"Benefactors"

[Witness]

“Benefactor” from the dictionary –

•  someone or something that provides help or an advantage 
• a person who helps people or institutions (especially with financial help)

Can the “governors” of the organization be considered its benefactors?  Well, they have the “colossal task” of overseeing the “preaching work”, providing a “steady supply of timely spiritual food”, and “managing the financial needs” of the organization.  They may not be the literal source of providing financial help, but they certainly are experts at fundraising and begging. (2 Cor 2:17; Rom 12:17) 

Do the scriptures give us a setting that can be applied to the governing leaders as the organization’s benefactors?

Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.  And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’  Luke 22:24,25

These “Gentiles”, who reside with the anointed of “Israel”, can be defined by the Wt. –

W12 2/1 pp. 8-9 - “With God’s backing, millions from all nations, tribes, and tongues are gathering together to form a harmonious, loving brotherhood."

(Heb 12:15; Rev. 8:10-11; 17:15)

Who are the “kings” (defined also as “princes”) who must be obeyed by all JWs from all nations?  It would be those who are said to “represent” the anointed priests/kings of “Israel”, which is the entire Body of Elders. (1 Pet 2:5,9) (see the magazine study article 2002/8/1 p. 9,10; par. 18,20)

This elder body, whose members are called “princes” by the organization, is in submission to the governing leaders or “benefactors” who oversee all aspects of the “kings’” duties.   

“Benefactor” in Greek, means a title of honor on a “worker of good”. Other translations use the terms, “very important”, “friends of the people”.

 The Worldwide English translates the benefactors as, “those who rule have given themselves a good name”.  That would include the title of “faithful and discreet slave”, wouldn’t it?  It is a title self-bestowed before Jesus returns to tell his servants whom he has chosen as the faithful slave providing food “at the proper time”.  (Matt 24:45; 25:23; Luke 17:10)  

In various translations, Mark 10:42 calls these men, “great ones”, “tyrants”, who exercise their “absolute authority”. The hierarchy of organization rule outlined by Jesus in Luke chapter 22, is not something to emulate, but to avoid.  

Jesus said, “It is not to be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever is greatest among you should become like the youngest, and whoever leads, like the one serving. For who is greater, the one at the table or the one serving? Isn’t it the one at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.”  Luke 22:27

Mark 10:45 - “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  

Have the organization’s leaders positioned themselves higher than all other anointed members of Christ, as well as Jesus Christ himself?  Yes. Serving these benefactors is expected by JWs, in exchange for their ‘hard work’ of providing spiritual food and tending to the organization’s needs. The anointed and all JWs serve the eight men in charge, through promoting their doctrine and fully submitting to their instructions and guidance; even if these men “err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction.” (Prov 23:1-3; 1 John 4:1; Re13:16-17; Rom 6:16; Titus 1:7-11; Col 2:8; Matt 7:18-20)  

In no manner of speaking are the “benefactors” found “among” the anointed, as Jesus said he is, in Luke 22:27.  They are exalted over them, and secluded from them.  (Matt 24:24,26; 1 Cor 7:23; 1 John 2:19) 

Both physically and spiritually, this group of men sit as heads at the organizational table, ruling over their anointed brothers in Christ, and defying Jesus’ position as Master and High Priest, over all his authentic “kings of the earth”.  (Dan 11:27; Rev 13:11,12; Matt 24:48-49)

(Heb 3:1; 8:1; Rev 1:5; 5:9,10) 

The early high priest was the spiritual leader of the people. The entire responsibility of the temple service was in his oversight. (Exod 28:1; Num 18:7; 2 Chron 19:11; Num 27:21) Today’s spiritual temple is comprised of “living stones” in the anointed priesthood. Jesus, our High Priest, is to provide direction and have full authority over his priests - a temple built on his spiritual body. (John 2:19-21; 1Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16; 6:19-21; Eph 2:20-22) 

