End of the Loving Time

                                    INTRODUCTION

    —————————————————————————

  

        1)  To let you know that you are not alone

 

        2)  To help you feel better about leaving

 

        3)  To help you get on with your life

 

 

“What bothered you most when you were leaving Jehovah’s

    Witnesses?” 

 

    ————-

    Social Themes

    ————-

 

    “At school, I had seen kids ’sent to Coventry’ — an english expression

    that means that the child is ignored by the rest of the class.  It’s

    childish and hurtful.  When a disfellowshipped Witness started attending

    our congregation and the same happened to him, under the direction of

    adults, then I could not accept that this was right.”

 

    “I noticed a ubiquitous self-complacency that caused a lack of willingness

    to help distressed people.”

 

    “When I left, I lost my social life and friends.”

 

    “I had nowhere else to go for spiritual association.”

 

    “I was distressed by their habit of shaming those that are disfellowshipped

    by not speaking to them.”

 

    “Going to all of the required meetings, field service, elder’s meetings,

    and preparation for all of this, created a great deal of stress in my life.

    I was trying to plan my life around the Watchtower requirements — and it

    was never enough.  Providing for my family, personal growth, time with my

    family and friends — these things always took second place to the demands

    of ‘Jehovah’s Organization’.”

 

    “I didn’t like their thinly veiled propagation of hatred towards others.”

 

    “I had an ever growing spiritual void as a Witness.  Usually I was too busy

    to notice the spiritual emptiness, but it kept growing.  I would try

    denying it to myself, and could never talk about it with a trusted friend

    in the Kingdom Hall (for indeed, one can never really trust the confidence

    of one who is owned by the Watchtower).  I was experiencing a spiritual

    emergency with no one to offer first aid.”

   

 “We switched congregations because of the very bad spiritual milieu.  The

    presiding overseer beat his wife and children, but he was a working machine

    and did so many good things for the congregation, so no action was taken

    against him.”

 

    “I am not satisfied with the excuse that ‘Jehovah will take care of things

    in His own time’.  This is used to justify unethical, illegal and immoral

    practices within the congregation, especially when pioneers, elders or

    ministerial servants are involved.”

 

    “I observed a total loss of love and care for each other inside the

    Witnesses.  For the first time, I can see what unconditional love means.

    The loss of this kind of love makes a foundation for slandering, which is

    very common in the Witness congregations.”

 

    “I worried about losing my family, since they were all Witnesses.  I had to

    decide whether to disassociate myself or try to fade away.  I worried about

    what to do with my life.”

 

    “My self-disassociation had a terrible effect on my family life.  I was

    disowned by my mom.”

 

    “When I disassociated myself, I wrote directly to the Society, informing

    them of my decision, asking never to be contacted again in regards to the

    matter.  For the next year, I received calls from elders I had never even

    met, from various congregations that I had never been a part of — they

    asked me if I was ’sure’ and they wanted to give me another chance.  I was

    harrassed for a year until they finally announced that I had been

    disfellowshipped, not that I had disassociated myself.”

 

    “I noticed the ease with which brothers and sisters can turn off their

    ‘love’ if you dare to question the Society or if you point out what appears

    to be hypocrisy within the congregation.”

 

    “The principle of ’submission’ requires Witness sisters to tolerate verbal,

    emotional, physical and mental cruelty even from their Witness husbands in

    good standing.  They are not able to separate from them without being

    viewed as the ‘problem’.  I know of one couple (now divorced) where the

    husband treated the wife like a doormat.  He belittled her publicly,

    wouldn’t allow her to use the phone, drive their car, or let her have money

    unless she detailed what she would be spending it on.  When she spoke with

    some elders, they recommended that she ‘wait on Jehovah’, ‘persevere in

    prayer’ and so on.  She had a breakdown, was in hospital (I was her only

    visitor) and when she went home, her husband treated her just the same.

    She left him, and the elders disfellowshipped her.  One told us that she

    was ‘immature’ because she abandoned her husband — that she was wrong not

    to stay and try to make things better. I disagreed, on the grounds that if

    he loved her ‘as he loved himself’ he would treat her accordingly.  I said

    that nobody — male or female — is scripturally required to put up with

    abuse of any sort.  Some time after she was disfellowshipped, her husband

    was appointed as a ministerial servant.”

 

    “My parents’ continual arguments and the tension in the house did not

    reflect what we had been taught about ‘god is love’.  The gloom and despair

    of the house was smothering.  My parents spent more time, and valued

    higher, their religion than their family — they rejected me when I showed

    signs of ‘falling away’. This situation continued over 20 years later –

    it’s only in the last eight years (at my wife’s insistance) that I have had

    any contact with my family.”

 

 

    —————–

    Armageddon Themes

    —————–

 

    “Even after I left the Witnesses, I was afraid I’d die at Armageddon –

    deep down, I was conditioned to believe it would come.”

 

    “I was bothered by the pressure of living under the threat of Armageddon in

    1975.  I never thought that I would live to be 21 and that psychological

    weight almost froze my brain.  I realise now that I was severely depressed

    and remember standing on my bedroom windowsill on occasion, ready to throw

    myself off.”

 

    “I thought I would be destroyed at Armageddon.”

 

    “I couldn’t accept the idea that good people would be destroyed.  I knew

    a lot of nice people, and if I was given the decision, I never would have

    wanted them dead.”

 

 

    ——————

    Self-Esteem Themes

    ——————

 

    “I felt evil and dirty before I left the Witnesses.  I continued to feel

    that way for years afterwards.”

 

    “After I left, I had low self esteem.  Leaving made me feel inferior to

    Witnesses.”

 

    “I was constantly distraught over not being able to keep all commandments.”

 

    “It seems that only loyal Witnesses are valuable and worth helping. We are

    always compelled to do more field service, more regular meeting attendance,

    more personal ’study’ as remedies for every problem.”

 

    “The total lack of love between the people ‘inside’. Spreading of rumours,

    talking behind everybodys backs, the whole idea about the elite-thinking.”

