3rd group. Yes, people can have different roles (apostle, teacher, evangelist etc) but all are equally part of the same group.

Comment by leaving_quietly on 2015-05-25 11:58:18
The problem with the WT interpretation stemming from the two-class system is this: With only ~14,000 of the 144,000 alive today, it would be nearly impossible to "do good" to these. There would be only one anointed for every 9 or 10 congregations. The fact is that most JWs do not personally know anyone who is anointed other than the seven named members of the Governing Body. They may know OF someone, perhaps in another congregation, who partakes. But, logistically, most would have no opportunity to "do good" to these in the manner that Christ lays out in the parable. Using preaching as a thing to "do good" with makes no sense at all. After all, Christ gave the command to teach to his 11 apostles, whom the WT presumes represents his anointed followers. In the previous parable of the slaves being given the talents, what slave would ask (no, not ask, DEMAND) people who are wholly unrelated to the situation, to do their work for them? That is precisely what the GB are telling the 8 million JWs who have neither been commissioned to preach, nor have been given the "talents". And, yet, by this interpretation, these 8 million are being expected to "do good" to these unnamed, mysterious "anointed followers" by preaching, or 'doing their work for them.'
Sorry, I'm rambling. The whole two-class system and the mystery of who these anointed are really gnaws at me. We're supposed to follow their example, but I DON'T KNOW ANY OF THEM because the organization has KEPT THEM A MYSTERY, so how could I possibly follow their example?
- Reply by peely on 2015-05-27 11:57:08
  Hi LQ,
  I wondered the same when leaving the organization. I had such a huge desire to find out where and who these anointed are. Why was their presence obscured? How could I seek out those “priests” or messengers who may hold undefiled truth? How could I show kindness to these “little ones” and follow their faithful example?
  “For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, and from his mouth men should seek instruction—because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty.” Mal 2:7; 1 Pet 2:5,9
  The GB messenger “priests” have, with no doubt, profaned God’s spiritual alter with offerings of lies. Their teachings are comparable to “blind, crippled or diseased animals”, fruit of the lips that are void of preserving knowledge. God says, “should I accept them from your hands?” Mal 1:13
  All anointed within the organization who accept these teachings have also “turned from the way, causing “many to stumble”. Mal 2:8
  “So I have caused you to be despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partiality in matters of the law” Mal 2:9
  Within this Body of Christ, all are to act as one, with no arrogance of one over the other. Yet, instead, there is a humiliation “before all people” as the GB arrogantly assumes the role of the “faithful and discreet slave”. The temple sanctuary, the alter of offerings of these priests, has been “trampled” for a time period as they submit this dominance. Dan 9:26,27 It is the desolation standing within the holy place of Matt 24:15. We are told to DISCERN the meaning of this.
  They are cut off from Christ, their High Priest, and allowed only to offer the teachings of this arrogant one. Rev 13:7,17; Dan 8:11 This cutting off from Christ is a time period of silence while each anointed succumbs to the “trampling”. Rev 8:1; Thess 2:4
  Dan 9:26 speaks of the end coming with a flood. Not literally, obviously, but a spiritual one. Matt 24 harmonizes here:
  “For in those days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark. And they knew nothing until the flood came and took them all away. It will be the same at the coming of the Son of Man.” Matt 24:38,39
  Today’s flood originates with Satan and his seed. Rev 12:15 A flood of lies comes against the woman covenant, God’s inheritance, and their capture by the Wild Beast who promotes these lies begins. Hos 4:6; Rev 13:16,17 Their sacrifices of truth cease as they preach the lies of the prince of Dan 9:26. They cannot offer righteous praise to God under this captivity. Rom 12:1; Rev 7:15; 22:3
  How long do they put up with teaching lies that their gut knows is a defilement to their God, the God that they are robbing of their sacrifices of praise? How long do they remain hidden from view, unable to shine any lamp of righteous acts? Luke 11:34
  “I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse-the whole nation of you-because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” Mal 3:6-10
  The floodgates open to the flood of truth, fighting back the flood waters of lies and its origin is with God. Those who seek Christ are becoming evident through their actions in dispelling lies taught by the organization. In sackcloth, the priests search for the Lord, their High Priest, the one whom they are “seeking”, and their spiritual purification process of disposing of all unfit sacrifices begins. Mal 3:1-5; Jer 31:9
  NOW is the beginning of the return of these priests to Zion. Zech 8:3 The restoration of the Temple has begun as righteous priests wake up to their captivity. Rev 3:2; Dan.8:13,14,24; 12:11,12; Mal 4:5,6 (Compare Isa 30:26 to Matt 24:29) It can only become more evident as to who these awakened ones are. Those who choose to remain under the captivity of the Wild Beast will continue to teach the lies of the Harlot and Wild Beast. Isa 58:8; 60:14;62:2; Acts 3:21
  It has always been the case with God’s wayward priests, that a remnant is called to their senses; and the building of his house proceeds one again. In the meantime, we look for and yearn for its completion. As we search to support this priesthood that will finish off the Bride of Christ, we fulfill what Rom 8:19 says, the longing to find these ones, the “sons of God”, his inheritance.
  “But for you who revere my name, the SUN of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings” Mal 4:2 Rev 1:16
  “For the Lord will ransom Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they. They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord” Jer 31:11,12
  “I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with my bounty” Jer 31:14
  LQ, I have a question concerning something else, and left a pm on dtt.
  love,
  peely

