We're all familiar with the organisations claims (and have seen the
flow diagrams in books and mags) that the GB is "directed by God." In turn, the local Elders are "directed by god." So,
how exactly do they suppose this happens? Does one of the GB wake up in
the middle of the night, have a brainwave thought, write it down, then
discuss it with the rest of the GB next time they meet? Does a thought just pop into the heads of the local elders?...
Well, how did God communicate with His servants anciently? Before examining how they receive revelation, we need to ask about their callings. In the scriptures, God spoke to His servants through many methods. First, through theophanies (where God speaks directly to a person), angelic ministrations, actual vocal communications and then through the Spirit. But just because one sees an angel or hears a voice, this can be deception. That's why such experiences are combined with the witness of the Holy Spirit, which is impossible for the Adversary to duplicate.
The Governing Body today has emphatically declared that its members enjoy none of the above, except for possibly receiving inspiration through the Holy Spirit. But unless the Lord has taught one how to tell His spirit from that of the Adversary, trying to ascertain it would be difficult.
In the Society, the Lord never (ever) told them that He had chosen them in 1919, or any other year. They divined it through assumption. It's kind of like the preacher who presents his financial proceeds to the Lord and says, "Lord, if you want me to take half of this, declare it unto me!" Then, "Lord, if you want me to take the full amount, say nothing and thy will be done!" When nothing is said, the pastor cries, "Praise be unto the Lord!" and pockets the full amount.
In the case of Adventist Ellen G. White, she, at least, had a prophetic calling she said came from God. She would go into trances during which she reputedly could not be physically moved. She had a number of claimed visions and personal revelations, but they were never shared with anyone else in real time, neither did she leave a successor. The scriptures say that in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established, yet she had none.
The Watchtower Society, on the other hand, has zilch. No theophanies, no angelic ministrations, no ordinations or receptions of authority, no voices -- nothing. So excellent question. The most popular answer, however, is one of process of elimination. "Of course, Jehovah chose us. We mean, just look at everyone else! Do you see anyone else that has all this truth like we do? No, and that's because of the guiding hand of Jehovah, himself! Search the world and tell us if there's anyone else who worships Jehovah by name. None. Does anyone else have the perfect doctrines that we do? Again, none!"
That's not how it was done anciently. Either God speaks or He is silent. And it seems the GB is still waiting for Jehovah to speak. In the meantime, His representatives pronounce His light through inspiration. At the same time they say it's not revelation like the apostles received. Well, why not? Aren't we talking about one source?
Recently it seems that the members of the GB are expecting some first class guidance once things begin falling apart. But what did the Lord say about the blind guides leading the blind? They all fall into a pit.
