[From ws3/16 p. 18 for May 23-29]
“This is the way. Walk in it.”—Isa 30:21
I have put all the doctrinal corrections at the end of the article so as not to detract from a discussion of what appears to be the real purpose of this article. From the title, one would assume the audience is going to learn how Jehovah guides us to everlasting life. However, that is not really the point the article wants to get across. There is an underlying theme; one which most Watchtower Study attendees will not be consciously aware of, but which will likely influence them all the same.
The key phrase to watch for is new or changed circumstances. It first occurs in paragraph 4.
New Circumstances in Noah’s Day
The (b) question for paragraph 4 reads: “How did new circumstances reveal God’s thinking?”
The answer: “There were new circumstances….Hence, new guidelines were required: “Only flesh with its life—its blood—you must not eat.” – Par. 4
So the new circumstances required new guidelines. Actually, new laws.
New Circumstances in Moses’ Day
Paragraph 6 states: “In Moses’ day, clear guidelines on proper conduct and manner of worship were needed. Why? Again, changed circumstances were involved.” – Par. 6
As in the case of the Flood, the formation of the nation of Israel was God’s doing. This created new circumstances that required Jehovah to provide new guidelines. Actually, they were more than guidelines. Disobeying a guideline doesn’t carry the death penalty. Nevertheless, the point is new circumstances require new guidelines or laws.
New Circumstances in Christ’s Day
The question from paragraph 9 is: “What new circumstances made new direction from God necessary?”
The answer is that “the arrival of Jesus as the Messiah made it necessary to have new divine direction and a further revealing of Jehovah’s purpose. This was because, once again, new circumstances arose.” – Par. 9
Again, new circumstances meant new laws.
New Circumstances in the Governing Body’s Day
We now come to the point of the study.
The question for paragraphs 15, 16 reads: “What new circumstances do we now have, and how does God guide us?”
If we accept the premise that there are new circumstances, then we must accept the corollary that new laws or guidelines from God are forthcoming.
In answer the paragraphs speak of the last days, the coming tribulation, the casting down of Satan, and the “historic and unprecedented preaching campaign that is reaching peoples and language groups as never before!” These are apparently the new circumstances.
But are they really new circumstances?
According to Acts 2:17, the last days started in the first century. We have no way of knowing if the tribulation is straight ahead as the article suggests. In fact, what the great tribulation refers to is very much a matter that is open to interpretation. As for Satan being cast down, we've already proven that 1914 is false, so while we can't be sure when this occurred, there is no basis for assuming it was in that year.[a] And finally, there is the so-called “historic and unprecedented preaching campaign that is reaching people and language groups as never before”. Is this a new circumstance? Ignore all the other religious groups with missionaries around the world, like the 200 countries in which Adventists preach. Ignore the almost 3,000 languages in which Bible societies have made God’s word available to language groups. Instead, ask yourself where are we preaching? In what lands are 95% of all Jehovah’s Witnesses preaching? Are they not all Christian lands? So how did they become Christian before we got there? If our preaching work is historic, what historic work is responsible for bringing Christianity to these lands before us? How can our work be “unprecedented” if there is such a precedent already in place?
Nevertheless, let us accept for the moment that the premise is valid, that these are new circumstances. Where does that leave us? What conclusion should we draw?
- In the first new circumstances, angels spoke to Noah, and he spoke to his family.
- In the second, new circumstances angels spoke to Moses and he spoke to the Israelites.
- In the third new circumstances, God spoke to his son and he spoke to us.
Now we are in the fourth new circumstances, and we have the complete Bible to guide us, but apparently that is not enough. Keeping company with the likes of Noah, Moses and Jesus Christ, the Governing Body would have us believe that to instruct us to deal with these new circumstances, Jehovah speaks through them.
And just how does he go about doing that? Noah and Moses had angelic intermediaries. Jehovah spoke directly to Jesus. So how does He communicate His wants to the Governing Body? They are silent on that subject.
Moving on, we would naturally want to know what these new guidelines are. How are we to respond to the new circumstances of the last days, Satan's rage, the approaching great tribulation, and the global preaching work? The past three times God imparted guidelines and laws to deal with changed circumstances, it resulted in life altering, world changing events. These laws continue to affect us down to this day. So what does Jehovah have to tell us now?
