Anybody awake and watching out there?
Mary’s post and others giving the 2007 WT annual report shows an increase in memorial partakers. From searching earlier posts I find that in 2005 the number of anointed was 8524; for 2006 it was 8758; for 2007 it was 9105.
On 21-Feb-04 Cyberguy in a thread, quoted some puzzling an enigmatic pargagraphs from the March 1, 2004 Watchtower. (link below)
Here is a significant portion of that quotation with highlighted points of interest:
20The 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 talentswere 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 thegreat 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 recognizethe responsibility of their anointed brothers and feel privileged to work under their oversight.
21.Thus, although these two parables shed light on events in 1919 or thereabouts, principle tothey apply in 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 still 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.
I responded in that thread:
What’s going on here?
They are opening the door a wee crack. They closed the door in 1931. In spite of this, some, from time to time, qualified or not, proclaimed themselves as of the anointed. So when they were short a few members of the governing body they appointed some newly anointed ones.
Now they are in a bigger bind. Like in Isaiah, they had no leaders to take charge of the impending doom of Israel. No one had the cloak to serve in the office of leader. They tried to pass a cloak on to younger ones. No go.
It is no accident that this article appears just before memorial time.
So come on all you wannabe anointed ones. Show yourselves; you know what to do when they pass around the grape juice and crackers. You got to have the qualifications though, that is be a Christian (that is a devoted JW, studying, preaching and teaching and realizing their responsibility to let their light shine) But above all you have to make a public declaration that you are keenly aware that the talents are placed in your hands. There are vacancies to be filled; (few in number) if you think you can take the lead declare yourselfanointed. Go for it. The rest of you sheep recognize the responsibility of (your) anointed brothers and feel privileged to work under their oversight.
I am going to be very curious to see what the number of memorial partakers will be this year, increase or decrease.
Since that thread others have added other observations in various posts, that the Watchtower has orchestrated the increase in memorial partakers to get out of the bind they have created forthemselves. For example any comments on the new light about 1935. If any of you who have also come to this same conclusion, can you please add your comments, as it is difficult to follow the thread and weavings of the Fadeful Slave.
Long live the anointed class is their battle cry.
belbab
I apologize for poor formatting of this post.
Link to Cyberguy's quote:
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/67145/1043986/post.ashx#1043986