Comment by poetryofprovidence on 2015-05-25 15:27:13
here's where I FIND the problem in using this particular scripture as it appears to fall under this same flaw to me ..in how we look at it ..
An English professor wrote on the board: A woman without her man is nothing.
The class was then asked to punctuate the sentence.
The men wrote: "A woman, without her man, is nothing."
The women wrote: "A woman: without her, man is nothing."
I see the real possibility this verse could read another way
Since in chapter 24 he is talking to "his disciples"
Matthew 25:40English Standard Version (ESV)
40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[a] you did it to me.’
This could actually be worded in another manner ..since the King is talking to those who will inherit the Kingdom (the disciples)
And the King will answer them , My brothers , I say to you as you did it to one of the least of these , you did it unto to me ..this is a particular problem I have with many a punctuation in the scriptures (and we've seen this example before particularly in the statement you will be with me in paradise ) ..is this not truly about the disciples behavior and character rather than how others are to behave towards them ...I completely consider the punctuation in this particular verse as opposed to what Jesus was attempting to teach his own , in how he expects their character to play out ...Just a thought here to add to my own deframing of the dogma .
- Reply by BN on 2015-05-25 16:17:32
  We were all meant to show love to everyone ..
  but what was the 'problem' with those who was going to inherit the kingdom?
  And who are the least of them?
  Could it be in the same manner as they werd talking about who was the greatest?
  And that they could evolve to 'lord it over' eachother?
  Have anybody seen this happening?
  - Reply by poetryofprovidence on 2015-05-25 17:03:13
    I would agree BN that that is surely a contextual application for that among "the brothers and sisters" , but the larger application of inheriting the kingdom would be that those who inherit it will be teaching the the nations and their "rule" would be the application of mercy , care in every sort of way that can be given , to relieve the sick , to feed and cloth etc , to mend the souls , to comfort the broken ...to be able to serve in every capacity that has need ...one 1st learns those traits and is clothed with them this side of the inheritance . for me this is a reapplication and reaffirming of this teaching ..
    Love for Enemies
    27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
    32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
    I see the parable as a further extension a widening out of understanding in what he is teaching here ..
    the rule with a rod of iron , is that there will be no possible deviation from the laws of love by those whom the Lord gives the Kingdom .
    It thoroughly eliminates any subservience but wholly elevates service ...
    normally Meleti I would not further comment here , but my own perspectives see the GB interpretation as so opposite to what Christ taught that I felt compelled to as a friend would say ponitificate ..sorry

Comment by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-05-25 16:49:56
The comments regarding the applicability of the law to Christianity, while interesting, have moved from the area of simple (albeit insightful) commenting to that of open debate. To this end I've removed the last couple of comments and ask that all participants make use of the Discuss the Truth Forum (www.discussthetruth.com) which was set up to provide our members and readership with a proper venue to delve into such research.

Comment by yobec on 2015-05-25 19:10:24
For the longest time, I wondered who Christ's brothers were and also couldn't help but notice Jesus' words " these my brothers" which suggests that he is pointing to them as he pronounces judgment.The other day it dawned on me. When Jesus returns, he gathers his chosen ones from the four winds of the earth and THEN proceeds with the judging of the sheep and goats. To me, this seems to indicate that he gathers his "brothers" who happen to be "anyone who is doing the will of his father". Then afterward, he gathers the "nations". Note that he uses the word nations.
Could it be that the remaining humans who for one reason or another are not Christians and therefore not his brothers are then judged ? If they are genuinely decent " love thy neighbor" sort of people they would have come to the needs of "his brothers" even though they didn't realize who they were, which also would explain their wondering " when did we do these things" with Jesus doing the pointing.
Now as to whether these ones go to heaven or not, that I have no idea but I do however lean towards continued life on earth.
- Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-05-25 19:51:12
  You raise an alternate explanation to what is suggested in the article. As I said toward the end, we cannot know for sure how the fulfillment will work out. The nations are used throughout the Christian Scriptures to refer to non-Israelites, but not exclusively. Also, use of "the nations" doesn't mean every last man, woman and child. Often it refers to cultural diversity.
  “Indeed, in his name nations will hope.”” (Mt 12:21)
  “. . .Who will not really fear you, Jehovah, and glorify your name, for you alone are loyal? For all the nations will come and worship before you, because your righteous decrees have been revealed.”” (Re 15:4)
  Whatever the final fulfillment turns out to be, it doesn't change the lesson of the parable which is to escape adverse judgment through acts of mercy. It has nothing to do with the preaching work, nor with empowering one small group of Christians over a larger one, making the secondary group dependent on the former for its salvation.

Comment by on 2015-05-26 09:15:59
As has been said jesus clearly identified those who do the will of god as his brothers and sisters ask any witness what gods will is and they will say he wants us to preach a thing that 99 percent of witnesses do . Yet the vast majority are denied the idenification as christs brothers . Well here we go 1+1=0 as well then .!! Kev

Comment by on 2015-05-26 09:37:51
Heres another point as well . Regarding the works of mercy to christs brothers and why we get it wrong sometimes .about 15 years my dear sister developed a brain tumor she was living by herself .and needed encouragement from time to time in my busy schedule i used to pop around to lift her spirits ask if she needed anything . . Good works you may say . Remember i was sick and you came to see me . !! What do we do though when the watchtower made a rule that no man should be alone with another sister they are not married to .?? . I tell you now if i had of followed that direction i would have not been able to take her to the hospital or see her very much at All . This is where legalism wins out over common sense and the spirit of christianity . And if we follow it could very well find ourselves in the camp of those who said when did we see you sick and did not come to see you . ? Kev just wrong !!

