A LETTER TO AN ELDER

[Witness]

The letters below are an exchange between an elder and a past member of the organization, an anointed priest under Christ’s headship. The elder’s first sentence echoes the belief that only the Wt will lead people into “truth”, and “who” are doing the leading.  As one member here recently said to an ex-JW, “ but you haven't suggested an alternate location/theology whereby Christians can come together and build up their faith on a regular basis.”

Please consider the reply to the elder.

 

From the elder:

My dear Rachel

The "who" today would be the faithful slave as mentioned in Matthew 24:45. These Brothers have taught us the truth about Jehovah, Jesus the Trinity, Hell Fire, the Soul and I could go on and on. Again I say you offer no alternative. Not only spiritual truths, but that faithful slave spends hundreds of millions of dollars a year in relief aid to people in need. As for you and your "group" Jesus well described you in Matthew 25:26 as "wicked and sluggish". You offer no words of comfort, you offer no words of hope, only criticism of those whos sole mission is to help others strengthen their faith.

Take the time to examine the history of God's people on earth. Jehovah has always brought them together as an organization. He has done the same today with the only organization that fulfills the commission at Matthew 24:14 to PREACH the GOOD NEWS of GOD'S KINGDOM in all the INHABITED EARTH. Name 1 other church, religion or group that is doing that? NOT ONE. I am praying for the scales to fall off of your eyes and for you to ask Jehovah for guidance and faith.

A.

-----My email response----

It is nice to hear from you again, A. I am very familiar with the interpretation of Matthew 24:14 by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania corporation. Admittedly, I used to defend Watchtower as the only religion that is fulfilling preaching the good news, and boasted in them being the “channel” used by God, this “mountain-like” organization. The equating of Watchtower to God is subtle, but now, obvious. The perception that if one “leaves” Watchtower, one has “left Jehovah,” and is encouraged to “return to Jehovah.”

You had initially asked what alternative to worship I was offering…you said, “where” else will one go! Perhaps you expected I might offer another organized religion as a replacement. However, bringing attention to John 6:68, Simon Peter did not ask Jesus where to go, but rhetorically asked Jesus, “to whom would we go?” You have the words of eternal life.” In your last email, you claimed that the “who” spoken of in John 6:68 is referring to the “faithful slave,” the eight leaders of the Watchtower religious organization that teach “the truth.” Jesus is “truth” (John 14:6).

Let’s first consider the ancient nation of Israel, and the covenant between them and God. According to the pattern Moses was shown, only priests were permitted to minister in the temple sanctuary (Ex.25:9,40; 26:30). The nation of Israel however, time and again, became wayward, and engaged in idolatry setting up and worshiping images (1 Kings 11:4,5; 2 Kings 17:7-18; Isa.59:1,2; Jer.3:7-10), and at times, ignoring the priesthood arrangement whereby not consecrated individuals engaged in priestly duties, something also strictly forbidden (2 Chron.23:6; 26:16; 1 Sam.6:1-23).

 Of course, the old covenant was made obsolete, replaced by the new covenant with Jesus as high priest (Luke 22:20; Heb.8:1,13; 2 Cor.3:6). But why is the old covenant relevant? Because the old covenant was a “copy and shadow” of the better promise, the kingdom of heaven eternal priesthood that comprises the kingdom of heaven made certain through the blood of Christ, the final redemption (Acts 13:32; Heb.8:5,6, 10-12; 9:15; Gal.3:13).

This is important to remember when we talk about the gospel of the kingdom/good news spoken in Matthew 24:14 because the “good news” is not novel. Throughout the Old Testament, the “good news” was delivered as a prophetic message to the nation of Israel by prophets chosen and sent by God. When we examine the pattern of “good news,” we find that it is a message of judgment by God on Israel because they broke their covenant, but also of peace through God’s promise of restoration of a repentant remnant, returning to their cities and land and rebuilding of the temple (Nahum 1:15; Isaiah 40:9; 41:27; 52:7; 61:1; Zech.13:8,9; Isa.44:28; Jer.31).

The good news prophetically foretold the future fulfillment of God’s promise to “make a new covenant with the house of Israel” where God will put His “law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts,” forgiving “their iniquities” and remembering “their sins no more” (Jer.31:31-34; Heb.8:6-13). Now, notice the same message of good news proclaimed by John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostles.

“Before the arrival of Jesus,” John the Baptist “preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel” (Acts 13:24), “for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:1-4; Luke 3:3), instructing the Israelites to believe in Jesus (Matt.3:1-17; Acts 19:4). Afterward, Jesus preached the good news/gospel of the kingdom “first to Jerusalem,” proclaiming peace, and announcing salvation through repentance – the better promise, the “kingdom of heaven,” was “at hand”/”near” (Luke 24:47; Eph.2:17; Mark 1:14; Matt.4:17; Luke 16:16; 8:1; John 16:33).

