“This is my Son . . . Listen to him.”—Matthew 17:5.
[From ws 3/19 p.8 Study Article 11: May 13-19, 2019]
There in the title of the study article and the theme scripture we already have the contradictory message given by the Organization. We are told to listen to Jehovah’s voice, whose voice asks us to listen to Jesus voice. Yet most of the article is only about listening to Jehovah.
We are reminded “In the past, he used prophets, angels, and his Son, Christ Jesus, to convey his thoughts to us” (Par.1) and “Today, he communicates with us through his Word, the Bible.” These statements are accurate and show how we can listen to both Jehovah and Jesus. There are no inspired prophets today, nor do angels visit us. We have everything we need in his inspired word.
All whom Jehovah has chosen to represent him in the past have had clear proof of appointment. The prophets had their prophecy come true. Some were given power to perform miracles. Moses and Aaron were clearly appointed, as was Jesus. Those not clearly appointed were not appointed by God or Jesus.
At Jesus baptism, there was a clear appointment as Luke 3:22 records “and the holy spirit in bodily shape like a dove came down upon him, and a voice came out of heaven: “You are my Son, the beloved; I have approved you.””
A while later at Jesus’ transfiguration (Luke 9:35) the disciples were told to “Listen to him”. These clear evidences of Jesus appointment were not easily forgotten or overlooked or questioned. The Apostle Peter still remembered the transfiguration some 30 years later as recorded 2 Peter 1:16-18.
In like manner if a slave were to be appointed over someone’s belongings would we not also expect such a clear and unquestionable appointment. (Matthew 24:25-27) A self appointed slave would (and should) never be taken seriously.
What did Jesus voice ask his disciples to do (who incidentally were also clearly appointed)?
Paragraph 9 reminds us of the following:
“he lovingly taught his followers how to preach the good news, and he repeatedly reminded them to keep on the watch. (Matthew 24:42; 28:19, 20)
“He also urged them to exert themselves vigorously, and he encouraged them not to give up. (Luke 13:24)”
And perhaps the most important points “Jesus stressed the need for his followers to love one another, to remain united, and to observe his commandments. (John 15:10, 12, 13)”
John 18:37 holds an important reminder from Jesus. “Everyone that is on the side of the truth listens to my voice.” Clearly, the opposite is also true. Those who do not listen to Jesus voice are not on the side of truth.
In this we are reminded that Jesus said: “My sheep listen to my voice.” (John 10:27) , and “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. In turn, whoever loves me will be loved by my Father.”(John 14:21).
Paragraph 12 marks where the scripturally based discussion is interrupted for the self advertising of the Organization and its demands.
In this paragraph we are asked to cooperate with the elders based on Hebrews 13:7,13 even though those taking the lead in the first century were clearly appointed by Holy Spirit, unlike today. We are also asked to accept without question that the Organization is “God’s Organization”, the format of the meetings, and the type of new tools and methods we are expected to use in our ministry and “the way we build, renovate, and maintain our Kingdom Halls”. Yes, you understand it correctly, you are expected to pay to build, renovate and maintain your Kingdom Hall, just so that if the Organization decides your Hall is not fully utilised then they can send you to a different hall miles away, and sell your Hall and keep the money for themselves.
Paragraph 13 reminds us “Jesus assured his disciples that his teachings would refresh them. “You will find refreshment for yourselves,” he said. “For my yoke is kindly, and my load is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30)”
For those reading this review who are still fully practicing JW’s, please be honest with yourselves. Do you honestly find refreshment from the teachings of the Organization or is it a heavy load?
The requirement to be at meetings twice a week, to prepare for them, to answer up multiple times, to attend meetings for field service before preaching, and that is before we get to the unwritten rules such as no non-Witness friends, no after school activities, no further education and hence no well paying job, spending at least 10 hours per month preaching, cleaning and maintaining the Kingdom Hall and more!
The amount of Witnesses on anti-depressants is shocking. It is hidden, like many things, but is actually rampant as you will find when you start asking. A large contributory factor has to be the treadmill of work, physically and mentally, to remain considered “a spiritual person” within the Organization.
Paragraph 16 states “Or we may be disturbed by false stories that opposers spread about us. We may think about the reproach these reports bring on Jehovah’s name and his organization.” This is an open and shut case of shooting the messenger and ignoring the problem. The Organization is likely referring to so called false stories that they don’t care about sexually abused children when they claim they do, but their hands are tied by the Bible requirement for two witnesses. (See past JW.Org broadcasts)
As highlighted many times on this site, this is a whitewash. Their main support for the two witnesses stance is the Mosaic Law. Jesus released Christians from the Mosaic Law, and the Law for two witnesses primarily related to offences which carried capital punishment (death penalty). Today we acknowledge the secular law of the countries in which we live, and this is a Bible command. Child sexual abuse is a crime and therefore any (all) allegations should therefore be reported to the relevant secular authorities before any congregation action is taken.
