Are Elders, "gods"?

[Witness]

Zech. 10:2 – “For the household gods utter nonsense, and the diviners see lies; they tell false dreams and give empty consolation. Therefore the people wander like sheep; they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd.”

The term “household gods” refers to the Hebrew word “teraphim”, which means “healer”, a family idol, an image.  Teraphim could be rather large and in the shape of a human. They were consulted in divination, and derived from a root word meaning, “comfort”; thus, the teraphim god was a “giver of comfort”. (Gen 31:19; 1 Sam 19:13; Judges 17:5; 18-20; Hos 3:4,5)

Their role with the “diviners” of Zech 10:2 can be seen in Ezek. 21:21 -

“For the king of Babylon stands at the fork of the road at the head of the two roads to practice divination. He shakes the arrows, he inquires with the teraphim, he sees with the liver..” 

(Diviner - “one who pretends to predict events”, “false prophets of Israel”  - Micah 3:6)

Consider if you will, the elder body. Can they be symbolically viewed as the teraphim – as gods?  It is stressed in the organization that congregation elders provide “spiritual support and comfort” and are “protectors of the flock”.  They are the governing leader’s “Helpers” whom they consult with, through the writing committee and many other committees that are part of the organization. 

Jesus had asked the question in John 10:34-36, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’? ³⁵ If those people to whom the word of God came were called ‘gods’ (and the scripture cannot be broken), ³⁶ do you say about the one whom the Father set apart and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?”

He is quoting from Ps 82:6 - I said, "You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High.”

As “sons of the Most High”, God’s holy people, the anointed priesthood, are “gods”. 

Gal 3:26 – “or through faith you are all sons of God in Christ Jesus.”

They form, as priestly “living stones”, the spiritual house, the Temple of God. (1 Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16; 6:19; Eph 2:20-22)

God’s early priests were to teach the people His instructions. (Deut 33:10; Num 27:21; 2 Chron 15:3; Mal 2:7)

Since the advent of Jesus Christ - the High Priest and chief cornerstone of the spiritual Temple -  God’s chosen priests are given a token of spiritual understanding, with God’s laws written on their heart. (Matt 13:12; 2 Cor 1:21,22; Heb 8:10,1,2; 10:19-22)  

They must teach the word of God to all, as ambassadors of Christ. (2 Cor 5:20; Rom 15:15,16; 1 Pet 2:9)

To his faithful priests who walk in his path upholding his truths, Jesus gives “hidden manna”. (Luke 9:23; Matt 4:4; John 17:17; 2 Pet 1:19; Rev 2:7,17,18)

Yes, those to whom Christ gives hidden manna, take in the power of eternal life, through the spirit and it's seed placed within them (1 Pet 1:23; Rom 8:9). It then dwells within them (Luke 8:8,15).

They have authority to give it to yet others who receive them. They become messengers (Greek: "angels") of heavenly bread (Mal.2:7; 1Cor.4:1)

(John6:51,55; 1Cor.12:27; 10:17; John1:51)

and of living water (John7:38; Rev.22:17,1,2; Jer.17:7,8; Ps.1:3; Prov.11:28; Isa.61:3; Eze.47:12; John15:16,8; 14:12,13; Gen.22:15,18; Gal.3:29)

 (John7:38; Luke6:45,44; Matt.7:20).

Possessing the power to impart eternal life...."gods", indeed!

Pearl Doxsey 

Can the “uncircumcised” elder body, fit this description? (Ezek 44:7,9)  No.  The organization loosely uses the term, “God’s house” to define not only its physical “Bethel”, its kingdom halls, and various buildings, but also its people.  It has removed the distinction between the righteous and the unrighteous, the clean and the unclean, by allowing a “Gentile” elder body to replace God’s priests.  (Num 3:10;18:7; Lev 10:10; Ezek 44:23; Rev 11:1,2)   These men are false “gods”/false priests of a greater idol.  While the anointed are to represent the image of God’s Temple and dwelling of His Spirit (1 Cor 3:16), the elders represent the image of “Jehovah’s spirit-directed organization”.  (Rev 13:14-17)

The scriptures refer to teraphim as an abomination. (1 Kings 23:24) 

 To correlate this abomination as “gods” within God’s sanctuary, the word “abomination” in Matt 24:15, is translated as,

“a foul thing, a detestable thing, of idols and things pertaining to idolatry.”

Mark 13:14 - “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

The abomination certainly is the elder body “standing in” or stationed unofficially, as ‘representatives’ of the royal priesthood…becoming its own priesthood, and firmly establishing its power and false authority over the holy place”/Temple of God. (Matt 24:15; 1 Cor 3:16,17)  Being granted that role by the wicked slave/governing leaders, has resulted in the removal of the priestly “daily sacrifice” and the trampling of the “living stones” of God’s Temple.  (Dan 8:11-13; Matt 24:48-51; Rev 9:1-4) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+24%3A15%3B+1+Cor+3%3A16%2C17%3BDan+8%3A11-13%3B+Matt+24%3A48-51%3B+Rev+9%3A1-4&version=NKJV

