God's Channel
*** Watchtower 1919 April 1 p.6414 ***
…Is not the Watch Tower Bible and Tract
Society the one and only channel which the Lord has used
in dispensing his truth continually since the beginning of the harvest period?
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower April 1, 1920, pp.99-104 ***
[Scans available: Page 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104]
Let Us Dwell in Peace
[...]
It seems there never has been a time so important to the saints that they should swell together in peace and unity.
Loyalty is one of the divine requirements and loyalty to the Lord means to be loyal to the members of his body.
Suspicion is an enemy. Suspicion leads to distrust; and distrust may lead to disloyalty. If the adversary can
drive a wedge between the Lord's people, causing strife, then to that extent the adversary succeeds in the conflict.
The journey of the church is nearing a conclusion. Timely is the admonition to 'look to ourselves, that we lose not
those things which we hae wrought, but we receive a full reward'.--2 John 8.
[...]
THE CHANNEL
Some of the brethren have held that the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society is the channel used by the Lord for
dispensing or transmitting the message of present truth to the household of faith. Others have taken exception to this statement and
have insisted that the Society is assuming a position that is un-Scriptural and contrary to the divine arrangement. We think the
difference of opinion has been due entirely to a misunderstanding. Hence we here consider the question with a hope of clarifying it.
[...]
In order to understand the divine arrangement and whether or not the Lord, in the harvest period, has had a channel or vehicle for
transmitting his message to the church, let us first determine the following questions:
(1) Do we believe that Jesus Christ is present and has been for the past forty years, or more, directing the work of setting up his kingdom?
(2) Do we believe that the Lord chose as an earthly representative to serve the household of faith one wise and faithful servant whom he
made ruler over the household, and that the person so chosen was Charles Taze Russell?
(3) Do we believe that the Lord directed Brother Russell during the time of his service in what he did with reference to carrying on his (the Lord's) work?
PURPOSE OF SOCIETY
We assume that every one in present truth, realizing that his knowledge of present truth came from the Lord through the ministration
of his servant, will answer the foregoing questions in the affirmative; and answering them in the affirmative, we have a basis from which
to consider the question as to whether or not the Society is the channel used by the Lord as above suggested.
No one in present truth for a moment doubts that Brother Russell filled the office of the "faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord
hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season". (Matthew 24:45) [...]
[...]
ORDER OF GOD
Order is a divine arrangement. (1 Corinthians 14:40) Do we believe that there is any work for the saints to do after the change of
Brother Russell? To this question doubtless all the saints will answer in the affirmative. Then would it not logically follow that the Lord would
carry on his work in an orderly manner? If he had ever constituted the Society a channel, servant, vehicle, or means of transmitting the truth,
is there any reason, Scriptural or otherwise, to conclude that he has adopted and organized a separate or different channel; and if so,
what is it? The mere fact that he would continue to use the Society as his channel would not mean that others not in harmony with the society have
no truth. They may have much truth. The whole question is, Are all thos in the truth working together in harmony? We have no quarrel with any
one who wants to seek truth through other channels. We would not refuse to treat one as a brother because he did not believe the Society is the
Lord's channel. [...]
[...]
A small minority who love the Lord might hold a different view, but the majority would not feel disposed to elect its officers
and servants from such, because there could not be harmonious action. If some did not care to work in Harmony with the Society thus
constituted, that would be their privilege; yet that would not mean that there should be any ill feeling, nor that such should be disfellowshipped.
If the Lord started a work through a duly constituted organization or society, and that work increase and upon it the Lord's blessing was
made manifest, then it would seem that those who wanted to be in harmony with the Lord would wish to coöperate in his arrangement. If others
see it in a different way, that is their privilege. There should be full liberty of conscience.
[...] He [Brother Russell] left a work to be done and it was the Lord's will that the Society do it; and if we are correct in this conclusion,
then it would seem that the Lord has not authorized others, no matter how honest, to go aside and organize some other movement
to carry on his work; and that those who oppose the work of the Society would not seem to be doing a work in harmony with the divinely
given commission. We are not judging any one. Every one is privileged to take his own position. But we believe it in the interest of
every one who loves the Lord and his cause to state the matter kindly, yet plainly.
[...] If the Society was the channel for the beginning of these publications, is there any evidence indicating that the Lord has since chosen
another and different channel? If the Society is not the channel for the transmission of this message of truth to the people, then why has the
Lord permitted it to have the exclusive control of the publications? This includes the Watch Tower, which has at all times been recognized
as the official organ of the Society.
It is the conclusion, therefore, of the Editorial Committee--and in this the officers of the Society concur--that the Society
is the Channel the Lord is using to carry on his work; that it has a divine commission, a work to perform, and which it is endeavoring,
by the Lord's grace, to perform. If others have a different view, let them enjoy that view, but let us dwell together in peace.
There is no occasion for controversy. We have no quarrel with any one who holds a different view.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1922 September 15 p.279 ***
[Scan available: Page 279]
TESTS AND TEMPTATIONS
[...]
THE TEST OF LOYALTY
One of the chief temptations to the church has been in respect to loyalty to God's arrangements for it. Since the days when in the
providences of God our late beloved leader came into prominnce as the chief representative of the Lord's people and stood before them
as "that servant" who had charge of his Master's goods, every indication of the Lord's providence has shown that God
gave Brother Russell to the church to be as a mouthpiece for him; and those who claim to have learned the truth apart from
Brother Russell and his writings have been manifested by the Lord as deceivers, ready to lead the flock of God in their way.