Yet, in the presence of idolatry, the truth of God’s word that this spiritual temple would otherwise provide through the unity of its “living stones” (1 John 2:27; John 15:4)… 

…has been thrown down, trampled, and scattered by those who rule over them.  It has been abandoned in the organization, with an “inspired” idol taking its place in the hearts of God’s holy people, where only His Spirit should dwell. (Deut 30:17-18;13:12-15; 9:16-17; Dan 8:9-13; Luke 19:44; Deut 28:58,64; Zech 7:13,14; 1 Tim 4:1; Rom 1:25; Rev 13:4,15) 

Do you see a dichotomy revealed, as the ‘governors’ assume position as spiritual leaders over all JWs, and especially the anointed under Jesus Christ?  Their only concern is the organizational temple substitute; thus, they assume the role as “high priest” of their temple/idol.  On the other hand, this also identifies them as the wicked house steward over God’s spiritual temple, who neglects the duties of steward over God’s House.  (Luke 12:42,45) 

Jesus said no one can serve two masters, so to be successful stewards of their organization/idol, they must “hate” the house that God established on His Son. (Matt 6:24; Eph 2:20-22)  Jesus is mentioned only as one who gains respect, by all JWs giving obedience to the benefactors; the tyrants who have convinced the anointed to obey their new master, along with the “Gentile” counterfeit priests who have been given authority over them.  (Col 2:18-22) 

Recently, an elder here told me that their judgment for disfellowshipping is based not on one’s conscience, but solely on obedience; and of course, that would obedience to the organization and its doctrines. This setup and dual rulership, practices exactly as Jesus warned his disciples to avoid…

 “It is not to be like that among you”

And Jesus once again reveals the scenario we read in Luke 22:24, that does gain a strong foothold in the last days. By illustrative, descriptive signs in the book of Revelation, we learn from John’s visions that both ruling authorities over those of the “nations” of JWs and God’s holy people, are referred to as “Beasts”.

 Each one has been granted by the “dragon” the ability to “exercise authority”:

The “kings of the Gentiles”, as the elders and backbone of the organization who are allowed to “exercise authority” over God’s holy people – Rev 13:1,2,5,7. It is called the Wild Beast from the Sea.  (Isa 57:20) 

And the “benefactors” as false prophets, who “exercise authority” on behalf of the Wild Beast by managing the “kings of the Gentiles”/Body of Elders/Beast from the Sea. - Rev 13:11,12  

The false prophet/fallen anointed star, shares her religious authority with the Beast/locust-scorpions (Rev. 13:12; 19:20; 9:3,7,10),…

…so that the Beast is empowered to persecute the faithful priest Holy Ones, for her (Rev 13:7; 2 Chron 13:9; Ezek 44:6-9). 

This Idolatrous Image of the Beast is the "disgusting thing standing in a Holy Place" that Jesus referred to, at Mark 13:14; Dan 11:31; 8:11; Jer 7:30 and 2 Thess 2:4. 

It "tramples" (persecutes) the Holy Ones right within the Temple (Rev 11:2; 2 Thess 2:4) under the direction of the two-horned False Prophet/Wormwood/Fallen Star over the Abyss. Yet this whole arrangement, is under Satan (Rev 9:1,11; 13:2,4; Luke 22:31)

Last World Power Over the Chosen Ones 

Satan has used similar tactics woven through the scriptures to mislead God’s people into idolatry (2 Kings 16:2,3; 2 Chron 28:22-25) 

As other nations with their various gods challenged the faith of God’s people in the past, it is in the last days before the Kingdom arrives that Satan’s previous ideas are paired with the use of magnified deceit against the members of Christ’s body. (Matt 24:4,5,23-26; Rom 16:17-18; 2 Tim 3:5-9; 2 Cor 11:3,4,13; Col 2:8; Eph 5:6; Rev 13:10) 