 

    “I thought I was sinning against Jehovah by leaving.”

 

    “I never felt ’saved’.  I never felt good enough.  I never felt like I

    had put in enough hours.  I distrusted my thoughts and sexual urges.

    Frankly, I had grave doubts that I would get through Armageddon.  Now that

    I’m out of the Witnesses, I see that there was nothing wrong with me.  I

    was a good person, but I never knew it.”

 

 

    ———————

    Organizational Themes

    ———————

 

    “I was turned off by the judgmentalism.  I, and others, also describe this

    as black-and-white thinking. The organization divides everything up –

    Jehovah’s/Satan’s organization, godly/worldly, theocratic/untheocratic etc.

    This allows for no middle ground at all — no balance.  In the organzation

    ‘balance’ meant being fully ‘theocratic’ while moving ahead at the speed of

    light (keeping up with that fast-moving chariot God rides in the book of

    Ezekiel!). I now believe that this definition of balance is closer to

    ‘compulsion’.  Anyway, the division of everything into these tightly

    defined dualities allows Witnesses to find no common ground, no way to

    really grasp the mystery of life on earth, no room for the ineffable. This

    is a critical flaw of the organization, in my view.”

 

    “Within the Witnesses, initiatives are seldom taken; waiting for

    organizational directives is preferred.”

 

    “The double standards. One rule for some — quite another for other members

    of the congregation. What was allowed was a question of who you were.”

 

    “I disliked the lies, the hypocrisy, and the changing ‘light’.”

 

    “I didn’t like the hierarchical nature of the organization with its nasty

    circuit overseers.”

 

    “I couldn’t tolerate the fact that the organization was controlled by

    unbelievably stupid individuals.”

 

    “The meetings were so boring!”

 

    “I got bored with the meetings, and the ’spiritual food’. I was exposed to

    the Witnesses from the age of ten, and was baptized at 18.  For 20 years

    after baptism, I put my heart and soul into the Watchtower faith.  I really

    believed it, and questioned very little.  I pioneered, was a ministerial

    servant, bible study servant (thus committee member), elder (presiding

    overseer).  I don’t see how anyone could have believed it was the ‘truth’

    any more than me.  Slowly, though, boredom with the meetings started to set

    in.  Eventually, nearly all of the meetings became a bore.  The ’spiritual

    food’ became cold leftovers. I faked illness to stay home.  I watched a

    little TV while home from a meeting, and received more spiritual food from

    some of the educational programs than I was getting from ‘Jehovah’s

    table’.”

 

    “I disliked the whole disfellowshipping system.  The secret ways of the

    tribunal.  The total lack of religious freedom that forces believing

    Witnesses to shun their friends and family.  I guess that the fact that my

    mother-in-law was disfellowshipped years ago and we should (but couldn’t)

    shun her made me see that there was something wrong there.”

 

    “There is a great abuse of power by elders, Circuit Overseers and the

    Society in general.  The real problem is that things that are done are

    attributed to God. They assume that God would not ‘permit’ abuse of power,

    so there are no control mechanisms as there are in other organizations.

    Nobody checks if the elder tribunals follow the Society’s own laws.  Almost

    by definition, what is done by someone who has ’scriptual’ positions of

    power (Governing Body, Circuit Overseer, elder, husband, father) must be

    regarded as having God’s blessing.  So they blame the victim.  I’ve heard

    and confirmed stories about horrible disfellowshippings, abusive husbands,

    sexual harassment from elders, sexual assaults from fathers who were

    upstanding members of the congregation.  These things made me want to blow

    up something. It’s not a few bad individuals inside a good organization.

    It’s a few good individuals inside an organization gone bad!”

 

    “I gradually came to the realization that the Society had told deliberate

    lies.  I saw that the Society had misled me because its writers were

    intellectually dishonest, either deliberately or by Orwellian doublethink.

    Most Witnesses virtually worship the Society, so they are not open to

    discussion about these things.”

 

    “When there was an announcement that I had been publicly reproved, there

    was no description of my ‘crime’, leaving folks to ponder and gossip about

    the nature of my indiscretion.  The blanket ‘public reproval’ was used on

    people of all sorts, from child molesters to drunks.  I was none of those

    things.”

 

 

    Indoctrination Themes

    ———————

 

    “After leaving, I had no idea how to live, or why I should behave in a

    moral fashion. All of the reasons I’d been given (”Jehovah said so”) were

    now inoperative, so I had to start from the beginning.”

 

    “I couldn’t stand the ubiquitous double-think, double-speak and double

    standards that affect every aspect of the Witness life.  I also disliked

    the Society’s consistent distortion of their own history to make it fit

    present teachings and self-image.”

 

    “I was raised as a Witness, and that taught me everything about how to

    live. When I left, it was like having the universe pulled out from

    underneath me. When I no longer believed in the Society doctrine, I had to

    figure out all of life’s moral issues from scratch.  I was a like a

    new-born baby.  It took me years before I started to get a handle on the

    problem.”

 

    “For years after I left the Witnesses, I felt ‘bad’ or ‘evil’.  I felt that

    I had left because I was weak — that I didn’t measure up.  Intellectually,

    I couldn’t explain the feeling, because I found plenty of holes in Witness

    theology once I widened my research.  But the years of conditioning had

    affected me.  I didn’t realize I had an emotional problem, not an

    intellectual one.”

 

    “I was bothered by their insistence on not thinking for yourself or reading

    ‘unapproved’ materials.”

 

    “One thing in particular was what happened when I refused to place

    Watchtowers telling that humans were not using their brains for thinking,

    but their hearts.”

 

 

    —————-

    Doctrinal Themes

    —————-

 

    “Dates and prophetic failures were a sore point with me.  I see the date

    compulsion among Witnesses as an outworking of the dark side of

    judgmentalism, as if they were saying, ‘Since these dates and time

    dispensations have been revealed only to us, this proves how right we are

    and how wrong you are.’ After coming to see the degree of absoluteness of

    previous Watchtower predictions, such as the 1844/1874/1878/1914 series, I

    got to the point where, when going to a meeting, I would become filled with

    rage every time I heard a date.  My inability to listen to dates — or to

    teach anything about dates — was crucial to my stopping meeting

    attendance.”