Paragraph 17 answers: “We need to employ the preaching tools provided by God’s organization. Do you desire to do that? Are you alert to the guidance given at our meetings on how we can use these tools and how to do so most effectively? Do you view these directions as guidance from God?” – Par. 17
Are we really putting the law on blood, the ten commandments, and the law of the Christ on a par with using the iPad in the field ministry? Does Jehovah really want me to show JW.org videos on my cell phone? If it sounds like I'm being facetious, or ridiculing, remember that I didn't write this stuff.
These men would have us believe that their future instructions, also transmitted from God, will require our absolute obedience if we desire to be saved.
“Indeed, to keep receiving God’s blessing, we need to pay attention to all the directions provided through the Christian congregation. Having an obedient spirit now will help us to follow directions during the “great tribulation,” which will eliminate Satan’s entire evil system.” - Par. 18
Jehovah won't bless us if we don't follow "all the directions" we get from the Governing Body.
"So if we STOP to consider God’s Word, LOOK to understand its meaning for us, and LISTEN by obeying God’s guidance now, we can look forward to surviving the great tribulation and enjoying an eternity of learning about our all-wise and loving God, Jehovah." - Par 20
We can survive the great tribulation and live eternally only if we obey the Governing Body's directions now!
There it is. You decide.
Corrigenda
Paragraph 2
In the introductory paragraphs of this week’s study, an opportunity to adjust our minds to the truth is missed.
“Jehovah…acts like a loving shepherd to his flock, calling out to the sheep proper direction and warnings so that they can avoid dangerous paths.—Read Isaiah 30:20, 21.” – Par. 2
For proof of this statement, the article refers to a Scripture directed to the Israelites under the old covenant. However, Christians are not under the old covenant, so why refer to it when something has replaced it?
“Consequently if anyone is in union with Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away, look! new things have come into existence.” (2Co 5:17)
The old things have passed away! Jehovah was both shepherd and instructor to the nation of Israel, but in the New Covenant Scriptures—what we commonly call “the Christian Greek Scriptures”—Jehovah is never depicted as a Shepherd. Why not? Because He has raised up a Shepherd and an instructor, and told us to listen to him. He now instructs us.
“Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an everlasting covenant, our Lord Jesus,” (Heb 13:20)
“And when the chief shepherd has been made manifest, YOU will receive the unfadable crown of glory.” (1Pe 5:4)
“I am the fine shepherd; the fine shepherd surrenders his soul in behalf of the sheep.” (Joh 10:11)
“. . .because the Lamb, who is in the midst of the throne, will shepherd them, and will guide them to fountains of waters of life. . . .” (Re 7:17)
“This is my son…listen to him.” (Mt 17:5)
Why would someone claim to be Christ’s “faithful and discreet slave” while continually marginalizing his divinely appointed role?
Paragraph 8
We run into some confusing reasoning when contrasting the question asked in paragraph 8 with the answer provided.
Question: “Why should we be guided by the principles of the Mosaic Law?”
Answer: “Listen to what Jesus said: “You heard that it was said: ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Thus, we need to avoid not only the act of adultery but also the sexual craving to share in immorality.”
This is not an example of being guided by the principles of the Mosaic Law. This is an example of how we are guided by the principles of the Christ which transcend the Mosaic Law. The answer doesn’t really fit the question.
Paragraphs 10 & 11
Under the heading, “Guidance for a New Spiritual Nation”, we are told that “devoted servants of God were under a new covenant.” (Par. 10) The article then goes on to show that the old covenant under the Mosaic Law included all of Israel, but the new nation of spiritual Israel is governed by “the law of the Christ” that “would apply to and benefit Christians wherever they lived.” Would that not imply that like the old covenant, the new one applies to all Christians? That is what paragraph 11 seems to be saying:
“These directives were for all Christians; thus they apply to all true worshippers today, whether their hope is heavenly or earthly.” – Par. 11
Yet, according to JW theology, those with an earthly hope are not in the New Covenant. They do not make up the “Spiritual Nation” to which the subtitle refers. Where is the Scriptural evidence for this seemingly contradictory reasoning? Apparently, this new 20th Century class of Christian is the first “people” Jehovah has called to himself since Abraham with whom he has not entered into any form of covenant.