In 2 Kings 23:24, the household gods and “all abominations” were removed by King Josiah “in order to establish the words of the law written on the scroll that Hilkiah the priest had found in the temple of YHVH.”  The anointed today, have been silenced in the organization.  Under the presence of the “abomination”, the laws of God written on the anointed heart are rejected for the laws of men. (2 Kings 17:7,8; Ps 10:13; Amos 2:4)  Christ’s teachings are either polluted or ignored. (Dan 8:12; Matt 5:17-19; Mark 7:7,8; John 12:47-48; Gal 1:11,12) 

It is an outright lie, that the organization carries God’s blessing and is inhabited by His Spirit, when His laws are blasphemed by the “abomination standing in the holy place”. (2 Chron 7:19-21; Jer 7:11,15; 1 Cor 3:17; 2 Thess 2:4,8; Rev 14:9-11)

The priesthood has been ordered by the governing leaders to remain distinctly separate from one another. This too is blasphemy, and sadly the anointed have been fooled into believing it is a decree coming from God.  (Ezek 44:6-9; Mal 1,2,7,8,11) (Mark 13:2; 1 Cor 12:25-27; Col 2:8; 1 Tim 4:1; Rev 13:10; 16:13-15; Mal 2:9)

“The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place. ³⁷ He will show no regard for the gods of his ancestors or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all. ³⁸ Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his ancestors he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts.”  Dan 11:36-38

The Hebrew word for “fortresses” means a place of safety, protection, refuge, stronghold.  For JWs, the organization is perceived as such; a refuge and place of spiritual protection, but also each elder is said to reflect these qualities. 

Yes, I believe the characteristics of the teraphim can be compared to the Body of Elders, the “abomination”, replacing God’s priesthood and blaspheming His spiritual Temple. (2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 11:1,2; 13:5-7)

Elders are the assumed spiritual “healers” and are consulted for protection, comfort and guidance, in conjunction with the “diviners”, or the false prophets/ governing leaders. (Matt 7:15; 24:24; 2 Pet 2:1; Rev 13:11,15)

 

Knowing these things (about the identity of the "gods")
helps us to interpret prophecy accurately, such as 2 Thess 2:4....

"He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called god or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God**."

Although we were taught while within the "Watchtower", that this "man of lawlessness" (2 Thess 2:3,4) pertains to "Christendom";
We now see that this is an identity that actually comes to dominate the authentic anointed.... the genuine priests of "God's temple" (1 Cor 3:16; Rev 5:10).
This is in harmony with so many scriptures that speak about the final condition of the anointed while being trampled by Gentiles ("man of lawlessness")
(Luke 21:24; Rev 13:10,7; Isa 5:5; 63:18; Dan 8:13; Rev 11:2).

 Who are the "gods"?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dmitar]

3 hours ago, Witness said:

Consider if you will, the elder body. Can they be symbolically viewed as the teraphim – as gods?  It is stressed in the organization that congregation elders provide “spiritual support and comfort” and are “protectors of the flock”.  They are the governing leader’s “Helpers” whom they consult with, through the writing committee and many other committees that are part of the organization. 

Interesting deduction. Since Pearl Doxsey and yourself offer "spiritual support" does this mean you should be viewed, as teraphim? 

teraphiym —

idolatry, idols, image(s), teraphim, a family idol; a kind of idol used in a household shrine or for worship

(from The Online Bible Thayer's Greek Lexicon and Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon, Copyright © 1993, Woodside Bible Fellowship, Ontario, Canada. Licensed from the Institute for Creation Research.)

3 hours ago, Witness said:

osiah “in order to establish the words of the law written on the scroll that Hilkiah the priest had found in the temple of YHVH.”

I've been meaning to ask you about, why you use YHVH? Do you have a clear understanding of the Jewish language that YHVH was used to represent Yeshua. Does this mean you believe in the trinity, that Jesus is God?

I can understand when people use YHWH to represent God, but not the latter.

[Witness]

6 hours ago, Dmitar said:

I've been meaning to ask you about, why you use YHVH?

I have used YHVH, YHWH, and Yahweh.    

6 hours ago, Dmitar said:

Does this mean you believe in the trinity, that Jesus is God?

No.  

 

6 hours ago, Dmitar said:

Since Pearl Doxsey and yourself offer "spiritual support" does this mean you should be viewed, as teraphim? 

I already outlined the role of the spiritual priesthood under Christ.  The elder "priesthood" is an evil dichotomy transgressing the laws of God.

[Dmitar]

2 hours ago, Witness said:

I have used YHVH, YHWH, and Yahweh. 

Then you should be aware that using YHVH, you are referring to Christ, not God in Jewish language. Unless you make that distinction, you are confusing your readers. Then it makes a reader believe you do believe in the trinity, which is a false application as you stipulate with the letter (J) that also comes from the upgraded Jewish language to English form.

This would mean by your application of God's name, the most appropriate use of God's name would be Yahovah or Yehovah, YHWH.

Keep in mind, God's name was meant to be known and used in the appropriate way. In English form, the (J) is the most appropriate indicator, even if your Pearl Doxsey makes it a challenge out of not knowing linguistics.

2 hours ago, Witness said:

I already outlined the role of the spiritual priesthood under Christ.  The elder "priesthood" is an evil dichotomy transgressing the laws of God.

This outline as you put, it would also be reflected of you and Pearl Doxsey, as I stated earlier, it's an interesting deduction. How can people receive "spiritual support" from a person like you, that has the same qualities of an evil dichotomy transgressing in the laws of God?