It was first to the House of Israel, the Jewish people who were under the old covenant that Jesus, “the Lamb of God,” was sent, to take away “the sins of the world” (John 1:29; Mark 1:38; Acts 13:23). The “world” that hated Jesus and hated his disciples was not the entire world/system, but the Jewish system led by Jewish religious leaders (John 17:15,16; John 15:18-19; 18:36). If the Jews repented and received God’s Son, they would receive grace, be freed from the transgression of the law, and receive the “better promise,” of which they were in line to receive as natural heirs (John 3:16,17; Acts 2:38,39; Eph.2:8,9).

God’s promises to Abraham’s descendants spoke of an inheritance of land with boundaries/territories they would inhabit (Gen.15:18-21; Josh.13 through 21). Notice the Israelites were prophesied to “be a land,” (Mal.3:12), a “land that will be his bride” (Isa.62:4). Whose bride? Jesus’, as he is head of his bride congregation, “new Jerusalem” (Rev.21:2,9; 19:7-9; John 3:29).

With repentance and faith in Christ, “the lost sheep of Israel,” would inherit the better promise, the kingdom of heaven, not a literal land with a rebuilding of a literal temple/Jerusalem (Matt.24:14; 25:1; 10:5-7; Heb.7:22; 8:6; 11:13-16; 12:24; Gal.3:18). But, even Jerusalem’s temple priests refused to accept the spiritual promise. They were physical, desiring to hold onto their positions of prominence in the physical temple, boasting in their Jewish lineage, being Abraham’s descendants, natural heirs (John 8:33,39; Matt.3:9). They rejected the better promise, and so Jesus said, “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it” (Matt.21:43).

Nation? What nation? Well, notice after Jesus’ death, the apostles continued to proclaim the message of good news to the Israelites (Rom.10:16; Acts 13:46; 14:7,15,21; 28:23,31; 1 Cor.9:16,18; Heb.4:2; Gal.1:8,11), a message they continued to reject (Rom.10:16; Acts 13:46; 14:7,15,21; 28:23,31; 1 Cor.9:16,18; Heb.4:2; Gal.1:8,11; Rom.10:1-4).

Regarding his preaching to the Israelites, Paul said he had preached to “all the earth, and to the ends of the world” (Rom.10:18). Did he mean that he preached the good news throughout the whole globe? No, he meant that the gospel had been thoroughly preached to all the “earth”/a dwelling/occupied land, the natural heirs to the kingdom of God, the Israelites, within their “world”/religious system (Rom.10:16-21; Heb.3:6). The kingdom of God, now, no longer comprised of only the tribes of natural Hebrew-speaking Jewish people, but to “every nation, from all tribes and peoples and language,” extending to God-fearing Gentiles who upon accepting the gospel and repenting, would receive God’s mercy (Acts 13:46; Rev.7:9; Acts 10:35; 13:26,46-48; Rom.1:5; Gal.2:2,8).

God told Abraham, “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice” (Gen.22:18). Now, individuals from all nations would be called to become “fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus” (Eph.3:6; Acts 13:32-42, 46; Rom.10:16-19; 1 Pet.2:10; Rev.5:9,10). Paul said that this was the mystery of the good news revealed to him, that “the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus” (Eph.3:3,6).

The “glorious riches of this mystery” is not a physical temple, but “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col.1:26,27). “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise” (Gal.3:29). Paul said this mystery had been “kept secret since the world began” (Rom.16:25). Since the actual “world” began? Remember, this reference refers to a religious system, and Paul, just as Jesus, was referring to the present Jewish system (Eph.3:6; Gen.17:7).

This promised kingdom of heaven was likened, by Jesus, to a seed, “a mustard seed that a man planted” in his field (Matt.13:31; Luke 13:19)…seeds that when planted, grow in either good soil, rocky or shallow soil, or among thorns (Matt.13:3-8). Who is the farmer? Jesus said he “is the true vine” and his “Father is the gardener” (John 15:1). As a Farmer, God cultivates the “earth” planting “seeds,” but not all seeds grow to be “healthy trees,” trees that bear healthful fruit, some become “diseased trees” bearing bad fruit (Matt.7:17-20). Seeds that grow into good trees do not bear bad fruit, “nor does a bad tree bear good fruit” (Luke 6:43). How will you recognize whether a “tree,” one “of the earth”/heir to the kingdom, is producing “fine fruit”? Jesus said “by their fruit,” you will recognize them (Matt.7:20). Now, fruit is likened to “lips,” so we discern that a “diseased tree”/false teacher/false prophet will be recognized by their sayings/teachings/failed predictions (Matt.7:16-20; John 15:1-17; Heb.13:1; Deut.18:20-22). Matthew 7:16 quoted from the Amplified Bible says it concisely: “By their fruit you will recognize them [that is, by their contrived doctrine and self-focus]…”.

“See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and late rains” (James 5:7). God is patiently waiting to see whether His children, those of the earth, will remain attached to His son, “the vine,” and “bear much fruit,” truthful teachings that last, not rot and expire (John 15:1-8,16).

