Q:
In 1996 I experienced an anointing. From this time onward, the Scriptures
took on new meaning. Unsure as to what to do with some of this new
understanding, I was thankful when a few months later, an article appeared
in the July 1, 1996 Watchtower. There on page 17, paragraph 14, it stated
that God’s spirit causes an enlightened condition on the anointed when they
feed on his word. This I did not disagree with due to my own experience. It
also stated that such anointed ones would not keep this enlightened
information to themselves but would rather make it public. I understood by
this that I should be writing to the society, in particular the governing
body, which I did. They wrote me back and thanked me for my letter and
assured me that they would keep my letter in their files for future
consideration. Recently though, the Watchtower has been saying what seems to
be the opposite. In a recent June 15, 2009 study article, on paragraph 15,
it states that a truly anointed Christian does not have such special
enlightenment or insight. Because of my own experience and that of other
anointed Christians I have come to have discussions with, together with the
article in 1996 which seemingly contradicts the latest Watchtower, as well
as what is written at 1 John 2:27. I now suspect that something in Brooklyn
is amuck. Your thoughts would be appreciated.
_________________________
A:
The article "The Faithful
Steward And Its Governing Body," in the June 15, 2009 Watchtower, has received a
lot of attention among Jehovah's Witnesses, much for the same reason you are
expressing. Here is part of what that Study article said,
under the subheading “The Correct Viewpoint”:
14 How should these anointed ones view
themselves as they await their heavenly reward? They realize that although they
have received a wonderful invitation, it is only that—an invitation. They must
remain faithful until death in order to obtain this prize. In humility, they
echo the words of Paul: “Brothers, I do not yet consider myself as having laid
hold on it; but there is one thing about it: Forgetting the things behind and
stretching forward to the things ahead, I am pursuing down toward the goal for
the prize of the upward call of God by means of Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:13, 14)
The anointed remnant must do their utmost to ‘walk worthily of the calling with
which they were called, with complete lowliness of mind,’ doing so “with fear
and trembling.”─Eph. 4:1, 2; Phil. 2:12; 1 Thess. 2:12.
15 On the other hand, how should other Christians view a person who
claims to have received this anointing and begins to partake of the emblems at
the Memorial? He or she should not be judged. The matter is between this person
and Jehovah. (Rom. 14:12) However, Christians who have truly received this
anointing do not demand special attention. They do not believe that their
being of the anointed gives them special insights beyond what even some
experienced members of the “great crowd” may have. (Rev. 7:9) They do not
believe that they necessarily have more holy spirit than their companions of the
“other sheep” have. (John 10:16) They do not expect special treatment;
nor do they claim that their partaking of the emblems places them above the
appointed elders in the congregation.
16 Are all these anointed ones throughout the earth part of a
global network that is somehow involved in revealing new spiritual truths? No.
Although as a composite body the slave class is responsible for feeding the
spiritual household, not all individuals of the slave class have the same
responsibilities or work assignments. (Read 1 Corinthians 12:14-18.) As noted
earlier, in the first century, all were involved in the vital preaching work.
But only a very limited number were used to write the books of the Bible and
oversee the Christian congregation.
17 To illustrate: The Scriptures at times speak of “the congregation”
as taking certain action in handling judicial matters. (Matt. 18:17) In real
terms, though, it is only the elders who take this action in their capacity as
representatives of the congregation. The elders do not contact all members of
the congregation to ask their various opinions before they make a decision.
Theocratically, they perform the role that they have been assigned; they act on
behalf of the whole congregation.
18 Similarly, today a limited number of anointed men have the
responsibility of representing the slave class. They make up the Governing Body
of Jehovah’s Witnesses. These spirit-anointed men oversee the Kingdom work
and the spiritual feeding program. As in the first century, though, the
Governing Body does not consult with each individual member of the slave class
before making decisions. (Read Acts 16:4, 5.) However, all anointed Witnesses
are deeply involved in the vital harvest work that is now taking place. As a
class, “the faithful and discreet slave” is one body, but as individuals, they
have various work assignments.─1 Cor. 12:19-26.
