I heard that the memorial will stop after the last anointed have passed away ... is this information true/false? Just curious. It's secondhand.
Is it true: the memorial will stop after the last anointed have passed away?
by FinchAndWeston 15 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
-
-
ShirleyW
Well the last of the anointed should've passed away a long, long time ago, the numbers have gone up of the folks that are partaking. How does that happen?, those in the Cong who aren't wrapped too tight think that Almighty Jah spoke to them and said I want you to float up to heaven and be one of my chosen people.
They used to say something like the memorial will end or that's when the Big A will come decades ago, I'm a born-in so didn't really listen at the meetings, but I don't know how they currently flip-flop around that issue.
-
leaving_quietly
Let's answer this from a biblical perspective.
First, not all the anointed will pass away, so that disproves the statement.
Look! I tell you a sacred secret: We will not all fall asleep in death, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the blink of an eye, during the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised up incorruptible, and we will be changed - 1 Cor 15:51,52
When, then, will the memorial stop? Perhaps this is what this verse is referring to. Not 100% sure.
For whenever you eat this loaf and drink this cup, you keep proclaiming the death of the Lord, until he comes. - 1 Cor 11:26
Now, that said, when the Lord comes, what does he do?
Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a great trumpet sound, and they will gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from one extremity of the heavens to their other extremity. - Matt 24:29-31
And...
For this is what we tell you by Jehovah’s word, that we the living who survive to the presence of the Lord will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep in death; 16 because the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice and with God’s trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first. 17 Afterward we the living who are surviving will, together with them, be caught away in clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we will always be with the Lord. - 1 Thess 4:15-17
But, will the memorial actually stop? That's somewhat debatable. I have no clear answer on it, other than Christ's own words:
As they continued eating, Jesus took a loaf, and after saying a blessing, he broke it, and giving it to the disciples, he said: “Take, eat. This means my body.” 27 And taking a cup, he offered thanks and gave it to them, saying: “Drink out of it, all of you, 28 for this means my ‘blood of the covenant,’ which is to be poured out in behalf of many for forgiveness of sins. 29 But I say to you: I will by no means drink again any of this product of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in the Kingdom of my Father.” - Matt 26:26-29
-
StarTrekAngel
I heard the same things at our memorial. Thought it was just a bad speech. Bad speech because we all 'know' what the bible says. When Jesus comes and all of the anointed are selected, no one would part take anymore. Two things stroke me though...
1- The bible says we would no longer do this once Jesus is back but is actually referring to, in the views of JW, to partaking. That doesn't automatically mean that a memorial or remembrance has to cease. We could basically say that this annual ritual, again based on the views and belief of JW, that this memorial started the night of passover in Egypt and has been celebrated since, even when the perfect sacrificial lamb has already been offered.
2- The tone of the speech made me feel they were referring to more current times and not so much to the new system.. Almost like if they were preparing the R&F for a culmination. IF we couple this with the latest trend of questioning the mental health of the anointed, it would not be difficult to imagine the end of this ceremony. Remember, in 2014 they posed the question out there as to wether that could be our last memorial. At the moment we all thought they were banking on the fear factor of the 100 years of the kingdom but, while the later could be true, it is interesting how this pairs up with the talk given this week.
While I can't say with certainty, it makes sense to think that they would want to end it if they can pull it off. For once, is a celebration that probably brings them little revenue. As far as I recall they have never used the memorial to beg for money. In many cases they rent places to do it so it actually costs money. On top of that, this is the last remnant of power for the anointed. If you were to stop the memorial, being anointed would not amount to more than another title without significance. The anointed are losing ground while growing in number. Most JWs with "two fingers of forehead" (in Spanish used as a measure of bare minimum intelligence) realizes that, wether is by culmination or elimination, the anointed have to all go (edit: not all go but at least reduce numbers, not grow) before the GT comes around. With the number of partakers growing, they are undermining the idea of 'the end is near'. What better way give themselves another bit of credibility, cut cost and finally remove the power the anointed, if they ever had any, still hold?
-
FinchAndWeston
interesting comments.... -
stan livedeath
are the annointed overlapping ? -
ttdtt
Here is the outline if anyone wants to see.
THIS IS A SPECIAL OCCASION (6 min.)
We are here to show our appreciation for a superlative act of love
On this date almost 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ gave his life in order to deliver us from the curse of sin and death
Jesus commanded his disciples to remember his loving act once a year in a simple ceremony [Read Luke 22:19, 20]
In obedience to Jesus’ command, millions in 236 lands will observe the Lord’s Evening Meal tonight
They will meet in Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls, in private homes, in rented facilities—even in prisons and open fields
In countries where our work is banned, appreciative ones will risk their freedom in order to obey Jesus’ command
[Mention adjustments some in audience may have made in order to attend, and warmly commend them for making the effort]
Last year _____________________________ observed the Lord’s Evening Meal worldwide
Tonight we will briefly answer the following questions:
(1) Why do humans need to be delivered from the curse of sin and death?
(2) Who benefit from Jesus’ loving sacrifice?
(3) Who partake of the bread and the wine?
(4) Besides attending this meeting, what else must we do to show our appreciation for what Christ has done for us?
WHY WE NEEDED DELIVERANCE (7 min.)
The first man, Adam, had the prospect of living forever
His enjoyment of everlasting life was dependent on his obedience
By disobeying God, Adam personally lost the prospect of everlasting life
Later, when children were born to him, they came under the death sentence along with Adam [Read Romans 5:12]
Could righthearted descendants of Adam ever be delivered from the sad condition they inherited?
