The power struggle in Brooklyn, as exemplified by the March 1st Watchtower

by cyberguy 42 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  cyberguy

  I don?t know how many caught this, but the Watchtower of March 1 st , seems to put a new twist on a familiar Watchtower theme of power and control by the GB. Did you notice the last 3 paragraphs of the last study article? To me, they?re pregnant with hidden meaning, that is, regarding the power struggle that has been going on since the creation of a plethora of corporations a few years ago.
  

  Here?s what they say:
  

  The Inspection Continues (page 17)

  1. Of course, the majority of those who were to become Christ?s anointed slaves during the time of the end were not yet serving Jehovah when Jesus began his inspection in 1918. Did they miss out on the inspection? Not at all. The inspection process only began in 1918/19 when the faithful and discreet slave as a class passed the test. Individual anointed Christians continue under inspection until their sealing is made permanent. (Revelation 7:1-3) Realizing this, Christ?s anointed bothers are determined to keep on faithfully ?doing business.? They are determined to be discreet, keeping an abundant oil supply so that the light will shine brightly. They know that when each one reaches the end of his life course in faithfulness, Jesus will receive him into the heavenly dwelling place. ?Matthew 24:13; John 14:2-4; 1 Corinthians 15:50, 51.
  2. The great crowd of other sheep have imitated their anointed brothers. They are aware that their knowledge of God?s purposes brings great responsibility (Ezekiel 3:17-21) Hence, with the help of Jehovah?s Word and holy spirit, they too keep their oil supply abundant through study and association. And they let their light shine, sharing in the work of preaching and teaching and thus ?doing business? along with their anointed brothers. However, anointed Christians are keenly aware that the talents were placed in their hands. They must render an account for the way the Lord?s belongings on earth are administered. Even though they are few in number, they cannot abdicate their responsibility to the great crowd. With this in mind, the faithful and discreet slave continues to take the lead in caring for the King?s business, grateful for the support of devoted member so the great crowd. These recognize the responsibility of their anointed brothers and feel privileged to work under their oversight.
  3. Thus, although these two parables shed light on events in 1919 or thereabouts, they apply in principle to all true Christians throughout the last days. In this way, while the exhortation that Jesus gave at the end of the parable of the ten virgins applies in the first place to anointed Christians before 1919, in principle it sill applies to every Christian. May all of us, the, take to heart Jesus? words: "Keep on the watch, therefore, because you know neither the day nor the hour." ? Matthew 25:13.

  Now, notice a few sentences here.
  

  "the majority of those who were to become Christ?s anointed slaves during the time of the end were not yet serving Jehovah when Jesus began his inspection in 1918." ? par 19.

  What in the world are they talking about? What they might be implying is that the majority would be picked in the 1950?s-1970?s. Please recall that the last 3 GB members added in the last decade are in the 50-70 year range; the prior GBer's were in their 80-95 year range. I suspect they might change this view in next few years (they're leaving the door open), to mean that the great crowd has taken a position here. Hence those now in charge, 99% claiming to be of the great crowd, should be in charge, appointed by Christ, and prefigured by prophesy.

  Then:
  

  Hence, with the help of Jehovah?s Word and holy spirit, they too keep their oil supply abundant through study and association. And they let their light shine, sharing in the work of preaching and teaching and thus ?doing business? along with their anointed brothers.

  In other words, the great crowd can now take over the responsibility of the so-called "anointed" since they?re also responsible before God.

  And then there?s the last paragraph, which I won?t quote here. Here?s how I "translate" it:
  

  "We non-anointed (not that there is an actual difference in reality, I believe there is none) Christians, are in charge because we fit within the parables Jesus gave, and the "anointed" have all but died off."

  Perhaps I?m reading too much into this. But why would they put this article (and the one prior) into print, when it wasn?t part of the District Assembly? Usually, the main study articles in the Watchtower, are rehashes of District Convention parts. Once again, maybe I?m reading too much into this, but take a look, and I?d appreciate your observations.
  

  The way I see it right now, they have to come up with some kind of explanation that would justify why the majority of power and control has moved away from the GB and into the hands of the "non-anointed."
  

  Just my 2-cents,
  

  Cyberguy
• 

  Gerard

  Even though they are few in number, they cannot abdicate their responsibility to the great crowd. With this in mind, the faithful and discreet slave continues to take the lead in caring for the King?s business, grateful for the support of devoted member so the great crowd. These recognize the responsibility of their anointed brothers and feel privileged to work under their oversight.

  What the $%#@* is this supposed to mean?
• 

  Flash

  Hello cybeguy,

  The GB is old and may be positioning the non-anointed as either a precaution or in preparation of their departure. Ultimately Jehovah and His Son will determine who's in authority after Armageddon. It wouldn't surprise me if there was a power struggle going on now though.

  Do you still go to the Hall or know someone who does to get this mag? I have to hand it to you for reading it. After two years I still get disgusted when I see the literature, let alone read it...and I DO mean sick to my stomach disgusted!
• 

  cyberguy

  Flash,
  

  Yes, I go to some meetings, but the literature has gotten so militant and incomprehensible that I would never leave it with anyone. And I can hardly read it myself! It simply SUCKS!

  I?d like to get out, but I?m having difficulty because I?ve grown up in it, and it?s hard to get into the "world," as JW?s call it! I?m lost! Any advise, help, personal experience, from you I welcome.