Comment by Ray B on 2015-05-26 15:29:20
Obey, obey, obey, preach, preach, preach!!! I am so sick of these superfine apostles that I'm finding it so hard to go on. They have my wife trapped & myself by extension. The Bible is making it so clear to me to reject these filthy apostates & follow Christ in truth but how can I do that when they have my wife hostage... Sorry for sounding like I'm complaining but I just don't see a way out without losing my marriage as the only way to obey Christ is to reject this cult
- Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-05-26 15:39:28
  Hang in there, Ray B. I think that the signs are there that they are moving on a path that will prove both self-revealing and self-destructive. Already many are perturbed the "we don't solicit funds" fund solicitation of the May broadcast. Sincere ones are waking up. It is only a matter of time, and I hope it will be quick in coming.
  - Reply by Ray B on 2015-05-27 02:31:42
    So sorry for the nasty tone of my comment. I wrote it earlier today when I was feeling irritable & frustrated. I was thinking about it during the day at work & I feel now that I allowed anger to affect my words rather than show a "seasoned with salt" loving attitude. I hope my comment doesn't offend anyone especially that I used the words filthy apostates referring to the GB & cult referring to the organisation. Please feel free to delete my comment Meleti if you feel it is inappropriate
    - Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-05-27 09:43:06
      Not to worry. We all need to vent from time to time and it wasn't beyond the pale, so to speak. Besides there are far too many similarities between the organization and the way that cults are defined to dismiss outright that idea that we are cult-like. I found a point by point comparison between what psychologists have identified as marker characteristics of cults and what we practice as witnesses to be very disturbing. It bears further examination, but time is limited at present. In any case, I appreciate your desire to season your words with salt. Don't think that I haven't spewed out a few unsalted words myself from time to time.
- Reply by on 2015-05-26 16:26:04
  yeah ray . Its tough when you know whats right its frustrating , but with patience you may get your wish in the end . Loving our wives and children is the most important thing christ wants from us i think . Sometimes in these situations we may have to go through the mill a bit . . think of what christ himself went through for the congregation . Ephesians 5 gods blessing to you ray . Kev

Comment by Markchristopher on 2015-05-26 15:54:53
The parable of the sheep and the goats seems to be consistent with the judgment of the nations during the thousand years reign.They (the nations) are judged by their deeds, "what they did to the least of Christs brothers".
Christians are not judged, because they recognised their sinful dilemma. They repented and put total trust in Gods Son, so are saved by faith apart from works(deeds).Actually wether this takes place at the end of this age or the next I,m not sure.
As so many on Beroean Pickets Have pointed out, this causes a huge contradiction for the watchtowers so called "other sheep" class, who need "works dictated by our GB, but faith like Abraham as well? A heavy yoke indeed for many.
- Reply by qspf on 2015-05-27 23:24:22
  As you may be aware, many persons have pointed out that the most likely meaning of the "other sheep" class that Jesus spoke is, not those with an earthly/non-kingship role, but the Gentiles that would be added to the Christian congregation starting around 36 CE. As with so many other mis-directions from the WT, once you accept that they are not God's organization, are not led or directed by the spirit, and are not teaching the truth, many if not all of these contradictions disappear.
  - Reply by on 2015-05-28 08:53:14
    The other sheep are certainly the gentiles.I'm not sure Jesus is simply judging gentile believers.

Comment by BN on 2015-05-26 16:08:30
But when they (GB) are gone, what then? Any way back for the Israelites? This is the time for decisions, this is the time when families will be torn apart . This is the time when we decide whom we love most.... who we decide to follow ... Maybe there will be a short time to escape between the harlots fall and the beast's, but are we willing to take that risk when we know what's going on? Jesus wants us to flee, i even know somebody he has led out himself ! I know that this sounds crazy for most everyone ever had any connection to jw. But how can he lead his chosen if not spiritually supernatural? And I did not believe it right away, and the person himself did not believe it at all! But strange things kept happening.. and he was almost dying inside the apostate empire! . So he got his assignment .. not a suprising one.. He has always gone on and on about love and the lack of it inside...
Never forget that the scriptures is not about the world christians (and the israelites) should not be a part of ...it is all about God's houshold !! So, Revelation and Jesus' sign is not about a world this houshold is not a part of!!!
- Reply by peely on 2015-05-28 00:10:07
  BN you said,
  "So he got his assignment .. not a suprising one.. He has always gone on and on about love and the lack of it inside…"
  Yes, there IS a lack of love "inside"; the beast you mention - the wild beast - is also the man of lawlessness or the man of sin. If God's law is love, the organization has certainly "missed the mark" when it comes to practicing the law of love.
  “Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. Eze 22:26
  They have gone back to the evil ways of their ancestors of old who refused to obey what I told them. They, too, have paid allegiance to other gods and worshiped them. Both the nation of Israel and the nation of Judah have violated the covenant I made with their ancestors. Jer 11:10
  “By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action. Dan 11:32

Comment by OldWt on 2015-05-27 10:47:26
Meleti Vivlon, I appreciated this article. Thank you very much for sharing your insights.
- Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-05-27 11:02:08
  Thank you, and welcome to the forum!