Opposers of the Organization do not need to spread false stories, there are too many shockingly true stories to be told. The real problem is not only the failure on the part of the Organization to change its own pharisaical procedures but also the false claim that they are God’s Organization on earth. That claim is what brings reproach on Jehovah’s name. As mentioned earlier, there is no evidence that God ever chose the current Organization to represent him. The whole basis on which they claim this appointment is mired in the mess of 1914 which arose from a very questionable interpretation of a dream given to a pagan King of Babylon which was fulfilled on him 2,550 or so years ago. That Jerusalem was destroyed in 607 BCE can be disproved from the scriptures without resorting to secular history which holds 587 BCE as Jerusalem’s destruction by Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar.[i]
Paragraph 17 makes the claim that “Additionally, Jehovah’s spirit moves “the faithful steward” to keep giving His servants their food supply. (Luke 12:42)”.
So, the teachings of “the generation that will not pass away”, or “the overlapping generations”. Are they from Jehovah’s spirit or from men’s? If from Jehovah, then why is his spirit telling us lies? As the scriptures remind us that “God” is someone “who cannot lie” (Titus 1:2), it stands to reason that these lies must be from men, they cannot be from God. Additionally, by extension these men cannot be God’s faithful steward. Any steward that lies about what his master says is removed from service straight away.
Yes, those of us still affected by the tentacles of the Organization do well to take encouragement from Hebrews 10:36 where “The Bible reminds us: “You need endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the fulfillment of the promise.”.
Indeed, let us follow the example of the faithful Apostles who when told to be silent about what they had learnt gave this well known reply to the Pharisees of their day “We must obey God as ruler rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Then we will truly be listening to Jehovah’s voice and not men’s voice.
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[i] Please see the forthcoming series “A Journey through Time” on this site for scriptural proof.
Watching a VDO a few months back on JW Broadcast, on why we must trust the faithful and discreet slave by governing body member “brother Loesch”; he climaxes his presentation and arguments with a question designed to penetrate your mind and heart, and mostly to affect your emotions, but also in a way to by-pass the mind’s ability to reason and to critically evaluate everything presented thus far. He asks a rhetorical question, “Jesus trusts the faithful and discreet slave, do you”??? The basis and the arguments for this question, is built mostly on the experiences of Moses and the… Read more »
“Why should we obey you or trust you??? What have you shown in the way God does to assure his people this is the best course to follow?” That’s an excellent point. Ashas been already pointed out, prophets of old were able to perform miracles or interpret dreams accurately. They were Abe to do things not humanly possible, which means God had to have been using them directly. Now I will give credit where credit is due; the Witnesses were early to the game with regard to a hope for a restored earth, and I think this convinced a lot… Read more »
Chet you are right about the Earthly Kingdom hope we could look forward to. This is a real draw card that seemed to cause us all to overlook too many other things. One reason being that this paradise was going to materialise soooo soon that we thought these other things should not be as of a great importance than they should have been. They could be resolved later. In fact in an unofficial way this was emphasised many times in so many ways. Such as what is the point of speculating if we are going to have washing machines or… Read more »
I laughed at your Geebees posturing as media stars, Chet, but it’s no laughing matter is it? Just the other day I was talking to an old friend who lives far away and didn’t know I’d faded. The JW broadcasts came up and I was suddenly reminded of your comment when there was an adoring gushing of praise for the GB and how wonderful, how funny, how loving… how wonderful that we can actually see them and when they say “ we really love you” it almost brings one to tears with joy. I was transported back to 1973 and… Read more »
Martha,Martha – Isn’t it all so very “creepy”,. The knowledge that “we have no salvation in man’ (sorry, cant remember scriptural reference).. and call no man your Father.. somehow, somewhere in time has become lost.
Its almost heresy to dare suggest they are mere men, supposed to be an example in “washing the feet” of Jesus disciples etc.
OH GOODNESS me, sometimes it is hard being PIMO!!!
Wow Alithia… Finger cramps?? Thanks that was an outstanding presentation of accuracy and reasoning..
Hi, Lost in space, well I have found you 🙂 and hope you were looking for the next two verses.
Psalms 146:3
Put not your trust in princes, in mortal man, who cannot save.
John 14:6
Jesus answered: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”.