There is no Scriptural support for this teaching.
Paragraphs 13 & 14
These paragraphs speak of the new commandment Jesus gave Christians to love one another as he loved us.
“That commandment involves a call not just to love one another in normal aspects of everyday life but to be willing even to surrender our life in behalf of our brother.” – Par. 13
Many of us have seen the videos and/or read the transcripts of the testimony from JW officials before the Australia Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. After reviewing these, would you feel that there is evidence that these brothers were willing to sacrifice themselves for the good of the child victim? True, life and limb were not in danger in this instance, though Jesus words imply that such a sacrifice might ultimately be called for. No, we’re just talking about putting the welfare of the child victim above any thought of self, of one’s position or standing in the Organization. True, reporting such a hideous crime to the authorities would have inevitably brought some shame on the Organization and the local congregation, perhaps even on the Body of Elders had they not handled the case properly, but Jesus despised shame. (He 12:2) He was not afraid to suffer the greatest shame that existed within Jewish society because he was motivated by love. So again, do we see evidence of that in the deeds of the officials at all levels of the Organization with regard to the handling of child sexual abuse? Do you feel that John 13:34-35 applies to us?
Paragraphs 15
“Especially since the appointment of “the faithful and discreet slave,” Jesus has provided his people with spiritual food at the proper time.” – Par. 15
According to the most recent interpretation of the Governing Body, there was no fulfillment of Matthew 24:45-47 until 1919.[b] So until 1919 there was no slave feeding God’s people. Yet, the paragraph says that especially since that 1919 appointment Jesus has been feeding his people. The use of “especially” indicates that while he was feeding them before 1919, he is doing so even more since then.
Pray tell, through who, if not the slave, was Christ feeding his people prior to 1919?
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[a] In fact, the weight of evidence, both Scriptural and historical, suggests that it occurred in the first century.
[b] David H. Splane: The “Slave” Is Not 1900 Years Old
Archived Comments
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Comment by tyhik on 2016-05-25 08:50:22
Thanks Meleti for the fine job as usual.
This WT article hints yet again that we are short of funds. Really. And this is a changed circumstance I guess. I have no issue about GB trying to cut printing costs, but it is just sad to see that cooperating is presented as obedience to God.
Comment by Colette on 2016-05-25 09:05:45
As for being short of funds:
Russell said they had God as their backer, and that He would provide financially for the org as long as he wanted the printing of the WT to continue. By their own standards, God is telling them he doesn't want them to continue publishing.
Further, the governing body's qualifying criteria is that they provide food at the proper time. This year I believe there will be no literature/dvd handouts. Yes, a few new dvd's but only to be downloaded. So they are stopping the provision of literature. So are they still qualified as the faithful and discreet slave?
Here in Africa, many are very poor. Many do not have internet access etc. And for them a tablet/iPad is completely unaffordable. We also have a very real crime problem. It will be inviting trouble to go from house to house or in the streets with an iPad etc. But I suppose the poorer people don't matter to the GB. This close to the end, one would think the GB would be stepping up efforts to reach as many as possible, not making it impossible for the many deserving poorer folk. It now makes sense why I was removed as a pioneer - the charge against me was that I placed too many magazines!Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2016-05-25 12:17:41
What a hoot! Seriously, they complained that you were placing too many mags and that this disqualified you as a pioneer?
Reply by Colette on 2016-05-25 14:08:16
Yes, Indeed! We took this matter to our branch office service desk, only to be told by a brother on the branch committee: 'Well...., it isn't a sin to place a lot of magazines.' And then it became a prickly pair situation (his words) as our body of elders tried to lie their way out of it. The circuit overseer was one of the guilty ones too.
I had seriously expected the circuit overseer/branch to at least want to investigate how we placed so much (and it wasn't by sitting under a tree chatting to each other or with a cart) so that they could implement our method to increase the preaching work. Little did we realize that they were becoming short of money to print and that the idea is look as if you are preaching, not actually do it.
