Part Two
A good indicator as to the nearness of Jehovah’s day is not necessarily studying world events, but more importantly witnessing certain developments within God’s household. These things must first take place as foretold in the Scriptures. (Matt. 26:54) Having convinced us that we are nothing but wonderful in Jehovah’s eyes and shrugging off his condemnatory prophecies as applying to the world, particularly the churches of Christendom rather than to ourselves, we have failed to comprehend our true situation before Jehovah. (Amos 3:2; 4:12) Jehovah’s people have been led astray by being told that they have “peace, when there is no peace.” (Jer. 8:11; Ezek. 13:10) For that reason it will be just as Jesus warned, we will be caught by surprise when he arrives to settle accounts with his slaves at a time, we do not think to be it. (Luke 12:40; Rev. 3:3) Paul wrote for our benefit—those living in the last days—that Jehovah’s day will not come unless there are first certain developments taking place, and this in connection with an apostasy and revealing, or identifying, of “the man of lawlessness.”
Apostasy, from Jehovah’s standpoint, is a turning away from him and a rejection of his word. (Isaiah 9:16,17; Jer. 17:13, NWT) Apostasy can develop only from among God’s own people, within his household, his temple. It is not at all unusual for an anointed one of Jehovah to become presumptuous and apostatize. We can recall such well known examples as the anointed cherub (who made himself Satan the Devil), Saul, Solomon, and Jeroboam, just to mention a few, each of these having been anointed for their privileged position before apostatizing. Sadly, the great majority of God’s anointed kings proved rebellious; some becoming extremely wicked and cruel, resulting in much suffering for their subjects. Therefore, it should not be surprising to God’s people today that a wicked “man of lawlessness” would be seating himself prominently right inside God’s temple, “publicly showing himself to be a god.” This “son of destruction,” as he is also called, is said to be actually sitting in “opposition” to true worship.
Paul says that the man of lawlessness, in his ambition to be “someone or something considered to be extremely valuable or important” (Webster’s definition of “god”), has elevated himself over those who are “called ‘god’ or an object of reverence.” (John 10:34-36) Who does the Bible identify these ones to be? The Scriptures speak of them as “holy” (NWT) or “chosen ones” (CEV), who will receive “the kingdom and the rulership and the grandeur of the kingdoms under all the heavens,” and upon their proving faithful unto death will “rule as kings with the Christ for the thousand years.” Yes, they are the ones who make up the foundation stones of God’s temple, each one of them chosen and put in place by Jehovah God himself. Evidently, the man of lawlessness has desired to especially dominate these within God’s temple. —Dan. 7:18,27; NWT; 1 Cor. 8:5; Rev. 2:10;3:21; 20:6.
In agreement with what Paul foretold, among God’s people today there is a small group of men who have fulfilled this prophecy in detail. It is the Governing Body of the Watchtower Society. The members of this elite group of men assert that there was such a governing body arrangement over God’s people in the first century, and therefore justifies their exalted position within God’s household. A recent Watchtower article states: “The apostles and the elders of the Jerusalem congregation acted as a governing body. Christ used this instrument to lead the entire group of his anointed ‘brothers’ on earth. (Heb. 2:11; Acts 16:4,5) In this time of the end, Christ has committed ‘all his belongings’—all the earthly interests of the Kingdom—to his ‘faithful and discreet slave’ and its representative Governing Body, a group of anointed Christian men.” —September 15, 2010, Study Watchtower. Note “adjusted so called New Light” in the July 2013 WT. which correctly states that Jesus would not entrust “all his belongings” to the FDS until their resurrection to heaven just prior to Armageddon, and the GB no longer represents the FDS, they are exclusively the self appointed Faithful and Discrete Slave.https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/w20130715/who-is-faithful-discreet-slave/
Fred Franz on “Was there a First Century Governing Body? https://youtu.be/Yfvr2Zx1w1w?si=jIIJSJkuR9hIuRB2
Contrary to their claim, though, there is no scriptural evidence to support the idea of a governing body in Jerusalem that Christ used to “lead the entire group of his anointed brothers on earth.” The apostle Paul certainly did not recognize any “special leaders” (CEV) exercising authority over him or other fellow believers; nor, as he says, did he submit to any such ones. Neither did Jesus acknowledge such an entity when he wrote directly to the seven congregations in Asia Minor. (Gal. 1:15-19; 2:47; Rev. 1:11,19,20) In fact, the very idea of a governing body goes contrary to what Jesus told his disciples on his last night with them, when once again they argued as to who the greatest among them was: “The kings of the Gentiles dominate them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever is greatest among you must become like the youngest, and whoever leads, like the one serving.” —Luke 22:24-26, HCSB; Matt. 20:25,26.