 

    “Watchtower thinking is shallow at best.  I now consider myself a

    psychological polytheist, a concept psychologist James Hillman coined to

    describe the movement toward ‘the many’ from ‘the one thought’.  This also

    describes a movement toward perspective (as in many perspectives) and

    imagination. This psychological perspective is the home of all artists, who

    understand the world poetically and musically, movements toward

    deliteralization.  The Watchtower worldview is literal: dot all the i’s and

    cross all the t’s. It is a religion for psychological children who still

    want mommy to tell them how to tie their shoes.”

 

    “They lied to us. I had always been so proud that my religion admitted its

    mistakes.  Yes, we did make mistakes in the past but these have been

    corrected, so that means it will get better and better.  Right?  Wrong. I

    did my research and discovered all the misquotes, distortions, past errors,

    false prophecies covered over, and direct lies.  It simply blew away all

    the respect I had for Brooklyn. I looked at them with new eyes, somewhat

    cynical, and I lost the blind trust I had in those old men who held the

    whole system together.  When this trust disappeared, there was nothing left

    for me in the Witnesses.”

 

    “I was bothered by the whole blood issue.  Yeah, I was one of those who

    probably would have died rather than take a transfusion.  But when I could

    see how dishonest and stupid the whole argumentation was, it got me real

    angry. I threw my ‘no blood’ card away, and suddenly I understood why

    ex-Witnesses often get bitter.  The other lies were bad, but this thing

    could have killed me, and it has killed perhaps hundreds of Witnesses.”

 

 

 

    ——————————————————————————-

                              WHY IS IT SO HARD TO LEAVE?

    ——————————————————————————-

 

 

    It is not easy to leave Jehovah’s Witnesses.  I asked two people (one an

    ex-Witness, and one on the way out) for their observations on the process.

    This is what they wrote (edited for clarity)…

 

 

    ——————————

    Commentary by Alan Feuerbacher

    ——————————

 

    Over a period of many years, I found more and more examples where the

    Society had changed its position, replacing old understanding with “New

    Light”. It bothered me, but what were the alternatives?

 

    If a Witness decides that some doctrine is wrong, what does he do about it?

    By far the easiest choice is to ignore the problem and go about his

    business as if nothing happened.

 

    I think that most new Witnesses learn very quickly that this is required of

    them.  Those who cannot conform quickly leave.  Those who have been

    Witnesses for a long time are experienced in the art of pulling the wool

    over their own eyes, so the latest proposal of “new light” is often

    welcomed as a fine opportunity to learn something new.

 

    What if a Witness decides to protest?  He won’t get very far because the

    entire organization is tuned against dissent.

 

    What if a Witness decides to quit?  Usually, after many years in the

    religion, a Witness is so tied up with social contacts that it’s almost

    impossible to leave.

 

    What happens to a Circuit Overseer who sacrificed his career for the

    Society?  If he happens to land in Bethel, he and his wife have a fairly

    easy time; all their material needs are taken care of.  If they leave, they

    have to worry about earning a living, paying rent, buying food and all

    sorts of things Bethelites take for granted.  How many people would

    willingly put such a comfortable position in jeopardy?

 

 

    ———————–

    Commentary from “Robin”

    ———————–

 

    NOTE:  “Robin” did not wish to reveal his name because he is worried that

            it would lead to being disfellowshipped.  Since he wishes to

            retain contact with his family, he is using a pseudonym.

 

 

    Logic is not quite sufficient to break away.  In basic rhetoric, there are

    three forms of argumentation: logos, ethos, and pathos.  Logos is obviously

    logic, facts, and so on.  Pathos is the emotional appeal, and ethos is your

    “air of authority” — how much your listener trusts you.

 

    Obviously, anyone branded an apostate would lack in ethos to a Witness, but

    can be convincing with the other two (logos and pathos).  I think what

    helped me was that at the same time I learned certain important facts, I

    also experienced the dark side of the Society, such as elders who took

    advantage of their position.  Though elders are bound by rules and some

    good principles, there are few checks on their power.  A “sheep” must

    submit to the elders’ actions; anything else is considered resistance to

    Jehovah’s arrangement.

 

    When Witnesses feel that the doctrine is seriously flawed, they fall back

    on the idea that this is a “spiritual paradise”, and there is no where else

    to go.  “I must stay at all costs,” they say, “it means my life”.  They may

    also say, “I can’t be disloyal” or “Satan is trying to break my integrity”.

 

    These are emotional responses.  So strong is their attachment to the

    Society that facts alone aren’t likely to help.  They are happy with their

    friends.  They feel righteous in their works.  They are in awe of the

    smooth operation of the organization.  Most of all, because they believe

    this is God’s organization, they are sure that all the problems will be

    taken care of when God decides to act.  They consider it haughty and

    presumptuous to want the problems solved before then.  They repress their

    doubts and look forward to better days.

 

    Even when we look at extremist cults, we see people armed with plenty of

    facts, who are intelligent, yet still do crazy things if the emotion is

    powerful enough.  They use their mental facilities to justify the course

    that has been chosen emotionally, to make it sound rational.

 

    I think that is why endless conversations with the same person quickly

    reach a point of diminishing returns.  That person may have some emotional

    attachment that is not stated explicitly, and if that is not dealt with,

    inconvenient facts can be forgotten.  The Society provides a world-view

    that is simple and certain.  Such security is difficult to abandon, so

    Witnesses usually retreat mentally when it is threatened by facts.  Unless

    the person has a deep desire for truth, or a great respect for reason, the

    emotional hook must be removed before a Witness can make the frightening

    decision to break free from the dictates of men.