19 What effect should the above facts have on the ever-increasing
great crowd who hope to live forever on earth? As part of the King’s belongings,
they are happy to cooperate fully with the arrangement made by the Governing
Body, which represents “the faithful and discreet slave.” Members of the
great crowd appreciate the spiritual food produced under the Governing Body’s
direction. But at the same time, while respecting the slave as a class, members
of the great crowd are careful not to elevate any individuals who claim to be
part of that slave. No Christian who genuinely receives the anointing with God’s
spirit would want or expect such treatment.─Acts 10:25, 26; 14:14, 15.
20 Whether we are “domestics,” who are part of the anointed remnant,
or we are members of the great crowd, let it be our determination to cooperate
fully with the faithful steward and its Governing Body. May each of us “keep on
the watch” and prove ourselves faithful until the end.─Matt. 24:13, 42.
(Bold mine)
Compare what the above Watchtower says to the one of 1996, quoted below, that you refer to:
14
Priests who served inside the Holy of the earthly temple were unseen by
worshipers on the outside. Likewise, anointed Christians experience a spiritual
condition that is not shared or fully understood by the majority of worshipers
of God, whose hope is to live forever on a paradise earth. The golden
lampstand of the tabernacle pictures the enlightened condition of anointed
Christians. The operation of God’s holy spirit, like the oil in the lamps, sheds
light on the Bible. The understanding that Christians gain as a result, they do
not keep to themselves. Rather, they obey Jesus, who said: “You are the light of
the world. . . . Let your light shine before men, that they may see your fine
works and give glory to your Father who is in the heavens.”—Matthew 5:14,
16.
15 To
remain in this enlightened condition, anointed Christians must regularly feed
upon what is pictured by the bread on the table of showbread. Their primary
source of spiritual food is the Word of God, which they endeavor to read and
meditate upon daily. Jesus also promised to provide them with “food at the
proper time” through his “faithful and discreet slave.” (Matthew 24:45) This
“slave” is the entire body of anointed Christians on earth at any particular
time. Christ has used this anointed body to publish information on the
fulfillment of Bible prophecies and to give timely direction on the application
of Bible principles in modern daily life. Hence, anointed Christians
appreciatively feed on all such spiritual provisions. But the sustenance of
their spiritual lives depends on more than taking knowledge of God into their
minds and hearts. Jesus said: “My food is for me to do the will of him that sent
me and to finish his work.” (John 4:34) Likewise, anointed Christians
experience satisfaction by daily applying themselves to doing God’s revealed
will.─w96
7/1 pp. 17-18 pars. 14-15 Jehovah’s Great Spiritual Temple, (Bold
mine)
It appears that the members of the present Governing Body*
are positioning themselves as the only "genuinely" anointed ones, and thus as
the only ones having authority to "oversee the Kingdom work and the spiritual
feeding program." When we remember that Jesus had to remind his disciples on
several occasions that none of them was greater than the other, but rather "all
you are brothers," and that Jehovah "is not partial," we must apply what the 2009 Watchtower, Study Edition, says
regarding any "spirit-anointed" ones also to the Governing Body members
themselves, if indeed they are "truly" anointed. Their heavenly reward would
likewise be only "an invitation," as they
too "must remain faithful until death in order to obtain this prize."
(Actually, instead of merely receiving a "wonderful
invitation," Paul says that they are sealed with the holy spirit, as a
token in advance of their inheritance.--1 Cor. 1:21,22; Eph. 1:13,14) They too cannot
"demand special attention." They too should "not
believe that their being of the anointed gives them special insights beyond what
even some experienced members of the 'great crowd' may have." They also should
"not believe that they necessarily have more holy spirit than their companions
of the 'other sheep' have." Neither should they "expect special treatment," or
"claim that their partaking of the emblems places them above the appointed
elders in the congregation." Jesus admonished his
disciples with the words: "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever
humbles himself will be exalted." (Matt. 23:8, 12; Acts 10:34) This would necessarily apply
also to any Governing Body, individually and as a whole. How apropos Paul's
words: "Not that we [have the audacity to] venture to class or [even to] compare
ourselves with some who exalt and furnish testimonials for themselves! However,
when they measure themselves with themselves and compare themselves with one
another, they are without understanding and behave unwisely. For [it is] not
[the man] who praises and commends himself who is approved and accepted, but [it
is the person] whom the Lord accredits and commends." (2 Cor. 10:12, 18;
Amplified Bible)
But, should we be surprised by present developments that are shocking many of
our brothers and sisters? Was this not foretold in the Scriptures! Paul said
regarding this: “Do you not remember that, while I was yet with you, I used to
tell you these things?” He foretold that a “man of lawlessness,” also referred
to as “the son of destruction,” would lift “himself up over everyone who is
called ‘god’ or an object of reverence,” sitting himself “down in the temple of
The God,” and “publicly showing himself to be a god.” Paul pointed out that this
development within God's own temple would not be of God's making but rather
"according to the operation of Satan with every powerful work and lying signs
and portents and with every unrighteous deception for those who are perishing,
as a retribution because they did not accept the love of the truth that they
might be saved." Is it any wonder that he is “set in opposition” to God and
everyone who desires to worship in “spirit and truth?” (2 Thess. 2:3-12, NWT;
John 4:23,24)
The Governing Body, as the self-proclaimed "faithful and discreet slave," has
authorized the elders in the many congregations around the world to sniff out
and hunt down anyone who may entertain thoughts not in harmony with their
teachings, in order to expel such "apostates" from their midst. Many
have already been thus disfellowshipped and are hindered from worshiping Jehovah in his
temple. (compare John 16:2,3; 1 Cor. 3:16,17) Any such cooperating elders should
take notice of the fact that Jehovah refers to them as "wicked."
