The annual Special Talk which the Organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses always schedules to follow on the heels of their commemoration of the memorial of Jesus’ death is being delivered around the world this weekend.
Here are a few key points from the outline which all Jehovah’s Witnesses would do well to apply to themselves:
- “Use the Bible to examine your current beliefs carefully.”
- “Jesus emphasized the need for our beliefs to be based on truth [Read John 4:23, 24]”
- “Like the apostle Paul, be willing to change your beliefs when presented with evidence (Ac 26:9-20)”
I’m sad to say that I have found very few of my JW brothers and sisters who have been willing to apply this last point.
However, let us assume that you, gentle reader, are not of that sort. With that in mind, let us consider what this year’s Special Talk is really about.
It is titled, “Are You on the Road to Everlasting Life?” In the Witness mindset, this is not the “everlasting life” Jesus referred to when he said: “He that feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has everlasting life, and I shall resurrect him at the last day;” (Joh 6:54)
No. What the speaker will be referring to is summed up in one of the outline points from the talk introduction.
“Millions look forward to enjoying everlasting life in Paradise on earth, as God originally purposed.”
This statement is true, but is it right?
It is true that God intended his human children to live forever. It is also true that he placed them in a garden or park; what we now call a “paradise”. In addition to this, we know that God’s word does not go forth without returning to him having fulfilled its mission. (Isa. 55:11) Therefore, it is a safe statement to say that eventually there will be humans living everlastingly on the earth. Since millions of Jehovah’s Witnesses believe this is the hope held out to them, it is also safe to say that “millions look forward to enjoying everlasting life in Paradise”.
So while the statement is true, is it right? For example, Jehovah wanted the Israelites to take possession of the Promised Land, but when they backed off in fear, he condemned them to 40 years of wandering in the Wilderness of Sinai. They then recanted and attempted to enter the Promised Land as God had purposed, but they were routed and returned home in defeat. They did what God wanted, but not when, nor in the way, he wanted it done. They acted presumptuously. (Nu 14:35-45)
In this context, it is interesting that the Special Talk outline makes the following antitypical assertion: “Our situation is similar to that of the nation of Israel when about to enter the Promised Land.”
Of course, no scriptural support is given—nor can be given—to support this assertion, but there is an interesting parallel to the attitude of those Israelites and what has been happening in the Organization for the past 80 years. If the Israelite entry into the Promised Land is representative of how Jehovah purposes to restore mankind to everlasting life on Earth, then we need to ask ourselves, are we doing it his way and on his timetable, or are we imitating those rebellious Israelites and following our own timetable and agenda?
To answer that question, let’s perform a little experiment. If you have at your disposal a copy of the WT Library program, do a search using the quoted phrase “everlasting life”. Check out where it occurs in the Christian Greek scriptures. Jump to each occurrence of the phrase using the Plus key and consider the context. Do you find that Jesus or the Christian writers are talking about the reward of everlasting life on a paradise earth?
The annual Special Talk this year is all about building appreciation for this earthly hope, but if you care to look up all the Bible references the speaker will cite from the platform, you may be surprised to learn that not one speaks of such a hope.
At this point, you may be objecting, telling me that I myself have just stated that “it is a safe statement to say that eventually there will be humans living everlastingly on the earth.” True, and I stand by that. However, are we running ahead of God by preaching that? That is the point we should be exploring!
Let’s look at this another way. Recently, I recall reading in one of our publications[i] that we need to be obedient to Jehovah’s earthly organization by following the direction regarding the new methods for preaching. That means, among other things, that we should support the cart work and use electronic aids in the field ministry to show the householders the latest videos on JW.org.
Well, if this counsel is valid, then shouldn’t the Governing Body be setting the example by obeying the direction from God as to what to preach? It is true that billions now dead will live again and that eventually the earth will be filled with righteous people living everlastingly. However, before that becomes a reality, the administration that will make it possible must first come into being. Please read the following carefully:
“It is according to his good pleasure which he purposed in himself 10 for an administration at the full limit of the appointed times, namely, to gather all things together again in the Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth. [Yes,] in him, 11 in union with whom we were also assigned as heirs, in that we were foreordained according to the purpose of him who operates all things according to the way his will counsels…” (Eph 1:9-11)
This administration at the “full limit of the appointed times” has not yet been completed. It is the administration that gathers all things together. Are we to start gathering things together before that administration comes into being? When does the Administration come into being? At the end, “the full limit of the appointed times.” And when is that?
“. . .they cried with a loud voice, saying: “Until when, Sovereign Lord holy and true, are you refraining from judging and avenging our blood upon those who dwell on the earth?” 11 And a white robe was given to each of them; and they were told to rest a little while longer, until the number was filled also of their fellow slaves and their brothers who were about to be killed as they also had been.” (Re 6:10, 11)
The number is not yet filled. So are we not running ahead of God by pushing a hope whose time has not yet come?
