There was a post here on the organization's two class distinctions which made did make some valid points, compelling me to reason and research. So, I thought I would share my takeaways and some things I gathered in this process, and I appreciate your input.
HERE ARE SOME THOUGHTS...
The scriptures are clear, Christ cannot have possibly returned and cannot be 'present' while this world rests under Satan's demonic influence.
I would surmise though, that from all appearances, that it is likely t... moreThere was a post here on the organization's two class distinctions which made did make some valid points, compelling me to reason and research. So, I thought I would share my takeaways and some things I gathered in this process, and I appreciate your input.
HERE ARE SOME THOUGHTS...
The scriptures are clear, Christ cannot have possibly returned and cannot be 'present' while this world rests under Satan's demonic influence.
I would surmise though, that from all appearances, that it is likely the war in the heavens between the angelic forces has begun (perhaps sometime around the turn of the 20th century) and is likely continuing to this day, and this will ultimately culminate in Armageddon only AFTER Satan and ALL of his demonic forces are successfully confined to this earth.
Such would certainly would explain the sudden tremendous advancement in technologies with the worsening of world conditions. After all, the demons feed on fear and terror, death and destruction, and they relish in every conceivable depravity.
Remember, time in the heavens is certainly not on the same plane of perception as we here on earth view time, and the expanse of the heavens is immeasurable. As angelic beings, the demons are very powerful and quite numerous as they comprise fully one third of all the angelic forces created. So, is it not conceivable that the heavenly war, from our perspective could have been waging for over a hundred years?
I am compelled too, to conclude that the entirety of the 'anointed' and 'other sheep' classifications was conceived solely to create a 'clergy laity' class resembling that of the Catholic church. In fact, Geoffrey Jackson, in one of his own court testimonies fully admitted to their hierarchical structure being "not unlike that of the Catholic church".
We know too, that there is NO separate classes here on earth. Those who will rule in the heavens will be those 'chosen' and Matthew 22:14 indicates that these will be few in number.
Matthew 13:24-27 also clearly says that "the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory" will occur AFTER the great tribulation. This being the case, based upon these scriptures, the entire premise of 1914 can be nothing but a red herring.
I also find Matthew 18:8 quite interesting, for it asks the question... "when the Son of man arrives, will he really find the faith on the earth?”
As for the 'chosen ones', Romans 8:33 is clear that "God is the One who declares [them] righteous." This being the case, can anyone who says 'I am of the anointed' legitimately make this claim while here on earth?
I've been unable to find scripturally any indication of this.
We do know this though, anyone who IS truly 'chosen' will most definitely be reflecting fully the fruits of God's Spirit as identified at Galatians 5:22...being "love, joy, peace, patience (long-suffering), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
QUESTION: How many of these have we NOT seen by the Governing Body in recent years?
BartI've known 2 anointed brothers. The first one was an elderly brother who was our CO when I grew up. He had been in a concentration camp during WW2.
He was such a gently person and the way he showed genuine interest helped me a lot to develop to who I am now. We've had him at our home several times during my youth.
His life story has been published: https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1998007#h=1:0-38:244
He passed away about 10 years ago.
The other brother I knew was in my previous congregatio... moreI've known 2 anointed brothers. The first one was an elderly brother who was our CO when I grew up. He had been in a concentration camp during WW2.
He was such a gently person and the way he showed genuine interest helped me a lot to develop to who I am now. We've had him at our home several times during my youth.
His life story has been published: https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1998007#h=1:0-38:244
He passed away about 10 years ago.
The other brother I knew was in my previous congregation. He was also a humble brother.