26 “Among my people
are wicked men who lie in wait for victims like a hunter hiding in a blind.
They continually set traps to catch people.
27 Like a cage
filled with birds, their homes are filled with evil plots. And now they are
great and rich.
28 They are fat
and sleek, and there is no limit to their wicked deeds. They refuse to provide
justice to orphans and deny the rights of the poor.
29 Should I not
punish them for this?” says the Lord. “Should I not avenge myself against such a
nation?
30 A horrible
and shocking thing has happened in this land—
31 the
prophets give false prophecies, and the priests rule with an iron hand.
Worse yet, my people like it that way!
But what will you do when the end comes? —Jeremiah 5:26-31 (New
Living Translation)
*****************************
* As has been pointed out many times on this site, there was no governing
body among the early Christians. Today's governing body of Jehovah's witnesses
is more closely modeled on the Jewish Sanhedrin. One
authority defines "Sanhedrin" this way:
Sanhedrin, A sanhedrin is a ‘Council’, usually a governing council. ‘The’
Sanhedrin is the governing council of Jerusalem, presided over by the High
Priest, the ultimate civil and criminal court, and governing body, of Judea,
answerable only to the Roman governor. The term is derived from the Greek term
Synedrion.
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, says in
part regarding the Jewish Sanhedrin:
The Sanhedrin as a body claimed powers that lesser
Jewish courts did not have. As such, they were the only ones who could try the
king, extend the boundaries of the Temple and Jerusalem, and were the ones to
whom all questions of law were finally put. . .
The Sanhedrin is mentioned frequently in the Gospels. According to the Gospels,
the council conspired to have Jesus killed by paying one of his disciples, Judas
Iscariot, thirty pieces of silver in exchange for delivery of Jesus into their
hands. When the Sanhedrin was unable to provide evidence that Jesus had
committed a capital crime, the Gospels state that witnesses came forward and
accused the Nazarene of blasphemy — a capital crime under Mosaic law. But,
because the Sanhedrin was not of Roman authority, it could not condemn criminals
to death, according to John 18:31. This did not prevent them from doing so at
other times; Acts 6:12 records them ordering the stoning of Saint Stephen and
also Jesus half-brother, James the Just according to Antiquities of the Jews
20.9.1 . . .
By the end of the Second Temple period, the Sanhedrin achieved its
quintessential position, legislating on all aspects of Jewish religious and
political life within the parameters laid down by Biblical and Rabbinic
tradition.
After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70, the Sanhedrin was
re-established in Yavneh with reduced authority. The imperial Roman government
and legislation still recognized it as the ultimate authority in Jewish
religious matters.
Yesterday's "blasphemy," that Jesus was wrongfully charged
with, has become today's "apostasy" that many of Jehovah's faithful servants are
dishonestly accused of. Do not despair! Not only did Jehovah foretell this
condition regarding "my people" for the "last days," but he has also foretold what he
will soon do about it. (2 Tim. 3:1-7; Matt. 24:48-51; Luke 12:45-48; Rev. 21:8)
The governing body is well aware of these prophecies but they prefer to apply them to the clergy of Christendom. I suppose this allows them to
still sleep at night.