Comment by kev on 2015-05-28 01:49:19
To my mind the parable of the faithful and discreet slave and the parable of the sheep and goats make the same point . The least of the brothers = the domestics .......... i was hungry and you gave me something to eat = giving the domestics food at the proper time ....... the master on arrival = the son of man arriving in all his glory ........... appointing over belongings = inherit the kingdom prepared for you ....... In watchtower land the GB are the least of the brothers recieving the food (sheep and goats) and in the other the ones Recieving it And at the same time has nothing to do with food .. kev

Comment by kev on 2015-05-28 01:53:47
Sorry i meant in the other the ones who give it out . Im confused ........?????? Kev
- Reply by Markchristopher on 2015-05-29 03:36:24
  Hi Kev
  I agree with what you say.I think The "faithful slave", "virgins", " sheep and goats" etc are all parables within a prophetic timetable.They simply show us various ways to be prepared and ready.Not to Lord it over our fellow slaves.To be alert.To look after those in need.
  I think my last comment was not well thought out.Sorry.
  - Reply by on 2015-05-30 11:41:26
    Mark .i read the comment and thought it was quite an interesting take on it . And i can understand why you said the judgement seems consistant with the 1000 year reign .after all it does say that the nations will be gathered before christ . Sorry mark . I didnt mean to contradict you . I think mainly the parables portray just simple christian message . Almost like the simple morals in aesops fables .im not so sure we can look beyond the basic message . . the main message is about loving one another . . Nice to talk to you mark . Christian greetings . Kev .
    - Reply by Markchristopher on 2015-05-31 14:54:56
      Thanks Kev.

Comment by Ray B on 2015-05-30 19:47:33
Here's a post a friend left on Facebook regarding this WT article;
--------------------------------------------------------
"This week's WatchTower discusses the parable of the Shepard separating the sheep from the goats. I found it interesting that you can be judged as a sheep if you loyally support Christ's brothers, but if you don't support his brothers by helping them in the best of our own ability; you can be judged as a goat. Interesting huh? I personally would like to be judged as a sheep because I do try my best to support the Kingdom arrangement. "
And here are some follow up comments left by others;
"Another Great WT!! Hey sneak peek at the Aug 15th ~ WOW"
"Yes I don't remember it ever explained this way before ,, very interesting ,, I'm trying to be a sheep too"
"what nice comments on this weeks lesson...so many refinements in the last couple of lessons...we all need to study our lessons each week just in order to stay up to date"
--------------------------------------------------------
It amazes me that people just accept without question whatever the GB tells them to believe even when it contradicts scripture. Don't worry about Jesus having anything to do with it, just help the Brothers preach & you'll be a sheep. Did the Governing Body die a ransom sacrifice for us???
1Co 3:4 For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," (I follow the Governing Body) are you not being merely human?
1Co 3:11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Comment by Buster on 2015-05-30 21:23:07
I love this site , a lot of great knowledge here. As I was read this week watchtower a few months ago.. The whole march 15. Watchtower is like the witnesses excuse me the Governing Body.. Excuse me the faithful and discreet slave coming correct or at least writing "YUP WE WROTE SOME WEIRD STUFF IN THE PAST". But as the same time they were addressing some / I say some of there mistakes theyn then begin some new ones. And this on this article they take the ending of the illustration of the sheep and the goats and Now say YEAH IT IS ABOUT OR PREACHING.... WHAT!!!.
It makes no sense and as paragraph 8 says Jesus does not directly mention the preaching work.. No really you say.. But he did say in Context back in Matt. 24:3 . true he did.. But they are missing he said a lot after that not about the preaching. And the sheep and the goats illustration is about Love, Mercy and Compassion. Again great site and Article keep up the sheep excellent work.

Comment by freedomwithgrace on 2015-05-30 21:35:47
Meleti Vivlon thank you so much for your work on this website. I've really enjoyed your insight and all of the relating comments. So glad I stumbled upon this site, it's exactly what I've been looking for.

Comment by Mailman on 2015-05-31 09:15:10
Imagine a student (Joe) who asked his classmate Mark, "Can you teach me Math, Calculus in particular? I am poor in Math."
Mark responded: "OK, this Calculus subject sucks. Honestly, these formulas aren't clear to me as well. But since I am eager to help, I will help you to be enlightened.
How could Joe, also a poor student in Math, have the guts to teach Mark when he himself is not sure about the topic, when he is confused about it?
In a similar vein, why the WT writers interpreted with impunity about the sheep and the goat in the 1800's, 1920's and 1990's when things were not clear to them and they were not precise as to the timing and identities involved in the parable?
Why ascribe the so-called increasing light and help to Jehovah? Would God help them to be enlightened only for themselves to find out their conclusions were inaccurate, deserving to be adjusted or revised - again and again? Isn't this blasphemous, using the name of God in vain?
Take the example of Joseph, son of Jacob. What could have happened to him if major details of his dream turned out to be simply untrue? That his interpretation of the objects in his dreams was a total fiasco? Could Pharoah have given Joseph a second chance if he reasons out "Well, my God would provide more enlightenment about my understanding of your dream in the near future. It will be adjusted. But take note, I did not screw up, I did not commit a single mistake. Things will be refined next time. You have to trust me on this my King."
How would Pharoah react to that line of reasoning? Without exaggeration, he could have made God a laughing stock, deserving no lofty praises but ridicule to the extreme. And history of the Bible re-written with different result.