Deceit is the required tool that the Beasts have been given, to collect and lead the anointed into servitude, better said as slavery, to the idol. (Matt 24:4-5,24-25;2 Thess 2:3; Rev 13:14,18; 16:13-16; 20:7-9) 

I was reading about Dagon, the god of the Philistines, a people who were a primary enemy of the Jews and whose major impact influenced the naming of “Palestine”, a word derived from the Philistines.  The Phoenicians, who were called “people of the sea”, were among the first to raise up the idol, Dagon. Later down the line, the tribe of Philistines also called “sea people”, built a temple for the idol. Goliath, whom young David slayed, was a Philistine.  Throughout the history of the many facets of Dagon, it is said to have been either a god of grain (fertility of the land), a fish god, or a god of clouds and rain and the father of the storm god, Baal.  As most idols did, these two required the sacrifice of children.

When Eli was high priest of Israel, war was raging between Israel and the Philistines.  God had previously told Eli that his descendants would not thrive because of his weak attitude toward the wicked behavior of his two sons, who were also priests.  His unfaithfulness toward God’s decrees brought disgrace on him, as well as the nation of Israel. (1 Sam 2:27-31)  His corrupt priestly sons are described as idolaters and fornicators who “did not know the Lord”.  (1 Sam 2:12)  The account of their sacrifices offered for the people, shows an abhorrent lack of righteousness practiced before God.  (1 Sam 2:17) 

 After an initial defeat by the Philistines, and under no direction from God, Israel considered taking the ark of the covenant into battle. Eli’s sons Hophni and Phineas rashly removed it from the tabernacle and took it to the battlefield. Having already transgressed the laws of God held within the ark, of which signified His sacred presence in Spirit among His people, Eli’s sons put faith in the literal ark itself, more so as a talisman or idol to bring them to victory.  Because of its sins, Israel was defeated by the Philistines and suffered the loss of 30,000, including the lives of Eli’s sons. (1 Sam 4:1-11)  When Eli had heard that the ark had been stolen, he too fell over and died. (1 Sam 4:18)  

The Philistines carted the ark away to their temple, and set the chest alongside their god, Dagon. (1 Sam 5:1,2; Exod 20:23; Ps 135:15-18; Isa 45:20) 

 The ark of the covenant, or ark of the “testimony” which held the laws of God given to Moses, was built by Moses according to the heavenly “pattern” shown to him on the mountain. (Ex. 25:10-22; Heb 8:5) 

 “And they shall make an ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits shall be its length (3.75 feet or 1.1 meters), a cubit and a half its width (2.25 feet or 0.7 meters), and a cubit and a half its height (2.25 feet or 0.7 meters).  And you shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and shall make on it a molding of gold all around.”  (Exod 25:10-11)

Considering the size of the ark, it is likely that Dagon, an image portrayed at times as half man and half fish, towered over the ark. Nonetheless, Dagon was unable to stand in the presence of the Spirit of God.  Twice, the idol fell face forward over two consecutive nights, with the last night’s fall breaking off its head and hands. When this happened the scriptures state, “only the torso of Dagon was left”. (1 Sam 5:3-5)  The Philistines’ intention was to mock the power of God by placing the ark alongside Dagon; instead, God proved that the seeming divinity of Dagon was powerless; a lifeless idol made of “wood and stone”.    (Psalm 115:4-7; Isa 40:18-20) 

 When I perceive this idol set “alongside” God’s presence in Spirit represented by the ark, I see a parallel happening with today’s Beast/“man of lawlessness”; only the situation is much worse than any idolatry, or war, that God’s people faced in the past. This spirit-breathed “living” Beast rises out of the symbolic sea with one purpose, to “make war” with the saints by blaspheming, mocking, the sanctuary of God. (Rev 13:1,2,5,7,15) It is the culmination of the war of Armageddon, the last war against God’s “kings of the earth” before the Kingdom arrives.  (Rev 16:13-16; 20:7-9) 