In imitation of the kings of the nations, and in connection with a secular corporation, the governing body members have elevated themselves within God’s household over God’s people, and “dominate them.” They have publicly shown themselves to be a “god” by the authority they have claimed for themselves, and by presenting their teachings as equal in authority to God’s Word, considering their publications as official as the Bible itself. (Matt. 23:2-4) For example, in one Watchtower article elders were told: “If the Bible and the publications of the ‘faithful and discreet slave’ do not clearly outline a course, the elders should not impose their personal likes and dislikes, as if these were rules to be followed by the others.” (w75 8/1 p. 474 par.12, Elders Presiding in a Fine Way) Another article addressing congregation elders stated: “What is your attitude toward directives from ‘the faithful and discreet slave’? Loyalty should move you to be ‘ready to obey.’ (Jas. 3:17) Always try to capture the spirit of information published by the ‘slave’ class. Then convey this to the congregation. The brothers need your loyal example as you cooperate with the rest of the body of elders.” (w81 12/1 pp. 11-14 “Kingdom Loyalty”—What Does It Mean to You?) You may have noticed in your congregation that the visiting Circuit Overseer will frequently refer to the WT Society’s publications as the authority for establishing a scriptural matter, or “proving” one of their many traditions. This, of course, is to instill trust and confidence on the part of God’s people in the self-proclaimed “faithful and discreet slave,” and encourage loyally following their leadership. You can see many of the elders imitating this.
They also teach that we cannot enjoy a relationship with Jehovah apart from the governing body: “We cannot hope to acquire a good relationship with Jehovah if we ignore those whom Jesus has appointed to care for his belongings. Without the assistance of ‘the faithful and discreet slave,’ we would neither understand the full import of what we read in God’s Word nor know how to apply it. (Matt. 24:45-47)”. The same Watchtower says further: “The anointed and their other sheep companions recognize that by following the lead of the modern-day Governing Body, they are in fact following their Leader, Christ.” (September 15, 2010, Study Watchtower) Another article admonished: “It is vital that we. . .respond to the directions of the ‘slave’ as we would to the voice of God, because it is His provision.” —Watchtower 6/15/1957, p. 370, JEHOVAH’S CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION.
Compare the above Watchtower statements with Jesus’ own words: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Also note the apostle Peter’s statement regarding the uniqueness of Jesus’ position: “There is no salvation in anyone else, for there is not another name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved.” (Acts 4:12) The governing body should be teaching God’s people to obey Jehovah’s command, “Don’t put your trust in human leaders. Don’t trust in people. They can’t save you.” —Psalms 146:3, NIRV.
