Next week's Congregation Bible Study will explain and illustrate why Christendom is toast, and how we can contribute to the joy of Christ by supporting "the faithful and discreet slave."
The Anger and the Joy of the Messianic King
10. Like his Father, our Master is by nature happy. (1 Timothy 1:11) As a man, Jesus was neither critical nor hard to please. Yet, there is much happening on the earth today that must fill him with righteous anger. He is certainly angry at all the those religious organizations that falsely claim to represent him. He fortold as much: "Not everyone saying to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. Many will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not... perform many powerful workds in your name?' And yet then I will confess to them: I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness." Matthew 7 21-23.
11. Many today who call themsevles Christians might find those words puzzling. Why would Jesus direct such strong words to people who have been performing "many powerful works" in his name? The churches of Christendom have sponsored charities, aided the poor, built hospitals and schools, and performed many other works. To see why they have earned Jesus' anger, consider an illustration.
12. A father and mother need to go on a trip. They cannot take their children along, so they hire a babysitter. Their instructions to her are simple: Take care of our children. Feed them, make sure they are clean, and keep them from harm." When the parents return, though, they are shocked to see that their children are famished. They are dirty, sickly, and miserable. They are crying for the babysitter's attention, but their cries go unheeded. Why? She is up on a ladder, washing the windows. Furious, the parents demand an explanation. The sitter replies: "Look at all that I did! Aren't the windows clean? I made repairs to the house too, all for you!" Would the parents feel better? Harldly! They never asked her to do those jobs; they just wanted their children cared for. Her refusal to heed their instructions would infuriate them.
13. Christendom has acted like that babysitter. Jesus left instructions with his representatives to fed people spiritually by teaching them the truth of God's Word and helping them to be spiritually clean. (John 21:15-17) Yet, Christendom has dismally failed to obey his direction. She has left people spiritually starved, confused by falsehoods and ignorant of basic Bible truths. (Isaiah 65:13; Amos 8:11) Even her attempts to better this world can hardly excuse her willfull disobedience. After all, this world system is like a house that is slated for demolition! God's Word makes it clear that Satan's world system is soon to be destroyed.- 1 John 2:15-17.
14. On the other hand, Jesus must be very happy to look down from heaven and see that millions of people are fulfilling the disciple-making commission that he gave his followers before leaving the earth. (Matthew 28:19, 20) What a privilege it is to contribute to the joy of the Messianic King! Let us be determined never to give up in assisting "the faithful and discreet slave." (Matthew 24:45) Unlike Christendom's clergy, this class of annointed Christians has obediently spearheaded the preaching work and has faithfully fed Christ's sheep.