Organizational Adjustments in Doctrine

[Witness]

The picture below is found here, under the Examining the Scriptures Daily for August 30th; its inscription requires consideration.

“Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea” 1 Cor 10:1,2

Moses was assigned directly by God to set free His people from the captivity of men, as well as bring them to repentance.  Ex.6:6-8,12; 12:21,24,28,42.   

Today, the GB will not say they are inspired, although they claim to be the “channel” used by the Lord and guided by Holy Spirit.

That faithful slave is the channel through which Jesus is feeding his true followers in this time of the end. It is vital that we recognize the faithful slave. Our spiritual health and our relationship with God depend on this channel.—W 13 7/15

In the wilderness with Moses,

“all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.” 1 Cor 10:3,4

The Watchtower is making the proclamation that it’s feeding program is an identical situation as with Moses directing the Israelites.

 Comparisons:

1.        While Moses was a prophet sent by God in which scripture clearly has defined for us, the Governing Body, uninspired, and presently not claiming to be prophets, announces it is the channel God uses as a “faithful and discreet slave” by referring to Matt 24:45-51, which speaks also of an evil slave who “beats his brothers” in Christ.  Superiority should not exist within the Body of Christ, yet the GB thrives on it. Rom 12:3,6; Matt 23:12; 1 Cor 12:24-26; Matt 20:26,27; 1 Cor 4:7

2.       God’s people in the wilderness were baptized into Moses; he became their mediator between God and the Israelites.  Without this inspired, meek man to lead them out, they would have died in Egypt. 

Newcomers to the organization are baptized into the organization. (“Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization?”) By entering it, identifying with it, it is viewed as one’s salvation; thus, it has become the mediator between God and man, taking the place of Christ, our true mediator.  Acts 4:12

From the es, 8/30:  If we are to have Jehovah’s favor and blessing as individuals, we must support his organization and accept adjustments in our understanding of the Scriptures.

Jesus, the Rock (unchanging, solid, firm, unmoving and like God, “his work is perfect”) blessed the Israelites through Moses with the same spiritual food to all in the wilderness; food that reflected God’s righteousness and truth. Deut 32:4

Jesus, who is truth, is taught as feeding those within the organization under continual changing teachings which is tradition, and welcomed; dispensed by the Governing Body, seven men who have aligned themselves with Moses leading the Israelites. Matt 23:1,2 While the Israelites received the food of perfection, the organization stumbles on blunders requiring adjustments in teachings.  Jer 7:28; Rom 1:24,25

In regard to the comments on the picture below, can the fulfillment of the law by the arrival of Christ be used as an example of adjusting to necessary changes in the organization? On what level is there any resemblance when Watchtower teaching needing adjustment obviously was not truth to begin with? 

And is there really any comparison between what God provided the Israelites and what the organization provides today’s sheep? It wasn’t the spiritual nourishing food that fell short in Moses’ day, BUT THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES, by turning their back on God’s sustenance provided by the Rock through Moses.

But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.  Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.  And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”

WT ‘90 11/1 p. 26 "As Christians, we face up to similar challenges today. We cannot take part in any modern version of idolatry—be it worshipful gestures toward an image or symbol or the imputing of salvation to a person or an organization."

An idol is an image, a representation of anything, or a symbol that is an object of passionate devotion.. (“All who remain loyal to Jehovah and his organization will have his continued blessing.” W14/5/15) ...whether material or imagined. Generally speaking, idolatry is the veneration, love, worship, or adoration of an idol. It is usually practiced toward a real or supposed higher power, whether such power is believed to have animate existence [as a human, an animal, or an organization) or is inanimate (as a force or lifeless object of nature –(the Watchtower exists as both animate and inanimate, as a “spirit directed organization”) ]. Idolatry generally involves some form, ceremony, or ritual.  Insight Vol 1

 “Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.”  Exod 32:1 

How is the organization a “god” going before all? 

For such Scriptural promises to become realities for us as individuals, we must continue to make spiritual progress, moving ahead with God’s organization, always keeping pace with it. W 14/5/15

It is interesting how man has continually created a counterfeit mediator with its own tangible entity.  Idolatry seeps in slowly, agreeably accepted in soothing comfort, while faith and loyalty to God becomes indistinct, unclear, and the idol (organization) and God are integrated into a new type of worship. This new mediator replaces the perfect truth, Christ, originally and directly from God, into man’s version of truth, a shifting format of new light (whitewash).  The early apostle Paul spoke of finishing his race with joy, in Christ Jesus – not keeping pace alongside any other man made presence, but determined to faithfully serve his Master fully.  Does the organization promote this?  No, one MUST keep pace with IT.  2 Tim 4:7; Acts 20:24

Moses was replaced by a golden calf, Jesus is replaced by a worldly-wise organization and 7 men who, out of presumed righteousness and devoid of meekness, have designated themselves as “faithful and discreet”.

“Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers (Strong’s G1703 - “false teachers”) will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts (“desire, craving, longing”) and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 2 Pet 3:1-4

"Our Lord, the appointed King, is now present since October 1874, A.D., according to the testimony of the prophets, to those who have ears to hear it: and the formal inauguration of his kingly office dates from Apr 1878, A.D." Studies in Scriptures Series IV (1897) p.621

"The Watchtower has consistently presented evidence to honest hearted students of Bible prophecy that Jesus’ presence in heavenly Kingdom power began in 1914. Events since that year testify to Jesus' invisible presence."Watchtower 1993 Jan 15 p.5

Does the evidence above show that Watchtower teaching has consistently presented the truth of Christ, when his proposed promised coming has been dissected, whitewashed (new light) and patched for the last 100 plus years?  Ezek 13:10-15; James 1:17; John 14:6;2 Thess 2:2

 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”  Matt 19:21

Should we strike the word “me” and insert “the Watchtower organization”, thus blaspheme scripture?

“ Nor let us commit sexual immorality,(“to act the harlot, to permit one's self to be drawn away by another into idolatry” Rev 17:1-5) as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, (“to put to proof God's character and power” Matt 4:7) as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.  ”  1 Cor 10:8-10

“Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.  No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. “1 Cor 10:11-13

The way of escape – Matt 11:28-30; John 14:5,6; Luke 17:31-37; Rev 3:18-22; Rev 18:4-8