Terry, I thought 'Jesus chose' the organization after Russell died. steve
Here is the chain of logic.
IF:
1.607 b.c.e. is the correct starting point (it isn't!) for calculating the Gentile Times
THEN
2.1914 brings Jesus in as King ruling in the midst of his enemies.
IF:
3.Jesus begins in 1914 separating the "sheep" from the "goats" he will make valid choices based on righteous standards.
THEN:
4.The selection of J.F.Rutherford's Watchtower Society authority matches Jesus' righteous standards.
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IF:
1. 607 b.c.e. is the wrong starting date for the Gentile Times Calculation
THEN:
2. Jesus did NOT return in 1914 and begin doing ANYTHING which would entail selecting J.F.Rutherford's Watchtower society.
So, where does this get us?
The 2nd coming of Jesus is necessary for any claims of the Watchtower Society to even begin to be relevent.
No second coming; no Jesus return: no necessity for Jesus to select one group rather than another group.
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The premise behind the concept of "faithful and wise servent" or "faithful and discreet slave" or "governing body" has yet to be demonstrated as A VALID INTERPRETATION of scripture.
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Where did it come from?
Maria Russell.
The question should then be this:
Who gave Maria Russell the sacred wisdom to invent an accurate interpretation of a scripture NO ONE ELSE has ever viewed as empower a person/group to BECOME A CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION between God and man?
The Watchtower Society uses this weird, novel, and entirely ad hoc interpretation to wield power and shut out anybody else's opinions.
But--THEY HAVE NEVER JUSTIFIED THIS INTERPRETATION OR ITS SOURCE.