Since Brother Russell's death the evidence of God's favor upon the Society, which was organized by Brother Russell for the
furtherance of the Lord's work, has been manifested as clearly as it was previously upon him. Satan has attempted by many
attacks upon this fact to break it down; to cause the Lord's people to believe: (1) that Brother Russell was not the only
channel by which the Lord would lead his people; and (2) that the Society in its organized capacity could not be a channel for the Lord.
If Satan could accomplish his object, he had a great chance of leading a large number of the Lord's people aside from their path, and away
from the work of the Lord, which he hates so much since it tells of his own dethronement and the overthrow of this kingdom.
Some have allowed themselves to be tempted astray on the plea of liberty. This is Satan's own cry. Without doubt he was the first who
called out for liberty. He has always wanted to make out that God's laws are a restraint of the proper liberty of the subject. The
law of love makes no appeal to him, nor does it to any who seek to break away from arrangements made by God. For thirty years this cry
has been raised in the church. But those who have accepted the Lord's arrangements feel no bondage; they are the freest, happiest
people on earth. Theirs is the liberty of the King's high-road. Those who leave the Lord's work on the plea of bondage, tie themselves up
in their own ideas: they becom bound hand and foot, having neither work to do nor place wherein to labor.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1927 March 15 p.87 ***
[Scan available: Page 87]
THE ELISHA WORK
ENCOURAGEMENT
The complete light of the divine truth is shining upon the Perfect Stone laid in Zion. (Zechariah 3:9)
From time to time flashes of light, reflected from the temple, are given to the anointed ones who are the temple class;
and these are permitted to see and understand the precious promises that specifically apply to the church at this
time. Among these promises are teh following: "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my sould shall be joyful in my God: for he hath
clothed me with the garmetns of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself
with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."--Isaiah 61:10.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1930 August 1 p.239 ***
[Scan available: Page 239]
RESOLUTION
DEAR BROTHER RUTHERFORD:
At the business meeting of the Seattle ecclesia, held Monday
evening, April 14, 1930, the following resolution was
presented and unanimously adopted :
Resolved, That the Seattle ecclesia assure our beloved president,
Brother Rutherford. that they deplore the bitter attack
made upon him at the question meeting held in Los Angeles,
Calif., on February 23, and fully sympathize with him in all
his efforts to serve Jehovah, our God and our King; and
that we, in view of the strong assaults of the enemy at this
time and the falling away of many who for years in the past
have walked with us, do by letter assure him of our firm belief
that The Watch Tower is the channel which Jehovah, our
God, is using at this time to instruct the faithful remnant
who are keeping the commandments of God and have the
testimony of Jesus Christ, and we, therefore, very thankfully
accept the teachings of that journal and are earnestly endeavoring
to carry on the Lord's work in full accord therewith.
And be it further resolved, That we assure Brother Rutherford
we have full confidence in him as a loyal and diligent
servant of our King, and an instrument used of Jehovah to
dispense meat in due season to his household; and recognizing
in our beloved brother one such as is spoken of in 1 Thessalonians
5:12,13 and Hebrews 13:17, wo esteem him very
highly in love for his work's sake, and our prayers will still
ascend that it may be the good pleasure of our God to keep
and guide him to the end.
Resolved, That our class secretary forward a copy of this
resolution to Brother Rutherford.
Your brother by his grace,
T. FORSYTH, Secretary.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1930 September 1 p.263 ***
[Scan available: Page 263]
It is written that when the Lord comes to his
temple for judgement he is accompanied by his holy
angels. (Matt. 25:31) Without doubt he uses these
holy angels to gather his faithful ones into the temple.
"And he shall send his angels with a great sound of
a trumpet; and they shall gather together his elect
from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the
other." (Matt. 24:31) It must be that these holy angels
are clothed with power and authority from Christ
Jesus to have special supervision over those on earth
who are of the elect "servant" class. As above stated,
when the disciples were gathered at Jerusalem it was
the holy spirit as their helper that moved them to take
action in sending messengers to their brethren. (Acts
15:24-28) But it seems certain that when Jesus came
to his temple and began his work of judgment he
would direct his holy angles to take the necessary action
to cause the separation of the disapproved from
the approved ones, and would use his angels to bear
messages to them to direct the approved ones as to
what to do. (Matt. 13:41) It is the power and authority
proceeding from Jehovah God by and through his
Christ Jesus to accomplish this work; but the angels
are there for this purpose, and it is not the demonstration
of the parakletos or holy spirit. as a helper that
directs men to do the separating work. If the holy
spirit as a helper were directing the work, then there
would be no good reason for employing the angels.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1931 June 1 p.160 ***
Jehovah God has made known to his anointed ones in advance what
these scriptures mean.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1931 November 1 p.327 ***
[Scan available: Page 327]
Such opponents of The Watchtower show that
they are confused and they are very wrong. Brother
Russell did not claim the truth to be his. Jesus Christ
taught that the truth is that of God's Word and
that the truth does not belong to any man. There is
no effort on the part of The Watchtower, nor is there
any desire, to discredit Brother Russell. No good
could be accomplished by such a course. The Watchtower
recognizes the truth as belonging to Jehovah,
and not to any creature. The Watchtower is not the
instrument of any man or set of men, nor is it published