 

 

 

    —————————————————————————

                           WHAT IS A HIGH CONTROL GROUP?

    —————————————————————————

 

 

    The word “cult” has often been used to describe Jehovah’s Witnesses.

    Unfortunately, the word is overused.  Many people use it to describe any

    religion they don’t like, or which they find a little strange.

 

    When I discuss groups like the Jehovah’s Witnesses, I prefer to use the

    term “high control group” (HCG), instead of “cult”.  These groups are

    characterized by the methods they use to instill ideology and maintain

    obedience.

 

    These techniques are well documented.  They apply to Jehovah’s Witnesses

    and countless other HCG’s.  Here are some of the better known methods…

 

 

    - Simplistic Thinking:  Issues are expressed as polar opposites, with

      no gray areas.  Things are black or white, us or them, good or bad.

 

    - Time Pressure:  You are given so much to do that you never have time

      to stand back and think objectively about what you are being taught.

 

    - Peer Pressure:  Your conformity is attained by exploiting your natural

      need to belong.

 

    - Isolation:  You are separated from society, friends or family, either

      physically or psychologically.  You are led to believe that you made the

      choice yourself, to avoid “bad influence”.

 

    - Insulation:  Facts at odds with what you are taught are explained away

      by saying that they are lies created to mislead you.  You are taught that

      people outside the group conspire to ensnare you.  If you continue to be

      concerned, you are referred to the group’s reference material rather than

      outside sources.

 

    - Demonization:  Groups or entities are identified (e.g. “Evil Slave

      Class”, Satan, Christendom) as an object example of the evil outside the

      group.  Some of these groups or entities might not actually exist.

 

    - Special Status:  You are told that you belong to a group of chosen ones

      with a special mission.

 

    - Elevation of Persecution:  Any negative actions taken against the group

      are taken as proof that the outside world is trying to destroy it.

 

    - Guilt:  You are made to question your worthiness, and your past sins are

      exaggerated.  You are consistently led to believe that you are not “doing

      enough”.

 

    - Fear:  Your loyalty and obedience are maintained through warnings of

      serious physical or spiritual repercussions if you do not conform.

 

    - Authority:  You are discouraged from expressing doubt or questioning the

      words of the “higher authority” (a charismatic leader, elders, or the

      organization as a whole).

 

    - Apocalyptics:  You are taught that everything will work out well because

      a magical solution is coming.  The solution usually involves the

      destruction or subjugation of those outside the group.

 

    - Scrupulosity:  You are taught explicit rules concerning conduct,

      appearance, and behaviour.  Spontaneity is discouraged.

 

    - Uncompromising Discipline:  Disagreement is dealt with harshly, which

      discourages open discussion of alternative views.

 

    - Conditioning:  You are taught to react instantly to situations with

      approved responses, rather than acting thoughtfully. For example, you are

      taught to answer questions instantly by quoting from approved sources

      rather than thinking about the question.

 

    - Thought-Stopping:  You are discouraged from thinking along lines that are

      not in accord with what you are supposed to believe.  Eventually, this

      becomes a habit, and you lose your ability to think critically.

 

    - Subjugation:  You are taught that the group’s goals outweigh your needs,

      and that your personal problems are mere weaknesses which can be ignored

      if you are strong enough.

 

 

    Your best defense against these techniques is knowledge.  Once you are

    aware what is being done, you can start to resist.  Eventually, though, you

    may find it necessary to distance yourself from the group, because your

    doubts will become evident, and the group will react accordingly.

 

    In the case of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, often the best approach is to

    slowly withdraw.  This may save your friends and family from the pain of

    seeing you disfellowshipped — and being told they can not speak to you.

 

    Different congregations have different levels of tolerance.  Some

    congregations will disfellowship you at the first sign of doubt.  So before

    you withdraw, take care to set up some outside contacts, so you don’t find

    yourself alone if you are ejected from the group.

 

 

 

    —————————————————————————

                                      ENIGMAS

    —————————————————————————

 

 

    If you are thinking about leaving the Society, you are already questioning

    the doctrines. 

 

    —————————————————————————

                                RECOMMENDED READING

    —————————————————————————

 

 

    If you can not find these books in your book store, ask them to order them

    for you.  Orders typically take three or four weeks.  Some of these books

    are out of print, but you can sometimes find them at your local library.

    If they are not available there, try contacting your local cult information

    center.

 

 

    Crisis of Conscience by Raymond Franz. Commentary Press, Atlanta.

    A Governing Body member’s experience in coming out of the Witnesses.

    If you read no other book about leaving, you should read this one.

 

    In Search of Christian Freedom by Raymond Franz. Commentary Press, Atlanta.

    A former Governing Body member’s analysis of how the Witnesses go wrong in

    the application of Christian principles.

 

    Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah’s Witnesses by M. James Penton.

    University of Toronto Press, Toronto.

 

    The Sign of the Last Days: When? by Carl Olof Jonsson and WolfGang Herbst.

    Commentary Press, Atlanta.  A detailed study of how the Witnesses go wrong

    in claiming there are biblical “signs of the last days” evident since 1914.

 

    The Gentile Times Reconsidered by Carl Olof Jonsson.  Hart Publishers,

    Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.  A commentary on the the Society’s chronology

    about 1914.

 

    The Orwellian World of Jehovah’s Witnesses by Heather and Gary Botting.

    University of Toronto Press.  Available in cloth ISBN 0-8020-2537-4) or

    paperback (ISBN 0-8020-6545-7).

 

    Deadly Doctrines by Wendell W. Watters MD.  Prometheus Books.

 

    Visions of Glory: A History and a Memory of Jehovah’s Witnesses by Barbara

    Grizzuti Harrison. Simon and Schuster (out of print).  A well-written book

    by an ex-Bethelite that explores the emotional toll of breaking away.

 

 

admin comment

This has been written by a JW who believes he has the heavenly calling. We decided to publish this article because of the content matter and some of the reasoning. Let the reader decide if the premise upon which the conclusions reached fit the assumption of whether God is behind the organization.