Comment by bobcat3 on 2015-05-31 20:16:55
Just had this WT study today at the KH. It is amazing the range of emotion such farcical/convoluted explanations evoke. If I were on my own I would probably not attend meetings such as these or feel the need to stay. It is difficult trying to find a mental perspective that would allow me to sit through nonsense like this as an unattached observer.
On a different note, I saw some interesting non-commenting from a few elders that would normally be right in the conversation.
Bobcat
- Reply by Mailman on 2015-05-31 21:28:41
  Hi bob, good morning. Its either they are being bothered by their conscience that made them uncomfortable even by raising their hands to comment, or their minds are in such disarray and could not grasp the new light or progressive light.
- Reply by on 2015-06-01 18:27:19
  I also noticed the silence by most of the Elders in my congregation also. I commented that Christ brothers have to show mercy to one another and could themselves become goats for not doing so. That was the main quality of the six things Jesus mentioned would be done to him, how an anointed brother or sister treated their fellow anointed brothers. I also stated that Jesus quoted his Father as saying, "I want mercy, not sacrifice." The WT Study Conductor countered by saying, "That's why we have to turn in our field service time". Yeah, it's all about time. I was thinking later on how our field service reports should have those six points of the parable on them instead of the ridiculous placements we're supposed to report.

Comment by Dieter G on 2015-06-02 01:08:09
Hi,
Too many currents to wade through or web-strands to brush away from the face of clear perception In all the above. Too much information. Too many words wearisome to the flesh -
Even the alleged symbolic nature of the 144000 was injected into the above main article; an entirely separate subject needing its own explanatory space.
Just because Jehovah's Witnesses have made profound mistakes, does not mean that EVERYTHING they have discovered and reasoned on, including the literalness of 144000, is false and deceptive, designed to mislead. The motives of the leading brothers need not continually be questioned, while selfish human (male) pride of place and position certainly becomes a factor in their teaching program. -John 11:48.
The matter of sheep and goats is quite easy to comprehend:
While both sheep and goats have always been acceptable to Jehovah, especially in Passover celebrations right from the original Exodus Passover, only sheep-like ones i.e.: those with a sheep-like disposition are acceptable to be given the heavenly Kingdom by Jehovah (Luke 12:32) and become the flock of Jacob destined to be His permanent inheritance see: http://www.sanctifyname.com/inheritance.html.
Please read the entire page carefully.
The upshot of the whole Sheep/Goat prophecy in Matthew 25 is that the goats are of those initially called to heavenly governance as component parts of the seed of Abraham, but are found to be a little too wilfully un-sheep-like for the effective shepherding required of those in governance. The just remain among those to be blessed by that Seed of Abraham.
Recall the occasion when an Israelite brother had a problem with one of his Israelite brothers? - (Matthew 18:15-17)
Jesus indicated that the problematic one would no longer remain one of his Israelite brothers in the little flock and bride of Christ destined for future heavenly governance in the heavenly kingdom, but simply be as one of the nations/people ultimately in line for the opportunity to be blessed by that kingdom of the Seed of Abraham, the Israel of God - Isaiah 41:8.
So it is: many are called but few are ultimately chosen for heavenly governance. Unchosen humanity are in fact the very reason the kingdom came into in existence in the first place. They are the ultimate beneficiaries, since they are part of Jehovah's original purpose to have godlike ones in the flesh who reflect the very image of their creator and father on every inhabitable planet in an ever-expanding* universe.
* remembering that Jehovah ALWAYS works.
That's the never-ending story of the Bible.
THE GRANDEST UNFINISHED (and unfinishable) SYMPHONY OF ALL TIME.
Dieter G.