according to the whims of men. No man's
opinion is expressed in The Watchtower. God feeds
his own people, and surely God uses those who love
and serve him according to his own will. Those who
oppose The Watchtower are not capable of discerning
the truth that God is giving to the children of his
organization, and this is the very strongest proof that
such opposers are not of God's organization. Of a
certainty no one can cite an instance in which The
Watchtower during the past few years has attempted
to laud or magnify any man's name; but at all times
it has diligently sought to give honor to Jehovah's
name.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1932 April 1 p.101 ***
[Scan available: Page 101]
13 According to Rotherham the text says: "The
Sovereign Lord giveth the word." Manifestly this is
the reason why in verse eight it is stated: "The heavens
also dropped [dripped showers of truth] at the
presence of God" when at his holy temple. "The
word," or "speech", is a comprehensive form applied,
not to only one specific message that the Lord gave or
is giving or has given at any one time, but to the
whole series or messages of truth which he gave and
which hc continues to give ever since the lightnings
have been flashing from the temple and upon the
record of his Word. The expression "the word",
therefore, includes every revelation of truth down to
and including the book Vindication and whatsoever
shall be revealed and published, by the Lord's grace,
as long as the remnant is on earth. Jehovah gave the
testimony to Jesus Christ to witness concerning his
purposes, and now to the remnant is assigned the privilege
of having a part in that testimony and of publishing
the message of truth, making known that Jehovah
is God and that his kingdom is at hand.--Rev. 12:17.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1933 May 15 pp.154-155 ***
[Scan available: Pages 154 & 155]
Surely Jehovah has an organization on earth, because
everything with him is done orderly. For many
years he has used the Watch Tower Bible & Tract
Society. There is but one class of people that are
doing his work on earth today, and these we call "the
Society", acting under the direction of the Watch
Tower Bible & Tract Society and putting forth the
Watch Tower publications, and the expression of
God's will concerning the peoples of earth. These are
the only publications that are making known the kingdom.
The time has come when the church is at unity,
mentioned by the apostle Paul in Ephesians 4 :11-14,
and therefore every company of God's people on earth
will work in exact harmony and have in mind that the
chief object is not self-development or character development
to fit one for a place in heaven, because such
a thing is an impossible thing and not commanded by
the Lord. On the contrary, the chief and paramount
thing is the vindication of Jehovah's name and to obey
his commandments by making proclamation of that
which he has commanded.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1933 August 15 p.247-8 ***
[Scan available: Pages 247 & 248]
ENLIGHTENMENT
17 Enlightenment proceeds from Jehovah by and
through Christ Jesus and is given to the faithful
anointed on earth at the temple, and brings great
peace and consolation to them. Again Zechariah talked
with the angel of the Lord, which shows that the remnant
are instructed by the angels of the Lord. The
remnant do not hear audible sounds, because such is
not necessary. Jehovah has provided his own good
way to convey thoughts to the minds of his anointed
ones. To all on the outside of the organization of Jehovah
his is a secret organization. To Zechariah, meaning
the remnant, the angel of the Lord speaks: "And
said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have
looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a
bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon,
and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon
the top thereof; and two olive trees by it, one upon
the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left
side thereof." (Zech. 4:2, 3) In this vision the remnant
is shown as receiving further or cumulative evidence
of the organization of Jehovah and their own
work in connection therewith. God's covenant people
'did slumber and sleep' for a time, as indicated by
verse one. (Zech. 4:1; Matt. 25:l-5 ; Rev. 8:1) In
1919 they began to wake up, and some three years
later were wide awake; and from that time forward
those fully devoted to Jehovah have been able to "see
afar off", while others have indulged in dreaming and
have remained in darkness.--Rev. 3:18; 2 Pet. 1:9;
Joel 2:28.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1933 September 15 p.276-7 ***
[Scan available: Pages 276 & 277]
5 Jehovah then gave his prophet a message to be
delivered to these "old-time" weepers: "Then came
the word of the Lord of hosts unto me." (Zech. 7:4)
The giving of the word to Zechariah finds a parallel
in the increased light that comes to the faithful after
1922. Note now with joy some of the wonderful things
the Lord has brought to the temple class since that
date. It has pleased the Lord to use The Watchtower
as a means of conveying his message to his covenant
people; and in the year 1923 the Lord began to bring
the message of joy to his hungry ones and they learned
for the first time the meaning of "The joy of Jehovah
is your strength". (Neh. 8:10, A.R.V.) Then in
February of the same year the Lord revealed to his
people that the cup of wine at the Memorial pictures
good cheer resulting from the coming of the King and
the kingdom. (The Watchtower, 1923, page 56) Then
came for the first time the correct understanding of
the parables of the talents and of the pounds, which
involve the joy of the Lord. (The Watchtower, 1923,
pages 35, 71) Then the parable of the virgins, showing
that the oil pictures joy and that the joy is in
them because of God's favors. (The Watchtower, 1923,
page 296) Since then Jehovah has continued to cause
his lightnings to flash upon the temple, and the temple
class has continued to rejoice and put forth increased
zeal and energy in his service.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1933 November 1 p.296 ***
[Scan available: Page 296]
[...] All the true and
faithful witnesses of Jehovah will avoid all such
'false teachers, diviners and dreamers' who seek their
own satisfaction and who have no real interest in the
kingdom and hence do not joyfully serve it.--Rom.
16:17,18.