 

 

God’s Household

Jesus asked: “Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time?” (Matthew 24:45) He thus indicated that there would be a household that would have a slave appointed to feed and take care of the members of that household. He would eventually hold that appointed slave accountable for how he carried out the responsibility he was entrusted with. The apostle Peter also indicates that God has a household. (1 Peter 4:17) And Paul wrote the Ephesians that they were members of God’s household. (Ephesians 2:19) Since Jesus promised his disciples that he would be with them until “the end of the age” we can see that his household would survive until then, when he would come to inspect them. (Matthew 28:20; 24:46-51)

Where today do we find God’s household? Is it made up of all those who profess to follow Jesus? Jesus himself warned that there would be many who would claim to belong to him but he would tell them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” (Matthew 7:22,23) None of us want to be among those. Is it possible today to identify God’s household and be among those who will have God’s approval? Does belonging to God’s household guarantee that one has God’s approval?

Lessons from History

Is it possible for God’s people ever to be wrong? A better question might be, is it possible for them ever to be right? History tells us that, although Jehovah has always had those who loyally loved and obeyed him, time and again his people as a whole deflected from the pure worship and followed the way of the nations around them.

Concerning his people Israel we are told that they were “stubborn and rebellious,” “whose spirit was not trustworthy with their God.” “They did not keep the covenant of God, and in his law they refused to walk.” “They began to speak against God,” “they did not put faith in [him],” “they tried to fool him with their mouth…and…lie to him.” Whereas Jehovah was “merciful” and would “cover [their] error…remembering that they were flesh,” they would “make him feel hurt” and “pained even the Holy One of Israel,” and kept on “offending him…and…inciting him to jealousy.”

Although he is a God “slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and truth…pardoning error and transgression and sin,” at the same time he does not “give exemption from punishment.” His people eventually succeeded in rousing him “as from sleeping” and he went “striking them down,” finally rejecting them altogether. (Psalms 78:8,10,19,22,36, 38-41,58, 65-67; Exodus 34:6,7)

How about the disciples of Jesus? Surely they must have learned from the bad examples of the Israelites. Concerning some of the Christians in the first century Jude writes: “Beloved ones, though I was making every effort to write YOU about the salvation we hold in common, I found it necessary to write YOU to exhort YOU to put up a hard fight for the faith that was once for all time delivered to the holy ones. My reason is that certain men have slipped in who have long ago been appointed by the Scriptures to this judgment, ungodly men, turning the undeserved kindness of our God into an excuse for loose conduct and proving false to our only Owner and Lord, Jesus Christ.” ―Jude 3,4.

The apostle Peter also writes: “However, there also came to be false prophets among the people, as there will also be false teachers among YOU. These very ones will quietly bring in destructive sects and will disown even the owner that bought them, bringing speedy destruction upon themselves. Furthermore, many will follow their acts of loose conduct, and on account of these the way of the truth will be spoken of abusively. Also, with covetousness they will exploit YOU with counterfeit words. But as for them, the judgment from of old is not moving slowly, and the destruction of them is not slumbering.” ―2 Peter 2:1-3,10-22

It would be too discouraging to dwell on all the various scriptures that reveal how quickly God’s people deflected from the teachings of Jesus and his apostles within a few short years. The letters that Jesus send to the seven congregations, mentioned in the book of Revelation, help us to understand what the situation was by the end of the first century. (Revelation 2:1-3:22)

“A Generation that is Pure in its Own Eyes”

But what about us today? Surely we have learned the lessons of history by now. Since we believe that we are living deep in the time of the end, Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 10:11 have special meaning for us, “Now these things went on befalling them as examples, and they were written for a warning to us upon whom the ends of the systems of things have arrived.”

Have we heeded the warning? Is it today impossible for God’s people to again be as those mentioned above? We have been taught that, as Jehovah’s witnesses, we are a clean people, speaking the pure language of truth. (Zephaniah 3:9) It is unthinkable, we believe, that Jehovah would again find any cause for complaints against us. And all the prophecies that God addresses to “my people,” that show the very opposite to be the case, we brush aside as applying to Christendom. We are pure in his eyes―at least that is what we are led to believe. The words recorded in Proverbs 30:12 apply especially to us, “There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes but that has not been washed from its own excrement.”

On October 15, 2001, Stephen Bates, religious affairs correspondent for The Guardian Newspaper, exposed the Watchtower Society’s 10 year secret affiliation with the Department of Public Information (DPI) of the United Nations. Although the Society acknowledged having been an NGO member of the UN for the ten years, they downplayed the significance of this adulterous relationship. (James 4:4) http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,2763,574175,00.html

Most of Jehovah’s people do not seem to feel alarmed by the hypocrisy of the Society for supporting an organization it has repeatedly denounced. Yet many others have been stumbled and have come to question whether we have ever been God’s household. Should we be surprised by these developments? Also, many have come to question the reliability of the Watchtower’s interpretation of Bible prophecies concerning the establishment of God’s kingdom in 1914 and the time of the end; as many expectations have gone unfulfilled. It is as Proverbs 13:12 says, “Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick.” (MSG) And many of God’s precious sheep have become “heartsick.”