God’s priests are to remember and preserve the His laws in Christ, that were put into their minds, and “written on their hearts” upon the anointing.  (Deut 6:4-6,8; Heb 8:10) Instead, they have accepted and bear the mark of the Beast, on their forehead and hands; evident in their actions and ‘imprinted’ beliefs and pursuits, geared to the false prophet’s teachings handed down to all by the elder body. (Deut 11:18; Zech 7:11-12; Rev 13:16-17; Luke 6:45)  

It is said that the god Dagon brought gifts of information to the people.  He taught them how to till the soil, providing them with the first plough for mankind.  It seems to me that the elder body viewed as “gifts in men” (stolen from the message in Eph 4:4-13 regarding the anointed under Christ) is teaching JWs how to “till” the soil of their hearts to make them receptive to the governors information based on lies. 

How so?  Under the power of this Beast, truth is tilled under, hearts are hardened by the absence of the living water from Jesus; and through the development of fallow “ground”, lies/weeds take firm hold in the minds and hearts of the anointed. (Hos 10:12; Jer 4:3; Luke 8:11,12,14,15; John 7:38; Eph 4:18; John 12:40; Heb 4:12) 

In all aspects - mentally, spiritually, and through its ability to exercise authority over the anointed - this disgusting Beast has managed to stand in the “holy place”, where it does not belong, in the Temple/dwelling of God.  (Matt 24:15,16; Mark 13:14; 2 Thess 2:3,4; 1 Cor 3:16,17)  The laws written on the hearts of God’s people have been challenged and dismissed, by the “laws”/doctrines of men. (Mark 7:6-7)  

However, as was the fate of Dagon, so also will be the fate of the Beast/”mountainlike organization”. (Zech 4:4-7)  

 As we read of Dagon’s fatal fall, the idol lost his head and hands. (1 Sam 5:4) Its worshipers bore the “mark” of Dagon, which ruled all aspects of their lives, to the point of sacrificing their children in its honor.  But without those vital parts that exercised authority through its teachings and activities, it became useless and humiliated. It took seven months for the ark of the covenant to be returned to Jerusalem, for the laws of God to be restored to His people.  Along the journey home, many fell ill and were terrified at its presence among them. (1 Sam 6:8-12)  For those who dare approach and open the ark, they were killed.  “Who is able to stand in the presence of the Lord this holy God?”, they cried.  1 Sam 6:19-20

The Beast and those JWs who are presently crying out, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war against it?”, will be awestruck before the power of the Almighty God when they will cry out the same words as spoken long ago.  (Rev 13:4; 17:8) 

“Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the generals, the rich, the powerful, and every slave and free person hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. ¹⁶ And they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, ¹⁷ because the great day of their wrath has come! And who is able to stand?” Rev 6:15-17

A small, anointed remnant of God’s dwelling in Spirit have removed the Beast’s mark through their cleansing testimony of Christ (Rev 3:17-20; Eph 5:6-14; John 16:2; Rev 11:3,7; 13:15; 12:10-11) 

Yet the war of truth against lies, continues to be waged against the governing leaders and her idol, until it is brought down. Soon, the towering Beast and its demanding mark on all JWs (Rev 13:16), will be falling flat on its face; humiliated by the Father when the man of lawlessness is brought to nothing by the breath, the spirit, of Jesus Christ at his coming. (2 Thess 2:3,4,7,8; Rev 19:20; 20:10; 14:9-11; 12:7-8)   

 “When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you. ² When you are about to engage in battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army. ³ He is to say to them, ‘Listen, Israel: Today you are about to engage in battle with your enemies. Do not be cowardly. Do not be afraid, alarmed, or terrified because of them. ⁴ For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."  Deut 20:1-4

“Then I saw another angel flying high overhead, with the eternal gospel to announce to the inhabitants of the earth—to every nation, tribe, language, and people. ⁷ He spoke with a loud voice: “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship the one who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”  Rev 14:6,7  

 

An Accounting with the Master