21 Jehovah is against such and advises the faithful
remnant to stay out of their way. (Ezek. 13:9) This
the faithful must do in order to be cleansed and prepared
for the Lord's work and in order that they may
ultimately be of the priesthood after the order of
Melchizedek. No one can hc prepared for temple service
by associating with those who oppose the work that
the Lord is now doing in the earth. God excludes these
self-important 'diviners and tellers of dreams' from his
organization, and the faithful should avoid them:
"Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine
divinations; for I will deliver my people out of your
hand; and ye shall know that I am the Lord." (Ezek.
13:23) As surely as Jehovah has an organization on the
earth, just so surely he is feeding the members of that
organization by the hand of Christ Jesus. The facts
prove that he uses the Watch Tower publications to
bring these truths to the attention of his remnant.
It is therefore to be expected that the 'diviners and
dreamers' will be against those who publish the truth,
and that these evil ones will ridicule the faithful; and
the facts show that that is exactly what they are doing.
The Lord declares that darkness and confusion shall
be the portion of such as make his people to err and as
oppose his work. "Therefore night shall be unto you,
that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark
unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall
go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark
over them. Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the
diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their
lips; for there is no answer of God." (Mic. 3:6, 7)
These dreamers speak falsely and turn away from
God's Word of truth. (Jer. 23:26-25, 32) Their efforts
to comfort anyone arc wholly in vain, and hence they
are not performing any part of the commission given
to God's covenant people. Not having received the
love of the truth, they go away from God's flock and
make up a flock of their own. They have been relying
upon a man as their teacher and shepherd, and since
his death they have no leader and are in trouble, and
now they lament and say : "There is no shepherd, and
no more truth since he passed away."
[Emphasis Added]
*** VINDICATION, Volume 3 (book, 1932) p.250 ***
[Scan available: Page 250]
It was in the spring of 1918 that the Lord Jesus,
as the representative of Jehovah, appeared at the temple,
and from that time forward the glory of Jehovah
has been there. "And I heard him speaking unto me
out of the house ; and the man stood by me." (43:6)
When Ezekiel heard the Lord speaking to him the
man stood by him. "The man " was the heavenly messenger,
and this pictures the heavenly messengers or
angels of the Lord now used by the Lord in behalf of
the remnant. These angels are invisible to human eyes
and are there to carry out the orders of the Lord.
No doubt they first hear the instruction which the
Lord issues to his remnant and then these invisible
messengers pass such instruction on to the remnant.
The facts show that the angels of the Lord with him
at his temple have been thus rendering service unto
the remnant since 1919. The Lord from his holy temple
speaks: "Hear, all ye people ; hearken, O earth,
and all that therein is: and let the Lord God be witness
against you, the Lord from his holy temple."
(Mic. 1:2) The faithful remnant in 1922 began to
hear and to respond: "Also I heard the voice of the
Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go
for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And he
said, Go and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand
not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not."
--Isa. 6:8,9.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Yearbook 1939 p.85 ***
[This is a summary, not a quote]
[Angels hear the instructions and then pass it on to the remnant;
they have been doing so since 1919.]
[Emphasis Added]
*** The Watchtower January 1, 1942 p.5 ***
Scan available
It clearly appears that Jehovah by Christ Jesus
is doing his work on earth among his people and
hence is guiding his people in the right way according
to his promise... Thus the Lord
declares he has entrusted his people with the privilege
and obligation of telling his message...
Jehovah having thus favored his people, they must
be true to him and speak his word to others...
The Lord does not say to speak the
words of wisdom of man, nor to be influenced or
guided by the word of man. Those who are convinced
that The Watchtower is publishing the opinion or
expression of a man should not waste time in looking
at it at all, because a man's opinion proves nothing
except when that opinion is based wholly upon the
Word of God. Those who believe that God uses The
Watchtower as a means of communicating to his
people, or of calling their attention to his prophecies,
should study The Watchtower with thankfulness of
heart and give Jehovah God and Christ Jesus all the
honor and credit and give neither honor nor credit to
any man. The prophecy of Obadiah shows clearly
that the identity of the persons or individuals engaged
in God's service is not now material.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1944 May 1 p.138-9 ***
[Scan available: Pages 138 & 139]
35 The Greater Moses has come and is at the temple
for judgment. (Deut. 18:15-18; Acts 3:20-23) From
Mount Zion he reflects the glory of Jehovah, just
as Moses did on coming down from Mount Sinai.
His remnant of faithful followers catch the glory
light from the unfolding of the Holy Scriptures,
which were written for our day and which Jehovah's
appointed interpreter Christ Jesus explains to us.
(Job 33:23-28; Rev. 18:1; 10:1) Being gathered
by him into the temple as consecrated and approved
servants of God, the remnant behold the glory of
its God: "and in his temple doth every one speak
of his glory." (Ps. 29:9) These also see Jehovah's
Messenger of the covenant there, Christ Jesus, in
his Father's glory, and they must speak also of the
glory of the Son upon his Kingdom throne. (Mal.