As if that were not enough, we have also come to understand that the slave, who was appointed to provide food for the master’s household, includes both, the slave who would be pronounced happy by his master for being faithful in carrying out his responsibility; and an evil slave, who would exalt himself over his fellow slaves, beating them (perhaps into submission). (Luke 12:45,46; 22:25,26)

Because of the foretold wicked developments many have had their faith tested to the limit. But, please reflect on what I have already stated above. Has there ever been a time in the history of God’s people when they did not deserve to be disciplined? The very fact that the scriptures have foretold these things concerning God’s people for our time is prove that Jehovah recognizes us as his people, and it is in order to sanctify his holy name that he will soon act to correct and cleanse us, even with severity. Who else could bring reproach upon his name? Let us not trust the words of those who are promising that these things will not come upon us. (compare Jeremiah 7:4-10; Amos 9:10)

“For the sake of my name I shall check my anger, and for my praise I shall restrain myself toward you that there may be no cutting you off. Look! I have refined you, but not in [the form of] silver. I have made choice of you in the smelting furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake I shall act, for how could one let oneself be profaned? And to no one else shall I give my own glory.” ―Isaiah 48:9-11;

And our reply to Jehovah is:

“Even if our own errors do testify against us, O Jehovah, act for the sake of your name; for our acts of unfaithfulness have become many; it is against you that we have sinned.” ―Jeremiah 14:7 (Ezekiel 36:22,23)

After he has cleansed us by means of the “furnace of affliction,” Jehovah will also restore us by giving us “a new heart, and a new spirit,” so that in his “regulations [we] will walk, and [his] judicial decisions [we] will keep and actually carry out,” for Jehovah says afterward that “you must become my people and I myself shall become your God.” (Ezekiel 36:25-2

A Wicked Slave Makes his Appearance

Our sins are far deeper than the apostasy of joining the UN as an NGO. Also, our sins are far greater then our lack of understanding the prophecies concerning “the time of the end.” Over the decades a slave has become apparent among God’s people who has set himself up above his fellow slaves, to dominate them. Jehovah has given him time to repent and humble himself. But this period of time is also allowing for him to be exposed, for that slave has mistakenly reasoned that he will not be held accountable. He is missing the purpose of Jehovah’s patience. (Daniel 12:4; 2 Peter 3:9)

Jesus allowed for this development when he asked the question, “Who really is the faithful steward, the discreet one, whom his master will appoint over his body of attendants to keep giving them their measure of food supplies at the proper time?” If that slave proved faithful he would be rewarded with being appointed over all his master’s belongings; but if he proved unfaithful, even to the point of beating those whom he was to feed and protect, then he would be punished with “the greatest severity.” (Matthew 24:45-51; Luke 12:42-46) Since that slave is not one individual but made up of many members chosen and anointed by God, the possibility has always existed that, although many of that slave may prove faithful, others may prove to be wicked.

I would like to say here that we should deeply appreciate those of the slave who have taught us to know and love Jehovah. Who have taught us the truth about the identity of God and his only-begotten Son, Jesus; about the soul, the resurrection hope, and also who the real ruler of this world is. We have learned about God’s kingdom, by means of which Jehovah will restore his rightful sovereignty over his creation. And the truth of all this has united us into a wonderful brotherhood no matter where we are in the world. We all have come to belong to God’s household. Also, the slave has provided us with help in preaching “this good news of the kingdom” in all the earth. (Matthew 24:14)

The scriptures tell us that we are all brothers, none more equal than others. Yet, Jesus’ disciples continuously argued over who was the greatest among them. Are we immune from this same desire to outshine others of our brothers? Note what Jesus said in regards to this: “²⁴ However, there also arose a heated dispute among them over which one of them seemed to be greatest. ²⁵ But he said to them: “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those having authority over them are called Benefactors. ²⁶ YOU, though, are not to be that way. But let him that is the greatest among YOU become as the youngest, and the one acting as chief as the one ministering. ²⁷ For which one is greater, the one reclining at the table or the one ministering? Is it not the one reclining at the table? But I am in YOUR midst as the one ministering.” ―Luke 22:24-27.

“YOU, though, are not to be that way.” That is what Jesus commanded his disciples. That is clearly enough stated. Faithful and discreet slave is used as a title by those who have elevated themselves over their fellow brothers, just as “called Benefactors” is referring to a title. Other Bibles translate it as “call themselves friends of the people” (GodsWord) “are given names of honor” (BBE) “called benefactors and well-doers” (AMP) “called good doers” (WYC) “call themselves Protectors” (NIRV). The Living Bible paraphrases it this way, “Jesus told them, ‘In this world the kings and great men order their slaves around, and the slaves have no choice but to like it!’” According to The Message Bible, Jesus told his disciples, “Kings like to throw their weight around and people in authority like to give themselves fancy titles. It’s not going to be that way with you. Let the senior among you become like the junior; let the leader act the part of the servant.”

Jesus set the example in humility. He was in their midst as a servant. When one man called him “good teacher,” Jesus immediately replied, “Why do you call me good? Nobody is good, except one, God.” He refused to be addressed as good, as if it were a title. Thus, he told his disciples, “But YOU, do not YOU be called Rabbi, for one is YOUR teacher, whereas all YOU are brothers.” ―Matthew 23:8-10; Mark 10:17,18.

Jesus did not allow anyone to adopt a title such as Rabbi, Teacher, Father. Those rightly applied only to him or his heavenly father, as he said. He clearly warned, “The person who thinks he is important will find out how little he is worth.” (NLV) “If you put yourself above others, you will be put down.” (CEV) “Anyone who lifts himself up will be brought down.“ (WE) (Matthew 23:12) That faithful and discreet is equivalent to a title becomes readily apparent by how Jesus’ words at Luke 12:42 are translated in other Bibles. Here are some examples:

faithful and sensible steward – Nasblex
faithful and intelligent – Wey
faithful, skilled – GodsWord
faithful and prudent – Darby
wise and responsible – BBE
the dependable manager, full of common sense – MSG
faithful steward, the wise man – AMP
a wise servant who can be trusted – WE
true dispenser, and prudent – WYC

The definition of title, according to WEBSTER’S UNABRIDGED DICTIONARY, is “3. an appellation; a descriptive name; an epithet. 4. an appellation of dignity, distinction, or pre-eminence given to persons or families; as, titles of office, nobility, distinction, degree, etc.”

What if they referred to themselves as the “dependable manager, full of common sense?” The “true dispenser, and prudent” slave? The “wise servant who can be trusted?” “Faithful and intelligent.” Why not just call themselves the “good” slave (as Jesus refused to do)? Since they believe that they have already been judged as faithful and discreet, (or skilled, wise, prudent, intelligent, dependable) back in 1918-19, they feel that they deserve to be addressed as such and honored accordingly.

