*** Watchtower 1954 October 15 pp.638-9 Questions from Readers ***
Questions from Readers
• How does Jehovah's spirit help the "faithful
and discreet slave" arrive at the truth of a matter? The Society does not claim
infallibility or inspiration. How much is dependent upon the written Word?
How can we be sure that this is the organization Jehovah is using when some
things are published and later changed?—C. P., United States.
In regard to how the truth is brought forth through Jehovah's organization,
please note that if the Watch Tower Society were infallible there would be no need for
future correction of viewpoints held; but because it is not infallible and has never
claimed to be, from time to time corrections are necessary. If Jehovah's spirit
operated in the way it did upon Bible writers, inspiring them to write according to
Jehovah's thoughts, then no future corrections in matters would ever be necessary.
But because the spirit does not operate in this way today some corrections are made from time to time.
Jehovah God, in fact, foretold or indicated that such would be the case.
At Proverbs 4:18 (AS) it states: "The path of the righteous is as the dawning
light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." While the light is
still dim the broad outline of an object may be visible but the details of
it are not always distinct, and as the light increases these details may be
seen with more clarity and a corrected view is obtained. Full dependence is
placed upon Jehovah's Word in the formulation of truth and it is from his
Word that proof should be forthcoming. However, with greater clarity and
understanding, new truths are discerned and something that previously appeared
very logical may require revision.
Jehovah did not say that the entire matter would be seen in crystal
clarity instantaneously. With these last days in mind, Jesus spoke of the
"faithful and discreet slave" that would be appointed to bring forth "food
at the proper time." (Matt. 24:45, NW) This is a progressive process, food
being continually provided, and as we advance in the stream of time and
observe further fulfillment of prophecy new truths are discerned and brought
forth and constitute fresh and nourishing food for our day. Some truths were
not essential for us prior to the time of their discernment, otherwise
Jehovah would have caused them to become known earlier.
Even the erroneous viewpoints held by Jehovah's witnesses during the
first world war served their purpose in contributing to the fulfillment
of prophecy, for Jehovah had long ago foretold a condition of spiritual
uncleanness upon his people at that particular time and the cleansing
work that would be done. Hence such things are to be expected according
to prophecy and their occurrence is a confirmation that this is Jehovah's
organization, rather than a cause for raising question concerning Jehovah's
use of the organization.
Jehovah uses this organization because it is meek and teachable
and is not set and bound in its viewpoints. It is an organization that
looks to Jehovah for guidance and direction and watches his maneuvering
of matters on the world scene and the outworking of events that fulfill
prophecy and it lines up its views in accord with these things. It is
willing to change and keep up with the developing conditions, to keep up
with the light as the light is revealed brighter and brighter. That is why
Jehovah can use this organization, and certainly the facts show that he has
been using it and is continuing to use it. He is bringing the increase.
He is using this organization to preach the good news of the established
Kingdom in all the inhabited earth. Prophecies are being fulfilled upon
this group. We are counseled to remain close to the organization, for
even if the organization does have views that are later changed, our
safety lies in remaining within the organization and changing with it
when the light increases and new truths are discerned.
No other organization has shown this flexibility to alter its views,
to keep up with the changing times, to be alert to the increased light
that comes from Jehovah from the temple, for other groups are bound by
their centuries-old creeds. Rather than a stumbling stone, the Society's
readiness to alter its views when necessary should be a source of comfort
and encouragement, an assurance that there will be continual advancement
and increase in learning, an ever-brightening light as we approach closer
to the perfect day with its noonday brightness. A false religion may have
some truth in it, but it never gets rid of its many falsehoods and the
truth it does have continues to be contaminated. With Jehovah's organization
the beliefs can be established from the Bible, and when some erroneous
view does creep in it is soon ferreted out and discarded.
An analogy might be drawn between the first and the second presence
of Christ Jesus. At his first advent certainly the apostles at first
thought he would be an entirely earthly King and that the kingdom would
be earthly. Only after Pentecost did they learn that it was to be a heavenly
kingdom. Prior to that time they could not discern this truth, and they
entertained a false idea, as shown by Acts 1:6-8 (NW): "When, now, they
had assembled, they went to asking him: 'Master, are you restoring the
kingdom to Israel at this time?' He said to them: 'It does not belong to
you to get knowledge of the times or seasons which the Father has placed
in his own jurisdiction; but you will receive power when the holy spirit
arrives upon you.'" Likewise it was some time until they saw clearly that
they were no longer under the Mosaic law as such, as shown by Acts chapter
15. But that did not mean that they were not Jehovah's servants and his
channel for bringing the truth to the people. So we should not stumble
because the same is true today.
In fact, this ability to discard the erroneous as the light increases
marks the difference between Jehovah's true worshipers and the
false religions of Christendom. When it can be clearly shown from the
Bible that an idea once held does not have sufficient Scriptural support
and that a different viewpoint has the weight of Bible testimony behind it,
then the new viewpoint is adopted and the former understanding is set aside.
To be too proud to do this is to have a pride that would presage a fall.
(Prov. 16:18) Increased understanding of the Bible itself and growing proof
from the Bible itself are the basis for altering the viewpoint. This
organization is always probing and studying to find solid foundations
in the Scriptures for its beliefs and as the light increases the foundations
of our beliefs become stronger and stronger. We have ears to hear a clarified
truth, not ears that refuse to hear. We have eyes to see the increased light,
not eyes that refuse to see. We are anxious for new light and for new "food
at the proper time."
This Jehovah supplies, not through individuals, but through his
organization. (Prov. 3:5, 6) He has so operated with this group
in the past and he is still doing so, as the physical facts abundantly
confirm. Past history of the organization has shown that those who split
off, thinking themselves smarter than the Society, are soon swallowed up
in the seas of humanity. The new ideas they entertain are soon forgotten.
They are not preached world-wide to all the inhabited earth, as Jesus said
would be done with the truth. These separating, disgruntled ones are not
fulfilling the prophecies that Jesus said would be fulfilled by his true
people. It is this organization that is enjoying that fulfillment and it
is through this organization that Jehovah sends further light and spiritual
food that rectifies any erroneous conceptions previously entertained, as
well as adding to the rich storehouse of spiritual food available for those
devoted to him and willing to exert themselves in his service by telling
it to others.
Jesus said: "All the same, wisdom is vindicated by its works." So this
organization is vindicated as the one Jehovah is using by its
activity in doing the preaching work Jesus foretold and in being used to
fulfill many other prophecies.—Matt. 11:19, NW.
[Emphasis Added]
