Memorial of millions: Local Jehovah's Witnesses gather to mark Christ's death

[Guest Nicole]

As the sun set on March 23, over 100 individuals arrived at Nibley’s Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at 2813 S. Main St. to commemorate an event recognized by millions across the world throughout the day: The Memorial of Jesus Christ’s death.

Unlike most Christian denominations, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate Easter, believing the Bible instructs them to commemorate Christ’s death instead of his resurrection. Instead, the Witnesses hold an annual Memorial on the date of Christ’s death on the Bible’s lunar calendar, an event observed by Witnesses and non-Witnesses alike.

“Last year, 19,862,683 people joined in commemoration of this event,” Nibley Kingdom Hall Elder Robin Kutulas said during his address. “When sun set on the Orient, millions gathered. Even in Belgium many gathered. There are 240 lands who have been part of this, and now it is our turn.”

In the weeks leading up to the event, the Witnesses distributed invitations for the public event, which elder Ben Everly said is attended by more non-Witnesses than Witnesses.

“We like to see everyone come,” Everly said. “There is always room here for anyone.”

As the only celebration Witnesses observe (avoiding traditional celebrations like Christmas and birthdays), the Memorial is a major holy event which Kutulas said will continue to be observed until the resurrection of humans to heaven and to earthly paradise.

“We never know which Memorial will be the last, but it sure feels like it’s getting close,” Kutulas said.

Paradise and resurrection was a major theme of Kutulas’ discussion. He said the death of Christ helped bring about a promise of paradise for those faithful to his teachings. Kutulas referenced the Bible’s Book of Isaiah, in which a description of of the paradise Jehovah intended for Earth is discussed as peaceful, a land in which humankind and animals live together harmoniously and in perfect health.

Witnesses followed along with Kutulas in their own personal Bibles as he discussed the significance of each passage.

“In paradise, every room has a view,” Kutulas said. “We will see beautiful mountains and waterfalls. There will be no more hospitals, no more military, no more borders, no more politics. Mankind will be reunited as a family and reflect the image of the one who made them.”

A feature of the Memorial is the passing of wine and unleavened bread, a representation of the Last Supper Christ had before his death. While most believers pass along the representations during the Memorial, a very select few partake in it. Those who partake believe they are part of the 144,000 anointed by God to ascend to heaven to rule alongside Christ in the Kingdom of God instead of remaining on Earth’s paradise.

None of Nibley’s attendees partook of the bread and wine, but each of them held the representations before passing them along row by row. Kutulas said it is rare for anyone to partake during the event, stating only around 15,000 people out of last year’s nearly 20 million worldwide attendees partook.

At the closing of the event, visitors were encouraged to join the Witnesses during their Sunday meetings, particularly their upcoming April 10 meeting, when a special Bible talk entitled “Are You on the Road to Everlasting Life?” will be delivered.

Source: http://news.hjnews.com/allaccess/memorial-of-millions-local-jehovah-s-witnesses-gather-to-mark/article_7a43b866-ec3f-5401-a28f-473100a5a535.html