By claiming that they were appointed over all of his belongings back in 1919, they negate the command not to imitate the nations in lording it over their fellow slaves. Are we to believe that Jehovah actually chose and appointed the president of a legal corporation over his people back in 1917, after the death of C.T. Russell, a president who would have authority over all of God’s household? Has Jehovah ever recognized such a president and his members of the board, who exercise more power over God’s people than the president of the most powerful nation on earth has over his people? President Rutherford and his associates failed to grasp the significance of Jehovah expressing his anger upon them by sending them to a federal penitentiary (1918-19). Although they recognized that this was discipline from Jehovah they failed to discern the reason. They did not repent. Since it was not yet his time to judge them he has allowed the passing of time to expose their deviant way. We cannot stray from God’s word and expect his blessings on it. Eventually our ways with clash with his own. They brought the way of the world into God’s household and when the Master arrives unexpectedly he will hold them accountable. Especially should he find them in the act of beating their fellow slaves. Although adjustments were made a few years back we are still far from what Jesus said it should be.

A Body of Governors

Today we have the Governing Body. By definition, a governing body is a body or group of people that governs. To govern means 1. To guide: control. 2. To direct or manage the public policy and affairs of: rule. 3. To regulate: determine. 4. To restrain. (Webster’s II New Riverside Dictionary) Was there a body of governors in the Christian congregation in the first century? Concerning Governors in Bible times Insight on the Scriptures says,

it-1 p. 992 Governor “Governors in Bible times generally had military and judicial powers and were responsible to see that the tribute, tax, or revenue to the king or superior ruler was paid by the jurisdictional districts or provinces that the governors ruled. (Lu 2:1, 2) Many of them put a heavy load on the people to supply food for themselves and their large body of attendants.—Ne 5:15-18.

“Practically all the major powers of Bible times are spoken of as having rulers of the order of governors, either as local native rulers or as governors controlling occupied territories.

“Under Roman rule, Judea was an imperial province; the governors there were directly responsible to the emperor for their actions. Pilate was the fifth of the line of governors of Judea. . . These Roman governors had the power to order capital punishment, as we see in the case of Jesus, who was judged by Pilate.—Mt 27:11-14; Joh 19:10.

“Governors of the nations in general were referred to by Jesus when he told his followers that they would be brought before such men to give a witness. Christians should not fear such rulers, though powerful, nor be worried about what to say when giving testimony before them. (Mt 10:18-20, 26) All such governors are part of the superior authorities to which Christians owe relative, not total, subjection. . . However, in contrast with the apostles, who rendered respect and honor first to Jehovah, who governs all, the nation of Israel sank to the point where they accorded earthly governors more respect than they gave Jehovah. This circumstance was used by Jehovah in strong reproof to the nation through his prophet Malachi.—Mal 1:6-8; see SUPERIOR AUTHORITIES.”

There is no mention of a body of governors in the Christian congregation. Is it not apparent from the above, that governing was the way of the nations? And is this not what Jesus told his disciples not to imitate? If Jehovah “strongly reproved” the nation of Israel through his prophet Malachi because of “according earthly governors more respect” than him, will he not do likewise with us? If we put as much, or perhaps even more, emphasis on what our body of governors teaches than what the Bible teaches, are we not according our earthly governors more respect then Jehovah? But many will argue, “We don’t do that!” — Don’t we? “Our teachings are solidly based on the scriptures.” — Are they? Have we not accepted the body of governors lording it over their fellow brothers in defiance of what Jesus commanded? Please consider, with your Bible in hand, the points I am making in my articles and see whom we really accord more respect, Jehovah or the self-proclaimed “faithful and discreet slave.”

Was There a Governing Body in the First Century?

In the first century the apostles and older men did not exercise control over congregations outside their area. Once, when a problem arose concerning the circumcision issue, it was dealt with by the mature elders and apostles in Jerusalem where the problem arose and the decision was relayed to all affected congregations. (Acts 15:1,2) We could compare it to how things are done among Jehovah’s witnesses on a local level. Each congregation has its body of elders, who are supposed to have scriptural qualifications. (Number of hours in preaching is not a scriptural qualification. Titus 1:5-9) The elders are there to feed and shepherd the members of their congregation. When a problem arises the elders in their own congregation deal with it. If the problem affects congregations in the surrounding area then mature brothers of the affected congregations will get involved, sometimes on a circuit or even district level. The elders should be qualified to handle the situation or they would not scripturally qualify to be elders in the first place. In this way they are all led by holy spirit. There should be no need to ask brothers from some head office for permission or instructions as if such ones have special qualifications. All elders are equal before Jehovah and all will be equally held accountable for the carrying out of the responsibility they willingly accepted. (1 Corinthians 2:12,13; James 3:1)

Please consider: when Jesus wrote the seven letters to the seven congregations in the book of Revelation, if there was a governing body at that time, why did he bypass them and deal directly with each elder (star, angel) in his congregation (lampstand)? (Revelation 1:20-3:22) If a governing body had been put in place by holy spirit should not that body of governors have been called to account by the Master as to the situation in the various congregations, since, as we understand it today, they would be the ones having authority over every aspect of the congregations, including the appointment of elders? Would they be given authority over God’s household and yet not be acknowledged and held accountable?

The twelve apostles have the distinction of being the “twelve foundation stones” of the New Jerusalem. (Revelation 21:14) They are the ones chosen by Jehovah through whom Jesus directed the congregations. But, by way of example, they were also told by their Master not to imitate the nations in lording it over their brothers. At the end of the first century only the apostle John was still alive. By that time many had presented themselves with the claim of having apostolic authority. In his first letter to the congregation in Ephesus, Jesus addressed that problem and commended them for “[weeding] out apostolic pretenders.” (Revelation 2:2) These craved the recognition and authority of the apostles, and they are likened to Satan himself. (2 Corinthians 11:5,12-14) They had no respect for their fellow believers, even wanting to disfellowship ones who disagreed with them. Why, even the aged apostle John became the target of such ones. (2 Corinthians 11:26; 12:11; Galations 2:4; 3 John 9,10)

The apostle Paul foretold that “oppressive wolves will enter in among YOU and will not treat the flock with tenderness, and from among YOU yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves.” (Acts 20:29,30) This situation would especially develop in the “last days” when this wicked slave’s presence would become apparent. It would be during the time just before his master’s sudden and unexpected arrival.