They could, by becoming part of a different family!
Obedient descendants of Adam can join Jesus’ family
Jesus is “the last Adam” (1Co 15:45)
The first Adam set his descendants on the path to destruction
The last Adam, Jesus, provided our deliverance through his obedience as far as death [Read Romans 5:19]
But why did Jesus have to die?
Not for any wrong he committed; Jesus was without sin (1Pe 2:22)
Jesus took our place, suffering death for us so that we could live forever [Read Hebrews 2:9]
It warms our heart to think that Jesus was willing to change places with us—to suffer and die so that we could have life!
But life where? In heaven or on earth?
WHO BENEFIT FROM JESUS’ LOVING SACRIFICE? (10 min.)
The Bible describes two destinies, or hopes, for faithful humans
A limited number will receive everlasting life in heaven; the vast majority will enjoy life on a paradise earth, according to God’s original purpose for mankind
Those with either hope can become members of God’s family
Those with a heavenly hope are called Christ’s “brothers” (Heb 2:17)
Those with an earthly hope, his children (Isa 9:6)
We can all decide whether to join God’s family or not, but we cannot choose where we will serve him, in heaven or on earth
Cannot ‘decide’ to be “born again” (Joh 3:5-8; w09 4/1 5-6)
Jehovah determines where we will best serve
144,000 will join Christ in heavenly Kingdom [Read Revelation 14:1]
They are all Christians, having the name of Jesus figuratively written on their foreheads
They also proudly bear “the name of his Father”—Jehovah
God’s spirit gives them personal assurance that they have the heavenly hope (Ro 8:15-17)
These partake of the bread and the wine
The vast majority of those attending the Lord’s Evening Meal do not have the heavenly hope
It thrills them to contemplate the blessings that God has in store for them on a paradise earth:
Children are eager for the fulfillment of Isaiah 11:6-9 [Read]
Sick or infirm yearn to see Isaiah 35:5, 6 come true [Read]
Family men look forward to the day when Isaiah 65:21-23 will become a reality [Read]
While on earth, Jesus healed the sick and even raised the dead
He longs to reverse the effects of Adam’s sin on the human race
Can you see yourself in the new world? God wants you to be there!
WHO SHOULD PARTAKE OF THE BREAD AND THE WINE? (4 min.)
Both those with the heavenly hope and those with the earthly hope benefit from Jesus’ sacrifice
However, those with the earthly hope do not partake of the emblems
Why not?
Because the bread and the wine represent Christ’s body and blood in a special sense:
Bread represents Jesus’ body given in behalf of anointed (w06 2/15 23, box; w85 2/15 12-13)
Wine represents Jesus’ blood as it applies to those in new covenant, the 144,000
Cup of wine represents new covenant (Lu 22:20)
The Lord’s Evening Meal will be observed as long as Christians with the heavenly hope are on earth [Read 1 Corinthians 11:26]
Once the Lord “arrives,” he will take the last of the 144,000 home to be with him in heaven (Joh 14:1-3)
Those with the earthly hope will no longer observe the Memorial
Will not partake of the emblems then, so do not partake now
OBSERVING THE MEMORIAL OF CHRIST’S DEATH TODAY (10 min.)
Tonight we will follow the pattern Jesus set for observing the Lord’s Evening Meal
[Read and comment briefly on 1 Corinthians 11:23, 24]
Jesus offered prayer and passed bread to 11 faithful apostles
Unleavened bread represents Jesus’ sinless body, given in behalf of his anointed followers
[Qualified brother offers brief prayer, and then the bread is passed; optional whether speaker comments while emblems are being served]
[Read and comment briefly on 1 Corinthians 11:25]
Jesus prayed and then offered wine to followers
Red wine pictures his precious “blood of the covenant” (Mt 26:28)
[Another qualified brother prays briefly, and then the wine is passed]
WHAT MUST WE DO TO SHOW OUR APPRECIATION? (8 min.)
Jehovah wants you to be a member of his family
Jesus’ sacrifice opened the way for you to have a precious relationship with your loving heavenly Father
You must obey the rules of the household (1Ti 3:14, 15)
God will help you to live by his standards—he wants you to succeed!
When you are discouraged, pour out your heart to him in earnest prayer
Build faith in God by taking in knowledge
The more you get to know about God and Christ, the more you will love them
Attend meetings regularly, not merely on special occasions, such as this one
It has been heartwarming for us to consider what Jesus did for us
In coming days and weeks, continue to reflect appreciatively on his sacrifice
[Conclude by reading 1 John 4:9]
-
FinchAndWeston
The Lord’s Evening Meal will be observed as long as Christians with the heavenly hope are on earth [Read 1 Corinthians 11:26]
Once the Lord “arrives,” he will take the last of the 144,000 home to be with him in heaven (Joh 14:1-3)
Those with the earthly hope will no longer observe the Memorial
Will not partake of the emblems then, so do not partake now.
... this is exactly what was repeated to me ... fascinating! I guess they mean "when the end comes" ... wait, is that when the lord arrives ... didn't he come invisibly in 1914? I'm confused ....
Thanks ttdtt
-
RichardHaley
The CO gave the memorial talk locally here.
He asked the question "how long will we continue to celebrate the memorial?"
He said "lets let the bible answer that for us."
He then read: For whenever you eat this loaf and drink this cup, you keep proclaiming the death of the Lord, until he comes. - 1 Cor 11:26.
He then said that after that when the 144k are all in heaven the memorial will no longer be observed.
-
ttdtt
haaa - Pick a lane and stick with it CO :)