And my second grievous sin was that I couldn't attend pioneer school due to family obligations. So I was disqualified for these two reasons. But the real reason was that they didn't like our family as my husband was up for appointment and he would have been one of the good elders.
Comment by Yehorakam on 2016-05-25 14:36:57
Thanks Meleti. Very observant. Scripturally, it can be shown that when there was world changing events that affected God's people, he used appointed prophets that were blessed with visions or visits from divine messengers...and they never changed their message. It always came true. The GB have received none of that. Instead, their predictions have failed, their teachings have changed, and when they fail they say that it was indeed a comunicado from God, but they misunderstood it's full meaning. One obvious failing is that they have taught that the resurrection has already started (see 2 Tim 2:17,18). It seems like most things related to the sacred secret they do not understand. They don't know who the 24 elders are, who B the G is, that most of the fulfillment for Revelation is yet future (not during the last 100 years as they say). So, all the evidence is that they are not God's direct representative and have assumed the position as prophet themselves. They are not God's provision. Jesus is God's provision. He is in charge and directs each Christian personally if they let him.
But, it is worth mentioning that there will be two divinely appointed prophets in the GT and they will be given direct messages from Jesus. One of the beautiful revelations of the spirit was understanding that the man in linen in Daniel 10:5,6 and 12:5-7 is Jesus and the "two others" in 12:5 that are on each side of him are the two prophets and they are given a correct explanation from Jesus as to what and when things will happen. That is the same reason Jesus is seen conversing with them in Mat. 17:3. Both are always described as being associated with Jesus' arrival (Dan. 12:5,6; Zech 4:3-14; Mal. 3:1; Mat 17:3; Mr 9:4; Lu 9:30,31; Rev 11:3,4) Even the Pharisees understood from the scriptures that Christ's return would be associated with the appearance of two prophets, one like Elijah, one like Moses (John 1:25).
I feel a great disappointment that for over 3 decades, I have been deceived into believing that the GB are the two prophets, the faithful slave, the secretary with the inkhorn, the John class, the Elijah class, the Jeremiah class, the locusts, etc... (I truly would like to make a complete list of all the things they say they are). They are now the fulfillment of another prophecy according to their revelation: they are a stick stuck to another stick. I ask myself: Do they not realize Jesus got rid of all that stuff and gave us the example of a body with a head and different members, or a shepherd w/sheep or a master with servants? Are his comparisons not enough that we have to find types and anti-types again? I suppose they are not the only one to make such claims to be prophets. Over the years, a lot of coocoo's have shown up in Jerusalem saying they are the two prophets. When the HS started to teach me new things on my own, I had to kick myself so that I didn't get to feeling that Christ had selected me for some sort of mission. I have come to the safe conclusion that for the last 2,000 years, there has been no need for prophetic missions because there has been no new or changed circumstances. Christians everywhere of no specific denomination have just been expected to complete their "mission" of following Christ and keep their lamps burning while they multiply their "talent" by preaching about the "kingdom of the heavens." That was all Christ basically told us to do until he returned to settle accounts. He hasn't yet returned, so the game plan hasn't changed. No need for a prophet. He just needs Christians. When he wants a prophet, he'll appoint one when the time comes.
For all the deception I've been through, I have made it a subject of my prayers that if I'm still alive, I'll be able to properly identify the two prophets when they finally appear on the seen. I feel HS will help me arrive at the correct conclusion when the time comes because I have no preconceptions as to where they will come from. It will be their qualities, teachings and works that identify them. It is up to all of us to examine the scriptures so as to know what to look for...
And Meleti, thanks again for the emphasis with scriptures that Jesus is now our appointed shepherd (par 2)!
Much love,
Comment by Menrov on 2016-05-26 14:07:32
I guess the NEW CIRCUMSTANCES the WBTS see today is that none of their prophecies did come true...so they need a reason from "the scriptures" for their many so-called new lights.
Comment by lazarus on 2016-05-29 02:59:06
Once again really appreciate your reviews it a unique feature, which continual strengthens our being awake to the teachings of men! Yes Wtower study conducter highlighted the great shepherd Jehovah is guiding the sheep to green pastures by the Faithful and discreet slave! So how important we trust and to keep up to date with the directions we recieve. Forget about Jesus and his role, very sad indeed!