He has told us through his anointed Son that he is looking for humans to adopt as children. Shouldn’t we continue to work toward gathering them before we run ahead to the next phase of the program? (John 1:12; Ro 8:15-17)
Even if we accept the Organization’s interpretation of who the children of God are and how they are chosen, we have to acknowledge that recent events show that thousands more are partaking and acknowledging the calling to be children of God. This is a cause for concern to the Governing Body if we are to go by recent Watchtower studies. But why should that be the case? Shouldn’t this increase be a cause for rejoicing? Does it not mean—to the JW mindset at least—that the full number is close to being filled, thereby bringing the end? Why does the leadership of Jehovah’s Witnesses fear what is necessary, not only for their salvation, but that of the whole world? Why do they work so hard to block the way to everlasting life to which Jesus pointed? Whose work are they doing when they use the publications as well as oral and written instructions to elder bodies to dissuade others from partaking? (Mt 23:15)
The evidence is clear that the Governing Body and Jehovah’s Witnesses in general under their direction are promoting a way to everlasting life whose time has not yet come. This is the theme of the 2016 Special Talk.
Are they not acting like the Israelites of Moses’ day by pushing ahead of God purpose presumptuously? (1Sa 15:23; it-1 p. 1168; w05 3/15 p. 24 par. 9)
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[i] See “One Hundred Years Under Kingdom Rulership!“.
Par. 17 At that time, the life-saving direction that we receive from Jehovah’s organization may not appear practical from a human standpoint. All of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not.
Par. 16 We can enter into Jehovah’s rest—or join him in his rest—by obediently working in harmony with his advancing purpose as it is revealed to us through his organization.
Par. 13 …all in the congregation view it as their sacred duty to follow and uphold the direction coming from the faithful slave and its Governing Body.
(Special thanks to Dajo and M. for finding these references)
Hello,
Was wondering if the newest annual meeting had been discussed in an article here? They feel they have fulfilled Matt (24:14) Apparently no longer keeping time… Also special talk is to be given on the subject, not sure if that has happened yet.
Lee
No article as yet. Hadn’t heard about the “no longer keeping time” thing. That would be major. They depend on time keeping for control.
Yes, according to an Elder I still do contract work with occasionally, apparently the keeping of time is no longer necessary for all. They will no longer print yearbooks and public wt will be only 3 or 4 a year with one main topic. Interesting change, they are visiting only studies and ones who they think have interest, including inactive. As for the rest they are given little attention. The recent annual meeting was apparently quite a change of pace.
Lee
Hi Lee Anthony. Welcome to the site. I haven’t been able to find confirmation on the web for what your elder friend suggested concerning the keeping of time. It would be a great step in the right direction if there were to do that, but I find it unlikely as that would mean surrendering up much of their control. Reporting one’s time to the elders is a major control element in the organization.
Hello, Thanks for the welcome. I find the articles I have read so far refreshing. I help on a site for Ex witnesses called friends of Jehovah’s witnesses and try and assist when possible, though the site is run by bible students and a lot of them still hold to CT Russel’s teachings which I agree with only on certain points. I like the simple black and white and often Red of the scriptures, too much out of context and adding and subtracting or me. They are supposed to be posting the meeting but is strange they haven’t yet. It… Read more »
Side note: You may have read the letter from Wt to Kh but here is letter.
https://www.reddit.com/r/exjw/comments/74xkt6/re_annual_meeting_announcements/
The no time thing is not listed however so I can only verify this from said Elders words… Of course not always best place for accurate info.
Lee
I’m wondering why they haven’t put the AGM on the tv.jw.org site as they did for previous meetings.
“The evidence is clear that the Governing Body and Jehovah’s Witnesses in general under their direction are promoting a way to everlasting life whose time has not yet come.” The ancient Passover saved the lives of the firstborn not every Jew. Every obedient Jew gained freedom from slavery by the blood of the sacrifice splattered on their doorways but not every Jew was chosen to serve at the Tabernacle. Only the tribe of Levi, chosen as representative of all the firstborn who were saved, served in the Tabernacle arrangement. The fact that most JWs are happy to serve on the… Read more »
Hello Meleti,
I found a reference here:- w11 7/15 pp. 28-32 par 10 & 11
Also Nov 15 2015 pg 26
David
Thanks Dajo. I really appreciate the help. It was the last one in particular that I had in mind. I’ve added a link to it in the article.
Meleti, I haven’t yet heard the talk, but I fully agree with your point about the organization pursuing it’s own desires, “putting the cart ahead of the horse.” I think that’s the best expression to describe it. And your biblical example of the Israelites is the best example to describe it. We as humans have the terrible tendency of striving to get something WHEN we want it, not necessarily in God’s time. When life is short, it’s hard to wait. For some, it might be presumptuousness that moves them, for others it is probably just their desire for a quicker… Read more »
Thanks Yehorakam for your excellent comments on our hope. I fully agree with you that whatever the reward actually turns out to be, it is our trust that Christ and our Father both love us and would not offer us a reward which we would not be happy in receiving that should be the motivating factor in our moving forward in obedience to them. That is the essence of faith.
57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” John chapter 6 Interesting that Jesus compared the eating of the manna to eating his flesh – as all the Israelites were to eat the manna not just a select few just as it appears all Christians are to partake Regarding searching for “truth” – the organization does… Read more »
Do you believe the Governing Body has the power to permanently dissuade those God is calling from recognizing that call and partaking?
I think you’re reading too much into what I write. 🙂
🙂