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From the book, “Judgment Day Must Wait”, by Poul Bregninge, comes this comment from an active elder at the time of his interview: “For me it is the organization itself that is the big villain. It has quietly, through 125 years, had its own independent life. In its pure youth, we could perhaps connect the activities with a degree of sincerity, but it has since grown too big and strong, and all humility is gone. It has been immensely self-satisfied and even forgotten to serve its supporters. Instead, it sits on a throne, from which it requires unconditional obedience of its often fanatically loyal subjects. Most Jehovah’s Witnesses have quietly become accustomed to it, and they do not even see it. I still have a strong belief in God and I am indignant at the fact that an organization has put itself in God’s place and can get away with it. It is tragic! You can secretly hope that God will open people’s eyes, but he seems sadly silent. Yet the organization is alive and well. There are plenty of members who willingly support it and bring it nourishment; it’s really an excellent system in that respect. The Witnesses slave away for it their entire lives, without getting especially much in return, and the organization just shows more and more greed. But as long as its leaders can maintain the illusion that they are installed by God, as Jehovah’s “channel”, it works, apparently”. Unless this elder has come to realize it since his comment was written on paper, he has described the “man of lawlessness” that has risen over the years, and taken its “throne”, its “seat”, in the Temple of God. It has replaced His anointed priesthood, with the elder body. (2 Chron 23:6,7) This “big villain” was prophesied to trample down God’s priests, the “living stones” and dwelling of His spirit. (Num 18:7; 1 Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16,17; Eph 2:20-22) (Dan 7:7,8,21; Mark 13:14; 2 Thess 2:4; Rev 11:1,2) It has cast God’s laws in Christ aside, disregarding the reverence of the Body of Christ - His spiritual Temple. (Neh 1:7; 9:26; Lev 19:30; 1 Cor 3:16,17; 1 Cor 12:12,27; Eph 4:11-13) It is one of three villains or “Beasts” to “make war with the saints”, God’s holy people under covenant, through the practice of deceit. (Luke 22:31; Matt 24:24,25; 1 Tim 4:1; Col 2:8; Rev 13:1,2,7,10-15; 16:13-16; 20:7,8; 12:3,4,15,17) 2 Thess 2:1-4 – “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit, or a message, or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 No one is to deceive you in any way! For it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.” In the shadow of 1914, known as the “day of the Lord”, the “man of lawlessness” thrives in the praise it receives from those “marked” as its slaves. (Rom 6:16; 1 Cor 7:23; Gal 1:10; 2 Pet 2:19; Rev 13:16,17) It is the machinery, the inner workings of the organization depicted in the “Gentile” elder body. Its image as spirit-directed, requires “worship” and full obedience, in exchange for protection and salvation. (Exod 20:3,4; Rom 1:25; Rev 13:15,16,4; Judges 10:14; 1 Thess 5:3) He is a rare elder indeed, to recognize that the organization has “put itself in God’s place”. (Exod 23:13; Hos 4:12; Isa 46:5) However, it has been guided to accomplish this, through its governing leaders. (Eccl 5:8; Dan 11:31,36-38; 8:11,24;Luke 22:25-27; Matt 24:48,49; Rev 8:10,11; 13:12; 9:1-4,7,8; 12:17; 9:9; Joel 1:4-6; Rev 17:3) Pearl Doxsey - Clearly, it is the chosen priests who are to "re-adjust" sinners in a spirit of gentleness. This is their job as symbolic incense burners within God's Temple of anointed (1 Cor 3:16). So we see that the symbolic prophecies in Ezekiel regarding the "elders of Israel" burning incense within the temple, is certainly considered by God as an abomination, as well as the rebellion of the governing priests who dare to place them there (Ezek 43:6-9; 2 Chron 13:9). This offense is alive and well today, as the governing body of the Watchtower has arranged for not - anointed elders to usurp God's chosen priests, perform their exclusive duties, and throw out any of them that protest this abominable disrespect toward God and His Holy Temple. (Heb 12:22-25,21,28,29; 1 Cor 3:17) The Disgusting Thing If the elder only understood that his ability to “see” the organization for what it is, an idol and an enemy particularly against the anointed, (Rev 13:7; 20:9) he may perceive that it is by the grace of God that our eyes are opened to both the deceit and the idolatry practiced in the organization. (Isa 42:5-9) Perhaps he may then discern that God is listening to the prayers of those who question the false authority, of not only the Wild Beast from the Sea, but that of the Beast/false prophet that directs it. (Rev 13: 11-14) When God’s ancient nation of Israel sinned against His commandments, He removed His protection, allowing them to suffer the consequences of their choices, but not without warning them beforehand, of these consequences. (Neh 1:5-9; 2 Thess 2:9,10; Rev 13:8) Upon their frequent fall into sin, including abominations against His sanctuary, God’s prophets declared the need for Israel’s repentance. (Ps 74:1-3) Always, only a remnant submitted to repentance, turned away from their idols, and returned to God. (Neh 9:13,26, 16-18,27; Lev 26:38,44; Isa 10:22; Zech 13:9; Rev 9:18; 11:3,7;13:15; Rev 12:11; 9:20,21) God has been patient with us. (Neh 9:30,31,33) He hears the outcries of those oppressed, who are held spiritually captive to lies. (Ps 74:21) (Col 2:8; Rev 13:10; Ps 10:12; 72:4; 146:7-9; Matt 17:11; Mal 4:5,6; 3:1-3) The Father and Jesus are responding to the repentant hearts who desire to know truth, by healing their spiritual blindness. (Deut 32:36; Isa 49:24,25; Luke 4:18; Rev 2:20; 3:18; John 9:6) Jesus is right here to lead us to the bountiful Marriage Feast – of feast of truth. (Isa 55:1,2; John 6:35; 14:6; Matt 22:8-10; Rev 22:17) The earth already shakes with the voice of God in judgment against these villains, through His servants Jesus sends. (Neh 9:29; Matt 13:41-43; Heb 12:25-27; Rev 11:1-3;6:7;22:12-16) Soon, this judgment through God’s word, will culminate with their end. (Eccl 3:17; Neh 9:34,35; Isa 42:1-4; Dan 7:21,22,11; 2 Thess 2:8,9; Rev 19:20; 20:10,15; Jer 23:29) (Rev 18:4-8; 10:5-7) Christ's Return - When?