  I?ve talked to several x-JW?s recently, but in the final analysis, I have to divorce myself from it. Also, my brother is an avid JW, self-righteous Elder, but no longer talks to me because, as he said, "I have very negative feelings toward the organization." I think it best if I do the "slow-fade-thing" if possible. The local elders are nice to me, but realize that I know the Bible much better than they do and are afraid of confronting me, as I see it.

  In any case, I?m trying to deal with my situation, but it?s becoming harder and harder as time goes on. Once a person realizes that JW?s are not the "truth," it?s all down-hill from there! Therefore, I will eventually stop going, but I'm trying to do the "slow-fade-thing!"

  Thank you for your concern.

  Best wishes!

  Mahalo,

  Cyberguy
• 

  cyberguy

  Gerard,

  I believe this is just a lot of "smoke and mirrors!" They have to continue their incomprehensible explanation of the "faithful and discreet slave," while transitioning to a new form of power and control, by the "great crowd." I believe the folks in charge are as confused as we are.

  Regards,

  Cyberguy
• 

  heathen

  It sounds to me like many of the great crowd are questioning the God like authority of the WTBTS and it's credibility since the leadership has lied to them about issues of the UN affiliation and changes in some of the key doctrines they have been beaten over the head with since day one. They probly even want some say in what is published since after all they are asked to support the doctrine and convince others that it is the truth . It's a nice play by them to call the trump card of piousness in connection with the FDS as if to say they would if they could let others determine what is truth . Oh it just wreaks with humility .
• 

  Flash

  Hello cyberguy,

  Believe me I can RELATE! However you choose to handle your exit the outcome will be the same, you will be shunned and ostracized by all 'loyal' witnesses. The question for you to decide is how painful do you want your exit to be? The fade is longer and more agonizing, in my opinion, than just leaving. I've done both during my time as a Witness. Do you live by yourself or are you with other Witnesses?

  "I?d like to get out, but I?m having difficulty because I?ve grown up in it, and it?s hard to get into the "world," as JW?s call it!"

  You don't have to leave Jehovah to leave the Witnesses cyber. I don't know what your belief in bible is, I for one believe it contains God's word, yet, not every word in the bible is from God or His Son. I also believe the Witnesses have the basics right about God, man and the future.
  It's not easy worshiping Jehovah alone, yet, for my/our own mental and emotional health it's better to put distance between us and the congregation.

  "...I?ve talked to several x-JW?s recently, but in the final analysis, I have to divorce myself from it. Also, my brother is an avid JW, self-righteous Elder, but no longer talks to me because, as he said, "I have very negative feelings toward the organization."

  That's typical, and part of the guilt manipulation they use. If you disagree your a problem, if you stick to your dissenting positions your 'hardened.' The ancient Jews had this same problem of narrow thinking and elitist views. Look what happened to them long term.

  "...I think it best if I do the "slow-fade-thing" if possible."

  That's your choice, there is no right or wrong way, it's what works for you.

  "The local elders are nice to me..."

  This is only temporary, once they see your determined to chart a new course away from the organization they'll shun you also.

  "...but realize that I know the Bible much better than they do and are afraid of confronting me, as I see it."

  That's funny, I enjoyed this too. The last meeting I had with the Elders they couldn't get out of the room fast enough :) Besides, they're not trained to think on they're own. They use scripted answers and statements and playbook strategies. When we use our logic and correct critical reasoning they get frustrated.

  "In any case, I?m trying to deal with my situation, but it?s becoming harder and harder as time goes on."

  Of course, because your using your mind and see the organization for what it is, warts and all, it becomes harder and harder to play the game.

  "Once a person realizes that JW?s are not the "truth," it?s all down-hill from there!"

  Yes, it is. We change in they're eyes, it becomes an us vs them situation. We become the enemy.
  Good vs Evil and in they're small, dictated world, we're evil. 'How dare you question the organization of GOD!' Is their position. Just like the ancient Israelites the murdered Jesus!

  "...Therefore, I will eventually stop going, but I'm trying to do the "slow-fade-thing!"

  If that's best. I know for myself being away from the Witnesses, yet, not being in the 'world,' it can be difficult at times, but the freedom from all the man made and unnessasary rules is worth it. Free from all the guilt and fear, free from the constant pressure to do more. Free to have a life again or perhaps in your case for the first time. Again, I don't know what your beliefs in God and the bible are, I just wouldn't attribute the error of men to God.

  If you want, feel free to PM me any time. Plus, there are many others here your could help you and support you. Perhaps ask for their opinions in a new Thread. ~ Flash
• 

  seeitallclearlynow

  Hey Cyberguy!

  I certainly don't know, but Minimus started a similar thread, slightly different angle, on Feb. 9th, and got a number of responses. Maybe you guys can compare notes.

  His is on "The Parable of the Ten Virgins...."

  Don't See it
• 

  itsallgoodnow

  About doing the slow-fade thing, I can completely relate. I've seen a lot of negative comments out here about it and I understand they are just giving their expert advice to try to save a lot of people a lot of trouble, but sometimes I sort of feel a little pressure from the board, even though I know that's not what's intended. Since I'm going through the same type of thing you are, my only advice to you is to be grounded in what you know and what you are learning, and try to make some peace with what you are leaving behind. Some people are disgusted by looking at watchtower literature, but to me, I just put my guard up and try to see if I can spot all of the problems in their reasoning.

  And thanks for your research on this article... if I happen to be dragged to that meeting, it will make me feel much better to have your notes with me.
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  minimus

  This article is so CLOUDY!They try to say the anointed are fulfilling Bible prophecy and then at the end of the article, they say that ALL Christians fulfill the scriptures. They are specifically vague, just as good lawyers are supposed to be.