This is an intriguing subject that the new book "The Four Presidents of the Watch Tower Society (Jehovah's Witnesses)": edited by Edmond C. Gruss, apparently discusses.
Anyone know what this 'Three Worlds' thing is about? What is this 'Mystery Doctrine' that the Society once taught? I vaguely recall hearing it from my childhood.
I guess I should just buy the book huh. A belated Chrissy present to myself LOL.
How is the Mystery Doctrine from The Three Worlds still playing out
by yaddayadda 9 Replies latest jw friends
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yaddayadda
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compound complex
Dear Yadda........
Give me some time. I touched on the Mystery Doctrine briefly 30 minutes ago while looking up more info on NHK's rage against Freddie for embarrassing him over 1975. I'm going to type you some stuff - takes me forever as I cannot type and have no scanner. It has to with the anointed becoming "Christs" on behalf of the OS, I recall.
CoCo
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compound complex
From: TFPOTWTS(JWS) ---
Russell's understanding: Jesus offered himself for all mankind, including the body of Christ - the 144,000 members of his church; [the anointed] PARTICIPATE in the ransoming and atoning work/ Christ's sacrifice for the world.
Numerous references to Russell's elaboration on doctrine follow, notably:
1911: Christ composed of many members (1 Cor. 12:12) The Messiah is prepared/ is first, followed by the Apostles and then various other members of the body through the Gospel age. "This age will end when the full number of the 'elect' shall have been found and tested. Then the body will have been completed. When The Messiah is complete, The Christ will be complete." p. 165/from WT Reprints, 6/15/1911, p. 4841
THE HARP OF GOD, by JFR, p. 182:
"The mystery is THE CHRIST, the great one through whom redemption, deliverance and blessing will ultimately come to all mankind who receive Christ and obey him."
Ibid., p.187:
"The Christ is composed of Jesus, the great and mighty head, and the 144,000 members...."
RUTHERFORD'S PROBLEM
The gathering of the 144,000 was viewed as complete [1935]. So what was the NEW message? New light on the ID of the "great multitude." They were not spirit begotten as long taught, but an earthly class. The new objective was to reach these individuals, who would live forever in the earthly paradise. Changes in Russell's teaching were now in order (see Duane Magnani's THE SECRET DOCTRINE OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES) Some claims of the anointed phased out:
Anointed no longer part of Christ's sin offering (as of 1939)
Members of GM no longer referred to the anointed members as "The Christ."
However, the Christ doctrine is still being taught [see WT 11/15/79] ............ to be continued.
Compound-Complex
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compound complex
"The Christ Doctrine"
Robert Stewart
"This doctrine of Russell and Rutherford REMAINS FIRMLY INTACT BUT IN A MORE CLANDESTINE FORM accomplished by the Watchtower society choosing to employ the term "anointed" rather than "Christ." ALTHOUGH RELATIVELY OBSCURE, this secluded doctrine is seen to emerge from time to time. For example, the November 15, 1979, WATCHTOWER emphasized that Jesus Christ was only the mediator for the 144,000 "anointed" class (24-27). In turn, this "anointed" or "Christ" class ("spiritual Israel") are stated to be, in effect, the "mediator" for the "great crowd" of 5,000,000 [currently 6,000,000] or so Jehovah's Witnesses." [Editor: emphasis]
THEN IS FINISHED THE MYSTERY OF GOD, 1969, pp. 208, 367-68
"Thus THROUGH ASSOCIATING WITH THE ANOINTED REMNANT of the "little flock" before the "great tribulation," this "great crowd" of "other sheep" now enjoy things similar to those that were foretold for the remnant after they got out of Babylon the Great and were restored to Jehovah's [sic] God's organization...." [Editor: emphasis]
"After the new heavens and earth are established:" [TFPOTWTS (JWS), p.167]
"Inasmuch as that heavenly government will have as its officers the life-giving Bridegroom and his beloved Bride, it will be a paternal government caring for its subjects like its own children."