3:1-3; Isa. 6:1-11) It is the time, not for more religion,
but for LIGHT! God commands the light to shine,
and to shine not merely until it reaches his anointed
remnant. It must rebound from them and flash upon
others, men of good-will who are in darkness and in
danger of destruction, the "other sheep". "For God,
who commanded the light to shine out of darkness,
hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the
knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus
Christ." (2 Cor. 4:6) The reason, then, for the
intensive and increasing activity of Jehovah's witnesses
is to obey the divine command and to let His
light shine forth to others to His glory.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1952 April 15 p.253 Aids for Understanding Prophecy ***
19 When may prophecies be understood? The Lord said to Daniel, "O Daniel, shut up the words, and
seal the book, even to the time of the end." (Dan. 12:4, AS) This indicates that the
further fulfillments of the prophecies are sealed until the physical facts appear that
begin to fulfill them. So the rule seems to be reasonable and certain that prophecies
cannot be understood until they are in the course of fulfillment or until they have been
fulfilled. Jehovah as the great Interpreter makes known the meaning of his revelations in
his due time, and speculation by men cannot bring to light the true meaning of prophecy
before time. Jehovah has provided a channel, the
"faithful and discreet slave" class, who are given spiritual "food at the
proper time", and this spiritual food includes among other things the understandings
of the prophecies in the course of their fulfillments. (Matt. 24:45, NW) Jehovah's
witnesses themselves are not nor can they be interpreters of prophecies. But as fast as
the "superior authorities" Jehovah and Christ Jesus reveal the interpretations
through their provided channel that fast do God's people
publish them the world over to strengthen the faith of all lovers of righteousness.
PROPHESYING TODAY
20 Since Joel 2:28, which has its complete fulfillment after 1919, foretells that God
will pour out his spirit upon people of all kinds and "your sons and your daughters
shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions",
in what sense then do Jehovah's witnesses prophesy today?
Jehovah's people confess no powers of inspiration today. However, they do pray
continually for more of God's holy spirit to understand the many prophecies already
uttered and preserved for the final preaching work which Jehovah's witnesses are now
undertaking. They know that the inspired infallible Scriptures of prophecy will be
fulfilled toward them correctly. They diligently study the visions and dreams of God's
faithful men of old. They can quote and copy the Scriptures of God's inspired men and can
apply them according to the facts. They can observe how God interprets them by Christ
Jesus through the events and facts that he causes to appear. They are then faithful in
publishing and preaching the revealed prophecies to the
utter ends of the earth. The twentieth-century preaching prophets
of Jehovah are the ones who are running to and fro over the Bible to gain knowledge of the
divine pronouncements which is on the increase.-Dan. 12:4.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1955 June 1 p.333 Part 11: Restoration of Theocratic Organization ***
Similarly today the power of appointment of all servants in congregations rightfully rests with the
governing body of the "faithful and discreet slave" class, which is
under the direct supervision of Christ Jesus at the temple.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1956 November 1 p.666 Turn to the New World Society ***
11 Who controls the organization, who directs it? Who is at the head? A man?
A group of men? A clergy class? A pope? A hierarchy? A council? No, none of these.
How is that possible? In any organization is it not necessary that there be a
directing head or policy-making part that controls or
guides the organization? Yes. Is the living God, Jehovah, the
Director of the theocratic Christian organization? Yes!
12 Because of the vital fact that the law that governs the operation of the theocratic
New World society is the Word of Jehovah God, and because of the fact that the
heaven-enthroned Christ Jesus is Jehovah's Executive Officer carrying on his work in the
earth, and because of the further fact that the spirit of God by
Christ Jesus is operating through his Word and upon the hearts and minds of his dedicated
servants, the New World society is theocratic, meaning "God-ruled."
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1957 May 1 p.284 Trust Your Proved, Faithful Brothers ***
RELYING ON JEHOVAH'S DIRECTIVE POWER
14 Showing respect for Jehovah's organization really resolves itself down to our
attitude toward God's visible channel and the trust that
we place in our proved, faithful brothers. If we have become thoroughly convinced that
this is Jehovah's organization, that he
is guiding and directing his people, then we shall not be
unsettled by anything that happens.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1960 July 15 pp.438-9 Staying Awake with the "Faithful and Discreet Slave" ***
2 How is this divine will to be made known and brought to the attention
of the worthy multitudes of men of good will toward Jehovah? Again the awake
world-watchman, the "slave" class, must undertake another world educational
campaign following their restoration as witnesses after 1919. Such a global work has now
been under way for more than forty years and is reaching its fruitful culmination. The
facts show that during this time and up to the present hour the "slave" class
has served as God's sole collective channel for the flow
of Biblical truth to men on earth. Just as the early Christian congregation collectively
served as the channel of communication from heaven to
earth, so in our time. (Eph. 3:10) Abundant spiritual food and amazing details as to the
doing of God's will have been flowing through this unique channel
actually as a miraculous evidence of the operation of holy spirit. The present stature of
the New World society of Jehovah's witnesses, numbering nearly a million ministers in 175
lands, gives eloquent testimony that it is not the product of human ingenuity. Rather, it
is the product of holy spirit operating theocratically through a tested channel,
influencing the lives of dedicated men and women in all walks of life.-Zech.
4:6.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1961 July 15 pp.431-2 Become Activated by the Spirit of Jehovah ***
6 From a study of God's Word one appreciates that Jehovah
does not dispense his dynamic energy through just any organization that
chooses to label itself religious. Neither does
God deal with individuals independently of his own wifely organization,
the "mother" of all those dedicated to God. (Gal. 4:26) He has always had
His channel of communication on earth through
which his spirit operates. Remember how Miriam and Aaron tried
to bypass this channel and almost lost their lives as a result? Only after
Jesus had been baptized by Jehovah's representative did he receive holy
spirit and strength to enable him to do his powerful works. (Num. 12:1-16;
Matt. 3:16; Acts 10:38) By and through this holy spirit Jesus aided those
associated with him so they could understand the truth, and so they too
could receive power to "cure sick people, raise up dead persons, make
lepers clean, expel demons." Thus is emphasized the importance of
association with Jehovah's organization.-Matt. 10:8; Luke 24:45; 1 Cor.