Comment by Vassy on 2015-06-02 08:12:36
Meleti, you bring together Matt 25:34 and Eph 1:4 but you seem to place no importance on the slight difference in wording: the Kingdom for the sheep is prepared FROM the founding of the world while the kingdom for the anointed is prepared BEFORE the founding of the world? Why the difference? Or do you think this is of little consequence?
- Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-06-02 08:47:09
  Yes, I do. The founding of the world was the point of conception of the first man, for world (cosmos) refers to the world of humankind. The kingdom could not have been prepared until after the original sin since there was no need for a process for the salvation of humankind before humans needed it. So the period in question goes from the original sin to the conception of Cain. This is an extremely brief period of time in the historical scheme of things, so "before" and "from" are synonymous for all intents and purposes of this discussion.
  - Reply by Dieter G on 2015-06-02 11:16:48
    Sorry dear friend Meleti,
    The founding of the world (Strong's Gr. 2889) is NOT the world of Mankind. That is reserved for the world Strong's 3625 the entire inhabited earth deceived by Satan as per Revelation 12:9.
    Cosmos on the other hand refers only to the world of Israel -def 1: as the only organised arrangement and government ever founded by Jehovah and -def 2: a ornament, decoration, adornment in the manner of what wives are to their husbands, since Israel was God's wife -like it or loathe it.
    True, Cosmos has had modern definitions assumed, real and misunderstood by trendy bible translators and scholars. Have no problems with that, but the original main definitions need to define the biblical use of the three Greek world words used.
    Over to you and thank you for the opportunity to contribute.
    Dieter G
    - Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-06-02 13:22:43
      Dieter,
      I'm gratified that you think of me as a dear friend, but really, referring to me as brother or Meleti will suffice.
      I have edited out all the references to your web site because a self-referencing authority is no authority at all, save when the authority is Jesus Christ, of course. We have to stay within our site guidelines of "Striving for Unbiased Bible Research". If you can show by outside accredited references — or even better, by using the most valid reference of all, the Bible — that Strong's Gr. 2889 cannot refer to the world of mankind, then that would be more in line with our directive. I find it odd though that you should give that particular reference since Strong's gives the following definition for kosmos: "the world, universe; worldly affairs; the inhabitants of the world; adornment.
      By the way, trying to dismiss the argument of another using perjorative phrases like "misunderstood by trendy bible translators and scholars" is bad form especially when you provide no proof for the assertion.
    - Reply by kev on 2015-06-02 17:43:59
      I havent looked at this for a while in my strongs greek lexicon . But i seem to recall that the founding of the world In this case . Is the founding ( katabole ) throwing down of seed . Which i percieve may mean the procreation of humankind . Kev i need to check that Again though . So i tend to agree meleti .
    - Reply by Dieter G on 2015-06-09 23:14:19
      Hello again Meleti somewhat late because there are other more pressing needs.
      About 'trendy' and associated unacceptable language. Jehovah, you know the one who holds the position of chief arbiter of what is or ought to be acceptable language in bible matters, never criticized Jesus for his words in Matthew 23 where he REALLY had a go at the leaders of Israel, who were still acting in behalf of Jehovah, the one who had originally appointed them, however wayward they may have become.
      All good prostitutes will present themselves at their most beautiful in looks, language and finery. Israel was no exception (Ezekiel 16) and now Christianity and her manyFold daughters as the great harlot of Revelation 17-18.
      Educated, acceptable language does not automatically equate with truth, while aggressive, foul language denigrates a message. Balance on the basis of actual Biblical truth must be the criterion.
      One needs to reflect that a web of great and grotesque lies can be spun in the nicest and most appealing of ways and language for a deception to work.
      Jesus did not, neither do I.
      Remember this is just a comment, not a personal challenge for a duel.
  - Reply by Vassy on 2015-06-02 17:26:05
    If the founding of the world was the point of conception of Adam, then why does Paul say they were chosen IN UNION with Christ BEFORE the founding of the world? What was the point of choosing them as the future seed if Adam had not yet been created?
    - Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-06-02 20:07:19
      Adam wasn't conceived. He was created. The first man conceived was Cain.