Aaron, as high priest, was called by God and blessed with a prominent and prestigious position within the nation of Israel, as did his sister Miriam as prophetess. (Heb. 5:4,5; Ex. 15:20) Yet both coveted the superior appointment of their brother Moses, for God had “entrusted [Moses] with all his house,” and spoke with him “face to face.” (Ex. 33:11; Num. 7:89; 12:7,8; Heb. 3:5,6) Therefore Aaron and Miriam started to complain: “Is it just by Moses alone that Jehovah has spoken? Is it not by us also that he has spoken?” The account goes on to say: “And Jehovah was listening,” and “Jehovah’s anger got to be hot against them. . . and look! Miriam was struck with leprosy as white as snow.” (Num. 12:1,2,9,10) Has the governing body not become guilty of the same aspiration as that of Aaron and Miriam? Are they not in effect saying, as expressed in the above Watchtower quotes, “is it by Jesus alone that Jehovah has spoken? Is it not by us also that he has spoken?”
In coveting the glory and the authority that has been given only to Jesus—the greater Moses—the governing body /FDS members have also become guilty of imitating the ambitions of the infamous rebels Korah, Dathan and his brother Abiram. By wanting to elevate themselves to the position of Moses as leader over God’s people, those three men, along with their 250 followers, became guilty of rebelling against Jehovah. By the awesome display of power that Jehovah used in executing them and everything that belonged to them he proved beyond any doubt to all onlookers that those rebels had “treated Jehovah disrespectfully.” Yes, it was not only Moses that they had opposed, but also Jehovah himself. —Num. 16:12-14, 30-35; Jude 11; Matt. 23:10; 1 Peter 3:22.
The modern-day Korah-Dathan-Abiram claims to be God’s channel of communication for us. Thus, in one Watchtower it was stated: “God spoke to his people through Moses and other prophets. Then, Jehovah spoke to them through his Son, Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 1:1,2) Today, we have God’s complete inspired Word, the Holy Bible. We also have ‘the faithful and discreet slave,’ appointed by Jesus to provide spiritual ‘food at the proper time.’ (Matthew 24:45-47) Thus, God is still speaking. But are we listening?” (w98 7/15 p. 12 par. 15 Beware of a Lack of Faith) Yes, today Jehovah is still speaking to his people; no, not by any men or group of men, but rather by means of his Son Christ Jesus, as Paul tells us: “God, who long ago spoke on many occasions and in many ways to our forefathers by means of the prophets, has at the end of these days spoken to us by means of a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things.” (Heb. 1:1,2;2:16-18;8:1,2) The above Watchtower appropriately notes, “today, we have God’s complete inspired Word.” It is within the pages of that inspired Word that we find Jesus’ teachings preserved for our benefit, by means of which God is speaking to us. There is no need for anyone else to replace Jesus, for he himself promised his disciples: “And look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.”—Matthew 28:20.
We are commanded not to add anything to God’s Word, nor take away from it. (Deut. 4:2;12:32; Prov. 30:6; Rev. 22:18,19) In fact, it is this food—Jesus’ teachings—that God’s appointed servants ought to be dispensing. (John 6:35; Luke 12:42) Rather than any governing body, Jehovah has provided “the spirit of the truth, which the world cannot receive,” which not only teaches his people but also unites them. That has not changed since the first century! This truth never changes. (John 14:16,17, 26) The man of lawlessness, whose “presence is according to the operation of Satan,” has replaced Jesus as head in the congregation. He has also blasphemously replaced the holy spirit within God’s household. Therefore, he does not have “the spirit of the truth,” and neither can he receive it. To him it is not about truth, but about authority and domination! The apostle Paul explains, “because they did not accept the love of the truth,” but “took pleasure in unrighteousness,” God allows “an operation of error go to them, that they may get to believing the lie.” (2 Thess. 2:10-12) This explains why many of their predictions have failed to materialize, and the reason certain “truths” taught at one time are now no longer valid. That is why the apostle John wrote: “Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.” —1 John 4:1.