2:10.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1961 Sept 1 p.539 Staying Awake as Approved Slaves ***
Manifesting loyalty to God's channel and one's brothers and showing love is a
fifth way in which we can stay awake as approved slaves.....And lastly, we can stay
awake by being respectful and obedient to the organization, the Watch Tower Society
and its appointed servants. Yes, "remember those who are governing you, . . . and as
you contemplate how their conduct turns out imitate their faith."--Heb. 13:7. So let
us stay awake as approved slaves by co-operating with the "faithful and discreet slave"
to the best of our ability.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1964 May 1 p.277-8 Building a Firm Foundation in Christ ***
8 God's Word is the basis of our faith. As we pore over its pages our mind is communing with
God's. Our faith is established and strengthened. We are "always ready to make a
defense" by offering "a reason for the hope" that we hold, and we are
thereby equipped to teach others the way of life. (1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Tim. 2:2) Why, though,
is such emphasis placed on "accurate" knowledge?
Why should such care be exercised in our study of the columns of The
Watchtower, and of our application of the Scripture texts to the material under
consideration? It is through the columns of The Watchtower that
Jehovah provides direction and constant Scriptural counsel to his people, and
it requires careful study and attention to details in order to apply this information, to
get a full understanding of the principles involved, and to assure ourselves of right
thinking on these matters. It is in this way that we "are thoroughly able to grasp
mentally with all the holy ones" the fullness of our commission and of the preaching
responsibility that Jehovah has placed on all Christians as footstep followers of his Son.
Any other course would produce independent thinking and cause division. "Now I exhort
you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you should all speak in
agreement, and that there should not be divisions among you, but that you may be fitly
united in the same mind and in the same line of thought." (1 Cor. 1:10) If all who
are associated in the Christian organization have the mind of God and of Christ there will
be unity and all will be built up in maturity of understanding.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1965 June 1 p.351 Questions from Readers ***
First of all, we must recognize what is meant when we say God's visible organization
was made strictly or fully theocratic. The term "theocracy" means "God
rule" or "rule by God."
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1965 June 1 p.352 Questions from Readers ***
This strengthening of theocratic controls continued over a period of twenty years, from 1918 to 1938, and
corresponds to the twenty-year building program of Solomon, in which time he completed
Jehovah's temple, his own house, the porch of judgment and the House of the Forest of
Lebanon or the armory. In 1938 Jehovah revealed this correspondency
to his servants and it was published in The Watchtower in a two-part article
entitled "Organization." This appeared in the issues of June 1 and 15 and proved
conclusively that Jehovah's organization must henceforth be guided and directed by
Jehovah's spirit through the visible governing body made up of those servants
whom Jehovah himself would appoint. The concluding paragraph in this series
stated: "Jehovah's theocratic government is now in full control of the people of
God."
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1965 June 1 p.352 Questions from Readers ***
New features of the work have required new methods, which has meant
revisions and changes from time to time in organization instructions, but it
is all a part of the advancement of Jehovah's theocratically controlled organization
under the immediate direction of Jehovah God himself. Therefore, these
revisions and changes are themselves fully theocratic, so they do not alter
in any way the fully theocratic structure of the organization.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1967 October 1 p.590 Finding Freedom with Jehovah's Visible Organization ***
Jehovah poured out his spirit upon them and assigned them the responsibility of serving as
his sole visible channel, through whom alone spiritual instruction was to
come. Those who recognize Jehovah's visible theocratic organization, therefore,
must recognize and accept this appointment of the "faithful and discreet slave"
and be submissive to it.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1967 October 1 p.590 Finding Freedom with Jehovah's Visible Organization ***
Since 1879 the Watch Tower magazine has been used by this
collective group to dispense spiritual food regularly to those of this "little
flock" of true Christians.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1969 January 15 pp.50-1 Are You Ready for the Responsibilities of a Baptized Witness? ***
14 His study as well as his association with Jehovah's people helps him to
understand that Jehovah has, not only a heavenly, but also an earthly, visible
organization of people doing his will. Jesus foretold that among his people there would be
a "faithful and discreet slave" class who would be providing the spiritual food
to God's family of devoted servants on earth, acting as his channel
of communication and overseeing the carrying out of the Kingdom interests world
wide. (Matt. 24:45-47)
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1971 December 15 p.749 Theocratic Organization with Which to Move Forward Now ***
[Organizational chart, shows Jehovah is in direct control of the Watchtower Bible
& Tract Society, just above the Governing Body, in position normally held by
corporate president.]
