Study Article 22 is headed
"Keep Traveling on the "Way of Holiness"
This article states that since 1919, having left Babylon the Great in that year, JWs today are traveling on 'the Way of Holiness" (a figurative Highway) as it takes them through the spiritual paradise and leads them through to future Kingdom blessings.
They say that 'preparatory work' of that Highway began centuries earlier. Guess who they say did that and no, it wasn't John the Baptist, Jesus or his apostles. It was 'God fearing men'. Admittedly, they do say it was a 'restoration' work.
They state that this occurred with the printing if more Bibles around the 15th Century and translating it into more languages. Also, men such as Henry Grew, George Storrs and Bro. Russel & Associates in the 18th Century printed an abundance of books and tracts and gave lectures with religious truths. They call them the roadworkers.
This is an unusual way of explaining their own history -
In 1919, Babylon the Great lost its hold over God’s people. That year, a “faithful and discreet slave” came on the scene, just in time to welcome honesthearted ones to the newly opened “Way of Holiness.” (Matt. 24:45-47) Thanks in part to the faithful “road workers” of the past, those setting foot on that highway could increase their knowledge of Jehovah’s purposes. (Prov. 4:18)
And then we come to, what they must consider, an important list of the things that Jehovah has gradually refined his people -
1927-1928: Christmas is understood to be a pagan celebration
1928-1936: The use of the cross is gradually discontinued
1931: The name Jehovah’s Witnesses is adopted
1938: The election of elders is discontinued
1944-1945: The sanctity of blood is clarified
1952: The need for disfellowshipping is emphasized
1956: The sanctity of marriage is clarified
1972: Congregation oversight is assigned to a theocratically appointed body of elders
1973: The use of tobacco is understood to be a serious wrongdoing
1976: Instruction is given as to the types of employment that are acceptable for Christians
2000: The use of blood fractions is discussed in detail
2006, 2012: The seriousness of viewing abhorrent forms of pornography is clearly emphasized
With a list like that aren't how can you not feel that you need to follow the Governing Body?
They then say that like any road, maintenance is required and the FDS has been doing that since 1919.
Every road needs regular maintenance. Since 1919, roadwork on “the Way of Holiness” has continued, with a view to making it possible for more people to leave Babylon the Great.
The question is - What did/does the FDS do that wasn't already being done by the 'road workers' whose 'preparatory work had begun centuries earlier'? Cruelly, they are basically claiming that these men were not on the 'way of holiness'.
Another question - Guess how many times Jesus' is mentioned in this whole study article? Yep, not even once. Not even to say that he appointed the FDS.