"The BRIDE CLASS IS JUST AS DESERVING OF THE CONFIDENCE OF ALL PEOPLE ON EARTH AS IS THE BRIDEGROOM, the King Jesus Christ." [Editor: emphasis]
"To keep in relationship with "Our Savior, God," the "great crowd" needs to remain unified with the remnant of spiritual Israelites." [Watchtower, November 15, 1979, p. 27]
Compound-Complex
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compound complex
bttt--------Would you like more info?
CoCo
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Nathan Natas
To address you question about "Three Worlds:"
That is a reference to the 1877 book that CTR wrote with N. H. Barbour. Full title:
"THREE WORLDS, and The Harvest of this World.—A Brief Review of the Bible Plan of Redemption, Which Spans Three Worlds: "The World That Was," "The World That Now Is," and "The World to Come;" with the Evidences That We Are Now in the "Time of Harvest," Or, Closing Work of the Gospel Age."
One of the book's claims to fame is that it taught that the "Gentile Times would end in 1914." So the WTB&TS says, "SEE? He said 1914!" What they forget to mention is that theri expecation was that Armageddon would have ended in 1914.
According to Bible chronology thereafter adopted, it was understood that 6,000 years of man’s existence on earth ended in 1872, whereas six millenniums of human sin concluded and the seventh millennium began in 1874. Christ’s presence was thought to have begun in October 1874, at the start of the great antitypical Jubilee.
Fred Franz took the origina chronological calculation and simply addedd 100 years to it to come up with his prediction for 1972, which he later modified to 1975.
Introducing the "Mystery Doctrine," (which afaik the WTS has never called it) the book says,
The "Seed," means one complete Christ; in other words, the head and body; "He saith not, and to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy Seed, which is Christ" (Gal. 3:16). "And if ye be Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed [not seeds], and heirs according to the promise" (ver. 29). Thus the object and work of the gospel is to perfect this "seed," those who are to take the name of Christ, and become one with him. And this agrees with Acts 15:14; "Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name." And this is the sole object of the gospel to the Gentiles; not to convert the world, that work belongs to the millennial age, but to perfect the second Adam and the second Eve, Christ and his wife. And the millennial age is introduced by the marriage of the Lamb; "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him; for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready" (Rev.19:7).
(bold emphasis mine)
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Wasanelder Once
I could be wrong, but this doctrine is somewhat related to the debate as to whether there would be annointed alive after the big "A" happens. The "Christ" has to have his wedding complete for the millenium to begin as I recall. I remember that whole doctrine from my own studies about the history of the organization. When a non witness friend brought up the pyramid and such, I dug into the old WT's, even visiting the library of congress on a trip back east to look at some older works. I discovered this "Mystery" doctrine and the fact that they had to die faithful in order to not only receive their reward, but to complete the sacrifice of Christ. I thought, "Holy crap, these people were nuts." Old light being what it is, I just let it go, but it gnawed at me.
W.Once
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yaddayadda
Thank you very much Coco and others. Very interesting.
The following quotes are spooky given the theme of next year's District Conventions, ie, "Follow The Christ"? Perhaps the Society is going to resuscitate this hoary old chestnut of a teaching:
1911: Christ composed of many members (1 Cor. 12:12) The Messiah is prepared/ is first, followed by the Apostles and then various other members of the body through the Gospel age. "This age will end when the full number of the 'elect' shall have been found and tested. Then the body will have been completed. When The Messiah is complete, The Christ will be complete." p. 165/from WT Reprints, 6/15/1911, p. 4841
THE HARP OF GOD, by JFR, p. 187:
"The Christ is composed of Jesus, the great and mighty head, and the 144,000 members...." -
Nathan Natas
"The Christ is composed of Jesus, the great and mighty head,..."
Ah yes, ZARDOZ. Fine flick!