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1972 August 1 p.458 Loving Oversight of the Congregation of God ***
THEOCRATIC APPOINTMENT IN THE CONGREGATION
10 But who is at the head of this rapidly expanding congregation, you ask? Is it some
brilliant, farsighted man, some human who is a master organizer? No, for the Christian
congregation is operated theocratically, meaning that it recognizes the leadership only of
Jehovah God as exercised through his Son and enthroned King, Jesus Christ. (Isa. 33:22;
Heb. 12:2; Rev. 19:16) This is what makes the congregation theocratic in structure,
adhering to God-rule. If an organization is to be fully theocratic, it must be
directed and controlled altogether by God and by the forces he
operates. It is vital, therefore, that each one recognize that Jesus Christ is the Head of
the Christian congregation, as well as showing proper regard for those on earth who have
been theocratically appointed to positions of oversight.-Phil. 2:9-11; 1 Cor. 11:3; Acts 14:23.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1972 August 1 p.460 Loving Oversight of the Congregation of God ***
18 Each week the principal Bible study aid published by Jehovah's witnesses, the Watchtower
magazine, is studied by the congregation as a whole. This is done in the form of a
question-and-answer discussion. For this meeting the entire congregation usually meets in
one place. Through the columns of The Watchtower comes increased
light on God's Word as Jehovah makes it known. Because of the vital nature of
these discussions, the Watchtower study is the most important meeting for all of Jehovah's
Christian witnesses and interested persons. Therefore, the Watchtower study conductor, who
presides over this meeting, has an important responsibility. This study enables all to be
united in the same line of thought.-1 Cor. 1:10.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1973 August 1 p.460 Cultivating Friendship with God ***
14 Yes, we should be deeply appreciative of all the
fine spiritual food that "the faithful and discreet
slave" class has been providing through The Watchtower, now for ninety-four
years. [i.e. since 1879]
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1981 February 15 pp.17-19 Do We Need Help to Understand the Bible? ***
Do We Need Help to Understand the Bible?
[…]
A HUMAN CHANNEL
From such experiences it can be seen that Jehovah God caused the Bible to be
written in such a way that one needs to come in touch with His human channel before
one can fully and accurately understand it. True, we need the help of God's holy
spirit, but its help also comes to us primarily by association with the channel
Jehovah God sees fit to use.—1 Cor. 2:6-10.
Showing that God would have an organized congregation through which instruction
would come, the Bible says: "He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as
evangelizers, some as shepherds and teachers, with a view to the readjustment of
the holy ones, for ministerial work, for the building up of the body of the Christ,
until we all attain to the oneness in the faith and in the accurate knowledge of
the Son of God, to a full-grown man, to the measure of stature that belongs to
the fullness of the Christ; in order that we should no longer be babes."—Eph. 4:11-14.
In the first century, such congregational arrangement was looked to for direction.
This is noted, for example, when the question came up as to whether Gentile converts
should be circumcised. On that occasion, did the apostle Paul say something like
this: 'Look here, Jesus Christ appeared to me personally, he has caused me to
see supernatural visions, he has given me the gift of prophecy and inspiration
and has enabled me to perform mighty works; so let me tell you just what is
what on this question of circumcision'? Not at all!
The apostle Paul and his companions went up to Jerusalem to consult the Christian
congregation's governing body, made up of the apostles and older men. And the
one who made known the verdict on circumcision was not the apostle Paul but
James, Jesus' half brother, who, at the time, was evidently the presiding
overseer of the Jerusalem congregation. After that, Paul, Silas and others
delivered these decisions to the brothers.—Acts 15:1-35.
What about Paul's missionary travels? Did he act independently of Jehovah's
assignment of him as an apostle to a certain group? No, but he obediently
accepted his assignment, and this was later recognized by "pillars" of the
governing body at Jerusalem, as Galatians 2:9 says: "When they came to know
the undeserved kindness that was given me, James and Cephas and John, the
ones who seemed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of sharing
together, that we should go to the nations, but they to those who are
circumcised."—Acts 9:15; 13:1-4; 22:17-21.
Later, when Paul came to Jerusalem for the last time, the Jews there
had received misleading reports about him. So the "older men" in Jerusalem
advised Paul what to do in an effort to put to rest these reports. And Paul
readily accepted their direction.—Acts 21:17-36.
To help us to understand God's Word in these "last days," Jehovah God has
lovingly provided a visible organization under Christ-the "faithful and discreet
slave." The way Jehovah God has prospered the activities carried on under its
direction can leave no doubt in the minds of dedicated Christians as to Jehovah
God's approval being upon it.—Matt. 24:45-47.
A NOBLE-MINDED VIEW
How shall we view the spiritual food provided by this "faithful and discreet
slave"? Should it be viewed critically—'Oh, well, it might be true but then again
it might not be and so we have to scrutinize it very critically'? Some apparently
have felt that way about it. To support their way of thinking they have quoted
Acts 17:11, which says of newly interested persons at Beroea: "Now the latter
were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word
with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily
as to whether these things were so."
But does this mean that those Beroeans were looking for flaws in the message
they were hearing, or that their attitude was one of doubting? Does this set a
precedent for regarding critically the publications brought forth by the "faithful
and discreet slave," with a view to finding fault? Not at all!
First of all, let us note the setting of the statement about the noble-minded
Beroeans. Paul, accompanied by Silas, was on his second missionary tour. Due to
persecution that arose, the brothers at Thessalonica sent them on to Beroea. In
Beroea they met sincere Jews who had strong faith in God's Word. These were not
Christians yet. They were simply interested persons who had to satisfy themselves
that what Paul was telling them had the support of the Hebrew Scriptures.
Up to this time, these devout Jews in Beroea may never have heard of Jesus Christ.
What Paul was telling them was entirely new. So those noble-minded Jews in Beroea
searched the Scriptures daily to make certain that the references that Paul gave
were really part of God's Word. And with what mental attitude did they pursue
their studies? With a skeptical attitude, trying to prove Paul wrong? No, they
were altogether unlike Paul's critics on Mars Hill, for we read that they heard
Paul's testimony with "the greatest eagerness of mind."—Acts 17:11, 32.
These Beroeans listened with a readiness, yes, an eagerness, to believe.