The apostle Peter counseled shepherds of God’s flock, “Shepherd the flock of God in YOUR care, not under compulsion, but willingly; neither for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly; neither as lording it over those who are God’s inheritance, but becoming examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd has been made manifest, YOU will receive the unfadable crown of glory.” ―1 Peter 5:2-4.

Those elders, of whom it could be said that they were “appointed by holy spirit,” did not “lord it over” the sheep, the ones who are God’s inheritance. (Acts 20:2

Our body of governors have justified their lording it over their fellow slaves by their unique interpretations of the scriptures and going beyond the things written. They have done this by claiming that
1. Jesus inspected them in 1918-19 and found them faithful and thus appointed them over all his belongings. Therefore, they insist to have the right to govern, or rule, before actually sitting on their heavenly thrones.
2. Also, they claim to have special status with God in connection with the New Covenant, which they say includes only them. In this they have also made Jesus the mediator of only themselves. Thus, they have legitimized what they were commanded not to do, claiming the words of Jesus and Peter no longer apply to them. Rather than “lording it over” their fellow slaves they ought to be “examples to the flock,” because “all you are brothers.” They have started ruling ahead of their time. (compare 1 Corinthians 4:6,8)

Over the decades, since the early twenties, this was not really an issue. But when 1975 did not bring about the anticipated end of this system as they had predicted, their authority began to be seriously questioned. By that time they had in subjection over two million worshipers. (Which has grown to over six million today.) Fearful of losing authority over such a great crowd, a number of those highly placed in the organization began to flex their muscles, so to speak, to keep their flock in subjection. Many articles on apostasy began to appear in the publications and questioning the authority of “the faithful and discreet” slave became intolerable. The evil slave, the “man of lawlessness,” was starting to make his presence felt. Jehovah has seen good to allow him time to become fully exposed, so that when the master arrives at an hour we “do not think to be it,” we will all understand that the judgment upon him is fully deserved. Therefore, we can expect the situation in God’s household to go from bad to worse, until the unexpected arrival of the master. (2 Thessalonians 2:3,8-12)

There are those who believe that since Jehovah has allowed all these things to take place such as it has, he must be in agreement with it. But our God has always been patient. He put up with the sins of his people Israel for a very long time. Like them, because of seeming lack of action on his part, so far, we are in danger of becoming fully set in our wayward course. “Because sentence against a bad work has not been executed speedily, that is why the heart of the sons of men has become fully set in them to do bad.” ―Ecclesiastes 8:11.

Instead of being overly disturbed by the wicked slave among us getting away with it for so long let us find comfort in what Ecclesiastes goes on to say,
12 But even though a person sins a hundred times and still lives a long time, I know that those who fear God will be better off. 13 The wicked will never live long, good lives, for they do not fear God. Their days will never grow long like the evening shadows.
14 And this is not all that is meaningless in our world. In this life, good people are often treated as though they were wicked, and wicked people are often treated as though they were good. This is so meaningless! ―Ecclesiastes 8:12-14, New Living Translation.

“Keep Silent Before Jehovah and Wait Longingly for Him”
(Psalms 37:7)

We should make a distinction between questioning what men teach and what God teaches. “Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs.” But, rather, “trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he himself will make your paths straight.” ―Psalms 146:3; Proverbs 3:5,6.

Eventually we will all come face to face with the fact that not everything we have been taught was what it seemed. Many “strongly entrenched things” will then be overturned. Discarding some of our previous precious jewels of “truth” may be very difficult, especially if it means that we might be marked as apostates. Will our faith stand up under such a severe test? (2 Corinthians 10:4)

Jesus spoke of the coming “hour of test, which is to come upon the whole inhabited earth.” (Revelation 3:10) This test will not be about how much physical pain we can endure, but rather our faith will be put to the extreme test. (Luke 18:8; 1 Peter 1:6,7) Because of the operation of this wicked slave among us, Jesus said, “it is unavoidable that causes for stumbling should come.” (Luke 17:1) Yes, sadly, “many will be stumbled and betray one another.” (Matthew 24:10) May we not stumble because things were not going according to our expectations.

Through the words of the apostle John, Jehovah is encouraging us all to “test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with [him].” (1 John 4:1) That means that Jehovah expects us to compare what we are being taught with what his Word actually says. Doing so would be a safeguard to us. The Watchtower of March 1, 2004, on page 6, actually encourages us to do that. It reads:

“Like Timothy, true Christians today are keeping their senses by rejecting human reasoning and by accepting only Scriptural authority for their doctrinal beliefs.”

That is good advice. You would expect such counsel to come from a “faithful” slave. Should we not listen to that? The first century congregations had loving, humble elders who genuinely cared for the sheep, shepherding God’s flock with love and mildness, teaching them and being examples to them. All such shepherds were precious to Jehovah. And any such shepherds today will be blessed at the unexpected arrival of their Master.

The time is fast approaching “when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed, the Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship him.” (John 4:23) If we truly are lovers of truth and are to stand firm in our faith we will have to look solely to God for salvation by sticking to his Word of truth. (John 17:17) “Look! God is my salvation. I shall trust and be in no dread; for Jah Jehovah is my strength and [my] might, and he came to be the salvation of me.” ―Isaiah 12:2.

Good is Jehovah to the one hoping in him,
to the soul that keeps seeking for him.
Good it is that one should wait, even silently,
for the salvation of Jehovah.
―Lamentations 3:25,26

http://www.perimeno.ca/Generation.htm#generation