Now we must ask ourselves, were the prophecies, the promise of inheritance, that God’s people would receive a multi-billion dollar religious organization/compound to live on? Jesus had “no place to lay his head,” (Matt. 8:20), and the apostle Paul rented a house (Acts 28:30). Jesus could have easily directed a physical temple/religious structure be set up to restore pure worship, but did he? No, The temple Jesus spoke about was “temple of his body,” a “spiritual house, a holy priesthood,” “God’s building” constructed of “living stones” (John 2:21; 1 Cor.3:9; 1 Pet.2:5).

The gospel of God is a priestly service, one that is carried out by those sanctified by the Holy Spirit to “minister” in “the priestly service of the gospel of God” (John 15:16; Rom.15:16). Who chooses such ones to perform the priestly service? God Himself selects those who are “built together to become a dwelling place which God lives by his Spirit,” the people He formed to proclaim His praises and to give testimony (Isa.43:10,21; Rev.12:10,11; Eph.2:22; 1 Pet.2:9).

Not all will be able to understand what Jesus is saying, not even all who are spiritual heirs (Matt.16:4). Why? They do “not accept the things of the Spirit of God” and “cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor.2:14). “Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?” (Luke 12:56) Without spiritual discernment, one will be as a “natural man,” and will falsely apply physical interpretations to the spiritual signs given by Jesus (Luke 17:20-24; 11:29; Matt.12:39; 2 Cor.4:18).

You asked me to name one group that has preached the good news worldwide. Who has convinced you that God backslid on His “better promise” of a new covenant, established since Christ’s death, and demanded that his spiritual temple be a physical organization? That would be exactly the pattern of backsliding ancient Israel engaged in, a form of idolatry (Jer.3:11-22)! “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands…” (Acts 7:48). “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands” (Acts 17:24). “What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” (2 Cor.6:16).

There are members of the body that together, uphold Jesus’ truthful teachings and do preach the good news worldwide...not connected to a physical organized religion (John 15:16). Remember, the prophetic message of peace was proclaimed announcing good news that a remnant of ancient Israel would repent of their rebelliousness and idolatry and restore their covenant with God (2 Chron.29:6; 36:14; Ezra 9:7; Neh.1:6; Ezek.11:14-20). “These things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whims the end of ages has come” (1 Cor.10:11,12). Despite this warning, in the last days, God’s household/spiritual Israel (Rom.2:28; 9:6; Phil.3:3) will “harden their hearts” and be “deceived by sin” (Heb.3:12-19). The spiritual priesthood is replaced, silenced, and trampled by those not consecrated to perform spiritual sacrifices (Matt.24:15,16; 2 Thess.2:1-4). Yet, a final remnant of spiritual Israel will repent, leave their idolatrous ways, and through the sacrifice of the “Lamb of God,” restore the “body of Christ” (Rev.2:5; 12:11). This is the good news!

If you want to follow a group of eight anointed that have become rebellious and created a physical organization, replacing the eternal priesthood with non-spirit anointed Gentiles, destroying His temple, stay, it is your choice! But be warned, if you stay, you WILL share in her sins (Rev.18:4; Ezek.44:6-9; Zech.4:6,7; Heb.8:5; 1 Cor.3:17).

“Repent, for the Kingdom of heavens is near” (Matt.4:17).

 

[Witness]

4 minutes ago, Witness said:

How will you recognize whether a “tree,” one “of the earth”/heir to the kingdom, is producing “fine fruit”? Jesus said “by their fruit,” you will recognize them (Matt.7:20). Now, fruit is likened to “lips,” so we discern that a “diseased tree”/false teacher/false prophet will be recognized by their sayings/teachings/failed predictions (Matt.7:16-20; John 15:1-17; Heb.13:1; Deut.18:20-22). Matthew 7:16 quoted from the Amplified Bible says it concisely: “By their fruit you will recognize them [that is, by their contrived doctrine and self-focus]…”.

FAILED PREDICTIONS, CONTRIVED DOCTRINE AND SELF-FOCUS…G Jackson, spoke about the organization’s failed predictions.  He said, ‘There were times when they got excited about a certain year or time and the end didn’t come at that time.  Just imagine if you had a watch dog and that dog barks in the middle night, and you get up and there’s nothing there, do you shoot the dog?  It only proves that the dog is doing what you want it to do.  So in a similar way, in enthusiasm we have said things that maybe disappointed others. The faithful slave…keeps us alert.  When that day comes, when Jesus brings destruction on this wicked system of things… where do you want to be?’ 

We do not want to be found “eating” from a tree that produces “bad fruit” – failed predictions, contrived doctrine.  “A good tree CANNOT bear bad fruit, and a bad tree CANNOT bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”  Matt 7:18,19 

Does his example of the watch dog “prove” that the leadership is keeping alert?   No.  It proves only one thing:

“As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.”  Ps 26:11 

We definitely do not want to be connected with fools, who’s fruit of the lips give praise to another father, other than the Almighty God.  (Heb 13:15)  (John 8:44)