The apostle Paul says that the existence of the man of lawlessness, and his identity, would be revealed in God’s due time. Jesus also said: “For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.” (Luke 8:17, NLT) Thanks to the internet, the ambitions and errors of our leaders have now become widely known. They have been humiliated yet it has not humbled them. Neither have they felt embarrassed.(Jeffery Winder stating this on the 2024 annual meeting) On the contrary! Their insistence on absolute trust and obedience has become even more pronounced. It is as Jeremiah wrote: “Prophets and priests and everyone in between twist words and doctor truth. My people are broken—shattered! —and they put on Band-Aids, Saying, ‘It’s not so bad. You’ll be just fine.’ But things are not ‘just fine’! Do you suppose they are embarrassed over this outrage? No, they have no shame. They don’t even know how to blush. There’s no hope for them. They’ve hit bottom and there’s no getting up. As far as I’m concerned, they’re finished.”—Jer. 6:13-15, The Message.
They have not blushed in connection with their bold promise as expressed back in a 1969 Awake! magazine: “If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will never grow old in this present system of things. Why not? Because all the evidence in fulfillment of Bible prophecy indicates that this corrupt system is due to end in a few years. Of the generation that observed the beginning of the ‘last days’ in 1914, Jesus foretold: ‘This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.’ Therefore, as a young person, you will never fulfill any career that this system offers.” (Awake! 1969 May 22 p.15) Ironically, many of the ones especially trusting in the Society’s leadership and their promises are now suffering the most, finding themselves destitute. Contrary to their expectations, they have grown old in this present system of things and are now working at menial jobs way past their retirement age, not having prepared them financially for their old age. But do not allow the failed promises of the self-professed “faithful slave” to throw you off your spiritual balance! You can continue to have full confidence in Jehovah’s promises, for they will never fail to come true, nor lead to disappointment, although appearing to delay.—Habakkuk 2:2-4.
The Governing Body members, in their effort to hold on to their lofty position within God’s temple, have hired powerful lawyers whom they trust and who have become their advisers rather than Jehovah or Jesus, even when their advice goes contrary to what the Scriptures teach. (John 13:34,35) Under the direction of these lawyers they have dealt harshly with many of Jehovah’s sheep. It is not unusual to have one of the Society’s lawyers represent in a court of law a prominent elder who has been charged with child molestation, or sexual harassment of a sister. Thus they protect their own interest and wealth from lawsuits, and attempt to hide wrongdoing, and in the process deny justice to the innocent ones, although they know full well Jehovah’s view of such matters: “Woe to those enacting crooked statutes and writing oppressive laws to keep the poor from getting a fair trial and to deprive the afflicted among my people of justice, so that widows can be their spoil and they can plunder the fatherless. What will you do on the day of punishment when devastation comes from far away? Who will you run to for help? Where will you leave your wealth?”—Isaiah 10:1-3, HCSB.
Anyone not submitting to their authority is expelled from the congregation as being apostate; even God’s chosen ones. (Matt. 24:22,24,31; Col. 3:12) They are Diotrephes personified, of whom the apostle John wrote in his short third letter: “I wrote something to the congregation, but Diotrephes, who likes to have the first place among them, does not receive anything from us with respect. That is why, if I come, I will call to remembrance his works which he goes on doing, chattering about us with wicked words. Also, not being content with these things, neither does he himself receive the brothers with respect, and those who are wanting to receive them he tries to hinder and to throw out of the congregation.” (3 John 9,10) Do they imagine that God approves of their action, and that there will be no accountability? —Romans 14:12; Hebrews 4:13.
If we seem surprised, even shocked, by all this development within God’s organization we should remember Paul’s words: “Do you not remember that, while I was yet with you, I used to tell you these things?” (vs. 5) Yes, these things must take place in order for the Scriptures to be fulfilled. (Luke 21:22) This wicked element was already evident in Paul’s day, in the form of the “superfine apostles” who had elevated themselves over their fellow believers and had started to rule over them. But as Paul said, any such authority they felt they had was not from Jehovah. (1 Cor. 4:8-10) In fact, their presence and position of authority within God’s temple is “according to the operation of Satan,” and reflects his own ambitions. —2 Thess. 2:9.
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