Hi Tadua Thanks for this article, because it gives me more scriptural way of reasoning with the elders. Last week I made a few waves with one elder, and before I knew it another one joined in the conversation that revolved around first paragraph of last week WT about baptism: “They did not trust Jehovah and his standards. They chose to set their own standards of good and bad. (Gen. 3:22) But look at what they lost. They lost their friendship with Jehovah. They also lost the opportunity to live forever, and they passed sin and death on to their… Read more »
[“All what I got was, we just have to trust the slave class. And a visit in the next few days from them, I suppose to straighten my thinking”.] JamesBrown James or your elders were tippy toeing around to see if you might intend to, or already have, spread your ideas to other Witnesses. Unfortunately they care about that more than they care about you. Have you ever thought of the reason why that is so? I suggest mainly because of selfishness. That they are concerned about their prestigious position of elder, and their own standing in your church as… Read more »
Here is another question James. Why does the Governing Body claim the statement “when that which is complete arrives,” at 1 Corinthians 13:10 means the completion of the Bible, when just two verses down at 1 Corinthians 12:12 Paul claims HE will see the subject (THAT) in the sentence. And yet Paul died before the Bible was finished? Also, WT claims the surrounding scriptures support an idea that God stopped contacting people after the Bible was completed. But none of the surrounding scriptures speak of God initiating contact with anyone, or that he stopped initiating contact with anyone? That is… Read more »
Correction
I meant two vss down at 1Cor:13:12 not 12:12
James brown.. Gotta luv it when the “vultures circle”. Innocent as a dove, cautious as serpents.. When pimo or Pomo!! (physically in, mentally out…).
Your question to them was right on the money!
Something more about the article’s title, I recently found out that ‘Jehovah’ is a wordt created by merging ‘Yahweh’ and ‘Adonai’. YaHWeH + AdOnAi = Yahowah. This reminded the reader to not pronounce the divine name, but say Adonai instead.
Maybe you already knew this, but this convinced me even more that most witnesses don’t even know what they are speaking about.
“Listen To Jehovah’s Voice” followed by Matthew 17:5 is similar by comparison to something I discovered in the longest Sophia and Caleb video “Jehovah Will Help You Be Bold” (11:59 in length). It was all about Sophia being apprehensive about placing “Learn From the Great Teacher” book with her classmates. At the end of the video, Sophia calls out to another class mate named “Timmy.” She asks, “Hey Timmy, do you want to see what I was reading on the bus?” Timmy responds, “Sure!” Sophia opens the book and says, “This book teaches about Jehovah!” Timmy responds, “Jehovah?” She replies,… Read more »
Also . . . “Jesus” receives a grand total of only EIGHT mentions among five videos – in all the 34 videos! You will need to watch SEVEN videos just to hear His name mentioned for the first time.
Excellent pick up Rustic shore. We noticed the same minimalism of the role of Jesus in JW literature. Makes sense from the g.b.point of view to do so as the mediatorship role for Jesus belongs only to THEMSELVES as part of the so-called ” little flock”.
Sorry about repeat comments by me- fairly new to doing this and don’t know if message gets thru at times, or how to delete an entry!!
Excellent pick up Rustic shore! Yes, we were troubled by the minimal discussion of Jesus. It’s BRAND Jehovah. Good but not good enough!
Awesome solid reasoning once again Tadua. Yes, the so-called,self appointed, possibly self Anointed ‘ great 8.. The governing body have little evidence of Jehovah’s approval.or to be fully listened to.
Jerusalem actually fell in 529 BCE. Learn this. Know this.
Well said LarryWilson.
POMO husband “If ever” has also done extensive research, along with many ex-JW You-tubers and also Wikapedia contributors to comprehensively prove that is undeniably CORRECT!!
Hi,
Interesting use of avatar. A subliminal taken from the Revelationbook. The idol pansface within the hand of the glorified Jesus.
Subliminals, one of the reasons I faded from the Watchtower after 40 years of being a JW.
After my knowledge about the subliminals, my whole collection of books and other WTpaperware ended in the recycling bin, where it was put to good use again.
Glas to say my husband faded with me at the same time.
Kind regards.
I wonder if the Watchtower could write an article about any subject without somehow referring to “the Faithful Steward” and/or “the Faithful and Discreet Slave”? Conveniently, they just happen to be there, ready to claim that sobriquet at the drop of a hat.
LOL LOL
Tentacles of the organization.
That is a good way to word it.
The governing body demands members to listen to them in a way that even Jesus didn’t demand. I’ve never heard or read any statement from them that matches the candid and humble words of Jesus found below.
“If I am not doing the works of my Father, do not believe me.”
(John 10:37)
To me this is very revealing of their true character.