Comment by Dieter G on 2015-06-04 07:44:10
Like to make one final comment,
On quoting learned authorities:
Really love to use and quote other scholastic sources and/or authorities to back up my statements.
It is unfortunate, however, that one way or another are all subject to the trend imposed upon them by the early apostate amalgam of church and state that developed out of the original members of the pure virginal Bride of Christ when their groom failed to show to take them home as expected.
Disappointment lead elders and other leading figures in the early church/congregation to compromise with Rome to maintain their own positional advantage with flock and state as did the Israel elders in Jesus’ day John 11:48.
All the pages on my site quote from and are reasoned solely on the basis of the available scriptural evidence with a primary focus on the Old Testament in the tradition of Jesus, Luke and the apostles, who under inspiration compiled the New Testament entirely on the foundation of the Old, save for matters heavenly and future they could not have been aware of.
Well, you want bible evidence and no pages from my website, which is full of bible quotes and references anyway. Well here it is especially written for this blog and NOT taken from one of the site's pages.
On the founding of the world Strong’s 2889, NOT 3625:
If the founding of the world in Ephesians 1:4 means what is consistently suggested by all translators of most, if not all, translations of that passage, namely the creation/foundation of a world ranging from the human race to the universe: http://biblehub.com/ephesians/1-4.htm , then Jehovah was acutely aware of Adam’s failure to cooperate with Him and sin long before he was created.
That would make God profoundly guilty of putting the human race through the hell they have created for themselves. Unrighteous reasoning.
Jehovah never knows in advance what anyone will do unless He causes it. In many cases He generally has a fair idea what a person is likely to do by displayed tendencies and aforethought, but it is the deed alone that condemns one, not the thought.
Example: It was only AFTER Abraham had virtually slaughtered Isaac that Jehovah exclaimed: . . . “Do not put out your hand against the boy and do not do anything at all to him, for now I do know that you are God-fearing in that you have not withheld your son, your only one, from me.” (Genesis 22:11-12)
The word, variously translated as Foundation or Creation in Ephesians 1:4 is:
Strong’s Gr. 2602 καταβολη katabole kat-ab-ol-ay’
from 2598; TDNT-3:620,418; {See TDNT 362} n f
AV-foundation 10, to conceive + 1519 1; 11
1) a throwing or laying down
1a) the injection or depositing of the virile semen in the womb
1b) of the seed of plants and animals
2) a founding (laying down a foundation)
After Adam’s ‘sin’ God was no longer interested in the number and quality of the seed he was going to generate. The Human race was now on an unguided DIY mission.
However, Jehovah’s focus now changed to the Seed of the woman, who would ultimately deal with all the problems Adam’s failure to cooperate had downloaded upon generic man Genesis 3:15.
Galatians 3:19: ‘Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed should come to whom the promise had been made.’ That seed of Abraham was Jesus in his substitutional role as and for the seed of Abraham Israel (Isaiah 41:8) who IN HIM replicated all significant steps of Israel’s journey from their Exodus out of Egypt to their execution IN HIM.
Was he not called out of Egypt?
Hosiah 11:1: ‘When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.’?
Was that son not Jehovah’s firstborn son Israel (Exodus 4:22)?
Did Jesus not say to the Syrophoenician Woman in Matthew 15:24: "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."?
Were there not a whole host of Jehovah’s promises riding on the Seed of Abraham Israel that needed to be fulfilled?
It was therefore adamant upon Jehovah, the keeper of promises, to redeem Israel for them to BE fulfilled.
That was the sheep Jesus’ assignment from when he was sent at his baptism to his death. He was NEVER sent from heaven into Mary’s womb, whichever way that is construed.
One needs to note Jesus’ identity as the last Adam, especially created by Jehovah from out of the earth as the procreative father of a separate human race, to avoid and charges of God ever having required human sacrifice from out of the loins of Adam #1, currently a playground of atheists and other like-minded ones, but this time it was Mary’s womb that supplied all the required earth elements in the manner noted by David in Psalm 139:13-15: ‘For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Thy works, And my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from Thee, When I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of The Earth.’ NASV.
Jesus was not God’s only begotten son offered for a world as per John 3:16.
Just as the sheep that saved Abraham’s only begotten son Isaac, so was Jesus, generic man and sheep, generated from outside the human race descended from Adam #1 and, primarily, so was the only begotten son of God, His first creation, who was actually offered for seed of Abraham Israel (Isaiah 41:8; John 3:16) for whom Jesus had substituted in the manner of the Abraham Isaac sheep OT shadow of the sheep, also from outside the human family out of Adam #1.
So, no human sacrifice from out of the loins of either Adam was ever required by God.
1. Adam #1 chose to die through sin.
2. Jehovah’s only begotten heavenly son willingly chose to die in place of God’s
firstborn son and Seed of Abraham Israel in the manner of Isaac’s submission
to Abraham.
3. Adam #2 generic man and sheep Jesus submissively chose to die in substitution
or place of Jehovah’s only begotten son actually offered (John 3:16) for the world
of the Seed of Abraham, God’s firstborn son Israel.
The upshot is that just as the sheep which substituted for Isaac in the OT shadow remains forever dead, for it was consumed by God, so it is with the reality where the sheep Jesus must likewise remain dead for those saved to retain theirs.
Note Jesus’ words in John chapter 6: that he needed to be consumed and eaten as the Passover lamb had been at the original Exodus to be later expelled:
‘Accordingly Jesus said to them: “Most truly I say to YOU, Unless YOU eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, YOU have no life in yourselves. 54 He that feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has everlasting life*, and I shall resurrect him at the last day; 55 for my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 He that feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood remains in union with me, and I in union with him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me forth and I live because of the Father, he also that feeds on me, even that one will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. It is not as when YOUR forefathers ate and yet died. He that feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59 These things he said as he was teaching in public assembly at Ca•per´na•um.’ (John 6:52-59) NWT.
Isn’t that why Paul said that Jesus was their Passover in 1 Corinthians 5:7? ‘For, indeed, Christ our Passover has been sacrificed.’
Who were the 'our' here in that verse? There is a 'Audience Relevance' page under the Bible button of my site. Look and examine it and its subpage and perhaps you may finally understand who was addressed by prophet and Apostle.
Why did Jesus cry and sweat blood and tears in the garden of Gethsemane like one who has no hope? Because HE HAD NO HOPE knowing that he would never come back to enjoy all the privileges, joys and pleasures concomitant with being a human male.
Was that not profoundly contrary to Paul’s encouraging words in 1 Thessalonians 4:13: ‘Moreover, brothers, we do not want YOU to be ignorant concerning those who are sleeping [in death]; that YOU may not sorrow just as the rest also do who have no hope.’? Sure was!
All animal sacrifices stay dead! No exceptions; not even for the sheep Jesus!
*Please note that Humans will NEVER possess everlasting live as
an inherent condition, for they still need to eat to be alive to listen
and do all else Jehovah has in mind for them to accomplish, as Jesus
pointed out in Luke 4:4 to the devil tempting him.
Bye, and thanks
Dieter
- Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-06-04 08:58:12
  Hi Dieter,
  You've backed up some of what you've claimed here with Scriptural support. Thank you for that. However, you've also made many claims that are just pure human opinion. Our readers will not take you seriously if you do that. Also, the comments section here is intended to hose comments on the article under consideration so as to help our readers enhance their understanding. Even a contrary point of view or aa comment questioning an articles premise can be beneficial. However, new topics, extensive treatises, or promotion of other web sites is not considered good form. Still, we do not wish to stifle freedom of expression. There is a proper forum for that. So please avail yourself of www.discussthetruth.com.
  Of course, freedom of expression works both ways and any idea put on that forum is fair game for others to cross examine and pick apart. However, that is how we refine our thinking process and separate human ideas from those of God. For Bible truth will always win out.