Thus not only were they open-minded, but they were wanting to have this "good
news" proved true. In fact, for a person to acquire faith he must have "the will
to believe." If he is determined not to believe, then no amount of evidence will
convince him; for if a person looks for them he can always find excuses, plausible
reasons for not accepting the accountability that belief will bring upon him. As
the apostle Paul well said: "Faith is not a possession of all people." (2 Thess. 3:2)
But the Beroeans had the will to believe. They considered what they heard with a
receptive frame of mind. As a result, "many of them became believers, and so did
not a few of the reputable Greek women and of the men."—Acts 17:12.
Jesus' disciples wrote many letters to Christian congregations, to persons who
were already in "the way of the truth." (2 Pet. 2:2) But nowhere do we read that
those brothers first, in a skeptical frame of mind, checked the Scriptures to make
certain that those letters had Scriptural backing, that the writers really knew
what they were talking about.
OUR VIEW OF THE "SLAVE"
We can benefit from this consideration. If we have once established what
instrument God is using as his "slave" to dispense spiritual food to his people,
surely Jehovah is not pleased if we receive that food as though it might contain
something harmful. We should have confidence in the channel God is using.
At the Brooklyn headquarters from which the Bible publications of Jehovah's
Witnesses emanate there are more mature Christian elders, both of the "remnant"
and of the "other sheep," than anywhere else upon earth.
True, the brothers preparing these publications are not infallible.
Their writings are not inspired as are those of Paul and the other Bible
writers. (2 Tim. 3:16) And so, at times, it has been necessary, as
understanding became clearer, to correct views. (Prov. 4:18) However,
this has resulted in a continual refining of the body of Bible-based
truth to which Jehovah's Witnesses subscribe. Over the years, as adjustments
have been made to that body of truth, it has become ever more wonderful and
applicable to our lives in these "last days." Bible commentators of
Christendom are not inspired either. Despite their claims to great knowledge,
they have failed to highlight even basic Bible truths—such as the coming
Paradise earth, the importance of God's name, and the condition of the dead.
Rather, the record that the "faithful and discreet slave" organization
has made for the past more than 100 years forces us to the conclusion that
Peter expressed when Jesus asked if his apostles also wanted to leave him,
namely, "Whom shall we go away to?" (John 6:66-69) No question about it.
We all need help to understand the Bible, and we cannot find the Scriptural
guidance we need outside the "faithful and discreet slave" organization.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1981 December 1 p.27 The Path of the Righteous Does Keep Getting Brighter ***
Jehovah God has also provided his visible organization, his "faithful and discreet
slave," made up of spirit-anointed ones ... Unless we are in touch with this
channel of communication that God is using, we will not progress
along the road to life, no matter how much Bible reading we do.
[Emphasis Added]
*** United in Worship of the Only True God (book, 1983) chap.15 p.118-124 How Does Jehovah Direct His Organization?***
THEOCRATIC IN STRUCTURE
4 The Scriptural expression "congregation of the living God" makes evident who direct it.
The organization is theocratic, or God-ruled. Jehovah provides direction for his people through
the one that He appointed to be the invisible head of the congregation, the Lord Jesus Christ, and
by means of His own inspired Word, the Bible.
[...]
7 [...] To please Jehovah, we need to accept the instruction
he provides through this channel and act in full harmony with it.
[...]
13 We do well to ask ourselve: "Do we truly
appreciate how Jehovah is directing his visible organization? Do our attitudes, speech and actions
reflect that?" [...]
14 It is by means of his visible
organization under Christ as appointed head that Jehovah is dealing with us today. So our attitude
toward this organization demonstrates in a practical way the stand that we are taking on the issue
of sovereignty. [...] By cultivating wholesome respect for Jehovah's organization and
wholeheartedly doing the work that he directs, we give evidence that Jehovah truly is our God and
that we are united in his worship.--1 Cor. 15:58.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1983 February 15 p.12 You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth-But How? ***
A third requirement is that we be associated with God's channel, his
organization. … Jehovah is using only one organization today to accomplish
his will. To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must
identify that organization and serve God as part of it.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Revelation -- It's Grand Climax At Hand (book) 1988 pp.54 chap.10 Abhorring the "Deep Things of Satan" ***
22 Finally, Jesus declares: "Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations." (Revelation 2:29)
For the fourth time, Jesus here repeats this rousing refrain, and it will conclude all three messages yet to come. Do you have
that responsive ear? Then keep listening intently as God, by his spirit, continues to provide counsel through his channel.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 2001 August 1 How to Make Your Advancement Manifest ***
8 First, since "oneness" is to be observed, a mature Christian must be in unity
and full harmony with fellow believers as far as faith and knowledge are
concerned. He does not advocate or insist on personal opinions or harbor private
ideas when it comes to Bible understanding. Rather, he has complete confidence
in the truth as it is revealed by Jehovah God through his Son, Jesus Christ, and
"the faithful and discreet slave."
[Emphasis Added]
*** Our Kingdom Ministry September 2002 (For Britain) p. 8 ***
[Scan Available!]
5 God's Appointed Channel: Bear in mind that our heavenly Father has an appointed channel of
communication, "the faithful and discreet slave." That "slave" has the responsibility to determine what information
is made available to the household of faith, as well as "the proper time" for it to be dispensed. This spiritual
food is available only through the theocratic organization. We should always look to God's appointed channel for
reliable information, not to a network of Internet users. — Matt.24:45.
[Emphasis Added]
|