Comment by Dieter G on 2015-06-05 09:06:21
Thank you Meleti,
You are ever so right: Bible truth will always win out.
(Isaiah 1:4) 4 Woe to the sinful nation, the people heavy with error, an evildoing seed, ruinous sons! They have left Jehovah, they have treated the Holy One of Israel with disrespect, they have turned backwards. . .NWT.
Ezekiel 16 fully confirms Israel's sinfulness. Isaiah 53 was all about that sinful nation and their rescuer Son of man, sheep and redeemer. Not opining here.
In the type, the sheep dies in place of Abraham's only-begotten, as in solely-begotten, -son; Abraham being the only viable procreative human in that relationship, with Sarah procreatively dead. It was Abraham's implicit faith in the earlier promises, demonstrated by determined procreative attempts, that caused Jehovah to respond by temporarily enlivening Sarah's womb to produce Isaac. It was thus Abraham alone who produced Isaac, his solely-begotten-son.
Isaac became the only human equivalent and type of Jehovah's only begotten heavenly son for a reason.
The attempted sacrifice of Isaac is the type for John 3:16. Paul says in Hebrews somewhere that Abraham got his only begotten son back as good as from the dead after the life of a sheep was taken in his stead. Thereafter Isaac 'stood up' again in the manner of a resurrection with the sheep remaining dead. Not opining here.
Why in the Antitype has Christianity merged these two typical lives into one, resulting in a hybrid: 'only begotten son and sheep'? Am I opining?
When the 70 souls of Jacob's family entered Egypt, the seed was laid down in Egypt that gave rise to Jehovah's firstborn son (Exodus 4:22) Israel, seed of Abraham (Isaiah 41:8) who were then born the first time.
When that same Israel died in Jesus son of man and lamb, Israel was forgiven all its sins against their law and was born again, a second time. Only a small flock of the Israel of God would ultimately have the faith of Abraham in their salvation to qualify to form government.
The beautiful thing about all this is that Jehovah had granted Israel not just forgiveness through the death of Jesus, their final atonement, but did the judicially wrong and unheard of thing in even granting repentance to a stubbornly unrepentant Israel who had never ask to be forgiven:
(Acts 5:27-32) 27 So they brought them and stood them in the San′he‧drin hall.
And the high priest questioned them 28 and said: “We positively ordered YOU
not to keep teaching upon the basis of this name, and yet, look! YOU have filled
Jerusalem with YOUR teaching, and YOU are determined to bring the blood of
this man upon us.” 29 In answer Peter and the [other] apostles said: “We must
obey God as ruler rather than men. 30 The God of our forefathers raised up Jesus,
whom YOU slew, hanging him upon a stake. 31 God exalted this one as Chief
Agent and Savior to his right hand, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness
of sins. 32 And we are witnesses of these matters, and so is the holy spirit,
which God has given to those obeying him as ruler.” '84 NWT
Sorry, but I had to just complete my original attempt to deal with the real founding of the world of Israel: Government, firstborn son and adorning wife.
Forgot to introduce Jacob and his family entering Egypt as the founding seed of the world of Israel, because I had become too tired.
I shall take your learned advice and meander to discussthetruth.com.
Thank you again
Dieter G
- Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-06-05 09:31:39
  And not a moment too soon. :)
  - Reply by Dieter G on 2015-06-09 23:18:38
    After journeying to discussthetruth.com and posting a couple of comments, it seems to be a rarely visited site now, while perhaps earlier not so.
    One way to put me out to pasture? ;-)
    Dieter G
    - Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-06-10 08:01:15
      Not so. It averages as many posts per day as we do comments. Of course, views are significantly higher than posts/comments on either site as most readers prefer not to comment. Readership is growing steadily on both sites as more and more brothers and sisters are waking up to the reality of what the Organization is becoming and are looking for a place where they can freely and safely discuss God's word.
      Anyway, I thought you were going to post a new topic to discuss the issues you had raised here? If you do, let us know.

Comment by Buster on 2015-06-06 22:32:59
it been a week since I read this and I did not think much...sure they included the preaching angle and then I read the. march 15 2012 watchtower and I got really really upset... With this ststement
The other sheep should never forget that their salvation depends on their active support of Christ’s anointed “brothers” still on earth.
What..now i know to love your fellow man and brothers all who do gods will is my brother Jesus said this..... And to put our Faith and love Jesus to Jehovah I guess this means a lot but we need to. Active support for our anointed brothers ...Yeah that is what our salvation stand's on...Right

Comment by The truth is on 2016-01-11 10:14:24
[…] out angrily when I tried to explain how the Governing Body wrongly teach that following them is the way to salvation. Ad hominem is a common way for JWs to avoid reasoning; attack the person, not the problem. I […]

WT Study: Loyally Supporting Christ’s Brothers

How Has Our Understanding Been Clarified?

How Does the Illustration Emphasize the Preaching Work?

Specious Reasoning

Not Making Too Much of a Parable

Can His Brothers Also Be Sheep or Goats?

Judgment on the House of God

A Disclaimer

The Wheat and the Weeds Parable

In Summation

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